USA > Ohio > Medina County > Chatham > Chatham sesquicentennial, 1818-1968. > Part 6
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Our Members cherish a love for the beautiful ritualism of the grange and we are confident it will move forward with the grange of the future.
By: E.T. Clapp
Rice's Dam
Rice's Dam has been widely known for over 135 years and operated by Rice's until Clem Rice retired at the age of 95, only a few years ago. It is now owned by Ebin Bistline of Grafton, Ohio.
Frederick Rice, also a miller, settled on what is now the east part of the Wooster Exper- iment Farm, in 1822, coming from eastern Pennsyl- vania. In 1830 his grandson Phillip came north along Black River looking for a Mill site. Black
River had gained fame as the course of Co !. James Smith, the first white man to enter this part of Chio, as he moved toward Lake Erie in 1756 with his family of adopted Indians.
The forest was so dense that it took Phillip and his Miller father, Barnhart, who had come along to help select the sight for a dam, four days to cut a trail from Lodi to this point four miles north which was eventually selected, located the south west part of Chatham Twp. They decided on this site because there was an old river bed, abandoned in the years of the river's "meandorings," that could be made into a mill race with very little ef- fort. A "water right" was purchased to permit backing the water up stream. Trees were felled, the logs, smaller trees, and lots of brush were dragged into the river to dam up the water suf- ficiently to run a saw mill, to cut out better timbers for the dam, but ice in the winter raised so much havoc with the log dam that four years later, in 1834, today's stone and timber dam was built. Huge rocks were hauled in on mud sleds from the surrounding hills and a few more were added each year for many years. Later concrete was poured over the inside of the dam. Willow trees were planted to help hold the banks. The old river bed was cleaned out to carry the water a- round to the mill, making the "mill race."
The first mill used an over shot wheel. Because of fires, there has been four mills on this site. Mills, those days frequently burned
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after several years of accumulating explosive flour dust. The later mills used turbins instead of over - shot. The first turbin Phillip Rice designed him- self. This turbin has been preserved and mounted in concrete for display, it may be at the mill yet. There was a large four story flouring mill built in 1877 by John Rice, son of Phillip and father of Clement. It was the finest in Northern Ohio at that time. The day of the "raising" was a great neighbor event, as related by Mrs. Sarah Gilbert of Lodi, a sister of Clement, but older that he, (being only 10 years old at that time.) She said one hundred men came and about 25 neighbor ladies came in to help get the dinner. She also recalled that she sewed for days and days making up the new silk bolts for the new mill. For many years it was one of the biggest industries in Medina County. Farmers teams stood in line many hours awaiting their turn. It even ran night shifts in rush season. It too was destroyed by fire in 1896. It was replaced with a smaller mill and saw mill. In later years Clem Rice developed a pancake mix along with his packaged graham, corn meal and buckwheat flour. This mill became known far and wide, for there was a great demand for his stone burr ground products with all the vitamin germ left in the flours. Even some doctors recom- mended their use. One Christmas he shipped his products to seventeen states.
Clem Rice, as he was known to most people, was also quite diversified. In the early 1900's he traveled the fairs, showing thoroughbred hogs and sheep, including several state fairs. For several years he displayed the agricultural exhibit for Medina County at Columbus State Fair. He served as Medina County Recorder for four years, 1916-1920; and served in township offices. He recalled carrying the first rural mail out of Spencer for a day or two on horse back. He had accompanied the Post Office Inspector laying out the route, and the regular carrier couldn't go the first day or so. He also was active in Chatham's first telephone service being built.
During the late twenties and thru the thirties he became known far and wide thru home made ice cream and his park facilities. The area between the Mill Race and the main river was well shaded with huge walnut trees and here he built picnic tables, fireplaces, ball diamond, etc. These grounds were booked for picnics and reunions from miles and miles around, even into adjoining counties. He and his wife Emma (White) made hundreds of gallons of home made ice cream in season, at first he used water power, later electric, which he extended into the park. There were also several cottages on the Mill Race, usually the occupants were from Cleveland, Akron, Elyria and Wooster.
But when World War II came along, with it went the large walnut trees, stumps and all, for gun stocks and other government uses. These trees had been planted by Phillip a hundred years before.
CLEM RICE RETIRES
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Clem Rice spent his whole life here until his retirement at the age of 95, except four years in Medina as County Recorder and three years he spent in Lodi in the Lumber business with his brother, Joseph, until they burned out there. He died at the Crestview Rest Home at Medina at the age of 98. He often mourned that he had no son's to carry on the Rice and Mill tradition. He had two daughters, Mrs. Dorothy Fuller of Lodi and Mrs. Hannah Betz of Medina. Mrs. Rice died in 1953.
THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH
The old Blacksmith shop was torn down in 1959- Obliterating landmark that was familiar to all old residents. It was built around 1885 by L.C. Pohlman, who used it for a blacksmith shop; and, later a buggy repair shop and dealership. My father, Harry Grim, served his apprenticeship in the old shop and when it was caught by the changing times and became a garage and gas station, run by Fenton Shaw, he proceeded to build his own shop on his small farm on Short Street. There he shod horses, sharp- ened plow points and kept the old horse drawn 'kid wagons' in running condition. This was a summer job getting them ready for school to start.
Horses were fast being replaced by tractors, trucks and cars; but he managed to make a living for his family by repair work and such, until swamped by the depression of the '30's.
He is retired now, living in Florida. Still hale and hearty at the age of seventy-seven; not a grey hair on his head. His forge and anvil are in his back yard and still tinkering, doing a little repair job for his neighbors and friends.
He wishes he was younger so he could ply his trade on the neighboring horse farms. His "Know- how" would be much in demand on these show places being transplanted from the Bluegrass area of Ken- tucky.
by: Mrs. Al P. (Ferm Grim)Allemang
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THE KING of the blacksmith's hammer will echo no more in Chatham. The old blacksmith shop, at least 74 years old, is being torn down and the land will become a front yard for Frank Storm. His uncompleted house may be seen at the right behind the old structure. (C-T Photo)
Chatham 4-H History
The first 4-H activity in Medina C. was done through the schools but with little success.
There were 5 small clubs in the county in 1919 and it remained that way until 1922. The first local lead- ees were secured in 1921. Boys and girls belonged to the same club and met monthly. There was a milk booth at the Medina County Fair in 1921, at which 4-H members sold Holstein and Jersey milk.
The first county agent was R.H.Halderson. The firstin Chatham was begun in 1922 when H.C.Brunskill was hired as county club leader and he began work.on June 1, 1922. The name of the Chatham Club was "Chath- am Climbers" and the advisors were Rolden Clapp and Hannah Clapp.
The first year there were 4 clothing projects, 1 potatoe proj- ect,3 pig projects, and 1 poultry project. In 1923 Chatham had it's first calf club member and also 3 poultry and 3 pig projects.
The first food club was started in 1923 and was known as theSuccess- ful Six with Mrs. AdaPackard as it's leader. Six girls completed there food projects. The Clothing Club was known as the Chatham Cheerful Sewers and had 15 girls starting pro- jects and only nine completing.
In 1922 Rolden and Hannah Clapp were tent leaders at 4-H Camp at Camp Cragg.
Eva Clifford Yoder belonged to the first clothing club in 1923 and was a county winner and got to go to Columbus as her reward. Three generat- ions of her family have and are members of 4-H in Chatham. Her two daughters, Dorothy Yoder Shelhorn and Delma Yoder Lance; and her daughter, Bonnie Lance, who is club president this sesqui-centennial year.
One of the first from Ohio to take part in the IFYE program (International 'Farm Youth Exchange) was a former Chatham 4-H member, who went to Brazil. This program is totally sponsored by 4-H with no help from Federal Funds.
Our club has had a German Exchange Stu- dent in 1953-54, sponsored by the National Grange. She was Brigitte Pleines. Serv- ing as secretary of the girls club that year, she also served as an advisor in 1958 when she came back to visit in the home of her host family, the Avery R. Clapp's and worked in Medina.
The following 4-H members were state winners in their respective demonstration contests and won trips to National Club Congress in Chicago: Mary Whitman, Shirley Grim, Marjorie Anklam, and Virginia Sooy. Margaret Clapp, an advisor, was awarded a trip to National Club Congress when she was a mem- ber of the State 4-H committee in 1954.
I would like to dedicate this 4-H his- tory to the following advisors, men, women, and young people, who have kept the club work going in Chatham: Dorothy J. Arters, Helen Arters Street, Jack Arters, Alvin R. Clapp, Avery R. Clapp, Edward L. Clapp, Hannah Clapp Albers, Margaret D. Clapp, Rolden Clapp, Bernice Clinesmith, Leona
Clinesmith, Gertrude Clinesmith, Florence Coe, O. B. Davis, Carol Dobson Harris, Rev. Joseph Dudley, Kay Dunkle, ,Virginia Erb Walker, Roland Fish, Douglas Gottron, Joanna Grim Briggs, Josephine Grim Slusser, Marg- arite Grim Owen, Arlene Grim, Charlotte Grim Georing, Chas. LaVern Gunder, Lois Hastings Lassond, Lynette Heazlit Gray, Charles Herr, Edward Herr, Mildred Herr, Charles Klein. H. J. Kohli, Mary Ellen Kohli, Ada Packard, Alice Packard, Delbert Packard, Dorla Pack- ard, Lillian Packard Esterle, Arlene Pitz Walters, Brigitte Pleines, Alice Robinette, June Tomasch Lons, Addie Walkden, Margaret Walkden Packard, Ann Whitman, Bertha Whit- man, Mack Whitman, Mary Whitman Geiss, Robert Whitman, Kathyrn Wood, Delma Yoder Lance.
Margaret D. Clapp (Mrs. Avery )
-This history of Chatham Township has been compiled by the combined efforts of many people and reference to the "History of Medina County 1881", Atlas of Medina County 1874,"History of Medina County 1948", scrapbooks, letters, deeds and abstracts, pictures, memories, diaries and so forth. Credit goes to the following people for their contributions:
Miss Emma Webber
Bertha Kruggel Whitman (Mrs. Milan)
Dorothy Clapp Arters (Mrs. Albert)
Lillian Beach Williams (Mrs. Don)
Ernest T. Clapp John and Clara Wertz Herbert Hahn
Mrs. Frances Brinker
Alma Kent Meyers (Mrs. Charles)
Edna Flemming Yergin (Mrs. Harold)
Harriet Brinker Pitz (Mrs. Ernest)
Mr. & Mrs. Sidney Beach
Mr. & Mrs. Hubert Allis
Mr. & Mrs. Fenton Shaw
Maxine Chapman Cotner (Mrs. Harold)
Fern Grim Allemang (Mrs. A.E.)
George Krieger Walter Brinker
Elmer H. Sanders
Loretta Arters (Mrs. Robert)
Pauline Garver (Mrs. Glenn)
Mrs. George Kampman
Rev. Kenneth Fisher
Rev. Stanley Robinson
Arlene Porter Grim
(Mrs. Lary)
Dorothy Johnson Smith
Charles Herr
Sadie Packard Thatcher
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Grim, Jr.
Charles Grim, Sr.
Historian-Phyllis Grim Siman (Mrs. Kenneth J.)
JAMES FERRIER ROOFING Rt. 76
R.D. I Spencer, Ohío
Phone 667-2512
NEW ROOFS
REROOFS
SEAMLESS GUTTERS
Farms - Acreage - Homes - Business - Industrial
Sfest. Elkins REALTY
MEDINA, COUNTY NO.
(State Routes 162-76)
CHATHAM 667-2154
Families Working Together Made a Nation of a Wilderness
Walnut Valley Flowers LOWERS
Old Mill Road Chatham, Ohio Phone 669-2852
Family of Fine Products Vegetables - Eggs - Nursery - Greenhouse - Florist Shop Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth J. Síman and family
Ohio Home Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc.
SPECIALIZING IN HOME REROOFING
TROUBLESOME LEAKS - WIND DAMAGE
GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS.
Quality Craftsmanship at a Fair and Reasonable Price FREE ESTIMATES · 15 YEARS EXPERIENCE · NO JOB TOO SMALL
CALL DAY: 237 -7957 NITE: 237 - 7957 225 - 4473 667 - 2853
SOHIO
RES.AND STORE OF J. PACKARD, CHATHAM' CENTRE MEDINA CO.OHIO.
1853 1968
€
J. PACKARD - W. DYER - B. MORRELL - F. SWARTZ
STANLEY LONG
CHATHAM GENERAL STORE
,
B. W. AUTO WRECKING
Chatham Twp.
Rt. 162
44 mi West of Rt. 76
Used Tires
Batteries
Generators
Starters
Wheels:
&
OTHER USED PARTS
WE BUY JUNK CARS
OPEN 7 DAYS
9 - 5:30
CHATHAM FARMERS MUTUAL TELEPHONE CO.
CHATHAM, OHIO
1904 1968
64 YEARS CONTINUOUS SERVICE
INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED
JENKINS FLOWERS
Down Thru The Years
"There is no Substitute for Experience"
Horist
SON.
ENTERA
Westlake 216
Florists Since 1922
St. Rt. 162 Between Chatham and Spencer Phone NO 7-2702
CHATHAM VETERNS of FOREIGN WARS
and
AUXILIARY, POST 6892
CHATMAN POST 4492 V.F.W.
F
1946 - 1968
WELSH'S SUNOCO SERVICE STATION 1946 - 1968
SUNOCO
.
us om Blended
---- ---
------
BLUE SUNOCO
Linda Kenny Colleen Dana
DYMO OIL CORPORATION 1939 - 1968 George Krieger, Supt.
L to R - 1st Row Bob Bigley, Dick Hardway, Lary Grim Standing - Fred Bigley, Virgle Oakley, Dorsey Mossgrove George Krieger
DIECKMARS COUNTRY FRESH EGGS
"Butch" R. E. Dieckman Bonnie Black Farm
Rt. 76 South of Chatham
Wholesale & Retail
Phone 667-2983
HIDDEN LAKES CAMPING
Take State Rt. 76 North of 1-71 Rt. 224 & 42 traffic take Rt. 421 Exit to Lodi then North 2% miles on Rt. 76 or - 212 miles South of Chatham, Ohio.
Swimming - Fishing - Hot Showers - Flush Toilets All Shaded Lots Insect Control
THE BARNHART'S R. D. 1 Box 165 LODI, OHIO 44254 Phone (216) 667-2792
CHATHAM AUTO SALES
& CHATHAM AUTO PARTS
Phone 667-2796
WE HAVE EVERYTHING "ALMOST'
2 mi South Of Chatham
on Rt. 76
The Pin Hill-
STONE BUHR GROUND
MILL LOCATED ON MEDINA CO. RD. 68-SPENCER TWS. RD. 68 SOUTH OF CHATHAM, OHIO BETWEEN STATE RTS. 76&301 WHITE CORN MEAL. YELLOW CORN MEAL. BUCKWHEAT FLOUR. WHOLE WHEAT GRAHAM FLOUR. WHOLE WHEAT CEREAL, ALSO PANCAKE MIXES
MAILING ADDRESS EBEN B. BISTLINE 1074 SOUTH DURKEE ROAD GRAFTON, OHIO
RES. OFF.R.MANTZ. LOL I CHATHAM TP. MEDINA CO.OHIO.
NOTES
W. M. R . Del
CHATHAM CENTRE CHEESE FACTORY, MAJOR W.H.WILLIAMS, PROP. CHATHAM TP. MEDINA CO. OHIO.
WRIGHT PRINTING - WELLINGTON, OHIO 7/68 6C
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