Fifty years and over of Akron and Summit County : embellished by nearly six hundred engravings--portraits of pioneer settlers, prominent citizens, business, official and professional--ancient and modern views, etc.; nine-tenth's of a century of solid local history--pioneer incidents, interesting events--industrial, commercial, financial and educational progress, biographies, etc., Part 135

Author: Lane, Samuel A. (Samuel Alanson), 1815-1905
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Akron, Ohio : Beacon Job Department
Number of Pages: 1228

USA > Ohio > Summit County > Akron > Fifty years and over of Akron and Summit County : embellished by nearly six hundred engravings--portraits of pioneer settlers, prominent citizens, business, official and professional--ancient and modern views, etc.; nine-tenth's of a century of solid local history--pioneer incidents, interesting events--industrial, commercial, financial and educational progress, biographies, etc. > Part 135

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THE SOCIETY AGAIN "MISS IT."-On the expiration of the lease, Mr. King, pursuant to agreement, submitted to the officers a proposition to sell them the entire tract for the sum of $5,000, on very easy terms of payment, stipulating, only, that should the grounds cease to be used for fair purposes, they should revert to him and his heirs. In the mean time, the directorship had been increased from five to eighteen-one from each township. Unfor- tunately for the interests of the society and of the county, Mr. King's truly magnificent proposition was not accepted, the major- ity of the directors, comparing the price named with the value of unimproved farm lands more remote, and less eligibly situated, being unable to realize the magnificent prize they were rejecting, until it was too late, the option expiring and the offer not being renewed.

1083

PURCHASING GROUNDS OF ITS OWN.

A SECOND REMOVAL .- In 1864, the society leased of Mr. P. D. Hall thirty acres of ground, covered for the most part with forest trees, at the corner of South Maple and Balch streets, for the period of ten years. To these grounds the buildings and fences were removed from "Summit Grove," a new trotting track graded, at an expense of over $1,000 to the society, besides a large amount of labor and money contributed by citizens of Akron and sur- rounding townships.

The fair of 1864, though less convenient of access for many than the old grounds, was a grand success, and was followed from year to year with such increasing interest and attendance, that at the end of its ten years' lease, the society had several thousand dollars in its treasury, as the nucleus of a fund with which to pur- chase grounds of its own. In the meantime, however, the rapid growth of the city had so enhanced the value of the grounds then occupied, and contiguous lands, as to place them beyond the sup- posed ability of the society to pay for.

THE "POWDER PATCH."-Anticipating the expiration of its lease with Mr. Hall, in 1870 the society began to agitate the ques- tion of a new location, and a permanent home of its own. Pro -. posals for sites were invited, and offers were made as follows: S. W. Bartges, on Wooster avenue, thirty-five acres, at $500 per acre; S. H. Coburn and Samuel Thornton, south line of city, west of Main street, thirty acres, $400 per acre; General A. C. Voris and Major E. Steinbacher, twenty-six acres, south line of city, east of Main street, $500 per acre; Allyn and Falor, north line of Coventry, any desired quantity, $400 per acre; J. H. Kramer, twenty acres along the canal, south of city, $250 per acre; James McAllister, thirty acres, one mile and a half west of Akron, $200 per acre.

A committee, appointed October 24, 1870, were instructed to purchase the Coburn tract, but subsequently empowered to pur- chase such grounds as in their judgment would be for the best interest of the society. This committee, consisting of James Hammond, of Copley, Edward Cranz, of Bath, and David S. Alexander, of Akron, decided upon and bought the McAllister tract in 1872.

This location, being so remote from the business center and from railroad facilities, gave very great dissatisfaction to the people of Akron, and of the eastern, northern and southern town- ships of the county, and a heated controversy of nearly two years' duration ensued. In the meantime, A. T. Burrows had offered forty-five acres on the "Chuckery," at $400 per acre; fifty acres near Bettes's Corners, known as the Fouse tract, had been offered at $200 per acre, and the lands in the valley of the Cuyahoga river, known as the "Powder Patch," had been offered to the society on favorable terms.

At the annual meeting of the society, in January, 1875, it was voted 336 to 212 to sell the McAllister grounds and purchase the Burrows tract. This joint duty the committee appointed for the purpose were unable to satisfactorily accomplish, and at a meet- ing of the directors, June 26, 1875, after a personal inspection of all the localities named, the Powder Patch was selected by one majority. The tract purchased contained about forty-five acres, the consideration for which was the McAllister tract and $5,000 in money.

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AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY.

The tract formerly belonged to the Austin Powder Company, their extensive mills, from 1833 to 1860, being located along the banks of the tortuous Little Cuyahoga river traversing the same. Hence the name. Some seven or eight acres, at a cost of $200 per acre, have since been added to the grounds upon the north, mak- ing a total of about fifty-two acres. The first meeting of the society upon its own grounds, was held in October, 1875, and not- withstanding the prognostications of failure, by those who had so bitterly opposed their selection, there was a very large attendance, as well as a very considerable increase in the variety and volume of exhibits.

POPULAR "FOUNTAIN PARK."-Though in its then rough and unimproved condition, the location seemed to many to be most forbidding, the wisdom of the society in its purchase is now pal- pable to all. Naturally picturesque and romantic, by the judicious expenditure of a reasonable amount of money and labor yearly, it has become one of the most desirable places of resort in the vicinity, not only for fair purposes, but for private and public meetings, picnics, etc.

. The tracks of four railroads-the Cleveland, Akron & Coluni- bus, the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio, the Pittsburg & West- ern, and the Valley Railway-are in close proximity to the grounds, affording the most ample transportation to and from the fair, with equally easy access by private conveyance, and with abundant hitching facilities for the thousands of teams that yearly there do congregate.

A high picket fence surrounds the grounds. Extensive build- ings -- mercantile hall, agricultural hall, mechanics' hall, floral and fine arts hall, dining halls, machinery stands, stables, sheds, trot- ting track, grand stand, with lakes, fountains, ornamental shrub- bery, etc., serve to make it one of the most perfect of its class in the State.

As showing the rapid growth as well as the increasing popu- larity of Summit county's harvest home festival, its semi-decen- nial gross receipts for the years named, are abundantly significant: 1850, $320; 1855, $903; 1860, $2,100; 1865, $2,800; 1870, $3,698; 1875, $5,014; 1880, $7,444; 1886, $11,257.16; 1887, $12,323.21; there being a slight falling off in 1888 by reason of unfavorable weather, the receipts being $9,431.53, but increasing again in 1889 to $16,608.94, and to $16,883.60 in 1890. In 1891, the weather being very forbid- ding the first two days, there was a slight falling off in receipts, the total amount being $11,985, and the disbursements for interest on bonded debt, premiums, current expenses, etc., being $9,675, showing a surplus for the year of $2,310.

This munificent increase of patronage, has not only enabled the society to yearly very greatly improve the grounds and build- ings, materially enlarge its proverbially liberal premium list, and pay its necessarily heavy running expenses, but also, besides pay- ing the yearly interest, to very materially reduce the heavy indebt- edness incurred in the purchase and fitting up the grounds.

The directory now consists of one director from every town- ship and each city ward, twenty-four in all. Officers for 1891: William C. Sackett, of Copley, president; Anton McFarlin, of Bath, vice president; Robert Turner, of Portage, treasurer; Albert Hale, of Springfield, secretary. DIRECTORS :- Anton McFarlin, of Bath;

1085

DIVERS AND SUNDRY OTHER FAIRS.

George C. Stanford, of Boston; William C. Sackett, of Copley; George W. Brewster, of Coventry; David J. Thomas, of Cuyahoga Falls; Levi M. Kauffman, of Franklin; J. W. Kreighbaum, of Green; James Doncaster, of Hudson; Joseph Hartzell, of Norton; B. A. Robinet, of Northfield; James Harrington, of Northampton; Robert Turner, of Portage; W. R. Townsend, of Richfield; Albert Hale, of Springfield; George W. Bailey, of Stow; D. E. Fenn, of Tallmadge; L. H. Oviatt, of Twinsburg; D. W. Thomas, first ward, Akron; C. E. Sheldon, second ward; H. H. Foltz, third ward; W. H. Evans, fourth ward; A. W. Hall, fifth ward and J. M. Wills, sixth ward.

SUMMIT COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION.

During the agitation of the purchase of permanent Fair grounds, personal and sectional feeling ran so high that, on the final determination of the matter, a counter organization was formed, under the name of the "Summit County Fair Association," which, being duly incorporated, with a capital stock of $5,000, leased the Hall grounds, vacated by the old society, refitting them in good style with new buildings, sheds, pens, fences, etc., and in September, 1875, held a very successful fair, both in point of dis- play and attendance, the officers of the association being: James Hammond, of Copley, president; Frank A. Foster, of Copley, vice- president; Wellington Miller, of Norton, secretary; and Philander D. Hall, Jr., of Akron, treasurer.

The fair of the association, for 1876, was also reasonably suc- cessful. Exhibitors and visitors, tiring of contributing and attend- ance upon, two fairs so near together, and the predjudice against the new grounds gradually subsiding, interest in the "new fair upon the old grounds," correspondingly diminished, and a year or two later, the association disbanded, its affairs being placed in the hands of a receiver for liquidation.

The new grounds of the county society not proving so danger- ous to life and limb, by reason of their proxmity to railroads, as had been anticipated, the roads on the contrary, being of immense advantage in conveying visitors to and from the grounds, the feel- ing of antagonism rapidly abated, and now the farmers and citi-' zens of all parts of the county are harmoniously united in their efforts to make the Summit County Agricultural Society, what it is everywhere conceded to be, the very best and most prosperous local organization of its class in Ohio, if not in the United States.

OTHER FAIR ASSOCIATIONS.

In 1851, "Richfield Agricultural Club," was organized, whose annual exhibits and exercises became so popular, that, in 1858, Bath and Boston, in Summit; Brecksville and Royalton, in Cuy- ahoga; and Granger and Hinckley, in Medina, joined with Rich- field in the organization of the "Union Agricultural and Mechanic Art Society," which, on ten acres of leased ground, midway between the east and west centers, for ten years, was very popular and prosperous. Later, about 1868, the society reorganized as a stock company, purchased the grounds, and with increased vitality, con- tinued to prosper for several years longer, but finally disbanded in 1875, selling its grounds and buildings and closing up its affairs in 1876.

1086

AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY.

At· Twinsburg, also, in the middle fifties, after several suc- cessful annual township exhibitions, a " Union Fair Association" was organized, comprising the townships of Twinsburg, Hudson and Northfield in Summit, Aurora in Portage, and Solon and Bedford in Cuyahoga. The first meeting of the society was held in September, 1856, upon its own handsomely fitted up and fur- nished grounds a short distance east of Twinsburg Center, and, as with the Richfield society, its annual fairs for several years were very popular and successful. The death and removal of some of its more active promoters, together with the recurrence of several dry and unproductive seasons in that locality, so diminished the popular interest, that, with the fair of 1871, its meetings were dis- continued, its grounds being sold and its affairs closed in 1872.

A "Union .Fair Association" was also organized and quite extensive grounds fitted up at Cuyahoga Falls, in 1859, upon which three quite successful annual fairs, and one exclusive trot- ting fair (with the celebrated Flora Temple as a competitor) were held, but the Civil War and other matters claiming the attention of the people, the project was abandoned.

Experiments and sectional rivalries having thus ceased, the people of every portion of the county now unitedly vie with each other in adding to the interest and continued prosperity of the old reliable, and ever entertaining and pleasant Summit County Fair.

CHAPTER LIII.

SUMMIT COUNTY'S BENEVOLENCE-GREATLY IMPROVED METHODS OF CARING FOR THE POOR-THE COUNTY FARM-ORIGINAL INFIRMARY BUILDINGS- ADDITIONAL LANDS PURCHASED-NEW AND ENLARGED STRUCTURES- MODERN IMPROVEMENTS-ONE OF THE VERY BEST IN THE STATE -THE CHILDREN'S HOME-A MUCH NEEDED INSTITUTION-THE DE ROO HOSPITAL -MUNIFICENT BEQUEST-A WORTHY EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW- OTHER CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS-MENDICANCY DIMINISHED BY TEACH- ING THE POOR HOW TO HELP THEMSELVES, ETC.

SUMMIT'S BENEFICENCE.

PREVIOUS to 1849, although the law authorized county com- missioners to establish "County Poor Houses" (name after- wards changed by statute to "Infirmary"), the poor of the several townships of Summit county were provided for by the trustees of the townships themselves-the "keep". of the unfortunates being generally let to the lowest bidder, sometimes in bulk to one person, and sometimes each individual pauper to a separate bidder-a system that did not always secure the most humane treatment, or the tenderest care.

In Portage township, including the village of Akron and a portion of Middlebury, a regular poor-house was established-a one-story board shanty, perhaps 20x60 feet in size, being erected on the south side of the marsh, traversed by Wolf Ledge Run, on the east side of South Main street, opposite Brewsters' flouring and saw-mills. This institution was, by contract with the overseers of the poor, or poor masters, as they were generally called, assigned to the care and custody of the late Silas W. Wilder, a hotel and boarding house keeper in Akron for many years, from its estab- lishment until the inauguration of the County Infirmary system, as hereinafter stated.

SUMMIT COUNTY INFIRMARY .- January 12, 1849, county commis- sioners Mills Thompson, of Hudson, James W. Weld, of Richfield, and Henry G. Weaver, of Springfield, bought what was then known as the McCune farm, on the corner of Medina and Portage roads, about a mile and a half west of Howard street, in Akron. The farm, but partially cleared, contained a trifle less than 150 acres of land, upon the front end of which there was a story-and-a-half dwelling house and a moderate sized frame barn, the consideration being $3,953.33, or at the rate of about $26.50 per acre.

In addition to the buildings already mentioned upon the farm, the county commissioners caused to be erected a plain but sub- stantial two-story frame building, about 20x60, and sundry out- buildings at a cost of $1,966, which were accepted from the contractor, Mr. Leander Starr, of Hudson, July 10, 1849. July 11, as provided by law, the commissioners appointed Messrs. Roswell Kent, of Middlebury, Avery Spicer, of Coventry, and Lucius V. Bierce, of Akron, a board of directors for the 'management of the farm and the care of the county's poor, to hold their offices until

1088

AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY.

the ensuing October election. The board immediately organized with Roswell Kent as president, and L. V. Bierce as secretary, and by the appointment of Mr. Abraham Sichley as superintendent.

Under the fostering care of the county commissioners, these four gentlemen laid, firmly and deeply, the foundation of what, in the intervening forty years, has grown to be one of the very best of the many local public charities of the State, our present magnifi- cent Summit County Infirmary.

In May, 1856, the commissioners bought from Mr. Morgan Sweeney 43.62 acres of land adjoining the farm upon the west, at a cost of $1,828.80, being at the rate of about $42 per acre ; and still later, in 1879, an additional parcel of 37.54 acres was purchased from the late James McAllister, for the sum of $4,223.25, or at about the rate of $112.50 per acre, making an aggregate of about 230 acres for infirmary purposes, less two acres on the northeast corner, sold to Mr. Michael Mull, June 27, 1881, for the sum of $1,200, and two and three-fourths acres, fronting on Portage road, sold to Mr. Aaron Teeple, April 15, 1882, for the sum of $1,100. Other similar small parcels, for private residences, fronting on Medina road, or West Market street extended, may possibly yet be disposed of without serious impairment of the farm for infirmary purposes, and at prices which will somewhat reimburse the county in the large outlay in lands, buildings and improvements that has from time to time been made.

Summit County Infirmary, Erected in 1864, '65-Addition in 1873.

Though small additions were from time to time made to the original frame structures, it was at length found that better and larger facilities for the care of the county's wards, and the econom- ical management of the county farm, were imperatively needed, and on the 23rd day of March, 1864, by special act of the legislature the county commissioners were authorized to build an Infirmary at a.cost not to exceed $16,000.

1089

INFIRMARY FORMALLY DEDICATED.

The site for the new building was selected near the center of the original Infirmary farm, on the south side of Exchange street extended, an approach to it from West Market street extended, also being made on the north line of the farm.

The brick for the new building was made upon the ground, largely by pauper labor, under the direction of Frank T. Husong, and Mr. E. C. Briggs, a practical brick maker, several hundred thousand brick being disposed of at remunerative prices to out- side parties, thus bringing the cost of the brick used in the new structure down to a comparatively low figure.

The stone foundations and the walls were erected under the supervision of that thoroughly experienced brick mason, Mr. George Allison, of Tallmadge, and the wood work was done on contract, by the late George Thomas, the whole under the super- vision of Infirmary Director Avery Spicer, and County Commis- sioner David E. Hill, the latter being . appointed general superintendent of the work by the board, June 4, 1865.

The economical plan of construction indicated brought the cost of the edifice nominally within the figures prescribed by the legislature, though adding the value of home material furnished, home labor performed, the actual cost of the improvement was probably not far from $20,000.

The building, as then erected, was of the following dimensions: central building, two stories, exclusive of basement and attic, 26x 40; two wings, same height, 25 x32; rear wing, 30x32, with a still further rear extension for the insane, 30x 36.

The exterior of the building is of a mixed order of architecture, approximating the gothic, with bracketed cornice and gables, and its interior plainly but substantially finished, and divided into con- venient apartments for the use of the family of the superintend- ent and the accommodation of the inmates.

Though somewhat earlier occupied, the new building was for- mally dedicated on the evening of February 3, 1866, by a public supper, under the auspices of the directors and Superintendent Husong. In addition to the trustees of the several townships, many invited guests from Akron and elsewhere enjoyed the fes- tivities of the occasion.

At the close of the supper, George D. Bates, Esq., was called to the chair, and congratulatory speeches 'were made, by Gen. A. C. Voris, William T. Allen, S. A. Lane, Dr. E. W. Howard, and others, at the close of which, the following resolution was unani- mously adopted :

"RESOLVED, That the county commissioners and directors of the county infirmary, together with those who have so faithfully aided them in the undertaking, are entitled to the thanks of the citizens of Summit county, for the able manner in which they have planned and prosecuted to completion the erection of an infirmary edifice, which is at once an ornament and an honor to the county, and a mark of the exalted humanity and liberality of its people."

Barns and other out-buildings have from time to time been erected and the grounds handsomely laid out and planted to ornamental trees and shrubbery, making them both pleasant for the inmates and attractive to visitors, while the farm itself, by reason of the careful and judicious tillage given to it by its several superintendents, has become one of the most productive in the county, giving healthy employment to such of the inmates as are.

1090

AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY.

mentally and physically able to perform manual labor, and at the same time making the institution largely self-supporting.

As ample as the above described buildings were thought to be, at the time of their erection, as the population of the county, and particularly of the city of Akron, increased, it was at length found that additional accommodations were needed.

At the instance of the county commissioners, therefore, through the efforts of Senator N. W. Goodhue. of Akron, and Representa- tive Hiram H. Mack, of Bath, the legislature, on the 7th day of March, 1875, passed a special act authorizing the commissioners to levy a tax not to exceed, in the aggregate, $10,000 for the purpose of erecting an addition to the infirmary building.

Under the supervision of Architect Jacob Snyder, the con- tractors, Messrs. Derhamer, Steese & Co., erected, in the Summer of 1875, an addition, adjoining the west wing, as above described, corresponding in general style of finish to the central building, 32x42 feet, the several stories being conveniently divided up into sitting room, dining room, sick room, bed rooms, clothes rooms, etc., the total cost of this improvement being not far from $8,000.

In 1880, a separate two-story brick building, 20x30 feet was erected for laundry and storage purposes, a short distance east of the rear wing, and a year or two later, a separate one-story build- ing, 30 x57 feet, southwest of the original insane department, was erected for the better care of the insane; and in 1887, an inter- mediate two-story brick, 33x 60 feet, was erected, and the whole re-arranged, now making one of the most complete local insane hospitals in the State.

This year also (1887), the storage and laundry building above spoken of, gave place to a substantial combined boiler and engine house and laundry, 36 x 24, in the lower story of which is a battery of two medium-sized tubular boilers, with a small but first-class engine and pump for supplying the entire institution with steam, hot and cold water, and running the laundry overhead, which is sup- supplied with first-class washing, drying and ironing appliances, the last improvements mentioned (1887), including machinery and plumbing, costing about $13,000. The directors of the infirmary for the present year (1891), are Joseph Moore, Eli Smith and Jacob Koplin: superintendent, Sherman B. Stotler.

CHILDREN'S HOME.

Up to 1866, the children of indigent and unfortunate parents were provided for at the various poor-houses and infirmaries of the State, with the exception of the few who were so fortunate as to be received into the occasional orphanages established by private munificence as at Cleveland, Cincinnati, etc. But for many years the growing humanitarian sentiment of the people has deplored the practice of consigning bright and healthy children to the coni- panionship, and often to the care and nurture, of the diseased, imbecile and sometimes vicious inmates of these institutions.

This sentiment communicating itself to the law-makers of the State, an act was passed by the Legislature, March 20, 1866, author- izing county commissioners, at their discretion, to establish Children's Homes in their respective counties, to which orphans and abandoned and neglected children, under 16 years of age, should be admitted and properly provided and cared for.

1091

SUMMIT COUNTY CHILDREN'S HOME.

Sundry amendments to the law in question were made from time to time, among others that passed March 22, 1876, providing that the question of establishing a Children's Home should be submitted to the voters of the proper county, by the commissioners.

August 8, 1881, the county commisioners, Messrs. Dr. William Sisler, of Akron, Moses D. Call, of Stow, and Hiram Hart, of Rich- field, on the petition of 200 tax-payers of the county, authorized Auditor Aaron Wagoner to issue a notice to the electors of the county, to vote at the ensuing October election, on the question of issuing bonds for the purchase of a site and erecting the necessary buildings for a Children's Home for Summit county.

Summit County Children's Home, South Arlington Street, Purchased, Fitted Up and Occupied in 1890.

The vote stood 5,810 ballots for, and 1,091 against the proposi- tion, showing a clear majority in its favor of 4,719 votes. With this magnificent backing the commissioners felt warranted in going ahead, and various propositions for sites were made and duly con- sidered, the Cooke property at Cuyahoga Falls (the old Henry New- berry place, east of the covered bridge), being selected at the meet- ing of the commissioners on the 20th day of February, 1882.

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Author: Lane, Samuel A. (Samuel Alanson), 1815-1905 Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Akron, Ohio : Beacon Job Department Number of Pages: 1228

Author: Lane, Samuel A. (Samuel Alanson), 1815-1905
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Akron, Ohio : Beacon Job Department
Number of Pages: 1228