USA > Ohio > Lorain County > History of Lorain County, Ohio > Part 16
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On motion, the above committees were instructed to make all possible exertion, immediately, and report in person or by letter at the first meeting of the board of directors.
It was voted that the board of directors meet at the court house, in Elyria, on Wednesday, the 13th of May, at 11 o'clock a. m., to determine the subjects and rates of premiums, and transact such other business as may be necessary. Adjourned sine die.
N. S. TOWNSHEND, Secretary.
JOSIAN HARRIS, Chairman.
Proceedings of the meeting of board of directors of the Lorain county agricultural society, May 13. 1846:
Resolved, That this society have an exhibition and fair at Elyria, on Wednesday, September 30, 1846.
Resolved. That premiums be awarded upon the following articles: The several amounts to be determined at the next meeting of the board, when the amount of funds at the control of the society shall be ascer- tained.
Committees appointed to examine farms and crops: George Sildey. P. McRoberts, Harry Terrell, E. Sanderson.
Resolved, The ladies of this county be invited to manufacture useful articles, to be donated to this society, and that they hold a fair in the afternoon and evening of the day of the exhibition, and that all citizens be requested to bring choice specimens of fruit and flowers, manufac- tured articles, and be offered for sale at the ladies' fair, for the benefit of the society.
AAdjourned, to meet at Elyria, on Monday, August 3, 1846. F. SWIFT, President.
A. H. REMINGTON. Secretary.
Owing to harvesting time of the year, there was not any meeting on August 3.
According to previous notice, meeting at Oberlin, on Tuesday, August 20, 1846. At this meeting, a long list of committee men were appointed. It was also decided, to offer premium for herds of cattle, not less than fifteen head, owned by one farmer-first. second. third. fourth and fifth best. The best lock of sheep, not less than twenty five head-first, second. third, fourth and fifth best. Then comes a list of awards. at the first fair, September 30. Amount of premiums awarded, one hundred and seventeen dollars.
A statement of receipts. ete., of the Lorain county agricultural society, made at that time, are as follows: Amount subscribed by members of the society . $201 00 Amount paid in 121 00
Balance due. 83 00
Paid A. Burrell, for printing. 7 00
A report of the proceedings of the society, and statement of the prospect of the crops, as required by law, was made out, and forwarded to N. P. Johnson, the appointed delegate by the society. to the annual meeting of the State board, at Columbus.
It is very evident that, in the early days of the society, the managers were men, deeply interested, and very zealous in the work of establishing this, now, prosperous society. The constitution prepared
* By R. Baker.
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IHISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.
and submitted, and adopted by the society, was short, and met all that was required in those early days. It was as follows:
Aar, 1. The officers of the society shall consist of a president, vier. president, secretary, treasurer, and five managers, who, together, shall constitute a board of directors for the general management of the affairs of the society. They shall be elected annually, by the members of the society, and hold their offices till their successors are appointed.
ART. 2. Members of the society must be residents of Lorain county, and pay the sum of one dollar annually to the treasurer.
ART. 3. Competitors for premiums must be members of the society. ART. 1. A list of articles for which premiums are to be awarded by the society, must be published in a newspaper, or in handbills, at least one month previous to the day of the exhibition.
ART. 5. All articles offered for premiums must be owned by the persons offering the same, or by members of their family. Products of the soil, and manufactured articles, must be produced or manufactured within the county, agricultural implements excepted.
ART. 6. Awarding committees, of three persons each, shall be annu. ally appointed by the directors of the society, for judging the different classes of articles offered in competition, and awarding premiums for the same.
ART. 7. Awarding committees nmust conform to the provisions of the law in requiring competitors for premiums on crops, and other improvements, to furnish full and correct statements of the process, and expense of culture and production, etc.
ART. 8. Competitors for premiums on crops shall be required to have the ground and its produce accurately measured, by not less than two disinterested persons, whose statement shall be in writing and verified by affidavit.
ART. 9. Premiums on grain, and grass erops, shall not be awarded for less than one acre, and on root crops for not less than one-fourth of an acre. The whole quantity produced on the amount of land specified shall be measured or weighed. Root craps to be estimated by weight, divested of the tops, sixty pounds to be considered a bushel; and grain crops to be measured or weighed according to the usual standards. The rules in relation to other crops, and productions, to be agreed on by the directors of the society.
ART. 10. The annual exhibition of the society shall be held at some period between the first day of September and the first of November The premiums on crops can be awarded at a later period, if thought hest.
The by-laws are as follows:
First. No person that is a member of the society shall hereafter compete for a premium as long as an annual fee against him remains unpaid.
Second. All articles drawing the first premium at a previous fair, cannot compete for a premium on the same article until the second year after.
Third. Articles competing for a premium where there is no compe- tion, will he left discretionary with the judges, to award a premium or not.
Fourth. The board of directors shall, at their annual meeting in January in each year, appoint a corresponding secretary, who shall hold his office for one year, and uutil his successor sball be appointed.
Having given nearly a full report of the transactions of the society during its first year, which could not be very well curtailed, to present the transactions of the society clearty to the public, throughout the ensuing years only a carefully-condensed sketch can be given, or this article will be entirely too long. During the year 1847, it will be seen that the society made an effort to place before the citizens of Lorain county the claims for, and advantages arising from, the organiza- tion, by appointing able men to deliver lectures in the townships.
A meeting of the Society, November 20, 1846, to eleet officers for the ensuing year, resulted as follows:
President, Joseph Swift; Vice President, D. B. Kinney ; John H. Faxon, Treasurer, and A. II. Redington, Secretary. Edwin Byington, H. C. Safford, W. N. Race, A. W Whitney, and Benjamin C. Perkius, Managers.
At a meeting of the board, January 28, 1847, Mr. Iloltslander was elected manager to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of William N. Race. At this
meeting lecturers were appointed Tor the different townships as follows:
Dr. N. S. Townshend. for Elyria, Carlisle, Eaton, Columbia, Ridgeville, Avou and Sheffield; Prof. J. Dascomb, for Grafton, La Grange, Penfield, Huntington, Wellington and Pittsfield: Professor J. H. Fairchild, for Black River, Amherst, Brownhelm, Henrietta, Cam len, Brighton and Rochester.
At the next meeting, May 4, the time was fixed to hold the second annual fair at Elyria, October 6 and 7. It was resolved to award premiums on a longer list of articles, -increasing the amount of premiums from one hundred and seventeen dollars to one hundred and thirty-tive dollars. The different awarding committees were appointed.
"The first day of the fair was occupied by the com- mitlees examining stock and other articles. A large number of farmers of the county were present, and manifested a very commendable zeal, in competing for the premimns offered.
The plowing match took place in the forenoon of the second day, after which the members of the soci- e'y met in the court house and the following persons were elected officers for the ensuing year:
Joseph Swift, president; D. B. Kinney, vice president; J. H. Faxon, treasurer, and A. H. Redington, secretary: delegate to State board convention at Columbus, December, 1846, N. P. Johnson.
After the reports of committees and awarding of premiums, it is said that a very excellent and appro- priate address was given by Dr. E. W. Hubbard, who had been previously invited to address the society.
Best cultivated farm, Joseph Swift, Henrietta; second best, Alonzo Gaston, Russia; third best, P. Sheppard. Henrietta. Best plowing, Ed. Matchem, Pittsfield; second best, William Reed, same town.
At the third annual fair, hell at Elyria, a good atltendance is reported, and exhibition good.
The first premium was awarded to Alonzo Gaston for best cultivated farm; second to N. Jackson; third to A. H. Redington. The old officers were re-elected. James Dascomb was appointed delegate to State board convention at Columbus.
It appears that James Dascomb did not go to Columbus, the report being forwarded to Dr. Towns- bend, who presented it at the convention, at Colum- bus in December.
The fourth aunnal fair, held at Elyria, was a success. The first day being, as usual, for the examination of stock, etc .; the second, to plowing match; and afternoon of that, to election of officers, and other business. Elected for the ensuing year:
President, D. B. Kinney; vice-president, N. B. Gates; treasurer, Wm. Patterson; secretary, A. II. Redington.
The society listened to very appropriate remarks from Dr. N. S. Townshend and R. Mckachron, Esq. after which the several awarding committees reported their awards.
The fifth annual fair was hell at Oberlin, Septem- ber 26. 1850. At this fair, higher premiums were offered; the premium on bestenttivated farm was raised from live to eight dollars, and others in proportion. E. Clark, best cultivated farm; A. Gaston, second. The same president and vice-president were elected, and A. I. Redington made secretary and treasurer.
The next fair was held at Wellington, two days, between the 10th and 20th of September, 185t.
20
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.
Here is the first statement of receipts and expendi- tures:
Amount received from members and county .$186 00
Expenditures, premiums, etc .... 181 00
Amount in hands of Treasurer. .$ 2 00
At this fair, diplomas were offered quite liberally instead of money for premiums. The l'air is said to have passed off satisfactorily to most parties. The election resulted as follows:
President, B. C. Perkins; vice-president, N. B. Gates; secretary and treasurer, Ed. Matchem.
Receipts from all sources during the year amount to .. 3225 10
Amount paid in premims and other expenses .. 193 17
At a meeting of the board, held at Oberlin, August 3, 1852, the committee previously appointed to solicit. subscriptions to aid the society reported as follows:
O. S. Wadsworth reported fifty-two dollars, on con- dition that the next fair be held in Wellington. A. W. Whitney made an adverse report for Pittsfield. The members from Oberlin and Elyria being absent, it was voted to hold the next fair at Wellington. At a later hour N. B. Gates reportel one hundred dol- lars, pledged by citizens of Elyria, on condition that the fair be held in that place. On motion of O. S. Wadsworth, it was voted to rescind the resolution for holding the fair at Wellington, and that the next fair be held in Elyria on Wednesday and Thursday, 6th and 2th of October, 1852.
A committee of four were appointed to make neces- sary arrangements for holding the fair at Elyria, and were anthorized to make expenditures to an amount. not exceeding one hundred dollars, and not exceeding the amount paid into the treasury by donations by the citizens of Elyria in making an enclosure, pens, build- ings, etc., necessary for the convenience of said fair. N. B. Gates, Edwin Byington. G. G. Washburn and E. W. Hubbard were made said committee. It was decided to appropriate fifty dollars more from the fund, provided the said committee fence in grounds so that an admission fee can be collected.
N. B. Gates was requested to act as marshal, with power to choose his assistants. The above committee were to procure a suitable person to deliver the annual address.
This seventh fair was a great success. The pre- mimin list was extended and stock somewhat classi- fied. The ladies exhibited a long list of articles, both of domestic and ornamental use. and were awarded liberal premiums.
N. B. Gates was made president, O. S. Wadsworth vice-president, and E. Matchem secretary and treasurer.
The eighth annual fair was held at Elyria and more liberal premiums were offered. On cattle the amount to be awarded was seventy-five dollars and nine copies of Ohio Farmer. On horses, fifty-three dollars and two Ohio Farmers. Fine arts, flowers and fruits were largely represented at this fair. There was a long list of unenumerated articles. In this class a premium was awarded to Fordice Miller, a cripple, for skill in
training dogs, etc., three dollars, and J. Cunningham, for a substitute for chocolate, twenty-five cents.
Gates, Wadsworth and Matchem were elected president, vice-presi- dent, secretary and treasurer respectively.
The board of directors met at Oberlin June 1, 1854. This was a very important meeting. The whole pro- ceedings are furnished as follows:
Members present, President Gates, E. Clark, Wm. Day, A. W. Whit- ney, A. II. Redington, Edwin Byington and E. Matchem.
After hearing reports from committees from Elyria and Oberlin, the hoard took into consideration the subject of loeating the county fair for the next ten years.
On motion of E. Matehem, that the Lorain county fair be located at Oberlin, in the township of Russia, for the next ten years, the question being called, and the yeas and nays demanded, resulted as follows:
YEAS-A. W. Whitney, E. Matchem, A. H. Redington.
NAYS-E. Byington, Wm. Day, E Clark, N. B Gates.
A. W. Whitney immediately withdrew from the society.
On motion of E. Byington, to locate the fair at Elyria for the next ten years:
YEAS-E. Byington, A. H. Redington, Wm. Day, N. B. Gates.
NAYS E. Clark, E. Matcheni.
The following were appointed a committee of arrangements, lo pro- cure and enclose grounds, erect suitable buildings, and other necessary fixtures, dig a well. and superintend next fair: N. B. Gates, H. C. Safford, E. Byington, A. Brebe, A. II. Redington.
Resolved, That the committee of arrangements draw on the treasurer for one hundred and fifty dollars, to be expended in fitting up the fair grounds. Adjourned.
The ninth annual fair was a success. Being a full show, every department was well represented, and there was a large attendance. Among the noticeable offerings at this fair were three premiums for ladies' horsemanship : First, silver cake basket: second, ladies' riding hat; third, gold pencil. The success- ful competitors being Miss Arys Terrell, first; Miss Sophia Perry, second: Mrs. L. S. Jenkins, third.
September 28, 1854, officers elected for the ensuing year:
N. B. Gates, president ; N. S. Townshend, vice-president; H. C. Saf. ford, secretary and treasurer.
The next annual fair was held on the 3d. 4th and 5th of October. One hundred and thirty dollars had been expended in improving the grounds. Previous to this fair, very few, and it is questionable if any, pure bred cattle had been exhibited, with the excep- tion of Aston and Humphrey's Herefords.
During this year Heman Ely, Esq .. purchased sev- eral " Herd-Book " short-horns-the bull, Sir Hum- phrey, 924. and a fine cow and heifer bred by Reber & Kutz, Fairfield county, Ohio. These animals made a good showing and were admired by the visitors. Also, the lamented Chas. Arthur Ely had purchased a fine herd of pure Devon cattle. These, too, were on exhibition. and were of great excellence.
Probably Ohio has not exhibited finer specimens of the Devon up to this day. The tine old bull, the " Duke of Devon," was, in every point, a first-class animal. E. Matchem exhibited Devons, and owned some thoroughbreds. This fair is reported as being ahead of that of any previous fair. There was also a full field of Ja lies contending for the premiums offered for their skill in horsemanship, both for riding and driving.
For best riding, Mrs. E. T. Kirby, silver cake basket; second, Mrs. S. Morehouse, silver spoons; third, Miss Sophia Perry, silver butter knife; fourth, Miss Wooster, salt spoons. For driving, first, Mrs. Ilelm, gold
71
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OIIIO.
chain; second, Mrs. J. Manville, gold locket; third, Mrs. G. E. Nichols, gold pencil; fourth, Miss Wooster, gold studs.
October 5, 1855, officers elected for ensuing year:
N. B. Gates, president; O. S. Wadsworth, vice-president; Wm. H. Root, secretary and treasurer; A, II. Redington, corresponding secretary.
The constitution of the Lorain county agricultural society was revised at a meeting of the members of society held at Elyria, February 2, 1856. We have not space to give it as revised.
The eleventh anual fair was held October 7th, Sth and 9th, 1856. This was a full show, and nearly every premium offered was competed for.
Alonzo Gaston took first on best cultivated farm; Pitt. W. Hall, second; D. B. Kinney, third. Prin- eipal exhibitors in short-horns and Herefords, Lonis & Woolton, Hoyle, Redington, Mills and Wadsworth. In Devons, C. A. Ely, Matchem, Hamlin and Rhodes. Horses, DeWitt. Howe, Nichols, Webster, Vincent, Panybow, Smith; C. A. Ely, matched horses.
The twelfth annual fair was held October 6, 7, and 8, 1857. This fair was peculiar for the arrangement of the cattle classes. First class inelnded Short- Horns, Devons, Herefords, Alderneys, and Ayrshires, with three premiums to each age, from three years and upwards, down to a calf. In sweepstakes, there were also three premiums, as in the regular class, a thing unprecedented-there being the second committee; and it was amusing, to see the same animals come in competition, and witness many of the previous awards reversed. There was a large amount of grumbling by some of the exhibitors. The show of cattle was poor, and there were a few well bred animals. The com- mittee ou sweepstakes was A. Beebe, Sr., R. Baker, and C. Wheeler. The award on bulls: A. Reding- ton's Gov. Morrow, 543, first; C. A. Ely's Duke of Devon, second; S. C. Hoyle's, third, the Duke being third in class, and a Hereford second, Reding- ton's first. The cows 322 and over, were good.
This classification was quite unsatisfactory to stock men, generally, and was never repeated thereafter. The ladies' horsemanship resulted in
Miss C. Wooster taking the first premium, Miss Mary Darling, the second, and Mrs. S. Morehouse, the third.
At the annual meeting, October 8, 1857, officers elected :
Edwin Byington, president; A. H. Redington, vice-president; Wm. 11. Root, secretary and treasurer; Il. E. Peck, corresponding secretary,
The thirteenth annual fair was held October 5, 6. and 7, 1858. The premium list had been extended. and every department full; the attendance large, and receipts good. Grounds had become too small to accommodate so large a gathering. This year an addi- tion was made to the short horn cattle, R. Baker having purchased the bull Gen. Havelock, 2900, and three females, all " herd book pedigrees, " and Dr. N. S. Townshend had, also, purchased several animals of the same breed; the latter taking first premium on his bull, " Prince Albert," and the former first on his eow, "Harriet 2d," by Sir Humphrey, 974. There was, at this fair, a large field of ladies, mounted.
to contend for the premiums offered for riding and driving. Premiums paid at this fair amounted to $714.95.
At the annual meeting, October 2, 1858, the officers elected for the ensuing year, were:
Ed. Byington, president ; Win. L. Smith, vice president ; Win. H Rout, secretary and treasurer; J. Swift, Jr., corresponding secretary.
The fourteenth annual fair was held September 27. 28, and 29, 1859. The heavy rain on the first day kept away many exhibitors, with their stock, etc., also, visitors. Financially, sufficient was made to meet necessary expenses attending the fair, proper. At this fair, an addition was made to the cattle de- partment, by D. A. Stocking having purchased several thoroughbred short horns, and some high grades. These were on exhibition, and having been fattened on the blue grass regions, were in high flesh, and at- tracted the attention of many, especially those who had not been in the habit of seeing high fed anim ds.
The annual election of officers was held on the last day of the fair, resulting in the election of
Dr. N. S. Townshend, president; A. W. Whitney, vice-president; }. M. Redington, secretary and treasurer.
The fifteenth annual fair was well attended, and financially a success. There were but two entries of farms, and only one premium awarded, and that to A. Gaston, twenty dollars. Many premiums were low- ered, and quite a number of second premiums struck off the list-all on grain samples and garden vege- tables. This injured the show in these classes, those tables being badly supplied, and quite a feeling of dissatisfaction was expressed by many exhibitors. By cutting off so many premiums, the expenses were reduced, so that at the end of the year the society had a balance of abont eight dollars in the treasury. This was the last year that a premium was offered for plowing.
The election of officers did not take place on the last day of the fair in 1860, owing to a regulation issued by the Ohio State Board of Agriculture, that. all county agricultural societies shall hold the annual meeting for the election of officers, etc., sometime in Jannary; consequently the old board held over, and at the call of the president the meeting was ordered for January 7, 186t, when the following officers were elected for the ensuing year:
For president, N. B. Gates; vice president, J. Swift, Jr; secretary and treasurer, P. A. Bishop; directors, R. Baker, Joshua Boynton, Alonzo Gaston, D. A. Stocking, and William II. Root.
The sixteenth fair was held September 25-28 inelu- sive. This fair had many things to contend with. A "fast day" had been proclaimed by President. Lin- coln, which occurred on the first day of the fair, and a continual rain the following day and also up to noon 4 of the third day; in consequence a fourth day was added. Notwithstanding these disasters the receipts were ahead of any previous year.
P. A. Bishop refused to serve as secretary and trea- surer, and E. C. Griswold was appointed by the board in his stead.
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.
The annual meeting was held January 6, 1862. when the following officers were elected for the ensu- ing year:
President, N. B. Gates; vice president. R. Baker; secretary and trea snrer. R. G. Horr; corresponding secretary, G. G. Washburn.
The board came together and revised the premium list. made the usual arrangements for holding the annual fair, but by some of the disasters of the war and the gloom pervading the whole north, the board was called to meet in August, and at that meeting it was decided not to hold a fair during that year.
The annual meeting was held January 14, 1863. At this meeting it was voted that all persons to be entitled to vote for officers shall first pay the sum of one dollar into the treasury of the society. The elec- tion of officers was postponed until January 31, 1863. to which time the society adjourned.
January 31. the society met: eleven persons paid the annual fee, each of one dollar. The following persons were duly elected:
President, N B. Gates; vice president, R. Baker; secretary and trea- surer. R. G. Horr; correspomling secretary, George G. Washburn.
A vote was passed to enlarge the fair grounds, if ground could be had adjoining. The board met September 12, and appointed N. B. Gates a committee to fit up the grounds, and that a sum not exceeding two hundred and seventy-five dollars be appropriated for that purpose.
The eighteenth annual fair was held October 6 to 9, 1863. The show was excellent; horses, cattle and sheep very numerous; a large attendance of visitors. The last day was fixed for the extra trotting and all kinds of amusements, which had first been intro- dured in 1861, by D. A. Stocking. This arrangement. was not unanimously desired, and was attended with considerable discussion; but it was decided to give the day to the purpose of amusing a certain class -- contrary, I think, to the objects for which county agricultural societies were organized.
At an annual meeting. January 23, 1864.
N. B. Gates was elected president ; Wm. Patterson, vice-president ; and Mozart Gallup, secretary and treasurer.
On motion, the constitution was so amended as to dispense with the office of corresponding secretary.
On motion of R. Baker, the following resolution was adopted, to wit:
Resolved, That the Lorain county agricultural society hold a meeting on the second Monday in Dreember of each year, to decide on premi- umus for field erops, an Ito complete any unfimshed business relating to the previous fair.
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