USA > Ohio > Huron County > Norwalk > History of Norwalk township, Huron county, Ohio taken from Williams' History of Huron and Erie counties > Part 9
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The original members of the association at its formation. as shown by the signatures to its articles. were H. Brown, Shepherd Patrick .* John Titft. George H. Safford, Jairus Kennan. * John H. Foster,* Joel E. Mead .* Samuel T. Worcester, O. G. Carter, C. E. Pennewell. G. T. Stewart. O. Jenny, C. I .. Latimer, M. Olmstead. Nathan Wooster .* C. E. Newman. E. E. Husted. * Cyrus Lyman. Stephen Boalt, Jos. M. Farr, * John Whitbeck, Russel M. Wheeler, " Isaac Underhill and D. D. Benedict.
The property selected for the purpose by the board of trustees, was a part of the Gibbs' farm, a mile from town on the old Medina road. and contaming
about thirty acres. The original cost was one thou- sand five hundred dollars, which amount was raised by subscription. The deed of the property was given by Henry and Sarah Brown to the association, on the sixth day of January, 1858. Considerable difficulty was experienced in raising a sufficient amount of means to pay for the same, but it was finally accomplished. Five hundred and thirty-four lots have been sold, and one thousand one hundred and twelve burials have taken place to May 9, 1879.
A receiving vault of cut stone and fine arehitec- tural design, is now being ereeted nuder the charge of Dr. Tifft and Theodore Williams, Esq. It is eighteen by twenty-eight feet over all, and fourteen by twenty-four feet inside measurement, aml will accommodate twenty-five to thirty caskets.
The first burial in the new cemetery was that of Herbert Barnhart, aged six months and twenty-four days, and was on July 13. 1854.
The affairs of the association have always been managed with marked ability and integrity by its officers, who have served long and well without fee or pecuniary reward.
It has now a permanent fund, mostly invested in real estate security. of about eight thousand dollars. the interest from which is devoted to repairs and improvements.
The grounds upon which the cemetery is laid out, forin part of the Captain John Boalt farm, where the youthful days of his sons, Charles L. Boalt. John M. Boalt and their brothers and sisters were passed. There their sister, Sarah was. married to William Gal- lup, May 2, 1819. John is now postmaster at Sandusky City, Ohio, and Charles I. and his sister Sarab and her husband, have come back to their old home to go hence no more.
From Captain John Boalt the property passed to Samuel R. Gibbs, grandfather of P. C. Breckenridge, present sheriff of Huron county, whose family occu- pied it until purchased for its present nse.
But prior to any of these oceupants, prior to the first settlement of the white man in " New Connec- ticut;" prior to the records of history or tradition, it was a favorite resort of a race of people whose origin and fate are shrouded in mystery; that they existed. and at some time in the unrecorded past frequented this beautiful spot, is beyond question, for they left behind them enduring evidence of their workman- ship and primitive habits. Nearly forty years ago, when our present " city of the dead" was a cornfield. and the writer a little boy, he gathered many speci- mens of what are called Indian hatchets and Indian arrow-heals from that very spot. Now well-kept avenues and foot-paths, sightly monuments and hum- ble head stones, ornamental shrubbery and stately shade trees, and our sacred dead. are there.
Again in the eyeles of time ir is the resort of an- other race of people, not with weapons of war atul destruction, but armed with foral tributes and com- memorative garlands; and there, one by one. mn end-
*Those marked with a * have found a last resting-place in the grounds they provided for at that time.
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less march, we lay away our dead, and as time rolls on we follow them.
It is a fitting memory to be recorded that Charles L. Boalt was the most active member of our commu- nity in organizing the association and procuring the site. And Dr. John Tifft, its one president and su- perintendent, and for some years. also secretary and treasurer, is entitled to the credit of having carefully guarded its finaneial interests, and judieiously directed its improvement.
ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL.
The cemetery connected with St. Paul's (Episco- pal) church was one of the very earliest in use for that purpose in the township. It comprises about fonr acres of ground near the center of the village, on West Main street, and the grass-covered mounds in this home of the dead, are very thickly strewn over its surface. At the present time, and since the or- ganization of the Norwalk cemetery association, this ground has been but little used. The oldest stone in the yard bears the following inscription:
CAROLINE TICE. Died, March. 1820, AGED NINE MONTHS. "I am the first come here to lie Children and youth prepare to die."
The property on which stands the elmreh and the ground used for burial purposes, was a part of the original Starr and Canfield tract, which at an early day came into the possession of White. Tweedy and Hoyt, who sold this lot for the above named purpose, for the sum of sixty-one dollars The deed for this property is recorded in volume V. of records, page 610. The grantee in the deed is St. Paul's Episcopal elmreh.
No record has been preserved of the burials in this old burying ground, and it is not known how many there are, and probably it never will be known until each grave gives up its dead.
Whole families lie there with no one left to tend and trim their graves: and the present busy genera- tion, with all its interests centered upon the ever- changing affairs of life, passes by unheeding; but nature, more kind, is rapidly hiding the neglect un- der a dense copse of hazel and blackberry bushes.
ST. PAUL'S CATHOLIC.
The cemetery belonging to St. Paul's Church, (German Catholic), was purchased about the year 1810. and comprises a little more than five acres, situated on South West street. From the date of its purchase, until the present time, 18:9, there have been about sixty interments.
ST. PETER'S CATHOLIC.
St. Peter's cemetery, belonging to the First Ger- man Cathohe Church, was established with the church in 1841, the first burial taking place while the church was in process of construction. Tp to
the present time there have been about five hundred interments.
ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC.
The Irish Catholic cemetery, belonging to St. Mary's parish, is located near the extension of Main street, at some distance from town. The property contains about three acres, and was purchased about 1868, since which time it has been used as a church burial ground.
SOCIETIES. 1676541 SOLDIER'S AID SOCIETY.
Very early in the year 1861, the citizens of Norwalk began to work for the soldiers. A part of the Eighth regiment had been collected, quartered and drilled there. On the Sabbath before they left, religious ser- vices were held in their camps, and the occasion, so new and affecting. ealled forth the most profound sensations of sorrow and apprehension. Some days previously, the ladies had been engaged in supplying these soldiers with such necessaries and luxuries as the deepest interest could suggest. Immediately after their departure, a society of both sexes was formed. the objeet of which was to follow those who went from the vicinity, with aid and comfort in any form, and by any means that could reach them ; thus seeur- ing, as was hoped, an unbroken intercourse with them. A quarterly subscription among the gentle- men, was established. the first installment of which is dated May 18. 1861. The officers elected were: Charles B. Stickney, president ; J. C. Curtis, secre- tary : David H. Pease, treasurer : Mrs. G. G. Baker. Mra. J. W. Baker, Mrs. O. Jenney. Mrs. C. E. Pennewell and Mrs. S. T. Worcester, board of direc- tors --- the last named secretary of the board. From that time till November. 1862, something was contin- ually being done, but the difficulties in the way of reaching the regiments, after they went into actual service, and the consequent irregularity of the quar- terly payments, seriously obstructed progress. In the meantime, a society had been organized in Cleve- land, through which, as a medium, it was believed that the regiments could be reached. Application was per- sonally made to that society, by the secretary of the board, in Norwalk, for assistance in sending a box of hospital stores to the Eighth regiment, then in West Virginia ; the surgeon of thar regiment having, by letter, applied for immediate aid. The request was cheerfully granted : the box sent, received in time. and earnest thanks therefor returned. This occur- ence awakened new life, and eventually led to the formation, in August, 1862, of the Alert Club, to collect funds, and in November of the same year, to
the transfer of all the offlees to the ladies. At the time of the transfer, Mrs. J. M. Farr was elected president : Mrs. D. H. Pease, secretary : and Mrs. T. S. Worcester, treasnier. The work then went on prosperously, funds were simple, the contribution- sear toward, large and valuable, and mostly trans-
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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
mitted through the organization in Cleveland. No- vember 20, 1863, Mrs. S. T. Worcester was elected president : Mrs. W. O. Parker and Mrs. C. E. Pen- newell, vice-presidents : Mrs. M. A. Corwin, secre- tary ; and Mrs. N. S. Moulton. treasurer : Before the close of the year, Mrs. C. Gallup took the place of Mrs. Worcester, and Mrs. F. Sawyer that of Mrs. Moulton, those ladies having resigned. At the next annual meeting. November 19, 1864. Mrs. J. F. Dewey was elected president, and Mrs. E. E. Husted, vice-president. There were no other changes. Total funds received. $3.455.94. Total disbursed, 83,385 .- 94. The remaining 870 were given ro the Young Men's Library, to assist in its establishment. No ac- count of the stores sent forward, before the transfer, has been preserved, though they are known to have been creditable. Since that date. two hundred and twenty-five boxes, barrels or kegs have been forwarded, with various, and sometimes quite large sums in cash, to be disposed of by known and trusty agents. They were sent to the sanitary commission, Christian com- mission, relief association in Washington; to Annap- olis, Richmond, Gettysburg, Martinsburg, Winchester, Harper's Ferry. Alexandria, Hilton Head; to Gov- ernor Brough for the use of State agents; to the Eighth, Fifty-fifth, One Hundred and First, and One Hundred and Twenty Third regiments, and oc- casionally to others. Many letters from many soldiers, in different localities, attest the fidelity of those to whom they were entrusted, and the donors rest satisfied with the result of their labors. The society disbanded June 1. 1865.
NORWALK UNION.
Mrs. H. M. Wooster, president: Mrs. Eli Peters and Miss M. A. Watson, vice-presidents: Mrs. J. M. Farr, secretary; and Mrs. D. W. Newton, treasurer ..
The members of this society had been active miem- bers in the Soldier's Aid Society of Norwalk until November 2:, 1863. and the results of their industry prior to that date are included in the foregoing report. On forming a separate organization, they continued their labors for the soldiers with remark- able vigor and success, and with uniform loyalty to the sanitary commission.
In the year and a half of their independent organi- zation, they disbursed in cash one thousand eight hundred and sixty dollars and forty-four cents, and forwarded two hundred packages of hospital stores, valued at one thousand dollars -- making a total con- tribution of two thousand eight hundred and sixty dollars and forty-four cents. The hospital garden at Chattanooga was an object of much interest to the ladies of this society, who frequently remembered it in their gifts, and in the spring of 1864 forwarded onion sets, and garden seeds in great variety for its early cultivation. The preparation of " chopped pickel" was a specialty of the Norwalk Union, over one thousand gallons having been forwarded to the army in the course of one summer. At the close
of the war, the surplus funds of this society were distributed as follows: One hundred dollars to the Columbus Soldiers' Home; one hundred dollars to the Union Commission, New York: fifty dollars to the Cleveland Soldiers' Home; and the remainder, eighty dollars, to the Norwalk Young Men's Library Asso- ciation.
YOUNG LADIES' ALERT CLUB.
The Alert Club commenced its labors in Angust. 1862, but was not fully organized until September 13th, of that year, when the following officers were elected: Mrs. S. T. Worcester, president: Miss Lizzie Gallup, secretary: Misses Mary Graves and Lucy Pres- ton, treasurers; and Mrs. T. W. Christian, Misses S. Rowland and C. Jenney, directresses. with an indefi- nite number of collectors.
The Soldiers' Aid Society had been in operation over a year. but was languishing for want of funds, the quarterly subscription on which it depended being irregularly paid. la this emergency, thirty-seven young ladies, whose numbers soon increased to sixty, agreed to unite for one year, specially to raise funds for that society, but also to be on the alert (hence their name) to contribute in every possible way to the comfort of the needy soldier. They immediately revived the gentlemen's quarterly subscription and collected it, and without delay established a ladies' monthly. and in October following, a gentlemen's monthly subscription. These three subscriptions they faithfully and promptly collected the entire year, and paid over the proceeds (eight hundred and twenty- four dollars and seventy-five cents) to the aid society. They held regular meetings, prepared large quan- tities of hnt and bandages; made over one hundred and eighty pairs of slippers, over six hundred hand- kerchiefs, ninety-six towels, two quilts, and eut and dried thirty-one bushels of apples-all which they passed over to the aid society: besides sending many kind remembrances, in various forms, to the regi- ments with which they were acquainted. . They also collected a special subscription, to pay the debt on the house of Bessie Lynch, her husband being the first Norwalk soldier killed in battle, and herself and three young children left destitute. This, with some small debts which the creditor, at their request remit - teil, amounted to sixty dollars and six cents.
At the expiration of the year, they voted to asso- ciate for another year. Miss C. Jenney resigned. Miss S. C. Mason was elected recorder, a new office which the nature of the service soon to be entered upon required.
They now agreed.to leave the subscription lists to the aid society and to raise their own funds by festivals, tableaux. dramatic entertainments, etc .. and to devote them to clothing the children of absent soldiers, and of poor widows, furnishing them with all the neces- saries required by well conditioned scholars, looking after them, keeping them in school. ete. In this ser- vice, they were greatly assisted by Mr. Stephenson, superintendent of the public schools, and by a aum-
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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
ber of judicions married ladies. They had, from the first of September, 1863, to the first of November, 1864, forty-nine different families as beneficiaries, furnishing to each new material. according to their need, in value from two dollars and fifty-two cents, the lowest sum, to sixty-one dollars and nineteen cents, the highest. Total amount raised during that time, one thousand eight hundred and forty dollars and eighty-two cents; total expended: one thousand four hundred and ninety-six dollars and ninety-nine cents. They also sent forward various contributions, as sympathy prompted. to the soldiers. In November 1864,.they organized as a regular soldiers' aid society, specially voting to retain their own distinctive name. Officers: Mrx. S. T. Worcester, president; Mrs. T. W. Christian and Miss S. Rowland, vice-presidents: Miss Lizzie Gallup, recording secretary; Miss Mary Wick- ham, corresponding secretary; and Mrs. W. M. Cline. treasurer. They began this year with three hundred and forty-three dollars and eighty-three cents. the overplus of last year. They continued to acquire as well as expend, so that at their last regular meeting in May, 1865, they had forwarded in all, thirty-seven boxes, barrels or kegs, of hospital stores, three hnn- dred dollars in cash, and had in possession or expect- ancy, four hundred and sixty dollars. To this sum they added the net gain of a subsequent series of tableaux, and eventually presented to the young mens' library, then being established, the sum of nine hundred dollars. With the remainder they purchased, framed and suitably lettered the two engravings entitled "The First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation," and " Washington Irving and His Friends," and presented them to the grammar school, from which many of their tablean performers had been taken. Total funds raised and expended, three thousand nine hundred and thirty-two dollars and ninety-three cents.
MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION.
The Soldiers Memorial association was organized to perpetuate the memories of our noble dead, who served or suffered for our common country during her wars. The organization was perfected on the 20th of July, 1877, with the following officers: Col. C. P. Wiekham, 55th O. V. I., president: Chas. W. Lee, U. S. N., vice-president; David T. Hall, 14th O. V. I., secretary; Baxtor Trevor, treasurer: Col. H. Kellogg, Mrs. J. F. Dewey, and Miss Lottie Gibbs, executive committee.
The association has annually decorated the graves of their fallen comrades, on the 30th of May each year, with appropriate services.
MASONIC FRATERNITY. MT. VERNON LODGE, NO. 64, F. AND A. M.
Dispensation to work was granted by Brother John Snow, Most Worshipful Grand Master. April 10 1821: the charter was granted December 12. A. L. 5821, A. D. 1821, to Timothy Baker, Platt Belle-
diet, John D. Haskins, Schuyler Vanrensselaer, Amos Woodward, Daniel Tilden, Enos Gilbert, Icha- bod Marshall, David Underhill and David Gibbs.
WORSHIPFUL MASTERS. - Timothy Baker, 1821 to 1825; Platt Benedict, 1826; Timothy Baker, 1827: Theodore Baker. 1828; no record from May 26, 1828, to April 30, 1834: Platt Benedict, 1834 to 1841; Benjamin Carman, 1842; no record from January 24, 1842, to February 26. 1844: James R. Norton, 1844; Platt Benedict, 1845: James R. Norton, 1846; John P. Worstell, 1847: Eli Barnum, 1848 to 1851; Oliver True, 1852; M. R. Brailey, 1853 and 1854: S. F. Rogers, 1855; R. W. Beekwith, 1856: D. M. Bar- mmm, 1857; Oscar Welch, 1858; Marshall O. Wag- goner, 1859: Oscar Welch, 1860; Horace Kellogg, 1861: James S. Felton, 1802: John H. Powers, 1863 to 1865: Oscar Weleb. 1806: J. II. F. Weirs, 1857 and 1868; T. P. Bishop, 1800: J. H. F. Weirs, 1870. T. P. Bishop. 18:1 to 1873; O. A. White, 1844 to 1816; C. M. Wilcox, 1877 and 1878; O. A. White, 1819 ..
The present offieers are, O. A. White, W. M .; T. L. Williams, S. W .: J. D. Cook, J. W .; W. Suhr. Treas .: G. W. Shnitz, Sec .: R. H. Burlin, S. D .: J. H. Weirs, J. D .; P. Ganung, Tyler.
HURON ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER, NO. I.
December 13, 1820, a dispensation was issued by the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Ohio to Timothy Baker, David Underhill, Frederick Fally, Rodolphus Morse, David Gibbs, Schuyler Vanrensse- laer. Platt Benediet, Wm. Hall and Jacques Hubbard, to form a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. The Royal Arch degree was conferred the first time Octo- ber 25, 1820. apon E. Whittlesey, Samuel Spencer and Moses Farwell.
December 15, 1821, a charter was issued to the above named companions, constituting Huron Royal Areh Chapter, No. 2. in due form. Timothy Baker appointed First High Priest; David Underhill, First. King; Platt Benedict. First Seribe.
The first election of officers was held December 20. 1822. Timothy Baker, elected High Priest; David Underhill, King: Platt Benedict, Scribe; S. Van- rensselaer, C. of Il. ; E. Cook, ). S .; Amos Woodward, R. A. C .; J. D. Haskins. 1st V .: M. Farwell, and V .; L. Fay, 3rd V .: J. Marshall, Treasurer: David Gibbs, Secretary; H. P. Morse, Guard.
Early in 1822, the subject of building a Masonic ball was talked of, but did not assume any definite form until January, 1824, when a committee was appointed to confer with like committees from Mt. Vernon Lodge, No. 64, and Norwalk Academy, to make arrangements to build a Masonic hall. March, 1824, the committee made their report: when the Chapter appointed a building committee, with power to act, and the Treasurer ordered to pay to the build- ing committee two hundred dollars. Here the pro- ject seems to have died. as we find no records of any action thereon.
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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
The Chapter held its regular meetings and did a great deal of work until November, 1828, when, in consequence of the anti-masonic movement, it sus- pended work, and soon after surrendered its charter to the Grand Chapter.
Timothy Baker was the presiding officer from the organization to November, 1827. when Platt Bene- diet was elected High Priest, which position he held at the time the charter was surrendered.
In 1848. the Grand Chapter returned the old charter to the companions of Huron Royal Arch Chapter, when they commenced holding regular meetings, Platt Benedict being the High Priest, in which position he was continued antil 1853.
March 1, 1854, a committee was appointed to con- fer with a like committee from Mt. Vernon Lodge, No. 64, to make such arrangements as they might deem proper to build a new hall in the Whittlesey academy building.
June 24. 1834, St. John's day was celebrated by laying the corner stone of Whittlesey academy build- ing. Jane 24, 1838, the new masonic hall was dedi- cated.
Since the reorganization in 1848, to the present time, Huron Royal Arch Chapter, No. i, has con- tinned to hold it- meetings regularly, and is now in a flourishing condition, numbering nearly one hundred members.
Its present officers are Win. Sal, High Priest; T. P. Bishop. King: G. M. Darling. Scribe: C. Close. C. of IT .: Win. Rutherford, P. S .: M. A. Melutyre, R. A. O .: C. G. Drake, Ist V .: John Pettys, 2ud V .: A. N. Pebbles, 3id V .: N. H. Pebbles, Treasurer: J. D. Cook, Secretary: E. A. Pray, Chaplain; P. Ganung, Guard.
NORWALK COUNCIL ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS, NO. 24 F. & A. M.
October 20, A. D. 1855. a dispensation was issued by the Grand Puissant Grand Master of the Grand Council of the State of Ohio, directed to Platt Dene- dict, Wm. C. Haestis. H. V. Bogart. J. S. Felton. H. Bromley, Samuel Neff, B. F. Gray, M. R. Brailey, 1. Wood, A. Hamilton, T. Gibson, C. Bnek and W. H. Couch.
October 16. 1837, a charter was issued to the above named companions constituting Norwalk Council Royal and Select Masters, No. 21. in due form. Platt Benedict, appointed first "Thrice Illustrious Mas- ter," in which office he continued until the time of his death in October, 1866.
The following named companions have been elected :. T. [. Masters, James S. Felton. for the year 1867: Wm. Suhr, 1868-60; Wm. A. Mack, 1870: Coleman Close, 1871-4: Win. Suhr, 18:4-69. Present officers, Wm. Suhr. "Thrice Illustrious Master:" George M. Darling. "Deputy Master:" Nelson H. Pebbles. ".Prin- cipal Conductor of the Work:" Horace Kellogg. "Cap- tain of the Guard;" John H. Petty., Treasurer: Ethat
A. Pray, Recorder: Asher F. Rowland, "Conductor of the Conneil:" Peter Ganung, Sentinel.
NORWALK LODGE.
Norwalk Lodge. No. 467, Free and Accepted Ma- sons, was granted a dispensation by the Most Wor- shipful Grand Master of the State of Ohio, viz: Alexander H. Newcomb, on the 12th day of July, A. D., 18:2, on the petition of George W. Skyrm, S. E. Carrington, William H. Couch, Walter Pettys, M. M. Perkins, W. O. Smith, William Arnold, Omar Bailey, George M. Darling, H. C. Edwards, Thomas Smith and Irving K. Cole. The dispensation ap: pointed Walter Pettys, W. M., S. E. Carrington. S. W., and George W. Skyrm J. W., until the time of the regular annual election of officers. The Wor- shipful Masters of this Lodge have been as follows. viz: Walter Pettys, from July 12, 18:2, to December 12, 1872: William A. Mack. from December, 1822. to December, 1822: O. Prentiss. from December, 187 ;. to December. 1StS. and from December, 1878, now serving. L. C. Laylin. The officers, in full. at the present time are as follows: L. C. Loslin. W. M .: John Harley, S. W .; A. L. Osborn, J. W .: George M. Darling, Treas .: E. W. Gilson. Sec .: O. L. Merry. S. D .: F. H. Boalt, J. D .; Walter Pettys. T.
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR.
Norwalk Commandery. No. 18, Knights Templar. was organized February 8. 1869, under dispensation of the Grand Commandery of the State of Ohio, Sir Heman Ely. of Elyria, being at the time R. E. G. Commander. The following named Sir Knights were the charter members: I. S. Felton. M. O. Waggoner. J. W. Develin. H. S. Mitchell. J. II. F. Weirs. W. A. Mack, W. C. Hustis, E. A. Prav, H. O. Wadlie. William Suhr. Ira Inke, Major Mafotyre. C. N. Thorpe. At the next stated meeting of the Grand Commandery a charter was granted under date of October 15, 1869. Sir J. S. Felton was appointed by Grand Commander Ely first Eminent Commandes. The Commandery now numbers sixty two metabers. and the following named Knights are its officers: H. S. Mitchell. E. C .; L. L. Chandler, Gen .: O. W. Williams. O. G. ; L. C. Laylin, Prelate; O. L. Merry, S. W .; M. S. Hill. J. W .; C. R. Bostwick, Treas. : C. W. Flinn, Rec .; E. A Prav. Stl. B .; O. Prentiss. Swd. B .; A. F. Rowland. Warder; Major Mcintyre. Sentinel.
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