History of Portage County, Ohio, Part 50

Author: Warner, Beer & co., pub. [from old catalog]; Brown, R. C. (Robert C.); Norris, J. E. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Chicago, Warner, Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 958

USA > Ohio > Portage County > History of Portage County, Ohio > Part 50

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

On May 7, 1867, Kent was incorporated, and the first Mayor elected was John Thompson. Five Trustees, corresponding to Councilmen, were also selected, they being C. Jones, James Glass, Joseph Bethel, E. A. Parsons and A. D. Power. The Recorder was John P. Catlin.

1867. John Thompson, Mayor; John P. Catlin, Recorder. 1868, John Thompson, Mayor; L. H. Parmelee, Recorder. 1869, E. W. Stuart, Mayor; H. G. Allen, Recorder. 1870, S. P. Wolcott, Mayor; D. H. Knowlton, Recorder. 1871, S. P. Wolcott, Mayor; J. P. Hall, Recorder. 1872-74, Isaac Russell, Mayor; A. C. Hind, Clerk. 1874-76, Charles H. Kent, Mayor; Frank Woodard, Clerk. 1876-78, Charles H. Kent, Mayor; N. B. Rynard, Clerk; 1878-82, James Woodard, Mayor; W. I. Caris, Clerk. 1882-84, O. S. Rock- well, Mayor; W. I. Caris, Clerk. 1884, W. I. Caris, Mayor; Robert Reed, Clerk.

The official list for 1884-85 is as follows:

Mayor, W. I. Caris; Clerk, James Wark; Marshal, W. H. Palmer; Street Commissioner, Charles Anglemyer.

Councilmen .- A. C. Hind, Thomas Lyons, Robert Christian, G. T. Case, John Cross, B. F. Hargreaves.

Board of Health. - George Rouse, H. T. Lake, F. L. Dunning, H. M. Foltz, Dr. E. W. Price, Dr. J. S. Sweeney; Oliver Newberry, Health Officer; H. K. Foltz, Clerk.

Board of Education. - E. A. Parsons, Robert Mckeon, Thomas Egbert, I. L. Herriff, A. L. Ewell, C. S. Brown.

On October 26, 1875, the Council authorized the purchase of a Silsby engine, hose cart, hose, etc., for the sum of $3,400. In March, 1876, the Fire Department was organized as a department of the village.

The issue of bonds for $6,000, money required to make additions to the triple-arched bridge at Kent, over the Cuyahoga at Main Street, was authorized March 25, 1877.

The cemetery bonds were issued last year for cemetery purposes.

The first school in the township is said to have been taught in the winter of 1815-16 by Abner H. Lanphare, of Brimfield, in a small cabin that had been erected by a Mr. Rue in 1811, but just where it stood has now been for- gotten. In the summer of 1817 the inhabitants erected a building, regardless of religious proclivities, to be used as a meeting-house for all sects, and for school purposes. It stood on the east side of the river near where Dr. Crain used to live. Among the early teachers, in addition to Lauphare, may be men- tioned Amasa Hamlin, who taught awhile more for accommodation than pay; also Miss Orpha Curtiss, and a Miss Thayer. Up to about 1830 there was only one schoolhouse here, the one built in 1817, and one teacher. The growth of educational interests since that time is showu by the following statistics:

Franklin Township Schools .- Pupils enrolled, 66 boys and 64 girls; 5 schoolhouses valued at $6,670; Revenue in 1884, $4,780.58; expenditures, $3,524.48.

Franklin Union School District .- Pupils enrolled, 387 boys and 406 girls; 3 schoolhouses valued at $50,000; revenue, $19,461, in 1884; expenditures, $13,417.20.

There is one of the finest educational buildings in the State to accommo- date the excellent union schools, under the able management of Prof. A. B. Stutzman, Superintendent of Instruction of the city. The Principal is Miss

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HISTORY OF PORTAGE COUNTY.

Anna M. Nutting. The teachers are Mrs. A. L. McClellan and Misses Stella M. Pearson, Addie E. Stewart, Georgie Gladding, Nellie Jones, Nellie Gettys, Belle Bradley and Anna Christian.

Religious services were held at an early day, but just exactly where and when is not now definitely known, nor is it certainly remembered who preached the first sermon in the township. Rev. Shewell is thought by many to have been the first to expound the Word of God in this portion of the wilder- ness, and others think that Rev. Shadrach Bostwick, a Methodist Episcopal min- ister who came to Deerfield in an early day, came up here about the first. Rev. Joseph Badger preached in Mantua as early as 1802, and it is altogether probable that he addressed the settlers here as elsewhere afterward. Rev. Caleb Pitkin was also quite a noted Congregational minister, and it is more than likely he preached here at an early day. But the Congregational Church has the earliest documentary evidence and must be accorded first place.

Congregational Church .- By an arrangement entered into between the authorities of the Congregational and Presbyterian Churches, a plan of union was adopted by which in a community where there were a few of each they might unite in a common society and thus sustain religious services when neither could have done so alone. There being a few Congregationalists and a few Presbyterians scattered through the township, they came together June 18, 1819, and organized themselves into a society under the care of the Port- age County Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church, the following persons being the members: Samuel Andrews and wife, Samuel L. Andrews, John Jones and wife, Mrs. Roxana Newberry, Mrs. Jared Thayer and Mrs. Amos Loomis. They held public services in the schoolhouse, and had occasional preaching from missionaries till 1825, when Rev. George Sheldon became their pastor. Mr. Sheldon was a young man of quick perceptions and a high order of intellect, but extremely sectarian in his religious views, so much so that he would not at first fraternize with other denominations, but this wore off in time and he became a portion of the community like anybody else. He built a large two-story frame house about midway between the villages, just north of the Kent residence, which was the finest house for the time in this section. He remained with the church till 1831, when the congregation was without a pastor until 1836, at which time Mr. Sheldon was again called to the pastorate. In the meantime the society had erected the neat brick edifice which was dedicated in the year named. In 1839 Rev. S. W. Burritt was called as their pastor. During the pastorate of Mr. Burritt a remarkable revival occurred and a large number of persons were converted, among whom was W. F. Day, afterward a well-known preacher. These meetings were in charge of Rev. Avery. Burritt was reserved in his manner, and thereby failed to attract the sympathies of his entire flock. At one of their " confes- sional " meetings some of the members honestly made it known that they did not like their pastor, which so shocked the good man that he resigned his charge, went to Cleveland, and abandoned the ministry. The church was then without a minister for some time, when Mr. Bates, who also taught an acad- emy here, took charge. Rev. Ira Tracey came in 1846, and Rev. John A. Seymour from 1852 to 1856. In 1858 the new church was built, during the ministrations of Rev. T. M. Dwight. In a short time after this came Rev. John C. Hart, who was followed by Rev. D. B. Conkling in 1868; then came Rev. A. C. Barrows. The present pastor is Rev. Chase. The church is in a very fair condition. *

*A story is related of Mr. Sheldon by his son, who is now a resident of St. Louis. Conversing with a friend one day he remarked that he would never believe or trust a man who drank whisky. The friend appeared to acquiesce in this view, and went farther still by the statement, "I wouldn't believe a man who swears, unless it be Zenas Kent."

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FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

Methodist Episcopal Church. - Not far from the date of the organization of the Congregational Church, the Methodists came together and formed a class and held occasional meetings. In 1822 the Deerfield Circuit was formed with Rev. Ezra Boothe and Rev. William Westlake as the preachers, and Franklin was one of their charges. Then came Revs. Dennis Goddard and Elijah H. Fields. In 1824 Rev. Ira Eddy and Rev. B. O. Plympton were the pastors. These gentlemen found the society in a terrible wrangle. Some claimed to be members and others were denying it; so, after one of the preachers had listened to their disputes, he took the church records and throwing them into the fire, told the people that if they wanted to be members of the Methodist Episcopal Church they would have to join over again. This cut the Gordian knot, and harmony was restored. The society in its reformed condition, consisted of the following persons: Amasa Hamlin, wife and two sons, Hubbard Hurlbut, wife and son, Jacob Lilly and wife, John Dewey and wife, John Perkins and wife, Rev. William Foljambe and wife, Samuel Foljambe and a Mrs. Burgher. The society worshiped for several years in the schoolhouse, but in 1828 they fitted up a small building, which of late years is known as the Morris House, a little above S. P. Stinaff's, on the opposite side of the road. This was really the first church building in the township, being used exclusively for religious purposes, although it was afterward used as a schoolhouse. The Methodists occupied this building until they erected their regular church in 1840. Some strong preachers held forth in that first little building, and among those may be mentioned Rev. Charles Elliott, who was Presiding Elder in the early days. He was an Irishman and full of wit. On one occasion when holding class meeting, several of the penitents expressed great desire to leave this wicked world and go to Heaven. Elliott stopped one of them short and said that as far as he was concerned he wanted to go to Heaven when his time came, but just now he wanted to go home to Phoebe, his wife. Father Eddy was also a strong character. With Eddy in 1825 was associated John Summerville, who was followed by Revs. Philip Green, Peter D. Horton, E. H. Taylor, George W. Robinson, J. W. Hill, J. C. Ayers, Cornelius Jones, C. Moffitt, Thomas Carr, John E. Aikin, Wilder B. Mack, John McLean, Aurora Callender, Hiram Gilmore, William Stevens, W. S. Warallo, Edward J. Kenney, Alfred G. Sturgis, E. J. L. Baker, W. F. Wilson, L. D. Mix, D. M. Stearns, I. H. Tackett, E. Reeves, J. McLean, A. Burroughs, J. L. Holmes, A. M. Reed, W. H. Hunter, M. H. Bettes, T. B. Tait, W. M. Bear, W. A. Matson, S. Heard, L. W. Ely and a host of others of recent date. Mr. Jones, who was here in the early days, is remembered for his almost angelic temperament. Wilder B. Mack was one of the most graceful of pulpit orators, and Alfred G. Sturgis was considered a very impressive and eloquent man. The church has a good membership and is in a very prosperous condition, with a large Sunday- school. The present pastor is Rev. J. E. Smith.

Church of the Disciples of Christ .- The next church in the order of its organization is the Disciples, which was formed into a regular society in 1827. They encountered very bitter opposition at first, more so than any Protestant denomination of the century. The violence of the opponents of the teachings of the Campbells was one of the most unaccountable features of the early religious days, but this violence and opposition was met by the sturdy blows of a number of powerful expounders, in the persons of such men as Revs. Walter Scott and Sturdevant and Bosworth. Churches which disagreed in everything else joined hands in attempting to put down the efforts of this sect, but, like all persecuted causes, it thrived upon the very weapons hurled at it. The society at its organization consisted of Selah Shurtliff and wife,

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HISTORY OF PORTAGE COUNTY.

Lydia Shurtliff, Desin Shurtliff, Luman Shurtliff, Naham Smith and wife, Seth Corbett and wife and William Converse. The following have been pastors of this church: Revs. A. Sturdevant, C. Bosworth, A. B. Green, Moore, T. Munnell, Griffin, Cronemeyer and one or two others. They have a neat and comfortable church edifice and are doing a good work after the concentrated opposition offered them. Disciples Church was organized under State law, December 12, 1853, with George Van Selah, S. C. Clapp and James G. Wallace, Trustees, and Eleazer W. Crane, Secretary.

Protestant Episcopal Church. - Previous to 1835 there had been a number of Episcopalians in the township, but there was no organization as a church. In the year named, on October 11, Rev. A. Sandford formally instituted a church, the services being held in the red schoolhouse in the Lower Village, at which time the following persons became members: Edward Parsons, Levi Stoddard, Francis Furber, Thomas Cartwright, Lucius M. Lattimer, George B. DePeyster, David McBride, Asa Stanley, Chauncy Newberry, David Frazier and Tileman Wagoner, being the male members and representing heads of families. Asa Stanley was Senior Warden and Edward Parsons, Junior Warden. The Vestrymen were Levi Stoddard, Francis Furber, Thomas Cartwright and George B. DePeyster; L. M. Lattimer was Clerk. The present church building was consecrated June 12, 1838 by Bishop McIlvaine. Rev. Orin Miller was the first Rector. serving from 1834 to 1841. The Rectors following the last date have been: Revs. G. S. Davis, A. Bronson, A. Phelps, S. Hollis, L. L. Holden, S. S. Cheevers, J. F. Curtis, T. Taylor, W. H. Capers and A. J. Brockway. They have no Rector at the present time.

Baptist Church .- Not far from the year 1835 a small Baptist society was formed in Franklin, but the members were very few, the Knowlton family being the principal adherents. This denomination, strong in many localities, for some reason or another has never succeeded in gaining the foothold most of the other churches have, although the sparse membership has consisted of some of the most excellent people. For years they were without preaching at all, and have generally been very irregularly supplied. This church was reorganized March 14, 1875. The original members were L. Twitchell, E. B. Smith, W. H. Van Horn, R. Dillon, A. Newton, George Botham and George Botham, Jr., Rev. Lambert Twitchell preaching gratuitously for it for four or five years, during which period they erected a very neat, though small church edifice. The society is on a better footing than it ever has been, and they now have stated services, Rev. M. N. Smith being pastor.

Free- Will Baptist Church, of the Rapids, elected D. B. Crafts, Clerk; A. R. Crafts, Ariel Proctor and Oscar Chamberlain, Trustees, and John Bartholo- mew, Deacon, at its reorganization.

Universalist Church. - There being a Universalist Church established at an early day in Brimfield. the members of that denomination in Franklin attended divine service there, Alvin Olin and family being about the first who held to that faith in the township. On the fourth Sabbath of May, 1866, an organiza- tion was effected. A reorganization of the Franklin Universalist Conference took place March 3, 1867. Alvin Olin, P. Boosinger and J. D. Haymaker; were elected Trustees; A. M. Shuman, Treasurer, and Nelson Olin, Clerk. Among the members were Ransom Olin, J. G. Whitcomb. T. H. Marshall, Mary R. Haymaker, Eliza Wright, Mary J. Parsons, Mary Boosinger, Almira Russell, A. Merrill, Mary A. Furry, Sybil Bradley, Effie Parsons and Rhoda Boosinger. The pastors of the church have been Revs. Andrew Willson, J. S. Gledhill, Edward Morris; the present pastor is Rev. R. B. Marsh. The church building, costing $17,000, is a tasteful and commodious structure, and is

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free of debt. It was dedicated in 1868. They have a membership of about 200.

St. Patrick's Catholic Church .- This church was organized in Kent in 1867, by Rev. P. H. Brown, at the time pastor of Hudson, Kent then being one of the out-missions under his charge. Forty families comprised the church organization at first, but in after years it has run up to about 100 families. The church edifice was erected in 1868, at a cost of $12,000, and is practically free from debt. They have a very tastefully laid out cemetery. The priests in charge have been Revs. P. H. Brown, W. J. Gibbons, J. P. Carroll, J. D. Bowles, Fathers O'Neill, Louis Braire, and Rev. J. T. Cahill. In February, 1885, a priest was appointed for this parish.

· Evangelical Lutheran Church .- For several years past there have been a number of persons holding to the tenets of this church, and have had occa- sional preaching to them by ministers of this denomination, but during the year 1884 they built a very neat little structure in which Rev. Mr. Paulsgrove preaches for them. It is, though small in numbers, an active and zealous helper in the work of the Lord.

Free and Accepted Masons .- Rockton Lodge, No. 316, F. & A. M., was organized in the fall of 1858, and worked under dispensation till October 21, 1859, when a charter was granted by Horace M. Stokes, M. W. G. M .; J. N. Bust, D. G. M .; James Williams, S. G. W .; George Webster, J. G. W .; John D. Cadwell, G. S. The first officers of the lodge were A. M. Sherman, W. M .; W.L. Holden, S. W .; J. S. Fisk, J. W. The late Gen. L. V. Bierce, P. G. M., was deputized by the Grand Lodge to institute this lodge, which he did with imposing ceremonies. The membership is 160. In 1870 the lodge built a fine hall at a cost of!$6,000, which is 85x45 feet inside of all.

Odd Fellowship .- Brady Lodge, No. 183, I. O. O. F., was charted July 10, 1851, by the Grand Lodge of the State of Ohio, S. Craighead, W. G. M .; Spencer Shears, D. G. M .; W. F. Slater, G. W .; Alex. A. Glenn, G. S .; Mark Pritchard, G. T. The charter members were Asa Douglass, J. C. B. Robinson, Charles H. Kent, M. P. Husted, W. I. Knowlton and David L. Rockwell. The order has a very fine hall, finely decorated and finished, and a membership of 103.

Knights of Honor-Cuyahoga Lodge, No. 316, K. of H., was chartered June 30, 1876, by the Supreme Lodge of the World, J. N. Ege, S. D. The charter members were G. S. Howden, Robert McGhee, A. C. Hines, N. W. Gregg, E. B. Smith, W. R. Emery, F. W. Root, A. D. Clark, W. H. Van Horn, A. B. Bertram, E. Herman, E. M. Jones,JE. Parkinson, W. M. Stokes, A. D. Orr, J. T. Wishart, George Fulsinger, John Stouffer, D. H. Plump, J. S. Smith, M. A. Norris, W. I. Cook. They have seventy-six members.

Royal Arcanum, No. 106, was chartered June 13, 1878, with twenty-seven members. The chief officers or Regents were W. W. Patton (1878), J. D. Davis, M. A. Norris, I. L. Herriff, O. S. Rockwell, N. J. A. Minnich, Martin Holdridge and N. B. Rynard. The Secretaries were J. O. Judd, James Wark, M. A. Thorpe, Orlando Thorpe, L. C. Reed, W. R. Jones and A. B. Stutz- man. The number of members at present is forty-six. The financial stand- ing of the lodge is good.

A. H. Day Post, No. 185, G. A. R., was organized December 11, 1882, and was chartered December 30, 1882, and named in honor of the late A. H. Day, of the Seventh Ohio Infantry. The charter members were James Crane, L. G. Reed, N. B. Rynard, F. L. Allen, C. P. Rodenbaugh, M. L. Robinson, F. B. Allen, G. A. Furry, J. S. Sweeney, W. M. Stokes, B. A. Brewster, B. W. Fes- senden, Sam Dobbins, D. P. Holcomb, A. D. Clark, A. C. Hinds, A. P. Powell,

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HISTORY OF PORTAGE COUNTY.

E. Minnich, L. N. Kaw, John Rubbins, H. W. Kirk, B. F. Hargeaves, C. H' Barber, Hugh B. Deads, F. H. Vickers, H. L. Atkins, Leander Johnson, W. E. Greanfield, I. L. Heriff, R. McGhee, Ed. Wells, William Ropson, W. H. Van Horn, H. M. Foltz, George Harter, F. L. Dunning, Thomas May, A. A. Rogers, S. J. Rouse and Robert Smith. F. L. Dunning was First Commander

in 1882 and 1883. J. S. Sweeney was elected in 1884, and Robert McGhee in 1884-85. N. B. Rynard was First Adjutant; F. B. Allen, Second Adjutant, in 1883-84, and Ezra Fowler in 1884-85. The members not mentioned in the foregoing record are John Bechtel, George Meacham, M. B. Norton, William Tucker, G. W. Myers, M. N. Smith, H. H. Snyder, M. V. Merrill, P. Y. Barnes, George L. Andrews, Jefferson Thomas, W. H. Fergurson, C. D. Rug- gles, J. S. Cook, H. H. Holden, L. L. Johnson, M. C. Clark, J. H. Howell, J. M. Irwin, Charles Waldron, John Fitzpatrick, John Allman, A. B. Stutzman, Charles S. Tyson, D. Baker, Frederick Myers, Henry J. Shook, H. D. Sawyer, John Cross, John Willeston, W. Champney, George Gangle, John I. Hast- ings, O. Champney, G. Bertholf, Phil. Ulm, Ezra Fowler, Levi Reed, S. B. Cuthbert, S. B. Bailey, Paul Clark, L. M. Chapman, Dallas Moulton, George Moon, I. F. Wilcox, H. O. Barton, W. S. Nickerson, C. A. Nickerson, H. W. Gridley, William Miller and Moses Owen. This is one of the most progres- sive posts in this district.

Franklin Township sent to the army of the Union 161 soldiers, twenty- six of whom either fell before the enemy or died in the service.

Kent Dramatic and Literary Association gave the first entertainment in February, 1885. The drama adapted was "Green Bushes," in which the fol- lowing-named members appeared: F. H. Vickers, W. Donaghy, B. F. Har- greaves, A. C. Hind, T. D. Ruggles, R. Mckeon, Thomas May, A. Wilder, A. B. Bertram, Thomas May. Jackson, Harry Vickers, Alexander, W. Stratton, Jones, Holmes, Hastings, McNeal, Davis, Russell, Miss Polly May, Miss Maud Jack- son, Miss Rose Green, Mrs. Thomas May, Miss Emma May, Miss Bertha Har- greaves and Miss Ada Minx. Robert Mckeon is Secretary and Treasurer.

Franklin Manufacturing Company was also organized June 16, 1851, for the purpose of manufacturing cotton, wool and flax. The Kent brothers, S. Huggins and A. H. Allen held 4,000 shares of $50 each. This company was, in reality, formed for the purpose of holding the water-power of the Cuyahoga River at this point, and other property, such as the woolen-mills, saw- mill, etc.

Franklin Cotton Mills Company was organized June 13, 1851, with Zenas, Charles and Marvin Kent, Sylvester Huggins and Fred Whipple, incorpora- tors. There were 6,000 shares, yielding a capital of $150,000. This was organized for the purpose of manufacturing cotton. Gen. James, of Provi- dence, was one of the projectors. The cotton industry was never established, as the plant was not supplied under the contract. .

Joseph Turner & Sons Manufacturing Company was organized March 20, 1880, with Joshua Turner, Mrs. Martha Turner, Jonas Hey, John G. Turner and Alice H. Hey, members. The object of this association was the manu- facture of alpaca cloth and other textile fabrics. The capital was placed at $100,000. In 1878 the firm of Joseph Turner & Sons leased the old cotton factory from H. A. & M. Kent, introduced English machinery in 1879, and inaugurated the manufacture of alpaca early in 1879, employing seventy-five hands. The firm now employs 120 hands annually. There are 114 looms and 1,800 spindles. The machinery is valued at $50,000. The buildings are some of the finest devoted to industry in the Western Reserve. John G. Turner is President, and Joshua Turner is Secretary and Treasurer.

SIMcardworth

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FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

Kent Woolen Company was organized February 4, 1867, with Marvin Kent, R. Dyson, H. L. Kent, E. L. Day and E. P. Williams, members. The capital was placed at $20,000. This company's mills were destroyed by fire in 1867. A building was moved to the site of the old woolen-mills, which is now used as a warehouse by W. S. Kent.

Franklin Glass Company was organized June 13, 1851, with Charles H. and Marvin Kent, H. M. Grennell, George W. Wells and Horace Sizer, stock- holders. There were 800 shares, aggregating $20,000. Joseph Lyman was a member of this company. The works were built in 1849-50.

Day, Williams & Co., Rock Glass Works, were established in 1864 by Ed. L. Day and Charles T. Williams. The works were erected by Kent, Wells & Co. in 1849 and 1850, and purchased in 1864 by the present owners. The industry employs 100 men annually; the capacity of the works is 70,000 boxes.

Franklin Glass Company was founded January 24, 1873, with Eben Apple- gate, Henry Brooks, Lewis C. Haler, Alex. Papa, Philip Demuth, William L. Snyder and B. W. Jones, members, for the purpose of manufacturing window glass. The capital stock was placed at $50,000. This company never erected buildings.

The New York, Pittsburgh & Ohio car shops were formed at Kent in 1861, and the buildings completed in 1862. Marvin Kent donated the land on which the shops stand. The number of men employed is 194, a decrease of 300 in the working force within a few years. The buildings and location are pecul- iarly adapted to a great industry like this. The Superintendent is S. B. Smith, and shop clerk, J. P. Hall.

Franklin Lath Machine Company was formed February 25, 1859, with William Merrill, J. S. Fisk, M. Kent, C. Peck, Jr., H. Ewell and A. M. Sher- man, members. The capital stock was placed at $20,000. This company erected buildings on Water Street, and carried on the manufacture of machines. Mr. Merrill, the inventor, gained control of this industry and car- ried on the business for some years.

Railway Speed Recorder Company was organized November 2, 1875, with the following members: J. B. Miller, William W. Wythe, J. H. Holway, A. L. Dunbar and W. H. Stevens. The capital stock was placed at $250,000, and the location of factory at Kent, with branch office at Meadville, Penn. W. H. Stevens, President, and A. L. Dunbar, Secretary and Treasurer, 1875-77. E. A. Parsons was elected Secretary in 1877. In 1878 A. L. Dunbar was elected President and re-elected annually since that time, while Mr. Parsons has served as Secretary and Treasurer. The Directors since 1877 have been William W. Wythe, J. B. Miller (now Superintendent), E. A. Parsons, A. L. Dun- bar. J. T. Blair was a Director until 1879, when Charles Miller was elected. This industry employs fifty hands. The value of annual product is placed at $80,000. Buildings and machinery are valued at $37,000. To J. B. Miller is due in great measure the success of this enterprise. He it was who perfected the Recorder, and placed before the company's salesmen a most useful and reliable invention.

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History of Portage County, Ohio, Part 50

Author: Warner, Beer & co., pub. [from old catalog]; Brown, R. C. (Robert C.); Norris, J. E. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Chicago, Warner, Beers & co. Number of Pages: 958

Author: Warner, Beer & co., pub. [from old catalog]; Brown, R. C. (Robert C.); Norris, J. E. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Chicago, Warner, Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 958