USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Strongsville > History of Strongsville, Cuyahoga County, Ohio ; with illustrations > Part 3
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At the fair held in September, 1862, each of the following entered a yoke of oxen: C. H. Stone, Wm. Heath, and Chas. Drake. Two year old steers were exhibited by Flavel Whitney; these were the last oxen in Strongsville. In 1870 a Baby Show was held in connection with the fair, at which Mrs. Lord, Mrs. M. Stone and Mrs. V. C. Stone were a commit- tee to select the prettiest baby from the following entries: Charles Dyke, Walter Locke, Frank Sartwell, Hallie Bennett, Clark Goodwin and Carl- ton Bleil. But the committee, fearing to give offence, slyly slipped out into the crowd and no prizes were awarded. One interesting feature was the horseback riding. Entries-Misses Sarah. Emeline, and Mercy Rogers; Lydia and Elmina Pope; Harriet Culver, Elizabeth Bartlett, Olive Wilkinson and M. Hubbell. Later, Miss Mary Stone, Mrs. Josiah Draper and Mrs. Harriet Sartwell were contestants.
WAR AND LADIES' AID SOCIETY.
When the War of the Union broke out, about eighty of Strongs- ville's noble sons responded to the call to arms; a large number indeed. Of this number, only about fifty returned; the others having given, cour- ageously and cheerfully, their lives for their country.
And we must not forget to mention the brave part taken by those left at home-the mothers, wives, sisters, and sweethearts. Previous to this time there were two Aid Societies in town. The first one was organiz- ed in March, 1848, connected with the Free Congregational Church, with the following officers :- President, Mrs. C. J. Moore; Vice-President and Secretary, Mrs. A. C. B. Lyman; Treasurer, Mrs. Rebecca Hudson. The other Society, which was connected with the First Congregational Church, was formed in June, 1853. with Mrs. M. M. Thompson as President. In June, 1862, these two societies united, forming the Soldiers' Aid Society, fifty- nine names being enrolled. This Society was auxiliary to the Soldiers' Aid Society of Northern Ohio, the central office being located at 95 Bank Street, Cleveland, Ohio. It is hard even to imagine the difficulties under which they worked. They made clothing, and bedding; knitted socks, rolled bandages, scraped lint a.id cut gun patches, and sent them and va- rious articles of food. to the brave boys.
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WELCH GUARDS.
When the first gun was fired on Fort Sumpter, the militia spirit reached the quiet town of Strongsville, as it spread over the North. Training days, in which all gathered at the Center to train and to listen to stirring speeches and to martial music, inspired many to join in the defence of the Union.
Under the influence of the times, the Welch Guards were organized in Strongsville in May, 1861, for the purpose of drill in the manual of arms and company movement. The company was named after its chief officer, Capt. Benjamin Welch, who was a veteran of the War of 1812; he had served under Capt Winfield Scott, with whom he was personally ac- quainted. Many members of the company enlisted in different regiments, each one playing his part in the great war of the times.
The following were the officers: Capt. Benj. Welch; 1st Lieut., J. S. Pope; 2nd Lieut., M. S. Haynes; 3d Lieut , H. H. Lyon; Orderly Sergeant, D. K. Drake; Color Bearer, Gilbert Torrey. Honorary Members, Oscar Welch and Kate Welch Aiken.
PRIVATES.
Wm. Wing. Chester Pulver, 67th
Newton Strong, G. B. Strong,
Ruthven Wing,
George Parsons, 124th
John Bartlett, 124th Harmon Reed, 124th
Adrian Stone,
Edwin Bartlett, 124th Marion Barber, 124th
John Bryan, 124th James Ogilvy,
Ed. Claflin, 124th
Harlan Pope,
Lawrence Dubber, Charles H. Pope,
Wm. Euga, 67th Wm. Adams,
Wm. Freeman, Fred Poye,
Thomas Gifford, 124th, G S. Pope,
Henry Hayward,
O. D Pomeroy,
Lewis Lyon, 67th
Thomas Roughton,
Dall Moon,
E. H. Reed, Jr.,
Henry Whitney,
L. A. Tuttle,
F. J. Bartlett, John Fields,
C. M. Stone, Ed Short, George Short, Joseph Short,
J. B. Sanderson, Harlan Strong, Hiram Snow, David Twitchell, E. S. Tompkins, Stephen Drake,
Reuben Goss,
J. J. Bartlett,
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Charles Wherrett,
N. M. Billings, Wm. Bebee,
Andrew Hier,
H. Bosworth,
George Barry,
M. S. Haynes,
J. Brassy,
Emory Bosworth,
Wm. Humiston,
A. V. Claflin,
Warren Bosworth,
Isaac Hardy,
Wm. Barber,
Ed Claflin,
H. Barber,
Zephron Karker,
Jacob Karker, John Copper,
Ed Barber,
Earle Karker,
W. F. Barber.
Henry Miles,
C. W. D. Miller,
Charles Leonard,
Orrin Barber,
Alfred Copper,
W. G. Lane.
John Cady,
J. E. Merrick,
Wm. Carman,
H. W. Merrick,
Charles Clement,
Burt Miles,
Zabina Clement,
Lorenzo Strong.
Joseph Webster.
CADETS
Shortly after the organization of the Welch Guards, some of the small boys formed a company, called the Strongsville Cadets, under the command of Charles Leonard. Afterwards, Alfred Stevens drilled them once or twice a week. Dr H. Pomeroy, of Cleveland, remembers well the day that Capt. Leonard formed them in company on the Square, and marched them down the old Turnpike to meet the four-horse stage coach, which was bringing their wooden guns and shining bayonets from Cleve- land. It was a very proud company of Cadets, who marched back to town.
"Were you ne 'er a school-boy ? And did you never train, And feel that swelling of the heart, You ne 'er can feel again?"
The most notable event of the Cadets was in September, 1862, when, under the command of Capt. Leonard, they marched up to the cave of William Bennett and camped out for the night. While there. Captain Leonard, who was full of his jokes, formed a plan to frighten them. He told them he would go outside the camp to see if everything were all right. One of the larger boys was secreted behind a tree, and when the
Elisha Holden,
George Wherrett,
HARLAN POMEROY, OF THE CADETS
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Captain reached the spot, the report of a pistol was heard, and Captain Leonard hurried back to camp, showing a hole in his coat and declaring that Rebel spies were outside. This gave the Cadets a good scare, and doubtless they wished themselves home.
THE PIONEER PICNIC 1876.
On Thursday, August 24, 1876, was held one of the most success- ful picnics in Strongsville's history. The beautiful grove of second- growth maples on the farm of M. S. Haynes was a delightful place for the gathering of pioneers from Strongsville and adjacent townships to exchange hearty greetings and reminiscences It was estimated that about 3,000 were present for 800 carriages were counted. A platform with seats for seventy-five was provided.
A martial band, organized by M. S. Haynes as committee, consisted of Flavel Whitney, B. Tuttle, Elder E. Ensign, Banner Osborn, Dr. Som- ers, Clark Davis, D. Van Arsdale, C. H. Parker, F J. Bartlett, Joseph Webster, J. Gouch, Alfred Whitney, and L. Strong. The orchestra and chorus of thirty singers under the management of Prof. L. A. Tuttle fur- nished the instrumental and vocal music. One of the sensations of the day was the arrival of John Stowe, of Brunswick, driving a yoke of Dev- onshire oxen, attached to a cart upon which was riding a number of gray haired pioneers. He was met by the martial band and escorted to the grounds.
At eleven o'clock, Mr. E. H. Reed called the assembly to order. Af- ter music, prayer was offered by Rev. O. W. White, of Weymouth, a for- mer Strongsville pastor. A letter from Sidney Strong, giving many in- teresting facts in the early history of the town, was read by Dr. George Lee. This was followed by the Early History, written by Hon. M. E. Gallup. Dinner being announced, the pioneers, musicians and guests marched to the tables loaded with the best the land afforded, of which not the least in importance were the hearty, old-fashioned corn bread, indian puddings, pork and beans, and other pioneer dishes.
After dinner the assembly was called to order by A. J. Pope, who announced the rules of the program to be: first, no apologies; second, do
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as well as you can; third, stop when you get through." By request, Rev. White read a poem, two stanzas of which we give;
We'll live with them, their olden times; Go back, enjoy with them old ways; We'll weave the wonders into rhymes
And let them live those good old days.
We'll join with them High Power to bless, And ne'er forget the thanks we owe, Who led them to the wilderness
And gave them strength to fullness grow.
After music, Rev. A. W. Knowlton read a letter from Rev. D. C. Blood of Collamer, a pioneer pastor, in which after expressing regrets, he said, "You have ever held a prominent place as regards morals, humanity, charity, patriotism and religion. May Strongsville never dishonor her past record nor lose her present position. My heart says, 'Peace and prosperity to dear old Strongsville forever "
A list of professional men, who have been reared in Strongsville, was next read. Ansel J. Pope told his experiences, when at the age of nineteen, he started west with a knapsack weighing twenty-five pounds on his back. Traveling at the rate of thirty miles a day, he soon reached Cleveland, where he found two or three shops and a blacksmith shop, the latter kept by Abram Heacox. The first man he met was Chipman Port- ter. He visited Strongsville, but soon returned to New York. Ten out of fifteen dollars earned on the way proved to be counterfeit. At that date 1876, Mr. Pope had suspended in the shop in good working order the old bellows brought by him into Strongsville, on his return in the spring. Mr. Pope stated that he believed the old bellows had pumped more wind in sixty-five years than there is in the township. He referred to tools made by him fifty years ago still in use, and told of a time when he only had potatoes for his meals.
Deacon Abial Haynes, eighty-two years of age, spoke of the time when only ten men lived in Strongsville. He was glad to meet acquaint- ances, which he had seen for fifty years. These old people reminded him of a windfall, where only a few stubs are left standing.
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John Watson, of Berea, told of one of the earliest methods for the suppression of drunkenness. The regulators made a rule that if a man was found to be drunk, he must be taken on a rail and thrown into Co- noyne's millpond. This treatment proved more effective than Crusaders, or Good Templars, and never failed to sober a drunken man. Binoni Bart- lett told of successful and unsuccessful hunts for deer and turkey. A so- lo, "Fifty Years Ago", was rendered by Miss Florence Reed.
Among the relics brought forth at this time were an ancient sword, a cane over 100 years old, which formerly belonged to Asa Drake's father; also a jug bought in Boston by Abial Haynes in 1793; steelyards . marked 1779, bible 100 years old, two plates 120 years old, a piece of linen over 150 years old and a cane once owned by Geo. Whitefield.
Enthusiasm ran high when the old men stepped to the front with their drums, at this place in the program. Mr. Wilcox of Royalton gave facts in Royalton history. This was followed by Lyman Strong who made a most interesting speech. Among other things he said he felt that the mothers fulfilled their part as well as the fathers, and conclud- ed with these words: "It is left for us to fulfill our mission so as to hon- or their names and be prepared to meet them in peace beyond the river."
After a social time the many pioneers and their friends wended their way to their homes. For a few years following, pioneer picnics were held in Strongsville and adjacent townships.
DEDICATION OF TOWN HALL.
Whatever enterprise is undertaken in Strongsville, the approbation of her people may be relied upon. The dedication of the Town Hall, December 31st, 1879, was no exception. The new hall was crowded to its utmost. Mr. Philander Pope was Chairman of the evening. The ex- ercises were opened by Rev. O. W. White, of Weymouth, a former resi- dent of Strongsville, who invoked the divine blessing. Mr. Abial Haynes and Mr. A. J. Pope made some interesting and appropriate remarks. After an original poem by Rev. White, Rev. J. W. Turner, as chairman of the Finance Committee, submitted a report of the new building at a total cost of $3945. He was followed by Hon. M. E. Gallup, who spoke of
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the many valuable improvements made in Strongsville and adjoining townships. After instrumental music, Hon. G H. Foster and M. A. Sprague, former Strongsville boys, responded to requests for remarks. W. W. Smith thought the building of a new hall a step toward having a high school. Remarks were then made by M. S. Haynes, Wm. Wing, O. D. Pomeroy, D. M. Strong, J. Preston, Wm Richards, F. C. Gallup, Gilbert Torrey, Anson Goodwin, of Columbia, Henry Merrick, and Melville Porter. The program was interspersed with music by the choir, and with solos rendered by Harvey Miller.
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
A History of Strongsville would be incomplete without mention of her Library Association, and while it would ill become us to boast our- selves over neighboring towns, we cannot help commenting on the fact that Strongsville was one of the first towns on the Western Reserve to establish a Free Library.
In the winter of 1880, the project was first discussed in one of the meetings of the Lyceum, which had held its weekly sessions in the old Town Hall for many years, and early in 1881, an association was formed and a constitution adopted by the following members: E. H. Reed, Morris and Milton Gallup. V. C. Stone, O. D. Pomeroy, Rev. J. W. Turner, James Preston, Wm. W. Smith, Lyman Freeman and Dr. J. B. McConnell. These were constituted life members and the governing body of the Association. In the same year a library of nearly four hundred volumes was opened to the residents of the town.
At this writing, more than half the original members have passed away, but the lasting evidence of their work remains with us.
THE WOLF HUNT.
The last large wild animal killed in Strongsville or vicinity was a wolf that had made nightly raids on the flocks of the neighborhood, kill- ing many hundred dollars' worth of sheep. A grand wolf hunt was plan- ned to be conducted after the manner of the Hinckley Hunt. The date selected was Monday, April 30, 1888. The lines formed from J. Whell- er's east to Fred. Howe's, thence south to Henry Wyman's, thence west
1
THE WOLF KILLED IN 1888
D S. LYON
S. S. LYON
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1239431
to Warner's Corners, thence north to place of beginning. The Superin- tendents of these lines were James Bartlett, Charles Warner, H. Livings- ton, and W. Newton, respectively. About 400 men and boys assembled and at ten o'clock the signal that all was ready was passed around the square, taking about twenty minutes. The wolf was shot a few rods from where the Standard Oil Company's Pumping Station is now located. The mounted wolf was sold at a picnic held in June, 1888, in William Bennett's grove, to the highest bidder, Strongsville Township, for $22. It can now be seen in the Town Hall, at strongsville Center.
STRONGSVILLE GRANGE NO. 1324.
Strongsville Grange, No. 1324, was organized April 23, 1883, with the following officers: Grand Master, J. W. Dunham; Overseer, James Preston; Chaplain, F. J. Bartlett; Lecturer, M. S. Haynes; Secretary, F. G. Howe; Treasurer, J J Bartlett; Steward, J H. Shurmer; Assistant Steward, W. C. Smith; Gate Keeper, W. Sanderson; Stewardess, Miss Sue Shurmer; Pomona, Miss Florence Haynes; Ceres, Mrs. J. J. Bartlett; Flora, Mrs. A. C. Bedford.
The Grange is subordinate to the State Grange. It is a farmers' organization for mutual improvement; to buy and sell together. There is also a Grange insurance organiz tion connected with it. Strongsville Grange has been in successful operation from its organization to the present time. Its present membership numbers 46.
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CHURCHES.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Although animated with the desire of subduing the wilderness and forming homes for themselves, the early settlers were also deeply relig- ious and recognized that no community could expect much temporal pros- perity unless the spiritual and religious side of man's nature was provid- ed for, so we're not surprised to find that as early as Oct. 10th, 1817, the First Congregational Church was organized, Rev. Wm. Hanford and the Rev. Luther Humphrey being present. The first members were :--- Mr. Seth Goodwin and wife, Deborah, Ahijah Haynes and wife, Jerusha, Guilford Whitney and wife, Anna, Hollis Whitney and Bernice Hilliard.
For two years there was neither church nor regular pastor. Servic- es were held in the houses of the members, sermons being read except- ing when traveling ministers happened along. In 1819, however, the church and township together erected a log building to serve as school house, town house, and church.
The first settled pastor of the church was Rev. Simeon Woodruff, who preached here from 1825 to 1834. He was followed by Rev. D. C. Blood, and it was during Mr. Blood's pastorate that a new church was built. In 1835, there was much talk of building, but for the reason that the records of the church were not kept sufficiently well during that pe- riod to admit of accuracy, we can find no account of the exact date of dedication, but Mrs. Burgess, a daughter of Mr. Eliakim Lyon, states that she remembers distinctly of attending the dedication of the church in 1836. The building was a frame one and, for those days, must have been
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an imposing structure and we believe a short description of it will be in place. We quote from Mr. Joshua Hudson, of San Jose, Cal., who says "A broad platform extended across the front of the building Passin .? thro' the huge front doors, we entered a large vestibule in which were two immense iron stoves, which were heated red hot in the winter. and pipes from them ran almost the entire length of the audience room. Or. either side of the stove room, at the entrance of the Church, broad win ?- ing stairs led up to the gallery above, occupying three sides of the build- ing. In the gallery sat the choir, and as the choir rose to sing, the aud- ience rose also, and, turning their backs upon the minister, faced the choir " In later years the church was re-modeled. It will be remember- ed by many as the Old White Church.
In 1837; Rev. Myron Tracy was installed and served the Church four years, when Mr. Blood again accepted the pastorate, remaining until 1850 after which Rev Kingsley preached a short time. Then came Rev. Tim- othy Williston, who remained until 1853 He was followed by Rev. Elias Thompson, who served until 1860. Rev. C. S. Adams prcached for one year, when Rev. Harvey Lyon accepted the pastorate, serving only a short time. His successor was his son, Rev. Amzi Lyon, who was pastor from 1862 to 1864. In 1865 Rev. A. W. Knowlton's services were secured, and he remained until 1877, after which time Rev. J. W. Turner preach- ed every alternate Sabbath.
From its organization the Church was connected with the Presbyte- ry, but it was fully organized as a Presbyterian Church soon after the reunion of the Old and New School branches of that Church in 1869. According to one of the conditions of the reunion, viz., that all of the "Plan of Union" Churches should be advised, either to become fully or- ganized as Presbyterian churches by the election of ruling elders, or to withdraw from Presbytery and be connected with some Congregational body. The Church, at that time, chose the former, and so was a fully or- ganized Presbyterian Church at the close of Rev. A. W. Knowlton's pas- torate The Church endowed a scholarship at Western Reserve College, at Hudson, Ohio
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In 1842, the Church divided, on the slavery and other questions, and about thirty of the one hundred members formed the Free Congre- gational Church. Most of the time, for the first ten years, the pulpit of this Free Church was supplied by professors or theological stu- dents from Oberlin; although from 1843 to 1844, Rev. Uriah T. Cham- berlain was the settled pastor, and was followed by the Rev. Moore, who served for two or three years, and Rev. W. Burr was engaged as pastor for a short time. In 1852, however, Rev. G. Dana came, and preached until the Fall of 1855. Services had been held in the Academy, but in 1852, a meeting was called to form plans for erecting a church building and a subscription was started, which reached the sum of $750. A building committee was appointed, and in just twenty-two days the corner-stone of the new building was laid, the Rev. George Clark, of Oberlin giving the address. On January 27, 1853, the new Church was dedicated. The sermon was preached by Rev E. H. Nevins, at that time pastor of Plymouth Church in Cleveland. Mr. Dana was succeeded by Rev. O. W. White who served as pastor until 1862.
During this time efforts were made to unite the two churches, but the time for such a result seemed not ripe. Rev. Williard Burr accepted the pastorate in Jan. 1863 and remained until 1866, when Rev. Lucius Smith became pastor, continuing in that relation until 1872. Rev C. S. Cady became minister in April, 1873, remaining until Oct. 1875. Until Dec. 1st, 1876, there was no settled pastor, but at that date the Rev. J. W. Turner commenced his ministry, which was to be so blessed in its re- sults to both churches. In 1877 it was decided that Mr. Turner should become pastor of both the Presbyterian Church and the Free Congrega- tional Church, preaching on alternate sabbaths in each church. As time went on, the desire for union of the two bodies became stronger and stronger, until, through the persistent efforts of Mr. Turner, it culmin- ated in the Presbyterian Church withdrawing, April 1882, from the Pres- bytery, and the Free Church abandoning its name, and the two bodies taking the original name, viz .: The First Congregational Church of Strongsville. Mr. Turner continued pastor of the First Church until his death, which occurred in 1885. He was followed in the pastorate by
ANSEL J. POPE
MRS. ANSEL J. POPE
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Rev. Donaldson, who was succeeded by Rev. P. E. Harding Rev E. " Hubbell was pastor from 1888 to 1891 when he resigned and was LOW- ed by Rev. M. Groenendyke, who preached from January 1st, 1892, to December of the same year. In March, 1893, Rev. H. J. Wilkins of Oberlin, was called and served the Church until Oct. 1899 and he was followed April 1900 by Rev. C. A. Stroup.
The First Congregational Church holds a continuous $500 scholar- ship in the Hudson College, now Adelbert College of Cleveland. The first baptisms in Strongsville occurred Oct. 12th, 1817, when the rite was ad- ministered to Samuel Franklin, son of Mr. John Hilliard, and to Phebe Taddford, daughter of Mr Hollis Whitney.
METHODIST CHURCH.
As the early records of the M. E. Church have not been preserved, it is impossible to furnish a connected and complete history of that Church. It was organized, however, in the summer of 1819, at the home of Dr. Jonathan Pope, by Revs Ira Eddy and Billings O. Plymouth. Lat- er in 1819, a church-a log building-was built, which stood on the site of the present Congregational Church. Mr. John S Strong and wife deed- ed 77 sq. rds. of land for this purpose.
In 1842 the place of meeting was changed to Albion, and services were held in a room over Mr. Spaythe's store until the brick structure was completed in the following year. For a few years previous to 1883, services were held with more or less regularity, at which time the church was revived under the leadership of Revs W. A. Wood and J. Cochran. Rev. Wood preached three years. He was succeeded by the following named ministers who served each one year: Revs. F. D. Stevick, P. D. Brush, James Simister and F. W. Poole. Rev. Poole was followed by Rev. J. F. Hastings, who preached three years. His successor was Rev. Edward N. Cantwell, and Rev. H. A. Shook preached one year, when Rev. F. G. Mc- Cauley was appointed pastor and served three years. The present pastor, Rev. W. J. Thistle, succeeded him.
In 1895 a new frame church at a cost of $2800 was erected a little north of the center.
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CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The Christian Church of Strongsville was organized in 1895, and a commodious church was soon built. Rev. John Futcher, who organized the Church, remained as pastor for three years. He was succeeded by Rev. Charles Pierce, who was followed by Rev. Baker the present pas- tor.
SCHOOLS.
Among the pioneers of Strongsville were many who realized the ne- cessity for an education, and therefore early provided the means, where- by the youth of the township could secure as good an education as the times and circumstances would permit. At first an unoccupied room in a farm house was hired an I one of the older girls was installed as teach- er; then log schoolhouses were located at convenient corners, and there the children gathered for instruction. These school houses had pun- cheon floors, and rude slabs for benches, which extended around the room on three sides, the huge fireplace filling the fourth.
Apertures were left in the building for windows high above the pupils's heads, for every minute of the short term must be improved. Fresh air in abundance was secured by means of the wide cracks in the floor and side of the building.
At that early date, if a andidate possessed a knowledge of arith- metic to the "Rule of Three," was a fair reader, and could set a copy, with a quill pen, which he must have possessed the ability to make from
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