History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 43

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1104

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seven foot hall and stairs, similar to the front hall .. Each wing (first floor), contains two bed- rooms, each 9x12 feet, on the north side of hall, and each a sitting-room, 12x24 feet, for the use of the inmates on the south side of halls. The rear wing has, on the main floor, a dining-room, 14x16 feet, two bed-rooms, 8x9 feet ; pantry, 6x9 feet, and kitchen, 15x18 feet, besides a stairway extending from the basement to gar- ret. In the basement of the entire structure, besides several commodious cellars for the stor- age of vegetables, fruits and other supplies, there are two dining-rooms, 12x36 feet each. kitchen. including pantry, 16x28 feet, and wash- room, 15x18 feet. In the second story, on either side of the hall, in main part. are sick- rooms, each 15x20 feet ; and in rear, extending into rear wing, two wards, each 13x29 feet, back of which are two 7x9-bed-rooms, with a 6x9 feet linen closet, hall, stairway. etc. On the second floor of each side wing, there are five 9x12 feet bed-rooms, besides halls, stairways. etc. The attic is mainly devoted to storage, drying clothes, etc., though within a few years past, an apartment has been partitioned off and fitted up therein for the use of " tramps" and other transient applicants for food and lodging. In the insane department. at the extreme rear. there are six cells, 5x8 feet, substantially built with heavily grated doors. The corridor, on either side, is lighted by three large windows. one opposite each cell, the whole well ventilated. and as well supplied with sanitary conveni- ences as the insane habits of the inmates will admit of.

The new infirmary building was not officially accepted by the County Commissioners until the 5th day of March, 1866, though it was oe- cupied and formally opened on the evening of February 3 by a public supper, under the aus- pices of the Directors and Superintendent Frank T. Husong. A large number of invited guests-representative men and women-from every portion of the county were present, and all expressed themselves as greatly pleased with the building and its appointments, and the in- vestment which had thus been made by them and their fellow-citizens, in the interest of be- nevolence and humanity. At the close of the supper, the guests organized by appointing George D. Bates, Esq .. Chairman, when short approbatory speeches were made by Gen. A. C. Voris. William T. Allen, S. A. Lane, Dr. E. W.

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Howard and others. Closing by the unanimous adoption of the following resolution :

Resolved, That the County Commissioners and Directors of the County Infirmary, together with those who have so faithfully aided them in the un- dertaking, are entitled to the thanks of the citizens of Summit County, for the able manner in which they have planned and prosecuted to completion, the erection of an infirmary edifice, which is at once an ornament and an honor to the county, and a mark of the exalted humanity and liberality of its people.

Director Spicer and Commissioner Hill, duly appreciating the advantages of having an abundance of pure water in and about the in- firmary buildings and grounds, entered into negotiations with Mr. James McAllister for the use of the surplus waters from the large spring in front of his residence on the Medina road, and directly north of the infirmary farm. The Directors proposed to properly inclose and pro- tect the spring by a substantial stone house, with conveniences for using the water both by Mr. McAllister and the public, and to convey the surplus water by iron or leaden pipes across the farm of Mr. McAllister to the infirmary grounds and into the basement of the infirmary building. On visiting Mr. McAllister for the purpose of legally perfecting the arrangement, that gentleman receded from the terms that had been named, and seemingly acceded to, and demanded a bonus of $500 before signing any papers-a larger sum of money than Messrs. Hill and Spicer felt justified in paying for the privilege in question, especially in view of the large outlay that would be required in building the spring-house, and excavating for and laying the pipes for so long a distance, and the proj- cet was abandoned. In the meantime Mr. Spicer made a thorough examination of the in- firmary farm itself, and on a high knoll some thirty or forty rods southeast of the new build- ing, by digging a few feet only, struck a large spring of pure soft water, not only of sufficient abundance for the wants of the institution, but with sufficient head to carry the water one story higher in the building, while costing far less to fit it up and put in the pipes and fixtures, than the McAllister project would have done.

The Directors have from time to time, as their resources would admit of, besides erecting com- modious barns and other outbuildings, beauti- fied the grounds, laying them out into suitable drives and walks, planting with trees, shrubbery, etc., thus rendering them both pleasant to the

inmates and attractive to visitors, while the farm, from the largely wild and uncultivated condition in which it was purchased, has be- come one of the most tidy and productive farms in the county, and very largely profitable in the way of giving employment to that portion of its unfortunate inmates mentally and physically able to perform manual labor, and through its annual products, rendering the institution largely self-sustaining.

As commodious and as ample as the infirm- ary buildings erected in 1864-65-66 were sup- posed to be, they were found at the end of ten years inadequate to the necessities of the county. Accordingly, at the instance of the Board of Directors and the County Commissioners, Senator N. W. Goodhue and Representative Hiram H. Mack, secured the passage of a special law authorizing the building of an ad- dition to said infirmary buildings, the bill be- coming a law on the 30th day of March, 1875, and reading as follows :

AN ACT AUTHORIZING TIIE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF SUMMIT TO LEVY TAXES FOR BUILDING AN ADDITION TO THE COUNTY INFIRMARY, AND TO BORROW MONEY AND ISSUE BONDS TIIEREFOR:

SECTION 1. Be it enaoted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio: That the County Commission- ers of Summit County be, and they hereby are, em- powered and authorized to levy a tax of any amount they may deem necessary, not exceeding $10,000, upon the taxable property of said county, for the purpose of constructing and furnishing an addition to the County Infirmary of said county, to be col- lected by the County Treasurer upon the grand duplicate as other taxes, and to be paid out upon the order of the County Commissioners.

SEC. 2. That for the purpose of anticipating the collection of taxes provided for in the first section of this act, the said County Commissioners be, and they are hereby, authorized to borrow any sum, not exceeding $10,000, at a rate of interest not ex- ceeding eight per cent, and to issue bonds therefor, payable at any time not exceeding two years from the date thereof, and to be sold for not less than their par value.

SEC. 3. This act shall be in force from and after its passage.

In accordance with the provisions of this law, a contract was entered into, on the 27th day of July, 1875, with Messrs. Derhamer, Steese & Co., to erect a building upon the west side, and attached to the west wing transversely, corresponding in general appearance to the central building, for the sum of $7,294.37, with Jacob Snyder, Esq., as architect, at 3} per cent on the contract price, for his services in fur-

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HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

nishing the plan and superintending the work. This addition was completed substantially according to contract, in a style and finish cor- responding to the original structure, and is of the following dimensions : Entire size, 32x42 feet. First floor divided as follows : Hall, 6x30 feet ; hall for stairs, 7 feet 6 inches by 14 feet 6 inches ; sitting-room, 18x30 ; bed-room, 9 feet 6 inches by 14 feet 6 inches ; bath-room, 6x14 feet 6 inches ; store-room, 7x14 feet 6 inches. Second floor : Hall, 6x30; hall for stairs, 7 feet 6 inches by 14 feet 6 inches ; three bed-rooms respectively, 9 feet 6 inches by 14 feet 6 inches ; 12 feet 6 inches by 14 feet 6 inches ; 11x18 feet; sick-room, 18x19 feet. Attic : Hall for stairs, 7x21 feet ; two sleeping- rooms, 15x22 feet 6 inches, and 18x30 feet, respectively ; wardrobe, 7x22 feet. Basement : Dining-room, 17x30; sitting-room, 12 by 13 feet 6 inches ; bed-room, 12x13 feet 6 inches, and hall 6x30 feet. The completion of this fine improvement has enabled the Directors and Superintendent not only to more comfort- ably arrange and care for the ordinary number of inmates, but to provide for such considera- ble additions, as, in seasons of unusual severity or distress, may need the benefits of this mu- nificent public charity. In addition, the Direct- ors last year (1880), caused to be erected a separate building for laundry and storage pur- poses, a few rods east of the rear wing. It is a substantial brick structure, 20x30 feet in size. First floor : Store-room, 10x16 feet ; wash- room, 17 feet 6 inches by 18 feet, with boiler and other improved washing conveniences. Second floor : Drying and laundry room, 18 feet 6 inches by 28 feet 6 inches. The aver- age number of inmates during the year 1880, was eighty-seven, though as usual, a large amount of outside assistance was afforded to the needy during inclement portions of the year.

After the purchase of the infirmary farm, the County Commissioners, as before stated, on the 11th day of July, 1849, appointed Roswell Kent, of Middlebury, Avery Spicer of Coven- try, and Lueius V. Bierce, of Akron, as Infirm- ary Directors, to hold their offices until the next ensuing October election. The board or- ganized by the election of Roswell Kent as President and Lucius V. Bierce as Clerk. From among the several applicants for the sit- uation, Abraham Sichley, of Portage, was ap- pointed Superintendent.

In October, 1849, the people of the county elected Timothy L. Miller, of Cuyahoga Falls, Roswell Kent, of Middlebury, and Gibbons J. Ackley, of Akron, Infirmary Directors for one, two and three years, respectively. Mr. Miller declining to serve, Avery Spicer, of Coventry, was appointed by the County Commissioners to fill the vacancy. President of the Board, Ros- well Kent ; Clerk, Gibbons J. Ackley ; Abra- ham Sichley continued as Superintendent.

In October, 1850, Avery Spicer was elected for three years. Organization as before. Mr. Gibbons J. Ackley having died before the ex- piration of his term of office. Mr. Joseph E. Wesener, of Akron, was, on the 9th day of Au- gust, 1851, appointed by the Commissioners to fill the vacancy until the ensuing October elec- tion, Mr. Wesener also, by vote of the board, filling Mr. Ackley's position as Clerk of the Board. In October, 1851, Ira Hawkins, of Portage, was elected for three years, and George D. Bates, of Akron, for one year-the balance of the unexpired term of Mr. Ackley, deceased-Messrs. Kent and Wesener retiring. Spicer, President ; Bates, Clerk ; Sichley, Su- perintendent. In October, 1852, George D. Bates, of Akron, was re-elected for three years. Organization same as before. In October, 1853, George Sherbondy, of Portage, was elected for three years, Mr. Spicer. retiring. Hawkins, President ; Bates, Clerk ; Sichley, Superintendent. In October, 1854, Ira Hawk- ins, of Portage, was re-elected. Organization same as before. In March, 1855, Mr. William Chandler, of Akron, by vote of the board, suc- ceeded Mr. Sichley as Superintendent of the In- firmary. In October, 1855, Charles Hanscom. of Akron, was elected for three years, Mr. Bates retiring. Hawkins, President ; Hans- com, Clerk ; Chandler, Superintendent. In October, 1856, David A. Scott, of Akron, was elected for three years, Mr. Sherbondy retiring. Organization as before. In October, 1857, Avery Spicer, of Akron, was elected for three years, Mr. Hawkins retiring. Scott, Presi- dent ; Hanseom, Clerk ; Chandler, Superintend- ent. In October, 1858, William Johnston, of Copley, was elected for three years, Mr. Hans- com retiring. Spicer, President ; Scott, Clerk ; Chandler, Superintendent. In October, 1859, Richard B. Walker, of Akron, was elected for three years, Mr. Scott retiring. Spicer, Presi- dent ; Walker, Clerk ; Chandler, Superintend-

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HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

ent. In October, 1860, Mr. Spicer was re- elected for three years. Organization as be- fore. In January, 1861, Mr. Francis T. Hu- song, of Copley, succeeded Mr. Chandler as Su- perintendent of the Infirmary. In October, 1861, Alfred R. Townsend, of Akron, was elected Director for three years, Mr. Johnston retiring. Spicer, President ; Walker, Clerk ; Husong, Superintendent. In October, 1862, Mr. Walker was re-elected for three years. Or- ganization as before. . In October, 1863, Mr. Spicer was re-elected for three years. Organi- zation as before. In October, 1864, Mr. Town- send was re-elected for three years. Organiza- tion as before. In October, 1865, Mr. Walker was re-elected for three years. Spicer, Presi- dent ; Townsend, Clerk ; Hnsong, Superintend- ent. In October, 1866, Jonathan II. Brew- ster, of Coventry, was elected for three years, Mr. Spicer retiring. Walker, President; Town- send, Clerk ; Husong, Superintendent. In Oc- tober, 1867, William M. Cunningham, of Ak- ron, was elected for three years, Mr. Townsend retiring. Walker, President ; Cunningham, Clerk ; Husong, Superintendent. In April, 1868, George W. Glines, of Gates' Mills, Cuya- hoga County, by appointment of the Directors, superseded Mr. Husong as Superintendent of the Infirmary. In October, 1868, Francis T. Husong, of Akron, was elected Director for three years, Mr. Walker, retiring. Brewster, President ; Cunningham, Clerk ; Glines, Super- intendent. In October, 1869, Mr. Brewster was re-elected for three years. Organization same as before. In October, 1870, Mr. Cun- ningham was re-elected for three years. Or- ganization same as before. In October, 1871, Webster B. Storer, of Portage, was elected for three years, Mr. Husong retiring. Organiza- tion same as before. In October, 1872, Mr. Brewster was re-elected for three years. Storer, President ; Cunningham, Clerk ; Glines, Superintendent. In October, 1873, A. R. Townsend, of Akron, was again elected for three years, Mr. Cunningham retiring. Storer, President ; Townsend, Clerk ; Glines, Superin- tendent. In October, 1874, Levi S. Herrold, of Akron, was elected for three years, Mr. Storer retiring. Herrold, President ; Townsend, Clerk ; Glines, Superintendent. In October, 1875, Clement J. Kolb, of Akron, was elected for three years, Mr. Brewster retiring. Organ- ization same as before. In October, 1876,

Henry Frederick, of Portage, was elected for three years, Mr. Townsend retiring. Herrold, President ; Kolb, Clerk ; Glines, Superintend- ent. In October, 1877, A. R. Townsend was again elected for three years, Mr. Herrold re- tiring. Frederick, President ; Kolb, Clerk ; Glines, Superintendent. Mr. Glines, whose health had been failing for several years, dying March 4, 1878, his assistant, Mr. George Feich- ter, was, on the 1st day of April, 1878, tempo- rarily appointed Superintendent by the Direct- ors, Mrs. Glines still continuing in charge as Matron and General Manager. In October, 1878, Mr. Kolb was re-elected for three years. Organization same as before. March 1. 1879, the resignation of Mr. Feichter, as Superintend- ent, was accepted, and Mrs. Julia F. Glines was appointed to the position. and it is safe to say that the institution has never been more ably conducted than during the past two years' incumbency of Mrs. Glines. In 1879, by reason of his removal from the county, Mr. Townsend resigned his position as Director. and, in October of that year, William South- mayd, of Stow, was elected to fill the vacancy for one year, Mr. Frederick also being re- elected for three years. Frederick, President ; Kolb, Clerk ; Mrs. Glines, Superintendent. In October, 1880, Mr. Southmayd was re-elected for three years. Southmayd, President ; Fred- erick, Clerk ; Mrs. Glines, Superintendent.

Looking to the future necessities and conven- ience of the institution, in the latter part of 1879, the County Commissioners contracted with Mr. James Mc Allister for the purchase of 37.54 acres off the southwest corner of his farm, and adjoining the western portion of the Infirmary farm upon the north. The price stipulated to be paid was $112.50 per acre, and on the 9th day of March, 1880, the administra- tor of Mr. Mc Allister executed a deed therefor, the total cost of the addition being $4,223.25. Though the cost per acre was more than four- fold the original purchase, it is still regarded as a highly desirable investment, adding to the farm precisely the quality of land, and in the precise locality where an addition was needed, while if the Commissioners should desire to do so they can at any time dispose of ten or twelve acres off from the east end, the site of the orig- inal infirmary buildings, at a figure equal to, if not greater than the cost of the new purchase. Thus does " Little Summit." one of the younger

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as well as one of the smaller counties of the State, occupy an exalted position, not only physically and altitudinally, but for the extent and excellence of the provision which she has made for the support and care of the indigent and unfortunate portion of her population.

At the date of its erection and organization, in 1840, Summit County had a total population of 22,469, distributed as follows : Bath, 1,425 ; Boston, 845; Copley, 1,439; Coventry. 1,308; Franklin, 1,436; Green, 1,536 ; Hudson, 1,220 ; Northampton, 963 ; Northfield, 1,031 ; Norton, 1,497 ; Portage (including Akron, then contain- ing 1,664 inhabitants) 2,382 ; Richfield, 1,108; Stow (including Cuyahoga Falls), 1,533 ; Spring- field.(including part of Middlebury), 1,573 ; Tall- madge (including part of Middlebury), 2,134; Twinsburg, 1,039. The census of 1880 makes the total population of the county 43,788, a gain in forty years of 21,319, about two-thirds of the increase being in Akron alone.

Though one of the smallest counties in the State, territorially, Summit County is more di- versified in it; productions, and more nearly independent of the " outside world " than, per- haps, any other county in the State, large or small. The two southern tiers of townships are unsurpassed as grain producers, while equally well adapted to the growing of other field crops, fruits, sheep, swine, cattle horses, etc. The eight northern are particularly adapted to, and noted for, their dairy products, and, be- sides producing large quantities of the finest butter and cheese in the world, and many fine cattle in excess of home requirements, are nearly, if not quite, fully self-sustaining in the matter of cereals, vegetables, fruits, wool, ma- ple sugar, sirup, etc. The middle townships are a happy combination of all the excellent qualities of the two sections named, being equally adapted to the raising of stock, grain, fruits and general farm products ; and though some portions of the northern townships, bor- dering upon the river, are somewhat broken, and a few hundred acres in the southern town- ships are covered by the waters of the lakes and reservoirs which feed the Ohio Canal and supply water for milling and manufacturing pur-

poses, there is, perhaps, as little waste land in Summit County as in the same area of contigu- ous territory in any other portion of the State.

But, besides these varied and excellent ag- ricultural advantages, Summit County possesses mineral and manufacturing resources superior to those of any other county in Ohio. Nearly the entire area of at least five townships in the county are underlaid with the very best bitumin- ous coal, large quantities of which are mined yearly, not only for home consumption, but for shipment to Cleveland and the upper lakes. The finest building-stone in the State-both coarse and fine grained sandstones-are largely quar- ried in the middle and northern townships of the county. Inexhaustible deposits of the very best quality of potter's clay, from which mill- ions of gallons of common and fine stoneware are fabricated yearly, underlie the surface of several of the townships of the county, the same localities furnishing the material from which has grown that immense manufacturing interest that is supplying the vitrified sewer- pipe, from one to thirty inches in diameter, with which the cities of both the East and the West are being so largely and so rapidly hon- ey-combed, in the shape of drains and sewers, at the present time, to say nothing of the im- mense quantities now being used by the farm- ers of the country in underdraining their lands, and in the construction of gutters and sluices upon publie highways. The materials for building-brick are not only abundant, but the fire-brick and the roofing-tile manufactured here are fast attaining an extensive sale and a national reputation.

Added to the extensive water-power hereto- fore alluded to, these accessory aids to manu- factures have justly earned for Summit County and her " tip-top " capital city, a reputation for snap and push second to no other county or city in the United States. The enumeration of the varied enterprises that go to make up this reputation and this thrift will be given in detail by other writers, in the separate histories of the city of Akron and the several villages and townships of the county elsewhere in this volume.

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HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY. ·

CHAPTER IV .*

WAR HISTORY-THE REVOLUTIONARY STRUGGLE-SECOND WAR WITH ENGLAND-THE MEXICAN WAR-THE GREAT REBELLION-SUMMIT COUNTY TROOPS-SOLDIERS' MONUMENTS-AID SOCIETIES, ETC., ETC.

" War must be 1

While men are what they are ; while they have Bad passions to be rons'd up."-Bailey.

VER one hundred years ago, George III and his arrogant cabinet assumed to themselves the right to tax their American colonies at will, and without representation in the home Govern- ment. This led to what is known in American history as the "Revolutionary war," a long and sanguinary struggle, which resulted in the colonies throwing off forever the galling yoke of the haughty Briton, and of achieving their liberty and independence. Liberty and Inde- pendence ! Often as the wheels of time roll on the anniversary of American Independence, so often does the patriotic zeal of the sons of liberty blaze out from one end of the Union to the other, in commemoration of those brave, war-worn veterans

-who fell

In Trenton's morning fight, Who crossed the freezing Delaware, That cold December night;

When, as the columns onward marched With firm, unbroken ranks,

The blood-marked footprints thick were left Upon the wintry banks,"

and the thousands and thousands of others who fought and bled for the liberty we, their descendants, enjoy to-day. When the war was over, and our independence acknowledged by the mother country, our patriot soldiery were paid off in valueless paper or in Western lands. The bankrupt Government had no other means of rewarding her faithful soldiers, and large tracts of land in the then Northwestern Territory (Ohio Territory) were set apart as a remunera- tion for the long service of her patriotic sol- diers. This brought many of these old Revo- lutionary heroes to the Ohio Territory. How many came to what is now Summit County we are unable to say, but as settlements were made here in less than a score of years after the close of the Revolution, it is more than probable that

a number of them were among the early settlers of Summit County. We have, however, an ac- count of but four : Simeon Prior, who settled in Northampton Township in June, 1802, was a native of Massachusetts, and served in the Revolutionary war, in the old "Bay State Line." He died in 1837, at the age of eighty- four years, and lies buried in Northampton Cemetery. Nathaniel W. Bettis also served in the Revolution. He was one of the early set- tlers in the western part of Tallmadge Town- ship, and when he died was buried with the honors of war, and the solemn rites of Free- masonry. Another of these veterans was Isaac Seward, the grandfather of Col. Seward, of Akron. And still another, David Galpin, who is buried in Akron Rural Cemetery. William Neal, Capt. John Wright, David Preston and Conrad Boosinger were likewise Revolutionary soldiers, and among the early settlers of Tall- madge Township. But it is not intended to go into a history of the Revolutionary war. It is merely mentioned by way of introduction to other wars in which the county bore an active part.

In our second war with Great Britain, or the war of 1812, although Summit County had not yet been organized, the territory of which it is now composed contained a number of inhabit- ants. Being near the seat of war, most of the able-bodied male citizens participated in the struggle at some time during the period of its continuation. The opening scenes of this " un- pleasantness," were characterized by defeat, dis- aster and disgrace, but toward the close of the struggle, a series of brilliant achievements made amends for these misfortunes. Says a chronicle of the time : " Croghan's gallant defense of Fort Stephenson ; Perry's victory on Lake Erie ; the total defeat, by Harrison, of the allied British and savages, under Proctor and Tecumseh, on the Thames ; and the great closing triumph of Jackson, at New Orleans, reflected the most brilliant luster on the American arms. In every

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History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 43

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848- Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1104