USA > Ohio > Portage County > Portage heritage; a history of Portage County, Ohio; its towns and townships and the men and women who have developed them; its life, institutions and biographies, facts and lore > Part 34
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In July, Lewis Day, who had re- turned to Connecticut, returned with his wife, also Horatio Munn, Seth, Lewis, Jr., Solomon and Sceba Day. Along with this group came the wife of Alva Day. Lewis Day was from Grandby, Conn. He died in Deerfield at the age of 93, and had been a Meth- odist 60 years.
Deerfield township was so named in honor of Deerfield, Mass., birth- place of the mother of Lewis Day, Sr., who had been a Revolutionary War soldier. After 1800 the population of the new township increased at a rapid rate. Settlers came in from Pennsyl- vania, Virginia and Maryland. In 1802, Ephriam A. Hubbard, a native
of Stratford, Conn., came to Deerfield and purchased a tract of land. His three sons became leading citizens, one entering the ministry.
WAS MINISTER-PHYSICIAN
In 1802 also came Daniel Diver and family. He was a strong Methodist and finding other Methodists already here, wanted a church. He offered to give ground for the church building, provided that the church authorities would send his son-in-law, Rev. Shad- rack Bostwick, here as minister. Bost- wick was to be a missionary, with Deerfield his base. The offer was fin- ally accepted. But previously the groundwork for the church had been laid by Rev. Henry Shewell who had come from Pennsylvania. He preached the first sermon in the township. But Rev. Bostwick, who came on, was not only a minister but a very good physi- cian. Rev. Mr. Shewell was very prom- inent in early county church organi- zation.
Bostwick was so efficient that he was soon called elsewhere. Rev. David Best and Rev. J. Shackleford followed him.
Members of the church were Rev. Henry Shewell and wife, Ephriam Hubbard and wife, Lewis Ely and wife, Simeon Card and wife, Daniel Diver and wife, Lewis Day. The first church building was erected in 1818, at the Southwest corner of the square. A new one came in 1839 and the present structure in 1874. This church has had in 153 years, 137 ministers, but often two men were needed for the actual work. Rev. Wayne Walker is present minister.
In 1806, Mose Tibbals, one of the original four purchasers came and settled on Lot 28. He died in 1841, leaving four sons, Albert M., Aubert L., Francis W. and Seymour S. Wil-
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liam Reed came from Pennsylvania that year and in 1807 Peter and Steph- en Mason came from Connecticut. An- drew Pownell and brother came, also the Hartzells, the Quiers and Lazarus, and soon afterward, Luman Westover. George H. Hartzell was leader and patriarch of the whole group. He or- ganized a congregation and though he was not a preacher, he read from the Scriptures and instructed his flock after his conscience.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZED
Deerfield Township was formally organized in 1806 and these officials elected: Trustees-Joseph Hart, James McKelvey and Horatio Day; Over- seers-Daniel Diver and David Dan- iels; Fence Viewers-Amos Thurber and William Bacon; Constable - James Carter; Treasurer-Daniel Div- er; Supervisors-Alva Day, E. B. Hub- bard, Amos Thurber, Asa Hall, John Venetta and E. Baker; Election Judges -Lewis Day, James Laughlin, James Thurber and Shadrack Bostwick; Clerk-Shadrack Bostwick. Alva Day was one of the early sheriffs, Lewis Day a county commissioner and Lewis Ely, coroner. James Carter was tax collector for Deerfield. In 1809 Seth Day was commissioners' clerk, also clerk of courts. He was also county recorder in 1818 and Ravenna post- master.
Deerfield's first white person to die was Betsy Rogers, daughter of Henry Rogers. She died of a rattlesnake bite. The first marriage was that of John Campbell and Sarah Ely. The groom was later variously known as captain, colonel and general. The first birth was in 1800, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Alva Day. Lewis Day became postmaster the same year.
In the spring of 1804, John Diver, who had married Laura Ely, opened
the first tavern. It was long known and popular as the Diver House, un- der Diver management until 1844. The building still stands on the Northeast corner of the Center. Diver was also an early mail contractor, car- rying the mail from New Lisbon to Mansfield via Canton. It was at this tavern that the shooting of Daniel Diver took place in 1806. This was important in early history and is de- scribed in another section.
In 1804 or 1805, came a man to Deerfield from Pennsylvania whose family was destined to play an import- ant part in American history. He was Noah Grant, who had fought at Bunk- er Hill and in other Revolutionary War battles. The family had five children, including Peter, a son by a first marriage, and of the four oth- ers, Jesse G. Grant was the eldest.
Noah Grant purchased land from John Diver about a quarter mile West of the Center and started a tannery. It is said that he bought the land for "a long bit and a short bit," which was 12-1/2c and 2-1/2c, or 15 cents for land taken. The Grants worked hard and in 1805 the mother died. She was the grandmother of U. S. Grant and was buried in the cemetery East of the Center. For years the grave was unmarked but in recent years a suitable marker was placed on the grave of Rachel Kelley Grant by the Daughters of Union Veterans of Alli- ance.
JOHN BROWN HERE
The family was broken up. Jesse Grant found a home with Judge and Mrs. Tod, later parents of Ohio's gov- ernor Tod. Young Grant later left the Tods, went to Kentucky briefly, then returned to Deerfield to live a while with Mr. Brown, father of John Brown. John Brown was a boy there
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but young Grant liked him for his character and courage. Soon Jesse went to Ravenna to become owner of his own tannery, which he held until he moved to Southern Ohio in 1820 for the same business. There he mar- ried and became the father of the later President Grant.
The Grant tannery in Deerfield changed owners frequently but in 1862, Henry Muerman acquired it and ran it until 1868. He specialized in shoe and harness leather, coonskin coats and the tanning of buffalo hides sent in. Dr. John Muerman, whose life was spent in the teaching profession, helped his father in the work and is still alive at 90. He served many years with the U. S. Department of Educa- tion in the Philippines. He also occu- pied a chair at the Oklahoma A. & M. College at Stillwater.
Mr. Muerman also owned and op- erated a general store many years in Deerfield. He was a good musician and one of the pillars of the Deer- field Disciple church.
Until about 1890, farming and sheep raising were the principal activ- ities. Deerfield raised more wool than any other township. The W. & H. H. Day store shipped great quantities of maple syrup, as did the Wilson store.
About 1879 Deerfield acquired a railroad, passing through the eastern part, coming north from Alliance to Phalanx. It is now owned by the New York Central system and has various- ly been known as the Alliance & Northern, the L. E. A. & W., and others. This was to have much influ- ence when the coal mines were de- veloped.
HAD A FAIR
In the period, 1870 to 1890, the Deerfield Agricultural Fair flour- ished. Organized by the Spires Bros.,
Mr. Wann, Mr. Taggart, D. O. Car- son and others, it was located about three-quarters of a mile west of the Center between what are known now as Rts. 224 and 14. This fair had a good half mile track and numerous buildings
The Deerfield Agricultural Society was organized in 1874 with C. O. Betts, Harmon T. Hutson and Charles Farham as members and leaders. About 1915 Farmers Institutes were started, with County Agent Shumway to guide them. These were usually well attended. From these the 4-H clubs for boys and girls were devel- oped.
The Maccabees organized a chapter about 1900 and later the Foresters had an active chapter until 1923 when members transferred to Ravenna.
Of considerable importance was the Portage Oil Co., organized in 1865. Its object was to drill for and develop oil. Among the stock holders were N. N. Wann, Samuel Diver, E. W. Gray, D. W. Goss, F. Hartzell, Daniel Hartzell, Joseph Waggoner and Solo- mon Hartzell. The company was cap- italized at $500,000.00 but the com- pany never was able to bring out oil in paying quantity.
Cheese making was started in Deer- field in 1885 by an organization known as the Hudson Creamery Co. It provided an outlet for farmers milk. The building stood about one hund- red yards north of the Center. An ice house was also erected. Among the creamery operators were Walter Not- man, Fred Perry, Russell Maris and Cornelius Wilcox. Operations ceased in 1920 when the building burned.
Deerfield took a leading part in furnishing soldiers for the War of 1812. In the first company John Campbell was captain; Alva Day, first
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Old Hutson Coal Mine at Deerfield, long a busy spot.
lieutenant; and Lewis Day, first ser- geant. On the way to the front, Capt. Campbell took sick at Sandusky and was out of service. Others were cap- tured in Hull's surrender. As a prison- er at Malden, Lewis Day died. Lieut. Alva Day was later county judge. In the militia company in 1804, Henry Rogers was captain; John Diver, lieu- tenant, and Campbell, ensign.
In the Civil War Deerfield sent 86 soldiers to the front, fifteen of whom were killed or died in the service. A fine monument stands at the Center in their honor.
Previous to the Spanish-American war, Deerfield had a company of sol- diers who drilled regularly at the Park. It was attached to Co. K, Alli- ance, and these boys served in that war.
HAVE SELECT SCHOOL
Deerfield's first school was taught by Robt. Campbell in 1803 in a small building a few yards east of the Cen- ter. A later school at the Center was in a four-room building and various districts were formed in outlying sec- tions.
About 1880, a select school was set
up and teachers from Hiram and Mt. Union came in to help. Among the pupils was a boy known later as Dr. John Muerman, who gained distinc- tion in higher education. Another was Dr. Winn Day, of Pittsburgh.
In 1895-6, a public supported high school was set up. Its first class grad- uated in 1896 and consisted of Joel Gause, Mabel Gause, Mabel Mowen and John Wilson. The principal was J. J. Armstrong. About 1915, central- ization was discussed and in 1916 it was a reality with pupils being brought in by "kid wagons", or buses. The high school course was extend- ed to three years. The school also sponsored a lyceum course of lectures and entertainment.
On Dec. 17, 1917, the Center school was destroyed by fire and classes had to be held in scattered places, and this continued until 1921, when a new modern building was finished. In 1926, a P.T.A. was formed with Clyde Burkey as president and did valiant work in support of the school. Mrs. Toth is now P.T.A. chief.
In the late 1940s, after much dis- sention and controversy, Deerfield
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joined with Edinburg, Palmyra, Paris and Charlestown in a new school dis- trict, with a single high school. The fine new building near Palmyra was opened in 1955. Deerfield High's last graduating class was in 1950, with Charles Heish, principal.
A Presbyterian church was organ- ized in Deerfield by a Rev. Bruce in 1816, with a building in the southeast part of the township. In the same vi- cinity, another church was put up by the Disciples of Christ in 1828. Much later, the congregation moved to Deerfield Center, to a larger edifice. The Hayden family burial plot lies near the first church. Members of the first church included the families of Ephriam Hubbard, Jr., Michael Ead- ler, Lazarus Hutson and son, Capt. Hutson, Jesse Slack, Humphrey, Oli- ver and Tobias Mowen, Henry Muer- man, John Schaefer, Adam McGow- ans and Reugle. The church was very active in local and missionary work. Their church building was large and often used for community gatherings. Pastors included the Revs. Braden, Taylor, Sheppard, Chester Ruffer, El- mer Ruffer, Denslow, Knight, Ham- lin and Mantle. The church was dis- banded in 1929.
A United Brethren church was also located at Mottown in the northeast part of the township to serve people in Mottown and nearby Grover. Min- isters of nearby churches sometimes filled in to keep up activity. Later it became the Friends church of Mot- town. Revivals were held in winter with camp meetings in Green's Woods nearby in summer. Among families most interested were those of Aaron Burkey, Jacob Carrier, John Griffiths, Thomas Sampson and Chas. Bonar. A woman pastor, Miss Oakley, served here a number of years. Later
Mrs. Jacobs, wife of Rev. Jacobs, took up the work for a time. After 25 years at Mottown, the Friends church bought the Disciple church at the Center in 1929. Among those serving there were the Revs. Powell, Hadley, Refus and Green. Mrs. Hadley was also a preacher.
COAL MINES OPENED
Up to about 1890, Deerfield had been a quiet, peaceful farming com- munity. There was little else to be done. But coal had been found in Pal- myra. Many went there to work, par- ticularly at Grover, and of these many were of Welsh descent. The mine there was owned by the Hutson Coal Co., comprised of Capt. Harmon Hutson of Deerfield and H. D. Marble and Charles Burke of Cleveland. They be- lieved coal could be found in Deer- field and after a long search, found it. A mine was opened on the Shively farm a quarter mile east of the Cen- ter. The opening in June, 1895, was a gala affair, with a program and a good time. This was the beginning of an industry that brought prosperity to Deerfield for 25 years.
The coal vein ran in a northeastern and southwestern direction, only about three feet thick, but was of high grade, being designated as No. 1. It lay over 200 feet below the surface. The company used an all-steel tipple and was one of the first to use elec- tric cutting machines. Coal was ship- ped out on a railroad switch, and served local demand by wagon and truck.
MUSIC IN THE AIR
The new mine brought in as miners great groups of Welsh people, also some Scotch, French and Belgian. The whole town felt the impact of the musical and singing ability of the Welsh. In the churches the thunder-
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ing basses and contraltos, with lofty tenors and sopranos, brought Heaven just a little bit closer to the congrega- tions. On moonlight summer nights, the "Owl Gang" gathered under the trees of the village park and sang beautiful renditions of the "barber shop" songs of that era so effectively that those of today who go down memory's lane of that time in Deer- field pause for a moment in that al- most forgotten past.
With Ward Craig as a director, a 25 piece band was organized. A band stand was erected and summer con- certs were popular. A fine baseball team was formed and it was able to hold its own with bigger town teams all over the district. Interest was keen.
Memorial Day was always observed with fitting services and from 1905 to 1953, these services were held in the village park, with a parade to the cemetery until increasing road traffic ended the custom.
In 1905 a Ladies Cemetery Associa- tion was formed to beautify and main- tain the three cemeteries of the town- ship-Deerfield, Hartzell and Mot- town. An annual bazaar is held each year to raise funds for the work. The first president of this organization was Mrs. Julia Diver. Present offi- cers are: Mrs. Florence Sutcliffe, pres- ident; Mrs. Elsie Jenkins, secretary; and Mrs. Esther Kirkbride, treasurer. The cemeteries are now attractive and well kept.
This era also brought the first auto- mobiles to town. Among these, and well remembered are Lew Hartzell's White Steamer; Clayton Canfield's White Steamer; Clayton Wilcox's Reo; Carl Inglado's Brush; and D. D. Carson's Buick. The story is told that Lew Hartzell's car got out of control and carried him through the ceme-
tery fence. Unhurt, he said: "I don't mind going to the cemetery but not in this particular time or manner."
Drs. Miller, Waite, Johnson and Severn all had cars, but at the present time there is no residential doctor in Deerfield.
In 1905 another coal mine made its entrance to Deerfield. This was oper- ated by the Arthur Mullins Co., of Salem and lay in the northeast part of the township. This mine also at- tracted workers from old Grover and Palmyra and a good sized settlement came into being there. The coal was virtually the same grade and quality as others. In 1915, this mine was pur- chased by the Hutson Coal Co. and operated until it closed down in 1925.
In April, 1927, a widespread strike affected the mining industry. The mine at Deerfield remained closed until the fall of that year, when the Hutson Coal Co. decided that further operations were not justified in view of the diminishing supply. Under the direction of Supt. William James, the installations were dismantled, and the mine sealed for protection. A huge slate pile remained. This was burned and the remains used as material for making township and county roads. It was of a reddish color and was known as "red dog". Thus passed away all evidences of Deerfield's coal industry.
FIND MINERAL SPRING
Previously, soon after the mine had started operations, a wonderful spring of water was discovered in it. It was found by two workers, David Reese and Richard Davis, who liked it and spread the word. All liked it. This aroused the interest of Mr. Hutson, Mr. Marble and Mr. Burke. They in- troduced it to their friends, among whom was Dr. Stillman, who recom-
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19
GRANI
Grave of Rachel Grant, grandmother of Pres. U. S. Grant, at Deerfield.
mended it to his friends for medicinal purposes.
This was the beginning of the Deer- field Mineral Springs. Mr. Hutson had the water piped up and bottled for the market and there were orders from far and wide. A large brick building was erected for bottling and handling and a railroad extended to the point. The company was headed by Mr. Marble, with T. J. Williams, vice president, and William James, secretary-treasurer. The company con- tinued the shipment of mineral water, in addition to soft drinks of ginger ale, root beer, mint nectar, sarsaparilla and cherry. Deerfield Ginger Ale be- came famous. At that time the soft drink trade was limited to the sum- mer months so that the plant worked only in those months.
In 1914, plans were made to develop the business to its full potentiality. Sales had already reached nearly $100,000.00. Construction of a larger plant, with a sanatorium and hotel were in view, with a development like White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. But
dissension arose within and the busi- ness sold outright to the Sylla-Good- man Bottling Works of Cleveland. A new building, new equipment and new methods were used, but on the night of August 6, 1920, the plant was destroyed by fire and never re- built.
In 1934, a coal mine shaft was sunk in the northeast corner of the town- ship and became known as the Black Diamond Coal Co. Interested in it were Ruel Johns, Daniel Lewis, War- ren Lewis, Perry Williams and Thom- as Jones, all of Palmyra. The coal was of good grade. The newly arrived trucking business provided an outlet for the entire production. The mine operated until 1943, when new con- ditions made costs too high.
STRIP MINING STARTS
Throughout the years there had been several small shaft mines, which served the people of near residence. The coal was near the surface and in some places could be reached by mak- ing entrance to the side of a hill. These were "drift mines." About that time it was found that coal could be uncovered by the use of powerful earth moving machinery. This meth- od of mining coal became known as strip mining and in 1939 this type of operation came to Deerfield when the Peterson Coal Co. obtained rights and began stripping land for coal about two and a half miles west of the Center. Through the efforts of Clyde Peterson, Harry Peterson and Roy Kays this mining business today serves a very wide territory. By means of a tipple and other equipment the coal is washed and graded for waiting truckers. The daily tonnage runs from 500 to 800 tons. To date, more than 300 acres of land have been uncovered.
In this era the township attained
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its largest population, in the years from 1890 to 1955. The early years were a happy and joyous time to live. People made their own amusements. In the winter there were sleigh rides, box socials and plays. In the summer a tent show would come in for a week or so, with a movie and accom- panying music which fascinated large crowds. E. G. Smith's circus usually paid the village a visit. The Medicine Man also entertained the people while selling knives, shoe strings, pencils, salves and "Indian Katonka".
THE BIG BOOM
Perhaps Deerfield's biggest "boom" came on the night of June 11, 1913, when a warehouse standing on the southwest corner of the village, in which was stored a large quantity of fireworks, let go and wrecked nearly the entire village. No one was serious- ly injured but property damage was heavy as virtually all buildings were left without windows and their con- tents tumbled in heaps. The blast was heard as far away as Salem and Alli- ance and other points. The explosion occurred at midnight and not until morning could the full extent be as- certained. What caused the explosion was never known.
When war was declared in April, 1917, and the call raised for soldiers, Deerfield men answered the call by sending a total of 53 young men who donned the khaki and served in vari- ous branches and places. The follow- ing Deerfield soldiers died in the ser- vice of their country: David Evans, Homer Girard, George Knight and William Mann. Others suffered by wounds or illness.
In 1942, Deerfield residents were again stirred by reports that a dam across the Mahoning River would be
built in the northeast corner of the township, to impound water as a feed- er to the already existing Milton Res- ervoir. Mahoning Valley steel mills and industries required an increased supply of water for war work. Work in building the dam and clearing the valley began late in 1942. Many farms lying within the area to be flooded were bought by the government. This resulted in the loss of many fine farms as well as local taxes derived there- from.
The work of clearing the valley reached from the eastern side of Deer- field to the limits of Alliance ten miles south. The government pur- chased 7,990 acres of land, mostly in Deerfield, and there is a drainage area of around 250 square miles. The present reservoir covers 5,470 acres and when filled, holds 32 billion gal- lons of water.
It was built at a cost of $6,228,676, and was dedicated in October, 1943, with elaborate and fitting ceremonies, with Federal, State and County dig- nitaries present. A number of roads were closed and new bridges had to be built. It is now known as the Berlin Reservoir. A resident officer is con- stantly on hand. At present he is Rob- ert Gregory.
There were 114 men and women of Deerfield who served their country in World War II. Deerfield men could be found in all branches of service, and in virtually all the theaters of war. In this war, the following sol- diers died in service: William Crow- der and Arland Van Camp.
BOYS IN SERVICE
After the close of this war, a me- morial dedicated to Deerfield Town- ship soldiers was placed in the park. An American Legion Post was organ-
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ized and became known as Post No. 713. With a membership of about 65, this post has been quite active. Vet- erans from adjacent townships are members. Its home is located on state highway Route 14 about two and a half miles northwest of the Center. Raymond Carver, a Korean War vet- eran, is currently serving as command- er. The post is assisted in its activities by a Women's Auxiliary, of which Mrs. Mildred Adams is president.
In the Korean War, 36 Deerfield boys were in service. In this war Paul Kirkbride and James Walker made the supreme sacrifice.
In World War II there was a Civil- ian Defense organization, which later was a moving force in the organiza- tion of the Deerfield Civic club for the encouragement of worthwhile projects.
The Volunteer Fire Department was formed in June, 1947, with Thomas Lloyd as president; Hazel Ingeldue as secretary; and Thelma Johns as treas- urer. There are 22 members signed in the work. The Deerfield Homecoming Festival was an effort to obtain money to purchase fire fighting equipment. It still continues.
A fire station was erected just east of the Center. A modern fire truck was obtained at a cost of $8,000.00, with a smaller truck available. Ray Sutcliffe is fire chief with 23 trained men available.
In recent years a large skating rink near the Atwater line on Rt. 224, has attracted large numbers of visitors.
Present township officers are: Trus- tees-Eric Hall, Albert Strong and Virgil Weingart; Clerk-A. E. Hart- zell.
Deerfield population by decades has been: 1850-1371; 1870-1025; 1890- 914; 1880-985; 1900-1101; 1910-1240;
1920-1103; 1930-1005; 1940-1059; 1950-1172. Property valuation in 1950 was $1,970,485.00.
Currently the Peterson Coal Co. is increasing strip mining operations and installing a limestone crushing plant to utilize large deposits found there, thus starting a new industry.
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