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 54
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John Thomas settled in Streetsboro in 1829. His son, Osman, was known for many years as Deacon Thomas and married Lois Julia Mathews of Westfield, Massachusetts. She is still remembered for the beauty of her flower gardens. Their children were: Julia Ette (Mrs. Leander Stockon), Williard B., Jefferson, Millicient (Mrs. George Andrews), and Osman Delos. A granddaughter, Mary Thom- as Ferguson, still resides at the former home.
Other pioneers were: 1830; Asher Stanton, Luther and Polly Russell, Belding S. and Prudence Baldwin Bediant. 1831; Rice Page, Enos and Cinderilla Baldwin Page. 1832; George W. and Lydia Leach Lewis, Elisha Mapes, and Esther Blackman Stanton, Benjamin Wilcox, Orrin and Minerva Blair Judd, John and Cath- erine Nighman Tucker, Cyrus and Juliette Hannum Stowell, Nathaniel and Sally Hollenbeck Stone, Tyler and Martha Wing, George A. Stowell.
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1833; Archibald and Margaret Baird McGrew, Thomas and Susannah Park- er Lawrence, Charles and Clarina Bronson Bentley, Frederick and Me- lissa Wait Plum, George B. and Sus- annah Martin McGrew, Samuel and Rachel Wait. 1834; William and Ar- delia Sutliff McGrew, Alonzo and Lucy Leonard Leach, Stephen Myers, Sr. and wife Catherine Graham Myers, John and Elizabeth Cockburn Thomp- son, Alexander and Mary Lantz Hen- derson. 1835; Othniel Elliot and Julia Little Hannum, Amadeus and Esther Upson Sperry, Simon and Lucy Green Burroughs, Jesse G. Hawkins, Dr. Joseph and Lois Chapman DeMoe. 1836; Rufus and Sally Hall Peck. 1837; Lora and Sarah Wright Case, Joseph and Eliza Woodhouse Combs, Carl Osgood, Nathaniel and Emily Loomis Risley, Samuel and Ursula Brewster Jenkins. 1838; Capt. Wil- liam S. and Ruth A. Page Hill, Robert and Jane Clark. 1839; Jesse and Amy Gould Packer, Alanson G. and Debo- rah Blair Avery, Samuel and Mercy Seymour Olin, Wm. Cowley, Sr.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZED
The first election was held April 2, 1827, with the officers as follows: J. P., Benjamin Doolittle; Trustees, Benjamin Doolittle, Daniel Johnson and Ephrim Wood; Clerk, Alpheus Streator; Treasurer, Chauncey Case Jr .; Overseers of the Poor, Alvin Loomis and Levi Cochran; Fence Viewers, Alonzo Root and Riley Mil- ler; Constables, Gideon Mills and He- man Thomas.
The pioneers of Streetsboro were of a religious nature as only ten years after the town was settled, steps were taken to form a church. The first meeting on record was held Nov. 24, 1832, when 17 persons formed them- selves into a conference and desired
to be constituted a church. Jan. 24, 1833, organization was completed and Articles of Faith drawn up. By an act of Legislature passed March 1837, the name was given as "The First Regu- lar Baptist Society of Streetsboro". The first Baptist Meeting House was located a little west and north of the present Methodist Church, and was built by Daniel Johnson. This build- ing was replaced in 1851 by a beauti- ful new church which is a rare ex- ample of early Colonial Architecture. Its designer and builder was James Clark. Its steeple was of unusual form and symmetry, a landmark for over 100 years, but it was destroyed by the tornado of May 12, 1956. Many origi- nal features remain inside the church -paneled walls, gallery, pews, similar windows and large plaster of paris plaque in the center of the ceiling.
ERECT ANOTHER CHURCH
Under the leadership of Rev. Beriah Green, a Congregational Church was formed, Jan. 15, 1833, and 14 articles in a Confession of Faith were adopted, there being 16 charter members. It was incorporated and given the name of "The First Calvinistic Congrega- tional Society of Streetsboro, in the county of Portage", by a bill passed Jan. 3, 1837, by the State of Ohio. A meeting house was built northwest of the square and dedicated June 29, 1837. This society became Presbyter- ian Jan. 28, 1874 under the leadership of Rev. H. Wells. Other pastors were: Prof. H. B. Hosford of Hudson, Prof. Barrows of Kent; Henry Hitchcock, son of the President of W.R.A. of Hudson; Rev. T. Y. Gardner and Rev. J. N. Wilson. The famous author, Rev. Josiah Strong, often acted as supply.
Early records of the Methodist So- ciety are lost. The building was locat-
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ed northeast of the square, a plain, wooden chapel with foundation, high platform in front and steps of cut flagstone, and built by Alanson Wil- cox some time between 1835 and 1840. It was sold to the K.O.T.M. in 1899.
As but few Baptists remained in town, it was decided to donate their building to the Methodists. After re- pair and redecorating, the church was rededicated, Sept. 10, 1899, by the pastor, Rev. J. V. Orin and Presiding Elder, Rev. J. W. Robins.
CHURCHES UNITE
For many years the Methodists and Presbyterians shared their preaching services. About 1918, it was decided to share Sunday School Services as well. It became evident that the two churches should unite with a resident pastor. Rev. W. D. Heaston began his pastorate in Sept., 1919. Following a drive, 69 persons came into the Metho- dist Church on Easter Sunday, 1920, a total of 83 were received during the year and 39 were baptized. A ten thousand dollar parsonage was erect- ed on the former site of the Presby- terian Church.
Rev. and Mrs. E. W. Bucklew start- ed the Baptist Temple in the Grange Hall, Aug. 27, 1950. It was organized Mar. 18, 1951. The new Baptist Temple was built in 1954, across from the old cemetery and was used the first time Aug. 29, 1954.
The Mennonite people began to come to this section in 1906. Although they never had a church house in Streetsboro, they deserve recognition as being valuable residents, adding much to the welfare and religious atmosphere of this community.
The first school was at Johnson's Corners in a slab school house and was taught by Clarinda Case in the
summer of 1826. It was composed of five Johnsons and three Cases. The first district school at the Center, in the winter of 1829, was taught by Almira Taylor of Aurora. It was in Singletary's old log house and had twelve scholars. The first frame schoolhouse at the center was called "The Village School." It stood a little west and parallel to the Lane Tavern. Fred Thomas and Laura Barton were teachers. Rev. Ithamar Chapman taught a select school in the old Bap- tist Church. On Oct. 7, 1839, the Bap- tist Society voted to buy a house to be occupied by the High School for a recitation room. On Oct. 19, 1840, claims were brought against the so- ciety for fitting the meeting house and building attached thereto for the benefit of the high school. Claims were cancelled by subscription.
"PROGRESS HALL" STARTS
The last district school built at the center is now a dwelling southeast of the square. Some of the teachers were: Miss Luette P. Bentley, later Dean of Lake Erie College; Jelina Hannum Hyatt, Addie Combs Risley, P. O. Packer, Emma McGrew Root, Mary Weatherbee Owens, and Miss Fanny Ward.
The school called "Progress Hall" was planned and financed by the Ladies' Aid Society. It was a large second story room entered by an out- side stairway and located northwest of the public square. It was well light- ed and ventilated, and had frescoed walls and modern, varnished desks with sunken ink wells. It was well patronized by young folks from near- by towns. Some of the teachers were: Mr. Chester, Mr. Stuart, Mr. Starr, Mr. Demarest, Miss Electa Bronson, Elmer Hannum. While the latter was teaching, the building was burned
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and the school transferred to the Pres- byterian Church. Boards hung to the back of the pews and propped up with sticks, served as desks for school and were lowered for the church services. But higher grades could not be taught, so in the eighties, a two story school house was built on the public square. The class of 1902 was the first to complete high school work and to graduate. About this time schools were starting to centralize. Districts 1 and 2 were centralized first, followed in a few years by the other 6 districts. In 1905, a fine three roomed school was built south of the Grange Hall and occupied in Novem- ber of that year. Improvements were made in 1915. With more residents, a larger school house became impera- tive and the present one with fine school rooms, gymnasium and cafe- teria was erected in 1949 and 1950, located on the same lot. But already the building is inadequate and new rooms will soon be added.
WOMEN AT WORK
The W.C.T.U. was organized in the Baptist Church, Nov. 19, 1893, with 21 ladies and 2 men as honorary mem- bers. The first regular meeting was held Dec. 1, 1893, at the home of the president, Mrs. Robert Rogers. At about the same time, the children's organization, the L.T.L. was started under the leadership of Agnes Porter LaDu, it was active until about 1903. The W.C.T.U. disbanded about 1940.
The first missionary society was the W.F.M.S. of the Methodist Church, organized Dec. 11, 1879 with seven charter members. Miss Fanny Ward was the first president and Mrs. Emma Root served the society as sec- retary for about thirty years. This society continued active until the Wo- man's Society of Christian Service
was organized in 1940, with 82 char- ter members. The officers were: Pres. Nelle Straight; V. P. Geneva Keller; Sec. Marion Season; Cor. Sec. Lucy Treash; and Treas. Corinne Wilcox. The six circles were organized in 1945, under the leadership of Rena Sperry. There are 91 members at present.
BAND ORGANIZED
The Christian Endeavor of the Presbyterian Church was organized about 1890, and continued until about 1918. The Epworth League of the Methodist Church is thought to have been organized by Rev. W. T. S. Culp about 1895. It continued with inter- ruption until 1940, about the time the M.Y.F. was started. The Home Guards, 1920-1921 and the Queen Esthers, 1922-1929, were organized and led by Rita Porter Sperry. The Standard Bearers, 1932-1940, were organized and led by Lucy Root Treash. The Lend-a-Hand and Friend- ship S. S. Classes have held monthly meetings since about 1920.
The Streetsboro Band was organ- ized about 1870 with Horace Doolit- tle as leader. They owned their own instruments, had fine uniforms and a nicely decorated band wagon, some- times ox drawn. They played for most of the important gatherings in this vicinity and nearby towns, including the Pioneer Picnic, Olin Reunions and Portage County Fair. At the lat- ter, they received first prize in 1883. They disbanded about 1893.
It was as a result of a meeting of "Old Folks", held at the home of Samuel Olin, Feb. 10, 1874, that the Portage-Summit Pioneer Association was later organized. Pioneer Picnic was still popular at the turn of the century.
Riverside Reading Circle was or-
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ganized in 1886, by Mary Olin Hay- maker and Henrietta Russell Olin. They had an extensive library with Lettie Stuart Doolittle as first librar- ian. They remained active until about 1912, when the books were distribut- ed among members.
The Olin Reunion was started in 1886. The second meeting was enter- tained by descendents of Samuel Olin near Evergreen Cemetery with about 400 present.
MORE ORGANIZATIONS
At the solicitation of Hon. Frank Derthick of Mantua, Worthy Master of State Grange, the Streetsboro Grange, 1572, P. of H., was organized Nov. 12, 1902, with 21 charter mem- bers and C. O. Judd as Worthy Master. The Grange Hall was completed in 1906. The Grange is still active and is the only one in the county to own their Grange Hall.
The present P.T.A. was organized in 1945 by Mesdames Zelda Dulebohn, O. M. Thomas, M. Griffith, and W. Hier. It is well represented by mem- bers from all parts of town.
Some other organizations were: The Merry-Go-Rounds and O. K. Club in the early 1900's; a number of Larkin Clubs; Y.C.B. Club, 1914 -; W.A.T. Club, 1925 -; Farm Bureau, 1924 -; Board of Trade; 4-H Clubs; Boy Scouts; Sewing Clubs and probably many more not now remembered.
A distinctive landmark of Streets- boro is the store on the north side of the square, known as "Peck's Store" for about 60 years, as Henry Peck took over about 1860. He was suc- ceeded by his son, Norman, then lat- er by grandson, H. D. Peck. Other owners were: Leroy Bowen and Henry Season, April, 1918 -; Robert Wise, Jan., 1948 -; and Mr. and Mrs. K. L.
Arnold, Jan. 1, 1951. The Post Office was located in Peck's Store much of the time until early in the 1900s when rural delivery came this way from Kent.
A blacksmith shop was located near the present site of Portage Plastics Co. with Oscar Foot, blacksmith on ground floor and Jefferson Mellen having a wagon and carriage shop on the second floor. Later the business was taken over by O. G. Selden. The shop burned in 1900. Another shop located near the present Fire Dept. was run by William Shoemaker. It also burned about 1924.
Streetsboro Fire Department was organized in 1949, and the first run to a fire was June 16, 1950. The Volunteer Firemen are very efficient in handling fires and for prompt re- sponse when oxygen is needed. They have saved more than one life.
DAIRYING IMPORTANT
Dairy farming had been an im- portant industry. A cheese house was part of most residences. Later cheese factories were located at convenient places; Peck's at the Center; Water- loo, Ellsworth Road; Allendale, Sea- son Road; and Jericho, West Road. Besides these, Feeder Dam Factory, owned by C. R. Doolittle, was just over the Shalersville line and pur- chased milk from Streetsboro. In 1873, Streetsboro stood first in the manufacture of cheese, producing 636,150 pounds of this delectable food. A great deal of cheese was ship- ped to New York. In the middle 1890's, the Streetsboro Creamery Co. was organized and a new factory erected just east of the Jennie Kimes home. Some of the time, milk was also shipped to Cleveland. . Dairy farming has dwindled. There possibly may be twenty-five herds in town,
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Band wagons to carry local bands were popular in the '70s and '80s. This is the Streetsboro Band of 1870. Notice that the wagon is ox-drawn .
but two of those hold high records. Most people buy homogenized milk in paper cartons.
This history would not be complete without naming the ministers this town has produced: Rev. Burton C. Peck, (deceased) was pastor in the Northeast Ohio Conference of the Methodist Church for over 40 years; Rev. A. M. Jenkins was first in the Baptist, later in the Christian min- istry. He resides in Bedford; Rev. Bert Morris of the Baptist Church, re- sides in New Hampshire; Rev. James I. Myers, (deceased) was in the Chris- tian Church and lived near Los Angeles; and Rev. Arthur Sperry, the only one in active service of the church at the present time, is the pastor of the Methodist Church of North Industry, Ohio.
After Portage County was created it first had but six townships. They were Franklin, which included Ravenna, Charlestown, Brimfield and Rootstown; Aurora, which included Streetsboro; Deerfield, which included Atwater, Pal- myra, Paris and Edinburg; Hiram, which included Mantua, Nelson, Shalersville, Freedom and Windham; Hudson and Springfield in what is now Summit county.
Mound builders are presumed to have left a stone altar in the southwest section of Shalersville township. It was discover- ed in 1825 by Squire Silas Crocker, a pile of stones sixteen feet high and eight feet in diameter. A pre-historic glacier also left its trace in this locality in the form of an enormous isolated boulder west of Shalersville Center and near the present Turnpike.
CHAPTER XXXVIII
Suffield
By MRS. RUTH COOK
Suffield township is located in the southwest corner of Portage County. It has been an agricultural commun- ity but is now becoming a favorite building locality since it is situated within easy commuting distance of Canton, Akron, Kent and Ravenna. It is on the southern line of the West- ern Reserve, and part of the old Con- nècticut Land Grant. The principal owner of land here was first Benejob Kent.
First settlers came in 1802. They were the Royal Pease family and what stout hearts they must have had as there were no neighbors with- in many miles and no sounds except the howling of the wolves. There were no roads except Indian trails through the dense forests. Pease was a surveyor and as other settlers drift- ed in roads were made and one-room shacks were built.
In 1803 Samuel Hale and family came from Connecticut. He was a real estate man, buying wholesale and re-selling to settlers. His son, Orestes, died in 1805, of smallpox, the first death here. Samuel Hale, who was a Revolutionary War veteran, died in 1808, the first burial in the Martin Road Cemetery.
The numerous Baldwin apples growing around here are said to have been originated by Benjamin Bald- win who came in 1803 bringing ap- ple seeds he had gathered from orch- ards along the way. These seeds start- ed a new variety. In 1808 Baldwin
was elected as first Justice of the Peace. His first official act was to marry Freeman Upson and Sally Cul- ver. He, too, is buried in the Martin Road cemetery.
The David Way family arrived early. Their daughter, Rebecca, was the first birth in the new settlement. Descendents lived long in the vicinity.
MOORES AND COOKS
Another early arrival was the Nath- an Moore family. He, too, was a war veteran, born in 1768. He did con- siderable surveying around here, and working further east, laid out the village of Canfield. The first Moores are buried in the Martin Road ceme- tery. Their daughter Chloe married David Cook. Their son, Lee, lived many years on the farm now known as the Suffield Heights allotment. An- other son, Nathan, lived South of the Center where a grandson, Howard, and family now live. It is on one of the few farms still in possession of the same family that originally pur- chased it.
The Martin Cook family, which came in 1805, endured many hard- ships en route. A ferry boat crossing river, bearing their
a two-horse wagon, sank and they had difficulty saving their possessions. They pur- chased land from Pease and erected the first frame house in the township which is still standing behind the house built by Duane Kent. This is on the farm now owned by Harry
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The Moses Adams home, Suffield. Built in 1820.
Rhodes. The locality is still called Kent's Corners.
In 1804, John Fritch, a Pennsyl- vania German, and family settled at a lake which became known as Fritch's Lake. They erected a house with bricks made by their own hands. The Reis family now occupies the house. The Fritches were ancestors of Fred, of Akron; Clark, deceased; and Judge Irvin Fritch, common pleas judge in Akron for 25 years. The Fritches were the first of numerous German families to settle in Suffield.
In 1820 the Moses Adams family built a brick house with a fire-place in every room, and they, too, made the bricks in an adjoining field. The Lloyd Mishler family now occupies the place.
Suffield was organized as a town- ship in 1818 and the name was chang- ed from Peasetown to Suffield be-
cause of the numerous families who had come from Suffield in Connecti- cut. At the first election Martin Kent, James Van Gorder and Ebenezer Cut- ler were elected trustees; Samuel Hale, Treas .; Isaac Harget and John Martin, Overseers of the Poor; Arad Upson, Lister and Constable. The first Upson house was the present location of the Cramer house at the Center. In the absence of the men folks, Mrs. Sally Upson kept croutons on hand to give to Indians to prevent molesting. Later, Arad and Freeman Upson were active in helping runaway slaves escape via underground. A latter Upson home was in the northeast part of town, where a half-acre cemetery is located, recently restored.
LOCAL PHYSICIANS
Of the older physicians, Dr. F. P. Russell lived here from 1881 to 1907, when he removed to Akron. He came
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here from Streetsboro. Dr. Ferguson was born in Suffield and he located in Mogadore in 1852 after training at Western Reserve College. In 1880, Dr. Bauer took over Dr. Ferguson's prac- tice, with a degree from Wooster Col- lege. The last resident physician was Dr. Fulton who came here from southern Ohio. He lived here from 1908 to 1918, then going to Akron. Dr. Jos. Warburton, located in Moga- dore, has served many of the Suffield families, though now is an advanced age.
Electricity was brought into Suf- field about 1916. Previously, kerosene or gasoline lamps were used for light- ing, with occasional acetylene plants.
Telephone service reached Suffield about 1910, through centrals at Can- ton, Kent and Uniontown. A new ex- change is being constructed at Moga- dore which will soon take in most of the township.
The first general store here was opened by James Van Gorder in 1816, at Fritch's Pond, near the mill which was later converted into a carding shop and later a pottery. There were several potteries in the township later. An important industry was the Gates Mill which produced flour and feed. In subsequent years Geidlinger Broth- ers operated a general store on the southeast corner of the square, the building now owned by Russell Den- ny. On the northwest corner of the square is the general store of George Stout and James Seiter. Previous proprietors were John Roetzel and Ira Shanafelt. Roetzel went to Akron in 1902. His son Cletus is a prominent attorney and his grandson Bernard, was formerly juvenile court judge. Ira Shanafelt was the father of five children. Hiram and Owen operate a large stock farm. Paul is president of
the Mogadore bank. Twins were Mrs. Hazel Smith and Mrs. Lucille Fellers.
In the northern part of the town- ship the Rufener brothers operated a "Sweitzer Kase" factory for many years. The Fisher Lumber Co. was at the present Cramer home site and later the site was a favorite one for medicine shows. A lumber mill and cider press was located at the pond. Charles Pero was the last operator. A lumber and cider mill is now run by Milton Kurtz on Martin Road. The Kurtz family is prominent in the work of the Brethren Church in Springfield township.
An undertaking establishment, dis- continued about 1914, was located in the building now occupied by the postoffice and home of Wilson Weary. It was owned by Jack Keister.
PAYS WITH GOLD
A carriage shop was operated by Nicholas Luly in the building now the present home of the Seiter family. Luly was township clerk for many years and he often paid the school teachers with gold coins. A teacher's wage about that time, 1907, was $35.00 a month.
The Wingfoot Lake Hatchery was established about 1930 by Charles Ewell. It was the home of Edward Ewell for many years. Since the death of Charles Ewell, the business is op- erated by the Kapper Brothers.
Suffield's first postoffice was open- ed in 1833, with Benjamin Fritch as postmaster. Mail facilities had been meager. Some of the later postmen were Chas. Geidlinger, I. H. Shana- felt, Mr. Luley, Mr. Burleigh, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Grogan, and Charles Weary, present postmaster. Free de- livery was established in 1900 with Lewis Hawk the first carrier. Other carriers have been Harry Hawk, Har-
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Suffield's first frame house. Built by Kent family.
ry Schmeidel, Russell Muster, Robert Keener, Leon Upson, Henry Upson, Mr. Benjamin, Mr. Fullen, with W. Duane Waddell at present. Mail is now brought in by truck.
The Connoton Valley Railroad came in 1881, later known as the W. & L.E. and now the Nickel Plate. When the line was built some of the ties were hauled by oxen, Michael Bletzer being one of the drivers. The station house is now gone. Some of the agents were Lou Long, Mr. Cart- mill, Curt Sell, Mr. Ferguson, Jos. Jergins, Carl Burtscher, Clay Baker, Mr. and Mrs. Dodds.
PAVEMENT IN 1915
First improved road was a 12-foot pavement, east and west through the township, built in 1915. In 1926 it was widened to 20 feet and became U. S. Route 224. Being a main truck- ing route out of Akron, it saw heavy traffic and in 1955, work was started on a new Route 224 north of the old route. This work is being done by a
local contractor, the Harry Miller Ex- cavating Co. which does much work in this section. The new route will be a four-lane road.
State Route 43 bisects the township north to south. It was completed in 1928. There are 23 miles of township roads and these are maintained by a local crew with a grader and other machinery operated by Paul Wiseman.
The Bletzer family came to this vi- cinity in 1853. German born Michael was 20. He later married Albertine Helwig. This couple had 13 children, of which five were burned to death in a fire that destroyed their home in 1867. The other children were active in the community for a long time. One son, Hartman, learned the black- smith trade from his father when only eight. The Bletzer blacksmith shop was long a landmark, standing where the Chas. Miller home now is. They shod not only horses, but oxen. Frank Kline was another former blacksmith.
The German Reformed church was organized in 1841, with Rev. Ham as pastor. It was connected with the Uniontown church until 1950 when the congregations separated. Rev. Henry Blum was first resident pastor. Present pastor is Rev. Calvin Klempt who studied at Union Seminary. The present church was built in 1882 at a cost of $3,500.00, Rev. J. H. Beck be- ing pastor at that time. The church is now known as the Evangelical and Reformed. The building now has basement, Sunday School rooms, oil furnace, electric organ, new chancel, pews, etc. The cemetery is just east of the church.
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