USA > Ohio > Summit County > Twinsburg > Twinsburg, Ohio, 1817-1917, Part I History, Part II Genealogies > Part 5
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An autograph album and my father's diploma are perhaps the only relics of the contents of those four trunks which I possess and these I highly prize.
At the end of three months he hired money and returned to Connecticut to study theology with a Rev. Hart of Plymouth and Rev. Pierce of Harwinton. He was licensed
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to preach the Gospel by Litchfield South Association in 1825. He preached his first sermon in Wolcot, Conn., then supplied for several Sabbaths the church at Waterbury, Conn.
In September, 1824, he was married to Fanny Gaylord of Harwinton, Conn.
In 1826 he returned to Aurora. But sometime prior to his return he was informed of the effort to locate a college at Hudson, O., and was asked, with many others in different parts of the country, to collect funds to begin the enterprise. For some time he went from door to door begging for this object and by these means the first building was erected. In this humble manner Western Reserve University had its beginnings.
A few years later he gave his patrimony of one hundred acres in Aurora to the college. Still later he filled a vacancy for one year teaching in it.
On returning to Aurora with his wife in the fall of 1826 he found the state of education much as ten years before, when he made the resolution to spend his life trying to do good to his fellowmen. He went to Moses Eggleston who owned the land around the center and asked to let him chop down some maple trees and cut them into wood. Mr. Eggleston assented. Accordingly, he prepared some ten cords of wood, had it hauled and deposited near what was called the old academy and then announced that on a certain day a school would commence; the tuition would be two dollars for twelve weeks and as money was very scarce he said, "You may pay me in anything you please, and when you please, and nothing if you don't please." Scholars came in very cautiously at first but before two years had passed nearly all of suitable age were present. Several began prep- aration for college, among these were two of the first three graduates from Western Reserve College.
Near the end of the two years my father was invited to spend several Sabbaths in Twinsburg. He went but con- tinued teaching in Aurora. About this time he preached the funeral sermon of the twin Wilcoxes. At the end of three months the people of Twinsburg saw fit to ask him to be- come their pastor. And now I will quote from father's writings concerning his work for several years:
"Dismissed my school in Aurora and moved to Twins-
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burg in January, 1828. To pay me for the three months service they built a very good log block house, one half mile west of the square, which became my home for many years. In the spring of 1828 was ordained and installed pastor of the Presbyterian church and society.
"Twinsburg was very new; their meeting-house was on the west side of the square nearly opposite Mr. Alexander's, a mere shell of a building with a few seats around on the outside of the room. There were about as many people as could sit around on these outside seats; in the winter it was cold and uncomfortable but before the new church was built it was crowded. On the same lot where the log block house was erected there stood also a log house 20x30, built for a shoe shop. It was very rude with rough boards for a floor and loose ones overhead. Three holes were cut out of the logs for windows of four panes each. There was a fireplace at one end built of rough stones and topped out with sticks plastered over with clay. In the fall of 1828 this was fitted up with seats and invitations were given to all youths of suitable age to attend school welcome, or, if they chose to pay, the tuition would be $2.00 per quarter. Some forty or more scholars were packed into this small space, giving ample employment to one teacher for four months in the year. This continued to be the place of school till 1831. During the first and second winters a school term of four months was held but in the winters of 1831 and 1832 I was called to teach in Western Reserve College and there was no school.
"When I first came the township was comparatively new and the people generally were in very moderate circum- stances. Roads were bad and almost impassable at certain seasons of the year. Our houses were poor and our means of living pretty hard. Money was scarce and all business was transacted by barter. I borrowed $100.00 of Zeno Kent of Aurora and paid interest for two years of $40.00. It was during this period, 1831-32, that our first church was built.
"In 1831 the people of the church concluded to erect a building for the double purpose of meetings on the Sabbath and school during the week. They made me sole committee to raise funds for the building. They were to procure the materials and I the money needed. It was finished in 1832
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at an expense of $700.00, of which cash part I was obliged to furnish $190.00. My school was now transferred from the cabin to a comparative palace. We then proposed to board scholars from abroad at nine shillings per week, in- cluding fuel, lights and washing. Such was the beginning of Twinsburg Institute.
"When the new church was erected it was likewise full. Scarcely a family in town neglected to meet on the Sabbath for public worship. I was in the habit of visiting all the families each year and the visits were pleasant and profitable. We shared the labors and hardships. Many a time we were so poor we knew not today what we should have on the morrow and often Mrs. Bissell and myself walked to Aurora to procure food to bring home in our hands. On one of these visits when we were opposite Mr. Crawford's, a bear stood in the road before us and when Bruin had gazed sufficiently long at us he took to his heels and fled. In early life I learned to follow the chase and when my father died in 1833 the old beloved rifle fell into my hands. Soon after that a flock of wild turkeys came near the door and I shot two of them and a little later a deer came into the lot nearby and paid the forfeiture of his life for his temerity.
"At about this time in consequence of our common pov- erty, and feeling that help from abroad would be desirable, I went to New York and procured of Mr. Woolsey of that city, father of J. M. and President Woolsey, twenty-five acres of land as a lifelong possession of the church society. Soon after this I visited Mr. Beers of Connecticut, Com- missioner of the school fund, and induced him to relieve, as soon as possible, many of our citizens who happened to settle on a mortgaged tract (Tract No. 2) forfeited to the state of Connecticut, and who felt little heart to improve their lands as they might lose them. The settlement was satisfactorily adjusted.
"At the end of the first seven years I had received not above $75.00 per year as a salary and all was returned in one way or another. The little church of twelve members, I think, had increased to an hundred and fifty."
But meanwhile a storm cloud had been slowly gathering over the church, brought on by the various opinions held by its members concerning the temperance question. Father's
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views were strongly for temperance and as to the need of reform at that time you have only to read "Twinsburg from 1817 by Ethan Alling and from 1820 by Luman Lane." Yet on account of the trials and controversies that were the outgrowth of these opinions father was dismissed and went to Edinburg where he had been invited in the fall of 1835. As to school and church privileges they were in much the same condition as he had found Twinsburg and he resolved to give the youth of Edinburg the privileges of more than a common school education. He first went to Pittsburg and purchased $100.00 worth of books, then opened the school loaning the books to those who came. More than fifty were on hand and profited by the privilege expecting to pay $2.25 per quarter. The tuition the first four months fell short of the cost of the books. In the course of a year and a half nearly all the youth availed themselves of the privilege.
In the fall of 1837 the church invited him back to Twins- burg. He returned and then a series of persecutions fol- lowed that are not very common these days. Out of them grew the second church over which father was pastor till 1843 when he resigned to better look after the interests of the growing school which he had resumed upon returning to Twinsburg.
At this time began three regular terms in a school year of forty weeks. Concerning the growth of the school father wrote: "A house 20x35 was erected (where the present stone building stands), 20 feet more were soon added. Boarders from abroad came in and the numbers so increased that in August, 1843, the Tavern at the center was purchased. It was 30x50 and two stories high. Soon another building 30x50 and three stories high was added. In two more years another building 30x40 and three stories high was necessary and a year or so later the old church and academy and an intermediate building were provided. The increase from forty to three hundred pupils, including at least fifty boarders in the family, necessitated seven teachers and assistants to give instruction in German, French, vocal and instrumental music, penmanship and all the common academic studies. No charter was ever obtained and no public money appropriated. Board and tuition were so low that the most indigent found encouragement to enter the
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institution and avail themselves of its privileges. A large number were received who paid little or nothing. In 1843 three Indian youths left their forest homes about Mackinaw and Traverse Bay, Mich., and landed in Cleveland on their way to Vernon where lived the missionaries who rode with me to Sandusky City twenty years before, and who, after spending some time in Maumee and there passing from lodge to lodge among the Indians in the neighborhood of Mackinaw for several seasons, now worn out in this good service had returned in the evening of their life to their original home in Vernon. These youths called at the Institute and through a French interpreter made known their object, viz .: to find a place by the help of these mis- sionaries where they might go to school. Our doors were open to them, feeling that we were under the strongest obligation to help a poor neglected and injured people, and they went no farther. Others followed these from seven different tribes, east and west, until the whole number reached over two hundred. Most of them remained, on an average, at least a year. All boarded in the family and were supplied with books and stationery. Of these, two have been teachers in academies, one a very respectable minister of the Gospel, several have taught schools among their own people. Andrew J. Blackbird, or Mack-a-de-pe-nessy, son of a chief of the Ottawas from the northern part of Michigan, has been a national interpreter, postmaster, and soon after leaving the Institute obtained from the Michigan Legis- lature the rights of citizenship for his people in that state. He was the author of "The History of the Ottawa and Chip- pewa Indians of Michigan." Another, a Seneca, Peter Wilson by name, graduated at the head of his class of medi- cal students at Geneva, N. Y., and for years was employed by his nation as their agent at the Legislature at Albany to look after their interests; others were interpreters of mis- sionaries, one a councilor of his nation, one a teacher among the Freedmen of the South. During the War of the Rebel- lion one raised a company of sharpshooters, became their captain and fell in the battle of the Wilderness. Several others joined the army and acted a loyal part. It may be said of them as a body of youth that as large a proportion of
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them have excelled as is true of an equal number of white students."
In 1853 occurred the death of my grandmother, Thank- ful Cheeseman Bissell, at the ripe old age of eighty-three years. My father wrote of her: "She fairly shamed all her children in acts of hardship and heroism. Though deprived of all means of learning early she was surpassed by few in the application of what she learned late in life. In the ab- sence of physicians during those early days she deserves the highest commendation for what she did in the capacity in which she was called to act."
Of indigent white youth that father made a home for, aided in their education, and in some cases bore their ex- penses in college after fitting them, their name is "Legion," and the amount expended much greater than that for the Indian youth. Among these at an early day were William C. Bissell and two sisters, children of a cousin, Orice Bissell, who had died leaving them orphans. Another was Drusilla Featherstone whom he took at nine years of age and edu- cated in music. Subsequently four others of the same family were with them and did well. These are just a sample of the many that were raised in father's family though never adopted.
During the period of giving instruction not less than six thousand were more or less under his care. Among these are numbered presidents and professors of colleges and theo- logical seminaries, members of Congress, governors of states, members of state legislatures, ministers, missionaries, judges, attorneys, physicians and a host of teachers in common and high schools.
In 1860 father wrote: "My former companion, a most faithful wife and a conscientious Christian, was attacked by a pulmonary disease; and while away from home, and watching by her bedside, and after she had closed her eyes in death, I felt that there was no hope of escaping bank- ruptcy for my indebtedness was not less than six thousand dollars, and I had no means to pay. I said to a friend, "I see no way but to assign what I have to creditors." After I had labored so long, to fail was almost too much to bear. For the moment I was disheartened. I thought of past and trying days and reflected that, trusting in the Lord, I had passed
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through all difficulties. I resolved that I would cast myself on God and do my duty. Claim after claim was left for collection and in every case, at the end of the stay of judg- ment, principal and interest were paid. At length I sold the Institution and buildings and nearly completed every pay- ment. Three hundred dollars were saved with which I was determined to build a house in which I might still continue the business of instruction. Thus the stone house was erected, largely with my own hands and the donations of old friends and pupils."
Although the adoption of the free school system by the state, and the breaking out of the Civil War greatly reduced the numbers in attendance, he continued, with the assistance of his second wife, Cynthia Amelia Sikes, a most worthy helper as well as teacher in the school, his life long labors almost to the last.
He passed away at his home south of the center at the ripe old age of 98 yrs. and 4 mos. Thus the career of the founder of Twinsburg Institute was ended. It had its foun- dation in prayer, the superstructure was reared in faith and corresponding works, and all was under the fostering care of God to whom he always ascribed the honor of the ac- complishment.
ADDITIONAL FACTS
As a rule, school catalogues are not considered very interesting reading matter, but surely some of the catalogues issued when the Twinsburg Institute was at the zenith of its popularity must be made an exception. It is a matter of regret that some of these catalogues cannot be here repro- duced. Through them the unusual personality of Rev. Mr. Bissell is unconsciously made clear to the reader.
In one of them for the year commencing April 9, 1849, and ending March 9, 1850, the summary gives the attend- ance of gentlemen as 204, and ladies as 106. Thirty towns and three states are represented.
As to the studies we read: "Instruction will be given in Greek, Latin, French, and German; in Algebra, Geom- etry, Trigonometry, Mensuration, Surveying and Naviga- tion; in Natural, Moral and Mental Philosophy; Chemistry, Rhetoric, Logic, Astronomy, Mineralogy, Geology and Physiology; In Geography, English Grammar, Arithmetic,
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Reading, Spelling, Definition, Penmanship and Book Keep- ing. Also in Vocal Music, Music on the Piano, Melodeon, Flute, Violin, Violincello, etc. In Drawing and Painting. Besides there will be weekly exercises in Declamation, Elo- cution, and Composition, together with the benefit of a Lyceum. The most approved works in all the above branches will be used. Effort is now being made to add a Library and suitable Philosophical, Chemical and Musical Apparatus, and such other conveniences as shall contribute to its greatest usefulness."
As to location we learn:
"The Institution is situated in the village of Twins- burgh, Summit Co., Ohio, five miles from Western Reserve College, on the road from Cleveland to Pittsburgh, nineteen miles from the former, with a Daily Stage both ways. A Plank Road will be made to Cleveland the present season.
"The buildings of the Institution will accommodate 75 boarders, generally with but two in a room, with a Kitch- en, Dining Hall, spacious Halls for study, Music, and Recitation Rooms. The best water in the world has recently been brought to the Institution in pipes, which very greatly conduces to health and comfort. It is surrounded by an industrious, moral, and thriving population. A residence of more than 20 years in the place has proved it healthy almost without a parallel."
Under Sessions and Vacations we read :
"The year is divided into three sessions. The first will commence on the second Monday in April and continue 12 weeks; then there will be a vacation of 6 weeks for the accommodation of the farmer to secure his crops, and for the student to derive profit from labor. Then will commence the second session of twelve weeks, after which there will be a vacation of two weeks, when the winter term of 16 weeks will begin, at the expiration of which there will be a vacation of 4 weeks to continue till the second Monday in April, making, in all, 40 weeks in the year for study."
But more interesting matter is treated of under the heading of Expenses:
"Board, Room, and lodging may be had at the Sem- inary from $1.00 to $1.25 per week, according to the price of provisions.
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Tuition in Greek, Latin, and the higher Mathematics. . $3.00 In the English branches only . 2.50 In German and French each, extra . 2.00 In lessons on Piano Forte and melodeon, each 5.00 In Music on Violin, Violincello, Flute &c., once per week . 2.00 Vocal Music, Drawing and Painting Free Expenses of wood in Recitation Rooms, keeping same, ordinary repairs, &c .. .50
Washing will be done in the Institution at 2 cents per article. Wash dishes, pails, towels, brooms, fuel, lights, carpets and curtains, furnished by the student.
If payment is delayed till the end of the term, a differ- ence of one dollar more per quarter will be made. Past experience has taught us not to extend credit, except under peculiar circumstances.
There will be an examination of two days at least at the end of each session, with exhibitions in Music and other things.
Parents and friends are earnestly desired to be present on these occasions."
Tradition tells us that not all the students particularly enjoyed these following regulations :
"Each student is expected to attend public worship where his parents or guardians shall direct.
Students will not be permitted to remain in the Institu- tion who will go and come on the Sabbath, knowing the rule, nor will students be suffered to remain who shall devote any part of their time during the week to learn to dance.
There will be Biblical exercises each Sabbath, on which all may attend.
Every reasonable pains will be taken to guard the morals of youth, and render them comfortable, happy, and contented."
In 1857-8 we notice the expenses are a trifle higher, among other things washing having advanced from 2 to 3 cents per article. Profane language and card playing has been added to the list of things that "will not be suffered," and a Library of over 600 carefully selected books acquired.
The catalogues tell us little about the exhibitions, but many old students remember them as being attended from
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far and near, and the following program surely shows they were quite properly named.
ANNUAL EXHIBITION of TWINSBURGH INSTITUTE MARCH 10, 1848 MUSIC
The Nineteenth Century-An Oration H. R. Dancox, Hudson, O.
Twilight Musings-An Essay .
. Miss Sarah E. Henry, Twinsburg, O.
If a God there be, that God how great !. Miss Eunice Turner, Twinsburg, O. My Mother-A Poem. Miss Rebecca Young, Twinsburg, O. MUSIC
Our Country-An Oration. ... H. A. Atkins, Waterbury, Vt. Glory-An Essay
Miss Ellen Young, Twinsburg, O.
There's blight in earth's beauties-A Poem. Miss Marilla M. Clark, Concord MUSIC F. H. Risley, Aurora The Suicide-A Dialogue. MUSIC
The Destiny of our Country-An Oration. F. W. Mattocks, Vernon
Foreigners -- An Oration A. G. Smith, Concord MUSIC
The Glory and Honor of War-A Dialogue . Chas. Turner, Twinsburg MUSIC
Energy of Determination-An Oration.
.A. W. Tappen, Unionville
An affair of honor-A Dialogue. A. G. Smith, Concord MUSIC
The cultivation of the Mind-An Oration. . J. K. Frost, Mantua The Phrenologist nonplussed-A Dialogue . F. H. Risley, Aurora
MUSIC
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Durability of literary fame-An Oration .
.Chas. Turner, Twinsburg True Nobility-An Oration with a Valedictory. F. H. Risley, Aurora
MUSIC Younglove's Steam Press, Cleveland
It is doubtful if anyone ever called Mr. Bissell lax in discipline. He so earnestly coveted success for his pupils that he could not tolerate anything which, in his opinion, would not develop the best in a student. The writer remembers hearing it said, "Those who were sent to his school thought him stern and uncompromising, but some of those whom he practically carried through school thought him 'a little lower than the angels'."
Mrs. Sarah Henry Turner says: "He was a strict disciplinarian, which was necessary, as many were the pranks played. I remember once a bucket of water being placed on top a slightly opened door so that a latecomer received an unwelcome shower bath. If Mr. Bissell sus- pected a too joyful time was going on in some boarder's room his quiet step would not be heard, but a rap on the door would warn of his presence and-all would be silent within. In church he always occupied the back seat that he might see if any of his pupils were missing from services, he requesting their attendance. His Sabbath commenced Saturday at sundown and Sunday evening he and his wife began week day labors. Doors were locked at 10 p. m. and any one out later must gain admittance as best he could. At 5 a. m. the big bell rang for rising, and at 6 a. m., for break- fast. There were many assistant teachers and at 8 a. m. began the writing class conducted by Warren P. Spencer whose uncle was the originator of the Spencerian system. At meals, many times sixty, or more, sat at the long table, Mr. Bissell at the head. All stood while the blessing was said."
It is related by several that on one Hallowe'en night some academy students appropriated Mr. Bissell's carriage, or stage, and drew it as far as Tinker's Creek. When they had gotten that far Mr. Bissell himself raised a curtain, put out his head and said, "Boys, I guess you have brought me far enough, now you may draw me back"-and they did so.
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He had overheard all their plans and accordingly concealed himself in the carriage. It would seem from the above that a sense of humor and discipline are not always incompatible.
Many people of prominence, of whom we can here name only a few were once students at the Twinsburg Institute: Emerson White, once president of De Pauw University, Ohio Commissioner of common schools, and superintendent of the Cincinnati schools; Hon. Henry Mckinney, state senator for Summit-Portage district, 1869-70, since common pleas judge in Cuyahoga county ; William B. Hazen, once chief of the weather bureau; Gen. Lucius Fairchild, who sometime held the office of member of Congress, governor of Wisconsin, consul at Liverpool, consul general at Paris, minister to Spain, commander of Dept. of Wisconsin G. A. R. and commander-in-chief of National Encampment G. A. R .; Gen. A. C. Voris and Hon. U. L. Marvin of Akron; Dr. Knowlton, Hons. D. W. Gage, and W. S. Kerruish of Cleveland. Of the latter it can be said that in his active appreciation of Rev.Mr. Bissell and his work he has shown himself to be a truly grateful friend.
Another man not yet mentioned was Chief Pokagon, the last chief of the Pottawattamies. His father ceded to the U. S. government 1,000,000 or more acres of land including the present site of Chicago. Chief Pokagon spent the latter part of his life in efforts to obtain from the government the price agreed upon, finally securing nearly $200,000.00. He was highly educated. He spent two years at the Twinsburg Institute after leaving Oberlin College. Throughout his long life his deepest desire was expressed in his tireless efforts to keep "the white man's fire-water" from the Indian.
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