USA > Ohio > Summit County > Twinsburg > Twinsburg, Ohio, 1817-1917, Part I History, Part II Genealogies > Part 6
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Many have publicly proclaimed their indebtedness to Mr. Bissell for their start in life, and not a few in a sub- stantial manner remembered him when his days of activity were past.
A few of the older students, inspired by Mrs. Ruth Sheels Cannon and Miss Juliette Parmelee, arranged for a gathering to celebrate the 95th birthday of Rev. Father Bissell, as all in later years called him. As many of the old students as could be reached were invited to come and bring a basket, and one dollar as a birthday gift. The large school
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room was decorated and filled with friends who rejoiced to do something to brighten his declining years and honor the faithful teacher. He was a very happy man, though nearly blind. Short talks were given by Judge Marvin, Hon. W. S. Kerruish, Henry Watterson, Chas. Lane and others. Mrs. Ruth Cannon recited an original poem, "To Our Aged Teacher." One hundred and ten dollars were left to remind Mr. Bissell of the esteem in which he was held.
Mr. Bissell lived until Aug. 26, 1895, his comfort ministered to by his family, friends among his former stu- dents, and the Presbytery with which he always maintained his connection.
Gracious tributes were paid at his funeral and the passing years have more and more plainly shown that they were faithfully deserved.
A RETROSI ECT
It is now well nigh a century since Rev. Samuel Bissell came from Aurora, a single purpose in his heart, to serve his God by service to his fellowmen.
It is not humanly possible to measure his success. To be sure, the crude cabin is now gone, Lyceum Hall is now a store-room, the old Institute building is torn down, and even the stone building of which Mr. Bissell said, "The rock of Gibraltar will as soon give way, without an earthquake," presents an altered aspect to the passerby. A thoughtless man might say that the Institute is gone. But is it? Minds were quickened and trained, new purposes were brought into life and currents of thought and action started that can be terminated only by the end of time. Twinsburg's share in this honor is that her sons and daughters, from generation to generation, availed themselves of the opportunities offered them.
Comparatively few men live to experience such satisfy- ing fruition of their labors as did Mr. Bissell. He never experienced affluence; little enough the ordinary comforts of life. Yet his life was full and the sunset hours made peaceful because he had made his full contribution to society.
It is to the credit of the present citizens of Twinsburg that they delight to honor the memory of this stalwart figure whose long life spanned so extensive a period of the town's development.
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SAMUEL BISSELL AND TWINSBURG INSTITUTE
A TRIBUTE W. R. ROSE I.
"Deep in the wildwood his clearing was made; Deep in the forest his torch redly flamed; Firm in the soil his foundation was laid; Rude were the timbers he fashioned and framed. There in his temple he taught and he prayed- Voicing the mission that hosts have acclaimed.
II.
"Worn was the pathway that led to his door- Worn by the seekers who came from afar; Widely he scattered his bountiful store- Far shone the light of that beautiful star. Heavy the burden he cheerfully bore. Calloused the shoulder he put to the car.
III.
"Shadows that drift in a wavering line; Shadows that circle and halt by the wall; Shadows of seekers enriched from the mine, Learners who came at the magical call; You drew the life from the sturdy old vine- Steward and master, he gave you his all!"
MUSIC
W HEN man becomes domiciled in a new country there is every dependence placed upon nature, and every effort made to bend nature to meet the needs of the human family. Under such conditions one would scarcely expect to discover much activity in the pursuit of the finer arts. Yet this very struggle with nature seems to engender in man a desire to free himself from his bondage to nature, and to improve upon nature by adding something of himself to it. Our forefathers were many of them artists in their individual lines of work and, doubtless, most of them cherished the hope of a life less burdened with drudgery and replete with the more enjoyable features of life. At least we may be sure they wanted the best things in life for their children, and, mindful of the good things in their New England life, they were rather good judges of what of the old life it would be well to incorporate in the new. So we are not surprised to learn that it was possible for a singing mas- ter upon his arrival here to find plenty of material to form a singing school.
The man was Luther B. Prentiss whose boyhood home was in Plainfield, Vt. He had settled in Warrensville, O., and came from there to Twinsburg in 1823, following the marked trees through the forest. He started the first singing school held in Twinsburg and conducted its weekly meet- ings for a considerable period of time. He has the distinct- ion of having conducted the singing at the dedication of the first church in Twinsburg. When that church celebrated its fiftieth anniversary he was residing here with his son Willard C. Prentiss. He lived to be ninety-four years of age, dying in 1897.
As a matter of fact, there is little positively known about musical matters during those earlier years. Mr. Samuel Bissell realized the value of music as an accomplishment, and also its desirability as a feature of his school, and early in- cluded it in his course of studies. The man who probably did the most for Twinsburg musically was an instructor in music in Mr. Bissell's school.
Mr. John W. Fessenden came to Twinsburg in 1845 and began teaching music in the Twinsburg Institute,
TWINSBURG CONCERT
AND
TWINSBURG BAND
LOWER Row-Left to right-E. S. Kerr, F. D. Barber, A. W. Elliott, A. N. Dunscomb, E. J. Wing, H. Richner, O. Bishop, L. E. Post, C. Caton, M. E. Culhan, S. D. Scoutten.
MIDDLE Row-Left to right-G. Wall, E. Bowen, C. E. Rideout, E. B. Crouse, A. N. Herrick, A. B. Chamberlin, S. Nichols, E. A. Caton, H. Walton, H. Glass.
UPPER Row-Left to right-L. E. Holt, H. Bennett, M. Norris, A. N. Wall, O. D. Nichols, Dr. R. B. Chamberlin (Leader) and J. H. Brown.
-
ERIO
BANDE
حا
THE CRITERION BAND OF TWINSBURG (About 1884)
Left to right-F. A. Barber, H. E. Post, S. H. Crankshaw, F. D. Barber, C. H. Wilson, T. Alexander, L. H. Oviatt, J. W. Fessenden, (Leader) S. D. Scoutten, F. Cannon, J. C. Blackman, HI. Wright, L. Griste
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holding this position until 1860. Wednesday evenings he taught beginners the rudiments of music and inspired many to take up musical careers. Friday evenings were given over to instrumental music, and Sunday evenings were devoted to sacred music. These classes were free to every resident of the town and many availed themselves of Mr. Fessenden's instructions. At the close of each term a con- cert was given and an admission fee charged. After these concerts Mr. and Mrs. Bissell often served an oyster supper, charging only 25 cents per couple. The musical instruction offered at the Institute attracted many students from afar who came largely on account of the musical course.
Aside from his work in the Twinsburg Institute he taught singing schools, bands and orchestras in several nearby towns. He gave private lessons on the violin, flute and other instruments. For a long time he had charge of the choir of the Congregational Church and under his direction it had the enviable reputation of being the best country church choir in the Western Reserve.
For many years during the summer months he con- ducted singing school for the children, usually concluding the work with a juvenile concert. Many remember the cantatas given, especially the "Shepherdess" and the even more talked of one "The Flower Queen" in which Victoria Southworth took the part of the queen so beautifully that for years she went by the name of Queen Victoria.
Concerts were a feature of the Twinsburg Fairs. Under the leadership of Prof. Fessenden groups of young people, selected from the best singers in the town, rendered musical selections for the entertainment of the crowds that were accustomed to attend the Twinsburg Fairs. At the fair in 1857 Emma Fessenden and her mother, Mary Fessenden, sang the duet "Ruth and Naomi." The Foster Family and Company also gave concerts at the fairs here.
There are many who can be remembered as having, at some time, taught music here. The old fashioned singing school was decidedly a social institution and usually prospered.
Richard Redfield had a large singing class here in 1860, and about 1865 Mary Garzee (Chandler) taught a class in music. Some of the older musicians now in Twinsburg
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received their first instructions from her. A few years later Mary Prentiss (Foote) and Alice Pratt (Clark) were giving lessons in music. About 1874 Mr. Volney A. Curtiss, himself a good tenor, began conducting a singing school here and continued in this work for several years. There are many now in town who were in his classes and participated in the concerts given under his direction. Alla Fessenden (Rud- gers) for several years was a teacher of music here and was an inspiration to many musically inclined. Letella Fessen- den (Baker), another daughter of Prof. J. W. Fessenden, was a help to the town musically, being church organist and leader of music in the W. C. T. U., giving much attention to her work.
To a large extent the churches have always fostered musical talent. The early churches possessed no instru- ments and few hymnals. At that period the minister often led the singing. The tuning fork was the chief reliance of the chorister and quite a commotion arose in one of the churches when the chorister took his "fiddle into church," but later, the deacon's son was playing the bass viol there. It was probably in the fifties that organs, or rather har- moniums, were introduced into the churches.
Diminutive affairs that they were, they at least inaug- urated a new era in church music.
Musical instruments in the home were infrequent, those in comfortable circumstances sometimes had small melo- deons. As pecuniary matters improved the melodeon increased in size, was superseded by the organ, and that in time was replaced by the piano. The first (1865) organ in town was Miss Tina Dunshee's and it is still in good condi- tion. The first piano in town for private use was Miss Stella Clark's. Today the home where there is no piano is the exception.
While the older generations had their singing schools these classes later became less popular and, as private lessons were more easily obtained, about a quarter century ago were practically discontinued. It did not take the thoughtful long to discover that there were all too many possessed of some musical talent who were receiving no musical instruction. Music was ceasing to be a community affair. Only a very few were studying vocal music. The
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condition was noted, discussed, but nothing of a preventive nature attempted. However, the feeling that all children ought to have an opportunity to learn something of music persisted. The solution seemed to lie with the schools and arrangements were made to have music taught therein. It was a difficult matter as there were several schools, each of several grades. Indications of good results were forth- coming surprisingly soon, and later, when the question of centralization was before the people, the argument that the centralized school would afford better opportunity for musi- cal instruction, was no little factor in the decision for centralization.
Few things really test one's love of music as does the position of church chorister in a small town. There have been many in the Twinsburg churches who have spent them- selves freely in the service of the church trying to bring about better musical conditions. It would be impossible to name all even could we measure the importance of their work. In the Congregational church Zeno Parmelee led the singing for about twenty years; Josiah and Richard Red- field rendered faithful service, as did Elisha Herrick, and Luther Nichols who proved a satisfactory leader. Abner Lane spent much time and work in his leadership. Mr. and Mrs. Frank C. Lane were enthusiastic workers. Mrs. S. H. Hull was for many years a faithful organist and in later years her daughter, Mrs. Lida Beaumont, assisted in the work. Mrs. Newton Herrick and daughter, Mrs. Flora Yost, are remembered as faithful and efficient. Mr. and Mrs. S. R. Hanchett rendered faithful service in both Baptist and Congregational churches.
In the Methodist church Mr. Jesse Crankshaw, Miss Esther Carter, Mr. Evelyn Parmelee and Harrison Dunshee are recalled as choir leaders. Mr. S. H. Crankshaw was chorister for twenty-six years. He was succeeded by his wife who, as Millie Norton, first played the organ in church at the age of twelve, and held the position of organist for twenty-seven years. Their daughter, Mrs. Mabel Culhan, succeeded her mother as organist. Mrs. Crankshaw began giving music lessons about forty years ago and has continued in the work until the present, being actuated primarily by love of the work, and during that time has never solicited
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a pupil. Mrs. Ora Elliott is another who has been faithful as a member of the choir and as organist. Mrs. Ethel Twerell both as vocalist and pianist of more recent years has rendered efficient service. Mrs. Ethel Griste Vial is a highly accomplished musician and her removal several years ago to other fields of labor has been a distinct loss to the musical life of the town.
BANDS
While the people of Twinsburg have ever been able to sing in time and tune other forms of musical expression have had intermittent seasons of success. Common folk can sing at any time and in any place but when dependence is placed upon reed, wind and stringed instruments for the enjoyment of music a newly settled country offers many difficulties. It was about thirty-five years after Twinsburg was settled when her first band was formed. That it was organized by Prof. Fessenden and was a success for a short time is about all that can be learned concerning it. Some of the members were: Orrin Redfield, Richard Redfield, Henry Holcomb, Hosford Hull, Aurelius Tucker, Henry Parmelee and Evelyn Parmelee. The latter is living in Twinsburg at the present time.
THE CRITERION BAND
The Criterion band, formed in 1884, was the first band that existed any length of time and that performed any notable part in the town's musical development.
A few boys interested in the matter held a meeting and requested Prof. Fessenden to organize them and others into a band. So many responded to the invitation of Prof. Fessen- den that it was impossible to accept all. In order to make a proper choice he asked each candidate to whistle or sing. Those showing what he considered musical talent he organized into the Criterion Band. Beside those appearing in the picture of the band there were: Otis Bennett, Ed. Crouse, T. Taggart, Abner Lane and Bert Chamberlin.
The name Criterion was derived from the brand of instruments they purchased in a complete set from Brainard and Sons of Cleveland. The members met for practice twice a week in the old school house on the east side of the square.
Their expenses were met by giving band socials and
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entertainments. They were fully uniformed and well drilled in marching. Besides playing for socials and enter- tainments they played for Decoration Day services, fairs, soldiers' reunions and various public gatherings. Those who witnessed the band on parade will long remember Prof. Fessenden with large pompon on hat acting as drum major. His baton will be on exhibition at the Centennial Celebration in 1917.
A good band wagon in which they were conveyed to various places was owned by the band.
This band played for ten years. After completing a course of instruction under Prof. Fessenden they chose S. D. Scoutten as leader and continued to play under his leader- ship until the band was discontinued.
LATER BANDS
About this time there were three other bands in the town, none of which existed long. As these broke up many of their members joined the Criterion.
The North Street Band consisted of T. C. Cochran, Bert Chamberlin, Abner Lane, Hosmer Lane, Gideon Mills, Elmer Buell, Will Smith, Will Parmelee and C. E. Riley.
Among the members of the West Street Band were Frank C. Lane, Ed. Lane, Clare Hempstead, Carl Hemp- stead, Adelbert Dodge, Fred Jenkins, Frank Parmelee, George Walton and Henry Beldin.
Neither of these bands were uniformed.
THE MARTIAL BAND consisted of R. T. McManus, Jas. Fisher, W. H. Boose, David Nelson, R. Mitchell, Chas. Donahue, John Mulligan, and Wm. Taggart. This band was one of ten to play at a barbecue in Cuyahoga Falls about 1885 and by invitation led the other nine in the Grand March. Jas. Fisher, bass drummer, and Robt. McManus, fifer, continued to play for a long time, and later were joined by Abner Lane, fifer, and James Brown, snare drummer. They furnished martial music for about fifteen years. The last time they played together was Decoration Day, 1899.
TWINSBURG CONCERT BAND
In the year 1909 Prof. Parkinson, a young musician studying at the Dana Institute, Warren, O., came to Twins- burg to organize a band, having heard, as he expressed it,
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that it was a decidedly musical town. He interviewed several of the young men of the town who agreed to assist him and, if possible, to learn to play an instrument so that for the benefit of the town a band could be formed. A meeting was held, following a call for volunteers, and about twenty responded and expressed a willingness to organize. A complete set of band instruments was ordered and, in due time, arrived ready for distribution. Prof. Parkinson examined the lips and by several other methods of his endeavored to place the instruments to men whom he thought best fitted for them. One good parent was much disturbed the next morning, when, upon asking his son, to whom he had given fifteen dollars for his share in the instrument fund, to see his band instrument he was shown a "measly little" piccolo and he insisted that his son be given an instrument of some size.
Under the careful instruction of Prof. Parkinson, the band held weekly practice meetings for about a year, at the end of which time the instructor left his work in Warren and moved to Ann Arbor, Mich.
Prof. Wm. T. Kirk, a veteran band leader of Cleveland, and the director of Kirk's Military Band, one of the oldest and best known organizations of Ohio, became the instructor for the boys of Twinsburg. For a year or two he gave his strict military teaching to the band and so forcibly did he impress the band that the name of the Opera "Martha" still lingers with the members of the band.
Prof. Geo. Kerwin of Cleveland succeeded Prof. Kirk and for a year he drilled the band, giving special attention to tuning of the instruments by getting the correct number of vibrations in a given tone, and other methods of teaching favorite with him. At this time the band met with several difficulties by reason of men leaving town for school and seeking employment elsewhere and the band was forced to discontinue for a time. Feeling that a good band was a necessity in a live town, steps were taken to get in new players. Soon eighteen players, all high school boys, were chosen and under the direction of Dr. R. B. Chamberlin, S. D. Scoutten and others, were faithfully instructed for a year when several of the players remaining from the old band joined them and the present Twinsburg band was
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organized and put on a business basis for the primary pur- pose of being a benefit to the town. Under the leadership of Dr. R. B. Chamberlin, assisted by S. D. Scoutten, this band has been a blessing to the town. It has been well organized for several years and, although beset with many difficulties, always found in keeping a country band together, it is still keeping up its practice and filling many out-of-town engage- ments, in addition to giving semi-monthly park concerts on Saturday evenings which have attracted large crowds from Twinsburg and all the neighboring towns. Twelve hundred people or more are known to have been present on one occasion. These concerts have often been supplemented by other features such as vocal music, drills by the children, moving pictures and other events.
The members of the Twinsburg Band are fully uni- formed, have all first class instruments and play the best of band arrangements. This band has made special plans for the Centennial and will furnish no small part of the enter- tainment during Centennial week in 1917.
ORCHESTRAS
Barbers' and Scouttens' Orchestra was organized for the purpose of playing at dances, and was in existence about 1880. S. D. Scoutten played first violin, Fred Barber, second violin, Frank Barber, bass viol, and Frank Scoutten, flute and piccolo. They played for the Western Reserve Academy dances, at the first dance at Kent House, Geauga Lake, and at most of the dances in the surrounding small towns. They also furnished music at the entertainments given by Mr. Bissell's scholars.
Prof. Fessenden led an orchestra consisting of S. D. Scoutten, cornet, Abner Lane, violin, Perry Hanchett, flute, and Letella Fessenden, piano. This orchestra flourished in the early eighties.
In 1899, another orchestra was formed consisting of S. D. Scoutten, first violin, Bert Chamberlin, second violin, Frank Lane, cornet, Mrs. Frank Lane, piano. This orches- tra played till 1901.
The Western Reserve Orchestra has been playing since 1910 and has deserved the credit the people willingly give it. It has filled many out of town engagements and added much to the life of the community. Dr. R. B. Chamberlin is the
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leader. The personnel of this orchestra has been rather varied and the following list does not give mention of all who have at some time played: M. E. Culhan, cornet; F. D. Barber, Mrs. A. W. Elliott and Mrs. Roy Stingel, violins; Bert Chamberlin, second violin; Roy Stingel, viola; Mrs. R. B. Chamberlin, cello; E. B. Crouse, bass viol; A. W. Elliott, clarinet; Arthur Dunscomb, saxophone; Orrin Nichols, trombone; B. Forbes, flute; Orland Bishop, drum; Elmer Wing, trap drums; Mrs. M. E. Culhan, piano.
Thus it will be seen the people of Twinsburg have not been content with an existence barren of the higher forms of enjoyment and education. That the struggle for better things has not been vain is attested by the fact that the people demand good music. Whatever the next century may bring in musical advancement, it is a matter of no small moment that a firm and sure foundation has been laid during the century past.
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METHODIST CHURCH
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING
TWINSBURG'S BEST ASSET
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A CHURCH SOCIAL, 1887-8
OLD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OLD ACADEMY BUILDING SOLDIERS' MONUMENT
CHURCHES
HISTORY OF TWINSBURG BAPTIST CHURCH ELIZA P. REED
T THE first regular Baptist Church of Twinsburg was founded by those early settlers who, like their ancestors, were devoted to the principle that man should worship God according to the dictates of conscience. The first record, Dec. 7, 1831, states, "It was resolved, for the advancement of the cause of Christ, that we form our- selves into a conference."
June 15, 1832, six delegates who had responded to invitation, were received from Perry and Chardon. These were joined in council by Elders Chas. A. Turner of Twins- burg and Robert Missildine of Northfield. "A church Covenant and Articles of Faith and Practice were adopted. The right hand of fellowship as a Baptist Church was received by Brethren Junia North, Pearly Abbe, William Carter, and Sisters Mary Beach, Rachel Carver, Betsey Carver, and Anna M. Carter, all of whom had letters from sister churches." Two days later, Elder Jesse Hartwell baptized David Beach and Oliver Brown, making a begin- ning of nine members, increased during the first year to twenty.
The first Article of Practice reads: "We engage that we will receive no one into our fellowship as members of this Church but such as give a satisfactory evidence of a work of Grace on their hearts, and whose lives appear to corres- pond with their profession, and have been buried with Christ in Baptism." Regulating christian living "to correspond with profession" appears to be the foundation of much church action as recorded in the minutes of that date. Church requirements and home discipline were enforced with the same measure of old Roman severity.
In 1833 delegations were sent to Grand River Baptist Association at Geneva, also to Silver Creek Baptist Con- ference at Mantua. Twinsburg was one of the churches to animate the organization of the Portage County Baptist Association founded in 1834. At its annual meeting Twins-
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burg was always represented, and for many years Rev. C. A. Turner was Moderator.
Baptist history of this section would be incomplete without mention of Elder Turner's remarkable personality, whose lifetime of labor as a pioneer preacher was devoted to the Gospel as he felt "it was delivered to the saints." Com- ing early to Twinsburg, he lived, and reared twelve children on the small farm which he worked that he might not be a burden to the churches. Tho always connected with the Twinsburg church his untiring labors extended over a large range of neighboring territory, where he was engaged preaching, sometimes for only one-half or one-fourth the time. He was the first minister of the Twinsburg Church and afterwards, at intervals, whenever they were without a pastor. He was always ready to help in their need, some- times serving a part of the time only. The salary he re- ceived was at best meager and frequently there was no regular remuneration.
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