l836r~ Berea Centennial~r l 936

.A Collection of Historical Facts concerning• Berea, Ohio and ffiiddleburgh Cf ownship also the Centennial Celebration Program

Price *25 Cenls

Souvenir Edition

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Historica Facts Concerni nq Berea and middleburqh Township

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1836 ~ Berea Centennial ~ 1936 Compiled by WILLARD H. SHAW Berea, Ohio

Published by THE MoHLER PRINTING Co. Berea, Ohio

Printed in the United States of America during the year 1936. Contents Page Preface ··········································---·················-·························-··-··········---······-·-···--··---- 5 Mayors of Berea ············-·································································-······------6 .Mound Builders ············--··-·······-······························································· ____ 7 Indians ··················------··-·····--··-····----- 7 ;First settler, Jared Hickox --··-····-······················--······················ ---····--·-·······---­ 7 First marriage, Rachel Any Hickox and Abraham Fowles-··········-······----- 8 First white child born in Middleburgh, Lucy Fowles ____ 8 Territorial claims ··················----····-·····················------····---·-··----- 8 Land title ······························------·---- 8 Drawing of Draft 23 in the Connecticut Land Co. office -·············---······-·--··········-- 9 Sketch of Gideon Granger, original owner of Middleburgh ----·······-······ 10 Early settlers arrive -··------···············------······-······-·-- 10 John Baldwin arrives ---··········-························-····-······-···-···-·-··············-- ___ 11 John Baldwin's early history of Middleburgh ______11 Mrs. Lucy 'Gould Baldwin's story of Middleburgh ______16 Rev. Henry 0. Sheldon's history of Lyceum Village-·-·------18 Naming Berea by a toss of a coin-··········-····------25 Pioneer life in Middleburgh ------28 Last wolf killed in Middleburgh ------32 The first catalog issued by Baldwin Institute ______32 Berea material used in the Cleveland Viaduct ______33 Lake Abram -·--·····------33 First military organization in Middleburgh ------·------­ 34 Pioneer cooking methods -----····-················---- 35 First Berea High School commencement -····------·------­ 35 Senator George Norris's letter about Baldwin Institute when he was a student there -···-·····--···········---···································-·-··········-····------36 ·1·t . t· M1 1 ary organ1za ions --········-··········-··········------37 Berea .Fire Department ______-----········--·--···----- 40 Story of the first electric light plant in Berea ······-··-······-···-··--- 42 Concerning Berea fossil hunters-Letter from Professor J. E. Hyde, formerly of vVestern Reserve University, Geology departmenL_._____ 44 Organization of the G. A. R. in Berea, Sept. 16, 1885 ------45 Some early reminiscences by Rev. Wm. Osborne --····-······-··------45 The 'Great Flood of February, 1883 ···························------····-····-·-···· 47 Organization of the Berea Library Association, ·March, 1883 ············-·--- 47 Beginning of the Berea Street Railway (The Dinkey) -····-················---- 47 Berea's steam road wagon, July 9, 1874 -····---··········------·--····---·········· 48 Finding a fossil in the quarry ······························-····························---······-···············---·········--····· 48 An unusual game-Hugging Bees ···············------··· 48 Arrival of A. A. Loomis, grocer, May 14, 1886 ··················----··········----····-················ 48 Building Baldwin's ."Old Red House" ...... :...... ·-···---······-············--- 48 Interesting sketches conc;erning John Baldwin ························-··············································-········ 49 Reminiscences of Berea from letter by U. C. Van Tyne ······························-······--- 49 Death of John Baldwin -·-······························· ...... _...... -...... _ 50 Memorial Services for John Baldwin ...... 50 Program of Centennial and Homecoming celebration, 1936 ...... 51

Preface

THIS little pamphlet was written to create interest in the early history of Berea, to give some idea of the hardships of our pioneer forefathers, and to show the strong Christian character of the civic leaders. An authentic history of Middleburgh was originally intended to have been written, but as all histories are filled with dry, necessary facts-and stories of human interest are not stressed-it was decided merely to write or compile a small volume of stories and histories. The stories included in this pamphlet are authentic, most of them taken from original sources. If conflicting facts are found it is because no attempt was made to change them; they are printed exactly as ,vritten by their authors. A complete history of Middleburgh Township and Berea is in the process of compilation and much of this material will be found in that volume.

WILLARD H. SHAW. (5) Mayors of Berea

1850 ______John Baldwin 1851-52,______John Watson 1853-54______James Wallace 1855-56______Fletcher Hulet 1857-58 ______·G. M. Barber 1859 ------1• V. Baker 1860-61·------W. N. Watson 1862 Joseph Jones 1863 ______Silas Clapp 1864 ______Jacob Rothweiler 1865 James S. Smedley 1866______John Baldwin, Jr. 1867 ,_____ Alexander McBride 1868 ______s. S. Brown 1869-71 ,______yman Baker 1872-73 ______David R Watson 1874-77---.------S. S. Brown 1878 ------Joseph Nichols 1879-80 ,______yman Baker 1880-81------.Joseph Nichols 1880-81------·--W. J. Buckner (acting) 1882-83 ·------A. H. Pomeroy 1884-87 ______s. S. Brown 1888-89------~------E. J. Kennedy 1890-91------f. M. Stearns 1892-93 J. C. Nokes 1894-95 M. A. Sprague 1896-97 ·------E. Christian 1898-99______T. J. Quayle 1900-01 C. F. Lane 1902-03-----·------T. J. Poole 1904-07------I- C. Marting 1908-11 ______T_,. M. Coe 1912-17 E. L. Wing 1918-23 ______Carl J. Eckert 1924-25·------·--- E. L. Wing 1926-29------John R. Southam 1929 (3 months) Howard A. Geiger 1930-32,______George C. Goette 1932- John J. Baese! (6) Historical Stories of Old Berea and Middleburgh Township

The Mound Builders that a stand had been made at this point also. It is undoubtedly true Who the Mound Builders were or that during this war of extermina­ where they came from is a moot tion the Indians ranged through question, but the fact that such a Middleburg Township. It could people were here is proven by the hardly be otherwise with Indian many mounds found in this section. forts in two parallel valleys, the The valley of the Cuyahoga was Cuyahoga and Rocky River. studded with .mounds. The Rocky The Indians held the land which River valley has a number of pre­ included Middleburg Township un­ historic fortifications, the nearest of til the Treaty of Fort Industry, July which is located at Cedar Point, a 4th, 1805 at which time the Indians few miles to the northwest. There gave up all claim to land from the are no mounds in Middleburg west ·bank of the Cuyahoga River Township, however, there are two to the western boundary of the pre-historic Indian Village sites. Connecticut Western Reserve, in­ One was located at the corner of cluding the so called Fire-lands. East Bagley Read and East Road where the Berea High School now The First Settler, stands. The other was located di­ rectly northwest of the present Jared Hickox C. C. C. & St. L. Railroad passenger The first permanent settler in station. Middleburgh Township was Jared Hickox, who came by ox team from, Indians "\V aterbury, Conn., to take up a fifty It appears that the Mound Build­ acre homestead offered by Gideon ers preceded the Indians by about Granger, the owner, to the first th:ree centuries. The first definite settler who would settle in Range record we have of Indians in this 14 Township 6, as this section was section is that the "Five Nations" then known. Jared Hickox left consisting of a confederacy of the "\Vaterbury, Conn., June 15th, 1809 l\'foha,vk, Oneida, 0 non d a g a. with his son, they arrived August 1, Cayuga and Seneca Tribes, retained 1809, and after looking over the the land directly south of Lake land, settled on what is now Bagley Erie as a hunting ground. Indian Road, at the Hepburn Place. They tradition tells us that this claim had built a log cabin, cleared so.me of been disputed by a tribe known as the land and sent east for the rest the "Cats'' or "Eries," nnd that t11c of the family who arrived in due Eries were exterminated as a tribe time. At this time there were no by the Five Nations. Evidence indi­ houses west of the Cuyahoga River cates that Five Nation ·war parties except a few settlements along the followed the retreating Eries from lake. The forests were full of wild Buffalo, N. Y. along the south shore animals of different kinds, bears, of Lake Erie, down the Cuyahoga wolves, deer and many kinds of Valley to where the final battle was smaller animals. fought. The pre-historic fortifica­ Jared Hickox did not live long tion at Cedar Point would indicate after his arrival in the new country. (7) 8 Historical Stories of Old Berea

He was found dead on the road Territorial Claims from Newburgh Heights, where he had gone to the mill and suffered The land of which Middleburgh an attack of paralysis on the re­ Township is a part has been claim­ turn trip. His body was found some ed by Spain, France and England. time later in a frozen condition. He In making this statement we do not died December 10, 1810. consider the assumed prior dis­ covery by the Norsemen. Spain's The First Marriage claim was thru the discovery hr Columbus, October 12, 1492 and by Rachel Any Hickox came with Papal Decree in 1493 by Pope Alex­ her father when she was 12 years ander VI. The claim of France was old and lived the life of the rugged from Jacques Cartier's explorations pioneer girl and woman. In 1811 supplemented by the Jesuit explor­ Abraham Fowles came to Middle­ ations and La Salle explorations. burg and was soon traveling toward The French and Indian "\Var was the Hickox cabin. There could be fought with complete victory to the but one logical conclusion to this English and the claim of France was and August 16, 1812 these young extinguished. The British claim was people were married. The bride was from the explorations of John and not fifteen years old until twenty Sebastian Cabot in 1497, when they days after her marriage and the landed at Nova Scotia and claimed groom lacked nine days of being all of the land for the British Crown twenty one. Their first home was a and then her claim was supported log cabin on the south side of by victorious arms. Fowles Road, east of the B. & 0. Station, on the site which was later Land Title occupied by John Fowles onion house. For neighbors they had the Legal title to land in Middleburg Indians who had a village on the Township is abstracted from the site of the Ackley House on Fowles voyages of !John and Sebastian Road. Cabot, an old abstract reads, "Eng­ Ten children were born to this land claimed the North American couple, eight boys and two girls. continent by discovery, by virtue of the voyages of John and Sebastian The First White Born Cabot along the eastern or Atlantic coast. She also acquired possession In :rvliddleburgh of that portion of the same along One night when going along the the Great Lakes, on both sides, by trail which skirted the west side of conquest from the French in the the swamp, Rachel Fowles, carrying year 1760. April 23, 176-2, Charles her first child Lucy, the first white II, King of England, granted to the child born in Middleburgh Town­ 'Connecticut Colony' the territory ship May 22, 1813, in arms, was in Ohio and Pennsylvania north of chased by a pack of wolves, she the 41st parallel, which territory in­ defended herself and called for her cluded what is now known as the dog who kept the wolves at bay 'Connecticut vV estern Reserve.' " until men came with guns and After the Revolutionary War, the chased the wolves away. This is question of the location of the just one of the hardships endured numerous British grants to the sev­ by the pioneers of Middleburg eral colonies became a .matter of Township. dispute between the general govern- and Middleburgh Township 9 ment and the colonies. The dispute known as "The Connecticut Land with Connecticut and the govern­ Company," a full record of this or­ ment was settled September 14, ganization may be found at Warren, 1786 when Connecticut relinquished Trumbull County, Ohio, Land Com­ all cairn to political jurisdiction in pany Records, pages 89, 90, 91, 92, such granted territory. April 28, etc. 1800 an act was passed by Congress The unsold lands of the Connecti­ for the purpose of securing to all cut Land Company were divided persons holding or owning lands in into shares called drafts and were the Connecticut Western Reserve drawn for -by the m-e.mbers at the and authorizing the President of office of the company at Hartford, the United States to execute and Conn. At this time the Connecticut deliver Letters Patent, in the name Western Reserve was wholly in and behalf of the United States, to Trumbull County, organized July the Governor of the State of 10, 1800. Geauga County was or­ Connecticut, whereby the rights, ganized March 1, 1806 and included title and interest and estate of the the present Cuyahoga County. United States to said "Connecticut Cuyahoga County was organized ,v estern Reserve, for the purpose May 1, 1810 and included Middle­ ·of quieting grantees and purchasers burg Township. Early records of title under State of Connecticut and Middleburgh Township are found at confirming their title to the soil. Warren, Trumbull County, Char­ The General Assembly of the don, Geauga County and Cleveland, State of Connecticut, at a session Cuyahoga County. at Hartford on the second Thurs­ In Volumn E. page 87, Trumbull day of May, 1795, passed the fol­ County records, there is a mortgage lowing resolution: "Resolved by this dated November 20, 1799, filed Assembly, that a committee be ap­ April 9, 1801 from Gideon Granger pointed to receive any proposals to the State of Connecticut for that may be made for the purchase Granger's lands west of the Cuya­ of the lands belonging to this State hoga, including Middleburg Town­ lying west of the west line of ship. This mortgage was released Pennsylvania etc." this resolution by a Quit Claim Deed dated May was signed by John Treadwell, 12, 1818, filed September 12, 1818, James Wadsworth, Marvin Wait, recorded in Volum-e C, page 152 of William Edmond, Tho.mas Gros­ the Cuyahoga County records. venor, Aaron Austin, Elijah Hub­ bard, Sylvester Gilbert. Drawing of Draft 23 In compliance with this resolu­ In the drawing of the lands of tion, the committee on September the Connecticut Land Company at 2, 1795 made contracts with divers Hartford, Conn., April 2, 1807 there persons, whose contracts, taken to­ was drawn draft No. 23 and to the gether, comprised the whole of the stock of Gideon Granger all of Connecticut W e s t e r n Reserve. Township 6, Range 14, Middle­ Among these persons was Gideon burgh, containing 14,194 acres and Granger who secured Township 6, bounded as follows: Range 14, which is. Middleburg "Beginning at the North East Township. corner of Town 5 in said Range 14 The purchasers of the Connecti­ at a post marked I. N. 5. 5. 13. 14 cut Western Reserve organized Range I. N. 6. 6. 13. 14 Range and themselves into an association runs from thence South 88 degrees 10 Historical Stories of Old Berea west 385.30 chains to a post marked came in 1816, Watrous came in I. N. 5. 5. 14. 15 Range I. N. 6. 6. 1817, Gardners in 1818, the Well­ 14. 15 Range, from thence north 1 mans in 1818 and Solomon Lovejoy degree 15 minutes West 369.50 can1e in 1818, his son opened the chains to a post marked I. N. 6. 6. first tavern in Middleburg Town­ 14. 15 Range I. N. 7. 7. 14. 15 ship. About 1816 a Methodist camp Range, from thence North 88 de­ meeting was opened near the Cuya­ grees East 382.47 chains to a post hoga River which was attended by marked I. N. 6. 6. 13. 14 Range I. the settlers of Middleburg, who ap­ N. 7. 7. 13. 14 Range, from thence parently were impressed with the South 1 degree 15 minutes East 372 importance of religion. They began chains to the South East corner of to hold neighborhood camp meet­ the town to the place of beginning. ings and soon Jacob Ward, a The value of this draft was $26,- preacher from Brunswick form-ed a 087 .00." Methodist Society. This was the A point of interest here is that first religious organization in the the funds from the sale of the township. The interest increased Connecticut Western Reserve were and the Society was embraced in a allocated to the School Fund of the Methodist Circuit and meetings State of Connecticut and old deeds were held every two weeks. But it and abstracts read "To Andrew was many years before a resident Kingsbury, Treasurer for and in be­ minister was secured. half of the School Fund of said The Township was organized State." 1820. In April 1823 the township was divided into school districts. A Sketch Of The first full list of township of­ Gideon Granger ficers which can be found is that of those elected April 1823. viz­ It may be of interest to know David Harrington, Abraham Fowles, something about the original owner and Richard Vaughn, Trustees; of Township 6, Range 14, Middle­ Wheeler \\Tellman, Township Clerk; burgh. The Honorable Gideon Jared Hickox and Ephriam Fowles, Granger, was Postmaster General overseers of the poor; Eli Wellman under President Thomas Jefferson. and Ephriam Fowles, Constables; He married Miss Pease, sister of uared Hickox, lister; Ephriam Seth Pease, one of the original sur­ Vaughn, appraiser; Silas Gardner, veyors of the Western Reserve. He treasurer; Solomon LoYejoy, super­ was one of the commissioners who visor of the first district; ,vheeler effected the Treaty of Fort Industry Wellman, supervisor of the second with the Indians, thereby throwing · district; Abram Fowles, Owen open for settlement, the lands of Wellman and Silass Becket, fence the Western Reserve from the west viewers. bank of the Cuyahoga River to the There was very little immigration west end of the Reserve. from 1820 to 1827. The low swampy nature of the land was a Early Settlers Arrive detriment to settling as the pioneers When the War of 1812 came did not like to run the chances of there were only about four families swamp fever, ague, etc. from the in the township, and the settlers land and most of them moved on to came in very slowly, the Meekers the higher land in Columbia anrl came after the war, the Lathrops Strongsville Townships. and Middleburgh Township 11

John Baldwin Arrives tory of Middleburg which is in the Western Reserve Historical Society In 1827 John Baldwin came into the township, he soon purchased the archives in Cleveland. This history Vaughn farm and took possession in gives a good idea of the pioneers May, 1828. Baldwin wrote a his- and living conditions at that time. Early History of Berea and Middleburgh Township

From Grindstone City Advertiser, July 30, 1874. By Hon. John Baldwin.

From Gridstone City Advertiser. His far.m lay mostly on the creek July 30, 1874. By Hon. John Bald­ and river bottoms, he used to cul­ win. tivate the land and burn lime which I first came to Middleburgh in the was found in various parts of the year 1827, in the month of August, township. I recollect exchanging and at that time purchased the old apples for lime, ·bushel for bushel Vaughn farm, and the next spring when I built my house in 1831. on the tenth of May I took posses­ Nathan Gardner married the eld­ sion of my place. est daughter of Abram Fowles in At that time there were less than the year 1827, built a house and 100 souls in the Township. Silas settled on the north part of his Gardner, Enoch G. Watrous, Benj. fathers farm, on the road leading Colby, Silas Becket, Elias Becket, from the river to the turn pike, Ephriam Vaughn, Eli Osborn, Plina where he raised a family, lived and Osborn, Charles Green, Jonathan died. Vaughn, Aruna Phelps, Ephriam Silas Becket, with his son Silas, Meeker, Mr. Frary, Nathan Gard­ lived on a farm of 127 acres right ner, Benj. Tuttle, Abram Fowles, west of and adjoining Colby's farm.. D. Fairchilds, Paul Gardner, Amos They were engaged mostly in cul­ Gardner, Valentine Goodenoe, Abi­ tivating the soil. They sold me their jah Bagley, Mr. Lovejoy and myself farm in 1842 for $1500.00, which were all that had farms in the covers most of the quarries on the township. It seems proper that I river. should here give the name, location The 200 acres directly north of and employment of each citizen of Colbys and Beckets was bought at Middleburgh at this time, 1827. an early date by Richard and Silas Gardner had a farm of 200 Ephriam Vaughn. About 60 acres acres on the river bottom, near the were cleared and .mills built, but north line of Strongsville. He had after the war of 1812 and 1815 fine cornfields and raised good hard times came on and they gave cattle and hogs. up their farm and saved their mills, Enoch G. Watrous had a farm a which they were engaged in running little north of Gardners on the river in 1827. bottom which produced fine crops. About this time Ephriam Vaughn Benj. Colby Ii ved on the hill on bought 20 acres of Granger, the the farm next north of Watrous. southwest corner was near where 12 Historical Stories of Old Berea the old Union School house stands. Daniel Fairchild was a dish maker This 20 acres I bought of the widow and had a dish factory on the falls, of Ephriam Vaughn in the year and supplied most of the wooden 1836. The 20 acres covers the dishes we had to use. He Ii ved in a ground where much of the business little house on the north side of the of the village now is. Twenty acres ravine a little east of the old grist right west of the above named was mill. He afterwards bought some 30 originally bought of Granger by acres and built where Mr. Church­ Silas Gardner ·but eventually passed ward now lives. into the hands of Harry 0. Sheldon. Jona than Vaughn owned a farm I bought of the State of Connecticut where the village depot now stands the old Vaughn farm of 200 acres of 100 acres. He had a saw mill in the year 1827 and soon after on the Falls, had a very good moved on. orchard, some of the old trees now Richard and Ephriam Vaughn stand a little southeast of the sta­ lived in their log houses near the tion. mills which they tended. Mr. Frary took up 50 acres a Eli Osborn lived in a log house little north of the railroad station. near the mills. He had a fulling Ephriam Meeker took up a lot of mill and used to dress cloth, survey land on the outlet of Lake Abram, land, was a Justice of the Peace and where the road crosses it. used to hold religious meetings and Aruna Phelps had a small house so.metimes preach. He bought 30 a little this side of the station. He acres of land where Murphy now is, used to make chairs and turn bed built a dam across the river and posts. had a shop at the east end where Abram Fowles had .a fine farm the railroad bridge now is. about half way from the river to Benj. Tuttle occupied a building the turn pike, managed well and near where the creek enters the made money by attending to his river in which he had a bark mill business. and ground bark, tann·ed leather Ephriam Fowles had a good farm and carried on the shoe business. adjoining his brother but did not He soon sold out to Valentine succeed as well. Goodenoe who then lived on the Mr. Lovejoy had a very good turn pike, near where the road from farm between the Fowles and the Berea now enters it. Goodenoe car­ turn pike. ried on the Tannery business suc­ Paul Gardner had a farm on the cessfully for a number of years at turn pike near the south line of the Tuttles old stand. township, and his son Amos had a Plina Osborn at that time, 1827 small farm west of his father's lived in a log barn a little north of which he sold to Abram Fowles. the steam grist mill where may be Abij ah Bagley occupied the first seen some old apple trees. He was fifty acres settled in the township, employed mostly with his father at which has since been owned by di:ff erent things. Morris Hepburn and others. Charles Green about this time This township began to be settled took up 25 acres of land where Mr. about the year 1808 or 1809. Savage now lives and had some The commencement was on this timber chopped down. He was a wisf': Gideon Granger, the father of pettifogger and used to manage Francis and John A. Granger of suits that came before Esq. Osborn. York State, had been a government and Middleburgh Township 13

officer, and owned all Middleburgh were such as tried men's souls. The and a very large quantity of land murrain would kill the cattle, the elsewhere, and he gave fifty acres raccoon, deer and squirrel would to the first man who would make a destroy the crops, the fever and beginning in his new town. Abram ague would shake the people, and Hickox accepted the offer and built many of them in getting acclimated a house on the north side of Bagley passed to the long home. The road about half way from the river people were far between and had to the turn pike. The pond near no good roads. With such ,a state the center of the township was of things it is not strange that the named Lake Abra.m because Abram population increased very slowly. lived near it. From the year 1828 to 1845, The Vaughns, Gardners and seventeen years, the increase in the Beckets came from Middleburgh in poulation was very slow, in con­ York State, so they named the sequence of the land being held township after the town they had above the market price in adjoining left. The Fowles and Osborns came townships, partly because the repu­ from Connecticut. tation of the township did not stand At the time I came here the very high in public estimation. settlement was mostly in the south­ However during these seventeen west part of the township. The years quite a number of citizens central part was occupied mostly by came in and settled on the turn wolves, bears, wild cats, deer, tur­ pike which had changed things very keys and various other smaller much. game. During these 17 years there was a · PODUNK MONEY-The north­ blast furnace built at the Falls, easterly part had an establishment which was the cause of the land for making our circulating medium being cleared up to make coal. called "Podunk Money." This was David and Clark Goss came in, built on an island in the swamp where mills, cleared up farms and made they had their shop and tools, burn­ good citizens. During this time ed their coal and carried on a thriv­ Sheldon and Gilruth came and ing business for a number of years. assisted in building a good grist mill In later years the railroad whistle on the Falls, also assisted in laying and civilization has made the wild out a town and naming it Berea. animals depart for other places and They also assisted in establishing a what has become of the makers of school called the "Berea Seminary'' hard money, I do not know. which continued for a while and For the first 17 years after the then failed. Sheldon and Gilruth commencement of a settlement the both left, thinking it better to go population increased very slowly. than to stay. At the time of the From 1810 to 1827 there was less failure of the Berea Seminary, than 100 persons, counting men, there were twelve families in Berea women and children. This was oc­ and one half of them were talking casioned by the war of 1812 and of moving away. The village retain­ 1815 and then the fall in the price ed its name but the stockholders in of property and the people who the Berea Seminary did not make were in debt could not pay for their much money out of their stock. land and had to give it up to the During this period of 1 7 years original owners. there was the greatest inflation of During this time the difficulties paper money, in 1836 which was the 14 Historical Stories of Old Berea ruin of many, who before this were increasing, it was found necessary to the possessors of considerable pro­ produce them some easier and perty. In view of all these things cheaper way then with mallet and named it is not strange that the chisel. Accordingly a whitewood township made slow progress in scantling about six inches square material affairs. and four feet long was taken to a THE GRINDSTONE BUSINESS little shop which stood on an end -commenced in this place -at an of a dam now owned by J\:lr. Mur­ early date and in this wise; The phy, where there was a turning Vaughns having a log mill on the lathe and the scantling was shaped south bank of Rocky River near as near as might -be for a pattern to where the village pond now is, be cast for the purpose of a lathe when the people from Strongsville, to turn stone. I took it one moon­ Brunswick and adjoining town­ light night, on foot, to Mr. Hoyts, ships came to mill, they saw who was the agent of a small the sheets of flat rock about furnace where the Cuyahoga Stea.m 4 inches thick in the bottom Furnace now is, (in Cleveland), a of the river. They would break off mandril, was made the next day and a piece, carry it home, trim off the brought home, placed in the end of edge with an old axe or chisel, make a water wheel shaft which was a hole through the center and go to hung under a saw mill near where grinding. So they supplied them­ the culvert now is across the creek selves with a cheaper and better in the village, a hole was made thru article then they could get from, a fl.at stone, the stone was put on Nova Scotia. the mandril, secured by an iron key, Soon after I owned the rocks in the wheel set in motion, the rim 1828, I commenced breaking them turned off, the stone taken from the up and cutting them out with a mandril laid down and looked at chisel and mallet, peddling them in with a great deal of interest. This the adjoining townships. The repu­ was the first grindstone I ever saw tation of the stones being good, the turned, and this was done in the business increased till it was neces­ year 1833. sary to increase the facilities for From the commencement of turn­ manufacture. I then employed a ing stone, a limited quantity was couple of stone cutters, who were made for a few years, till at length out of employ, in the winter of they were introduced into New 1832, to cut grindstones on shares York City and found to be superior in my old red house cellar, I to the French stone so celebrated. furnishing them board and stone in At length their reputation became the rough and each party having so great that the business increased an equal share in the manufactured till a large number of teams were article. In the spring they sold .me employed to haul them to Cleve­ their share in the stock -and tools. land, till the Cleveland, Columbus A stone trader from Canada bought and Cincinnati Railroad was built, the stone of me, I took them to since which time the business has Cleveland and shipped them to been done on the railroad. Canada, which I believe was the The manufacture of shoe and first shipment of Berea Stone to scythe stones was commenced in the that point. This was a number of old grist mill which was built by years before Berea had a name. Richard Vaughn on the east bank The demand for the grindstones of the river, nearly opposite where and Jl,1iddleburgh Township 15 the mills were burned. It was done neighbors to seek their Lord. These in this wise; a wheel was put on meetings created an interest in the lower end of an upright shaft religious matters, and quite a num­ and on t~e upper end a crank was ber were converted. Jacob Ward a put in, which was about as high as Methodist preacher fro.m Bruns­ the mill floor. The crank swung a wick came down and formed a so­ pitman to the right and left which ciety. The meetings increased in succeeded very well in moving a interest so that the people from­ small gang of saws which furnished Columbia ,and Olmsted came over a large amount of stone for whett­ and were happily converted, and ing scythes and shoe-knives. The returned rejoicing in their new ex­ business was afterward moved perience of a saving power. The across to the red mill and carried meetings, so providentially com­ on by Clapp and Amsbury, and menced, continued to increase till more recently by F. M. Stearns. there was so much interest that the ROADS-In 1827 there were only circuit preacher came around and two roads in Middleburgh, one com­ took the society in as a part of their ing from Rockport in the Alger circuit. This society was one of the Settlement by the Falls and up on first formed in this part of the the east bank of the river and pass­ country. Soon after societies were ing to Strongsville near Silas Gard­ formed in the adjoining townships ners, the other coming from the and the circuit preachers came northeast corner of Columbia to around regularly once in two where the Iron Bridge in Berea now weeks. is, where there was a wooden bridge In the year 1827, when I came, which was built new several times there was a small society which had before the Iron Bridge was built. regular circuit preaching every two This road continued east near now weeks some day or evening in the where it now goes to the turn pike week. On a Sabbath there was -a which began to be traveled that prayer meeting and the class meet­ year. ings which was punctually held. The roads were at that time mere This state of things continued paths where a sled or mud boat till the year 1836, when James Gil­ would go better than wheels, and ruth and I-Ienry 0. Sheldon came were only partly cleared of timber. to this place and formed a church CHURCHES-From t h e first and Community, and about twenty settlement of Middleburgh, which, families moved to the place at which as I have said was about the year, time we had preaching every Sab­ 1808-9 till the year 1816 there were bath and quite an interest was but few families, and no organized waked up on religious subjects, but churches or public worship. About the interest produced by the Com­ this time a camp meeting was held munity did not last long, as most at a place called Wolf Creek near of the families moved away in the the Cuyahoga River at which some course of a year or two and the persons from Midldeburgh attended state of religion continued about as and were either converted or so before till the year 1845, when deeply impressed with the import­ people commenced moving here on ance of religion that they came account of Baldwin Institute having home and commenced holding meet­ been founded. In the Fall of 1846 ings for public worship, where they a Camp Meeting was held in the prayed, sang and exorted their hemlock grove a little below the 16 Historical Stories of Old· Berea iron bridg~, H. L. Parrish being books procured. The school started preacher in charge and .Holden in my house chamber, which was Dwight, Principle of. the school, a minus a partition and it answered glorious revival followed, and most very well as a place for Sabbath of the students were saved. Since Schools and public worship. This the year 1846, regular religious was in the summer of 1832 and the meetings have been held in the old school has continued with little in­ chapel, and since, in the Stone terruption till the present time. Church till the present time. A Ger­ TEMPERANCE-In the early man Methodist Church has been history of this country, the making raised up during the last twenty­ and drinking of whiskey was very five vears. which commenced in this co.mmon, as grain was plenty and . ~ wise. cheap and whiskey was thought to There were quite a number of be a very good thing, but there were Germans who could not well under­ some, especially a_mong the Metho­ stand English, who seemed to be dists who thought differently. Ac­ like sheep without a shepherd. In cordingly, about the year 1832, a this state of things a German meeting was called and a Total Ab­ Methodist presiding elder, Reverand stinence Society was formed. Many Jacob Rothweiler was asked to send of its members have been faithful a preacher, which he accordingly to the pledge till the present time. did, and which afterwards resulted Some have failed, some who thought at length in the formation of a they could stand have fallen and German Church, which has con­ gone to a drunkards home. tinued to increase in numbers and A very strong temperance senti­ influence till the present time. ment has always prevailed in Berea, SABBATH SCHOOLS-The first so much so that very few places Sabbath School in Middleburgh was for the sale of liquors have been commenced by Deacon Rouse of tolerated in the corporation. A Cleveland, who was at the time an clause has been put in most of the agent of an Eastern Society for es­ original deeds of Berea, prohibit­ tablishing Sunday Schools, came to ing the sale of intoxicating drinks my house and held a meeting at on the lots or streets and alleys ad­ which it was agreed to commence joining. Whatever may be the legal a Sabbath School in my chamber. relation of the above named clause, The deacon agreed to donate as it is believed it has its beneficial in­ much in value of Sabbath School fluence in creating a healthy tem­ books as the society would buy. A perance sentiment. The foregoing few dollars were raised and the are facts. Story of Berea In Its Early Days By Mrs. Lura Gould Baldwin. In 1807 when the W-estern Re­ In times of special danger all the serve was divided, the western part, able bodied men were called out by five miles square, was called Mid­ Capt. Hoadley of Columbia to pro­ dleburgh Township No. 6. tect the little fortress. The women The early settlers suffered from and children were subject to great the fear of the Indians until after hardship in their insufficient place Perry's victory on the Great Lakes. of refuge. and Middleburgh Township 17

The country along the river was there were only 26 families in the covered by the usual forest trees of township. Ohio. Eastward it was nearly level, About 1833 occured the small be­ a clay l9am and somewhat wet. ginning of the stone quarry business North-east of the center was a large in Berea. John Baldwin Sr., made swamp covered by a dense growth a wooden pattern of a tool to of hemlock trees and brush and in­ smooth the rough surface of the fested by wolves, panthers and wild­ grind stones·. One moonlight night cats. The pond they named Lake he took his pattern and walked to Abram. Cleveland. He had an iron mandril The wet heavy soil was not in­ cast which with some improvements viting and many of the settlers went is still used. The dust arising from on to the hills of Strongsville and turning of the grindstone proved a Columbia. It was said that, "if Mid­ deadly foe to the workman and dleburgh was not fastened onto many men succumbed to the dread­ Strongsville it would sink." ful disease called "The Grit ·Con­ The first permanent settler of sumption." Middleburgh was Jared Hickox, who His son, John Baldwin Jr., in­ came with his family from Water­ vented the Blower, which carries away the dust thereby saving many. bury, Conn., in 1809. He is the great-grandfather to Roxann a lives. The manufacture of whet­ Fowles, Merrill and Bettria Baker, stones was soon added to the in­ great-great-grandfather to Mary dustry. They were cut out by hand, rubbed against a block of stone, Biglow and E. L. Wing. His only which in time became smooth. The living grand-child is Mrs. Anna block was then made into tomb. Hickox Wilder, of Cleveland. stones for the graves of the pion­ The next year after coming here, eers. Mr. Hickox started for Newburg Oxen were used to haul the stone along the blazed trail thru the from the first, and track went down woods. He did not return and the Front St. along the present line of family sought him, and found his the trolley cars. After the Cleveland lifeless body under a tree, where he and Columbus R. R. was built in had evidently sunk down to die. 1849 a pony engine hauled the Two of his sons died of typhoid stone along the river to the depot. feve"" and their graves can be found This important event .made a mark­ on the Hepburn place about two ed improvement in the township as miles north east of Berea. well as the village. Hannah Hickox and John Dill­ The pioneers toiled wearily with ingham were married Sept. 26, 1809 ox teams or on foot over the same the first wedding in the township. roads where we now pass swiftly This is registered in the Chardon and at our ease in steam cars, court house, then a part of Cleve­ trolley cars or autos. The rude log land. cabin is replaced by elegant homes all the way to Cleveland along the About 1810 the next settlers were paved highway. The facilities of the Vaughns-father and two adult travel have given us about all the sons. They located near the present advantages of the big city except· site of Berea on Rocky River. the pride of saying-I live in Cleve­ When John Baldwin Sr., arrived land. That will come before another at Berea in 1828 he claims that one hundred years. 18 Historical Stories of Old Berea History of Berea

'\Vith the Origin and Failure of the Attempted Comn1unity and Lyceum Village ( from Cuyahoga Republican and Advertiser, Sept. 6, 1877). By Rev. Henry 0. Sheldon. I make no other apology for can such education be most ef­ writing in the first person, and the fectually secured? By manual labor introduction of what by some be institutions, beginning with infant thought proper to be omitted, as schools. The plan of an institution being personal, than this is to some fl.ashed at once into my mind. Let extent a personal narrative, and a a joint stock company be formed perfect understanding of all the of Christian families, farmers, me-

0 facts would not be had without re­ c1-.~-:csllel.UJ. o-4?.L ...... 'I' a.J.J. ;ous ""-"dl.J. <-< ..,s , ..,._..__.,0 -f-" p,,..,..,- ... ference to personal experience. chase a large tract in a desirable · In the spring of 1824 I was a location, reference being had to soil, farmer, a change had taken place in timber, stone, water power, roads, my character the winter before etc., lay out a village with a central (Dec. 7th). I had discovered that square for public buildings, suitable mankind were now under the dis­ lots, outlots, streets, alleys, parks. pensation of the Spirit; that in the Erect a school building, (which can same sense as the Son was -at the be used for .meetings) for the right hand on high, the Holy Spirit various grades, combining manual was on earth fullfilling the promise labor with instruction in the arts of Christ: "He shall give you an­ and sciences, dis-pose of lots to other Comforter that he may abide actual settlers only, at their ap­ with you forever. Even the spirit praised value, from time to time, by of truth-He shall teach you all lease or deeds with conditions; the things; and bring all things to your building of the schools, shops and remembrance." "If I depart I will dwellings increasing the value of send him unto you, and when he is the unsold portion. come he will reprove the world of I called in my mind, such a set­ sin, of righteousness, and of judge­ tlement, a Community; it was dif­ ment. When he, the spirit of truth ferent from the plan of Owen or is come, he will guide you into all Fourier; a Christian settlement to the truth, and he will show you educate for usefulness here, and the things to come." preparation for Heaven hereafter. While walking before my cabin For some years I had been a strict I paused at the thought, which came temperance man. I had now be­ with great weight. "It is the duty come a peace -advocate. I saw a of every Christian to extend the beauty, consistency and power in Redeemer's kindgom to the· utmost my new views of the plan of salva­ of his ability." As I stood, I men­ tion; these all threw their light in tally said, "How can the Re~eem­ when I thought of the plan, and be­ er's kingdom be most effectually fore I was fully aware I had a built up, and knowledge spread over pretty picture in my mind. the earth?" The answer came: "By I became a traveling preacher, education, moral, ment~l, physical, -and often, after reading till my the heart, the mind, the body. ·How eyes were tired, or I had been deep- and Middleburgh Towns/zip 19 ly meditating upon some Scripture east branch of Rocky River, in doctrine or duty, would the tedium Middleburgh, Cuyahoga County, of a lonely ride be relieved, by suf­ Ohio. At three o'clock I crossed fering my imagination to dwell the creek and wandered along the upon the picture and plan, for to road (then a cow path), on my prepare the world for that eventful right I observed a thicket or grove period when "the lion and the Iamb of small hemlocks, remarkable for will lie down together" and "the its density and beauty. Into this nations learn war no more." thicket I crowded for private devo­ In the latter part of June or be­ tion, and finding a spot large as a ginning of July 1828, my mind hav­ small table, where no ·bushes grew, ing been more than usually impress­ I kneeled for prayer. ,vhile there, ed with the subject since the open­ instead of getting rid of my impres­ ing of spring, as I was riding to an sion, as I desired and expected, I appointment, a thought occured received a sweet witness that there that the contemplation of this sub­ would be such a village and such a school, and when one should be ject occupied time which had better established, then another and an­ be devoted to more substancial sub­ other would be in the United jects. I mentally said "I will throw States. I called such a settlement this air castle out of my mind and as I had fancied a Community. I think of it no more." I tried in vain. wondered at the unexpected result The whole picture would be present­ of prayer and came to the bank of ed to my mind at once, with a the river where it turns abruptly beautv and sweetness that engross­ at almost a right angle, and gazed ed my mind, before I was aware. for a few moments. The rolling Finding it impossible to drive it stream at high water became sud­ away I said to myself, "Well, I can denly lost, as I could see no way pray it away; I have had no temp­ for the waters to pass off. I was tation that I c-ould not get rid of standing on the upper stratum of by prayer." I tried this, but in rock which jutted over the stream vain. Finding that when I enjoy­ which had worn away the rock ed the most communion with God beneath. The river there was then this plan would be presented with so narrow that the trees interlocked the most power, I began to suspect their branches from each side. Just that it might be from the Lord. I as I lifted my eyes from the scene, then changed my form of petitions they fell upon a knoll in the south­ and prayed that if this were from east direction and an inward voice the Lord, He would give me some said very plainly, "Here is the token of it, or if not, that the im­ place to form the first community." pression might be entirely removed I thought it was a temptation, and from my mind. raised my right hand to brush from It was my practice to follow Mr. my ear a :flattering spirit, and said, Law's advice, and observe 3 o'clock "No that is a vain imagination. more particularly to pray for There is no probability of getting Divine direction, resignation to his this place, it would cost so much." Providence, etc. On the 22nd of Then I thought if a similar place July, 1828 I had an appointment at in a new country, unimproved, 4 o'clock, to preach in a small log could be obtained it would be the cabin, which stood on the peninsula very spot. I then suffered my mind between Baldwin Creek and the to fix upon the west branch of the 20 Historical Stories of Old Berea same river, where there were falls He then wrote his constitution. then unimproved. Three years after my acquaintance At the ensuing Conference, I with him he changed his plan and formed an acquaintance with Rev. wrote a new constitution for a com­ James Gilruth, who had similar and m unity, with common stock, instead stronger impressions longer than I of joint stock property. This de­ had had, and who had written a stroyed my faith. I said to him, "It constitution for a joint stock com­ will not work." He thought other­ pany, which he called a Commun­ wise. "I laid it down, that in order ity. We became friends, of course. to justify a .man in entering such a I told him I knew of a suitable loca­ concern he should have, first, A tion, and described the west branch clear conviction of duty from the which he visited. It could not be spirit of God, second, His judge­ purchased as it belonged to minor ment should approve the plan, third, heirs. He told me of his impres­ His way should be opened, not by sions, his fastings, his prayers. miracles, but by providences giving Among other things he related that satisfaction to his own mind nearly on a certain occasion he was equivalent to miracles. I recom­ traveling on the northwest bank of mended him to go forward in the the Maumee River, above the mouth openings of Providence, but for of Deleware Run, and it being a myself I felt not these three marks desirable location he kneeled and in any call to me. prayed, and promised God if He In 1832 I communicated to a would give him that tract he would personal friend of great piety, Bro­ form a community. In praying he ther Hazard, my impressions at got a witness that he should have it. Rocky River and my resisting them, He took the number but when he then and ever since as imaginations. went to the land office he found it He said "Brother Sheldon, you had already been entered. He now ought not to resist the impressions; concluded he had been deceived. the Lord may establish a commun­ He reviewed his impression, f astecl ity there." "If he does," said I, and prayed the Lord to take them "I shall feel called by Him to move all away. Still the impression re­ there to educate my children" "I mained as before, and increased in will go with you" he said: and this clearness and power. Finding it im­ we mutually agreed. I usually re­ possible to shake it off, or get rid sisted the impression that the east of his convictions of duty to form branch was the place. a community, two years after, pass­ In the autumn of 1834 I was ap­ ing the land once, a thought struck pointed agent of Norwalk Semin­ him to call and see who owned that ary. This appointment led me to piece of land. He found that it had the Eastern States to collect funds, originally ·been entered on credit, a library, apparatus, etc. I visited under the "two-dollar law''; forfeit­ every literary institution in my ed, and was now for entry at $1.25 way-examining manufacturing es­ per acre. He had just enough tablishments, etc., I became more money to enter it, being a fraction­ and more impressed with the im­ al section (362¼ acres) and "had portance of the union of evangelic­ a few York shillings, not quite a al principles with manual labor and dollar, left. He entered it and was literature. thus brought under his vows to At Baltimore I became acquaint­ form a community. ed with Josiah Holbrook, A. M., and Middleburgh Township 21 whose common school apparatus I wrote to Brother Gilruth that and efforts in popular education ·by Rocky River was sold. His reply lyceums had attracted some atten­ was "Well, best so, God will pro­ tion. I had frequent interviews vide for the community." He re­ with him there and at Philadelphia. quested me to visit Ward and Ham­ My impressions of the vast import­ lin and learn what they would take, ance for Christians to unite their ef­ cash down, for the west branch. It forts in physical, mental and moral was convenient, not long after, and education were revived and deepen­ I went to Elyria, intending to go ed. Mr. Holbrook gave me the out­ to Brunswick, I found Brother lines of his plan of lyceum ex­ Hamlin saddling his horse to go to changes. I showed him the plan of Brunswick, who, as I came, said, Mr. Gilruth, and gave him my plan "I have just received a letter from of a joint stock company.. Ward; he is sick and likely to die; During this journey of seven if he does, it will take time to settle months my mind became more and up his estate. I mean to make him more deeply impressed with the sell out. Don't you and Gilruth vast importance to our country and want to buy? Suppose you go with the church, of more vigorous ef­ me and see Ward." Struck with forts to educate the people; to the singular coincidence, not having spread knowledge and holiness over said a word to indicate the very the world. thing I came for, I made a careless I so.mehow got an impression that reply that I might do as much in I should go into a community in my agency there as anywhere, and 1836. In the latter part of March, would go. We found Ward rapidly 1836, Rev. Edward S. Hamlin, call­ declining; no one knew what was ed upon me at Norwalk and inquir­ the disease. He had made his will. ed "What are you going to do next Having a curiosity, I learned that year?" I replied, "I have an im­ he was taken sick the very day he pression that I should be in a com­ took a written contract for the east m unity," "'Vhere," "On Rocky branch. Hamlin and Ward had River," "That's gone, "\Vard has taken in partnership John Baldwin, bought the east branch; I have the who owned the key to some im­ west; we are in partnership, we provements and a valuable grind­ design to build a high school on the stone quarry. They had taken C. east branch, another on the west Dryden as a partner for the pur­ and a college between them." For chase on the west branch. He re­ nearly a minute my emotions were fused to see the west branch. They painful in the extreme. I said to offered them two thirds of the east myself, "For eight years you have branch for $10,000.00 above cost, indulged in the impression that which should be in vested in a col­ there would be a community there, lege to be located between the two now it is all defeated. You see it branches. They represented that was all imagination. Well, this is Baldwin and his wife were just the the very thing I have prayed for, persons as we wanted and they if it were not of God, that He knew they would go in with us for would hedge up my way." A de­ a community. lightful sweetness came over my The first thought Ward and Ham­ soul. The thought then came. "The lin had about purchasing was thus; Lord can still open your way if it Ward had conceived a plan for please Him." All was peace. doing good by buying a large tract 22 Historical Stories of Old Berea

of land in Illinois; settling it with agreed to meet at conference in Germans, etc. He sent a local September. After we separated an preacher (Brother Dewey) to ex­ eastern land agent inquired of me plore; requesting to call on me and if I knew of any land for sale, I get .my advise on the best plan for referred him to Gilruth. He ex­ establishing a college. He called. I amined the tract; went to see him showed him the impracticability of conclude a bargain; a company was Ward's plan, and being a friend, I formed. Brother Gilruth wrote to told confidentially some of my im­ me after he sold asking if I would pressions; and m-entioned the west go in with him when I had the im­ branch. The agent explored in pression he would go there to form. Michigan and Illinois. After his re­ I replied, "Tho I do not adopt your turn, forgetting his confidential principle, yet as I have promised agreement he told Ward of my ex­ the Son if ever a community would pectations at the ,vest branch. be formed there, I would move ,v ard said at once, "The east is a there to educate my children. I con­ great deal better." He then com­ sider myself authorized to make the menced buying, and getting the re­ experiment." fusal of every piece on the east Upon an appointed day we met branch and -afterwards three thous­ at the house of John Baldwin and acres of Grangers Land ad­ (standing upon the knoll upon joining. About this time he said to which my eye rested July 22, 1828) Hamlin, something like "There is a who with his wife was now ready fine chance for a literary institu­ with all their property to enter the tion on the west branch and if you proposed co.mm unity. Ward anc.l will buy, and give me an interest, Hamlin had not sold, and met us I will give you an interest in the with their propositions on the 27th east branch." He consented and of June, 1836. We were obliged to the west branch and some 2000 or consider their propositions, and 3000 acres secured by contract. after a season of solemn silent From Brunswick, where Ward re­ prayer I began to write and without sided, I came to Baldwin in :Middle­ a previous thought of organizing burgh on the East' branch and wrote we united in a compact by subscrib­ to Gilruth to come and see the ing the following: place. He came; was pleased with "\Ve the undersigned hereby the situation but saw no possibility mutually .agree each with the others of raising the funds. He was con­ that we will give and do hereby scientiously opposed to contracting give unto the proper constituted a debt. I told him "I have an Im­ trustees, in trust of the community pression that your Maumee pro­ of United Christians all our real perty will sell for enough to buy and personal estate of whatever this." He smiled at the idea. name or kind, our time, talents and Baldwin did not consent to go. influence, for the promotion of into the community, but said ''I will knowledge and holiness among our not be in the way; will sell out." selves and families; and the exten­ Gilruth returned west. In May I tion of the Redeemer's Kingdom saw him at his tract. The l\'Iaringo among men; and we agree at such Co. had bought near him and want­ future time as may be convenient to ed his trust. He fixed his price at make out such deeds and inventions $100.00 per acre. They refused. He as may be required of the same so left for Detroit district. We as truly to vest the right of proper- and Middleburgh Township 23 ty in said Trustees in trust accord­ took up the first to Hamlin ($1,- ing to the constitution of the com­ 250.00) with cash. It had been munity of United Christians. originally proposed that the $10,- Witness our hand and seal this 000.00 should be expended in the twenty-seventh of June, A. D., erection of a college to be located 1836." between the br:1Jches of the river, James Gilruth, they owning the west but Brother Henry 0. Sheldon, Gilruth's views being to have a John Baldwin. "Community" institution, without admixture of foreign influence, we The constitution required the in­ voluntary relinquished the condi­ vestment of property so as to never tion. to be withdrawn until the profits vV e now considered all our pro­ should enable the community to perty dedicated to the Lord. We give the amounts, in kind, back had every cent necessary to pay the without use or interest; the whole remaining liabilities of the whole concern to be employed to spread tract and appurtenances, in hand knowledge and holiness over the in cash and good endorsed notes globe. payable at bank in three and six We accepted the proposition of months; the whole costing $57,- Ward and Hamlin, by which they 000.00, besides personal and real assigned to us their contracts for property to a considerable amount. nearly 4000 acres of land having Brother Baldwin and myself had thereon two grist mills, four saw outstanding liabilities, payable and mills, seventy feet fall of water receivable. Brother Gilruth had not· power, land of all kinds, 100 acres owned a cent for twenty years, of marsh, covered with vines, from neither had he taken the first cent which wagon loads of large, sweet in "Usury," as he understood the grapes were gathered, excellent scriptures to n1ean legal interest. In stone quarries for building, a grind­ making sale of his Maumee land, stone quarry unsurpassed in value he asserted his principles and prac­ by any known in America, plenty tice and protested that if he sold of valuable timber; sufficient im­ property and found it was not provements and buildings for a worth the whole amount received temporary residence for twenty for it, he should refund the over families, a natural gas spring, plenty plus. Such spartan firmness, stirl­ of iron ore, (tho this being reserv­ ing integrity, and deep conscien­ ed must be paid for if used;) a tiousness, with his great veneration healthy location with water of the for the scripture; his unblemished first quality. Such another situa­ character for piety, as a Christian, tion for the object, combining so doubtless had influence in the sale. many advantages, we thought no­ (It had upon me as a. purchaser) where existed. All this was thrown and gave him great influence over into our hands in a most wonder­ us; and with the fact of his having­ ful providential manner. been the author of the plan and I gave \Vard and Hamlin my constitution, and an interpretation notes amounting to $5000.00 in four of scriptures, a work of seven years; annual payments without interest now supposed nearly completed; endorsed by Brother Baldwin. The forming a complete body of theo­ next day I took '\Vard's ($5000.00) logy, both in doctrine and relating with property and in a day or two to all the duties of life-all these 24 Historical Stories of Old Berea conspired to place him as an oracle other preachers were at the parson­ at our head witn his wealth. -age, to whom I said, "I propose to I then estimated his other pro­ giv,e five dollars to the one who perty real and personal at nearly should select the name of our situa­ $14,000.00 making $50,000.00. tion." I wanted one, short, expres­ It had been my intention to con­ sive and different from all others tinue the duties of my appointment in the United States. v... arious with conference to sell off my real names were immediately suggested. estate, pay my debts, and then re­ Dr. Gilruth's was Stockville, .a fine move with my family to the com­ grazing country. I had higher aims, munity. Brother Gilruth's advise no one pleased me. "'\Vhile they was, "Sacrifice in no instance your were talking on the subject, I went property, but wait till it will bring out. While walking, an inward its full value; advice by the union voice (the same that I heard in we had formed of our interests 1824) said to me, "Berea is the name could be complied with. (This ad­ of that place; you propose to be vise by the change of his principles governed by the scriptures 1n and subsequent action was a great everything, Berea is the name for damage to my pecuniary interests). your institution." From henceforth, as I have ever I went in and said to the done, I considered all my work for brethren: "Berea is the name of the Lord. I expected a new era in that plac~" It was treated as a the history of the church, when the puerile notion, other names highly children of God would love Him praised. "Very well" said I, "We with all their hearts and by the en­ will leave it to the majority when tire community of all their talents we get there. I am resolved in of every kind, for the extention of everything to cheerfully acquiesce his kingdom, would rapidly spread in the will of the majority." I had knowledge ,and holiness over the traveled elev•en years-driving on­ globe. A favorite text from which building up Methodism at great I sometimes preached with great personal and pecuniary sacrifice; I unction and power, was "l\ficah 4, found it necessary to change my 13. Arise and thresh 0, daughter manner. I desired a dispensation of Zion; for I will make thine horn for one year, to settle up or move iron and I will make thy hoofs my family. But at that time the brass; and thou shall beat in pieces conference was particularly op­ many people; and I will consecrate posed to any one being "left with­ their gain unto the Lord, and their out an apt at his own request." substance unto the Lord of the There was no prospect of that ac­ whole earth." commodation. Brother Gilruth said September 20, 1877. Cuyahoga my services would be wanted all the Republican and Advertiser. time at the community, and strong­ At conference in Mansfield, I met ly urged my locating. I made it a Brother Gilruth, Brother Henry B. matter of much prayer. Duty Ferris, who had now resolved to go seemed clear as when I entered the with us to Middleburgh. Brother itinerancy; to more efficiently ad­ Hazard reported that he could not vance the Redeemer's kingdom, I get the consent of his family now, gave a brief but detailed statement but his heart was with us, and of my impressions, providences and would come as soon as he could gain views, stated that I hadn't a drop consent of his wife. These and of "local Blood'' in my veins, that and Middleburgh Township 25 should conference give me a loca­ should be P. M., I said "Brethern, tion, when Providence should open tomorrow I wish to have a petition my way and call for my return, I circulated for post office; it will be should as promptly as I now obey­ necessary to name our place.'' ed what I believed to be the voice Brothers Gilruth, Brown and my­ of the Holy Spirit. I received my self constituted the council, which location the day I was 37 years old, was the legal community now, but (September 15, 1836). the others were invited to partici­ Rev. L. B. Gurley afterwards pate. Bro. Gilruth nominated said. "The conference unanimously "Stockville," Bro. Brown, "Tabor,'' endorsed your call to go to Berea." I suggested the name given me at After conference I moved down. Mansfield, "Berea." Bro. Gilruth Brother Gilruth and family, Bro­ soon waived his for "Tabor" for ther Nehemiah Brown and family, which sister Baldwin also expressed Brother Ferris and family had a preference. "Well," I said, "I moved there. Brother Baldwin and will submit it to the majority." family were there. Others were Bro. B. Sister G. and their eldest ready. It was my expectation, and daughter, Hamit, adopted my I afterwards learned the friends nomination. "Why not take the were looking for some token of Scripture method of deciding it,'' Divine approbation. I was to said Bro. G. How, by lot? "Yes, preach on Sabbath, September 25th, write Tabor on one side of .a half 1836. On taking the Bible to read dollar and Berea on the other side, the lesson I thought, "This matter throw it up, whichever side comes is so providential, I will let the ex­ up, that name adopt." "Agreed," ercises be so. I'll read where I said I, "but is it of sufficient im­ open." I opened and read Isa. XI portance to justify an appeal to the and XII. No chapter could have Lord?" "Certainly," said Bro. been more strengthening to our Brown, "The name 'Will have an in­ faith; the promise was emphatic. fluence in all future time." "The earth shall be full of the Just .at that moment Sister G. knowledge of the Lord." But when came in saying, "We'll have prayers I took the hymn book and opened now as the younger children wish to the 699th hymn, one that I had to go to bed." never noticed before: And as I read the hymn, thrill after thrill went Naming Berea With thru the congregation. As we sung Toss Of Coin it in the old tune, Lenox, it seemed and Historical Sketch of Middle­ specially applicable to us as if com­ burgh Post Offices. posed for no one else. Words can­ not express my emotion on reading Several prayed, we had a sweet the words in their connection. "Thy and heavenly season. While on our perfect way," "Thy choice," "Thy knees all my impressions and their providence," "Enter into Thy wise fulfillment passed before my mind. design," "our kindred spirits here," I saw the impression of the name "the blessed end in view," etc. The was from the same sweet voice that hand of God was so visible, our said to me, July 22nd, 1828, "Here faith was mightily increased, our is the place," and I thought to say love was kindled to a flame. on rising, "Brethren, if you cast up Tuesday, .at evening, at Bro. Gil­ for it, it will come up Berea, or the ruths, it having been agreed that I Lord hath not spoken by me on 26 Historical Stories of Old Berea that subject ( which I did). Maybe to present to your consideration, so, said one, with a tone of in­ in substance, has been suggested credulity. On asking op1n1ons to the minds of several individ­ around, it was found that we were uals, in different circumstances, about equally divided, except that at different times, unknown to Harriet, a minor, a member of the each other. Every part of this church voted with me. But being plan, in the meantime, has trium­ perfectly willing to leave all to phantly stood the rigid test of ex­ Providence, I wrote with my knife periment. By this it can be dis­ Berea on one side and Tabor, on tinguished from the moonshine the other and threw it up. It whirl­ speculations of the day. We are ed over and over many times and now prepared to heartily commend Berea came up. "See what persev­ it to the world. erance will do'' said Bro. G. "See Berea, the name given to the vil­ what faith will do" I replied. This lage, is som-etimes called the was September 27, 1936. Lyceum, Village, from its being The object in the establishment of founded for lyceum purposes, by Lyceums, of Lyceum Villages and the author of the lyceum system. Seminaries is to assist in spreading It is situated 12 miles southwest knowledge and holiness over our fro.m the City of Cleveland in this globe, to redeem man from ignor­ State, upon the east branch of ance of work. Rocky River. The tract purchased We live in an age unparalled in by the trustees is 500 acres, with a the history of the world. The ele­ conditional contract for .adjoining ments of society are fermenting. land if they shall want it. The com­ The foundations of principles, pany is incorporated with a good which have stood for ages are giv­ charter from the Legislature. The ing away. Light is bursting upon property is held in the form of human intellect. The poisonous stock, of which there are 1000 streams of intemperance are being shares. The stockholders elect dried up. Coming events, a mighty twelve trustees who manage the in­ train, are casting their shadows stitution. Upon the land purchased upon us. Science and the arts are there is an improvement of some on the wing. They have already 150 acres, also a saw mill, an in­ multiplied the conveniences and in­ exhaustible building stone quarry, creased the comforts of life. They the grit of which is not surpassed have given hands, and almost in­ for the purpose by any known in telligence to matter, ,annihilated America. This quarry alone is space, and brought the distant na­ computed to be worth three or four tions of Europe to our doors. In times the cost of the whole pro­ this eventful age, the bells of duty perty. Manufactured into grind­ ring to action, the tocsin calls loud stones, whetstones, and increasing upon the civilized world to join the demand at profitable prices is found crusade against ignorance; the in Chicago, Milwaukee and other white flag of peace is planted on parts of the upper lakes and Can­ the battlements of crumbling for­ ada, in Beaver and Pittsburgh, Pa., tresses and promise ere long to along the New York canals, in New wave triumphant over .a renovated York city and even in New Haven, world. Hartford and Boston. The situation Within the last 25 years, the is eligible for business and proverb­ plan which we have the pleasure ial for its healthfulness. As yet, and Middleburgh Township 27

but about a dozen buildings have which, will -be annually divided been erected. The school has from among them. The trustees do not 40 to 50 pupils. Seven hundred allow a liability for a debt to be and eighty shares have been sub­ contracted. The intention is to en­ scribed by respectable and infl uen­ graft education and that only, to tial persons in Cleveland, Albany, the amount that business will sus­ Troy, New York, Providence, Hart­ tain; when the first village is es­ ford, Lowell, Dover, Philadelphia, tablished and properly balanced, ac­ Pittsburgh, C o 1 um bus, Urbana, cording to its resources, to establish Springfield, Dayton, Lebanon, Cov­ another and another. There is no ington and Cincinnati; a few shares deficiency of sites for such villages are owned in Georgia, South Caro­ and too many seminaries can hard­ lina and other parts of the United ly be built. By connecting manual States. The remainder of the shares labor with study, facilities .are we desire to sell in different parts given by this plan, to young persons of the Union, to young persons of who have not the means to support good moral character; families who them at other institutions, to desire to remove here; influential acquire an elevated practical scien­ friends of science and the moral tific education, and thus qualify enterprises of the age; to Lyceums themselves for teachers. Thousands and institutes, a few only to an of gems may upon this plan be individual. The price is $50. per rescued from the dark unfathomed share, upon which a payment of ocean of ignorance, and become $10.00 is expected. A subscriber missionaries of science to illuminate may pay more or the whole if he the world. chooses. On all sums of $20 or (Note-The above story by Rev. over, paid upon each share, interest Sheldon is used with the permission at 7% is paid on the 1st of May. of the copyright owner, Theodore The tract has ·been laid out into Eckert.) lots of ¼ acre each, and out lots Early in 1836 Middleburgh Town­ from one to ten acres; reserving ship, with a total population of less water power, stone quarries, and than 400 people decided that it sufficient land for seminary pur­ wanted a Post Office. The question poses. Some thirty lots have been of a name for the Post Office had sold. The remainder are for sale reached an impasse and finally a to mechanics, gardners and other method of determining a name was respectable moral persons w.ho wish decided upon. to reside in the place for business September 27, 1836 a group of or education. The price of in-lots men were ,assembled to make the is from $25 to $50, out-lots from final decision, a half dollar, with $25 to $50 per acre; which prices "Tabor" written on one side and are low, and yet will cover the cost "Berea" written on the other side of property, and afford a sum fully was tossed into the air, the name sufficient to defray expense of which came up when the coin land­ buildings, improvements and con­ ed was to be the name of the Post tingencies; so that the sum paid on Office. "Berea" came up and that the shares will be returned to the name was accepted by all concern­ stockholders with interest; after ed. which they will still own the insti­ Among those present were Hon. tution, with the water power, shops, John Baldwin, founder of Baldwin and stone quarries, the income from Institute and Rev. H. 0. Sheldon, 28 Historical Stories of Old Berea

founder of The Lyceum and after­ The Department of Com.merce, wards the first Post Master. Bureau of the Census furnished the The following list of Post Masters following figures as shown in the and dates of appointments were Federal Decennial Censuses. furnished the writer .by the Post ,,....,_ d Office Department at Washington, C) ~ D. C. C) Harry 0. Sheldon, appointed b()~ ~ bO February 3, 183'7, ( estab.); lJ oseph ;::::::! = L. Speer, November 15, 1849; .0C) ·-"O J.c - ;::::::! George \,V. Whitney, April 8, 1853; d "O -C) ~ Jonathan Pickard, February 8, >4 ·-~~= 1856; Gershom M. Barber, April 11, 1857; Asa S. Allen, April 29, 1865; 1820 157 Norman D. Meachem, March 21, 1830 145 1872; William H. J~mes, February 1840 399 19, 1880; Daniel C. Stearns, Nov­ 1850 1490 ember 2, 1885. 1860 2392 Corwin G. Warden, April 30, 1870 3662 1628 1890; Frank M. Root, May 9, 1894; 1880 4053 1682 George A. Hubbard, July 7, 1898; 1890 4939 2533 Henry B. Wisner, February 19, 1900 5035 2510 1903; Orville R. Stone, Decem,ber 1910 5219 2609 18, 1911; Carl J. Eckert, February 1920 4963 2959 15, 1912; Paul M.achovina, Septem­ 1930 . . . . 5691 874 ber 7, 1915; Miss Emma E. Thorne, August 4, 1921; Mrs. Emma E. Pil­ Middleburgh Township is now a lars, June 8, 1928. thing of the past, it is now part Laurence H. Maechtel, March 18, Berea, Middleburg Heights and 1930; Felix J. Moley, June 18, Brookpark. 1934. Whether it was the inability of the Pioneer Life In Berea Post Office to handle the Middleburgh mail for less than 1500 people or whether local partisanship was in­ Mrs. Samuel B. Hoadley, now volved is a moot question, but the eighty-one years old who resides fact remains that Middleburg peti­ with her daughter Mrs. Dr. H. B. tioned for a Post Office, and one Van Norman at 259 Franklin Ave., was established in Middleburgh in Cleveland, 0 hio takes rank among November, 1848. the pioneers of Middleburg Town­ The following is a complete list ship, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. of the Post Masters of Middleburgh Her grandfather Jared Hickox, Post Office: Sr., came to Middleburgh from Lewis Fowles, appointed, N ovem­ Waterbury, Conn . ., in 1809 with his ber 22, 1848, ( estab.) ; Wheeler family which was the first family Wellman, January 19, 1849; Alonzo in Middleburg. His wife's maiden West, January 4, 1864; George name was Rachel Merrill. Hutchinson, December 22, 1864; G. The journey was made with P. Lyman, April 10, 1874. teams. They stopped near Lake The office was discontinued Sep­ Abram then in an unbroken forest tember 2, 1879. and lived in their wagons while the and Middleburgh Township 29 men of the family built a house. uncles are buried on her grand­ This site was chosen on account of fathers farm, now called the Hep­ the excellent grapes, abundant burn farm. honey and fish there, the grapes As there were no undertakers or ·being a niuch better variety than even saw mills, where lumber could ordinary forest grapes. be procured, these early settlers They brought seeds of every kind were compelled to take the boards with them-. The first apples Mrs. fro.m their wagon boxes to make Hoadley ever ate were from the coffins. orchard grown from some of these Eri Hickox, father of Mrs. Hoad­ seeds. ley was born Feburay 19th, 1790 The family consisted of four sons in Waterbury, Conn., ca.me to and four daughters, most of who.m Middleburg in 1809, married Alma came to the new country with the Hoadley of Columbia in 1813. He parents. The eldest was Nathaniel, remained in Middleburg until 1824 married Sallie ...... , Lucy, when he moved to Columbia, where married Thomas Osborn, Hannah, he spent the remainder of his life. married John Dillingham, Esther, He died at 74 years of age, and his married Luther Bille, E.ri, married wife at 69. Alma Hoadley, Jared Jr., married His family consisted of five Hannah Parker, Rachel Any, mar­ daughters and one son, all but two ried Abram Fowles, Azor died when of whom were born in Middleburg. about 16. The daughters were Miriam Uran­ The next year after their arrival ia, married Benj. Baker; Rachel in Middleburg, Jared Hickox, Sr., Jemima married Samuel B. Hoad­ the father of the family, went to ley; "\\,""iltha, .married George Sabin; Newburg-which then was larger Harriet, married Riley Vaughn; than Cleveland-to purchase a yoke Alma, married Dr. D. G. Wilder; of steers to aid in clearing the land. Azor, the only son was born Febru­ The only path was blazed trees. As a,ry .. , 1822 and died when 8 years he did not return at the expected old. time, some of the family started Mrs. Hoadley remembers of hear­ out to ascertain the cause, and ing panthers scream and of her found his lifeless body. A light father's trapping wolves and killing snow having fallen, his foot steps bears and deer and bringing the could be seen growing shorter and skins to Cleveland and exchanging shorter with waning strength, till them for merchandise. with a premonition of approaching Podunk swamp, a little north of d~ath, he freed the oxen from the Lake Abram was the hiding place yoke and g~thering a few brush sat of a gang of counterfeiters. On a down upon them, and leaning piece of firm ground, in the midst against a tree, seem to have died of the swamp, they built a shop without a struggle. What caused where they made the bogus m-0ney his death is not known. and carried on the business until The next year Nathaniel, the increasing inhabitants rendered married son, succumbed to the them liable to be discovered. Mrs. deadly typhus fever which prevail­ Hoadley well remembers about this ed so much in the new country, and Podunk money. left five children for whom homes According to the custom of those were found in Euclid. The grand­ far off days she spun the flax for parents of Mrs. Hoadley and two the household linen of her early ------30 Historical Stories of Old Berea married life, also yarn for cover their children, who hastening home lids. found them still in bed, having re­ Before the advent of grist mills, mained their most of the day. the custom of "jointing corn" was Another time Mrs. Hoadley's in vogue. This was done by fasten­ parents went to a meeting in Ep­ ing the ear of corn in a vise, and hriam Vaughn's log house, which with a plane shaving it off very stood near the site of "Uncle John thin; after -boiling it several hours Baldwin's Old Red House" leaving it was eaten with milk. It was the children at home. They soon sweeter, richer, and better than any after sa.w two Indians coming. modern method of preparation. It Qaking with fear they ran and hid wu-:; called "samp." among the logs and bushes. But the Among the pioneer women of Indians soon found them. They Middleburgh were: Abram Fowles's said they had come for a saddle wife, formerly Rachel Any Hickox; lost in fording the river, and which Isabel Vaughn, Richard Vaughn's Mr. Hickox had sent them word, he wife; Mrs. C 1 a r is s a Hoadley had found. The Indians told the Vaughn, Jonathan Vaughn's wife; children they had met their parents Mrs. Eunice Vaughn, Ephriam coming home. After they left, the Vaughn's wife; Mrs. Watrous, Mrs. children doubting their word, and Ephriam Meeker, Mrs. Silas Becket, supposing they had killed them, ran l\1rs. Daniel Fairchild, Mrs. Silas toward the meeting and were over­ Gardner. joyed to meet their parents return­ Mrs. Hoadley related many inter­ ing home. esting reminiscences of those early Mrs. Hoadley states that Indians days. On one occasion her parents often came to her fathers for some­ went to Columbia on horse back thing to eat or to sell baskets as and sent her and an older sister, late as 1824 and after. they being about 6 and 8 years of Those early settlers were exceed­ age, to a neighbors half mile away ingly anxious that their children to remain during their absence. The should have educational opportun­ little girls being accustomed to the ities. Mrs. Hoadley remembers of path thru the woods, started alone. being sent to her grandfathers at When about half way the older Columbia to go to school when only sister espied a bear. They ran back four and a half years of age, Bet­ to their home as fast as their feet sey Nesbitt was the teacher. The could carry them. When they first school in l\'liddleburg was in reached there, they found the fire Ephriam Vaughns log house in in the fire place covered with ashes, 1822 and 23 taught by Levi Castle, as was customary before the advent who afterward became a prominent of matches. Being w i s e and Methodist minister of the Genesee thoughtful little maidens they did Conference. not uncover the fire, so in order to His mother Olive Bronson Castle keep warm they went to bed in was the courageous woman who their little trundle bed, trembling rode from Waterbury, Conn., to lest the bear might find them there. Ohio on horse back and alone. Soon after, an acquaintance of the Many years after she and her family happened to call, and being daughter Mrs. Torrey, who .mean­ on his way to Columbia, on his ar­ time had been left a widow, with rival there informed the parents of two daughters joined the Shakers the uncomfortable condition of at Warrensville, and spent the re- and Middleburgh------=------=-=- Township 31 mainder of their Iives there. This the party divided, four families was frequently done in those early choosing to travel by water, and days. the remainder preferring the land The brother of Mrs. Olive Castle, route. Mrs. Hoadley's mother's Mr. Harmon Bronson came to famHy was among the former. Not Cleveland in 1805 from Waterbury, long after they had set sail, their Conn., and returned, walking al­ vessel was driven back several most the entire distance both ways. miles and went ashore. In a week In 1809 he came again walking they sailed again but after coming from Connecticut .and settled here. in sight of Presque Isle, they were "\Vhen the War of 1812 broke out driven on to the Canada shore, and there was danger of the coun­ where they remained two weeks and try being over run with Indians, then resumed their journey. "\Vhen his wife with their three daughters within site of Cleveland their vessel -the eldest 13- and an infant son was struck by a violent wind, and started from Cleveland with a driven back to a place near the horse, saddle and bridle, and took present city of Erie. Though her family back to Connecticut, thoroughly discouraged, Calvin the mother walking the entire dis­ Hoadley determined to make an­ tance. It required four weeks to other trial by water, part of the make the journey. She remained company preferring to walk than in Connecticut till the fall of 1815 risk the water again. After many and then set out with her family hardships they reached Cleveland. in a lumber wagon for Ohio. On It being so rough they could not the way her funds running out, she land, they cast anchor. The -Captain hired out her two eldest daughters came ashore but did not return to at 50 cents a week, while she work­ the vessel. After remaining several ed for her board and that of her hours in the boat, with no prospect two younger children. The next of landing, they hoisted the flag of Spring the journey was resumed distress, which soon brought boats and they arrived in Ohio the later to their rescue and they were land­ part of March, 1816. ed in safety, and had a joyful meet­ Mrs. Hoadley's aunt, the widow ing with their friends who had ar­ of Nathaniel Hickox, who after­ rived before them coming in wards married Roswald Scovill was wagons. At this time there were ill at the time when an alarm of but seven log houses in Cleveland. Indians was raised, and all were Of the party who chose to go on fleeing to the "block-house" at foot was Mrs. Bela Bronson, who Hudson, 30 miles away. Having no carried her child in her arms for other means of conveyance Mr. fifty miles west of Erie, till the Scovill placed a feather bed upon party were .met by friends who had an unbroken pet colt, and putting come from Cleveland in search of his wife and three weeks old baby them. The child was Sherlock upon it, led the colt, and they Bronson, who afterwards became reached the block-house in safety. the eminent Episcopal Clergyman In 1807 Mrs. Hoadley's mother and President of Kenyon College. when 12 · years old started with her M. E. W. Hoadley, parents from Waterbury, Conn., to 259 Franklin Ave., Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland with teams. It took two Mary Esther Whitney Hoadley months to reach Bu:ff alo, west of University Park, Portland, Ore. which there were no roads. Here April 6, 189 6. 32 Historical Stories of Old Berea

Last W Killed Reves. Thomas Thompson, Repub­ oH lic, Ohio; William Runnells, Bruns­ In Middleburgh wick, Ohio; W. J. Wells, Maumee May 4, 1888. City; W. C. Pierce, Milan, Ohio; A Strongsville farmer found a "\Vesley Brock, Pennfield; Lorenzo wolf chasing a flock of sheep, and Warner, Elyria; H. Dwight, Berea; set on his dog to catch the sly in­ Messers. John Baldwin, Alfred HoL truder, the hunter fired killing the brook, Lonson Brown of Berea; dog while the wolf took to his Horace F. Adams, Olmsted; Ancil heels and got away. J. Pope, Strongsville and Isaac On Monday of this week citizens Ward, Brunswick. of Berea, Middleburg, Strongsville, The Faculty: Rev. H. Dwight,

Brunswick1 Hinckley, Royalton, Principal and Teacher of Ancient Liverpool and Columbia joined in Language and Natural Science; a wolf hunt. The men were sta­ Mr. Alfred Holbrook, teacher of tioned from 10 to 20 rods apart mathamatics and English Branches; along four lines. The signal was Mrs. Almena M. Dwight, precep­ passed around the line twice and tress and teacher of French and the word "Forward" given at 9 :00. Ornamental Branches; Miss Cor­ The wolf was found in Garbers nelia Van Tine, teacher of the slashing in the southwest part of Primary Department. Strongsville. At sight of his pur­ Among the students were, Horace suers he ran across the Brunswick Adams, Milton Baldwin, Newton town line where he was headed off Baldwin, John Baldwin Jr., James by the S Line of men drawing in Banks, Theo. J. Bevans, Silas G. from that side. He then ran in Clapp, George Chapman, Henry northwesterly direction into W eth­ Caswell, A. J. Fairchild, Israel erbees field or open woods lot. The Haines, \Villiam Trask, Chas. T. point where the wolf was killed is Watson; Caroline, Hannah, Juliet about one mile west of the Turn­ and Abigale Bevens, Hossannah, pike near the townline road be­ Huldah and Mary Baldwin, Jane tween Brunswick and Strongsville. and Esther Clapp, Martha, Mar­ The animal was found to be a com­ garet and Clarissa Hulet, Mary B. mon grey wolf about the size of a Janes, Ella L. Moe, Julia Shedon, shepherd dog. His weight accord­ Laura Van Tine, Lucy Wright. The ing to an old fashioned steelyards males numbered 61 and the fem ales was 23 ½ pounds, but those present 39. judged him much heavier. The catalog contains the follow­ ing history. "At the session of the Baldwin Institute, North Ohio Conference of the M. The First Catalog E. Church, held at Marion, Ohio, August 13, 1845, a proposition from September 7, 1888. John Baldwin was presented, donat­ The first catalog issued in the ing land and other property for the history of Baldwin Institute is establishment of an Institute of dated July 1, 1846. The title page learning. At the same conference reads as follows: "Catalog of the an additional proposition was pre­ Officers and Students of the Bald­ sented by him o:ff ering for the same win Institute, (North Ohio Confer­ benevolent purpose, thirty village ence) Berea, Ohio." The first lots, and a five-acre square for Board of Trustees was as follows: public buildings. and Middleburgh Township 33

The conference accepted the pro­ know the amount of stone required positions on certain conditions, and for the masonry. Thru the kind­ appointed a Board of Commission­ ness of R. Russell, Esq., the Busi­ ers to obtain a charter, and or­ ness Manager of the quarry, we ganize the institution. The condi­ have been furnished the following tions were fulfilled. A charter was data: granted by the Legislature of Ohio In 1874, 115 car loads were in Decem·ber, 1845. The Board of furnished. Trustees was organized January In 1875, 3,583 car loads were 21st, 1846. The Institute was open­ furnished. ed April 9th with a male and In 1876, 3,960 car loads were fem ale department. The property furnished. donated for the establishment of In 1877, 3,195 car loads were the institution consists of 50 acres furnished. of land, being adjacent to the vil­ In 1878, 1,729 car loads and 38 lage lots, on the east bank of Rocky cars of filling. Making a total of River, having valuable and inex­ 12,620 car loads of stone and a haustable stone quarries and water total of I, 708. 736 cubic feet. This privileges thereon, together with would make a train about 80 miles the institute building, 72x36, three long. stories high, and the square on which it stands. It includes also the Lake Abram fund arising from the sale from the August 13, 1874. The Grindstone village lots, 22 of them have al­ City Advertiser. ready been sold, the above proper­ When Gideon Granger bought the ty has been secured by deed to the land now forming Middleburgh Trustees. The Institute is located in Township, he found the central por­ a healthy section of the State in tion covered with water. This the midst of a moral and religious body of water was by the early community. We have no grog shops settlers named Lake Abram. Gran­ or rum selling taverns near us. The ger, cut an artificial outlet to Rocky usual haunts of vice and the temp­ River draining all except about 20 tations to dissipations common in acres which now constitutes the cities and larger villages are un­ Lake proper. By lowering the lake, known in this vicinity. The prem­ a rich black vegetable mold, of un­ ises of the institute are free from known depth was brought to the any incumberances and it is the surface, whfrh after cultivation, be­ settled policy of the Board of Trus­ came very productive and well tees, not to run the institution into adapted to the raising of vegetables, debt. especially onions. By invitation of Mr. David Berea Material In Wiley, Sen., whose farm lies to the Clevelan,d Viaduct north east and just outside the corporation of Berea, we made a August 22, 1878. The Republican visit on Friday last to the and Advertiser. region of onions and learned some­ As the Viaduct is approaching thing of that branch of agriculture, completion and the stone for the we say agriculture, although we same having -been furnished by have been accustomed to class the Ensgins Quarries it may be a mat­ onion among horticultural products, ter of interest to our readers to for such extensive fields of this 34 Historical Stories of Old Berea article can scarcely be called gard­ vicinity this year, but are satisfied ening. that the onion business in propor­ The black seed onions are used, tion to the amount of capital em­ about four pounds of seed to the ployed and land used, is more acre, sown with a hand drill, in profitable than the production of rows about sixteen inches apart any other article cultivated in this They are dressed out with a hand latitude. cultivator, as often as circumstances require, and the weeds are pulled First Military by hand when close to the onion. Organization Mr. Wiley som-etimes has a force of 20 boys pulling weeds, but does March 11, 1880. The Berea Ad­ not disturb the onions after they vertiser. begin to bottom, while others culti­ In the year 1810 a company of vate them whenever they get militia composed of men from the weedy. The yield varies much in Townships of Columbia, Ridgeville, different years, varying from 200 to Eaton and Middleburgh was or­ 500 bushels per acre. l\1r. Wiley in­ ganized. The following are the forms us that during the war he names of its members: Calvin Hoad­ sold in one year, 1500 dollars worth ley, Lemuel Hoadley Jr., Elias of onions from one acre. The same Frost, Daniel Bronson, Bela Bron­ acre has be-en sowed to this one son, Jared Pritchard, Levi Bronson, crop each year for 20 years, with Lathrop Seymour, Samuel Potter, no manure, until during the last Eli Hickox, Warren Fasset, Marcus three years a light dressing had Terrell, Asa Robertson, Joseph been given. Mr. Wiley and his son Burke, Marshall Culver, Zephaniah have now under cultivation about 7 Potter, Eri H. Hickox, Noah War­ acres of this, their leading crop, ner, Clark Hoadley, Jared Hickox, which bids fair to yield from 2000 to Roswell Scovill, Ebenezer Wilmot, 3000 bushels. These gentlemen take Ira B. Morgan, Oliver Terrell, their crop directly from, the field Philander Terrell, Tillotson Terrell, to the market, while Mr. A. G. Tay­ Leverett Terrell, Wyllis Terrell, lor, who is cultivating about 4 acres David Beebe, Lyman Beebe, Lym.an prefers to winter his crop and take Root, Truman Walker, Amos "\Vil­ advantage of the spring .market. mot, \Vhittlesey Hill, Sylvester A portion of the "Muck" as it is Morgan, Asa Morgan, Richard called, is cut up into small pieces, Vaughn, Ephriam Vaughn, Jona­ which are worked almost exclusive­ than Vaughn, Ephriam Fowles, ly by the owners, in this one crop. John Fowles, Abram Fowles, Ben­ "\Ve made the circuit of the lake, oni Adams, Samuel Hitchcock, calling at the fine farms of A. \Vil­ Timothy Doan, Allen Burke, Silas liams, "'\Vm. Pritchard, and A. G. Burke, Chauncey \Varner, Horace Taylor, all of whom are interested Gunn, James Geer, Thomas Osborn, to some extent, in the muck land. Baird Pritchard, Samuel Pardee, An effort is now -being made to get David Bunnell, David Eddy, Lyman the County Commissioner to en­ Frost, Samuel Beebe, Sheldon large and lower the outlet for the Wooster, John Hanley, Samuel purpose of relieving the low land Hickox, Adna Warner. of surplus water more readily. Calvin Hoadley was chosen Cap­ We did not learn the number of tain, Lemuel Hoadley, Lieutenant, acres which are in this crop in this Lathrop Seymour, Ensign; Elias and Middleburgh Township 35

Frost, 1st Sgt.; Samuel Potter, 2nd safe from fire. The long handled Sgt.; Daniel Bronson, 3rd Sgt.; Bela frying pan was a common cooking Bronson, 4th Sgt.; Capt. Levi Bron­ utensil. It was held over the fire son, 1st Cpl.; Capt. Samuel Hickox, by hand, or to save time, the end 2nd Cpl.; Jared Pritchard, 3rd Cpl.; of the handle was sometimes laid Eli Hickox, 4th Cpl.; Joseph Burke, on the back of a chair, the pan rest­ Drummer; Marshal Culver and Zep­ ing on the fire. The pan was also haniah Potter, fifers. used for baking short cake. It was Captain Hoadleys comm1ss10n placed in a nearly perpendicular dated October 25, 1810 was signed position before the fire, leaning by Samuel Huntington by J. Mc­ slightly backwards, with coals Lene, and oath was administered by under it, or back of it to bake the Levi Bronson, J. P., April 7~ 1812. underside. A more convenient Berea Called Watertown article was the cast iron, three Timothy Doan arrived at the legged, short handled spider which center of "\Vatertown, now Middle­ was set over the coals on the burgh, about midnight and pushed hearth for frying meat. Its legs on to the Hoadleys Mills arriving were of such length and so adjust­ there about 2 :00 A. M. and spread ed that when used for baking cake the alarm that the savages were or bread, being turned up towards coming. the fire, to the proper slope, handle Capt. Hoadley called out the upwards, it would keep its position. Militia and received orders from An early method of making corn General ,v adsworth to proceed with bread, cast ironware being very his men to the defense of Cleve­ scarce, was to put dough on a land. He was not court-marshalled smooth board about 2 feet long and for disobedience but was instructed 8 inches wide, placed on the hearth to establish a "Frontier Military in a slanting position before the Headquarters" at Columbia. fire. When the upper side was baked the bread was turned over Pioneer Cooking Methods for baking the other side. A bet­ March 18, 1880. Berea Ad­ ter article for baking bread, than vertiser. either the pan or spider was the The first thing to attract notice cast iron bake kettle. is the wide fire place. Kettles were hung over the fire to a stout pole, First High School sometimes called a "lug pole," the ends of ,,·hich were fastened into Commencement the sides of the chimney at such a June 11, 1886. Berea Advertiser. height as not to be burned by heat Owing to the fact that two col­ or scorched. The kettles were sus­ legiate institutions are located in pended on "trammels" which were Berea, a course of study embracing pieces of iron with a hook at each a High School curriculum has but end. The uppermost one reached recently 'been adopted by the Board nearly down to the fire, and with of Education. Resident pupils were one or more shorter ones, the ketlte inclined to leave the public school was brought to the proper height and pursue the higher common abO',;;·e the fire. For the want of school branches under the instruc­ iron, wooden hooks were some­ tion of college professors. During times used for trammels. Being di­ the administration of Prof. J. ,v. rectly above the kettles they were Bowlus, however, and thru his ef- 36 Historical Stories of Old Berea forts, a course of study has been win University, money was raised adopted by the Board of Educa­ sufficient to complete the dome of tion, and a high school established. the Chapel Building. Up to that The e:ff ect has been to increase the time, the bell on the top of the interest of pupils in the schools and tower had been covered only by the ensure a noticeable "esprit de unpainted roof, made of common corps" among the classes. The first boards. Students of that day will commencement of Berea High recall that there was a time when School occurred at Hulet Hall, Fri­ the workmen were com-pleting that day, J"une 4th, 1886. A class of ten, 3 dome when some unruly students in young men and seven young ladies, the nightime threw all the lumber was graduated and received their that had covered the old bell for diplomas. The graduates were many years down to the ground. Vernie C. Eckert, Lillie M-eacham, The intention of this gang of night Addie E. Couch, Kate M. Watson, raiders was to carry the lumber out Edith E. James, Della Howey, May in the middle of the campus and Sprague, George S. Perry, Harvey set it afire. We thought it would E. Carmen and Arthur B. Strong. be a great joke to have the fire company come all the way from the Senator George Norris city to put out the fire. However, Letter when we got down from the top of the tower, we discovered that in Mr. Willard H. Shaw pitching the lumber out, we had not 348 ½ Front Street thrown it far enough, so that it had Berea, Ohio. fallen through two of the great My dear Mr. Shaw: windows at the bottom of the I have the most pleasant mem­ tower. It happened that in order ories of the year I spent at Bald­ to gain admittance during this win University. My two sisters, night raid, som.eone had during the Emma and Clara, and I rented daytime unfastened one of the three rooms, the same being the great windows below. One of the second story of a dwelling house culprits was P. P. Hardy. He wore where we kept house. The girls did a long-tailed coat with two buttons the cooking and our kitchen con­ in the back of it. To gain admitt­ sisted of our living room, a study ance to the hall and thus get to the room in which we met and com­ top of the tower, the window was pletely solved the domestic ques­ carefully raised by Hardy, while he tions pertaining to housekeeping. I crept through the window and sawed the wood in the back yard opened the door on the inside so and carried it upstairs. Jointly, we we could get to the towe:G. In going did the washing and I hung it up on thrugh the window, one of the but­ the line at the back of the house. tons at the back of his coat was I worried .myself red in the face caught by the window which had to master the problems contained in not been raised quite high enough, Schuyler's algebra. Our class (1872) and unnoticed by any of the con­ was taught by Clara Schuyler, the spirators, it dropped upon the daughter of the President of our in­ floor. stitution. I became a troublesome In the morning the wreck and but faithful student of Caesar ruin of these be~utiful windows and under Professor Mattison. this lumber scattered about inside During the year I attended Bald- and outside of the chapel entrance and Middleburgh Township 37 was noticed by everybody. The for a year or so after we left students naturally congregated Berea, but I lost complete track of about, but the janitor, who had him later, and do not know now come early ·to open the hall, had where he is, or whether he is. discovered this button on the floor. Baldwin University will always Without saying anything to any­ remain a pleasant memory of m.y body, he simply watched the crowd, early life. The good it has done and after a while he saw Mr. Hardy, will never be fully known or ap­ who was among the students, won­ preciated. Its students, inbued with dering how all this had happened. its spirit of progress and honesty, He discovered that Hardy's coat are scattered all over the Union, had only one button behind, and and today there are thousands of he discovered that the button he citizens everywhere whose hearts had picked up from the floor was beat in unison, in pleasant memories the exact match of the -button that and recollections of Old Berea. Hardy had on his coat. He gave With best wishes, I remain the button to the President and Sincerely yours, told him how he had found it. G. W. NORRIS. At the close of Chapel that morn­ ing, President Schuyler, without Military Organizations making any reference to what had The first .military organization happened quietly said he wanted to was organized September 26, 1877 see Mr. Hardy in his office after ex­ and was officially known as Co K ercises. Mr. Hardy concluded that of the 15th Infantry Regiment. The in some way the President knew regiment itself was organized by he was part of the crowd which special orders, Number 89, dated had been guilty of these depreda­ June 4, 1877. The local name of the tions, and he made up his mind, unit -being "The Berea Light when he went in, to tell the whole Guards." March 29, 1875, by an act story, and he did. President Schuy­ of the Legislature, the name of the ler tried in every way to have him "Ohio National Guard" was given tell who the other conspirators to the military of Ohio. were. He threatened him with ex­ The complete list of Berea's first pulsion, and offered the reward of military unit, taken from the Ad­ forgiveness if he told, but Hardy jutant Generals office in Columbus, was true to his little gang of guilty is as follows: criminals. Captain Daniel M. Stearns, ap­ The result of it all was that pointed October 16, 1877, vacated President Schuyler, admiring the November 6, 1878. Captain Edward young man for his refusal to be­ J. Kennedy, appointed November tray his co-conspirators, gave him 29, 1878. 1st. Lt. William H. Broa, back the button and told him that appointed October 16, 1877. 2nd the next time he undertook to do Lt. Edward J. Kennedy, appointed such a thing he should wear a coat October 16, 1877. 2nd Lt. Newell without any buttons. Hardy took J. Fuller, appointed November 29, up a subscription among his co­ 1878. conspirators, repaired the damage, Enlisted men: and no one, so far as I know, ever Berwick, R., Busse, Louis, Baier, knew how all this happened. I have F. J., Bassett, W. M., Brasse, always wondered what became of George, Burleson, W. B., Barber, Hardy. I corresponded with him M., Bassett, D., Brisland, James, 38 Historical StoriP.s of Old Berea

Cook, F ., Couch, Clarence, Couch known as the Wheeling Creek Cam­ W. L., Chapman, James, Case, E. paign, June 6th to 14th 1894, B., Couch, H. L., Curtis, J., Cun­ Captain L. F. Pelton, commanding nigham, A. M., Curtis, George. and in 1896 at the Berea Quarry Dewey, J. E., Dewey, W. E., Ful­ Riots, July 1st to 29th, Captain ler, N. J., Grosee, August, Hines, George E. Asling Commanding. August, Hubbard, 0. S., Hace, T. When the Spanish War came, the C., Hanna, Daniel, Hubbard 0. C., unit was organized for volunteer Hall, B. W., Hinman, F. J., Hurl­ service, -Captain E. W. Kennedy, burt, A. K., Hines, Martin, Jordan, com1nanding, April 26, 1898, mus­ W. B., Kennedy, E. J., Kemp, M. tered into service at Columbus as M., Lester, H. L., Loomis, J ., M-ar­ Company D, 5th Ohio Volunteer tin, E., McClatchey, J., Nichols, Infantry on May 11, 1898 and was D., Poots, S. R., Parker, C. W., mustered out in Cleveland, Ohio, Prutten, Wm., Phelps, W. A., Rope, November 5, 1898. The roster of \V. F. the men who served in this unit Roach, P., Richards, C. C., Roth, during the Sanish War is as fol­ George, Rofe, J. u., Roach, James, lows: Richards, M. "\\-.,. ., Rudolph, Chas., Captain Edward "\\.,._ Kennedy; 1st Stubbs, A., Sawyer, John., Sabin, Lt. Corbett E. Southam; 2nd Lt. S. B., Sabin, A. M., Schaaf, L. 0., Mose Barry; 1st Sgt. Carl •J. Eck­ Stearns, D. C., Stearns, D. F., ert; Quartermaster Sgt. George \V. Southern, W. C., Swinnebaum, G. Mehl; Sergeants Francis A. Le­ E., Swinnebaum, W. L., Toney, E., Duke, Sam \Voodcock, Albert J. Todd, Chas. E., Tielburgh, Chas. Fuller, Ora J. Shoop; Corporals Van Sise, Miles, Van Tyne, J. S., Thomas l\'.larks, Adrian G. New­ \Vhite, W. C., Wolf, Peter, Wilson, comb, Frank S. Stephenson, George Chas., \Vagar, G. E. J. Schmidt, John G. Schaibly, Lyle In 1880 the 15th Regiment ar­ L. Chevalier, Paul J. Pszenitski, rived at the point of disintegration Frank A. Bohn, Wm. G. Schaal, and early in 1881 sever.al of the Frank E. Barendt, George A. Hub­ companies were mustered out, how­ bard~ Jr., Leroy E. Winsor; Mu­ ever, Berea's unit remained and sician, George R. \Vieseke; \V.ag­ goner, William B. Kobie; Artificer, with Company's A, D, G, and H Fred F. Kraft; Privates, Jerry D. were formed into the Fifth Bat­ Akey, Robert J. Alber, Fred Bar­ talion by special orders No. 88 endt, Ralph Barr, Frank G. Baisch, dated July 7, 1881, the unit then Edward F. Belter, \Vm. H. Bennett, became known as Co. D, 5th In­ Ambers S. Bennett, Frank r.J. Bied­ fantry Regiment, 0. N. G. and con­ erman, Andrew Brenenstuhl, John tinued as such until after the war G. Buhrer, \Villiam Brenestuhl, with Spain, when upon reorganiza­ John Burns, Victor G. Burnham, tion of the Regiment it became, James Carr, Ralph Christian, Benja­ Co. A, 5th Regiment 0. N. G. min W. Colvin, Thomas G. Corri­ During the period of the assign­ gan, David C. Crawford, Stillman ment to the 5th Regiment and the M. Crawford, Walter J. Crawford, war with Spain, the unit was called Frank Day, Herbert L. Dodd, upon to aid civil authorities in James Drury, Channey E. Ferguson, quelling disturbances, in 1884 when Jacob Fessler, Carr F. Finley, Al­ the Cincinnati Riots occurred, Capt. bert E. Findley, Frank J. Geiger, N. J. Fuller commanding, in 1894 Fred H. Goehmer, Martin C. Hart­ at the Stark County Coal Riots, man, Chas. F. Hauck, Clyde W. and Middleburgh Township 39

Headley, Christ A. Heckleman, Wil­ the World '\\"'ar, when it was mus­ liam Herrling, EmL Heinig, August tered into Federal service. Kolaczkowski, Frank Kolaszkowski, The unit entrained for the Mexi­ Chas. A. Latz, W. M. Lawrence, can boarder August 29, 1916. The George J. Link, Frank E. Link, roster of the company was as fol­ Harland Loomis, :r. Leo Morrissey, lows: Frank J. Morrissey, John Morris­ Captain, John R. Southam; First sey, Victor D. Marks, Frank Mc­ Lieut., John J. Baesel; Second Lt., Carthy, Edward Rock, Clarence R. S. Ursprung; First Sgt., Albert Root, John R. Southam, Alexander Richards; Quartermaster Sgt., Tho­ Sterling, Albert Stone, Ralph mas Marks; Sergeants, Chas. Crock­ Stinchcomb, Fred Scheuerenbrand, er; Burton Landphair; Jarr.es Hess; Joseph J. Tadych, Stanley Thorne,· Corporals, Fred Hilgendorf, Fred ~Iax \Vadel, Fred J. "\\Torner, Hartman, Leslie Plau, Ben Schleich­ George "\-Veiseke, Leroy E. vVinsor, er, IT os. Brandt; Musicians, C. E. Fred F. Ziebarth. Guenther, John Kasper; Cooks, During the period from 1900 to Squire ": ooley, Ralph Boone. 1916 the unit was called out for Privates-Thos. C. Claugaugh, various causes, floods, riots, dedi­ Clarence Doski, Harold Denner, cations and expositions. Company John Fischer, Earl Fowles, Henry A attended the World's Fair at St. Gaydash, Emil Gehrke, Theo. Hoff­ Louis, :Mo., in 1907 it took part in man, Fred Kepp, Stancil Krisch, the Jamestown, N. Y ., Exposition~ Frank Krysh, John Kwiatkowski, and later in the same year at the Harry Marks, Zeller :McCracken, dedication of McKinley's monument, Clayton Ott, Joe Rumph, Louis in 1910 they were called to Colum­ Schmidt, John Stover, George "\Vor- bus, Ohio, for the street car strike, 1ey, Chas. ,v oodford, Ralph Caruso, and in 1913 they were sent to Day­ Leonard Clement, Conrad Diaber, ton for duty during the flood. At Gilinger Geza, Leroy Gunder, Peter this time Captain John R. Southam Heldck, Edward R. Kennan, Henry was in command. The unit left Be­ Kaatz, Ernest Kenyon, Frank Kle­ rea March 26, 1913 and after four­ kotta, Anton Kramary, Fred C. ,,,eeks of rescue work and general Lange, Henry l\1uligan, Jos. Naur­ duty, returned to Berea April 25, ocki, George Smith, John F. Smith, 1913. On ,January 7, 1916, the unit Max Sergeant, Martin Schneider, was sent to Youngstown, Ohio, to. GustaYe ,v oidke, Rome ,v ojtaJe­ quell disorders in the steel plants. wicz, lJ oe '\Varnoski, Rex "\Vilder. John "\Vosicki, Alex Zelinski, Frank This movement to Youngstown Flo-wer, Frank Schmidt, Fred was one of the quickest on record Maehle, Edwin Hilgendorf, Harlin in Berea. The orders arrived Fri­ Arnold, Emil Ta flick, J urry M. l\'Ic­ day night about IO o'clock, and the Ginness, Fred Baker, Fred R. Shaw, company was aboard a special train Clarence D. vVilliams, Albert E. by I :00 a. m., Saturday. Captain Baesel, Tom Holden, '\Valter Eaton, John R. Southam commanded an

The unit was stationed at Camp recognized by being a warded the Stewart, near El Paso, Texas, and Distinguished Service Cross. Cap­ left there for Fort Wayne, near De­ tain Ursprung, then a First Lieut., troit, Mich., February 27, 1917, ar­ 145th Infantry, on November 1, riving March 5, 1917, where it was 1918, at Eyne, Belgium, saw a mustered out of Federal service wounded American soldier lying March 15, 1917, and returned to about 150 yards in front of his Berea on March 16, 1917. sector, he leaped over the fire para­ The unit left Berea September pet and made his way through a 25, 1917 for Camp Sherman, Mont­ heavy fire to the wounded man. gomery, Ala., after a short period There he administered first aid and of training moved overseas to tossing the man across- his shoulder France, and its record is so lengthy made his way back to our lines in and well-known that it is impossible safety. to tell it here. The unit returned to Sgt. William F. Engle Berea after the "\Vorld War, April 22, 1919. Sergeant William F. Engle, serv­ Congressional Medal of Honor ing with the Fifth United States Awarded Lieut Albert E. Baesel Marines, won his decoration near Blanc Mont Ridge, on October 4, Berea may well be proud of the 1918, when he crawled forward record of her soldiers, the Civil alone on a dangerous mission ,and War, the Spanish-American War stumbled upon an enemy machine and the World \Var tried them. One gun nest. H-e shot one of the ma­ Berea man receh·ed the highest mil­ chine guns out of action and then itarv honor that the countrv can . . returned to our lines with highly bestow, the Congressional Medal of important information. Honor. He was Second Lieut. Al­ bert E. Baesel, serving in the 148th Infantry, for extraordinary valor. Berea Fire Department On September 27, 1918, near Ivoiry, The first definite record of an France, Lt. Baesel dashed across a organized Fire Departmer.lt in Berea field swept by artillery and machine is a record of a meeting held 7 :30 gun fire and heavy with gas, to res­ P. lVL, September 3v, 1872. This cue an enlisted man of his outfit was the first meeting. Those pres­ who had been severely wounded in ent were: W. L. Stearns, fire ward­ charging a ma.chine gun nest. Lt. en; W. W. N o·ble, chairman of fire Baesel succeeded in reaching the and water committee of village wounded soldier and had just slung council; W. S. Simpson, A. J. him on his shoulder when a terrific Stroud, T. J. Poole, G. E. Brown, cross-fire instantly k i 11 e d both H. Chappel, M. A. Sprague, D. A. Americans. T h e Congressional Beswick, D. E. Stearns, L. French, Medal of Honor, posthumously E. C. Martin, D. M. Stearns, B. W. awarded, was presented to his Sabin, C. D. Shumway, Wm. Wal­ widow, Mrs. Albert E. Baesel. As lace, J. M. Lawrence, F. R. V-an a mark of respect for this gallant Tyne, S. E. Jacox and James Wind­ action, the local Post of the Ameri­ sor. can Legion is named in memory of The Village Council, levied a one Lt. Albert E. Baese!. mill tax for the purpose of pur­ Capt. R. S. Ursprung chasing fire apparatus and construc­ Captain Rudolph S. Ursprung, tion of a fire station. It is inter­ commanding the Howitzer Com­ esting to note that among the pany at the present time, was also equipment purchased was 100 fire and Middleburgh Township 41

buckets· to be used when bucket J. Fuller, T. C. Mattison, Joseph lines were formed. October 25, Nichols, S. S. Brown. 1872, a hook and ladder truck with ,vhat probably was Berea's first the necessary equipment was pur­ great fire occurred April 19, 1897, chased for the Fire Department. when a fire started in the old Shum­ The first fire of which there is way Tin Shop on Front Street at record was August 8, 1868, when 5 :45 a. m. The alarm was sounded :Mr. W. L. Lawrence tipped over an and thirty volunteer volunteer fire­ oil lamp, setting fire to some bed­ men responded. A high wind blow­ ding. The fire, however, was ex­ ing from the northwest fanned the tinguished without much damage fire and it was soon out of control, being done. sweeping the entire business district The first record of an incendiary between Front Street, Bridge Street fire was April IO, 1868, when the and North Seminary Street, also on residence of Daniel Stearns, Sr., the south side of Bridge Street be­ was found to have been set afire in tween the Miller Block and the two separate places. This fire was Cleveland Stone Company offices. put out without much damage be­ J.\'layor Christian sent a message to ing done. Chief Dickinson of Cleveland for The first supervised fire fighting help; two hours later an engine and was September 23, 1870, when Fire ten men arrived under Assistant ,v arden W. L. Stearns directed Chief Rebbeck by special train. volunteers who formed a bucket Council Hall was completely des­ brigade and worked unsuccessfully troyed, most of the records were to extinguish a fire in a two-story saved, but the records of the Fire frame building occupied by :Mr. Department were lost. The fire was Wildes as a barber shop. The believed to have been started by a building was completely destroyed. tramp sleeping in the old tin shop. Strange to relate, the bell at The losses of this fire were: Council Baldwin University was rung to Hall, $25,000.00; F. S. Smedley, save a saloon. This happened on $2,500.00; ,v. H. Carman, $3,000.00; December 9, 1870, when •a saloon, L. H. Chevalier, $2,500.00; F. E. kept by l\'.lrs. Carey, near the foot Beckwith, $2,.500.00; Noakes and of Furnace Street (now a part of \Vernicke, $11,000.00; Mary Miller, Rocky Riv•er Drive) on the Murphy $600.00; C. Elm.ore, $500.00; S. S. Lot was discovered on fire and the Brown, $300.00; C. B. & E. St. Ry. alarm was given by ringing Bald­ Co., $200.00; Mrs. N. H. Rockwood, win University bell. $3,500.00; Philip Beck, $100.00; A. An election was held November A. Loomis, $200.00; Post Office 23, 1872 when W. L. Stearns was Building, $50.00; Dr. Wm. Clarge, elected Chief Engineer; W. S. Simp­ $10.00; Dr. Hess, $10.00; J. N. Cur­ son was elected Captain of Com­ tis, $800.00; Berea Milling Co., pany No. 1, and D. M. Stearns was $250.00; Harvey Beardsley, $30.00: elected Captain of Company No. 2. Mrs. Quayle, $500.00; Francis Es­ The roster of the fire department tate, $1,000.00; Rogers, photograph­ in 1878 was: Chief Engineer, Wm. er, $115.00; C. "\V. Heath & Co., un­ Humiston; Foreman, A. H. "\,Vright; estimated; George Brown, $100.00; Assistant Foreman, Wm. Dillworth; D. T. Gould, $1,000.00; Max Ehr­ Secretary, M. '\V. Richards; Treas­ bar, $100.00; G. "\V. C. Building, urer, George Brown; Captain of unestimated; Churchward Store, un­ Ax, _C. W. D. Miller; Captain of estimated. Buckets, A. J. Brown; Steward, N. In 1897 a fire whistle was pur- 4_2______H_zs-=-· .:...to_r-=..ic.:..:a:.:.:.l...... :S:...:t~o..:-=ries of Old Berea chased and attached to the boiler Machovin~ Ruple & Co., G. A. R., at the Berea Milling Co. Berea Advertiser, E. Christian, F. The year 1899 appears to have Link, Central Hotel, K. Knight. been the banner year for fires in The Fire Department was reorg­ Berea. On May 16th, the home of anized on February 18, 1910. The Col. D. C. Stearns was destroyed roster was: Henry T. Smith, chief; by fire. On May 31 at midnight, G. H. Luce, Charles Smith, James the Old South Hall, on the South Wallace, C. F. Eckert, H. A. Loom­ Side, was destroyed by ·fire, believed is, S. A. Wing, John Harrison, G. G. to have been of incendiary origin. Fiedler, Fred Hauck, Wm. Law­ On June 5th, the old Methodist rence, A. J. Heineman, Fred Loom­ Church was discovered on fire at is, Gus Schwandt, G. H. Parker, J. I :00 a. m. and was completely des­ W. Schuerlein and Sam Chegwyn. troyed. This also was believed to In 1935 the Berea Fire Depart­ have been of incendiary origin. ment was host to the 62nd annual On August 14th, 1899, at I :45 p. convention of the Northwestern m. a fire, which proved to be Be­ Ohio "'\.,.olunteer Firemen's Associ­ rea's biggest and most destructive ation. The roster of the department fire was discovered in the bicvcle at that time was: John C. Nevel, shop of Stencil Rumpf. This·· fire chief; Ed Dumke, first assistant soon got out of control and a .mes­ chief; Ralph T. Boone, second sage for help was telephoned to assistant chief; H. G. Alexander, Cleveland by Mayor Quayle. Com­ first assistant engineer; Sam Gray, pany 8 under command of Director second assistant engineer; Bernard Hyman and Assistant Chief Reh­ Demboske, Leo Kasper, William beck responded. The fire swept the Klink, James McDonnell, George entire business ditrict on F•actorv Prusha, Paul Saurbrei, Phil Siebert, Street from. Bridge Street to Fron·t James Wallace and John Winter. Street. Buildings on the south side Chief Nevel entered the Cleve­ of Bridge Street also caught fire, land Fire Department on St. Pat­ but were extinguished before much rick's Day, March 17, 1894, and was damage was done. This fire was assigned to Engine Company No. 2. caused by the explosion of a gaso­ He later was transferred to Com­ line torch. Total estimated loss was pany No. 1 and from there to Com­ $75,000.00. Those who suffered loss pany No. 7. \Vhile with Company from thi fire were Stencil Rumpf, 7, he was promoted to engineer. He Mrs. H. Haines, Mrs. T. G. Card, was retired from the Cleveland Fire C. J. Eckert, Eckert and Steller, Department on Sept. 24, 1921, and C. D. Shumway, Dan Harrington, was appointed chief engineer of the John Dosicoski, Ed Konarski, ,vm. Berea Fire Department October 1, Rehker, 1J ohn Morrist, John Ozor­ 1921. He was. appointed acting wicki. A. ,v. Bishop, \V. C. T. U., chief August 22, 1926, and chief on Reublin & Taylor, ,vm. Humiston, August 1, 1927. Mrs. M. L. Banks, J. "\.,.an Sise, H. A. Curtis, Dr. H. B. Kirkland, E. J. The First Electric Light Kennedy, George E. Brown, ,v. B. Plant Smith, M. A. Sprague, Dr. A. A. Smith, H. D. Williams, "\Vm. Zan­ February 10, 1890 the Village of der, P. U. Smith, Knights of Pyth­ Berea Council passed an ordinance ias, F. Bullinger, Martin Krazewski, "Authorizing the Berea Milling F. Brown, Sidney Lawrence, Wm. Company or Jeremiah LeDuke, or Denner, Sprague Carriage Co., Paul either or both of them, of Berea, and 1.ltiddleburgh Township 43

Ohio, their successors and assigns to adopted to purchase and put into erect, maintain and operate an operation an electric light plant. electric light plant, consisting of Stock at $100.00 per share was sub­ machinery, poles wires, lamps and scribed for that purpose ,as follows: all other appurtenances necessary J. P. Morrissy, 2 shares; F. M. thereto, in the treets alleys, public Stearns ,11 shares; A. J. Harvey, 5 grounds and public buildings in the shares; Hult Holmes, 3 shares; E. Village of Berea, State of Ohio, and C. Crocker, 1 share; J. C. Weid­ to manufacture and supply elec­ mann, 1 share; C. T. Paulus, 2 tricity for furnishing power, heat shares; S. Lawrence, 4 shares; W. and lights in said village." This was M. Noble, 2 shares; T. Bullinger, 3 signed by Mayor E. J. Kennedy and shares; S. S. Oatman, 5 shares; L. Acting Clerk D. T. Gould. M. Coe, 10 shares; G. G. Hubard, I A petition dated February 11, share; E. D. Lyon, 1 share; Dan C. 1890 reading as follows: "We the Stearns, I share; J. C. Nokes, 5 undersigned stockholders of The shares; 0. D. Pomeroy, 4 shares; Berea Milling Company do hereby A. T. Hinnman, 1 share; N. E. waive the publication of a notice of Wright, 1 share; M. A. Sprague, 6 the time and place of holding a shares; C. W. D. Miller, I share; stockholders meeting for the pur­ A. H. Pomeroy, 6 shares; A. H. pose of considering and voting upon Pomeroy, Trustee, 10 shares; C. C. a proposition of putting in an elec­ Brightman, 5 shares; P. F. Schnei­ tric light plant for the use of the der, 2 shares; Wm. Glasgow, 2 mill and for furnishing light, heat shares; T. G. Card, I share; A. A. and power to the Village of Berea Jerome, 5 shares; W. B. Aldrich, and to private consumers in said 5 shares; I. N. Thayer, I share; E. village. And we hereby give notice 1\11. Reublin, 1 share; George Neu­ that there will be a meeting of brand, I share; and T. C. Mattison, Stockholders of The Berea Milling 3 shares. Company for the above purpose at The stockholders -authorized the the office ·of The Bank of Berea on purchase of an electric light plant Saturday evening, February 15, from the Edison Electric Company 1890 at 7 o'clock." This petition for $2,200.00 and authorized the was signed by F. M. Stearns, T. C. employ of Frank Dorland as engin­ Mattison, G. A. Hubbard, M. A. eer in full charge of the electric Sprague, S. S. Oatman, George light plant at a salary of $60.00 per Neubrand, T. Bullinger, A. H. month. Pomeroy, N. E. Wright, E.. M. The charges to the public were to Reublin, Dan C. Stearns, S. J. Har­ be $9.00 per year for one 16-candle vey, L. M. Coe, Wm. Glasgow, C. power incandescent lamp and the "\V. D. Miller, A. T. Hinneman, C. light -schedule was from April 1st C. Brightman, J. C. Nopes, 0. D. to October 1st to 10 P. M., from Pomeroy, W. B. Aldrich, I. W. October 1st to April 1st to 9 :30 Thayer, C. T. Paulus, E. D. Lyon, P. M. and Saturday nights to II :00 E. T. Murrell, B. W. Sabin, E. P. M. All night lamps were to be Crocker, S. Lawrence, W. W. Noble, charged for at the rate of $12.00 P. J. Schneider, Hulet Holmes, T. per year for all nights excepting G. Card, J. C. Weidmann, A. A. Sunday nights. The rate for Arc Jerome. lamps was $72.00 per year or $6.00 At the stockholders meeting of per month. The Knights of Pythias February 15, 1890 a resolution was were given a rate of 40 cents per 44 Historical Stories of Old Berea lamp for 10 or more lamps for one Shaw by Mr. J. E. Hyde of the De­ evening a week, or 50 cents per partment of Geology, Western Re­ lamp for two evenings per week. serve University, Cleveland, Ohio: Noble & Mattison were furnished Your inquiry of March 9 to Mr. eight lamps at the regular charge Madison of the Cleveland Museum but received free one lamp in the of Natural History was promptly cellar which was to •be used only referred to me, but has gone un­ when some one was in the cellar. answered fro.m pressure from many The stockholders of the company things. I have been much interested were real business men, because in Dr. William Clark as one of sev­ when the agents of the Edison Elec­ eral collectors of fossil fishes be­ tric Co.mp any called to collect for tween Cleveland and Sandusky. You the electric light plant, the owners inquire about a fossil fish which was put them off until they could hire named after him and of which you an electrical expert to examine the are now seeking a picture from the plant and report on it. British Museum. As a matter of At a directors' meeting of Decem_ fact, several different fossil fishes ber 4, 1899, it was decided to call a were named after him as the follow­ special meeting of the stockholders ing list of nine will show: to vote on the proposition of the Monocladus clarki, Village of Berea to purchase the Cladoselache clarki, electric light plant, and in January, Ctenacanthus clarki, 1900, the Village of Berea pur­ Dinichthys clarki, chased the electric light plant from Dinichthys prentis-clarki, The Berea Milling Company. Brontichthys clarki, In 1900 a 120-kilowatt alternator Titanichthys clarki, was installed. In 1922 a 300-kilo­ Trachosteus clarki, watt turbo-generator was installed, Actinophorus clarki. in 1925 a 750-kilowatt machine was Of this list, one, Dinichthys pren­ installed, and in 1931 an additional tis-clarki, is not clear to me, why 1000-kilowatt turbo-generator was the name, prentis, should be in it. installed to meet the rapidly grow­ All the rest were named for Dr. ing demand. William Clark. Most of these speci­ When the village purchased the mens are represented by a single electric light plant in 1900, the rate bone or jaw or tooth, or a cluster was 10 cents per kilowatt hour, in of scattered bones. Only two of 1902 this rate was reduced to 8 them were represented •by fairly cents per kilowatt hour; shortly af­ whole fishes: ( l) Cladoselache clarki ter it was again reduced to 6 cents which is probably in the British per kilowatt hour, in 1922 it was Museum and not to exceed four feet reduced to 5 cents per kilowatt hour in length; (2) Actinophorus clarki and in 1931 to 4 cents. The present which is likely in the American Mu_ rate is 4 cents per kilowatt hour seum of Natural History in New for the first 100 kilowatt hours and York City and not over two feet 3 cents per kilowatt hour there­ long. Some of the fishes on this after with a liberal discount for list must have been twenty feet long prompt payment. but are known only, as I have indi­ cated above, from fragments. Fossilized Fish I believe you would get more sat­ The following letter, dated April isfaction from a photograph from 6, 1936, was written to Mr. \Villard the British Museum in London and Middleburgh Township 45 showing the several .wall cases in on the subject which I wrote ten which they displayed Dr. Clark's years ago. The one entitled "Fossil collection. Dr. Clark made plaster Fishing" is almost identical with it casts of a number of the fish bones 1but not quite. If you have not re­ which he found and some of these ceived the last let me know and l are now in the Herzer Museum of shall have one sent from the Cleve­ Baldwin-Wallace College under the land Museum of Natural History. direction of Dr. Blocher. I saw them Is there a public library in Berea only last summer. apart from the College library? It I have photographic negatives of just occurs to me that copies of Dr. Clark's cancer sanitarium which these papers might be of interest is figured in the booklet, "Collect­ there. ing Fossil Fishes from the Cleveland Shale" which I presume l\tir. Madi­ G. A. R. Organized son has sent you. Dr. Clark's sec­ Wednesday evening, Sept. 16, ond and last collection was sold to 188g, a Post of the G. A. R. was the American Museum of Natural organized. Commander, T. C. Mat­ History. tison; Senior Vice Commander, E. If you are interested in the his­ J. Kennedy; Junior Vice Command­ torical aspects of fossil-fish collect­ er, 0. H. Perry; Surgeon, L. H. ing do not overlook the fact that Chevalia; Chaplain, Rev. P. B. Berea was the center of a group of Stroup; Quartermaster, T. J. Poole; collectors of which Dr. Clark was Officer of the Day, C. W. Sanborn; only one, the one who would make 0 fficer of the Guard, M. M. Kemp. the biggest, but not necessarily best, These officers were installed by impression on his townsmen. One !Junior Vice Commander M. J. of them is still Ii ving· in Berea, or Sloane, assisted by Capt. J. N. was Ii ving last summer, Dr. D. T. Freeze, Capt. D. H. Kimberly and Gould, now about 88 years old. He other comrades from Cleveland. P. was a druggist in Dr. Clark's- time, B. Gardner was appointed Adjutant, collected with Clark and had a fish W. H. James, Sergeant Major; I. H. named after him., Stenoganthus Hardy, Quartermaster Sergeant. gouldii. The organization will be known The Reverend Herman Herzer as Berea Post 543, G. A. R., De­ was connected with one of the col­ partment of Ohio. Membership fee leges for many years and was a was $2.00 for those who joined in great collector of fossil fishes in his 30 days, after that time $3.00. early days. Dinichthys herzeri was Yearly membership fee $2.00. named after him. Kepler was pro­ fessor of natural science in Baldwin Early Reminiscences University; Cladoselache kepleri was named for him. By Rev. Wm. M. Osborne C. C. Fyler, a whetstone .maker, My grandfather, Rev. Eli Osborn, was the discoverer of Cladoselache became identified with Middleburgh fylerii. His son was living in Berea as early as 1825, and established about ten years ago but I have not the first woolen factory in the south heard from him more recently. part of Cuyahoga County, where I have photographic negatives of the bridge crosses Rocky River a all of these men and can let you little a-bove the present railroad have prints if you desire. crossing. His early establishment I am enclosing copy of a paper was on a moderate scale, during 46 Historical Stories of Old Berea

1830 and 1831 water freshets inter­ a new country. The forests abound­ fered greatly with his enterprises, ed with bear, deer, wolves, etc., and finally sweeping a way his mill dam hunting these for their pelts became and building, leaving him with noth­ a source of pecuniary gain. Both ing but his carding machine which sides of Rocky River were then was saved with the greatest of diffi­ densely wooded. The early settlers culty. of Middleburg have nearly all pass­ My father became a resident of ed away; the Fowleses, Gardners, Lovejoys, Colbys, Vaughns, Greens, Middleburgh in 1829 and was a part­ Walters, Osbornes, Bagleys, Fullers, ner with my grandfather in his f ac­ Beckets, Pecks ,Frosts, Goodnoes, tory interests until 1834. The old etc. records will show that Merritt Os­ The first seminary building was borne became one of Middleburg's erected about 1840 of which Prof. first justices of the peace and in Holbrook was principal. The writer connection with John Baldwin Esq., became a student in 1844. and a gentleman from Royalton acted as one of the public school The first grist mill in the vicinity examiners for your county. One of of Middleburg was on the west the first school houses built in your branch of Rocky River, where vicinity was on the banks of a 1-Ioadley's mills now stand and it creek, a little west of Abran1 was erected in 1814 by Capt. Calvin Fowles' old residence, a diminutive l-Ioadley, an early Connecticut emi­ log cabin, about 14 feet · square, grant to the \Vestern Reserve. The adorned with old fashioned desks Block House, erected in 1812, near and backless seats and heated· by ·Columbia Center, was commanded an immense fire in the rustic back­ by Capt. Samuel Hoadley. woods chimney. The second school Gncle Abram Hickox was always house, was of similar size and understood to have been the first to adornings, and was located a little explore Middleburg Township and east and north of "Vaughn's Mills" finding a lake environed within a and very near where the present dense forest, near the northeast railroad now runs. Religious ser­ part of the township, he called it vices were held in John Baldwin's Lake Abram. The writer's first cabin, near where the old red house visit to this beautiful sheet of water afterwards stood. The first frame was in 1830, in an Indian canoe se­ house . in the present village of Be­ curing a string of bass, with which rea was the old red house of John the lake was then overstocked. Baldwin, erected in 1830, in the un­ Near this sheet of water, -in the finished second story of which the intricacies of the wilderness, there writer received his first religious was, at an early date, a lodge of impressions. The first Sunday counterfeiters, where, in their School was held in the old red rough cabin, were afterwards found house and was conducted by Aunt forges, etc., for manufacturing Mary Baldwin. counterfeit or Podunk silver coins. At the period of which I speak The first mill in your vicinity was three-fourths of Middleburg and put up by Eri Hickox, but it soon adjoining territory were dense for­ passed into the hands of Jonathan ests, where the native Indian was Vaughn. It was situated on the occasionally seen, and was filled Falls below where the railroad with all the wild game incident to crosses the river. and 1l1iddleburgh Tou·nship 47

The Great Flood (1883) Parker; Li-brarian, M. "\V. Richards. Rules of the association were: On Saturday and Sunday north­ I-Members were allowed to ern Ohio was visited by one of the take from the library one book for most disastro.us floods in its history. each share of stock they owned. Early Friday evening rain set in, 2-Books .may be retained two the water freezing as it fell thus weeks and renewed for two weeks. forming a coating of ice on the sur­ 3-No person will be permitted f ace. The frozen earth refusing to to loan a book to a person not a absorb the water, a perfect deluge member of the same household. was inevitable. 4-Any member who retains a Rocky River had swollen to im­ book over the two weeks shall be mense proportions and was still fined two cents per day per book. rising. Shortly before one o'clock 5-Any injury to the books shall the ice in the pond above the stone be made good to the satisfaction of dam broke loose and rushea over the librarian. the dam, carrying a way the rail­ 6-All books lost or destroyed road bridge. The water covered the shall be paid for by the person flats southwest of the Iron Bridge. liable. Nokes' coal yard was under four 7-Members shall not be permit­ feet of water. Five coal cars on the ted to take books from the library tracks were nearly submerged. To­ or to transfer their shares while a ward evening the new railroad fine is pending against them. bridge just south of Bridge Street gave away under the immense pres­ Berea Street Railway sure of the ice; this was followed Pursuant to call, a meeting of the soon after by another bridge wash­ ing away. Rocky River bottoms citizens of Berea was held in Brick Hall on Friday evening, November were flooded from bank to bank 26, 1875. P. B. Gardner was chosen from the Iron Bridge to Albion. chairman and W. H. Pearce, secre­ On the flats near the John Brown tary. The chairman stated that the quarry the water was six feet deep. meeting had been called to take in­ The Old Baldwin quarry was full to consideration the project of of water. The old foundry build­ building a street railroad between ing was submerged, the water being the village and the depot. Mr. A. three feet deep in the engine room. "\V. Bishop presented some esti­ The loss of property is sustained mates of the cost of material made chiefly by the quarries and the C. after consultation with parties in­ C. C. & I. The amount will ·be terested in street railroads in Cleve_ around $25,000.00. land. He stated that flat rail weigh­ ing 30 pounds to the yard can be Berea Library Association purchased for $56.00 per ton of A Berea Library Association was 2240 pounds, making the cost of organized :Monday evening, March iron for I mile and 30 rods, the 8, 1883, in the B rick Church, distance from Bridge Street to the shares were sold at $1.00 each. new depot, $2887.50. Estimated $115.00 was subscribed. The fol­ cost of stringers, ties and two cars lowing officers w e r e elected: including freight on the latter, President, L. G. Hamilton; Vice $4,958.21. "T" rail will cost consid­ President, A. E. French; Secretary, erably more. J. W. Bowlus; Treasurer, Dr. H. By request, the secretary read 48 Historical Stories of Old Berea the charter of the Berea Street rock are very scarce it was care­ Railroad Company, dated Novemr fully preserved by Mr. F. M. ber 22, 1873-with Samuel Hittell, Stearns, president of the Berea George Nokes, M. MacDermott, Stone Co. Prof. Newberry request­ Joseph Nichols, E. J. Kennedy, T. ed the specimen sent to him in New C. 1\-Iattison, E. F. Benedict, and York for classification and a scien­ A. J. Campbell as corporators. Mr. tific paper. McDermott and Mr. Kurtz argued Mr. A. A. Loomis, successor to that the road ought to be built to 0. H. Perry, is an experienced and the South side. The subscription successful business man, who came books were opened and $1500.00 to Berea from Richfield, Ohio. He subscribed in addition to the is one of a family of seven brothers, amount taken by Mr. Nichols. The the eldest ,being Prof. E. S. Loomis, meeting then adjourned. of the University. Mr. Loomis is a worthy successor to 0. H. Perry Steam Road Wagon and will undoubtedly hold most of (1874) the trade which the latter built up during his long business career in Mr. "'\V. S. Simpson, jeweler, of Berea. His advertisement will be this village has invented and nearly found in another column. We be­ completed a steam wagon for com­ speak for him a cordial reception mon roads. He made a trial on the among Berea's business men and a streets last Saturday evening and fair recognition from the public. although some parts were incom­ plete, the performance was such as Hugging Bees to indicate a final success. A five­ horse power upright engine with Hugging Bees, as they are calledll boiler, is mounted on three wheels, is a popular drawing card for the power is applied to two wheels church fairs. The modus operendi in the rear, by m.eans of endless is to blind-fold the m-en and charge chains and the apparatus for guid­ them for a five-minute hug. Prices ing, to the single wheel in front. generally are as follows: Girls, 12 The appearance on the street of to 16, 25 cents; 16 to 25, 50 cents; such a novel vehicle attracted quite another man's wife, in good health, a crowd of spectators. $1.00; old maids, 3 cents, or 2 fo~ 5 cents. Fossil Building the Old Red Interesting Discovery on October 22, 1874. In one of the extensive House quarries of the Berea Stone Co., in The writer (Rev. Wm. M. Os­ this place, the workmen recently borne), a mere boy, was present exposed to view, on splitting a large at the raising of ."The Old Red block of stone, the fossil remains House" near the college campus, of a complete fish about 12 inches which probably .might have been in length and two to three inches in for gotten but for two striking inci­ breadth, with head, body and tail dences, clearly proving that early all complete. The strata in which impressions are the most impress­ it was found was a sheet of rock ive and lasting. William Porter, about four feet thick and still above afterwards the son-in-law of ..Tona­ this the top rock about a foot thick. than Vaughn, then living at the R. As such specimens in the Berea R. Crossing and employed in the and Middleburgh Township 49 construction of the building,_ acci­ fatigue of the journey, he slept dently fell from the loft and was from daylight until some time in picked up apparently dead, but he the night. He was alone in the soon returned to consciousness and house, no one living near and he was kindly cared for by Aunt Mary had a thousand dollars in bills and Baldwin and others until he was 19 dollars in silver in change. He able t:J •be conveyed to his own awoke with a choking sensation home. The other striking occurrence and realized that a strong hand was was the erection of the building on his throat. He struggled to re­ without the aid of whiskey, an inno­ "Iease himself and in doing so his vation startling for those days and clothes fell from the bed and the yet one which John Baldwin was silver jingled when it struck the quite willing to introduce. For floor. At this the robber picked up many years the upper part of this the clothes and fled, carrying with antiquated building was occupied him only the silver, the bills were for a place of preaching, where the safe. Another tim-e he put several old circuit riders, such as: Short­ hundred dollars on the ground legged Wilson, as he was called, and while he picked apples in his Berea an Irishman by birth; Hazzard, Yo­ orchard, and for got it. Two or cum-, Kellam, Connant, Sheldon, three weeks after, when he had giv­ .Janes, Poe, Power, Gurley and en up all hopes of finding it, it was others. found and returned to him, not a dollar was missing. Hon. John Baldwin Born in Brantford, Conn., Oc­ Reminiscences of Berea tober 13, 1799. Married Mary D. Letter from U. C. Van Tyne Chappell, in 1828, he emigrate

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