THE MEEKER, OHIO REVIEW
On December 19, 1966 the Women's Society of this community gave a Christmas Luncheon for the Senior Citizens. The luncheon was served country style. Twenty-seven were present. A review of Meeker History was given, which proved quite interesting. It was decided to compile a History of stories, reminiscence of the group---a great regret is in entering upon this work, it will not be a full History, but gathering the notes and facts has been a delight and amazing in such memories. We owe thanks to each Senior Citizen who has contributed to this review.
Stories we have heard and read of this little town, give us a touch of pride, romance and pioneering. The "Old Swimming Hole", by James Whitcom Riley, is accurately descriptive of our own thought that we quote the following lines:
" Oh the old swimming 'hole' In the long days,
When the hum-drum of school made so many runaways,
Now pleasant was the journey down the old dusty lane,
Where the track of our bare feet was printed so plain.
You could tell by the dust and the sole, there was lots
Of fun on hand at the old swimming 'hole'.
" Oh the old swimming 'hole' where I last saw the place,
The scenes was all changed, like the change in my face,
The bridge of the rail road crosses the spot,
Where the old diving hole lies sunk and forgot.
And I stray down the banks where the trees used to be
But never in my life will there shade shelter me.
And I wish in my sorrow I could strip to the soul;
And dive off in my grave like the old swimming hole.
Many happy reflections casts their shadows in silhouette, the setting sun, the rising sun's full ray's on the church and (as of today) to see people wending their way in the sunlight to the house of God, was (and is) a happy, peaceful and sacred scene. Closeness of families and friends, taking time to stop and chat awhile, the helping hands-- the togetherness of a small town. "As distance lends enchantment to the view", so age adds value and importance to a knowledge of persons and events. "So whether we were the preachers children, the shoe makers--or the tailor's son--there is a rich and worthy commeration to the legacy they left us".
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Anderson, Lewis ..........................................................................................Marie Davis
Anderson, Marie
Anderson, LeRoy* .......................................................................................Mildred Day
Anderson, Mildred
Barnthouse, Cora (Coon) ............................................................................ Homer Barnthouse*
Borland, Lawson ........................................................................................ Edna Lutt*
Burnsides, Mae (Soules).............................................................................. Edgar Burnsides*
Carpenter, Maemie (Metz).......................................................................... Robert Carpenter*
Carpenter, Grace ......................................................................................... Noah Carpenter*
Carr, Dan .................................................................................................... Margaret Schaber*
Chambers, Gordo ....................................................................................... Hope Corey
Chambers, Hope
Corey, Irvin .............................................................................................. Mabel Hill
Corey, Mabel
Day, Mae (Metz)......................................................................................... Vern O. Day*
Denney, Stella (Thacker)............................................................................. Ernest Denney*
Ferguson, Margaret .................................................................................... Berlin Ferguson*
Gamble, Nellie (Seacord)............................................................................. Earnest Gamble*
Haley, Rev. Fredrick W.............................................................................. Grace Hilda
Haley, Grace
Hecker, Vern* .......................................................................................... Marina Criswell
Kraner, Millie (Clixby) ............................................................................ Ralph Kraner *
Layman, Walter* ..................................................................................... Imo Fritch*
Mattix, Ruth (Smith) ............................................................................... Emil Mattix *
Mawer, Margie (Cheney) ........................................................................ Edwin Mawer*
Metz, William ......................................................................................... Kathryn Cleveland
Metz, Kathryn
Miller, Earl ............................................................................................... Mable Brown
Miller, Mabel
Miller, Arnold .......................................................................................... Gladis Roux*
Murphy, Oscar* ....................................................................................... Mildred Rhoads
Murphy, Mildred
Newport, Ellen* ........................................................................................ Ronald Newport*
Peters, Iva* ............................................................................................... Frank Peters*
Potts, Gerald B............................................................................................. Rowena Sims
Potts, Rowena
Rhoads, Florence (King) .......................................................................... Dale Rhoads*
Rhoads, Harold ......................................................................................... Neva Hatfield
Rhoads, Neva
Roszman, Odessa* .................................................................................... Ralph Roszman*
Schaber, Grace
Schlecht, Helen (Smith) ............................................................................ William Schlecht*
Schlecht, Bernard ...................................................................................... Gladis Tong
Schlecht, Gladis
Schertzer, Lucy ......................................................................................... Bruce Schertzer*
Schreck, Helen (Pace) ............................................................................... Gene Schreck*
Soules, Charlotte (Clixby)......................................................................... Richard Soules*
Shotte, Florence (Clay)* ........................................................................... Clay Shotte*
Schmidt, Edna (Heil) ................................................................................ Edward Schmidt*
Swick, Monnie (Freshcorn) ...................................................................... Clarence Swick*
Thibaut, Mary (Burge) .............................................................................. Henry Thibaut*
Thomas, Maud (Gutherie)*........................................................................ Earl Thomas*
Waer, Ilda (Harris) ....................................................Carl Williams* / Foster Waer
Washburn, Frank* .................................................................................... Elsie Gore
Wood, Eva ................................................................................... Howard Wood
* DECEASED
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OUR LITTLE TOWN
This little town, of many names,
Stands quiet and serene;
It shows not a sign as we pass by
Of the things its years have seen.
There was a time it was quite small,
A general store and post office was about all.
The years have passed by, and now my Friend
We are reviewing it all over again.
There is many a name of prominence and renown
That have lived and shared in our little town.
Often we wonder, in this Life's mad race,
Have the years been kind to our little place?
Schools, picnics, In Fares, how memories soften our
youths lovely face.
There was the jolly Cookston boys, Heckers, Woods and
Bakers, Davis, Metz, Wiles, McKelveys and James,
Fords, Shultz, Murphys, and Andersons, That Lewis was
the one who woo'd and married our Marie,
It is all in the Review for us to see.
Many a scholar graced its schools,
Many a teacher taught the rule; Mildred, Auril,
Earl and Jim, Mae Mac, Vern all pass in review,
Maemie, Jessie Lelah, Iscah and Bill, the Metz
Children, Paul Chonet, the grand master, all taught
school.
To name them all, there would be no end
From our little town around the bend.
It would be a joy, if we could behold
A picture of all the Memories its story has told.
We love the memories of the past,
A toast we give today; To Cochranton, Scott-Town MEW- as....
And Meeker too,
We bring you varied memories, to share in the Review.
Kathryn Metz
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At the four corners of Grand, Salt Rock, Big Island and Montgomery Townships is the little town of Meeker, Ohio. In the early day's the little hamlet was Cochranton, Scott Town It was a community of Inns, Taverns, Blacksmith Shops, Livery barn, Wood making shop, Casket making, Hardbakes Milliner shop, Stone Mason works, Scale and Stock Yard.
Up to 1812 but few attempts were made to invade the country, thus still in reserve except a restless hunter or trader who sought the fine game of the plains for meat or pelts. Bee hunters, a venturesome set, who preferred to line a bee tree to any other pursuit, brought back rich treasures of sweets that of the wild bees. Several trails or war roads :led through Marion County.
Some say Daniel Markley built the first cabin in what is now Montgomery Township in about 1820. He kept sort of a wilderness entertainment house for all who passed by. This being the only traveled trail for twenty or thirty miles up and down the river. He vacated in 1824 and the cabin was destroyed by fire during the burning of the woods. The place was afterwards known as the site of "Danny's Cabin". The next was Samuel Franklins at Cochranton.
William Virden one of the pioneers that settled near Meeker, cleared away space and built a cabin, at the date of his settlement here, there were only Indian Trails leading from his property to county roads, and primitive conditions prevailed. For a number of years his neighbors were Indians, with them records show he maintained peaceful relations.
The coming of William Cochran in 1823 starts the names of our little town. He came from Penn., bought a section of land (640) acres opened a store and later a post office was established, and they named it Cochranton. Col. Cochran lived here until 1827-28, then moved to Grange County, Ind., and died their later. Cochran lived in the cabin built by Samuel Franklin, later built a frame 18 by 20 feet in size. The Post Office was in this building. Cal. Cochran was a worthy specimen of frontiersman, he could crack a joke or tell a story with fluency sufficient to attract attention in almost any company. He was an active church member taking part in all services, but would not hesitate to kill a deer even on the Sabbath Day if one came near his cabin. The frugal and industrious always finding him a friend in deed.
When a pioneer set his feet towards new land, with a dream of his own home and family, he took three things with him, his gun, axe and his seeds. We wonder at what he knew, here was a man who could build a cabin, house, ore barn, a scoot or a wooden pipe, cut posts, split rails, cut his timber and season it, make fences, lay up walls and dig wells. He was a sower, repairer, reaper, cattleman, shepherd, veterinarian and butcher, and on the lighter side he smoked his meat, tended bees, made sugar and cider, grew fruit. In this time every thing had a value, and nothing was discarded, seeds the irreplaceable were stored away, a handful of seeds if a man had none, could have been given for a gift of need, is beyond value.
After Cochran went west, Alexander Gillespie was postmaster, served two or three years, Frazier Gray succeeded him and served till his death which occurred ten years later.
Herman Scott came in 1844, bought 120 acres of Cochran's land and he started a store, and the town was changed to Scott Town, but the Post Office remained Cochranton. In 1851 Scott went to California, and other merchants were subsequently Thomas Mahal, Allen Delong, W. C. Delong, for about four years John Kennedy, A. W. Buell, John Hosetter and John Grubb, Dr. Stroup was physician and druggist.
First settlers were Ebenezer Roseberry, Valent, Albert Alcott, Billes, Hugh Smith, Enoch Clark, Mahlon Marsh, Richard Hopkins, John McKelvey, and Platt Brush. People were in a condition of complete social equality. The rich and the poor dressed alike, men wearing hunting shirts and buck skin pants; women in coarse fabric produced by their own hands.
About 1905 or 06, there came to Scott Town a man by the name of Meeker. He formed a company to have an inter urban line through. Ell Masons barber shop was to be the station and ticket office, but the plans did not materialize. At that time the name was change to Meeker, Ohio.
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The George Rhoads home now occupied by Raymond Rhoads and family (grandson) is one of the oldest homes.
The Al Rhoads home owned by Florence Rhoads, also one of the old land marks. They came here from New Jersey by covered wagon and his name was Alpha Omega Rhoads. (Sounds like they lived close to their Bible.)
The old community house (which stood back of Maemie Carpenters home) held a lot of memories, school days, community activities. There was an artist by the name of Julies Delbus sat on Wiles' front porch and painted a picture of the old community house, and Francis Gamble said this picture was on display in Washington, at one time.
Before the Union Church was erected, the Methodist and Christian Societies held meetings in the Seaborn School House, the church was built in 1865 for $2,200, besides $50.00 for the ground, Zion, Paw-Paw and Free Will Baptist. All used this Church.
The Methodist Church at this time organized in 1868 at the school house, eleven members, for about three years the meeting were held in the school house. A church was erected in 1871, in size 34 by 48 feet, at the cost of $3,000. Pastors were: (J. Parlett, C. Weaver, D. R. Rinehart, J. V. Stanley, R. Hager, E. H. Cammans, C. M. Biedasil, J. Williams, and P. L. Webster).
Falling of the stars was on November 13, 1833, people gathered together to pray and ask God for more time, this was told by John Dutton.
GRAND TOWNSHIP---Receive its name (Grand) from the fact that it was the largest division of the county. At this time there were quite a number of settlers, at the first election, held on June 26, 1824, twelve votes were cast for William Cochran, who was justice of the peace. The first school house built about 1827, Miss Nancy Brown was school teacher, another was Michael Vincent, a good teacher, but cross and followed the old fashioned theory that if you spared the rod you spoiled the child. Another was Thomas Lapham taught in schools made of logs, which was later torn down and moved to Scott Town.
We have stated that Grand Township was so named as the largest township.
SALT ROCK- the name came from the following story, by Ebenezer Roseberry: "Soon after I came to this place, I shot and wounded a large buck, not so seriously, however, but that he could get over the tall grass on three legs. In the pursuit, I stumbled over what I though was a large rock, it loch white, I turned to break off a piece, and I declared it was pure salt." Of course this provoked the mirth of the company, and in the laugh which followed, Play Bush said, " That will do, Salt Rock shall be the name of this township".
MONTGOMERY- so named by order of the Board, that Township No. 5, South of Range No. 13, and all the Virginia Military Land lying south of said township be set off so named Montgomery.
BIG ISLAND- Thursday, June 10, 1825, Township No. 5, Range 14, This was a so called center, and for a time was thought it would be the County Seat. Big Island was a "Squatters Settlement, then when the Greenville Treaty effect, this land was put up for sale, was settled by the; Brittons, Dickersons Jones, Nortons, Messengers, Metz, Wheelers, Thompsons, Dudley, and Johnson families. This was an Indian Fort, on the highest point of land in the township. Also a big grove in the center of the prairie land. The Forts, one large and one small connected by a narrow passage, were said to be well laid out by good engineers later.
SCOTT TOWNSHIP- so named for Abraham Scott, an early pioneer.
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TEACHERS-- (Schools 1915) Spring Hill, Maple Grove, Rhoads, Wildcat, Metz, Rush, Zion, Meeker High.
SALARY
M. D. Metz High School $68.00
W. V. Metz Seven Years $58.00
Bell Montgomery $58.00
Nell Young $58.00
Ercell Dickason $58.00
Vern 0. Day $58.00
Grace Titus $58.00
Louis Gracely $58.00
Bessie Roux $58.00
OTHER TEACHERS IN EARLY DAYS -- Mildred Day, Earl Thomas, LeRoy Anderson, Maemie Metz, Iscah Metz, Jessie Metz, Lelah Metz, Mae Metz, Florence King, Clarence Davis, Esther Gutherie, Maemie Montgomery and Martha Montgomery, Ernest Mason, Guy Miller, James Emmons and Paul Chonet.
W. A. Bulter Manufacturer of fine carriages, buggies, spring and wagon's repair neatly done, also a general Blacksmith 'Shop and work guaranteed.
W. R. Hatfield Carpenter and Builder.
A. T. Hedges Contractor and Builder
J. A. Holmes Carpenter and Builder.
S. S. Sprague Blacksmith of all kinds, neatly and promptly done.
J. H. Wood Merchant
Dr. Copland First Doctor
Rev. Parlet First Minister
Frank & Franty Wood Ran Hotel
On of the prominent characters of Scott Town was Billie Ducat, ran a hack driven by two horses he called Bill and Billy, took passengers to Marion, Ohio, and ran errands, brought the mail, got checks cashed for people, most anything they wanted him to do. He brought Mary Thibaut's first sewing machine out, first bakers from Marion, Ice cream to Lenn Metz who had an ice house. Uncle Lenn and Uncle John Webb had a butcher shop, and would go through the community with fresh meat, they said Lenn Metz could kill a beef faster and nicer than any one, and that he was a fine butcher.
Leonard Metz of Pennsylvania, came to Big Island Township 1822. They lived on a 140 area farm, would go Indian Mills at or near Upper Sandusky for grinding. His neighbors were Hugh Smith, Enoch Clark, the Woods', Hopkins and Carpenters. He killed 160 deer the first year. It is said he had the only rifle in the vicinity, was an expert rifleman, would hunt deer and other game for his neighbors, in exchange for rail splitting. Mr. Metz could split 200 rails in a day, and has reaped with s sickle 35 dozen sheaves of wheat. He and his boys made maple sugar and syrup every spring, had the largest camp around. Every fall an Indian by the name of Johnny Cake, would come from Sandusky with all the cranberries he could carry and traded them for maple sugar. People from miles around would have Mr. Metz daughter come and stir off their maple sugar, because they could make it such a good color. He made sugar by the barrel for winter use, and his children would have their sugar cakes put away in the barrels for winter candy. He purchased 40 acres of land at a time until he had 640 acres. Since the land was mostly woods, some were not to eager to own so much. He offered a 40 acre tract located west of the bridge, now Mae Day's land, for a team of oxen, the oxen were used for farm chores. He knew personally Indians by the names of Walker, Abe Williams, Warpol, Johnny Cake, Between the Eyes, Gray Eyes, Big Bear. There is a street in Upper Sandusky named Warpol. Lola McKelvey has his rifle. George Davis was postmaster and justice of the peace in 1858, they lived in Scott Town and ran the hotel livery barn.
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In the 1890 Enoch Clark raised turkeys and drove them to market at night they would all roost in the trees along the way. The Meeker Kenton Road was mostly sand from Clarks sand pit, now where Larry Sims lives.
Alfred Schultz had a general store, had two bull-dogs to watch Sammy Kerr and Tom Moon, had stores in Scott Town. The big snake hunt took place in Big Island on Campbells farm, headed by Cap. Jackson Bradley, twenty acres was set afire, 13,930 snakes were found after. Children were afraid to go to school. One black racer was 9 feet, 4 inches long and 7 inches circumference.
John Hostetter, agent, for fine shoes about 1890, his calling cards read: The "Candee" Rubber Boots and Shoes are the finest in the world. The Opera Rubber a light, stylish, perfect fitting shoe for sale by J. Hostetter, Cochranton, Ohio.
Mrs. Lewis Anderson has a set of teaspoons her paternal grandmother Margaret Metz (better known as Aunt Peggy) won at the first Marion County Fair for riding in the parade. She road sidesaddle on a blue roan horse. John McKelvey then a boy, walked along side, the spoons are made of German silver. Dr. William Shira of Scott Town an excellent engraver, engrave her initials on each spoon. Dr. F. F. Fields came from Midway, Ohio, set up practice in Meeker in 1915, was here many years.
One of the songs the Seniors sing is "Down By The Old Mill Stream", and it has a special story due to a youthful romance that began along the Blanchard River near Findlay, Ohio. A pretty girl around sixteen and a young fellow about ten years older, courted along the river on sunny afternoons, but the youthful romance did not end in a wedding, for the girl found a new beau and married him. In 1900 Tell Taylor, the young man wrote this beautiful song, he did not get the girl but he arose to fame by writing over one hundred songs, at one time he played with Al Jolson in New York, giving the world many hours of fine entertainment.
There was a grange in the early days, people would go together and order food through the grange. A bank was started at one time, a cement block to be used before a safe was built, but the plan's did not materialize. A rail road was started, the old bed on land between Mae Day and Walter Layman's land. There was a Ladies Aid Society of M. E. Church, they held bazaars and socials.
Eliza Ann Van Houten was a sister of Lucinda Van Houten Gray --she stuck her riding whip into the moist ground, and it grew a large willow tree on the Wiley land. Time and weather took its toll and it blew down limb by limb-- Vern Day blew out the stump around 1930. When the Nellie Gamble family came (51) years ago, she said the town of Meeker was a pretty place of all white houses, water thoughts, hitching racks and every one owned their homes.
When Oscar Murphy came from Pulaski County, Indiana, they brought twenty one head of horses. Mildred (Rhoads) Murphy's family was one of the oldest in Marion County. Henry Rhoads came in 1825, and bought 240 acres of land from the government.
George Rhoads' purchased land near Meeker in 1866, which has been in the family ever since. Leonard Metz was an early settler came in 1822, bought 40 acres at a time until he had 640 acres of land.
The Marion Daily Mirror was the daily newspaper, rates of subscription was 2 cents per copy, 10 cents a week and $3.00 a year.
The Agosta Pike was built in 1901, most of the farmers worked on it. The first Marion County Fair was held on the McKelvey farm, the race track was on Ferguson land.
An oil well was drilled on the school grounds land at time. One day Dale Rhoads grandmother had baked bread, an group of Indians came, in her excitement, she gave them all her bread. Mary Delong would ride a mule to town for a pound of sugar, soft A, was all they had.
The first car (auto) that went through Scott Town, was a Stevens owned by Gillespie and Son. In 1900, Earl Miller had a Ford and a rumble seat, went 50 miles per hour. Ora Ford built an auto, kids would ride on boards, it got up the hill and stopped, they had to walk down.
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Marie told about the old Lapham Brick, Rev. Crabtree lived there on road 27, some said it was haunted, was a spot on the floor that could not be washed away. There were whistling sounds heard, as the story goes, that a packpeddler went in, but never came out.
The price of coffee did not have the housewife in a tizy back in the good old day's, a customer paid eight cents a pound for green coffee, and 10 cents a pound for roasted coffee. In these days barter was as important as buying, for example, six bushels of apples were worth $1.25 in trade for merchandise. One bushel of potatoes was 50 cents, and a bushel of wheat was traded for a rocking chair. Seventy-five feel cherry lumber was the payment for one arm chair and eight chairs, costing $4.00. Five pounds of coal was worth 60 cents, 40 bushels of corn worth $14.00, a coffin including the box was available for $4.00 to $6.00 dollars. During the cholera epidemic in 1854, about July 20, cholera struck Marion County, and lasted until early fall, about 60 persons died. It was thought a person from Crestline, Ohio, brought it to Marion Ohio.
FRAZIER GRAY: Postmaster of Scott Town, Member of the"Blue Hen's Chickens" of The Revolutionary Army, so named for their Bravery
GEORGE GRAY: Postmaster, Justice of the Peace of Montgomery Township, Probate Judge of Marion County, Ohio in 1860. Mayor of Marion, Ohio. People spoke of him with affection and respect. Always as Judge Gray.
EARL THOMAS Auditor of Marion County, Ohio, State Representative, School Teacher.
HORACE COOKSTON State Representative and Member of Legislator 1919 to 1929
POSTMISTRESS Mae Day, Dell Rhoads, Gayle Kinsler
POSTMASTERS Colonel William Cochran; Alexander Gillispie, Herman Scott, Frazier Gray, George Gray, George Bowers
VERN DAY NOTARY PUBLIC
FRANK WASHBURN Sheriff of Marion County, Ohio
MR. AND MRS. MACK METZ Custodians of Marion County Childrens Home. Mr Metz was principal of Glenwood School in Marion, Ohio.
JAMES C. EMENS (Celebrates 50 years of Teaching) Started in one room county school near Meeker, Ohio. He has taken work in eight different colleges and Universities during his teaching career. He spent 20 years as principal of Silver Street School in Marion, Ohio. He said flunking a student now and then, never hurt a bit. He recalls a successful sales executive thanking him for not passing him one year. He said his pride was hurt, and he learned he must work to get anyplace in life.
MARTHA M. MONTGOMERY A resident of Washington D. C. for more than thirty years. Was engaged in Government Work. Was Secretary to Senator Frank B.Willis of Ohio and Secretary to Myron Y. Cooper, Governor of Ohio. Was a teacher in County Schools.
ORA G. FORD Meeker, Ohio, handy man in the area for 67 years, is the craftsman who said, "I don't have much schooling but I have studied things". (I think of Leonardo Da Vinci) who studied every phase of his art to find knowledge. Ora build his own welding machine, automatic hammer, both worked to precision. A gardner, a fine wood worker. Build his own passenger boat and boathouse at Delaware Dam. Also said, "I'm the master of nothing."
MAURICE A. VIRDEN Served as member of Marion County Health Board.
CLARENCE DAVIS A retired teacher of accounting and other business. Was student of Spcerian School of Commerce in Lakewood, Ohio, born in Meeker, Ohio, taught in Marion, Ohio schools.
GEORGE W. BAKER Had a band. Baker was known as Marion's "Music Man," from 1890 to 1900. Bakers Band always played at the Farmers Picnic at the Fair Ground, and Blow Grove near Meeker, Ohio. He directed the band up until the Spring of 1917.
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GEORGE GRAY At the age of 21, he married Mary Jane Barr, and on May 20, 1829, he and ten other people started for Ohio from Sussex County, Delaware. Their sole equipment consisted of a wagon and two horses. They traveled over the old National Road. Took nothing but bedding and clothes to save their horses they walked. With Mountains to cross over all the hazards of the wild regions feed to be prepared camp fashion, children to watch, their health and safety. This was a journey of courage. All was young and strong. The journey was made in the summer, one wagon to climb in for shelter. Now some wishes they had kept a diary. When they got here, earlier Delaware immigrants and old neighbors had preceded them. The McKelveys, Frames, Rhoads, Virdens and Waples. It was possible to raise a house in a few days, neighbors all gave a hand to the erection of a log house. George bought a one hundred and sixty acre farm northeast of Scott Town. It was later owned by the Lee family, then the Green Family. George did Beautiful wood work, houses, barns, furniture and veneer coffins. Scott-Town was a hamlet of log houses with but one large frame house in the center of the village, which become the family home of the Grays for many years. These early families lived by their own labors, even sugar cane from their own sugar trees, and white sugar was unknown, because they were so far from a water mill. Corn bread, hominy, and hog meat, and game such as rabbit, wild turkey and squirrels. Also vegetables, wild greens made up the diet that under skilled hands was delicious.
DALLAS DAY Held offices of County Recorder, Deputy Auditor, Assistant County Clerk and Recorder holding many offices of honor and trust.
The date of the arrival of the Wyandots and Ottawas in this county cannot be fixed with entire certainty, but is supposed to have been sometime around 1700 and 1725. The seat of the Hurons and Wyandots were upon the Sandusky Plains. The pioneers of Marion County speak very kindly of the Wyandots as a people, and gave them a high~character for integrity, fidelity and intelligence. Among them are favorable remembered Crane, Summundewat, Roamtenne, Walker, Johnnycake, Between The Logs and Captain Pike.
Friendly, yet savage, the Huron waged war upon the early settlers and carried to captivity so many persons that special expeditions were necessary for their recovery. Novel, story and song have all united in embalming the pages of history, legend and verse.
The burning of Col. William Crawford was an act of war, a brave officer of the Revolutionary War, the Delaware executed Crawford by right of capture, a Delaware having had that no mean honor, as it was considered among the tribes.
When they came to a white mans cabin, they expected to receive the hospitality of its inmates, if they did not, they were much offended. They would say, "Very bad man, very bad man". They would not accept a bed, they carried blankets, and would spread them on the floor.
It was a sad and mournful spectacle to witness these children of the forest slowly retiring from their childhood home, that contained not only the graves of revered ancestors, but also many endearing scenes. They felt that they were bidding farewell to the hill's valley's and streams of their infancy, the more exciting hunting ground of their advanced youth, as well as the stern and bloody battlefield where they had contended in their manhood, all these they were leaving behind them to be desecrated by the plowshares of the white man.
Adieu to the graves where my fathers now rest!
For I most be going afar to the West.
Adieu, ye tall oaks, in whose pleasant green shade
In childhood I rambled, in innocent played.
Adieu ye loved scenes which bind me like chains,
While on my gay pony, I chased O'er the plains.
Adieu, to the trails, which for many a year
I have traveled to spy out the turkey and deer!
Sandusky, Tymochtee and Scioto streams
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Never more shall I see you, except in my dreams.
Adieu, dear white friends, who first taught me to pr
And worship my Maker and Savior each day.
Pray for the white native, whose eyes overflow
With tears at our parting, Alas! I must go.
In Wyandot County the church is surrounded by a very old cemetery, where a few Indians are buried, among them the first converts, Between the Logs, who was quite a prater and participated in a number of Councils and Treaties. And in the cemetery is a headstone made famous by Ripley. The Wyandot moved to the West in 1843 and the church was abandoned, it was restored in 1865 and today is a National Landmark.
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Copied from The Marion Star - Tuesday October 31, 1950
Editor of The Marion Star: Clean honest government can be had only by election to office those whose, character, honesty, integrity and reputation are above reproach.
Having served 25 years in the political arena I am beginning to wonder if we are not heading for destruction. We are in a state of confusion. Congress admits being confused. What sound reason could the average voters have for not being confused? We nominate and elect men for high office and what do we get? In New York State they bribe a candidate to withdraw. In Kansas City they steal the ballot boxes. In Congress they pad the payrolls and in Washington they give away deep freezes. Election day is close at hand and it's one of the most important elections in history. Four hundred and thirty-five Representatives and forty-five Senators are to be elected. This is the time for stay-at-home voters to take the time and cast your ballot for the candidates of your choice after having checked the qualifications of each candidate.
Ohio is the battleground. Has the time come when a man who has given 12 years of his life for the improvement of living standards, better working conditions, aid to education and many other pieces of legislation too numerous to mention, that a small group of rabble-rouser will be able to crucify his political life for the sake of power?
Don't let this happen in Ohio. Your vote is necessary to preserve our way of life. Accepting little Joe as their Candidate for U. S. Senator has been a bitter pill for these power-grabbers to swallow. They did every thing possible to defeat him in the primary. Failing in this, they purchased little Joe body and soul. To date I have heard or read of one qualification he has for the high office of U. S. Senator. They have financed his smear campaign, because the salary of the State Auditor does not justify such expenditures. This small group is not voting for little Joe, they are voting against Senator Taft.
The latest gutter-type propaganda being put out by these rabble-rousers from outside Ohio is that they can tell how the worker votes, and if it is not for the candidate of their choice you will lose your job. That is a barefaced lie. Check the qualifications of the two candidates for U. S. Senator, and then vote for the one whom you think will best serve your State and Nation. Earl E. Thomas R. F. D. 6 Marion, Ohio
His First Recollection Dates Back to 1846
"Boiling Spring" and The Cold Clear Water
First Post Office in Town, now 100 Years Old, Opened by Cochran.
During 1923 many historical and interesting events were held in Marion County and some among these was the Meeker Centennial Saturday, November 19, was declared a holiday at Meeker and in addition to the entire citizenship taking part many former residents, who left Meeker years ago, returned for the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the founding of Meeker formerly, Scott Town.
A. B. Gray one of Meeker first and oldest residents, prepared a very interesting historical sketch of the growth and development of Scott Town, covering a period of about eighty years. Mr. Gray relates many incidents which give color to the sketch. As follows:
"My first recollection of Scott Town dates back to 1846, when I was five years old. I then lived with my family on the farm now owned by the late Marion Green, which my father purchased in 1829, shortly after he moved into Ohio from Delaware. It was in Delaware that all of my family with the exception of my oldest brother was born."
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THE BOILING SPRINGS:
"One day T had gone with my brother, John to visit my grandfather Frazier Gray, who lived on the hill just east of Scott Town. The Farm now owned by Samuel Morral. My brother told me he would take me to Scott Town to see the Boiling Spring, but I was much surprised and not a little disappointed to find that the water was cold and clear and had a strong taste of sulphur. The name "Boiling Spring" was used instead of "Bubbling Spring." This spring was on the lot afterwards purchased by Jacob Schultz and was filled up several years ago."
"Scott Town" when I first saw it, was a very small village all of the houses being constructed of logs and with the School house and one general store stood on the main street. The store was operated by Beebe and Beatty and stood on the site of present residence of Mr. Opperman. It was in this store that I spent my hard earned pennies for candy.
Mr. Beatty, partner in the firm of Beebe and Beatty, left Meeker later in life and was elected to Congress. His partner, Beebe, married Mary Scott, daughter of Herman Scott, founder of Scott Town. In 1849, shortly after his marriage, Mr. Beebe and wife, and Mr. Scott and a number of Scott Town residents, caught the fever of the California Gold Rush and left Scott Town for California. Before the party had traveled half the distance across the continent the members became discouraged through the loss of about half of the party and an epidemic of cholera. Mr. Scott and Joseph Shoots were so disheartened that they turned back and came home. Others of the famous Forty- Niners were James McKelvey, a brother-in-law of Mr. Scott, and John Hopkins. Mr. McKelvey returned to Scott Town two years after he started but Mr. Hopkins never returned although he lived many years.
HOUSES STILL STANDS:
The house constructed by Mr. Scott is still standing and is located at the rear of the home of Mrs. Sarah McKelvey. This farm was previously owned by Mr. Dick and Mr. Carpenter, whose subsequent movements I have no knowledge of.
In my early youth, when Meeker had just started to grow, we attended school at the Eagle School House and my school mates included the Taylors, Thompsons, Kings, Mousers, Davidsons and Marshs, none of whom are living to my knowledge.
Sunday School and Church Services were held at the old Union Church which was constructed early in the history of Meeker by popular subscription, each person in the community contributing a log or two. Others would contribute a tree for shingles which were made on the ground with saw, ax, trowel, mallet, drawing knife with the expenditure of much energy.-Others gave logs to make into flooring and siding and carpenters gave their time without cost. Nails were purchased by the wealthier residents. Some of the lumber was sawed in Fehl's saw mill near Marseilles on Tymochtee Creek. This mill was run by water power and was also a grist mill, the nearest one to Meeker.
FIRST POST OFFICE:
The first post office at Scott Town was opened by a man named Cochran for which the post office was named calling it Cochranton. This was before my recollection but I remember hearing that he built the first house in Scott Town on the hill across from the present site of the church, and constructed a tavern for the accommodation of the steady stream of emigrants going west. Almost any time during the early days of Scott-Town one or more emigrant trains were in sight and every family along the road was always ready to give assistance to travelers. They were made doubly welcome as they almost always could tell the latest news from the East and often from the loaf home or neighborhood.
The main line of travel through this part of the State lay between Marion, Ohio, and Kenton and another tavern stood just west of Scott Town on the Washington Miller farm known as Riegel's tavern and stood still farther west, near the present site of Hepburn was Wheeler's tavern.
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MOVED TO FARM:
In 1851, we moved to the farm of George Rhoads neighbors included the Days, Hopkins, Woods, Spanglers, Frames, Metz, and Brittians. Among my schoolmates were Ab Jesse and John Rhoads, Hop, Martha, and Jane and all the Spanglers and Brittians.
While we lived on the farm the mail was carried on horse back from Marion, to Findlay once a week, the carrier delivering to all towns and villages along the route. He also delivered the mail to my father for which he received the sum of fifty cents a year, which was considered fair pay in those days.
At this time land was increasing in value very fast. My father bought his land for $18.00 an acre and sold it three years later for $30.00 an acre. In 1858, he bought the Scott farm, now owned by Mrs. Sarah McKelvey, for $50.00 an acre. After 1854, our home was in Scott Town and among our Friends and neighbors were the Porters, Smiths, Browns, Virdens, McKelvey, Van Houtens, Clements, Holmes, Mears. A family named Dodd moved into the neighborhood about this time and another by the name of Davis, Nathaniel Osborn, and William Dodd had a mill across the road, and a little south where Ernest Wiley's barn now stands.
WHERE SCHOOL HOUSE STANDS:
Al and Washington Delong had built a small structure and established a store on the lot where the spring was still bubbling out and where Jacob Schultz afterward had a shoe shop. Two men, named Edington and Pizley, had a blacksmith shop where the present barber shop now stands and a frame school house stood where the community house now stands. The Webbs, Hatfields, Masons, Butlers, Clarks and many others had moved in the town, and it grew slowly, but it was not until the Chicago and Atlantic Railway was surveyed half a mile south of town in early seventies that the streets running north and south were platted. The mail was still brought from Marion once a week, but later was carried from Agosta three times a week.
Many interesting incidents of these early days come to my mind. In the year 1853 there was disagreement in Marion County Agricultural Board, the West end of the County felt that they were not treated fairly so they decided to have a fair of their own at Scott Town. It was held in a grove in Scott Town and, as there were no buildings in which to house the displays, the many exhibits were displayed to the best advantage on trees and stumps, the quilts and fancy work being hung on branches. Every effort was made to out-do the regular County Fair at Marion, Ohio.
A pioneer of Marion County, writes on early times--The escape of Dr. Knight from a horrible death by Indians, in 1782 is recalled by finding a gun that figured in Knight's thrilling experiences.
The pioneer of this state are becoming fewer each year, and the link that connects the early days with the present will soon be lost. Our pioneers of Marion County are also becoming less each year and as time travels along, things that are related by them will become legendary to the community and coming generations.
Don't we always single out the pioneer and talk of the things and times gone by, this is not confined to the elder alone, but the young, as well, like to listen to tales of Indians life and pioneer trails. With-in our County, in the Big Island Township, lives one of our pioneers, Samuel Day, and it is a pleasure to converse with him on subjects pertaining to early times. This County has been always his home, and he has before him in memory the panorama of the wonderful development of a wooded wilderness to a productive land. We are confident our readers will pursue with interest the information, Mr. Day has to give of the early days in Marion, County. My father, Ovington Day, was one of the early pioneers of this county, having moved his family from Ross County, Ohio, in the Fall of 1823, settling in Big Island Township on the farm now owned by my brother Allen Day. The house into which we moved had been built in the year previous and is on what is known as the Old Indian trail from the Sandusky to the Mad River Country. The trail at that time was a noted Indian thoroughfare, popular to them perhaps because it ran near a never failing spring of most excellent water, situated close to where they crossed Tymochtee Creek, and in which was a badly rotted gum tree, which from its appearance had seemingly stood there for generations. The writer was at that time between four and five years of age, but can distinctly remember seeing them passing by, one behind the other when on their annual hunting excursions, as the trail lay within fifty feet of our door. They could be seen very
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often in groups of a half dozen or more passing by. Our home was within five miles of the Scioto River, on either side of which was a dense forest of unbroken timber. In about the month of September they built their shanties and remained until the approach of cold weather, spending their time in killing deer, turkeys and other game, drying the meats, cutting bee trees, and digging and drying roots and herbs for the medicine man, who compounded them and dealt them out to his patients with as much pomposity as do some of our doctors who can hardly write an M.D. large enough when writing their names.
Prior to my coming here with my parents, about the year 1820 the pioneer who settled in Salt Rock Township from Clark and Champaign Counties, followed the same trail which crossed the Scioto about three miles east of La Rue at what was known as Markley's Ford, where Markley had erected a cabin shortly after the war 1812. This route was then called the Markley trail, but was afterwards called the Mechanicsburg trace. The pioneers before mentioned were Hugh V. Smith, David Smith, John and Edward Thompson, the Lapham brothers, Mahlon Marsh, Harrison and Pyton Kelley, who became prominent agriculturist of this county and left valuable estates to their many descendants. Only one man remains today in the Western part of the county who came here two years previous to my coming, who remembers the time and incidents of which I am writing.
Being a reader of the history of Crawford's campaign and defeat it might be interesting to some of you readers should I touch upon some of the incidents that happened at that time, and those who are familiar with the history of the same time Crawford was and when he was burned the Doctor was told that his fate was to be the same, but not then or here, but would be taken to the Shawnee towns, Wapatomacia or Macinchack, on the headwaters of the Mad River, east of where Bellefontaine now stands. Accordingly the next morning the Doctor and his Indian escort were started from an Indian town which is now called. Crawfordsville, seven or eight miles northwest of Upper Sandusky, and when night came the distance covered was judged by the doctor to be about twenty-five miles. When morning came and the Indians arose to build a fire the Doctor asked him to untie his hands that he might help build the fire, it was done, and as the Indian got down on his knees and elbows to blow the fire the Doctor picked up a piece of tent pole, which he said was burned to about eighteen inches in length and with all his might the Indian across the back of the head bringing him face down almost info the fire, but instantly springing to his feet went whooping and yelling and bounding away.
The Doctor picked up the Indian's gun and in haste cocked it broke the main spring, which allowed the Indian to make his escape. Knight then took the Indians gun, blanket and "hoppes" (haversack) and started almost directly east, and in his words he examined the broken lock, and finding the gun to be useless threw it to the ground and proceeded upon his journey home through unbroken wilderness. He reached the Ohio River on the 4th of July, twenty-eight days he had joined the ill-fated expedition of the lamented Crawford.
Now, having been a reader of history for the past sixty-five years and never having seen anything therein by which the spot upon which their fight could be located, which took place on that 13th day of June, 1782, I believe now that I have a clue which unravels the mystery and points out the spot, which undoubtedly is situated near the spring on Allen Day's farm, in section 6, Big Island Township, as the gun minus the stock so long ago thrown away by the Doctor has recently been plowed up by Mr. Melville Dodds and is now in his possession. In describing the same will say the barrel is thirty inches in length, the middle of which is smaller than either end, caused by rust, and is of the bell muzzle make. When in order it carried a half ounce ball. The lock is badly rusted and immovable, but shows by its superior workmanship that the maker was master of his trade.
The foregoing incident is described in Howe's History of Ohio and Butterfields History of Crawfords Campaign.
Samuel Day
by Edna Button
The Meeker Methodist Church was organized in the spring of 1868 at a meeting held in the school house. John Sites (Seitz) presided, and attended were W. A. Butler, C. Postle, M. J.
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Webb, J. H. Mason, S. S. Sprague, S. Pixley, W. R. Hatfield, H. Brown, E. Brown and Jane Gray. The official members were, W. A. Butler and J. H. Mason.
For about three years meetings were held in the school house and in 1871, a church was erected at a cost of $3,000. Size was 32 by 48 feet. Officials at the time were J. B. Virden, J. C. Clark and H. Mason. Board members were Willie Robertson, H. M. Virden and W. Davis.
In 1908 the building was rebuilt. There was an old reed organ. In 1948 it was remodeled and turned around. Ministers, Rev. John Parlet (68-69), Rev. O. Weaver (69-70), Mrs. Grace Parlett Seifert talked at the Dedication. Rev. D. B. Reinhard (70-71), Rev. B. Stacley (70-73), Rev. Hazen (73-74), Rev. E. H. Cammon (74-76), Rev. M. L. Seritees (76-77), Rev. T M. Burdall (77-78), Zion Church, Rev. J. William (78-80), Rev. P. T. Webster (80-83). They were assigned at Christian conference then changed to September conference. Rev. Elwood Perry came at the time as an lay preacher.
By Senior Citizens
Not honey bees, but quilting bees, husking bees, apple paring, log rolling and house railings, etc., were jolly occasions a great deal of work was done.
APPLE BUTTER MAKING:
Day before or night before, neighbors got together, and had an apple peel, visit and had a good time, Next day some cooked apples in cider, some cooked on the stove and run them through then added to cider, Apple peelers were used some of the time some by hand. Brown sugar boiled down cider, good tasters, to decide when it was ready to take off, jars were ready at the range hot, sterilized, boards, papers, etc., laid on floor, was a ticklish job to fill the jars with that good old apple-butter then to let it cool. Took all day to cook a batch of bu cinnamon oil, other spices were used. The next day to can or seal jars, clean kettles until they shown. Clean up the rest of the litter. The taste of Good old home baked bread and apple butter was worth all the work that went in it. Seems to me people did not mind the work in those days, it went along with living.
SOAP MAKING:
It was an all day job also, lye water was used, ashes leached for soft soap, kettles were put over a fire, old grease, tallow, saved from frying, lye and water, cooked all day, rosin was used, when cool, it was cut in cakes put to dry, brown in color. Sure did the work in those days. The quick way was made with one can of lye to three pints of water and five pounds of lard or grease of any kind, stirring until mixed, a tablespoons of borax made it so white, poured into shallow pans let stand over night, cut into cakes, was always so white and nice.
THRASHING:
When wheat thrashing time came, every farmer for miles around would cut his wheat and stack it. Each man would take his turn then when it came time to thrash the grain each man had to put it on the wagon with a pitch fork and take it off the same way. They had thrashing rings. The one to see the thrasher first started the round. The women folks were the last to know some times, and had to about break their backs getting ready for the day. Churn, bake bread, pies, cakes, prepare beets cottage cheese, always a feast of goodies, they told that Fred Cookston was the first down to the table and always the last up, still ate with the women, he sure liked to eat.
The man who owned the outfit, would come sometimes and stay all night, he did nothing but run the machine, men from all around would come to help. Straw flew in stacks, after it was over we filled straw ticks with new straw, sweet smelling, to put back on our beds. A big feather tick on top. Women raised geese for pillow feathers, down used in pillows for gifts.
An nostalgic reminder of the Fast Disappearing Land Marks in our community, "The Depot"
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woods, virgin soil, horses, and buggies, log cabins, homesteads, fortress of security to our way of life. Beyond high tension, speeding cars, robberies and murders. In those days people did not owe anything, they lived within their income, no relief or state aid, people got married worked in harness, and progress marches on. Spanglers and Roll Hickman had thrashing machines, and Tom Corey would stack-wheat in ricks.
WRITTEN BY MAEMIE O. CARPENTER December 1966
I remember Meeker when it wasn't Meeker at all,
But good old Scott Town to us all.
The Post Office C-ochranton by name
Was spelled C-O-C-H-R-A-N-T-O-N. Oh! Well.
It was hard to pronounce and hard to spell
Just when and why it was changed to Meeker, I can't really say.
But it seemed at times the mails become lost on the way
Sent by mistake to other towns spelled about the same.
So a change was needed in the name.
MEEKER was chosen for our Post Office and town
Named for a man Meeker perhaps of some renown.
But don't you all agree with me 'twas well
Because Meeker is easier to pronounce and easier to spell.
As you travel south from Meeker on your way
I just want to say that pike was built in the 1901
Connecting Meeker and New Bloomington.
Some of you will remember with me,
The tall stately willow tree,
That stood in the bend of the road
On a ridge near the bridge
It was a delight to see this willow tree
In the beginning it was a riding whip or a willow cane
Stuck in the ground to grow
Planted there years and years ago
By somebody, I didn't know.
In our thinking. let's more serious be,
We have a BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL church for all to see.
The doors open wide, inviting everyone to come inside,
To worship him our Lord our King.
The big red school house stands on the Northeast corner of our town.
It serves the children here and for miles around.
They come to learn from books, also the golden rule,
Here they get their start from the knowledge the teacher impart.
These few lines and in my small way,
I have told you a little of SCOTT TOWN then, MEEKER to-day.
BUTCHERING BY SENIOR CITIZENS
Charles McKelvey always helped Murphy's butcher, Sausage was mixed run into casings, which was the center of the entrails which had been scrapped, soaked in salt water, School teacher Earl Thomas always helped some and came for dinner on butchering day. When Mildred Anderson's butchered, Joe Kennel had water on long before day-light. Morris Virden, butchered when it was 17 below zero. Mildred and Vern Day helped stuff sausage, and Ann Day was so afraid they
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would get it on the it on the table
Metz's still have butchering tools, knives, kettles, gamble sticks, sausage stuffer and lard press. Boards for scrapping casings. Joe Hastings and Roy Anderson cooked lard all day. Went home to do chores. Still cooked and it wasn't made.
Hope Chambers told of making Ponhause, sweet breads were always put in lard to cook for snack. They fried down side meat, pork chops, tender loins, sausage. Put hot lard over it to keep. Meat was hot salted in later years. The salt was put in kettle after the lard was poured off, and gotten real hot, a pair of new gloves were used to rub the warm meat with salt, meat was placed on slanted boards, in out buildings to drain and drip while the salt cured the meat. After so long it was scrapped, rubbed with borax and hot pepper, put in flout sacks, placed in a good dry place to be used at ones pleasure.
The day after butchering was a work day, getting sausage cut put in dripping pans in the oven to cook until all the juice was out. Then placed in hot cans with some of the hot grease. Sealed tight turned upside down to seal let cool. Some was coiled in stone jars, put in oven to cook, then set cool. It sealed its self in the jar. Clean head meat, ears pigs feet, tongue, all were put in head meat and souse, some smoked sausage, canned tender loins, spare ribs. The cracklings were used in different ways, some put them in pon House. Deep fry is the way now, but then they put them in corn meal, cornbread.
Hams and shoulders were put in brine, a sugar cure. These were the days of good tasting meat. Ruth Mattix said you can not buy sausage today that tasted like the old days. We agreed. Rev. Haley said they would help Mr. Spears butcher. Hogs were hung on trees, skinned then taken in meat house to be cut up. He liked the meal she cooked on old cook stove. Cooked fresh cool meat. Bill Metz said they saved everything but the squeal. Mary Thiabaut said they always had them hung before day-light. Edna Schmidt always made mince meat next day. Was a big. Some had neighbors to help. Al Rhoads always had goose berry pie for butchering day. Meat was smoked with hickory bark. Used salt brine for beef, dried beef was made with salt, hung up to dry.
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Maemie told of riding horse back with Aunt Sarah, on "Old Fly" to big hill. Rev. Haley told of a picnic he remembered where a little boy got over the fence and a bear came, and they had a time, to get the boy back.
Mrs. Haley told of a picnic where her piece of chicken scooted of her plate and slid across the room, and she was so embarrassed. Mildred Anderson remembers "Blows Grove, Sunday School, and Band Concerts and ice cream".
Lewis told how the boys would stir up the yellow-jackets nests, and Walter Layman remembers watermelon, floats.
Vern Hecker started to picnic with livery Rig, but the horse stopped and they never got to picnic, but turned the horse around, and he sure headed home with out further delay.
Marie said they drove a "Surrey with fringe on top" had a worn out race horse, "Old Bird", and he got in hornets, and Harry Metz had to drive him home, and he went around every horse on the road. Neva told of Blows Grove and Gas Grove at Prospect and S. S. picnics they rode on interurban and took boat rides.
Naomi told of picnic at Put-In Bay all got sea sick, could not enjoy dinner. Roy Peters lost his hat in Lake, one of the boys said, "If I had my boots I'd walk home. Ardena said one picnic she remembered was she got such a sun burn playing ball on the sand.
Dorothy Coon said they went on picnic and girls got bit by mosquitoes so bad, they named the place Skeeterville. Mae Coon picnicked in the rain, kept on eating until water was in everything.
Ann Buck told of Hilligan Picnic, her mother played piano and she was to give a special number, "My name is Morgan, but it Hain't J. T. ". Roy Anderson said they had picnic in grove at McKelveys, He had a poster on Farmers Grand Picnic, August 24, 1910, was big affair, Warren G. Harding was there.
MY EARLY MEMORIES OF SCOTT TOWN
By Marie Anderson
When I went to church and Sunday school with my sister, the church was heated by two big wood stoves and we had oil lamps and an organ, organist was Alma Thompson or Bessie Pfeiffer and later Fern Moon Lamb. We had two seats across the pulpit, we called the Amen corner. This was often occupied by Uncle Frank Wood, Enos Holmes and Joseph Pfeiffer Sr. Mr. James Hatfield or Mr. Brunner was our janitor. Abner Miller or George Davis was Sunday School Superintendent and later Herbie Davis, Carrie Mears or Dr. Burnsides.
We used to have lecture courses in the winter and had some very fine speakers. All came in horse and buggy days and all had coal oil lamps or lanterns and foot warmers.
Our membership then consisted of the Moons, Virdens, Dodds, Absalom Rhoads, McKelveys, Cookstons, Partridges, Hatfields, Metzs, Heiners, Cramners, Hopkins, Frames, Spragues, Webbs, Hostetters, Alexenders, Davis and Smiths. When we took communion it was served in a goblet and all took a sip from the same goblet, that was in the days of long beards and handle-bar mustache. Scott Town had board side walks and hitching racks. We had a barber shop ran by El Mason, with the help of George Kennedy. We had three grocery stores, Moon and Sons, at the edge of town. Elmer Kerr in the middle of town, South side. Every one baked their own bread and most all kept a cow and horse. We had two black-smith shops and the post office was Elmer Kerr's store, and Uncle George Bowers was postmaster. We had a Hotel and Livery barn, kept by Dan and Alice Cliff and later by Henry Baker, later by Alison Clements, then George Davis, Dr. Dan Cleffe was a veterinarian. The Spangler Brothers, was our thrashers, the sheaves were bound with string and a platform was on the back of the separator and it was the job of the big boys to cut bands they called it, engine was run by steam and it would take one man to feed the engine with wood.
Our school house sat behind the church and I would stand at the window and wonder if I ever would get big enough to go to school, and wear glasses. Every summer we would have a S. S. picnic and invite other S. S. around Big Island, Salem and they would come in wagons decorated with red, white, and band blue bunting. The horses would have flags in their bridles, and DeWillis Davis usually furnished the horses and saddle and bridle for James Hatfield who was
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Marshal of the day, and would meet the visiting wagons at the gate and show them a place to unload. For our program in the afternoon each church would furnish some songs and declamations. We would even have an organ on the stage. There was no picture taking as a Kodak was not heard of then. The women all wore high top shoes and their dresses came to the top of their shoes. When ever a steam engine was going through our village they would blow the whistle at the edge of town and men would lead the horses back of grocery store and sometimes do the same if an auto drove through at 1 5 miles per hour. We had a neighborhood scale pen, farmers would drive their stock a long way, when they would sell them, to have them weighed. Uncle George Bowers was weigh master.
About 1909 several neighbors had a car load of flag stone shipped in and that was a great improvement. The present sidewalks on Main Street, are those flag stones. William Ducat ran a hack between Marion and Scott Town and he was so regular that people would set their clocks by him, that had run down. My Great Grandfather went into the grocery store one day and there lay a cat in the raisins sunning himself. That was long before the day of cellophane bags. The crackers came in barrels and we got 3 lbs. for a quarter. Lion and Arbuckles coffee sold for 15 cents per pound and every one ground their own.
In 1873 eggs were five-cents per dozen, butter, eight-cents per pound. Cattle and hogs were two-cents per pound, wheat 50 per bushel, Corn 8. My Aunt in Kansas said they had to haul their grain 40 miles to market and coal was four times more than corn, so they burned corn and twisted hay, along with cow chips.
In the Fall of 1896, McKinley was elected President and the wheels of industry began to turn. About that time Fords horseless carriages began to be seen more frequently and telephones were being installed in Scott-Town. At first we paid $1.00 per month, later it went to $1 5.90 then $18.00 per year. Our telephone was from LaRue but we had a switch board at Scott Town and central rang us by hand. Our phone hung on the wall and we had wet batteries that had to be stirred occasionally, most of us slept on feathers, and had rag rugs or carpets, made our own soap. We pieced quilts and sewed carpet rags in the winters, about this time King Brady's, Uncle George Baker gave him a phonograph and it was a big treat for us, for them to bring it to entertain or play it over the telephone, when we went to Marion we would lay our clothes out the night before and get an early start, our two seated surrey had a fringe around the top and we usually drove the farm horses. Ferris Day had a more up to date sorry with lamps on the side and nice bay team. He would be at most of the funerals and haul the family. My father would usually be one of the pall-bearers, and Auriel and Alice Moon would sing and Bessie Pfeiffer played the organ. Our funeral director was G.A.L. Marquith of LaRue and the minister would be Rev. Sutton, also of LaRue, Ohio.
Farmers would come into Scott Town the last of the week and sell their butter and eggs. They would carry oil cans as we burned coal oil lamps. All farmers did their own butchering and cured pork for the summer. We would bury apples and potatoes and cabbage for winter. So much was planted and harvested by the almanac with its signs. Cookstons, Uncle John Webb and ourselves and a few others would put up ice every winter with saw dust between and we would have ice cream most every Sunday afternoon. Otherwise, we would only have home-made ice cream when we went to festivals, Scott Town had a band also a band wagon.
By Marie Anderson
Around the turn of the Century Uncle Amos Gray had his farm up for sale, a stranger came to the house and bargained for the farm, and they were about to close the deal, one morning they got up and he was gone, and never showed up again.
About 1907 work was begun on a new church, some of the carpenters were Gene Thompson, Mr. Hatfield and Sons. I think the church was dedicated on 1908. Around 1904 and later Scott Town had two Doctors, Dr. Mattix and Dr. Burnsides. In an earlier day, Dr. Briggs who left in 1913 and Dr. Virden took his place.
At Christmas time we would have a community tree at the, church, and Santa would come and give each a sack of candy an orange. About 1905 or 06, there came to Scott Town a man by the name of Meeker and formed a company to put through a interurban line, he had a large safe brought in and it was installed in Ell Masons barber shop and that was to be the ticket office. The name of Scott Town was changed at this time to Meeker. The deal fell through with and we had no interurban some may have lost money.
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We walked to school, we had two rooms and some mighty fine teachers, we would go to school until we were fifteen or sixteen, or until we could pass the County examination. Some of the teachers would only be fifteen or sixteen. Some of us would go until we grew the seats. Some passed what was called the Boxwell examination on to high school.
Around 1906-07, Meeker was burglarized, two safes were blown, one was the Post Office, and on Monday morning my sister went to her school house, the Brown district and the burglar had stopped there and left papers from the post office safe. Well we all had a big time in our Old Town.
My mother was Flora Gray and my father, DeWillis Davis. I was the youngest of three children, born in Scott Town, September 18, 1893. That day, Dr. Curtis Briggs family, moved from Scott Town and the new Dr. John Virden officiated.
He was a man from our vicinity and stayed in town shout eight years after that, our doctor was Dr. Sheridan W. Mattix. Soon after Dr. Chas. Burnsides came and he married one of our local girls, Alma Thompson.
Scott Town had three grocery stores. Elmer Kerr, Alf Schultz and Tom Moon, a civil war veteran. We had several G. A. R. Men. One was William Kennedy, another John Alexander. One was Gene Thompson and Asa Cramner who was on the ship, "The Sultan", when it was torpedoed in Mississippi River and he was scalded so bad. Mr. William Thomas was another G. A. R. soldier. We had two blacksmith shops. One was Joseph Pfeiffer, the other, Sidney Sprague. We had a Hotel and Livery Stable and a nice barber shop with two chairs. I had a pleasant childhood and went up town most every day and notes back and forth. Milk was five-cents per quart. My mother's sister Jane Mason was crippled in her hips and seldom left home. Her home was a stopping place.
Our home was saddened in 1902 when grandmother Gray died of pneumonia. A little later my mother's health began to fail. Dr. called it bronchitis. She then went to a Marion doctor and he called it chronic bronchitis, she coughed and got weaker and weaker. In November of 1903 she went to Topeka, Kansas. In March of 1904 she came home and on June 28th, she took worse. It was her 44th birthday. She passed away on July 1st., just as the sun went down. My brother was 21, my sister 18, and I was almost eleven. Every one was so kind to me. I went to church and Sunday school. I went to school one year to my sister. I always felt cheated about relatives. My mother had one sister, no children. My father, one sister, no children. So we three were the only grandchildren on either side. We never had a first cousin or an own uncle. Aunt Jane passed away in, October 1909.
The name of Scott Town and Cochranton post office was changed about 1908. My sister, Auriel was married to Earnest Wiley, November 25, 1909. I got acquainted with Lewis Anderson in May of 1912. He was born, May 8, 1892 to Chas. and Ellen Crabb Anderson. He was the 4th child and had one sister younger than him. We had a pleasant courtship of 1 years. Horse and buggy days and we did not travel far. We were married on my 20th birthday, the 18th of September, 1913. Lewis was 21. We went to housekeeping on the Anderson farm where our four children were born. Lewis sleeps in the same bedroom he was born in 79 years ago. All of them graduated at Meeker. All of them went to college. We have nine grandchildren. We love our Grange and Church and was active in both as long as health permitted.
My first school teacher is till living, age 92 in 1971. My last teacher is living at 87 years.
I live for those who love me,
For those who love me true.
I live for those who love,
And the good that I can do.
MILLING:
Bread "The Staff of Life", was most difficult of all to get, as there were no mills in the county to
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grind the grain. Stump Mortars and graters were used, it was a tedious task, by and by horse grist mills were put in use, then water grist mills, but all together these did not keep up with the demand, then flouring mills came along.
TRADE SYSTEM:
The Hillman's Ford Road played a part in trade, or path as it was called, the original path is not used, but a few pioneer's will remember it to mind. Business of all kinds was conducted on a small scale. Goods were sold at enormous prices, and credits were the rule, but little money enter into trade. The merchant bought cattle, horses, hogs, grain, furs, etc., and turned it into money. There was a Yankee merchant opened a place and cut down the old system, by selling for cash, at small profits, the old timers who had taken up the business without training were shocked, every effort was made to drive off the Yankee, but in vain, he was here to stay. Gradually the business of the county changed into better shape and farmers prospered, for they saved half of their expenses, merchants prospered for they ceased to lose their profits in bad debts. In place of stocks of goods amounting to $2,000. or $3,000. stock of $20,000. or more began to be common. At one time wheat was hauled to the Lakes, and the teams loaded back with goods. The long haul, covered wagons, frequently fifty in one line, loaded with grain for the Lake each with bed and lunch box, its camp fires and pleasant group of story telling, all has passed and is only know as tradition.
WOMEN'S WORK:
Besides cooking, the women had nanny duties to preform, one was yarn, spinning and weaving. The Big Wheel for spinning yarn and the little Wheel for spinning flax. Sheep was raised for wool, carded and made into rolls by hand cards, then spun on the big wheel. Fabrics were dyed with walnut bark, indic., copperas, etc. Checkered cloth was woven with portions of the yarns.
The passing of the old life, as the passing of any way of life, leaves behind its pathetic clutter of things under the eaves deep in the corners of attics, barns, needful things, once that so were treasured and used, have no use now, and to some of us no meaning, (only in the antique world) that we see today is it not a sad commentary, a true one, not curious, but understandable that the change of our former pattern and needs, how and when we grow things, how to process them, for a modern world affected only a few generations of man, who's lives and economy were bent or broken, to the change of time. They said to cut timber in January, if you wish it to last long, it being the best time of year. Most true, in January. No sap runs in the tree and timber cut now is partly seasoned before it goes to the saw. But whether January or July, the timber of the old timer who cut to build his home was first growth, and would become harder and harder with age. There was an heritage in the old house, its meaning to a pioneer every thing in it would be his timber, his beams, and boards, his labor and skills (rough though it was) to hew and fashion and make a home that would stand forever on his land for his children and their generations after them.
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Thomas J. Anderson and his wife, Florence Gillespie. Today Blanch is 90 years old, still living, Harry still living. It was early in October or early in November in the year 1891, that Dad and Mother and we three youngsters started on our first trip to California. Blanch was eleven years, and Harry and I, were eight years, and Walter, five years. Also included with us was Grandmother Gillespie, Mother's mother. Mrs. Belle and a cousin and Joe Sorden, a young man who helped father on the farm; his father was a civil war veteran. They lived not too far from our farm.
We traveled on the Santa Fe R. R. It was supposed after we arrived in St. Louis that the hold-up gang boarded the train. The train was stopped in a densely wooded area, about eight miles from St. Louis. Two of the gang had climbed into the engine and ordered the engineer to cut loose from the train; they robbed the engineer and fireman of their possessions. There were seven people in the hold-up gang, six men and one woman.
They robbed the train expecting to get a large shipment of money that was supposed to be on the train. As it turned out they only got about $15,000. The big shipment was not on train. There was only one person hurt, and that was the express messenger. He refused to unload or unlock the express car door. The gangsters then blew the car door open with dynamite. The lock blew off and hurt the messenger, bitting him on the hip. They asked him to give them the keys to the safe, he refused, and then threw the keys out of the door and consequently they blew the safe open. They made no effort to molest the passengers, but men two of them entered the smoker and ordered everyone to lie down. Then they went out and started to shoot the windows out. The car had to be taken off the train at St. Louis.
Had they started in the car where I was, I am sure some one would have been hurt, for we carried our money with us. When the shooting started a trainman came into our car and turned the lights low so as not to cause a shadow, then he locked the doors at both ends of the car.
Dad was quite a hunter, and before we started on our trip he borrowed Uncle Charlie's ten gauge shotgun. He loaded quite a number of shells with buck shot, thought he might see' wild same on our way. When the trainman saw the gun strapped to our grip, he asked who owned the gun and Dad told him that he owned it, He said, "Get it out and let no one come through that door", Dad dropped down on one knee, in the aisle, about midway on the car, and a man who said he was a professor at a Kansas school, said that he had been through other robberies, stood beside Dad with his hands full of shells and said, "When I say shoot, let them have it", It nearly happened that way too. After the shooting stopped a conductor unlocked the door and started in, he would have been shot had not the man, that stood beside Dad, knocked the gun up-and said, "Don't shoot, that is the conductor".
The rear door of our car was guarded by three men with revolvers even with all the excitement there was a little funny event, the little colored boy in our car was so scared that he jumped off and ran, he wasn't on the train when it started. Maybe he is still running. One of our party, Joe Serden, forgot that he had a revolver in his pocket. The rest of the trip was uneventful and we arrived in Los Angeles in time for Thanksgiving at the home of Mother's sister and husband, Uncle Walter James. We learned that the bandits were all caught in San Francisco about six weeks later. The leader's name was a man called Slye.
My grandmother, Mary Rubins Heckathorn was born in Lincolnshire, England, on January 19, 1822. There were eight or nine children in the family. Her mother was Ann Blow Rubins and her father was Edward Rubins. They migrated to this country in 1831 end settled near Plymouth, Huron County. Later they came to Marion, County, near the Junction of what is now Ohio 37 and U. S. 30 South.
Mary married Daniel Heckathorn in 1840. (Helen Rubins married Ira Anderson, and they came to what is now Wyandot Co. near Marseilles where they moved their home until Daniel passed away in 1893. To this union was born six children. My father Jonathon Chalminers was born March 6, 1860, and was the youngest in the family. Just as he was always called, married Isabel Young in 1889. To this union was born five children. I was the middle one and was born in 1895.
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Our home is the same place where grandfather came when married. After grandfather passed away, grandmother live around with the children and spent about five months in the summertime at our house. As early as I can remember grandma took the job of dressing me in the morning and what a time when I got out of bed I could disrobe of most of my nightclothes and get some morning exercise. Grandma was not very active on her feet so all I had to do was stay out of her reach. She would scold and say you ought to be ashamed, a big boy like you running around here with no clothes on, but that did not bother me in the least, and it went until she would say "If you will get on my lap I will tell you about coming across the ocean in a sail boat". That always done the trick of catching me, I heard that story many, many, times. She told of their Lincolnshire home and how and where she and her family decided to come to America.
They did not have much of this world's goods, but were very closely drawn to what they did have. She would tell of packing the trunk that held what they did have, The first thing she did mention was the Linen English linen, good linen, and valued highly by her mother..Then the China ware and some rugs, and they had a few things they had to sell, and so had a few, or small amount of Gold.
One thing she told of selling was the white horse, Fan. All felt bad to leave Fan but Grandma said they just could not get her in the trunk. Grandpa Rubins had come to America some time ahead of them. She said they were 49 days on t boat coming over.
I did not know much about time then, but some time later l asked her why it took so long and she explained that it was a long way across the ocean, about 3,000 miles and then I asked why they didn't hurry and she said they hurried all the say. It seemed to me that 49 days would be a long time to sit still and wonder what they would sit on, then she told me Very earnestly that their mother looked after the children and the trunks and never left the trunks unless she set 3 or 4 children on them, because the trunk held all they would have then they got to America. One little boy died and was hurried at sea.
All this was a nice fairy tale to a boy 3 or 4 years old, and remained so until I began to learn in school that the ocean was big and England on the other side of it, but it seemed to far away to worry about, time passed and in 1854 an opportunity came for me to go to England, there were 12 men in the group and we left New York, August 15, and arrived in Scotland about ll hours later. Some difference than Grandma's trip coming over. The difference was we went by plane. We visited 10 countries in Europe and arrived home September 15, did this in just a few days over half the time that it took them to travel one way. In 1960 Ruby and I were in the group of men and women who went to Switzerland and time from New York, to London was less than 5 hours. I am still confused about time and traveling so will close, this right here, Grandma passed away, February ll, 1913 age 91 Years, 23 days.
By Neva Rhoads
Leah Anne Rhoads went- to High School in Marion, After they left Salt Rock Township. She did not graduate but taught school in a frame building across from Milton Rhoads farm. She taught one year and Eliza Davidson was a pupil. (Eliza married David Morral.) Annie rode a horse out on Monday morning and went back to Marion on Friday night. She boarded with her brother Milton H. Rhoads. Eliza lived with her sister, Jane D. Rhoads.
Joseph Pfeiffer Senior always came to the Milton Rhoads home in the fall and made 10 gallons of kraut for them. Best I ever Tasted.
Ruth Wyatt born in 1807 was the first white child born in Marion county.
William Brundige born in 1808 was the first male child in Marion, County.
The first deed was recorded in Marion, County, March 9, 1821, in Big Island from Samuel and Lydia Jones to William Foster.
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OLD NAME
Marseilles .....................................................Burlington
Caledonia ......................................................Van Buskirk
Green Camp ..................................................Berwick
Martel ...........................................................Three Locusts
Prospect ........................................................Middle Town
Claridon .......................................................Wheaton
Agosta ..........................................................Carey Station (Si Plunk, was a New Bloomington - nickname
July 1967:
Setting far back off the busy highway in Marion, County, west of Marion, Ohio, is a large white house which has been home for five generations of the Rhoads Family in the last century. Although the house has been modernized and passing of time has made it necessary to replace some of the building on the premises, the historical background still remains.
The Rhoads Homestead was conveyed by patent to Bethnel Virden by the United States of America in 1820. This transaction does not appear of record in Marion County, but was obtained from Washington D. C. The farm was given by will to Mr. Virden's wife, Betsy, and their two daughters et the time of his death on July 20, 1852. It was sold to Amos F. Lapham, February 27, 1866, and he in turn sold the farm to Michael Metz, on October 2, 1866. The property and land was purchased by George Rhoads, March ll, 1868, and was deeded to James Rhoads, March 25, 1875, and has been in the Rhoads Family since that time. On June 16, 1944, Harold and George Rhoads acquired this farm through purchase and sold it to Raymond and Mabel Cates Rhoads in the Spring of 1948, who are the present owners. They are the parents of five children; Myron L., Alan B., Glen R., Hal L. and Holly Sue. Thus we trust that this interesting landmark will remain in the Rhoads family many more years.
It was learned that the house was built around 1820 and had five fireplaces; three on the first floor and two on the second floor. Also, there was a grange hall and grocery store on the second floor. (It is understood that Mrs. Mary DeLong would ride a mule one and one-half miles to this grocery if only for a bag of brown sugar). The house was built facing an Indian Trail leading from Little Sandusky to Marysville. Mrs. Lovira Rhoads said she would often look out of a window and see an Indian looking in. The Delaware, Wyandot and Shawnee Indians were most prominent in this part of the country.
It is a study built house with barn sills under the floor and another sill in the attic close to the roof. The attic sill has been hollowed out by hand to form a trough which extends from one end of the house to the other end. The electrician said when wiring the house for electricity that he thought the trough was at one time used to shed water and the roof had been a thatch roof.
While the men were busy cutting wood and logs for the fireplaces, the spinning wheel was kept going inside. Mrs. Rhoads made all of their clothes, which included the Men's suits and coats and their daughter's clothes as well. The boots and shoes were very heavy and some of them were made by hand and often had copper toes.
A very interesting building on the farm was the log milk house. The logs were so large and thick that it was always cool inside even on the hottest days in summer. The floor was stone. A long through into 'which cold water was pumped twice daily served to refrigerate the milk, cream and butter. Many pounds of butter were churned and molded by two busy hands and delivered to steady customers in Marion, Ohio. The roof extended a few feet beyond the milk house. A gourd was hung on a spike nail outside on the wall by the door but it was replaced later by a tin cup. A pump was near by and when the crops were being harvested, the old tin cup was very much in demand. although, through the thoughtfulness of Mrs. Rhoads, iced tea or lemonade was ready for the men to drink, many of them would rather have a cold drink from the well. The day the old milk house was torn down it seemed as though some of the homestead went with it.
I should like very much to pay tribute to the person with the busy hands. She was a wonderful wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and a friend to all who knew her. She was always ready and willing to help others who needed it, many times when it was an inconvenience to her. I am speaking of Mrs. Almeda (Allie) Rhoads.
Neva and Harold Rhoads
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An Article of Agreement Between, Asa Harkness and George Rhoads for building a house; front part being 18 by 34 feet, 1 stories high, four rooms in front, four windows in the west end, two in the east end. In the north, the chamber to be partitioned into two rooms, the west room four feet to be cut off the north side and that to be divided in the middle-the east room to have closed panels, north side of chimney stair-case, south of chimney with door to accommodate the room. Kitchen south of east room one story-twenty foot square to be taken to the south side for buttery and sink room with widow and door to accommodate each room, with cupboard in the kitchen and one in the east room of front. A. Harkness to get out the rough timber and sleerers and make the shingles and do all the carpenter and joiner work, also do all lathe the said house, said work to be done plain workman like manner. Porch on the east end of house and kitchen. G. Rhoads is to board, do the hauling and furnish suitable materials such as lumber, nails and glass and so forth. G. Rhoads is to pay Asa Harkness two hundred and fifty dollars, $75.00 (seventy-five dollars) first of July, $75.00 (seventy-five dollars) by the first of November, one-hundred to be paid one year from the finishing of job. Said job to be completed by the first of January 1854. A. Harkness is to have house truck patch free for one year.
A. Harkness
G. Rhoads
Article
Signed and Sealed in the presence of:
(April 6th, 1853)
Witness:
Frall Cramner
Michael Graham
George Rhoads (seal)
Asa Harkness (seal)
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By Maemie Carpenter
Maemie Metz Carpenter, was born on June 4, 1889. Parents David and Emma McClellan Metz. She married Robert D. Carpenter on May 21, 1911. Two sons are, Paul V. and Damon M. Carpenter.
Lets turn the pages of time back to fifty six years ago; I was a teacher at DeCliff, Ohio. My cousin, Guy Miller was principal, my mode of travel to and from school was horse and buggy. My horse was cared for by a kind gentleman, named June Ashbaugh. Sometimes I walked, remember one nippy morning as I was coming near the Clements farm home west of here, an automobile caught up with me, the driver asked me to ride, the car was a touring car, no side curtains, no front door. He whisked me into town at the alarming speed of 75 miles an hour, needless to say I was almost frozen or it seemed.
Fifty-six years ago, DeCliff could boast of having a church, school, three general stores, an elevator, depot, telegraph station, and I associated with Pace and Wilson for this work. Pace was Helen Schreck's father. I regret I have no record of my pupils names here, only my memory.
School Days, School Days,
Good Old Golden Rule Days,
You I Recall,
They were about the best of them all.
I taught my first team of school at DeCliff, the one room building is now Montgomery Grange Hall. We hold the annual reunion of former teachers, pupils and friends of the Church and Sunday School. Here are a few names of those I taught:
Guy Roux Vernon Sooghen
Verle Roux Lucille Sooghen
Helen Tron Eugene Sooghen
Victor Tron Thelma Landon
Charles White Opal James
Betty White Flora LaRue
Herman Postle George Miller
Lora Sprague Fern Ullmer
Leonard Pace Ruby Pace
The thought for the day'
Let me grow lovely growing old.
So many nice things to do,
Like old lace, old trees, silver and gold,
So why not I as well as these.
Maemie Carpenter
HENRY RHOADS, great, great, Grandfather of Mildred Murphy to the county in 1825 and purchased 240 acres of land from the government. He was a native of Pickaway County and married Elizabeth Crabb from Ross County. There were six Children.
He died at the age of 49 leaving about 400 acres of land, .. Milton Henry Rhoads, a son was born September 24, 1840. He was 14 when his father died and he took over the farming.
October 7, 1861, he enlisted in Co. D. 64th Ohio Infantry, was promoted to Corporal. Due to ill
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health he was discharge in the summer of 1862. On September, 1862, he married Jane Dean Davidson. She was born on May 8, 1840. Her parents were James and Ann Dalzell Davidson, natives of Clark County and Ireland respectively. They went to live on his grandfather old homestead where he lived the rest of his life. In 1877 Mr. Rhoads and son built a new home. The finest in the township at that time. It burned down on February 21, 1913.
James Henry Rhoads, an only child was born June 25, 1863. Hr married Ida L. Peters, August 27, 1890. She was a native of Wyandot Co. Both Milton H. and son Henry, belonged to Marion Lodge No. 58 IOOF. Also were members of Masonic Lodge of LaRue, Ohio.
James Henry and Ida Peters Rhoads had one daughter, Mildred Marie, born December 8, 1895. She married Oscar Murphy, a native Pulaski County, Indiana, December 24, 1919. They lived on the Rhoads homestead, having built a new home there in 1920. There are four children, Howard E., Beulah Mae, Carl E. and Lowell T. Murphy. The Murphy's are members of Meeker M. E. Church. Oscar belongs to the Aberdeen Angus Assoc. Mildred belong to W.S.C.S. and also to Salt Rock Joy Maker's Club. They have 13 grandchildren.
The Murphy Family.
OSCAR MURPHY, was born in Pulaski County, Indiana, January 15, 1898. A son of Thomas Marion and Frances E. Lucas Murphy. They moved to Paulding County, when he was 7 years old. Later coming to Marion County in 1913. (Salt Rock Township)
He married Mildred M. Rhoads, December 24, 1919, There a four children:
Howard E. married Loretta Adams
Beulah Mae married Donald S. Williams
Carl E. at home
Lowell Thomas married Jackie Constable
There are 13 grand children.
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On a farm near Pleasanton, in Athens County, Ohio, Nellie Mae Secoy was born April 4, 1889. Her mother was Sarah Ann Woodruff and her father, Jasper Secoy, was a leader of the church. There were five girls and four boys in the family. Only one brother is living now, in Seattle, Washington. When three years old the family moved to the city of Athens, near the State Hospital. Two years later they went to Marion, Ohio, living in the first house off Center Street on Prairie Street, which later was renamed Blaine Avenue. At that time this Street only went as far as Church Street. Her father bought a house on the West side of David Street a block away from Center, which was the only house on that side of the street. Across were three houses and a one-room frame schoolhouse, where she attended two years. There was an orchard where the Steam Shovel is now on David Street. The Steam Shovel occupied the north side of Center at that time. A brick school house was built across the street from the one-frame one, where Nellie attended the third and fourth grades. Then she went to Silver School, but her mother was afraid for her to cross the railroad tracks, so she changed to Central Building, which had the twelve grades at that time, later because Central Junior High, and now is the new trading center (1945). She finished Eight grades.
During the first year living on David Street her father died, at the age of 59, when Nellie was seven years old. He was a Civil War Veteran, her mother lived years later. Nellie can remember when the lamplighters climbed up ladders to light the street lamps and put them out in the mornings.
She obtained a job at the Silk Mill, later worked as a clerk at Uhlers and Phillips, were Woolworth is now, which was formally a post-office. Then worked at Klines Department Store, and the last job was with Banning and Jacobs, a 5 and 10, where the $1.00 Store on the south side is now.
On September 26, 1906, she and Ernest Gamble went in a cab to Rev. Rowley's house, minister of the Wesley M. E. Church, which was on the corner of Center and Olney, and were married. He was a machinist at the Steam Shovel. They lived on Avondale, a couple other places and then on Latourette St. where Ralph was born on January 18, l Dog. They bought a house on corner of Bennett and Uncapher, where Thelma was born June 27, 1911. They traded houses for one on Fies, and Madolyn was born, February 23, 1914. They always wanted to be in the country, so traded in 1916 for a farm north of Meeker, which is now the Higgins Place. They moved by a horse van and got stuck, She and the children came by train to DeCliff were Charlie Mounts met them. Isabel was born, August 24, 1918. In 1920 they moved to Meeker where the Francis William Beauty Parlor is. Jack was born here, April 24, 1921. The next year they went in the Brannum house, Mr. Gamble had a garage where Arthur Oldham's shop is. Donald was born, March 29, 1924, and Ramona on November 19, 1928. In 1929 they moved to Fostoria where he was an inspector in a machine shop and Ralph who was married in 1929, was an electrical engineer. They moved to the farm again where Prettyman's live when the depression hit and found him without a job. Unknown sickness attacked Mr. Gamble, so on January 2, 1932 they took him to University Hospital for observation, on February 16, 1932 they were operating on him when he died on the operating table. In March, 1932, Nellie bought where Homer Rhoads lives, poor land caused them to sell, then they moved to Marion, on David near Bellefontaine. They remained here until 1945. Later on she helped to make a home with Ernest Wiley and was there until his death. She is a very active member of Senior Citizens.
Mr. and Mrs. Gordo Chambers and Irving Corey spent the weekend in Cleveland visiting their sister, Mrs. Joy Landgrabe. While there they made a visit to a family historical home, Shandy Hall in Unionville. This quaint structure was one of the first homes in the Western Reserve Territory, built in 1815 by Robert Harper. It was continuously occupied by successive generations of the Harper family for 128 years. The home, contained 15 rooms is now a museum, maintained by the West Reserve Historical Society of Cleveland, Ohio.
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From The Plain Dealer Home Magazine - September 5, 1970
WHEN DO IT YOURSELF WAS A WAY OF LIFE
The work of human hands is what Labor Day is all about. Workmen in the United States and their tools have created the mightiest industrial nation on the face of the earth. Shandy Hall, is a vast and wonderful repository of tools of the 19th century. From kitchen tools to spinning wheels and yarn winders used in making cloth by the Harper Women.
All about the basement level are tools that were used in running a farm. From these tools one can conclude that a great deal of the work in the 19th century was done by the women, whose liberation came with improved tools that were used in their unending household chores.
Farming was not the sole occupation of Col. Robert Harper. He was known to have operated the earliest mail rout from Buffalo to Cleveland. He studied and practiced Law: he served as a Colonel in the War of 1812, and as an Ohio State Representative and Senator.
But there are plenty of farm tools that show Col. Harper and later inhabitants of Shandy Hall did a lot of farming. The banquet hall made it possible for the Harper's to entertain. For a farm home it was a very large room. Measuring 16 by 32 feet with a coved ceiling. Apparently he had broad business interests for the picturesque French wallpaper in the banquet hall was acquired through an unsuccessful business venture in 1820. The wallpaper was ordered from France for a hotel in Buffalo that was never built. As one of the investors, Col. Harper acquired the scenic paper, a rarity in a frontier settlement. This museum contains a complete furnishing of the Harper family, furniture, dishes and rugs, clothing, toys, jewelry, letters, diaries portraits and books. It contain many treasurers in the antique world including the high chair and cradle made for the first Harper baby born there: the old cheese press, iron cooking utensils, etc. Many who visit say it is the most unusual museum in the country. Another interesting feature of the house was the silver knocker on the large front door and the arrangement of the wood panels in the bottom half to form an open bible. They told that this method was used at this time to designate the home of Christian families.
Hope Chambers told of her Great Aunt and Uncle Jim and Hanna Harper who came from New York State, had thirteen children, raised sheep gave each child a farm when they married, Hanna could shear sheep as good as her husband.
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Mildred Day was born on a farm one mile west of Scott Town on the Marion and Kenton Pike, now Route 30's. Her father Marilla Gillette and Mother Theodoshia Burt Day. She was brought up with adults a grandfather and an Aunt Easter Day shared the home. She loved to play and made pets of a lamb, cat and dog. She would walk to school with her cousins, Charles and Carrie Mears. She loved to ride horse back, her first teacher was Minnie Hill. She attended church at Scott Town and sometimes went to union Presbyterian church two miles east of Scott Town. She was always a good scholar. When she was thirteen the family moved to a larger farm two and one half miles west on Dry Lane Road. About this time her folks built a new house, there she attended the country school and began teaching when she was sixteen years old. All went well until the fall of 1909 when her father died suddenly she kept on teaching until she was married Feb. 2, 1910.
LeRoy Anderson was born on a farm in Grand Township the oldest of five children to Ellen Crabb and Chas. Anderson. He walked to school at Spring Hill, his first teacher was Richard Jones of LaRue, Ohio. He liked Sports but most of all he enjoyed reading. He attended school one year at Marseilles, then taught a county school the year of 1905 and 06, He walked past the Day farm night and morning. Later one summer he attended a festival and took special interest in the waitress Mildred Day, they had an enjoyable summer until Mildred's father died suddenly in October. On February 2, 1910 they were married in Marseilles by Rev. Ferguson, a presbyterian minister, and he took over the farming. They attended church at DeCliff. Roy was Sunday School Superintendent and Mildred taught children classes for a number of years, these were busy happy years.
They were both always ready to help in sickness and death in the community. One event that came each year or fall was the farmers picnic, held in Blows Grove, four miles west of Meeker. Mildred would fix a clothes basket of fine food, that was before we had cakes mixes, dressed chickens and creamery butter. It meant real work to feed about twenty members of Baker's Band, who furnished the music. One treat was the sweet corn roasted in a pit with husks on. Roy and Mildred took the work of the Subordinate Grange at Tymochtee #2249 in 1919, were faithful members until the Montgomery Grange #2336 was organized in 1921, later Mildred was elected to the office of Chaplin in the State Grange and they toured the State for two weeks putting on the sixth degree. Mildred was Sec. of Montgomery Grange for twenty-five years. An excellent record. Roy filled most of the chairs, he has taught Sunday School Class in different churches for over sixty-five years. They are now spending the sunset years of their lives helping in the community. Members of the Meeker Senior Citizens Group, enjoying their many friends.
Mary Burdge Parker Thibaut was born September 11, 1885, to Betsy Veasy and Marshal S. Burdge in Montgomery Township, Marion, County, Ohio. I had six sisters, Fannie Allen, Nettie Shirk, Ann Cahill, Laura McIntire Virden, Sallie Stoner and Daisy Yeaugers. The sisters are all deceased but Daisy. Two Brothers are also deceased, James and Roy Burdge. My mother passed away when I was 2~ years old and I grew up in my mothers sister's home--Lydia Veasy Bent Simons. She lived north of LaRue, Ohio.
On May l, 1907, I was married to John Parker who passed away February 28, 1914. I live on the same farm John and I went to housekeeping on 64 years ago.
August 31, 1916, I married Henry Thibaut who passed away October 11, 1962. I had four step daughters- Edna Thibaut Jennings and Iva Thibaut both deceased. Core Thibaut Dutt of Pleasant Township and Edith Thibaut Crall of Detroit, Michigan and Clearwater Florida. I am a charter member of Montgomery Grange No. 2336 for 50 years. A member of the Marion County Pomona Grange, and State and National Granges. A member of the Meeker Methodist Church and the Meeker Senior Citizens.
Grace Mae Schaher was born 1 miles Northeast of New Bloomington, Ohio, on the Seiter
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Pike; to Mary Schlecht and David Schaber on June 7, 1904. I have one sister Clara E. Long--one niece, Mary Laura Long Scott and one Great niece, Patricia Scott and two Great nephews, John and James Scott.
I attended New Bloomington school and graduated in 1922 and from Marion Business College in 1923. I worked in Marion for ten years at Marion Power Shovel Company, and for Sam Romoser-Tinner and etc.
The Depression came after the Death of my Father and our home burned, my Mother and I bought the Elmer Randolph place in DeCliff, Ohio. My Mother passed away in 1950. Later I worked for Gertie Rush for eight years, and for the past 11 years for Mary Thibauts.
I am a member of the New Bloomington Methodist Church and the Meeker Senior Citizens.
William was born on the Metz home place in 1892, to Emma and Dave Metz one of seven children. He loved to help his dad on the farm, played ball, taught school before he was of age to teach, later taught school for seven years, around Meeker, Ohio. Went to Marion, Ohio, learned barber trade, and his own shop several years, in Marion, Ohio, and Green Camp, Ohio, Kathryn Cleveland was born at the Tom Hoyles Tile yard west of Marion, Ohio, to Ella and Hillie Cleveland in 1900, one of nine children. She worked for the Hocking Valley Railroad as clerk, later at the General Telephone Company at Marion. They have one son Jack, born in 1922, his first teacher was Ester Gracely, he started to school in Green Camp, Ohio. At present is Senior Research Engineer for Teletype Company of Stoky, Ill. William and Kathryn had a Beauty Shop and Variety Store at Oakland Heights in Marion, Ohio. Marcelling was the vogue at the time, facials, manicuring, and all the ladies apparel. In 1927 they moved to Green Camp, Ohio, opened a barber shop and beauty parlor. Lovely friends and fond memories we have of our stay there.
How far back does this take you? The coal oil lamps, I recall we used to set through twilight charms till the family gathered tight with-in its golden pool of light, shadows and cares of the day, were pushed aside, held at bay by our old lamps protective gleam, allowing us to read or dream. I see my Mother mending, my father, too, spinning yarn's to make us grin, or singing "Old Dan Tucker" or "After The Ball", until we fell asleep. Electric lights are better, true, with-out them I would hate to do, beneath that lamp our youthful dreams were born and blended in its beams, tender trusting, happy care free youth, filled with all the wonders of the age, content to hold our parents in awe, as the most special people on earth.
I remember when they wore black stockings (history repeats its self) they do now, and high button shoes. I loved thrashing time, I would stand on a chair and mix Mother's bread, first mix, she made pot-pies of wild game, father liked to hunt, would go up into Maine, hunt deer and bear. I remember pack peddlers that came out of Marion, Ohio. Going west on Rt. 30, stop at tile yard, what an assortment they had. Mother would buy waist fronts all embroidered, safety pins, buttons gosh I used to stand close to Mom, but loved to see all he had in his case. I loved the bob-sleds on our way to school. I spoke a piece "Tommy's Prayer" at school, I still can.
What a wonderful childhood we had at the tile yards, father was so strict, we had to stay with-in the yard during
the week, but let him go to town on Saturday, and we would get out where Charlie Hart (our old friend) was, and he let us cut off tile 16", 18", was a thrill to cut it when Charles said, "cut". That was a good stopping place for the Gypsy's, the next road was Gypsy Lane. I knew Mother to ride to Marion, Ohio, with Billie Ducat, I remember the taffy pulls at school. I remember my first show, was at the State Theater, a stage show, Two men in tall hats and canes, sang "Following My Foot-Steps Through The Snow", I felt so sophisticated at ten years old.
Now we are Senior Citizens, I love my work in the Meeker United Methodist Church, enjoy all my friends, neighbors, seems life has just begun. God has blesses us, for which we are thankful.
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Meeker, Scott Town
by Bill Metz
I learned to catch, throw and bat a ball when quite young, at school, all my school-mates played what we called one old cat; later I played with boys in and around Scott Town. We got to be quite proficient at the art.
My Dad and I went to see a game played by Scott Town just north of Ed Masons and DeWillis Davis woods. This was the first real game of baseball I ever witnessed, and I do know that Scott Town won. I do not know all the players, but Rice Moberly pitched, Marion (Basco eat them alive) McIntire caught, Emmit Metz, Carl Williams and Carl McKelvey played the outfield, Charlie Sprague second base, I do not know who played first, third or short stop.
About a year after this game. I was talked into playing a game at Scott-Town by Alga Spangler, so you might say he is the culprit. that got me to playing baseball. Alga's team was to play an out of town team, and was short an outfielder, asked me to play. Well, I was just dying to play but I refused for some time, because as I told him all the others were a lot older. I was just a little afraid I in fact was scared to death. But I finally agreed, telling Alga I would have to go home and change. He said no, you can put on a pair of my overalls, and he got them. We went into Mr. Hoffmans barn (Fergusons now) and I changed into Alga's garb. Now, remember I was only 15 or 16 years old and Alga was a grown man and besides he was so long, lean and lanky they called him Gimblet, well that shirt was not too bad. The sleeves a trifle long, but those overalls, I knew they were at least three times longer than mine, and his waist about the same. Well, I shook myself into those long legged things as fa I could. And then some and there was about 18 inches below my feet. Alga had the solution, roll up the pant legs. We did, to keep them up we used safety pins and pinned them up. Then we went to the ball diamond. (I must of looked a sight I was hoping against hope that the other team would not show. We practiced quite a bit, playing catch and Carl Williams batted flies to the outfit. I was to play left field, Carl hit a ball almost straight up, high in the air and it came down just out of the infield back of 3rd base. I run all way the from left field and caught the ball, there was a man probably 25 or 30 years old watching us practice, a stranger, he said, "who is that young man", What a catch. The Cleveland lands Indians would sign him if they had seen that play. His name some said was Briggs they called him "Cy". I guess he
was Zelda Briggs brother.
I was in and played ball several years after, each spring. I was the one to get the boys to form a team for the summer I pestered the men of the community to donate a few pennies pickles and dimes or what have you, to get a little money to buy baseballs. A catchers mask. A breast plate or what ever else we would need. The players bought their own gloves and uniforms and bats. Our umpires were, James Hatfield, June Sprague and at times Alga Spangler. They performed their duties fair and square for both sides. Morral was our mortal enemy as far as baseball was concerned. As I stated Morral was one of our greatest competitors and I must admit they had a ball club equal to our own. We played teams from Marion, Morral, The Wyandot Indians, Brown Town, Caledonia, Galion, and Ashley, etc.
Many contests were held. First one on top, then the other, we are all well matched. Usually the team that lost today would probably win tomorrow.
MARION TRIBUNE:
News Paper Article by Fritz Nothacker:
The last three survivors of Baker's Band--the pride of Marion from the early 1900's to World War I--got together the other day to talk about old times. It's been more than half a century since the band in white trousers and blue coats marched past the crowds at Main and Center Streets. and
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played on the pavilion at the old Marion Chautauqua. Old post card pictures of Baker's Band in down town parades now are collectors' items showing an era and scenes in Marion History that long since have disappeared.
BUT MEMORIES of the "good old days" when the band packed people into the Grand Opera House and played at the Farmer's Picnic came tenderly flooding back on the front porch at 169 Johns Street.
Like the River City, Iowa, Band out of Meredith Wilson's "Music Man" one could have sworn from the conversation that he saw old Baker's Band marching from the sunlight into the shadows.
There on the front porch Dr. E. K. Clark, 88, of 189 Pearl Street, and his brother Dr. F. W. Clark, 82, of Salina, Kansas stopped to visit with Louis Allen, 96. Two bass players and an alto horn player who also blew the clarinet, they are the last three survivors of the band which the old Marion Tribune of 1917 called "one of the finest in the state".
DR. E. K. CLARK, a remarkable healthy and active man who who still practices osteopathic medicine, will tell you that Baker's Band was the best around. The former bass player who never drank beer remembers that the old Sands 4th Regimental Band in Columbus was known then as one of the state's best Bands--"It was about the only band we were afraid of". Still filled with the pride that director George W. Baker must have instilled-in his musicians, he recalled his thoughts when he first heard the 4th Regimental Band play. "Phooey", I said "those fellows ought to take some music lessons".
THE LAST THREE, living members of the band recalled playing at the Ohio State Fair, the Chautauqua, the Saturday night concerts on public square in Mount Gilead and traveling on the crowded train with the Huber and Marion Steam Shovel Co. excursions to Cedar Point and Belle Isle, the amusement park between Detroit and Canada. Baker's Band always played at the Farmer's picnic at Blow's Grove near Meeker and Bill's picnic at the fairgrounds.
Everybody for miles around by the name of Bill was invited to the Bill's picnic, an annual affair which Dr. F. W. Clark, recalled was "like a county fair." Nearly a thousand Bills' showed up and they even invited Bill (William) McKinley, the 25th President, and Bill (William Jennings) Bryan, the golden-throated proponent of free silver, and read their telegrams of regret at the picnic. Baker's Band, always played at political rallies when Harding ran for governor in 1910. They also played at the West End Businessman's Concerts and in all kinds of Masonic parades.
Everyplace the Masons went we went with them. Dr. E. K. Clark recalled, "They wouldn't go any place without hiring us." There were happy times and some sad ones, too. The saddest was the day Baker's Band played at the funeral of its beloved director and manager. That was July 20, 1917. Both the Marion Star and the old Marion Tribune reverently pictured, George W. Baker as Marion's "Music Man" of the 1890's and early 1900's, less the rascal of Meredith Wilson's Prof. Harold Hill who made the city a happier one with his musical talents and, unlike Prof. Hill richer for his presence.
MR. BAKER, a traveling salesman of musical instruments, came to Marion in 1891 and took charge of the local interests of A. W. Brinkerhoff and Sons. That same year he helped organize the People's Band and was elected its leader and director in 1892. He established his own piano store in 1900. Mr. Allen, "Louie", was one of the original members of the People's Band.
The two Clark Brothers, their father Edward Kennedy Clark, painted and lettered the first Marion Steam Shovel, joined the band after returning from the St. Louis World's Fair of 1904, with the Prospect K. of P. Band. Sometime between then and 1908, they recall the People's Band became known as Baker's Band.
Mr. Baker directed the band named after him up until spring of 1917. Old newspaper accounts show the last time he appeared with the band was at, "The great patriotic mass rally on the Courthouse square" just proceeding the declaration of war in early April, 1917. That Decoration Day, The Tribune noted for the first time in years he was not at the head of the band in the parade. But his faithful musical group went to his home after the ceremonies and played for an hour. George Baker was then dying of Bright's Disease.
BAKER BAND, again serenaded its ailing leader on the Fourth of July. Sixteen days later they played at his funeral along with the Shrine Band of Columbus. Baker's Band led what the Tribune said was "along line of march" to Marion Cemetery. After that the last three survivors of the band recall that it "dwindled away". From the long list of drafted dough boy appearing in the paper, members of Baker's Band probably were inn their horns for a nun to fight the Kaiser.
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Ruth: 1:16
Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodges", I will lodge thy people shall be my people, thy GOD my GOD.
These famed words, spoken by a devoted, daughter of her mother-in-law; are inscribed on the base of the statue "The Pioneer Mother" placed at the eastern end of the Old Santa Fe Trail.
They breath the spirit of the mother who ministered to her family and with unfaltering trust in GOD, suffered the hardships of the unknown to prepare a homestead of peace and plenty for her children. She did it gladly, joyfully.....So far as the records go, there is no evidence that she considered herself imposed upon or the victim of circumstances. Like Ruth she gave up her old life and familiar associations willingly and started out, unhesitatingly and unafraid with those she loved best.
The reason was not far to seek; there was a dream in her heart, far horizons beckoned and distant scenes called; not because they were new-and unfamiliar, but because they had promise of a better future. Present hardships could be endured, because the miles and days ahead were full of hope. Thus Mothers live in the tomorrows as well as the todays. And every mother partakes of the blessed qualities of the pioneer mothers.
When the hand of creation shaped all things, he wove through out the cloth of life the thread's of a woman's soul. He filled her heart with intriguing mystery, that she might inspire her counterpart and build in him the strong fiber of a man. In her soul there runs the wildness of the wilderness, the vista of the plains, the romance of the sea, and in her heart dwells the song of youth never leaving her, it is always there. In her fantastic dream empires come and go, humblest home made into bits of heaven.
Toward the corner of the cabin, is "Mother's work stand", upon which lies the Bible, evidently much used, and its family record telling of parents and friends a long time off; and telling, too, of children "Scattered like roses in bloom". Some at the bridal and some at the tomb. Her spectacles, as if but just used, are inserted between the leaves of the Bible, and tell of her purpose to return to its comforts when cares permit and duty is done. Let us, for a moment watch the city visitor to this humble cabin, in later years, the city bride, innocent but thoughtless and ignorant of labor and care, ask her city-bred husband, "Pray, what savage set this up"? Honestly confessing his lack of understanding, he replies that he does not know. But see the pair on whom a rapid glance about the cabin home, a pair on whom age sits "frosty and kindly", first they enter, they gave look to each other and tears started to fill their eyes, there are many who knew why, who have learned in the school of experience the full meaning of all those symbols of trials and privations of loneliness and danger they can comprehend the story and tell of the
pioneer mothers.
Dale Rhoads and Florence King were married, October 6, 1915 at LaRue, Ohio by Reverend Sutton, a Baptist Minister. We started our home in a new house, one half mile east of Meeker, Ohio--on the farm where Dale was born. Dale's parents lived just across the road in the house that was build by Dale's grandfather in 1853. I was born two miles east of Meeker on a farm, where my parents and grandparents lived.
Dale and I attended one room schools and had to walk two miles, rain or shine. Centralized schools and school buses were unheard of in those days.
Dale and I have two daughters, Margaret and Eula, who graduated from Meeker High School and the Marion Business College. During their school years, The girls helped with farm and home work. After graduation they worked at office work in Marion, Ohio. Margaret married Clarence Gracely and they have two sons, John and Robert.
Due to an auto-train accident when Dale was nineteen, which left him with a bad leg, his health was not always the best, but he never complained.
His death came on November 26, 1956, and was a bitter, bitter blow to our family. He is buried in the Meeker Cemetery in the community where he liked to be all his life.
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The Review:
In the Fall of 1893 or 1894, Elmer Kerr's Grocery Store burned down. The people of Scott Town was awakened by someone ringing the Hotel dinner bell and yelling fire, fire. My folks could hear it where they lived (Earnest Wiley's). No telephones. Elmer went and unlocked the door and let his dog out and locked it back up. A Veterinary, Dr. Dan Cliffe and wife, Alice and her brother, Less Williams, Kennel boys, Schultz boys, George Kennedy, Elmoth Alexander, Spangler boys, the Moon boys carried buckets of water and we used horse blankets