SITUATION, SURFACE, SOIL.

     Chardon is bounded north by the county line; Munson lies on the south, with Hambden on the east, and Kirtland on the west.  It popularly disputes with other points the honor of the greatest elevation. The Little mountain is in the northwest corner.  It has the usual variety of surface of the country, which affords drainage, and the pleasing undulations, quite broken into hills at some points, so delightful to the eye.  Chardon hill, to south-southeast, furnishes one of the finest outlooks in northern Ohio.
     Her soil is that strong, persistent clay, modified along her streams by loam, with a sprinkling of sand, common to the region.  The whole once covered with a magnificent growth of forest-trees, of maple, beech, chestnut, oak, ash, elm, basswood, poplar, the most of which has long since disappeared.  Much of the surface has underlying sandstone, which crops out at many points, affording fine quarries of good building-stone.

STREAMS AND WATER-COURSES

     A considerable branch of Grand river, rising in the southwest angle of Hambden, makes a bend into and across the northeast part of Chardon, from which it receives small tributaries.  While the eastern branch of the Chagrin, rising in Newbury, Manson, and Chester, makes an abrupt entrance across the western line, gathers up the waters of three or four small branches, and as directly turns west into Kirtland, breaking the surface into a succession of considerable hills on its course.  High banks and hills also border all the branches of Grand river, caused by the general elevation of the surface; many fine springs break from the base of the hills, and the township may be said to be unusually well watered.

NAME

     Peter Chardon Brooks,† a large owner of western lands and a proprietor of the township, early offered to the county commissioners of Geauga to donate the land for the village plat to the county for a county-seat if the proposed town should receive his second name.  The proposition was accepted, and hence the name of the town, which for civil purposes was a part of Painesville, and became a part of Burton, by order of the county commissioners, in March, 1806.

SETTLEMENT.

     The commissioners, under the act of the legislature to establish county-seats for the new counties of Geauga, Cuyahoga, Portage, and Ashtabula, governed by the idea of geographical centre, which, by the erection of Ashtabula and Cuyahoga, left Painesville, or New Market, at one end of a long strip, selected Chardon hill, in the southeast part of the township.  This was approved by the court, to which under the law the report was made, at its June term, 1808.  A deed was made of the site to S. W. Phelps, as director, Sept. 16, 1811, and by him dedicated in December, 1812.
     At the time of this location and order, as at the day of purchase, not a tree had been cut in Chardon township, but at some time early a man of Painesville, by the name of Jordan, went on to the town plat, and built a house by the spring, northeast of the middle of the square, and moved his family into it, thus becoming the first settler.
     What became of Jordan I know not.  Mr. Canfield several times speaks of the house by the spring as the “Jordan house," but makes no mention of Jordan.  Origen Miner, who has written much and well of pioneer history, is my authority for this item.‡
     I shall treat the village and its life with that of the township, of which it was at first the heart, brain, and hand.  As seen, Samuel W. Phelps was director of the county-seat and village plat.  He, with the aid of Captain Edward Paine, secured the "chopping" of the square in 1811.
     Curtis Wilmot, of Burton, and others unknown, were the principal axemen in the work.  In March, 1812, Norman Canfield father of Rev. Sherman B. and Austin Canfield, an earlier resident of Hambden, who was the first justice of the peace in that region when all was Painesville, and captain of the militia company which made the short campaign to Cleveland, in August of the same year, came over and built a log house where now stands the hotel of Benton & Co., which was soon after occupied by his family.  The house was spacious for the day.  Had three ground rooms and a chamber, reached by a primitive ladder from the outside, and soon supplemented by the jail.  This structure gave place to a framed building erected by Mr. Canfield, in 1818, included in the larger building of D. W. Stocking and widely known as the Chardon House, of Benton & Co.  "Mr. Canfield was the first settler of this township."§
     I am inclined to follow Mr. Miner, and regard Jordan as the first in point of time.
     In the spring of the same year a log house, near the present residence of Judge D. W. Canfield, was put up, for a court-house.  Into this Captain Paine moved with his family, and occupied it during the summer.  This was a house of one room, and all its appointments of the pioneer order of axe architecture.  Mr. E. V. Canfield sketches with a few hand, and graphically, the fixtures and furniture which it contained when devoted to the purpose of its erection.  In the mean time, Captain P. built and moved into a new house of his own, a few yards distant, which my historian calls princely.
     The population, which had thus doubled—omitting Jordan—in a month or two, occupied its energies, interrupted by the war, with the more fatal struggle with the giant trees.  These were regarded as the standing enemy, to be pursued with a too successful war, which the political economist deplores and the man of sentiment is melancholy over.
     In July of the same year Samuel King, of Long Meadow, Massachusetts, with his family and effects, drawn by four oxen and a horse, reached Chardon, after a journey of forty days.  He moved into the courthouse, built an addition, and used the seat prepared for the judges-the judicial bench——as a doorstep.  The surrender of Hull, in August, sent a shiver of fear to all dwellers in the woods, under the influence of which Mr. King packed up and returned East, as did many others, and Captain Canfield and Edward Paine made such hasty provision for the safety of their families as they could, and marched towards the enemy.
     It is said that Captain Paine, clerk of the county, securely packed up the archives, judicial and municipal, of Geauga, consisting of one small volume and several papers, and solemnly deposited them in the safe of the Rocky Cellar, a structure northeast of the village, ere he departed for the wars, and that the vandal red man failed to find them in his absence.
     Leaving his family in New York, Samuel King returned in the spring of 1813, cleared the court-house lot, and built a more commodious court-house in the rear

---------------
     * From E. V. Canfield's Sketches and other sources.
     † To the resident of Geauga this gentleman is but part of a name.  One, and that the middle third of his, is borne by their county-seat.  It may be well to realize the man to the curious by a brief note of his life.  He is of sufficient importance to have writers differ as to his birthplace.  "Appletons' Cyclopaedia" says he was born at Medford, Massachusetts, while the later "Johnson" assigns North Yarmouth, Maine, as his place of nativity, Jan. 6, 1767.  He died in Boston, Jan. 1, 1849.  His boyhood and youth were passed on a farm, and he was of age the year the constitution went into effect.  Under the influence of the Napoleonic wars, which sent American vessels abroad, Mr. Brooks had the sagacity to select marine insurance as a business.  He became secretary in a Boston allies, and succeeded the principal in the management of its affairs.  He labored with all his powers, and studied the law of marine insurance till he became one of its then few masters.  His diligence and activity in business, the promptitude with which he paid losses, insured early and great success.  The vast fortune he amassed was no part of it due to speculation; but, with rare good judgment, he availed himself of the opportunities which his business opened to him.  Among these the chances of sending abroad articles of trade as “adventures" to the foreign markets, of which he was well advised, brought the most satisfactory returns.  In this trade he embarked quite all his means.  Such was his success that he retired in 1803, one of the richest men of  “solid Boston."  His notion of wealth was the personal independence it secured.  The good attained was never hazarded in quest of extravagant gains.  He was connected with many benevolent associations, to which he was most liberal.  Passed his summers on the estate of his ancestors, at Medford, where he was a thoroughly practical farmer.  Was a member of the first municipal council of Boston, of the executive council, and often of the Senate and House of  Representatives of Massachusetts.  He exerted himself to suppress the universal resort to lotteries, then prevalent, for the most meritorious purposes, and enjoyed the largest public and private respect, confidence, and love.  Of his daughters, one became the wife of Edward Everett, one the wife of R. L. Frothingham, D.D., and third, Mrs. Charles Francis Adams.  A good biography of Mr. Brooks appeared in Hunt's “ American Merchants,” by Edward Everett.- M. A. R. K.
     ‡ Geauga Democrat; Aug. 19, 1868.
     § Sketch by Mr. E. V. Canfield

RESIDENCE OF E. N. OSBORN, CHARDON TP., GEAUGA CO., O.

[Pg. 113]
of the old academy, for seven hundred and fifty dollars, where a term - the first of the court in Chardon - was holden that fall.  The structure was of squared unframed timbers, a court-room above and jail below, which may be remembered as “old Judge Hoyt’s barn.” Mr, King's family - a wife, Hannah, and children, Hannah, Warren, John, and Jabez, the two latter so long and well known in Chardon-returned to Chardon in June, 1813.  He, Canfield, and Paine logged and cleared the square, and took their pay in “farm produce,” raised by them selves, on the same ground, which they were to use for two years.  What a rugged perspective of blackened stumps, roots, and cradle knolls that old-time clearing must have presented!  Samuel King died of fever in 1817.
     The 4th of July, 1814, was celebrated by a ball, a grand affair, at the Canfield tavern.  Simeon Root, one of the Claridon pioneers, furnished the music.  The names of the assembled beauty and fashion, the places whence they came from, the styles of dresses they wore, the bill of fare, and wine list of the host, have not reached us; all, with the throbbing hearts, like the bubbles of mirth, and gladness of that hour, have perished from earth.
     Mr. Canfield says that in the fall of 1813 a man, Antony Carter, whom he calls “ black Antony,” came to Chardon with his wife, - the fourth family in town he calls them, - and for a time occupied a small log structure on the site of William Munsel’s shop, - the county commissioners office.  He afterwards built a neat cabin north of the square, on the Painesville road.
     The fifth was the family of Jabez King.  He was a brother of Samuel.  He finally took up his residence-in a house built by one Jordan by the spring at the northeast corner of Cyrus Canfield’s lower orchard.  This must have been in 1813.  Here Mrs. King gave birth to the first pioneer child. The important event made much noise in the woods.  Mrs. Paine, Mrs. Canfield, Mrs. Samuel King, and Mrs. Antony Carter were the only ladies in the settlement.  The latter was not requested to be present, while Mrs. Bond and Mrs. Brown, of Bondstown, were.  This was the first color line drawn in the county.  Mrs. Carter endured it with fortitude. Her irate husband took it hardly, and he returned with her to Trumbull county to await the fifteenth amendment.
     This first child, a girl, was named Laura, and became the wife of O. P. Hale.  Jabez King, the next year, made an opening West of the square, built on the Teed place, and died in 1838, preceded by the death of his wife.  The first death seems to have been that of Curtis Wilmot, of Burton, caused by a falling tree while chopping on the public square.
     The first mail-route must have been established from Painesville to Warren, in 1813 or 1814, and a post-office in Chardon, of which Captain Paine was the first postmaster.  Rankin, of Warren, was the first mail-carrier, and made Captain Spencer’s house, in Claridon, a resting-place, taking four days for the trip, and on foot.  The lowest rate of letter postage then was twenty-five cents for any distance.
     The first jail, doubtless contemporaneous with the first court-house, was a log pen, an “annex" to the west side of Canfield’s tavern.  Mr. Canfield tells of one McDougal, on being found guilty of debt, was very properly sentenced to this prison for a ten-days‘ bread-and-water diet, and Mr. Canfield deplores that he did not serve out his time for the benefit of the reflections which be otherwise might have had.  In disregard of the law, he impenitently and impecuniously “leaked out" immediately.
     John B. Teed came into the county in 1812, went back, and returned in 1813.  Soon after he became a resident of Chardon. August, 1814, saw the arrival of Hosea Stebbins and his wife, Patty; Benjamin Cadwell and Olive, his wife; and Jedediah Sanger and his wife, who all became well-known citizens of Chardon, and passed away many years since.  About the same time came Christopher Langdon, his wife, and four children.  The younger daughter, Mary, became the wife of Hilen Canfield, and the mother of Judge M. C., Christopher C., and Newton. Daniel Hendryx and wife must have arrived about the same time. 
     The fall of 1814 was marked in the Chardon chronicle by the arrival of Aaron Canfield, his wife, Lydia, and their sons, Platt, Hilen, Orrin, and Cyrus, from Massachusetts.  Platt was married, his wife’s name was Polly, and they had one son, Aaron B.  Aaron was a brother of Norman, with whom he lived for a time on his arrival.  He traded his land East for land in Chardon. He soon became like his brother, a man of mark, and died many years ago.
     The sons filled well their places, and sleep with‘ their fathers.  The Canfields became a power in the town and county, and they and their descendants have exercised a wide influence.
     Horace Peck, his wife and sister, his brother-in-law, Lucius Smith, and Smith's son, Laurin, came with or soon after Aaron Canfield.  The rest of Lucius Smith’s family came in the spring of 1815, and commenced the settlement of King street, where the Smiths lived and died.
     Joseph Bond must have come over from Bondstown before this arrival, and his brothers, Stephen and Eli Bond, probably came the next year (1815) from the same place.  Langdon moved into the Jordan house. as Mr. C. calls it, by the
Cyrus Canfield spring, the first built in Chardon.  The spring was a famous “watering-place" within my own memory.  The whole town is underlaid by a mass of freestone, which crops out on two or three sides of the hill, and which precluded the sinking of wells by any means known at that day.  The first and for many years the only one was by the old Canfield tavern, sunk in 1815.  An other was sunkl star by C. C. Paine, on the Worrallo place, south of the square.  An early attempt was made to sink another in the middle of the square, which was renewed from time to time till 1842 or i843.  At the day of which I now write, and for later years the spring referred to was the common supply of the village, until the one down Water street, by the old carriage-shop, divided with it the village custom.
     Langdon was a miller, and went over and built a saw-mill near the Cadwell place, and thus became a benefactor to the dwellers in the woods.  Peck went out on to the King street, before, or at about the same time the Smiths did.  John Roper and his wife came with Langdon.  They brought a family of four children.  One of the daughters became the wife of Nathaniel H. Parks, already a resident of Bondstown (Hambden), one of the earliest and well-known women of the village.  The Ropers went into the Jordan house.  In 1818, Roper built a grist- and saw-mill in the northeast-part of the township, on Big creek, the tributary of the Chagrin, -  the first grist-mill in Chardon, an era in all new settlements.
     As stated, the Smiths built over in the west woods.  One day, in their early sojourn, a son fifteen years old wandered away into the wilderness.  When missed, search was made and he was not found.  The next spring a lock of hair, a shred of clothing, a button or two, fixed the identity and revealed his fate, - a prey, living or dead, to the gangs of wolves which infested the forests, and for years made the nights hideous with their howlings.
     Timothy B. Robinson prospected Chardon in 1812, and became a settler in 1817.      The spring of 1815 saw an important accession in the Kings, Zadock and George, accompanied by Samuel and Edward Collins.  Zadock's wife, Fanny, was a sister of the Collinses.  They brought two boys, Granger and Roderick.  The elder died Oct. 7, 1815, and is supposed by some to have been the first child that died in Chardon.  They settled on the street which took their name.  Mr. King was an honored man.  His son William, born in 1816, was long a well known physician of Chardon.
     George King married - as was Samuel Collins - the evening before leaving the East, brought his wife, Ann, with him, and settled near his brother Zadock; lived a long and prosperous life.  The wife of Samuel Collins was a sister of the Kings, near whom he settled.  Edward went to Burton.  Of the sons of Samuel one is J. W. Collins, of Bainbridge; a man who has filled public stations with credit.  In 1816 or '17, John King, father of Zadock and George, came on and settled near the sons, who, with their families and kin, made an important group in the future, current of the township history.
     Nathaniel H. Parks, from Suffield, Connecticut, reached Chardon in 1815, and first settled and lived some time in Hambden, where he set up a carding-machine and voted in 1817.  He also set up a carding-machine, driven by horse-power in the flesh, at the northeast corner of Chardon square, in 1820 or ’21.  Levi Edson must have come as early as 1815, as near as I have ascertained.
       Ariel Burton visited Chardon in that year, and became a settler in 1816, accompanied by his brother Otis.  Roswell Eaton, known as Captain Eaton, and Sally, his wife, came with them, as did Simon Gager, who went on to Claridon, near Reuben Hall’s.  Zadock Benton came in June of the same year.  The Bentons began as soon as they came to clear land where they planted themselves, north of the village.  It is said they lived in a house Ariel purchased of John Hunt the fall before, - the first mention made of him.  He seems to have been the first blacksmith, and came in 1813 or ’14. The year following, Zadock Benton, Sr., his wife, Lydia, with their remaining children, Orrin, Elihu, Lydia, and Nancy, with them also Warren Benton, a relative, who all became inhabitants of the township.  The Bentons formed another strong and important group of citizens.  I am informed that of the original settlers, Orrin, living in the village, at the age of ninety-one, is the only survivor.  His son is a. proprietor of the well-known Chardon House, while many of the surviving descendants are widely scattered.
      In 1816, Benjamin Rider and his son Crosby arrived, followed by the residue of the family, his wife, Benjamin, Jr., Rufus, Isaiah, Samuel, and daughters, Hannah and Lucy.  Many amusing anecdotes are related of the simplicity of the senior, a pious deacon of the Baptist church, of which the family were stanch pillars, and in which Rufus and Isaiah became ministering elders.
     Eleazar Paine must have become a resident of Chardon soon after the county seat was located.  He was later a leading merchant of the county; filled important places; married a daughter of the late Judge Noah Hoyt; was the father of General Halbert E., George E., James, and Caroline Paine.

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     Thomas Metcalf, from Enfield, Connecticut, settled in Chardon in June, 1817.  He came to Samuel Smith's family, accompanied by his sister, Mrs. Converse.  Thomas, after a year's labor for Smith, purchased a farm at the centre, and must have been about the first who broke the boundless "contiguity of shace" in that region.  He married Paulina Beard, of Burton, in 1827.  Still resides in the village, honored and esteemed.  His father followed him three years later, with the rest of the family.
     Samuel Smith married an elder sister of Thomas Metcalf, purchased a farm north of the "Big Creek," where he built and kept a well-known tavern.  Later, he removed to the village, and, while he lived, kept the stone tavern built by his brother-in-law, Dr. Asa Metcalf.  His son Comfort, and daughter, Mrs. Rexford (formerly Mrs. Randall), live in the village.   The Cloughs, Jared, Ambrose, and Chester, came about the same time, and settled in the same neighborhood, with Thomas Metcalf.
      A Mr. Hurlburt, a young lawyer, and relative of Captain Paine, was, at an early day, a resident of Chardon.  He practiced and wrote in the clerk's office, of which Mr. Paine was chief, who, in addition, was recorder, auditor, and postmaster.
     Later, Daniel H. Haws came in, had an office in the little brick court-house, rented land, planted broom-corn, migrated to Cincinnati, became a ginger-bread peddler in the streets, beat General Harrison for the legislature, procured a divorce for a wealthy young lady, married her, and died with the first visitation of the cholera.
     In the fall of 1816, Dr. George Emery located in Chardon, of whom I find nothing.
     Dr. Denton came in 1820.
     Dr. Justin Scott was an early resident of Chardon.  He built the old Hoyt House, now owned by E. V. Canfield.  These were succeeded by Drs. Perram and Hamilton.
     James Bronson, the first shoemaker, came in 1814, from Connecticut; his wife, Hannah, came in 1815.  Later came his sister, afterwards the wife of Samuel Magonigle, a carpenter, and J. P., who came in 1824 or 1825.  This venerable couple still reside in the village.
     Jonathan Bestor came in 1814; moved into the Hoyt court-house, as it came to be called, and built a log house on the site of the house of his son Jonathan, and near the present residence of Daniel, another son. 
     In 1815 or 1816, came the Sawins, and settled on King street.
     The Hoyts (Judge Noah Hoyt), from New York, must have come in 1820 or 1821; and Sylveater N. in 1824, - a conspicuous man, who held county offices.  His sisters - one became Mrs. Eleazer Paine, one Mrs. Dr. Hamilton and the third, Mrs. Ira Webster - all deceased, as are the parents.
     David T. Bruce, a man of large influence and widely known, came into Madison in 1820; thence removed to Newbury in 1821, and became a resident in Chardon in 1825.
     Ralph Cowles, son of Judge Asa Cowles, became a resident of Chardon in 1820, or soon after.  He married a daughter of Lyman Benton, of Burton; removed to Cleveland after a long, useful residence in Chardon; leaving a son in Cleveland, and a daughter, Mrs. Homer Goodwin, who lives in Sandusky.
     John O. Granger came early; married a daughter of Judge Seth Phelps; was a man of much enterprise, and died many years ago.
     Simeon Corbin and Julius C. Sheldon set up the first store in 1816, on the east side of the square, and stood charged on the tax duplicate of 1817 with ninety cents tax.  Corbin built the first framed house in town, now a part of the residence of Mrs. C. A. Bisbee.
     Samuel Squire was an early settler, and is said to have established himself down South Hambden street, 1823.  Was once treasurer of the county, and a merchant.  His son Samuel and family now reside in Oberlin.
     1815 was signalized by the first wedding in Chardon, when Martin Langdon and Phebe Sanger were joined in wedlock by Esquire Hosea King, of Hambden; and we have had first births and deaths, and other first things.  Very many persons, many of worth, some of note, and a few of distinction, before and largely since the dates of our last arrivals, settled or were born in the limits of Chardon.  Some of them will have mention hereafter in other connection.  Sketches of many will be added.  Chardon is well peopled.  Why should I attempt to further note these disconnecting entrances on a stage where I cannot attend the actors?  I can give no details of individual labor, adventure. suffering, or enterprise, out of which alone can spring interest and sympathy.  Genius itself has no power to impart life, give color and action to this disconnected record of the mere arrival of the settlers to which space limits me.  I leave this planting of the pioneers in these forests, on the day of their arrival, to note somewhat their actions in mechanical and commercial pursuits, as individuals or in association; their civil organization for political purposes and the cause of education ; their dealing with threatened pauperism; their voluntary association for religious worship, the advancement of morality, for benevolent objects, social culture, or general progress.

ORGANIZATION.

     In 1812 Chardon became a part of Hambden township.  I find no note of the severance.  Pursuant to order of the county commissioners, the first township election was held in the court-house, on the first day (Monday) of April, 1816.
     The record is before me, in the hand of Edward Paine, clerk of the township.  Aaron Canfield was chairman; Norman Canfield, Chrisopher Langdon, judges of election; Norman Canfield, Zadock King, Stephen Bond, trustees; Norman Canfield, John Roper, overseers of the poor; George King, Jedediah Sawin, fence viewers; Chris. Langdon, lister and appraiser; and John Roper, appraiser; Jos. Bond, Jr., Chris. Langdon, and Geo. King, supervisors of highways; Hilen Canfield, constable; Aaron Canfield, treasurer.  I find no poll-book nor names or the number of the voters.
     The lister and appraisers performed the duties of the present assessors.  The fence-viewers adjudged the sufficiency of fences on complaint, assessed costs of line fences, useful at an early day.  A political reformer many years later, after zealous labor, procured the abolition of these then nominal offices, and retired from public life.  The name of this benefactor sleeps with the fossil officers.
     The overseers of the poor were important functionaries; and I glance through the thick little quarto record, tempted by the beautiful hands of Edward and Eleazar Paine, and others, clerks, to see how they performed their duty, or for any other bit or incident of township history.
     I see that Aaron Canfield failing to give bail as treasurer, Nathan Thompson - first mention of him - was appointed treasurer Jan. 10, 1816.  It is gratifying to know that the supervisors did their duty then.  How much road was cut out, or how much corduroy was laid, does not appear.  Their places were no sinecures.  Their course is approved Mar. 3, 1817.  At the election of April, 1817, the name of Calvin Thwing appears as treasurer, as does that of his brother Luther as trustee in 1818.  So the Thwings were here early, and were stirring men.  I also find Aaron Stebbins one of the five supervisors of that year.  Road districts were increasing, - an important feature.  In 1819, I find Nathaniel Clark had come on, and was elected fence-viewer, and Clark Bennett, who was made lister; and Isaac Beebe is announced one of the supervisors.  In 1820, David Gray appears as a trustee, and Zenas Warren - Swarthy Zenas - is a fence-viewer.  Rodolphus Stebbins is a superintendent of roads.  This year, under date of September 1, Lucius Smith and Daniel Hendryck, as Overseers of the poor, issued an order to Simeon W. Bently, Stephen Hosmer, Asahel Dodge, and Bill Kenedy, to depart the township forthwith.  The alleged cause was feared pauperism, never much encouraged.  This order was issued to S. Corbin, who served it on them all promptly.  This is all the mention made of these worthies rejected as surplusage.  Their names look well enough, except that of Bill Kenedy, about which there is a flavor of disrepute.  It would be curious could we trace the after-histories of the “ warned out."  The constable, we know, went to the dogs early.  In 1821, Ezra Baily is a supervisor, as are Elijah Bushnel and Stephen Allen.  This same year William Rexford was told to go, but stayed and did well, though warned again.  I also find that Simeon Bently was again admonished, and Asahel Dodge, who had evaded the former notice, was likewise reminded of his social status.
     Bill K., after all, was the only one who heeded, for, little later, Steve Hosmer got it-again.  He is this time coupled with one Oliver Heath.  On the very next page there were two Satterlys found in the woods somewhere, and ordered to go in the same ceremonious way, and not “stand on the order” of their going, and it is to be hoped they did not.
     In 1822 the township was divided into eight road districts.
     Here I come upon the name of Dr. Evert Denton, one of the most remarkable men of his time, as township clerk.  He, too, wrote a beautiful hand.  I also find Truman Clark among the supervisors.  I see that Rexford recked not, and was again warned; as was Nelly Hosmer.  One is sorry for Nelly.  So, also, Zadock, Sybil, Betsey, and Laura Stebbins were directly told they were not wanted.  Chardon was particular then.  I find Joseph Felton a lister in 1823.  Gideon Morgan is treasurer, and Thomas Metcalf became constable.  Also Dorus Curtis and William O. Marshall - name of evil-were among the supervisors.  This year a road tax was levied, equal to the county rate for the same purpose.  In a hasty run along the track of this old record for names of the newly arrived of consequence enough to receive the votes of the citizens or warning of the “Overseers," one looks in vain for any mention of a justice of the peace.  Among the numerous attentions of the overseers one is struck by the names of some of the most conspicuous men of the county.  One is inclined to think that Chardon was full or foolish in the olden times.  Among them occurs that of David T. Bruce, who had

PORTRAIT OF RESIDENCE OF THOMAS METCALF, CHARDON, GEAUGA CO., O.

RESIDENCE OF MRS. E. REXFORD & FORMER RES. OF L. J. RANDALL, DECEASED, CHARDON CO., O.

[Pg. 115]
this honor from the official hands of Dave Gray and Deacon Ben Rider, June 9, 1825, served on him by Austin Canfield, constable.  I turn the leaf on this bit of curious history, and on the other side of the same leaf, in Mr. Bruce's marked hand writing, I find the record of his election as township clerk.  His descendants, among the first and most respected of the county in life, association, and position, can afford to permit this to transpire for the light it throws on the men and incidents of that day.
     There lies before me the poll-book of the township election of 1826, by which it appears that forty votes were cast.
     I find a list of householders for the year 1829, residents of the five school districts of the township, in the well-known hand of Ralph Cowles, township clerk, aggregating 133.  Of these, No. 1 had 57; No. 2, 24; No. 3, 19; No. 4. 21; No. 5, 7; and No. 6, 5.  I am tempted to transcribe the list for present dwellers in Chardon.  Time and the fifteen other townships forbid.

BEGINNINGS.

     I have noted most of the arrivals in their order to 1818, and indicated many others to 1825-26, and later.  Of the comers, few were men of means; all began at the rude surface of the tree-covered earth, that common ground of a real and pure democracy, as each must toil or perish, and at the same labor, with the same implements, for the primal thing, subsistence.  Like babies, with whom the sole test of the use of a thing is can it be eaten, and so all goes to the mouth, so the toilers of these infant settlements were the subjects of this law of alimentativeness, and the things which could not be eaten, though sighed for, could not be sought.  When a whole people are thus engaged wants are primitive, and everything is taken at first hand, directly from the earth, the forest, and streams, or from the animals and fish which inhabit them. No middle-man, mechanic, or manufacturer, comes between producer and consumer.  Each eats his own, or starves. The man, often with woman's aid, clears the forest, plants and tills, digs or reaps, shears a fleece, or strips off a skin.  He and his help meet weekly prepare, manufacture, and assimilate to their needs,  living on the raw, uncultured edges of civilization, and waging relentless war on the common savagery of nature, setting up the machinery of their artificial lives by her ceaseless streams of force and energy, and bending and binding her to their will and use.  So these men began here sixty-six years ago; and lo! from the brows of these beautifully-cultured hills, these happy, sheltered homes of this rich, proud, gay, careless people of the second, third, and fourth generations of descendants of these scarcely mentioned men, and their unnamed but more helpful, hopeful wives, and see the wondrous change.  I would gather up the items and elements of this marvelous transformation, trace the individual lives and labors of these workers, trace back the forest paths to their cabins, see the woods recede, the hats and hovels give place to the neat, vine-trellised cottage, the trail of blazed trees to the perfected road.  See the school-houses rise on the hillsides and the church-spire from the springing village midst; meet troops of happy, neatly-dressed children on their way to school, with the springing up and incoming of all the charities of advanced human society; mark the change in the industries, note the germs of improvement, and follow them to present completeness; follow all the advances of the new community along the rugged ways of progress till they grow smooth and bright; pause as an old toiler falls by the wayside, and mark his resting-place; drop gentle words with tears when in the old time some mother, some tender woman, had sunk under a too-heavy burden; lay buds and tender sprays on the forgotten graves of children buried under the shadow of what to the mother seemed the dark and awful woods.  This is a labor I would gladly undertake with all the beginners of all these townships.  If ever done, another hand, on more ample pages, shall do it.  It is a life most precious to the few living whose unshod feet trod its rude ways.  They still put their sandals reverently off as they turn back to it in memory, for that ground to them is holy ground.  Some leaves - faded flowers of that life - would I gladly press between these pages here and there, that some fragrance of a day, a people, a life passed beyond recall, that lingers only in loving memory, might, like the faint odor of violets, flavor this my work.

CHURCHES.

     The religious sentiment usually finds expression in advance of effort for mental culture.  Unlike Burton, Claridon, and Chester, the early settlers of Chardon seem to have brought no strongly-marked preference for church organization of any sort.
     Captain Paine, a man of vigorous, active mentality, had free notions, and I suspect that Norman Canfield was less orthodox than his sons, while David T. Bruce was a Universalist.  To establish a church in the face of these men would require no little effort and much grace.  Undoubtedly Joseph Badger tried it.  Mr. Canfield says that the famous Dow preached several times in his grandfather’s bar-room. A monument marks his grave in beautiful Oak Hill cemetery, at Georgetown, D. C. John Norris and faithful Father Eddy were here early, as was Rev. Luther Humphrey.  Ezra Booth, subsequently a convert of Joe Smith’s, established a Methodist Episcopal church here in 1818, in which have since labored quite all the itinerant preachers of that efficient but undemocratic branch of Christians who have ridden and preached in northern Ohio since.  “Old Billy Brown" held forth early, and peculiarly to the brethren there, and once as late as 1845 or ’46.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH ORGANIZATION.

     First class formed in September, 1818.  Members, Zadoc and Polly Benton, Ariel and Lucinda Benton, Otis and Lydia Benton, David and Esther Gray, Gideon and Ruth Morgan; Rev. Ira Eddy, first minister; Zudoc Benton, first class leader.  Meetings were held in the log court-house until 1835, when a church was erected which cost three thousand dollars; has been rebuilt; is now in good repair; has a fine organ.  Total membership, July 1, 1878, one hundred and twenty-three.  Average attendance in Sabbath-school, sixty; William Howard is superintendent.  Services, Sabbath morning and evening; free pews.  Pastor’s salary paid by voluntary contributions.  List of pastors from organization to present time: Philip Green, Alfred Bronson, Henry Knapp, E. Taylor, J. Crawford, R. Hopkins, D. Sharp, S. Dunham, J. I. Davis, T. Carr, W. R. Babcock, J. Scott, L. D. Presser, C. Brown, J. W. Hill, J. McLeon, J. Winans, T. Jemerson, B. O. and A. Plympton, T. Stubbs, J. K. Halleck, J. Lucock, A. Callender, J. R. Lock, E. J. Kinney, W. Hunter, W. Wining, J. Leslie, J. O. Wood, R. A. Ailsworth, S. Smith, J. L. Holmes, J. Robison, J. Graham, ___ Aiken, J. Chandler, A. Barges, P. Burrows, J. H. Tag, A. Norton, L. W. Ely, M. H. Bettes, Butler, H. N. Stearns, G. W. Maltby, H. D. Cole, A. Walker, S. C. Freer, T. Guy, William Sampson, T. Radcliff, E. C. Latimer, J. Akers, William Raynolds, H. Kellogg, W. A. Matson, R. Norton, E. R. Knapp, W. H. Wilson, J. D. Norton, C. N. Grant, C. T. Kingsbury, A. Van Camp, J. H. Dewart, W. N. Reno, and R. F. Keeler, the present pastor, now in his second year.
     Peter Chardon Brooks had early promised a bell to the first church-edifice erected in Chardon, and when reminded of this promise, he donated the bell for the building above mentioned, in 1834.  It was first tolled to announce the death and age of Mrs. Aaron Canfield, Dec. 20, 1834, and in the same solemn tones rendered this service on the death of Zadoc Benton, Jan. 3, 1835.  Julian Teeds’ hand used to awaken the clanging tones of that instrument, and I remember that once, while up engaged at his favorite labor, he fell in a fit, rolled down the roof to the caves and dropped to the ground, but survived the full.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH IN CHARDON. *

     The preliminary organization of the regular Baptist church in Chardon was effected on Sept. 1, 1817.  The permanent organization was completed on Oct. 1, 1817, the council from the neighboring churches called for the purpose consisting of Elder Joseph Call, of Mentor, Deacon Warner Goodale, of Madison, Elder Benjamin Barnes, of Kingsville, Samuel Thompson, and Abram Scott, of Geneva, Elder Azariah Hanks and Benjamin Rider acting for the church.
     The records of that early church are meagre.  The minutes of the preliminary meeting, the articles of faith, and the church covenant, are yet extant in the bold, round handwriting of Willard S. Fuller.  But after saying, “We, whose names are hereafter subscribed,” the names are omitted.  The minutes of succeeding meetings are kept, however, with the names of recruits to the church from time to time; and on Jan. 1, 1824, the clerk corrects the omission by gathering up the names of all members up to that time, nearly all of whom the records show to have united with the church after its organization.
     The charter-members of that first Baptist church were evidently few.  Among them prominently figure the names of Azariah Hanks, Benjamin King, Benjamin Rider, and their families; perhaps, also, John King and Rufus Rider.  For ten years the church was prosperous, gathering to its fold many of the influential families of the township, and reaching an aggregate membership of nearly one hundred - a large number for those years of sparse population. 
     During these years, however, a new element had been working its way into the Baptist church, causing much discussion, and gradually drifting it away from the old landmarks, the purport of which is seen in the following resolution, which came up for final passage at the church meeting on the 29th of March, 1829:
     “Resolved, That we will reject all articles, creeds, and confessions of faith, and take the Holy Scriptures alone, believing that they are sufficient for the guidance and government of the church of Christ."
     Having been received into fellowship as a Baptist church on their articles of covenant and confession of faith, when these were rejected by the passage of the
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     *From an historic address by W. I. Hayden.

[Pg. 116]
above resolution, they ceased to be a Baptist church, and, very properly, fellowship was withdrawn from the church, as I understand, by the association to which it belonged, and for more than two years there was no Baptist church in Chardon.
     On the 18th of June, 1831, nine persons whose names are recorded, and who did not approve the resolution above, met, in their own languae, "to establish a Baptist church, " and proceeded to draft new articles and a new covenant.  On Oct. 5, 1831, the council of delegates, called for the purpose, met at the academy, in Chardon, and recognized the following members as "The First Baptist church in Chardon": Isaiah Rider, Sarah Rider (2d), Benjamin Rider, Sarah Rider (1st), Amasa C. Manley, Esther Manley, Rebecca Manley, Lucy Rider, Anson Dwight, Eliza Dwight, Rebecca Cook, Ann Cook, Simon Gager, Wm. Ober, Fanny Ober, and Betsy Vaughn.
     These met from time to time to renew covenant, and to attend to the ordinances, wherever they could, - in the academy, in the Methodist Episcopal church, - or in private houses, enjoying the ministrations of Elders Rider, Stephenson, Carrand others, occasionally, and increasing in numbers and strength.
     On Sept. 3, 1836, Sherman Manley, Benjamin Cook, Jesse Vaughn, and Philo Stoddard were appointed a committee to build a meeting-house.  That committee seemed to have labored somewhat diligently, for there are reports form time to time; but so great were the difficulties in the way that it was July 11, 1840, when, in the language of the record, "the church met for the first time within the walls of her new chapel."
     The light of that society has never gone out, though at times it may have burned dim.  It has quietly kept to its work, always embracing some of the most influential citizen of the town, and to-day, though small in numbers, - only forty-two members, - it is one of the fountains of religious strength in Chardon.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

     The first organization of a Congregational church in Chardon was made on the 15th of February, 1834.  The clergymen officiating were Revs. Dexter Witter and Myron Tracy.  The following-named persons appearing were constituted said church: Sherman B. Canfield, William Young and wife, Austin Canfield and first wife, S. N. Hoyt and wife, Amanda Canfield, Susannah Shattuck, Ann A. Benton, Ralph Cowles and wife, Cornelia Ward, Lucy S. Nowell, and J. O. Worrallo.  Rev. Mr. Witter ministered to this church the summer next following its organization, - one sermon on the afternoon of each fourth Sabbath.  His successor, Rev. Mr. Olds, was engaged for one year; at the expiration of which, Rev. Mr. Swift ministered to it two years the whole time, and three years one-half the time, and closed his engagement the first of May, 1843.  During the first twelve years the several accessions to this church were in all forty persons.  For the balance of the twenty-one years its waning was manifest. On the 14th of April, 1855, a reorganization of this church was effected by Revs. Mr. Witter and Mr. Bushnell, beginning this time with a membership of twenty-four, six of whom were from the first organization.  This new effort for a while promised well, and the church grew from twenty-four to forty members in the course of some ten or twelve years.  At length, not having a house of worship, it became dispirited and the number of its members greatly reduced by removals and deaths, till at last it had but a nominal life.
     The next organization is the present one, made by the Plymouth Rock Conference, on the 24th of February, 1875, with a membership of nineteen. 
     The present elegant brick church-edifice was begun in the spring of 1875, and dedicated July 20, 1876, by the Rev. Dr. Walcott, of Cleveland.  The cost of church and real estate, twelve thousand dollars; furniture, organ, etc., eight hundred dollars; membership, June, 1878, forty-two; Sabbath-school of one hundred scholars; average attendance, sixty.  Messrs. Carroll and Bodman, superintendents.

THE DISCIPLES' CHURCH

     A history of this church in Chardon is a history of a great religious movement on the Reserve, mainly led by Alexander Campbell, and had its origin in the Baptist church. The denizens of old States, broken into individuals and transplanted into an unoccupied new territory, not held under the charm of an effete civilization of an annihilated or departed race, become essentially a new people.  A civilized man in the woods easily reverts to barbarism or savagery.  His primitive surroundings powerfully draw him towards nature.  A colony planted as were the pioneers of the Reserve in some sense came to be a primitive people.  Living near, in the arms, on the bosom of nature, they felt a fresh stimulus of the religious elements and instincts.  In the new freedom, old faiths and traditions become shame, meaning nothing; are hindrances and torments.  Man, stripped to his naked soul, seems to stand in the immediate presence in the forests as never in man's temples in the cities.  Nothing stands between him and God.  The
earnest, democratic Baptist, with the American traditions of his faith, in the western woods, was peculiarly alive to these influences, and he found new readings of the teachings of the apostles and their Master.
     The earlier years of the century saw a quickening of the religious sensibilities in the West, not limited to any sect, and these causes, together, in the lead of men of strong, deep, fervid natures, of souls of the heroic stamp, like Mr. Campbell and the men of his leading, resulted in the rapid spread of the new, or restored, views and writings of the old Christian masters.  These men, from the prominence of their spokesman, who had many of the qualities of a leader, were at first known by his name, but finally adopted the English word representing the cognomen of the first followers of the Galilean Teacher.
     Holding with the Baptists as to the form of baptism, differing with all orthodox sects mainly in the object and efficacy of the rite, and in rejecting all evidence and forms of faith and church government, save as found in the later Scriptures, which they boldly studied and construed for themselves, with little respect for old glosses, full of the new wine, zealous and fearless, - like all young sects, they became aggressive, while their intrepid leader became the most famous and skillful of all the able controversialists of his day. He did battle-royal with Robert Owen, that soil, pure-hearted, misguided philanthropist.  He defended evangelical Christianity against the church of Rome, championed by Archbishop Purcell.  He laid lance in rest and tilted with O. A. Skinner, the renowned Universalist.  He furnished weapons for all the new disciples, who, truth to say, were no way averse under his example to use them.  Militant were they.  Mr. Campbell visited Chardon at the Baptist ministers’ meeting in 1824.  He produced a profound awakening.  His Christian Baptist was an efficient advocate.
     Such church organization as the New Testament in their hands warranted grew up in Chardon soon after this visit. King street was the locality more immediately influenced, and the Kings, their kin, and neighbors, were the first to confess the new or old faith.  Lucius Smith, John Collins, Zadoc and George King, and many others who became steady life-believers.  The high character of these men, and of others, their influence and zeal, gave their church at once a firm footing in Chardon.
     In 1836 a church edifice was erected on King street.  Later, in 1846, a tasteful building was erected just south of Chardon square, completed in 1876.  The church new numbers one hundred and twenty, under the care of Elder D. R. King and of C. B. Spencer.  Among the conspicuous fruits of this early movement should be mentioned Elder Wm. Collins, a son of John Collins.  He was born in Enfield, Connecticut, 1799, removed with his father to Chardon in 1816, was baptized in March, 1822.  He prepared for the ministry under the urgent persuasions of Elder Rufus Rider, seems to have graduated at the Baptist theological school at Hamilton, was licensed by them in November, 1822, and returned to be caught up in the new movement, “was duly set apart by ordination to the ministry of the word," which St. John says was God, Oct. 26, 1826.  For thirty-four years he proclaimed it, was a strong persuasive speaker, loved by his fellow-disciples, respected and esteemed by all others.  He died some years ago.  Much of this time he was connected with the Chardon church.
     In 1853, J. W. Errett labored in the church three years, followed by James Encill, and he by R. Chapman, who died there, was succeeded by Orange Higgins, J. W. Ingram, W. S. Hayden, and R. S. Groves.  Elder King, now in charge (1878), is highly spoken of.  The deacons are L. G. King and A. B. Canfield; clerk, Seth H. Sawyer.

THE UNIVERSALISTS.

     It has been the fortune of this branch of the general Christian family to be depressed by its seeming friends.  Those too sinful or slothful to become orthodox have sought shelter and fancied safety in the structure of this faith.  Not carefully shingled with dogma nor any too well fenced with tests of moral conduct, not a few profess the faith who will hardly find salvation within its scope should it prove true, while the belligerent atheist and deist are always seeking to build them up as a counter-irritant to orthodoxy, and the Universalists are thus handicapped with the weight of all.  It must be remembered, too, that they lack one of the inspirations of their orthodox brethren, - that of fear.  Men who do not believe in Kidd‘s money seldom organize to find it.  Those who do not believe in hell will not combine or labor greatly to avoid it, whatever else they may do.
     At an early day there was a Universalist church society in Chardon, at what time formed or by whom I am not advised.  David T. Bruce, and, later, Joseph Cowles, were stanch members, while Captain Paine, an admitted infidel, gave it aid, comfort, and reproach.  Mr. St. Clair, an uncultivated man of ability, was an early preacher there, as was Mr. Rains, a man of some culture.  Both were caught up in Mr. Campbell's movement, duly washed, and preached that faith, as was Rev. E. Williams.  Dr. Bradley, and then young Tracy, preached there.  The last followed in the order of the elders.  Rev. Mr. Doolittle occasionally preached to them, a man of education, also Mr. Hoag.  It is a religion of cul-

RESIDENCE OF J. O. CONVERSE, CHARDON, GEAUGA CO., O.

THE OLD HOUSE

SHARON WICK's NOTE: The picture above here is a little blurry.
I will type what it says here:

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ture rather than of propagation.  Later came S. P. Carlton, a man of ability, and others. Old Father Doloff probably preached there, of limited education, a man long-headed, gentle, and often sweet, with brains enough to fit a theological seminary and furnish forth a score of revival preachers.  The society never can be said to have flourished, nor is it of consequence when it ceased.

EDUCATIONAL.

     Mr. Canfield says that the first school ever taught in Chardon was in the summer of 1815, in the little building for the commissioners’ office, by Miss Mehitable Hall, a sister of Reuben Hall, and afterward Mrs. Orrin Spencer, and the mother of H. N. Spencer.  The first winter school was by Levi Edson, a person of academical education, an amiable, excellent, indolent man, said to be a good teacher.  At an early day an academical school had an existence in Chardon, where there was early developed an appreciative spirit on the subject of education.  Dr. O. W. Ludlow, a student of Dr. Denton, was an instructor of it as early as 1824 or 1825.  He boarded at Aaron Canfield’s tavern, on the east side of the square, and used to sound a bugle in the morning as a signal for the pupils to assemble.
     *In 1826 a brick building was erected near where T. H. Eaton’s store now stands.  This was known as the Brick Academy.  In the upper room was taught a select school or academy; the two lower rooms were used by the district.  This building was used for school-purposes until about 1840 (?).  The following are among the persons who taught in the academical department of this school: Dr. Asa B. Metcalf, Dr. O. W. Ludlow, Mr. Kirtland, Sherman B. Canfield, Mr. Rust, J. O. Worrallo, and others. In the district department Mr. Harris, John Treat, J. O. Worrallo, and others were teachers.
     After this brick academy was sold to John King, Abel Wilder taught a select school in the basement of the Methodist Episcopal church, when the district school was transferred, about 1843, into a two-story building, erected on land then owned by Ralph Cowles, just south of the present residence of William Munsell.  From this time the select and public schools were kept separate.  The former was conducted in the basement of the Methodist Episcopal church by T. W. Haney, who succeeded A. Wilder.  In a short time a company was organized, who purchased the Frank Paine store-building, standing just east of A. P. Tilden’s present residence. This was converted into a school-building, and a school, known as the Geauga high school, was taught there, first by T. W. Harvey, from 1845 till 1848.  Mr. Harvey was succeeded by Professor Holbrook, F. S. Thomas, and R. E. Denton.  Job Fish and L. W. Canfield were also instructors in this building.  This was about the last attempt to support a high school or academy separate from the public schools in Chardon.  Meanwhile, the district schools, consisting of three departments, were conducted in the building on the Cowles lot.  The following is a partial list of the teachers who taught there during the twelve years the school was continued in that place: Doctor Moore, W. N. Keeney, D. W. Canfield, B. F. Curtiss, Isaac Grifiin, Mr. Thompson, Miss Nancy and Miss Lucy Merrill, Miss Gotham, Miss Amerrilla Collins, Miss Bail.
     About the year 1855 the school-board purchased the building situated in front of the present school-building, and known as the Cyrus Canficld Hotel.  School was continued in this building until the April of 1873, when it was transferred to the present building.  During the time school was kept in the old Canfield Hotel, the number of departments was increased to five.  The following persons were among the teachers employed in this building as superintendents or teachers in high school: Messrs. Barber, Bulkley, Stone, Pulsipher, Professor Norton, Doctor McBride, Mr. Edson, T. S. Gurney, William Strong, Doctor Nichols, James A. Wood, George F. Waters, W. S. Hayden, H. N. Stephenson, and Mr. Beardsley, each taught one term with pupils selected from the high and grammar departments.  C. W. Carroll taught one year in the latter department.  Among the lady teachers in this building we find Julia Warner, Emma Miller, Mary Bidwell, Mrs. Florence Wells, Hettie Wells, Tiffany, Bundy, Sweat, Collins, Julia Dickinson, Murray, Cleveland, Louisa Shaw, Mrs. Cook, Rhoda Thompson, Hessie Rogers, Alice J. Fowler, Minnie A. Taylor, Addie Davis, Kate Smith, Sara Bartlett, and Miss Russell.
     May 4, 1872, the board of education, consisting of E. V. Canfield, J. E. Stephenson, and Philo Pease, let the contract for erecting the present building to Conley & Gloin for twenty-two thousand three hundred dollars,--the building to contain five school-rooms, one recitation-room, one chapel, cloak-rooms, etc., two stories high, and to be in size sixty-four feet by seventy-eight feet. To provide for the payment of this amount, the board issued two series of bonds at eight per cent, payable Sept. 1, 1876, and Sept. 1, 1881.
     June 25, 1878, the board of education authorized the issuing of seventeen thousand dollars in bonds, in denominations of one hundred, two hundred, and five hundred dollars, bearing interest at six per cent., payable semi-annually; bonds payable Sept. 1, 1877; the proceeds arising from the sale of these bonds to be applied to redeeming second series, issued in 1872.
     In the spring of 1873 the present building was completed, and the schools were opened there.  From that time until the fall of 1875, W. S. Hayden was superintendent.  He was succeeded by Alvin Smith, who held that position three years. Miss E. Metta Rogers has been assistant in high school for some years, since the schools have been in the present building.  The grammar department has been taught by C. W. Carroll, Miss Arvillu Goodel, C. R. Hollis, H. N. Stephenson, Miss Kate Smith, Miss Fannie M. Bard, Frank Howard, and Mrs. Anna T. Treat.  The intermediate by Miss Minnie Taylor, Miss Kate Smith, and Mrs. Bennett.  The secondary by Miss Kate Smith, Miss Laura M. Stephenson, Miss Mattie Parker, Mrs. Adaline Benton, Mrs. Louie V. Smith, Mrs. Rose Burnett, and Miss Mary Pomeroy.  The primary by Miss Alice J. Fowler, Miss Sarah N. Wright, Miss Laura J. Burdett.
     The. school-building is now furnished with suitable philosophical and chemical apparatus, is well seated, and continues to present numerous advantages to students from without the district.
     The teachers for the school year of 1878-79 are C. W. Carroll, superintendent and principal of high school; Miss E. Mettu Rogers, assistant in high school; Mrs. Anna T. Treat, teacher of grammar department; Miss Emma Stuart, teacher of intermediate department; Miss Mary E. Pomcroy, teacher of secondary department; Miss Laura J. Burdett., teacher of primary department.

SOCIETIES AND ORDERS.

     Chardon. Chapter, No. 106, R. A. M., was instituted Oct. 17, 1868.  The following were the charter members: Companions, Harlo N. Spencer, Isaac N. Hathaway, Henry K. Smith, Royal P. Munsell, Perley Fuller, Joseph T. Sherman, Tracy W. Scott, Hercules G. Carroll, Luther P. Scott, Rufus H. Tucker, Henry S. Wood, Henry Bartlett, and Byron W. Canfield.  The first officers were: H. N. Spencer, H. P.; I. N. Hathaway, K.; H. K. Smith, Scribe; H. S. Wood, C. of H.; R. H. Tucker, P. S.; T. W. Scott, R. A. C.; H. Bartlett, G. M. 3d V.; P. Fuller, G. M. 2d V.; J. F. Sherman, G. M. 1st V.; R. P. Munsell, Treas.; B. W. Canfield, Sec; L. P. Scott, Guard. Stated convocations, first and third Tuesdays of each month.  Total present membership, seventy.  The officers for 1878 are: A. W. Benton, H. P.; I. N. Hathaway, K.; Henry Bartlett, Scribe; C. W. Osborne, C. of H.; M. L. Maynard, P. S.; S. E. Bodman, R. A. C.; J. A. Wood, G. M. 3d V.; L. V. Carpenter, G. M. 2d V.; S. L. Grifiith, G. M. 1st V.; T. C. Smith, Treas; L. C. Cowles, Sec; L. M. Moffit, Guard; and J. C. Hollis, organist.
     Chardon Lodge, No. 93, F. and A. M. -The first lodge of this society was established on the 16th of January, 1828, with the following charter members: Edward Paine, Jr., C. L. Ferris, Thomas R. Wheeler, D. St. Clair, J. D. T. Bruce, Chandler Pease, S. V. R. Laraway, Asa Foote, Orrin Spencer, Merrick Pease and Roderick White.  This charter was granted by Thomas Corwin, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio.  The first officers were Edward Paine, Jr., W. M.; Reuben Brown, S. W.; David T. Bruce, J. W.  The first meetings of this lodge were held in the chamber of the residence of David T. Bruce, on Water street, then in one of the jury-rooms at the court-house, and afterwards in the hotel of Cyrus Canfield (the old main school-building, now occupied by Witler & Son for a planing mill).
     The charter of the present lodge bears date Oct. 18, 1842, and gives the names of constituent members as follows: Manning Shumway, William Fox, B. F. Avery, H. M. Merrell, R. White, Chester Moffatt, John Willey, Hiram Wescott, Samuel Ford, Edward Paine, Jr., Orrin Spencer, E. P. Norton, Watrous Mentor, Jeremiah Johnson, S. V. R. Laraway, David T. Bruce, and others.  Officers on organization: Henry M. Merrell, W. M.; B. F. Avoy, S. W.; R. White, J. W.; Orrin Spencer, Trees; David T. Bruce, Sec.; Watrons Mentor, S. D.; Manning Shumway, J. D.; John Wiley and E. P. Norton, Stewards.  When the extensive conflagration prevailed in Chardon in July, 1868 (further notice of which is given elsewhere), the lodge-room was destroyed, and nearly all its contents.  This entailed a heavy loss, from which the society has never fully recovered. They however rebuilt, and have now an elegant hall; are in a prosperous and harmonious condition.  Present membership, ninety-three.  Stated communications, second and fourth Saturday evening of each month.  Officers for 1878: L. M. Moffett, W. M., C. W. Osborne, S. W.; L. V. Carpenter, J. W.; Alonzo Pease, Treas.; S. L. Griffith, Sec; M. L. Maynard, S. D.; F. S. Morris, J. D.; Henry Bartlett, Chaplain; J. A. Wood and George F. Center, Stewards; O. O. King, Tyler; and J. C. Hollis, organist.
     Chardon Lodge, No. 213, I. O. O. F., was instituted March 5, 1853, with James L. Comstock, L. A. Hamilton, A. L. Rogers, Daniel Warner, Jr., and Lucius E. Durfee as charter members.  The first officers were A. L. Rogers,

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     * By C. W. Carrol, Esq.

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N. G.; L. A. Hamilton, V. G.; L. E. Durfee, Sec.; Daniel Warner, Jr., Treas.; A. H. Gotham, C.; S. McGonigal, W.; Eli Bruce, I. G.; J. S. Wright, R. S. S.; A. Cook, L. S. S.  Present membership, sixty.  Regular meetings, Monday evening of each week, in Odd-Fellows' Hall, second story of No. 9, Union block.  The officers for 1878 are H. Bickle n. G.; A. H. Chamberlain, V. G.; Z. S. Warren, W.; W. L. Canfield, C.; I. W. Canfield, R. S.; L. D. Pease, P. S.; O. O. King, R. S. to N. G.; E. A. JOhnson, L. S. to N. G.; A. Pard, I. G. C. A. Sanger, R. S. S.; M. H. Hamlin L. S. S.
     Chardon Encampment, No. 204, - was instituted June 20, 1876. Charter members, S. L. Griffith, C. A. Sanger, George D. Colby, J. W. Buttery, C. M. Turner, O. O. King, and M. H. Hamlin.  The first officers were S. L. Griffith, C. P.; O. O. King, H. P.; C. A. Sanger, S. W.; C. M. Turner, J. W.; A. H. Chamberlain, Scribe; J. W. Buttery, Treas; B. W. Canfield, Guide; E. A. Johnson, 1st W.; H. D. Osmond, 2d W.; J. Bickle, 3d W.; H. Bickle,4th W.; M. H. Hamlin, I. S.; G. W. Stillwell, 1st G. of T.; E. E. Warren, 2d G. of T. Membership, twenty-six. Stated meetings, first, third, and fifth Thursday of each month.  This institution is in a flourishing condition financially.  Officers for 1878: A. H. Chamberlain, C. P.; Z. S. Warren, S. W.; I. W. Canfield, J. W.; E. A. Johnson, H. P.; H. Bickle, Scribe; S. L. Griffith, Tress; D. W. Canfield, Guide; C. A. Sanger, 1st W.; J. Bickle, 2d W.; O. O. King, 3d W.;  H. D. Osmond, 4th W.; A. S. Watts, 1st G. T.; G. W. Stillwell, 2d G. T.; M. H. Hamlin, I. S.

     G. A. R. - There was formerly an organization of the Grand Army of the Republic located at Chardon.  This has, however, ceased to be.

     Farmers' Club. - The farmers in the north part of the township have evinced their appreciation of their calling and of themselves by forming a club, Jan. 3, 1878.  Officers: President, A. G. Barton; Vice-President, Ira Woodruff; Secretary, C. P. Bail; Treasurer, Jonas Tuttle.  Constitution and by-laws adopted.  A counterpart of the club by ladies was organized soon after, and the meetings and discussions are spirited and interesting, winding up with a social union of both sexes.

MANUFACTURERS

     Undoubtedly the oldest manufactory now in operation in Chardon is the tannery on South Hambden street, built by Samuel Squires as early, it is thought, as 1823.  It is now owned by John Kissick.  Has done an extensive business.  The first tannery was set up by John H. Justus, west of Water street, south side.  L. J. Randall in about 1850 erected a building on South Hambden street, designed for a morocco-factory, and which he worked as such some eight years, when he converted it into a cheese-factory.  On the death of Mr. R., which occurred some six years later, the business went into the hands of A. P. Stoughton, of New York, who conducted it some two years, since when it has passed under numerous managers, until, in the spring of 1873, the “American Dairy and Commercial Company" leased the factory and grounds of Jabez King, and the season following erected the capacious buildings now occupied by them, costing fifteen thousand
dollars. The name was changed to “ Chardon Creamery."  The cheese is made by the “Freeman Process."  The season of 1877 there were manufactured ninety thousand pounds of butter and one hundred and sixty-two thousand pounds of cheese, working the milk of nearly one thousand cows, paying the prices quoted by the leading New York papers.  This firm works a factory in Montville, and a number in other localities.  The net price paid patrons in 1877 was eight and three-quarters cents per ten pounds of milk.  The average receipts for the month of June, 1878, were seventeen thousand pounds of milk daily.  E. G. Ellis is the agent for the manufacturers at this factory.
     In 1845 or '46 the Chardon steam mill company was formed, and a steam saw mill erected on the cross-road east of the village, afterwards sold to Alfred Phelps, Jr., who ran it several years, when it was burnt, the not unusual fate of such ventures.
     W. Witter & Son, founders, bepn business in the year 1861.  Their works were situated on the corner of Washington and Water streets.  Amount invested, fifteen hundred dollars.  In the year 1874 they removed the old building, and, purchasing the union school-building, placed it on the site of the old manufactory, refitted it, putting in new machinery throughout, and added making sash, doors, .and blinds to the business.  The amount invested at present is five thousand dollars.
     In April, 1874, Austin Chilson erected a building on lot 98, Painesville road, and therein began the planing-mill business, with scroll- and jigsawing, mouldings, etc.  Amount invested, two thousand five hundred dollars.  Still in successful operation.
     In June, 1862, O. G. Thayer came to Chardon and began the business of gun-smithing.  The present gun- and machine-shop, on lot 98, was erected and put-in operation in 1874; capital invested, five thousand dollars; does general repair work in the machine department.  Makes a specialty of fine target rifles.
     Among other items we may mention the saw-mill of John Bailey, South Hambden street; brick-kiln of Charles Colemans, established in 1875, by James Beach & Son; spring bed manufactory,  Messrs. Quirk and Manley proprietors; carriage manufactories, N. Collins, R. P. Parsons, A. W. Benton, and T. C. Crompton.
     The lumber-yard of Elmer Riddle, at the depot of the Painesville and Youngstown railroad, was established in 1875.  He handles about one million feet of lumber annually; deals in shingles, lath, and all needed building-material, in which a considerable of productive capital is employed.
    Blacksmiths - L. V. Carpenter, S. L. Griffith, H. Crowningshield, H. P. Mathews, John Hardaker, James Highland, A. Clark, and Ed. Griswold.
     D. F. Avery has for many years carried on the business of carriage, sign, and house and ornamental painting and graining, and ranks high as a mechanic in his line.
 

BANKING

     In the spring of 1857, Messrs. L. J. Randall and O. A. and T. M. Burton established a private banking-house.  They did a large business.  Ceased operations in 1861.  The same year Messrs. L. S. Ayers and Jno. Murray (2d) commenced to do a banking business in connection with their merchandising.  They discontinued in 1864, and Messrs. John Murray (2d) and B. W. and E. V. Canfield started a private banking-house.  In 1867, B. W. Canfield retired, and the remaining partners prosecuted the business until May 1, 1873, when D. W. Canfield became a partner, and under the name of Canfield, Murray & Canfield continued business until Sept. 2, 1876. when they were forced by an unfortunate combination of circumstances to cease business.  The Geauga Savings and Loan Association received a charter Mar. 3,1873. Capital, $100,000.  Incorporators: B. B. Woodbury, D. C. Gridley, A. P. Tilden, E. N. Osborn, L. T. Wilmot, and W. C. Thrasher. May 13, 1873, officers elected as follows:  President, B. B. Woodbury; Vice-President, W. C. Thrasher; Cashier and Treasurer, T. C. Smith; Directors, B. B. Woodbury, W. C. Thrasher, Horace Tucker, Samuel Bodman, A. P. Tilden, E. N. Osborn, D. C. Gridley.  Daniel Johnson and H. J. Ford, directors, and B. B. Woodbury, W. C. Thrasher, and E. N. Osborn, committee on finance.  In the summer of 1873 they built their elegant bank-building.  This is located on the corner of Court street and Public Square.  It is in size twenty-two by sixty-six feet; two stories in height, and cost nine thousand dollars.

GENERAL BUSINESS

     Hotels. - "Chardon House," Benton & Co., proprietors; "Burnett House," A. M. Goodrich.
     J. O. Converse, proprietor and publisher of the Geauga Republican and job printing-office, Randall's Block.
     Dry Goods. - J. F. Field, Messrs. Kelly Brothers, Smith & Bodman, and S. Patchen.
     Millinery. - Mrs. F. A. Eaton, Miss Lydia Bruce.
     Hardware and Tin. - Kelley Brothers, Parks Brothers, G. C. Smith, J. F. Bruce.
     Drugs and Medicines. - A. Cook, W. C. Parsons; also books and stationery.
     Grocers. - Canfield & Co., A. D. Downing & Co., Bartlett, Hilliard & Co.
     Jewelry and Silverware. - O. H. Pilken and H. H. Bisbee.
     Meat-Markets. - Toop Brothers and J. Houghton.
     Boots & Shoes. - Bartlett, Hilliard & Co., E. Hastings, W. G. Harrison.
     Harness-Shops. - J. O. Teed, and Henry Pease.  Both these gentlemen are also proprietors of livery-stables.
     Furniture and Undertaking. - H. Bickle and W. G. Munsil.
     Miscellaneous. - George H. Garrett, flour and feed; Lester Moffat, auction-store;  E. Johnson, restaurant and reading-rooms; Thomas Christian, tailor; E. D. King, cigar-maker; Eggleston & Co., Photographers; S. W. Newell, carriage-trimmer
     Present Physicians and Dentists. - L. L. and A. L. Bennett, T. H. Sweeney, O. A. Dimmock, T. M. Cowles, E. Morse, O. Pomeroy, J. W. Atwood, and S. McNutt.  Dentists, M. L. Wright, F. S. Pomeroy, and A. D. Sawyer.
     The present postmaster is O. R. Canfield.

THE FIRE.

     A note must be made of the destruction and rebuilding of the business part of the village.  So intimately is the village interwoven with the general history of the township, or rather so fully has it absorbed and swallowed up the Chardon of the pioneers, that I treat them as one.
     Whoever recalls the old town will have a memory of a score of irregularly-built, ill-arranged, slovenly-kept, incommodious wooden buildings, with two or three brick structures, standing in a straggling rank, fronting the square on the west side, reach

L. J. RANDALL

     LEANDER JASON RANDALL was the son of Jason and Martha Randall, who were born in Bridgewater, New York.  Jason Randall and wife and five children moved from Genesee county, New York, to Kirtland, now Lake County, Ohio, in February, 1819, and in the spring of 1830 they moved from Kirtland to Munson, and afterwards to Chardon, Ohio, and died there, - Jason R., Feb. 1, 1852; Martha, Nov. 24, 1856.  L. J. Randall was born in the town of Sweden, Genesee county, New York, Feb. 15, 1818.  He was the fifth of a family of ten children.
     In young manhood he taught common school winters, went grafting in the spring, and worked by the month as a farm hand till August, 1843, when he formed a copartnership with Benjamin Cook, the father of Alpheus and Pardon O. Cook, at Munson, Geauga County, for the transaction of a general mercantile and produce business.  This copartnership continued about one year, and in September, 1845, he formed a copartnership with Pardon O. Cook and Bradley C. Randall, a brother, under the firm-name of Randall, Cook & Co., at Chardon, Ohio, for the transaction of a general mercantile and produce business.  In 1847 they added to their business the slaughtering of sheep, buying sheep pelts, pulling the wool off them, tanning the skins, and manufacturing them into morocco, and the tallow from the slaughtered sheep into candles.  Some years as many as ten thousand sheep were slaughtered, and from ten to twenty thousand sheep pelts purchased and pulled.  This copartnership continued until Oct. 10, 1853, when it was dissolved by mutual consent, the senior member of the firm wanting to increase their business, and his more conservative associates not wishing to venture more extensively.  After the dissolution, L. J. Randall continued the same business until the fall of 1854, when he added the slaughtering of cattle and packing of beef to the other business.  This he continued for two seasons at Chardon, and for five or six years after in Cleveland, Ohio.  This was a large business.  Some seasons he killed and packed upwards of four thousand head of cattle.
     In the spring of 1857 he sold his store in Chardon and commenced the banking business, as senior partner of the firm of Randall & Burtens.  This business continued until the fall of 1861.  In 1859 he opened a produce commission business in New York, as senior partner of the firm of Randall, Hamilton & Co. This business continued some three or four years.  In 1860 he engaged in the business of buying cheese, then made by the farmers instead of factories, as now.  The year’s purchase amounted to upwards of one hundred thousand dollars, and this business he continued until the time of his death.  In 1861 he again engaged in the mercantile business, and in the fall of that year he purchased the cheese made by the first factory operated in the county.  In 1862 he embarked in the manufacture of cheese by the factory system, starting the second factory in the county. This business he added to, year after year, until 1869, when he owned six factories, and rented one, which he worked that year.  In 1864 be commenced operating in railroad stocks and gold, in Wall street, New York, which he continued up to the time of his decease.  His transactions in this branch of business were enormous, frequently almost controlling the market of one or two of the leading stocks, the purchases and sales amounting to millions of dollars daily.  In 1866 he invented and patented a process for pressing a series of cheeses with a single screw. These were a small cheese weighing six pounds, of a very fine quality, intended for family use, and readily brought from one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five dollars per ton more than ordinary cheese.  In 1868 he built the Randall Block, at Chardon, Ohio, one hundred and forty-one feet by sixty-six, at a cost of about forty thousand dollars.   In 1869 he took the contract to build the court-house at Chardon.  He died before there was a brick laid.
     L. J. Randall was married to Elisa Smith, Mar. 9, 1847.  Her parents were Samuel and Sibbyll Smith, of Chardon, Ohio.  Of this marriage were born Sibbyll M., February, 1848, Lucinda A., September, 1849; Juliet V., June 12, 1852, Florence E., Mar. 31, 1855.
     Juliet V. married Ira W. Canfield, May 22, 1872, now living at Chardon, Ohio; Sibbyll M. died Apr. 7, 1848; Lucinda A. died Mar. 12, 1856; Florence E. died Oct. 1, 1856.
     He was not always successful in business enterprises, often met with losses, and frequently large amounts.  In 1847 the wool-house, used for drying the wool pulled from sheep pelts, was burned, and again in 1849.  In 1868 he suffered largely by the fire that destroyed almost the entire business portion of the town of Chardon, losing three entire buildings, and from two to three thousand dollars’ worth of wool and goods.  He frequently said during his life that it was as necessary for him to meet with these reverses as it was to be successful; that if he was always successful, that the excitement would so affect his nervous system that he would soon be a fit subject for an insane assylum.
     As seen, the life of Mr. Randall was one of constant and intense activity.  He was, in many respects, a most remarkable man; to his great activity be added the capacity for large enterprises, a grasp and ability to successfully manage large undertakings, and several of them at the same time.  While he could originate and set on foot a new and extensive business, such was his sagacity and power over details that each in turn was made to succeed, and no one even partially failed.  Without capital at the commencement, he was obliged to use it, and such was his credit, and the confidence men had in his integrity, sagacity, and skill, that he could usually command what he required.  The energy, dash, and force with which be pressed an enterprise was equal to the skill with which he perfected and managed it.
     Of vigorous, compact form, capable of great endurance, pleasant, frank, manly face, and prompt address, he had no time for external polish of manners, nor did he ever become interested in books or papers beyond the price current.  His life was one of action, on the double-quick; his perceptions, in his lines of thought, quick as a flash, and very certain; a bold and skillful operator, his end at mid career cut off a man who had not made his mark, and was only really preparing to do that.  In his early days at Chardon, while that was yet his field, no man was ever so useful to it.  He did more business, of a kind to employ men and give activity and life to a town, than all his predecessors, who had dosed out their lives before he came to wake them up.  He was attached to Chardon; there was his home and early life associations.
     His business transactions involved him in many expensive and sharply-contested law-suits, and the uniformity of his success in them marked the care and skill with which he mastered and never lost sight of details.  He was a kind-hearted man, steady in his friendships, true in all his engagements.  He leaves only a daughter, and when men cease to speak of him, his name will be forgotten in Chardon.

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ing from the old court-house, south, to the corner, with every sort of a disreputable, unswept sidewalk in front, and a series of badly-whittled wooden benches along the walls of the buildings.  There was little to do, and no great disposition to do more.  Randall's store, near the south end, was the only redeeming feature in the aged row.  Chardon was quite content with itself, had the county-seat, and, if profits were small to her business men, they were certain.  Life was cheaply maintained, and a sense of indolent security pervaded and brooded over the good folk of the county-seat.

“ But Linden saw another sight,
When the drum beat at dead of night,
Commanding fires of death to light.”

     On the warm July night of the 24th, 1868, the villagers, as was their wont, retired early, and by nine PM. every window was darkened.  There was a light northeast wind fanning the bare, treeless, littered square, and raising small eddies of dust in the empty, silent streets.
     At the serene hour of two the next morning, some wakeful eye discerned a bewildering light in the rear of the row, and then another, and yet a third, all at the outside.  A moment and the awful cry of fire! fire! fire! rang through the sleeping town, awaking the whole people, who awoke also to the realization of their utterly helpless condition.  Not an engine, not a. bucket, not a ladder, or even a reservoir of water, no filmy outline of a fire organization had visited the brain of any till the unnatural dawn of that lurid morning burst on them, with the light of their tindery buildings crackling in the leaping flames.  Chardon had a plenty of stout, manly stuff in her men, and plenty of courage and devotion in her womanhood.  Half clad they rushed to the already lost battle of their town; a desperate and determined stand was made on the battlements of the old court-house, which was also lost, and with it the seat of the county put in peril.  All attempts to stay the burning were futile.  The whole wooden row was soon a mass of melting flames, roaring and leaping, and sending jets into the heavens, burning out the heart of the July night.  It seized on the court-house, the wooden roof and tower of which, overtopping the village, led and lent its pyre of flame to the destroying grandeur of the spectacle, lighting from the hill all the surrounding country, and projecting ghostly shadows in strange unwonted directions.  Southward the tempest of fire swept, and the desperate citizens, in the light of their blazing stores and shops, rushed to the defense of their imperiled homes.  The width of Water street, the lightness of the wind, saved the south street, or the marble-marked village of the dead, on the fair southwest slope of the hill, would have contained the only unburned homes in that part of the town.
     When the morning of the 25th succeeded the morning born of fire, the town from Water street to the Methodist meeting-house was a mass of charred, smoking ruins, with groups of villagers, increased by men and women from the surrounding country, who sad and wondering, stood about talking over the great calamity.
     Chardon was full of good stuff-how much and what it never before knew.  From the smouldering ruins of the old town was to spring the new Chardon, with a new life, new energy, and new ambition, to conduct to a better and higher destiny. In the hands of an average people the town would never have been rebuilt.  The owners of the ruin-encumbered ground would have sold and departed dispirited. The county-seat would have passed to more ancient Burton, and instead of writing these chronicles within the walls of the spacious new court-house, strangers would now be pointed to the ruins of the old, and asking for the site of the gallows on which Wright was hanged sixty years ago.
     On the following Monday a spontaneous meeting of the citizens resolved to rebuild the town by organized and combined action.  Wisdom, harmony, and energy controlled the meeting, and guided the future action of the people, which marks the sterling qualities of the citizens.  It was resolved that the whole burnt district should be covered with fire-proof buildings, and a building association was formed.  The first step were to find temporary shelter for the trades and interests thus despoiled, and quite wonderful old “ Bee-Hive” had a magical entrance upon the southern margin of the square.  Chardon was never so wide awake, never so capable, never so creditable. Hcr men and women became a new people, full of the new wine of awakened energy and enterprise.  It began to find its real capital and the better inner resources of its own people.
     In two weeks the Chardon Building Company was perfected, with J. F. Bruce, president; B. B. Woodbury, D. W. Canfield, D. C. Kellogg, Jabez King, and John Murray, Jr., directors.  Of that board, I. N. Hathaway became secretary, and E. V. Canfield, treasurer. Immediately a contract for “Union Block” was entered into with Messrs. Herrick & Simmons, of Cleveland, and the work began August 24th.  The corner-stone was laid with gratulations, and finished the next January.  It is a two-story brick, of good material and style, two hundred and thirty-one by sixty-six feet, with twelve spacious stores on the first and fine rooms on the second floor.  When done, but eight thousand dollars were due the architects.  The Masons built their hall in connection with Union Block, thus adding a third story near the centre.  Union Block covered about two-thirds of the burnt district.  Of the owners of the residue, L. J. Randall was the largest.  His enterprise, seconded by the others and an organization of citizens who were willing to risk their means in the undertaking, enabled the parties to put the Randall Block under contract in September, and its completion followed that of the Union Block.  This is one hundred and forty by sixty-six feet, with an attic and fine basement, seven feet higher than Union, and cost forty thousand dollars.  It is constructed in a style and with a finish superior to Union, and compares favorably with good structures in well-built cities, is an ornament to Chardon and a credit to the enterprise of the builders and projectors.
     The destruction of the old court-house and change of site left a gloomy vacancy north of Union Block.  H. K. Smith purchased the property, and opened Court street west to the railroad station, one of the pleasantest and most useful improvements of the town.  With the aid and under the lead of B. B. Woodbury, the savings bank was organized, of which Mr. W. became president, and built its fine structure one the corner of the new street, in 1873.  In connection with this, Messrs. H. K. & T. C. Smith, Tilden, and Osborn, built the adjoining store; the bank at the cost of ten thousand dollars, and the store at seven thousand dollars.  This was followed the next year by the erection of the Opera House Block.  The enterprise was projected also by Mr. H. K. Smith, with whom his brother, T. C., united, for the lower story, and an organization of public spirited men of Chardon combined for the cost and construction of the Opera House.  Of its class, this is a beautiful and creditable edifice.  These buildings are constructed in a superior manner, and present a fine appearance.  With a small building and the new jail, these complete the west side, and form the new Chardon.
     That July morning, ten years ago, came with clouds and seeming ruin.  It was the dawn of a new and better era.  Individuals may never have recovered.  Chardon was built by it, yet her greatest gain was in the revelation of the qualities and the development of the characters of her men and women, the fathers and mothers of the new generation, who have also indicated their progress by the erection of their beautiful school-building, and the care with which they provide for the education of those who follow them.  From that structure my eye turns to a fine bit of church architecture, at the southeast corner of the square, built by the Congregational church in 1876; and I recall the solitude of the square of 1825, and its still, dreary, empty aspect in 1841, almost with surprise.
     Subjoined is a list of the losers by the fire: J. O. Converse, Democrat office and post-office; Rush & Harrison, hardware store; A. Weaver, boots and shoes;
E. A. Hayes, billiard-room and saloon; Canfield & Canfield, law-office; L. J. Randall, dry goods; J. N. Adams, boots and shoes; Mrs. A. Marsh, millinery; Eggleston & Brother, photographers; Henry Chapman, Tucker & Clark, grocers; Parlin & Perkin, groceries and crockery; Bestor & Tibbals, photographers; B. W. & H. F. Canfield, insurance agents; Miss Caroline Parmalee, dressmaker; J. O. Teed, saddle- and harness-shop; A. Cook, drugs; Nichols & Parsons, drugs; W. S. Wight, jeweler; Samuel Squire, dry goods and groceries; B. W. Canfield, clothing; John Stohl, tailor; J. A. Hathaway, law-office; E. D. Richardson, dentist; Murray & Canfield, bankers; Robert Murray, dry goods; J. F. Bruce, hardware; B. N. Shaw, shoe-shop; C. H. Marsh, tin-shop; Shaw & Shaw, dry goods; D. C. Kellogg, Kelley Bros, hardware, dry goods, and groceries; Mrs. F. A. Eaton, milliner; James Ehrlich, dry and fancy goods; R. P. Munsell, boots and shoes; Durfee & Stephenson, law-office; Masonic Lodge; Odd-Fellows Lodge; A. J. Walton, James Brewer, bakery.
     The history of Chardon would be incomplete without a reference to the agitation for the removal of the county-seat at different times.  As is known, it was established with great care, by commissioners appointed by the legislature, while Chardon hill was a wild, and in strict accordance with statute law.  The division of Geauga, by the erection of the newer counties about her, left it very long, compared with the width. Painesville was at one end and Burton near the other.  The commissioners examined both.  Justus Miner urged that the selection of either would lead to a dismemberment of the county by the other, and also urged the adoption of a geographical centre, which prevailed.  A survey was made, and the elevated table-land in the northeast corner of No. 9, range 8, selected.  Established with such solemnity, it was peopled under the supposition and in the faith that it would remain the county-seat.  The idea of vested rights in this case, however, is absurd in law, and would be mischievous in practice.  The rule is the general public good, to which localities, individuals, and small communities must yield.  What Miner predicted came to pass, though neither of the claim ants was selected.  Painesville was never satisfied.  It made many and vigorous efforts to secure a change to that point.  Failing, it finally, in 1839-40, secured the erection of Lake, which threw Chardon into a northwest corner of the residue

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of the old county.  It was inevitable that the south part of the county thus formed should agitate for a new application of the old governing idea of a geographical centre.  On the destruction of  the county buildings, the opportunity was presented; and, in addition to the destruction of their property, the Chardon people were threatened with a loss of what gave it its principal value, and the calamity which had seemingly ruined them brought the life-and-death struggle to save them from the greater loss of the county-seat.  To them it seemed as if their rivals, instead of sympathizing with them, exulted in the destruction of their town, as it gave them a chance to bear off the long-coveted dominion of the county, and thus render their ruin remediless.  Everybody deplored their loss, but when it is remembered that a large expense was to be borne by the people to restore the county buildings, few candid minds can be found that will not say that the people had the right to examine the whole subject anew, and say where they should be placed, and in the exercise of this right those who desired to place them elsewhere, for the bettering of the public convenience, and themselves incidentally, were not amenable to a charge of intentional injury to Chardon and its friends.
     The struggle came.  The men of Chardon leaped forward to the encounter.  Whatever other consideration were involved, the sympathy of men was with them.  the odds were thus with them, and, as sagacious men foresaw, the other wise well-matched and as fairly-fought - as such struggles ever are-contest was decided in their favor.  It was a great success for them, and modestly, generously, and magnanimously worn and enjoyed. 
     A county-town always becomes an object of jealousy on the part of outlying sections.  Country distrust of town is supplemented by the always-prevailing impression that the county-seat men are in conspiracy to retain or secure the offices.  The necessity which compels the men at the county-seat to lead in political movements exposes them to the charge of being “the court-house ring” or “ clique."  That there is sometimes ground for this is doubtless true.
 

ADDITIONAL FIRE ITEMS.

     In 1850, Thomas Metcalf erected on North Hambden street a building twenty four by eighty feet in size, and three stories high, and put in steam fixtures for the manufacture of turned work, lath, shingles, etc., investing three thousand dollars in the enterprise.  This was operated by him until the year 1874, when Messrs. Hamblin & Warringer purchased the property and connected it with a general cooper-shop.  Amount invested, four thousand dollars.  It was burned Mar. 6, 1876.  Partially insured.  Loss, two thousand dollars.
     In the year 1873, Messrs. H. G. Skinner and Dr. O. Pomeroy erected an extensive flouring-mill on the corner of Washington and Water streets, at a total cost of thirteen thousand dollars.  It was fully equipped with improved machinery and three run of stones, for both merchant and custom grinding.  On June 17, 1876, the mill was destroyed by fire.  Origin unknown.  A portion of the insurance, amounting to six thousand seven hundred dollars, was paid.  Other minor losses have occurred from fire, but we have not the details.

THE LITTLE MOUNTAIN.

     This is a striking formation of sandstone in the northwest corner of Chardon, rising at the upper margin of a high plain stretching south from the lake, from which side it presents the appearance of an ocean-beaten cliff - as sometime it was of the great fresh-water inter-ocean of which it was an island-or the jutting cape of a promontory.  On its northern side it is a cliffy structure, rising one hundred feet or more.  On the top is a high table-land of considerable extent, irregularly shaped, half a mile across, with precipitous rocky margins three-fourths of the way around it.  Much of this surface is covered with a beautiful pine forest, with oak and chestnut on the more southern portions.  Its lowest elevation south
easterly is considerably above the surrounding country.  This is a striking land mark, especially from the lake, six miles north of it, and of which its northern margin commands a splendid outlook.  The rocks present many caves and fissures, and numerous fine springs of ice-cold water make out from their base.
     As may be supposed, this singular and striking formation early attracted attention.  In 1834 or 1835 a Mr. Reynolds built the “Mountain House” near the north margin of the rocks, which was kept open as a resort from that day to this.  Some years later, in 1854 or 1855, D. W. Stocking, of Chardon, purchased ground and built a fine house near the western margin, commanding the approaches from that point.  He was a man of faith, hope, patience, and enterprise.  He built cottages, and did much to attract the attention of pleasure- and rest-seekers to this delightful retreat.  Finally, a company of wealthy Clevelanders bought and got into possession of the whole, and built numerous and tasteful cottages and fixtures over the attractive and available points, and converted it, in fact, to a
remote suburb of that city, strictly for private purposes, and Stocking and his excellent lady returned and built a pleasant home in Chardon.

THE VILLAGE ACT OF INCORPORATION.

In accordance with an act passed by the general assembly of the State of Ohio, Mar. 17, 1851, incorporating a certain tract of land in the township of Chardon as a village of the same name, an election was held, and the following persons elected: Alfred Phelps, mayor; C. H. Foote, recorder; O. P. Brown, Philo Pease, John French, Norman Parsons, and Horace Wilkins, trustees.
     1852.—Wm. King, mayor; C. H. Foote, recorder; L. A. Hamilton, A. Cook, J. S. Wright, C. Knowles, and L. D. Pease, trustees; C. Knowles, treasurer.
     1853.—A. H. Thrasher, mayor; E. V. Canfield, recorder; A. Knowles, J. S. Wright, A. Cook, C. Knowles, and L. D. Pease, trustees.
     1854.—N. Pomeroy, mayor; J. M. Comstock, recorder; C. Knowles, treasurer; J. S. Eright, R. R. Bournc, A. L. Rogers, J. B. Mathews, trustees.
     1855.—Mayor and recorder re-elected; A. Cook, C. Knowles, L. Mofiitt, and A. W. Young, trustees.
     1856.—D. E. Durfee, mayor; A. H. Gotham, recorder; A. Cook, C. Knowles, J. M. Comstock, H. M. Mixer, and John H. Converse, trustees.
     1857.—C. Knowles, mayor; C. W. Munsell, recorder; A. Cook, J. H. Converse, D. W. Stocking, J. B. Bassett, and H. K. Smith, trustees.
     1858.—David Warner, mayor; B. W. Canfield, recorder; A. W. Young, T. L. Phipps, H. Gould, J. Murray (2d), and John Stohl, trustees.
     1859.—J. N. Hathaway, mayor; J. French, recorder; H. Gould, J. Murray, C. C. Fields, J. F. Bruce, and C. L. Canfield, trustees.
     1860.—Mayor re-elected; H. K. Smith, recorder; C. L. Canfield, L. E. Durfee, Wm. A. Keeney, T. H. Swany, and E. V. Canfield, trustees.
     1861.——W. N. Keeney, mayor; L. C. Ludlow, recorder; C. L. Canfield, C. W. Munsell, E. V. Canfield, J. Murray, and H. N. Spencer, trustees.
     1862.—C. L. Canfield, mayor; L. C. Ludlow, recorder; R. P. Munsell, W. Witter, M. Stone, O. P. Newcomb, and J. F. Bruce, trustees.
     1863.—Mayor and recorder re-elected; W. Roberts, E. V. Canfield, C. W. Munsell, W. Witter, and M. L. Canfield, trustees.
     1864.—A. H. Thrasher, mayor; H. K. Smith, recorder; J. N. Hathaway, D. W. Canfield, A. Cook, D. D. Pease, and Thos. Metcalf, trustees.
     1865.—A. P. Tilden, Mayor; C. W. Munsell, recorder; Thos. Metcalf, D. C. Kellog, A. McGowan, H. S. Wood, and J. Murray (2d), trustees.
     1866.—A. McGowan, mayor; C. H. Lamb, recorder; J. Murray (2d), J. Nichols, A. Cook, H. S. Wood, and J. B. Mathews, trustees.
     1867.—S. W. Newel, mayor; T. C. Parsons, recorder; J. Nichols, S. McGonigal, C. L. Canfield, C. W. Munsell, and A. W. Young, trustees.
     1868.—E. V. Canfield, mayor; O. N. McGonigal, recorder; Nichols, McGonigal, Munsell, H. G. Clark, and P. M. Combs, trustees.
     1869.—Mayor and recorder re-elected; M. C. Canfield, B. B. Woodbury, A. Kelley, W. T. Rexford, Jr., and T. C. Smith.
     1870.—Mayor and recorder re-elected; R. P. Munsell, M. C. Canfield, and T. Metcalf, council for one year; T. C. Smith, A. Richmond, and W. A. Keeny, council for two years.
     1871.—M. C. Canfield, treasurer; M. C. Canfield, George Manly, and A. Kelley, council for two years.
     1872.—D. W. Canfield, mayor for two years; N. H. Bostwick, recorder for wo years; B. W. Canfield, treasurer for two years; I. N. Hathaway, E. R. Eggleston, and B. B. Woodbury, council for two years.
     1873.—O. R. Parks, A. W. Benton, and T. W. Porter, council.
     1874.—J. E. Stephenson, mayor; H. Bisbee, recorder; G. Manly, Jno. Watts, and E. R. Eggleston, council; B. W. Canfield, treasurer.
     1875.—S. W. Brewster, A. D. Dowing, and Alonzo Richmond, council.
     1876.—O. S. Farr, mayor; I. W. Canfield, recorder; B. W. Canfield, treasurer; S. E. Bodman, C. L. Canfield, and A. Cook, council.
     1877.—B. B. Woodbury, A. Kelley, and Lester Moffett, council.
     1878.—O. S. Farr, mayor; W. S. Metcalf, recorder; B. W. Canfield, treasurer; S. E. Bodman, C. L. Canfield, and S. L. Grifiith, council.
     Samuel King, of Springfield, Massachusetts, came to Ohio in 1813, and with his family, consisting of three boys and one girl, located on the place now occupied by Delos Canfield.  He built the first jail in Geauga County.  It was constructed of hewn timber.  He died about 1820.  The mother died in 1858.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

was organized Mar. 21, 1877, under the State law, and is composed of sixty-five men.  The present officers are B. B. Woodbury, chief engineer; Anson Kelley, assistant; B. W. Canfield, foreman; M. L. Wright, assistant; T. C. Smith, treasurer; and H. H. Beshn, secretary.  A Ramsey & Co. hand engine, a hook-and-ladder, and a hose-truck, with eight hundred feet of two-inch rubber hose, were purchased, at a total cost of $1350.  The water-supply consists of six cisterns on the square, with a capacity of twelve hundred barrels, and an

EDWARD PAINE

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open reservoir in the centre, supplied by hydraulic rams.  The engine-house is thirty by forty-two feet.  It was erected in 1877, and is located on the east side of the public square, at a cost of $700.  There are also six Babcock extinguishers, which are very efficacious in an emergency.

POPULATION.

     In 1850, 1621; 1860, 1539; 1870, 1772.  Of the latter 132 were of foreign birth, and 3 colored.
     The officers of the township for 1878 are L. D. Stancell, L. C. Cowles, and Alonzo Pease,  trustee; P. M. Cowles, clerk; B. W. Canfield,  treasurer; E. Patchen, assessor; Lawrence Faulk, James Cott, and Aaron E. Scott, C. P. Bail, S. W. Newell, A. P. Tilden, justices of the peace, and sixteen supervisors.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

EDWARD PAINE
E. N. OSBORN
THOMAS METCALF
AUSTIN CANFIELD
DAVID T. BRUCE AND THE BRUCES.
THE HOYTS
SAMUEL MAGONIGLE
DR. D. A. HAMILTON
DR. POMEROY.
THE CONVERSES OF CHARDON
SAMUEL SQUIRE
CHARLES H. FOOTE
JOHN FRENCH
JAMES HATHAWAY (with portrait)