The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1894-09-12
ploNeEER MEETING.
The Old Settlers Convene and Talk Over
Early "Reminiscences.


At a meeting of the older inhabitants
of this vicinity held about one year ago,
committee was appointed to provide for
future similar gatherings, and on last
Saturday, August 8, in the opera house OF
this village the pioneers and friends
came together to again talk Of Olden
days.
The meeting was called.to order by T.
R. Herrick, chairman Of the committee,
who made brief remarks Of the pioneers
in his own interesting manner, stirring
into activity spirits Opportune to the oc-
casiOn.
DR.. j. w. Smith was chosen chairman
and Chas, Phelps secretary. Mr.. Phelps
was delayed in attendance and S. K.
LaundOn assumed his duties, by choice Of
the assemblage.
Prayer was offered most appropriately
by Rev. E. 7. Hagerman. Singing Of
Coronation, led by ]. H. WoOlley, aided
to elevate and blend the spirits, and off
the exercises started.
F. B. Manly, who had earlier personal
experiences here than, probably any 9th
er one living, related incidents Of the
first settlement, which occurred in 1918,
by Judge Frederick Hamlin, John Cliff
ford, ST., Joseph Wilson, Joseph Kings
bury, Mr.. yelling, Dea. Amos Adams and
numerous family, Ephriam Wilcox, his
sister, Caroline Wilcox, who taught the
first school Of the woods. Adventures
and incidents were related with pathos
by Mr.. Manley, which deserve, as do all
other exercises of the day. more extended
notice than can be given here.
Benz. WadswOrth related his beginnings
here, seventyhve years ago and of settlers
of 1919, which included his grandfather,
Benz. WadswOrth, sr., father, LOring
WadswOfth, uncle, Judson WadswOrth,
and wife, 0ris Smith and large family,
Whitman and Matthew DeWOlf and 9th
ers. Mr.. WadswOrth more particularly
mentioned John HOwk, and his brother,
AlOnzO HOwk, who were among the ear
lier settlers and left their impress here
in sturdy blows Of improvement. The
speaker mentioned the fact that our pub
lie park and other grounds occupied by
public buildings were donated by Alan
son HOwk-lasting monuments of his gen.
erOsity.
DR.. Smith spoke Of the veteran DR..
Johns, who came here seventyfye years
ago and became to the few here then and
since for sixty years defense against all
evils to which flesh is heir; that aside
from his superior medical ability, he was
superior as citizen, patriot and friend.
Deacon ]. S. Case gave brief history
Of all religious organizations, save the
Methodist. Dea. Case has been here six
tyive years and pointed out three boys,
as he called them, all that were left Of
many who went to school to him ais
teacher. The three happened to sit in a
row and blushed at this uncovering Of
their ages.
1t was most interesting to hear Dea.
Case with force and dignity relate first
events in Wellington's religious history.
WewOuld that we had room for detail
ed account of what was related of first or
ganizatiOns Of Congregational, Baptist
and Disciple churches and first ministers
and many incidents Of real interest.
W. E. Pierce gave brief and succinct
history of the Methodist Episcopal
church in Wellington, with names Of
ministers from Rev. Poe to the present.
The form and rendering were very credit
able to the narrator.
Dea. Horace WadswOrth gave pains
taking and lucid record Of our schools,
beginning with the first school, which
was taught by Miss Caroline Wilcox, who
came here in 1918, seventysix years ago.
fOllOwingOn and up and through allstageS
Of society, growth of number of inhabit-
ants and wealth, as well as improved
methods Of instruction, until the present
plan and character, in which we all feel
much pride. Mr.. WadswOrth's s theme il
Of dominant interest, and he gained
great credit in doing so much and in ST
short time.
A. F. Couch gave history of meChan
ical industries, tracing from the small
beginnings to the present, giving names
Of earliest mechanics and manufacturers
taking the.oldest persons, back to the frs
frame buildings and factories. HI
knew all about his subject and sur
prised all older ones by detailed and cor
rect accountings. He also gave incidents
connected with the Indians, which wer,
plentiful in numbers here in his earlies
experiences.
Mrs. Ruel Lang kindly gave reminis
cences Of the early days, eliciting wav,
Of admiration for the history and person
al presence.
She was followed by Mrs. TurmaI
Baker, who added zest to the occasion b,
rehearsal OF pioneer experiences.
Many aged matrons graced the assem-
blage.
s. K. LaundOn gave a list Of tn
merchants in WellingtOn's history