The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1896-05-27
SULLIVAN.

OulllNuu hbS " oN~
27 1919. The following officers were
chosen: John Hooker, clerk; John Pi'rm
ely, constable; Henry M. Close, whitney
Chamberlain and Ara Palmer, trustees;
Jesse Chamberlain, treasurer; Johh Lapo-
rec Simeon Munson and Ara Palmer, sup
erylsurs; Benjamin Close, oVerseer OIL the
Door: Abraham Hendryx and Nathan
Hoyt, fence viewers; Rhesa Close, asses
sor; Henry Close, justice Of the peace
At The time Of the organization Sullivan
township was included III Medina
county, but upon the formation of Lo-
rain in December, 1922, it became part
Of that county and included huntington
The population Of the township IN lozO
was 1877; in 1880 it was 2O6; lo4O, 'oS;
1850, LlOl; 1860, 1,O56.
Thus we see that the population con-
tinued to increase steadily, sullivan De-
ing one Of Lne few townships wIlch
could show an increase of population
during the decade preceding The break
ing out Of the civil war. 1t might not
be improper to add right here that Sulll-
VAN did her full share in that gigantic
struggle for freedom and union, sending
to the front lO6 men to fight for their
country and rendering a vast amount OF
aid in other ways. OF those who went
from here six were killed i'll battle and
three died in southern prisons.
The first house erected in Sullivan, ex-
cepting the one built by the surveyors,
was put up by Benjamin Close. Ihere
were present at the raising, seven, that
being the total number of male lnhabl-
tants.
The first grist mill was wooden con-
cern run by four yoke of oxen The hrSt
store was located just east of where the
Christian church now stands and was
owned by Captain S. B. Parmely, father
of Melvin Parmely, who is at present a
resident Of Sullivan. The first school
was taught by ROxana Parmely in a log
school house north Of where Vim. Clark,
ST., now lives. The floor was of split
planks, called puncheons, and the seats
were Of the same material with holes bored
in them for the legs and without backs and
desks save a row around the outside, facing
the wall, which were supplied with
desks by means Of slabs supported at the
proper height and slant by pins driven
into the wall. These seats were occu-
pied by the large pupils, the smaller
ones sitting in the less comfortable seats
and using their knees for desks.
The course Of study embraced the fol-
lowing branches: Reading, arithmetic,
spelling and writing. Quite contrast
when compared to the curriculum of our
present schools.
John Gould was Sullivan's first post
master. He continued to hold Office for
about twenty-five years.
In 1863 Sullivan had four churches,
the Methodist, Baptist, Disciple and
COngregatiOnalist; a Masonic lodge, two
taverns, one dry goods and grocery store,
one steam sawmill, two shoe shops, two
carriage shops, one blacksmith shop and
a millinery establishment. The Masonic
lodge was chartered Oct. 20, 1859, with
fifteen members. The number of men,
bers in 1878 was thirty-fve.
The Baptist Church was organized No
vember 27, 1888, with eight members,
viz: Whitney Chamberlain and wife,
George Mann and wife, Jonah De MOrs
and wife and Daniel Austin and wife.
The first pastor was Elder Messeldim; the
first deacon, Daniel Austin, succeeded by
N. P. Rogers, who held the Office until
his death in 1889, a period of fOrty-seven
years. At present they have an organi-
zation, but have not held services for
several years.
The next church organized was the
of which no record can be
found. This church has long since dis
banded and the building has been torn
down.
The COngregatiOnalist church was or
yanized September l, 1885. There were
fifteen original members, as follows:
Charles, Elizabeth, and G. W. Slocum;
Benjamin, Elizabeth, and Henry M.
Close; Archibald and Elizabeth Close;
Rice and Betsey BOwker; Vim. and De-
bora Mead; Anna, Ross, Henry, Brown
anu Joel TalcOtt. The first pastor was
Joel TalcOtt.
The Disciple Church was organized
June 3, 1888, with fifteen members.
Sylvanus Parmely, j. R. Stevenson, Lois
ST.. Lois Parmely, jr., Rosetta
NJ. Parmely, Louisa P. Campbell, Sylvia
Lucia M. Stevenson, Crosby
Ryder, Sarah Ryder, Milo Carlton, j. P.
Mann, Rhoda E. Knowlton and Nathan
IOrham.
On the 9th of August, 1892, the sew
snty-fltth anniversary Of the founding Of
Sullivan was celebrated. 1t was a day
.ong to be remembered by those who
participated in the days festivities.
Space will not permit description Of
this pioneer day. The twenty-five pio-
neer ladies present whose average age
was seventy-one years was only one of