The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1959-02-19

dDOut{ 1919 OF Jo4O, WHICH SOOIi
fell INTO decay, and was finally
removed about 1861 or 1862. A
little before this time the Univer-
saly (tWo words missing) the
town. A Rev. Bin and Rev. (name
m1ssing) successively preached
ia the old school house and tried
to organize society, but failed.
DIR. Bacon's effort virtually end
ed in a debate held in Mr.. Hare's
/ tobacco house in which he had
for an opponent the Rev. l. N.
Macabee.
Since then, about 1867. Rev.
Travis, an Englishman, by in
vitation visited the town and
succeeded in organizing a Free
Methodist society, which built a
neat little church on South Main
street. The late j. M. RoWnd was
actively interested in this move
ment and contributed perhaps
more than any other man to
make it a success. Through all
the vicissitudes of fortune the
village has remained practically
Methodistic and is likely to so
continue.
Temperance
Is one of the cardinal virtues.
Temperance has always been
almost the pet hobby of Sum-
merfield. Its friends are always
vigilant. Many years ago,
through the active interest of
Hon. Charles Hare and other
prominent citizens, a lodge of
Sons Of Temperance was estab-
lished. 1t had the nerve and
money to build a comfortable
hall for its use, where it held
regular meetings for many years.
This body held its organization
intact till after the war, when
it gradually died out. The hall
was sold for taxes, torn down
and removed to a place on West
Cross street, where it serves as
postoffice and grocery. These
| who imagine this melancholy de-
cay of the old lodge and loss of
its hall means that Summerfield
is good field for a saloon, will
! make what might prove to seri-
Gus mistake. It has always proved
Improbable to sell beer and
whisky in summerfield.
Appearance of the Town
In Warren Jenkins Old Gaz-
zetteer," published in 1847 in
Columbus, Ohio, Nathaniel Little
printer, appears this entry:
"Summerfield, a post village
post office same name-of Seneca
Township, Monroe County, about
eighteen miles west from Woods
field. 1t has one church, one
store. one physician and twenty
dwelling houses. Population in
1880, 81: now about 30" At this
! time and up to 1847 the town
consisted of small cluster of
houses about the Cross street.
Stafford street was not then
opened. The steam mill was not
built until 1948. There was no
house of the Methodist parson-
age as late as 1849 East of the
square there was nothing but a
wilderness beyond William Will
sons shop. Splendid timber grew
up close to the spot where now
stands the residence of c. w
| Philpot. North Of the center of
the town there were but three
or four dwelling houses. The
camp-meeting ground, near
Esquire Calland's, was hidden in
timber that reached the top OF
the hill, all around from the
school house to the residence OF
James Horton on the pike north
of town Timber covered the
| hill where the school house now
stands and struggled down. its
sides as far as the Elk House
while along the road west il
grew thicker Magnificent chest
nut trees grew near the depot
and where the railroad cuts
| through the ridge. Timber ano
| brush covered the hills south o!
town. Large saplings grew neal
| where Mrs. Bircher's house now
stands, while the slopes alone
which now runs Stafford street
and far down it, furnished bird.
nesting in the thick growth Of
bushes and trees that then Gov,
cred 1t. Foxes marked and owls
| hooted within a stones throw
of the center of the town. The
people gathered wood where i
pleased them. Jesse Leak, witt
his horse and sled, gathered fue
where he Willed unouestioned
while the town BOYS clubbec
chestnuts almost within call o
their mothers.
The town gradually became ar
important center in trade. L
had enterprising, wealth mer
chants who advanced its interest
Its population increased in 1860
Summerfield in the War shoult
form special article as long a
this whole sketch. The events O
1856 to 1860 had aroused tn,
people of Sulnmerfield as vel
as those of other villages. Th,
mass meeting held in the towr
in 1860 which raised the 100
foot pole in the center of tn,
!, town, meant something. Whel
the wind caused the peacocl
feather that tipped the pole t,
point South, the oft repeatet
remark that the people down il
| that direction would better be
ware, showed the temper of ou
people. Threats of what some
, body would do if we dared t
| vote for Lincoln, only caused
| flashing of the eye and firme
, compression of the lips tha
meant stand out of the way.
When lifelong Democrats for