Mt. Erie, Illinois: The Village on the Hill
A Sesquicentennial Souvenir Booklet
1853-2003
Donated by Bettie Wheat
Judith Puckett, Editor
Kate Legge, Advertising
A Wayne County Historical Society Project
The village's 150-year heritage puts Mt. Erie in an exclusive group of surviving pioneer towns. Many early villages throughout the county exist in memory or as unfamiliar names on old maps. Unlike those lost towns and in spite of the vast changes of modern life, Mt. Erie continues to anchor the community 's social, religious agricultural, and educational life.
This chronological collection of historical details about Mt. Erie was compiled from a variety of sources—some more than a century old, others quite recent. Inconsistency in names, spelling, and dates naturally results from the passage of time and diverse sources. The Wayne County Historical Society and the businesses who support this project through their advertising all present this souvenir historical keepsake in celebration of Mt. Erie's Sesquicentennial Celebration, June 19, 2003.
1818
Alexander Nesbit, Alexander Ramsey (a veteran of the Revolutionary War), James Ramsey, William Farmer, William McCormick, and Michael Book leave Seven-Mile Prairie in White County, build a boat, and come up the Little Wabash to the mouth of Miller's Creek. They proceeded on foot to a hill and spent the night, which was Christmas Eve, making plans for the first settlement in the township. The next morning each family chose a spot for their homes. The Nesbit family settled about 1 ½ miles west of town. Alexander Ramsey chose 200 acres of land to the southeast, including a white oak grove. His first sight of the land had been that the hill was "in the midst of a grove of the finest and most luxuriant growth of white oak timber that his eyes had ever beheld. This, with the beautiful prairie which stretched for miles..., undisturbed, with a broad river winding its...way through...to the north, caused him to...halt." He named the grove and it was known as Ramsey's Grove "for upward of forty years." The settlement, as well, was called Ramsey's Grove initially. An old stump mill converted corn into meal for the first settlers. Alex Ramsey then replaced it with a horse mill for about 15 years. The mill was located on the site of Mt. Erie Village.
1819
Illinois legislature creates Wayne County on March 26, 1819, but many settlers had already arrived.
Circa 1820s
Migration began "in earnest and continued in a steady stream" for the next 20 years. Settlers came by boat, covered wagons, on horseback or by foot. Twenty miles a day was the average travel distance. Early settlers in the area included the Millers, Fitches, Parleys, Vandaveers, Blakelys, Crews, Fishels, Bradshaws, Lockwoods, Borahs, Bergs, Truscotts, Yohes, Mundys, Holmes, Fredricks, Akes, Mills, Youngs, Daubs, Porterfields, Van Fossens, Galbreaths, Travers, Gardners, Whitacres, Copleys, and Forbes.
Act of Congress in 1820 establishes the price of "all lands in the new west at $1.25 per acre." Many settled on original homesteads and others were land speculators with the capital to buy large tracts of acreage to resell for profit. The first homes were small log cabins, about 14 feet by 14 feet. The first cultivated ground had to be fenced off with rails. Timber was plentiful. A large tree would "split out from 150 to 200 rails. Hunting was a major source of food. Deer, prairie chickens, turkeys, quail, rabbit, duck, and geese were plentiful and bears were still around. Wolves were a common problem.
The village of "Ebenezer" near the crossing on the Little Wabash River on the old Albion-Massilon-Mt. Erie—Maysville (Clay City) road was settled "before 1822" in Section 334. Later renamed "Massilon," the rough river town held about 30 houses and businesses. Flat boats carried produce to New Orleans—the only cash market. In 1828 William N. Borah built a hotel there. A Mr. Thrasher arrived from Kentucky and settled in Mt. Erie; a few years later he gains the sad distinction of being the "first white man" to die in the village. Names of other early settlers include: Whitford, Fitch, Parley, Walder, Vandaveer, Larkin, and Price. Within a few years these families joined the community: Blakeley, Crews, Fishel, Bradshaw, Mill, Lockwood, Borah, Douglas, Truscott, Yohe, Holmes, Frederick, Ake, Mills, Young, Daubs, Kagy, Porterfield, Cazadd, Van Fossan, Gardner, and Travers.
Early churches met in homes and schools. One of the early Sunday schools was called together by John Mayes blowing a cowhom. Methodist and Baptist meetings were held in the Massilon area in the 1840s. The First Methodist Church with plank seats and backs was built on the northwest quarter of Section 31 of Massilon Township. Most members moved to Mt. Erie churches later. Early churches in the Mt. Erie circuit included Ake, Bradshaw, Farmer, Long Prairie, Locust Grove, Vandaveer, Yohes, and Walker.
1821
Records indicate that about 1821 a Mr. Thrasher was the "first grown person buried in the cemetery," though no marker survived.
1825
Alexander Ramsey brought in a horse mill which he operated until 1840.
1833
Oldest marker in the old cemetery shows a death date of 1833 for Dorkis Nisbet(?). One source reports that the "Old Massilon road through Mt. Erie to Maysville, angled through the old cemetery. Then the markers faced the old road which ran toward the old mill from Forbes Corner. Later the road was changed to run straight west, turn a corner and north to the Christian Church." In later years the cemetery was enlarged into a square plot.
1839
Rev. Alexander Blakely organized a Society of the Methodist Episcopal church in Mt. Erie. Part of the Fairfield circuit, members met in their homes or in schoolhouses.
1840
James Bradshaw puts in a mill to replace Ramsey's and operates it for ten years. James Miller conducts a "singing school" in the area.
1843
William N. Borah, William Farmer and others lay out "New Massilon" in Section 15. During the next decade New Massilon will grow to have 60 family dwellings, three general stores, two saloons, a post office, blacksmith shop, tannery, Methodist Church, and Baptist Church. As Mt. Erie prospered, most of the New Massilon families and businesses shifted there by 1860.
1844
Ebenezer Methodist Church is built; James Crews was the class leader.
1853
The village of Mt. Erie is surveyed by William Whitacre. The corporate limits include 240 acres in Section 17 of the township. "Seen from a distance, it presents an extremely romantic and picturesque scene, reminding one of some ancient citadel, reared upon the crest of a lofty hill." Alexander Ramsey sold the ground to Nathaniel Travers and Jonathan Copley, on the condition the two would use it for the town. The town was to be called Ramsey but "Mr. Ramsey himself preferred 'Mount Airie,' and this latter name was given it." The first building was William Copley's little frame "hut" which was a combined residence and store.
1854
Rev. Gutherie was assigned from the Fairfield circuit to Mt. Erie.
1855
Methodist parsonage was built; Brother Lambert was pastor.
1856
Alexander Ramsey, the founder of Mt. Erie, dies. Mt. Erie's post office opens with Andrew Crews as the first postmaster. The mail was carried by "hack" or stage coach from Clay City "over the old trail." Andrew Crews also had the first general store and Frank Israel started a harness shop. Later stores included J.T. Price and Co., A.F. Nesbit and Son; Vandaveer and Bradshaw, and Camp and Quimby. Presbyterians build a frame church. William Finley is the first pastor. (Later the United Brethren purchased the building.) Methodists begin work on a church building. Rev. James M. Massey appointed. He had been pastor of the Xenia charge; it is likely Mt. Erie was part of his larger circuit.
1858
Mt. Erie Lodge, No. 331, A., F. & A. M. organizes with seven charter members. The Methodist church, which cost $1300, is dedicated in October; Alexander Blakley is the first pastor. Other ministers would later include J.H. Lockwood, J.K. Richardson, H.H. Massey, and Wilbur F. Massey. The Walker, Farmer, Truscott, Ake, Yohe, Bradshaw, and Nesbit families were the main ones for several years.
[Another source lists James M. Massey as the pastor in 1858.]
1860s
During the Civil War, Wayne County was "the only county in the United States that did not have a draft. Wayne County "filled every call for more troops by volunteers" and no draft was needed, according to S.R. Yohe's recollections. First doctors in the area were James B. Handley and Dr. Mundy, about 1862. Later doctors were Sheldon, Blackford, E.E. Roberts, and Stanley. In 1862 and again in 1868, the Mt. Erie Methodist merged with the Flora circuit for one year each time, both times regaining its independence with new pastors.
1865
School is held in the Methodist church, a common custom in early years.
1866
First steam mill in the village is constructed by William Schwarberg, followed by a grist mill and a carding machine. The business was later sold to Price and Nesbit. Five years later they sold the business to Price, Baldridge, & Co, who built a new mill called Gem Mills operated by William Miller and a Mr. McCollum. The flour was hauled to Clay City, the nearest railroad, and later to Noble after the bridge was built across the Wabash in l880. Large frame school building is erected. The three grades are supervised by Principal States and assistants Lillie Holmes and Ella Kronmiller. Wayne County Sunday School Association movement begins about 1866 and includes many congregations of varying denominations.
1868
In 1868 or the spring of '69 F.M. Yohe moves to Mt. Erie and establishes a harness shop.
After Mt. Erie and Flora circuits are combined. Rev. Cavey Lambert served. Reverends Bibb, Bauner, John Thatcher, J.C. Baldridge, J.B. Ravenscroft, Caleb Lingenfelter, William Tilroe, J.P. Youngling, and J.D. Reeder took the Methodist pulpit over the next 20 years.
Circa 1870s
A.F. Nesbit had a store and purchased tobacco which he pressed in huge barrels and shipped to market. J.T. Price was general merchant and postmaster. Price and Baldinger built a modem flour mill and made bolted flour which was shipped to St. Louis and also created a market for cordwood for fuel. Local farmers bartered wood for flour and meal and bought cattle and hogs to feed for market. Mt. Erie merchants were a good market for bacon, chickens, eggs, wild game, and hickory nuts. (One fall Esperal Luther Yohe sold a train car of hickory nuts to Alexander and Duff of Clay City who in turn shipped the load to New York.) The first saloon begins business but closes after about six months. Elections in the early days were lively since the township was thickly populated. Mt. Erie was noted for its political rallies. The northern portion was across the Wabash and in the spring the water would be up and voters had to boat across to meet a wagon that would carry them to Mt. Erie. Two hotels in town boarded visitors (Republicans in one. Democrats in the other) and free dinners were provided during the election time. Both whiskey and fights were plentiful. During the 1876 campaign one man recalled that the Republican Rally included a 135-foot long flag pole. In the 1870s a Grand Army of the Republic "camp" was organized with V.R. Price as commander. The membership increased steadily for the next 20 years up to about 130 veterans. The Mt. Erie post was "noted far and wide for the biggest army post" and Decoration Day was the most important day of the year. "Old soldiers would line up at the hall and march to the church, headed by the Mt. Erie band and followed by the Sons of Veterans and Women's Relief Corps" members. Later the program was repeated at the Brown Church west of Mt. Erie.
1870s
Dr. Ebenezer Baldwin Roberts moved his medical practice from Massilon to Mt. Erie in 1874 where he will remain until his death in 1903. Dr. Roberts was born in Fairfield, served in the Civil War, and received a discharge because of failing health. As a result of the severity of his wartime illness, he remained deaf the rest of his life. After the war he farmed and married Sarilda Hilliard who inherited enough money that Roberts was able to establish a drug store in Fairfield. He sold the business and began practicing in Massilon around 1872.
1876
New Atlas lists 14 Mt. Erie businessmen. They are J.C.W. Applegate (farmer, stockraiser, carpenter, builder), J.M. Armstrong (farmer and bridge builder), William H. Daubs (farmer and lumber dealer), J.Y. Hamilton (blacksmith), William Holmes (farmer), Frank Israel (Justice of Peace and Notary Public), and Levi T.E. Johnson (blacksmith). Others are James Miller (cooper), Samuel Mundy (farmer, physician, surgeon), M.R. Mills (livery), Alonzo Newell (miller). Van R. Price (merchant, postmaster), John A. Russell (minister), and David Rood (lumber dealer). Russell is the
only one born in Mt. Erie Township; all the rest have emigrated from the East or England.
1880
A bridge, 140 feet long and supported by wooden piers, is built across the Little Wabash river in the north part of the township at a cost of $1,300. This increases business with Noble and Olney.
McKendree Chapel is built at cost of $1350. W.H. Porterfield, A.L. Wall, James Bradshaw, W.H. Wells, J.F. Troyer, and Albert Vandaveer are trustees.
Circa 1880s
Mt. Erie was noted in the 1880s as a town "of justice and law" and was "well populated with lawyers and they had to have a living." Local lawyers included Sim Monday, John Gillison, Jim Padget, J.R. Holt, Dale Fredrick, Chris Hamilton, and J.T. Foster, plus two Justices of the Peace, and two constables. "Almost every Saturday, there was a lawsuit. The lawyer would stir up a disagreement between neighbors of theft or [a] fight or a dog fight." Hard cider was plentiful. Nearly every farm had a small orchard and in the 1880s the Forbes Brothers steam-powered cider mill along with a molasses mill was set up. George Runyon was killed when the mill exploded. "The engine, with all that belonged to it, went 200 feet and struck in the road while the frame axle went 200 feet farther west and one end struck in the road, going in the ground three feet and broke in two in the center. The place where it struck was between EH Miller's house and Mrs. Holt's. The boiler went up about fifteen feet through the north gable and roof of the mill, tearing its way like a cannon ball." "At the time the boiler blew up there were several people in the mill, twenty feet west of the boiler. Samuel Hedrick was knocked under the press. Eli Miller, who had just left the boiler where he had been talking to the engineer, was in the factory and a pan blew against him,...." Squire Behymer of Zif and seven or eight men were in the process of grinding apples and were standing around the engine. "Parts of the mill and contents went in different directions. The pitman was ...one-fourth mile northwest, close to Widow Hicks' house: pipes and other articles at J.J. Carson's residence east of the mill; the fly wheel and shaft went northeast.... Some think [the boiler] struck the sidewalk 120 feet from the place then rebounded about 120 farther." "The wonder is how it happened to kill but one man. George Runyon was a man about 60 years old and had worked with engines for a good many years."
1881
A new county-wide Atlas is published. Landowners in the Mt. Erie area who have substantial acreage include Francis Andrews (490 acres), William Staser (320), Travers heirs (160), Samuel R. Berg (120), James Shannon (115), and Andrew Blakely (112).
Principal businesses in Mt. Erie in 1881:
J.T. Price & Co., general store
A.F. Nisbet & Son, general store
Vanderveer & Bradshaw, general store
Camp & Quimby, general store
Carson & Vandaveer, hardware store
Mrs. Holt and Miss Helen Blackford, milliners
Saddle and Harness shop
Two blacksmiths
One wagon maker
One cabinet maker.
Three doctors—Mundy, Blackford, and Sheldon
Three school teachers.
Mt. Erie Village leaders in 1881:
Dr. E. Blackford, physician, was educated in local subscription schools, farmed until age 18, then added school teaching. He arrived in the county in 1860 and four years later studied medicine with Dr. Samuel Mundy of Mt. Erie. Blackford then began his own successful practice. Active in Mt. Erie government, Blackburn served several terms as police magistrate, notary public, town clerk, village board member, school trustee, and school director.
Andrew Bleakley, farmer, arrived from Ireland in 1845 when he was ten years old. He helped on the family farm until he began his own operation ten years later. Eventually he expanded into significant acreage and raised stock and ran an orchard. A Civil War veteran, Bleakley was active in the Mt. Erie Lodge, the Grange, and the Methodist church.
David Crews, farmer, was a descendent of one of the county's first pioneers. After living in Jasper township he moved permanently to Mt. Erie in 1852 where he was active in the Mt. Erie Grange, the Methodist church, and the Lodge of Sons of Temperance.
William H. Daubs, farmer, was born in the county of German parents who arrived in Wayne County in 1842. After spending some years in Indiana, Daubs returned ten years later and began farming, raising stock, and an orchard. A Civil War veteran, he also served as the assessor, collector, and school director.
David Holmes, farmer, emigrated to Wayne County from Ohio in 1853. He farmed then ran a sawmill in Marion County before moving to Mt. Erie in 1876. Holmes ran a hotel, livery stable, and drug store plus returned to farming as well. A Civil War veteran, he fought at Shiloh, Mission Ridge, Corinth, Atlanta, and the siege of Vicksburg. From 1879 to 1882, he served as the mail carrier between Mt. Erie and Clay City. A Lodge member, Holmes was the agent for the Masonic Benefit Association.
Alexander Jessup, farmer, arrived from Ireland in 1845 at age 7, lived in New York City, then came to Mt. Erie township in 1856. He farmed and raised stock. During the Civil War he was in several battles and by 1865 had risen from the rank of Private to Major. After the war he returned to farming and served as the county surveyor and assessor. He was a member of the McKendree Chapel.
Dr. Samuel Mundy, physician, was among the earliest physicians in Wayne County. Born in Wabash County in 1825, he remained at home until he began farming for himself about 1846. After studying with a physician in Wabash County, Mundy moved to Massillon in 1862, then to Mt. Erie. His extensive practice included the surrounding townships as well as sections of Richland and Edwards counties.
Andrew F. Nesbit, merchant, was one of the oldest native born children in Mt. Erie township. His father, Alexander, was one of the original small party of men who founded the town. Born in 1827, Andrew worked on the family farm until he was 21, then began his own farm. In 1856 he moved into the village and became a merchant and a partner in the Gem Flouring Mill in Mt. Erie until 1883.
Emanuel Orr, Sr, farmer, lived in Edwards County until he was 20, then moved to Mt. Erie township. He served as Justice of the Peace for 30 years. J.T. Porterfield, fanner, was born in 1840, and his family moved to Wayne County ten years later. A Civil War veteran, Porterfield was a McKendree Chapel member.
James T. Price, merchant, was born in 1823 in Indiana, and stayed on the family farm until he was 20. Then he settled in Mt. Erie township, farming for himself for seven years before moving into Mt. Erie Village in 1857. He began a business partnership with Andrew Nisbit that lasted for 20 years. Price was a Methodist, and served as Justice of the Peace, school director, trustee, county board of supervisors member, postmaster, and notary public.
A.L. Wall, farmer, was born in Kentucky in 1838 and settled in Wayne County after the Civil War where he participated in the battles at Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, Jackson, Mission Ridge, and Savannah. A member of McKendree Chapel, Wall also was on the County Board and served as Justice of the Peace.
John Willey, farmer, was born in 1834 in Ohio and learned the cigar-making trade there. When he arrived in Wayne County in 1853, he pursued that craft and began farming. He was a member of the Mt. Erie Methodist Church.
1883
County Superintendent of Schools report for Mt. Erie township stated there are 7 frame schoolhouses serving 591 students. Fourteen teachers are employed at an average salary of $35 for men and $25 for women.
Circa 1880s
Mt. Erie is in a "very prosperous condition and had a very bright future with its excellent location, rich lands and ample railroad facilities soon promised." Storekeepers included Andy Crews, John Jally, Lori Mayes, J.R. Price, A.F. Nesbit, Vandaveer & Bradshaw, and Camp & Quimby. Frank Israel had a "fine saddle and harness shop" that handled all leather goods, made repairs, mended shoes, and sold shoe leather. Two blacksmith shops repaired equipment, ground plowshares, sharpened sickles, and shod horses. There was a barber shop for a weekly shave, haircut, or local gossip. The barber could update anyone on what was going on and add his opinions for free. The streets were dust in summer and mud in winter. A tax and volunteers resulted in only feeble upkeep of the roads. In the center of the business district was an old iron pump with tin cup and watering trough.
Nesbit's Hardware store burned and was rebuilt by Carson and Vandaveer. Jennings Carson was in the hardware business in Mt. Erie "for quite a number of years....then disposed of his hardware business and bought a peach farm in Texas" which luckily included a vein of coal which paid off. Daubs and Gardner were partners in the hardware store after Carson and Vandaveer. Miss Holt and Helen Black ran a millinery store. David Holmes ran a hotel later taken over by the Tidballs.
1890s
Mt. Erie population was about 400. The town boasted of 21 businesses including the Yohe flour mill. Bill Forbes' apple butter and cider mill, and Em Travis's hotel. Henry Johnson and Fred Newton each ran barber shops. There were three blacksmiths: Kronmiller, Gibson, and Resler. Ot Crews ran a livery barn. Mag Runyon had a millinery store. John Wesley and Andy Nesbitt were partners in a general store. Bill Ake, Ike McCoUum, and Alex Jessop each had general stores as did Van Price (where the Pentecostal church now stands). There was no bank. Two lodges were very active during this era—Masonic and Woodman. In the late 1890s the Presbyterians united with the Methodists, adding the Senefls, Restlers, Vandaveers, Holmes, Mclntoshes and others to the strength of the combined congregation. Other businesses of the era included Em Travis' small grocery, Vandaveer's drug store, Luther Yohe's store ("No bread, no canned goods, a little side meat."). Frank Yohe ran a harness shop. Mt. Erie had two Justices of the Peace and four lawyers: Jim Padgett, Theodore Forbes, Duke Frederick, and John Gillison—"sometimes they made their own laws." The Methodist church was the only one in town, but there were five doctors:
Blackford, Mundy, Roberts, Ingram, and Sheldon.
In the late 1800s there were 12 elementary schools established in the area so that children would not have to walk over two miles to a local school. The school buildings quickly became the social heart of each area, hosting picnics, pie suppers, box socials, debates, and spelling bees.
1893
Ad Rinard buys the flour mill from the estate of Phillip Yohe. The steam mill made flour and meal for the entire community.
1896
The 1896 election campaign was "hot" and rallies were held throughout the county but one of the biggest was in Mt. Erie. The Marching Club, Glee Clubs, McKinley Clubs, FairfiekTs Band and Glee Club all made for a big parade. The crowds were often rowdy and the smaller night rallies "were generally marred by rotten eggs."
1897-1900
Surviving Minute Book of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Mt. Erie records comments, attendance, collection, Sunday School scriptures, and opening and closing hymn selections from January 1897 through June 1900. Regular attendees include A.F. Nisbet, V.R. Price, Alex Mayes, W.C. Ake, Mark Mayes, Mrs. Rose Nisbet, Mrs. Best, Frank Roberts, Mrs. E.D. Nisbet, Mr. Adams, Mrs. Jessup, Miss Carrie Price, Mrs. Clevenger. Low attendance averaged 50 to 60 but weekly meeting more often saw around 125 or more in church. Weekly collections totaled around a dollar with one unusually high collection of $5.50. Reverends L.A. Harper,?.C. Carlin, Rider, Brother Huntsbemy, E. Hart, W.E. Anderson. Hardware merchant J.J. Carson served as Sunday School superintendent. Mrs. Maude Clevenger was organist. Total Sunday School enrollment in 1898 was 231.
1899
Women's Relief Corps (WRC), an auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) is chartered in Mt. Erie at Yohe's Hall. The first president is Elizabeth Nisbet. The new club is called the James Mayes Post #42 and has about 12 members. Thereafter, the club will usually met in the Masonic Hall. The club's purpose is to "relieve suffering" and participate in civic projects. Rev. Harper announces that the Sunday School would take part in raising money for "building or repairing the church and prepared a plan that the children should bring in eggs" which would be sold and credited" for this project. Methodist services are moved to the "W B church" from July through November, 1899 then resumed services "in our own church." Some of the many hymn titles recorded include "Wonderful Words of Life," "The Clear Light of Heaven," "Standing on the Promises," "Sunshine in the Soul," "I am Resting in the Savior's Care," "Trust and Obey," and "Living for Jesus."
1900
In 1975 Grover Massie recalled over 30 businesses and professions in Mt. Erie in the early 1900s. He remembered there were 4 general stores, 3 doctors or dentists, 2 saloons, 2 hardware stores, and 2 blacksmith shops. Plus there was a millinery store, drug store, flour mill, applebutter/cider mill, livery stable, tomato canning plant, horse sale barn, brick kiln, horse doctor, red top seed buyer, and jewelry store/watch repair. There was a school, a policeman, one church, a post office, a jail ("calaboose"), a couple of saloons, a Ford dealership, and a telephone switch board. One man also worked at night walking to deliver milk.
P.M. Yohe's store sign is painted on the front of his building:
"Harness and Saddlemaker
Distributor of the famous
BANNER BUGGIES
They Never Wear Out"
The WRC held a fundraising Thanksgiving Eve supper for G.A. R. members; planned menu included oyster stew (15 cents), fruit dish and piece of cake (10 cents). Many such WRC socials were held in the coming years. There were two weaving businesses in the early 1900s. Lorm Miller's in the northwest part of town combined the weaving with a tomato cannery. Mrs. Runion had a hand loom for making carpets.
1901
WRC charter is draped in black for 60 days in memory of assassinated President William McKinley. WRC prepares dinner for wood sawyers who helped a needy family by providing the winter wood supply.
1902
WRC sends a donation for "decorating soldiers graves in the South." Later a "Sock Social" is held to raise money. AH children under age five get supper for a nickel. Those over age 12 put in as many pennies "in the sock as the number of shoes they wear" i.e., their shoe size. Thirty-seven years after the close of the Civil War, the WRC chapters discontinue sending money to the Andersonville Prison Fund. About 1902 the Scott Cemetery was laid out. It was the custom for individual families to care for their family's burial lots and many absentee burials were neglected in the "old" cemetery. It grew up "in weeds and myrtle."
1903
After 45 years and 30 ministers, the Methodist church building is sold and moved two blocks north and one block west and used as a barn by L.S. Gardner. [One source identifies John Parks as the buyer.] A second one built in its place on the same lot by Ralph [or Sam?] Kromniller. Carson & Daubs continued a partnership in a hardware business that began in the late 1800s. The second floor of their building is the Masonic Hall and the Women's Relief Corps meeting room.
1904
WRC purchased three flags for schools, and bought additional ones as money allowed with the goal of giving all schools new flags. At the annual Memorial Day program, the Gettysburg Address was read aloud and children carried flowers to the cemetery. Mt. Erie school is replaced by a new four-room building. P.M. Yohe dies and his son, S.R. Yohe, continues the harness shop.
1905
WRC agreed to take care of the cemetery for one year and hired Mark Best to clear and mow it for the Fourth of July. All WRC property is destroyed in a fire that consumed several business houses. For the next fifteen years Doctors Wilkins, Roberts, and Fred Miller practiced. Dr. Miller had great success in treating patients during the 1918 flu epidemic. He later moved to Simmer, IL. James Truscott was the first undertaker in town who made his own caskets.
1907
About 1907 a license was granted for a saloon (the second in the town's history); the business operated for about a year before it "died of its own accord."
1910
New county-wide atlas is printed. Landowners with significant acreage in Mt. Erie area include Roy R. Shannon (217 acres), William Shannon (240), David Berg (196), Francis Marion Berg (200), Dewit Shannon (240), Emery Travers (102), John W. Seneff (120), Francis Yohe (120), Luther Yohe (440), J.J. Travers (125), James Shannon (155), Thomas J. Blakely (119), James Padgett (120). East-West streets are Vine, South, Main, and Silver. North-South streets are Mulberry, Walnut, Locust, and Long. The Mt. Erie "calaboose" is on the west edge of town on Martha Truscott's property. The 1910 map of the town shows one school, a church, doctor's office, "store," post office, meat market, harness shop, hardware store. Masonic hall, and town hall. The flour mill is on four acres east of town. Southeast of the cemetery, just out of town, is a blacksmith shop. The town consists of the "original town," Ramsey's Addition, Crews' Addition (both to the southeast) and James Nesbifs Addition on the north.
1911
November item in the Press lamented the widely discussed but fading hopes that a railroad would ever pass through Mt. Erie. "What has become of the latest newspaper railroad which Mt. Erie was to have? If all the railroads which have been projected through Mt. Erie had been built the village would have been a railroad center second only to Chicago in the state. At one time a few years ago Bill Shannon had forty acres upon which he was unable to raise a crop because the railroad surveyors had entirely worn the soil out tramping about on it laying out railroads. Of late years however in the absence of so many surveyors and by careful fertilization and tillage, he had almost brought the soil back to its original fertility."
1912
Christian Church was built and dedicated. Seventeen-year-old Fred Wells drove a team of horses and a wagon to Noble to help haul brick for the foundation, Farmers State Bank is established in Mt. Erie. Stockholders were Van R. Price, president, along with William C. Ake, John Wilson, Jerry Brinker, George Hedrick, Paul Campbell, U.S. Staley, and Leonard Carson, cashier.
1914
Mt. Erie High School was organized. Board members were D.T. Shannon, Edward Borah, and George Hedrick. County Superintendent was T.G . Blair. The first principal was C.E. Reed who also taught the 8th grade and ten freshmen. Lower grade-school enrollment freed space in that building for high school classes. Modem equipment was installed in the 1904 grade school building A building across the street to the east was a part-time classroom. W.C. Ake advertised his dealership sold agricultural implements, fertilizer, windmills, pumps, gasoline engines, mowing and binding machines, paints, rubber roofing, and grain drills. J.F. Daubs advertised his general merchandise business.
1915
During Rev. 0.0. Maxfield's pastorate, the Methodist church is torn down and new building constructed by Joe Brown. Trustees were D.T. Shannon, Dr. W.E. Wilkins, and Leonard Carson.
The 1915-16 academic year at the Mt. Erie High School saw the entire two-year curriculum begin for the ten freshmen and nine sophomores. The school motto was "We learn to do by doing."
1916
Chilton E. Downing, Jr. becomes high school principal; enrollment is 23.
1917
Mt. Erie High School is voted out and students attend elsewhere. Grade school teachers listed were Lyie Seneff, Erma Daubs, and Nellie Kams. Trustees were J.M. Weddle, W.A. Shannon, W.M. Porterfield, and J.J. Daubs, Treas.
1918
Mt. Erie teachers were Lyie Seneff ($65), Nell Kams ($50), and Mae Daubs
($50).
1919
Teachers were Lyie Seneff ($80), Ernest Gaddy ($70), and Nell Kams ($50). Trustees are Adam Shannon, W.M. Porterfield, John R. Daubs, and Ed Yohe, treas.
1920
Farmers State Bank changed it charter and became the Mt. Erie State Bank. Dr. Fred Miller spearheaded a group successfully promoting the revival of the high school; the school is voted back in with John S. Samford, principal and J.C. McCormick, assistant. There were about 20 freshmen.
Mt. Erie teachers were John Samford ($175), Will Daubs ($100), Mac Daubs ($80). School trustees are W.M. Porterfield, John R. Daubs, Clyde Vandaveer, Ed Yohe, treasurer.
1921
C.O. Draper was the new principal ($180) with McCormick assisting. Teachers included James Berg ($100) and Bertha Travers ($75). Census figures shows the county is losing population. In 1850 the population was 6,825, in 1870 it was 19,758. The peak was in 1900 with 27,626 residents countywide. By 1920, it had dropped to 22,772. Mt. Erie had 230 residents in 1920. Cisne, Wayne City, Sims, and Geff—all with railroad depots—were each at least twice as large. Van Price dies. The funeral at the Methodist church in Mt. Erie draws the largest crowd ever for such an occasion. Civil War, Spanish-American, Sons of Veterans, and WWI veterans participate in a procession from the church to the Locust Grove cemetery three miles away. Price moved to Massilon in the 1830s, married Martha Adams, and moved to Mt. Erie in 1865 where he was the religious, social, and business leader.
1922-25
J.C. McCormick moved up to the principalship and James Mohan and J.G. Pugh assisted.
Surviving record books from the 57-year-old Wayne County Sunday School Association recorded reports from 1923 through 1932 (although the Sunday School movement itself continued). Mt. Erie area churches are first included in this book in July, 1923.
1924
McKendree Methodist reported 58 children, 22 adults, 17 in cradle roll (babies). Yohe was superintendent and Edna Walter, secretary. Mt. Erie Christian Church had 31 youngsters and 18 adults. Ellis Scott and Retha Travers were officers. Forest Ridge Christian had 26 children, 13 adults, and 8 babies. Arnold Walker and Lots Rutger of Noble were officers. Mt. Erie Methodist reported 80 children, 42 adults, 21 babies. W. C. Seneff was superintendent and Ethel Andrews, secretary.
West Methodist had 49 children, 11 adults, and 10 babies. Clyde Smith and Lillian Gaither of Golden Gate were officers. Wynoose United Brethren had 40 youngster, 20 adults, and 22 babies. J.M. Armstrong and Oris Michels were officers.
1925
Fire destroys all the buildings on the west side of Main Street except for the filling station and bandstand. J.G. Pugh advances to the high school principalship with Florence Seneff and Lillie Fishel, assistants. The Mt. Erie Sunday School District reported enrollment and officers: Mt. Erie Methodist—98 enrolled, L. E. and Lorene Seneff, officers, McKendree—78 enrolled and F.M. Yohe and Edna Walters, officers; West Methodist—58 enrolled, William McDowell and Ethel Orr, officers; Mt. Erie Christian—75 enrolled, William Daubs and Electa Chapman, officers; Forest Ridge—32 enrolled, C.R. McDowell and Cleola Newton, officers; and Wynoose United Brethen—38 enrolled, J.M. Armstrong and Clifford Ritter, officers.
1926
Mt. Erie teachers included Lillie Fishel ($135), Mamie Rogers ($75), and Lyie Seneff ($100).
First year Mt. Erie High school teams played a schedule with other schools. J.J. Carson, former Mr. Erie hardware merchant for 30 years, dies in his Malakoff home. He was operating a lumber company at the time of his death.
1926-28
Joe Galbreath became principal ($150) with Lillie Fishel back as assistant. Mt. Erie High School was voted in as a three-year school. Mrs. S. Glover and Alene Cantrell assist. During these early years, ground was leveled for a rudimentary basketball court. Ninety-five percent of county students finished school.
1927
Sunday School reports recorded these superintendents and secretaries: Mt. Erie Christian—William Daubs and Pleasant Chapman; Mt. Erie Methodist—L.E. and Lorene SenefF; McKendree—J.H. Arnold and Edwin Chapman; West Methodist—William McDowell and Edna Orr. Mt. Erie and Leech township voters approved putting gravel on roads. Six miles of road in Mt. Erie township and ten in Leech were targeted for rock.
1928-1930
Lowell Galbreath became principal and Alene Cantrell assisted in high school. Lyie Seneffand Mamie Rogers taught the grade school. Mt. Erie District of the Wayne County Sunday School Movement included six area churches:
Mt. Erie Christian reported two classes: 23 youngsters, 16 adults, and 10 babies. William Daubs was superintendent and Pleasant Chapman, secretary.
Wynoose United Brethren reported 25 youngsters, 13 adults, and 11 babies. James Armstrong, was superintendent and Audrey Bursott, secretary.
McKendree Methodist had 42 youngsters, 13 adults, and 8 babies. J.H. Arnold was superintendent, Blanche Porterfield, secretary.
West Methodist reported 27 children, 9 adults, and 4 babies. John Orr of Golden Gate was superintendent and Mary Smith, secretary.
West Ridge Christian at Wynoose reported 31 youngsters, 18 adults, and 2 babies. Glen Homback and Nadine Newton were officers.
Mt. Erie Methodist reported 55 youngsters, 40 adults, and 7 babies. Clyde Vandaveer was superintendent with Charles Keyser, secretary.
1929
Ellis Shannon was the grade school principal with Maude Davis the other teacher. Wayne County is the state leader in poultry production and is "said to be listed third among counties nationwide." The last agricultural census shows county production exceeded 3 million eggs valued at more than $880,000. More than a half million chickens were raised, valued at more than $400,000. The rapidly developing industry was estimated to generate $25,000 weekly in the area. At least six hatcheries operated in the county. Mt. Erie State Bank had capital stock of $15,000. J.M. Allison was president, E.R. Yohe, cashier, and Erma Daubs, assistant cashier.
1930
Lot Henson assumes the high school principalship with Bemice Barnard ,assisting. Henson helps the basketball teams reach competitive level. Leslie Daubs (Principal) and Maude Jones are in charge at the grade school. First gravel road built east to West Salem. Mt. Erie's population is 176.
1931
L.P. Henson continued principalship and coached the basketball team (the Bulldogs) to a new competitive level. Earlier games had been played outside on leveled ground. With his guidance, an old warehouse behind Gibson's Cafe and Gardner's Hardware was fixed up for a court. This was "the beginning in many ways of ...some fine basketball teams. Leslie Daubs and Hannah Renshaw handled the grade school duties. Improved roads through the "bottoms" resulted in the Mt. Erie mail route changing from Clay City to Olney. Joe Galbreath recalled that it was "quite an event to go to town for the mail of an evening, watch the hack come in and visit and loaf with neighbors until Paul Campbell and daughter, Hilda, 'put up the mail.' County-wide annual report of Sunday Schools included reports from the Mt. Erie District. The Sunday School programs were a national movement and presented lessons in addition to preaching where people of all ages, members and visitors, met in formal sessions to study the Bible. The Sunday School movement in Wayne County was widespread and active, with annual District-wide meetings held in various towns for many years. Mt. Erie Christian Church reported 7 teachers/officers, 30 scholars, 6 in cradle roll, and 5 in home extension Sunday School. Twenty church members participated. Floyd Tucker of St. Elmo was the pastor. Raymond Frederick was superintendent and Ethel Chapman, secretary. Mt. Erie Methodist indicated 18 teachers/officers, 60 scholars, 15 in cradle roll, and 7 in home extension. The Sunday School attendance included 63 church members, up 13 from the previous year. C.V. Tolley was pastor of three area churches: Mt. Erie Methodist, McKendree, and West. McKendree Methodist report 8 teachers/officer, 50 scholars, and 5 in cradle roll. Forest Ridge Christian Church at Wynoose reported 9 teachers/officers, 42 scholars, but was without a preacher. West Methodist Church reported 7 teachers/officers, 23 scholars, and 5 cradle roll participants.
1932
Henson, Daubs, and Barnard continued at the schools with Electa Chapman replacing Hannah Renshaw. Annual Report of Sunday Schools in Mt. Erie-Massilon shows West Methodist had 9 teachers/officers and 21 "scholars" and 3 in "cradle roll." Walter Fagan was pastor, with William McDowell and Mary Gaither of Golden Gate serving as superintendent and secretary, respectively.
Mt. Erie Methodist reported 18 teachers/officers and 110 Sunday School scholars, 10 cradle roll members, and 5 home extension members. Walter Fagan was pastor with Charles Fishel, superintendent and Dorthy Frederick, secretary. McKendree Methodist reported 9 teachers/officers, 45 scholars, and 5 cradle roll members. Walter Fagan pastored, with Sam Long, superintendent, and Blanche Porterfield, secretary. Mt. Erie Christian Church's Sunday School had 8 teachers/officers, 32 scholars, 10 cradle roll participants, and 9 home extension members. James Moore of Geff is the
pastor with William Daubs, superintendent, and Ethel Chapman, secretary. Ridge Christian Church to the north failed to make a report.
1933
Lot Henson ($125) continued as high school principal with Aileen Galbreath ($105). Ellis Shannon ($62.50) and Geneva Shannon ($50) were at the grade school.
1934
Gravel road built to Golden Gate. Maurice Galbreath followed Henson; Aileen Galbreath continued at the high school. Howard Therman and Geneva Shannon taught the grades. P.G Brummett was board president, B.M. Berg, clerk, and Vem Keyser, director. In 1934 the high school's largest class in its history graduated. A community drive resulted in a new gymnasium being built south of the school house.
1934-37
While Maurice Galbreath was principal, Charles Keyser coached. "By this time the basketball team was going on high, winning many high scoring games. Through the following years our teams won one Conference Honor, three Conference Championships, and a State District Championship. The Mt. Erie girls also had a team.
1935
The old cemetery's neglected condition results in the election of cemetery trustees—Joe VanFossan, Chris Young, and S.R. Yohe. They raised $125 and began to "grub out the weeds, level the graves and straighten and set the markers." Private donations of about $100 annually supported the cemetery maintenance for the next decade. School personnel were Maurice Galbraith and Aileen Galbreath at the high school and Howard Thurman and Geneva Shannon at the grade school. Vern Keyser was board president, Pearl Brummett, clerk, and B.M. Berg, director.
1936
An August survey showed 953 rural residents were interested in having central-station electricity. Mill Shoals showed the greatest interest with 108; Mt. Erie had 11 interested. One of the worst drouths in history decimated the crop yields. One Edwards county farmer managed to get one wagon load of "nubbins" from a 17-acre field. The disastrous economic conditions slowed interest in electricity which some felt was a luxury they couldn't afford. High school staff continued; grades school teachers were Charles Huntsberry and Ruth Huntsberry. School board was Pearl Brummett, Vern Keyser, and J. Fraim.
1937
First electric pole is set in April for rural electrification in 1937. Years later G. O. Deem recalled that it was hard to imagine now that "little towns lacked electric lights as recently as the middle 1930s. Our store buildings and homes were lighted mostly by kerosene lamps. Some boasted gasoline lamps...." Farm wives still heated flat irons on the stove, food was cooled in the cellar or spring house or well, and "vacuum cleaners most likely would frighten a farm woman out of a year's growth," wrote a columnist in those days. Electricity was turned on for the first 200 rural homes on Nov. 16, 2:30 p.m. Support for the Rural Electric Association (REA) was gathered from all the small towns. Irvm Yohe was Mt. Erie's representative and one of the first directors of the
Wayne County REA.
1937-39
Glen Eickleberry was the high school principal ($125), Keyser coached ($110), and Margaret McDorman ($ 105), Maureen Dempsey, and Jane Larrick assisted. Grade school staff was Percy Borah($l 15) and Ruth Huntsberry ($80).
1938
The Mt. Erie State Bank survived the Great Depression without a "run" and able to handle all emergencies. The oil boom hit Wayne County and a flurry of leasing and drilling began. Spring brought electricity connections to 500 country customers. The average monthly bill was about $3.
Mt. Erie township farmer Felix Shannon was murdered by two women who were hitchhiking through Wayne County when they met him and shot him at his home. Sheriff Ernest Burkett and others were instrumental in gathering evidence in the case. One woman received 30 years in prison, the other got 99 years in prison. Both were eligible for parole after serving one-third of their sentences. The Mt. Erie Bank was held up and $300 was taken. Drilling started on the Gibson well near Mt. Erie.
1939
Percy Borah and Mildred Jones taught the Mt. Erie grade schoolers while Joseph Calhoun and Charles Keyser taught the high school. Dr. E.E. Roberts and family relocated to California.
1938-40
Road built west to Cisne.
Circa 1940s
Conversations recall the general layout of Mt. Erie, starting with the main intersection at Main and Locust. Locations are tentative and tenants/owners changed over time:
The northeast row of buildings along Main were at one time 1) Carson & Daubs Hardware, 2) a grocery store, 3) pool hall—later the town hall, 4) the Travers residence— now Mayes Garage site, 5) Glen Taylor's with Russell Mayes to the north. ( The Carson & Daubs' store had a Masonic Hall on the second level. Later there was once a skating rink there and the Nazarene Church members held their first meetings there. Sometimes there were free movies—Gene Autry, Roy Rogers—at the Carson & Daubs store in the summertime but everyone had to "provide their own seat.") The northwest row of buildings began with 1) Van Fossen's grocery, 2) Bonnie Williams' house 3) Noble Eviin's 4) a street 5) home of three sisters—Maude Davis, Erma Daubs, and Mattie Wilson 6) a two-story house later replaced by Clovis Crews' residence.
The southeast row of buildings on Main street included 1) a grocery on the comer, 2) restaurant, 3) Matt Davis' barbershop 4) house 5) house. The southwest row of buildings on Main in the 1940s began with a Phillips 66 filling station on the comer. Among the operators were Gene Eviin, Cliff Denney, Bob Hoffee, Joe Vanfossen, Carrol Fout, and Marvin Howard. Then 2) Mt. Erie Bank, 3) Joe VanFossen's two-story house. Across the street was the Methodist Church with the parsonage immediately south. South on Locust street from the main intersection there was a vacant lot beside the
corner grocery where a doctor's office had once been. The lot was used for outdoor movies in the summertime. Then there was an insurance building, the old post office,
and a house that was once a hotel and livery stable (Nesbit). Mattie Tidball lived there later. Other southside residences included S.R. Yohe, Frank Chrisman, Owen Totten, and Dr. Roberts.
East of Main Street was Luff Mayes' house (about where the Ruritan is now). North was the Chet Totten place. South of Mayes is the Christian Church. Beyond the hill east of the Christian church was the old flour mill. The mill's water source was a natural spring there.
The Wayne County Farm Directory listed all farmers. Dale Yohe of Mt. Erie was vice-president of the local Farm Bureau. Among those listed for the Mt. Erie (not a rural route) were J.H. Arnold, Eimo Atteberry, John L. Daubs, James Enlow, George Fout, L.S. Gardner, Sam Keiger, Owen F. Taylor, Owen Totten, H.O. Tribe.
1940
The Mt. Erie community votes in a fourth year of studies at the high school. Walter Bratch, Mava Stine, and Hope Willowby are hired. [Mary Crumb, J.J. Calhon, and Charles Keyser listed in another source.] School personnel are listed in a newspaper report as Leo Galbreath and Lola F. Gardner—grade school teachers; Walter Bratch, Charles Keyser, and Mary Esther Crum were the high school staff. The new Mt. Erie Wabash Sportman's Club organized, the fourth such club in the
county making Wayne County "fully and completely organized for game conservation and sportsmen's activities. Fairfield's Hook, Liar, and Sinker Club sent Joe Borah, C.C. Hill, Clifford Donoho, and Ray Baker to formally establish the Mt. Erie group. Joe Van Fossen is president with Charles Keyser, secretary-treasurer. The club opened with ten charter members but expects a membership of at least 50 in short order." Joe Borah reported that the county was ready to receive full shipment of quail to be released at all point in the county before hunting season and to have breeding stock after the season closed. The club's stated purpose was "conservation and care of game, and the
encouragement of proper and better hunting methods."
1941
School trustees are William Porterfield, Clyde Vandaveer, J.H. Galbreath, and E.R. Yohe. School Directors in Mt. Erie are Bert Fraim, Jesse J. Davis, and Lyell E. Seneff. Leo Galbreath ($ 100) and Lola Fay Gardner ($87.50) teach the grade school.
1942
January news reported that the Mt. Erie community will not have a high school for at least two more years after a proposed new district lost by 14 votes at the ballot box (227 to 213).Residents voted in favor of the proposition "several months ago" and the high school was formed in late 1941 the Supreme Court declared the district invalid. Class of '42 is the only one to graduate with all four years completed at Mt. Erie High School. June news reported that a large vote approved the new Mt. Erie High School District with positive votes on four issues all carrying by good majorities. The vote was 230 to 166 in favor of issuing $50,000 in bonds to buy a new site and build a new building. The board voted to buy George Jones' land for $1250 for that purse. Votes were 131 for the Jones site and 99 for the F.R. Yohe site, 61 for the Jim Daubs site, 58 for the George Fout site, and 3 for the Rave Berg site. The district voted 221 to 124 to authorize the school board to buy a site and 213 to 121 to authorize the board to build a school on the chosen spot. W.A. Bratsch was principal of the high school.
1943
Mt. Erie voted to reduce the high school curriculum to three years instead of four. Brown Clayton was principal with Lola Faye Gardner, O. H. Holman, assisting. Keyser continued as coach. [One source lists staff as Ruth Bozarth, Mava Stine, and Hope Willstaff.]
1944
Church of the Nazarene was built. Ernest Berg becomes principal with Maude Trousdale and Margaret Crane assisting.
1945
Pentecostal Church was built possibly on the site of Van Price's general store. Mt. Erie State Bank's Report of Condition shows total resources of $374,508. E.R. Yohe is cashier; Perry Shannon and F.F. Daubs are directors. New county law institutes a cemetery tax to be used to maintain cemeteries
county-wide. The nearby cemeteries outside the town boundaries are the West, McKendree, Crews, and Travers.
The large monument erected by Truscott and Yohe at the old cemetery's south
edge reads:
Mt. Erie Cemetery
1818-1958
Memorial for First Settlers
Alexander Ramsey 1765-1855
Ellen Ramsey 1765-1833
Alexander Nisbet 1792-1874
Dorkis Nisbet 1793-1840-Oldest Monument
A Mr. Thrasher the first grown person buried in Cemetery about 1821
Revolutionary War-Alexander Ramsey
Black Hawk War-Isaac Street
War of 1812
Alexander Nisbet, William McCollum, David Knight, Andrew Dalton
Seminole War
Coplen McKelvey
Mexican War
David McCollum, Samuel McCollum
A Memorial to Civil War Veterans ofWayne County, Illinois. The only county to
furnish more volunteers than called for in the U.S. Also, Mt. Erie and Bedford Township
furnished more soldiers than any territory according to population.
Civil War Veterans
1st Lt. Benjamin F. Best, Sgt. William Truscott, George Truscott, Sr., George Best,
Tom Spitler, George Truscott, Jr., Lafe Reed, Amos Orr, William Bennett, W.C. Stager,
Anderson Bennett, Andrew F. Nisbet, A.H. Nisbet, Andrew Bleakley, William Ferell,
Samuel Jackson, Jonathan Lust, Jack Fitzgerald, James Walker, Perry Titball,
John J. Byers, Ben R. Craw, Samuel McCollum, Alexander Van Fosson, William Miller,
F.M. Yohe, John McCollum, James T. Price, Dave Kams, J.B. Cameron, William Miller,
Isaac White, William Douglas, Philip Rogers, Jess Ingram, Dave Foster, W.M. Cazadd,
Peter Binnix, Henry Stanaker, David Berbg, Isaac McCollum, R.M. Campbell,
J.H. Borah, Philip Yohe, Henry Maloney.
Spanish-American War: Edward Wilson
World War I: Henry Gillard
To Charles W. McClain, grandson ofS-R. Yohe, killed on duty at Cavit base in Phillipine
Islands Jan. 16, 1942, buried at Fort Mills, Philippine Islands
By Laura Truscott and S.R. Yohe Francis Gaither, Elmer Young, trustees
1946
Ernst Berg became principal with Maude Trousdale and Margaret Crane, assistants.
1947
Vance Swinson served as principal for the next six years (except in 1948 when Gage Vaughn served). Assistants during that period included Nonnie Hoffee, Milton Webster, and Doris McFadin.
1948
County has a bumper corn crop estimated at 3 million bushels resulting in storage problems. Price was $1.50 a bushel. Soybeans and other grain crops were also record yields. Average corn yield in the county is around 40 bushels an acre with some farmers harvesting up to 100 bushels per acre. Farm Adviser Lyman Kimmel estimated the crop to be "fully 25 per cent larger than average. By feeding his corn to livestock a farmer would earn "around $3 per bushel for his crop, but the trouble here is that farmers do not have enough livestock to eat the corn." The bumper crops were "far in excess often year average and threaten to disrupt markets and send prices toppling...." Mt. Erie grade school personnel were Gage Vaughan, principal, and Milton Webster, Percy Borah, Bonnie Williams and Nonnie Hoffee.
1949
Mt. Erie public school staff were Vance Swinson (principal), Nonnie Hoffee, Milton Webster, Percy Borah, and Bonnie Williams.
1950
Mt. Erie High School begins its last year; students can choose which area school to attend.
Mt. Erie Public school staff were Vance Swinson (principal), Milton Webster, Doris Jean McFadin, Percy Borah, and Bonnie Williams. Census figures showed Mt. Erie's population at 149. The county population is 20,885, a ten-year loss of 1,207 residents from 1940. The loss mainly affects smaller
villages and small farms since Fab-field's population gained 1,567 people during the previous decade and had reached 5,575. Other census figures reported Wayne City with 726, Cisne with 624, Sims with 407, Geff with 329, Golden Gate with 200, and Johnsonville with 110.
1951
Mt. Erie High School district students are permanently bused to Cisne High School. During its life, Mt. Erie High School graduated 187 students. The Mt. Erie Homecoming honored those who were over 80 years old. The group included Delia Galbreath, Mrs. Rose Gardner, Mrs. Etta Daniels, Mrs. Minnie McKelvey, S.R. Yohe, C.L. Ritter, B.M. Mayes, J.M. Daubs, and John W. Galbreath—all Mt. Erie residents. Others returning for the event were Mrs. Tillie Orr Harrison (Iowa); Mrs. Mattie Rodgers and T.H. King from Geff; Joe R. Fildes (Enterprise); Sopha Baird King (Golden Gate), Mrs. Mollie Wall Moore (Oiney) and Abe Carter (Tennessee).
1952
Mt. Erie State Bank erects new tile brick building. A bunch of "Fairfield bums" rent a building for a drinking "club" but in about two months they were out of business. Mt. Erie grade school teachers were Percy Borah ($2400), Ellen Wolfe, Wanda Gardner, and Rada Walter ($2000 each).
1953
New Farm Bureau Plat book includes advertising from Harley Beyers—"Sub-Soiling to Depth of 24 Inches/ Light Dozing". School consolidation vote results in a new modem brick school building
incorporating 11 former districts: Moutry, Miller Creek, Farmer, Gerber, Number Four, West, Vandaveer, Number Seven, Heidinger, Walker, Brown, as well as part of Lincoln. David Rhinehart, principal taught 7th and 8th grades. Mrs. Rada Walters taught 1st and 2nd grades; Miss Wanda Gardner, 3rd and 4th grades, and Percy Borah, 5th and 6th grades. In a two-year period some 100 one-room school houses in Wayne County have been reduced to less than 15 according to Superintendent Lloyd Green.
1954
Old Mt. Erie High School gymnasium torn down; school house removed later. Site is used for a new Methodist parsonage. In March a 7-acre tract of land in the northeast part of town is purchased for a new $105,000 brick school. Four classrooms, an additional room, and a gymnasium will be built by Roy Boyd & Son. Construction begins in April and is finished September 1. The new school is "just a few rods east of the spring where Ramsey and family settled in 1818." The old school was "noted for some of the best teachers of the time, especially R.D. Seneff" and Judge Kramer, Jim Kramer, the Porterfield brothers, and Judge J.R. Holt and many others. There are four churches in town: Methodist, Christian, Nazarene, and Pentecostal. Current Mt. Erie Bank president was L.S. Gardner and Marshall Powell was cashier.
1955
An October Historical Society tour includes a stop at the site of Old Massilon on the Little Wabash River just southwest of Massilon bridge. "Although nothing remains... of the once-thriving pioneer village, the timbers of a flatboat can still be seen in the river just below the bridge." The flatboat remains have been visible as long as old-timers can recall, although some believe the boards are the remains of an old loading dock where the flatboats took on pork, venison, whiskey, furs, and tobacco for the trip to New Orleans. Mt. Erie school staff consisted of Lyveere Massie (Principal,$3798), Percy Borah, Mrs. Rada Walter, and Miss Wanda Gardner ($2700 each).
1956
S.O. Dale asked the county superintendent of highways in 1956 for the figures on some of the road improvements. The road that runs west toward Cisne cost $107,000 including the grade and the bridge. The road that runs east (not counting the bridge cost) was $65,000. At contract for around $72,000 had just been let for a bridge between Mt. Erie and Wynoose. The new bridge between Mt. Erie and the Golden Gate crossroads wasn't yet complete.
1962
Mt. Erie's population is about 200. Eight businesses are operating—Taylor's general store, Simmons' restaurant, post office, Grover Massie's pool hall. Junior Mayes" garage, Edd Merrick's feed mill, Mt. Erie State Bank, and Frank Chrisman's blacksmith shop. Rice Yohe is the last living "old settler" from Mt. Erie. Honored guests at the annual Mt. Erie Homecoming were those over 80 years old: Cecile Long, Phoebe Daubs, Bessie McDowell, Zula Shannon-Boone, E. Millie Puntney,
Perry Shannon, S.R. Yohe, and Clyde Vandaveer of Mt. Erie. Others were Dicie and Rean Caldwell of Noble, Mattie Ritter and Sophie King of Albion, John Arnold of Niantic, and W.P. Moats of West Salem.
1967
Mt. Erie Bank reorganizes. President Fred Barth retires, along with Marshall Powell, L.W. Gardner, and Raymond Ellzey. Percy Borah is named president. One of the county's oldest institutions, the bank's resources exceed $1,330,000. The 80 year olds at the gathering included Mrs. Zula Shannon Boon, Clyde Vandaveer, John Arnold, Jake Arnold, J.O. Keiger, Mrs. Emma Moats, Mrs. Carrie Thompson, Dan Dalton, C.J. Taylor, Amelia Enlow, and Maude Kiger. Five-month-old Vincent Vandaveer of St. Louis was the youngest person there and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Galbreath from Florida came the longest distance. The Warren Troyer family had the most members present—a dozen. The oldest attendee was 90- year-old Emilie Puntney.
1968
Over 300 attended the Mt. Erie Homecoming held on the school grounds.
1969
In September the Mt. Erie Ruritan Club was organized with temporary officers Donald Simmons and Darwin Porterfield. First officers elected were Donald Simmons, Elmo Atteberry, Darwin Porterfield, and Glen Taylor plus directors Loyde Atwood, Layton Atwood, and Robert Wolfe.
1970
Ruritan Club purchased land from Russell Mayes for a community building.
1972
Veteran educator Leslie Daubs retires from a 44-year career which included 3 years at Mt. Erie, 3 at Miller Creek, 5 years at Gerber. "My first job was at Gerber School southeast of Mt. Erie." Two board members then were J.H. Arnold and Virgil Yohe. "During the Depression I taught for $50 per month and was glad to get a job. Back then there were usually several teachers for each position."
"When we had the old one-room country schools, there was a closer relationship between pupil, teacher, and parents. But there's no doubt that the larger schools now offer a broader curriculum and more activities than was possible then. The best equipment any school can have is a good teacher."
In September the Ruritan Club met in its new building for the first time.
1980
Mt. Erie State Bank remodels.
1985
Mt. Erie Homecoming honors four ladies age 80 or older: Mamie Vandaveer, Blanche Porter-field, Veda Madding, and Clara Gillard. About 75 people attended.
1998
Mt. Erie State Bank became the Mt. Erie Banking Center—continuing a 91-year
banking tradition.
Extra Tales and Tidbits
The old pioneer routes were a matter of debate in the 1950s. One point of clarification was that there were actually two kinds of early routes through the territory. The Old Vandalia Trail was the oldest one, but there was also another—the Old Stage Coach Road (sometimes called the Pony Express or Old Mail Route). "Pony Express" was a local name; the route was not part of the short-lived official Pony Express that began west of Illinois and ran to California before becoming obsolete to the telegraph.
The Old Vandalia Trail did not include Mt. Erie; however a hand-drawn map tucked in an early atlas does show a stagecoach route through Mt. Erie.
S.O. Dale once summarized the contribution Mt. Erie made to law enforcement as more significant that any other township in the county. "I think Mt. Erie... served Wayne County with its county judge for more than a third of a century...-" Judge Holt originated from Mt. Erie and served about 8 years. Judge Heidinger served 12 years. Judge Kerr served 12 years. Judge Mills served 4 years. That was a total of 36 years that the township furnished the county judge.
Marvin Howard once took a wagon apart and put it back together on the top of the schoolhouse.
For several years, every Halloween, someone took Vem Kams' cow up to a fenced area and "fed him real good."
The Mt. Erie boys and the Clay City boys used to enjoy brick-bat-and-rotten-egg fights.
Eggs and cream could be sold or bartered in town on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Sheep wool could be sold to the grocery store.
Matt Davis ran a barbershop.
Dr. Dixon practiced in what was the insurance building with Caldwell on the other side.
Doc Walter Young told the story that when he was a young man living in Mt. Erie he used to haul dry goods and groceries and other commodities back and forth between Mt. Erie, Noble, and Clay City. On one occasion at least, the water was so high and the roads so bad that even though he had a four-horse team, there were problems. It was particularly important to have a gentle team of horses in the lead during the winter so a man could ride one of them and carry a long pole. He could break the ice so the horses could take their next step.
"The road from Cisne east to West Salem was improved by the WPA in the late thirties and early forties. When I started to Mount Erie high school, I walked down the mud road to the Mount Erie township line, which was the beginning of a gravel road. This was as five mile daily walk, and if I wanted to attend any school activities at night, I usually planned to wait around town until that was over and sometimes would catch a ride most of the way home with a neighbor who was going my way. I remember walking home a