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The Kent Historian, Newsletter of the Kent Historical Society, Volume 64, Winter 2008
No full textTHE KENT HISTORIAN
Newsletter of the Kent Historical Society
HISTORY FEATURE
Winter 2008
Number 64
Kent Grows, Changes During the' Great War' of Early 1900s
In 1916, the village of Kent was already
growing. As noted in Karl H.
Grismer' s The History of Kent, he
writes: "The entrance of the United
States into the World War found Kent
well started on the most prosperous
period of its history. The growth was
due almost entirely to three thingsthe
Kent State Normal School, by
then, well established; the Erie shops,
which were employing more men
than ever before,
and the
Mason Tire
and Rubber
Compa-ny
... which
spnng into
existence almost
overnight
and flourished
Kent grew, and
grew rapidly."
On
April 6, 1917,
the United
States declared
war on Germany, and Kent, like the
rest of the country, was swept up in
the war. "Within two weeks after war
was declared, 23 Kent men enlisted in
the 10th Regiment of the Ohio National
Guard. There were: Frank W.
Elgin, Kennerdell E. George, KM.
Hass, John H. Jones, J.W. Lackey, Max
M. Miller, George H. Moon, George
W. Myers, B.J. Sawyer, W. A. Simpson,
I.W. Shanafelt, G.E. Shanley, W.F.
Myers, H.C. Strayer, F.W. Ferry, C.J.
Weideman, H.P. Boak,C. A. O'Connor,
C. C. Cannon, Claude Davis, Ralph
'.. Hawk, H.E. Swarthout, and H.D.
~ ilt. A camp was established at
Brady Lake where many of the men
trained until they left for Camp Sheri-dan,
at Montgomery, Ala., on Sunday
morning, September 16, 1917."
Many war-bond drives were organized
from 1917 until the end of
the war in 1918. Every war loan was
quickly "oversubscribed and every
call made by the Red Cross was answered
generously. Kent meticulously
observed the 'heatless days,' the
'meatless days,' and the 'breadless
days,' and when sugar and coal were
rationed, no one grumbled. The only
concern was: 'Bring the boys back
safely-and quickly.'"
Many young men from Kent were
either drafted into the Army or volunteered
to serve. These young men
were given the nickname "our boys"
by the local newspapers, which included
The Kent Tribune, the Portage
County Democrat, and the Ravenna Republican.
The latter often published
some of the letters the soldiers wrote
to their families back home.
"On June 5, 1917, 726 Kent men
were registered for the draft. The first
contingent left for Camp Sherman, at
Chillicothe, [Ohio], on Thursday, Sept.
20. Thereafter, hardly a month passed
until the end of the war without more
men leaving to enter the service.
"The tragedy of the war was first
brought home to the Kent people
when it was reported that Clinton Allen,
a graduate of the Kent high
school, was injured in France on June
4, 1918. From then on, the casualty
lists were read with the greatest
dread-no family knew when it
would learn that it had lost a son, a
brother, or friend." Word of a local
soldier's death would often be frontpage
news, and letters from soldiers
became regular features.
The Kent Historical Society's new
exhibit on the "Great War" features
the personal effects of local Kent soldiers
Roscoe Hahn, James Apple and
Luther Parmelee. In 1917, Ravenna
would establish a training facility for
the American Red Cross. Many young
women would train to become
nurses. Some, like Kent librarian Nellie
Dingley, volunteered to serve as a
nurse in France.
Kent, like the rest of the world,
also suffered the effects of the worldwide
influenza epidemic, or Spanish
flu. In October 1918, a small influenza
outbreak caused the Kent schools to
be closed for a month.
As the war wound down, news of
its impending armistice continued at
home and to the troops overseas.
"Then came the false armistice, on
Nov. 8, 1918. Kent, like the rest of the
nation, celebrated with the wildest
abandon. Every whistle in town was
blown--bells were rung-work was
forgotten. Until late at night the downtown
section was thronged with celebrants.
Everyone was determined to
have a good time-and everyone did.
Verification of reports that the
Nov. 8th armistice was only a newspaperman's
blunder came like a sickening
blow. The town, which had ris-
See WAR, p. 4.
Inside ...
Christensen Foundation Grant .... .. . . 2
Loris Troyer Honored .. ... . . . . ..... 2
Gift Shop Featured Item .. ..... ...... 3
Kent Historian First Anniversary .. ..... 3
94 Club ....... .. .... .. ........ . .. 3
New KHS Building Sign .. . . . . . ...... 4
All About Kent Speaker Series ..... . .. 4
KHS Receives Christensen Foundation
Grantfor'School Days' Project
T he Henry V. and Frances W.
Christensen Foundation has
awarded the Kent Historical Society
a 2,280 grant to help fund a project
titled "School Days: Kent, Ohio," an
audiovideo/Web site and oral history
project about life in the Kent schools.
The project will include video
oral histories with Kent's senior citizens
on what their life was like when
they were in school, including their
experiences during important events
in the community. This valuable resource
is part of the Historical Society's
commitment to helping students
understand their heritage as well as
bridging the generations from children
to seniors.
The Historical Society has made
education a priority. Each spring the
third-grade students in Kent schools
study local Kent history, which includes
a tour of the Historical Society
museum and a chance to see the DVD
"Kent: The Early Years." The grant will
help purchase a new video and digital
camera as well as enhancing the Historical
Society's Web site featuring excerpts
from the museum's collection.
If you would like to help with this
project by contributing an oral history,
call the Historical Society office for an
appointment. Of particular interest are
Union/ Central, Longcoy, Holden,
Franklin, Walls, Davey, Roosevelt, St.
Patrick's, South, University and DePeyster
schools. If you have any personal
photographs, documents or newspaper
articles you would like to add to
the project, these items can be scanned
and the originals returned to you.
The Historical Society is very
grateful to the Christensen Foundation
for its past assistance in funding
the museum's second-floor Children's
Learning Center as well as helping to
upgrade the building's fire and security
systems.
Friends Gather to Honor Loris Troyer
0 n a cold winter day in early
December, nearly 40
friends braved the snow for the
official dedication of the Loris C.
Troyer Library & Archives at the
Kent Historical Society museum.
Troyer and his wife, Laura,
greeted guests in the Visitors
Room.
Board President Sandy Halem
earlier had presented Troyer
with the proclamation naming
the Archives & Library in his
honor at his home on his 94th
birthday, October 11, 2008.
Troyer was one of the Kent Historical Society President Sandy Halem pre-founding
board members of the sents the library-and-archives dedication proclamation
Historical Society and has ac- to Loris Troyer.
tively promoted the preservation of local history throughout his life. As editor
emeritus of the Record-Courier, Troyer began writing his weekly "Portage Pathways"
columns, which later became the basis of the book Portage Pathways, published
by the Kent State University Press in 1998. This wonderful compilation of
more than 140 of his most memorable essays and illustrated with historical
photographs is available at the Historical Society's Museum Gift Shop. To help
support the library and archives with a donation, see the related article on page 3.
2
Kent Historical Society
THE KENT HISTORIAN is a quarterly
publication of the Kent Historical Society,
a nonprofit organization that strives to be
the primary Kent history resource and
reference center, leading the community
in the collection, preservation and interpretation
of Kent's heritage through exhibitions,
educational programs and activities.
The society brings educational
programs to schools, businesses and
civic organizations and collaborates with
the Main Street Kent and other historic
preservation projects in the community.
Board of Trustees
Sandra Halem, President
Jack Amrhein, Treasurer
John Benedik
Howard Boyle
Scott Flynn
Audrey Cielinski Kessler
Matt Metcalf
Pat Morton
Jim Myers
Carol Stroble
John Wunderle
Staff
Mary Ann Green, Administrator
Newsletter Staff
Audrey Cielinski Kessler, Edita,
Museum Hours
Thursday: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Groups and special tours
by appointment
Direct inquiries to
Kent H lstorical Society
P.O. Box 663
Kent, OH 44240
330/678-2712
[email protected]
www.kentohiohistory.org
Winter 2009
Museum Gift Shop Featured Item:
Kent and the Great War, The Letters
ofLeoBietz
A few years ago, Dr. James Best, emeritus
professor of political science at Kent State
University, donated a collection of letters from
Leo Bietz. Bietz drove an ambulance in France in
what was known as the "great war." Bietz wrote
to his family in Kent, who had taken over his
role in running the Imperial Dry Oeaning Co.
without him. Bietz returned to Kent and became
Kent's postmaster (in the old post office located
next to the Kent Historical Society' s office on
South Water Street) as well as an active community
leader.
The letters in this book were transcribed
by Derrick Ranostaj, one of the Historical Soci-
, ety' s Kent State University's interns. Ranostaj' s
interest in World War I prompted the HistoriL,;,.,..-===
= === ==::;__;.._.., cal Society to help him create the society's
exhibit, Kent and the Great War, as well as this book. Volunteer Henry Halem
created the book design and helped guide this wonderful little piece of history to
publication. As you will note, it is the first book published under the Kent Historical
Society Press.
Stephen H. Paschen, university archivist at Kent State, described the book:
"The World War I letters of Leo Bietz provide not only a rare glimpse of an Amer-
--.__.Acan soldier's experiences in wartime but also a snapshot of life in and around
Kent, Ohio, during 1918 and 1919. A fascinating collection of letters Leo wrote to
family and friends back home is accompanied by letters he received providing
the precious news of goings-on in Kent. His letters convey some of the profound
awe he experienced as the dramatic global conflict drew to a climax. But the true
significance of this collection is personal history. The First World War is viewed
through the eyes of one individual and those who knew him. These letters, a
collection preserved by the Kent Historical Society, reveal much of what Kent and
its people experienced during a war that changed the face of the world."
Kent and the Great War, The Letters of Leo Bietz, (Kent Historical Society Press, 143
pages, 15, ISBN 9781607251743); transcribed by Derrick Ranostaj.
The Kent Historian Celebrates Its First Year
F our seasons have passed since the
Kent Historical Society launched
its new quarterly newsletter, The Kent
Historian. Thanks for all of your positive
responses. We especially appreciate
our board member, Audrey Cielinski
Kessler, who volunteers as our
editor and layout specialist.
This Winter 2009 issue features a
special insert by Dr. John Jacobs. Ja:
obs is not only well known in the
---.._../community for his long history of service
as a caring physician, but he also
is a consummate professional who
Winter 2009
has helped the Historical Society archive
thousands of photographs. He
and his wife Jean have helped with
identifying the many "anonymous"
photographs in the Historical Society's
archives.
If you have some local history
you would like to research or a personal
or family story to share, please let
us know. For any photos you want to
donate, please identify the people in
the picture and the location and date
the picture was taken. The photos will
be scanned and the orginals returned.
'94 Club' to Fund
Loris C. Troyer
Library & Archives
H ave you joined the "94 Oub"
yet? You can help create a lasting
legacy for the Kent Historical Society
archives. The Historical Society started
the "94 Oub" to honor Loris C. Troyer
on his 94th birthday and to maintain
the organization's growing library and
archives.
The names of those contributing
$94 for a listing will be added to a
plaque in the library, and a DVD of
the dedication will be sent to all donors.
If you would like to contribute,
send your tax-deductible contribution
to the Historical Society or call Mary
Ann Green for credit-card orders.
Contributors will be listed in the
spring newsletter.
KHS Volunteers
in the Spotlight
V olunteers in the spotlight for the
winter are Christy Schjeldahl
(top) and Betty Sweet (bottom).
"I look forward
to my
time each
month at the
KHS. As a
transplant to
Ohio from
Minnesota
and Michigan
, I find it
a great way to become acquainted and appreciative
of Kent's history. I enjoy working with
Mary Ann [KHS administrator], who is so positive
and encouraging. I thank Betty Sweet,
who encouraged me to volunteer."
"After my
husband
Richard's
death in
2005, I discovered
the
Kent Historical
Society.
The people I
met were
very upbeat and caring. Mary Ann had a
friendly way of keeping me busy. I have been
living in Kent since 1957, so I do feel at
home here. Every time I volunteer, I learn
more about Kent's great heritage.
3
WAR
Continued from p. 1
en to the pinnacles of ecstasy, sank into the depths of
gloom. But not for long. The real armistice came on November
11, and this time the people waited until the afternoon
to celebrate. Mayor (Martin) Davey, Dr. J. H. Hull
and Dr. M.J. Slutz addressed a crowd which gathered at
the public square. A parade formed, which was headed by
E.O. Carlin's hearse, in which there was an effigy of the
Kaiser. The band played, the fire trucks fell into line, and
so did scores of automobiles and hundreds of celebrants
who walked. Later, part of the procession went on to Ravenna
to show that town how Kent greeted the fall of
Prussian militarism."
The Historical Society hop·es its exhibit will give the
viewer a sense of how that World War I affected Kent and
the men and women who served the country and the Kent
community.
Source: This article is a verbatim excerpt from The History of Kent by
Karl H. Grismer, Chapter XI (pages 109-110), copyright 1932.
Welcome 2009! The Kent Historical Society
has a new sign in front of the Society
office at 234 S. Water Street to welcome
visitors and give the hours the office
is open to the public . Remember
that tours for grou. s can always he
scheduled by appointment.
Kent Historical Society
P.O. Box 663
Kent, OH 44240
KHS Announces 2009 'All
About Kent' Speaker Series
'--"' T he first speaker in the Kent Historical Society's 2009
All About Kent Speaker Series is Portage County historian
Wayne Enders. His presentation will begin at 7 p.m.
on February 9 at the historic Marvin Kent residence, now
home of the Masonic Center ( corner of Mantua and West
Main streets). Enders will present highlights of people
and events in Kent and Portage County between 1850 and
1900. When he spoke as part of the series last year, Enders
talked about people and events prior to 1850.
Enders, a lifelong resident of Ravenna Township, is
the author of Connecticut Western Reserve, State of Ohio,
County of Portage Timeline 1669-2007. Copies of the book
will be available and will be signed by the author.
Guests will be met at the front door by Marvin and
Maria Kent (portrayed by Bruce and Nancy Hansford). On
behalf of the Rockton Lodge 316, they will provide a tour
of their former home along with members of the Portage
County Historical Society, also in period costumes. Jeffrey
Jones will play period music on a dulcimer. Pictures of a
sleigh once owned by the Kent family and reconstructed
by the Portage County Historical Society will be on display
along with archival photos from the period assembled
from the KHS archives by John and Jean Jacobs.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be
served. For more informatio:1, caB the KI-IS office.
Nonprofit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Kent, OH
Permit #150
Kent Historical Society-Where History Comes Alive!
4 Winter 200
Kent Historical Society Newsflyer, 2008
No full textKent Historical Society
Ple11se join us!
November 15, 2008
OPENING EXHIBIT
"Kent & the Great War"
11-2 p.m.
(,//1,,1..,.(,
,,~ ''J--7/'
More than 250 soldiers from Kent and Franklin Township served in World War I. It has been 90
years since this first great global conflict ended on November, 11 1918. Its effects on our community
included economic growth from the war effort, loss of life and lifelong injuries among those serving -
and the fear that the Spanish "flu" would sweep through our schools and families. bur exhibit
includes many artifacts from local families, which we hope will stimulate you to share your own
family's memories of those times. This exhibit includes artifacts from our own collection, as well as
from Kent State University Special Collections and the American Legion .
..
New Book Publication
"Kent and the Great War: The Letters of Leo Bietz"
Published by the Kent Historical Society Press
In the words of Stephen H. Paschen, Kent State University Archivist, "The World War I letters of
Leo Bietz provide not only a rare glimpse of an American soldier's experiences in wartime, but also a
snapshot of life in and around Kent, Ohio, during 1918 and 1919 .. . "
ON SALE NOW 15.00
Dedication of Loris C. Troyer Library & Archives
Saturday, December 6, 1 p.m.
Join us as we formally dedicate our KHS Library and Archives to Loris Troyer, author of
Portage Pathways, founding member of the Kent Historical Society and Editor Emeritus of
the Record-Courier.
The Museum will be closed on Thursday & Friday, November 27 and 28.
Start your Holiday Shopping early
Holiday Shoppers can visit the Museum Store during our extended hours (10 - 3 p.m.)
starting Thursday December 4 thru Saturday December 20.
KHS will be closed from December 21 through January 2
We will re-open Saturday, January 3 at our regular hours, 11-2 p.m.
All programs and admission to the Museum are free and open to the public.
Call 330-678-2712 for more information.
234 South Water Street. Kent, Ohio
www.kentohiohistory.org
(330) 678-2712
email: [email protected]
KHS Member SurveY.
__ YES, I (we) would like to volunteer for the Historical Society.
__ YES, I (we) have some old movies, letters, artifacts or photos of our family or life in
Kent and events to share with KHS.
__ YES, I would like to recommend a speaker, topic or workshop for the Society:
Recommendation:----------------------------Please
include contact information for speaker at bottom of this form.
__ YES , I would like to contribute 94 to become a Charter Member of the "Loris C.
Troyer Ninety-Four Club" to help support our library and archives. My name(s) should be
listed on the plaque as follows below:
Name: ___ ......._iiiiiiiiiiia_ ......... ______________ ____________ _
Name: ---------------------------------
Check enclosed __ _
I will call for credit card order (330) 678-2712
Please make all checks payable to the Kent Historical Society. We accept MasterCard and
Visa in person or by phone.
Name:----------------------------------
Address:---------------------------------
City: _____________ State: ___ Zip _____________ _
Home Phone: ______________ Cell: _____________ _
Amount enclosed: _______ _
Please return this survey to:
The Kent Historical Society
P.O. Box 663
Kent, OH 44240
These contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
The Historical Society could use a few helping hands. Do you have any of the following to
donate that are new or slightly "used" or, make a contribution toward the purchase of these items.
D Thomas the Train set and play table for children center inter-active room
D Curio Cabinet to display ladies vintage accessories.
D Lightweight plastic folding chairs for meetings , classes & workshops (25)
D Picture frames of all sizes for historic photos
D · Outdoor benches that can be secured to the floor on the porch.
D Pop-up Canopy for outdoor displays
D Vintage telephone (wall mounted type)
D Archiva l supplies for protection of historic files, photos & artifacts
D Metal shelving for archival storage
D File cabinet , 4-5 drawers
D Electric stapler
D Laminating machine for archival newspaper articles
D Postage scale updated to 2008 postage
D Energy saving electronic light sensors for each room
D Door bells front and back doors
D Old Kent directories (selected dates) prior to 1950
D Archiva l book displays for Bibles, atlas & journals
D Any WWI letters or photos are also needed for our fall exhibit: Kent and the Great War.
In addition we would like a newer upgraded scanner for archiving our vintage photographs and a
small mini "flip" camera for filming our oral histories.
Please do not bring any of the above items to the Historical Society without calling first .
YES, I would like to help. Please accept my tax-deductible donation to put toward the above
requests.
Name
Address ---- ------ ----------------- ---- -
City _________________ State __ Zip _ _ ____ _
Yes, I would like to donate the following:
10 _ ___ 25 ___ _ 50 _ _ __ 100 ___ 0ther _ _ _
We also now may accept donations of stock certificates. Please call for more information.
up from the front room (main sales floor and meat counters) by the person assembling the order.
The orders were placed into collapsible wooden boxes of two sizes and placed, arranged by
rou te, close to the door opening onto a platform in the alley on the south side of the store. (Our fellow
tenants of the alley were Fred Bechtel and Ray's Place.)
The driver assisted in the assembly of the orders and loaded his truck, until all of the orders for
his route were filled then left. The other driver did likewise until his route was filled and he left. In
the meantime, if it was Saturday, the backroom people filled the orders for the other two routes and
arranged them by the door for pickup when the drivers returned.
If items had been missed, or there was a late order promised, we went back out to take care of
that.
After returning (on weekdays after school) we drivers did other jobs as needed in the store. Generally
we were responsible for cleaning out the accumulated trash from the basement and making a
run to the city dump at some time during the week.
Driving the routes and delivering groceries was rather interesting
and sometimes memorable experiences developed.
Mrs. Jones (not really) ordered a pint of oysters. When
I placed the pint can of oysters on the kitchen counter she
instructed me that she and Mr. Jones were from Maine and
appreciated good, fresh oysters and never ate canned oysters
and I was to take the can back and bring fresh oysters. I
took them back and Mr. Hammer, our butcher, instrncted me
that she would get %@##**++=@# fresh oysters, whereupon
he opened the can, poured the oysters into a pint bucket and
returned it to my hands. Upon delivering the fresh mollusks to Mrs. Jones, she thanked me and instructed
me again that she and Mr. Jones were from Maine and ... .
The next time I delivered groceries to Mrs. Jones, I could not resist inquiring about the oysters.
Whereupon Mrs. Jones again instructed me that she and Mr. Jones ... and that the fresh oysters were
certainly much better than canned oysters ... !
On one occasion I had a larger than usual load of groceries for my route and had stacked the
boxes 3 or four high in the truck. It happened that we did not have the passenger front seats in the
trncks to make more room. The top box on front stack on that side was filled with jars of baby food
and when I had to make a sudden stop for one reason or another, the box toppled forward, many of
the jars broke and I learned why babies made the faces they did when offered spinach, beets, and
the like.
As I continued as delivery boy and at times worked at various jobs in the store, I guess I inspired
more confidence from Mr. Longcoy and was given other jobs with more responsibility. I was always at
work on time and remained as long as needed and did not need much supervision. I even did some
of the purchasing.
George Hopkins was the produce manager and he and I got along well and I was always glad to
help him get the produce up from the coolers in the basement and placed in the counters in the front
of the store on Saturday mornings. (The produce, and other supplies that were kept in the basement,
were brought up on a hand operated elevator. The hand power was supplied to a large, endless rope,
about 2" in diameter and needless to say, it was not very fast). George was a large man, slow and
methodical, and a good teacher. He always called me "Johnnie" as did my girlfriend and other contemporaries.
After I came back to Kent and started in my medical practice, both he and Mrs. Hopkins
became my patients and I cared for them to the end of their lives.
That reminds me that by the time I retired from practice, I had delivered newspapers, groceries,
and health care (by way of house calls) to many of the same homes in the city. I consider that quite
a privilege.
2
(
Another employee, who later became my patient, was Frances Wagner. She was a maiden la<1y, a
devout Catholic and had worked at the store for many years. She was a sort of"jack-of-all-trades-;:. ndmaster-
of-all". She was a very hard worker. At times she worked in the little corner office and wnen
she answered the phone, she always said something like "Lung-kys." When Frances was working putting
up orders, we could hear, or feel, her coming up through the store by the pounding of her feet.
We had a "company" dog named Skipper at the store. He stayed in the basement most of the
time, partly because that was his place, and partly because he bit. He was a good mouser and had
the run of the store at nights. He and I became good friends and he even became trusting enough to
get on my lap and let me pet him. However, if I let him down too quickly or made a sudden movement,
he would bite me. I never scolded him, figuring he had started that for some good reason and
we remained friends.
Skipper met his demise when he was out in the alley and a lady came walking down past him,
and apparently unprovoked, he snapped at her. He had to be put down after that happened.
Longcoy's had always killed and dressed chickens and rabbits on site in the basement and was
still doing that while I worked there. I learned to do both of those operations and will spare the details.
Suffice it to say, it was unpleasant work, but at the same time it was a new experience and I felt
satisfaction in being able to be e ntrusted with the job as my total responsibility.
As I mentioned earlier, one of the jobs relating to the truck was to clean up the trash in the
basement and haul it to the city dump. In those days, "free goods" were offered with certain items
to encourage sales. For instance, we received a rather large shipment of glass salad dishes, square,
about 6" on a side and molded to give the appearance of cut glass. (Jean and I still have several of
those and they are often in use after 60 some years.) Those were to be given away with the purchase
of, say, a box of Oxydol. However, for various reasons, they did not all get distributed and they ended
up riding with me to the dump. I can't tell how many times in recent years I have seen those (or their
siblings) for sale in flea markets, antique shops, and second hand stores.
Friday evenings were frustrating because the store was open a little later than other days, closing
I believe around 6:30 or 7:00 and there was often a high school football game to go to and when
there was not, there was a date with my girlfriend. It seemed like I was always hurrying and always
late those evenings.
Saturdays were long work days at the store. H.C. of course arose and arrived at the store early
every day, but on Saturdays, because I was not in school, I got to the store at 6:30 or 7:00. If I greeted
Mr. Longcoy with a "how are you?" he invariably replied, "I was never better in my life!" There was
much to do and I seemed to do a little of everything, beside my primary job of delivering groceries.
After the deliveries were done in mid afternoon I worked stocking shelves or out on the floor.
Saturday was "clean up night" and my part in that involved cleaning the meat band saw and the meat
cases. The latter was a bad job because the trays had to be removed from over the cooling fins deep in
the recesses of the case, and the fins and coils cleaned using a solution of soap, water and ammonia.
The fins scratched and abraded my knuckles and the ammonia burned.
At one time, I felt that for the work I did and responsibility that I was given, I was underpaid.
I complained to Mr. Hammer (because he was a friend and I did not understand at that time that I
should have gone to the "boss.") One day not long after, Mr. Longcoy found me upstairs in the cereal
storage room and reached into his pocket and peeled off 100 and handed it to me, saying that he
guessed I had earned it and gave me a small raise. I was impressed.
H.C. fell one time and broke his ankle. He was laid up for a while and forbidden by his daughters
to go to the store. One day I took the truck up to his house on Park Avenue to put it in the garage for
the night. I put the truck away and walked around to where he was sitting on the porch and, trying
to reassure him, told him how well we were getting along. He looked very disappointed. I don't recall
what he said, but I hastened to assure him that he was badly missed-as he was.
After that injury, his ankle did not seem to heal normally and he walked with a slight limp. From
then on we could identify who was coming up the floor by his "clumping" footfalls.
3
)
Harry Longcoy, "Jr." was being groomed to take over the store. He was called into Army and was
kiLed in Italy and this was a terrible tragedy for Mr. Longcoy.
His rather favorite grandson, Jack Dreese, was recalled into the Air Force during the Korean War
and was killed. A nephew, Stephen White, whose father worked in the store as a butcher, was also
killed in WWII in 1943. Mr. L. never showed much emotion but we all knew that it was very difficult
for him to bear the loss of these fine young men.
In February of 1946, after High School and one quarter of college, I enlisted in the Army and
returned home in the Summer of 1947. I returned to college and continued to work at the store.
Mr. Longcoy retired in 1946 and sold the store to a gentleman who had called on the store as a
wholesale grocery salesman. Mr. Longcoy said, in a memoir, that " ... I sold it to the wrong person".
He had had little or no retail experience and before long Mr. Longcoy bought the store back and sold
it to David B. Longcoy. "Dave" (as he was called) was H.C.'s cousin, a grandson of one of the former
owners, and had worked in the store as a younger man in various capacities.
In the summer of 1950 I was home from Medical School after my freshman year and working for
Dave in the store. There had been a bakery in one of the upstairs floors and it was no longer in use.
Dave decided to remove the equipment and I was doing that job. It was hot, dirty, miserable work.
Dave had a daughter, Jean Ann, two years my junior, who I had known for several years and with
whom, a couple of years before, I had spent an enjoyable New Year's Eve. We had both been in serious,
but unsuccessful relationships in the interim.
One day when I was suffering greatly (or so I thought) from the heat and labor of dismantling
the bakery, Jean came to the store from her job across the river, to get a ride home with her fatl1er
later. She saw my distress went across the alley to Ray's place and brought back a beer, won my heart,
and we were married at Christmas time that year.
I became one of the family and attending physician to some and cared for H.C. in his terminal
illness.
Of interest to me is the fact that two of my good friends from high school days also worked in
downtown Kent grocery stores. Jim Lanham and Jon Sally both worked for the Acme store on East
Main St. Both went on, as I did, to become Osteopathic Physicians. Jim went into General Practice and
later specialized in Radiology in Summit and Portage Counties, and Jon joined my colleague, Don Ulrich
and me in our Family Practice. All three of us were inspired by and mentored by Dr. Nick Ulrich
and his son Donald. Dr. Nick was the Longcoy family's physician and a friend of Harrys'.
It is a small world.
4
Some Sketches
by
A Grocery Boy in Kent, Ohio
Dr. John C. Jacobs
About Christmas time of 1944, I was a senior in high school
and had been working at tlle Smith News Agency for George Smith
when I was offered a new job and went upstairs to work for the
Longcoy Grocery Store. Smitty's establishment was in the basement
of the Longcoy Store, on the Franklin Avenue side. I was about 17
years of age and it was during WWII and I had been driving for
George for some time and I was hired to drive one of the delivery
trucks for Longcoy's. Christmas time was a busy delivery time and
extra help was needed. As it turned out, it was more than a temporary
job for me.
Longcoy's was an old grocery store, had come down through
several generations, and was now owned by Harry C. Longcoy.
He was called "Mr. Longcoy" and spoken of, by his employees
as "H.C." He was a kindly man, an exemplary citizen, and a hard
worker of the first degree. He never scolded, led by example and,
I think, was beloved by all who knew him.
Longcoy's had two delivery trucks. A gray long bed panel
Dodge of about 1942 vintage, and an earlier vintage yellow International,
conventional bed. Bob Amick was the other driver. I
believe there had only been one truck on the road before I started,
though I am not sure of that. Ruby Bran was the lady in charge
of the little corner office on the main floor of the store, and every
morning she prepared a black purse, with a shoulder strap for us
to carry on the route. It had sufficient change that we could collect for groceries as we delivered them.
I think we only carried that purse for a short while after I started because by then almost all of the
delivered groceries were on a charge basis.
In the morning, Ruby and whoever else was close to tl1e phone
in the office, wrote the orders out on carbon copy pads and passed
them to the "back room". There was a vocabulary of abbreviations
for many of the things that were ordered. Some of them that Jean
and I remember are: "CC" for Cottage Creamery butter. "Sum" for
Sumner's butter. "Gbf" for ground beef. "C&S" for Chase and Sanborn
coffee. "Max" for Maxwell House coffee. "WW" for whole wheat
bread. There were many others because out of the hundreds of
different groceries tllat were carried, many were very commonly ordered
as staples in the kitchens of Kent.
Kent was divided into four routes for the purposes of deliveries:
SW, NW (including Twin Lakes), NE, and SE. Two quadrants were
delivered on two week days, and two on the other two weekdays.
On Saturday, the entire town was covered.
Orders were made up in the "back room", which opened onto
Franklin Avenue. It was pretty well stocked with most of the items that
would be ordered and those that were not stocked, were picked
1
The Kent Historical Society
Speaker Series Presents
"All About Kent"
Author & Editor of the Portage CountyTimeline
and noted Bicentennial Historian of Portage County
Will Speak on
Monday, Feb. 9th, 2009
Doors open: 6:30 p.m. - Talk at: 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Marvin Kent Family Homestead/Masonic Center
Built in 1884
409 W. Main St.
Comer ofWestMain & Mantua St., Kent, OH
• Light Refreshments will be served.
• Jeffrey Jones will play period music on the dulcimer.
• Pictures of a sleigh once owned by the Kent family and
reconstructed by the Portage County Historical Society
will be on display.
• Period photos assembled by John and Jean Jacobs from
the KHS archives will be on display.
• Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Kent (Bruce & Nancy Hansford)
will give a tour of their home following the talk.
• For more information call the KHS office.
Sponsored by the Kent Historical Society
2,34 S. Water St., Kent, OH
330. 678.271
The Kentennial, Newsletter of the Kent Historical Society, Volume 30, March 1998
No full textThe newsletter of the Kent Historical Society
152 Franklin Avenue~ P.O. Box 663~ Kent~ Ohio 44240 - (330) 678-2712
Volume 30 - March 1998
SCHMITT BECOMES DIRECTOR
Jeffrey Schmitt of Chippewa Lake has been
hired by the board as part-time director. Schmitt
takes over the position held by Stephen
Paschen, who is now archivist at the University
of Akron. Schmitt has been granted a 90-day
probationary assignment which could become
permanent if an administrative review proves his
work to be satisfactory.
Schmitt started his duties at the Rowe Museum
in late Februaryf continuing the work
begun by his predecessor. Among his first
duties is to install a new display of photographs
by Arthur Trory and to build suitcase museums
( smaH portable displ for use by the school
students. Another major project is to build closer
liaison with the Kent public school system.
Educationally, Schmitt holds master's and
1ccalaureate degrees from the University of
Akron, emphasizing history. He has done
research on Pompeian art in Pompeii, Italy. He
has worked and lectured at Hale Farm, was a
reference librarian at the University of Akron,
was a teaching assistant at the university's art
department and served with an archaeological
excavating expedition in Louisiana. He was
employed by Clark Oil, Cleveland, for three
years as a business analyst and technical ¥Kiter.
Schmitt is a nurseryman for Boyert's Greenhouse
in Medina and is a self-employed landscape
designer and gardener. He enjoys reading,
traveling, and marble conecting.
I would like to take this opportunity
to say "hello" and "thank
you" for granting me the chance to
~rve as director of your Kent Historical
Society. I am busy f amiliarizing
myself with the collections
of the Rowe Museum and the aims,
purposes, and projects of the Society.
I am also visiting other historical
societies and museums tc
gain insights which may benefit
myself and our particular organization.
In an attempt to gain a firm
working knowledge of Kent's history,
I have recently_ read Cackler• s
Recollections of An Old Settler~
Grismer' s The History of Kent, and
Pfleger•s Green Leaves, A History of
The Davey Tree Expert Company.
Thus, the initial steps of what I
believe will be an interesting,
educational and meaningful journey
through the history of Kent have
been taken. I realize I have a lot
of catching up to do, as well as a
long way to go, yet what better
place to begin than with the Society's
publications, amongst the very
people who have established the
paths.
I am grateful for your board I s
wann welcome, for Bev• s assistance
which is keeping me on track, and
John's first-hand historical accounts.
I am, also, looking forward
to meeting and working with all of
you. Please feel free to stop by
sometime and introduce yourselves~
If you have free time, there are
some projects that could use your
helping hands! Together we can
accomplish the good goals of the
Kent Historical Society.
Sincerely, Jeffrey Brian Schmitt
* * * *
(The following is the third installment:;
from a handwritten copy of the
recollections of George Musser, a
Kent: resident, who was captured in
the Civil War conflict •The Battle
of the Wilderness .. • Some of the
words are illegible which explains
some of the gaps in the text .. }
AGONY AT ANDERSONVILLE.
Al.ong in the afternoon about 4 pm
I had just gone round one and was
going to cross the lane running from
to my right to the house to my
left:. I crawled up on the first
fence and was sitting there looking
in a small cabbage and turnip patch
and, undecided as to whether I better
leave them alone or not and
while there contemplating, I heard a
merry laugh coming up from the woods
and two young ladies were coming on
the run.. I jumped off this fence
and (climbed) the other from which I
slid down like a turtle into water,
when to my surprise, I see the ladies
were coming over the fence too.
But I hurried on over a little
knoll, there was no for they
knew that I did not have time to get
to the thicket just beyond. So I
got up and started as fast as I
could, but they came on the run,
shouting and laughing, "Stop, stop,
you Yankee. Stop, you Yank." Like
a flash, the thought came to my head
I better stop and go with these
ladies or get out. I got. I was
not long in reaching the thicket
where I knew they could not follow
or find me. I have often wondered
what my destiny would have been had
I stopped with them. I was heading
for Camden, South Carolina, but in
making this (circuit) I missed the
road leading there but took the
first one and traveled till late at
night. Finally I stopped at a cabin
which I knew to be occupied by col-ored
people and rapped at the door
An old colored man answered, "Who'
there?" I told him who and what
was and where I was trying to get t,
and that I was cold and wet as ther
had just been a --- and wanted t,
warm myself and dry my clothes. H,
replied he dared not do it - the~
would kill him and his old woman L
he did. So I plodded on until _
came to another shanty. I did no
go to the house but went to tht
stable and after hanging up my blan
ket, crawled into a pile of hay anc
slept soundly till probably
o'clock.. When I woke up the sun wa:
shining brightly and I rolled up m1
blanket and started out on hunt 01
the road. Passing through a li ttlc
woods, I saw two white men only c
short distance from me and they sai
me about the same time. TheJ
stopped and so did I and I laid mJ
blanket down and sat down on it.
Then they came up and wanted to knoM
who I was and where I was going,. J
told them and they said I was on tht:
wrong road and directed me where tc
find it but wanted me to go along
home with them and get some breakfast.
I declined with thanks anc
left them.. They had been to mill
after some meal though Sunday morning
and early as it was. I took the
direction they gave me and reached
the road and came to a small stream.
I washed and was combing my hair
when I had noticed two fresh horse
tracks going in the direction which
I intended going and was satisfied
they were after me. I hadn ' t got
through combing my hair when they
returned.. One was the captain of
the home or supporting force and the
other was none other than one of the
men I met in the woods returning
from mill . The captain rode up with
his double-barrelled shotgun levelec
at me and asked me to surrender. I
told him I was at his service. He
asked me if I had any weapons and I
told him no, not: even a pocket
knife.. He said I should walk on
ahead of them.. I did so for awhile.
inally, I guess he took pity on me,
for they had the citizen get off and
walk and I rode.. So, on the way
every once in awhile he gave a blast
with his tr~mpet and there would be
answers from different directions
and I could see old men and boys
coming out of the thickets armed
with most anything and all hunting
one poor Ya,..r1k who was trying to get
home to his mama.. Well, he took me
to his home and the news was there
in advance .. Likewise, all the populace,
both white and black, male and
female, old and young, to see what
sort of creature these Yanks look
like .. Well, they had their curiosity
satisfied and after a good dinner,
which I had the honor of eating
with the captain and his wife and
daughter, he asked me if I would go
ith him peaceably to Camden or
w"Ould he have to take a guard along.
I gave him my word and honor as a
gentleman and soldier that I would
give him no trouble. So, he had his
buggy brought around and we started
for Camden, the county seat, where
the enrolling officer lived. On the
way, he told me that he had no intention
of bringing a guard along
but had I refused he would have been
compelled to tie me .. He also said
that his sympathy was with the north
and that he had been in active service,
got wounded, and then put on
detached service as captain of the
home guard or supporting force.. We
reached Camden about 6 p .. m .. , met: the
enrolling officer just in the suburb
at: his home feeding his cattle .. The
captain called out to him, "I have a
rrnion prisoner here.. What shall I
::, wi t:h him? " "Take him to the j ai 1
and t:urn him over .. " My heart: sank
wit:hin me ..
GRANDSON OF DAVEY COMPANY FOUNDER
MARTIN L DAVEY, JR., DIES AT 80
Martin L Davey, Jr. died at his horne Febrt
ary 15. He was a grandson of John Davel
founder of The Davey Tree Expert Company c
Kent and a son of Martin L Davey, Sr.! a forme
governor of Ohio.
Mr. Davey grew up in his family's firmt and
was assumed by many that he would become
company leader. He was elected president c
his fathers death just four months after h
returned from a tour of duty in the :Army foUowin
World War It Under his leadershipt the compa
ny sales tripled in the decade after the war. M1
Davey encouraged the employees• bid to bu
the company. Previously, he had helped to figt
an attempt by outsiders to buy Davey anc
possibly, move it out of Kent.
Survivors include his son, John Martin Dave
of Kent; daughter, Mrs. Dan (Cecil D.) Giltz c
Kent; adopted son Earl Davey of Kent; fiv,
grandchildren; sister Evangeline C. Smith c
Hudson.
{Excerpted from the Record-Courier, February J 6, J 99t
MORE KENT GROCERY INFORMATION
The December newsletter contained
story on former grocery stores ii
Kent.. The information came largel~
from Francis and Maurice Kline, botl
of whom were involved in Kline•:
Grocery in Kent . In response to ,
request from readers for furthe:
information about old Kent grocers
John and Jean Jacobs sent us thE
letter which is reproduced below.
We found the article regarding groceiy stores t,
be quite interesting and thought you might he interest
ed in some additional information that we have.
Jean's great-grandfather was Byron Longco;
Byron built the building and had the store at th
comer of Crain Ave. and N. Water/Lake Streets, late
occupied hy the Meacham and Rhodes store. He als•
live-d in the house next door on Crain Avenue.
Follo-wing is some information regarding this:
"Byron Longcoy was preparing to open a groc.ery
store on Crain Avenue in Kent. (From "Yesteryears"
column Kent Record Courier of appiL Dec. 15, 1997
citing Record Courier ofDec. 12-19, 1897.)
"An elderly Kent man died of injuries after he fell
into a cellar being excavated at Byron Longcoys
grocery on Crain Avenue. (From "Yesteryears"
column of Kent Record Courier of Dec. 20, 1997
citing Record Courier of Dec. 20-26, I 897. )"
When I (John) was a child, living on Wolcott
Avenue (prior to 1939), I frequently went to Sethman's
store in the house on the n. w. comer of
Carthage and N. Mantua St. to run errands for my
mother and to buy "Guess-Whats" and "Crackerjacks"
for myself Later 'When we lived on Crain Avenue, we
shopped at O'Beime's store in their house on North
Lincoln Street. It was just two or three houses behind
The Robin Hood on the same side of the street. Also
during that time (1940s) we shopped at a little store
that the Gus Thomas family had in their house, a little
further north on the other side of North Lincoln
Street.
Kent Historical Society
P.O. Box663
152 Franklin Ave ..
Kent, OH 44240
Regarding Imperiars store, we can remember that
the Imperials were in business at the time we worked
at Longcoys in the 1940s. Also during the 1940s, an
maybe later, Lanaris had a store on (I think) the s.e.
comer of Franklin and Elm Streets. Maybe someone
will remember a Roth's Meat Market on Franklin
Avenue where Thurman the Luthier is now. That
should have been in the late 1930s.
Sincerely, Jean and John Jacobs
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
THIS 'NTH.AT .....
Unbelieveable-- Record-Courier March 27 .. 1935
A Portage auto dealer was fined $125 at a hearing for
granting an over-allowance to a customer in a trade-in
of a used car in the purchase of a new car. This was in
violation of the Motor Vehicle Code.
Record-Courier April 2, 1935 -- A Ravenna man's
seven white ducks turned blue because of polluted
water ftom the Ravenna woolen mill that had invaded
his duck pond. J.P. Chesmer was advised to contact
the officials of the mill (In those days, there was no
Environmental Protection Agency.)
Nonprofit Organization
U .. S Postage
PAID
Kent,Ohio
Pennit No. 15
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