Website Offers a Window into Wooster History

Have you ever wondered what you would see if you could view your neighborhood through a time tunnel?  How would the view from your front door or apartment window change if you time-traveled back beyond the era of the automobile, before forests or grasslands were cleared for farming and cities, and then even before the entry of European colonists, settlers, and fur traders?

Thanks to an article by Dottie Sines in our Wooster Weekly News/The Bargain Hunter-Wayne (01-18-20), I discovered the Wooster Digital History Project (WDHP).  The WDHP was launched by Gregory Shaya, professor of history at The College of Wooster, for the purpose of compiling and sharing a comprehensive history of the City of Wooster.  Sines quotes Prof. Shaya as saying that WDHP is providing “…a great research experience for the students, and it produces a tangible result.  It also connects the students to Wooster in some really neat ways.”  Sines describes resources available at the WDHP website as follows:

“Exhibits are categorized by early settlement, cultural and religious communities, agriculture, economic development, conservation and the environment, society and social movements, civic development, wartime Wooster, and the college itself. Rare photographs and video interviews enhance the material, and links are provided for further exploration.”

Three noteworthy historic glimpses which I found interesting from the WDHP website are as follows:  (1) The importance of historical records in any study of land use changes and associated effects on soil, water, and biodiversity; (2) the role of philanthropy in helping to salvage The College of Wooster following a fire, in 1901; and, (3) the unusual civility of the Wayne County community following the Civil War which had so horribly divided America.

Historical Records, Land Use Changes, and Stewardship

Every modern agricultural or urban community such as those which make up Wayne County and the City of Wooster have a history of prior land ownership, transactions when land is sold, and resultant changes in land use at the behest of subsequent owners.  The history of the changes in ownership and the way in which each owner managed the land determines its current ecological and biological condition.  We can see from this logic that the current state of a given landscape will tell us much about both its history and the extent to which the respective owners practiced good stewardship (conservation) of the soil, water, and biodiversity under their care.  Thus, land “owners” who view themselves as “stewards” (i.e. temporary caretakers with a long-term view) will manage the soil, water, and biological diversity (e.g. wildlife) as if they value not only monetary profit from their farm products but also the long-term sustainability of the soil and water so that it will be fruitful for the future.

Thanks to the Wooster Digital History Project, I have become interested in the history of one particular tract of land, known in 1873 as the Grandview Farm, owned by A.H. and B.C. Byers (see photo above).  Thanks to assistance from the Wayne Co. Historical Society, I was able to locate the farm pictured in a lovely artists rendition (pictured at left).  The farm buildings were located near what is now Parkview Elementary School.  The name “Grandview” will seem logical to any reader who has enjoyed the wonderful view while driving south on Oak Hill Road past the school. 

Site of the Byers (Grandview) Farm buildings, now Parkview Elementary

Grandview Farm eventually became a significant portion of what is now Country Club Golf Course.  Thanks to the historical and legal records, we can now gain insight into the history of past land stewardship and land use changes of a given parcel.  These data could then inform current ecological studies to evaluate the management strategies of the Country Club Golf Course to address storm water runoff, scheduling fertilizer applications to limit stream pollution, etc.  Interestingly, the WDHP provides a images and text accounts of the 1969 Flood.

Wooster Fire and Andrew Carnegie
Today, we often hear of the corruption and injustice of “big business.” According to Naomi Schaefer Riley, resident fellow of the American Enterprise Institute, and author of “The Givers and Their Attackers,” wealthy individuals and families are often the subjects of scorn and suspicion.  After all, they must have acquired their wealth through unfair business practice.  Indeed, there are many people who have amassed great wealth through unjust practices.  Yet free market capitalism is also responsible for raising millions of people from lives of limited opportunity and poverty to enjoy fulfilling lives that impact many others for good. 

The life of Andrew Carnegie is one of many “rags to riches” stories.  Carnegie amassed great wealth through expansion of the steel industry in America.  Although Carnegie is criticized for building his fortune through unjust treatment of workers, he believed that “those with great wealth must be socially responsible and use their assets to help others.” If they refuse, they practice “the worst species of idolatry.”  Carnegie practiced what he preached, and gave 90% of his fortune, estimated at $301 billion in today’s currency, to worthy causes.

Visitors to the Wooster Digital History Project can learn of Mr. Carnegie’s impact on this midwestern city.  In fact, Carnegie may be largely responsible for the survival of The College of Wooster following the fire of 1901 that destroyed the main academic building.  What could have been disastrous for the young college turned out to be a blessing.  The fire and Andrew Carnegie combined to elicit a generous effort by the Wooster community to raise $100,000 to match a challenge gift from Mr. Carnegie.  According to the WDHP account, “Carnegie originally refused to give to a Christian college, because he was not a member of any church. Yet, even in his first meeting with [President] Holden, Carnegie declared that if he ever gave money to a Christian college, it would go to Wooster.  The great philanthropist made good on his promise, in 1902.

Civility after the Civil War
There was a third snippet from Wooster history that reminded me of the importance of knowing more about our communities in years past.  This one was also of interest to Dottie Sines, the Wooster Weekly News article’s author.  She notes that patriotism ran so strong in Wooster following the Civil War that it became a force for unity between factions that had been at odds during the war.  This demonstration of post-Civil War unity as highlighted in the Sines article and quoted below ought to be a valuable lesson from American history for today’s divided America to consider:

“The Wooster Republican newspaper published letters sent home from Wayne County soldiers. At times even the Wayne County Democrat, which was never shy in displaying its opposition to the war, chose to put patriotism first. When praising the deeds of two returning officers, the paper guessed that they must have felt proud of both parties welcoming them home and doing honor to them as soldiers of the Republic. More unity of this kind would work miracles in the cause of the country, where the prosperity of all the people is contingent upon the unity of the country.

Thank you for “time-traveling” back in history with me to consider a couple of historic chapters out of the history of our town, Wooster, Ohio.  Maybe if you are curious enough to visit the Wooster Digital History Project, or a similar history resource from your geographic location on this Earth, you will gain a better appreciation for the ways in which your community has been shaped by past cultures, people, land uses, conflicts, and triumphs.  We ought not be ignorant of our history and the lessons we can learn from it, and from evidence of God’s providence through it all.

How About You?
May I invite you to respond using “Comments” to inform readers of  available resources on local and American history you would recommend?

The Blessedness of “Being With”

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel, which translated means, "GOD WITH US.    – Isaiah 7:14; and Gospel of Matthew 1: 23

Dear Family and Friends,
Greetings from Wooster, OH on this first day of winter, and the first day in which snow has blanketed the landscape here in Wayne county.  Our hearts are full of gratitude to God for His provision of this location that we've been slowly making into a "home" by His grace.  He has sustained Abby and I through the year-long effort to sell our home in Cedarville and then through our move in October.  Now we are enjoying making connections with the amazing people and provisions needed to establish our home here in Wooster. 

We are thankful for our son, Brad, and his wife, Raquel; and for our daughter, Mindy, and her husband, Steve; and our grandchildren, Caleb (14), Kiara (10), and Della (4).  They have spent time with us in Wooster to help us during our move.  Thankfully, our move brings us just a bit closer to their homes in Ann Arbor and Erie, Michigan, respectively.  Please pray with us as we establish priorities related to each other, our parents and family, a place of worship and service, and as we invest time in this new chapter of our lives.

At this end of thirty-three years at Cedarville University, Grace Baptist Church, and the Cedarville community we miss those of you that we can no longer be with on a regular basis.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you as God reminds us of you.  We hope more of you will let us know if you are in the area so that we might arrange for you to visit us at 1041 Curtwood Drive, Wooster, OH   44691.

This week, we are planning our first multi-day period of being with mom Moser (Marietta) in her home.  At 85, after her stroke last year, she has not advanced beyond walking with personal assistance; and is advancing into Alzheimers.  We are thankful to be two hours closer to her so that we can join the rotation with Abby's six sisters in continuing to care for her in her home.  Mom Silvius continues to do well, but with limited mobility outside her home, at age 90.  She lives with my sister, Margie, and brother, Dan, and on the farm near Dundee where I grew up.   Both moms are within 1.5 hrs of Wooster.

With Carie Kurtz who helped us find a home; now a friend.

With the onset of a New Year, pending Abby's good health for which we are thankful, I will be undertaking some part-time involvements related to "projects" that will combine my interest in land stewardship with my profession of faith.  This goal comes with the intent of building friendships in Wayne County, including with those who are passionate about the "natural world" but who may not know of our Creator’s passion for reconciliation of all of His creation through His Son’s redemptive work to restore us (see Col. 1: 9-23).  Your friendship and prayers are much appreciated.

May God continue to strengthen and guide you all.   We hope you are encouraged in your remembrance of Emmanuel, “God with us.”  We thank God that He undertook His divine "rescue mission" to Earth to abide with us in order to ransom us (“buy us back” from the market of human pride, sin, and rebellion) that we might have Abundant Life now, and live with Him and the redeemed forever.

In Christ,
John and Abby

Putting Down New Roots

A fitting expression for people moving and settling into a new location is “putting down roots.”  Since our move to Wooster in October, this expression has a special meaning to Abby and I.  Let me explain how we have literally “put down roots” of a special tree that was given to us as a parting gift when I retired from Cedarville University last year.

Near the end of Spring Semester, 2011, when we were planning to sell our home during the summer and move to Wooster, OH, the campus environmental stewardship organization, Pro Terra Forma, gave us a little potted Pawpaw tree (Asimina triloba).  What a fitting gift from beloved students who were conscious of the value of trees which serve both mankind and creation as air purifiers, air conditioners, sound blockers, sound-makers (wind in the branches and musical instruments), providers of habitat, housing, and food; and are a source of aesthetic beauty in the landscape.

Because we had hoped to move within a couple of months, we nestled the potted Pawpaw in a pile of old potting soil in a partially shaded environment preferred by this understory plant species.   Little did we know that this “temporary” location would become home to the Pawpaw for the whole summer, fall, and winter as God seemed to be answering our patient prayers with a message of “slow down and wait for My timing.”

As the chill of Autumn days came on in 2011, we felt the chilling of the housing market and were resigned to the fact that we would be living in Cedarville Township for the winter.  Little Pawpaw dropped her leaves and I added some extra mulch to protect it for the cold of winter.

With the warming of Spring, the prospects for the sale of our home warmed, and by July, we were thankful to have contracts for the sale of our home as well as a contract to purchase a home in Wooster.  When moving days came in early October, we did not forget our tree friend who had grown a few new limbs.  We enjoyed a “moving ceremony” assisted by Tim Clark, the new owner of our home.  Together, we potted up Pawpaw for its ride to Wooster.

After a tending to a long list of “moving responsibilities” (Maybe you can relate?), we transplanted Pawpaw from the plant pot to the Wooster soil of our back yard at 1041 Curtwood Drive.  We again remembered with thanksgiving the students who gave us the gift.  We also reflected on our loving God Whose timing was perfect to allow us more time to fully adjust to the idea of leaving our Cedarville spiritual family and friends.

We hope that Pawpaw’s roots will grow and prosper so the tree can add its many “tree benefits” to our landscape on in the years to come while we nurture it, and then beyond.  Likewise, Abby and I hope that we will be good stewards of God’s provisions to us now that we are here so that we can enhance the Wooster community and those with whom He brings us into contact.

Thanks to so many of you for your friendship and prayers.  If you are in the area, please let us know so you can stop in and see where we are “putting down roots” for this new chapter of our lives.