The earliest Historical Society in this country, we believe, is the American Philosophical Society, of Philadelphia, organized in 1743. If any reader knows of an earlier historical organization we shall be obliged for the information. In fact, we would like a complete list of all the historical societies in the country. Who can furnish it?
PIONEER SOCIETIES.
The editors of this Magazine will be very thankful for such news relating to Pioneer and Historical Societies as will be of interest to the general reader. These organizations are doing an important work, and deserve great commendation. We make brief mention of the proceedings of a few societies, of whose annual meeting we have had information.
The Ashtabula County Pioneer Association held its last annual reunion August 28, at Jefferson, O., and was well attended. An interesting address was delivered by Judge Darius Cadwell of Cleveland, O. The next regular reunion will be held at Jefferson, July 4, 1885. The following gentlemen are the officers of the society: A. Udell, President; J. A. Howells, Secretary; N. E. French, Treasurer.
The Western Reserve Pioneer Association—On the same day, the 28th of August, the members of the W. R. Pioneer Association held their annual meeting in Burgess Grove, near North Solon, in sight of the log cabin in which James A. Garfield was born. The association has reached its fifteenth year, and its membership includes residents of Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lorain, Summit, Portage, Lake and Ashtabula counties. Gen. A. C. Voris of Akron, delivered the annual address, while interesting speeches were also made by Judge Tilden and R. C. Parsons of Cleveland. The officers are: W. H. Curtiss, President; Samuel Patrick, Secretary, and J. M. Burgess, Treasurer.
The Geauga County Historical Society held its annual gathering August 23, in Newberry township, in a delightful grove near the shore of what has recently been christened Emerald Lake. The membership of this society is very large. Hon. Lester Taylor, a venerable and worthy man, is its presiding officer; James M. Bullock, Vice-President; W. R. Munn, Secretary; Donald Johnson, Chairman of the Executive Committee. Hon. Geo. H. Ford was the orator of the day, and delivered an exceedingly able address, and was followed by W. L. Utley of Wisconsin and Hon. A. G. Riddle, of Washington, D. C., who spoke in a delightfully entertaining manner. The number of people who attended this interesting reunion was estimated at two or three thousand. The people of Geauga County attested their interest in local history by the publication, in 1881, of a very full and thorough history of their county.
The Mahoning Valley Historical Society held its eleventh annual session at Youngstown, September 17. John M. Edwards, its venerable presiding officer, delivered an interesting address, in which he urged the members to contribute such information respecting the history of the Western Reserve and its early pioneers, as they were able to furnish, which information it is intended to preserve, with a view to collation and publication. After making brief biographical mention of such pioneers as had passed away since the last meeting of the Society, Mr. Edwards spoke as follows:
I will now speak briefly of another matter suggested by what has just been said. After the death of Benjamin Stevens, of Warren, at the age of 96 years, a question was raised as to who was the oldest person residing there or in that or neighboring counties. Daniel Warner, of Mesopotamia, was reported as saying that he thought himself the oldest man in the county, being 92 years old. There were also reported in the newspapers the names of Mrs. Lucy Adams, of Warren, aged 90; John Langley, of Vernon, aged 93; Hezekiah Howe, of Bloomfield, aged 98, all old residents of the Reserve. Mr. Howe has resided in Bloomfield from an early period. His daughter, Mrs. Baker, is said to have been the third child born in the township. He is probably the oldest citizen and pioneer of that county.
But Mahoning County has among its citizens the oldest man in this part of the Reserve, and perhaps in the State. Charles Birch, of Lowellville, in Poland township, was born in Staffordshire, England, January 4, 1778 or 1779, being at this time 105 or 106 years old. He is not positive as to his age within a year, but thinks he was 106 years old in January last. He was a soldier in the British army—was at the burning of Moscow, fought under Wellington at Waterloo, receiving two wounds in that battle, and draws a pension from the English Government. He came to the United Slates in 1851, and is residing with a daughter. His memory of events in which he was a participator is still good. Two other questions of interest, and of like import, are frequently asked: