This is the second article I have posted of the yearly Pioneer Re-Union’s, which took place in Richland County, Ohio. The first article I posted was of the 1879 Pioneer Re-Union. Both are newspaper accounts, the 1879 from the “Richland Shield & Banner” Newspaper and this, the 1876 article from the “Mansfield Herald” Newspaper. There are a few spelling and date differences between the two articles.

The photographs, which are now part of the “Whissemore Collection”, were taken at this, the 1876 event. (***If you follow the link to the collection, it will take you out of my site, please use your “back” button to return.)

The print of this article was rather small and fuzzy; therefore it is possible I have made a few mistakes. If you find any, please let me know and I will make the correction.

July 10^th, 1876

Richland County, Ohio

PIONEER REUNION AND PICNIC

Held on the fairgrounds July 4^th - Large Attendance and a Grand, Good Time - Address of Miss Rosella Rice - Names of the First Settlers Present.

Independence Day this year opened bright and beautiful. Various plans had been projected for the citizens of Mansfield and the surrounding county to spend a pleasant fourth. Social gatherings, excursions and picnics had been arranged. The pioneer reunion and picnic at the fairgrounds, however, was the chief event of the day. Early in the forenoon large numbers of buggies, wagons and carriages were to be seen rapidly driving towards the grounds, coming from city and country.

At half-past ten a large audience had gathered at the amphitheater. The exercises were opened with the singing of several “old familiar tunes, both by note and words,” by the pioneers in the good old pioneer style, led by Mr. M.S. Guthrie, of Shiloh, with all the spirit and style of a modern conductor. To the pioneers present and others this was the event of the day.  It not only showed the peculiar style of music in the good old days of “auld lang syne,” but it served to revive many tender and interesting reminiscences.  After an appropriate and earnest prayer by Jas R. Gass, Mr. Guthrie sang with great spirit and effect the old “Hail Columbia.”

The President of the day, Dr. Wm. Bushnell; then introduced to the large audience Miss Rosella Rice, of Perrysville, who read an exceedingly appropriate and interesting address on “Pioneer Life and Times.” The address abounded with happy hits, sparkling wit and cutting sarcasm throughout, bringing to mind interesting incidents and events of the early times, tending to call up many tender as well as painful reminiscences to many present. The address throughout was listened to with deep interest and attention, especially by the “old folks.”

At the close of the address reports of the respective townships in the county were called for. Only a few reported, some orally, others in writing. After the reception of the reports a recess was taken for the picnic dinner.

Very soon that beautiful forest shade, the old state fair grounds, was dotted all over with chattering groups around clean, white cloths spread upon the carpet of green. This was truly a beautiful sight to behold. Young and old, rich and poor, all mingling in social converse in nature’s grand banquet hall.

After dinner the vast concourse of people were called together again in the amphitheater, when J.H. Cook, Vice President, called for the names, time of birth, and time of settling in the county of the pioneers present, from 1809 to 1825.

The following is a list as then reported. James and Samuel McClure were not present, but were reported to have been in the county in 1809. The following were all present and able to be counted.

After the enrollment of pioneers it was intended to have had many of the pioneer methods of doing the work in those early times illustrated, but through the neglect of those who promised to…

** Article continues, but I do not have the final few lines**