Documentary History of American Water-works

Ohio

Wadsworth

Wadsworth, Ohio

Wadsworth was incorporated as a village in 1866 and as a city in 1931.

The Wadsworth Water Works Company was incorporated on April 7, 1882 and built a gravity system using Wyckoff wooden pipes. The system was apparently built by Richard F. Weaver, who acquired all of the shares in the company and became its sole owner.

The Wadsworth Light and Water Company was incorporated on January 29, 1901 and bought the Wadsworth Water Works Company sometime after that. The company built a new water and light plant around 1903.

Wadsworth residents approved the purchase of the light and water company in 1915 and the village bought the works in 1916. .

Water is supplied by the city of Wadsworth.

References
1882 The Summit County Beacon (Akron, Ohio), May 17, 1882, Page 5.
The Wadsworth Water Works Co. Saturday night, elected as directors, J.D. Ross, W.F. Boyer, A.S. Beck, N.S. Everhard and Geo S. Ilger. J.D. Ross was chosen President and W.F. Boyer, Secretary. The stock is limited to $5,000, of which $4,000 has been issued. The company is in prosperous condition.

1885 The Akron Beacon Journal, July 1, 1885, Page 3.
The Wadsworth Water Works Co. have purchased piping and made a contract for laying the same from the big spring on Seth Baughman's farm east of that village.

1885 Wadsworth, from Engineering News 14:220 (October 3, 1885)

1886 "Wadsworth," The Akron Beacon Journal, July 9, 1886, Page 4.
A troublesome leak in the water works, baffled the superintendent, R. F. Weaver last Monday, but after a close search it was discovered in the year of Robert Stevenson's carriage works.

1888 "Wadsworth," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 1.

1890 Fifth Annual Report of the State Board of Health of the State of Ohio, for the Year Ending October 31, 1890.
Page 249: Wadsworth. History - Built in '80 for domestic supply by Wadsworth Water-Works Co., under 10-years' franchise; now owned by R. C. Weaver, who completed works.

1890 "Wadsworth," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 2.

1891 "Wadsworth," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 3.

1895 "Wadsworth," The Summit County Beacon, September 12, 1895, Page 3.
Land has been leased in the east part of town by R. F. Weaver for the purpose of drilling a well for an additional water supply for the town.

1897 "Wadsworth," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 4.

1897 "Wanted," The Akron Beacon Journal, August 4, 1897, Page 8.
Citizens of Wadsworth Vote to study Water Works.

1898 Thirteenth Annual Report of the State Board of Health of the State of Ohio for the year ending October 31, 1898
Pages 129-130: Report on the Water Supply of Wadsworth
The village of Wadsworth has had a public water supply since 1881. The plant was first put in by a stock company composed of the principal citizens of the village, but within the last few years the stock has been bought up by one man, who now has complete control of the water works. There was no franchise granted to the old stock company by the corporation nor has any been granted to the present owner, the consumers having private contracts only.

1899 "Voted Down," The Akron Beacon Journal, April 25, 1899, Page 6.
Wadsworth Will Not Have Municipal Water works.

1900 U.S. Census, Wadsworth Village, Ohio, June 11, 1900
Weaver, Richard, March 1851, Owner Waterworks

1912 "But One Death during April," The Akron Beacon Journal, May 4, 1912, Page 9.
Wadsworth holds record for most healthy village. Attributed to the pure water that is furnished by the water company.

1919 "Wadsworth," The Medina Sentinel, March 21, 1919, Page 9.
Vote on bonds to improve village water works

1919 "Wadsworth," The Medina Sentinel, October 24, 1919, Page 12.
Bond issue of $33,000 for purchasing a new generator and enlarging the water works.

1927 Richard F. Weaver (1851-1927) grave

2015 Timeline of Medina County History, by Stephen D. Hambley
1903 Wadsworth Electric Light Plant built.
1916 Wadsworth Village purchases the private Wadsworth Light and Water Company, which provided electric, sanitary sewer, and water to residents.