VIENNA — The Vienna Historical Society has acquired an Ansel Merrell clock from the 1800s that will be among the first items displayed in an area set up for the society at the township hall.

Christine Novicky, president of the society, said the wooden works clock was made at the Vienna Ansel Merrell Clock Factory, which was a clock business located on Niles Vienna Road in the township from 1815 to 1835. A wooden works clock has wooden gears instead of brass gears.

She said the family for the estate of Gary Landis donated the clock to the historical society. Landis was a Vienna graduate who later moved to Pell City, Alabama, where he had an antique business that included the clocks. One went to the Vienna Historical Society, and the other went to the Trumbull County Historical Society.

“The wooden works are very unique and required basic carpentry skills to build. What is unique is the wooden gears were handmade and makes it very delicate. This is a working clock, but because it is so delicate we just don’t have it running as recommended to us by local historians. This clock was made in Vienna probably in the 1820s,” Novicky said.

Back in the 1800s there were clock factories in Brookfield, Warren, Howland and Hartford, as well as the one in Vienna. Novicky said the clock trade was brought to Vienna from Connecticut.

Novicky said women often were the dial decorators for the clocks and hand- painted them. The clocks also required being wound up every day.

On the clock it states “A Merrill Vienna” with Ansel Merrell originally from Connecticut. Merrell lived in Vienna at one time when he bought the property for the factory in 1824. He later died and is buried in Stark County.

Mary Landis, the wife of Gary, who lives in Alabama, met with Hartford resident Chris Klingemier earlier in 2020 when he drove to an antique convention and was able to get the two clocks.

Novicky said when the clocks were made, they went out without a case so peddlers would go around and tell people they could have a shelf case or a tall case.

Recently, township trustees provided the society with a large display case at township hall to showcase items and artifacts the society has acquired. Items include trophies from the Mathews schools, plates and photos.

“We hope other people may also want to contribute items when they see the display area we have here,” Novicky said.

Items also will be displayed in a room at the road department.

Jeff Ford, a board member of the society, said they have old coal from when trains using the Liberty-Vienna railroad. Tracks once ran through Turkey Run.

“Some of the coal has been sitting there for over 100 years,” he said.

Ford said the clock is back home in Vienna.

Novicky said while the society would like to get together again, plans are to continue projects at the local cemetery including straightening markers at Dunlap Cemetery.

Information on the society is at www.viennahistory.org and was recently reorganized and added a local veterans section. Information is also available on how people can donate items.

Novicky said the Viennapedia has moved to a new website with a modern look.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com