USA > Ohio > Stark County > Combination atlas map of Stark county, Ohio, compiled, drawn and published from personal examinations and surveys > Part 3
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During tbo winter of 1866 and '67, the question of a new court- house was sprung. In March, 1867, the Stato Legislatoro passed a law outborizing the Couoty Com- missioners te levy n one hundred thousand dollar tnx to be expended in building a new court-bouse. Tho somno body also gavo authority to the city of Canton to levy a twenty-five thousand dollar tax for tho snme purpose. April 23, 1867, thero wero five hundred and thirty-four votes enst for, and forty-tbreo against, the it- provement. August 28, Ilonry C. Ellison, noditor, ndrortised for plans. J. C. lloxie, of Philadelphia, obtained the contract at one buudred thousand dollars. Samo informality occurring, Hoxie's plans were accepted, and, on November 8, tho contract was awarded to Poyser & Campbell fer eighty-fivo thousnul two hundred and fifty-six dollars; II. E. Meyer, Esq., arebiteot from Cleveland, was to super- iutend the work for four thousand eight hundred and fourteen dollars. Oo Decem- ber 28, 1867, the old buildings were anld at auction, nud soon after toru down. The City Council having bought the Wikidal lot and given a deed to the Commis- sionera, excavation was done nud the fouodation- walla begun, July 4, 1868, tho ourner-stuno was laid. Work proceeded through 1808-69. The dedication took place on February 22, 1870, and Cautou bad ono of the finest buildings in tho State. Still Inter, the Commissioners porebused what wns onlled the Snyder lot, and built thereon, to tho renr of the court.house, n baudsome jnil attor the same fanciful and handsomo pottera. Their position on the hill-orest gives thom a prominenco whieb spoodily attraets the strnoger's eyo.
INITIAL EVENTS.
The first grist-mill io the County was hinilt by Philip Slussor, the grandfather of our Dr. Slusser, in 1806 or 1807, on or nent the site of Roland's will.
The first ilistillery in the County was erceteil und owned by Thomas Horford, in 1810 or 1820. 1le manufactured a cordial from cinnamon, peppermint, sugar, etc., that had a great repulation in that day. Those were the ilays uf pench- branly, cherry-bonnee, and cidri-oil, which, with small and strong beor and ginger-enkes, were so characteristic of "battalions" forty years ago; but they havo been superseded hy Inger, " rot-gut," nud strychnine.
Indinns came among the settlers to trado furs nud ponies for tobacco and " fire- water." They bad a camp by the Inrgo spring ou the Spankle farm, west of tho creek, and were generally penceahle.
In the full of 1807 a log school-bouso (the first in Canton) was built on the lot on which the present fino court-honso atunds, and the first teneber was named Andrew Johnson.
The ffret bituminous coal found in the County was in 1810 or 1811, on the Smith Inrm, irest of the creek.
What was known as the old Wooster Road formerly tonk off from Dr. Whiting's corner, but was subsequently straightened through West Tusenruwas Street. On this side of the crook there were n pond and swmmup, which wero bridged by throwing in large quantities of buckwheat slaw nud afterwards covored with
dirt, gravel, etc., and enlled Buckwheat Bridge, Thus, you see, the fathers were not slow in finding expedients for emergencies.
The first church in Cantou, and probably tho first in the County, was loented on the lot now occupied by tho Presbyterian Church, and owned by the German Lutheran and German Reformed Churches as a Union church. The Entberan minister wos Rlov. Anthuny Meyor, and tho Germann Reformed, Rev. Benjamin Foust. Rev. John Stough had been presehing here as n sort of missionary before the ercetion of the snid church. Ilo resident in Now Lisbon.
Tho first grand jury of the County met Angust 15, 1809, and consisted of Wil- linin Nailor, foreman ; Petor Mottice, Mielrael Engel, James Price, Philip Slusser, Johu Sluss, James Fulton, Lennard Mowen, Dawiel Carter, John Short, Jacob Aultman, Robert Lntimer, James Latimer, Ehenozer Shaw, unil Aadrew Lnekoy. They were in dersinn ono ilny, and were ilisebargeil without finiling n bill. The petit jury at the unmo court consisted of Robert Andrews, Jneoh linitmnn, Alex. aniler Craig, David Grabill, Alexander Onmeren, Jacob Kiser, Michael Flora, Henty Shull, John MeIndurfer, Robert Morris, David Clay, David Edwards, Bee- jnmin Cuppy, David Mneney, James Moore, and John Hanga. All the jurors unmod are now dend. Thero being no business before the court in which their services were required, they wero discharged.
The first will admitted to probnte was that of William Stanton, on the 7th of November, 1811. The first order of partition war on the 15th of August, 1809, of the lunds of Charles Henline, The first alien naturalized wna Robert Thomp- son, on the 17th of August, 1811. There has been but one execution in tho County far muriler. Muuy interesting reminiscences are still tolil of tho foroosie powers and idiosynerasies of the early members of the bar,-of such meo as Wright, Tappan, Gooileoow, Halleck, aml athors. Roswell M. Muson (father of James Mason, of Clevelnud, and United States Attorney for Northern Ohio) was the first lawyer who settled in Canton, and came here in 1810. The boxt was Jeromiah II. Halleek, who onme in 1812, but afterwards removed to Steubenville, und was presiding judge within the recollection of those living. James W. Lathrop was the first admitted to practico in the courts of the State, which was in 1816.
The first sheriff of Stark County wna Joseph MeGuggin.
The Grat representative of the County to the State Legislature was William Heory, cloeted in 181 1.
We close this list of primary incidents with a register ef the first marriage in the County,-that of James F. Leonard to Sarah Barber, on the Gth of June, 1806, by whom is unknown, anil very likely without a license. This samo old set- tlor soleinnized the first recorded marriage on the 14th of March, 1809, between John Andrews and Robert MeClellan ; James Ilorris being elork pro tem. The stately line of Stark's sturdy pioneers is almost gone. They who had pruned the wilderness into the stately works of urt are gathered homo to their fathers. Dut,
"' Let not Ambition inoek their useful toil, Their homely joys, and destiny chseure ; Nor you, yo proud, impute to theso the fault If memory o'er their tomb ue trophies raise."
The first newspaper of the County was the Ohio Repository, published March 30, 1815, in the towo of Canton. Tho files have been carefully bound and pre- served, and one may look upon its pages nnil rend of Napoleon at Waterloo, and sixty years later, menrly, rend again of another Napoleon nt Sedan. To veteran editor, in his inaugurnl sheet, pledges himself that " truth sball he his guillo, the publio good his nim," and fills tho columns of his initial number with a report of A. J. Dullas, Secretary of the Treasury, to the Committee of Ways and Moans upon the state of the public credit, too circulating meilimin, and means of dofray. ing public expenses,-topics of vital importanoo nt the present timo; tho pro- ceedings of tho Thirteenth Congress, muong whose acts was ene fixing our penco establishment at ten thousand men; war with Algiers, and important loonl bows.
PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.
In no hotter wny cau wo loarn of the past than by a perusnl of pioneor remem- hranees, written by such settlers ns Rev. John Niesz, and expressed as follows : "I was," says be, " born on January 7, 1798, near Anronaburg, Pennsylvania (bis grondfather was from the German Rhine). In the spring of 1805 my father, Georgo Niesz, anil Michnel Reed, of his neighborhood, went togethor on horse. baek about three hundred miles to tho For West, ns it was then called, to sen the country and vnennt Innd. So they enne on through l'ittsburg auil other places on their route to the sito of tho wow city of Canton, when there was no bonse nur sbanty built there. Leonard bnd located bimself and erected a small shanty one milo northeast from the present court-house, at a good spring of water. Ilo was n surveyor, jobbor, nnil pilot to sell his claims and show vacant lands to now. comers ; which tract of Innd bns been called tho Reed farm fur ovor sixty- three yenrs, and is located nenr the present fuir- groundl. Neisz anil Reed stopped with Leonard a few days, and advanced no further on their western course, the Tus- enrawas River boiug the western boundary lino of the theu survoyed uew pur- chase.
"Near the samo timo, D. Wells and J. R. Dickenson, of Steubenville, Obio, und entored a few quarters in Seotion 9, Township 10, Range S, to locato a town, with tho expootation of getting the County seat ostablisbed hero. They were hero with their survoyer, Daniol L. MeCloro, woensuring, marking, and staking off streets and lots.
" Neisz and Rood engngod nndl paid Leonard to show thoin some good vacant Congress lands not far off. He took Them abeut four miles southwestward, showed them Section 29, Township 10, Rnago 8, amt gave them the numbers of Section 30, Towosbip 10, Rauge &, which section they ontoreil in the land- office nt Steu- benville at two dollars por aoro, oneh two quarters. But before they left Leonard, Reed bought Leonnril's loenlion at seven dollars por nero, and moved on to it tho next spriog, and placed his eldest son, Jacob Reoil, on the southenst quarter of Section 30, Township 10, Range 8, among the hrnsb nul trees, to look out for a living for himself and family, with a little help from the father's family.
" In the spring of 1807, when the compiler of this was hat nine years old, my fatber's family," he continues, "consisting of sovon persons, emigrated in com- pany with the family of Leannrd Willemno, numbering wine or ten, and the family of Abraham Raak, composed of himself, wife, and five children.
" Tho three families sot out from Centre Conuty, Pounsylvanin, three hundred thiles to Conton, Olio, ench with a four-horse wagon, with largo Pennsylvania wagon-box, with bows and two linen covers. The men guided the tenms, and tho mothers ilrovo eight or ten bend of cows anil enttlo, Some of the winthers onrried bubies in their arms, or led little ones along through muil and brush, especially from Pittsburg to Conton, whero tho benvy temos would frequently stick fast in the deep aud tough tul. Oconsionally they would havo to pry up the deepest sunk wheels, and relay a spon or two of horses to drag tho wagens to n muore solid part of terra firma.
" Wo children, a scoro in numher, were from six months to fourteen years of ago. At the end of four weeks' tnoring wo renohed Canton, anil found three dwellings up and somo others ou the way. Wo proecciled to tho uew furtu of Michaol Reed, niljoined by tho bash form of Houry Lnutzenbelser. Fathor Noisz bad purchaseil a quarter-section loooted in Nimishilleu Township, where Duniol Werner now lives, from John Nichols, who suon afterwards built a grist- and saw-
mill on the Nimishillen Creek, four miles south of Canton, where the cuterprising William Laird had built and run a furnace to mould stoves, kettles, oto., neur forty yenrs sinco. It was near the dwelling of Bradley C. Goodwill, deceareil, anil nearly oppesito G. T. Browning's grist-mill in Canton Township. Neisz conelniled to move and loento himself and family en tho northenst quarter of Section 30, whieb Reed and he had entered pieriously. Thero was a dim wagon-track tbither, which had been opened by the Reeds and Newmans tho preceding your to move on quarters adjoining and cornering that belonging to Nelaz.
" Thus wo moved thero among the weeds and hazel- busbes by the side of a eran- berry-marsh ; cut and laid away tho bushes ; stuck and pounded down a few forked stakes, loid a pole on to bang the cook-pot to preparo the meals for tho family. Our food was composed of milk, cream, potatoes, and browned-menl soup (coffee was ouly made on Sundays), chickoo, ilcer, bear, and turkey, ment anil brotb, mush and milk, corn- and whent-hread, buckwheat and jobnny-enke, the latter baked en n board beforo tho fire; the potatoes and dough were often baked in the embers.
" A few weeks after squatting there we hall enbin logs out, anil by gathering six or eight men and a few women in three or four tuiles aroued, we bud o enbin raised and n claphoard roof pot on, which made a comfortable shelter, with an corthen floor and large ernoks to let the mosquitoes in and the smoke in the bouso to drive them out, for we had no fluo nor chimney.
" We were frequently annoyed by Indians, who wouldl point their faces in red or brown stripes or spots, with half a duzen or mure strings ef feor-claw bends arouod thoir legs, to rattle while they were stamping or ilancing uraund. At times they bnd bows and arrows in their hands, with temnhawk ant butcher- knife in their belts; frequently o gun and powder- horn instead of bow aad arrows, and endeavored to annoy of scare dogs, women, and chitlron, at a ilis- tanco of five or six roda from the onbins, by yelliog, stamping, and shaking their rattling strings of bends. They were anxious to trndo deer and bear meat, and moccasins, somo of which had ornamental er checkered work upon them. In the fall of 1812 three hundred camped for three months almost in sight nf Browe- ing's mill.
"The bear, wolf, end deer were about us in great numbers. The bear lives principally upon nuts and acorus, and is very fond of honey ; mpt at finding the boney-hee in trees in the woods, and if the outer shells of the bollow trees are not too thick, they will gnaw through, and feast mpou tho honeycombs. They nro expert in climbing trees to senreb for bees. If a person appronches they run, unless fired upon and wounded, wbeo they fight desperately, and are formid- ablo foes.
" Drinking was general. It was thought by many that cabin-huibliag, log- roll- ing, and barvesting could not be done withont alcoholic beverages. Hard- work- ing men and women thought they must buve their bitters in the moraing befero going to work, and then a refreshing drangbt every hour or two during the day. Nearly every former in this region would have one or two bartels of whisky mudo from his own rye and corn at one of the still-houses with which this part of the country was dotted over."
In 1812, Doncno squatted for settlement nenr Kendal and Massillon, as propri- etor of the latter, as Roneb was of the former. Dunenu bought provisions of the elder Neiaz, which Jobn, tho suo, bauled to him with a team to his Estramatora farm near Massillon.
Schools were uoknown for a few yenra. In 1811 there was a subscription school in Cantoo, wbere Jobn Neisz attended the English school three mooths, a boarilor with A. Kraft and family. "In 1812," Neisz says, "wo hndl n log school-honse built twe miles from home, on Bulser Brown's laud, now B. Richards's farm, nenr bis coal bank, on the north side of a ridge, now a field. Sents were made of shubs brought from Nichols's snir-mill, not far off. We made n Inrge chimney on the onteido, with a stone back wall, for leg fires, with logs generally a foot or more thick and four or five feet long. Wm. Murphy, a son of ' Green Erin,' was our tencher. Tbo war spirit was then high, being in the beginning of ont lust wor with England. At noon, the only intermission we could hnre betweon uine nud four and a balf o'clock, tho teacher would oall us to order-cating being done- to file us boys in rank to teach us military tactics, which sume spirit hait also tho nseendeney in Canton, where tbn littlo boys from eight to fifteen yenis otd had their muster-rolls, fife and drum, aod other equipments. Admin Foglo was cop- tain, Philip Kraft, lieutenant, ote. According to Inw, all adult men from cigb- teen to forty- five years of nge bad to be enrolled, aud to porndo and muster three or four days yeurly, in company and regimental drill." Neisz knew Murphy ns his teacher tiro winters, then George Beard relieved Murphy. The school-bouse was now improved,-it bad split-log seats, was floortess nodl nonrly roofless, andl at one end had a largo fre-place. This house stoort on the Innds of Williamn Armstrong, on or near to Cyrus Zollnr's farm. Reading, writing, and ciphering wero tought, and tho best seholnr aspired to the next winter's position ns tenober.
Jacob Grounds, almost a centenarian, como to Stark County in the full of 1808. When he arrived, tho Iuilinn missionaries Elliot and Ileckewelder wero yet living in the Tusenmwas Valley, and by their influcoco over tho Indians tbo settlers in this scotion of the country wern uot molesteil during the war of 1812. Mr. Grounds beenwie personally acquainted with the chiefs, Armstrong and Denverbat. Their tribes were fnithinl till Hull's surrouder; they then joined too British army at Delreit.
Groceries were bigh and soureo. Ton, coffee, and anlt were difficult to he ob. tained; to procure a swell quantity of the lost-named article, Grannils walked fifteen miles to the house of an uoelo by the ombo of Ilutl, residing a few mites cost of the villago of Zoar, where he reecivoil n tincupfol, With that amount he returned bomo ns contented as ouo in our day stepping into a store und pur- chasing n sack.
A bushel of whent sold for only ouo sbilling (12} ocuts), and that was Inid away onrefully to pay the taxes.
Kindly feeling among the settlers was gouornl. They regarded ench other's bnppiness, and were always ready to assist or join togother for heavy wark, and necidents er sickness was soon known miles nway, auil teuder enneern tunnifested. Wo give an illustration : Mr. Grounds wns one duy clearing on his land and cut his foot so severely us to coufino him to the bouse for several weeks. Meanwhile, Charity, wife of Tbomns Ronch, of Kendal, henriog of the necidont, sent him a heuling salve and a large basket filled with selected and choice food. This pioneer woman, loved for nmiable qualities through life, dying, bequenthet to posterity tho noblo institution at Massillon wbieb bears ber name, where many an orpban has been reared and prepared for bigh positions in society.
A BAD BARGAIN,
Wo closo this portion of our bistory with several incidents illustrative of the times and charactors of iustivitunls. One George Boylston gave Philip Couot- chey " fire-water." The Indian gotting a tasto wanted more, Boylston traiteil him a gallon of whisky for bis horse. After Conotelivy got over his " big drunk," ho come back for his horse, and said, " You give me a gallon of whisky for wy horse, I give you threo gallons and take my horse." Buyleton refused to retnin tho horse, and barrowly osenpod merited chastisewent from his uowty-mado enemy.
20
A BURNED FOOT.
Jacob Grounds, previously mentioned, went into the hills west of Zuar with an Indian to hunt. The night was cold. They built a fire at their bends, noother at their feet, nul spread one blanket on the ground and another over them. During the night it snowed, and Mr. Grounds put his foot into the fire, and burned the nails off of his toes. lle still shows the wnrks.
PURSUED BY A BEAR.
A man named Wilson, brother-in-law of Freiloriek Linerode, went hunting with J. Grounds nhout three miles wost of Bollvar, near the howie of Mr. Rumsey. Wilson, coming weross a bear, shot at but itid not kill it. The animal instantly turned upon him, giving him no time to lond his rifle. The only choice teft him was to sevk zufety in flight. Grounds, hearing the report of Wilson's rifle, come up and fonml Wilson at his grentest possiblo speed, und the enraged animal in hot pursuit. Wilson described a circle nround Grounds, whn shot at the bear twice, but in the excitement failed each time. Wilson was getting weaker, anil tho enemy was gaining on him at every juinp. lle called on Grounds to shoot the benr, for he could hold out no longer. Grounds drew nenr the track as they were coming once more around. Holding bis riflo level, be fired, and both Wilson and the heur fell. Grounds thought that ho and marle too good a shot, and hit both ; but on turuing his companion over he found him unhurt. The hear was shot dead, the ball bnving passed through its hend. From somo superstitious sotiou neither of them would loueb the meat, and so they let the Indians have it.
CHILDREN LOST IN THE WOODS.
In the month of August, 1823, two children wero lost in the woods. A little girl, ten years old, and ber little brother, nged eight, residing in Randolph, ten or twelve miles northwest of Mount Union, started out towarile night to find the cows. After looking till sundown, they turned, as they supposed, to go home, but insteadl went in nnother direction. Not returning at dusk, ather members of the family went in senreh of the little wanderers, but returned Inte without finding them. The family and nearest neighbors searched tho rest of the night, but with no success. Early the next morning the search was renoweil, anil messengers dis- palched to Deerfield and Canton for help. The day's search was fruitless. On the third day, a Inrge force had collected for a thorough search, and signals were arranged. About noon, tracks of little hare feet were discovered nenr where Mount Union rond crosses Becch Creek, about four wiles west. The signal was given, and the search, with some prospect of success, was continued. About two o'clock, fresh tracks were found in a low place in a deer-path in the clearing before men- tinned, of Ezekiel Marsh. The water was yet muddy ia tho tracks, and tho mes knew that the children must be near hy.
Presently tho little girl was discovered pushing hor wny nlong through the bushes, but instead of coming to them when sho was called, thoroughty frightened, she started to run and hide. They caught her, but she would not spenk a word. Her little brother was found near by, lying beside n log, thoroughly exhausted anıl sentecly alivo. They were taken to the nearest neighbors, but the girl wontd not eat unless forced to, and tried continually to escape.
At soon as possible, the children were taken homo to their distrnoted inother; but even thero the girl scemed utterly bewildered, recognizing no one, anil trying continually to brenk away, and several times succeeded, and started for the winds. Many days elapsed beforo the children wero fulty restored to consciousness and health.
AN INDIAN SCARE.
In 1813, in August, the settlements iu Stark County wero disturbed hy the war- whoop of tho Indian. The war which had been raging upon the Western frontier was carried on by the British and Indians, who formed an alliance, with a bitter- ness whuost unparalleled in the history of warfare. Settlements were deserted aud crowds retreated castwardly, leaving their cabins to he hurned and fietds to be Inid desolate. This condition of things lasted but for a short time. On Septem- ber 10, 1813, the victory of Commodore Perry on Lake Eric, over the British squadron, checked the devastation upon the frontier, and tho tido of immigration poured westwardly once more. The seat of war was transferred to other portions of the country, and, although pence was not declared between this country and Great Britain until Deeeruber, 1814, this section of the West csenped its horrors.
On the surrender of Ilull, tho people uf Canton were futl of foreboilings. Ono day an aların was given that the Indians wero approaching, and there was hurry. ing to and fro, until it was discovered that the body of men seen across the Tur- carawas River were a portion of Hull's paroled men on their return home. The soldiers were in a destitute condition hoth as regarited food anil clothing. The ladies of Conton, among whom were Mrs. Stidger, Sterling, Schorh, Foyle, Palmer, and Coulter, securing a large iron kettle, made a quantity of soup, and hastily baked a batch of ash-cako from flour, salt, and water ; spoons wero obtained from the store, and tho men were fed; recruitod, they pushed for their homes.
FOURTH OF JULY, 1815.
There were patriots in these days among the pioneers. The day was observed in Canton hy a parade of Captain Slusser's Volunteer Rides and Bown's Infoutry. A Rumptpour repast was prepared by Mr. Patton, and thoroughly enjoyed by atl assembled. Forming and marching to a handsomo spring near by, they halted, and loasts to the number of eighteen were drunk amid ptatoun. firing, music, avil cheering.
Nor was Massillon behind her neighbor in publie spirit. Tho day was nshered in hy a henry sulute; the company met at the house of Mr. Earte, and thonce pro- ceciled to the high banks, on tho Tuscarawas. Enoch Dewey rond the Deolarn- tion of Independence; nn ". Ode to Science" was sung by a choir, closing with "Old llundred" by tho assemblage. Then come toaste, a repnat, ouffee, hymnus of praise, and orderly dispersnl. One of the toasts referred to tho West as tho placo whero civil and religious liberty triumphed. Among the participants at the latter celo. hrotion wws Dr. Williniu Oardner, the first physician west of Canton, always prumi- nent in his profession, who died in Canton in 1833.
PATENT RIGHT.
A patent right in a loom which weaves cotton or linen, single or twilled, without alteriug the gears, nt the rate of thirty to forty yards per day, is advertised, in 1815, by Ocorge Crips.
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