USA > Ohio > Stark County > Combination atlas map of Stark county, Ohio, compiled, drawn and published from personal examinations and surveys > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23
At Kendal, a keet bont, nine tons burden, in good order for a voyage, is offered for Entc.
AN OLD BANK.
The first bank of Stark County was known as the "Farmers' Bank of Canton." Tho first election for directors was held at the house of Philip Dewalt, on April 25, 1815. Jobn Shorh was elected president, and William Foglo, enshier, for the year.
The "Library Company of Canton" was formed November 23, 1816; J. W. Lathrop, librarian.
TRADING COMPANY.
The " Farmers' nul Mechanics' Trailing Compuwy" of Kendal was organized September 2, 1815, to continue till 1835. This enrty company was cstuhlished nn w eupital of twenty-one thousand dullors, to support a retail store on the present principle of co operation. William Elliot, John Bowman, John Mason, William Armstrong, nuil John MoCoy were appointed directors.
FINANCIAL EMBARRASSMENTS.
From the eluse of 1812 ilown tu 1920, at various times, the resiileuts and now- comere experienced want and suffering. Nothing of agricultural pradnet would romunnel money. Tho Legislature tried the plan of chartering banks, and the General Government, in 18t6, resurted to the expedient of w national bank, nad when that went into operation, the effect wns nn absorption of ull the loenl iusti- Intions ; their issues beemme dlepreeinteil, nuil they were omnpetled tu olose their doors, Nothing but money would purchase the neeesenries of life; without money, sugar, salt, ten, coffee, sheetings, and shirtings had to bo represented by what substitulee the forest, fietil, and flock would supply the band of industry. Tho innple-tree was ilruineil of its sweets fur angar, anssufras-root and parcheil grain wero substitutes fur tea and coffee, anil the spinning-wheel and Onx-break, now so selilom, if ever, scon and heard, wero parlor oronments. The qualifiontions of a wifo were not to play upon an organ or piano, producing burmunie sounils ; they were knitting and spinning and helping in the harvest-field. One good woman, who long sivee finished her Inbors, in addition to her household duties helped to roll logs and burn tho brusb upon lands where now stands a part of the city of Massillon.
In 1820, Han. Rt. II. Fotger, with au etder brother, hauled flour, with a two- horso wngon, to the city of Clerelund, theu a villago not half the size of Alliance, nud gave two barrels of four for one barrel of solt. Since that period salt hans sold for one dollar aud fifty conts per barrel, and four at fourteen dellars; not at one und the same time, but such lins been tho difference. As lato as 1826, whent sold at Kenilnl at twenty-five cents per bushel. Now, one dollar a bushel is too winll a price for the former. Sixty years have sped theaisetres awny, and the hardships of those times are known only by these old references.
The men and women of 1815, and Inter, left pleasant homes, loved and loving unes, for tbo privations of a wilderness and the companionship of savages. They lunged for their good old homes, but did not take their band from their work. They erected churches and school-houses, and laid the foundation for Stark's present wealth and prosperity.
Five young mou, -the two Millers, Ball, Aultman, and Cook,-in 1850, loft tho little villngo of Greentown auil started business iu Cnaton. They began with a combincel onpital of five thousand dollars. Five firms have grown from them, whose manufnetures had reached, in 1870, n total value of fourteen millions.
EARLY SCHOOL LEGISLATION.
To a Ropresevtativo from Stark County to the State Legislature of 1822 belongs the oreilit of having introduced tho first bill in relation to the establishment and regulation of common schools in Ohio.
Roferenco is mado to llon. James W. Lathrop, of Canton, an upright lawsor and Christinn gentleman. Fifty years' oxperience has made legal changes neces- enry, but te the Stark County Representative be the honor of having introduced n system of common schools that has, with its amendments, been found fully ex- tensive enough for the edvention of alt tho children in the State.
Tho mensure was primarily obnoxious to his constituonoy, on the ground of laxvtion ; still, ho wns ro-elceted, amended his imperfect school law, and stirred up the flwino of opposition by inerensing taxation for school purposes ; elceted a third time ty less than tifty majority. lle died at Columbus during the winter of 1821.
NAVIGABLE CANALS.
Tho subject nf interuat improvements, to conneet tho Ohio River with Lako Erie by navigable equals, begun to attract legislativo interest in 1822. The example of Clinton, of New York, in building a canal from Albany to Buffalo, stimulated Ohionns to netion. By 1824, estimates of cost were brought to tegis- lativo notiec, of constructing n cannt up the Cuyahoga, geross tho Portago sum- init, down the Tusenrnwas and Muskingum, over Licking summit, and down tho Scioto to Portsmouth, as was also the cost of tho Miami line. The commissioners appointed wero A. Kolly, John Johnston, M. T. Williams, N. Bensbly, T. Worth- ington, and B. Tappan. An net to provide for interior improvement by a system of ennals was passed in February, 1825. Work was iunediately connueneod; new life and enthusiasm wore everywhere manifested; tho Cuyahoga and Mus- kingum route wns choson; contracts were made, aud work began between Akron nud Clevelnud. The canal was located from Akron to Massillon ia December, 1825, nnil let to Kendal contractors Jununry 18, 1826.
Governor Clinton removed the first shovelful of earth on Licking summit, and, on August 25, 18211 navigation was opened upon the Ohio Cuanl. Tho orent was maarked by the arrival of two hosts at Massillon, the " Allen Trimble," narued after the Governor of Ohio, and the " State of Ohio." A celebration was beld on that oocasion wbich bas never beeu excetled since in festival or holiday.
GRATIFYING RESULTS.
The opening of tho ennal was lho inauguration of n new ern, unt only through- out tho country, but its effects were seen in the revival of all branches of business. The public wero notified thut passengers could be carried by hoats running night anit day, awil oruwils urniled themselves of this new menas of transportation. The weekly four- horso post-coach, that had ruu since 1824, was changed to a daily, and, in 1828, the merobaots of Stark County, for the first time, paid ensh fur whent. Among those business men were A. & D. B. MoCulley, II. B. & M. D. Wellman, Ieninh Browu, and Jumes Duucan. The price paid was forty cents n bushel, ond sivee thnt dato wheat has been a staple that would always, nt somo price, bring the ensh, and as n rosult, prosperity has ettended the farmers whn make it their erop. Tho amount of whent produced, with kindrod statistios, will be found uuder tho bead of Agricultural.
RAILROAD LINES.
One stride was taken, but another more prodigious was not for romote. Not the sound of whistles broko the stillness in those dvys. The old sextou rang tho court- house bell mary, noon, and night to tell the Inborer of passing time. The ilnily conel from Massillon to Canton, distance being oight miles, occupied tiro hours and a half in inking the trip. While on the caunl from Coshocton to Marsillou, a distance of nearly sixty miles, a bont was two days and three nights in making the trip, and going all the tune.
In 1831 on act of incorporation was obtained for a railway from Pittsburg to Mussilton, and abandoned because of the interresing hills along the route. What would they have thought to see the Hoosao tunneled, the Mississippi bridged, and the Rocky Munutwins crossed for railroad trains, whoso movemcats are controlled poruns w continent hy telegraph I
Soventeen yeurs Inter, on a moro difficult line, the work was douc. Tho rail- ronil systom had heguu to stretch westward its Briarcan bands, and locomotives
with long trains went traiting through the valleys, conveying to and fro tho grains, tho live stock, minerals, nuil merchanilise; and then did farming prosper, anil towns upon their route began their public works and roirs of business blocks. By act of Fobrunry 24, 1848, tho Ohio nud Pennsylvanin Railrond Company was nuthorized to construct a road from Mansfield enstwardly by way of Wooster, Massillon, and Cautun to some point on tho enstern boundary of the State. Con- soliantod with no Ohio and Indiunn company, the titlo " Pittsburg, Fort Wayne nod Chiengo Railrund Company" was nesumed. The citizens of Stark, realizing tho greatness of the work, guro generous subscriptions ; the work was done, nnd property enhanced in valuo all along the track. Tho connections maile by tho romel with other ruilrowits in the County ure three In number,-ot Alliance with the Cleveland und Pittsburg, nt Massillon with the Cleveland and Massillon, and nt Orevillo with the Clevelandl, Mount Vernon und Delaware Railronds. Tho length of rand owned by the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chiengo Railroad Com- unny in the County is : main line, 34.83 miles; assessed valuation in the aggre- gate, from report of 1873, $1,887,404 ; the Clevelunil, Mount Vernon and Deln- waro Railroad have 4.23 miles of muin line in the County, and valued nt $135,780 ; the Cleveland awit Pittsburg Ruilrnad, crossing Lexington Township in tho northoust, hus 10 miles main line, valued nt $289,078; and tho Luke Shoro and Tuscarowns Vulley Railroad hus 23.87 miles of binin line, valued at 8237,055. Stark County hva, therefore, nearly 80 miles innin line track, with a valuation of $2,549,407.
BANKING.
Under net of Congress of February 25, 1863, there were five nationnl banks in operntion November 1, 1873, with a totul capital of balf a million ilollars. There wero at the same time eleven private banks, with a total capital of three hundred thousand dollars. Sinik County hans, therefore, sixteca banks, and b total enpitul iuvestment of oight hundred thousand dollars.
ROADS AND BUILDINGS.
Of turnpikes or plauk-roads the County bns uone.
The County bus four publie buildings, valued ut $190,000. During the year oniling April 30, 1873, three hundred and ten dwellings were ereeted at a cost of $151,520 ; one hotel, $3000; seven mitla, $14,330 ; Ove machine-shops und fretorica, costing $23,770 ; twenty other bosiness places, valued at $30,680; and a grand total of buildings erected during the year of four hundred and ninety-goven, costing $277,260.
LONGEVITY.
The observer is constantly noticing nged men; they are found in every town- ship, and still vigorous and intent on business. This fact and tho following statistics of the year endling Muroh 31, 1873, spenks plainty of the salubrity of the climato. From a population of over fifty thousand thero were about four hundred deaths; of theso, thirty-four were over sixty years of age, forty-four over seventy, seveuteen over eighty, and two over uinety.
COUNTY INFIRMARY.
On the 8th of March, 1831, the Legislsturo of Ohio passed an bet to putborize tho ostatilishment of poor-houses in any county in tho State, at the discretion of County Commissinuers. In somo counties tho Commissioners availod thomsolves of tho act without dolny, others never dial. At the sessions of 1841 and 1842, an aot was passed requiring all poor-bouso directors to bo elceted as other county officers.
The Stark County Infirmary is localed in Plain Township, two miles north of the city of Canton, upon a County farm of two hundred and forty neres. Dr. Byers, of Columbus, spenks in the highest terms of the manner of conducting tho home for tho frieudlers, und pronounces its systems exceptionally good. From last report the number of inmatos is two hundred and seventy-three.
CHILDREN'S HOME.
An aot has been passed authorizing Stark and Columbiana Counties to issuo bonds for b howto for orpboa children.
GENERAL STATISTICS.
Mineral deposits enrich nations, and nro the natural springs of futuro wealth and power. The people of Stark are deeply interested in a knowledge of the quantity, quality, aud accessibility of hor conls and irons.
Ohio coals aro all bituminous, and aro in three classes,-furnace, cooking, and oanaet. Tho first is richest in enrhon, and is chiefly used in making iron ; the last is compaet, hituminous, and excellent for light or beat.
The entiro area of Stark County is underlnid with coal; the average thickness of available senms is twenty feet, and twenty-seven cubic feet weigh a ton. The supply is simply inexhanstible. In 1870 five hundred and one hunds mined ia Stark County 3,281,425 bushels of coal ; and in 1872 nino hundred and sixty-twe bands mined 13,131,775 bushels. She then stood third in the list of cool coun- ties in tho State.
Ohio stands second as an iron-manufacturing Stato. The materials essential- ore, cual, and limestone-aro miljaceut und nbundant. Stark began, iu 1872, with fifty-two hands, and mised 61,000 tons. J. P. Burton built tho Massillon furnace in the city of tho snine name, in the year 1854. It has ono stack, and a daily capacity of tivonty tons of 2000 pounds each. Tho fuol used is bituminous coal, anel during the first half of 1873 3061 tons of pig-iron were manufactured.
Blekbau ero is a bituminous shale with enough iron to munko it valuable as an iron oro. It is find chictly in ibe snuthero portion of Stark, and has a thickness of ten or twelve feet. It is fonud on high ground. Tivo furnnecs at Massillon run entirely upon this kind of oro. Stark County is credited, in 1872, with having wauufaotured 2700 renport, 1360 mowors, 1125 thrashers, and 7136 plows.
Property valuntion as assessed shows the County's ndrance in wealth as follows : Tu 1830, valuation for taxntion was $9, 113,008; in 1874 it was $33,873,083. Thx- otion, $500,000. Inerense of population is showu as follows: Population in 1820, 12,400; 1840, 34,017 ; and in 1873, 52,508.
GEOGRAPHICAL.
Stark County is situated in tho enstern part of the State. It has Summit and Portage for its northeru boundary, Mahoning, Colainhinna, and Carroll on tho east and southonst, Tuscoruwus southward, and llolwcs to tho west.
Its surface is rolling. The central and worthenst portions are somewbat undu- lating. Tho svil is, in general, a sunily toam. In loculities to the northward and onstwird a olu yey suil is found. Its staple products ure whent and curn. Conl- miaing is extensivoly enrried on ; and manufacturing is an important enterpriso, as Stark is oredited in the report of 1873 with twenty-two thousand toas of rail- rond iron among other items of industry.
Its facilities of soil, winoral coul, iron ore, focks of tho choicest sheep, and superior water- powor, all suggest prominence in forming and manufacturer. . Enormous beils of limo-mart exist, aud liwortone abounds. At an early dote tho
21
mulkerry was raised, and the manufacture of silk attempted with prospects of success. The great body of the settlers enmno from Pennsylvanin, Germany, andl France. Tho aren in farm Innde, by report of 1870, is 365,301 mores; of this, 280,070 acres were cultivatod, uml 75,222 neres of woodland, or unealtivatei. The boruber of forms wns 3217, or $7.1 acres of improved lund to the Form. The County contains movouteen townships. Cnoton is the County sont. Massillon, eight miles west of Chutou, is a thriving oity, and tho sont of mannfacturing industry in the County. Wnyueskurg, twelve miles southeast of Canton, is a flanrishing place. Canal Fulton, on the Ohio Canal, is a business town ; boxiden, there are a number of othor more or less thriving towns and rillages, whoso geog- raphy and history will bo moro minutoly detailed in the township historlos.
AGRICULTURAL.
Ohio ranks high as an agricultural State. Stark County stands well up towards the boml of her oighty-oight conaties. For many yours its reputation as n whent section was unrivaled, and oven the hurreas, near Massillon, produced an excel- lent orop. Of eighteen counties which, in 1872, raised over 300,000, Stark Inkes the leadersbip with 40,050 acres and 711,571 bushels, or an average of nearly 18 bushols to the nere, and nearly 100,000 more thau Soneca, which stands next ou the competing list.
The corn erop of 1872 was the largest ever raised in the State, and amounted to over 103,000,000 kmshels. Of twenty counties which severally produced more that 1,500,000 bushets, Stark ranks the fifteenth, with 24, 198 acres and 1, 707,00t hushols, or an average of 70} per nore.
Twenty counties produced each over 100,000 hushols of oats in the year wo have taken to report, and Stark grades second, with 24,375 nores and 831,902 bushels, averaging 34 to tho acre.
Other products are rye, harley, potatoes, finx, monilow and clover hay, tobacco, cheese, and nearly a million pounds of butter. Considerable quantities of engar spd syrup from the sugar-maple and the sorghum-eane were manufactured.
Of fruits, the only grent crop in 1872 was of apples, the Stato producing nearly tinenty-three million bushels, as shown by tho returns, The subsequent erups are much below the average. Six counties produced orer 500,000 bushels of nyples each; of these Stark is second, with 513,031 bushels. Tho Conuty is sixth in the amount of pears produced in a list of ten leading counties. The grape-yield, for the acreage planted, is good. Liro stock in the County iluring 1873, with raluc, was as follows : horses, 14,106, 8970,402 ; enttle, 32,476, $t25,705; mules, 248, $19,400 ; sheep, 74,705, $118, 155 ; hogs, 27,161, $80,902; pounils of wool shorn, 258,432.
EDUCATIONAL.
Many of our carly sottlers-whose impress of obaracter was felt in the estab- lishment of schools and their determined support-will stand high on the pages of history for their far-seeing views upon those allied subjects, education and roligion.
In localities where first settlers were careless, the result is Inmentable. Tho reputation of a locality for school interest alluros or drives awny tho best class of people.
During the inception of the free school system, the people were dividedl upon the principle of taxing all to educate the children of ull, Unt the measure has obtained general support.
Tho allotment of Section 16 of each towuship to school purposes furnished a hasis, hy their lense or salo, for a permanent fund ; tho interest from that fund amounting for Stark Conuty in 1874 to $1572.51. We have taken the following from the Auditor's report to the State School Commissioners for the year cuding August 31, 1874 :
Total receipts for sebeol purposes for the year, $221,074.62. The total expen- ditures for school purposes were $130,121.34. The hulanco of school funds on hand September 1, 18f4, was $62,553.28. Amnouut paid tenchers within the year onding August 31, 1874, was $78,403.
Within this last-tnontioned year there were oreeted in tho County seven schonl- houses, at a total cost of $21,494. The number of school districts is 108. Total number of school-housea is 172. The entire ralne of school property is $125,574. The number of different teachers employed during the year was 361,-an equal number of each sex.
TADULAR STATEMENT OF ENUMERATION.
The report of enumeration for your ending August 31, 1874, gives the follow- ing number of youth of ago between six nud twenty-one, for districts and sep- arnte districts, totals of ench aml of all :
Paris, 361; Washington, 625; Lexington, 302; Marlboro', 530; Nimishillon, 648; Osmaburg, 545; Sandy, 135; like, 400; Conton, 680; l'Inin, 833; Lnke, 630 ; Jackson, 712; Perry, 503; Bethlehem, 451; Sugur Creek, 466; Tuscarawas, 1016; Lawrence, 998: total, 10,215. Separate distriots: Canton, 2913 ; Alliance, 1383; Massillon, 1901; Minerva, 218; Paris, 120; Robertsville, 09; New Frank- lin, 79; Ilostetter, 147; Momut Union, 210; Mnasillon, 135; Louisville, 309; Wayneshorg, 198; Uniontown, 144; Magnolia, 40; Nararre, 268; Wilmot, 172; Canal Fulton, 213: total, 8087. Grand totals by sexes: boys, 9595; girls, 9307: total, 18,902. Between the ages of eixtoen and twenty-one there nro 4846 persons. School interest is healthy. Eduentors are rigilant. The press contains frequent encouraging notices of schools and their exercises. A ourinus aud valuable re- vival in spelling bas spread like a wido wave over the land, and the neglected hranch is claiming its meed of attention.
CANTON ACADEMY
ie a fito institution, claiming thoroughness and progress in such branches as obemistry, algebra, geometry, and Latin,
MOUNT UNION COLLEGE.
This institution was organized in the year 1846. It began humbly, with six pupils and a single teacher. In 1858 u rognlar chertor under the State and United States Inws was given, with full college and university powers, and a ro- sponsiblo and efficient board of trustees and faculty, Its distinctivo fentures aro: entire liberty in the choice of studies; prominenco to prootical studies; special, preparatory, and full classical and philosophical courses; non-sectarian and non- partisau in charueter; equal privileges to Indies; economy in expenses. It has n fine musemin, comprising specimens to the value of over one hundred thousand dollars, obtained from all parts of the world, Lewis Miller, C. Aultman, nud Jucob Miller donated seventy- five thousand dollars in equal suws, for ondowment pur- posea.
Tho college groundle nro heantiful, oud aro elevated ono hundred and seventy- ono feet over the railroad station at Alliance, two miles distant.
The attendance Inst year was 1197. "Total from origin of college, 10,0-17; of whom 1318 have taught publio schonls,-n third hicing Imlies. It claims no su- perior in modern facilities or competent professors. Apparatus and museum uro together werth n quarter of a million of dollars. Over two thousand students tunght in tho business school are entisfnotorily filling good situations.
Mount Union Colloge is purely philanthropie; its property is estimated at four hundred and fifty-three thousand one humlred aud seventy -five dollars, ob- tained hy ilonution aml held iu trust. Boarding threo dollars per week, and less in families. Tuition, a trifle. O. N. Ilartshorn, LL.D., is the president. The late Chief-Justice Chase, one of its trustees, urged that " Mount I'mion College, with its increased frellities, can and should freely extend its raro advantages to vastly moro of our country's young men and women."
TEACHERS' INSTITUTES.
Yearly ussembinges of teachers are held, with profit to teachore and proportion- ably greater good to schools. Skilled educators assist tho boaril of examiners to mako the sessions instructivo. Till date, February 12, 1855, teachers receive pny for the tique schools are closed to attend these institutes, a privilege likely to be curtailed.
POLITICAL AND OFFICIAL.
Arthur St. Clair, of Pennsylvania, was Governor of the Northwest Territory, from which Ohio was taken, from the establishment of the first civil government in July 13, 1788, until the close of 1802, when he was removed and Charles W. Byrd, of Hamilton, Territorial Secretary, became neting Governor until March 3, 1803.
In the year 1802 the State constitution wus adopteil, and in 1809 the County of Sturk was organized, Until the year 1812 tho State was entitled to but one Rep- resontativo in Congress ; from 1812 to 1822, to six ; from 1822 to 1832, to fourteen; from 1832 to 1842, to nineteen; and from 1842 to 1863, to twenty-one ; then for ten years the number was reduced to nineteen, and now stunde nt twenty. Tho first election for member of Congress was beld .lune 27, 1803, to cleet one member for two years, dating March 1, then past. . Jereminh Morrow, of Warren County, was elected, and continueil to fill the office until 1813. Matthias Shepler, as hos heen snid, was Stark's first Representativo in Congress, from 1837 to 1830. D. A. Starkweather, of the sathe County, succeeded him. Othor Representatives were Samuel Lahm, D. K. Carter, and D. F. Leiter. Present Representativo i: L. D. Woodworth, of Mahoning, for tho Serenteenth Congressional District, composed of Carroll, Columbinna, Mahoning, and Stark Counties. The Twenty- first Dis- triet, composed of Stark and Carroll, is represented in the Senate of the Sixty- frst Gouern! Assembly of Ohio hy Edwin Ferrall; in the House hy Edward Drooke, of Marlboro', and Johnsun Sherrick, of Canton, for Stark County.
The Common Plens judge for District No. 9, first subdivision, composed of Stark, Carroll, and Columbiana, is Joseph Frease, of Canton.
District Court is held in Stark, September 17. Common Pleas Court convences in Stark, February 9, June 1, and Novemker 9.
The probate judge of Stark is A. W. IleJdenbrand.
The office of auditor was created at the session of 1820-21. Prior to this date, the duties of the office were performed by the Commissioners and their clerk. The auditor was annually elected until 1824; since theu biennially. Edwin A. Leo is the present officer.
County treasurers were first appointed by associnte judges, then, till 1827, hy County Commissioners. On January 24, 1827, the Legislature provided for a bienuinl election. The aet is still in force. Goorge Fessler is tho inoumhent.
Connty collectors. The office in early years knew many changes. Township collectors received the ebattel, and a County Colleotor the land, tax. From 1806 to 1820 tho State was divided into four districts, and a collector of non-resident lund tux appointed by the Legislature for cach. From 1820 to 1827 County cal- lectors collected all taxes ; in 1827 the office was aholished, and its duties dlevolved on the treasurer. Edwin W. Pago is clerk of court, William Baxter, sheriff, Joseph J. l'arker, prosecuting attorney, and Marous E. Wilcox, recorder.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.