History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 102

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1060

USA > Ohio > Stark County > History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio > Part 102

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).

About thirty-five years ago, William Mc- Clain built the present hotel building, which was then located in the northern part of the village. He employed two or three assistants, opened a select school, or seminary, and, for a number of years, his institution of learning was a credit to the place. A large number of

scholars was enrolled (perhaps over a hun- dred), and the institution was highly success- ful in a pecuniary point of view. But Mr. MeClain had some other object before him, whereupon the seminary was permitted to stop, and the building, after standing vacant for a time, was purchased by John Ellison, moved to where it now stands, and opened for the reception of the publie. A schoolhouse was built in New Baltimore in about the year 1834. It took the place of the old log, a quarter of a mile south. Levi Haines, the proprietor of the village. was employed to teach the first sehcol, but was taken siek about the middle of the term. whereupon Miss Emily Roseter was hired to teach the remainder, the compensation being $1.85 per week, she board- ing herself. How is that for wages, ye peda- gogues of the present day! Give us no more grambling about low wages. After a number of years, this house became too small to accom- modate the scholars, whereupon another house. just like it, was erected within a few feet, and two schools, for several years, were in ses- sion at the same time. Finally, the present large frame structure was built. It is related that, in early years. the Baltimore School, and one north. in Portage County. organized and eonducted an interesting literary society. And it came to pass that a number of young men belonging to the former, invaded a neighboring sugar camp one dark night, and swore eternal seeresy as to what then and there transpired. But the whole affair leaked ont, unknown to the boys, and came upon them like a elap of thunder from a elear sky. A satirical poem, written by Dr. J. C. Woods, was read at the next meeting of the literary society, and the poem, in graphic language, recited the movements of the boys. while on their invasion for "stolen sweets." The con- fusion, dismay and chagrin which followed were complete, and brought undying fame to the fearless writer.

The Quaker Church, east of Marlborough, was undoubtedly built before 1820. It was a hewed-log building, about twenty-five by forty feet, with rude seats and other furniture, and a large chimney which communicated with the broad fire-place, wherein were kindled the ruddy fires that imparted cheerfulness and

579

MARLBOROUGH TOWNSHIP.

comfort to the otherwise gloomy room. Here the Quakers continued to assemble to worship in their peculiar way until not far from 1840, when they concluded to build a new church. About this time, owing to dissent ing views regarding church discipline, and some of the fundamental doctrines of the seet of which George Fox was the founder. the Hieksites and the orthodox decided to separate. This was delayed. as was also the erection of the new church. for a number of years. Finally, the present house was built. Soon after the Quaker's first church was erected. the German Lutherans and German Reform- ers built what is known as St. Peter's Church. The house, which was of logs, was used a number of years, and finally, about fifteen years ago. the present church was constructed. Not far from 1545, the Methodists erected their church in Marlborough: prior to this they had used the schoolhouse and private dwellings. The Disciples' Church in Marlbor- ough was erected at a later day. The United Brethren have a small frame church in the southern part of the township; it is known as the "Chapel." There are two churches, one Methodist, and the other Disciple, in the vil- lage of New Baltimore. There is also a Lu- theran Church some two miles north of Marl- borough. The township is well supplied with good churches, and has been from the earliest day. It must not be understood that the various religious societies were not organized until the churches were erected; some of these societies had been doing good work for years. but, owing to their poverty or lack of membership. were compelled to worship in schoolhouses or dwellings. Among those fam- ilies that early belonged to the Quaker soci- ety. were the following: Wileman's. Gruwell's. Pennock's. Logue's. Ellison's. Brantinghani's. Heacock's, and others. It was common to hold meetings in dwellings, and even long revivals. of several weeks. were sometimes held here. Of course. many of these things do not refer to the Quakers, who would quietly seat themselves in their place of worship and wait for the spirit to move them.

Marlborough Township is noted for having several agricultural organizations to further the interests of the producer. Alfred Brooke

is dealing quite extensively in thoroughbred cattle and sheep: so, also, are Alphens Bloom- field and others. The Marlborough Agricult ural Society owns a fine fair ground within half a mile of the village, upon which are an excellent third-of-a-mile track and a grove that has no superior in the county. The stock is divided into twenty shares, all being at present owned by twenty men. A township fair is held every autumn, and last year a small amount in premiums was paid. Buildings worth about $1,200 are standing on the grounds. This enterprise, and all others tend ing to bring into prominence and repute the labors of the farmer or stock-raiser, cannot be too highly commended. The movements in the township in this direction could be protit- ably imitated by other townships of the county.

One of the most important organizations ever in the township is the Soldiers' Relief and Memorial Society. It is hard to die, es- pecially in robust health, and relinquish all the joys of living in this bright world. It is sad in the extreme, and requires a great sac- rifice. We owe a debt to the brave boys who | laid down their lives for their country, which we can never repay. This grand country, instead of being separated into jealous and hostile factions to-day, and thereby entailing repeated and bloody wars, is, in effect, united, and the people are enjoying the fruits of lib- erty and peace. This is the debt we owe our fallen brothers, and the sentiment of gratitude within us requires that we cherish in over- lasting remembrance, the names of those who established the peace which is now enjoyed. The following is the design of the above soei- ety: "For the benefit of the Union soldiers of this township and their posterity, this society has decided to make a record of the military services of all soldiers who enlisted from this township: also, those who are now or may become residents of the township." The society has rules and regulations govern- ing its actions, and the regular meetings are held on the second Monday preceding the third of May of each year. The society re ports the number of enlistments from Marl borough during the last war as ill. Of these, twenty-three died while in the army,

580

HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.

and nine have died since the close of the war. The society is officered as follows: I. S. France, President; William H. Werner, Vice President; Albert Hatcher, Treasurer; Joseph W. Gaskill, Secretary and Recorder. Com- mittee, Marlborough Precinct: Milton Whet- stone, JJonas Warstler and John Zellers.

Committee, New Baltimore Precinct: Hamil- ton Day, Madison Walker and Alpheus Ham- ilton. Committee, West Preeinet: Henry Bix- ler, George Werner and C. B. Gibson. Every township in the county should have a similar organization.

CHAPTER XXXI .*

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP-NATURAL FEATURES-CATALOGUE OF EARLY SETTLERS-LOST CIIIL- DREN - DISTILLERIES, MILES AND OTHER INDUSTRIES AND IMPROVEMENTS -

EARLY SCHOOL AND RELIGIOUS ADVANTAGES_FAIRMOUNT CIHL-

DIEN'S HOME - UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.

" J sat an hour to-day, John, Beside the old, okl stream, Where we were school-boys in the past. When manhood was a dream ; The brook is choked with fallen leaves, The pond is dried away,

I scarce believe that you would know The dear old place to-day." -Anonymous.

T THIS township, one of the best in the county for agricultural purposes, was not fully settled until comparatively late years. The land-buyers, who came from the East, either to purchase with the view of future speculation, or to secure farms which would not become exhausted at the first few erops, were not such inferior judges as to pass blindly by the rich woodland of Township 18, Range 6. Accordingly, men of considerable wealth and prominence in Pennsylvania selected and entered their choice of the land in Washington Township, and returned to the Keystone State, to see their property in the West multiply in value. Then, if they desired, they came out West (caught the malignant Ohio fever, a very troublesome disorder, which was very exaeting in its requirements), and established them- selves on their new farms. It occurred then, that, from the fact of the township being pur- chased largely by men who did not move West until after the county received its first rush of settlers, extensive early improvement did not take place until after other portions of the county were quite thickly populated. The *Contributed by W A Goodspeed.

most of the land was entered as early as any in the county, and more than one early settler, who came in late, and. having occasion to pass through this township, made inquiries regard- ing the land, but, finding it already taken, pushed on farther West. The forest, dark and heavy, covered the entire township, save where occasional glades along the streams had intruded. Here and there in the bosom of the forest was a pathway of tangled, fallen trees, telling of the mad visitation of some tornado in past years. Large trees had been twisted off by the angry cloud, and tossed like straws from their former standing-places. Some bad been torn asunder by the fury of the wind, and the mangled debris scattered far and near. Save these occasional spots and the glades, nothing disturbed the heavy monotony of the deep woods. The land, though lying in the main level, was traversed by gullies and erossed by irregular ridges that were probably relies of the Glacial period. Small streams sprang from tiny fountains, and wandered away in search of sweeping rivers, or became lost in the bosom of some inland pond. From east to west aeross the center of the township, a ridge arose, which separated the head-waters of Sandy Creek from those of the Mahoning. The ridge, though irregular, and severed here and there, is distinctly defined. The northern portion of the township slopes away toward the north. its waters quietly mingling with Beach Creek, a principal affluent of the Ma-

581

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

honing, while the southern portion sends its waters into Hughes' Creek and Black Creek, head branches of Sandy Creek, which is itself a leading branch of the Tuscarawas. The entire township is drained by streams which ultimately reach the Ohio River. It is there- fore within the Valley of the Ohio.

The names of the first settlers are unfortu- nately unknown. While they can probably be given among others, yet they cannot be dis- tinguished, with few exceptions, from those who came in comparatively late. The follow- ing is a complete list of the land-holders of the township in 1827, though this does not, of course, embrace the names of those who first located in the township and afterward removed. It is also quite likely that some of the men whose names are given never resided in the township. The following is the list:

Samuel Bosserman, John Boyer, Isaac Bon- sell. Jacob Conrad, Henry Davis, Michael Dickey, Isaac Tinsman. Joseph Grim. John Galbraith, Holland Green, Frederick Harbster. Jacob Harbster, Charles Hambleton, Jesse Hughes, Caleb Johnson, Ellis N. Johnson, Simon Johnson, Jacob Kittsmiller, Jacob Klingaman, David Klingaman, Timothy Kirk, Russell Kees, Ezekiel Marsh, David Miller, John Millison, Roswell M. Ma- son, John McHenry, Jonathan Pierpont, Elias Risely, John Ruse, Jr., Samuel Stuckey, John Shively, Jacob Shively, John Shel- lenberger, Jacob Shidler, Daniel Shidler, William Shaefer. John Spoon, Jacob Secrist, Jonathan Sharpless, John Towns, Samuel Talbot, John Talbot, John Unkefer, David Unkefer. Thomas Wickersham and William Wood.

The reader is left to distinguish between those who came early and those who came late. Beyond a doubt, there was one family or more living in the township as early as 1806. A few years ago. at the usual township election. when a number of the first settlers had assem- bled to poll their votes, Ellis N. Johnson, who was present, asked the question, "Who was the first settler in Washington Township?" No one could give a satisfactory answer.

township, hearty and hale, at the unusual age of ninety-three years, says that, in the year 1810, being then of age, he left Washington County, Penn., for Ohio. He passed through Salem, following the section lines, which were easily distinguished by the blazed trees made by the surveyors, and at last entered the north- ern part of Washington Township, which was then known as Township IS, Range 6. When Section 14 was reached, Mr. Johnson heard the ring of an ax, and, movi g in that direc- tion, saw a powerful man chopping. The stranger at the same time saw him, and each advanced toward the other. This man was Ezekiel Marsh. It did not take the two men long to become acquainted, as all formalities and evasions or concealments were cast aside. Marsh had made a small clearing of an acre or more, and had built a small log cabin about fourteen feet square. He had probably erected the building without assistance, as the logs were small and the cabin was low. The structure was furnished with a large, rough, mud-and-stone chimney, of unique design, and a window of one pane of glass graced one end. One door served the purposes of the master.

After remaining with Marsh a short time, Mr. Johnson went back to Pennsylvania, and did not return until 1823, at which time he brought out his family and located perma- nently in the northern part of the township. During his absence in Pennsylvania, the greater portion of the township was ent-red, and many improvements had gone on. Each of the settlers had cleared from ten to forty acres, and fields of tossing grain were grow- ing where onee, and but a short time before, the monarch of the forest reared his head.

After Marsh had lived a few years upon the farm where he first located, he sokl out, or traded out, to Isaac Tinsman, and purchased another farm near there, upon which he lived until his death. He was a large man, with the strength of Theseus. One day, as he was passing a neighbor's cabin, he heard screams and oaths issuing therefrom, and, surmising that the wife was receiving a beating from her drunken husband. concluded to enter and try to adjust matters. As he entered, he saw the

The first known settler was Ezekiel Marsh. Ellis N. Johnson, a splendid specimen of the Quaker fraternity, who is yet living in the , wife prostrate on the floor, while over her was

582

HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.

her half-drunken husband. With his left hand he pinned her to the floor, and with his right wielded a heavy cndgel, which fell un- sparingly on the unfortunate woman. Marsh stepped quickly forward, and, seizing the hus- band by the shoulders, swung him away from the woman; but, in the movement, the enraged husband caught up a butcher-knife from a table, and, with a quick stroke, plunged it into Marsh's abdomen. The stroke was effect- ive, and Marsh staggered and sank upon the floor. He was conveyed home, but, after suf- fering great torments for a few days, died. The murderer was arrested, tried, convicted, and sentenced to pass the remainder of his days in the penitentiary. The sentence was carried into effect. The murder occurred in comparatively late years.

Isaac Tinsman. one of the first few settlers, improved the old Marsh farm. upon which he lived many years.

William Shaefer was one of the earliest in the township, as were also Harbster, Dickey and Stuckey. The early settlement was grad- ual, but the township slowly filled up with Germans and others, many of whom came from some other settlement in Ohio farther east. A few Quakers settled in the township -- enough to spice it with industry and good morals. This country, in early days, was vastly differ- ent from what it is now. There were but few small clearings, and these were dotted with charred stumps. The soil was much damper than at present, and the streams contained twice as much water. Bogs, ponds, marshes and swamps, large and small, were numerous. and served as a retreat and a resort for large numbers of wild fowls and wild animals. Springs were numerous that have since gone dry, and some of them were

" Of a water that flows, With a lullaby sound, From a spring but a very few Feet under ground- From a cavern not very far Down under ground."

next morning attested the success of the watcher. It is said that Mr. Tinsman, on one of these occasions, shot a large buck that dressed about 225 pounds. It came down to one of the ponds to drink, and, although it was quite dark, Mr. Tinsman, who was sitting in a small copse near by, could see it clearly out- lined against the glassy surface of the water, and with one shot brought it to the ground.

Mr. Dickey and Mr. Marsh brought sheep into the township very early, but these poor creatures had a sorry time of it. Some of them ate of a poisonous weed growing in the woods, and, after swelling up to an enormous . size, finally died. No remedy could be found. Whisky was tried, and for a short time seemed to check the progress of the poison through the system. All the larger carnivorous ani- mals in the forest had a special "tooth " for mutton, and lost no opportunity of satisfying their greed. As soon as the shades of night fell, the sharp howls began, and did not wholly cease until a short time before the break of day. Woe unto the sheep that were carelessly left in the woods or were lost! It was no un- common thing for the owner to find half his flock torn and mangled. Then was when our grandfather violated a certain commandment. Of course, we cannot prove that charge on the old gentlemen, but there is a strong in - ference that our surmises are correct. There was a strong demand for wool, from the fact that all kinds of wearing apparel called for exorbitant prices, and, as the settlers had but little money with which to meet this demand, they were compelled, in many cases, to im- provise elothing from buckskin, etc. This condition of things led many to bring in a few sheep, which were carefully housed and fed, and the wool therefrom was clipped, carded, spun, woven, and finally made into warm, heavy suits of clothing. The earding was done by hand; the spinning, on the old wheel; the wraving, on a small loom; and the suits were made by tailors who traveled from honse to house to ply their craft. It was customary for families to get a considerable quantity of cloth on hand, and then to have all the mem- bers supplied at once with new suits or gowns. Linen suits were commonly worn in the warmer

Some, also, were brackish, and were visited by , deer, that seemed to like such water better than that containing lime. These springs were guarded during the night by the old settlers, and the sweet venison eaten by the family the months. Almost every family had its small

583

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

patch of flax, which was carefully tended, and afterward prepared by the flax-beater for the spinning-wheel. Almost every family had its own weaver; those who did not, found no trouble in having their woolen or linen cloth woven at some neighbor's. Wool and linen were quite often combined, and then the suit was called " linsey-woolsey." The cloth was often, and usually. highly colored with leaves or bark from the woods. The gandy appearance of the suits and dresses at assemblages of the settlers brings to mind the Dolly Varden col- orings of later years.

Ague and fever were seemingly much more common in early days than at present. Doc- tors were few, and were abused then even more than now. Poor fellows! they have to bear the slings and arrows of uncharitable criticism, and are met everywhere with the sarcastic re- mark. " He kills more than he cures." The early doctors traveled over large sections of country. They rejoiced in various cognomens and schools not recognized in the systems to- day. There were Indian doctors, the fire doc- tors, the water doctors, the steam doctors, the : charm doctors, the "regulars," and various others, who dealt out their nostrums with a prodigality incompatible with the medical maxim of to-day, which directs that the desired results be attained with the use of the least possible quantity of medicine. Notwithstand- ing the quantity poured down the sick, the ague still shook whole families. In the words of a rural bard,

"And it shook him, shook him sorely, Shook his boots off and his brecches, Shook his teeth out and his hair off. Shook his coat all into tatters, Shook his shirt all into ribbons. Shirtless, hatless, coatless, toothless. Minus hoots and minus breeches. Still it shook him, shook him till it Made him yellow, gaunt and hony, Shook him till it shuffled for him Off his mortal coil, and then it. Having laid him cold and quiet In the cold and silent churchyard, Shook the earth all down upon him, And he lies beneath his gravestone, Ever shaking, shaking, shaking.'

The reader will observe that the " poet " treats of the sick as of the masculine gender, leaving conjecture tossed with doubt as to how the op- posite sex withstood the sickness.

The old doctor was an important personage. His bottles and bags were regarded as won- ders, his judgment was unanswerable and his prescriptions implicitly obeyed. He was wel- comed and fed at every household. Time passed on, and the practice of medicine im proved.

Stock, when turned into the woods, were usually carefully marked, and bells hung about their necks, that, when wanted, they could be found. Hogs required no care, as they were enabled to sustain themselves the entire year on the " mast" that at all times covered the ground. During the autumn, they became very fat, but gradually got thin during the winter. They became so wild that no one could approach near them, and it was neces- sary to shoot them when the family were out of pork. They were often very savage, and would sometimes attack the settlers, whose only safety then lay in flight, or in ascending a tree. The tusks on some of them attained a length of six inches or more. Trouble often arose regarding the ownership, and the prac- tice of ear-marking was reduced to a system. Bears were very fond of fresh pork, and were not particular whether the swine had been properly dressed or not. They would attack some unfortunate sus scrofa in the woods, and, despite its struggles and squeals, tear it in pieces and devour the tender flesh. It is re- lated that, on one occasion, a large bear, evi- dently made desperate by hunger. attacked a hog in William Shaefer's stable-yard. The attention of the family was tirst attracted by the squealing and commotion outside. Upon going out, they discovered that a full-grown bear had thrown a hog npon the ground, and was busily engaged tearing it with teeth and claws. The members of the family ran out and shouted, whereupon the bear made off, stopping every few rods to rear upon its hind feet and show its white teeth. to resist any attack that might be made upon it. The hog was so badly torn that it was shot. Incidents of this kind were quite frequent. More than one settler was chased by wolves, or had his adventure with some other dangerous animal. The Commissioners of the County offered a bounty for wolf and panther scalys. and this led those who were fond of hunting, and were

584

HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.

skillful, to venture out on long excursions in pursuit of these animals. The earliest set- tlers often found great difficulty in paying their taxes. Every penny was carefully laid away for this purpose. Animals were trapped and caught, and their skins sold, and the money was used to satisfy the Tax Col- lector.

On account of the miles upon miles of trackless forest that covered the country, it was a common thing for the settlers, or their children, to become lost. It seems strange, yet those who have been in that unfortunate situation, describe the bewilderment as mad- dening. The senses refuse to act in their ordinary manner, but take note of things in a new and singular way. Familiar objects are seen in a new light, and are no longer recog- nized. Ellis N. Johnson relates that, on one occasion, when out in the woods, he came up- on a large fallen tree, that had probably been ent down for a bear, in which he observed a large quantity of fine wild honey. He placed as much as he could carry in an improvised bag, and started for home; but he found that the cardinal points of direction had deserted him, or, in other words, he was lost. He en- deavored his utmost to ascertain which way he was going, but the effort resulted as it always does, in increasing the bewilderment. After wandering around a long time, he finally came to a stable, in the yard of which was an old horse. The animal was poorer than Job's turkey, and Mr. Johnson wondered why in the name of humanity the owner did not feed the poor creature, and take better care of the yard. He moved on a little farther, and saw a log house and near it a woman, who, when she saw him, asked, " What have you there?" It then dawned upon the bewildered Mr. John- son, for the first time, that his own wife was talking to him, and that the horse and stable- yard he had seen were his own.

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.

History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 102

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1060

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1060