History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 35

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 35

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at the election to be held in the spring. Your petitioners, in making this request. would re- spectfully represent that they are desirous of ascertaining whether the tax-paying com- munity of this county feel themselves in a situation, taking into consideration the present depressed state of monetary affairs of this State, to see built, at an additional tax of from $6,000 to $8,000, the said county offices; and your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray." After carefully considering the petition, it was "ordered that, in conse- quence of the advanced state of the work of the contractor, and also the fact that the ad- ditional tax will be necessary to complete the building, the Commissioners deem it inexpedi- ent to comply with the prayer of the peti- tioners." The buildings were accordingly completed. In December, 1843, the following curious preamble and order was adopted by the Commissioners;

WHEREAS, Great complaint has been made in varions portions of the county, that the public offices, erected for the security of the public ree- ords and the convenience of the publie, have been converted into gaming rooms, inducing idleness and inmoral habits; therefore, it is ordered by the un- dersigned Commissioners of Stark County, that. from and after this date, every species of gaming, whether for amusement or for wager, is strictly forbidden and prohibited in the public buildings. And it is further ordered, that the Clerk of the board furnish a copy of the foregoing preamble and order for each room of the public buildings.

JOHN BRETZ. GEORGE HOWNSTINE. County

WILLIAM DILLON. Commissionerx.

December 8, 1843.

On the 16th of May, 1549, the Commission- ers, in pursuance of an act of the General As- sembly of Ohio, subscribed 1,500 shares, or $75,000, in the capital stock of the Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad Company, the same to be paid in cash, or in the bonds of Stark County at par, at the option of the Comnis- sioners. It was nearly twenty years before the last of these bonds were paid. The old brick court house erected in 1817, the jail erected in 1830, and the county offices erected in 1843, served the purposes of the county until 1867, when it was decided to construct new and better buildings. At this time, the laws of the State did not authorize County Commissioners to levy a tax to exceed $15,000

HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.

20)7

for the purpose of building court houses. It was therefore found necessary to secure a special enactment for that purpose. This was done as follows:

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio. That the commissioners of Stark County be, and they are hereby authorized. to build a new court house, with public offices, at the county seat of said county, on the lot now or- upied by the old court house and public offices, at i cost not exceeding $100.000. The material in the Ad court house and public offices may. in the dis retion of said commissioners, he used in erecting the new court house, or sold and the proceeds or any part thereof appropriated to the building or furnishing of said new court house.

Set. 2. To enable the commissioners to carry into effect the provisions of this act. they are here by authorized to transfer to the building fund and use for the purposes of this act any surplus of other funds now in the county treasury. or which may hereafter accumulate. not needed for the specific purposes for which said surplus was raised. and also raise by taxation on the property of the county whatever sum may be needed for said purpose, not exceeding in all the aforesaid aggregate amount of $100,000; but the taxes so lev ied shall not in any one year exceed $20.000. In anticipation of the collection of said taxes, the said commissioner- shall have power to issue the bonds of said county in such sums and upon such terms, bearing legal rates of interest. and redcom alle at the pleasure of said commissioners, which bonds shall not be sold for less than par value.

SEC. 3. Before determining upon a plan of said building, said commissioners may personally exam- ine similar structures anywhere in the State; and they shall call to their assistance a competent archi- tret or engineer to prepare drafts and specifications of the plan determined upon: and the work of the building of said structure may be done either under their own supervision or that of a superintendent. to be appointed by them and subject to their con- trol. in accordance with the plan determined on by them, or any modifications thereof they may make. St. 4. That this act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.

ED A. PARROTT. Speaker of the House of Representatives. ANDREW G. MCBURNEY,

March 14. 1867. Speaker of the Senate.

Immediately after the passage of this bill, the Commissioners issued an order to the effect that. if the city of Canton would furnish $25, (WHO) toward the general expense of completing the court house, an order would be issued for the erection of the same. This occurred on the 9th of April. 1867: and, on the 7th of May. the City Council of Canton notified the Commissioners that the above proviso was agreed to, and $25,000 would be donated for bell:

the purpose stated. The Commissioners ad vertised for plans and specifications, and. on the 12th of October, considered the following:

II. E. Meyer. brick building. stone

wing.

93. 00. 00)

J. ('. Hoxie, brick building. stone wing. completed. 100,000 00 George P. Smith, first floor stone, others brick .. 110,000 00

George P. Smith, brick building. 87,000 00

George P. Smith. brick building, modi fications 50.000 00 W. IT. Frazer, stone building without furnace 100,000 00

On the ISth of October, the Commissioners decided to accept the plan proposed by J. C. Hoxie, and issued orders for sealed proposals for the erection of the building according to this plan. The following proposals were re- ceived and considered:

1. and G. Ilickliffer. $ 95,000 00)

Rob Greenlee. 91,038 70

Rob Greenlee. Hoxie's plan. stone cor ners .. 98.038 70

Rob Greenlee. Hoxie's plan. entirely stone. 114.33× 70

Payser & Campbell. 87.256 00

Miller. Frayer & Smith. 89,900 00

J. C. Hoxie, including price of plan. 100.000 00

Mr. Waterson 125.000 00

After due consideration, the board were unanimously in favor of accepting the proposal of Payser & Campbell. Henry E. Meyer, of Cleveland. architect and engineer. was em- ployed. at a salary of $4,811, to superintend the erection of the building. Soon after this, Hoxie's plan, for definite reasons, was aban- doned. and one prepared by H. E. Meyer was substituted in its place. the building to cost $98,000. This alteration of Hoxie's plan was used as an amendment to such plan. The contract as amended was signed by Commis- sioners and contractors March 11. 1868. The work on the building was commenced: court house bonds, bearing legal rates of interest, were ordered sold at par, as money was needed to meet the estimates of the architect: loans at reasonable rates were effected; and a tax, in pursuance of the above act. was levied. The work progressed rapidly, and, early in 1870. the building was completed and ready for occupancy. Soon afterward. the follow ing settlement was made with Payser & ('amp-

208

HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.

Contract price of court house. $ 98,000 00

Extra work as per bill ... 1.974 27

Extra work as per estimates of architect 3,796 58

Extra work for plumbing, Furniture, etc. 7.480 10

Extra work with stairs and hell. 218 50

Total $111.469 45

The 22d of February. 1870 ( Washington's birthday), was selected for the twofold pur- pose of celebrating the day in memory of Washington, and of dedicating the new conrt honse. A large assemblage gathered in the court room on that day, where appropriate ceremonies were held in honor of the occasion. Eloquent and extended remarks were made by Dr. Tonner, John McSweeney, Esq., and others, the addresses of the former two being spread, by order of the Commissioners. upon the county records. The following explains itself:

At a Court of Common Pleas, begun and held at the court house in the city of Canton, within and for the county of Stark, and State of Ohio. at 10 o'clock A. M., on Monday. the 28th day of Febru- ary. in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy, and being the first term in the new court house.

Present-

Hox. JOSEPH FREASE, Judge. A. W. HELDENBRAND, flerk. R A. DENBAIL, Sheriff.

In the record and proceedings of said Court then and there held, are the following, to wit: "Now comes Col. S. Meyer, and presents to the Court the proceedings and resolutions adopted at a meeting of the bar and officers of the Court, held at the court house on the morning of the 28th of February. previous to the opening of Court, and moved the Court that the same be entered on the journal. which was accordingly ordered done." The pro- ceedings and resolutions are as follows, to wit.

" At a meeting of the members of the bar and officers of the Court, held at the new court house on the 28th day of February. 1870, to celebrate the completion of the same and its first occupation for public business, on motion of Col. S. Meyer, Ilon. Joseph Frease was appointed Chairman, and A. W. Heldenbrand, Secretary. And, on Further motion. at committee consisting of Col. S. Meyer, Alexander Bierce, Robert 11. Folger. John McSweeney and ITarvey Laughlin was appointed to draft resolutions suitable to the occasion. The following was offered by the committee: The committee appointed at a meeting of the bench and bar and other officers of the Court, to report a preamble and resolutions appropriate to the occasion of opening the new court house to the purposes of justice, beg leave to report as follows:

". WHEREAS, On taking possession of this stately edifice for the purposes contemplated by its builders. the people of the county of Stark, who have cheer-

fully borne great sacrifices to secure its construction, it is meet and proper that the bench and bar, with the various officers of the Court, who are called upon to exercise their respective functions and dis- charge their respective duties within its sacred pre- cinets, now appropriately and solemnly dedicate the same to the administration of justice, therefore.

" . Resolved. That his Honor, Judge Frease, on behalf of the bench and bar, and various offices of the Court. formally dedicate the same as a Temple of Justice, where a ready redress may ever be found for every wrong, and where the cherished rights of personal liberty, security and right of property will ever be sacredly enforced and secured, while now formally throwing open its portals for the adminis- tration of even-handed justice.

". Resolred, That the Court be prayed to cause the proceedings of this meeting, followed by the respect ive names of the members of the bench and bar and officers of the Court, to be spread on the journal and records of the Court as a perpetual memorial of the dedication of the new court house.

.. . By the Committee. S. MEYER, Chairman." Names of the members of the bench. - Hon. Jo- -eph Frease. Hon. George M. Tuttle, Ilon. Norman I. Chaffee. Hon. Philo B Conant.

Names of the members of the bar .- S Meyer Alexander Bierce, George E. Baldwin. J. J. Parker. James Amerman. A. L. Jones, Anson Pease. A. L. Baldwin. Robert HI Folger, Harvey Laughlin, Will- iam MeKinley, Jr., John Lahm, William A. Lynch, W. B. Higby, Ed S. Meyer. Ed F. Schneider. W. ( Pippitt, James J. Clark, W. W. Clark, Louis Schaefer. John (. Stalleup, George W. Raff, John W. MeCord

R. A. Dunbar, Sheriff; A W. Heldenbrand, Clerk

On the motion to adopt the foregoing resolu . tions, stirring and effective remarks were made by Col. S. Meyer. Robert II. Folger. Alexander Bierce and John MeSweeney, after which the resolutions were unanimously adopted. and, on motion, the meeting adjourned sine die.

Whereupon His Honor, Judge Frease, in some appropriate remarks, formally dedicated the new court room to the transaction of public business and, to further signalize the occasion of the first. occupation of said court-room. Court adjourned until 8.30 o'clock to-morrow morning.

JOSEPH FREASE, JJudge.

Since the erection of the court house. the county has gone to the expense of building a large, strong jail. The county buildings and the lots upon which they stand have cost the citizens in the neighborhood of $250,000. But few counties in the State have better court buildings than Stark. They are situated in the business center of the city, and their loca- tion and size render them conspicuous to all who catch a glimpse of Canton. When the court house was built, the citizens of Canton Township, through their representatives, agreed to give $1.000 toward the building of

HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.

209

the court-house, provided they might have per- manent use of a room in the basement for township purposes. The Commissioners agreed to this, adding. as a proviso, that the citizens would be expected to pay more toward the room. if necessary.

By special enactment of the Ohio Legisla- ture, on the 25th of December, 1832, Carroll County was created, by which act Stark County was robbed of the townships of Brown (except the northern tier of sections), Harrison, Rose, and two tiers of sections on the western side of Sandy. This bill was stoutly opposed by the Stark County Representatives in the Leg islature, and in general by the citizens throughout the county. Those who had chosen the above townships as their homes dreaded the thought of being separated from their love, "Mollie Stark." to whom they had become strongly attached. Notwithstanding the op- position, however, the division was made, and the citizens soon became reconciled to the sit- nation. On the 16th of December, 1833, the Commissioners of Stark County, James Haz- lett, James Downing and Nicholas Stump, and two of the Commissioners of Carroll County, John Shober and John W. Russell, mot at Canton to divide the county funds, in accord- ance with the change that had been made in the territory of the county. This division of funds was ealeulated in the following manner: The total valuation of taxable property in Stark County in 1832 was $1.981.691. The valuation of that in Harrison Township for the same year was $58,814. That of Rose. $45,- 811. That of Brown, $52,958. That of the two tiers of sections on the east of Sandy, $13,- 056. That of one tier on the north of Brown, $5,188. Brown, Harrison, Rose and Sandy, added, give $170,639. Northern Brown de- ducted from this leaves $165,451. Then, as $1,981,691 is to the amount in the county treasury, 81,170.05, so is the vahiation of the territory remaining in Stark County, $1,816,- 240, to the portion of the funds the county has a right to retain. This sum is found to be $1,072.35, which, deducted from the funds in the treasury, gives what was paid Carroll County, the amount being $97.70. On the 17th of February. 1834. the surveyors ap- pointed by the two counties met at the resi-

dence of John Whitacre, in Paris, to locate the boundary dividing the counties. It may be truthfully said that those townships were better sitnated as part of the new county than as part of Stark. Time has not changed the condition.

In 1840, another bill. which was passed by the Legislature, robbed Stark County of two more townships. These were Franklin and Green. This bill, which was for the creation of Summit County, met with the bitterest op- position from Representatives and Senators whose counties were clipped to form the new. The bill was introduced in the House on the 17th of December, 1839, by the Chairman of the Committee on New Counties, and, from that time forward until its passage, on the 6th day of February, 1840, was fought inch by inch by Hons. John Smith and James Welsh, Stark County Representatives, but without avail, for, at the latter date, it shipped through the House by a majority of but three. In January, 1840, the bill was taken up by the Senate, but every possible effort was made to defeat it by Mr. Hostetter, of Stark, and others. The struggle was long and severe, but the friends of the measure were too strong, and at last the bill passed the Senate by a majority of four. It became a law on the 3d of March, 1840. On the 15th of May, George Kreighbaum, John Bretz and Peter Stemmel. Commissioners of Stark County, and John Hay. Jonathan Starr and Augustus E. Foote, Com- missioners of the new county of Summit, met at Canton to make an apportiomnent of the county funds. The valuation of taxable property in Stark in 1839, was $2,698.773. The valuation of that in Green Township was $106,219, and that in Franklin was $96,940. The last two sums, added, give $203,159. There was in the county treasury at that time $4,158.19. By computation similar to that above, it was found that Summit County was entitled to $313, which sum was accordingly paid. No other notable alterations have been made in the original limits of the county. The following table shows the population of the county at different periods:

CENSUS.

1×70.

Canton City.

8,660

12.260

Canton Township.

.1.952

2.620

210

HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.

CENSUS. 1870.

1880.

Massillon

5.185

6.896

Alliance

4,063

4,633

Paris

2.625

2,720

Washington.

1,980

2,197

Lexington ..

1,637

1.649

Marlborough

1,870

1.935

Nimishillen.

.2,645

3.120

Osnaburg

2.046

2,299

Sandy

1.116

1.285

Pipe

1,333

1,506

Plain

9.926

2.543

Lake.

2.113

2.119

Jackson.

1,616

2,050

Perry.

1.736

2,388

Bethichem

2,148

2.303

Sugar Crerk.

1.779

2,223

Tuscarawas.

2.412

2,969

Lawrence.

3.366

4.348

Population in 1810.

2.734

Population in 1820.

12,406

Population in 1830.

26,558

Population in 1840. 34,603

Population in 1850.

39,878

Population in 1860,

42,978

Population in 1830.

52,508

Population in 1880.

63,993

For a number of years prior to 1867, there was considerable talk in the county regarding the erection of a hospital for contagious dis- eases. The idea met the approval of many, and at last the Representatives in the Legis- lature were instructed to secure the passage of a bill authorizing the Commissioners of Stark County to appropriate from certain funds suffi- cient to meet such expense. The following is the bill:

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assem- bly of the State of Ohio. That the Commissioners of Stark County are hereby authorized to secure, by lease, donation or purchase, a suitable lot, lots or piece of land, in or near the incorporated village of Alliance in said county, and to erect thereon a building to be used mainly as a hospital for conta- gious diseases. They may also furnish the same in such manner as to secure the comfort and proper treatment of those who may become its inmates.

SEC. 2. To enable the Commissioners to execute the provisions of this act, they are hereby author- ized to appropriate from the poor fund of said county an amount sufficient for the purposes named in the foregoing section, not exceeding the sum of $3,000.

SEC. 3 The Infirmary Directors of said county shall have the general management of said hospital when completed. and the same shall be subject to such lawful rules and regulations as they may pre- scribe. They shall provide for the reception and care therein of paupers chargeable to said county, who may be afflicted with contagious discases. They may also provide for the admission of other persons suffering from disease, upon such terms and

under such conditions as they may deem proper. They may also place such hospital temporarily under the immediate supervision and control of the Trustees of Lexington Township in said county.

SEC. 4. This act shall take effect on its passage. ED A. PARROTT. Speaker of the House of Representatives. ANDREW G. MCBURNEY.

April 13. 1867. Speaker of the Senate.

This bill was passed at the same session as the one providing for the erection of the court house, and bnt a month later. But the people of the county found that they had upon their hands a burden as great as they cared to bear when they began the building of the court house, and the hospital for the care of those afflicted with contagious diseases was dropped then and there, without ceremony, and has not been touched since. The hard times and the heavy taxation immediately succeeding the war were sufficiently oppressive without undertaking any additional expense other than that re- quired to erect the court house. Although the erection of such a building has not since been seriously considered by the citizens of the county, yet one having a similar charitable object in view has been completed in the county, and is now occupied. Reference is made to the "Children's Home," near Alliance. The following is a portion of the law provid- ing for the erection of such building:

SECTION 1. Be it endeted by the General Issem- bly of the State of Ohio, That for the purpose of establishing a children's home in accordance with the provisions and regulations of the above recited act, so far as they may be applicable, the Commis- sioners of any two or more adjoining counties in this State. not to exceed four in number, may. and they are hereby authorized. when in their opinion the public good demands it, to form themselves into a joint board, and proceed to organize their respect- ive counties into a district for the establishment and support of a children's home, and to provide for the purchase of a suitable site. and the erection of necessary buildings thereon, for the purposes contemplated and specified in the act to which this is supplementary.

SEC. 2. That said children's home shall be for the use. protection and benefit of such persons res- ident of the district wherein located, and of similar persons resident of other counties, who may be admitted under the provisions, requirements and regulations of the act to which this is supplement- ary.

SEC. 3. Provides for the appointment of Trustees. SEC. 4. Specifies the powers of Trustees.

SEC. 5. The first cost of the home, and the cost of all betterments and additions thereto, shall be

211

HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.

paid by the counties composing the district in pro- portion to the taxable property of cach county, as shown by their respective duplicates, and the cur- rent expense of maintaining the home and the cost of ordinary repairs thereto shall be paid by the counties comprising the district, in proportion to the number of children from each county main tained in the home during the year.

Spe. 6. Provides for the expense of the Commis sioners.

SEC. 7. Not to conflict with previous law.

SEC. 8. That this act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.

GEORGE L. CONVERSE,

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

ALPHONSO HART.

March 30, 1874. Speaker of the Senate.

In accordance with the provisions of the above enactment. the Commissioners of the counties of Stark, Carroll, Jefferson, Columbi- ana and Mahoning met at Salem, Ohio, on the 26th of June, 1874. to consult in reference to the establishment of a children's home. It was here decided that the counties of Stark. Columbiana, Portage and Mahoning "would make a compact and suitably located district. generally easy and convenient of access." It was further decided that such home should not cost more than about $40,000, and that Alliance, or near there. would be a suitable place for its location. After the adoption of these considerations. the President of the meeting declared the four last-named counties formed into a district as provided in the enactment. At subsequent joint meetings of the Commissioners, dissatisfaction arose, and. after extensive discussion and maneuver, Por- tage and Mahoning Counties asked the privi- lege of withdrawing from the compact. This was granted, and the next meeting was held at C'anton, by the Commissioners of Stark and Columbiana Counties. The meeting was made public, and was addressed by many prominent men in both counties, all of whom were in favor of the immediate erection of the home. About this time, an effort was made by a few men to withdraw Stark from the compact, but without avail. The following Trustees wore appointed: C. K. Greiner, tive years; James Davis, four years: Joshua Loe, three years: Joseph Oberlin, two years; and William Bar- ber, one year. Two Commissioners and two Trustees were appointed to purchase a traet of land near Alliance. A farm of 153 acres.

owned by Thomas Rakestraw, and located about three miles north of Alliance, was pur chased for $13,770, and. on motion. was styled " Fairmount Children's Home." Plans for the building to be erected were considered. and, in July, 1875, the following proposals were received:

Robert Greenlee. $31.716 91

Augustus Vort. 32.000 00

R. II. Bolen .. 15,353 55

E. (. Bard. 11.795 00

John R. Poiser 32.549 20

Jonathan Meyer-

32,097 72

Thomas Me Enery 38.964 00

Nathan Falk 33,836 00

Irwin McDonald. 31.3×3 00

William Rinker. 33.955 00

J. H. Morrison & Co. 30.285 00

S. Harrokl & Co. 30.715 00

Campbell. Eck & Co., Modifications 27.081 95

R. IT. Mccracken, two cottages 4.989 00

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History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 35

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