History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 43

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

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HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.

river to Carrolton. which was threatened by Moses Webster's men. Two companies on horses scoured the country, but Webster was "conspicuous for his absence." After a few days, the companies returned to Covington, and performed post-duty. After performing some other service, the regiment, on the 4th of September, 1864, was mustered out of the service at Camp Chase.

The One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Reg- iment had one company (I) or thereabouts from Stark, under the command of W. A. Mil- ler, Captain. The men were recruited for one year's service in the fall of 1864. The regiment was organized by Lieut. Col. A. C. Jolinson, at Camp Chase, on the 29th of Sep- tember, and was immediately ordered to re- port to Gen. Thomas. Nashville, Tenn. It did guard Anty here two weeks, and was then sent to Tullahoma, where Lieut. Poland, of Company B. while sconting with a detach- ment of men near Manchester, captured John Seal, a noted guerrilla and murderer, and exe- cuted him without the formalities of a court- martial. During the winter of 1864, the regiment was transferred to Murfreesboro. Col. Johnson was appointed Chief of Artil- lery, and, during the movement, superintended the transfer of artillery and ordnance; and, while Murfreesboro was besieged by Gen. Hood, the Colonel was Chief of Artillery on Gen. Rousseau's staff. Frequent sorties were made in force from the fort for foraging pur- poses, under the command of Gen. Milrcy. with severe fighting. The regiment under Col. Joab Stafford was closely engaged, on one occasion losing both of its color bearers. In the fight at Wilkerson's Pike, it was with the force under Gen. Milroy, when two fine twelve-pounder Napoleons and 200 prisoners were captured. After Hood was defeated at Nashville, the regiment was 'brigaded in the Third Brigade, First Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, and ordered to North Carolina. It landed at Moorehead City, and, a few days later, participated in a smart skirmish with the enemy under Gen. Johnston, at Wise's Fork. It joined Gen. Sherman at Goldsboro, and moved with him to Raleigh, and, after Johnston's surrender, was ordered to Charlotte, N. C., where it performed garrison-duty until

mustered out of service June 29, 1865. It was finally paid and discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio, July 10, 1865.

The One Hundred and Eighty-fourth Reg- iment was recruited to serve for one year, and had one company (B) under the command of Capt. Joseph Allen, from Stark County. It was organized on the 21st of February, 1865, and was ordered te Nashville, Tenn., where it remained a short time doing garrison-duty. It finally moved to Chattanooga, thence to Bridgeport. Ala., which point was reached about the 21st of March, and was engaged in protecting an important railroad bridge over the Tennessee River. It also guarded the track between Bridgeport and Chattanooga, a distance of about thirty miles. While per- forming this duty, detachments of the regi- ment stationed in block-houses and forts along the road had frequent encounters with the rebel guerrillas and squads of rebel cavalry. On the 25th of July. it was ordered to Edge- field for garrison-duty, remaining here until it was mustered out of service on the 20th of September, 1865. It was paid and discharged at Camp Chase, September 27, 1865. The regiment was a capable one, being largely composed of men who had seen active service in other regiments. Its bravery was not tested on the field of battle.

The Third Independent Battery, known as Williams' Battery, and consisting of about thirty men with one gun, was organized under the old militia law before the commencement of the war. When the guns of Sumter spoke, Capt. William S. Williams, of Canton, who had gone to Michigan, returned to Canton, and was authorized to enlist volunteers for the artillery service, and his old "gun squad " as a body placed their names upon the roll. Daniel Lanker was First Lieutenant of the squad. The services of the battery were teu- dered the Governor, who accepted, and the boys were ordered to report at Columbus dur- ing the latter part of June, 1861. Here they were united with Capt. Cotter with about thirty men with one gun, all to be under the command of Capt. Cotter, who outranked Capt. Williams by seniority of commission. The two old guns were exchanged for new six-pound rifled guns; and the battery was

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ordered to Gallipolis, where it remained two weeks, drilling and preparing for the field. It was then ordered up the Great Kanawha, and attached to Gen. Cox's division in West- ern Virginia. It participated in the fight at Searey Creek, shelling Gen. Wise's forces from their works, and losing one man mor- tally wounded. The battery had a lively skirmish at Charleston, and captured one gun. Some two months later, it participated in the fight at Hawk's Nest, where one of the Canton boys lost an arm. The battery then moved back to Kanawha Falls, and soon afterward. its term of enlistment (three months) having expired, Gen. Cox regnested the boys to re- main until they were relieved, which they accordingly did. In November, they were ordered to Columbus, where they were mus- tered out and sent home. Capt. Williams returned to Canton to recruit for the three years' artillery service. He secured about eighty men and F. J. Myers, of Canton, and W. J. Mong. of Minerva, about as many more in all 161- and, in February. 1862, the company was ordered to Camp Denison. where the following officers were elected: William S. Williams, Captain; W. J. Mong. Senior First Lieutenant: F. J. Myers, Jun- ior First Lieutenant: W. G. Watson. Sen- ior Second Lieutenant; Thomas J. Blackman. Junior Second Lieutenant. Here the battery was provided with four six-pound rifled bronze guns, and two six-pound smooth-bore bronze guns, together with all necessary acconter- ments, horses, etc. In March, the battery was ordered to Benton Barracks. St. Louis, Mo .. where it remained until about the Ist of April, when it was convoved to Pittsburg Landing. arriving there Sunday night at the close of the first day's battle. As the boats approached the place, thousands of wounded. frightened and desperate men lined the river bank. Some had concealed themselves at the extremo edge of the bank, clinging to roots or any- thing that would support them. Here it is said originated the army expression "grab a root." The sight was sickening. Scores of surgeons were busily engaged amputating limbs that were piled in heaps on the bank. Strong mon grew white as death at the dread- ful scene. Capt. Williams inquired for the

commanding General, but no one seemed to know where he was. The Captain pressed one of the superior officers for orders, and the latter at last impatiently exclaimed: "Oh just go out here anywhere; it's no trouble to find good shooting." Accordingly the guns were taken ashore, and everything got in readiness for the conflict of the morrow. The day dawned, and the battery assisted in driv- ing the rebels back in full retreat. Soon afterward, the battery assisted in the siege and capture of Corinth and at the battle of Inka. It moved with Gen. Grant in the first advance toward Vieksburg; but fell back when the base of supplies was out by Forrest. At Mem- phis the boys received new clothing, ete. About the Ist of February, 1863. the Third Battery moved with Gen. Grant to Grand (inlf, below Vicksburg. Some time before this Capt. Williams, for gallant and merito- rious service, was made Acting Chief of Artil lery of Gen. Logan's Division, the appoint ment being confirmed in August. This gave him rauk equivalent to Brigadier General- ship. After this he was the intimate friend and associate of corps, division and brigado commanders, and was considered by these officers as Bonaparte considered Marshals Murat or Nes. He was held in reserve until the erisis of the battle, and then his powerful brigade of artillery was thrown to the most difficult position, and never failed to com- mand the admiration and congratulations of superior officer- by the consternation it cast in the ranks of the enemy. Capt. Williams received the highest commission possible in the artillery service. The battery partici pated in the artillery fight at Raymond. Jack son and Champion Hills. At the latter place. it went into an advance position on the gal- lop, within about seven hundred yards of a heavy rebel battery, which did not perceive his approach. C'apt. Williams noticed that his men were nervously impatient, and to cool down their temperature quietly issued his orders between the puffs of his pipe, which he slowly lighted with a sun-glass. When this was accomplished, the men had been told to throw their shells into the rebel battery every shot to be cast under an apple-tree in the center of the enemy's battery. At the

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HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.

word every gun belched forth its missiles of death, repeating the volley again and again with dreadful results. Nothing of the rebel battery escaped, save a limber and two horses, all else, except a few prisoners, being torn to ! pieces by the shells. The six guns captured here were turned over to Company F. of the Thirty-second Regiment. which afterward became the Twenty-sixth Ohio Battery, and which contained about fifteen men from Stark County. At this battle. Capt. Williams with four batteries formed a V to check the rapid advance of seven regiments of rebels. Can- ister from the twenty-four guns was thrown into the advancing ranks, which retreated in disorder. A fence which was standing di- rectly in the way of this destructive volley went down as though stricken by a tornado. The battery entered Vicksburg on the 4th of July, and soon afterward moved with Sher- man against Meridian, participating in the fights at Clinton. Jackson and Meridian, los- ing several men killed and wounded. It re- turned to Vicksburg, where it remained until the spring of 1864, when it was ordered out to participate in the Atlanta campaign. It was supplied with new twenty-pound Parrott guus at Vicksburg. It moved first to Cairo. thence up the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers, and finally marched across the country to Huntsville, Ala., thence to Rome, Ga., joining Gen. Sherman's army at Big Shanty. At this time, it was in the Seventeenth Corps, then commanded by Gen. Frank Blair, and operated with it at Kenesaw Mountain and Nieojack Creek. On the 22d of July, at Leg- gett's Bald Knob, it was engaged from 11 o'clock A. M. until sundown. This was one of the hottest engagements it was in during the war. The battery was attacked from all sides, and often the men fought hand to hand. Capt. Williams lost one of his guns; and here it was that, as stated by one of the Generals at a late re-union: "Capt. Williams cried like a child." In fifteen minutes the gun was ro-taken. Those were the kind of men belong- ing to the Third Battery, and those were the kind that quelled the rebellion. The battery was supplied with new guns at Atlanta, and moved back to Nashville with Gen. Thomas, but before this it took part in the fights at

Jonesboro and Lovejoy Station. After the battle of Nashville, it was transferred to Fort Donelson, where it remained some three months, and was then ordered to Camp Tay- lor. Cleveland. and mustered out of the service August 1, 1865, and the brave boys remain- ing returned to their homes. The battery lost some fifty men during its service. Capt. Williams was presented with a fine gold- mounted saber, belt and sash by the mem- bers of his company: and, while at Vieksburg, was presented with a miniature Parrott gun cast from rebel projectiles by the members of his battery. in one of the foundries at Vicksburg. Capt. Williams is at present Vice President of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, a fine and merited compliment to a brave man.

This closes the brief and imperfect sketches of the regiments containing a considerable number of Stark County men. Two weeks of continuous labor have been spent to improve the sketches as given by Whitelaw Reid, and to furnish additional matter of interest to the citizens of the county. History at best is but a partial narration of particulars, and this will answer as an apology for whatever imperfections are found in these pages. This chapter cannot be properly closed with- out reference to the great re-union held in the city of Canton on the Ist of September, 1880. It was determined the year before to hold the next meeting of the Grand Army of the Republic at Canton. and from that time onward preparations on a gigantic scale were begun and executed by select committees appointed for the purpose. Mr. C. Aultman was selected as President; Joseph Biechele and Jacob Miller, Vice Presidents, and an extensive bureau of committees was appointed for the ensuing year. During the winter of 1879-80, through the agency of a loan and bureau association, about $2,500 were realized. Other means were employed, and. at last, when the great day came, some six or eight thousand dollars had been accumulated. The citizens of the county decided to give a grand free dinner at the fair grounds, and, to meet the occasion, over twenty-five thousand feet of lumber were used in constructing tables, seats, etc., and that portion of the grounds

HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.

inclosed by the track was almost wholly taken up by these tables. The day dawned bright and clear, and the citizens were aroused by the roll of drums and the report of cannon. The business portion of the city and a large mimber of private residences were one grand profusion of overgreen boughs, flags and dec- orations. Alnost the whole county turned out for the occasion. and it is said 10,000 strangers were in the city. The following distinguished persons were present: Prosi- dent and Mrs. Hayes. Gen. Garfield. Gov. Foster. Ex-Gov. Bishop, Gons. Sherman, Ha- zen. Devens, Crook. Carroll. Kennedy, Gib- son. Heckenlooper, Meyer, Por. Leggett, Bar- nett. Robinson. Beatty, Voris. Manderson. Wiley. Com. Wells, Col. Corbin. Hon. Stanley Matthews, Webb Haves. Hon. Amos Townsend. Maj. Goodspeed, Col. Dewstoe and several others. During the forenoon the procession was formed as follows:

Maj. Gen. Samuel Bratty and Staff Grand Army Band Wallace Gray -. Open landeau. drawn by four white horses, contain ing President Hayes and suite. Two open carriages, with Gen. Gartiekdl. Ex Gov. Bishop. Maj. Mckinley. and other prominent offi cers and citizens. Twenty-third Regiment O. V. 1. [140 men ]. Gibraltar Brigade [65 men]. Greentown Band. Third Battery. Carrollton Band.

Thirty second Regiment O. V. I. [50 men ]. Companies I. K and F. Seventy sixth Regiment O). V. I. [100 men ]. Ninety eighth Regiment [50 men]. First Regiment O. V. I. [3 men]. Mechanics' Band, of Youngstown. Eighth Regiment O. N. G. Band. Nineteenth Regiment O. V. I. [250 men ]. New Berlin Band. Wooster Gnards. Thirteenth Regiment [10 men ]. Navarre Band. Fifteenth Regiment Veteran Drum Corps. 0:0. Hundred and Seventh Regiment [154 men ]. Knights of Pythias Band. of Cleveland. Detachments of the Eighth and Eighty seventh Pennsylvania Regiments. Cuyahoga County Sokliers' Union [500 men ]. New Philadelphia Drum Corps. Manstickt National Band. One Hundred and Twentieth Regiment [22 men ]. Fifty-first Regiment [6 men]. Second lowa [B men]. Seventh Regiment [several men].

Hancock Legion 150 men]. Fay's Cornet Band, of Cleveland. Congress Band. Sixteenth Regiment 125 men]. Dalton Band. Forty first Regiment [60 men]. Fifth Regiment [colored. 15 men ]. Lectomia Band. One Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment [300 men ] Dover Drum Corps. sixth Ohio Battery [8 men ]. Massillon Drum Corps. One Hundred and Fourth Regiment [250 men]. Alliance Band. Richville Band. Sherman's Brigade [250 men ] Canton City Band. Alleghany Veteran Corps [15 men]. Veteran Fife Corps. Massillon City Band. Beaver Falls Drum Corps. Braver Falls Veterans 160 men]. U'niontown Band. Akron City Band. One Hundred and Second Regiment [several men ]. The war cagle " Old Abe." Steele Cadets. of Wooster. East Liverpool Band. East Liverpool Veterans [100 men ]. Members of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry. Twenty -eighth. Fourth and Eleventh Penn sylvania Infantry. Citizens in Carriages.

This splendid procession was over an hour in passing a given point, and on its march was accompanied by thousands of the citizens. At the fair grounds the vast assemblage par- took of the dinner prepared. Each township had a separate table, ornamented with a large maltese cross at its center, upon which was the name of the township. Five steam engines were used in foreing the water from twenty- one pumps, the water to be used for cook- ing purposes. About four hundred wait- ors ministered to the wants of the public, and the distinguished persons wore distrib- uted around among the townships, so that none of the latter would be left out in the cold, as it were. Mayor Valleley delivered the welcoming speech, and Gien. Kennedy replied on behalf of the visitors. Then the great men of the nation were brought forward, one by one. and introduced, and wore greeted by the

vast assemblage with loud acclamations and thundering cheers. Speeches were delivered by the following persons in about the order given: President Hayes. Gen. Garfield. Gen. W. T. Sherman. Hon. Stanley Matthews, Gen.

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HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.

Wiley. Ex-Gov. Bishop, Maj. Mckinley, Gov. Foster, Gen. Voris. Gen. Devens, Gen. Crook, Senator Sullivan and others. At night, on the square in Canton, $500 worth of fireworks, in charge of an experienced man from New York, were exhibited to 25,000 people. The crowd present during the day was the largest ever in Canton. Although the costs were very great, yet, so great had been the effort, that the citizens found they had left about $1,000, which has since been subscribed to the mon- mment fund. It may be said. in conelision, that the citizens, generally, celebrate Decora- tion Day in a fitting manner. Some distin- guished speaker is obtained, who reviews the achievements of the honored dead, and dem- onstrates that their death was not in vain.

The silent mounds of sod are lovingly decked with sweet blossoms, and over the precious dust of the dead heroes waves the bright ban- ner they died to sustain. Let us not forget them, but place their names, like jewels in memory's golden urn, to be treasured in ever- lasting remembrance. It is sad, though glo- rious, to think of the noble lives sacrificed on the bloody altar of secession: but we forgive it all, and accept the advice of the sweet sing- er:

" From the silence of sorrowful hours The desolate mourners go. Lovingly laden with flowers, Alike for the friend and the for. Under the sod and the dew, Waiting the judgment day. Under the roses the Blue, Under the lilies the Gray."

CHAPTER VI .*

THE COURT AND BAR-COMMON PLEAS -ASSOCIATE AND PRESIDENT JI DGES -LAWYERS PAST AND PRESENT.

N Tuesday, the 18th day of April. 1809, the first Court of Common Pleas was held in Stark County, at the house of Philip Dewalt in Canton. Present, the lon. Calvin Pease, Pres- ident Judge ; Thomas Latimer, James Camp- bell and George Bair. Associates. Under the Constitution of 1802. Section 1 of Article 3, it was provided that : "The judicial power of this State both as to matters of law and equity, shall be vested in a Supreme Court. in Courts of Common Pleas for each county, in Justices of the Peace and in such other courts as the Legislature may from time to time establish." Section 3d of the same article provided that

- the Courts of Common Pleas should consist of a President and Associate Judges, not more than three nor less than two Associate Judges, who, during their continuance in oflice, should reside in the county for which they were appointed. The terms of the Courts being es- tablished annually by the General Assembly. the Common Pleas met pursuant to an act fixing the times of holding the courts throughout the State, the county of Stark being then in the Fourth Judicial Circuit.

On the 19th of April. 1809. John Harris was *Contributed by R H. Folger.

appointed Clerk ; William Raynolds, Jr .. Depu- ty, and John Sloane. Recorder. As a matter of history. although not germane to the subject. it is proper to state Mr. Sloane subsequently removed to Wooster in the County of Wayne was Colonel of a regiment in the war of 1812. and served ten years in the National House of Representatives, retiring from public life on the 4th of March, 1829. having been defeated in the election in 1828, by Gen. John Thompson. of Columbiana, which county with Stark and Wayne constituted the district. In 1826. Col. Słoano was elected for the last time. Stark County giving him the preponderating vote and a majority in the district of ninety-six votes. He was, however, elected Secretary of State by the Ohio Legislature and was United States Treasur- er under the Fillmore Administration. On the 19th of December. 1809. William Raynokls. Jr .. Esq .. was appointed Clerk of the Court of Com- mon Pleas, and held the office until December 19. 1816. being the full period of seven years, when he received the appointment of Clerk pro tem .. which he held until April 2. 1818. when he was re-appointed Clerk, and held the office until November 6, 1824, when John Myers was appointed Clerk protem., and held the office until

HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.

257

the 24th of June. 1825. when he was appointed Clerk.

Mr. Harris, the first Clerk of the Court. was afterward. in 1812. elected Associate Judge. After the expiration of his official term. he stud- ied law : was admitted to practice about the year 1819. and was prominent, as a member of the bar. for near forty years ; was twice elected to the House of Representatives in the General Assembly of the State of Ohio. On retiring from the practice of the law. he removed to Omaha. Neb .. where he died in October. 1863. at the age of eighty years. llis remains were brought to Canton and were deposited in the beautiful cemetery west of the city. William Raynolds. Jr .. Esq .. his Deputy Clerk and successor, was one of the most active of the business men and pioneer settlers, and was foremost in every public enterprise ; liberal and generous, he commanded and enjoyed the esteem ofall who knew him ; he died in 1829, at the age of forty years. By com- paring dates. it will be seen that he was made Clerk of the Courts as soon as he was eligible. The President Judge, Hon. Calvin Pease, after- ward Judge of the Supreme Court. came into the State about the time it was admitted into the I'nion, and settled in the County of Trum- bull. where he continued to reside until his death. in 1841. He was an able lawyer and up- right Judge. as all who knew him will hear wit- ness. Ilis repartee was so habitual that he could seareely restrain it on the bench, even in pro- nouncing the opinion of the Supreme Court in bane, as the carlier volumes of the Ohio Reports occasionally show. The increasing population of the State and consequent increase of new counties rendered a corresponding increase of circuits and judges necessary. and in 1810 Stark County was placed in a Judicial Circuit with Belmont, Jefferson. Tuscarawas and Co- lumbiana. and on the 17th of April. 1810, court was held by Hon. Benjamin Ruggles and the Associates. Judge Ruggles continued on the circuit until October 10. 1815, when Hon. George Tod appeared as President Judge. Meanwhile, March 7, 1812. John Harris had been elected an Associate Judge in place of Thomas Latimer, and February 24. 1814, James Clarke in place of George Bair, and in 1815, August 7, John Hoover and Samuel Coulter were Associates. While Hon. George Tod was President Judge, he held court but one year in this county and with him was associated the

late Hon. William Henry as one of the Associ ate Judges. Judge Henry came into what is now Stark County in 1807. immediately after that portion of the county known as the " new purchase." which is that portion west of the Tuscarawas River, and is included in the Treaty of Fort Industry made in 1805. was acquired by that treaty. and assisted in the surveys of the tenth, eleventh and twelfth ranges. After his term of service as Associate Judge expired, he was elected to the House of Representatives in the State Legislature, and discharged his duty faithfully. After serving the people in that capacity, he went into business as a merchant and was successful. On retiring from business. he removed to Wooster and resided there until his death.

Judge Tod was a profound lawyer, an emi- nent jurist, and left a record as an upright Judge of which no superior can be found in the State. The constant changes of county lines and the formation of new judicial circuits had by this time put Stark. Columbiana, Jefferson, Harri- son and Tuscarawas into a circuit, and Hon. Benjamin Tappan was elected by the Legisla- ture President Judge, who held the place for the full term of seven years, from 1816 to 1823. On leaving the bench, he published a volume known as Tappan's Reports, which adorns the shelves of lawyers' libraries all over the State. No more sketch of his life here could do justice to him. It will only be when the lives of Ohio's eminent and truly great men shall be written that the name of Benjamin Tappan. the jurist and statesman. will have its proper place on the historie page, nor will any history of Ohio ap- proximate correctness without it. During the President Judgeship of Tappan. the following gentlemen were his Associates : James Clark. of Sugar Creek, and Thomas Hurford and George Stidger, of Canton, all of whom were of the pioneer settlers and of a character and class to build up and improve the new country. Judge Clark was a farmer. and the others farmers and merchants, owning some of the best and now the most valuable land in the county.

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History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 43

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