History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 71

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

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Lieut. Mitchell made his surveys, and re- ported it impracticable to construct a railroad from this city to Pittsburgh, and the project was abandoned. The charter of the road and the names of the corporators will be found in

CITY OF MASSILLON.

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the Local Laws, 29 Sess. Gen. Ass. The names of James Duncan and Charles K. Skinner, always connected with every improvement. were first, and could the road have been a sue- cess, would have reaped the benefit of their enterprise. as would Massillon.

The fact that the line between Massillon and Pittsburgh was deemed impracticable for the construction of a railroad. and that twenty-two years later a railway was opened between these two points, known as the Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad, is suggestive of the fact that

"New occasions teach new duties, and that Time makes ancient good uncouth."

In 18-16. the year of the great wheat crop in Ohio. it became apparent that new and more rapid outlets and greater facilities for getting Western produce to the seaboard must be had, and Massillon, always first to move in those enterprises, had a small meeting at the law office of Gen. Dwight Jarvis, and he and Charles K. Skinner. Esq., were appointed a committee to visit Pittsburgh, and with statis- ties of the business of Massillon, to go before the Board of Trade and show the extent of the resources of this great producing region. The committee went, made known their business. The Board of Trade and the Councils of Pitts- burgh and Allegheny listened to them, and were surprised. They. the City Couneils and Board of Trade, at once determined to give the subject attention, but having the Great Central Pennsylvania Railroad under considera- tion, western connections with Pittsburgh were permitted to rest. Massillon became impatient, called another meeting, and added to the old committee Ilon. David K. Cartter, then a dis- tinguished member of the Stark County bar, and these gentlemen went again to Pittsburgh, and through the late Hon. Andrew W. Loomis, another meeting of the Board of Trade and of the Councils of Pittsburgh and Allegheny was called, and the matter of Western railway con- neetions with Pittsburgh was presented by Mr. Loomis, in a most able speech, which he con- cluded by introducing Hon. D. K. Cartter, the additional member of the committee. The com- mittee had learned before the meeting that Pittsburgh and Allegheny were not disposed to favor the enterprise, and were. if not dis- couraged. a little disheartened.

Mr. Cartter, however, on being introduced. said he " should not undertake to present the

advantages that would accrue not only to Pittsburgh and Allegheny, but to the whole State of Pennsylvania, and especially Phila- delphia. That matter," said Mr. Cartter. " was presented to you in detail a few weeks since by the gentlemen now with me, and they may re- produce it at this meeting if they choose. For myself; I have come to deal in practical matters, and to serve a notice on you. gentlemen com- posing the Board of Trade of the City of Pitts burgh and the Councils of Pittsburgh and Allegheny, that we out West. comprising the backbone, not only of Ohio but of the Western Continent. mean business. A road is to be built from this city through Massillon to Chi- cago, and in its construction you must either fish or eut bait; now take your choice. We are going home, and are going into this busi- ness at once. If you can take some immediate measures indicating that you are really awake. we can wait, and shall be glad to bear to our people the tidings that you are with us ; but. gentlemen, you must accept the alternative I have presented."

The speech from which the above extract is taken was made thirty-four years since, and is a specimen of the impetuosity of Mr. Cartter's character at middle life, and its effect may be well imagined. The Councils and Board of Trade started up. rubbed their eyes, and asked. " Where is Massillon?" " Who is this fellow that talks to us in this wise?" They tinally concluded that it would be well to give the subject attention, but they delayed until Mas- sillon became impatient. and called a meeting to be held at Massillon in November, 1847. The meeting was largely attended from Philadel- phia, extending westward to the west line of Ohio. Hon. William D. Merrick was chosen President, and active measures were taken, which resulted in the obtaining of a charter for the Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad. and which was opened to this city in 1853. The Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad extended to Crestline and there connected with the Ohio & Indiana, which made the link to Fort Wayne, and the Fort Wayne & Chicago thence to Chicago com- pleted the great chain of railway communica- tion from Philadelphia to Chicago. and was the first railroad through this city. In 1869, the Massillon & Cleveland Railway Company built the road from Massillon to Clinton, thir- teen miles in length, which connects this city

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with the Cleveland & Mount Vernon Railway, and which affords a direct connection between Massillon and Cleveland. In 1871, the Cleve- land, Tuscarawas Valley & Wheeling Railway Company was formed and built the railroad of that name, passing through Massillon to Wheel- ing, and as this work goes to press, the Wheeling, & Lake Erie Railway, which connects the cities of Toledo and Wheeling, making Massillon a point on its line, is rapidly advancing to comple- tion, and when completed places this city in a direct connection with the city of Baltimore, via Wheeling and the Baltimore & Ohio Railway, and the West and Northwest, by way of Toledo, also on a direct line. The railway connections of the city are surpassed by none in any sec- tion of the State by direct lines in all directions. A more detailed history however is found in a preceding chapter of this work.

In 1833, while Hon. David A. Starkweather and Ilon. Jehu Brown represented Stark County in the House of Representatives, and Hon. Matthias Sheplar in the Senate, the Bank of Massillon was chartered with a capital of $200,- 000, and which was the second bank of dis- count and deposit in the county. The Farmers' Bank of Canton having been chartered in 1816. The new bank started out successfully, its stock was taken, much of it at home, some at Troy, in the State of New York. On the Ist of Oc- tober, 1834, the bank went into operation, its banking room being on the second floor of Hogan & Harris' Block on Main street. Its

continued President as long as the bank had an existence. In 1838, Mr. Hunt, then clerk in a mercantile establishment in this city was chosen by Mr. Handy as Assistant Cashier, and kept the place until the resignation of Mr. Handy, when he was appointed Cashier, and held that position until the impending destruc- tion of the bank, the controlling interest hav- ing passed into the hands of Ilenry Dwight, Jr., tendered his resignation, and was succeeded by F. E. Platt, of Owego, N. Y., who remained until the crash came in 1853. It may be re- marked in passing that Mr. Platt was an elder brother of Mr. Pfatt, late Senator from New York in the United States Congress, and that the ex-Senator was å clerk in the bank at one period during his brother's cashiership, and also a clerk in the drug store of Messrs. Joseph Watson & Co. When the bank closed, it was found that all its assets had been transferred to the city of New York, that it had in circulation $400,000, which was its full limit according to its charter, it capital stock being all paid up and it being allowed to issue two to one on its paid-up stock. As soon as it was ascer- tained that a crisis in the affairs of the bank had come, the President and Directors made an assignment to Charles D. Smith, Dwight Jarvis and M. D. Wellman who were afterward removed by the Court of Common Pleas on a motion by E. P. Grant, Esq., counsel for par- ties in interest, and Hon. George Harsh, Dr. Isaac Steese and Hon. P. C. Hull. now of Oneida, Carroll County, substituted. The entire assign- ment was thenceforth managed by Mr. Harsh, the other assignees of course being consulted, and being advisory members ; and it should be placed on an enduring record that no assign- ment was ever conducted with more unyielding fidelity than was the assignment of the Bank of Massillon, after it had passed into the hands of Messrs. Harsh. Steese and Hull. Whatever there was of its assets was faithfully accounted for to the last cent, and the records of the Common Pleas of Stark County show an honorable dis- charge of the assignees after having discharged their trust. The assets of the bank, not stolen by the Dwight management, paid about 30 cents on the dollar, 70 per centum being phundered from the holders of the liabilities of the bank. Meanwhile, Mr. Hunt whose sagacity had en-

first officers were James Duncan, President, and J. D. W. Calder, Cashier. Mr. Calder was from Troy, and represented the Troy stock. It soon became apparent that there was a want of harmony between the Cashier and President, which finally enlminated in a third party, the Dwights of New York and Massachusetts pur- chasing a controlling interest in the stock, which was done on the 9th of July, 1835, one of the Directors being actively engaged in the pur- chase, 150 per centum premium on the amount paid in being freely paid. The Calder party in the board resigned, and their places were filled by friends of the new regime. The Cashier re- signed, and Parker Handy, Esq., of Cleveland, was elected in his place. Mr. Duncan, the President, also resigned, and Augustus Bald- win, Esq., of Iludson. was chosen to fill that vacancy, he remained but a short time, when i abled him to escape the frand for which Henry the late Charles K. Skinner took his place and Dwight, Jr., with his confreres, was liable, in

N.E. Boyer M. D.

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connection with Dr. Isaac Steese and H. B. Ilurlburt, under the general banking law of Ohio, organized the Merchants' Bank, with Dr. Steese as President, and Salmon Hunt, Cashier; their first office of discount and deposit was in the room on the east side of Erie street, south of Main, now occupied by George Yost & Son, saddlery and hardware, where they remained until they purchased the premises on the south end of the Wellman Block. corner of Erie street and the alley. There they elosed out the Mer- chants' Bank, and under the National Banking law of the United States, organized the First National Bank of Massillon, with Dr. Steese as President, and S. Hunt. Cashier, with a capital of $200.000, and the following-named gentle- men as Directors: Isaac Steese, James M. Brown. Arvine C. Wales, Charles Steese, JJacob S. Bach- tel and John Jacobs, with unimportant changes, that organization continued until August, 1874, when the death of Dr. Isaac Steese occasioned an entire change. Mr. Hunt was elected President. and Charles Steese, who had been a Director in the bank from its organization, was elected Cashier, under which management it has continued except an occasional change in the Board of Directors, and is one of the institutions of the West. Its influence in money circles is not confined to Massillon, or the county or State. It bears upon its history and present existence the names of HIunt and Steese as its present mana- gers, which are a guarantee as to its manage- ment. The name of Isaac Steese is indissolubly connected with the history of the banking insti- tutions of Massillon.

In November, 18-47, the I'nion Branch of the State Bank of Ohio, at Massillon, was organ- ized. with Dr. Steese as President, and S. Brain- ard, Esq., as Cashier. This position Dr. Steese resigned in 1850 to engage in private banking with Messrs. H. B. Ilurlbut and Alvin Vinton, which firm was dissolved a year later for the purpose of organizing the Merchants' Bank, already mentioned. Dr. Steese was in all re- spects a representative man, and was so regard- ed. as the following extract from a notice written at his decease by one who knew him well. fully attests :

With Dr. Steese's removal to Massillon, he eh tered upon his widest field of usefulness. For twenty-five years he was one of the largest landed proprietors and farmers of the county. For twen ty-five years he was the manager of the largest banking institution in the county. No man was

better fitted by nature and acquirements for an emi- nent banker. Of the whole theory and science of banking he was a thorough master. His perfect rectimide and integrity were widely known, and Were never questioned where known. His perfect acquaintance with business, and his sagacity were such that the institutions under his direction passed through all the monetary convulsions of the past quarter of a century almost wholly without loss, and without once failing to make their customary dividends to their shareholders. Their shares were never upon the market, unless brought there by the death of their owners. Always anxious to encour age the commercial and industrial enterprises of the place so far as he safely could, no considerations of publie spirit or of private friendship could cause him to forget for a moment that as a banker he was the trusted custodian of other people's money.

The universal respect and confidence which he in. spired, caused him largely to be sought ont as the manager of the funds of the people in declining year -- of widows, of minor children, and of people of small savings, carefully husbanded and left with him as in a place of the last security against a time of nerd. In times of financial peril and alarm, the sense of responsibility which these peculiarly sacred trusts entailed upon him was oppressive. sometimes almost crushing.

Always a man of marked individuality, one of the most prominent traits of his character was his strong attachment for books, and for sound and gon erous literature. It began with his earliest boy- hood. Before he was fifteen he secured the use of a little island in Penn's Creek and planted it with the castor bean, with the sole purpose of founding a library with the proceeds. Friends who knew him forty years ago, are full of amusing recollect ions of his inseparable companionship with books,

A few men who begin life with these tastes pre- serve them to the last, but generally at the expense of all relish for business avocations, 11 was not so with him. His active and comprehensive mind maintained to the last its keen enjoyment of intel lecinal pursuits, and the most thorough understand ing of all the details of affairs. For twenty-five years he directed his extensive farming operations. the running of his banks, and a multiplicity of pri vate undertakings, and during all this time he was a devoted and most loving student. He seemed to have the power of most perfectly absorbing the whole contents of a book. What was once read was never forgotten. He delighted to share with others the result of his studies, and could condense into an hour's conversation, the whole pith and sub stance of a bulky volume.

Few practicing physicians kept so well read up in the advance of medical science. The discovery of a new remedy, a new method, or an ingenious ope ration was hailed with the joy of an enthusiast There is no book in the English language treating of metaphysical topies that he was not familiar with Not twenty men in the nation were better informed in polities in the large and best sense of the word- in political ceonomy, and especially in questions of finance, taxation, the interchange of commodities. and the fluctuations of prices; his knowledge of the

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action of our own and European Governments on these subjects was very full. and his reasonings won- derfully clear. It was a subject of Frequent regret among his friends that he had not exercised his tal- ents of this kind in a wider way, and in a public capacity.

In several departments of natural philosophy- in history, in the best lighter literature, in social and reformatory topics, he was well read, and kept abreast with the best minds of the age. His kind- ness of heart was universally known and acknowl- edged. But the extent of it never was and never will lw known. Hundreds of the kindest acts of hi- life were so quietly and so delicately done that they never reached the knowledge of any but the recipients of them. Of the most genial disposition, few men so enjoyed the society of his fellows.

What he was to his family-what to a circle of friends larger than often gathers around one man who walked with him through half a life time so nearly that their hearts touched his. I dare not, with the grief of his death fresh upon me, trust myself to write.

The home which he builded up in Massillon was known far and near not more for its elegance, its culture and refinement than for its open-handed hospitality ; it was always the home of teachers of youth. Its welcoming doors were always open. There were few days in the year when its generous tables were not surrounded, and its rooms were not filled with neighboring or distant friends. At this home, on the 10th day of August. 1874. attended by all that the highest medical skill or the most pain- fully anxious affection could suggest, ministered to hy loving hands, and surrounded by a devoted and heart-broken family, he quietly passed away.

From the organization of the Merchants' Bank until the death of Dr. Steese, Hon S. Hunt, now President of the First National Bank, was associated with him; and of Mr. Ilunt, it may be said, his name is a synonym for integrity and uprightness. For forty-three years, with a slight intermission, he has been a banker in this city. From Assistant Cashier 10 President, he has by unswerving fidelity built up and sustained a reputation for purity that cannot be assailed, and with that of Dr. Steese, will be treasured as one of Massillon's brightest jewels.

Next in order was the Union Branch of the State Bank of Ohio. which was started in 18.47 by Dr. Isaac Steese, Sebastian Brainard and others. After the death of Mr. Brainard it passed through many hands, and was finally merged in the Union National Bank of Massil-

" lon, and is one of the soundest banking insti- I tutions in Ohio. The President and Cashier are among the soundest business men in the Tuscarawas Valley, and its stoek is held by men of wealth. The following gentlemen com- pose its Board of Directors: Jolin E. MeLain, Thomas McCullongh, Joseph Coleman, Frede- rick Loeffler, Edward Kachler, Frank R. Webb and James H. Hunt. President, John E. Mc- Lain ; Vice-President, Thomas Mccullough ; Cashier, James H. Hunt. The capital stock of the bank is $100,000.

The Massillon Coal and Iron Company was formed in 1873, with a capital stock of $50.000, all paid. Its principal stockholders are John E. McLain, James Bayliss, Clement Russell, Nahum S. Russell, Peter Dielhenn. Edward Kachler, Hermann Schrieber, Joseph Coleman, Gustavus P. Reed, William F. Ricks, Henry Beatty, Silas A. Conrad, James II. Justus. Peter Sailer, Salmon Hunt and others.

Its present officers are S. Hunt. President ; Edward Kaehler, Secretary, and Joseph Cole- man, Treasurer.

The company, immediately on its organiza- tion, being incorporated under the general law of the State, built a rolling mill which. for its capacity, is regarded one of the best in the country. It is now leased to Joseph Carns. Esq., for three years, who has taken a son into partnership. the firm being Joseph Carns & Son, and who are running the mill successfully.

The mill has eight puddling furnaces, two heating furnaces ; much train, eighteen-inch bar mill train, nine-inch small train. The prod- uct of the mill is 425 tons per month, and has more orders than it ean possibly till. The force employed is 120 men, and the cash value of the product of the mill is about $20,000 per month. or from $240,000 to $250.000 per annum.

Messrs. Carns & Son are at the head of their profession, as managers of a rolling-mill. and by their energy and sound judgment are mak- ing the Massillon Coal and Iron Company's Rolling Mill a most important item in the busi- ness of the city, and in the northern portion of the Tuscarawas Valley.

CITY OF MASSILLON.

CHAPTER XV .*

THE CITY OF MASSL LON - ITS CHURCH HISTORY -THE EARLY METHODISTS - PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OTHER CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS-SECRET AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS THE PRESS-FIRST NEWSPAPER IN MASSILLON-CHANGES, ETC. ETC.

A T the laying out of Massillon fifty-five years ago, "the word of the Lord was precions." The Methodists, always on the frontiers of civilization, had preaching at stated periods. Massillon belonged to Canton Circuit. Steubenville District, of the Pittsburgh Con- ference. Their preachers occupied the school- room, when there was one, for that purpose. When no school-room could be had, a private house was opened. if in the winter; if in the summer. the threshing floor of a large barn : but Methodist preaching was sure to come. In 1832, Messrs. Hogan & Harris, a firm of forward- ing and commission merchants, erected the brick building on Main street, now owned by Hon. George Harsh, in the third story of which was a hall. known as Hogan & Harris's Hall, which was used for all public gatherings, religious or political. or for any special meetings. The Methodists continued in this houseless manner until 1840. At that time Rev. D. R. Hawkins was on the circuit. Ile was a young man of great force of character, and he determined that there should be a Methodist Church edi- fice in the village. So he at once opened a correspondence with the Freemasons, who held their meetings in Hogan & Harris's block. oo- copying the room on the west side. the public hall being on the east side. The result of the correspondence was the Methodists and Free- masons determined to erect a two-story baikdl- ing. the lower story to be fitted up for a room for the church, and the second story for a Lodge and Chapter for the Masons. The building was erected in 1810. On the 21th of June the corner-stone of Clinton Lodge. No. 17. and Hiram Chapter. No. 18, and of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Massillon was laid. " with pomp and circumstance. ' For seventeen years there had not been a public Masonie exhibition in the county, the last one having been in Canton in 1823. Clinton Lodge

was organized by charter from the Grand Lodge of Ohio in 1836, and was almost the only working Lodge north of the National road in the State. The building was erected and the two institutions ocenpied it harmo- nionsly until 1860. when the Masons bought out the Methodists, and the Methodists had bought the old church edifice of the Baptists in 1858, which, as is noticed elsewhere, had been abandoned by the Baptists many years before. Although the Methodists purchased the building for a mere nominal sum, the ex- tensive repairs they have put on it have made it cost as much as a new buikling would have cost, and is now commodions and well adapted to the wants of the church and congregation, now one of the most numerous in the city. of English Protestant churches. In 1845, the an- nual conference made Massillon a station, and the first in the county. Rev. Dr. Osborn is now the preacher in charge.

The first organization of a Presbyterian church and congregation in Perry Township or in this city is hidden in impenetrable obscur- ity, there being no one living who aided in such organization : nor is there any record that aids in arriving at a correct conclusion. As early as 1829, a distinct and earnest movement tend- ing to such an organization was had. Rev. James B. Morrow then settled at Canton. and after him Rev. T. M. Hopkins came to Kendal and Massillon, and preached in Daniel Myers' carpenter-shop on State street in Kon- dal. At that time the Cruson brothers, John and Garrett, Austin Allen, Joseph Heckman and a few other families, composed the entire church, and they were the first to get a house which should be used for religious worship. after the Quakers of Kendal. They gave liber- ally, and got help from those who " had a kind word for all" evangelical denominations, and erected the building now used by the veteran carpenter of the city. John Zimmerman. as a

" Contributed by Robert H Folger

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HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.

carpenter-shop, which stood near where it now stands, on the hill between Kendal and Massil- lon, as the topography of the place was then described ; and it was used as a meeting house for all religious sects. the Presbyterians how- ever claiming the exclusive right. In this building Mr. Hopkins preached first, and which was in 1830 or 1831. In 1832, the mercantile firm of Baldwin & Noble came to Massillon and opened a stock of goods in the frame building which stood where now stands William Yost's saddlery and harness shop and store. They were Presbyterians, earnest and deter- mined to see a church organized in the village. Through their influence the Rev. Elijah Buck, with his young and excellent wife, came from Rochester, N. Y., or from that section of the State, and becoming discouraged at the pros- pect for organizing a church, did not remain a great length of time. He is remembered, how- ever, as an earnest, sincere young man, of schol- arly attainments, and, if living, is supposed to be in Branch County, Mich., at or near Coldwater. In March, 1833, Rev. G. W. Warner, now of Ca- naan Corners, Columbia Co., N. Y., then Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Wooster, being on his way to Sandyville, Tuscarawas fo., to aid the minister there in the labor of a four days' meet- ing, stopped here in response to repeated invita- terians of Massillon. and such others as attended his meeting. The sermon on that occasion " was founded on the first clause of the 8th verse, 33d chapter of Ezekiel." and, as Mr. Warner says in a late letter to the writer, "was as plain and point- ed as the preacher could possibly make it." This meeting was followed by a prompt and decided request for another sermon, and an appoint- ment was made for May 25. "On this even- ing," says Mr. Warner, "almost the whole city came together to hear the word of the Lord." Mr. Warner adds: " The impression was favor- able. Written as well as oral testimony, of the most gratifying character, rendered it certain that the labor was not in vain in the Lord." " Indeed, from that very point in the history of your thriving village, was dated the more man- ifestly growing change from the old regime of infidelity to the ultimate and completely com- manding influence of Christianity."

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History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 71

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