History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 96

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 96

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Mills of various kinds were erected in Jack- son at an early day. James F. Leonard. who at first had located at Canton, where it is said he kept a tavern, built the first saw mill in the township. Mr. Leonard was an intelli-

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HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.

gent man, and had followed sinveying to some extent. The mill was erected not far from 1815, and was located in the southwestern part, on Mill Brook. A strong dam was built across the stream, and the mill was supplied with water by means of a race. Motion was communicated to the saw and machinery by a , large breast-wheel. Mr. Sprankle soon pur- chased the mill, and, after operating it suc- cessfully until ahont the year 1522. it was per- mitted to run down. Elias Benner built a saw-mill on a small stream in the northern part. about the time the Leonard mill was abandoned. It was a frame mill, and was - operated by Mr. Beuner until about the year 1832, when it was bought by Mr. Singley. and after a short period was again sold to Isaac and Henry Bechtel. These men improved the ! mill and enlarged its capacity, and after ope- rating it until 1838, sold out to Henry Beard. This man, and his son after him, greatly im- proved the mill, and continned operating it until a few years ago. During its career no steam has been used to operate the mill. It was purchased a few years ago by Mr Smith, upon whose hands it ran down. It was one of the best mills of its kind ever in the town- ship. In about the year 1820, Daniel Slanker erected a log grist-mill on Mill Brook; it was a rude concern, with one run of stone made ont of "nigger-heads," and was known throughout the surrounding country as "the pepper-mill." It richly deserved this name, as the flour it furnished was about as coarse as pepper usually is. Mr. Slanker conducted this mill with suceess. until about the year 1828. when it was abandoned and was soon in ruins. The following year (1829), he built what is known as the "High Mill." called thus from the fact that it was four stories in height. This mill has been in operation ever since. under a change of owners, and, during the time of its continuance. has done a great deal for the township. Settlers liked to locate near good grist mills. as it saved them long, fatiguing journeys. often through almost bottomless roads. In about the year 1833, the mill was sold to Mr. Lenox; but not long afterward, Michael Sprankle became owner, with whose family it has remained since. Daniel Slanker, immediately after

selling the "High Mill." built another at Mill- port called the "Stone Mill." It is yet run- ning, and has been the best mill in the town- ship, and one of the best in the county; it was, at first. operated by water-power, and, at that time, had a thriving custom trade; but now the motor is steam, and an extensive merchant trade is enjoyed. It has been owned by different parties, one of them being a man named Wellnan. The present owners are McLain Bros., of Massillon. It is related that before Mr. Slanker built these mills and while he was yet at Canton, he one day went to the place where they are located, to exam- ine the creek, as to its fall. He became sat- isfied that it was an excellent site for a mill, but he had no money with which to build one or to buy the land. He was afraid that somebody would get the start of him and buy the site. Jacob Brancher owed lim $100, and Mr. Slanker, after a little thought, resolved to offer to take $50 cash for the debt. This was done, and the offer was accepted, and Mr. Slanker imme- diately dispatched a man with the money to Steubenville to enter the land. He had seen other parties looking around there, and surmised what they were endeavoring to do. The messenger reached Steubenville in the night. and proceeding to the office of the land agent. sat down on the steps, and there re- mained until the office was opened the next morning, when the land was immediately en- tored. About two hours later, one of the men who had been seen looking at the mill site, put in an appearance, and made application for the land. but he was informed that he was too late. Incidents of this character fre- quently occurred in early years.

James Black owned a distillery which was located near the "pepper-mill" in early times. It is thought that the building was owned by Slanker. and that Mr. Black was employed as distiller. though this is not certain. Whisky of fair quality was manufactured at the rate of about a barrel a day. Mr. Lenox also owned one, which was located at "High Mill:" he also made about a barrel of whisky per day. Neither of the distilleries was conducted longer than about six years. Henry Bechtel relates that it was customary, before going

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into the field in the morning, to drink a de- coction of whisky and tansy, with bread and butter, and after working until about $ o'clock, a hearty breakfast was eaten by all. Another hearty drink was taken just before dinner, and one also just before supper. It was too often the ease that men would drink so much whisky in the hay-field, or harvest-field, as to inca pacitate them from labor. Mr. Bechtel was one of the first to put a stop to this; he in- structed the whisky carrier to give so much and no more to each man, and despite the fault that was found, persisted in this conduct. Some of the men demurred on the first day. and were on the point of quitting the field, but harmony was restored at night, when Mr. Bechtel placed a pail of whisky and a tin cup on a block in the yard, and told the meu to help themselves. A second invitation was not necessary. Mr. Bechtel told them his object in doing as he had done, and further informed them that he intended to continue thus during the harvest. The men saw that their em- ployer had adopted the wisest course, and wisely followed his advice. An old-fashioned harvest-field presented an interesting appear- ance. Here were the cradlers one after an- other, swinging their heavy implements through the tall grain and laying it in long even rows for the binders, who followed with rakes, to form and bind the sheaves, and to rake up the grain that had been scattered by themselves and by the cradlers. It took a smart man to rake and bind after a good cradler; frequently, it was all that two ; wanted to do. It was a common thing to see women in the field, raking and binding after the cradlers. They often could bind as much as a man.

Going back still further, though not beyond the memory of many an old settler yet living, and we see the grain cut by the sicklo. It seems unaccountable, and yet with this rude, primitive implement, several acres of grain could be cut down in a single day. What a wonderful change has taken place in harvest machinery during the last half century. Now it is so that the farmer can drive his team around the field all day. and at night his grain is ready for the shock. Truly, this is the age of invention.

Jackson Township, nulike some others in the county, has had but one village proper within its limits. Certain localities, where several residences were erected, have made pretensions to the name and fame of villages; but, aside from these localities, the citizens have generally rejected as ridieulons all such assumptions, and have stigmatized the so- called villages by high-sounding and oppro- brious epithets. Of course, such unfriendly conduct met with bitter hostility from the residents, who claimed to be villagers. Those who were disposed to be critical, and who ex- tended the finger of scorn, were frankly told to mind their own business; this did not mend matters, though time did. It is stated that Millport has had as high as twelve families living in it at one time. This fact did not deter the outsiders from criticism; they be- came more Argus-eyed, or lynx-eyed, than ever, and circulated strange reports regarding the growth of-yes, the villages. Could any con- duct be blacker, or savor more of brimstone? And yet the villagers refrained from taking immediate and summary vengeance upon the offenders. They believed with Portia that

" The quality of merey is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath : it is 1wier bless'd. It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes. 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes

The throned monarch better than his crown."

Two coopers have plied their trade in the village, turning ont quite a number of useful articles. Now, say if you dare, it is not a village. Lots in size to suit purchasers have been sold, and now something else is sold be- sides lots. And still the tale is but half un- folded. James Reed (all honor to him) has braved the frowning faco of criticism, and established a store at the village. The ontsid- ers have been so ill-mannered as to "dub" the store "one-horse." Should such conduct be tolerated in this enlightened age? In the language of Gen. Garfield. " Hunt the rascals down." Mr. Reed keeps a general assort- ment of goods, and his advent was hailed with delight by the ambitious villagers. Bridgeport has shared the same ignominions treatment ; even worse, for, as it could boast of only some seven resident families, it has been made the constant butt of jokes, until forbearance has

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ceased to be a virtue. This village was first started by Abraham Miller, who built a tavern on its present site. at a very early day. This was probably about the year 1827. when boats first began to run on the canal. Mr. Miller soon secured a paying patronage, and followed the occupation for a number of years. Neither Bridgeport nor Millport has ever been properly platted and recorded.

McDonaldsville was laid out, platted and recorded. in March, 1829. The owners and proprietors were John Clapper and Abraham Routan, and the surveyor was Henry Beard. The village is located on Sections 9 and 10. Twenty-four lots were laid out, to which no recorded additions have since been made. The assignment of the land for village pur- poses was acknowledged by the owners before

Henry Bechtel. Justice of the Peace. At the time the lots were laid out. there were some three or four dwellings in the village. Others were innediately erected, and soon the vil- lagers called for a store. There is a tradition concerning the naming of the village, which is not generally known. Henry Beard, the surveyor, about this time, had been reading Revolutionary war history. He had read of Marion in the Carolinas, and the military achievements in those colonies had made a deep impression on his mind. One of Gen. Marion's subordinate officers was a man named McDonald. This officer, one day, when on a scout. stopped at the residence of a rich old Tory, and asked the latter if he had any good horses. The Tory said he had not, but the officer, not believing him, went to the barn, and there found a magnificent race-horse.

about $300 worth of goods and $50 worth of whisky were placed This store remained open for about twelve years, and during that time the stock had been increased until it is said to have been worth nearly $1,000. The other portions of the building were fitted up in a suitable manner, and thrown open for public use as a tavern. Mr. McCormick's tav- ern patronage was considerably injured by another tavern, situated on the Friday road toward Canton. and owned by Michael Aley. This man kept a saloon in connection with his tavern, and the place soon became a great resort for those who loved the "flowing bowl." The revelries were carried on far into the night, and those who left early the next morn ing. said. "We had a fine time." The patron- age was largely taken from McCormick. and yet he made considerable money. He at last sold his store, saloon and tavern to William Holdebrand. Since then, many persons have kept store. tavern and saloon in the village. These three occupations have usually been combined. There has been no time when whisky could not be had for- the money. The village had a hard name for a number of years, not only on account of the quantity of liquor sold there. but also on account of the hard cases who were residents. Of Jate years the inhabitants have greatly improved in this respect.

Many other parties have embarked on the mercantile sea at the village. William Cal- beck was in for a short time soon after Helde- brand. Other merchants have been C. B. Blodgett. John Palmer, Mr. Weidler, Ham- mer & Braucher. Mr. Roush, William Schick.

The Tory begged the young officer not to take | and the present merchant. William Moose. the horse, but all to no avail, as the animal There have been times when there was no store in the village, but usually there has been. some of them being first-class. A general assortment of goods has been usually kept. and, in some instances. the stock has been worth several thousand dollars. There has been a tavern in the village since the lots were laid out. Shoemakers, carpenters and black- smiths. have come and gone, leaving the effects of their presence in substantial work. A post office was secured at an early day. It has been customary for the merchants to deal in general country produce, giving goods from was saddled. and bridled, and ridden away. The horse had attained a wide reputation for speed, and was called "Salem." The young officer rode the animal to the quarters of his General, to whom it was presented. The description given of MeDonald so pleased Mr. Beard, that, when the owner of the village asked him what it should be called. he at once suggested McDonaldsville, and the name was adopted. William McCormick opened the first store in about the year 1830. A small building was erected, and, in one apartment.

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their store for butter. eggs, hams. cheese, etc., these provisions being shipped by wagon to Massillon or the county seat. A willingness on the part of the proprietors to give goods in exchange for country produce, has brought patronage to the stores, that would otherwise have been transferred to stores in the larger places. At no time has the population of the village exceeded one hundred. It was the design of the owners to make the village an important point. where large amounts of cap- ital should be invested, and where the wealthy and educated should assemble for intual profit. They saw no reason why this could not be accomplished. as villages not so favor- ably located had passed successfully through the incipient stages of obscurity. disfavor and apparent standstill in growth. to great pros- perity and unprecedented improvement : the lots were advertised for sale, but unfortu- nately. as was too often the case in early years, they were rated so high that mechanics and artificers could not afford to buy, and the result was that the very class of men needed to build up the village in valuable industries, journeyed on to places where they could locate permanently at less expense. After a few years the owners saw the mistake into which they had fallen. and endeavored to extricate themselves by lowering the price of the lots; but their time for possible success had been permitted to slip by. and they sorrowfully clothed themselves in sackcloth and ashes, and mourned over their shortsightedness. Nothing save the presence of a railroad or a gold mine would raise the village from its present obscurity and inaction.

Schools were taught in the township at an carly day. The citizens did not wait for large. fine schoolhouses, and highly educated teach ers who required large salaries. They must have schools for the children, who were grow- ing up neglected around them. It is too true that people who have a good thing. do not prize it as highly as those who have it not. The latter. not having it, can appreciate the trials to be met withont it: while those who have it. do not trouble themselves about the prospect of losing it. Thus it is with schools: people who had passed through life without any book education. had been met by situations

where. had they possessed proper education. they could have triumphed over difficulties. which resulted in defeat from a lack of educa- tion. These resolved that their children should " be spared the same fate. Accordingly, the first schools in the township were taught in dwell- ings, by teachers who possessed scarcely more than the rudiments of education. Sometimes the dwellings possessed two comfortable rooms, one of which would be fitted up with rough desks and benches for the children, and a stand or table, from which the degrees of the teacher were to be issued. A broad fire-place. whose genial blaze cast a ruddy glow over the healthy forms of the pioneer children. was. perhaps. the most cheerful object in the room. Old settlers insist that the early schoolhouses were much healthier than those at present. as the fire-places served to furnish almost per fect ventilation. It is stated that the first schoolhouse was a rude, round loz affair. built at the geographical center of the town- ship, as early as 1816. It was through the instrumentality of Mr. Slanker that it was erected. A Mr. Upson. an eccentric Yankee. was one of the first teachers; it is said that he often punished bad scholars by treading on their toes; this correction produced the desired effect. and was considered as a " Yankee trick." Mr. Upson taught a good school. and. at its conclusion, went to the western part of the State. This house was used until about the vear 1520, when it was abandoned, and MIr. Slanker's children were sent to Kendal. where they boarded with a relative and went to school. In about the year 1524, a hewed- log house was built at the center. and since that date, school there has been continuous. A schoolhouse was built on Section 6 as early as 1825; it was a log structure, and two of the early teachers were Samuel Bechtel and Mr. Sorrick. Some eight years later. a better house was built about half a mile farther east, and a few years ago the present brick was constructed. A log schoolhouse appeared on Section 10, not far from the year IS20. Samnel Bechtel taught in this house during the winter of IS21-22. When Christmas came. the boys determined to bar the teacher ont, and thus force him to treat them. The teacher rather liked the idea of being barred

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out, as they thus secured a holiday. Mr. Bechtel was one of this sort. He resolved, however, to get ahead of the boys; he, accord- ingly, sent his brother Henry, then a tall strippling of sixteen years, to the schoolhouse to teach in his place. Henry reached the schoolhouse before the boys, and endeavered to kindle a fire, but failed. Two young men, scholars at the school, appeared upon the scene, and not dreaming that it was Henry's intention to teach during the day, assisted him to start the fire. Soon all the large scholars had arrived, and were anxiously awaiting the appearance of the teacher, chuckling with satisfaction at the prospect of barring that functionary out. The hour for opening the school came, whereupon Henry arose and in- formed the scholars that he had been sent to teach the school that day, and directed them to take their seats and get their books. All (lid as requested and the day passed without noteworthy incident. Just as the school was about to close at night, Samuel appeared with a "treat" of candy and doughnuts; this healed all disappointment. A schoolhouse was built in the northeastern part as early as 1825. The first schoolhouse was built at McDonaldsville about the time the village was laid out; it was a large building, and was used for a variety of purposes until 1837, when another house was built to take its place, about one hundred rods farther west. Owing to a lack of interest, on the part of those in the district, the house was built by Henry Bechtel at his own expense; and even then Mr. Bechtel was required to board the teacher. He secured the services of a compe- tent teacher, Thomas Clemmons, who taught several terms there

The school at the vil- lage has occasioned the citizens a great deal of trouble. The present house, a tine brick building, which cost some $2,400, was erected five years ago. The southwestern part had a schoolhouse at a very early day. but almost everything regarding it has been forgotten The first church edifice in the township was erected in 1824 by the Lutherans and German Reformers. It was a union structure, built of hewed logs, and became known as "Mnd Brook Church." Among the early members were the families of Messrs. Slanker, Click,

Braucher. Tresch, Humbert, Everhart and Heldenbrand. Mr. Ettleman united with the church some time afterward, and. as the build- ing about this time needed re-chinking, he was employed for that purpose; he had never done anything of the kind before, and it is safe to say he never did anything of the kind again after he got through with that job; he plastered the entire outer surface of the build- ing with mortar, until it looked as if mnud had been rained from the clouds. The Superin- tendent pointed out the inappropriateness of the work, but Mr. Ettleman refused to see anything out of place. In about the year 1834, the old log building was replaced by a handsome brick structure, which is yet stand- ing: it is not so handsome as it was in earlier years. The two religious societies that own the church worship on alternate Sundays, and have since their church was first built. Revs. Anthony Weier and Benjamin Foust were two of the early ministers connected with these societies: they were both good men, and were known throughout the greater portion of the county by settlers who yet love to remember their kind faces. Rev. J. J. Fast, a Lutheran, succeeded Weier, and J. W. Hamm, a German Reformer, succeeded Foust. Rev. Hamm preached for the society for almost half a century, and left behind the record of a life full of example well worthy of imitation: his moral influence upon the neighborhood will be felt for scores of years to come. The same two denominations built the "Zion's Church," in the northeastern part, in an early day. It is located on the line between Plain and Jack- son Townships, from each of which it has taken members. Further mention of this church will be found in the sketch of Plain Town- ship.

In about the year 1535, an Evangelical Church was built at McDonaldsville: it was a frame building, poorly constructed, and, after being used some ten years, was replaced with another, and is now used as a barn. The present church was built a short time after the last war. The society is in a prosperous condition, and holds regular services. A few years ago. the Dunkards erected a $2,000 church, near the Zion Church: the building is a large frame structure, built without orna-

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mentation, and the membership is, at present, on the increase. The township is not so well supplied with churches as other portions of

the county. This is due to the fact that many of the citizens belong to churches located without the limits of the township.

CHAPTER XXVIII .*

BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP-SOIL AND DRAINAGE-PIONEER FAMILIES INDUSTRIES AND IMPROVE- MENTS-EARLY INCIDENTS AND CUSTOMS- CALCUTTA-NAVARRE AS A WHEAT DEPOT ITS INCORPORATION -EDUCATION AND RELIGION.

" There was a time when meadow, grove and stream, The earth, and every common sight. To me did seem Appareled in celestial light- The glory and the freshness of a dream. It is not now as it hath been of yore : Turn wheresoe'er I may. By night or day, The things which I have seen I now can see no more.

- Wordsworth.

TIVIERE is much in a name, notwithstanding the poet's confident assertion that a rose by any other name would be as sweet. It is inter- esting to know that little things, which have no seeming importance or value, often control the destiny of individuals or nations. It was but a little piece of red-white-and-blue cloth that the rebels fired upon at Fort Sumter, yet it kindled a flame of fiery wrath throughout the nation that swept through the " Sunny South" to the Gulf, and that is yet smoldering in all the Northern States, ready to burst forth at any moment into angry activity at the prospect of impending calamity to the country. It was but a little child, born at the obscure village of Bethlehem, in Judea, among thousands that claimed that beautiful country as their native land, that has filled the whole earth with triumphant joy and bewildering hope. How sweet is the name Bethlehem in every ('hris- tian's heart! It is like the memory of joys that are past. It is a symbol of God's presence on earth, and is a comforting lullaby in moments of despondency. The name is immortalized on earth, and is lovingly bestowed upon dear or honored objects by those who protess an adher- ence to the faith proclaimed to the world by the " Babe of Bethlehem. " 1 large colony of Moravians that came to Pennsylvania a century and a half ago settled in a beautiful valley and

founded a village, which was named Bethle- hem. Followers of this sect from this locality came to the Tusearawas Valley long before the State was settled by the whites, and established missions among the Indians. One of these was located in what is now Bethlehem Township. and is fully described in another chapter of this volume. The early settlers were well aware of this circumstance, and when the township was created, appropriately named it Bethlehem.

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History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 96

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