Stark County, Ohio - Chapter 13, 1881

Chapter 13

AS noticed elsewhere, the city of Massillon was laid out as a village in the winter of 1825-26. One of the first lots purchased after the village had " a local haliitation and a name " was purchased by C'apt. Mayhew Folger and was Lot No. 4.5, on which now stands the three-story building occupied by Clarence L. Mcljain, Ksq., as a store ; this lot was purchased for the purpose of erecting upon it a hotel, and which was built and opened as such on the 4th of February. 1S28, l)y Capt. Folger.

.Mniost cotemporaneous with that purchase was the purchase of the lot on the southwest corner of Main and Mill, by Jacob Miller, Es(|., and the two lots west of it extending to the alley. On the corner lot purchased by Jacob Miller, a building for a hotel was also erected and opened in the autumn of 1827, and occupied by Mr. Miller for many years, when he retired from the business and engaged in merchandising, and was elected one of the Associate Judges of the county, a position he tilled until his death in February, 1843. In all the relations of life. Judge Miller commanded the respect of his neighbors ; his father, (Jeorgc Miller, is belic^ved to have been the first settler in the Township of Jackson, having erected a cabin on the west side of the Tuscarawas River opposite .Millport as early as 1806. Judge Miller lost no time in filling his front, on Main street, with buildings which stood until July. 18;");!, when a fire swept out the whole square, since which, the lots have been divided and subdivided, until they have gotten into their present shape, forming an important business block.

Erie streets to the northwest corner of Main and Mill streets, extending north to Plum street, was swept away by the first reallj' destructive fire that occurred in the city. In this lire but a single building escaped on the entire square, and that was the building adjoining the one now occupied by F. Lehman as a book-bindery. The American House, then standing on the corner now occupied by C. L. McLain as an extensive drj' goods establishment, and which was kept by Samuel Hawk, late of the St. Nicholas and Windsor Hotels in New York. The store of Messrs. L. & S. Ranson, the dwelling and grocery establishment of N. Sibila. the building on the northwest corner of Main and Mill, where now stands the Park Hotel, as well as all others, went down in the general conflagration, thus removing many of the original landmarks of the village of 5lassillon. The first dwelling erected within the village limits, and the first occupied after .Alassillon was known as a village, was the building on the southeast corner of Erie and Oak streets. It was erected by Julius Heydon, out of lumber gotten for a building in Kendal intcndetl to be a home for the family. The rapid indications of growth in Massillon induced the young man to consider whether the new village did not ofler inducements to go there and build a home. Accordingl)-, after considering the possibilities and probabilities, he determined to purchase the above described lot, and did so and paid Mr. Duncan $40 for it, and erected a portion of the building now standing thereon, and known as the Farmers' Hotel.

The first marriage in the village was Julia A., a sister of the proprietor of the building just described, and William M. Folger, now residing at Mantua Station, Portage Count}-.

This marriage took place on the 18th day of May. 1826, Hon. (lilbertharp Karle, then a Justice of the Peace of Perry Township, otlieiating. Mrs. Folger died in the city of Altron. on the 5th of October, 1870. Tije first marriage iu Massillon, according to the ceremonj' of the Protestant Episcopal Church, was that of Her man B. Harris and Louisa M. MeClar}'. the Rev. Mr. Morse, Rector of an Episcopal Church in iSteubenville, lieing the olliciatinti- minister. This marriage tooic place in 1832. in the dwelling now occupied by T. Clarl< Miller, M. D. Miss McClary was a niece of Mr. Duncan, the daughter of a widowed sister. Mrs. M. H. McClary, one of the pioneer women of Kendal, and of rare accomplishments. Slie brought a small but well-selected library, which left its impress on tlie society she aided in building up. Mr. Harris died at sea on his way to California, and Mrs. Harris in this city manj' years since.

The next building erected in the village as a dwelling-house was the present residence of Hon. S. A. Conrad, now a member of the House of Representatives, in the General Assembly of the State of Ohio. This building was erected by Dr. Beriah Broolis, who was the first physician in the county west of Kendal, and the second west of Canton. Dr. Brooks was from South Hadley, Mass., and a thorough type of the New England Presbyterian. He first settled in Kendal, and as a physician was successful. When Massillon and began to assume the proportions of a village. Dr. Brooks was one of the first to recognize its importance, and at once pnrcliased one of the most eligible lots on Main street. On getting his house liabitable, he moved into it, buried his wife from there, and died there himself in 1831.

On the locating of the canal in 1825, and the letting of the building of it in January-, 1826, an entirely new and dififerent class of people came into the village. Before these events, Kendal had a little store kept by Ambrose Chapman, and a still smaller one by his brother Aaron, who was a sound, orthodox (Quaker, and who had the gift of making money out of his little business. He moved to Morrow County and died. Ambrose died before Massillon sprang into existence. In January, 1826, before the letting of the contracts for the building of the canal, the brotiiers H. and H. A. Howard, merchants, who had settled the year before in Middlebury. Portage County, furnished a stock of goods to Isaiah Brown, a most enterprising young man from Berkshire County, Mass., which stock he opened as a dry goods store in Kendal, and was successful. He determined at once to go into business in the new village, and made arrangements for a storeroom, which was erected b}' Isaac Austin, al)out where now stands the drug store of Ph. Morgenthaler, and there commenced business under the firm of I. Brown & Co., but did not get into their new building until near the close of the year.

The letting of the contracts on the canal took place at Kendal, at the residence of James Duncan. Es(|.. on the 18th of January, almost cotenipiiraneous with the hiying-out of the village of .^lassiilon. Work progressed on the canal rapidly, tliat portion through the village being done by Jesse Rhodes and Horace E. Spencer ; they had two or three more sections of half a mile each, which the}' completed.

Mr. Duncan and (reorge Wallace, of Brandywine, Portage, now Summit County, built the canal through the stone quarry, on the east side of the canal, between whose work and the village Aaron Chapman had a half mile to build, who, when advised that he had succeeded in getting a "job," advertised for laborers and added at the foot of his advertisement, -' Those who cannot work without whisky need not apply." The result was tliat Aaron employed no whisky drinkers, his half-mile of canal was first finished in 1828, his work was better done, and while the history of the canal lasts, his section will be remembered as one built without whisky. Aaron gave his men liot coffee as a beverage, paid them promptly, and his work tells its own story. Just here the writer desires to sa}' that the aqueduct just this side, north, of Bolivar, was built by the contractor, John Laughery, Esq., in the same way ; no intoxicating licpior was allowed on the contract, wet or dry. and there was a preponderance of wet iu the construction of an aqueduct to take the canal across the river. No whisky or other intoxicating liquor was used as a beverage in the building of that work. Mr. Laughrey, the contractor, was a most worthy man. After finishing his work on the canal in the neighborhood of Massillon, he was largelj- engaged on the aqueduct across the Scioto River, at Circleville, Pickaway County; from tliere he went to Adams County, and engaged in fruit culture, and ended a long and useful life.

As the work of building the canal south of the Portage summit progressed, business centered at JIassillon. the only important point in i the Tuscarawas Valley, north of New Philadelphia, and south of Akron, which is in the Cuyahoga Valley, and as fast as a ro(jni could be ' had it was tilled. The first stock of goods opened in the village as a store was that of A. McCulley & Co.. who erected a small building, where now stands the establishment of Messrs. P. Dielhenn & Son. This establishment was backed up by Judge William Henry, and did a wonderful business. The Hon. Bezaleel Wells, almost as soon as lots were in market, purchased the block of lots on which now stand the stores of S. Oberlin. G. L. Albrecht. Joseph Coleman, watches and jewelry, the Union Na- I tional Bank. Joseph Oppenheimer's Star Clothing Store and the First National Bank, and erected a small frame and put in a stock of goods, previous to which thej- had kept as a store in the east end of the building now occupied by T. Clarke Miller. M. I)., the style of the tiim being S. 0. Wells & Co.. Samuel 0. Wells being a son of the senior partner. Thus it will be seen that I. Brown & Co., S. O. Wells & Co. and A. McCulley & Co. were first to engage in the business of merchandising in the n( w village, all of whom had good backing, Messrs. Wells & Dickinson being in the film of S. 0. Wells & Co.. Judge Henrv in that of A. McCulley & Co. and the brothers H. & H. A. Howard in the film of I. Brown & Co. Immediately following them came Hiram Johnson, from Middlebury, and business took a start - the town began to grow. In 1828, a malignant fever swept over the Tuscarawas and Cuyahoga Valleys, which baffled the best medical skill that could be had. The Howard brothers fell before it, as did almost all who were attacked. The population along the line of the canal especially was almost decimated ; it swept over the country, scarcely missing a house. The necrology of that year records the death of many of the most enterprising citizens. As cold weather came on and the ravages of the disease were staj'cd, business resumed its wonted character and all kinds of labor found employment.

Still progress was not rapid ; there was a full supply for every demand. Within the knowledge of the writer, Capt. Ma3'hew Folgcr sold. in 1826, 1(10 barrels of flour at $2 per barrel. The great change in the entire business relations of the county came, but too late in the season to be felt to any great extent. On the 25th of August, 1828, the Ohio Canal was opened from Akron to Massillon. The first boats that arrived here were the Allen Trimble of the Ohio, Troy & Erie Line, Capt. Z. Matluu-, and the State of Ohio, of the Farmers' Line, Capt. H. Wheeler. They brought the Acting Commissioners and Engineers and the event was celebrated with bonfires and illuminations at night as it had been l)y the roaring of cannon during the day. A poem was written for the occasion, a single stanza only of which is remembered, and is in this wise ;

nil- nivc us ;i l)iiiiiii<r ;iii(l let it run full Wliilc we drink to tlie licaltfi of our friend .loliiiny Hull, And long nuiy pio.^perity follow us all, Wliilc water shall run iii the Ohio Canawl."

Navigation was thenceforth open between Massillon and the outside world. Warehouses for the storing of produce had already been erected ; a system of warehousing, in the nature of a foiwaicling and commission business was inaugurated, and a new impulse was given to all sorts of enterprises. With the closing of the canal, business closed, and it was not until 1829, that a regular and systematic mode of business could be said to exercise control of the commercial relations of the countr}- just opened to the rest of the world. Massillon was put in communication, bj- means of canal navigation, with Cleveland, and the world was open to her enterprise ; boats continued to arrive and depart during the season of the open canal. In 1820, near the close of navigation, a mercantile film ccmpos(d of liiiain B. Wellman and Marshall T). Wellman, by the firm of II. B. & M. D. Wellman, brought a large stock of goods into Massillon. H. B. Wellman had a year or two before opened a law office in Wooster, and M. 1). Wellman, who had been a cooper and settled in Wooster, left there and went into the State of I'ennsylvania, and went to building canals under State contracts, and succeeded in money-making. These brothers started the firm under the above name. On opening their store in Massillon, thev ofl'ered ''cash for wheat, " and advertised tlie public that the3- would take all the wheat they could get, and would pay cash ; and that was the commencement of the prosperity of Massillon. To the firm of K. B. & M. D. Wellnian may be accredited the beginning of the great name that Massillon acquired as the '- AVheat City," and which it proudly- held until the railroad era noticed hereafter. For twenty-five years Massillon knew no competition nor allowed any competition to cross her path. She purchased and stored wheat, paid the largest prices, and grew more rapidly than any commercial point on the navigable waters of the interior of the State. She never knew what it was to call a halt until the building of the Ohio & Pennsylvania Railway and the numerous other railways which ottered transportation to markets with which she cannot nor does compete by means of the canal, so far as the grain traffic is regarded as an important factor in the business of the country.

During the year 1827, a movement was made for the establishing of a post office in the new village ; a petition was forwarded to Hon. John McLean, then Postmaster General under President Adams, and to appoint Capt. Folger Postmaster, Kendal then being the post office at which all mail matter was delivered for the county west of Canton - Jackson. Lawrence, Tuscarawas, Sugar Creek and Bethlehem being without any mail facilities. Of course there were rival candidates for the office, but Capt. Folger received the appointment and opened the office in January, 1828 ; before he moved into the village, his first Assistant Postmaster was Orlando Keyes. a clerk in the store of Hiram Johnson, and where the office was kept until Capt. Folger removed into the village, which - as already noticed - was on the 4ch of Februarj-, 1828 ; he then opened the Commercial Inn, and kept it as a hotel until his death on the 1st of September* of that year. The first quarterly report from Massillon Post Office, as rendered by Capt. Folger. showed a balance due the (lovernment of 80 cents. Ou the death of Capt. Folger, his son, William M. Folger, was appointed and held the office until the administration of Gen. Jackson got fairly at work, when Alexander McCulley was appointed, who held the office until 1839, when the late Hon. !Mathevv Johnson, Jr., was appointed. McCuUey's accounts had got into a bad shape, the drafts upon the office were not paid, and McCulley had to surrender at discretion. Mr. Johnson held the office until after the election of " Tippecanoe and Tyler too,'' when, under tiie Postmaster Generalship of Hon. Francis Granger, of New York, he surrendered to Dr. Abel Underbill. The Doctor held the office until a few months after the death of Gen. Harrison, President, when the Government became Tylerized, and he was removed to make room for G. W. Williams, a Tyler man. A change of administration put him out and Samuel McCaughej' was appointed ; he held until another change of the appointing power, when Samuel F. Jones took charge ; he held until John Shepley, under another administration, took the office, who was removed to make room for John J. Hofnian, who held the place until the late respected Dr. John Schertzer took the office and held it two terras, when Isaac H. Brown, Ksq., was appointed and held it to the satisfaction of all who got their matter at the office, when he gave way for the present incumbent, Charles F. Ricks, Esq., whose second term expires early in 1882, and who has rendered entire satisfaction in all respects. The writer of these sketches has witnessed all of the above appointments and changes from 1828 to the present time. From the appointment of Capt. Folger to the latest appointment, he has had an opportunity to express his preference between the applicants.

Capt. Folger was also the first Collector of Canal Tolls for the port of Massillon ; at his death, Hon. James Duncan received the appointment for the succession, and held the office manj- years ; after whom, John F]verhard, Mathew Macy, John S. Johnson, Judge Thomas Blackburn and others successively held the office ; it is now held by David Atwater, I'lsq.

Prominent among the early business men of the village was the late Hon. John Everhard. He erected the first brick building on the west side of the canal, and opened a store, his firm being J. Everhard & Co. Dr. Thomas Hartford, of Canton, being his partner. Mr. Everhard erected one of the first warehouses for storing wheat that was erected in the city, and which was built on the lot where now stands Beattj''s Block. The last mentioned building was built by the Johnson Brothers in 1837. who from 1832 to 1845, were prominent in business circles. Their business was dry goods and commission merchants, produce dealers.

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and shippers on the canal. The old landmarks in the way of business houses that have stood more tlian fort3- years, are the building erected by Gen. (Jardner Field, the Farmers' and Mechanics' Block, erected b\' Ilogan & Harris, now owned by Hon. George Harsh, Coleman's Block, northeast corner of Main and Mill streets, and the building at the east end of the canal Ijridge, south side of Main street. Older, however, than any other building in the city erected after the city was laid out, except the Farmers' Hotel, is the brick l)uilding on the west side of the canal, south side of Main street, erected by Judge Everhard. In tiiis connection, it should be remarked that few men among the earlj' settlers of Massillon have left as good a name, or one that will be remembered in greater kindness. Although long years have passed since his death, his name is inseparably connected with Massillon's early history.

The first saddler and harness-maker wiio opened a shop in the village was Thomas S. Webb, now a resident of the city, and better known as Col. T. S. Webb. Since Col. Webb came to Massillon, fift3-two years have flown, during whicli period Col. Webb will be remembered as the host of the Franklin House in this citj', the Eagle and Union in Philadelphia, the National in New York, and during the Centennial year, two in Piiiladelphia. after having jears before retired. As a hotel keeper, he has achieved a world-wide reputation.

In 1831, KS32 and 1833, the business talent and enterprise of the village was largel3' augmented by the new firms of Hogan & Harris, Hull & S'hcpard, A. & F. Vinton, and J, 1). & D. R. Atwater. Messrs. Hogan & Harris were agents for the Ohio, Troy & Erie line of canal boats, and diil a large forwarding, commission and produce business, going out of business with the changes brought aljout by the panic of 1837, Messrs. ^'inton. as general dry goods merchants and produce dealers, did business in the village for several years, when they removed to Fort Washington, Tuscarawas Countj', where Mr. F. Vinton died, after many years of suceessfid business. Messrs. Heill & Shepard commenced and continued in the produce business also for many years, and erected the first steam flouring mill in the village. The Atwater Brothers continued in the grocery and provision business until 1840, when their firm was dissolved by the death of Mr. J. J). Atwater ; the survivor, 1). H. .\twater, Esq., continued business until his death, on the 31st of July, 1875, at the age of sixtyeight years. In 1833 also came Dr. Joseph Watson and family, from Dalton, Wajne County. The Doctor at once opened a large drug store, and continued in business until within a few }-ears past, when he disposed of his stock of goods and retired from business and is now quietly enjoying the luxur\' of

Tile first school opened in Massillon was in 1827, in a l)uiiiling standing on the present corner of Mill and Charles streets, which had been erected by James Duncan, the proprietor, for some other purpose.

The village master was a young gentleman who, in the autunni of that jear, had left his native home, Berkshire County, Mass., and came west to find employment as a teacher. That young gentleman is now known in Ohio as Hon. Harlow Chapiu, of Ilarmar, Washington Co,. Ohio. Ferry Township was all included in one district under the law, as prepared by Hon. James W. Lathrop. The Directors were James Duncan, Alexander Johnson and Gilbertharp Earle. Mr. Duncan was a resident of the village, and Mr. Johnson resided on his farm southwest of the village, and Mr. Earle on his farm northwest. Tlie amount of money which was raised by taxation was not half enough to pay the teacher, and the deficit was made up by voluntary- subscriptions l)y the parents or guardians of the scholars. The School Districts of Ferry Township now numlier ten. each having a good schoolhouse. independent of JIassillon Union School, which enumerates 2,4C1 children entitled to the benefits of the common school fund.

Mr. Chapiu had tried in Medina County to obtain a school, but the ground was occupied ; he came into Stark County, James F. Leonard being then a School Examiner ; under the provisions of the law, although Mr, Chapin was provided with a certificate from Medina, he was not authorized to teach in Stark County until he could produce a certificate from a Stark County Examiner. On making the acquaintance of Mr. Leonard, whom Mr. Chapin found to he a " very kind-hearted man," he obtained the necessary authority to teach in Starli. Armed with the proper authority and encouraged, with but 18f cents, as money was then counted, in his pocket, he arrived at Massillon and at once took lodgings with Jacob Miller, and made known his business. Mr. Miller said a school was needed, and tendered his aid at once, but there was no building suitable - in fact, no building at all.

It would be interesting to narrate the trials and tribulations through which Mr. Chapin passed in order to open a school. Mr. Duncan treated him with habitual kindness, but was '- very busj-," and referred him to the other Directors, Messrs. Johnson and Earle, who gave little encouragement. The truth was ever^-- body was poor in this world's goods ; they were rich in hopes of the developments of the " sliadowy future." l)ut they had not learned to wisely improve the present so far as education was concerned ; the}' were men of limited education themselves, consequently- had not that appreciation of the necessity to

While despair seemed almost to hold Mr. Chapin within its dreaded grasp, he fell in with John Everhard, one of the pioneers of Massillon, a School Examiner, a gentleman of education and refinement - a son of Henry Everhard, a pioneer settler of Plain Township - and who at once interested himself for the young, friendless and penniless teacher. Mr. Everhard. afterward Associate Judge of the Common Pleas Court, went to the Directors and obtained their consent to the opening of a school in the building described, and which is well remembered l)v the writei' as being about twenty feet square. A contract was made, and Mr. Chapin opened the first school in what is now the city of Massillon, the teacher to receive S12 per month and board, which was to be with Jlr. Miller, necessaril}- often referred to in these sketches, and who gave his full iuHuence to the enterprise. All arrangements being made, no time was lost in obtaining and placing ihe meager stock of furniture for Mr. Cbapiu's school, which consisted of four long slab benches or seats, without backs, and a sort of sloping shelf on one side of the room for practicing writing, with a large open fire-place on another side capable of receivinff cord-wood from which to warm the

Mr. Chapin's first term was such a success that he was immediately employed for a second, at the end of which his school closed with a theatrical exhibition in the ball-room of Judge Miller's Hotel. Mr. Chapin was assisted in his histrionic effort to close his school with eclat, by outside parties, " who with the school acquitted themselves with credit, and elicited praise from a full house.'

Mr. Chapin furnishes a most graphic account of his labors in thus starting and closing the first school, and which, did room permit, would cheerfully be given at length ; those who recollect the early means of education may make a large draft on their imagination for what he has so kindly written, in aid of Massillon's earljhistory. Tn naming the early pupils whom he taught in the little building, he gives tho.se of Amelia and Fanny Heydon, the former of whom is now Mrs. Folger of this city, and the latter, Mrs. Pinton, wife of Alvin Finton, Esq., an eminent banker and capitalist at Xew Philadelphia and Dover in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio ; James Henr}', son of Hon. James Duncan, who died in 1828, an unusually bright young man, whose death was long mourned by his parents and friends ; Mary G., daughter of .Mr. Duncan, afterward wife of the late Hon. J. L, Reynolds, of Chicago, now residuig at (Irand Rapids, Mich.; Caroline, also a daughter of .Mr. Duncan, afterward Mrs. Wheeler, wife of Hon. H. Wheeler, Jr., Superiutendent of the Massillon Rolling Mill Co., by whom she was left a widow in 1841, she subsequent!}- married David J. Ely, Esq., a prominent merchant in New York, and is now a widow enjojing a competence, and residing in the city of her husband's business and residence. 5lr. Chapin also mentions (leorge, a son, whose death is noticed elsewhere in these sketches, and Mary and Clarissa Miller, daughters of his patron and friend. Judge Miller; Mary became the wife of Henry Waggoner, and died in Cuicinuati, and Clarissa, by her second marriage, is the widow of the late Dr. J. P. Barrick, her first husband being Pomro}' Baldwin, Esq, Mrs. Folger and Mrs. Barrick are the last of Mr. Chapin's scholars now residing in this city.

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Muskingum improvements. He married Hannali. (laiigliter of Oilbortharp Earle, Esq., and lias lived in Harmar many years. He represented Washington County in the Constitutional Convention of 1873, and life-long has sustained a position commanding the respect and esteem ol' the people of the State.

Mr. Chapin's school was followed by man}' teachers, men and women, and among those ever ready to aid in the cause of education were Judge Miller, Hon. .Vrvine Wales and the late Dr. William Bowen. Dr. Bowen became a resident of this city before the organization of the Union School, and remained here until it was in successful operation, when he removed to Akron, where his useful life closed a few years ago, at the age of seventy years. Since Mr. Chapin closed his school at >Iassillon, he seems to have abandoned the profession of a teacher, educated as a civil engineer, and succeeding in getting positions more to his taste than teaching ; he has not. since leaving Massillon, accepted any of the numerous positions as an educator that have been within his reach. His failure to follow a business for which he was so well qualified by nature and education is to be regretted, as his labors as a teacher in this city will ever be kindly remembered. To attempt to enumerate those who have followed him in this city, between the time of his teaching until the organization of the Union School, now the pride of the city, would be a hopeless task. It cannot, however, be said of him, as of him of Sweet Auburn -

On the contrary, he will be ever gratefully remembered by his surviving pupils, and the spot where stood the old schoolhouse will not be permitted to be lost in memorj-'s waste."

The influence left by Mr. Chapin's .school continued to live and thrive. The people of Massillon. young as was their village, fell the importance of education. They realized that England's Lord Chancellor, who defended Queen Caroline, uttered a great truth when he said, '- The schoolmaster is abroad," and that the schoolmaster is greater than the soldier. " Mr. Chapin was succeeded by many teachers ; the names of but few are remembered. John Mark, Brice S. Hunter, Wallace and Miss Grosvenor are, however, among those whose names as teachers deserve mention.

When Messrs. Duncan, Wales and Skinner purchased the real estate of the Kendal Community," they laid out a portion of it into lots as an addition to the village, and named it Duncan, Wales & Skinner's Addition. This was in 1832. They donated a square containing near two acres for - literary purposes. " The first use to which this doiuition was put, was by a Mr. Wallace, whose Christian name is not remembered ; he taught for some time successfully, but it was not until 1848 that .Massillon Union Schools were organized and in successful operation. In 1847, a plan of a union school was gotten up by William Bowen, M. D., who with Arviue Wales and Charles London, were elected Directors. The plan of a building was fixed upon, and on the 21st of Februar}'. 1848, the General .\ssembly of the State of (Jhio passed " An iwi entitled, an act to incorporate School District Number One, in Perry Township, Stark County, Ohio." Under that act. the Board of Directors organized bj- electing Charles London. President ; Arvine Wales, Treasurer; and William Bowen, Secretary. Of that first Board of Directors of Massillon Union School, Charles London is the sole survivor, a firm friend of education, honored and respected wherever he is known. On perfecting their organization, the Board appointed Philander Dawley (who at that time was Superintendent of the Charily Scltool of Kendal) George Miller and Kent Jarvis, Esqs., examiners for the district, to serve three years, two years and one year in the order named. The teachers employed for the year were Lorin Andrews, Superintendent and I'rincipal, salary $8(10 ; Miss Betsej' M. Cowles, $300 and board paid ; Miss Jane M. Becket, $300 ; Charles It. Shreve, $200; Mary Ann llussell, $225 ; and Sarah J. Ilox worth, $140. In 184!l, the corps of teachers was increased by the addition of Miss Sarah C. Pearce and Mr. Frederick Jioefller, teacher of German and Music. This year the first catalogue was published and among the pupils in the high school is found the name of W. B. Hiizen, Hiram, Portage County, now Gen. W, B. Hazen. U. S. Array and Chief of tlie Signal Service. He left Massillon in 1850. and was appointed to the U. S. Military Academy that year or the next, graduated after the usual course of study, and has served in the U, S. Army with distinction ever since.

Presidency of Kenyon College, at Gambler, Knox Count}'. Ohio, where he remained until the breaking-out of the war of the rebellion, when he resigned and entered the army ; was appointed Colonel of the Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and died in the service.

The Union School of ^lassillon, was opened in a plain substantial brick building, erected on the lot donated by Messrs. Duncan, Wales & Skinner, by the board already named, and it must be said of the board, the}- builded as well as they knew. They had no experience in building or fiirnisliing such houses as are now required by the Union Schools of Ohio. The building stood for thirty years, when it yielded to the unchangeable law of change which always enforces obedience, and in its place stands the grandest structure in Ohio, finished in 1879 at a cost, including heating apparatus, seats, an additional square of land purchased on the north of the school building, outbuildings, well and cistern and grading of the new lot, of $48,000, imposing a tax cheerfully borne by the district. The board who erected the building and watched its progress with characteristic fidelity were Henry Beatty. John R. Dangler, J. E. Brown, J. (1. Warwick, James H. Justus, W. B. Humberger, S. A. Conrad and Dr. J. P. Barrick. ^Messrs. Conrad and Humberger have served as members of the board nine and eight years respectively. Dr. Barrick did not live to witness the completion of a work to which he faithfully devoted his careful attention.

Of the many Boards of Education that have been elected for the Union Schools of Massillon, the following gentlemen are conspicuous. The first Board entire, Arvine Wales served until his death, January 1, 1854. Dr. Bowen, for his devotion to the cause of education, as does citizen Charles London, deserves especial mention. Hon. Arvine C. Wales has served thirteen years. Hon. George Harsh was elected in 1851 and served until 1869, the full period of eighteen 3'ears. when in consequence of failinghealth, he declined a seventh election. No village or city in Ohio has been more favored in its selection of wi.se and prudent men for its school boards, than has the city of Massillon. By a vote of the citizens, and according to the provisions of the amended school law, the number of members of the Board was increased from thiee to six and the following gentlemen were elected. Hon. Kent Jarvis, S. A. Conrad, James H. Justus, Warren C. Richards, Frank L. Baldwin and William B. Humberger. Messrs. Jarvis and Richards, both of whom were for many years identified with the public service, holding offices of trust, the duties of which they always faithfully discharged, are dead.

After the resignation of Mr. Andrews, Hon. Thomas W. Harvey, late State Sciiool Commissioner, was appointed Superintendent and held the place fourteen years, his term of service closing in July, 1865. He was succeeded by Professor Joseph Kimball, who remained until 1869, when Prof E. A. Jones served for four j'ears, until 1873. Mr. Jones then declining a re-election, D. P. Pratt was called to the superintendency and remained from 1873 to 1875, when Mr. Jones was again tendered the position and accepted and remains at the head of the schools.

Among the teachers who have served long and faithfully should be named Miss Jane M. Becket, ten years in the high school. Miss Nancy Stone, in the different departments, including the high school, fourteen years, both of whom are well known in Ohio as teachers and as having occupied important positions as educators. Miss Sarah J. Hoxworth began as a teacher in the primary wlien the school was first organized, and served in the different departments until 1872, when she resigned her position in the high school, having taught more than twent3'-three years in the same building. Miss Sallie Brannan was connected with the schools as teacher thirteen years, and is now teaching in the same building. Miss Temperance Dunn and Miss Sarah R. Folger, ten years each. Miss Dunn is not now living and Miss Folger holds a prominent position in the " Mann " High School, at Toledo, where she has taught many j'ears since leaving the high school here. For nine years last past Mrs. L. D. Pinaey has been Principal in the high school, where her labors have been distinguished bj' marked success. The Union Schools of Massillon. whether considered in the past or present, need no praise from the historian. For the third of a century, thej' have been making their own history, and have written it ineffiiceably upon the character of the scholars. Young men and women who have graduated there and become teachers, entered the learned professions, graduated at the U. S. Military and Naval Academies, and

City Of Massillon

During tliat long period the school has taken no steps backward. I'nder the present as well as the past management of the Hoard of Education and teachers its march will be as it has ^ been onward to greater improvement and greater excellence. Its present Board of Hducation is composed of the following gentlemen ; John (J. Warwick. Silas A. Conrad, Ilenrv Beatty. William B. Humberger. William H. Justus and John K. Dangler.'

In 181^)8. when Hon. Matthew Johnson was a member of the House of Representatives in the State Legislature, an act of incorporation for the town of Massillon was obtained, and an organization was had which lasted until 18-1.'), when in a nswer to numerous petitions the act was repealed, and Massillon was not known as a municipal incorporation until 1853. when under the provisions of the general act regulating towns and cities, it was again incorporated, and at the first election, held on the 28lh day of May, 1853, being the first election under the proceedings to incorporate the village, Samuel Pease was elected Mayor, (i. W. Williams, Recorder and Hiram B. Wellman, Isaac H. Brown, Thomas Mct'uUough. \'aleutine S. Buckiusand Warren C Richards. Trustees, and they constituted the Council of the incorporated village of Massillon. On the 31st of May next succeeding the election, the persons above named met at the ottice of II. B. Wellman. and were duly sworn according to law by Robert H. Folger, Justice of the Peace, and the Council of the incorporated village was organized in due form of law, which organization continued until the 17th of March, 1868, when by act of R. B.

John Russell, Secretary, of the State of Ohio, it was advanced to a city of the second class, the preliminary steps to eflect the change from a village to a city having been commenced on the, 12th of February of that year, in accordance with a numerous petition of the citizens, which petition was referred to Robert H. Folger, attorney at law. with instructions to take the necessary steps to procure the advancement. Upon the advancement being effected, the city was divided into four wards, and at theelecti(m in .Vpril. 1808, the following persons were elected to the .several city offices :

Mayor, Bennet B. Warner ; Marshal, Milo Alden ; Solicitor, Louis K. Campbell. Council - George L. Russell. Charles London, First Ward ; Jacob Herring, Francis Willenburg, Second Ward ; Atlam Mong. Otis (i. Madison, Third Ward ; Louis (iies, (ieorge Bollinger, F(Knth Ward. David W. Huntsman was elected Clerk by the Council. The following gentlemen are charged with the business matters of the city :

The disasters cdnnecled with the old corporation of Massillon - that of 1838 - have been carefully avoided by the late ones. The city owes no debts, and while it is constantly progressing, and is the soundest municipal incorporation in the Stale, its maxim is ' hasten gently.'' It is able l<j borrow money on long loans at five /we ceutnm. It has never adopted the plan of running into debt for the purpose of making improvements, preferring to see its growth forced by the natural course of events.

For beauty of natural surroundings it is unsurpassed. I would not have the hills surrounding Massillon leveled if I could,'' said Mr. Duncan, the proprietor of the village, in reply to a friend who objected to the location because of its hilly surroundings. ' The day will come," said he, " when those hills will be covered with residences overlooking the city, to which the hills will but add beauty, and .Massillon will be celebrated for its beauty, "

What was then regarded as a wild creation of Mr. Duncan's fancy has grown into a beautiful reality, and vindicates his Judgment as to wiiat the future would develop.

In 18in, Judge Henry laid out an addition to the original plat, and called it West Massillon. That portion of the cit3' is now included in the Second and Third Wards, and is a most important part of the city. On that tract, tiie south end of fractional Section G, and formerly in Tuscarawas Township, is located that portion of the Cleveland, Tuscarawas Valley & Wheeling Railway, the bnildings of which corporation stand on the ground where stood the cabin of Judge Henry, and where he first had his home. It was in that cabin that his daughter, afterward Mrs. Cummins, was born, and who was the first white female child born on the territory known as the New Purchase, the first male child being a son of Peter Slusser ; he was born on the territory now included within the limits of Tuscarawas.

The only item of a pre-historic character that has been developed in Massillon oi'curred in 1832, when Christian Witt, from Lower Alsace, and some fellow-laborers by the name of Miller and Simmons, while ditching what was then the swamp south of the village, and near where now stands the paper mill, found two tusks of a mammoth, each eleven feet in length and twent3'-seven inches in circumference at the larger end. They were justlj- regarded as a great affair. The finders concluded that there was money, if not millions in it, and arranged for traveling and exhibiting them. Thej" employed an agent to manage the business, and Witt went to Pittsburgh with the part}-, wiien he became satisfied that there was not so much in it as he had supposed, and came home, leaving Miller, Simmons and the agent to make the most of the " show business. " They went to Philadelphia where they left the tusks and came home. Similar discoveries have been made in the Tuscarawas Valley, but with the finding all information in regard to them ceased. Indian relics have been found in various parts of the township, but notiiing of an uncommon character.

On the obtaining by the (xovernment of the United States the title to the New Purchase, by the treaty of Fort Industry the tribes named in the treaty departed toward the setting sun, and few remained on the coming of the pale faces. In the language of Ossian ' The chiefs of other times are departed. They have gone without their fame. Another race has arisen. The people are like the waves of the ocean ; like the leaves of woody Morven, they pass away in the whistling blast, and other leaves lift their green heads on high.'