Canton Township (part 4 of 62)

The first grist mill in the township was built by Ezekiel Marsh and stood on a small stream which received its water sujiply trom the natural drainage i>t the sum >uniling conn- try. A rude dam of brush, stoue and logs was built across the stream, and a small race conducted the water to a great wheel Ijy which the machinery was operated. The mill was supplied with two sets of buhrs, for the grinding of wheat and corn, and the flour and meal, though of a course quality, was highly prized by the patrons. His enterprise was started about 1820 and a few j-ears later a mill for the manufacture of lumber was built on the same dam by the same party. Sawing at that time was generally on the shares, the proprietor of the mill taking half of the lumber as compensation for his labor. Both of these mills were well patronized, and for nineteen years furnished the lumber and breadstutT for a large section of country in Washington and other townships. Mr. Marsh, with the assistance of his sons, operated them until his tragic death, after w-hich, bv reason of other mills being built in the \icinity, they gradually fell into disuse and were finally permitted to run down.

The Hale brothers, of Steubenville. with the generous assistance of the citizens of Mt. Union, erected a mill at that latter place soon after it was laid out, but the enterprise came to an untimely end before being operated, the building burning to the ground immediately after completion. The proprietors at once proceeded to erect another mill, wdiich was operated under their direction a short time, and then sold to Solomon Teegardin, who did ciuite an extensive business until it met with the fate of its predecessor. Henry Schooley, in an early day. came to Salem and, with the encouragement and financial aid of the citizens of the town, built a flouring mill, the first in the township operated by steam power. Two sets of stones were used at first, but the patronage grew so rapidly that it was soon found nesessaiy to increase the graining capacity. Accordingly the old buhrs were removed and four sets of improved stones supiilied. A fine article of fli^ur was made and w'ith the new impro\-ements the proprietors began a combined custom and merchant work. Mr. Schooley disposed of the mill some years ago to a man by the name of Bard, by whom it was operated until it passed into other hands. The flouring mill at Strasburg was soon built soon after the railway station was located in the village, being a large frame structure, furnished with machinery for the manufacture of flour by the modern process.

One of the early industries in Washington township, as well as in other parts of the county, was the distillery of ardent spirits, several parties having engaged in the business with more or less success. One of the first enterprises of the kind in Washington was started by George Goodman, about two miles west of Mt. Union, his establishment consisting" of a single still, with a capacity of something like twenty gallons of whiskey per day. Another was built about fi\'e miles south of the above named village by .Michael Miller, who did a flourishing business for some years, making on an average of from thirty to thirty-five gallons per day, a goodly share of which found ready sale in the immediate neighborhood. Perhaps the largest and most successfully conducted distillery in the township was the one erected by Ezekiel Marsh, a few years after he came to the country, and at a time when w hiskey was a itsual beverage and its manufacture considered legitimate and eminently respectable. The building stood .by a spring near the proprietor's residence, and the daily output, amounting to about one barrel, was noted far and wide for its high grade of excellence. In order to insure good quality of spirits, it is said that he frequently redistilled it. thus adding greatly to its purity, strength and high repute. The business of manufacturing whiskey by the above and other parties continued unabated for a number of years, as everybody in the early day used the article and no assemblage or festi\'e occasion was complete without a generous supply of the ardent. It was considered a sure remedy for every ill to which poor humanity was subject, all the physicians prescribed it. and even ministers of the gospel were not adverse to sharpening their wits by an occasional draught from the cup, which never failed to arouse their eloquence or to give a keener edge to the formidable weapons with which they were wont to smite his Satanic majesty, "hip and thigli." Tn due time, however, the demoralizing inHuences of the drink habit began to dawn upon the minds of the more morally and religiously inclined among the people, and to create a public sentiment against it to the end that at least some of its baleful effects might be checked, temperance societies were organized in various parts of the country as early perhaps as 1838 or 1840. These were the outgrowth of a great temperance movement inaugurated in some of the eastern states late in the 'twenties and which continued to spread until it reached Ohio. The societies in Washington township took form under the leadership of Ellis N. Johnson, a gifted speaker, who traversed the different settlements, addressing the people wherever he could obtain a hearing, his labors being very effective in inducing hundreds to sign the pledge of total abstinence and lead sober, industrious li\-es. One of the strongest of these organizations was established at Mt. Union, where the majority of the populace became members, and so great was its influence that a number of parties engaged in the manufacture and sale of intoxicants abandoned the l)usiness, destroyed the distillations and their stock of liquors and became ardent and enthusiastic advocates of temperance. Mr. Johnson contin-i ued the good work for several years, and through his earnest and eloquent appeals an effective check was put to the habit, the beneficial influence of his work continuing for a long time afterwards. Without following the historj' of the mo\ ement an}- further, suffice it to state, that from that time to the present the citizens of Washington township have been noted as much for sobriety as for iiuelligence, industry and thrift, a healthy temperance sentiment prevailing, which causes the drink habit to be looked upon with disfavor and frowned down by all decent and law-abiding people.

Mt. Union, which lies partly in Washington township and partly in Lexington, dates its history from August, 1833, when it was laid out on land belonging to Richard Fawcett, John Hare, E. N. Johnson and Job Johnson, each man owning ten of the forty lots of which the original plat consisted. The part of the town in Washington is located on sections i and 2 anrl the lots across the line lie in sections 35 and 36, Lexington township. The farm residence of Job Johnson was the only building on the present site of the town when the survey was made. Shortly after the platting of the village Mr. Johnson erected several other dwellings, which were offered for sale and in due time found purchasers. He also opened a store and tavern, both of which appear to have been well patronized, and with the advent of mechanics, such as blacksmiths, carpenters, shoemakers and various other kinds of artisans, industries sprang up and the town started upon an era of prosperit}- that augured well for its future. As the greater part of the town lies within the adjoining jurisdiction of Lexington, the reader is respectfully referred to the sketch of the latter township for a more detailed account of its history and subsequent history and subsequent growth.

Freeburg, lying in the south central part of the township on section 28, was surveyed in February, 1842, for Isidon Carrillon, proprietor, and as originally platted consisted of thirty-eight lots, which that gentleman immediately offered for sale. Owing to other and more important towns in the vicinity, the growth of Strasburg has been slow, nexertheless there have been a number of stores at different times, also shops of \-arious k-inds and while still a

Strasburg, in the northeastern part of the township, is situated in the midst of a fine agricultural district and furnishes a good trading point for a considerable area of territory. Its history proper dates from 1842, in August of \vhich year Gregory Gross and Jacob Stradier, owners of the land on which the town stands, l)rocured the services of a surveyor and had a plat of thirty lots laid out, the site occupying a part of the south half of section 8, t()\vnship 18. These lots were at once put upon the market, but the sales were slow and considerable time elapsed before the town .gave much promise of substantial growth. Stores were opened from time to time, some successful, some otherwise, and, in common with most country villages, it soon numbered about the usual complement of mechanics, with a temporary class whose means of support were not visible. In the language of another writer, "The proprietors saw other \illages around them repeat the multiplication table, but they with all their strivings could never reach the addition. They became familiar with the results of subtraction, much to the division of their interests. The village is subject to fluctuations in population and prosperity. It has largely lost all probability of fame and renown, though its ambition is mountainous and measureless. It received its greatest impetus when the railroad station was located there, at which time improvements advanced rapidly." Since the advent of the road the town has sustained its prestige as a local trading point, in addition to which considerable grain and live stock are shipped every year. Its present business, though limited, is by no means insignificant, and the probabilities are that Strasburg will always remain a place of no little importance to the people of the surrounding country.

supported by private subscriptions. Several terms were taught prior to the year 1820, but unfortunately the names of the early pedagogues ha^e long been forgotten, as no official records of the schools were kept and but little attention paid to educational matters. It is reliably stated that one of the first men to open his house for school purposes was Mr. Marsh and that the teacher was a young man from the east, who boarded among his pupils and took as remuneration for his services whatever the patrons saw fit to give. He is said to have been well educated, superior as an instructor to the majority of the early pedagogues, and that he was induced to remain and teach several terms. Other schools were taught in abandoned cabins throughout the township, and later buildings were erected especially for educational purposes, all of them log and but scantily furnished. One of the first of these backwoods colleges, perhaps the first in the township, was erected at Mt. L'nion as early as 1825. This was Cjuite an improvement on former buildings, as it was a place of religious worship and public meetings as well as for a school house, and was built out of hewn logs. One of the first teachers in this building was Job Johnson, after whom came a number of others, the majority selected with reference to their physical ability to wield the birch, rather tlian by reason of their intelligence. Several good buildings were erected prior to 1830, but it was not until about the year 1842 that the township was divided into districts and the schools somewhat systematized. At first these districts were quite large, but as population increased they were subdivided to suit the conveniences of the people and each provided with a good building. At this time none of the old structures are standing, having long since been replaced by buildings of modern design in which good schools are maiiU;iined several months of the year, teachers being chosen not only with reference to scholarship, but pro- fessional training as well. It is not too much to claim for the educational system of Washington township a high standard of excellence, as her schools compare favorably with the best in the county, all of them being well patronized, and the people point to them with pride, as one of their most valued and cherished possessions.

The Fairmount Children's Home, designed for the care and education of orphan children in the district, composed of Stark and Columbiana counties, is located in the western part of \\'ashington township, four miles south of Alliance and about one mile west of the Columbiana county line. The farm, which includes an area of one hundred and fifty-four acres, is favorably located, and the object of the institution is to furnish a home and training for indigent children of the two counties, under the age of sixteen, until suitable homes can be provided for them or until they became capable of providing for themselves. The institution was organized under a law authorizing counties to establish children's homes, having been backed bv leading citizens of Stark and Columbiana counties, with a view of securing fa\-orable action by the respective commissioners' courts. It was originally intended to include the counties of Stark, Columbiana. Mahoning and Portage, but the latter two subsequently withdrew, leaving the district with its present boundaries. The movement was inaugurated in 1874, but it was not until the following year that it took definite shape, the commissioners of the counties of Columbiana and Stark signing. May 5, 1875, the deed for the land, which was purchased for the sum of thirteen thousand, seven hundred and seventy dollars. Plans and specifications for the buildin were prepared by H. N. Myers, an architect of Cleveland, which being adopted, the contract for erecting the same was awarded Parkinson & Morrison, of New Lisbon, the total cost of the building and furnishing amounting to about sixt}'-fi\'e thousand dollars. The real estate, which represents a value of over fifteen thousand dollars, brings the total cost of the institution somewhat in excess of eighty thousand dollars, certainly no small sum for the two counties to devote to charitable purposes in this particular direction. The home consists of a main building, several cottages, farm house, !)ake house, large boiler house, and good barn, wagon house and slaughter house, and the necessary outbuildings, all of which are kept in good repair and excellent sanitary condition. The main building is one hundred and eighteen feet long, eighty feet in the widest part and three stories high, exclusive of basement. The first floor is used for offices, reception rooms, store rooms, pantries, dining rooms and parlor. The school rooms, all large, commodious and well lighted, are on the second floor; also the superintendent's office, the third fioor containing several good sized rooms, in addition to two large tanks for soft and hard water. In the rear of the main liuilding are two cottages, each thirtytwo bv thirty-nine feet in area, the first floor in each containing a nursery and sitting-room for the children, a bed room for the nurse and cottage matron, also a wash and Ijath room. On the second floor of each cottage are two dormitories and wardrobes, the cottages being connected by a covered passage to the main building. The farm house consists of a large sitting room, dormitory, bed rooms for the children from four to six years old. The home was completed in 1876. and dedicated with appropriate ceremonies. Dr. J- P- Buck being elected to take charge of the institution. It was opened October 31 of the above year, with sixteen children from the Stark County Infirmary and before the end of the first year this number increased to one hundred and eighty-six, about equally divided between the two counties. From the opening to the present time hundreds of orphans have found a pleasant home within the hospitable walls of the institution, and, untler the direction of competent teachers, received an intellectual and moral training equal to that imparted by the best schools of the land, also instruction in the more practical attairs of life, preparing them for the duties of manhood and wojiianhood. Fairmount Home is largely self sustaining", the farm beingwell cultivated and yielding abundant crops, boys doing the greater part cif the labor. The older boys work half the day and attend school the other half, those from six to ten attending regularly during the school hours without vacation. A fine Suntlay school is maintained, which all old enough are required to attend, and on Sunday ministers of different denominations favor the home with sermons, addresses and religious instruction. As already indicated, practical education is one of the main features of the institution, the boys being taught farming and various mechanical pursuits, and the girls trained in all the duties of housekeeping, also in the art of needle W'ork, plain and fancy, they, like the boys, working .half of the day and attending school the c>ther half. The older girls also assist in the kitchen, laundry and dining rooms, where under competent direction they become in due time efficient in all lines of household duty. Careful attention is paid to the bodily condition of tlie inmates, to the end that when old enough to leave the home they may go forth into the world symmetrically de- \'eloped men and women, mentally, morally and physically qualified for life's duties. In concluding the article from which the foregoing facts are compiled, ]Mr. Hopely says: "Fairmount is emphatically a home for those Vv-ho otiierwise would be homeless, and it is a wise economy for the citizens of Stark and Columbiana counties to take these poor, friendless children and provide them good home training so that at majority they will be able to take care of themsehes, rather than have them homeless and hardened criminals or confirmerl paupers. The institution is doing a work the \'alue ot which cannot now be estimated, but must be acknowledged in time to come. Were it not for the fostering care of the home the majority of its inmates would be surrounded l)v baleful influences and grow up in ignorance."

Public worship was introduced into Washington township contemporaneous with its earliest settlement, the majorit}' of the pioneers having been a moral and religious class of ]5eople. Ministers of the Baptist church visited the sparse settlements as early as 1817, and preached f r> im house to liouse, also in groves, and were instrumental in winning many souls to the higher life. Itinerant Methodist preachers also appeared in an early day, and with the accustomed energy and zeal displayed by representati\es of that denomination everywhere gathered the people into congregations, organized classes ami did a most effective work in moulding the religious sentiment of the different communities. The Friends were not far behind in introducing the tenets of their faith. se\-eral Quaker preachers having settled in the tovvnship prior to 1820, while others visited the country from time to time and conducted iniblic worsh.ip in the homes of the brethren. One of the first churches in the township was organized by the Baptists at Mt. Union, and fur some years the old log house near the graveyard was utilized as a place of worship. Later the society erecteel a brick building, one of the first edifices of the kind in the to\\nship, completing and opening it for public worship about the year 1830. .\ small frame building erected by the Methodists stood just across the line in Lexington township, the lot upon which it stood being d<Jnated by Job Johnson. This house was built some time in the early 'thirties and served the purposes for wliich intended many years, a flourishing congregation having grown up in that locality. At Strasburg is a Catholic church, (he histor_\' of which goes back to the early settlement of that part of the township, and the United Brethren in later years organized a society and built a neat house of worship in section ii. The denomination known as Albrights have an organization and a building in section 22, and for a number of years the Methodists have maintained a healthy society at Freeburg. Some of the early churches liave been disbanded, others have had only a precarious existence, while several have been in flourishing condition ever since organized. There are adequate church facilities at this time for the people of the township, the different organizations being well supported and prosperous.

Tt is a well-known fact that several stations of the celebrated "underground railroad" were established in this township in ante-bellum days and many a poor fugitive slave by this means was assisted to freedom across the Canadian border. The Quakers, who ever regarded involuntary human servitude with undying antipathy, are said to have kept the secret stations, and to them the runaway bondmen invariably applied for aid and never in vain. Not only did they hide the runaway and at night take him on to the next place of concealment, but not infrequently they made it decidedly unpleasant for the officers in pursuit of the fugitive, not a few of whom were compelled to quit the locality in a hurry and with scant ceremony.

Osnaburgh township and the town of Osnaburgh were located and named before the organization of Stark county. The township was first surveyed in November, 1801, by John Bever, in sections of four miles square, subdivided in 1806 by James C. McFarland. It was originally a part of Columbiana county, and its jurisdiction extended over all that part of Starke county now lying east of Canton township and extending to the present western boundary line of Columbiana county. As near as can be ascertained from cotemporaneous events, the township was organized in the year 1806. The records of Columbiana county of that date are lost or destroyed, at all events nothing has been discovered that would enlighten us from any researches made among the archives of that county.

On a beautiful morning in the fall of 1805 five horsemen migiit have been seen emerging from New Lisbon, then a frontier settlement of less than a dozen log cabins, wending tiieir way westward. They were a party made up to select land for future homes. Of the number were Jacob Kitt, John Sluss, John Thomas, another whose name has been forgotten and a surveyor engaged to accompany them as guide, and who had field notes and knew what quarter sections were yet open to entry. The land offce was tlien in Steubenville, called at tliat time, for short, Steuben, with an accent on the last syllalile. As there was no settlement between New Lisbon and the Tuscarawas river, the extent of the land ofilce district, it was neces.sary for the explorers to provide tlieniselves with rations - brearl and cold meat - in sufficient quantity to last several days, which could easily be packed in their saddlebags, and this, with a blanket strapped to the saddle, constituted the outfit. The horses could obtain subsistence by feeding upon grass and wil'i pea vine, a succulent growth of which the woods then abounded. 'J'he party moved along in single file, following the section line as indicated by "blaze" mark? on the trees, until they reached range 7, when they turned south. I'ursuing a southwesterly course, they came to a spring. Here they all dismounted to take a drink and allow their horses to graze. While resting and viewing the surroundings, Kitt was first to say, "T"l take this quarter." This was the southeastern quarter of section i8. At that day, for obvious reasons, land that iiad on it a good spring of water was preferred. At the time Mr. Kitt announced his decision to take the piece, the rest of the company, with the es:- ception of on.e, agreed by an auchble assent that he should ha\e it, and a memorandum was made accordingly. The member of the company who interposed no objection, but was silent, is the one whose name we could not procure. Continuing their explorations, the next place they found that had a spring was the south\vest quarter of section 17, and this was tirst claimed l)y John Sluss. Again the balance of the company said "agreed" except one who was silent before. This strange conduct on his part excited the suspicions of Mr. Kitt. Ruminating over the matter during the night, he was satisfied the stranger intended to enter the same quarter and to frustrate him. Mr. Kitt concluded to make an excuse in the morning and return home, which he did with all haste. Providing himself with the necessary funds to make the first payment, he proceeded to the land office in Steubenville, secured the land, and as he was aix)ut leaving the town, whom s'nould he meet but tiie very man whose ominous silence had so tlisturbed him. His suspicions were true, as the man acknowledged that he vvas after the same tract Mr. Kitt had just entered.

Ml-. Sluss. on his retiu-n, secured ]:he place he had selected. Both he and Kitt were married and were li\ ing upon land in the neighborhood of New Lis1x)n. They remained there diuMug the svinter of 1806, and came out together in the spring. Each had two horses and Mr. Kitt a wagon. They joined teams and in the wagon botii couples packed all their wordly goods. Their route was by the Thomas road, then being laid out. the same that passes through Freeliurgh and Louisville, the fifst legal highway in the county. They came to the improvement of Philip Slusser. who was then building a grist mill and saw mill on the Nimishillen. '\Vith the help obtained here, and the assistance of James F. Leonard, a surveyor, who had camped on the west side of the creek, the two emigrants cut a way to their new homes m Osnaburgh township. Mr. Kitt brought a "hireling" with hmi. With his help, poles were cut, clapboards rived out, and, within a few da)'s a comfortable cabin was erected. The door was hung with wooden hinges, and the latch so constructed as to open with a string from the outside, a style of building quite poplar in the presidential campaign uf 1840, as many of our readers will remember. A small opening was made on one side of the cabin, and this, covered with oiled paper, answered the purpose of a window. A fireplace, connected with a chimney outside, made of sticks and clay mortar, occupied one end. There was no floor other than the ground. A bedstead vvas constructed in one corner of the cabin by framing in a side and footboard. The bed tick was filled with leaves. Their cooking utensile consisted uf a tea kettle, a frying pan and a Dutch oven. .A chest answered the purpose of a table, and the table furniture was a few knives and forks, cui)s and saucers made of yellow earthenware, and se\eral plain pewter plates. For some time Mrs. Kitt kneaded her dough in a liucket, afterward in a sugar trough. Tl!e\- Ijrought with them a sow and a COW". In a short time the sow had a litter of eight pigs, and the cow a calf. Although rejoiced at this accession, it increased their perplexities. The wolves were attracted by the smell of cooking, and to save the young offsjjring at night, it \vas necessary to take them into the cabin.

About six weeks after Mr. Kitt was settled in his home he was in the woods one morning, when he heard chopping at a distance. Suspecting there were Indians about, he returned to his cabin, procured his rifle and started in the direction of the sound. He advanced cautious-

( If the pri\,itioiis oi John SInss we ha\e not heen ahlo to i,;,ithei amthini.; oi s|Hvi,il interest, lie was a tpiiel, nnohtrnsixe m.m. held in hi.^h esteem l\v the community, lie was early elected, justice of tl\e peace, which otVice he held iov many siiooessixe terms, w.is county commissioner several terms, and a candidate for tite lej^islatmo, I'oth he auil his wile attained a j>ood old .li^o .Mrs, .Slnss died (irst, .nul when Mr, Sluss orderinl the oolViu for her he re m.'irked to the undertaktM" that as he should need one soon for himself, he would order it at the same time, which he accordinjjly did. and paiil the price, six dollars, the cost at that da\

The town oi Osnahnr^h was laid oni l>\ lames Keeper, oi W ,ishimiton county, rcnnsvlvauia. in tSoo, in anticipation of heinj,;- made lite cminty se.it y^i the new county, to he soon ori;aiii/ed, 1 lo hnih a one story lot;' c.ihin, and called it a tavern. Keeper w.is a ilnont t.ilker. and as his lunise was a stt^ppiny place iov e\er\ one who came out west in search of land, he iulUteuced many to select homes in the ueiijhhor hood, lie also induced nnYhanies to settle in Osn.ihur,i.di, I'eim; of a .social disposition, he contractetl the hahit of driukinj^'. which eventually weakened his intluence. It has often heen remarked th.u hut for Joseph Keeper's habits, which impressed strauji^ers unfavorably, ("^su;ibur_i;h would have acqnirevl such a start over lanliMi as to h.ivo nndonhu^llv in.ulo it the county seat, (."anion was laivl out the next year, ami as l^a.'aKxM Wells, the proprietor. w,is ,i m.m of char.icter. the inlhience ho oxonod in heh.ilf oi lauton

-uhautag'e ul its ii\al town, l-ccpor's habits (>!' ilissiiKitiou so iiuTcased ui)oii him thai ho t'\oiUuall\' hail an attack oi deliriimi tremens, a disease more commonly known as '"snakes in the boots." While snAering- w ith an attack of tiiis kind, he escaped fi\>m his home in the nij^ht time, and was I'mnid next morning;- dead i\ing ill a imul |)U(l<lle. lie had e\iilently drowned, as his lace was ciMiipleteiy submerged in the water, it \\;is said that Mrs. Leqier contractcil the same bad li.abit as that of her husband. Shi» lued a hard lile - makiui.; her home with a tenant by ti\e name of Jacob Uhtem, his house took lire and she was burned to death.

The next p«bhc house was kept by William N.ailor. Since the organization of the tow nsliip it supported no iniblic bouse that lurnisiieil better accomminlations than the one long kept by Jacob l\,q)linger.

The tirst store in the town was openeil on 1.S07, by John McConnell, Mis stock of goods was (|uite limited, contiued to the leading articles in dem;md in a new country. McConnell liecaiiie loo intimate w ith a daughter of Gephart and found it healthy to leave the country. The firm of I'ptlegralY iK. Mctiuggins kept a hatter shop at an early day. Ihc first grist-mill in the tow usliip w as erected by Peter Boyer, about iSi.|.. I'hc next was by Daniel Laird, on Little S.indy. Trevious to this settlers bail their griiulmg done at Slusser & Nochol's on the Niniishillen. The first <a\v mill was elected by Abram Bair.

file lirst tieath in the ttiwnship was Mrs. Milligiii, who died in chiklbed. As there was nil minister at the funeral, William Hutchinson, a school teacher. olViciated in that capacity, fhcre was comparatively little sickness aiuong \ the pioneer settlers of the township. Ira WOod was the first known doctor who hung out a shingle, but the year of his advent has not been ascertained.

gustine. ill iSiS. Previous to that time scholars went to a school building on the Aultman place, in (."anton township. It was during the winter of the school taught by Augustine that there w as ,1 fall of o\er three feet of snow in one day ami the children had to be taken home on horseback. /\. few days afterwarti it rained and froze, forming a hard crust upon the snow. Many deer were caught by the larger lx)ys, among them a large stout buck, which they kept in a pen near the school hottse. lie altotxled .sjiort for them (.luring recess, but as he refused fcmd llicy turned him loose again.

Rairs. Rudol[)h, .Stophel and Abraham, figtired i)roininently among the lirst settlers. kiidolpli, .ir K'lidw as he was commonly called, was a member of the first convention that formed a st:ite constitution, and afterward represented t'olumbiana, then including Stark, in the legislature. Uiuly and Stophel were brothers r.olli entered land in Usnalnirgb township, but Uudy settled in what is now Paris township (which before that was under the jurisdiction of Osnaburgh) ami was an acting justiceof the peace, fhe lirst law suit in the county was tried before him. fhe particulars, as handed down Ihrough several generations, are as follows: fbonias and r.osserman traded horses, and as f liom.is considered himself cheated in the swap, brought suit against l>o.sserman for damages. 1 lockinsmith, of I'ike, was constable, and sub pa'iiaed three wiliu'sses. fhe parlies anil the w iluesses were present on the d;iy set for tri.al. When the ]);irties met, Rudy brought out a jug of whisky .iiid proposed a drink all around. At the close of this preliminary indulgence, he suggested that they settle the case without going to trial - th;it e.icli one make his statement, and he would gi\e judgment, 'fo this 'fhon-ias objected, but after considerable talk and another horn, be agreed. ICacb told bis story, when the court, after due deliberation, di'cideil that liossermaii should pa\ fliomas three dollars and ilk- coust.iblc's fees, whereupon .all ih";iiik ;igaiu and exi)rf.sse(l tliemsehes satisfied. The Squire was rejoiced at liis success in settling the case, as his docket, which he kept between tlie rafters of his cabin, had been carried away by the squirrels and he had nothing in which to make the entry. The first justice of the peace elected in the township was William Nailor, commissioned ]\Iay I-, 1809. The next was Jacob Fulton, whose commission dates a few days later. John Sluss and John Augustine were the next succeeding.

Indians frequently made their appearance among the settlers, but never excited any disturbance or did any harm. They would often call for something to eat, especially if they were unsuccessful in their hunts, and never failed to carr}' off whatever of the food was left. Their camping grounds were west of the Tu.scarawas river.

In the evening frolics that followed the corn huskings, tlax puUings and log rollings of that day, music on fiddle was furnished liy Henry Camp.

Adam Bair. son of Stopel, had the reputation of being the stoutest man in the township, though Jacob Shierly, a Dunkard, from Bedford county, Pennsylvania, was reputed a man of great muscular form. He was a large man and, as the story went, he was once beset by a crowd of seven men, was slapped on the cheek, when he turned the other and was struck again. This he said was according to scripture, and he would now defend himself. He turned upon the crowd and vanquished the se\en. jiiling them up on top of each other.

The first marriage of which we have any account was mixed up with a bit of romance. There were Mr. and Mrs. Andrew living in Osnaburg, who had two children. Andrew was a drunken loafer and would do nothing for the support of his family, Airs. Andrew being compelled to work out. She was a good spinner, and went from house to house, taking her children with her. earning about a dollar a week, besides board for herself and children. A man by the name of Ihry, a German, proposed to marry her and was accepted, although she was not di\orced from Andrew. Mr. Kitt brought the couple to Canton, and they were married by Esquire Coulter. They lived together three years, when Ihry died, leaving his wife a comfortable homestead.

It was the custom after the close of the war of 1812, under a law of the state, to hold annual military training, or general muster, as it was called, for the purpose of drill and inspection. Those were in the days of the old flint-lock and the powder horn. The usual places for the troops to assemble were Canton, Kendall (now fourth ward of Missillon), Loutzenheiser's (now Louisville) and Osnaburgh. It was an occasion that drew together young and old, male and female, for many miles around. The scenes and incidents of the day, the parade, sham-battle, personal encounter, the evening "strauss." furnished subject matter for fireside talk long afterward. By common consent, sectional disputes were then revived. Each party had his friends or backers on hand and a fight was generally the result. Very often others became in\ol'ed, and more fights followed. It was on an occasion of this kind, at an "Osnaburgh muster," that the most noted hand-tohand fight took place that ever occurred in the county. It was between Jacob Sherrick and Richard Elson. The particulars of the figlit are gathered from persons who were eye witnesses. There had been a little brush the winter previous between John Sherrick, brother of Jacob, and Elson, at a singing school, near the present site of Mapleton. It seemed to be understood that the fight would be renewed and fought out at the next Osnaburgh muster. Both parties came prepared, but for some reason Jacob Sherrick. though younger than John, and not considered so stout, took the place of John in the fight. .'\t the close of the parade the parties came together, and the preliminaries were soon settled. It was agreed that they go into an inclosed lot with their seconds only. Sherrick was backed by John Beam, and Elson by John Creighton. Sherrick was about twentytwo years of age, five feet ten inches in height antl one hundred and sixty pounds in weight, muscles well developed, but without experience as a tighter. Elson was judged to be twentyeight and taller than Sherrick, without cumliroiis llesh ; he had been a raftsman on the Mississippi, accustomed to Ixjuts, and rather liked it. Principals and seconds stripped themselves of all wearing apparel except their pants and shoes. Flson was the first to enter the lot, and as he did so mounted a stump, flapped his arms and gave a crow. Sherrick followed immediately after, approached the stump and held out his head as a challenge for Elson to strike. The latter stepped down from the stump, and for a few seconds the principals eyed each other, while the seconds of each stood a fewsteps to the rear. While the crowd of spectators looked on in breathless suspense, they could not but admire the appearance and bearing of the men. Cautiously they advanced toward each other, and when within striking distance the fight commenced. As the blows struck the sound could be distinctly heard l)y persons outside the crowd, who were unable to see the combatants. After repeated blows Sherrick closed in upon Elson and- threw him. When they fell the multitude could no longer be restrained, but sinudtaneously broke down the fence and crowded around the belligerents. The efforts of the seconds to beat them l)ack were futile. The fight continued on the ground, first one then the other seeming to have advantage, until lx)th were completely exhausted. They were finally separated by the friends, neither acknowledging himself defeated, the \ ictory being claimed by friends of both. There was considerable speculation for years after as to probability of there being another meeting between them to settle the championship, but i;

I'here were volunteers and drafted men from the township in the war of 1812. The names of many have passed into oblivion. Of those still remembered were Peter McCone, Peter Moretz. Edward Strickland, Adam, Jacob and Joseph A.nderson. Joseph was killed at the battle of Tippecanoe. Jacob Kitt was drafted, but he hired Richard Byles as his substitute.

The history of Osnaburgh would be incomplete without n-iention being made of Christian Kountz, the successful merchant, whose traits of character have left an impress that will not soon be erased. Though not a very early settler, yet his name is prominently identified with the town and township. Mr. Kountz was born in Saxony, where he had learned the trade of a lace weaver. He came to this country when a voung man, idid on landing in Xew York all the money he had was three kreutzer, about two cents in our money. He immediately sought work. Unable to procure employrnent at his trade, he engaged in labor - any thing that offered. Ha\'ing accumulated a few dollars, he was induced by a fellow- countryman to engage in peddling. With his limited means he commenced with a small bundle of notions; then with a pack which he carried upon his back, and finally he made a raise to a horse and wagon. He ])rospered, and in the course of time was advised bv a Pittsburgh merchant, with whom he dealt, to settle in some town and open a store. He located in Osnaburgh about the year 1825. He was a man of strict integrity, would never himself, nor permit any employee to, take ad- \antage of or deceive a customer. His word was as good as his bond. He reared his family to habits of industry and economy, accumulated a handsome fortune, and died in 1866, aged seventy.

That portion of Stark county embraced in the present limits of Lawrence township was laid off by the commissioners of the county at their session in December, 1815. Prior to that time the territory west of Tuscarawas river was included in Tuscarawas township, and that lying east of the river belonged to Jackson - forinerly a part of C^anton township. The land east of the river was in market upon the establishment of a land office in Steubenville in iSoi, but, for reasons which will be mentioned hereafter, it was not entered, or at least not settled, for some years after improvements were made upon the west side.

The lands west of the river were surveyed in the spring of 1807 by John H. Larwell, and were in market upon the establishment of the land office in Canton in May, 1808. Before being opened to public entry, they were offered for thirty days in quarter sections at auction. Only two quarter sections lying within the limits of Lawrence township, were purchased at the auction sale. The terms of entry were two dollars per acre - one-fourth down and the balance in three alternate annual payments without interest. There was no tax upon the land until the fifth year, and if the whole purchase price of the land was not paid at the expiration of that time it was forfeited to the government, together with what had been paid upon it.

At the time of the survey Indians were numerous along the waters of the Tuscarawas and Chippewa. They were of the Delaware and Chippewa tribes, and as it may be a matter of curiosity to know what has become of the aboriginal owners of this region I will give an extract from a document recei\-ed from the bureau of Indian affairs at Washington City, obtained through the kindness of our representative in congress, Hon. George Bliss.

shore of Lake Superior, though there are scattered remnants of the tribe in Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota. They are considerably advanced in civilization, their native talent comparing favorably with other aboriginal tribes. Their natural disposition, like that of all the more intellectual tribes, is warlike and their superior courage renders them dangerous adversaries. They are the proprietors ol a great portion of the northw estern copper reg'ion, and the government is now making preparations to treat with them for the acquisition of this valuable domain.

"The Delawares are situated in the new territory of Kansas. They are an active, cunning tribe and by their energy and force of character, with the aid of a good deal of unscrupulousness, maintain an ascendancy over the neighboring tribes. They are of a roving disposition, and, by reason of their familiarity with the vast regions between their domain and the Pacific ocean, are generally employed as guides by white men traveling in those regions."

The numerical strength of the two tribes, while occupants of this region, I have no means of knowing. Their headquarters were near Jeromeville, and their chief was a halfbreed. known among the whites by the name of Armstrong. He was kind and \vell disposed toward white settlers. Larwell's surveying corps frequently came in contact with small parties of the tribe. At one time a company of five or six met the surveying party, and in their colloquy gave evidence of anger and dissatisfaction at the encroachments of the whites and at their driving oft' the game. One of their numljer, who could speak tolerable English, said : "You run here - - you run there - we cut your legs oft' - you run no more," at the same time gestulating vehemently, the more eft'ectually to enforce his ideas. This threat intimidated the party, and several of the corps refused to proceed. Larwell des- ])atched a messenger to their chief Armstrong, informing him of the circumstance and their fears. The chief returned assurance that they should not l)e molested, and as proof of good faith on !iis part sent as a spy one of his tribe, to watch the movements of the rest and give information to the company upon the first indication of threatened danger.

The first improvement in the township was made upon Newman's creek (so named from Jacob Newman, chain carrier and axeman of the surveying corps) by Henry Clapper and Adam Lower. They were brothers-in-law and came in company from Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in September, 1808, with horses, farming utensils, and provisions sufficient to last five weeks. In that time they cleared, plowed and sowed three acres, two of which they put in wheat and one in rye. They had no shelter, otiier than that rudely constructed from brush. At night they slept upon the ground or in the wagon. At the completion of their labor they returned to Beaver covmty and in ]\Iarch following Henry Clapper came out with his brother Daniel and raised a cabin, the first erected in the township. Their father, John Clapper, and Lower soon followed. Their spring crop consisted of nine acres of land in corn. John Clapper died a few years afterward, from injuries received by the falling of a tree. He is buried on the place, and is the first interment of a white man in the township. The next opening was made in October of the same year by Stephen and John Harris, from Washington county, Pennsylvania. Stephen purchased at the auction sale the quarter later owned by William Shaefer, for which he gave two dollars and forty-nine cents per acre. Mr. Harris, in common with many other early settlers, considered the bottom lands the more valuable, hence the competition for their possession and the increased price per acre. The two brothers cleared (chopped and heaped) five acres in twenty days, during which time they lived in regular camp style, their board consisting of ash cake and wild meat, and their bed the softest mother eartli could furnish. Upon the completion of their fall job they returned to Pennsylvania, but came back in the spring following, continued the improvements during the summer, and in September, 1809, Stephen brought his wife and three children. At this time the only road was the one leading from Canton to Wooster. From where it crossed the Tuscarawas river (then known as the ferry) emigrants for this neighborhood were compelled to cut their way through the woods, following in part an Indian trail that led through Newman's creek bottom. Mr. Harris drove his wagon, containing his family and furniture, to an uncleared spot near the spring, where he designed building, and cut away the underbrush before he could turn his horses to feed. He arrived with his family on Tuesday, immediately commenced getting out timber for a cabin, and on the Friday following it was sufficiently completed for the family to occupy. Previous to this time his wife and children slept in the wagon.

During the succeeding two years WilHam Critz, Jeremiah Atkinson, Mathew Metcalf (or Madcap, as he was called among the settlers), Richard Hardgrove, John Evans and Robert I.-ytle settled and made improvements in the same neighborhood. In the summer of 1809 William Critz built a hewed-log house, the first of the kind erected in the township. As a sufficient number of hands could not be procured at that day to raise a building, ropes and tackle were used. Michael Critz was the first male and Amanda Harris the first female born in the township.

The settlers along Newman's creek were subjected to great annoyance from wild animals. Bears and wolves were so numerous and destructive that it was impossible to keep hogs, and in some instances they attacked cattle. Venomous snakes oftentimes made themselves too familiar to be agreeable. During the summer months gnats and mosquitoes were so harassing to the horses and cattle that it was necessary to keep lip a smoke in order to drive them off. The country at tliat day was luxuriant in the growth of what was called pea vine, of which stock of all kinds was extremely fond. A species of onion also grew in the bottoms, which cattle would sometimes eat, giving their breath and milk the characteristic odor of that esculent, to the no small annoyance of the housewife. Both these i)lants are now extinct.

\\'\xh the Indians the settlers were quite fani'liar. Many incidents are related and anecdotes told growing out of their intercourse with them. A number could speak broken English. The names by which several were known are yet remembered, Captain Beverhat, Tom Jileway and Long John being among the more notorious. There was considerable traffic carried on between the settlers and the Indians. There was but little money afloat, and even that sometimes would not buy what labor or some article of consumption would procure. The Indians had wild turkeys and venison hams for barter. \ turkey for a pumpkin and a ham for a breadbasket full of corn me^il was a customary exchange. It is characteristic of the Indians to be a beggar and a glutton. They never suffer from want of asking and eat an incredible amount before being satisfied. They were extravagantly fond of sweet milk, and two would empty the contents of a gallon crock, with very little ceremony. While the men were roaming about, hunting, trapping or fishing, the squaws would dig ginseng and make baskets of ash wood.

In 1811 Mathew Roland emigmted ivom Yellow creek, Jeft'erson county, and settled upon the land later owned by John Kirk. From the ferry opposite Massillon he came with lii^ team up the bed of the river. The tracks of the wagon, in many places could be distinctly traced several years after. James Barber, from \"irginia. settled the same year upon the quarter section later nwned b\- Richard Porter. Durinsjthe summer his son William died from inHammation of the brain, brotight on from exposure seining the river. Dr. Rappee, of Canton, was called to see him, but too late to be of service. He was buried in Canton.

The war of 181 2 materially checked emigration west of the river. JNIany who had previously been out and made entries were deterred from bringing their families from apprehensions of trouble with the Indians.

During the continuance of the war, many of the inhabitants were in constant dread of being nightly liesieged Ijy the savage foe. Rumors were rife of a large body of savages advancing from the west, urged on by British emissaries, who were hourly expected to be upon them. The intimidated saw the tomahawk and scalping knife ever before them. Many amusing incidents are told of the conduct of some "t the settlers, growing out of their fears of being attached. It is related of Jacob Peach tint during this excitement he made it an invariable rule not to open his cabin door until he had first reconnoitQred the environs through the port holes of his dwelling. He kept his wagon before his door reiidy to leave with his family and goods upon the first intelligence of the approach of the enemy. The settlers along Newman's creek agitated for some time the propriety of erecting a fort or blockhouse for common safety and defense. They had fixed upon an eminence on the land of Robert Lytle (later owned by George Mowrey ) as most suitable, but as the project did not receive the co-operation of some of the more influential in the neighborhood, it was finally abandoned. It was common custom, howe\er, for different neighbors to collect with their families at a designated house for mutual protection.

During the ])rogress of the war, from 1812 to 1815, there settled west of the river Abram Stevens, John McCadden, Isaac Edgington, \\'illiam Whitecraft, John Morehead and Elijah l-lolierts. The last named was killed bv the fall-

There were no settlements east of the river in the present hmits of Lawrence township prior to i8t2. Phil Harton and John McCaughey came in that year, and each erected a cabin. Subsequently, and anterior to the organization of the township, the following persons made openings and erected dwellings: Joseph AIc- Caughey, John Tate. George Wagoner, Jacob Kleck, Jos(?ph liobson, Jacob Kirk, Joseph I'ritt, John Shank. Robert Williams, James jacson and John Uhoads.

The reasons w hy the lands east of the river were not taken up earlier, being in market some years before those west, were these : The lands east of the ri\er were surveyed by the government in sections of two miles square. Any one wishing to enter a less quantity had to employ a siu'veyor to run it ofif. This was attended with some trouble and expense, besides, much of the land was "plains'" and at that day such was considered inferior to that more heavily timbered. There were some fractions entered along the river as early as 1805, by speculating" men, who had an idea that a canal would some day be constructed along its course. Brinton and Condy entered the site of Bethlehem ; Scott and Pentecost, A'Lassillon : Wells and Shorl.i. Kendall; l^>rinton and Conday, Fulton ; and Richard Carter Clinton, now in Summit, formerly a part of Stark. .\n additional im])ediment to actual settlers securing- l.mfl east of the river was the want of a road leading into the neighborhood, while the state road, running from Canton to Wooster, opened in 1807, ran within a few miles of the settlement on Newman's creek.

In i8t2 James F. Leonard settled upon the land later owned by Michael Sprankle. then in Canton township, now Jackson. He was a surveyor and land jobber and the first white settler in Stark county, ha\ing entered and settled upon a quarter section near Canton in ?^Iarch, 1805. After locating vqion Mud brook .Mr.

Leonard marked out a road leading from Canton into his \icinity, and, as he was known as a pioneer and well acquainted with the whole cotuitry and made it a business to show lands, emigrants soon began to settle in, and in improvements the east side of the river has since kept pace with the west. Before the organization of the township Mr. Leonard purchased aufl settled ujion the farm later owned by Levi Reinoehl.

The first election for township officers wa> held on the first Monday in April, 18 16, at the house of Robert Lytle. Jacob Kirk, who had been elected justice of Jackson township the year previous (which then included Lawrence as far as the river) , administered the oath to the different officers elected. As it may be interesting to know who were the successful candidates of that day, I copy from the record : Justices, Mathew Roland and John Morehead; clerk. James F. Leonard; trustees, William Alban, John Canibell and Jacob Kirk ; overseers of the poor, William Whitcraft and Joseph Hobson; fence viewers, Stephen Wilkin and Joseph Tritt; appraisers of property, Hugh S. Veneman and Robert Lytle; supervisors, George Veneman, John Meese and George Wagoner; constables, Richard Hardgrove and Jacob Kleek ; treasurer, John Morehead ; lister of taxables, Richard Hardgrove. On the day of the first election it was ordered by the trustees thai the house of William Whitcraft, on section 16, be tlie ])lace of holding the elections of Lawrence township. At the sajne time James l'~. Leonard, George Veneman and John Mc- Caughey were appointed the first grand jurors, and John Morehead and Richard Hardgrove first petit jurors.

In August of the same year a petition was presented at a meeting of the trustees, praying for a road from Kerstetter's mill to the county line, at or near where Abram Stevens subse- ([uently lived ijate residence of Richard- Po^rtcrL Lewis Roger, William Elliott and Flenry

Clapper were appointed to view said road, Alexander Poiter, surveyor, and John Meese, supervisor. This was the first township road, a considerable portion of which has long since jjeen vacated.

In i8t7 the place of election was at the honse of Henry ATiller; the following year it was moved to section i6, to the house of Elisha Pierce; the year following, to the house of John Meese, on the same section, and there it continued to be held until 1831, when it was removed to Canal Fulton.

W't believe that with but few exceptions, and those unintentional, we have given the names of all who were settlers in the township prior to its organization. This event following soon after the declaration of peace, and when molestation from the Indians was no longer apprehended, emigrants with their families began to flock in in great numbers. The early settlers who made a profession of religion were principally of the Methodist or Presbyterian faith. They frequently held meetings in private houses ; in fact, the Methodists held their meetings ii private and school houses until the erection of their church in Milan, in the summer of 1837. The first building for public worship was erected in 181 5 by the Presbyterians - a log superstructure, upon the ground now known as the Newman's Creek graveyard. Rev. James Adams, from Fayette county, Pennsylvania, who had settled near Dalton, Wayne county, was the first minister in charge. On the east side of the river the German Reformed and Lutheran persuasions were the most common. They had no church, but attended the ministrations of Father Wier and Faust, at Mud Brook church, in Jackson township. I should have mentioned that the Catholic religion had some early adherents in the township. Services of the church were performed in private houses until a building for the purpose was erected upon the farm of Philip McCue in 1830.

During the war there was a great scarcity of corn, occasioned in part by the shortness of the crops, but more particularly by the drain of the army, as they marched through the country. At that time it readily commanded from one dollar and twenty-five cents to one dollar and fifty cents per bushel. Considerable quantity was brought up the ri\er from Coshocton county, in what were called peroughs, a craft propelled with poles and capable of carrying several hundred bushels.

Milan was laid off in lots and offered at public auction in 1814. by Mathew Roland. The first building was erected by his son-in-law, John Sturgeon, and was long standing. The same year Mr. Roland erected a saw-mill upon the Tuscarawas, the first in the township, and about two years after, a grist-mill, likewise the first of the kind ; but as there was not sufficient power for both, the saw-mill was abandoned, nor did the grist-mill ever amount to much. It changed hands several times, but was was always unprofitable, from want of sufficient power, and in a few years it was also abandoned, 'i'he building was afterward removed to Fulton, and converted into a warehouse. Nothing remains to mark the place of its existence save the remains of the old dam. Before the erection of the mill by Lewis Rogers on Newmans creek, Tuscarawas township, settlers went to the mills on the Nimi.shillen - Slusser's and Nicholas". Soon after the war William and Thomas Gouty built the mill later owned by Michael Sprankle. and Leonard Kerstetter the saw-mill.

Fulton Avas laid out in the spring of 1826 by James W. Lathrop and William Christmas. Subsequently, by an act of the legislature, it and Milan were incorporated into one, retaining the name of the former. A postoffice was established there in 1828 and Amasiah Meese ap- pointed postmaster. Tlie ofike was discontinued about a year afterward, Ijut reestablished in 1830, and John Robinson appointed postmaster, at whicli period Canal was prefixed to distinguisli it from an office of the same name in Hamilton county.

In 1827 Henry Stidger, later of Carrollton, opened a store in Milan. This was the first establishment of the kind in the township, which con nov\' l^oast of the largest one in the county, doing more business in the purchase of produce and sale of goods than any other two combined.

Previous to the completion of the canal there was but little sickness and less call for medical aid. Herbs and roots, and in desperate cases an abracadabra, pronounced by someone gifted in healing by the power of words, sufficed the demands of nature. The first accotint we have of a physician in the neighborhood was a man claiming that profession by the name of Bigelow. His residence was somewhere on the Reserve, and he came by appointment, once a week, to Roland's. He had quite a run for a season - as many as forty or fifty horses could be counted hitched around his stand at one time, but like many of the same itinerant order at the present day, he eventually ran out. Dr. Watson, of Dalton, and the physicians located in Massillon and Canton were usually called upon when medical aid was deemed necessary. Dr. William Myers was the first physician who located in the township. He came in 1832, but. his health soon beginning to fail, and attributing it to local causes, he did not remain over a year. S. Dolbear succeeded him.

The first effort in the way of teaching the young idea was by George Wagoner, who opened a private school at his house in 181 7. The first school house Avas erected in 181 8, in what was then known as Alban's district. Stephen Cassel was the teacher.

In eniunerating the important events that have occurred in the township I must not forget to mention that it could once boast of a bank, chartered by the legislature, under the name of "The Orphans' Institute" and empowered with all the privileges of institutions of that kind. It commenced operations in 1836, under rather favorable auspices, flourished for a few years and then collapsed, like most of the banks since its day.

The village of Tawrence, located upon the Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad, was laid off in 1852 by Arnold Lynch and Phillip McCue. It gave promise the first year of active growth, but the death of Mr. McCue, who was the operating proprietor, and its too close proximity to other towns that have additional facilities for drawing trade, co-operated in retarding its progress.

I might descant at length upon the hardships and privations of our early settlers, but space does not allow. It was hard work, hard fare and hard times. There was but little chance to make money, and their wants were regulated acocrdingly. They raised flax, out of which they made clothes, and many wore buckskin pants and moccasins. They bought their few necessaries in Kendall or Canton ; carried flour to Cleveland on pack-horse and brought back salt, at the rate of four dollars per bushel. Iron was twenty-five cents per pound, and everything else that was imported in proportion. At the opening of the Ohio canal (1829) a new era began, in the demand and price of produce. Instead of its being a drug, bartered with difficulty, and for store goods, it would command money and a remunerative price.

The improvements of the age, with the consequent improved facilities of transportation, make a settlement in a new country at the present day but play, compared with what it was forty 3'^ears ago; yet, with all their privations

Sugar Creek township derives its name from the stream which runs through and drains the greater portion of it. The townsliip was first organized in 1816, on March 4 of wliich year the following action was taken by the hoard of county commissioners : "Ordered, that that part of range 10 in Stark county which lies south of township 1 2 in said range, be and the same is hereby erected into separate township h\' the name of Sugar Creek.'' The first election for township officers was ordered to be held at the home of .Adam Grounds on the first Monday in April following the passage of the resolution. It is practically settled beyond dispute that the first permanent settler in the tow nship was Jacob Grounds, who arrived in the township in 1808. He took an active part in the subsecjuent affairs of the locality, for which he was well qualified, from the fact that he possessed a good education for those days and was a man of much native ability. He came to the township very soon after it was first surveyed and, selecting the tract of land which afterwards became known as the Truby farm, which was densely covered with a fine growth of maple trees, he cleared a spot and prepared logs for a dwelling, which he was enabled to raise, with the assistance of kind neighbors. Here the famil}' li\e<l, amid the solitude of the forests, for eighteen months, but in 1810 the township was invaded l)y another settler. Joshua Carr by name, who located in the northern part of the township. He also built a cabin home immediately upon his arrival, and soon entered upon the task of creating a farmstead. For a few years settlers came into the township slowly, but after jSj; liic immigration was more marked, so that by 1823 nearly all the land in the township was entered. At the first election, referred to heretofore, Calvin Brewster was elected justice of the peace and Joseph Payser, Sr.. constable.

The first death in the township was that of [Barbara Poyser, daughter of Josq)h Poyser, her death occurring in the summer of 181 2. The first marriage was that of John Reed to Mary Poyser, the ceremony being performed on the 13th of April, 1813, by William Henry. Esq. The first birth was that of Jacob Poyser. in 1813.

With the influx of new settlers it became necessary to make some much-needed improvements. At that time roads were mere jiaths through the woods, and during the wet seasons of the year they were almost impassable. But as soon as practicable county roads were surveyed and fitted up for public travel and eventually the township was crossed with a network of highways. At the same time various industries began to spring up in different parts of the township in order to supply much-needed articles for the settlers. In 1816 a grist-mill was erected on Sugar creek by Henry Willarrl, the structure being a frame building, about thirty feet sriuare and two stories in height. Sugar creek was dammed and the mill was supplied with w'ater by the usual means of a race. Two sets of stones were placed in the mill, one for wheat and the other for corn, and power was communicated from the huge breast-wheel by means of rude wooden shafting. This mill was at that time considered a valuable acquisition to the loca!it\- and for many years enjoyed a line patronage. Henry Corninger built a distillery at an early date, the location being about a half mile north of the mill just referred to. There w ere two stills, w ith a united cajjacity of about fifty gallons, and for a while the concern did a fair business, but was at length, in the course of a dozen years, discontinued. A saw-mill was erected bv a Mr. King near the l<"onr villages have sprung into existence in he township. Justus Station dates its incep- ;ion from the time of the construction of the Puscarawas Valley & Wheeling Railroad .and las always been an enterprising and progressive i-illage. Plainsburg, which was first known as has also long been known as I desirable locality and has ac(|uired considera- )le of a reputation because of the large produc- ;ion of berries in that section. Beach City was irst located by the erection of the VVillard mill, in 1816, and at first was known by the name of Willard's Mills. The town was not properly laid out and recorded until nianv vears after its settlement, when the advent of the railroad made the same necessary. In March, 1872, Amos Woodling, the county surveyor, laid the town out into lots, and since then se\'eral additions have been made, so that the place is now rjf no inconsiderable importance. The t(jwn of VVilmot was laid out by Jacob and Henry Wyant in April, 1836, the tract being surveyed by John Whitacre, the county surveyor. A postoffice was located at the village al)out the time it was first laid out, George Pfouts being the First postmaster.

Because of the later settlement of this township schools were not started here as early as in some other jxarts of the county. It is ])rob;d)le that the first schoolhouse was erected as early as 1820 at ^ViImot. It was a log structure, with huge fire])1ace and chimney, rough cla])board seats and desks, and jiuncheon lloor, ;ind did service some eiglu or leu years, when it \\;is i"eplaced by a neat frame building, which in lin-n was, about 1840, replaced by a small brick building. The first school taught in the township is by some thought to have been in the (jrounds neighborhood, the instructor being Jacob Grounds. From 1815 to 1830 the various school districts were created ;nid ])ro\'ided

The early religious history of the townshij) is shrouded in much uncertainty. The Weimer church (United Brethren) is .said to have been built as early as 1S25, and was a log structure, being used for all public purposes, as church, .schoolhouse, town-hall, etc. The Bunker Hill churcli (Methodist h'piscojjal ) was built .nbout 1830, and a number of other buildings were erected at an early day to satisfy the demand for places of religious worship. .A noteworthy event in the early religious life of the township was a re\ival which was conducted at the cabin of John Weimer for six consecutive weeks, tlie nicest intense enthusiasm pre\-ailing throughout the neighborhood at the time.

All in all. Sugar Creek township is today (jne of the best in the county, this being true not only of its nritural features, but also of the character of its inhabitants as well, who stand high for intelligence, morality, industry and enterprise. It is said that during the early stages of the war of the Rebellion Sugar Creek townshi]) furnished more volunteers than any other country portion of the county of the same area.

.\t the time of the first organization of Stark county, in ]8oc), it consisted of but five townships, I'lain township being one of the five. What is now J.nckson township was then a ]i3rt of Plain, but in April, i8rT, it l)ecame a part of Green township. In March. 181 5. Jackson lr>wnship was sejiarated into a new township, .and in the latter jiart of the same year lost part of her territoVv by the formation of Lawrence town.ship. The first townshi]) officers were elected on the first Monday in April. 18 13. the election being held ;it the house of Jacob (.'lick.

but no record is extant showing who the successful candidates were. It is impossible to say definitely who the first settlers in the newtownship were, one reason for which is the fact that many of the first settlers throughout this region in those days were simply "squatters," or roving hunters, who swept over the state in advance of the pioneer settlements. The fact seeins certain, however, that a few permanent settlers were in what is now Jackson township some years before the township was organized. ]\Iany of the newcomers were in sore straits when they arrived upon the scene of their future homes, possessing often nothing" but a few rude implements of lal;>or, liut with courageous hearts they set to work and before many years the township was dotted with cabins and small clearings. The west made gigantic strides in financial prosperity between 1815 and 1835, and this \\as precisely the condition of things in Jackson township. Improvements went on slowly at first, but finally the prosperity and consequent happiness of the settlers was assured, their rude wilderness homes being transformed into those of civilizing refinement.

In the early days of this section of Ohio hundreds of deer could be seen in the forests at almost any hour, and wolves were also very numerous and troublesome, killing sheep, calves, swine, etc., without leave or license. Owing to these midnight marauders it was almost impossible to keep sheep. Aside from the liability of being killed by animals, it was difficult to keep sheep, owing to the noxious and poison<:ius herbs growing in the woods, upon which the sheep fed. Sometimes half the flock were carried off in this manner. Swine ran wild in large numbers in the woods, feeding upon the mast which at all seasons of the year could be found in abundance. They were often killed by bears.

township. This mill was abandoned about 1S22, and at the same time another mill was built upon a small stream in the northern part of the township. In about 1820 Daniel Slanker erected a rude grist-mill on Mill brook, which, ) though the quality of flour produced was of a very coarse variety, proved a blessing to the | settlers in that section, who otherwise would have been compelled to go several miles for their flour and other mill products. Near this latter mill was a distillery owned by James Black, in which a fair quality of whiskey was manufactured at the rate of about a barrel a day. Several other industries were started along about the same time, and the settlers were .soon enjoying many of the conveniences and advantages enjoyed by the older settled communities.

The town of McDonaldsville, which is located on sections 9 and 10. was laid out. platted and recorded in }ilarcli. 1829, the owners and proprietors lieing John Clapper and -\braham Routan. At the time there were three or four dwellii'.gs in the village, but others were soon erected, and soon the necessity of a store became evident. \\'iliiam McCormick was the first merchant in the village, having opened a store about the year 1830. A small building was erected and in one apartment a stock of goods was placed, while other portions of the building were fitted up in a suitable manner and were thrown open to public use as a ta\ern. This inn soon had a rival, however, as Michael Aley opened another caravansery on the Friday road, toward Canton, and this place soon became so l)opular, owing to the fact that it had a saloon attached, that McCormick was forced to sell out. The village has always had its full quota of enterprising merchants, and all seem to have (lone a fairly prosperous business.

The first schoolhouse in the township was a rude, round-log afi'air and was situated at the geographical center of the township, it being erected as early as 181 6, through the instru- mentality of Mr. Slanker. An eccentric Yankee h\' the name of Upson was one of the first teachers in this building, and it is said that he usual!}' punished his scholars by treading on their toes, which correction generally produced the desired eiYect. However, he is credited with having been a gootl teacher and sowed some good seed in this section.

The first church edifice in the township was erected in 1834 by the German Reformers and Lutherans, the structure being built of hewed logs, and was long known as Mud Brook church. Among the early members were the families of Slanker, Click, Braucher, Tresch, Humbert, Everhart and Heldenbrand. About 1834 the old building was replaced by a handsome brick structure. This township has not as many churches as some other portions of the county, owing to the fact that many of its inhabitants belong to churches outside the township.

Lake was one of the two townships which at one time constituted all the territory now comprised within the limits of Stark county, the dividing line between the two townships being the line now running between Plain and Canton townships. To what the township owes its name is a mystery ,> though several explanations ha\e been offered, the most probable of which is that the presence of Congress lake in the locality suggested the same. When Stark county was actually organized into a civic municipality the present Lake township was a part of Plain township, and so remained until April .8, 181 1, when the northwestern part of Plain township was organized as Green township, this at that time including the present Lake township. Tn June, 1816, the following proceedings were had by the board of county commissioners : ''Ordered, that the 12th township.

in the 8th range, be and it is hereby erected into a separate township by the name of Lake. Ordered also, that the qualified electors of said township meet at the house of Joseph Moore in said township on the 4th of June, 1816; for the election of township officers. Ordered also further that advertisements for said election in Lake township be put up at the house of Peter Dickerhoof in the town of Union, and at the house of Joseph Moore. (Signed) James Latimer, John Kryder and James Drennen, County Commissioners."

The name of the earliest settler in this townsliip is unknown, but the following were among those who first made settlement here : Joseph Moore, Henry Schwartz, the Markleys, Jacob Brown, a Mr. Camp, John Fryberger, George Machaner, John Morehart, Martin Bachtel, Peter Ream, Mr. Wise, Mr. Meyer, Mr. Pontius and others. The names of the officers first elected in the township are not known, as no record seems to have been kept of them. The settlement of the township progressed rapidl}', and in a few years after the first settlement it \vas impossible to secure government land. The land was of an unusually fine quality, attractive to even a casual observer, and though a small part of the township was swampy the land \\'as easily reclaimed by drainage within a few years without great cost. It was also soon discovered that the soil was underlain with a fine quality of limestone and also that coal could be obtained abundantly in the western part of the township.

Many hardships antl privations were undergone by the first settlers in the new country, and some were compelled by force of circumstances to relinquish their title to their halfimproved farms and return to the eastern states. Farm taxes had to be paid in money, which was often obtained from the sale of furs, such as mink, beaver, otter and muskrat, and the skins of the bear, the wolf, the panther, the deer and various other animals. The pursuit of these animals often led to many exciting adventures, one ol" which is here reproduced, as follows: "George Nodle, one of the earliest settlers, owned two cows that were permitted to roam at will through the woods in search of food. On one occasion about sunset, the cows not having returned, Mr. Nodle started with his dog in search of them. He was an experienced and skillful hunter and, as usual, when leaving home, took his rifle with him, though he had but four and a half bullets left. Reaching one of the streams, wiiich had overflowed its banks, Mr. Nodle was unable to proceed any further, but sent his dog across to start the cows, should they pro\e to be on the opposite side. Away went the dog and was soon barking off in the woods, although after several minutes it did not appear with the cows. Mr. Nodle at last succeeded in crossing the creek, and hurried forward to ascertain what the dog had encountered. It was now almost dark, but as the settler approached the spot where the dog stood at bay he knew- that something unusual was about to transpire. He cautiously peered through the twilight and saw with astonishment a mother bear with her three cubs. He instantly drew up and shot the large bear, and then, loading rapidly, shot in turn each of the cubs. He now had but half a bullet remaining, and it became a question of doubtful propriety in his mind whether he had better await the return of the sire of the bear family, or leave the spot immediately. He finally adopted the latter course." Many circumstances similar to this occurred.

Soon after tlie (jrganization of the township various industries, such as saw and grist-mills, began to spring into existence and did much to stimulate the settlement and growth of the community. These mills were nearly always of a primitive style and rudely constructed, but in lieu of better ones they satisfied the patrons and did a good business. One of the first of these mills was that erected by George Creighbaum some time pricM" to 1830 on a branch of the Nimishillen. It was a saw-mill, and was kept bus}' supph'ing the settlers with lumber for the erection of their homes and barns.

There are four \illages in Lake township - Cairo, Hart\ille. Greentown and Uniontown. The first named, while never very conspicuous in public notice, has always been a prosperous \illage, and is inhabited by a thriving and enterprising class of people. Hartville was settled at a ver)- early date, and soon after 1830 the first store was opened diere by John Houghton. He was followed soon afterward by Joseph Brown and Peter Shellenljerger. The town made fair progress, as is evidenced by the fact that al)out the year 183S a tavern was opened by John Morehart. Ihe town of Union, which is composed of portions of the northeast and the nortliwest corners of section 7, township 12, range 8. was laid out in April, 1816, by Elias I'reniier .md Thomas Albert, the original owners and jiroprietors. W'ho first engaged in mercantile business here is a matter of some (|uestion. It is stated that at an early date George Guisweit had a small stock of goods f<ir sale at this point, and it is certain that as early as 1825 George Myers and \V. H. Whitney opened a store, which event was followed shortly afterwards by the location of' a postoftice here. In the early days Uniontown was a lively business point, and has always maintainetl its reputation for activity and enterprise. Greentown is older than Uniontown by a few months. ha\ing Ijeen laid out in February, 1816, by Henry Wise and Peter Dickerhoof. the owners. The lots of the original surxey are located in the northeast and southeast quarters of section 30, township 12, range 8. The first merchant in the village was a man named Goodwill, who. al}out 1820, displayed fur sale a small stock of general merchandise. He was soon followed by others in various lines of mercantile business, and the town was launched upon that prosperous career that has always at- tended it. It may not be generally known hat one of Stark county's most noted industries iiad its inception in this towmship, but such is the case, and the incidents connected with the r')imflati(in of the concern will iindnubtedly prove of interest to the reader. Col. Ephraim Ball, who resided in the township about 1835, iiad his attention called to the merit of a new threshing machine, and upon thoroug'hly investigating the matter he decided to engage for himself in the mantifacture. He induced his brother to join him and together they puiohased the sole rights for Wayne county. They were not very well fixed financially, but finally succeeded in getting a suitable building erected ;d Greentown, and they entered at once upon the manufacture of the machines, Mr. Ball making the first machine with his own hands and being much hampered by the lack of suitable tools. The first machine, which was sold to John Miller, of Greentown, for one hundred and two dollars, was not portable, which fact was a most serious drawback to its value. Mr. Ball at once set about to erect one that would overcome this difficulty, and succeeded in constructing a horse-power connection for the thresher, which also, however, was pronounced to be imperfect and unsatisfactory. The brothers were now in sore straits, as their finances were at a low ebb, - in fact, their machine was actually in danger of I»eing levied upon to satisfy an execution. However, the\" were not discouraged, and in 1840, Mr. Ball and his three brothers having secured the promise of assistance from their father, concluded to build and conduct a foundry. Their experiences at this time are thus described by one familiar with the circumstances : "Their intentions were ridiculed by the citizens, who looked upon the undertaking as wild and visionarJ^ Everything was got in readiness, and finall)', in June, 1S40, the citizens to the number of several hundred, assembled to see the 'big fizzle,' at the first casting. When the castings for three plows, a dog-iron or two and a fewskillets were taken in good shape from the moulds, it is said that the citizens could hardly believe their eyes, but handled the various articles to see if they were genuine pot-metal and sound. It is said that Mr. Ball, Sr., was so ])leased with the result that he bought a bottle (if wdiiskey and treated all hands. It was extremely difficult to get patterns, for the different articles of machinery, as the prices were \ery high and the Ball brothers were without money. Necessity compelled Mr. Ball to devise some for himself. He finally made one for a plow from a piece of tough, knotty maple plank, and so excellent were the plows made from this pattern that hundreds were sold all o\-er the country, and even at far distant points. All this business was done in the face of executions and judgments that poured in as soon as it was discovered that Mr. Ball was handling a little money. There were eleven executions held against him at one time. The brothers manufactured cooking stoves, plows, hollow-ware and a few threshing machines. One day several men came to Mr. Ball and oflrered him six hundred dollars for his foundry, but the latter, knowing that it was worth much more than that, refused to take less than six thmisand d(jllars. They threatened that if Mr. fkdl did not sell for six hundred dollars thev would build a rival establishment. This was finally done, and the first thing Mr. Ball knew his ri\als had purchased the right to manufacture the plow upon which he had been engaged. This left him almost helpless, but he went to work and finally devi.sed a pattern of his own, which in the end ])nived as valuable as the one he had lost. After a time Mr. Ball began the manufacture of the Hussey reaper, six being made at one time. * * One was taken to Eouisville, where a public exhibition of its workings was given before a motley crowd of men, women and children. The farmers saw with astonishnient how the standing grain went down before it. The owner of the field im- mediateh purchased the reaper. * * Mr. Ball constructed a few separators about this time. * * * In January, 1851, Mr. Ball's partners sold their interest in the foundry to C". Aultman and David Fouser, and in April of the same year George Cook and Lewis Miller were added to the partnership, which then became known as E. Ball & Company. Soon after this the whole business was transferred to Canton, but just before this occurred Jacob Miller became a partner, and the firm name was changed to Ball, Aultman & Company." The subsequent career of this partnership is well known.

The first school house in the township was a hewed-log building erected in Uniontown about the year 1820, though it is quite probable that several terms of school were taught in the township prior to that time. The building referred to was for a long time used for all public gatherings and was for many years utilized as a seat of instruction. Lake township has long enjoyed a high reputation for morality and at a very early day houses of worship were erected by the Methodists, the Lutherans and the Reformers. There are now several very tasty and commodious church edifices in the township, all well attended and supported, and presided over by able and efficient pastors.

The Old Court House

In 1825, when the first court house was erected in Canton, no one had an idea that the little village would become a goodly inland city, and that more than one lot would be needful for thus providing for the housing of the county records and the afifording of facilities for the various departments of government. Therefore the virtual proprietor of the town, Bezaleel Wells, of Steubenville, Ohio, gave only one lot for said purpose, this being the south lot ot the block upon which the present massive court house stands, the other two lots north in said block having been purchased by the county in later days. The first stores in this block have long since become matters of memory only. They were owned, respectively, by William Cristmas. Joseph Shorb and M. and J. Laird, and on the upper corner of said block was the old Farmers' Bank, of Canton, which was subsequently moved into the old Dewalt building, northeast corner of Tuscarawas street and Cleveland avenue, where the institution finally failed, the Brandt building now occupying the site.

The court house was constructed of brick. was square in form, and not more than fifty feet in lateral dimensions, as the lot was but sixty-six; feet in width and the building stood a number of feet back from the south line. The building was erected at a cost of less than six thousand dollars. The roof was pitched to the four sides and from the center rose the old-style tower or belfry, on the vane of which was plainly inscribed the figures 1816, indicating the year in which the building was erected. In this cupola was installed the bell that now does service in the tower of the central fire-engine building, and it is worthy of mention in a historic way. This is the bell that the venerable Nicholas iiurger rang for so many years with punctillious exactitude and precision, - first at the hoiu" of nine in the morning to summoit the children to the village school ; then at the meridian hour, to admonish the good folk of the attractions of the dinner table ; and again at nine in the evening, when it was considered time for the stores to close and for all to prepare for retiring for the night. The first building for countv offices was a one-story brick structure containing four offices, utilized, respectively, by the auditor, treasurer, recoi^der and clerk. This building stood west of and on a line with the court house. On the west q\v\ of the Irit was a one-story frame building, with the gable facing the street, and for many years this was occupied as a store by the lirm of Raynolds & Ream. Between this and the county offices was a driveway from Tuscarawas street, the same being utihzed for the purpose of putting coal and wood into the sheds which stood in the rear. About the year 1840 the one-story offices were torn down and a two-story brick building erected in the place, the same extending from the court house to Court street. The lower rooms were all that were demanded for the accommodation of the county offices, and the west room on the ground floor was used for many years as the office of the county auditor. The second story had a hall running east and west, with offices on either side. The front rooms were quite desirable and were always occupied, but the back offices were not so popular. It is recalled that among the occupants of one of these offices was Thomas Goodman, who was engaged in the insurance business. He married Hannah Jane Saxton, the original proprietor of the Ohio Repository. (3ne of the other offices was occupied by Alexander Pierce, and both he and Mr. Goodman were excellent men, being acti\-e in church work and giving their influence in support of all good works in the comnninity. Two familiar characters that were often in the oflkes of this old building, and who practically made their headquarters there, w-ere Brice S. Hunter and William Bryce, the former of whom gave his attention to insurance, while the latter was a lawyer by profession. Both were bachelors well advanced in years at that time, being men of intelligence and very entertaining in their con\-ersation. The long hall upstairs did not run to the extreme west end of the building, but to within about twenty feet, and at the end doors opened into a large room that extended the full width of the building, being located immediately above the auditor's office. This room was for many years occupied as the office of the Stark County Democrat, and the paper was there established during the Civil war. Owing to its attitude at this crucial epoch a raid was at one time made upon the office, and much bitterness and ill feeling was entailed. The writer does not recall how great damage was done to the office on the occasion of this invasion of its sanctum sanctorum.