Canton Township (part 7 of 62)

It will be seen from the foregoing record that the first walls of this hotel were put up by George Stidger, the original building being only two stories. The first enlargement was made by Hatcher & Ellison, the structure being made three stories in height throughout. In 1883 Alexander Hurford became satisfied that the iDuilding should be still further enlarged and raised to four stories. Mr. Trump, who was associated with him in the ownership of the property, would not consent to the further enlargement, and therefore Mr. Hurfor.d purchased his interest and made the improvement desired, extending the building west and north and bringing it to four stories in height. It is not within the province of the writer to say whether or not the condemnation of the building for hotel purposes was just or unjust, but the very fact that the walls of the main corner were put up as early as 1814 and that seventy years thereafter the walls should be run up to four stories made many look upon the building as unsafe. After the building was raised to four stories the hotel was known as the Hurford house, and from that time to the present Canton has had no St. Cloud hotel, a name familiar to the old-timers.

An Old-Time Hotel Man Of

Canton has had some veteran hotelkeepers, among the number being George Dewalt, William Hawk, Sr., and Samuel Stover, but probably none of them served longer in that capacity than did Frederick Hipp, who died here about a decade ago. A few of the older citizens will remember Mr. Hipp as a young lad when he started as an errand boy at Hawk's hotel, in Canton, at once showing faithfulness and ability in the duties assigned to him. He was for a. time with Samuel Hawk as clerk of the American house in Massillon. After the death of William Hawk, Sr., Mr. Hipp returned to Canton and assisted m conducting the Eagle or Hawk hotel, after which he was for about two years in charge of the American house at Wooster. Thence he removed to Bolivar, Tuscarawas county, where he erected a new' hotel, to which he gave the name of the Amgrjcan house. He conducted the same successfully about fourteen years and established a reputation of keeping one of the best hotels in this section of the state, his place being very popular with the traveling public. After leaving the hotel at Bolivar Mr. Hipp returned to Canton and purchased the American house in this place. This hotel was at that time a large two-story frame building which stood on the site of the present Stuart furniture store, on East Tuscarawas street. The hotel had been formerly conducted for a number of years, in turn, by Samuel Stover, John D. Snider and others, and when Mr. Hipp came into possession the hotel lost none of its good reputation, but on the contrary it grew in favor with the traveling public. After a few years of prosperous business in this building Mr. Hipp decided to erect a three-story brick building to replace the old frame structure which had been in service for so many years. This project he carried to successful completion, and the fine building which he erected on the site is likely to stand for many years, although it is now given up for hotel purposes, being well filled with business houses and other occupants, and being one of the substantial blocks of the city. After the erection of this new building, to which the name of American house was retained, the hotel continued for more than twenty years to be known as one of the best in northern Ohio. About fifteen years ago Mr. Hipp retired from the business and thereafter resided with his family at 235 North Walnut street until his death, his wife also dying there. Their daughter, Mrs. A. R. Miller, now occupies this homestead.

Frederick Hipp was born in Germany, in 1823, and was a mere lad at the time of his parents" emigration to America in 1830. The family came to Ohio and located in Zoar, Tuscarawas county, and from that village he came to Canton to enter the employ of William Hawk, Sr., as before noted. Of Mr. Hawk's hotel enterprise mention has been duly made in a preceding article. In 1848 Mr. Hipp married Miss Katherine Reefer, who proved a most competent and worthy helpmate to him in his chosen life work. Frederick Hipp was an active and much respected member of the First Reformed church in Canton ; his daily walk and conversation indicated the Christian gentleman, and he kept an orderly temperance house and set the example of being a temperance man himself. He held various offices of trust in his church and was much loved by the congregation. No one that thoroughly knew Mr. Hipp would suspect him of any mean or unworthy deed. He was honest, truthful and reliable in all his business and daily intercourse with men, and in this is involved the real test of good citizenship. Frederick Hipp was among our best citizens and ever frowned upon any effort to force evil upon his fellow

One Hundred Years Ago

It harillv seems possible that one hundred vears ago the Tuscarawas river, which was then called the Upper Muskingum, marked the line of civilization in Ohio. The river was the boundary line which practically separated the few white settlers in the state from Indians, who still stalked through the dim forest aisles. At that time the red men still retained possession of the territories west of the Tuscarawas river, and their garb and customs were but slightly changed, if any, by the encroachments of the white settlers. Because of their presence the tijwnships of Sugar Creek, Bethlehem, Perry, Tuscarawas and Lawrence were not surveyed as early as were the townships in the central and eastern parts of Stark county. Since that time Frankhn and Green townships have been segregated from Stark county to f(jrm a part of Summit county.

The early settlement of the western part of Stark county was not initiated until 1810, while the central and eastern portions were settled somewhat earlier. Canton township was settled as early as 1805. Prior to that time the county was held as a portion of Jefferson county, and up to that time the land office for this section was located at Steubenville. James F. Leonard came here in 1805 in company witi: James and Henry Barber, and settled a little north of the present center of the city of Canton, probably in the vicinity of what is known as Crystal park. The town of Kendall was settled before the present city of Massillon was thought of. This town or village of Kendall now forms one of the wards in the northeastern part of Massillon. Before the construction of the Ohio canal no settlement existed in what is now the center of Massillon. About the time the canal was located and completed it at once opened the way for a new and enterprising town to be located on the site of the present thriving city of Massillon. In farther evidence of this fact we reproduce at this point an advertisement which appeared in the Ohio Repository of Canton, under date of March 22, 1826.

Town Of Massillon

The proprietors are now laying out and ofter for sale lots in tlie new town of Massillon, situated on the Ohio canal at the intersection of the great road leading from I'ittsbnrg westwardly through New Lisbon, Canton, W'ooster and IMansHeld. It is very conveniently and pleasantly situated on the east side of the Tuscarawas or JMuskingntn river, in the midst of one of the most wealthy and fertile wheat-growing districts in the state of Ohio. It occupies both banks of the canal, having a large and commodious basin near the center of the town, with a large number of warehouse lots laid out adjoining, so as to render it peculiarly corivenient for conmiercial business. The prices of the lots and terms of payment may be known liy applying to Alfred Kelly, acting canal commissioner ; James Duncan, one of the proprietors, who resides in that town ; or John Saxton, agent tor the proprietors, in Canton warehouses, store-rooms and other buildings, and soon the town estabHshed its reputation as the "Wheat City" in this section of the state. Among the early and enterprising citizens of the new town may be named L. and S. Rawson, M. D. and H. B. Welhnan, Jesse Rhodes, C. M. Russell and brothers, the Folgers, the Johnsons, Hurxthals, Thomas S. Webb, John H. ]\IcLain and others.

Petry township was surveyed and named but a few months after the victory of the United States forces under command of Commodore 01i\er H. Perry on Lake Erie, and therefore the township was named in his honor. /\mong tlie early settlers of Kendall, Massillon and vicinity the names of a few others occur to the writer and may be consistently entered at this point: W^illiam Henry Arvine Wales, grandfather of Arvine Wales, who is still a resident of Massillon ; Thomas and Charity Rotch and Aaron and Ambrose Chapman. It was through the beneficence of Charity Rotch that the charity school north of Massillon was established, the institution being one that has done much good and is still continuing to do so. The Rotches and many others of the early settlers were Quakers and at one time they had a Quaker meeting house in Kendall, but none has been there of late years. In those early days there were very few houses between Canton and Massillon, or rather Kendall. Most of the intervening country was what was called plains land, there being no heavy timber but a dense growth of saplings in various localities, the same averaging from ten to twenty feet in height, while hazel liushes and other underbrush were much in evidence. Among the first houses built along tlie road were several country taverns, which have been described in a pre- -vious article of this series. The original road between Canton and Massillon took a more devious course than at present. At what is now Hazlett avenue, in Canton, the road turned to the right and came by way of the present Westlawn cemetery and thence via the present Clarendon avenue school house and coming out at the place now known as Reedurban. There was no house or cleared land after leaving the Jacob Smith farm until the present Reedurban was reached. There was, howe\-er, a cluster of buildings to the north of the road at Buck hill, where Thomas Whipple now resides. That farm was known in early days as the tobacco farm, the entire tract of land being devoted to the growing of tobacco, while the buildings mentioned were used for the storing of the product until sent to market.

About sixty-five years ago they had in Massillon a race horse that became quite celebrated, the same being known as "the Massillon mare." Joseph Lazarett and other sporting men took a great interest in the success of their favorite and popular racer. A half-mile race track was estaljlished midway between Canton and Massillon, and at certain seasons great crowds would gather there from the two towns to witness the speed contests, and it was generally the case that the Massillon mare would carry off the first prize. Old Uncle Dan Dewalt, of Canton, was one of those who always took much interest in these contests. The racing fever soon attacked some of the horse dealers in Canton, and another circuit track was established by the Canton men, tRe same being located west of Harrison avenue between the line of the present Pittsburg, Fort Wayne &: Chicago Railroad and the residence of Newton E. Wise. At that time the road from Canton to Bethlehem or Navarre ran from the West Tuscarawas street bridge in a southwesterly direction and came into the present Navarre road at Buck hill, so that it formed a direct road from the \illage of Canton, as then existing, to the race track last mentioned. In the fall of the year these old race grounds often attracted our

Sixty-five or seventy years ago the old road between Canton and Massillon had many steep and abrupt hills, which are now almost obliterated by the heavy grading which has been done. We also had a sort of "rail" road, or corduroy road, that we sought to avoid. These roads were constructed of wooden rails laid crosswise. In a number of the low places these roads were constructed in order to keep from sinking too deeply in the mud. It was a slow and very rough process to pass over these primitive roads, and they will be recalled by many of our older citizens as having existed in many points where now are established most excellent and smooth roads. About the same period the present popular resort known as Meyer's lake was seldom visited except by fishermen and hunters, fish being then far more abundant in the lake than at the present time. In the early days of the writer's acquaintance with this lake there were to be found there, in addition to the skiffs, a few Indian canoes, which were hollowed out of solid logs, being much narrower and longer than the skiffs. Tliey were often called "dug-outs." A good oarsman could propell them' over the water quite rapidly'; but they proved very treacherous under unskilled manipulation as they were liable to turn over and throw the occupant into the water. The Indians and some of the old fishermen could generally manage them quite safely, but those not expert in their use were safer on land. The last live native deer seen by the writer was in the act of swimming across this lake, and the sight was an attractive one. When within a few hundred yards of the shore the pretty animal discovered us and at once turned and went back to the other shore. At that time the wild deer could often be seen in the vicinity of the lake.

Old One -Hundred -Mile Warehouse

Among the old landmarks well known to Canton people for many years was the old One- Hundred-Mile Warehouse that stood on the south side of East Tuscarawas street at the crossing of the Pittsburg, Fort Waj^ne & Chicago Railroad. This building was erected about fifty years ago, by an organization known as the Farmers' Union, to which reference has been made in preceding articles, as having conducted a milling and mercantile business in Canton. Many of the old farmers in the county will recall that about a half century ago there was quite a craze or enthusiasm in this section in bringing about organizations of farmers io engage in the mercantile and produce busiEess. They felt that the merchants were making too much money and that farming was too slow a process, and that they might benefit materially by co-operafion. We had two such orgariizations in Canton, one in Massillon and one' in Navarre, and all over the country were to be found, stores established under such organized co-operation. But in a few years they began to have trouble and financial failures, and among the organizations that thus canle to grief was the Farmers" Union of CantOii. It may be said that quite a number of fariiiers learned a lesson that kept them from making further investment of this kind.

After the failure of the Farmers' I5nion Madison Reynolds bought the warehouse' mentioned and for a time was engaged in the buying of wheat and other produce, utilizing the building for the storage of the same. About i860 Solomon Kaufman purchased the building', which he utilized for similar purposes, making shipments by the adjoining railroad. In 1878 M. C. Barber purchased the property and ap- plied the building to similar use about twelve years, having been at one time an extensive dealer in wheat and other farm produce. He sold the building to John Flory, who still owns the lot on whicli it stood for so many years. About the time iVIr. Barber acquired the property, about 1878, Fernando Herbruck had in store there one season eighteen hundred bushels of chestnuts, whicli he shipped to various points, realizing a good profit. It has been said that the yield of chestnuts in this vicinity that season was greater than has ever been known before or since.

Before the advent of the railroad in Canton, there was small need for warehouses, but very soon after the first road, the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago, was completed, two substantial warehouses were here erected - the one just mentioned and the other on South Market street, adjoining the track of the railroad. The latter building was erected l)y V. R. Kimball, who was at the time one of our leading and most enterprising merchants. Later his son, R. C, used the building until about 1865, when he sold the property to John Patton and since that time it has been commonly known as Patton's warehouse. Mr. Patton used the building until his death, a few years ago, doing quite an extensive business in the purchase of wheat and other heavy products from the farm.

Another warehouse was erected by the Dannemillers, a little east of the freight house of the same railroad, but this was destroyed by fire a few years ago. Facilities in this line -will undoubtedly keep pace with the demands of our thri^'ing and rapidly growing city. Canton is the capital of one of the best counties in Ohio and the very fact that we have two other flourishing and prosperous cities, Massillon and Alliance, and quite a number of beautiful villagies of from three hundred to twelve hundred population, should make us feel that "Molly Stark" is more than an ordinary county.

Land Values Then And Now

Seventy years ago Canton was only a small village or town, having a population not exceeding twelve hundred. It was, of course, the county seat, and this fact was about the only thing that it could claim in precedence of other villages in the county. The customs and habits of the people were simple and plain as compared with the present day. The old corporate limits were from Saxton street on the east to Wells street on the west, and from North street on the north to South street on the south, while inside of these narrow confines \\ere many vacant lots which could then be purchased for very low prices, while all outside of the boundaries indicated was giveii up to farming lands. Even fifty years ago our town was small and property cheap. As an illustration the writer will revert to a personal case. About that time he purchased two entire lots, from ^Villiam Spangler, on the northeast corner of Tenth street and McKinley a\enue, said lots being each sixty-six by two hundred feet in dimensions, and for these beautiful lots '-e paid only seventy-five dollars each. After retaining them several years, within which time he had planted shade trees along the frontage on both streets, he sold them to the late Samuel Bard for one hundred and fifty dollars each and considered the profit on the in\estment a good one.

During his residence in Canton, Samuel Bard showed much enterprise in building houses and selling them. He was a carpenter and contractor by vocation and was constantly putting up houses and disposing of the same. We lost a good citizen when he left us. He located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he continued in the same line of enterprise until his death, several years ago. His wife was a daughter of Rev. John Neisz, who lived a few miles south of Canton. About the time the Pittsi68 burg. Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad was opened through Canton new citizens began to be attracted here, such as Ephraim Ball, Cornelius -\ultman. Lewis Miller, George Cook and others who were seeking a good manufacturing point, and soon Canton began to gain recognition as an inland manufacturing town. The growth of manufacturing in the past half century has been marvelous and we now have in Canton about one hundred different lines of manufacturing of important order, embracing a great variety of products, from the Dueber-TIampden watches to the ponderous and popular Diebold safes.

The farms that for many years lay east, west and south of the original town plat have now been taken into the possession of various kinds of manufacturing concerns and adapted to the building of homes as well, while to the north of the original corporation line ha\-e been built up most beautiful and comfortable homes. The north part of the city is practically certain never to encounter the intrusion of railroail lines, as it lies much higher than the remaining portion of the place and thus offers no atti-actions for the traverse of railroad lines. The electric lines reach this section and afford ample accommodations for the residents there. As these articles are reminiscent in character it is not necessary to expatiate upon the many attractions of our beautiful city of today or the gratifying prospects for the future, 1)ut it can not but occur to the older residents to conjecture what will be the changes within the next half century.

Buildings Now And Seventy Years Ago

new public library of Canton, the writer was forcibly reminded of the time when there were no buildings of any kind in that entire block. For quite a number of years that block of lots was owned by Martin Lolir, one of the pioneer merchants of Canton. For many years he conducted his mercantile business in a two-story frame building that stood on the northwest corner of Eighth and Market streets. The old building which he there used has been removed to 7d8 High street and looks much the same as it did in the original location. When informed that this building was the one occupied seventy years ago for a store and residence, the younger generation will be impressed with the idea that the store must have been a very diminutive one and the family much cramped for room to have no larger a building than this little frame structure, and yet it served as the store and residence of one of Canton's old-tinie merchants. The building is about eighteen by twenty-four feet in dimensions, and the lilock which now occupies its original site covers a lot sixty-seven by two hundred feet, indicating that time brings mutations. The block which figures as the site of the new li- Ijrary was unoccupied for a number of years, and it was enclosed by a fence and Mr. Lohr iften used it for pasturage purposes. The first building to be put up there was a one-story frame structure, about twenty-five by thirty feet in dimensions, and the same stood on the northeast corner of the lot where Theobald & Com- [lany now have their plumbing establishment. This building was used for some time by the late Ira M. Allen, who there conducted a select school. It was afterward sold to the Baptist church and removed to the rear of their first brick house of worship, which stood on the Harter lot, corner of Tenth and Market streets. There it was used for some time for Sabbath school purposes and prayer meetings.

and Market streets, they sold tlieir old lot to the late Isaac Harter, who was anxious to secure the same, as he owned all the balance of the block of lots and had already built his fine residence there. He then had the brick church taken down and sold the material for other purposes, while the frame building mentioned was then purchased by James C. Lantz. who remo\-ed the same to his factory, on South Rex street. This, together with the entire plant. was .slKirtly afterward destroyed by fire. After the .Mien school house was removed from the southwest corner of Eighth and Court streets the late George Rank botight the north lot in said block and there erected his two-story brick residence, in w hicli he continued to reside until his death. He also built the block on the east end of the same lot, the same being occupied by Theobald & Company, as before noted, while the upper floor is used for lodge rooms. Mr. Rank erected this building for a planing mill and it was used as such for some time. The buildings erected by him always had the reputation rjf being substantially built. He was a practical carpenter and house builder and would not tolerate inferior work. Some of the oldest and best buildings in Canton were put up by him and his brother John, who was also a practical builder and equally insistent upon the strici: observance of the s]>ecifications of every contract.

\A'hile Ira M. Allen was still teaching in the little building mentioned, our union school was first established, and he was chosen as its first superintendent. He was succeeded by Henry S. Martin, during ^\-hose regime of several years the schools were greatly enlarged and new l)uildings provided. During the time of the superintendency of these two gentlemen the situation was undesirable at any time. New and enlarged buildings were needed and many of the old textbooks were discarded, so that many found f;uilt with the mimagement of the schools, Init time has demonstrated that the plan then adopted proved a great improvement upon the old system. No friend of general education wottld now consent to the abolishing of our fine public-school system. It is now generally conceded that the public schools in Canton are among the best in the state. The late Arcliibald McGregor was a director for a number of years during the early history of our union schools, and as he was a competent and experienced teacher, he proved a very valuable member of the board of education, in those days, which many of his suggestions, as acted upon, have contributed to the success and popularity of our public schools.

A Pioneer Enterprise

In the early history of Canton as a manufacturing town one of our largest products was the Gibbs plow. The late Joshua Gibbs, father of John W., Lewis. Martin L., William and George (iibbs, was a great plow man and was the pioneer in the manufacttire of plows in this county. He was a native of New Jersey and near Trenton, that state, he learned the trade of making plows. For some time thereafter he was employed as a journeyman in Philadelphia, after which he came to Canton, where he was for a time in the einploy of others among the number having been Judge Henry, who was well known in the county, especially the western part. Joshua Gibbs made a careful study and experimentation in his endeavors to perfect his plows, and very soon established a reputation for making the best in this section. His constant aim was to improve the machinery used in the processes of manufacture and to produce plows that would be superior to all others. In 1836 he obtained a patent for what became known as Gibbs' barshare plow, and this implement attanied much popularity.

After he had obtained his patent and introduced his plows in this vicinity his reputation in tlie hne gradually extended throughout this and adjoining' states. John W. Gibbs did nuicli traveling in connection with the introduction of his father's plows, but he was principally interested in selling the rights for his father's patent for polishing plows. In 1853 a patent had been granted Joshua Gibbs on this process, and the device became favorably received liy plow manufacturers. No one was better (lualified tn introduce the polishing machinery than was John W. Gibbs, and throughout the western states and beyond the Mississippi the business was pushed forward by his tact and ability. The dynamometer patented by his father also occupied his attention in its introduction throughout the country. The instrument was constructed somewhat on the plan of a spring- scale and could be attached to wagons, plows, etc., to test the amount of weight or strength required to move them. This device became quite well known and was finally sold to other parties, who are presumably still manufa.cturing the same.

Joshua Gibbs carried on his business of manufacturing plows in a shop that stood on his residence lot, on the northeast corner of Fourth and Saxton streets. He was well informed in regard to all matters pertaining to his vocation and liked to discuss the same. He was an honest, industrious and upright man. All his sons were more or less interested in the plow manufacturing in their earlier years, but this was later given up by all of them. Lewis Gibbs, who is regarded as a pioneer in the Gibbs plow works in this city, is well known in this vicinity and while he is no longer personally interested in these larger works the family still retain an interest in the same. George Gibbs, who removed to California many years ago, is still living in San Francisco, but has given up active business. While he had full knowledge and some experience in making plows, his time was mostly taken up in fine mechanical work of various kinds. Before he left the parental home he was considered one of the best mechanics in Canton. " He could work in woods, m'etals and the various other materials used to produce fine models of all kinds of machinery, and he was considered for a long time the best model maker in Canton. He married Elizabeth Albert, daughter of E. D. Albert, the hatter, who was so well known in Canton half a century ago. She died soon after their removal to California. Her brother. Thomas B., is still a resident of Canton.

Martin L. Gibbs was quite extensively engaged in making plow^ in Canton twenty-five years ago, his factory being on the north side of East Tuscarawas street and just east of the Pennsylvania Railroad. He afterwards moved to Findlay and retired from this line of enterprise. He died there about six years ago and his remains were brought to Canton for interment.

John W. Gibbs understood all about the plow business but was not a practical mechanic. He is a most thorough and energetic business man and now resides near ^\^^co. this C'junty. A number of years ago he was engaged in merchandising in Canton, in company with the late John R. Miller, their store being Ircated im the northeast cnnu-r nf tlie public S([uare. He also clerked for a time in a store in Wooster, being in the employ of Mr. Frost, then the leading merchant of that town. All the members of the Gibbs family ha\e been among" our best citizens. In the possession of the Bucher & Gibbs Plow Company, of Canton, at the present time is a Gibbs plow which w-as made in 1838 and used on a Stark county farm for fifty years, the steel barshare being worn off. It was returned to the factory of the present company in 1888 and was placed on exhibition at the Ohio state fair of the state centennial year.

A Well-Known Manufactory

From tlie early history of Massillon to the present day the name of Russell has been prominently identified with the growth and prosperity of that city. In the early part of 1838 Charles M. Russell and his two brothers, Nahum S. and Clement, came to Massillon. Charles M. was the eldest and the leading one to plan and do outside work, while the others were intelligent and industrious mechanics. The three brothers formed the firm of C. M. Russell & Company in the manufacture of agricultural implements, more especially threshing machines, and very soon the threshers made by the firm attained distinct popularity and the trade began to extend all over the western countr}'. As the firm rapidly grew in reputation and \\-ealth other brothers came on from the New England states and became interested principals in the firm. The first of the younger brothers to come was Joseph K.. who is the only one of the seven brothers now living, and later Thomas H., George L. and Allen A. Russell. AIT these brothers worked in harmony with the firm of C. M. Russell & Company, each having his place to fill and all being industrious and of good habits. Allen A. resided the greater portion of the time in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he had charge of the leading distributing' agency for the products of the Massillon plant. He died September 11, 1901.

It is safe to say that no other industry has done so much for the growth and prosperity of the city of Massillon as has that which had its inception as above noted. The concern has greatly expanded the scope of the entef prise and both stationary and portable engines are now manufactured in the finely equipped plant. The firm now have a national reputation for the building of large stationary engines that have acquired as high a standing as the Corliss and other fine engines used by electric power plants, large water works and in other places where only the highest type of such products will serve the purpose. The foundation' and plans of work of this successful and growing mdustry were laid so deep and well that the growth of the same has been almost marvelous, and the name stands as an effective trademark for the introduction of any line of products the concern sees fit to place on the market. But changes must take place in all human organizations, and while the name Russell & Company is still popularly npplied to the concern, which is the pride of our friends in Massillon, there is not one of the originals Russells connected with the firm. Joseph K., who is the only one of the seven brothers now living, has retired to private life, having no further connection with the firm. He has all that is needful for comfort and happiness, is an octogenarian and is a man active in all good work. He has been for many years an exemplary member of the Presbyterian church in Massillon, anddoes all in his power ':o raise the standard of righteousness and to promote the cause of temperance. - The head of the two Russell firms now in Massillon, that is, Russell & Company and the Russell Engine Company, is J. W. McClymonds, whose wife is a daughter of Nahuni S. Russell. There are Russells still connected with the business but they are descendants of the original founders.

When this firm erected its first shops they were mostly wooden structures and the ground occupied was the narrow strip of land on the west side of Erie street, north of that now occupied by the firm of Hess, Snyder & Company, but a number of years ago the Russells found that the limitations of this site were such they could not expand their plant to meet the demands of their growing business. They accordingly went south of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad tracks and purchased ground on both sides of Erie street, the same extendins^ from the Ohio canal on the west line to East street on the east line, and here they forthwith began the erection of substantial brick buildings, to which additions have been made from time to time imtil the large tract of ground on either side of Erie street from the canal to East street is well covered with brick buildings for the use of this prosperous concern. The otSce is one of the first buildings reached in going from the city to the works ; then here is the large iron machine shop, three stories in height, and still larger three-story buildings east of this, used in the manufacture of engines ; and west of Erie street are immense three-story buildings connected with the same establishment. The precautions taken to prevent and subdue fires in the great plant are adeciuate, and in every respect the concern has a fine prospect and is the pride of the thriving and attractive city of Massillon.

About thirty years ago the Russells decided to build a branch factory in Canton for the building of mowing and harvesting machines, and the late William K. Miller, of Canton, was the general manager of this new enterprise. They accordingly erected the large three-story building's immediately opposite the passenger station of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad, and there manufactured excellent mowers and reapers, but as their successors in ]\[assilIon found their business growing beyond all expectations they finally gave up the business in Canton and sold the buildings, which are now occupied l)y the Bonnot Company in the manufacture of brick machinery, etc. When the Russell enterprise was started in Canton there was a general interest taken in the undertaking Ijy our leading citizens, and when the day came to break ground for the new buildings there was quite a large assemblage on the grounds, while among those present was Nahum S. Russell, of Massillon, the oldest member of the original firm then li\'ing. and upon him devolved the honor of turning

The Russell concerns, with their magnificent industrial enterprises, are not only a legitimate source of pride to Massillon but the entire county also feels that it wishes to honor those who have founded and aided in building up thei enterprises and gained a world-wide reputation in the manufacture of products of the highest standard, the same having been introduced in almost every part of the civilized world.

A Bit Of Industriaf History

Fifty-two years ago Canton was looked upon as a "finished" town. There being no railroads, all the heavy trade of the county went to Massillon. We had Imt a few thousand people and the grass grew quite freely on some of the prominent streets. In 185 1. when it was definitely settled that the Ohio & Pennsylvania Raih-oad was to be built from Pittsburg to Crestline, and after that when the road was consolidated with the Ohio & Indiana Railroad, running from Crestline west, the whole line was calleil the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad, and is operated by the Pennsyl- \ ania system, under a ninety-nine years' lease. \Vhen this railway became assured to Canton Messrs. Bail and Aultman came here from (ireentown, eight miles north, where they had begun in a small way, tt) make plows and a few agricultural machines. They found they could not compete with Massillon firms and others that were on transportation lines, since Greentown was not supplied with such facilities and had slight prospect of secm'ing them. Messrs. Ball and Aultman came to Canton that year and selected three town lots on the line of the new railroad, the land in question being a portion of the .large tract now occupied by the line Aultman plant. After making this selection of lots, they returned to Greentown and reported to Lewis and Jacob Miller and George Cook as to the action taken, and they unanimously decided to remove to Canton, which they did soon afterward. In Greentown Ephraim Ball was the original founder of the plant, and afterward the others named Ijecame interested in the Inisiness, the firm and company having had various changes in titles during the intervening years. When they came to Canton a new company was organized, each partner putting in what capital he could and sharing the profits according to his investment. The total capital of the company when they started in Canton was forty-five hundred dollars. The firm thus formed was known as Ball, Aultman & Coml^any. They at once erected on their lots a twostory brick building, consisting of a wood shop, forty by fifty-five feet in dimensions; a finishing shop, forty by sixty feet; and a mouldingshop, one story in height and forty feet square. In December, 1851, they brought their tools and fixtures from Greentown and began work in the building mentioned. In the following year they built twenty-five Hussey machines and in that year also they formed the acquaintance of Thomas R. Tonner, who soon be- *came an interested principal in the firm. He had no capital, but was endowed with good business talent and inflexilile honesty of purpose so that he soon proved a very valuable man to the firm. In 1857 came on the great financial panic which worked such havoc among business men in all sections of the country. Two years previously James S. Tonner became bookkeeper for the firm, and he was an excellent accountant, and his services, together with the strict integrity and Christian principles of the founders of the firm, made it possible for them to tide over the panic mentioned, though it in-

\'olved many prominent concerns in bankruptC3^ For several years prior to this time the firm had an arrangement with a number of business houses here to take their orders for luerchandise to pay their eniployes, settlement being made by giving notes of the company, payable in four or six months at the bank. Most of the leading stores of the town thus aided these pioneer manufacturers to tide over their payments and continue operations.

About this time the Ketchum machine was meeting with considerable success, and Ephraim Ball, Cornelius Aultman and Lewis Miller were appointed a committee to get up an improved mower. Mr. Ball was a patternmaker by trade and made all the patterns for the new machine, co-operating with the other two members of the committee. After much study they constructed a mower that year, but after testing it found the same to be a failure. They were not to be discouraged, however, and finally brought out a one-wheeled machine which was more satisfactory. They proceeded to build eight of these machines in 1853, but upon practical test these machines were likewise found weak in several points and all were soon returned as worthless. Some of the members of the firm became discouraged, but Mr. Aultman advised a new attempt. The harvest was then over. Mr. Aultman then got up a drawing for a two-wheeled machine, this being the first effort in that direction. After the drawing had been submitted to Alessrs. Ball and Miller some changes and modifications were suggested and the final result was the introduction of what was well known as the Ohio mower, the first completed machine being turned out in 1854, and very soon application was made for patents, but in the patent office they found a patent had been taken out for a similar machine by a man named Haines, of Pekin. Illinois. In this emergency Mr. Aultman secured from Mr. Haines the right to manufacture in Ohio, and in the spring of 1855 Ball,

Old Landmarks'

Anltman & Company started to make twentylive of their new mowers, but on May 5 of that year fire destroyed their plant. As they had struggled to reach the point then occupied and were deeply in debt, this unexpected disaster robbed them of much of their zeal. All the members of this firm were active Christian nien of undoubted integrity, so that very soon friendly hands were extended to them, and benches were put up in a shed which had escaped destruction by the fire, and by hard work they turned out by hand that season five mowers and twelve Hussey reapers for the harvest of 1855, while in /Vugust of that year they started up in their new shop, working day and night, and as that year gave a heavy harvest thev had no difficulty in disposing of all machines manufactured. The next year they turned out five hundred Ohio mowers, fifty Hussev reapers and fifty Pitts separators or threshing machines.

iMessrs. Aultman and Miller determined that they could greatly improve the mowers and they drew plans for a two-wheeled rear-cut machine, on which they secured a patent in June, 1856. As this machine allowed the finger bar to be raised and folded for transportation, it was considered a great improvement. Only one of these machines was constructed, and in the fall of the same year its form was changed to a front cut, and this noteworthy improvement met with marked favor. For the harvest of 1857 one thousand Ohio mowers, six or seven of the new Buckeye, one threshing machine and fifty Hussey reapers were made. The Ohio and Buckeye machines were quite thoroughly tested side by side that year, and the latter seemed to carry off the prize. In 1858 Mr. Ball sold his interest to the other members of the firm and put up his own building within the same year, the same being now used by the McLain works, and in 1859 he put on the market the Ohio mower in competition with the

Buckeye, thus continuing until 1865. After he retired from the firm of Ball, Aultman & Company, the old firm adopted the name of C. Aultman & Company, under which title they built up a large and prosperous business. In 1859 this firm turned out eighteen hundred Buckeye mowers and one hundred and fifty threshing machines, this being the year of the destructive frost which visited this section in the early part of June. All the wheat throughout this region was killed, but they found a market for their machines in more distant fields, where the damage to the crops had not been so great.

The Buckeye machine continued to grow in favor, so that in 1863 they made thirty-six hundred mowers and reapers and four hundred threshing machines. The business grew rapidly and the firm greatly added to their buildings, while they finally concluded that they could not greatly increase their business further with the facilities afforded by the one line of transportation then afforded Canton, that of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad, and they therefore decided to have Lewis Miller go to Akron and there build ' a new plant, which was done. Our loss at that time was certainly Akron's gain. In T864 Mr. Miller removed to Akron and during that year the firm built quite liberally in both towns. About the same time we lost another industry that doubtless would have remained in Canton had the railroad facilities been such as we now enjoy. This was the works of Aultman, Taylor & Company, which built threshers and separators in Mansfield. The late Michael D. Harter, also from Canton, was the prime Inisiness manager. No effort should be spared to gain to Canton a still greater number of reputable, industrial concerns, and the facilities now offered here are most gratifying and encouraging to manufacturing.

Another Old Corner In Canton

On the northeast corner of Market and Eighth streets is a building which was erected about sixty-five years ago, by Michael Weisert, a German tailor. The open front was put in in recent years, and the outside stairway was not a feature of the building as originally constructed. Michael Weisert was the first tailor in Canton to keep goods on hand for the accommodation of his customers, the plan previously followed having been to purchase goods from the various dry-goods stores. He generally kept quite a stock of cassimeres and other fabrics suitable for men's wear, and also made a few garments of general order to keep for sale as customers chanced to call. His establishment could not have been called a clothing store, as the stock of ready-made garments was quite limited, but of , the fabrics for manufacturnig to order he kept a good selection. He bought all of his supplies of this sort from the home merchants, at wholesale. The writer can well recall that when he was clerking for Martin Wikidal, Michael Weisert would frequently come in and purchase several hundred dollars' worth of piece goods and trimmings at a time. Isaac Harter and V. R. Kimball also sold him more .or less goods at wholesale, but it is believed that the greater portion of his trade went to Mr. Wikidal. Mr. Weisert was often referred to as the "live Dutchman," and his trade was given to Mr. Wikidal largely from the fact that the late Louis Schafer was then clerking in the establishment and knew exactly how to please his fellow countrymen.

At the time when Mr. Weisert was in business in Canton we had no sewing machines, all work being done by hand. In the list of pioneer tailors in Canton was also found William Lemmon, of whom mention has already been made, his death having recently occurred at his old home here, at the patriarchal age of more than ninety-one years. In those early days we also had Jacob Rex, Joseph Hartman, Conrad Peter, Andrew Lothamer and V. Rothermel, who were practical workmen and carried on the tailoring business here for many years. But the introduction of sewing machines, a little more than fifty years ago, began to revolutionize the tailoring business. Prior to that time many boys contracted for terms varying from four to five years to learn the business, and as they were usually from fifteen to sixteen years of age when entering upon their apprenticeship, they would complete their term of service as young men and could then become journeymen or start in business for themselves. The introduction of the sewing machines soon made it possible to enlarge the sphere of readymade clothing and the opening of clothing stores, and the goods which had formerly been purchased from the dry goods establishments and taken to the tailors for manufacture into garments began to be handled by the tailors themselves, while much of the trade was diverted to the clothing stores. What is true of the clothing trade is also applicable to the shoe trade in general. In olden times we had many shoemakers who took boys to learn the trade, and a very few ready-made shoes were sold. Now we seldom hear of a boy being apprenticed to learn the trade of shoemaking by hand.

When Michael Weisert first came to Canton he' began operations on a modest scale in a little brick building that then stood opposite the E. J. Rex tin store, on South Market street. He soon succeeded in building up quite a large business and finally bought the lot on the northeast corner of Market and Eighth streets, where he erected the brick building first mentioned in this article. His shop or store was in the south half of the building, while the remainder was used as his residence. Michael Weisert was the father of Genera! A. G. Weisert, who was commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Relyo public a few years ago. He is now a prominent lawyer in ^Milwaukee. Michael Weisert finally disposed of all his interests in Canton and removed to Mansfield, where he was engaged in the same line of business for some time. In 1849, ^^ ^^^^ time of the memorable gold excitement in California, he, in company with his eldest son, Charles, started for the gold fields, and on the long and tedious journey he died, and as there was no means of transportation and no civilized settlement within reach, the son was compelled to bury his father in the sand and leave the newly made grave

The two-story frame building on the northeast corner of Walnut and Tuscarawas streets is familiar to most of our citizens. It has had an open front for a number of years, but was not originally so constructed. Open fronts in those early days were not in fashion. The general appearance of the building has not been materially changed save in this one regard. When the house was erected it stood five to seven feet lower than the present grade, the grade of Tuscarawas street to the west being at the time quite heavy, and there was about ten feet more of a rise from Walnut to Market street than at the present. The house mentioned has been twice raised to conform to the street grade, but it still occupies the original site.

In 1809 Bezaleel Wells sold this lot to George Kirkpatrick, who later sold it to Abraham Harman, while in 1820 Christian Palmer owned the lot. He sold the same to Jacob Sala, who erected the present building on the site in 182 1. He there opened a drug store in the corner room, where he continued the business until 1837, when the property was sold to Sanders Van Ransalaer, who held it until 1841, when it was purchased by Philip Welder. Mr. Sala will be remembered by many of our older citizens as having been the pioneer druggist of Canton. He kept a good drug store and was a man much respected. His sons, Solomon, John, Levi and Benjamin, were all \\ell known in Canton ^vhen they were young men. Solomon was a printer and for quite a time was one of John Saxton"s main supports in the publication of the Ohio Repository. John Sala became a physician. He was the father of Bronson, Matilda and Margaret Sala, who removed to some of the western states about forty years ago. Benjamin Sala was a tailor bv vocation and was the grandfather of the Sala brothers who are at present engaged in the printing business in the village of Minerva, this county. As to the other representatives of the original family the writer has no definite information. Jacob Sala was a native of Worms, Germany, and was well educated in both the German and English languages. He retired from the drug business at the time he sold the property mentioned. After Philip Weber secured the property he conducted a grocery in the corner room and occupied the remainder of the house as his residence. In 1843 '""s ^ol<i the property and transferred his business to Jacob Winterhalter and wife, the deed being in the name of the latter. Previously to this time she had been employed as cook and baker by Mr. 'Weber.

After the transfer of the property to the Winterhaltei's they continued the grocery business and also manufactured some soap and candles, which were sold to other dealers. In connection with the grocery business Mr. V\''interhalter also sold beer, wine and similar leverages on the premises, and eventually he gave up the manufacturing of soap and candles and devoted his entire attention to his grocery and saloon. He and his wife owned and occupied this building about forty years. They never liad any children. Mrs. Winterhalter was a kind-liearted woman and of a benevolent disposition, her efforts in this direction being endorsed by her husband. They adopted two girls, who Avere known to our citizens as Christina and Elizabeth Winterhalter. The latter married Joseph Allonas and is now deceased, while the former became the wife of Peter Lothamer, and they now reside on North Cleveland avenue. Besides adopting and rearing these girls Mrs. Winterhalter lent a helping hand to many others who were poor or in affliction.

A few years before the death of Mr. Winterhalter, which occurred in 1878, he and his wife turned their business over to Peter Lothamer and wife, and they then removed to a two-story brick building which they owned on North Market street, the same standing on the site of the present Martin block. Mr. Winterhalter died there a few years later and his wife thereafter made her home with her adopted (laughter, Mrs. Lothamer, on North Cleveland avenue, where she died about a decade ago. She had many friends among all classes. She and her husband bequeathed the property at the corner of Walnut and Tuscarawas streets to Mrs. Lothamer. Mr. Lothamer continued for several years the business as handed over to him by Mr. Winterhalter, after which he withdrew from the enterprise and rented the property, whicli was later used by various persons in divers lines of business, principally for the sale of liquors. The irdnt room was divided into two. The property was finally sold to the Dime Savings Bank, and a modern business block erected on the site, the bank here having its offices.

Old Home Of A Famous Family

while two other brothers, Jefferson and Frank, died a few years after coming here. They were sons of Major William Raynolds, of Virginia, who came to Ohio in 1802 and settled in Zanesville. He was in General Cass' brigade at the time of Hull's surrender of Detroit, in 18 14. William Raynolds, of Canton, settled here as a young man, in 1808, and his brother Madisoncame soon afterward, both being active and enterprising }'oung men. In 181 r William Raynolds married Elizabeth Fisk, daughter of a sea captain who came here in 1810 and invested quite largely in lands, among which was the entire block of lots lying between Tenth and South streets on the west side of Market street. On the north lot of said block of lots William Raynolds built a frame cottage, and there he resided until his death, in the autumn of 1829. He had four sons and two daughters, George, John F., William F., Harris, Rebecca and Chora. Rebecca married Dr. Perkins Wallace and Chora became the wife of Clinton McCully, who had formerly lived in Baltimore, Maryland, her death occurring very soon after her marriage.

After Mr. Raynolds' marriage he dealt extensively in real estate, which he probably took up from his father-in-law. Captain John Fisk, who about this time resumed a seafaring life, his death occurring in the city of Baltimore, whence his remains were brought back to Canton for interment. William Raynolds built the first building where the Shocks mill now stands, about two miles south of Canton, on the road to North Industry. At first it was used as a fulling and cloth mill, but it was afterward converted into a flouring mill. Between the mill and the road 1\Ir. Raynolds erected another building, and there he conducted a general merchandise business. In those early days the Raynolds mill and store had quite a reputation through this section. Mr. Raynolds also filled the office of clerk of the courts and recorder for several years, and at the time of his death he was about forty years of age. Very few persons accomplish so much in so short a Hfe as Wilham Raynolds was permitted to hve. George Raynolds, the eldest son of William Raynolds, kept the Eagle hotel in Canton half a century ago and was a popular landlord. He afterward removed to Akron, where he Avas engaged in a similar enterprise for a number of years, and he died in that place, se\eral years ago. John F. Raynolds, who began as a boy to sell goods in his father's .store, south of town, passed one year in a wholesale establishment in New York city, after which he returned to Canton, where he was married to Margaret Faber, in 1839. He was in the dry-goods business in Canton for some time and then took up his residence near Canal l'"ulton and was there engaged in the milling business for a number of years. He then returned to Canton, where he was engaged in the hardware business for some time, under the firm name of Raynolds & Saxton, Joseph S. Saxton being his partner. He also organized the Canton Gas Light & Coke Comjiany, of which he was president for some time. He was an earnest and active member of the Presbyterian church in this city, was much interested in the work of the Young INIen's Christian Association and he greatly aided this organization in erecting and paying for its present fine building. He was an honest and earnest worker in all he undertook and was very jwpular among all good people. At the time oi his birth in 181 7, the family lived in the brick house at the northeast corner of Nintli and Market streets, commonly known as the Katiffman house, and this residence is nne of the oldest now standing in the city. John V. Raynolds died at his home, on the northwest corner of South and Market streets. Tuly 22. i88g. in the seventy-second year of his age.

Point, was for a long time colonel of an engineering corps, and occupied important and responsible positions during the war of the Rebellion. He died a few years ago, at his home in the city of Detroit, Michigan, his remains being brought to Canton and interred in the family lot in Westlawn cemetery.

The youngest of the four brothers was Harris Raynolds, who passed the most of his married life on a farm two miles south of Cant(in, near the site of the mill and store built by his father so many years ago. A few years before his death he erected a nice frame residence on Cleveland a\enue, and there his death occurred.

l"he eldest daughter of \\'illiam Raynolds, as already stated, married Dr. Perkins Wallace. They lived in the old homestead in Canton for quite a nvmiber of years after the death of her parents. Dr. \A'allace had an excellent practice A\hile residing in Canton, as did he also while a resident of Massillim, and some of our later physicians studied in his office, among the number being Dr. Joseph H. Matthews, who later controlled one of the most extensive ]:)ract!ces ever had by any physician in Canton. Dr. Wallace was a well informed man and was an acti\'e member of the old Canton Lyceum, whicli was one of the best organizations for athancing general culture that the cit_\' has ever known. It would be gratifying if such an organization could i)e maintained in the city at the present time. It would certainly be much better than manv of the more dotibtful societies and organizations which supplanted the grand old lyceum.

Madison Raynolds, brother of William, was the father of the successful bankers who are known throughout Colorado, New Mexico and other western states, transacting l)usiness under the firm name of Raynolds Brothers. For a number of years Madison Raynolds was engaged in mercantile pursuits, the firm at one time being Raynolds & Ream. Their store was in a frame Iniilcling that stood on the southwest corner ot tiie court-house block, just across Court street from the old Hurford house. East of this store was a one-story frame l>uil(ling that was for years the office of the law lirm of Starkweather & Jarvis. Next to this was a one-story brick structure that was utilized for four of the county offices of those days, - those of treasurer, clerk of the courts, auditor and recorder, - and next to this building was the old court house wliich was erected in 1816. Madison Raynolds was well informed on general subjects, was much respected in ilie communit}- and was regarded as one of our most valuable citizens. For a number of years he ownefl and occupied the two-story brick residence which stands in the rear of P. H. Barr's drug store, on East Tuscarawas street. The three-story brick building in front of this residence was erected later, by C. C, A. Witting, who there conducted a drug store. Later Aladison Raynolds purchased and remodeled the frame cottage at No. 902 West Tuscarawas street where he thereafter resided until his death. Mrs. Raynolds and her brother, the late Dr. Eew is Slusser, also died there, and the properly is still owned by the sons of Mr. Raynolds.

Seventy-five years ago, on the site of the present fine four-story building of the Young- Men's Christian Association in Canton, at the southeast corner of Tuscarawas street and Mc- Kinley avenue, stood two frame buddings, which were occupied by two brothers, Francis and John Pirrong. The former was a blacksmith by vocation and had his shop in the one-story building on the corner, while hisbrother was in the tombstone business and occupied the two-story building adjoining'. In those early days there was but little marble or granite to be had in this section, as wagons furnished the only means of transportation, and therefore most of the tombstones were made of sandstone. In some of our old cemeteries are yet to be found some of these old tombstones, the inscriptions on the same being almost obliterated by the ra\'ages of time. Many of these were, made by John Pirrong in the shop above referred to. The Pirrong brothers had a sister who was well know-n to our citizens m later days, - Mrs. John Maline, who resided for some time with her son, in Youngstown, Ohio, W'here she died at a venerable age. She was a very excellent woman, having man}- friends among all circles in Canton. ;

Francis Pirrong lived in a one-story brick residence on the same lot on which his shop was located. This residence faced McKinley avenue and was located a short distance south of the shop, and prior to this the house had been the home of Isaac Suffacool, a cooper. He removed to the west and Francis Pirrong then took possession of the residence and shop, converting- the latter into a blacksmith shop. John Pirrong owned and occupied a one-story frame residence that stood on the northeast corner of Cassilly and Tuscarawas streets, the same having- been afterward known for many years as the home of the late Arnold Lynch. After selling this property Mr. Pirrong erected a two-story frame building on the site of the building now occupied bv the office of the Western L'nion Telegraph Company, just east of the George D. Harter Bank building. In this building Mr. Pirrong lived for a number of years, having previously retired from the tombstone business.

John Maline, whose wife has been already mentioned in this connection, was quite a prominent citizen in Canton for many years. He erected the two-story Ijrick block in the center of the block between Piedmont and ^^^alnut streets on the north side of Tuscarawas street, and there he was long and successfully engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery business. He finally removed with his family to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he passed the remainder of his life, having met with serious financial reverses.

immediately east of the Y. M. C. A. building, on West Tuscarawas street, stood the building occupied by Conner Sweeny and family. He was a hatter by trade and had his shop in the west part of said building, adjoining the Pirrong property. Most of the hats of those days were manufactured of wool or fur, many being made to order. The stores did not keep hats in stock as at the present time, and the hatting business was quite an extensive trade as conducted at thatperiod. Mrs. Sweeny kept on hand a good supply of gingerbread and pop beer, which were much calletl for at that time, affording quite a profitable enterprise for the good woman who served them, while the customers were none the worse for their indulgence in these products, which is more than can be said of those who resort to the use of the Ijrewcd beer sold in so many places to-day.

On the northeast corner of McKinley avenue and Tuscarawas street was a one-story frame buildmg owned and occupied for John McCurdy, who was having his shop for a the front room of said McCurdy was a most worthy and industrious, citizen. He was the father of the late Mrs. A. McGregor and also of Joseph and George McCurdy. His oldest son, William, was killed by the Indians while en route across the plains to California, more than a half century ago. The east half, of the block of lots, \\iiere the Trinity Lutheran church now stands, was a vacant lot for many vears. It requires tjut a few years to make great changes in the appearance of a city that has enmany years by a cabinetmaker, long period in building. Mr.

In the time to wliich reference has been here made the old academy building, with four rooms, stood on the site of the present highschool building". All pupils paid tuition, this having been before the establishment of free public schools, and many of us were glad to be able to learn to read and write, witliout aspiring to the higher branches of knowledge, now within the reach of all. Barrick Michener and Andrew Munks were the two teachers best known in connection with the old academy, in which they taught for a longer period than did any other instructors, and they will be well remembered by all who lived in Canton in those

Two Well-Known Corners In

The site of the present First Metliodist Episcopal church, southeast corner of Tuscarawas street and Cleveland avenue, has been visited by two disastrous fires. The first was the burning of the St. Cloud hotel, in 1859; the second was the burning of the large Methodist church building, on January i, 1881. Before either of these buildings had been erected there stood on the lot two frame buildings of one story each. The west half of the lot was owned and occupied by William Beals, who had a saddle and harness shop in the front building and who resided in a frame building which stood a little south of the siiop, facing on Cleveland avenue. The east half of the lot now used by the First Methodist Episcopal church was originally owned by the late Daniel Dewalt, who there had a one-story frame I)uilding in whicii he lived and conducted l)usiness, being a watch- maker and jeweler by trade and having his shop in the east room of the building- mentioned. He, however, devoted much attention to deal- ( ing in horses, so that his watch-repairing business was eventually abandoned. The late Isaac Harter resided there for some time and also the late Madison Raynolds, and some of the children of each were born in the little frame building. The late Nicholas Bour hnally purchased the east part of that lot and erected thereon a \'ery substantial and attractive three-story l)ricl<: building, in which he resided and carried on the merchant-tailoring business for many years. In later years, when he was appointed postmaster, the postoffice was located in the large front room, which had a nice open front, supported by stone pillars.

The late John Buckius bought the Beals property and the Bour property, and in 1858 the first St. Cloud hotel was built by him on the ground now occupied by the First Methodist Episcopal church, the same being a three-story building, with a wing of practically equal dimensions and heig'ht to the spacious front portion. William Hawk, father of William Hawk, Jr., who is now one of the leading hotel men of New York city, married Mr. Buckius' daughter Ella, in 1858, and the St. Cloud hotel was opened by the firm of Buckius & Hawk and soon received a good patronage and gained much popularity. After the hotel had ])een in operation about one year it was destroyed by fire. The fire originated in the barn that stood at the south end of the lot, facing on Cleveland avenue, and it soon communicated to the hotel, which was entirely destroyed. Very soon after this disastrous fire Messrs. Hawk and Buckius purchased of Mr. Ellison the hotel property now known as the Hurford house, corner of Tuscarawas and Court streets, and there they permanently established the reputation of the St. Cloud hotel, the building at the time being considerably smaller than at present. They finally sold the propertv to

Peter P. Trump, and at a later period Alexander Hurford secured an interest in the property, while since the deatli of Mr. Trump the Hurfords have been the sole owners of the property. After the buildings had l^een enlarged to their present dimensions the building was known as the Hurford house, and is si ill known by that name. Imt it has been vacant for some time, having been condemned for hotel purposes, and in 1903 the building was taken down and there is now in process of construction a large six-story brick and stone building.

In 1864 the first building for church purposes was erected by the First Methodist Episcopal church on the site of their present large and sul;)Stantial stone edifice, this being the second church building erected by the Methodist society in the town. It was destroyed by fire on the morning of Sunday, January i, 1881, the conflagration originating from a defective flue, and the fire occurring just as the congregation were about to celebrate the holy communion. In another article is given the histoiy of the Methodist church in Canton and thus it will not be necessary to recapitulate at this juncture. It may be said, however, that when the first church building was erected on this lot, in 1864, the two half lots formerly owned by William Beals and the other half lot to the east, formerly owned by Daniel Dewalt. constituted all the groiuid then owned by the church, but when the present fine house of worship was ercted it was found that more ground was required, and the society then purchased the Nicholas Bour property. Mr. Bour's three-story building had been badly injured by the fire which destroyed the St. Cloud hotel, adjoining, and had just been repaired when the Methodists purchased the property, and they removed the entire building to make room for their present edifice.

The building just east of the church is one of the oldest frame houses now standing in the city, but the open front and other modern improvements ha\-e much changed its appear- ance. For many years before it was brought into requisition for l:)usiness ])urposes it was owned and occupied Ijy a family named Gaff. On the site of the substantial building now occupied by the Savings and Loan Company stood a two-story frame building that was quite old and that had been occupied for many }ears by the late Peter P. Trump. Before that time jt had been for a long time the home of the Burr family. "Charley" Burr will be well remembered by some of the older citizens. He was a printer by trade and was a jolly, good natured fellow. But time has wrought many changes, and many families once well known here are now well nigh forgotten. It was while the Burr family resided in the house mentioned that the late Isaac B. Dangler married Miss Burr. They afterward removed to ]\Iassillon, where Mrs. Dangler died many years ago, and Mr. Dangler was married a second time, his death occurring but a few years since. While he lived in Canton he was considered one of the best salesmen in the county. He clerked for some time with V. R. Kimball and also with Isaac Harter, while in JNIassillon he was similarly employed by some of the best firms in the town, and was also in the mercantile business for himself for a time. Hon. David A. Dangler, a brother of Isaac B., was likewise a clerk in Canton in his early days. He is now a resident of the city of Cleveland and is well known throughout the country as the manufacturer of gas stoves, being also an ex-senator of the state legislature.

The Klmball And Stidger Homes

In the early 'seventies the block of lots now occupied by the Baptist church, on South Market street, had but two buildings on the entire block. One was the V. R. Kimball home, a two-story brick building, which stood close to the sidewalk line on the northeast corner of the present church lot. The other was a two-stor\' frame building that stood where the residence of Mrs. E. D. Keplinger is now found ; this older building was close up to the sidewalk, the style in those days having been to have the houses in close proximity to the street, instead of providing lawns in front. This frame buildingwas built and for many years occupied by Philip Slusser. It must have been erected as early as the vear 1818. "Father" Slusser, as he was familiarly known, was one of the first ]Methodists in Canton, and consequentl}' his honv; was often thrown open for the meetings of said church, while entertainment was there graciously extended \.o the itinerant clergy of the jtioneer days, the wife of this honored pioneer ha\'ing been in full accord and sympathy with him in his religious views and services. Father Peter Tofler. ancjther earnest -worker in the church, lived in a small two-story Ijrick building opposite the Slusser homestead and on the site of the present home of the compiler of these reminiscences. At- this point it is eminently consistent that mention be made concerning- that sterling citizen, Philip Slusser. and the narrative phraseology will be in a measure set aside in order that the writer may speak in the terms of greater and affectionate familiarit\-.

My grandfather, Philip Slusser, came from Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, to Stark county in 1805. He entered a quarter section of land in what is now- part of the eastern division of Canton and soon afterward erected the first fli-)uring--miil in the countv. This was established on the same site afterward 1 rccupied by the Rowland n-|il1. which was later known as the George Myers mill, both of these mills liaving been destroyed liy lire, while no mill has occupied the site for a number of years.

When Grandfather Slusser first can-ie here, his sons Philii), Peter and John were of sufficiently mature years to l)e very helpful to him. Philip and Peter finally settled in Tuscarawas township and reared large and influential fam- ilies. John remained in Canton and eventually engaged in the mercantile business. He was the father of the late Dr. Lewis Slusser, and also of Sanuel D. Slusser and Airs. Madison Ra\nok!s, both now deceased, the only surviving member of the immediate family at the date of this writing being Mrs. David Zollars.

After the death of his father, John Slusser was appointed administrator of the estate, and he sold tlie old house and two lots belonging to it, which consisted of the entire block" except the one lot occupied by the Kimljall house, already mentioned. He received lor the property six hundred dollars, which was considered at the time a very reasonable and fair equivalent. It is needless to say that a far different price would be demanded for such property at the present time. Mrs. McNab, mother of the late Dr. Harmon Stidger, bought the property, and there she and her son resided until her death, after wdiich the property passed into other hands, and rapidly appreciated in value, being now divided into four or five lots and well improved. Dr. Stidger was quite an active and influential citizen in his day. He was an ardent Democrat and was one of the two delegates sent from Stark county to the state constitutional convention at Columbus, more than half a century ago, at which time the present constitution of the commonwealth was framed. Hon. Josqih Troup, likewise a Democrat, was the other Stark county delegate.

The V. R. . Kimball house, southwest corner of Market and Ninth streets, to which reference has been made, was built in 1829, by Orlando Metcalf, but William C. Kimball, of Tiffin, Ohio, states that he believes Mr. Metcalf never occupied the dwelling, wdiich he sold to the former's father. V. R. Kimball. Mr. Metcalf, who was a lawyer, soon afterward removed to Pittsburg, Pentisylvania. where he attained eminence in his profession. Mr. Kimball and his wife both died in this old homestead, in wdiich all of their ^lildren were born. This is now the site of the Baptist chifrch.

About thirty years ago the trustees of the Baptist church jnu-chased the Kimball property from the heirs, and in 1871 the old Kimfe house was razed to the ground and the new church building erected on the lot. Volney R. Kimball was at one time one of the largest and most enterprising merchants in Canton. He built the large store now occupied by George H. Spangler, on the east side of the south public square, and utilized the same for mercantile quarters until his death. He also built the large two-story brick building now standing at the southeast corner of Cherry and Third streets, the same having been used as a tannery during the tim.e of his ownership. In early days Canton had quite a number of tan yards, but none are to be found here at the ]M-escnt day, the enterpri.se having fallen into decadence with the clearing and settling of this section, as it became di:Ticult to secure the requisite bark at a price that would justii'v the continuation of operations, this leading to the final aliandomnent of all the tan yards. At one time John P. Harley, a brotherr in-law of Mr. Kimball, was interested in the store. He was a genial and energetic man and was quite prominent in the work of the Pre.«- hyterian church, of which he was a member. The writer was for a time a clerk in the Kimball store, taking a position there in 1840, during which time he boarded in the Kimball home, which was center of gracious and refined hospitality.

ton, who was the original proprietor of the Ohio Repository. This building stood on the southeast corner of Market and Eighth streets, occupying the north part of the site of the present Saxton block. John Saxton was one of the leading pioneers of Stark county. He came hither from Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, in (he early part of the year 1815, and on March 30 of that year he issued the initial number of the Ohio Repository, which was the first paper pu!> lished in Stark county, while at the time there were no more than six or seven papers published within the borders of the state. It is gratifying to note the fact that this pioneer newspaper has continued publication consecutively to the present time, under various circumstances, changes and vicissitudes, it is true, but none who have presided over its destinies has been so ill advised as to change the name of the paper, which is still known as the Repository.

When the enterprise was inaugurated, the office of the paper was established in a twostory frame building on the east side of the public square where its headquarters were maintained for several years. This ancient structure is still standing at the time of this writing and is itself a veritable landmark. After the removal of the Repository to other quarters, the building was occupied for many years by Jonas Polly, a watchmaker and jeweler, while later George Fessler there conducted a grocery business for a long period. Finally the dignity of the building waned and it was applied to baser uses, being used by dififerent individuals as a place for retailing intoxicating liquors. From this place the Repository office was removed to the Kaufman house, now known as the Herbst house, on South Market street, this being one of the oldest brick buildings in the city. Later Mr. Saxton built his residence and printing office on the two lots which he had purchased for that purpose, the Kaufman lot and the two Saxton lots making up the block. Mr. Saxton

C(:)ntinued to occupy this residence building until his death, and as long as he controlled the paper its office was retained in the building which he had erected for the purpose.

About sixty years ago Mr. Saxton sold to his son-in-law, Thomas Goodman, the part of the soutii lot on which is now located the hardware store of E. J. Rex, the rear portion of this store being the old Goodman residence, the same being hidden from view from the street by the new portion erected by the present owner when he came into possession of the property. In the salutatory editorial appearing in the first issue of the Repository. Mr. Saxton pledged to the public that so long as he controlled the paper truth should be his guide and the public good his aim. All who knew him must accord to him honesty of purpose, however nluch the\" might differ with him as to policy of government. He was an active and consistent member of the Presbyterian church, and was seldom absent from its services so long as he was able to be about. He and his noble wife lived in this house until their days on earth were passed. They were the parents of five sons and one daughter. In 1831 Joshua Saxton, a brother of John, became a partner in the publication of the Repository, the firm being known for a number of years as J. & J. Saxton. Joshua Saxton also was a most excellent man and was a mem!:)er of the Methodist church. He finally sold his interest in the Repository to his brother and then removed to Urbana, Ohio, where for many years he published the Urbana Citizen an(l.Ga:^ette. and there he passed the remainder of his life.

In 1857 John Saxton admitted his son Thomas ^^^ to partnership in the newspaper business, and after his death the latter became the sole proprietor, continuing to publish at the old stand until 1871. when it was consolidated with the Republican, another paper of the same political faith, owned and published by Josiah Hartzell, and after the merging of the two the publication continued under the title of the Canton Repository, by which it is known at the present time. The building in which Mr. Saxton so long published 'the Repository was a one-story frame structure which stood on the ground now occupied by the south end of the Saxton block, its lateral dimensions having been not more than forty by sixty feet, while it stood about forty feet to the south of the Saxton residence. Its gable end faced the street and the entrance was an ordinary three and one-half foot door, on either side of which was a window. The press used in the early days was the old-style lever type, operated by hand, and known as a Washington press. Some of the men wlio became apprentices in the office of the Ohio Repository during the regime of its founders attained distinction in after years, the most notable instance being that of Joseph Medill, who was at one time proprietor of the Cleveland Leader, and who later attained a national reputation as the head of the Chicago Tribune, of which he continued to be the editor until his death, only a few years ago. In conclusion of this article it may be said that the present Grand opera house of Canton covers the ground occupied originally by the little shed standing farthest to the left.

The name Eagle hotel and Eagle block have been familiar to the citizens of Canton and Stark county for fully two score of years. This arises from the fact that George Dewalt, who opened his hotel in the town at a time when its population was very limited in numljers, applied to his place the title of Eagle hotel at the time of opening its doors to the public. He erected the three-story brick building, the same having been located at the southwest corner of Market and Tuscarawas streets. The Eagle hotel was considered one of the finest in northern Ohio at that time, and tiie name was retained through the \arious changes in proprietorship. There was a main building and a two-story wing at the rear, the same facing on Tuscarawas street aitd containing the dining room and kitchen. West of this was the laundry and woodhouse, and beyond these the barn, all built of brick. The barn stood on the corner of Tuscarawas and Court streets, with the gable facing the former, and large double doors, arched, afforded access.

George De\valt was a brother of the late Daniel Dewalt and was the grandfather of Mrs. William McKinley, on the maternal side. He conducted the hotel about a quarter of a century and then sold the property to William Hawk, who came here from Pennsylvania and who conducted the house until his death, after which his sons, Samuel, Reuben and William, continued the business for a number of years. Thereafter George Reynolds was the proprietor for several years, and after his removal to Akron, where he engaged in the same line of business, the building passed into other hands and was converted into a business block. Dr. Robert H. McCall had his drug store in the corner room of the old Eagle block for a number oi years prior to his death, which occurred nearly forty years ago. The next room to the south was occupied by John R. Buclier and later by Geeting & Bucher as a dry goods store, and the room farthest to the south was utilized by various persons and for various business purposes during the passing years. Since the erection of the present four-story brick building on the site of this historic building the Eirst National bank has occupied the corner room, while the remainder of the building is utilized for business and office purposes. The present liuilding has never been utilized as a hotel, hut the name of Eagle block has fortunatelv been retained.

The Dewalt family had been engaged in the hotel business prior to coming to Canton, whither they came from Aaronsbur.i^. Center county. Pennsylvania, ami they were related b\- n:arriage to the Danner family, the latter family having originally resided in the same town in the Keystone state. The hotel building in Aaronsburg which was used Iw the Dewalts was still standing a few years ago and is presumably so at the present time, the same being a substantial two-story stone building, well able ti) withstand the ravages of time for another centurx- if need be. Philip Dewalt, father of George, erected the two-story brick building at the northeast corner of Cleveland avenue and Tuscarawas street, and there conducted a hotel for a time. The structure is now known as the Brandt building, while its appearance has been sumewhat changed 1)\- the remodeling. During the time that deorge DeW'alt and William ]-la\\k conducted the Eagle hotel the stage office was maintained there.and thus it was a general headquarters for the traveling public and also for the tdwnfolk. the arri\'al and departure of the old-time stage coaches being important e\'ents in the routine of each day. William Barber was for manv vears identified with these stage lines. He could handle tlie reins over a four-horse team to perfection, but was too vahtable a man to long engage in "tooling" the stages, as the modern coaching term has it. He therefore was assigned to the more responsible duties of sti])erintending the general affairs of the stage routes. The two principal lines of stages were those of the daily service from Pittsburg, by way of New Lisbon, Canton, Massillon, Wooster, etc., and the tri-weekly service from Steubenville. \-ia Carrollton and Waynesburg to Canton. Both of these lines were equipped with the old-time four-horse coaches. George Cribbs was one of the original proprietors of stage lines.. He owned and occupied the two-story brick residence which is still standing on the northwest corner of

Fifth street and Cleveland a\enue. but this building likewise has been extensi\ely remodeled. Numerous minor hack lines were operated from Canton to various points in the county, but the two mentioned were the only ones which operated the pretentious four-horse \'ehicles.

The w riter"s first trip east to purchase goods was made in the spring of 1845, ^"^ O" the return journey we reached Pittsburg by way of the canal packet, and while we traveled slowlv , the trip was enjoyable. We landed in Pittsburt: on the loth of April and found the city in flames, more than half of the best portion of the city being destroyed, while up to this time this was the largest urban fire which had ever occurred in the United States. The roads from I'ittsburg west were in bad condition and our progress was consequently slow and tedious. and all along tlie route we conve}'ed the news of the oreat fire.

Block

In another article reference is made to the old court house which was erected in 1816 and which occupied only one lot of the ])reseJit court house block, while store rooms and other building's stood on the two lots north of the court house. Nearly si.xty years ago Martin Wiki- (lal. who owned the middle lot, remo\ed all the old buildings from saifl lot aufl there erected a three-story brick building, known as the Farmers' & Mechanics' block. The novth room had been utilized for \arious business purposes and also part of the time in C(innecti')n with Martin Wikidol's residence. ]\Iartin \\"ikidal conducted his mercantile business in the south room until he .sold the property to the countv commissioners, in order that the requisite gTouinl iniglit he had for the new and larger court Imnse. The frontage of tlie 1)lock was sixty-seven feet, the entire width of tlie lot. The next lot north was owned by the late John Laird, and upon this was a twostory brick building whicli extended up to Fifth street and was of the same w idth as the Wikidal lot. Two stores and a residence were in this building. The first room M. &: J. Laird occupied for years as a general store, and after that for a term of years Ruynokls & Saxton utilized, the same for a hardware store. The Laird property \vas purchased by the county about the same time as was the Wikidal, and ever since that time the entire block has been used for countv purjjoses. The second story of the \\'ikidal block was largely utilized for law offices, and among the early members of the bar who there had heacl(|uarters were Brown & Meyer, and after the war Meyer & ^Nlanderson. James D. Brown was tlie father-in-law of Charles F. Manderson. Before the Civil war Mr. Manderson was quite aoli\-e in the cause I of the Democratic party and served with distinction in the war, holding the office of colonel j and soon identifying himself with the Republican partw A few years after the war Mr. Brown and Colonel Manderson removed to Omaha, Xeljraska, and the latter became a 1 prominent figure in the ranks of the l-^epublican party in tliat state, which he represented in the , Linited States senate for several terms. J. D. Brown lived only a few years after his removal from Canton. The late Seraphin Meyer has Ijeen well known in the county, having been a successful lawyer and ha\ing ])resided on the common-pleas bencli several terms. He had been a Democrat, but at tlie outbreak of the rel)ellion he enlisted and ser\-ed as a brave and loyal .soldier, and for some years thereafter was identified with the Republican part)-, but eventually resumed his original political faith. He removed to California, where his death occurred