Canton Township (part 8 of 62)

The third storv of this block had two halls, the larger one of which was for a number of vears occui)icil by the Odd Fellows as a lodge room, while the smaller was used by the Sons of Tem]jerance as long as their active organization was maintained, and after that time the hall was utiHzed for divers purposes, while it niav be noted that for a time it was the head- (juarters of the local contingent of the political organization designated as the Know-Xothing party, of which s(.)me of the old-time Dem^ ocrats ha\e rather un felicitous memories. Immediately opposite the Wikidal lot stood the two-story market house, the same being located in the center of the north public square. This was erected in i<>_^(y Henry Kintz was the contractor and builder, and the building was considered one of much importance in its day. It was about forty by seventy-five feet in dimensions, and was the second market house erected in the city. The first stood in the center of the soutli ])ublic scfuare, and was a one-story structure, built much after the style of the old market houses that stood so many years in Market street in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsvl\-ania. This structure had brick columns about twenty inches .square and built up to a height of fifteen or eighteen feet, and upon them rested the timbers and roof. The stalls for market |)urposes in the second building were all on the ground floor and on the second floor was the town hall and six small rooms. The hall could not have Ijeen more than fortv feet square, while the height of the room did not exceed ten feet. In those early days it answered the i)urpose to which it was applied, Init today such .a town hall would be looked upon as a subject for ridicule. In this room i many public meetings were held, and it was j notaI)ly used for the assembling of the old-time Ivceums. Here also were held the first services of both the Trinity Lutheran and the Baptist churches, the Lutheran brethern having utilized the same many years before the Baptist organization was formed. In the south end of the room was the bell rope, which extended up into the little belfry in the center of the building. The weight of the bell could not have been more than fifty pounds, and it could not Ije heard over a tenth part of the city as it exists today, thottgh at that time it proved an adequate medium for summoning the town folk together.

The two rooms in the south end of the building were nearly always occupied for shops or offices, but the four i-ooms north of them were not particularly desirable and were vacant the greater jiortion of the time. Of the two rooms occui)ied one was for many years used as a tail(^r shop l)y Canton's well known pioneer, ^Villiam Lemmon. TJie southeast room was used as the city's first telegraph ofBce, the first operator being the late George R. Saxton. Massillon wa.-- supplied with teleg'raphic facilities somew hat earlier than was Canton, and in fact the first line in Canton was simply a loop from the Massillon office. Li this connection it is also recalled that Massillon also had express service in advance of the county seat. Before we had any railroads and while packet boats were operated on the Ohio canal, Joseph S. Lockwood, of ?\Iassillon, established what was known as the Lockwood express, utilizing the packet boats as the means of transportation.

Banner Homestead And Other Early Buildings

The old Danner home was located on West Tuscarawas street and stood on the lot where is now located the residence of Joseph S. Saxton, at the corner of Wells and Tuscarawas streets. The building was erected in the year 1821, by

Jacob Danner, father of the writer. After his marriage he began housekeeping in this building and there he and his wife continuously resided until death, Jacob Danner having been gathered to his fathers in 1844, while his devoted wife entered into eternal rest in 1885, having never removed from the lot mentioned. Joseph S. Saxton, who married the only daugh- 'ter of Jacob Danner, erected the present twostor}' brick residence about forty years ago, and Mrs. Danner thereafter resided with her daughter until she passed away.

Jacob Danner was a gunsmith by trade, and for tliis reason he purchased from Bezaleel Wells, proprietor of Canton, a lot just outside the corporation limits of the little village, in order that he might have a convenient place to test guns and not be subject to town ordinances against shooting' firearms within the corporation. The original boundaries of Canton were W'ells street on the west, Saxton street on the east. North street on the north and South street on the south, - representing a territory that would offer rather inadequate accommodations for the present city of more than forty thousand population. The old well which the father of the writer had digged at the time the house was built is still in use and may be seen in front of the present building. A few feet south of the well and facing Wells street wms his gunsmith shop. It was a one-story brick building and stood in close juxtaposition to the sidewalk, as did the residence. It was then customary to erect all buildings at the fronts of the lots, and more attention was given to cultivating gardens in the rear of the dwellings than to proving lawn embellishments in the front.

On the west side of the house was the home of Philip Danner, a brother of Jacob, and this building is still standing, having been removed from its original location to the corner of the private alley on West Tuscarawas street. The east of the building was of frame construction and one story in height, and in the same Philip

Danner Homestead

Danner carried 011 the business of carpet and coverlet weaving for many years. The shop part was later made a two story building. Mr. Banner's health finally became so impaired as to render it expedient to seek less sedentary employment, ' and he therefore abandoned the weaving business and for a number of years thereafter worked at the carpenter trade, living to a good old age.

Many of the older citizens will recall the fact that Philip Danner was a quite successful hunter of wild game, which was here abundant in the pioneer days. He was an excellent marksman and his method of sighting a gun was almost phenomenal in its being exceptional to that followed by any other person known to the writer, in that lie kept both eyes open, while the usual plan is for marksmen to close one eye while the other is concentrated on the sight of the gun. It is claimed for Mr. Danner that he killed more deer in his time than did any other man in the county.

The block of lots where the Presbyterian churcii now stands was vacant for many years. Finally the walls <^f the old brick church were raised on the same site occupied by the massive and beautiful house of worship, but the original building remained in an unfinished condition for many years, the projectors being able only to erect the walls and supply the roof, and while in this condition the building very naturally became a playhouse for the cliildren and very often a shelter for sheep and cattle, which in those days \vandered about in search of pasturage, following the dictates of their own desires without molestation on the part of the \illage authorities.

At the southwest corner of Seventh and Wells streets we entered upon a large field, comprising some ten acres, and known for years as the Stidger field. It extended west to what is now Marion street and south to our present South street. Not a single building of any descriptiiin then stood upon this large vacant space. Since that time it has been brought within the city limits, and fine streets and well paved sidewalks are now in evidence there, as are also manv handsome homes, on High, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth and South streets. Along the west line of this field was a long row of large wild-cherry trees, and these afforded shade for the large gatherings of people on the occasions of the military pai'ades which were customarily held there. The military trainings or musters of those da3fs were as popular throughout the county as were the agricultural fairs of the later epoch. The writer well remembers seeing General Augustine, of Osnaburg township, and Capt. George Kreighbruim, of Lake township, in attendance at these parades in great display of uniform and trappings. William Beales, the saddler and harnessmaker, who lived on the lot now occupied by the Methodist Episcopal church, was also an officer of some distinction and was quite active in the yearly musters, as these military assemblings were commonly designated.

On the southeast corner of Tuscarawas street and McKinley a\-enue, where the Young iNIen's Christian Association building now stands, was the blacksmith shop of Francis Pierong, This was a one-story building of frame construction, and adjoining it on the east was another building of similar order, the same being utilized as a tombstone shop by John Pierong, a brother of the blacksmith. The two brothers passed to their reward many years ago, having been active citizens of Canton in their day. ff the Pierong tombstone shop were in operation t(.)day and used the same material as then, it would ha\-e but little patronage, as most of the tombstones of that period were manufactured of sandstone, marble being difficult to secure, i\djoining John Pierong's shop on the east was the hat shop of' Connor Sweeney, this line of industry being one which has long since been abandoned in Canton and other western towns, as the large factories have renigo

(lered the business unprofital^le to the small manufacturer. Mr. Sweeney lived in a onestory frame building adjoining his shop on the east, and thus utilized the block except the lot upon which the Hanna block now stands, which was vacant property for many years. The first building erected on this lot was a frame structure which w^as utilized as a blacksmith shop by various persons, and during the campaign of 1840 the historic log cabin was built on the site, and after that Jacob Shaefer erected a two-story brick building, which eventually became the home of the Hurford family, by whom the old landmark was removed to give place to the present substantial block.

Old Landm.Vrks On The Present High School Block

The block of lots where the high school building now stands, on West Tuscarawas street, was left by the proprietor of the townsite of Canton, Belzaleel Wells, for school purposes. The first building there erected for this specific object and use was a one-story frame structure with only one room, and this building was subsequently removed over onto the lot on the northeast corner of Tuscarawas street and McKinley avenue, where for many years it w-as occupied by John McCurdy as a cabinet shop. Tlie first l)rick structure erected on the block was the old academy building, which was a plain building of two stories, about forty b\- ninety feet in dimensions, with a small octagonal tciwer in tlie center of tire roof ridge. This ^vas erected about the year 1816, and in the center of the building was a door wdiich ()])ened intc:i a hall that ran througli Id the rear, while on either side was a schdol room about forty feet sc|uare. b'rom the staircase in the hallway access was aft'orded t<i the second story, which was divided in similar style, save that the rooms above were divided by board partitions which CDuld be removed at \\\\\. converting the entire second fioor into one room of no inconsiderable size.

In the early days of the organization of the I'irst Alethodist Episcopal church of Canton its members held their meetings in the east room of the second story of the old academy. Father Peter Tofler, Jacob Rex and Philip Slusser (spelled Schlosser in the olden days) were among the few who first met here for worship. \'ery soon afterward the little society built their first church edifice, the same being located on the lot now used for residence purposes, at No. -1 20 West Eighth street. It was an unpretentious frame building of one story, without belfry, spire or hall, and having but one room. When the churcli was first put into use as a place of worship the \vomen occupied one side of the house and the men the other, this being in accord with tlie discipline of the time, and a Ijromiscnous seating arrangement such as obtains today would have been considered much out of order, if not. indeed, seriously irres'erent. while no one appeared in church with a bonnet adorned \\\\h plumes or artificial flowers, since she woulfl ha\-e attracted the disappro\ing attention of the entire congregation and ])erhaps becDme the target for severe pulpit utterance: relative to such vain display.

After the Methodist brethren abandoned the room in the acadenu' building tlie board ])artition was taken down and the entire second fioor was utilized by the Canton Thespian Societ} . The stage and scenery were in the east end anil the audience occupied the space not thus utilized. A German named Sclnveikofifer was then living ni the town and had no little ability as a scenic i)aiiiter. and through his interiiositioii in this line the societ}' secured an e(|uipment of scener\- and accessories considered to be ecpial to the best at that time. Edward L. Carnev. John Saxtoii. Ir., William T. Mat- thews, William Hartman and John Taylor were prominent as actors, and in lieu of women of histrionic aspirations certain of the boys would be attired in feminine garb and assumed the roles respectively assigned.

In those days the two rooms down stairs were ample to afford accommodations to all who could attend scIkkjI, and thus the second floor was applied to other uses, as noted. This circumstance alone may give the younger generation today an idea as to the status of the little village which was the nucleus of our present beautiful cit>-. Today we have twelve or foiu'teen school buildings, each more than twice as large as the old academy, and all well filled in the various departments. Of the two teachers who occupied these lower rooms for the longest intervals were Barrak IMichener and Andrew Monks. The former later became a physician, and for many years enjoyed an extensive practice in. and around Massillon. where he maintained his home after leaving Canton. He always occupied the east room during his pedagogic Inliors here, while Mr. Monks, who was a veteran teacher of those times, held forth for many \-ears in the west room. William Dunbar, William I'indkiy, ^Ir. Judd and others followed soon thereafter, and the writer can not recall that any woman was ever a teacher in the old academy, it being unusual for teachers tfj be of the fair se.x at that j^eriod. In 1845 the old academy was torn down and the main part of Vv'hat was then the new high school building was erected on the same site.

At llie time uf the erection of this school building Trinity Lutheran church was without a house of worship, and for a certain designated consideration the church folk were given the privilege of using' the lower room in the main building as a permanent place for the holding I if their services. This ihev continued to do for a nuniljer of years, when the church society began to feel the need of a larger and independent bouse of worship, while the school board began to realize also the need of the room which had been thus diverted from school purposes, so that there was no difficulty in bringing about an amicaljle adjustment of the matter and in bringing the entire building into utilization for school ]:)urposes. At the time the Lutherans thus worshiped in the LTnion school building old b'ather Abraham I^ichtenwalter, as he was commonly and affectionately known, was one of the faithful and zealous members of the society, and never failed to be present at the ser- \ices, save by reason of illness or other pro\idential hindrances.

In the autumn of 1851, at the time of the holding of Stark county's first agricultural fair, . the room which had been used for such chmxli services was br(jught into requisition for the display of furniture and fancy articles, while a part of the Presbyterian church building, across the street, was also utilized that year to accommodate certain departments of the fair, no permanent place being provided at the time.

After leaving the school building the Lutlieran society began worshiping in the new building which the\' had erected on the lot which is the site of their present fine stone edifice. This first l)uilding was a very comfortable and well arranged brick structure and was occupied until the time .when it was torn down to make way for the present edifice.

About the time the Lutheran society aljandoned their room in the first high school or union building, it became evident that there was still an imperative demand for still more room for school purposes, and this led to the erection of the large two-story wing east of the main Iniilding, this having been added some years after the erection of the main building, prex'iously described. It was in the upper room of this new east wing" that the grammar department was located, and in the sanie ]\liss Anna McKinley, sister of our lamented and martyred President and beloved townsman, \\"illiam Mc- Kinlev. taught for man\' \cirs, being- one of the most efficient and beloved teachers ever engaged in the schools of Canton. Many of the present citizens of Canton revert with pleasure to the days they passed as students in this old building and particularly to those during which thev were under the gracious tutorship of Miss McKinley. In the city today there are but few left who attended school in the old academy building, and of the number one or more gained their entire youthful educational discipline within its severe but benign walls. The writer there attended school until he was about thirteen years of age, and is to be classified with the "one or more" Avho thus ended their school days in a technical sense, though it must be realized that education is not a matter of days but of a lifetime, in every instance. The present modern and magnificent high school building occupies the site of these historic structures, and of its uses and history it may be the duty of someone of the present day to write in gloAving appreciation after many years have fallen intc the abyss of time, even as the leaves fall in the forest.

The Christmas And Shore Homesteads

The two-story frame building that has been the home of the Althouse family for many }-ears, at the northwest corner of Tuscarawas and Wells streets, is a building familiar to all otir old citizens. It was erected about 1830 by the late William Christmas, who was one of the pioneer merchants of Canton. It was in his store that the late Isaac Harter clerked prior to entering into business on his own account. The Christmas store was a one-story frame buiidlng, standing at the location now marked by the eastern entrance to the court house. Mr. Christmas was a most excellent man, and was enterprising and progressive in his business afifairs. He was one of the first and most substantial supporters of the Presbyterian church in Canton. The large brick building a few hundred yards northwest of the power house of the Canton water-works was built by Mr. Christmas and was utilized by him as a tannery, his business in this line having been quite extensive. In later years the building has been used as a brewery. The large body of water which now adds so materially to the beauty of Westlawn cemetery owes its being to Mr. Christmas, who there placed a dam, in order to secure the requisite supply of water for his tanyards. Marks of the old race which connected the dam and the tanyards may yet be distinguished. The old dam was in the early days a favorite resort for the boys of Canton, who utilized it for a fishing place in summer and for skating in the winter season.

The old homestead fitst mentioned has undergone as little cliange as any house still remaining of the old landmarks. The contractor who built the house for Mr. Christmas was Henry Barnes, who was at that time a leading carpenter and contractor of Canton. He finally settled on a farm a few miles south of the city, where he died several years ago. The Christmas family comprised four daughters and two sons, and it is probable that the family has no representatives in Ohio at the present time. William H. Christmas, the elder son, was a young man at the outbreak of the Mexican war, and he enlisted in the United States army and served until the close of the war, but died shortly afterward, never having returned to Canton. Edward, the younger son, was crippled by an accident while a boy, and did not live to attain manhood. Mr. Christmas died in the prime of life and a few years later his widow married Dr. Hall, the children soon leaving the old homestead and becoming widely scattered.

Wells streets, was built about the same time as the Christmas house. The builder was Adam A. Shorb, and he occupied the dwelling for a number of years, his business being that of a potter. About one hundred feet west of the residence stood a two-story brick shop, where crocks, jugs and other styles of pottery were formed and made ready for the kiln, which stood a short distance west of the shop. The parents of Adam A. Shorb, with their three sons and two daughters, moved here from Baltimore, Maryland, in the early days of Canton's settlement. The family were members of the Catholic church and all were excellent citizens. The father was one of the prime movers in the erection of the first house of worship for St. John's church, the same having been located at the northwest corner of McKinley avenue and North street, and while this edifice was in course of erection Mr. Shorb was so badly injured by the falling of a timber that he died soon afterward. His widow, familiarly known as "Grandmother" Shorb, lived to witness the completion of the building through whose erection she was bereaved of her husband, and who was a most devoted member of the congregation, while she was loved and respected by all citizens. The old two-story frame house and barn, 719 West Third street, where Miss Harriet A. Shorb still resides, were built by the Shorbs more than seventy-five years ago, and are among the city's oldest landmarks e.xtant.

Adam L. Shorb. cousin of Adam A., was likewise a potter by vocation, and he had his residence and pottery on a large lot on Fulton street, near the present residence of George W. Irwin. In later years he built the two-story brick residence now occupied by Dr. Arter, southeast corner of Tuscarawas and Dewalt streets, where he lived for a number of years, after which he removed to the two-story frame house west of Joseph S. Saxton's, on West Tuscarawas street, where both he and his wife died. Adam A. Shorb was a rather tall man, while Adam L. was somewhat below the medium stature, and the citizens commonly designated them as "Big Adam" and "Little Adam." The Shorb family still has a number of representatives in Stark county, but of the Christmas family there are none. A few short years produce great changes in this world. None stood higher or exerted more genuine influence in this community at one time than the Christmas family, and yet there is not one of their number left to tell the story. Truthfully can it be said, "The places that know us now shall soon know us no more forever."

Dewalt Hotel And Other Landmarks

The two-story structure of brick at the northeast corner of Tuscarawas street and Cleveland avenue, known for many years as the Whiting corner and later as the Brant corner, was erected about 1820 by Philip Dewalt. It was built for hotel purposes and was thus used by Mr. Dewalt for a time. It had. large round pillars and double verandas, though at the present time the gallery around the second story has been removed, while smaller and square pillars support the roof of the upper porch. The general outlines of the building, however, remain very much the same as they were at the time of its erection, more than eighty j^ears ago.

When the hotel was first built it had the reputation of being among the finest in this part of the state. The hotel barn stood on the site of the present Avenue building, southeast corner of Cleveland avenue and Fifth street, and the ground between the house and barn was cultivated as a garden. After keeping hotel for several years Mr. Dewalt retired to a farm a mile northwest of Canton, on the Ful- ton road, known in later years as the home of Christian Christ and afterward as that of his son-in-law, the late George E. Smith. The old Farmers' Bank of Canton bought the Dewalt corner and removed their bank to this building- from its original location in a twostory brick building which stood on the present site of the county jail. Finally the bank met with a number of misfortunes and went into licjuidation, the property being offered at public sale in 1847 and being acquired by the late Dr. L. M. Whiting, who owned it at the time of his death. Dr. Lorenzo M. Whiting came to Canton in 1836 and was married the followingyear, and he resided in various buildings up to the time of purchasing the Dewalt building, after which he there made his home until his death, in 1884, his wife having passed away twenty years previously. Dr. Whiting succeeded in building up a very large practice among- all classes and was considered one of the county's best physicians and most excellent citizens. His two brothers, Julius Whiting, ,?r., and Dr. A. W. Whiting, became citizens of Canton at a .somewhat later period, and became prominent in local affairs, having the respect and confidence of the citizens in general.

Between the two-story building and the Holben building, to the east of the same, was a rme-story brick structure that was used by Dr. Whiting for his otilice for a number of years, while at a later period it was used for various business purposes, and during the incumbency "f the late William K. Miller the room was used as the postofffce of the town. The dimensions of the building could not have been more than eighteen by twenty feet, and it may readily be imagined how inadequate would be such quarters for the handling- of the local mail ser\'ice of the present day. The two-story l)rick 1)ui]ding east of the old Whiting property was built in 1829 by Jonathan Holben, and the date tablet is still in evidence in the front of the building. Mr. Holben was a tailor by trade and followed this vocation for many years, while he resided a little to the east of the present German Evangelical church, on East Fourth street. Mr. Holben finally gave up the tailoring business and removed to a farm which he had purchased, in Tuscarawas township, about a mile southwest of Brookfield, where he passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring a few years ago.

Immediately east of the Holben building stood a one-story frame building, w^ith gable toward the street, which was used for a number of years as a barber shop, the presiding genius being a negro named Daniel Mead. He was a genial fellow and an excellent performer on the violin, being thus called upon to play for most of the balls and dances in and about Canton in those times, the last of which was at Osnaburgh, whither he had been called to render his services at a dancing party. At the close of the festivities an intoxicated man accosted him and threatened to shoot him. Mead responded with a laugh, whereupon the man fired, killing the poor barber, this unfortunate aff'air having occurred about sixty-eight years ago and having aroused great indignation. The assassin was sentenced to the penitentiary for life, and died about a decade ago, being at that time the oldest inmate in the prison.

The old Hurford house, as it now appears, represent the results of several remodelings. The writer is informed by Mrs. Julius Whiting-, Sr., that her fatlier, George Stidger. built the first part of it, which was a two-story brick building, on the corner of Court and Tuscarawas streets, having a door in the corner facing eastward and a hall door in the center, facing Tuscarawas street, there being two rooms opening from each side of the hall, while there were the customary divisions on the second floor, while the diningroom and kitchen were in a one-story addition running northward from the main building. Mr. Stidger built the house for hotel purposes and personally conducted business in this line for a short time, being succeeded l)y Mr. Troup. From the fact that a few sessions of the court were held in the ball-room of this building, and that the first court house was not erected until t8i6, it is evident that the Stidger house must have been built as early as 1812 or 1814. After the house had been used for hotel purposes for a number of years the property was purchased by Martin Lohr, who occupied the same until his death, having utilized the same for a residence and also having his general store in the building, where he conducted business for ten or more years, having been one of the first merchants in Canton and having previously conducted business in a small two-story frame building that stood on the northwest corner of Market and Eighth streets. After the death of Mr. Lohr the property was again used as a hotel, the same having been known for some time as the Franklin house, while among those in charge were Hiram Myers and John D. Snyder. Mr. Snyder was a veteran landlord, and his first hotel in Canton was in a building located at the northwest corner of Walnut and Tuscarawas streets, known in early days as the Clark corner and later as Flohr's hotel. After leaving the old Stidger building he conducted the old American house, on East Tuscarawas street, long kept by Samuel Stover, and there he continued business tmtil his death. A few years later his widow married the late David J. Begges, and they built and occupied the pleasant residence now standing at 614 North Market street, where Mrs. Begges died, her husl)and later removing to Toledo, where he died a few years later, his remains being brought to Canton for interment.

The first hotel to which the name of St. Cloud was applied in Canton was a three-story brick building occupying the site of the present edifice of the First Methodist Episcopal church. This was built and owned by Buckius & Hawk, was well conducted and soon became a popular resort- for the public, but in 1859 this building was destroyed by fire, which spread from the barn adjoining, while a pitiful detail of the disaster was in the burning of several horses. In i860 Buckius & Hawk purchased at sherit^'s sale the property now known as the Hurford house, and reopened a hotel, retaining the name St. Cfeud. From the time Hiram Myers conducted this hotel until the firm mentioned came into control various changes and additions had been made, including the building of a third story. After about four years Buckius & Hawk sold the house to Peter P. Trump, and later he admitted Alex Hurford to partnership, the latter eventually becoming sole owner. Neither of these gentlemen personally conducted the hotel, but rented the same, among the proprietors being Messrs. Ellison and Cook, under whose regime it is believed the name of St. Cloud was retained. The building is now four stories in height and has business frontages on Tuscarawas street across the entire facade, these changes having been made since the Hurfords came into possession of the property, which is still used as a hotel.

The Old Lind Homestead

The old Lind homestead stood on the southwest corner of Cleveland avenue and Tuscarawas street, occupying the site of- the present Central Savings Bank. Tiie original house was erected by Abraham Lind, who occupied the same for a number of years. As his family included only himself and his wife and their son, Jeremiah, he finally decided that the homestead was larger than was demanded for the accommodation of the family and he therefore built a smaller residence immediately west of the old homestead. This second building was likewise constructed of brick and is two stories in height. It is still standing on its original site and is one of the old-time residences of the city. The old homestead was considered one of the fine places of the town at the time of its erection. The rear portion of the building was likewise of two stories, but of somewhat less height than the main building. This wing faced on Cleveland avenue and had a double porch or veranda about five feet in width. The old pump that stood so many years on the outer edge of the pavement and in front of the back portion of the homestead, served a good purpose for a long period, and was removed only a few years ago. Abraham Lind was a carpenter and contractor and was one of the leaders in his vocation in Canton. He built the old infirmary building about the year i<S33, and about the same time erected two churches of considerable importance. One was known as the Mudbrook church and was located about eight miles northwest of Canton, on the old North Fulton road, and the other was in Manchester, fifteen miles northwest of Canton. Said village was originally in Stark county, but is now in Summit county, the townships of Franklin and Green having been taken from Stark and added to Summit county at the time of its formation. Abraham Lind died quite suddenly, in 1857, being stricken while at the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad station, which then stood on South Market street. He sufi'ered a stroke of paralysis and was at once taken across the railroad track into the hotel then kept by Nicholas Pirrong, but he died before he could be removed to his home, having been nearly seventy-two years of age. His wife died about ten years later. Their only son, Jeremiah, died in 1899, at his home on the northeast corner of McICinley avenue and Tuscarawas street, being eightythree years of age at the time.

used for many years as a carpenter shop. Later the Rev. T. M. Hopkins, then pastor of the Presbyterian church, rented the building for a school. He taught as well as preached and was competent in both capacities. The weekly prayer meetings of his church were held in this school building for a number of years. After Mr. Lind removed into his smaller residence the original homestead was utilized as a hotel, the same being conducted by John Black, who later engaged in the dry-goods business here, and who finally removed to Freeport, Illinois. After the hotel business was abandoned in this building it was purchased by Hon. B. F. Leiter, who occupied the same as a residence until his death. The property then passed into the possession of F". T. Piero, who there resided about fifteen years. Eventually the property was purchased by the Central Savings Bank, and the building was torn down to give place to the present fine stone building.

The two-story brick building west of the two Lind houses is still standing and is quite an old building. It has undergone many changes and repairs. It was erected by Joseph Hartman, who was at one time the leading tailor of Canton. His frame residence was destroyed by fire and the new house was erected about 1833. Mr. Hartman was a conscientious Catholic and all classes of citizens respected him. Eventually he associated himself with his son-in-law, Peter Shimp, and opened a clothing store and merchant-tailoring establishment at the southeast corner of Tuscarawas and Market streets, the building then located there having been a two-story brick structure, owned by Jacob Shorb, whose grandchildren still own the property, the corner now having a three-story brick building. Both Mr. Hartman and Mr. Shimp finally removed to Chicago, where they passed the remainder of their lives.

ing and postoffice, was utilized for many years as a lumber yard, the owner being Henry H. Myers. He was quite extensively engaged in the lumber business for many years, and for a time he was also engaged in the mercantile business, on the east side of the public square. He is still living in Canton.

The Old Kaufman House

All the older citizens are familiar with one of Canton's old landmarks, and that is the Kaufman house, which is still standing at the northeast corner of Market and Ninth streets. Various changes have been made in the building, but its general appearance is much the same as when it was erected. The lot upon which this house stands is one of the original size, sixty-six by two hundred feet, and was purchased by John Nichols in 18 10 from Bezaleel Wells, the consideration being forty dollars, and in the succeeding year Mr. Nichols erected the present building. Later he sold the property to John Patton, while later it was purchased by William Raynolds, who paid fifteen hundred dollars for the same. He was the father of the late John F. Raynolds, who was born in this house. For a time John Saxton, original proprietor of the Ohio Repository, the first paper in the county, occupied a portion of the house, while Mr. Raynolds' family utilized the remainder. John L. Saxton, second son of John Saxton, was born in this house, while his elder brother, James A., was born in the house occupied by the family for a short time, on West Tuscarawas street, where the Hurford house now stands. Younger members of the Saxton family were born in a two-story brick house which their father erected at the southeast

William Raynolds sold his house to William W. Laird in 1820, and about three years later Mr. Laird sold the same to George Wilson, who transferred the property to Peter Kaufman about 1826. For many years this house was considered one of the best in Canton, but when the Fogle mansion, on the site of the home of Mrs. Cornelius Aultman, was erected, in 1833, the latter excelled all other residences in Canton, the locality where it is situated having been for many years known as "Quality Hill." By the erection of Mrs. Aultman's present attractive residence this old landmark was removed.

In 1830 Solomon Sala and Christian D. Lehmus occupied two rooms in the Kaufman house and published a German paper, known as the Vaterland's Freund, Mr. Kaufman later purchasing the paper, of which he became publisher and editor, changing its name to the Vaterland's F"reund und Geist der Zeit (Fatherland's Friend and Spirit of the Times). He published this paper for a number of years, and also began to issue almanacs, after the style of the old Lancaster almanacs, the same being about eight inches square and published in both the German and English languages. Many thousands of these were annually issued by Mr. Kaufman and were sent into all parts of the country. His business in conducting the weekly paper and the annual almanacs became quite large, so that more room was required for its accommodation, and he according'Iy erected a two-story frame building on Ninth street, a few feet east of the brick residence, and there the printing was largely done thereafter. Peter Kaufman died in 1869, but before his death he sold out his business to his son-in-law, H. J. Nathnagle. who also published for a time a German weekly paper, called the Ohio Staats Botta. In later years, after the death of Mr. Kaufman, the frame building erected bv him for the accommodation of his printing business was moved to the east end of the lot, corner of Ninth and Piedmont streets, and was converted into a dwelhng, for A\hich purpose it is still rented by his heirs.

H. J. Nathnagle was an excellent musician and composer of music, and his was the distinction of being the instructor of the first brass band organized in Canton, the same being known as the Canton Independent Band. Mention has already been made of the prominent part taken by this organization in the campaign of 1840. under the auspices of the Whig contingent in the county. The Democrats also organized a band at this time, and the rivalry \\as very spirited. Mr. Nathnagle eventually removed from Canton to Cleveland, where he remained for some time, after which he went to Columbus, where he held the position of instructor in music in the blind asylum of the state for the long period of thirty-five years, ^up to the time of his death, about eighteen years ago.

The old two-story brick building now standing on the southeast corner of Ninth and Market streets was erected soon after the Kaufman house. It Avas built by Thomas Hartford, whose name is held in lasting memory by reason of the perpetual fund which he left for the aid of the poor in the county. He came here from Pittsburg and had intended to use this house for a permanent residence, but afterward concluded to r-eturn to Pittsburg. He was a devout Christian, being a member of the Baptist church, and as there was no organization of this denomination in Canton at the time he resided here, and as his relatives were mostly in and about Pittsburg, he preferred to pass his last days there. He must have had a great love and admiration for Canton, however, as otherwise he would not have left a large and valuable estate for the benefit of the poor of the county.

The Old Fogle Homestead

The Fogle mansion was at the time of its erection the finest dwelling in Canton, while it was later known as the Griswold mansion. This stood on the site occupied by the present resilience of Mrs. Cornelius Aultman, 70S North Market street. The building was erected in 1833 by William Fogle, Sr., and at the time attracted much attention, as it was far more pretentious and elegant than any other residence to be found in the town. Abraham Daughenl^augh was the contractor and builder. At the time Mr. Fogle erected this notable building he tjwned quite a large tract of ground surrounding the same. His property included the Whiting property, which is north of the old residence site, and ran down to North street and extended all the way from Market street to and including North Walnut street. -\t that time the northern corporate limit was North street, and when the town corporation was extended North Walnut street cut off a part of the Fogle property. The original tract, which must ha\-e included about ten acres, was entirely without buildings save the new and elaborate residence.

At the time of the erection of the Fogle mansion Canton could not have had more than eighteen hundred population, and even this stately building, wliich attracted so much attention, was not without its rural features, since to the south of the mansion was a large and usually well cultivated garden. William Fogle did not live many years to enjoy his beautiful home, and after his death the property passed into the possession of Hon. Hiram Griswold, who was at that time one of the leading members of the bar of Stark county, while he and his wife were acti\'e members of the Presbyterian church. After living for a number of vears in the Fogle house Mr. Griswold sold the property to the late John Laird and then removed to Cleveland, where he became quite prominent in his profession and in public affairs. He was elected to the senate of the state, and in 1S48 was the Whig candidate for the United States senate, to which he would have undoubtedly been elected had it not been for tlie coalition of the Freesoil and Democratic forces in that campaign, who united in supporting Hon. Salmon P. Chase, who was elected. Mr. Griswoid later removed to Leax-enworth, Kansas, where both he and his wife died.

John Laird and family probably occupied the house longer than any other family. The Laird family was a numerous one and all save one of the children vrere Iwys. None of them are now resident of Stark county. The late George Cook bought the property after the Lairds left it, and during his ownership it was rented to various persons, among them Ijeing \y. H. H. Avery, who conducted a large select school in a building which Mr. Cook erected for that purpose on the grounds, and facing on Walnut street. This school at one time enjoyed a high degree of popularity and gave indications of becoming a permanent institution of learning, but Mr. Avery finally became convinced tliat it was his duty to preach the gospel, and he accordingly abandoned teaching and entered the ministry of the Baptist church. The old Fogle property lias now been divided into numerous cit}' lots, and there is little to indicate its condition at the time when this attractive old residence was standing- on the spacious grounds. While it was true that for many years the Fogle mansion was the best house in Canton, it is certain that if it were standing today it would command no attention save by reason of its antiquity.

The large brick residence now owned and occupied by Judge William R. Day was likewise built many years ago, but at a much later date than the old Fogle homestead, from whose site it is nearly opposite. Rev. Stephen A.

Mealey, father-in-law of the late Louis Shaefter, was the builder of the original structure, but in later years, after the death of Mr. ^ilealey, the building was much enlarged and otherwise remodeled by Mr. Shaeffer, who occupied it until his death. This house was for many years the only one between Louis avenue and North street on that side of the Ijlock, and the only house east of the Catholic grounds to Market street. The home grounds of the late President McKinley. and all lietween that and the present l)a\- mansion ha\'e been erected since, and also south of the Day home to North street. Tlie third house put up in that direction, aside from the farm houses beyond, was the two-story brick house occupied by Leopold P)iechele. The writer of this article erected this house in 1856 and sold it to Mr. Biechele in 1S67, who has occupied it ever since. The next year thereafter Hon. Seraphim Meyer built the two-story brick residence now owned and occupied by Mrs. Harriet Whiting, widow of the late Julius Whiting, Sn, and from that time buildings began to spring up rapidly in that vicinity, and the land far beyond is now dotted with pleasant homes.

The Same Old Square

Probably the east side of the north public square in Canton has undergone less change than any other square in the city; most of the buildings standing there were erected seventyfive and eighty years ago, when Canton was a village of one thousand or fifteen hundred inhabitants. Some of the buildings have had new fronts put in since that time, and others have had fire walls or other modern improve^ ments made, but most of the original buildings are still there. Where L. Sollman has his drug store and C. F. Spanagel his harness shop, is the same frontage as that where John Reed for so many years resided and carried on the business of making saddles and harnesses in the front part, while the family occupied the rear part and the second story for residence purposes. The building which Mr. Reed built and so long occupied was a two-story brick, occupying the same frontage as the brick building which now stands there, and the present building is the only complete one erected in the block for many years. When Mr. Reed carried on the saddle business many side-saddles for the ladies were used, both in town and in the country. It was quite a common thing in those days to see women coming in from their country homes with the horns of their saddles laden with baskets or bundles of produce for sale or for exchange for goods at the various stores. Such a sight today would attract much attention, but then it was an every-day occurrence. It was also a custom at that period for parents to present to their daughters at the time of their marriage side-saddles and spinning wheels, both of which articles were essential to the lady of every household.

.\nother is the two-story frame building, still standing, which was originally built and for a time occupied as a residence b}' the late George Stidger, father of Mrs. Harriet widow of the late Julius Whiting, Sr. At a later date Jonas Policy lived in the house for a number of years, and there carried on business as a jeweler and watchmaker. In later years it was the residence and place of business of the late George Fessler, who at one time had a quite large trade established there in the grocery and provision business. In still later years the building has been used by various persons, mostly for saloons and liquor selling.

South of this is a two-story brick building, in the south part of which has been a store room for a number of years. This building also was erected by the late George Stidger, at the time he was living in the frame building adjoining. For a time Mr. Stidger had a store in the south part of the building, occupying the other part as a residence. When O. T. Browning first came to Canton, about 1835, he opened his store there, and the writer well recalls the time when he began to sell calico at twelve and one-half cents a yard and what a run of trade he had, and what a sensation was created, for previously calico had sold from eighteen and three-fourths to thirty-one and one-fourth cents a yard, and was mostly imported from England. The colors would fade when the goods were put into water ; such calicoes today would not sell at all. Our American manufacturers have greatly improved the quality and reduced the price of such goods since este day. In later years Mr. Browning had his store oi: East Tuscarawas street, where the Miller Company is now located, but the building on tliat site at the time was a two-story frame structure. The old store room in building No. 3 was used for a number of years by the late John R. ^filler, who there conducted a dry-goods business, while for some time he was associated in the business with John W. Gibbs. The room is now used as a grocery.

The residence part of this building was owned and used for many years by the late "Uncle Dan" Dewalt, as his home. On the north side of the brick building originally Ijuilt by George Stidger was an alley or passage, and across this was a building which was buili by Daniel Dewalt nearly a half century ago, uniform in construction with the original Stidger building. In later years the buildings liave had new fronts put in, and the entire first floor of each are utilized for business purposes, \\hile the upper floors have been converted into iiftlces, but it is still the old Stidger building.

The building which occupies the south lot on this block was originally known as the Sterling building. John Sterling built a two-story brick the entire width of his lot. fronting on the public square and' running back along Tuscarawas street about seventy-five feet. In the south corner of these buildings Mr. Sterling had his place of business. He died rather young and his widow later married Levi P. Gitchell, who conducted a store in the same room for a number of years. The north part of this building was destroyed by fire several years ago, and has been rebuilt, or partially so, the front being new. Aside from this no buildings have been erected here in recent years except the ones to which reference has been made. At one time in early years Christian Vogelgesang kept a store in the north room of the Sterling or Gitchell property, and about 1835 a grocery store was kept in this room by Messrs. Dickey and Lindemuth, who were brothers-in-law. Hiram K. Dickey, of this firm, afterward removed to Massillon, where he engaged in the wholesale grocery business, conducting tiie enterprise for several years and becoming one of the leading citizens of that place. He died there several years ago.

East of the Gitchell property, on Tuscarawas street, where the Farmers' Bank is now located, was a small frame building of one story, which stood some distance from the sidewalk. In this building Edward White carried on the shoemaking business for a number of years. He was an excellent man and was quite active as a worker in the First Methodist Episcopal church in the early years of its history.

Next to the White building, on the site of the present George D. Harter Bank, was a two-story brick building, which stood some distance above the pavement, so that five or six steps were used to afford access. In this building E. D. Albert, father of T. B. Albert, carried on the hatting business for many years. In the basement, or lower story, the greater part of the manufacturing was done, while the upper story was used as the salesroom. This shop also served as a justice's office, Mr. Albert having served as justice of the peace for several terms. Samuel Subrug also had a justice's office in the same room, while the hatting business was still carried on there. Where the Graber building now stands was a two-story frame building, with the gable toward the street and with pillars and an open front on the first floor. This building was erected by John Pirrong and for a time he occupied the same as a residence and also conducted a restaurant, while later Mr. V'olgelgesang and others utilized the building for the same purposes. The building was among the first in Canton to have an open front. On the corner of Tuscarawas and I'iedmont streets, where Bour Brothers now have their china store, stood the old brick stable built by Mr. Sterling, but as business houses of another character laegan to locate in the immediate vicinity the stable was converted into a shop and was occupied by Robert Latimer, who utilized the same for the wood-working department of his wagon and carriage manufactory. Afterward it changed hands several times, and was finally purchased by the late Jacob Hane, who erected the three-story building now standing on the site.

Interesting Data

In another article has been given a description of the old academy building in Canton, the same having stood on the site of the present high school building, which fine structure shows veiy clearly the improvement and progress made in the past eighty years in school buildings in Canton. The late Robert H. Folger, of IMassillon, left among his valuable collection of books a record of the constitution of the Canton Academy, and it is pleasing to know that his daughters have graciously contributed the same to the Canton public library for pres- ervation. The book is quite a large oile, the size of an ordinary ledger, and is in a good state of preservation, considering its age. The records are entered in a good, clear, legible handwriting.

From this record we find that the citizens of Canton felt the need of good schools, and that on January lo, iSi8, the Canton Academy Association was organized, and the following named persons subscribed for the number of shares indicated in the respective connections : William Raynolds, eight; John Harris, four; George Stidger, four; Samuel Coulter, four; Thomas Hurford, four; James Drennen, tw^o; John Saxton, one; Joseph Porter, one; William Christmas, two; Roscoe M. Mason, one; J. ^\^ Hoyt. one; J. W. Lathrop, two; James \\illiams, two; Moses Andrews, one; William Fog"le, five; George Dunbar, one; Alexander Cameron, one; Thomas Alexander, three; James Hazlett, two ; John Buckius, two ; John Everhardt, one; Thomas .V. Drayton, one; Samuel Patton, one: Hugh McFall, one: Martin Lohr, two ; Thomas Hartford, two ; James Gaff, Sr., one; George Marshall, one; David Park, two; John AVebb, two; Jacob Rex, one; George Cribbs, one ; John Alyers, three ; John Prouse, one; Christian Palmer, one; John Carol), two; Jacob Rapp, one; Abraham Kroft, one: Jonas Policy, one: Israel Bower, one; R. E. I^oomis, one; Jacob Welty, one; D. B. Wick, one: John Whipple, one; Thomas A. Drayton, one; William Lower, two; John Kryder, one; Joshua Richards, one ; John Sterline. three ; James Adams, one; James Rowland, two; Winans Clark, two; George Dewalt, one.

Upon organization the following trustees were elected : John Saxton, John Harris, J. W. Lathrop, William Fogle, William Christmas, James Hazlett, John Myers, John Webb, James Drennen. William Raynolds, James Gaff and Thomas Hurford, and they elected Samuel Coulter president and \Villiam Christmas clerk. Most of the above names are quite familiar to the old citizens of Canton and surrounding country. They laid broad and deep the foundations for the education of our youth, and hence our present fine and elegant public schools. Our present union school system is of comparatively modern introduction all over the country. Li those early days all had to be done by personal and voluntary contribution and sacrifice.

In the same record book above referred to are the recortlsof the corporation of the town of Canton, the same showing that the town was incorporated on the 30th of January, 1822. The first meeting on record was held in the court house May 7, 1822, and on this occasion M'ere present James W. Lathrop, president ; Samuel Pennywell, recorder ; and Joseph Robb, Christian Palmer and Jacob Rex. At this meeting they passed two ordinances, one of which was entitled "An ordinance to preserve cleanliness, promote safety and prevent obstructions in the streets and alleys of the town of Canton," and the other "An ordinance to regulate the market and extinguish fire." At the same meeting John Buckius was unanimously appointed street commissioner and George Stidger fire marshal, and it was also ordered that Christian Palmer and Jacob Robb be authorized to contract to fence, gravel and repair the market house, which has been previously described in this series of articles. "On the 17th day of September, 1822, John Sterling, Jacob Rex, James Hazlett and Christian Palmer, trustees of Canton, granted and signed an order to James W. Lathrop, No. i , to purchase a water engine with two hundred and seventy dollars." This was the first engine or fire apparatus introduced in Canton to extinguish fires. It was called the "Phoenix," and was a little box-shaped, hand-brake affair. It was kept in use for many years, and. finally the larger one, known as the "Fairmount," was introduced. Neither of these were suction en- "-ines, and could onlv throw such water as was put in the box, the usual plan of keeping them supplied with water being to have the bucket lines formed to cisterns, wells, etc., the women and chiklren Ijeing in the line to pass back the empty buckets, while able bodied men formed the line to pass along the buckets wdien filled with water. Each householder w-as required to keep two leathern buckets to be used in case of fire.

At a meeting for the election of officers for the corporation of Canton, held at the house of George Dewalt on Saturday, April 6, 1828, John Myers was elected president; James Allen, recorder; Timothy Reed, treasurer; \Villiam Cunningham, town marshal; and Christian Palmer, ^Villiam Gardner. George H. Cake, Levi B. Gitchell and Lewis Fogle were elected trustees. The abo\e elected board met on April 12, 1828, in the ofifice of the county clerk, and the following appointments were then made: Abraham Lind, street commissioner; Adam Fogle, fire master ; John Buckius and John Dunbar, guardsmen ; George Dunbar. Jr., Sylvanus Buckius. John Clark, George Cribbs and George Swigert. laddermen ; Daniel Raffensberger and Andrew Munks, bookmen, and Julius Smith and George Hippe, axmen.

On the ]2th of ALay, 1830, when Levi P. Gitchell was president, and James Hazlett, John Saxton and Jolm Clark were trustees, the following appointments were made : Jonas Polley, fire master ; Jacob Rapp, John Caskey, guardsmen ; Eli Sowers, Jacob Lengafetter, Jacob Bucher, George Dunbar, Jr., and Sylvanus Buckius. laddermen; William Phillips, George Cribbs. bookmen ; William Roberts, Samuel McDonnel, axmen; and John Miller, market master. On page 58 of these records appears the following : "At a meeting of the president and trustees of the town of Canton, Ohio, on the 20th day of August, 1834, Sanders Van Ransalaer, Eli Sowers, Jacob Rapp, Peter Toffler and Henry Kline, trustees, the following was adopted : AMiereas, For the purpose of preventing as far as possible the introduction of the Asiatic cholera among the citizens of this town, the president and trustees have and hereby ordain that the marshal of said town and said president and the sanitary board thereof are hereby authorized and required to take immediate steps to prevent, by force if necessary, any person or persons coming into said town from any infected place or places without written consent or permission of the president of the board of health of said town, and said marshal and sanitary board are hereby authorized and empowered to adopt any measures they may deem proper for the purpose of carrying this ordinance fully into effect. - Sanders Van Ransalaer, president.' "

The older citizens will remember that from 1832 to 1835 cholera was quite prevalent throughout the country, and that the scourge found victims in both Canton and Massillon. The persons above named, as connected with the academy and- town, w^ere among our best citizens, and many of their descendants still reside in the county. The older citizens will recall most of the names as quite familiar to them from their childhood, and thus it is quite proper to make this extended record of those who went before us and helped to prepare our lot in so goodly a heritage. It is well to cherish their memory and to see that w^e well improve the blessings handed down to us.

Peter Herbrqck Homestead

The old homestead of the late Rev. Peter Herbruck is still standing at the northeast corner of Tuscaraw-as and Herbruck streets, the latter of which was named in his honor. The building at the present time is known as No. 1003 East Tuscarawas street, and was erected by Mr. Herbnick in 1834. so that it is now nearly seventy years old and is well worthy of being pointed out as one of the few remaining landmarks of the early days. The kitchen addition on the north side and the one-story addition on the east side were put up a number of years after the erection of the main building, but aside from these two additions the original building looks much as it did when first built.

Rev. Peter Herbruck was much beloved by his own people and highly regarded by all good citizens, whether of his immediate congregation or some other. He was a native of Germany, and from the time he was ten years of age. he longed and prayed that he might be a minister of the gospel. In preparation for this work he for several years walked five miles each morning and back home at night in order to prosecute his studies in a select school, preparatory for the work which represented his aim in life. lie also longed to come to America, but his father was poor and his mother would not consent to leave her native land. In 1 83 1 young Herbruck, then only eighteen years of age, resolved to seek a home in the United States, and he walked five hundred miles to the city of Havre, whence he expected to start on his voyage to the new world. He was compelled to wait in Havre several weeks before he could secure passage to the United States, and eventually started in an old French sailing vessel. The boat had been out only two or three days when it was overtaken by a terrific storm, which swept away two of the masts and nearly wrecked the craft. The boat was towed by a friendly vessel back to Plymouth, England, for repairs, and after much delay it made a second start, from that port, and after being out seventytwo days, contending against many reverses, finally dropped anchor in Philadelphia. The delays and mishaps had greatly reduced the little store of money with swliich the young theological student had started out.

but his warm and genial nature gained him friends who extended him assistance. He started west from Philadelphia and proceeded as far as Womelsdorf, Berks county, that state, where he secured a position to teach the winter term in a country school. In the early spring of 1832 he started to come farther west, and met a party with an old-style Conestoga wagon, the canvas cover of which bore the words, in large letters, "For Ohio." With this party he journeyed as far as Wheeling, West Virginia, where he met a young man who was going northward toward New Lisbon, Ohio, to which point they came in company. When thej- arrived in New Lisbon he informed his companion that he could go no further northward with him, that he had made it a subject of prayer and that he would start westward on the state road toward Canton. In a few days he arrived in Canton, finding it a small village. He started to go farther west, and near the west creek he rested and slept for a few hours. He then started on toward Massillon, but when he, reached Wirt's tavern, about a mile west of Reedurban, he found the landlord to be a friend in need and one who extended a helpful sympathy, for soon, through his influence, the young man was found teaching in a country school house hard by. .Shortly after this time Rev. Benjamin Foust, who was pastor of the Reformed church in Canton, stopped at the Wirt hotel, where he formed the acquaintance of Mr. Herbruck, to whom he finally said, "Young man, do not bury your talent in a napkin, but come to me and prepare yourself for the ministry." He accepted the invitation from Mr. Faust and at once applied himself to the more complete preparation for the ministry, his desire to enter upon the work of this sacred calling having never waned. This was in the spring of 1832, and the young man much enjoyed the pri\'ate theological instructions of Mr. Faust. The writer well remembers going with his father that same year to call at the Reformed parsonage and there for the first time saw Rev. Peter Herbruck, having been a boy of nine years at the time. In November of the same year Rev. Benjamin Faust was attacked with a dangerous disease of the throat and his death occurred shortly afterward. The young theological student was called upon at once to fill the vacant pulpit and though he was only in the nineteenth year of his age he at once won the affection and support of the congregation, with whom he remained as pastor for more than fifty-three years, closing his long and useful service in 1886. This is the longest pastorate served by any minister of any denomination in Canton, and the writer knows of no other in the entire state so long protracted.

In the early histoiy of the Reformed church in Canton they and the Lutherans jointly owned and occupied the same house of worship, and the German Lutheran church now stands on the east end of the block they owned. In i860 the congregation agreed to separate, the Lutherans taking the east end of the block, on which stood the old house of worship, which they continued to use for a time, finally building the present house of worship on the lot. The Reformed congregation took the west part of the block, and at once built a substantial brick church, near the west end of the block. This ])uilding is still standing, but has been greatly enlarged and much improved in style and modern conveniences. The late Conrad Schweitzer^ Sr., was one of Rev. Peter Herbruck's most active and liberal supporters in the construction of their new house of worship, and one of the bells in the tower of the church was put in by him at his own expense.

The year after Mr. Herbruck took charge of the Canton congregation he married Miss Sarah Holwick, daughter of the late Jonathan Holwick, Avho lived two and one-half miles east of town and a little north of the state road. The next year Mr. Herbruck built the house to which reference is made in the initial paragraph of this article, and he there continued to reside until his death, in 1895, having lived with his excellent companion sixty-two years, and all but the first year in the same house, in which all of their children were born and reared. Very few such instances can be found in the county, and it is doubtful if there is another one of which such record can be made. There was a quite large family of children, the majority being boys, among whom are Rev. E. P. Herbruck, pastor of the Trinity Reformed church in Canton ; Rev. E. Herbruck, of Dayton, Ohio, and Ferdinand Herbruck, one of the prominent and influential business men of Canton. During the pastorate of Rev. Peter Herbruck he often had other out-stations which he supplied, such as Paris, Osnaburg, Carrollton, Bethlehem, Georgetown, Cairo, New Berlin, etc. This was occasioned by two reasons, first, the want of clergymen, and second on the score that the financial support from the Canton congregation was very meager. It has been said, and is undoubtedly true, that Rev. Peter Herbruck mai?- ried more persons and ofticiated at more funerals tihan any other man who has ever lived in Stark county. The record is that he performed two thousand six hundred and eleven marriage ceremonies and ofificiated at two thousand five hundred and sixty funerals. The German language was Father Herbruck's native togne and in that language he loved to preach the gospel. He became quite proficient in the use of the English language, but the writer believes that he never attempted to preach in any language save the German.

The Old Public Square

campaign was known above all that ever preceded it. "Tippecanoe and Tyler, too" was the slogan ; coon skins and hard cider the emblems, and log cabins the places of meeting. That same year General Harrison spoke in Massillon, and on his way eastward in a stage coach he stopped for one meal at the Eagle hotel in Canton, and the writer well remembers the greetings the General received in the short time he was in the village. General Hamson was inaugurated March 4, 1841, and died on the 4th of the succeeding month, having been president only one month, and three or four days elapsed ere the news of his death was received in Stark county, the most rapid means of communication at that time being the stage coach or the postman on horseback.

The old court house was a brick structure built in 1816, and the same has already been described in the preceding article. In the tower was the old bell which is now in the central engine house. In the one-story frame buildingnext north of the court house was at that time the dry goods store of Jacob Schaefer, an elder brother of the late Louis Schaefer, who was at that time a clerk in this store, while later he took up the study of law. The two-story frame building next north of Schaefer's was occupied by Martin Wikidal as a store and residence, the north half being utilized for the latter purpose. Joseph Shorb had erected said building and he occupied the same as a store previous to 1836, while the upper room was used for a theatrical hall. The two-story brick building next north of the ^¥ikidal building was owned by M. and J. Laird, who utilized the south half as a store and the north half as a residence. Matthew Laird, the senior member of the firm, was a bachelor and was very deaf. He afterward sold his interest in the business to his brother John, who continued the enterprise a short time and then engaged in the foundiy and machine Imsiness, eventually building up quite an extensive industry in that line. He died a few years ago, in Canton, being nearly ninety-three years of age at the time. After John Laird, quit the mercantile business the store room was enlarged and for a number of years was used as a hardware store by the firm of Raynolds & Saxton, the late James i\. Saxton having been the junior member of the original firm, while later Joseph S. Saxton succeeded him. At a later period Conrad Schweitzer, Sr;., also kept a hardware store in the same building.

The two-story brick building which stood on the northwest corner of the public square, on the site of the present Folwell block, was built by William Foglc, grandfather of Henry C. Fogle, whose father, Lewis Fogle, thereafter conducted tiie same line of business in the buildings, while the hardware business was still carried on there at later periods by Jonathan G. Lester and Fatton & Pepple. After the property was purchased by Martin \Vikidal, he occupied all but the store room as his residence until his death, a few years ago. The store was used for a number of years by the Dueble Brothers, who were engaged in the jewelry business there, and also by the late Joseph A. Meyer, for a similar purpose. Thereafter the changes were so numerous that it is needless to enumerate them in this connection.

The market house, which stood in the center of the square, was Ixiilt in 1836, and has been fully described in a preceding article, as ha\'e also the uses to which the various rooms of the building were applied. The lower story was all open for market places, and even at that time a very good market was kept up three mornings each week, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. This was continued until quite recently, and it is a question among many as to whether or not it has proved best to effect the change in market hours that has been made in recent years. The first telegraph office opened in Canton, in 1845, '^^'^s in the southwest room of this building, upstairs. The late

George R. Sa.xton was the first operator, and the first service here was effected through the use of a loop from the main line at Massillon. That town had both the telegraph and express service before such advantages were secured to Canton, and the leading business men of Canton transacted their telegraph and express business in Massillon. After a few years Canton secuned direct telegraphic communication and also an express ofiice, that of the Adams Company. The late G. W. Huntington was the first local agent of the company, while at the start he also acted as ticket agent for the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad. Finally his entire attention wis given to the express business. The market house here referred to was not the first in Canton, the original building erected for this purpose having been put up about 1 8 18.

Jacob Myers' Life Work

A building erected by the late Jacob Myers about sixty years ago and occupied by him as his residence until his death, in 1S73, '^ still standing on the original site, at the extreme south end of Cherry street, across the creek and on an elevation which affords a commanding view of Canton and the surrounding country.

Jacob Myers was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, in November, 1784, and died in Canton in December, 1873, having thus entered upon his ninetieth year. He came to Stark county in iSii. at which time there were few houses in Canton, while the county was almost a wilderness. The few citizens then here were always glad to greet newcomers, and their cordial \\'elcome was one to be long remembered. Jacob Myers loved to relate many of his early experiences and the scenes and incidents of his first coming to Canton. In the autumn of iSri he returned to Hagerstown, but came back to Canton the- following year. While he was in Maryland he built a woolcarding machine and also took unto himself a wife, and when he returned to Canton he iM-ought his carding machine, which was the first of the kind in the county. He put the machine in operation in the east part of the town, in what were known for many years as the Rowland mills, and the mill and machine were eventually destroyed by fire. After this Mr. Myers purchased a lot on the southwest corner of Eighth and Market streets, where he again put a carding machine into operation, utilizing horse power. At one time he owned a portion of the land on which the city of Massillon now stands, near the point where the Sippo creek empties into the Tuscarawas river ; some distance up the small stream he built a saw-mill and powder-mill. It is believed that this was the only powder-mill every established in the county. In the early days the Indians , had camps on the west bank of the Tuscarawas river. About 181 5 Mr. Myers sold his Massillon property to P'olger & Coffin, and the writer believes they afterward sold it to Mr. Roach, who built a woolen factory further up the stream. In 181 6 Mr. Myers leased the tract of land and later purchased the property. As it was school land he could not purchase the same in the beginning, but by securing a lease as he did, he had the first chance to buy the land when it was placed in the market. Near the residence he erected a flouring-mill, which was one of the first in the county, and at one time it had a large custom. In those days all mills were operated by water power. The east branch of the Nimishillen creek afforded a good supply of water for this purpose, but of course it took hard work and a considerable outlay of money to make all the proper connections. The foundations of the old mill, or a part of the foundation, may yet be seen. The nn'll was burned while owned by George C. Harvey and was never rebuilt.

For want of transportation facilities wheat was unsalable, or if sold, it commanded about twenty-five cents a bushel in the local market. In this condition of things Mr. Myers had accumulated quite a stock of flour, and he accordingly joined Daniel Slanker, owner of what was known as the "high mill," in Jackson township, and together they built a boat on the Tuscarawas river, in 1823, intending to take it down, via the Muskingum river, to the Ohio and thence to New Orleans. They put three hundred barrels of flour on board, together with some pork and whiskey, for Mr. Myers had also built and placed in operation a distillery. With a crew of five men, they finally started out with their cargo. The}' could only float with the current and generally tied up along the river banks at night. They proceeded safely but slowly until they reached Zanesville, on the Muskingum river. There they collided with a raft of logs, partially wrecking their boat, which soon afterward sank to the bottom of the river. Messrs. Myers and Slanker naturally became discouraged, and after making ready to start with what could be saved from their wrecked cargo, they consigned all to John Kincaid and returned to Canton. Kincaid took another course with his cargo and never reported to the owners, so that the entire venture proved a total loss.

Dr. Andrew Rappe, who was at that time quite active as a business man in Canton, where he was also engaged in the practice of his profession, also made a similar effort to send a cargo to New Orleans, starting via the Tuscarawas river, but he proceeded onl}" as far as Zoar, where he abandoned the attempt, disposing of his products as best he could. It is believed that these two attempts to use the Tuscarawas ri\-er as a navigable stream put an end to further ventures in the line, save in the local points. Mr. Myers began the erection of ills flouring-mill in 1816. and to build a mill, dig a race and construct a dam in those days was a great undertaking. But he persevered and also bm'lt a saw-mill and a mill house for his miller. He also carried on the business of fulling and cloth dressing, which in that epoch was much needed, as the women spun the yarn and made ready the material for making their home-spun cloth and linsey-woolsey, so that carding machines and cloth-weaving looms were much in demand. About 1846 Mr. Myers gave up both the distilling and fulling' business. The former became disreputable, the latter unprofitable, but the flouring-mill continued in operation until its destruction by fire, as already noted.

Jacob Myers was a man of strong convictions, and while he might greatly differ with many of his fellow-citizens in his political and religious A-iews, he was uniformly regarded as an honest and upright citizen. He had man}' hard struggles financially, but manfully met all reverses and eventually became free from indebtedness and had a comfortable home and many friends. His son Washington and his wife are still residing in Canton, and are numbered among our oldest and most respected citizens. William H. H. Myers, the youngest son, now lives in the old homestead, being in advanced years and much respected in the communitv.

The Smith Homestead

The residence of David Smith, 2216 West Third street, is a veritable landmark of the days long since fallen into the abyss of time. This house, which is located just west of Harrison avenue, was erected in 1820, by Jacob Smith, father of the present occupant, and has been somewhat changed from its original appearance, since a porch has been added and a second story to the wing at the west. When this house was built, a brick yard was located a short dis- tance west of the barn, and in this were manufactured the brick for the house. At the time of its erection, and until about 1837, the Massillon road passed in front of this house. After leaving the creek the road led to Hazlett avenue, the same as it does at the present time. At that point, however, it bore ofif to the right and came onto Third street a short distance east of the Smith Jionie, thence continuing as at present up past the Zettler nursery, coming out to the present Massillon road at Reedurban. What is now known as the Massillion road from Hazlett avenue to Reedurban was not then opened.

About 1828 Jacob Smith built an oil mill on the site now occupied by the power house of the city water works, near the west branch of the Nimishilien creek. The race which he constructed for said mill is the same one which is now utilized by the power house. Soon after the completion of this mill Mr. Smith built the two-story brick residence that yet stands on the hill a short distance above the water-works station, and he removed into the new house and left the older one for the use of his children. It has never passed out of the possession of the family and is at present occupied by his son David, as has been already noted. Jacob Smith lived in his house on the hill until his death in 1855, when about eighty-eight years of age. He had four sons and four daughters, all of whom are now deceased except David, who occupies the original homestead.

Jacob Smitii was quite acti\'e in the old Reformed church, of which the late and honored Rev. Peter Herbruck Avas the pastor for more than fifty years. At that time both the Reformed and the Lutheran churches occupied the old church building which stood on the site of the present German Exangelical Lutheran church, on the corner of Tuscarawas and Herbruck streets.

its present location as running between Hazlett avenue and Reedurban, an unfortunate accident occurred on this section of the original road, and mention of the same may consistently be made in this connection. Gardner Field, of Massillon, liad been over in Canton attending a ball at Dewalt's tavern, which stood on the site of the present Eagle block. It was in midwinter and the weather quite cold, and Mr. Field had driven to Canton in his gig, a twowdieeled and one-seated vehicle, of a type common in those days. The ground was frozen very hard and it was after midnight when Mr. Field started for home, alone. As he did not arrive at Massillon in the morning, search was made for him, and a short distance east of Flooms tavern, or Reedurban, he was found dead, his feet entangled in the reins, while the horse had stopped, with his dead driver lying on the ground. Mr. Field was a most excellent citizen and a man of good habits, and it was supposed that he had been overcome by sleep and fallen out of his gig, while his feet became so entangled in the reins that he was dragged to his death, after which the horse stopped. Gardner Field'and his brother William were among the best citizens of Massillon, and the latter was for a number of terms incumbent of the office of justice of the peace in that town. He afterward removed to the capital city of the state, where he served in the same capacity for a number of years, and there he died nearly twenty-fi\e years ago, much respected and loved by all who knew him.

In the days first referred to in this article there were several very influential and enterprising citizens in Massillon, whose names will be remembered by the older citizens of the county today. There were M. D. and H. B. Wellman, who were large dealers in merchandise and extensive buyers of wheat. They erected the block of brick buildings which are yet standing on the southwest corner of Main and Erie streets in that city. M. D. Wellman built the substantial brick residence yet standing on the northeast corner of Main and Prospect streets, there making his home until after the death of his wife, when he removed to Pennsylvania. He was patentee of the Wellman grate, at one time considered the best manufactured. H. B. Wellman built the large brick residence on Prospect street about three blocks north of Main and on the east side of the street. He afterward went to Indiana, and, so far as the writer has been able to ascertain, he died in or near the city of Indianapolis.

Then there were L. and S. Rawson, who were for many years in the forefront in Massillon's early period of prosperity, having been merchants and wheat buyers. Levi Rawson married a sister of the late R. H. Folger, and he died some years ago, in the city of Cleveland. Silas Rawson married into the Hurxthal family and after the death of his first wife married her sister. He died in Canton a number of years ago. The Johnsons also. were very enterprising merchants and produce buyers of Massillon in the canal days, when that was the great shipping point of the county. They built the fine three-story building yet standing on the north side of Main street, on the east bank of the canal. Matthew Johnson was active as a Democratic politician in his day. Then there were the Hurxthals, who built the brick block west of the canal, on the north side of Main street, the same having been destroyed by fire a few years ago and having been at the time occupied by the Bee Hive store. The building now standing there was built since. Jesse Rhodes, who was quite an extensive wheat l)uyer and who also had a large store on the northeast corner of Tremont and Erie streets, was one nf the most active and enterprisingmen of his day, while there were many others iwho might be mentioned.

Residenxe And Shop Of Jacob Buxher, In Canton

Attention is called to another of the prominent old landmarks of Canton, the residence and shop of Jacob Bucher, which stood for many years on the southeast corner of Tuscarawas and Cherry streets, on the lot now occupied by the Barnett hotel.

Jacob Bucher came to Canton from Hagerstown, ^Maryland, in 1812. Soon after his arrival he became associated with George Dunbar in the chair-making business, but after a few years he withdrew from that line of enterprise and built the two-story frame house just mentioned. Tlnere he carried on the Ijusiness of wheelwright for a number of years, occupying the front corner room for his shop. From this corner of the building there was suspended a spinning wheel, which served as a sign for his business. Mr. Bncher had the reputation of making the best spinning wheels in the county, and at one time he did quite an extensive business in that line. He manufactured both the flax and wool wheels. The former were small wheels, requiring a chair for the operator. The distaff which held the flax from which the linen threads were spun was always quite prominent. This is one of the old Bible terms which we read in Proverbs xxxi, 19: "She layeth her hands to the spindle and her hands hold the distaff." Some of these wheels are yet held in a few of our homes, as souvenirs or relics of the days long passed. The larger wheel, used for the spinning of wool, could be operated ( )nly by standing and pacing the floor back and forth as the process of spinning was going on. These wheels also were much in use, and both Icinds were made by Mr. Bucher. Persons would often come from all parts of the county, and from adjoining counties, either to buy new wheels or have old ones repaired. They would usually cijnie iu what were known as Dearborn wagons, the elliptic springs now used on vehicles being unknown at that time. What wonderful changes have taken place within the past sixty years. The manufacturer of spinning wheels could no longer carry on his business as in former times. The young ladies no longer learn to spin, save it be to spin "street yarns." We are glad to know, however, that many of the excellent girls of the present day are as industrious and useful as in former times, yet far too many are carried away with the fashions and gossip of the times and know but little of the realities of a useful and happy life.

Jacob Bucher's wife was a Rex, a sister of old Grandfather Jacob Rex, the tailor, who for many 3'ears carried on business at the northwest corner of Rex and Tuscarawas streets, and who was one of the active and useful members of the Methodist Episcopal church in Canton. Jacob Bucher and his wife were Lutherans. They had five sons and four daughters, the sons being \\'illiam, Jacob, Joim, Cornelius and Theodore. The two eldest and first named became quite prominent as citizens of Massillon. William, in company with his brother-in-law, Isaac X. Doxsce, was engaged in the tinning and stove business in that place, under the firm name of Bucher & Doxsee. Jacob Bucher, Jr., operated a stove foundry in Massillon and was successful, while he was also interested in other enterprises. He built the Bucher opena house in Massillon and was one of the influential citizens of tlie town. John and Cornelius Bucher were engaged in the dry goods business in Canton for a number of years, being associated in the same for some time, after whcih the former withdrew. More than thirty-five years ago John R. Bucher disposed of his interest in the mercantile business and became associated with the writer of this article in the building of the stove foundry now known as the Bucher &

Gibbs Plow Works. The first products of the foundry comprised only stoves, the name of the firm being Danner & Bucher, the senior member of the firm finally sold his interest and Lewis Gibbs succeeded him, while the enterprise changed its character, being devoted to the manufacture of plows. Theodore Bucher went to Cleveland many years ago and died there. Harriet Bucher, the eldest daughter of Jacob Bucher, married Isaac N. Doxsee, of Massillon, who died some years ago, no children having been born to this union. At the time of writing Mrs. Doxsee is living with her adopted son in Reedurban, a suburb of Canton. Mary Ann Bucher, the second daughter, married Jacob Ruthrauft', who died a few years later, and she afterward became the wife of V. B. Snyder, who was quite active in business in Canton for years, and then removed to Toledo, where both have since died. Amelia married Reuben Haifley, who was a resident of Canton for some time, and they removed hence to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where both are living; Catherine, was never married and is still living in Canton, having many warm friends in the city. Cornelius Bucher is the only one of the sons now living and is one of the representative citizens of Canton.