Perry Township

Perry Township

Perry Township was oreoted into a distinct organization on tho last Saturday of February, 1814, and took its name from tho hero of Put-in-Uay. - Oliver Hazard Perry. It is well watered. From Sippo Lake, in tho northeast, runs tho ISig Sippo to the Tuscarawas Branch of tho Muakingum, in Mus.^illon, furniahing water-power for tho city's famous flouring-mills. Little Sippo reaches tho canal through tho same city. Tho Tuscarawas River, flowing southward through the township, nearly parallel with its western boundary, was once a navigable stream. Salt was-once brought over tho portage, from the Cuyahoga down this river, in canoes and fiat-boats, and sold at sixteen dollars per barrel.

An examination of the treaty of Fort Mcintosh, of date January 21, 1785, and that of Oreenvillo, August S, 1776, discloses the fact that the fee of the Tuscarawas branch of tho Muskingum River yet remains with tho Indians.

When the township waa organized and its boundaries defined by tho County Commissioners, in October, 1813, tho first elootion was hold at the littlo cabin of Benjamin Meek, on Section III, on the south bank of tho Littlo Sippo,

No reliable townahip rccorda can bo found of township proceedings till 1825. It is known, however, that Charles K. Skinner, C. Coffin, J. Noely, B. Cunningcr, J. Waggons, J. Bahnoy, P. Jacoby, S. Shorb, M. Glasier, M. Oswalt, H. Castlcman, J. Ross, R. D. and D. Meek, R. Andrews, J. Bowman, jM. Folger, were, with many others not named,>V-«( lettlert, and bore their part in township duties and held its early officoa; but ono, Mr. Skinner, at the ripe age of eighty-four, remains. Immigration became ao rapid that it ia hard to say who built tho first cabin. To Benjamin Cunningor the honor ia thought due. It was located between Canton and Massillon, near the site of the late F. Bechlcr's house, itself one of the oldest residences in the township.

Tho first saw-mill and woolen-manufactory were put up by Thomas Roteh, a settler of Perry, in 1812. They Blood many years, but both mills are of the past : not a vostigo of either remains. In 1814, Captain M. Folger erected a grist- and saw-mill on Sippo Creek, fifty rods above the mill of Warwick & Justus, on tho Big Sippo, in Massillon. These, too, have passed away, to make room for modern improvements. Garrett Cruaen cleared and plowed tho firat piece of land in tho townahip, on prcmiacs now owned by Colonel F. Webb, in tho northeast part of the township.

Thomas Rotch and his wife. Charity, wore prominent members of the Society of Frionda, and born in Now Bedford, Massachusetts. They moved to Stark County in 1312, and made a frontier settlement in tho western wilds. Mr. Roteh having entered about two thousand acres of land, laid out tho village of Kendal, naming it after a mauufaotuting city in England. Ho intended to bo tho founder of juat such a city, an^ himaolf erected a large woolon-mill, and bought the most thoroughbred Spanish merino abeep, careless of cost. He had, and took, his choice of atoek imported by Colonel David Humphrey in 1803, and did more to improve the breed than any other man in the County. Tho Crst select achool in tho township was taught by the late General Cyrus Spink, who, at his death, was member of Congress elect from the Wooster district. Ho taught in tho building known aa tho " Qualtor Mceling-Houao," in Kendal. Thia house was the first ono erected for public worship in the township. In connection with early church membership tho names occur of J. Taylor and wife, M. Collins, E. Uoay, and J. Hoald.

During 1828 trade waa depressed, produce unsalable, and money won «(- Besides milling, T. Rotch brought in the first stock of goods for sale. He was aeon followed by Judge William Henry and A. Chapman, and in 182G by laaiah Brown ; these were, theroforo, of the early alorekeopers. Tho first justice of the. peace waa Franoia Smith ; the second, N. Ray. Among prominent men of an early day were J. Duncan, H. Bull, and Q. Earl.

The first road laid out (wo moan in these points within the township) as a highway, passed through Kendal, and crossed the river by a wooden toll-bridge, which became so odious a monopoly that a free bridge was erected in 1818; it was scarcely finished before it waa cut down. Tho toll-bridgo was made free, and, the road being changed, the free bridge fell into disuse.

Tho first tavern was oponod in Kendal by John Bowman, of Pennsylvanin. Tho firBt Methodist minister waa the Rev. Josiah Foster; hia appointments were ot private bouaes. His principal plaoo for preaching in Perry was the tailor shop of John C. MoKay; the houao now stands on Front Street. Kendal, fourth ward of city of Massillon. Sorvioos were held every six weeks. In 1811), tho Methodists and Masons united to oroot a building for their joint uao. The Presbyterians had preaching in a carpenter's shop until 1830, when a church was organiied under tho pastorate of Rev. G. W. Warner. During tho same year the Baptists, with Rev. 0. N. Sago, pastor, orgonized a self.suataining church in Maaaillon, till 1S44.

Tho Drat poat-oflioc woet of Canton waa at Kendal, Rotch being poatmaster. In 1821, James Duncan contracted with C. Coffin, a ship-carpenter, to build a boat on which be could go with a cargo of flour, whisky, and potatoes to Now Orleans. During a freshet in tho spring of 1822 ho launched his bark, and, reaching Cincinnati, waa bought out boat and cargo, and walked back well paid. He formed partnership with Mr. Skinner, nnd ran a woolen-factory with aucccia.

The City Of Massillon

THE CITY OF MASSILLON. In 1826, thia city waa laid out as a village by James Duncan, F. G. and L. Huxthal, and takes ita name from Rt. Rev. J, B. Massillon, as was suggested by Mrs Duncan, wife of tho principal proprietor. Till this timo tho ground-plat of tho future city was known as " Dunean's Mill," SUinner'a Factory," and the " Preo Bridge."

The first building put up after tho village waa laid out was that known as the main part of the Farmers' Hotel, corner of Erie and Oak Streets. The sites at tho Boothwost corner of Main and Mill, and tho northeast corner of Mam and Erie, now occupied by M. Riobammer and the MoLain Brothers reapectivoly. wore purchased, and hotela erected by their ownera, J. Miller and M. Folger, Both buildings woro burned, - Folger's in 1851, the other in 1953. Tho first lawyer in Maaaillon was L. L. Footo, Esq , wbo.ie stay waa brief; the next was Samuel Pcas-e, who came in 1831, and remained till his death, a few years since.

The present survivors among tho pioneers are C. K. Skinner, Jacob J. Bahnoy, and James Jacoby and wife, roaidonts of tho city. In tho township arc William S. Bahnoy, Henry Waggoner, and Jacob Christian, all well known and highly reapeeted.

Father Wernli organiicd tho first Catholic church in J8-I4; it was nnfortnnalo in losing its first building by fire in ISiS; the present church is too ^uinll. ami will doubtless soon bo oxohanged for one more sjiBcioua. Tliero ave aho in tho city the Christian, German Erangolieai, Evangelioan Lutheran, and United Brethren denominations; a Yuuog Men's Association, a Lodge. Chapter, and Encampment of F. and A. Masons, nnd various other organixalioua.

The Charity School Of Kendal

Charity Rotch, at her death, willed her estate to the founding of a manual labor school for orphans and tho children of tho poor; twenty thousand dollars wore realized for the work. The executors ao carefully managed the fund, that now the "achool" owns one hundred and seventy-five acres of valuablo Innd, fipio buildings, and is able to maintain a school of foriy pupil?. The first school waa opened, in the year 1825, by Philander Dawloy, and has continued uninterruptedly to the present time. Both sexes are admitted; common school branches, housekeeping, and farm-work arc taught.

Massillon's first bank, chartered in 1833, and called the Bank of Slaasillon, had a paid-up capital of two hundred thouaand dollars. Its first issues of noies for circulation bore date October 1, 1S34. President, James Duncan : Cashier, J. Ciilder. It went down with a crash in 1853. In 1848 the Union schools were organised under the Buperintondonoy of Colonel Lorin Andrews, who was president of Kenyon College, and colonel of the 4th Ohio in tho last war.

Increase of railways: the Massillon and Cleveland, the Pittsburg, Fort Wayno and Chicago, and the Cleveland, Tuscarawas Vulley and Wheeling Railways being facilities of conveyance, with extensive manufactures, have given the city a new impctne.

In 1808, having tho required popnlatioo, it became a city of the second clasp; since which its population had increased, in 1870, to five thousand one hundred and eighty-five, ranking tho twentieth in tho State.

Its various manufactures, its beautiful location for residences, and its schools, are items of the dweller's pride. It owes no debt of amount ; it progresses surely, and the result is pormanent growth and substantial improvements.

Tho Massillon Agricultural Works, C. Russel .t Co. proprietors, wore slarled in 1842, and a lapse of thirty-three years finds them occupying over twenty acrce of land with their shops and warehouses, employing 300 men, and turning out 111(10 thrashing-machines a year, which are found in every part of the world, and conceded to stand at tho head of all similar machines wherever manufactured.

The Massillon E.'scelsior Works originated, some forty years ago, in a humble way, but to-day finds this establish men I, under tho management of Edwin liuyliss, doing a large and varied buaiaeaa. Tho Massillon Horvcator ia their specially, and has a fi°ne reputation ; they also make many other kinds of agricultural implements.

Tho Volcano Furnace Co. has a capital of $200,000, and their buildings cover eighteen acrea of ground. Capacity of furnaoc. 120 tons per week ; it runs twentyfour hours per day, and consumes 2000 tons of coal per month, sending their iron throughout tho country.

The Massillon Furnace started in 1852; since 1859 it has been under the control of J. P. Burton. It produces 5000 tons of pig-metal per year, consuming 2000 tons of coal per month. The furnace ia over busy, and a living monument of Massillon's enterprise.

Of tho many manufacturing interests in Massillon are Killinger A Co., machinists, doing a large and increasing business ; Taylor. Mitchell & Pond, rollingmill, who are fast securing an enviable reputation. Then we have a large grindatone manufactory ; Novolty Works of Taylor Clay : Massillon Iron Bridge Co. ; Massillon Paper Co., with a capacity of fiOOO pounds of straw paper per day; plaster, flour, planing-mills, and many others, which give to Mas.<illon a reputation as a lively, enterprising city, ono that is second to none in tho County.

JA-CKSON TOWNSHIP. Jackaon is the eleventh township, ninth range south of the base-line of the Connecticut Western Reserve. The township was organiicd by order of the County Commissioners on April 1. 1815. and Iho first election held for township officers at the house of Jaeob Click. At that time there resided in the township of its earliest settlors, J. C. Balmer, Jacob Ettleman, Henry Shoemaker, ^atbanlol Skinner Isaac Clay, Isaac Bowman, Richard Williams, Daniel Richmond. George Miller, John Lutz, and Samuel Lutz. who had scattered in different section., aa fancy inftuonced.

Richard Williams, Daniel Richmond, ood laaao Bowman woro members of the Society of Friends, and of Kendal " Preparative" Meeting, in Perry Township. In 1817, Thomas Reed and Richard Breed moved into tho southwest portion of tho townahip, whore they remained till their deaths, which occurred m 182-1 and 1828 respectively. , ,

In common with tho pioneer settlers of tho County, tho parties above named were all upright. God-fearing men; tbcy established churches aud organized schools, ^nd their influence and example arc felt and shown in the township.

There are few townships of Stark which have more fertile land or better cull.- valion. while tho late development of coal-field, adds rapidly to its material wealth. It is well watered, the never-failing Mod Brook yielding almost .-ulhcient water in tho driest seasons to run the mill* upon its banks, lu.carawaa branch of the Muskingum drains the southwest corner of the township. Juckaon's valuable stono quarric, located three miles north «f. '^'"^^'II^-'J^^^'^^ connected by a side-traok of tho same gi Railroad. Cars con be run from the mai of the quarry, there loaded, and hauled cilies with the best of building atone.

In 1S1!I. Samuel Baohtol moved into the townahip, and there passed hia life. He stood high as a man, and served with fidelity aa ono of tho first justices.

The first grist- and saw-mill was built by Daniel Slanker. also ap.oncer settler on Mud Brook, north of the one now run by James M.ronnell; .be gr...mm ran as a flouring.mill in 1S22. This site wa* abandoned, and lULOt L.-r known as [he " High Mill!" built by the same party on the same stream, and s.i 1 another at the canal, at tho mouth of the brook, which last was destroyed a few years since by fire.

Among Ibo first sobools, if not the Jirti, in foot, taught in Jnokson, nns odd by Thoinns Cnrmiobncl, in n log sohool-bousc, ou the road belwcon tho rcaidoncc of Tliumni Kccd nnd Ibnt of Richard Drcod. Next to Cnrmiahaci, aa n teaobor, was Dr. B. Michcner, nhnso ropiilation &s a teacher of pure English is atill fondly cherished by all whose good fortune made them his pupils.

Tho first blaoksmilh in tho township is thought to have been the lato Michael Spronklc, whose log-built i^hop atood by tho roadsido near his residence for many

The villngo of MoDonnldsville was laid out by Jacob Esltomnn, and is the principal village in the township. In conclusion, wo aver that, as a rural town- .''hip, it knows no superior in tho County.

The lands of tho township have all changed owners since 1825, except Ifac farm of John Beatty, on which bo has resided since 1820, nnd is now, February 23, 1873, in utoollont health nnd ninety years of age.

The first settlers in this township were the Grounds family, dcsoribod in tho County history. Thoy came in 1803. This part of- the County had just been surveyed, thoroforo thoy nindo an unrestrioted seleotion of a location. On account of its numerous sugar-maple-treos, the quarter section now in possession of J. M. Truby wns chosen as their future home. They out and prepared logs for a dwelling, and gave notice to families at Kendal, Canton, and New Philadelphia of a raising. Two responded from Kendal, five from Canton, and three from New Philadelphia. Among them was a lawyer, from the last-named place ; and the County treasurer, from Canton. For eighteen months they were the only wliilo persons living in the township, when Joshua Carr moved with his family into tho northern part of tho township.

The township dates its organixation from March 4, 1S16. James Latimer and John Kryder, Commissioners, then in session, gave the order. Tho first cleotion ivas held on the first Monday in April, ISIll, at the house of Adam Grounder, where their first township officers were elected. Calvin lirewster was elected justice of tho peace, and Joseph Poyser, Sr., constable, Poysor oamo from Fnyelto County, Pcnnsyhooio, in company with John Mason and family. They slopped with Itobert Barr, in Tuscarawas Township, Easter Sunday, 1811. Poy- Ecr returned for his family, and moved to tho last-named township. Tho nearest neighbor)' wero Robert Barr, Rev. Edward Otis, Thomas, and Stopheti EIdridgo. Rev. William Mitchell, Methodist Episcopal, preached nt Peter John, son's and Joseph Peyser's bouses at stated times. Rot. E. Otis, Baptist, prcaelied at bis own houso and at other houses in the neighborhood.

Barbara I'oyser, daughter of Joseph, died in tho summer of 1812, and was buried on tho farm. This was the first death in the township. Mr. I'oyser moved to Sugar Creek in 1313; his neighbors at that time were Adam Grounds, Jacob Reed, William Lindsoy, Abraham Bayles, and Michael Ilofukor.

Tho first death in Sugar Creek Township was that of Abraham Bayles, suppDEcd to have been slruok by lightning during a storm in tbe summer of 1815.

The first marriage was that of John Reed, son of Jacob Reed, to Mary Poysor, on the 13th of April, 1815. William Henry, Esq., performed the ceremony. Tho ncwty-married pair soon oftor moved to Canton, where they passed their lives. John reached the ago of eigbty-threo years, and died in IS7I.

The first military training nas at Jacob Reed's, John Bycl being captain. Wo obtain most of these items from Joseph Poyser, born February 27, 17S8, and still living, the 20th of February, 1675.

Sugar Creek'S Roll Of Honor

SUGAR CREEK'S ROLL OF HONOR. Winfield S. Wyant, Company F, lOth, killed at Dallas, Georgia, May 27, 18G4. Sergeant Michael Kayler, Company F, 19tb, died in Nashville, Tennossoo, July 20, 1S64.

Daniel F. Wyant, died in hospital nt Fortress Monroe, Virginia, July, 18S4. Michael Grnfl'e, Company F, 10th, died of wounds at Stone River, Tennessee, January I. 1862.