Sandy Township (part 4 of 4)

part of the county, and is bounded on the north by Canton Township, on the east by Sandy Township, on the south by Tuscarawas County, on the west by Bethlehem Township, and, by the census of 1880, had 1 ,500 inhabitants. The surface of the township is very uneven, and much of it may even be termed hill}'. Says a writer in the Canton Rcposit<iry: " Pike Township is sometimes called the Switzerland of Stark County, from a fancied resemblance in miniature to that rough and mountainous country of which we read in geography. People who live in the more level portions of the country wonder, as the}- climb the steep hills of Pike, and descend into tlie low valleys, whatever possessed the early settlers to select such land, when there was so much that was level to be had at (Jovernment price. And what is stranger still, that the present inhabitants should continue to slave themselves and horses plowing up and down and around the hills, among the stumps and stones, when the rich prairies of the West offer such an inducement to migrate ; but and that is the reason that Hannah continues to smoke, and follow in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother, and Jacob to plow among the hills. The hills of Pike are underlaid with wealth, however, such, as their outer surface have never yielded. In the language of Col. Mulberry Sellers, "there's millions in them." Coal mining is already carried to a considerable extent, and though there is no means of transportation but wagons, yet all that is rained finds a ready market in Canton. With convenient railroad facilities, the wealth of Pike's black diamonds would prove immense. The agricultural resources of the township lie principall}' in raising corn, wheat and grass, although some attention is paid to stock-raising. The land is drained by the Nimishillen, Sandy and Limestone Creeks, and their numerous branches. The Nimishitlen passes through the eastern part from north to south: the Limestone rises near the center, and tlows soutli into the Sandy, which merely touches tlie southwest corner of the township. The timber consists principally of oali. hickory, sugar maple, beech, walnut, elm, etc. The township has no railroad, and lint one small village.

The first permanent settlements made in what is known as Pike Township are credited to (ieorge Young. .James Eakins. John Sluitt and Jacob Kemer\ . Of Eakins. Shult and Kemery, but little is remembered. Kakins settled on the farm occupied by James Evans, about 1808. Sluitt lived to tlie age of ninetytwo, and Kemery eighty-four years. Young was a native of Maryland, and when very young went to Somerset Co., Penn., where he married at the early age of nineteen years, on the authority of tlie Bible, perhaps, that it is not well for man to be alone." Residing for a few years in Pennsylvania, he emigrated to Ohio and stopped in Jett'ersou County. He remained here several years, and, having accumulated a sufHcienc3' of worldly wealth to purchase a couple of horses and a few agricultural implements and other actual necessities, he, in 180G, decided to come to Stark County, He leased a piece of land lying in Section 9 of Pike Townsiiip. of tlie owner, who lived in Jeffer.son County. With provisions to last them on the journey, and their clothing packed on one of the horses, while his wife, who had a young baby, rode the other, he set out for his new home. With his trusty rifle as a means of defense antl of pnxuiring food, he trudged on foot, leading the pack horse through the wilderness, and along Indian trails. Reaching his land, he at once proceeded to construct a shelter of poles and lirusli. to serve as a protection from storms and wild beasts, and as a lodging-place at nights. His nearest neighbors were John Nichols, then building a mill on the Xiraishillen, four miles to the northwest, and John Farbcr, whose land was in Tuscarawas County, adjoining the boundary line of Pike, distant five miles.

The incidents in the life of this pioneer family- would form a volume of interesting reading matter. They worked together for weeks, clearing ground and preparing it for a crop. At night, until the horses became sufficiently used to the place not to stray awaj-.

the^' were tethered, and lived and grew fat on the wild pea vines which grew abundantly, and wild grxss. After completing his sowing and planting, .Mr. Young returned, with his wife, to Jetterson County, to harvest a wheat crop in whii;h he had an interest. After the wheat was taken care of, he sold his share, thus securing means with which he purchased a cart, and a load of produce, such as corn, salt, whiskey, tobai'co. etc, I'pon becoming the owner of all this property, a feeling of pride came over him. ecpial, perhaps, to a king who acquires a new province. While in Jefferson County, looking after his wheat crop, his wife found a home for herself and child with the settlers, and, liy hiring to them to weave, not only supported herself and child, but made some money besides. When read^' to return to Pike, Mr. Y^oung put his horses to his cart, loaded in his stock of goods, made his way back to his new home, cutting his way through the forest after crossing the Sandy, He now built a log cabin of the usual pioneer style, constructed some rude furniture, which served for their wants. Persons were ncA choice then about their hou.sehold furnishings, and black walnut furniture and Brussels carpets were luxuries not yet invented. A puncheon served for a table, blocks for chairs, and a 'sugar trough" for a cradle or a " bread tray," as circumstances required. The first winter spent by the Youngs in Pike was a long, dreary one, and little could be done out-doors, except to cut down trees and prepare firewood. They seldom saw the face of a white man -indeed. Crusoe on his de.scrt island was not more lonely, or more exileil from human ;iid or human intercourse. Indians were roaming over the country, and often called for something to eat. They were harmless. Imt would frequently frighten the women whc^n alone. .\n incident is told of Mrs. Farber, who, going out one evening about dusk, with a crock of milk, to put in some cool place to keep for their breakfast next morning, found herself upon opi'uing the do(jr and stepping out, face to face with a burly Indian. This so frightened the good woman that she dropped the crock of milk and fled into the cabin, screaming at the top of her voice. The savage enjoyeil the joke intensely - much more than she did - walked into the cabin and made himself quite at home, but harmed no one,

1811, when, bj' the closest economy, he had accumulated enough to enter the northwest quarter of Section 21, and upon which he erected a cabin. He improved the place, and opened up a farm ujjon which he lived until his death, but a few years ago, at the age of ninet3-seven years. During the war of 1812, he was drafted three times, eacii time furnishing a substitute. While soldiers were encamped at Canton and Wooster, he furnished them beef cattle. He kept a store at iiis residence for many years, from which he furnished the settlers such articles as were most needed - such as salt, iron, nails, glass, leather, etc. Mr. Young was of German extraction, and, like many of the uneducated of that race, was a little disposed to believe in supernatural agencies. He believed firmly in witches and witchcraft, and, to the fact of his being left-handed, " he attributed his power over them, and held firmly to the opinion that they were unable to gain an ascendency over him. He bought a book from somebody in Canton which he declared told how to control witches and other evil spirits. He grew out of these views, however, as civilization broadened and deepened, and he became more enlightened, and lived and died respected and regretted by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

Another of the prominent pioneer families of Pike Township was that of Jonathan Cable, who settled here in 1811. He was from Somerset Co., Penn., and entered the southeast quarter of Section 27, which he commenced to improve. With the help of a hired man, he put up a cabin and cleared and plowed five acres of ground, which he sowed in wheat. He had lived in Jefferson Co. the year previous, and had brought provisions enough with him to last while building his caliin. and during inclement weather he spent the nights in Young's cabin. In the spring of 1812, he moved his family to his new possessions, but had scarcely become settled when a notice was served upon him that he had been drafted into the United States service, and that he must appear at a certain place on a certain day, properly "armed and equipped according to law," or furnish a substitute. Here was- a "go," and what to do in such a trying scene was a rather puzzling question. They were comparatively alone in the wilderness ; Mrs. Cable had three small children, the eldest less than five years of age ; neighbors were " few and far between ; " rumors of Indian depredations were thick and exciting, and the thoughts of being left alone under these trying circumstances were too terrible to contemplate. Mrs. Cable, who seems to have been in this family not only -' the power behind the throne, " but the " power that was greater than the throne itself," determined to try what could be done. She went to work, and finailj' succeeded in hiring a substitute, for which she paid $60 - a sum of money she had up while keeping tavern in Jefferson Co. The substitute had no gun, and she was thus forced to part with their trusty rifle, which caused more regret than parting with the $00, for she had become an adept in the use of it, and could bring down a turkey or deer at as long range as most of the men. But she kept her husl)and at home, and there was consolation in that. She is represented as a woman of whom there are few, if any, representatives left. A local writer upon the early history of Pike, terms her the - last of the old guard," a compliment deserved of her. It is said that she would, after she had put her children to bed at night, go out with her husband, assist him in rolling logs, piling and burning brush ; that she could split rails, build fence, cut cord-wood, etc., and that in the harvest field she made a regular hand. We are not an advocate of women perlbrming (or attempting to perform) men's woi'k, nor in favf)r of making field hands of the fair sex ; but we do glory in a woman who, when emergencies arise requiring it, can become, in deed and in truth, a helpmeet to her husband. Mr. Yant, of Pike Township, has the following of Mrs, Cable in a communication to the county- papers a few years ago : " 31rs. Cable's maiden name was Crise. Her mother died when she was five da3S old. She was such a diminutive little mortal that her father said it was useless to expect to raise her. She was, however, taken by Mrs. Henlinc, and developed into the hardy woman we have described. She is in the enjoyment of good health, possesses a retentive memory, and is in her eighty-fifth year. I am indebted to her for a number of facts and incidents in those sketches. "

Mr. (able died in 1848. Mr. Yant gives the following incident of him : " Jonathan Cable built a dozen or more cabins for the settlers, and generally camped out while at work. Up- on one of these occasions, when Mr. Hippie and one his boys were lielping at this work, the wolves surrounded them in great numbers after night, wliile laying by the fire. The bo\- became much alarmed, but .Mr. Cable tooii a fire-brand in each hand, ran in among tliem,and dispersed the whole pack." One more incident of this pioneer couple, is related by the same authority: Mr. Cable worked a sugar camp on the east side of the Nimishillen, and Mrs. Cable would cross in a canoe, gather in the sugar water, and l>ring it over. Upon one of these occasions, the stream being high and the current rapid, she used a pole to push the canoe through the water, and while making the utmost exerlion.s to head the craft against the stream, the end of the pole caught in her dress, and threw her out. The water took her up to her neck, l>ut she kept hold of the canoe and pushed it ashore." Mrs. Cable is described by those who know her, as " tall, of tine form. walk.s erect, a pleasant, intelligent countenance, hearing unimpaired and eyesight good." She is still living, and nearly ninety j-ears of age, hale and heart}', and bids fair to live many years longer.

In 1812, the settlement was augmented bjthe arrival of Pitnej- Guest and Benjamin Miller. Guest was Miller's son-in-law. and both families hailed from New Jersey. Miller was a Revolutionary soklier, and served mostl}' under (Jen. Greene. He was wounded in an engagement with Cornwallis in North Carolina, Idit remained in the service until the war was over. They came to this township as above, and -'squatted ' on land in Section lit, sleeping in their wagons until they could get up a cabin. Miller died in 1828, and the old Revolutionary hero lies buried in the little graveyard at Sandyville. Guest was a shoemaker, and by working at his trade, and making and mending shoes for his neighbors, he was enabled to thus procure many of tlie necessaries of life. He had a monopol}- of the business, .as we learn there was no other 'cobbler" in the settlement for several years. He was drafted in the war of 1812. in. the last call for troops, but peace was declared before he was ordered to the front. The first three years he spent in Pike Township, ho lived on Section 19. then sold his improvements for $100, and entered the northeast quarter of Section 7, the place now owned by his son. Washington Guest. The elder Mr. Guest was both a Justice of the Peace and a regularl}- ordained minister of the Baptist Church, and in the two official capacities he, perhaps, united more people in the holy bonds of wedlock than anj- other man in the county. He could do up the job according to the views of either the religious believer or the Ingersollian skeptic - the one he would unite in his capacity as a minister, and the other in that of a Justice of the Peace. He held the latter office for more than twenty years, and was a just and upright Judge. When parties came to him for "justice under the law," he invarial)lj' tried to compromise matters between them without a lawsuit, and in this manner prevented a great deal of bickering and hard feelmgs among his neighbors. He is descril)ed as a man of line appearance, sound judgment and more than ordinary intelligence. He was killed in 185(1, by l)eing thrown from a wagon during the running away of the team attached to it. His widow died in 1874, at the age of ninety-two years. During the year of Mr. Guest's settlement, Henry Bordner and Phillip Seffert came into the neighborhood. The\' were men of some enterprise and standing, and were both elected officers upon the organization of the township. A daughter of Borduer's married her cousin, John P. Bordner, who was a great sport and hunter, and also a successful farmer for that earlj- period.

From the year 1812 to 1815 the following settlers came in, the most of whom entered land and engaged in opening up farms : Amos Janne}', John Russell, Michael Holm and his son John. George Fetters, Christian Hippie, John Bcchtel, Daniel Failer, Jo.scph Keel, tlie Henlines, Keysers, Schroyers, Weavers, Peter Hockersmith and the Howenstines. Of these we have not been able to learn much, beyond the fact of their early settlement. Janney laid out the town of Sparta, which will be again alluded to. He built a saw and grist-mill, the first in the township. The grist-mill was a rather primitive structure, but of great benefit and advantage to the settlers. Mr. Janney was an honest man - asurvc\'or - and is represented as a man who had an eye to business, but was exceedingly careless in business details, and consequently' less prosperous than otherwise he might iiave been. Hi' finally removed to Indiana, where he died some years later. John Holm and his father. Michael Holm, came from Maryland, and purchased the northwest quarter of Section 8 from a man named Andrews. On the place is a fine spring, wliieh. in early times, was a great resort of Indians. Many arrow- t heads and other Indian trinkets are found in ; its vicinity.

Prier Foster was a wandering son of Ethiopia's fated race," and a well-known and well-remembered early settler in Pike Township, \ and the first of his race in Stark County. His face was blacker than a stoi-m-eloud, and his mouth reminded one of a coal-pit, set around the opening with marble slabs. He was married in the " Oberley Corner." bj- Squire Coulter, | in the year 1811, to a comely white girl, who is represented as " a girl of good sense and judgment, but of grossly perverted taste." Foster was a hard-working, industrious man, and possessed great physical strength. His trade was that of a miller, and he was often heard to say that he never saw the horse that could carry as much at one load as he could. The following incident is related of the Fosters : ! A stranger was passing Foster's house one day | and stopijed to inquire the way to a certain place. IMrs. Foster was alone, and in reply to the inquiry said. " My dear will soon be in. and he can tell you." Presently Foster made his appearance. The stranger in utter astonishment, looked at the husband and then at the wife, at a loss how to reconcile the incongruity. " Madam " said he, " did I understand yon to call that man your (Jem- ?" " Yes, sir, " she replied. " Well,'' said the stranger. " I'll be if he don't look to me more like a hear." Foster had a son named George, who was quite as black and quite as brawny as his father, who also married a white girl. Squire Guest was called upon to perform the marriage ceremony between them, but declined until he had consulted an attorney at Canton, after which he united them " for better or for worse.'' It is said that it takes all sorts of people to make a world, and we admit that it is a matter of some convenience that all people do not see alike.

Other pioneer settlers of the township were Michael Worley, Jacob Miller. John Richaids. Jacob Flora, Michael Apley, John Carnes. Bartley Williams. John Newhouse, John Bernheimer, Martin McKinney, Jacob Bowman. Daniel Pryan, the Princes, Hemmingers. John Stametz. the Painters, and others whose names are not remembered. After the close of the war of 1812, emigrants came in so rapidly that it is impossible to keep trace of them, or to note the date of settlement of each family. It is enough to say in this place, that the flow of emigration continued to this township, this Switzerland of Stark County, until the last vacant quarter-section of land was gobbled up. The majority of its pioneers came from the old Keystone State, and were either Pennsylvania Dutch or Quakers. Their descendants form a portion of the best class of citizens of the county.

A part of the history of Pike Township that should not be omitted, is the fact that it was long the home of a man who. as an editor and a writer of ability, has few equals and fewer superiors in the country. We allude to Hon. Joseph Medill. editor of the Chicago Trihimr. one of the ablest newspapers published in the Northwest. His father moved to Stark County in 1831. when he. the embryonic editor, was but seven years old. and thus the great journalist is not an " Ohio man. " as is claimed by many of his admirers in this section. Six of his brothers and sisters, however, were born in Stark County, and one sister and his mother, a lady now in her seventy-seventh year, still live here. His father died about ten years ago and lies buried- in the cemetery of Canton. Joseph worked on a farm in Pike Township some nine or ten years, when, in 1844-45. he began reading law with Hiram ftriswold, as he could spare time from his farm labors. Later he spent some months in the law office of E. H. Folger, of Massillon. finally finishing his studies with Judge and Seymour Belden, of New Philadelphia. In 1850, he laid down Blackstone. and took up the pen. and since that time his service in the party of his choice has been no child's work. From an awkward plowboy. he has gone on up the ladder of Fame, until he has become the editor-in-chief of one of the greatest newspapers in one of the greatest cities of the greatest country upon which the sun shines.

It is not an easy matter in this day of plenty and of modern improvements and inventions to realize the great disadvantages under which the early settlers labored. In Pike Town.<hip, several neighbors would join together and load a canoe or " dugout " with their surplus produce, and float down the Nimishillen. Sandy and Tuscarawas to a place called the " station " and exchange their cargo for whisky, tobacco, iron, nails, salt, pepper, coflfee. etc. The return was a more serious affair, as rowing against the current was laborious work; and when corn was scarce they would take boat loads of iron from the " bloomery " at Sparla. down to Trichsville (Egypt as it was then called), and trade the iron for corn, which they would bring back to their settlement. Mr. Yant. in his sketches of Pike Township gives the following, pertaining to its early history' : " In those carl>- days bears, wolves, deer and a variety of other game was abundant, from which source the pioneer settlors supplied themselves : the streams also abounded with fish. James Eaken shot three bears, which were foraging on chestnut trees, of the fruit of which they were very fond. He secured all three before he left the ground. Eli Miles lived iu ?andy Township. His wife. Mrs. Jlilcs. took her babe and started to make a visit to Edward Jackson's, in the south part of this township 'When she got a short distance south of Fpaita, night overtook her, and the wolves were upon her track. ?he sought a place of safely. Climbing a large tree, upon which u large limb had grown out, forming a seat, another just in the right position to rest her feet upon, and still another to sujiport her back ; just as comfortable a position as it would have been possible to find under such circumstances, and seeming almost to have been made for the special purpose to which it was now devoted. The wolves soon appeared, and one of the hungry pack stayed all niglit under the tree, and did not leave until daylight sent him to his lair. 3Irs. Allies had taken her apron and tied herself and child fast to the tree. After the wolf left, she came down from her retreat, and found herself near the neighbor's she was going to visit.' The foregoing but faintly portrays the life which the people lived in this section sixty to seventy years ago. They settled iu the wilderness, were poor and without means to provide the comforts of life even had they been accessible. Says Mr. Yant : The early settlers generall}' had barely means sufficient to pay for a heme and necessary moving expenses, and destitute of means sufllcient to pay for supplies until crops could be raised ; many were put lo straits for breadstufls. Abundant supplies of wild meat could be procured at the proper season, by the use of the rifle : but flour and some additional necessaries cculd only be h;:d by going to the Ohio Piiver, and corn at the -Moravian settlements on the Muskingum. Mrs. Oeorge Young took a horse and went to Steubenville for supplies. During her absence the provisions were exhausted. Mr. Young went to James Eakins' for a pailful of meal, and gave the j)ail for the meal. AVhen the harvest came, his first crop of wheat was cut without bread. The wheat was beaten off and boiled in milk, as a substitute for the staff of life. 8uch shifts were then not uncommon." But it is unnecessary to pursue further the life of the early settlers, and their mode of living. It was universal in all sections of the country in the pioneer days.

Originally, Pike and Bethlehem formed one townshij), and so remained for about two ye:ns. Previous to their organization into a township, they formed a part of Canton Township, They were separated from Canton on the Gth of I^Iarch, 18] 5, and an election ordered to be held at the house of Henry Bordner, on the 1st da\' of April, At this election, Pitney Guest was elected Justice of the Peace, aud Abraham Sheplar Township Clerk. The next election, which was held in April, 18] 6. at the house of 'William Byder, resulted in the election of Abraham Yant and Amos Janprev, Trustees; Basil ThompEon, Treasurer; James Chapman and John Shutt.SujK'rvisors; Raman "N'anderston and 'U'illiam Eckler, Listers ; Henry ^lills and George Allman, Constables ; Jacob Anspach and Matthew Brothers, Fence Viewers; John 8hermaii and Henry Bordner, Overseers of the Poor, In December, 181G, Pike and Bethlehem were separated, and each became an independent township. Pike remaining from that time to the present day without further geographical changes.

The first grist-mill in Pike Township was built by Amos Janny in ISld. or thereabouts. It was on the Nimishillen, a little below Sparta, and is described as a very primitive affair. The frame was four posts set in the ground, forked at the top, in which polos were laid to support the roof, which was of clap-boards. The sides were never weather-boarded. A water-wheel resting on two posts, similar to those in the frame of the building, a drivingwheel attached to the shaft, and a composed the gearing of the concern, A pair of buhrs three feet in diameter, made out of quartz bowlders found on Sugar Creek plains, did the work of grinding. The bolt was a piece of cloth, which was operated b3' the customers themselves. Primitive as was this mill, however, it was a great improvement to the horse mills of the time, the " horaiuyblock " and the cotfee-raill. Other mills followed this pioneer structure, and the settler was no longer annoyed in procuring breadstutfs. Janny also built the first saw-mill in the township, which was quite as rude as his grist-mill, but of considerable service to the community. Pitney Guest was the first shoemaker, George Young the first merchant, and Luther Drur}-, probalily, the first blacksmith in Pike. Other tradesmen came in, and the wants of the people were supplied at home, which proved of great advantage, and was appreciated accordingl.y-

The following incident in Pike's early history is related through the columns of the Democrat: " A bo.y, about fourteen years old, in the family of David Evans, an early settler of the township, was eating peaches one day, wlien he concluded to swallow them stones and all, and a stone lodged in his throat and would not go up or down stream. Dr. Simmons, of Canton, was in the neighborhood, and was called in, and, after vain attempts to move it, said he would go home and read up the case, and return the next morning. At the appointed time he came back, and said the stone must, according to medical authority on the subject, come up and not go down. So he went to a blacksmith's shop and had a pair of' pinchers made, and with the rough instrument returned and tried to take it out by putting the pinchers down the boy's throat and taking liold, but failed. He then declared that the only way was to cut it out. To this the family objected until the3' could consult the family physician, Dr. Bonfield. Accordingly he was sent for, and, in the meantime. Dr. Simmons went to see another patient. Dr. Bonfield came, and calling for an umbrella, took from it a piece of whalebone, greased it, and easilj- pushed the stone down the boy's throat. Dr. Simmons returned, and was much chagrined at his own failure when he found how easily the stone liad been removed."

The religious history of Pike dates back almost to its first setdement. The first preacher in the township of whom there is any reliable account, was Rev. J. B. Finley, a Methodist circuit rider, and who traveled the Zanesville Circuit," as it was called, in 1809-10. This circuit was said to have covered the following territory : -' From Zanesville toward the Ohio among the different settlements to New Philadelphia, One-leg Creek, then to Nimishillen. This appointment was at the cabin of Abram Cozier, thence to Canton, at Wolf Creek, and south to Care3''s, on Sugar Creek, thence to William Butts, Whiteyes. Tommica and Zanesville, making a distance of 475 miles, and embracing thirty-two appointments." Our stallfed pastors of the present daj- would think this a rather hard pastorate, at a salaiy of S80 a year, and we will not quarrel with them if they do. We are glad times have improved, and we do not claim to be of tliose who believe the pioneer daj's were better than these. The preachers of those days, as well as tliose who felled the forest, were equal to their labors, and the Methodist ministry afforded few -' soft places." The following incident is related of Mr. Finley's niinistrj- in those pioneer days, bj" Mr. Yant : "In those early times there were fashionable ladies, as well as now, but the general rule was not to push the folly to extremes that more abundant means allow in the present; and these plain men who preached the Gospel purely for the love of it, did not fail to rebuke the follies of the times. One of the fancies of Madame Fashion in those days, was to make the sleeves of dresses, from the elbow to the shoulder of an enormous size, and a hoop of ratan or grapevine was inserted in the middle of this inflated bubble, reducing the sleeve at that point and leaving two puffs. A Miss and, by one of those pranks that misfortune sometimes plays, the ends of the hoop in one of her sleeves had become disconnected. This so distended the arrangement, as to swell the puff even with the top of her head. Mr. Finlej' could not endure the sight without a merited reproof He liroke the connection of his discourse, and remarked parenthically that ' in these days the ladies were wearing sleeves of such enormous size, that a man might put his head in one of them ;' at the same time making a pass with his head toward tiie offending sleeve,

In most parts of the Western country, the Methodist itinerants were the pioneer ministers, and gathered tiie scattered settlers in their rude cabins, even as the shepherd gathers sheep into tlie fold. Other Methodist circuit-riders, as the preachers of this denomination were called, followed Mr. Finle\-, and Mr. Cozier's cabin was a regular preaching-place.

The '- Bible Christians " were the next after the Methodist, and also had meetings at Cozier's. Most of the earl}- settlers, however, were of the Lutheran and German Reformed denominations. A class was formed about the year 1830. at the house of Abraham Cheslnulwood, and the Revs. Aurora Calendar and Hawkins were the ministers. Jacob Miller moved on to Section IC, in 1831, and his house then became a place of worship, and a society was formed. Jacob Miller, Samuel Miller, Samuel Bard and Jacob Smith, and their wives were among the first members. Thomas Worley, John Miller, Joseph Keel and others were added subsequenth". The preachers of those (lays were Revs. Plimpton, Green, Drummond, Weirish and others. They are described as mighty men in the Scriptures." A church known as - Asbury Chapel " was built in 1844, and is a brick structure. A flourishing society and Sunday school has continued here ever since the erection of the church. The United Brethren have a commodious house of worship in the township called " Otterbein Chapel." The}- maintain a flourishing church and Sunday school. Zion Church is a substantial structure, and belongs to the German Baptists.

Mr. Yant closes an article on the church history of Pike in the following words, which speak well for the township. He says: ''Perhaps no part of the county of equal population is more abundantly supplied with religious instruction and moral training than the rural population of Pike. And without having access to actual records, it may safely be said,tliat the population of the township furnishes fev^er criniinals and less litigation than any other township in the county. The amount of ardent siiirits used bj- the population also presents a largely diminishedratio to the general average." This is a good showing for the township, and worthy of imitation. We have been informed, since our work commenced of compiling its history, that no intoxicating liquors arc sold within its limits - another item well worthy of imitation.

The educational facilities of Pike were somewhat behind many of her sister townships, and few schools were taught previous to the inauguration of the School system. One of these early schools was taught by a (ierman, who boasted the ponderous name of Louis Augustus Ferdinand Constantine, a combination of powerful names, that in their day have been highly renowned in Kuropean history. lie taught both in the (ierman and lOnglish hui guages, and after one term, was succeeded liy Thomas McKean, an Irishman, and a fair sample of the Irish Schoolmaster described by the poet in the following lines :

" Old Teddy O'Kourke kepi a bit of a school, At a place called Clanna, and made it a rule If learning wouldn't mark the mind, 'faiih he'd soon

Mr. McKcan is said to huve used the birch very freely. At this school many of the children of Pike received their start in education. From fifty to sixty-five scholars, we are told, was the usual attendance, and "the want of shoes and suitable clothing alone prevented the attendance of one or two additional scores." The following incident is related by Mr. Yant : "About forty-four years ago a spelling-match took place at the (iiiest Schoolhoiise ; the contest between Bethlehem and I 'ike. The house was crowded b}- spectators, and a large number of the best spellers of both townships were present, eager for the contest. John Billings, one of the best teachers of Bethlehem, pronounced for his township, and George Bitter, the teacher of the (iuest School pronounced for Pike. The spellers divided off - those from Bethlehem on one side of the house, and Pike on the other. The contest was spirited and exciting as the Ijoys and girls from both sides dropped out of ranks at each round, and after spending an hour or more in the well-contested match, George Holm represented Pike, and David Yant was all that was left of Bethlehem. The contest thus narrowed down to a speller of each party the excitement was greatly intensified ; for a considerable time there was no miss by either. Mr. Bitter was of German descent, and. not so correct in his pronunciation of the English, failed to be intelligible in a common word, and Yant stepped out leaving George Holm the victor." This is one of the first spelling schools of which we have an account, but which in later years have been carried to considerable excess in many neighborhoods. The subjoined statistics from the last report of the

The war record of Pike Township deserves special mention. Although a full chapter in this work is devoted to the war history of the county at large, it is but justice that some reference should be made in this chapter to tiie patriotism of Pike. It is one of tlie few townsliips, not only in the county, but in the State, that filled every quota without a draft, and kept aiiead of every call for troops. Among those of Pike's loyal sons who laid down their lives in defense of their country, are B. F. Steiner, Captain Company D, One Hundred and Seventh Infantry ; Jeremiah Holm, Orderly Sergeant Company G, same regiment ; William Hickman, Sergeant Company D, same regiment ; George Rudy and William Holm, at Chancellorsville ; David Metzker, Seventy-sixth Infantry, at Pilot Knob, Mo. ; J. AV. Smith, same regiment, died at home ; Leonard Schroyer, of the Fourth, and Jacob Crawford, of the Twenty-Sixth Battery ; Jacob Au, Moses Darr, David Yant, Henry Clarke, Michael Keeper and Aurora Keel - fifteen men in all.

The village of Sparta was laid out liy Amos Janney, and the plat recorded in the Recorder's offlee, '-third month, twenty-second, 1815," as he put it, in the quaint phraseology of the Friends, to which sect he belonged. He called it Sparta, after the rival of Athens, in the history of ancient Greece, Ijelieving that a great name would cause it to flourish, and become as great, perhaps, as its ancient namesake. In the original plat there were but four streets - two each way - crossing at right angles, and designated by the names Butt'alo, Elk, Wolf Bear. A post office was established in 1854. and called Pierce, in honor of Gen. Franklin Pierce, then President of the United States ; John Croft was appointed the first Postmaster. Abraham Cozier opened the first store in Sparta, about the year 18"20, but did not continue in the business very long. His establishment was a rather small one, and a larger one was opened through the instrumentality of James Hazlett, of Canton, who owned some property in the place, when Cozier closed out his store.

About the j'ear 1810, a man named Luther Drury came from Canada, accompanied by his wife, two children and a niece. He erected a " bloomery " and forge for the purpose of making wrought iron from the native ore obtained in the vicinity. The experiment did not prove satisfactory, and, in 1823, Mr. Drury sold the establishment to James Hazlett, of Canton. The bloomery was discontinued, and, under charge of John Laird, the forge made a better quality of iron. Mr. Hazlett sold the forge to Mr. Janney in 1S2G, and in 1840 bought it back again, together with Mr. Janney's mill and farm. The forge was .soon after discontinued, and the first mill built by Janney had been burnt and a better one built, which is still standing and in operation. The following extract is from the county papers: " Mrs. Drury was an accomplished lady, of great personal attractions, and did not associate with the plain rustic society of the place. Her superior attractions were no safeguard to virtue, ' but, as is often the case, rather an incentive to vice. A tailor by the name of Robert Lytle I made the Drury family a place of frequent re- 1 sort in carrying on his business, and, after a more mature acquaintance, the tailor married the niece of Mr. Drury. But. not content with his success, he proceeded to invade the sanctity uf .Mr. iJrury's domicile, succeeding in stealing the artectious of the accomplished wife. After u full proof of her inhdelity, Mr. Drury administered a severe castigation lo tlie enemy of liis peace, and would have inflicted summary punishment had he not left instantly, and thus escaped his vengeance. 3Irs. Lytle, who was much esteemed by Mr. Drury, followed her hus- Ijaud. This was in the mouth of March, in a verj- inclement state of the weather, with snow and slush on the ground, for whicli the lady was poorly provided, having nothing Ijut a thin pair of slippers to protect her feet, .^lr. Drury s ?<yrapathies for his niece were deeply- moved. He tried to follow the fugitive pair through the forests, but his search was fruitless. He could lind no trace of the course taken Ijy them. Vears passed, and nothing was heard of the guiltv man. until the outbreaiv of the oil excitement in Pennsylvania, when a citizen of Stark County came across an old man, in llie oil regions, up the Allegheny Hiver, who incjuired of some of the old citizens on the Nimishilleu, and gave his name as Rol)crt Lytle. ilis wife was dead. Mr. Drury took his wife and two children to Canada, then returned, sold his property at Sparta, and left the neighborhood forever. "

There are two churches at Sparta. The Disciples' Church was organized about 1840, and is a strong and healthy society. They have quite a comfortable building, and maintain a flourishing church and Sunday school. The Methodists have a good church building in the village, and, as a society, are in a prosperous condition, with a fair membership anil a good Sunday school. Sparta has never attained very large proportions, either in business or in population. A store or two, a few shops, a post office, the churches mentioned, and a small collection of houses, form at present the sum total of its earthlv trlorv.

a'^HERE is something moiu'nfully sad in . contemplating the destruction of old buildings or other objects, which are green in the memory with fond associations. The heart goes out in sorrow when they are gone, as if some beloved friend had been laid at rest in the gi-assy gi-ave. That old house was our home in childliood, and memoiy paints the scene again as it was of yore. We see our mother's kind face, and run to her again to be comforted. We listen to her wor<ls, and our childish clouds are dispersed by the sun- light of her loving smile. We hear oiu' father's voice in patient and repeated admonition, iind can now realize a parent's earnest solicitation for the welfare of his chikL Here are our dear brother anel ilarling sister again, and the childish plays are renewed in the old house that is now in ruin. It is sweet though sad to recall the scene - sweet, because we see the precious faces of dear ones; sad, because the pictm'e is unreal, and will pass away like the mists of moniing. Let us dream on, for oiu' happiness is the fairy offering of imagination - a gossamer veil that lifts anon to let in the sullen tide of soitow and adversity. Let us build oiu' castles on the highest pinnacle of di'eamland, and build them often.

there along the pathway of life, ai'e preserved and cherished; but the greater niuiilier are allowed to perish, to the sorrow of loving descendants. Few people there are who see beyond the niirrow circle of their own age, or who, seeing, cai'e for the joy of those who follow them. Items of private interest and often of great pnblic utility, ai-e neglected and permitted to disappear. It thus occurs that to the misfortune of the reader, the historian has an easy task in gathering the few items which fate has assigned him to record. There are many important facts connected with Jackson Township in early years, which have passed beyond the hope of recovery. A few i\xe remembered, and these will be mentioned. A\lien the county was organized in 1S09. Plain Township was one of the lirst live created. Jackson was a part of Plain, and remained thus until April, 1811, when it became a i>art of Green Township. In March, IS IT), Jackson and LawTence Townshijis were separated from all others under the former name, and remained thus luitil Lawrence received a separate creation and organization. Jackson is a good township, having an excellent soil. It is drained by streams which flow west into the Tuscarawas, and by those which flow east into the West Branch of Nimishillen Creek. The flrst officers of the township were elected at the house of Jacob Click, on the first Monday in April, 1815; but who they were is a mystery not yet solved. The following is a list of the land-holders of Jackson Township in 1827 : John Ai'nold, Daniel Brougher, Isaac Boughman, James Black, J. H. Brinton, John Beatty, Jacob Brougher. Riehai'd Breed. Elias Benner. Samuel Bachtel. Andrew Bachtel, Jacob Bachtel, Christian Balmer, Jacob Balmer, Jacob Bower, Jacob Click, Jacob Chubb, Samuel Click, Mathias Clapper, Aai'on Chapman, Isaac Clay, John Cable. Hem-y Dissler, William Dickinson, Charles Dinger, David England. George Everhart, Jacoli Ettleman, John Fawney, James Gregg, Jacol) German, Heury Hufl'man, William Humbert, James Huston, Aln-aham Hubler, Jacob Hough, Isaac Hammel, James Jackson, Philip Keller, Henry Keller, Isaac Krytrer, Nicholas Kandel, Jacob Lichtenwalter, Solomon Liehtenwalter, Samuel Luter,

John Luter, Mr. Loomis, Freeman Leering, Jacob Livingston, Jacob Mishler, Jacob Miller, Matthew Macy, George Miller, Thomas Marshal, Peter Miller, Peter Moriter, Thomas Nowlin, Jacob Piiulus, George Row, Daniel Richmond, Thomas Botch, Thomas Reed, John Shutt, Samuel Sjyangler, James Speakman, Daniel Slanker, Nathaniel Skinner, Henry Shoemaker, John Sprankle, Michael Sprankle, Adam Sliriver, George Shutt, Samuel Spitler, Joseph Saul, Simon Spitler, David Seerist, Jacob Swigart, Simon Stall, Charles K. Skinner, Christian Tresch, William Tresch, Samuel Trip]), Peter Tresch, David Tresch, Hemy Tresch, Hem-y Troup, Martin Winger, Arviue Wales, Richard Williams, Bezaleel Wells, John Wintrode, John Writeham and Frederick Young. This list does not embrace many of thcfse who first settled in the tovmship. Many of those who were most prominent in the organization of the township, and who did a great deal to allure immigration within its limits, left the township before 18'2(). Indeed, in Jackson, as in all other townships in early days, the first settlers, or rather " squatters," were roving or wandering himters, who often had large families dependent upon them for support. These men were often old "Indian slayers," who, nothing daunted by the presence of the red man, came into the wilderness with their fawiilies without misgivings. It is impossible to describe how the families of some of these hunters subsisted. The husband and father was often absent on long hunting or trapping excursions for weeks at a time, leaving his family to shift for themselves. Often the wife and mother became an expert huntress, by obedience to necessity. It is not known that Jackson harbored any of these families; but it is to be presumed that it did, as hundreds of them swept over Ohio in advance of the pioneer settlements, removing farther westward as the tide of colonization advanced. Although Jackson did not have a sepai'ate organization until many years after the county was organized, yet a few settlers located within its borders quite early.

where we reside. Plain TowTiship, lying east of Jackson, contained some of the earliest settlers in the county, and very likely, from its pri)ximity to Jackson, controlled immip-ration into the latter to some extent. Settlers were in Plain as early as ISIT). and beyond a doubt, within a year or two, some pioneer's cabin had intruded its way into the sanctuiiry of Jackson's forests. The following list com- ]irises almost all the iirst settlers in the township, and the reader will be politely accorded the privileu;e of selectiuf{ the Iirst settler from the following names: Jacoli Ettleman, Nathaniel Skinner. J. C. Balnie)-. Henry Shoemaker. Isaac Clay. Isaac Bowman, Richard Williams. Daniel Kichmoud. (reorge Miller. .John Lntz. Samuel Lutz. Henry Friday. Simon Stall. Isaac Hammel. James F. Leon- ; ard. Michael Sprankle. Jacob Click, John I Ganser. Daniel Slanker, Nicholas Kandel, Mr. ] Capes, a Kevolntionarv soldier who died at i the age of 108 years. Samuel Kandel. Jacob Swigert. Elias Benner. John Fanney, Mr. StansbeiTV, Daniel Paulus. Mr. (Jleason. Mr. Scott. John Sprankle. William Hill. James Huston. James Black. Samuel Click. William Backster. John Ai-nold. John Beatty and others. Many of these settlers when they ju-rived in the townshiji ha<l no money, no ]>roperty. and but few implements of lalior. Bnt this did not stagger their resolution, apparently, in the least, as they cheerfully went to work to level the forests, to let in the sunshine and beat, and to introduce to the virgin soil the |irodncts of civilized man. The process of cl(>aring land of its timber is not a child's undertaking. After the trees have been cut down and removed, the long process has but barely been initiated. Ther(> are the stiunps and stones to be removed, and time alone can accomplish this task. It is extremely tiresome and vexing to be obliged to skip around a field full of stumps in plowing and cultivating. It is not soothing to the temjier. if a person is in ill humor. It is an amjile source for outbursts of volcanic wTath. which savor of brimstone. Add a little whisky to this and you have broken the poor camel's back. Why, it was about all a man was able to do to cultivate eight or ten acres, and when he bad a familvofsome fifteen children, each one of whose consuming powers represented about three acres of jiroductions. you have the dilemma under which many an early settler labored. The only way to ])rovide for this swarm of rol)Ust children, was (to use a tigiu'- ative illustration), to tm'u them out in the woods like cattle. Those who could obtain a living (>n their own accoimt did so and lived, the others died. But few deaths oceuired, and these were nu^stly caused by accident. Pioneer children seemed to thi-ivo best on a scarcity of food and clothes, and on their capability of resisting privations and disease. They asked foi- only suflficient clothing to render them decent that was the object, to be decent, not to l)e comfortable. Their comfort consisted in sim])icity. in Dr. Tanner fasts, and in hardihood They were taught to look upon anything else as effeminate and foolish. This is why so many of the old settlers cling to the nior<> difficiilt means of accom]jlishing the duties of life. They w(>re taught thus, and having been guided daring their walk in life by the precepts of privation learned in infancy, they refuse, when on the verge of the grave, to alter their mode of life by acquiring new knowledge to be ai>|ilied in place of the time-tried and time-honored old.

Settlers. ujHm their arrival in the townshi]), usually had a small amount of money, which had lieen carefully hoarded by the family when it was decided to seek a home in the wilderness. After the log cabin had been erected by the assistance of neighbors, and the family had entered u]ion their new life, the money began to flow like water from their pockets fortius thing and that - actual necessities - until within a year or two nothing remained. Then began the more seriotis trials: for. dear reader, when you part with your money you i>art with your most steadfast friend, one that alone stands by you in adversity, and one whoso companionship is a solace and a supreme satisfaction. If an entire neighborhood was settled within four or five vears. during that ])eriod what money had been taken there had flowed away, no one knew whither. It was gone, and in its place had arisen a system of barter and exchange, that, in a measiu-e. su])|>lied a representative of value. Money is not a value; it represents value, and facilitates exchange by adjusting balances, where values cannot be divided. Money serves to measure value, just as bushels serve to measure gi-ain or provisions. But the settlers had no money, and they were forced to adopt some measiu-e to expedite and effect commercial transactions. Some article in the neighlxirhood with an almost permanent value was taken as a standard, by which values were quoted. For instance, a deer skin was worth $1.50. That is, it passed for that value during a series of years at the early settlement of the neighborhood. It thus came to pass that gi-ain or provisions were quoted as worth so many deer skins. Other standards of values were adopted. So many pounds of sugai" were worth so many dozen eggs. So many yards of calico or linsey-woolsey were worth so many pounds of butter or bushels of [lotatoes. This condition of things was the outgrowth of a lack of money in the ti-ansactions of commerce. It thus was brought about that there were two measures of vahies - a " cash price " and " trade price," the latter being higher than the former. Calico was worth, say thirty cents per yard in cash, or thirty-tive cents per yard in trade. Some few settlers, who happened to have considerable money at their command, took advantage of this condition of the market to make large pm'chases at a low cash price, and to sell at a high trade price. Perhaps, reader, the fortune you are now enjoying, the line fanu you now own, was acquired thus by your father, when the country was yet a wilderness. Settlers soon saw that the lands were rapidly rising in value, and those who made the money, or who had it, invested it immediately in large tracts of valuable land, which, within lifteen or twenty years, quadrupled in value. Slowly and gradually these hardships for the mass of

I pioneers were overcome, and money found its way into the frontier settlements. People prosper as commerce prosjjers. Anything that cheeks the movements of commercial transactions, seriously infringes upon social prosperity. Oiu' wants are siipplied by pur- happy. Money is the oil which prevents the wheels of commerce from stopping. Trade is a f)oor substitute, which largely lacks that lubricating quality, which renders smooth and easy the movements of commerce. And yet, even this poor substitute is better than no oil at all. It efiects the desired piu'pose in a bungling manner. If values be permanent, and the system of striking balances be thoroughly luiderstood, trade is often more expeditious than purchase and sale. This is illustrated in the clearing houses in all the large cities. But, even in these cases, money is required and used in adjusting final balances. It is better to have a union of the two, and this was finally secm-ed after money began to flow into the settlements. Long practice had rendered almost perfect the pioneer system of exchanges; and, when money was brought forward, commercial transactions became so prosperous, that the West made gigantic strides in financial prosperity between 1815 and 1835. This was precisely the condition of things in Jackson Township. Improvements went on slowly at first; but, as soon as values could be controlled, the prosperity and consequent happiness of the settlers were assured. Then .were laid the foundations of many of the present handsome private fortunes; and then were the rude wilderness homes transformed into those of opulence and civilizing refinement.

Old settlers do not like to lose altogether the recollection of early years. Then, hundreds of deer could be seon in the forests at almost any hoiu\ Sometimes the settler, upon rising in the morning, would see a small herd grazing upon his wheat field. A shot fi-om the door or window would bring down the fattest, and send the others, pell-mell, into the forest. It is stated by old settlers that deer were less afraid of women than of men, and would often approach C]uite near the former, especiaily if gaudily colored dresses were worn. This fact was sometimes used as an artifice to secure deer after they had become somewhat scarce. Many of the early settlers were skillful hiinters and trappers, devoting much of their time, especially during the winter months, in securing flesh and fiu's for market. During the hunting season, they sometimes made as high as $500. It is iflated that, on one occasion, one of tlie Lutzes, who had been huutiri>^ in the woods, liad shot a deer, (vhich had fallen upon the i^roiind. Mr. Lutz wont forward to cut its throat; but, just as ho leaned over the prostrate animal, it leaped to its foet like a flash, Icuockin^ the settler to the ground like a battering ram, and bounding oft" at full speed through the foi-est. It had only been stunned by the shot. -Vs soon as the hunter could collect his scattered senses, he lookinl around to tind his deer; but it had disappeai'ed, nor was it afteiTvard to be found. It is stated that one of the Harters. of Plain Townshi]), went hunting deer in Jackson at a very eiu'ly date. When night came, he had killed eight (if these animals, besides a variety of small game. He caught sight of a bear, and followed it several hom's, but was liiially obliged to give up the chase. Many other incidents of a similar natm'e ai'e related. When the fii'st settlers came into the township, bears were quite numerous, and a few anecdotes regarding them are related. Mr. Friday, who had settled very eai-ly in Plain Township, but who, about the year 1810, had moved to a rude log cabin he had erected in Jackson Township, was one day, just at dark, hunting in the woods in the southern part of the township, when, as he was walking along a high ridge toward home, he saw two beare in the ravine below him. The animals were shambling along together, and had not perceived the hunter. Mr. Friday was but an indifl'erent hunter at best, and hesitated a moment liefore he decided to risk a shot at the bears, which were within about twenty rods of him. But he had [denty of resolution and courage, and. taking a rest in the fork of a small tree, he shot one of the bears through the head. Fearing that he might be attacked by its mate, he ran in the opposite direction with all his might for a short distance, without looking to ascertain the result of his shot. At length he stopped to load his gun and listen. No unusual sound was borne to his ears, and gathering coiu'age from that fact, he started back to see what had become of the bears. He approached the spot whence he had fired, and, looking cautiously down, saw one of the bears lying upon the ground apparently dead, but its mate was not to be seen. 111-. Friday walked down, and saw that the boar was indeed dead. This was much more than he had expected, as his rifle was none of the best, and he was a poor shot to boot. The other bear had secured its safety by flight, and Mr. Friday was satisfied to let it go. It is stated that at one time a party of hunters with their dogs, from Plain Township, pursued a bear into Jackson, and having wounded it, fought it with dog;i and clubs for a long while, and at last finished the sport by shooting it through the head. The dogs at fii-st were very bold, under the encoiu'aging words of their masters; l)ut, after they had been knocked a rod a few times, no coaxing or commanding could induce them to approach within reach of th(> l)etu-. One of the dogs was so badly injured that it wiis afterward shot, to the great regret of the owner. It is with dogs as it is with men, the bravest are the ones that suffer. The wolves were very troublesome in early years, killing sheep, calves, swine, etc., without leave or license. Owing to these midnight marauders, it was almost impossible to keep sheej). If sheep were neglected for one night, and this occiUTed with every settler who tried to keep them, a flock of wolves was siu'e to kill half of them before morning. When the settler w<>nt out to feed them the ue.\t moi'ning, and saw the animals, over which he had spent so much time, lying dead upon the ground with their throats cut, maledictions of the bitterest sort came by the dozen from his lips. Aside from the liability of being killed by wild animals, still it was difficult to keep sheej), owing to no.xious and poisonous herlxs gi'owing in the woods, upon which the sheej) fed. Sometimes half the flock were carried off at once in this manner. Swine ran wild in large numbers in the woods, feeding upon the "ma.st" which at all seasons of tho year could be foimd in abimdance. They were often killed by bears.

Mills of various kinds were erected in Jackson at an early day. James F. Leonard, who at first had located at C'auton, where it is said he kept a tavern, built the first saw-mill in the township. Mr. Leonard was an iutelli- gent man, and had followed surveying to some extent. The mill was erected not far from 1815, and was located in the southwestern part, on Mill Brook. A strong dam was built across the stream, and the mill was supplied with water by means of a race. Motion was communicated to the saw and machinery by a lai'ge breast-wheel. Mr. Sprankle soon purchased the mill, and, after operating it successfully until about the ye;u' 1S22. it was permitted to run down. Elias Benner biiilt a eaw-mill on a small stream in the northern part, about the time the Leonard mill was abandoned. It was a fi-ame mill, and was operated by Mr. Benner until aliout the year

1832, when it was bought by Mr. Singley, and after a short period was again sold to Isaac and Hemy Bechtel. These men improved the mill and enlarged its capacity, and after operating it until 1S38, sold out to Hemy Beard. This man, and his sou after him, greatly improved the mill, and continued operating it until a few years ago. Dm'iug its career no steam has been used to operate the mill. It was piu'chased a few years ago by INIi'. Smith, upon whose hands it ran down. It was one of the best mills of its kind ever in the township. In about the year 1 820, Daniel Slanker erected a log grist-mill on Mill Brook; it was a rude concern, with one run of stone made out of " nigger- heads," and was known throughout the surrounding country as "the ])e]i]ier-mill." It richly deserved this name, as the flour it ftu'nished was aliout as c<iarse as pepjjer usuallj' is. Mr. Slanker cimducted this mill with success, until about the year 1828. when it was abandoned and was soon in ruins. The following year (1829), he built what is known as the " High Mill." called thus from the fact that it was fom- stories in height. This mill has been in operation ever since, under a change of owners, and. diu'ing the time of its continuance, has done a great deal for the township. Settlers liked to locate near good grist mills, as it saved them long, fatiguing journeys, often through almost bottomless roads. In about the year

1833, the mill was sold to Mr. Lenox; but not long afterward, Michael Sprankle became owner, with whose family it has remained since. Daniel Slanker, immediatelv after selling the " High Mill," built another at Millport called the "Stone Mill." It is yet limning, and has been the best mill in the township, and one of the best in the county; it was, at first, operated by water-power, and, at that time, had a thriving custom trade; but now the motor is steam, and an extensive merchant trade is enjoyed. It has been owned by different parties, one of them being a man named AA^ellman. The jjresent owners are McLain Bros., of Massillon. It is related that before Mr. Slanker l)uilt these mills and while he was yet at Canton, he one day went to the place where they are located, to examine the creek, as to its fall. He became satisfied that it was an excellent site for a mil!, but he had no money with which to build one or to buy the land. He was afi-aid that somebody would get the start of him and Imv the site. Jacob Braucher owed him ?lil(), and Mr. Slanker, after a little thought, resolved to offer to take $50 cash for the debt. This was done, and the offer was accepted, and Mr. Slanker immediately dispatched a man with the money to Steulieuville to enter the land. H& had seen othei- parties looking around there, and surmised what thej' were' endeavoring to do. The messenger reached Steubenville in the night, and jsroceeding to the office of the land agent, sat do^vn on the steps, and there remained until the office was opened the next morning, when the land was immediately entered. About two hours later. One of the men who had lieen seen looking at the mill sile, put in an appearance, and made application for the land, but he was informed that he was too late. Incidents of this character fi-e- (juently occm-red in early years.

James Black owned a distilleiy which was located near the "pepper-mill" in early times. It is thought that the Imilding was owned by Slanker, and that IVIr. Black was employed as distiller, though this is not certain. AMiisky of fair quality was manufactm'ed at the rate of about a barrel a day. Mi\ Lenox also owned one, which was located at "High Mill:" he also made about a baiTel of whislfj' jier day. Neither of the distilleries was conducted longer than about six years. Henry Bechtel relates that it was customary, before going into the field in the morning, to drink a decoction of whiskj- and tansy, with bread and butter, and after woi'king until about S o'clock, a hearty breakfast was eaten by all. Another heiU'ty (h'ink was taken jiist before dinner, and one also just before supper. It was too often tlie case that men would di-ink so much whisky in the hay-tield, or hiu-vest-iield, as to incapacitate them from labor. 'Ms. Bechtel was one of tlie fii-st to put a stop to this; he instructed the whisky- carrier to give so much and no more to each man, and despite the fault that was foimd, persisted in this conduct. Some of the men demiu-red on the first day, and were on the point of quitting the field, but harmony was restored at night, when Mr. Bechtel placed a j^ail of whisky and a tin cup on a block in the yard, and told the men to help themselves. A second invitation was not necessary. ]\Ir. Bechtel told them his object in doing as he had done, and finisher informed them that ho intended to continue thus dm-iug t)ie harvest. The men saw that their em- ])loyer had adopted the wisest coiu-se, and wisely followed his advice. An old-fashioned harvest-field presented an interesting appeariince. Here were the cradlers one after another, swinging their heavy implements through the tall grain and laying it in long even rows for the binders, who followed with rakes, to form and bind the sheaves, and to rake up the gi-ain that had been scattered by themselves and by the cradlers. It took a smart man to rake and bind after a good cradler; frequently, it was all that two wanted to do. It was a common thing to see women in the field, raking and binding after the cradlers. They often could bind as miieh as a man.

(xoing back still fmiher, though not beyond the mi'uiory of many an old settler yet living, and we see the giain cut by the sickle. It seems unaccountable, and yet with this rude, primitive implement, several acres of gi-ain could be cut dovm in a single day. "\Miat a wonderful change has taken plac-e in hai-vest machinery dm'ing the last half century. Nowit is so that the fanner can drive his team ai-ound the field all day. and at night his grain is ready for the shock. Truly, this is the age of invention.

Jackson Township, unlike some others in the county, has had but one village proper within its limits. Certain localities, where several residences were erected, have made ])retensions to the name and fann> of villages; but, aside from these localities, the citizens have generally rejected as ridiculoiis all such assumptions, and have stigmatized the socalled villages by high-sounding and opprobrious ej)ithets. Of com-se, such unfriendly condu(^t met with bitter hostilitj- from the residents, who claimed to be villagers. Those who were disjjosed to be critical, and who extended the finger of scorn, were frankly told to mind their own business; this did not mend matters, though time did. It is stated that jVlillport has had as high as twelve families living in it at one time. This fact did not deter the outsiders from criticism; they became more Argus-eyed, or lynx-eyed, than ever, and circulated strange reports regarding the growth of - yes, the villages. Could any conduct be blacker, or savor more of brimstone? And yet the villagers refrained from taking immediate and siuumary vengesmce upon the ofi"endei-s. They believed with Portia that " The quality of mercy is not .strained. It (Iroppelli as tlie sentle rain frniii heaven Ujion the plaee lienealli; it is Iwice ble.s.s'd. It blesseth liini thai nives, and him that takes. 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes The throned monaieh better than his crown." Two coopers have plied their trade in the village, tmTiing out quite a niuiiber of usefiil articles. Now, say if you dare, it is not a village. Lots in size to suit [)m-chasers have been sold, and now something else is sold besides lots. And still the tale is but half tmfolded. James Reed (all honor to him) has braved the frowning face of criticism, and established a store at the village. Theotitsidershave been so ill-mannered as to "dul)" the store " one-horse." Shottld such condtict be tolerated in this enlightened age? In the language of Gen. Garfield, " Hunt the rascals down." 'Mr. Keed keeps a general assortment of goods. ;iud his advent was hailed with delight by the ambitious villagers. Bridgeport has shai-ed the same ignominious treatment; even worse, for, as it could boast of only some seven resident families, it has been made the constant butt of jokes, until forbearance has ceased to be a virtue. This village was lii'st started by Abraham Miller, who built a tavern ou its present site, at a veiy early day. This was probably about the year 1827, when boats first l)egan to ran on the caual. Mr. Miller soon seciu-ed a payini,' patronage, and followed the occupation for a nuinher of years. Neither Bridgeport nor ilillpurt has ever been properly platted and recorded.

McDonaldsville was laid out, platted iind recorded, in March, 1829. The owners and proprietors were John Clapper and Aln-aham Eoutan, and the svTrveyor was Heniy Beard. The village is located on Sections U and 10. Twenty-foiu- lots were laid out, to which no recorded additions have since been made. The assignment of the land for village pvu-- poses was acknowledged by the owners before Henry Bechtel. Justice of the Peace. At the time the lots were laid out, there were some three or four dwellings in the village. Others were immediately erected, and soon the villagers called for a store. There is a tradition concerning the naming of the village, which is not generally known. Hemy Beaixl, the surveyor, about this time, had been reading Revolutionary war history. He had read of Marion in the Carolinas, and the military achievements in those colonies had made a deep impression on his mind. One of Gen. Clarion's subordinate officers was a man named McDoriald. This ofificer. one day, when on a scout, stopped at the residence of a rich old Tory, and asked the latter if he had any good horses. The Toiy said he had not, but the officer, not believing him, went to the barn, and there found a magnificent race -horse. The Toiy begged the young officer not to take the horse, hut all to no avail, as the animal was saddled, and Ijridled. and ridden away. The horse had attained a wide reputation for speed, and was called "Salem." The young officer rode the animal to the quarters of his General, to whom it was presented. The description given of McDonald so jileased ]Mr. Beard, that, when the owner of the village asked him what it should be called, he at once suggested McDonaldsville, and the name was adopted. "William McCormick opened the first store in about the year 1830. A small building was erected, and, in one ajiartment.

about $300 worth of goods and 8-50 worth of whisky were placed. This store remained open for about twelve years, and dtvring that time the stock had been increased until it is said to have been worth nearly $1,000. The other portions of the building were fitted up in a suitable manner, and tlu'own open for piiblic use as a tavern. Mr. McConnick's tavern patronage was considerably injmed Ijy another tavern, situated on the Friday rowd toward Canton, and owned by Michael Aley. This man kept a saloon in connection with his tavern, and the place soon became a great resort for those who loved the ''flowing bowl.'' The revelries were carried on far into thi-' night, and those who left early the next morn ing. said. "We had a fine time." The patronage was largely taken from McCormick. and yet he made considerable money. He at last sold his store, saloon and tavern to William Heldebrand. Since then, many persons have kept store, tavern and saloon in the village. These three occupations have usually been combined. There has been no time when whisky could not be had for- the money. The village had a hard name for a niimber of years, not only on accf)unt of the quantity of liquor sold there, but also on account of the hard cases who v.ere residents. Of late years the inhabitants have greatly improved in this respect.

Many other parties have embarked on the mercantile sea at the village. "William Calbeck was in for a short time soon after Heldebrand. Other merchants have been C. B. Blodgett. Jnhn Palmer. Mi-. Weidler. Hammer & Braueher. Mi'. Roush, William Schick, and the present merchant, William Moose. There have been times when there was no store in the village, but usually there has been, some of them being fiist-class. A general assortment of goods has been usually kept, and, in some instances, the stock has been worth several thousand dollars. There has been a tavern in the village since the lots were laid out. Shoemakers, carpenters and blacksmiths, have come and gone, leaving the effects of their presence in substantial work. A post office was secured at an early day. It has been customary for the merchants to deal in general country produce, giving goods fi'om their store for butter, eggs, hams, cheese, etc, these provisions being shipped by wagon to ]Massillon or the county seat. A willingness tm the part of the projiriotois to give goods ill exchange for couotiy ] produce, has brought patronage to the stores, that would otherwise have been transfeiTed to stores in the larger ]ilaces. At no time has the population of the village exceeded one hundred. It was the design of the owners to make the village an important point, where large amounts of capital should be invested, and where the wealthy and educated should assemble for mutual profit. They saw no reason why this could not be accomjilished. as villages not so favorably located had passed successfully tlii'ough the inci])ient stages of obsctu'ity. disfavor and a|>])aivnt standstill in giox^ih. to great ])rospcrity and unprecedented imju'ovement; the lots were advertised for sale, but unfortunately, as was too often the case in early > ears, they were rated so high that mechanics and artificers coixld not afford to bay, and the result was that the very class of men needed to build up the village in valuable industries, journeyed on to places where they could locate permanently at less expense. After a few years the owners saw the mistake into which they had fallen, and endeavored to extricate th(>mselves by lowering the price of the lots; but their time for possible success had been permitted to slip liy, and they sorrowfully clothed themselves in sackcloth and ashes, and moiu'ned over their shortsightedness. Nothing save the presence of a railroad or a gold mine would raise the village fi'om its jiresent obscurity and inaction.

Schools were taught in the township at an early day. The citizens did not wait for liu'ge, fine schoolhouses, and highly educated teachers who required hu'ge salaries. They must have schools for the children, who were growing up neglected around them. It is too true that jieople who have a good thing, do not (irize it as highly as those who have it not. The latter, not having it, can ap]ireciat<> the trials to be met without it: while those who liavo it, do not ti'ouble themselves about the prospect of losing it. Thus it is with schools; people who had passed through life without any book education, had been met liv situations where, had they possessed proper education, they could have triumi)lied over difficulties, which resulted in defeat from a lack of education. These resolved that their children should be spared the same fate. Accordingly, the lirst schools in the towiishii) were taught in dwellings, by teachers who possessed scai'cely more than the rudiments of education. Sometimes the dwellings ] possessed two comfortable rooms, one of which would bo titted uj) with rough desks and benches for the ehikh-en, and a stand or table, from which the dec^rees of the teacher were to be issued. A broad fire-})lace, whose genial blaze cast a raddy glow over the healthy fonns of the ]>ioneer children, was, perhaps, the most cheerful object in the room. Old settlers insist that the early schoolhouses were mitch healthier than those at present, as the tire-places served to fiu'nish almost perfect ventilation. It is stated that the first schoolhouse was a rude, round log affair, built at the geographical center of the to\\-uship, as early as ISlCi. It was through the instrimientality of Mr. Slanker that it was erected. A Mr. Ujison. an eccentric Yankee, was one of the first teachers; it is said that he often pimished bad scholars by treading on their toes; this coiTection produced the desired effect, and was considered as a "Yankee trick." 'Mr. Upson taught a good school, and, at its conclusion, went to the western part of the State. This house was used vuitil about the yeai- 1S'2(1 when it was abandoned, and Mr, Slankers children were sent to Kendal, where they boarded with a relative and went to school. In 'about the year 1824, a hewedlog house was built at the center, and since that date, school there has been continuous, A schoolhouse was built on Section 6 as early as 1825; it was a log structm-e, and two of the early teach(>rs were Samuel Bechtel and Mr. Sorrick. Some eight years later, a better house was built aliout half a mile farther east, and a few years ago the present lirick was construct«>d. A log schoolhouse ajjpeared on Section IC, not far from the year 1S"20. Samuel Bechtel taught in this house diu-iug the winter of 1821-22. AM.en Clu'istmas came, the boys detennined to lifU' the teacher out, and thus force him to treat them. The teacher rather liked the idea of being barred out, as they thus seciu'ed a holiday. Mr. Bechtel was one of this sort. He resolved, however, to get ahead of the boys ; he, accordingly, sent his brother Heuiy, then a tall strippling of sixteen years, to the schoolhouse to teach in his place. Henry reached the schoolhouse before the boys, and endeavored to kindle a fii'e, but failed. Two young men, scholars at the school, appeared upon the scene, and not ch-eaming that it was Hemy's intention to teach diu'iug the day, assisted him to start the fire. Soon all the large scholars ' had an'ived, and were anxiously awaiting the appearance of the teacher, chuckling with satisfaction at the prospect of baixiug that functionaiy out. The horn' for opening the school came, whereupon Hemy arose and infonned the scholai's that he had been sent to teach the school that day, and directed them to take their seats and get their books. All did as requested and the day passed without noteworthy incident. Just as the school was about to close at night, Samixel appeared with a "treat" of candy and doughnuts; this healed all disappointment. A schoolhouse was built in the northeastern part as early as 1(^25. The first schoolhouse was built at McDonaldsville about the time the village was laid out; it was a large building, and was used for a variety of purposes until 1^87, when another house was built to take its place, about one hundred rods farther west. Owing to a lack of interest on the part of those in the district, the house was built by Hemy Bechtel at his own expense; and even then Mr. Bechtel was required to board the teacher. He secured the services of a competent teacher, Thomas Clemmous, who taught i several terms there The school at the village has occasioned the citizens a great deal { of trouble. The present house, a fine brick building, which cost some $2,400, was erected five years ago. The southwestern part had a schoolhouse at a very early day, but almost everything regarding it has been "forgotten The first church edifice in the township was ' erected in 1824 by the Lutherans and G-erman I Reformers. It was a imiou structure, built of hewed logs, and became known as "Mud Brook Church." Among the early members ; were the families of Messrs. Slanker, Click, I

Braucher, Tresch, Hiunbert, Everhart jmd Heldenbrand. Mi: Ettleman united with the church some time afterward, and, as the building about this time needed re-chinking, he was emfiloyed for that piu'pose; he had never done jmything oi the kind before, and it is safe to say he never did anything of the kind again after he got through with that job; he plastered the entire outer siu-face of the building with mortar, until it looked as if mud had been rained from the clouds. The Superintendent pointed out the inappropiiateness of the work, but Mr. Ettleman refused to see anything out of place. In about the year l.sy4, the old log building was replaced by a handsome brick structiu'e, which is yet standing; it is not so handsome as it was in eai'lier year's. The two religious societies that own the chiu'ch worshij) on alternate Sundays, and have since their church was tii'st built. Revs. Anthony ^Veier and Benjamin Foust were two of the early ministers connected with these societies; they were both good men, and were knovm throughout the greater portion of the coimty by settlers who yet love to remember their kind faces. Rev. J. J. Fast, a Lutheran, succeeded Weier, and J. AV. Hamm, a German Reformer, succeeded Foust. Rev. Hamm preached for the society for almost half a centmy, and left behind the record of a life full of exami)le well worthy of imitation; his moral influence upon the neighborhood will be felt for scores of yeai's to come. The same two denominations built the "Zion's Chm-ch,"' in the northeastern pai't, in an early day. It is located on the line between Plain and Jackson Townships, from each of which it has taken members. Fm'ther mention of this church will be formd in the sketch of Plain Township.

In about the year 1835, an Evangelical Church was built at McDonaldsville; it was a frame building, poorly constructed, and, after being used some ten years, was replaced with another, and is now itsed as a barn. The present church was built a short time after the last war. The society is in a prosperous condition, and holds regular services. A few years ago, the Dunkards erected a $2,000 church, near the Zion Church; the building is a large fi-ame stiiicture, built without orna-