MARLBOROUGH TOWNSHIP - 575 barrel of whisky was made per day. This is said to have been an inferior article, and yet it was used quite extensively at rollings and raisings. It was discontinued at the end of some ten years. So far as remembered, these were the only distilleries ever in the township. About the time they ran down, temperance revivals rivals had begun to sweep over the township, and, indeed, over all the country. People, upon opening their eyes and locking about, discovered that liquor was not one of the " necessities of life." They saw that it drained the pocket, maddened the brain, and sent desolation into many a happy household. A few farmers who were not timorous at last resolutely expelled all liquor from their raisings and rollings. This, of course, met with bitter op-I position, as all reforms must at first, but gradually the act became universal, and soon it 1 became unfashionable to offer liquor at public 1 gatherings. It is well known that the Quakers throughout Ohio were prominently connected with the Underground Railroad in early years. For many years before the last war, and especially after the enactment of the fugitive slave law, Ohio was continually traversed by. runaway slaves, who had found their former life too irksome to bear. With but little to eat, and the same to wear, with a constant fear of being captured by their owners, and of the dreadful punishment sure to follow, hunted like wild beasts through the forests and swamps, the poor slaves bravely faced the situation and turned their eyes toward the polar star. They soon learned that the Quakers were not only willing to assist them in escaping, but often went to considerable trouble and expense to accomplish this result. One day, a powerful negro named Tom (perhaps he was the veritable Uncle Tom of Mrs. Stowe), who was closely pursued, came to Mahlon Wileman and begged for food and help. These were immediately furnished, and the negro sent on his way. A few hours later, as Mr. Wileman was burning brick near his house, a man came riding rapidly up, on a tired horse, and asked hurriedly if himself and animal could be fed, at the same time inquiring if Mr. Wileman had seen a large negro named Tom. Mr. Vileman quietly answered " Yes " to all these questions, telling the stranger, at the same time, among other things, that he could have the remainder of the pie Tom had been eating a few hours before. This made the stranger wild with rage, and he sternly demanded where Tom was, at the same time making a hostile movement toward Mr. Wileman. This act roused the quiet Quaker, and, taking up his heavy poker, he threatened that if the man did not immediately leave the place, he would be taken astride the poker and thrown into the fire. The Virginian saw that there was no fooling about the matter with the powerful Quaker, so he mounted his tired horse and rode slowly away. Benjamin Marshall and James Austin were both prominently connected with this branch of the Underground Railroad. They helped feed and secrete many a dusky slave en route for the dominion of the British Queen. Joseph Lukens, Edward Brooke, Abraham Brooke, and many others, throughout the township, were engaged as conductors, engineers or train-dispatchers on this road. It is safe to say that scores of slaves were helped on their way North by the Quakers of Marlborough. The village of New Baltimore was laid out on the 26th day of August, 1831, by John Whitacre, Stark County Surveyor, and Levi Haines, owner and proprietor. Eighteen lots were laid out on the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 4, to which one or more additions have since been made. Samuel Hatcher opened the first store during the year 1832. The goods were received from Philadelphia, were placed in the half-finished building, and Isaac Pennock, then a young man of about twenty years, assisted in unpacking the goods, which comprised a few hundred dollars, worth. William Hatcher one day treed a bear. A man named Stevens, from Randolph, owned a large, savage dog, and, as a matter of course, Mr. Stevens declared that his dog could whip the biggest bear that ran in the forest. As soon as the bear was treed, Mr. Hatcher said, "Now’s the time to try y our dog." Accordingly, the dog was got in readiness, and the men began cutting the tree down. When this was about half accomplished, his bearship concluded to come down, which he did backward. As he 576 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. reached the ground, the dog, which had been set on by its master, seized the bear by the hind leg. Mr. Bear turned quickly, and, with one blow, knocked the dog about a rod, at the same time making off through the, woods at its best gait. Mr. Stevens, do(r)g had received its quietus, and refused any further introduction to the bear. Some half a dozen other dogs nipped around the animal as it ran off, and the settlers were so afraid of hitting them that they withheld their fire until the bear had made good its escape. Mr. Stevens, opinion regarding the ability of his dog to thrash bears was hopelessly shaken. But to go back to the village. In connection with his store, Mr. Hatcher conducted a tavern, the first in the village. Other merchants at Baltimore have been Taylor & Warner. Asa Rawson, a Justice of the Peace, kept store there for a number of years also. Among others have been Hatcher & Ellison, John Criss, Ellison & Shaw, Baird & Capple, Jacob Bair, and the present merchants, Abner Taylor & Son.- A firm known as Prouty & Co. built 'an ashery at the village in about the year 1846. It was located where A. R. Damon now resides, and, for a period of some four years, considerable potash was manufactured and shipped away to market. Not far from 1840, Thomas Burns erected a suitable building and began hatting. He obtained lamb,s- wool from the surrounding farms, and this was manufactured into a good, serviceable hat. Benjamin Curstetter conducted a harness and saddle shop in early years. A foundry was built at an early day, but by whom has been forgotten. After a number of years, W. T. Cole purchased the property, with whose family it has remained since. Charles Cole, son of W. T., is conduct ing it at present. There have been manufactured at this foundry plow-shares, grates, and a variety of other articles. Two tanneries were built at Baltimore in early years. The one that started first is yet in operation, and is owned by Mr. Snyder. Several other industries have flourished at different times in the village. Notices of some of these will be found in other portions of this chapter. New Baltimore,s population is 160. Four men owned the land upon which the village of Marlborough '*as at first laid out. Moses Pennock owned the land on the northwest corner; William Pennock that on the southwest; Samuel Ellison on the southeast, and Denny Johnson on the northeast. In November, 1827, these proprietors secured the services of a surveyor, and had laid out at the corners twenty-four lots, six of which were on the land of each. An open space at the corners was left for a public square. Since the above date, several additions have been made to the village, until the lots now number nearly two hundred and fifty. William Pennock's residence was the first in Marlborough. It was built before the place was thought of as a village. William Paxon built the second house in town; John Gruwell built the third; Israel White probably the fourth; James Shinn probably the 'fifth. Mr. Paxon opened the first store. It is said he began with some $1,500 worth, and continued, with a paying patronage eight or ten years. During this period, a post office was secured, and James Shinn received the appointment as Postmaster. The terminal points of the route were Warren and Canton, and at this time the mail was carried on horseback. Caleb Atwater, with $2,000 worth of a general assortment of goods, opened the second store. This was not far from 1834. A few years later, be sold to James Shinn, who, in about 1844, failed in business, and the goods, which had been' increased until worth some $5,000, were auctioned off at Canton. Since this time, the following men, among others, have spent a portion of their time over the counter in Marlborough: Cook & Hamilton, Jacob Stroud, Hamilton & Irish, Jonathan Shaw, Brooke, Scott & Leek, Hutton & Coates, Stevens & Chapple, Abram Wileman, William Hatcher, Daniel Gaskill and Israel Gaskill, very early; T. C. McElroy, Jesse Johnson, Henry W. Pennock, McClun & Son, Werner & Gaskill, at present, Henry Pennock, France & Bancroft, Dellenberger & Warstler, at present; J. A. Quay, Edward Mendelhall, F. L. Campbell, F. B. Spellman, Andrew Holibaugh, Isaac Lynde, and E. J. Morris. In about the year 1850, Amos Walton & Co. built a foundry in the village. This kind of an enterprise seems to have been epidemic about that time. There was scarcely a township in the county that MARLBOROUGH TOWNSHIP - 577 did not have something to do with this business. The main portion of the building referred to above, was a two-story frame, thirty by fifty feet, and, beside this, there were additional molding rooms, etc. An average of about twelve men were employed. The company began manufacturing steam engines, and for eight or ten years furnished, perhaps, twelve or fifteen a year. These engines were designed to be used in saw-mills, grist-mills, etc. About five years after this company started up, another company, known as Mitchner & Dutton, erected the necessary buildings, and engaged in precisely the same occupation. Why this was done is not known to the writer. It is possible that the demand for engines was sufficiently strong to support both companies; on the other hand, it may be that intentions of a personal nature may have caused the new company to start up. At least, the latter began manufacturing engines, but at the expiration of a year the property was destroyed by fire, and was not afterward rebuilt. The former company abandoned the pursuit eight or ten years after starting. A short time before the last war, Doering Bros. erected a woodenware factory. A portion of the old foundry building was used. The company manufactured large quantities of shovel-handles, fork-handles, hoe-handles, etc., etc., which were shipped away to market. The enterprise was discontinued at the expiration of some three or four years. A. C. Shriver started a carriage factory about ten years ago. He employed about eight men, and, it is said, manufactured as high as 100 carriages a year. A few years after the village was laid out, Moses Pennock began a general wool-carding and cloth-dressing business in the village. This was continued by him, to a greater or less extent, for twenty or twenty-five years. He finally sold to Peter and George Wise, and they sold to Eli Hoover, upon whose hands it ran down. A few years ago, George Begs built a distillery a short distance from town. He manufactured grape wine and apple-jack. G. W. Carr made nearly 3,000 barrels of cider last year. The village has no saloon, and no liquor is sold except for medicinal purposes. The town is one of the most enviable in this respect of any in the entire county, and the villagers rejoice that it is so. In 1874, Bailey, Taylor & Crocker began a general fruit packing business in Marlborough. They manufacture their own cans, and during the busy season of the year, employ as high as 200 assistants, a great portion of whom are women. At other seasons, their help is reduced to about ten persons. Two thousand four hundred cans of fruit were packed the first year, since which the business has been steadily increased, until 250,000 cans were packed the last year. When this vast number is considered, and also the fact that the tin cans are made by the company, the importance and extent of the industry can be realized. The company begin to can maple syrup early in the spring, and then, as the season advances, string beans, peaches, tomatoes, pumpkins and apples are handled. This is one of the most extensive and important industries ever in the township. The company have a branch factory at New Baltimore. This was begun last year, and 60,000 cans were packed. The packed fruit is conveyed to Limaville, where the company have a branch factory and a warehouse, and whence the goods are finally shipped to market. Many other interesting things might be said regarding Marlborough. The population of the village is about 300. Of course, some claim it is greater. Much regarding the early schools is lost in the reservoir of the past. From the fact that the township was comparatively late in being settled, and from the fact that, in the older settlements in neighboring townships, schools were started earlier, and afforded the children of Marlborough a seat of learning, terms were not taught until after the township had become quite thickly populated. The Quakers were not backward in appreciating the value and advantage of education, and, while they did not send their children to imperfect and hastily organized schools in the township, still, schooling must be had, and the children, when they were large enough to traverse the distance, were sent to adjacent townships. The first schoolhouse in the township was undoubtedly built in the Quaker neighborhood, 578 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. east of Marlborough; but when this occurred is a mystery. It could not have been later than 1820, and was very probably as early as 1815. This is remembered as an old log affair, which was yet standing in 1826. If the recollection of old settlers is correct, there were but two, or perhaps three, other schoolhouses standing at that time (1826). One of these was known as the Lilly Schoolhouse. Another was standing about one-fourth of a mile south of Baltimore; another possible one was standing in the southeast corner. The early log houses were erected by every one turning out and assisting, and these buildings were also " God's first temples." Or perhaps private dwellings preceded them in this particular. The first schoolhouses were used from five to fifteen years, and then were succeeded by better ones, and these have been succeeded by one or two others in each district. At first one school district started up, and then, as the settlement became larger, it was divided, and at last each of these was divided, and so the division, or creation, has gone on until the limit of the present number was reached but a few years ago. The first schoolhouse in the village of Marlborough was erected in about the year 1832. The Methodist society assisted, as a body, in the construction, with the understanding that they were to have the use of the house for religious purposes. After some eight or ten years, this building was replaced-by a frame structure, which, after many years of use, was abandoned, and the present house, a large, low, frame affair, was built. This occurred a few years before 1850. The second house is now used as a cooper-shop. Machinery for grinding grain was placed in it for a short time. There is some talk of building a new house, although the old is yet serviceable. It has three rooms, three teachers being employed during the winter, and two during the summer. About thirty-five years ago, William McClain built the present hotel building, which was then located in the northern part of the village. He employed two or three assistants, opened a select school, or seminary, and, for a number of years, his institution of learning was a credit to the place. A large number of scholars was enrolled (perhaps over a hundred), and the institution was highly successful in a pecuniary point of view. But Mr. McClain had some other object before him, whereupon the seminary was permitted to stop, and the building, after standing vacant for a time, was purchased by John Ellison, moved to where it now stands, and opened for the reception of the public. A- schoolhouse was built in New Baltimore in about the year 1834. It took the place of the old log, a quarter of a mile south. Levi Haines, the proprietor of the village, was employed to teach the first school, but was taken sick about the middle of the term, whereupon Miss Emily Roseter was hired to teach the remainder, the compensation being $1.85 per week, she boarding herself. How is that for wages, ye pedagogues of the present day! Give us no more grumbling about low wages. After a number of years, this house became too small to accommodate the scholars, whereupon another house, just like it, was erected within a few feet, and two schools, for several years, were in session at the same time. Finally, the present large frame structure was built. It is related that, in early years, the Baltimore School, and one north, in Portage County, organized and conducted an interesting literary society. And it came to pass that a number of young men belonging to the former, invaded a neighboring sugar camp one dark night, and swore eternal secresy as to what then and there transpired. But the whole affair leaked out, unknown to the boys, and came upon them like a clap of thunder from a clear sky. A satirical poem, written by Dr. J. C. Woods, was read at the next meeting of the literary society, and the poem, in graphic language, recited the movements of the boys, while on their invasion for "stolen sweets." The confusion, dismay and chagrin which followed were complete, and brought undying fame 'to the fearless writer. The Quaker Church, east of Marlborough, was undoubtedly built before 1820. It was a hewed-log building, about twenty-five by forty feet, with rude seats and other furniture, and a large chimney which communicated with the broad fire-place, wherein were kindled the ruddy fires that imparted cheerfulness and MARLBOROUGH TOWNSHIP - 579 comfort to the otherwise gloomy room. Here the Quakers continued to assemble to worship in their peculiar way until not far from 1840, when they concluded to build a new church. About this time, owing to dissent. ing views regarding church discipline, and some of the fundamental doctrines of the sect of which George Fox was the founder, the Hicksites and the orthodox decided to separate. This was delayed, as was also the erection of the new church, for a number of years. Finally, the present house was built. Soon after the Quaker's first church was erected, the German Lutherans and German Reformers built what is known as St. Peter's Church. The house, which was of logs, was used a number of years, and finally, about fifteen years ago, the present church was constructed. Not far from 1845, the Methodists erected their church in Marlborough; prior to this they had used the schoolhouse and private dwellings. The Disciples' Church in Marlborough was erected at a later day. The United Brethren have a small frame church in the southern part of the township; it is known as the " Chapel." There are two churches, one Methodist, and the other Disciple, in the village of New Baltimore. There is also a Lutheran Church some two miles north of Marlborough. The township is well supplied with good churches, and has been from the earliest day. It must not be understood that the various religious societies were not organized until the churches were erected; some of these societies had been doing good work for years, but, owing to their poverty or lack of membership, were compelled to worship in schoolhouses or dwellings. Among those families that early belonged to the Quaker society, were the following: Wileman's, Gruwell's, Pennock's, Logue's, Ellison's, Brantingh am's, Heacock's, and others. It was common to hold meetings in dwellings, and even long revivals, of several weeks, were sometimes, held here. Of course, many of these things do not refer to the Quakers, who would quietly seat themselves in their place of worship and wait for the spirit to move them. Marlborough Township is noted for having several agricultural organizations to further the interests of the' producer. Alfred :Brooke is dealing quite extensively in thoroughbred cattle and sheep; so, also, are Alpheus Bloomfield and others. The Marlborough Agricultural Society owns a fine fair ground within half a mile of the village, upon which are an excellent third-of-a-mile track and a grove that has no superior in the county. The stock is divided into twenty shares, all being at present owned by twenty men. A township fair is held every autumn, and last year a small amount in premiums was paid. Buildings worth about $1,200 are standing on the grounds. This enterprise, and all others tending to bring into prominence and repute the labors of the farmer or stock-raiser, cannot be too highly commended. The movements in the township in this direction could be profitably. imitated by other townships of the county. One of the most important organizations ever in the township is the Soldiers' Relief and Memorial Society. It is hard to die, especially robust health, and relinquish all the joys of living in this bright world. It is sad in the extreme, and requires a great sacrifice. We owe a debt to the brave boys who laid down their lives for their country, which we can never repay. This grand country, instead of being separated into jealous and hostile factions to-day, and thereby entailing repeated and bloody wars, is, in effect, united, and the people are enjoying the fruits of liberty and peace. This is the debt we owe our fallen brothers, and the sentiment of gratitude within us requires that we cherish in everlasting remembrance, the names of those who established the peace which is now enjoyed. The following is the design of the above socsociety:or the benefit of the Union soldiers of this township and their posterity, this society has decided to make a record of the military services of all soldiers who enlisted from this township; also, those who are now or may become residents of the township." The society has rules and regulations governing its actions, and the regular meetings are held on the second Monday preceding the third of May of each year. The society reports the number of enlistments from Marlborough during the last war as 111. Of these, twenty-three died while in the army, 580 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. and nine have died since the close of the war. The society is officered as follows: I. S. France, President; William H. Werner, Vice President; Albert Hatcher, Treasurer; Joseph W. Gaskill, Secretary and Recorder. Committee, Marlborough Precinct: Milton Whetstone, Jonas Warstler and John Zellers. Committee, New Baltimore Precinct: Hamilton Day, Madison Walker and Alpheus Hamilton. Committee, West Precinct: Henry Bixler, George Werner and C. B. Gibson. Every township in the county should have a similar organization. CHAPTER XXXI.* WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP —NATURAL FEATURES— CA TALOGUE OF EARLY SETTLERS—LOST CHILDREN —DISTILLERIES, MILLS AND OTHER INDUSTRIES AND IMPROVEMENTS — EARLY SCHOOL AND RELIGIOUS ADVANTAGES— FAIRMOUNT CHILDREN'S HOME—UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. " I sat an hour to-day, John, Beside the old, old stream, Where we were school-boys in the past, When manhood was a dream ; The brook is choked with fallen leaves, The pond is dried away, I scarce believe that you would know The dear old place to-day." —Anonymous. THIS township, one of the best the county for agricultural purposes, was not fully settled until comparatively late years. The land-buyers, who came from the East, either to purchase with the view of future speculation, or to secure farms which would not become exhausted at the first few crops, were not such inferior judges as to pass blindly by the rich woodland of Township 18, Range 6. Accordingly, men of considerable wealth and prominence in Pennsylvania selected and entered their choice of the land in Washington Township, and returned to the Keystone State, to see their property in the West multiply in value. Then, if they desired, they came out West (caught the malignant Ohio fever, a very troublesome disorder, which was very exacting in its requirements), and established themselves on their new farms. It occurred then, that, from the fact of the township being purchased largely by men who did not move West until after the county received its first rush of settlers, extensive early improvement did not take place until after other portions of the county were quite thickly populated. The * Contributed by W. A. Goodspeed. most of the land was entered as early as any in the county, and more than one early settler, who came in late, and, having occasion to pass through this township, made inquiries regarding the land, but, finding it already taken, pushed on farther West. The forest, dark and heavy, covered the entire township, save where occasional glades along the streams had intruded. Here and there in the bosom of the forest was a pathway of tangled, fallen trees, telling of the mad visitation of some tornado in past years. Large trees had been twisted off by the angry cloud, and tossed like straws from their former standing-places. Some had been torn asunder by the fury of the wind, and the mangled debris scattered far and near. Save these occasional spots and the glades, nothing disturbed the heavy monotony of the deep woods. The land, though lying in the main level, was traversed by gullies and crossed by irregular ridges that were probably relics of the Glacial period. Small streams sprang from tiny fountains, and wandered away in search of sweeping rivers, or became lost in the bosom of some inland pond. From east to west across the center of the township, a ridge arose, which separated the head-waters of Sandy Creek from those of the Mahoning. The ridge, though irregular, and severed here and there, is distinctly defined. The northern portion of the township slopes away toward the north, its waters quietly mingling with Beach Creek, a principal affluent of the Ma- WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - 581 honing, while the southern portion sends its waters into Hughes' Creek and Black Creek, head branches of Sandy Creek, which is itself a leading branch of the Tuscarawas. The entire township is drained by streams which ultimately reach the Ohio River. It is therefore within the Valley of the Ohio. The names of the first settlers are unfortunately unknown. While they can probably be given among others, yet they cannot be distinguished, with few exceptions, from those who came in comparatively late. The following is a complete list of the land-holders of the township in 1827, though this does not, of course, embrace the names of those who first located in the township and afterward removed. It is also quite likely that some of the men whose names are given never resided in the township. The following is the list: Samuel Bosserman, John Boyer, Isaac Bonsell, Jacob Conrad, Henry Davis, Michael Dickey, Isaac Tinsman, Joseph Grim, John Galbraith, Holland Green, Frederick Harbster, Jacob Harbster, Charles Hambleton, Jesse Hughes, Caleb Johnson, Ellis N. Johnson, Simon Johnson, Jacob Kittsmiller, Jacob Klingaman, David Klingaman, Timothy Kirk, Russell Kees, Ezekiel Marsh, David Miller, John Millison, Roswell M. Mason, John McHenry, Jonathan Pierpont, Elias Risely, John Ruse, Jr., Samuel Stuckey, John Shively, Jacob Shively, John Shellenberger, Jacob Shidler, Daniel Shidler, William Shaefer, John Spoon, Jacob Secrist, Jonathan Sharpless, John Towns, Samuel Talbot, John Talbot, John Unkefer, David Unkefer, Thomas Wickersham and William Wood. The reader is left to distinguish between those who came early and those who came late. Beyond a doubt, there was one family or more living in the township as early as 1806. A few years ago, at the usual township election, when a number of the first settlers had assembled to poll their votes, Ellis N. Johnson, who was present, asked the question, "Who was the first settler in Washington Township?" No one could give a satisfactory answer. The first known settler was Ezekiel Marsh. Ellis N. Johnson, a splendid specimen of the Quaker fraternity, who is yet living in the township, hearty and hale, at the unusual age of ninety-three years, says that, in the year 1810, being then of age, he left Washington County, Penn., for Ohio. He passed through Salem, following the section lines, which were easily distinguished by the blazed trees made by the surveyors, and at last entered the northern part of Washington Township, which was then known as Township 18, Range 6. When Section 14 was reached, Mr. Johnson heard the ring of an ax, and, movi g in that direction, saw a powerful man chopping. The stranger at the same time saw him, and each advanced toward the other. This man was Ezekiel Marsh. It did not take the two men long to become acquainted, as all formalities and evasions or concealments were cast aside. Marsh had made a small clearing of an acre or more, and had built a small log cabin about fourteen feet square. He had probably erected the building without assistance, as the logs were small and the cabin was low. The structure was furnished with a large, rough, mud-and-stone chimney, of unique design, and a window of one pane of glass graced one end. One door served the purposes of the master. After remaining with Marsh a short time, Mr. Johnson went back to Pennsylvania, and did not return until 1823, at which time he brought out his family and located permanently in the northern part of the township. During his absence in Pennsylvania, the greater portion of the township was entered, and many improvements had gone on. Each of the settlers had cleared from ten to forty acres, and fields of tossing grain were growing where once, and but a short time before, the monarch of the forest reared his head. After Marsh had lived a few years upon the farm where he first located, he sold out, or traded out, to Isaac Tinsman, and purchased another farm near there, upon which he lived until his death. He was a large man, with the strength of Theseus. One day, as he was passing a neighbor's cabin, he heard screams and oaths issuing therefrom, and, surmising that the wife was receiving a beating from her drunken husband, concluded to enter and try to adjust matters. As he entered, he saw the wife prostrate on the floor, while over her was 582 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. her half-drunken husband. With his left hand he pinned her to the floor, and with his right wielded a heavy cudgel, which fell unsparingly on the unfortunate woman. Marsh stepped quickly forward, and, seizing the husband by the shoulders, swung him away from the woman; but, in the movement, the enraged husband caught up a butcher-knife from a table, and, with a quick stroke, plunged it into Marsh's abdomen. The stroke was effective, and Marsh staggered and sank upon the floor. He was conveyed home, but, after suffering great torments for a few days, died. The murderer was arrested, tried, convicted, and sentenced to pass the remainder of his days in the penitentiary. The sentence was carried into effect. The murder occurred in comparatively late years. Isaac Tinsman, one of the first few settlers, improved the old Marsh farm, upon which he lived many years. William Shaefer was one of the earliest in the township, as were also Harbster, Dickey and Stuckey. The early settlement was gradual, but the township slowly filled up with Germans and others, many of whom came from some other settlement in Ohio farther east. A few Quakers settled in the township—enough to spice it with industry and good morals. This country, in early days, was vastly different from what it is now. There were but few small clearings, and these were dotted with charred stumps. The soil was much damper than at present, and the streams contained twice as much water. Bogs, ponds, marshes and swamps, large and small, were numerous, and served as a retreat and a resort for large numbers of wild fowls and wild animals. Springs were numerous that have since gone dry, and some of them were " Of a water that flows, With a lullaby sound, From a spring but a very few Feet under ground— From a cavern not very far Down under ground." Some, also, were brackish, and were visited by deer, that seemed to like such water better than that containing lime. These springs were guarded during the night by the old settlers, and the sweet venison eaten by the family the next morning attested the success of the watcher. It is said that Mr. Tinsman, on one of these occasions, shot a large buck that dressed about 225 pounds. It came down to one of the ponds to drink, and, although it was quite dark, Mr. Tinsman, who was sitting in a small copse near by, could see it clearly outlined against the glassy surface of the water; and with one shot brought it to the ground. Mr. Dickey and Mr. Marsh brought sheep into the township very early, but these poor creatures had a sorry time of it. Some of them ate of a poisonous weed growing in the woods, and, after swelling up to an enormous size, finally died. No remedy could be found. Whisky was tried, and for a short time seemed to check the progress of the poison through the system. All the larger carnivorous animals in the forest had a special " tooth " for mutton, and lost no opportunity of satisfying their greed. As soo a as the shades of night fell, the sharp howls began, and did not wholly cease until a short time before the break of day. Woe unto the sheep that were carelessly left in the woods or were lost! It was no uncommon thing for the owner to find half his flock torn and mangled. Then was when our grandfather violated a certain commandment of course, we cannot prove that charge on the old gentlemen, but there is a strong inference that our surmises are correct. There was a strong demand for wool, from the fact that all kinds of wearing apparel called for exorbitant prices, and, as the settlers had but little money with which to meet this demand, they were compelled, in many cases, to improvise clothing from buckskin, etc. This condition of things led many to bring in a few sheep, which were carefully housed and fed, and the wool therefrom was clipped, carded, spun, woven; and finally made into warm, heavy suits of clothing. The carding was done by hand; the spinning, on the old wheel; the weaving, on a small loom; and the sails were made by tailors who traveled from house to house to ply their craft. It was customary for families to get a considerable quantity of cloth on hand, and then to have all the members supplied at once with new suits or gowns. Linen suits were commonly worn in the warmer months. Almost every family had its small WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - 583 patch of flax, which was carefully tended, and afterward prepared by the flax-beater for the spinning-wheel. Almost every family had its own weaver; those who did not, found no trouble in having their woolen or linen cloth woven at some neighbor's. Wool and linen were quite often combined, and then the suit was called " linsey-woolsey." The cloth was often, and usually, highly colored with leaves or bark from the woods. The gaudy appearance of the suits and dresses at assemblages of the settlers brings to mind the Dolly Varden colorings of later years. Ague and fever were seemingly much more common in early days than at present. Doctors were few, and were abused then even more than now. Poor fellows! they have to bear the slings and arrows of uncharitable criticism, and are met everywhere with the sarcastic remark, " He kills more than he cures." The early doctors traveled over large sections of country. They rejoiced in various cognomens and schools not recognized in the systems today. There were Indian doctors, the fire doctors, the water doctors, the steam doctors, the charm doctors, the " regulars," and various others, who dealt out their nostrums with a prodigality incompatible with the medical maxim of to-day, which directs that the desired results be attained with the use of the least possible quantity of medicine. Notwithstanding the quantity poured down the sick, the ague still shook whole families. In the words of a rural bard, "And it shook him, shook him sorely, Shook his boots off and his breeches, Shook his teeth out and his hair off,' Shook his coat all into tatters, Shook his shirt all into ribbons, Shirtless, hatless, coatless, toothless, Minus boots and minus breeches, Still it shook him, shook him till it Made him yellow, gaunt and bony, Shook him till it shuffled for him Off his mortal coil, and then it, Having laid him cold and quiet In the cold and silent churchyard, Shook the earth all down upon him, And he lies beneath his gravestone, Ever shaking, shaking, shaking." The reader will observe that the" poet " treats of the sick as of the masculine gender, leaving conjecture tossed with doubt as to how the opposite sex withstood the sickness. The old doctor was an important personage. His bottles and bags were regarded as wonders, his judgment was unanswerable and his prescriptions implicitly obeyed. He was welcomed and fed at every household. Time passed on, and the practice of medicine improved. Stock, when turned into the woods, were usually carefully marked, and bells hung about their necks, that, when wanted, they could be found. Hogs required no care, as they were enabled to sustain themselves the entire year on the " mast " that at all times covered the ground. During the autumn, they became very fat, but gradually got thin during the winter. They became so wild that no one could approach near them, and it was necessary to shoot them when the family were out of pork. They were often very savage, and would sometimes attack the settlers, whose only safety then lay in flight, or in ascending a tree. The tusks on some of them attained a length of six inches or more. Trouble often arose regarding the ownership, and the practice of ear-marking was reduced to a system. Bears were very fond of fresh pork, and were not particular whether the swine had been properly dressed or not. They would attack some unfortunate sits scrofa in the woods, and, despite its struggles and squeals, tear it in pieces and devour the tender flesh. It is related that, on one occasion, a large bear, evidently made desperate by hunger, attacked a hog in William Shaefer's stable-yard. 'The attention of the family was first attracted by the squealing and commotion outside. Upon going out, they discovered that a full-grown bear had thrown a hog upon the ground, and was busily engaged tearing it with teeth and claws. The members of the family ran out and shouted, whereupon the bear made off, stopping every few rods to rear upon its hind feet and show its white teeth, to resist any attack that might be made upon it. The hog was so badly torn that it was shot. Incidents of this kind were quite frequent, More than one settler was chased by wolves, or had his adventure with some other dangerous animal. The Commissioners of the County offered a bounty for wolf and panther scalps, and this led those who were fond of hunting, and were 584 - HISTORY OF STARK, COUNTY. skillful, to venture out on long excursions in pursuit of these animals. The earliest settlers often found great difficulty in paying their taxes. Every penny was carefully laid away for this purpose. Animals were trapped and caught, and their skins sold, and the money was used to satisfy the Tax Collector. On account of the miles upon miles of trackless forest that covered the country, it was a common thing for the settlers, or their children, to become lost. It seems strange, yet those who have been in that unfortunate situation, describe the bewilderment as maddening. The senses refuse to act in their ordinary manner, but take note of things in a new and singular way. Familiar objects are seen in a new light, and are no longer recognized. Ellis N. Johnson relates that, on one occasion, when out in the woods, he came upon a large fallen tree, that had probably been cut down for a bear, in which he observed a large quantity of fine wild honey. He placed as much as he could carry in an improvised bag, and started for home; but he found that the cardinal points of direction had deserted him, or, in other words, he was lost. He en- deavored his utmost to ascertain which way he was going, but the effort resulted as it always does, in increasing the bewilderment. After wandering around a long time, he finally came to a stable, in the yard of which was an old horse. The animal was poorer than Job's turkey, and Mr. Johnson wondered why in the name of humanity the owner did not feed the poor creature, and take better care of the yard. He moved on a little farther, and saw a log house and near it a woman, who, when she saw him, asked, " What have you there?" It then dawned upon the bewildered Mr. Johnson, for the first time, that his own wife was talking to him, and that the horse and stable-yard he had seen were his own. About the year 1821, two small children, a brother and sister, the former six, and the latter eight years of age, belonging to a family in the southern part of Portage County, became lost while out after the cows. The children tried to drive the cattle toward what they thought was home, but which, in reality, was a different direction, and as the animals refused to go as desired, .they were abandoned by the children. Had they been wise enough to have followed the cows, they would have had no trouble in reaching home. The cows went home, and the children wandered farther off in the tangled wilderness. As night and the cows came without the children, the parents became alarmed, and immediately surmised that they had become lost. The country was new and and thinly settled, but the parparentsrried about and roused what few neighbors they could. Guns were fired, horns were blown, but no tidings came of the wanderers. The morning dawned, and by this time quite a collection of neighbors, near and far, had assembled to begin the search in a systematic manner. A few traces of where the children had been were discovered, and a. long line was formed to begin the march southward If slight but sure signs of the children were discovered, the horn was to be blown once; if good signs, twice; and if the children themselves, three times, when all the searchers were to gather together. The search was given in charge of an old hunter, who had attained a wide reputation for his ablility to track game from very slight signs. All day long the search continued. During the afternoon, the old hunter saw a footprint made by one of the children. The horn sounded the news along the line. The track was near a large tree that had been cut for a bear, and after a few minutes, the old hunter held up ,a bit of calico that had been torn from the dress of the little girl. The horn again carried the tidings along the line. The excitement became intense, but none were permitted to leave the line. The parents were excluded from the line and left at home, for fear that when a few signs were discovered, they would rush forward in their eagerness, and obliterate them. The line was ordered not to break until the horn sounded thrice in succession for the same reason. The old hunter, and a few competent assistants, took the advance, and announced their success to the others, Who were beating the bushes for a mile or more on each side. Darkness again came, and the search had to be abandoned, save continued soundings of the horns and reports of the guns. The line of march was taken up at WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - 585 daylight in the morning, and continued, with an occasional sign, until nearly night. The searchers passed southward, through Lexington Township, and thence into Washington, advancing as far as Section 14, very near where Mr. Tinsman lived. Here the old hunter picked up a piece of spice wood that bore the marks of teeth upon it. One suggested that the branch had been bitten by a deer; but the old hunter proved that to be impossible, as on the limb were the marks of upper teeth. The horn again rang out its welcome note. The line moved on, and shortly came upon a " slashing," of some five acres. Here the old hunter saw plainly where the children had walked in. They had followed an old deer path that led to the center of the slashing. This was a splendid retreat for the animals when they were attacked by swarms of flies, as the place was thickly covered with weeds and undergrowth. " What shall be done," was the question. The old hunter was told to enter, which he did; as he passed along the path, he saw an object bound off a log .and rush toward him. It was the little girl; she was utterly wild, paying no heed to his questions and seeming to fear him, although she had run into his arms. He asked her where her brother was, but she did not understand him, and made an effort to leave and run off in the undergrowth. The search was continued in the slashing, by the hunter and his assistants, and in a few minutes the little boy was found, fast asleep, under the protecting side of a large log. He was roused up, but was as wild as his sister. The horns rang out three times in succession, and the overjoyed settlers gathered together in a few minutes. The children were taken to Mr. Tinsman's house, but they refused to eat, and made continual efforts to rush out in the woods. A little nourishing food was forced down their throats, and then they were conveyed rapidly toward home. The parents heard the horns and shouts, and were overwhelmed with joy when their children were placed in their arms. The little boy and girl did not recognize them, nor their home, but stared wildly around. They were put to bed and Were soon asleep. Early the next morning, the little boy called out, " Where's my little ax?", The little girl awoke, and called for her calico dress (the one that had been torn in pieces in her rambles). The children were all right, but, strange to say, could not remember anything of being lost. Other incidents of a similar nature are related. Ezekiel Marsh built the first grist-mill in the township. It was located on one of the small streams, at a point where the natural surroundings favored a limited though strong and constant water-power ; a dam of stone, brush, earth and logs, was built across the Stream, and from this a race conducted water to the strong breast-wheel that communicated motion to the machinery of the mill. Two sets of stone were placed in the mill, one for grinding wheat, and the other for corn. The exact date of its erection is not known, but it was probably before 1820. He also built a saw-mill on the same dam, and operated it in Connection with his grist-mill. Both mills were well patronized, and were a great accommodation to the settlers. Sawing was ordinarily done on shares, the sawyer taking half the lumber for his work. Settlers from a great distance around came to the mills for their lumber and flour. Marsh, with the assistance of his sons, conducted both mills until his tragic death, after which they went to his son, Ed, who, after a few years, permitted them to run down. Soon after the village of Mt. Union was laid out, Hale Brothers, of Steubenville, erected a large woolen factory. They had talked the matter over with the citizens, and had at first concluded not to build, thinking, doubtless, that they might have an elephant on their hands; but when the citizens had come forward, and had promised to erect the building for them, they furnishing the lumber, etc., the brothers concluded to undertake the enterprise. No sooner was the building erected and ready for occupancy, than it took fire and burned to the ground, consuming all the apparatus, machinery, etc. The brothers went to work and erected another in its place. This was operated for a time, and then sold to Solomon Teegarden, who did quite an extensive work at carding, fulling, etc., for a few years, when the establishment was again destroyed by fire and was not afterward rebuilt. The enter- 586 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. prise was scarcely a success at the village. No cloth was manufactured. Henry Schooley, of Salem, at quite an early day, came to the village, looking for a site for the establishment of a flouring mill. The citizens desired such an industry at the village, and agreed to build the mill for Mr. Schooley, and have it ready for operation within thirty days. This was agreed to, and accordingly dole. Two sets of stone were placed in the mill, and a small steam engine furnished the motion. Good flour was furnished, and the mill grew in favor and soon obtained a flattering patronage. Finally, four good sets of stone took the place of the two old ones, and the owners began doing a combined merchant and custom work, which has continued until the present time. Mr. Schooley, at last, sold out to Mr. Bard, who yet owns and operates the mill. A grist-mill was also built at Strasburg soon after the location of the railroad station at that point. It is a large frame building, and, under a change of owners; has done good work from the start. It is yet in operation. Distilleries and temperance movements, to check their effect, have played a prominent part in the history of the township. George Goodman conducted a distillery, about two miles southwest of Mt. Union, at quite an early day. While in operation, his distillery turned out some twenty gallons of good whisky per day. He owned but one still. The most of his liquor was sold at the still, and the balance probably found its way into some of the neighboring tavern bar-rooms. Michael Miller also built one, about five miles south of Mt. Union. His still was a little larger, and he is said to have -manufactured about a barrel of excellent whisky per day. Ezekiel Marsh probably conducted the most extensive distillery ever in the township. It was built at a spring, near his house, and the surroundings and apparatus were such that Marsh found no difficulty in distilling over a barrel of whisky per day. In order to insure the excellence of his liquor, he was in the habit of re-distilling it, and for this reason it gained repute for excellence and concentration. These three distilleries were erected prior to 1838. Everybody drank liquor in early years; it was a rare thing to find a house where it was not used, and that, too, by every member of the family. It was kept on the side-board or mantel-piece of almost every house, and when visitors called it was customary to take a horn to kindle friendship and hospitality into a flame. Many an old settler has said to the writer, "Why, I was raised on the whisky bottle." It was given to children to quiet them, or to make them noisy, as the case demanded. Women took it to steady their nerves, and to give them courage. Everybody used it in warm weather to secure cooling effects, and in cold weather to secure warm-. ing effects. It was used by all in sickness and in health, and was looked upon like the Montebank's " Grand, Elliptical, Asiatical, Panticurical, Nervous Cordial," as a panacea, for all diseases incident to humanity. In about. the year 1828, a movement was inaugurated in the Eastern States, which asserted that whisky was not a "necessity," that its use as a beverage was degrading and shameful, and that it became all lovers of morality and sobriety to discourage its use in every proper way. Such theories were, at first, boldly and confidently contradicted; but soon thoughtful people saw truth and good advice in the theory, and all over the country temperance societies sprang into life. The wave of revolution swept over Ohio, meeting, everywhere, strong opposition, but slowly and surely outriding it all. Ellis N. Johnson was a gifted speaker. He had that happy faculty of being able to turn everything which transpired while he was on the stage to his own advantage. He never hesitated for a word, but "talked right on," with the eloquence of conviction and the force of reason. He instantly took the lead in the temperance reform. His first temperance speech in the old schoolhouse, near his farm, attracted wide attention, and roused thoughtful, moral people into action. People discussed the subject at their firesides and at public places. All the better class of citizens spoke boldly in favor of the reform; but dram-drinkers and owners of distilleries discouraged the movement, and continued their practices. Mr. Johnson received abundant encouragement, and was invited to speak in all the adjoining WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - 587 schoolhouses and townships. People were, at first, surprised at his views regarding liquor drinking, and flocked forward by the hundreds to listen to him. A. strong temperance society was immediately organized at Mt. Union. The following is the preamble and constitution prepared and adopted: WHEREAS, The use of ardent spirits is not only unnecessary and injurious to the social, civil and moral interests of men ; but tends to promote pauperism, crime and wretchedness, and to hinder all efforts for the intellectual and moral benefit of society; and, as one of the best means to counteract its deleterious effects is the influence of united example; Therefore, We, the subscribers, inhabitants of Mount Union and vicinity, recognizing the principles of abstinence from the use of ardent spirits and from its traffic, do hereby, as the basis of our union, agree to form ourselves into a society, and for this purpose adopt the following constitution: SECTION 1. This society shall be called the " Mount Union Temperance Society," auxiliary to the Stark County Temperance Society. SEC. 2. The object of the society shall be by example and kind moral influence to discountenance the use of ardent spirits and the traffic in the same, except as a medicine or for mechanical purposes. SEC. 3. Any person who practically adopts the important principles of this society may become a member by signing the constitution, or by requesting the Secretary to do so for him. SEC. 4. The Officers of the society shall be a President, two Vice Presidents, a Recording Secretary, and a Corresponding Secretary, each of whom shall be chosen annually, shall continue in office until his successor is elected, and shall perform the duties customarily assigned to such office. SEC. 5. The society shall annually appoint five members, who, together with the officers, shall constitute an executive committee, three of whom shall form a quorum, for the adoption of such measures as shall be best calculated to render the society the most useful. SEC. 6. There shall be an annual meeting of the society, at which time the officers shall be elected. SEC. 7. The society at any time may strike the name of any member from its lists, on being satisfied that such member has violated the principles of the society. SEC. 8. This constitution may be amended by a majority of the members present at any annual meeting of the society, providing that such amendment does not materially alter the principles declared above. SEC. 9. The President (or either of the Vice Presidents in cases of the sickness or absence of the President) is authorized to call a meeting of the society at any time he may deem proper. This constitution was read at every place where Mr. Johnson spoke, and at every meeting scores appended their names to the rapidly increasing lists. The Quakers were the first to enter the reform, heart and soul, and finally the church societies in the vicinity did likewise. The list of names is yet in existence, but is too long to, be inserted here. Soon the work of the society began to be felt by the liquor sellers and manufacturers. Job Johnson was engaged, at the time, in keeping store and tavern in the village of Mt. Union, and like all other tavern-keepers kept and sold liquor in his bar-room. His brother, Ellis N., continued to lecture, and he to sell, until at last he was converted to the temperance faith by a lady living in the neighborhood. In conversation with her, he had said, by way of excuse, that he no longer sold to drunkards, whereupon she proceeded, with cutting language, to tell him that course was the worst he could pursue, for he sold to young men and boys all the time, and was continually creating a new stock of drunkards. The thought went to his heart like an arrow, and he soon afterward stopped selling, and became a standard bearer of temperance. In consequence of his conversion, as above stated, he published his change of opinion under the caption, " My Last Excuse Gone." If the writer is correctly informed, Robert Hilton was, at this time, selling liquor at Mt. Union. He attended one of Ellis N. Johnson,s strongest meetings,' and the vivid colorings of the subject by the speaker went home to his heart; for the next day, meeting Johnson, he said: " I can,t stand everything; what shall I do l" He was told to stop selling, and, with that sudden resolution which takes possession of all true converts, he went to his desk drawer, and taking therefrom $400 worth of notes that had been given him for liquor, advanced to the fire with the intention of burning them. Johnson told him to wait. Hilton replied: " If it’s wrong to sell, it’s wrong to collect" Johnson then told him to postpone the destruction of the notes until the morrow, when it could be done publicly to a large assemblage. The day was an important one, and over four hundred people were present Hilton had on hand $14 worth of whisky; the hat was passed, and $13 were raised and given him. The liquor was then taken and placed on a heap of fagots, and the whole was set on fire. While it was burning, 588 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. Hilton went forward, and, in the presence of the audience, cast his $400 worth of notes in the fire. It was a day of great rejoicing, success and 'enthusiasm. Ellis N. was, at that early day, called the " Old Pioneer." Michael Miller, who owned the distillery in the southern part, invited the " Old Pioneer" down to his neighborhood to hold a temperance meeting, saying that he "wanted to see the elephant" The result was that Miller was completely converted. A few days before he had made a contract with a man from Deerfield, named Hartzell, to furnish 400 gallons of whisky, and part of the consideration had passed. He made up his mind to annul the contract, and not furnish the liquor. The malt was fed to the hogs, and when Hartzell appeared for his liquor, he received no satisfaction, nor whisky. He immediately instituted suit before Ellis N. Johnson, Justice of the Peace, for damages sustained, and obtained judgment for $2'7.50, much to the chagrin of the Justice, who, though bound by duty to apply the law as he understood it, did so reluctantly, saying in conclusion, as he decided the case: " The money is yours, legally, but morally you have no right to touch it." The moral aspect of the case did not trouble Mr. Hartzell, for he coolly pocketed his damages and walked off. The temperance organization saw the sale of liquor in the towuship almost or wholly cease; saw every distillery close its doors, and saw confirmed drunkards reform and lead sober lives. Mt. Union was the first village properly laid out and platted in the township. Four men owned the land at the corner where the lots were laid out. Richard Fawcett owned on the northeast; John Hare on the southeast; E. N. Johnson on the southwest, and Job Johnson on the northwest. Forty lots were laid out, twenty in Washington Township and twenty in Lexington, ten being on the land of each of the above men. The lots were located on Sections 1 and 2, in Washington, and on Sections 35 and 36, in Lexington and all were laid out under the directions of the owners, in August, 1833. At this time, there was but one house standing on the site of the village. This was the residence of Job Johnson, and was located on the corner of Main and Mt. Union streets. Job Johnson, immediately after the village was laid out, erected some three or four other residences, on some of the lots, which, with the buildings, were offered for sale. In a short time several buyers appeared, and soon the town had all the appear-. ance as such. Job Johnson opened his store and tavern; carpenters, blacksmiths and artificers of various sorts appeared; industries sprang up and business multiplied rapidly. The old settlers say that Mt. Union was an unusually promising place in early years. A more detailed account of .the improvement will be found in the chapter on Lexington Township. Freeburg was laid out on the southeast quarter of Section 28, in February, 1842. The land was owned by Isidon Carrillon, and thirty-two lots were surveyed and offered for sale by the owner. The growth of the village was quite slow, and nothing but the presence of a railroad or an important industry could alter its fate of comparative obscurity. Stores have come and gone like spring blossoms, and have been about as numerous, though not as sweet. There have been times in the history of the village, when Goldsmith's lines were peculiarly appropriate: "Sweet smiling village, loveliest of the lawn, Thy sports are fled and all thy charms withdrawn ; Amidst thy bowers the tyrant's hand is seen, And desolation saddens all the green." At other times the 'prospect has seemed as bright as a May morning, and the hearts of the citizens have throbbed in anticipation of the future. Why cannot Freeburg have a railroad as well as any other town? If it "shells out" enough the road will be built. Money will buy in this case as it has in others. That fact may be relied on. Strasburg was laid out in August, 1842, by Gregory Gross and Jacob Sardier, owners and proprietors, on the south half of Section 8, Township 18, Range 6. Thirty lots were laid off by the surveyor, and these were immediately thrown into market by the owners. They were sold slowly, as there was no great inducement for capitalists to invest money. Stores were opened one by one, industries flourished in succession, and hopes were kindled into flame in the breast of the owners WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - 589 that their names might be sung by unborn millions, like those of Romulus and Remus. But they, like others of earth's children, were doomed to disappointment. "Their hopes, like lilies of the morn, First blossomed into life, and then By bitter winds And icy "rains Were scattered to the earth again." They saw other villages around them repeat the multiplication table; but they, with all their striving, could never reach addition. They became familiar with the rules of subtraction, much to the division of their interest. The village is subject to fluctuations in population and prosperity. It has lost all probability of fame and renown, though its ambition is mountainous and measureless. It received its greatest impetus when the railroad station was located there. At that time improvements advanced quite rapidly. Some grain and stock are shipped on the railroad from this point. It is a known fact that the first schools in the township were taught in the settlers' cabin, though dates and distinctions cannot be given with certainty. It is said that Marsh permitted his cabin to be used ,as a schoolhouse, and that a young man just from the East, passing through the township, was employed to teach a term or more there, which he did, receiving his pay by subscription, and boarding around. It is also stated that beyond a doubt several terms were taught in the township prior to 1820. If possible, when the settlers living in a neighborhood wished a school, a double log cabin was Columbiana school being taught in one room, while the owner's family resided in the other. Or, it was quite common to find a cabin that had been deserted by the owner, and this was taken and supplied with rude desks and seats, and devoted to the cause of education. One of the first schoolhouses built, if not the first, was the old log building at Mount Union, which was erected in about, the year 1825. It was constructed of hewn logs, and was quite a large building, having been built with the design, as all early schoolhouse of being used for a variety of purposes. Job Johnson was one of the first teachers in this house. The management of schools sixty years ago differed Romulusally from that at present. The discipline was different, and so were the modes of imparting' instruction. There was what were known as "loud schools" which may be understood as those where the scholars studied at any pitch of voice they chose. They usually chose to be heard, and the din and confusion in the room in such a case can be imagined. It was probably some teacher of these schools who wrote the following lines: " Since when the devil tempted Job With all the troubles on the globe, And strove to put him in a passion, School-keeping was not then in fashion; For, had he tied him to a school, Job had not kept his, temper cool." Before 1830, several schoolhouses were erected in the township. It is thought that the township was first divided into school districts in about the year 1824, and that immediately afterward, two or more schoolhouses were erected. As time passed on and the township became more thickly populated, the districts were divided and subdivided until the present number—ten—were created. It as the case in almost every district, that log romngs were at first erected, and, when these had served their day, frames or bricks took their places. In some districts three or more schoolhouses have been built. *The Fairmount Children's Home for the district of Stark and Columbiana Counties of Ohio, is located in the eastern portion of Washington Township, on Section 13, four miles south of Alliance and one mile west of the Columbiana County line. The farm contains 154 acres and is very favorably located, in a good neighborhood and easy of access. The object of the institution is to furnish a home and "home-training" for indigent children tinder sixteen years of age, of the two counties, where they can be supported and provided with physical, mental and moral training until suitable homes can be provided for them, or until they become capable of earning and providing for themselves, or their parents or guardians for them. The General Assembly of Ohio having *The account of the Children's Home is by Thomas P. Hopley, Esq. 590 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY FAIRMOUNT CHILDREN’S HOME WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - 591 passed a law authorizing counties to establish Children's Homes, prominent citizens of Columbiana and Stark Counties commenced agitating the matter with the view of securing action from the Commissioners in regard to an institution of this character. It was originally intended that the counties of Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage and Stark should form the "Home district," and, with this end in view, the Commissioners of these counties held their first joint meeting at Alliance, on September 18, 1874, at which time a Board of Trustees was ,appointed composed of the following members: Hon. J. K. Rukenbrod and Joshua Lee, of Columbiana; Dr. G. W. Broke, of Mahoning; William Barber, of Stark, and William Grinnel, of Portage. Mr. Rukenbrod being a member of the Ohio Senate was ineligible to the office and shortly afterward resigned, and James Davis, of Columbiana, was chosen to fill the vacancy. The trustees visited several institutions of like character and during the next four months arrangements were perfected for a Home, but in the meantime the counties of Portage and Mahoning withdrew from the district and Messrs. Levi Stump and C. K. Greiner, of Stark, were appointed to the vacant trusteeships. The Commissioners of the two counties on May 4, 1875, signed the deed for the land which they purchased from Thomas Rack-straw, paying him $13,770 for the farm. H. E. Myers, an architect of Cleveland, prepared the plans and specifications for the building, and the contract for erecting it was awarded to Messrs. Parkinson & Morrison, of New Lisbon. The entire cost of the buildings and furnishings was about $65,000; the real estate is now valued at $15,000, making a total of $80,000 which have been devoted by these two counties for charitable purposes in this form. Fairmount Home consists of the main building, two cottages, the farm house, the bake house and a large boiler house in which is generated steam for heating the several apartments. There is also a barn, wagon hOuse, ice house, a slaughter house and the necessary outbuildings. The main building is three stories high above the basement; the greatest width is 82 feet and the greatest length is 115 feet. In the basement are large fruit, vegetable and dairy rooms, the kitchen, laundry and industrial rooms. On the first floor are the office, reception rooms, parlor, dining rooms, pantries and store rooms. The Superintendent's family rooms, guest rooms, store rooms and three large school rooms are situated on the second floor. On the third floor are rooms for employes and large tanks for hard and soft water. Centrally located on the first three floors are fire plugs connected with the tanks. Situated in the rear of the main building are two cottages each thirty-two feet in width and thirty-nine feet long. In each cottage on the first floor is a nursery, a sitting room for children, a bedroom for the nurse and cottage matron, a wash room and a bath room. On the second floor of each cottage are two dormitories and a wardrobe. The cottages are connected to the main building by a covered passage. In the " farmhouse" is a large family of boys, a sitting room, a large airy dormitory, a bedroom for the matron and family, the necessary rooms for the kindergarten — accommodating the children from four to six years of age. Fairmount Home was completed and erected in 1876 and dedicated with appropriate exercises in October of that year. The Board of Trustees employed Dr. J. F. Buck to take charge of the institution. This gentleman had been for the previous seven years connected with the Ohio Reform Farm at Lancaster; he brought with him to the Home much valuable experience and has been the means of making the Home a great success. The bbuildingwas opened for the reception of inmates October 31, 1876, on which day sixteen children were received from the Stark County Infirmary. From that date until October 31, 1880, a period of four years, 392 children were received into the Home; 168 the first year, 71 the second, 90 the third and 69 the fourth. Of these children 140 were in the Home October 31, 1880; 194 have been placed in families where they have found desirable homes; 17 have died and 41 have been returned to friends, discharged or sent to other charitable institutions of the State. These children have been gathered from the two counties of Stark and Columbiana. They have 592 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. been supported and educated at an expense to these counties of less than $10,000 each year. But a money value cannot be placed on that which will be gained by these children when placed under good influences in private families, where their chances for becoming good and useful men and women will be enhanced, and the probabilities of their becoming burdens upon society will be greatly diminished. Fairmount Home, however, is to a great extent self-sustaining. The farm embraces 154 acres, a considerable portion of which is cultivated and yields a bountiful harvest; the work of the farm is largely performed by the older boys, who are required to assist one-half of each day from May to October in the general farm work. The smaller children are a great 'help in market-gardening and cultivating small fruit.. These duties are part of the practical education furnished by the Home, for as the greater number of those who leave the institution are indentured to farmers the principal thought kept in their minds while at work is not " how much" but "how well." The farm also contains rich pasture lands for cows which furnish an abundant supply of milk and butter. The practical household education of the girls is not neglected, for they are taught to be handy with the needle by a lady who has charge of .the industrial department, and many articles of use are manufactured in this room by the older girls who work one-half of each day and during the year make all the clothing needed by the imitates of the Home. The assistance of these older girls is also of great value in the kitchen, laundry and dining rooms of the Home, and the instruction which they have received in these several departments will be of great importance to them in any sphere in which they may be placed in future years. The money saved in consequence of the amount of labor performed by the older girls in these departments as well as in others for so large a household is an item of no small importance; but, when compared with the importance of this training to habits of industry and order, the money value sinks into insignificance. The children while at the Home are not only taught to work in order that they may be able to support themselves, but their education receives due attention both physical, intellectual, moral and religious: Believing that sound minds can be best developed in sound bodies, everything which has a tendency to develop the physical organization receives close attention by the Superintendent. Wholesome food, pure air, cleanliness of person, healthful exercise on the play-grounds, and moderate labor about the buildings, garden and fields, are the means relied upon for building a symmetrical temple for the mind. Many of the children receive their first lessons from books while at the Home. Those of school age are divided into two separate grades according to their proficiency. Both grades are in session during the entire school day. The older scholars who work half the day attend school during the other half, but those from six to ten years of age have attended school regularly during school hours without vacation. All who are of sufficient age are required to attend the Sabbath school exercises, which consist mainly in reciting portions of the Scriptures and singing. Ministers of different denominations and the Young Men’s Christian Association' of Mount Union have, during past years, favored the Home with sermons and addresses on Sabbath afternoons without any compensation. Fairmount is emphatically a home for those who otherwise would be homeless, and it is a wise economy for the citizens of Stark and Columbiana Counties to take these poor, friendless children and provide them with a good home training so that at majority they will be able to take care of themselves, rather than have them homeless and hardened criminals or confirmed paupers. Fairmount is doing a work, the value of which cannot now be estimated, but must be acknowledged in time to come. Were it not for the fostering care of the Home, the majority of its inmates would be surrounded by baneful influences growing up in ignorance and vice. Owing to the fact that several families of Quakers resided in the township, a station on the Underground Railroad was established there. The Johnsons were prominently Connected with this road, and assisted more than one fugitive to the Dominion of Canada. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - 593 Unknown to those who made it their business to apprehend slaves on their way north, there were several secret places on the shore of Lake Erie, where vessels from the Canada side landed on certain days for the fugitives who were concealed in the adjacent heavy forests. These places were known to the Quakers, who very likely paid the owners of the vessels for their trouble. It is stated that, on one occasion, a fugitive family, that had stopped in the woods in the northeastern part of the county, were surprised by their owner and conveyed to Virginia before the Quakers had become fully aware of the state of affairs. This was the result ofnot seeking the assistance of the Quakers. When the latter were trusted, the slaves invariably reached their destination in safety. The quantity of timber land, of land under cultivation, of meadow land, and of swamp land, has been constantly changing since the earliest day. The following table explains itself: Number of acres of arable and plow land in Washington Township, 1880 - 14,534 Meadow and pasture land - 38 Uncultivated or woodland - 6,351 Total number of acres of flat, wet and marshy land - 1,698 Total value of land excluding buildings - $734,113 Total value of houses 82,041 Total value of mills 2,650 Total value of other buildings 26,990 General average price per acre, including buildings - 37 The Baptists and Methodists began holding meetings in the township about the same time. This was not far from the year 1817. Meetings were at first held in the old log dwellings, and at such places where ample room could be had by traveling the least distance. Our grandparents required a great deal of space when they got down to business at these early religious meetings. This can be said of the Methodists at any rate. The few Quakers were quiet, and waited for the spirit to move them. The spirit was pretty lively sometimes, judging from the activity at the Quaker meetings. The Baptists built a small brick church quite early at Mount Union, near the graveyard, but prior to this their meetings were held in the old schoolhouse. The church was built not far from 1830. It is thought the Methodists held meetings before the Baptists, and that their small frame church, located just across the line in Lexington Township, was built after the Baptists built theirs. Job Johnson gave the lot upon which the Methodist Church was built. Other churches have succeeded these. School was taught in the old brick Baptist Church. The Catholics have a neat church and cemetery at Strasburg. The building was erected many years ago. The United Brethren have a church on Section 11. It was erected in comparatively late years. The Albrights have a church on Section 22. The Methodists have one at Freeburg. Some of the church societies have died out; others have suffered much from lack of funds and membership. Some have been strong since their organization. Many of the citizens belong to churches located just without the limits of the township. The people are generally moral, and many belong to the churches. PART III. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH CITY OF CANTON. LAWRENCE ALEXANDER, city woolen mills, Canton ; is a native of Dublin, Ireland, and was born in the year 1815. When 11 years old, he engaged in the woolen trade ; and, having completed his apprenticeship, he, in 1833, came to the United States, locating in the city of Boston. He worked for about four years in the vicinity of that city, and then went to Philadelphia, remaining there one year, when he came to Massillon, Ohio, and from there went to Waynesburgh, where he lived some ten years. He then lived in Lexington Tp. some eight years, after which he came to Canton about the year 1855. He rented a mill in Waynesburgh, and bought one while living in Lexington Tp. After coming to Canton, he and John Bobbin rented Jacob Sprankle's factory, near the city, and soon after Mr. Alexander bought his present place, which was originally built for a tannery. He put in the requisite machinery, and has conducted the woolen business ever since. During his residence in Stark Co. he has served as Commissioner two terms. He was married in 1836 to Miss Hannah Fitzgerald, a native of Lowell, Mass. They have four children, viz.: Elizabeth M., Francis A., Augustine and Frank. All live at home except Augustine, who is the Rev. A. Alexander, of Baltimore, of the Catholic Church. Mr. Alex( ander is a Democrat in politics. JOHN H. ALTEKRUSE, merchant and Sheriff, Canton ; was born in Massillon May 6, 1844. His parents, Rudolph and Mary (Uphuff) Altekruse, were natives of Germany, who emigrated to America in the fall of 1837, and settled in Massillon, Ohio, where they have since resided. His father was a shoemaker by trade, and conducted the business in Massillon until 1868, when he embarked in the grocery trade, and followed the same until the fall of 1879, when he retired to private life. He is now nearly 70 years of age, enjoys excellent health and is greatly esteemed in the community. Our subject is the oldest and only surviving son in a family of eight children, one sister only living, Mrs. Andrew Dangeleisen, of Massillon. Young Altekruse, after having received a good education in his native town, passed a year with his father in the shop, and one year as clerk in the store of Samuel Goudy, of Massillon. He then became clerk in the hardware store of Kelly & Allen, of Massillon, in which capacity he remained five years. During the war he served in the Ohio National Guard, in Co. A, 162d 0. V. I., being stationed at Tod Barracks, Columbus, Ohio. In Febru- ary, 1867, he purchased the grocery store and stock of Charles Hose, of Massillon, and conducted that business over twelve years. Aside from his business associations, he has filled a number of local positions of responsibility and trust in the city and county. In the fall of 1875, he was elected Coroner of Stark Co., and served two years. For three years he filled the office of Township Clerk ; he also served on the Massillon City Council, and for three years was Chief Engineer of the :Massillon City Fire Department. Five years likewise he was on the City Board of Equalization, and for two years he served on the Massillon Board of Health. In the spring of 1879, he was elected a member of the Massillon Board of Education, and in October of the same ycar was elected Sheriff of Stark Co., which position he now occupies. In 596 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: politics he is a Democrat, as is also his father. His religious connection is with the German Reformed Church of Massillon. On July 12, 1866, he married Flora, daughter of Peter Morgenthaler, of Massillon ; the results of this union have been four children, two living. He is a man of fine business ability, quiet, cautious, strictly honorable and greatly esteemed in the community for his genial, social nature and agreeable manner. ALBERT BALL, Red Jacket Plow Works, Canton ; is the second of a family of nine children, born to John and Martha J. (Grimes) Ball, on the 7th of July, 1830. He was raised on the farm near Greentown, in this county, and at the age of 15 began learning the trade of a molder in his uncle's foun dry ; at 17, he went to Wadsworth, in Medina Co., and then to Wooster ; at 19, he went to Fort Deflance, where he took charge of a shop, remaining one year, when he went to North Manchester, Ind., where he commenced the plow business on his own account. After doing a successful business for fourteen years, he sold out, and engaged in the lumber trade in Kosciusko Co., where he operated two mills, with headquarters at Warsaw. He continued this business for four years, the last two of which he had a partner (a Mr. Penticost) who, during ill-health of Mr. Ball, failed to account for large collections made in closing up the business. Upon his recovery, Mr. Ball came to Canton, and traveled one year for John Ball & Co., during which period he invented (Aug. 3, 1871) his Red Jacket plow ; he also patented an iron wagon. He then went to Elkhart, Ind., where he engaged in manufacturing for a year and a half, and, in the meantime, bought a farm near Elkhart, upon which he lived two years. In the spring of 1874, he returned to Canton, and licensed John Ball & Co. to man- ufacture the Red Jacket plow, receiving $1,200 per year, and 25 cents royalty to oversee the work and inspect the plows, and the next year was made Superintendent, serving one year at $1,800, when the company began closing out the business. In 1877, he bought out the business and works, and began the manufacture, which he has since continued successfully, in--creasing it each year. A large additional brick building,. 130x35 feet, two stories high, is now (1881), in course of construction. In October, 1849, he was married to Miss Mary A. Wyandt, a native of Stark Co. They have had six children, four of whom are living, viz. : Lorenzo D., Silas W., Amanda C. (now Mrs. Hubison), and Annette J. (now Mrs. Myers). All are living in Canton. J. C. BOCKIUS, deceased, Canton ; was a native of Prussia; his father, who was a nativc of Frederick, Md., went to Europe, and while there was " pressed " into the British service, whi ch he deserted in Denmark, and went to Germany; he emigrated to America in 1834, and died in Canton. Our subject, when 12 years of age, became attached to the army of Bonaparte, as drummer, remaining with the army until 17 years of age. In 1812, he crossed the Alps with the army on foot, and went to Italy. At the age of 17 he learned the shoemaker's trade in Prussia, and in 1819 emigrated to America. In 1820 he established in Canton the business house which is still transacting business there, He remained in Canton, engaged in active business life, and taking an interest in all public measures until his death, in 1878. His wife's maiden name was Rosanna Keller ; she was .a native of Baden, and came to Canton with her parents when 12 'years of age ; they were married in Canton May 25, 1825. She died in 1865. There were six girls and seven boys born to them, only six of whom are now living: Lewis V., of Canton ; Henry J. and Charles J., residents of Port Huron, Mich., engaged in the shoe business ; Charles J., of Canton ; Henrietta, now Mrs. R. Rohrer, of Freeport, Ill., and Amelia D., now Mrs. Huntington, of Georgetown, Colo. L. V. BOCKIUS, boots and shoes, Canton ; was born in Canton, in 1826, and was connected with his father as an assistant in his store until May, 1848, when he entered into partnership with him, under the firm name of J. C. Bockius .& Son, and has been managing partner up to the present time, with the exception of a few months, when he took a trip to California. In 1870, he took his brother, Edward A., in business with him, which partnership terminated at the death of that brother in 1881, and in May, 1881, Charles J. Bockius entered as partner, the firm name now being J. C. Bockius' Sons. Mr. Bockius is one of the leading representative citizens of Canton ; he is, with Mr. D. Tyler, one of the largest stock owners of the Diebold Safe & Lock Co., and is one of the directors of the Valley R. R., CITY OF CANTON - 597 with which he has been associated from its infancy. He has served the city as Treasurer ; has been a director of the Canton Cemetery, and is now President of that association, and was President of Building Association No. 2, which wound up its affairs satisfactorily. He has been identified with the most prominent movements of the city, and is one of its most honored citizens. He was married, in September, 1855, to Miss Caroline P. Graham, a native of Stark Co., whose father, John Graham, was one of the earliest settlers of Jackson Tp., and was State Senator for several years. Mr. and Mrs. Bockius have six children—Charles J., Edward G., Frederick William, Harry G., Catharine A. and Mary H. CHARLES J. BOCKIUS, boots and shoes, Canton ; is a native of Stark Co., and was an assistant of his father in the store until 17 years of age. He then commenced learning the watch-maker's trade, and after eighteen months went to .Philadelphia, where he remained for two years. In 1855, he went to New York; and remained there until 1861, engaged in the jewelry business. He then removed to M ichigan, and was in the shoe business with his brothers until August, 1862; when he enlisted in the 22d Mich. V. I., and was in the service nearly three years, in the Army of the Cumberland under Gen. Thomas; passing through active and severe service, and participating in the engagements of Danville, Lebanon, Bowling Green (Ky.), Nashville (Tenn.), Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Atlanta, etc. After the close of the war, he went to Chicago, and was in the jewelry business there one year; thence to New York, in the same business, remaining over four years, and again returning to Chicago, where he remained in the jewelry business three years, and for six years as Secretary and Treasurer of the Marietta Barge Line Co. In 1881, he returned to Canton, and entered into business with his brother, where he intends to remain. He was married in 1864, to Miss Helen M. Garlick, of Michigan. They have five children—Mary L., James H., Helen R., Etta L. and Carrie. Mr. Bockius is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the K. of H. and G. A. R. JOSEPH A. BOUR of Elsass & Bour, furniture, Canton ; is a native of Canton, and son of Nicholas and Catharine (Devine) Bour. His father was a native of France ; his mother of Belgium ; the former came to Stark Co. in 1835; the latter, with her parents, about 1837 ; they were married in Canton, where they have since resided. The father has been a business man of Canton for many years, but is now living retired. He served as Postmaster of Canton from 1852 until 1860. Our subject is the fourth child of a family of ten children ; he was an attendant of the Canton schools until 22 years of age, when he went into the office of Judge Meyer, in 1870, remaining with him until 1874, in practice. He was admitted to the bar in 1874, but, on account of ill-health, could not continue practice. He then engaged at farming for one year, and then removed to New Castle, Penn., where he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, remaining there until February, 1879, when he returned to Canton, and has since then been associated with J. C. Elsass. He has served one term as Deputy County Clerk, and one year as Deputy County Treasurer; is a member of the Legion of Honor and the C. M. B. A. He was married in 1874 to Miss Mary Kegler, of Massillon ; they have one child, Eleanor. DAVID S. BEGGES, merchant, Canton ; is a son of James and Mary (Slusser) Begges; the former, an early and prosperous merchant of Canton, died while in the prime of life, and the latter, the daughter of Philip Slusser, one of Stark Co.'s earliest pioneers. David S. is now about 50 years of age, and owns and conducts one of the largest queens-ware establishments of the county, which is located at Canton. He was educated principally in the Canton schools, finishing, however, at Scott's Academy, of Steubenville, Ohio. He began his business career as a salesman, and was connected with different mercantile houses of Canton, until he subsequently engaged in business on his own account, which he has since conducted successfully. J. W. BARNABY, County Recorder, is the son of Joseph and Maria (Hoiles) Barnaby. Joseph Barnaby became a resident of Stark Co. about 1836, and subsequently engaged in the mercantile business at Mount Union for a number of years, and in 1861 removed to' Alliance, where he held the office of Justice of the Peace for a number of terms, and was Mayor of the city at the time of his death, which occurred in April, 1877. J. W. has been a resident of the county during his life, and most of 598 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: the time has been identified with the mercantile and banking business in Mount Union and Alliance in the capacity of salesman and bookkeeper, and in 1862 enlisted as a private in Co. F, of the 115th O. V. I., serving with his company and regiment one year, when he was detailed as Clerk at Headquarters, Department of the Ohio, where he spent the remaining two years of his term of service. Upon being mustered out of the service in 1865, he returned to Alliance. In 1871, he accepted the position of Deputy Auditor of Stark Co., under Edwin A. Lee. Mr. Lee resigning about two months before the expiration of his term of office, Mr. Barnaby was appointed to fill the unexpired term. In 1879, his name being proposed and brought before, the Republican Convention, he received the nomination as their candidate for the ensuing term of Recorder of Stark Co., and at the October election of 1879, he was elected by a majority of 165 votes. In January of 1880, he took formal possession of the office, and has 'since been engaged in the discharge of the duties devolving upon him. O. T. BROWNING, retired ; Canton ; was born in Stonington, Conn., March 31, 1806; his childhood was spent on the farm, where he lived until he was 13 years of age, he then engaged with a Groton merchant as clerk, and was engaged in clerking for eleven years in Groton and Middletown. In 1830, he purchased a stock of goods in New York and shipped the same to Cleveland, not knowing where to locate, although Cleveland was where he intended to lo cate. He was unable to procure a salesroom and he shipped his goods to Canton and opened a store, and continued in the business until 1848. During these few years he had accumulated considerable money. He started branch stores in Mansfield, Ohio ; Lancaster, Ohio ; Jackson, Ill., and Benton, Mo. He purchased the mill property known as the Fogle Mill, built by Dr. Fogle in 1834. He has been engaged in the milling business up to the present time. In 1834. he united in marriage with Miss Elnora, daughter of Dr. Wm. Fogle' who was a native of Pennsylvania. She died in 1840, aged 24 years. She left one child—Oren F., who has the supervision of his father's mill. In 1849, he married for his second wife, Miss Frances McTaggert, of Philadelphia, Penn. She died in 1866, aged 39 years. She was the mother of two daughters, one now living, Anna C.; she is now the wife of Dr. George Foster, of Westerly R. I. Mr. Browning is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church.   L. BIECHELE, of the firm of L. Biechele & Bro., stoves, tin-ware, cooper work, etc., Canton ; is a native of Baden, Germany. He was born in the year 1826. At the age of 17, he was apprenticed to the tinner's trade. Upon finishing his trade, he was drafted for the army, but, owing to his parents residing in America (they having, moved previously), he was released, and, in company with his brother Gustavus, came to this country and settled in Canton, where his brother and some relatives lived. His father died in Germany. His mother, step-father, brother and sister were on a steamer on the Mississippi, and all met their deaths from the blowing up of the. steamer. Our subject worked for Mr. D. H. Harmon, in. Canton, about six years. He then, in company with his brother Gustavus, engaged in the present business, which at first was small, and has gradually grown to its present proportions. Mr. Biechele has served one term in the City Council. In July, 1853, he married Miss Louisa Held, a native of Germany. Of their six children, four are living—George, Laura (now Mrs. Lewis Wernett), Rosie and Nettie.   PHILO PARSONS BUSH, engineer and manufacturer, Canton ; was born in East Hampton, Conn., March 15, 1836. He belongs to a family of mechanics, who trace their lineage back to the early settlers of America. Through his mother, whose maiden name was Lydia Strong, he comes from Puritan stock and is connected with one of the most numerous families of New England. He was the ninth in a family of ten children, five of whom are living. At the age of 8, on account of the death of his mother and consequent breaking-up of the family, he went into a brass molding shop, in Westerly, Rhode Island, where he remained one year. His early education in the schools was very limited, but his industrial training in the shop was very thorough and practical. From Westerly he went to New London, Conn., where he engaged to work in a machine shop, where he continued until he was 22 years of age. His next employment was in a steel die manufactory at New Haven, where he remained until the breaking-out of   CITY OF CANTON - 599   the rebellion. In 1861, he enlisted in the three-months service under Col. (afterward Gen.) Terry, and was in the first battle of Bull Run. In June, 1862, he re-enlisted for three years as principal musician of the 14th Conn. V. I. He participated in the battles of South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg ; during the engagement at Antietam he was permanently injured in the back by being struck with a rail knocked off a fence by a shell. By an order of the War Department, issued in 1863, he was released from the service and returned home, and began the manufacturing of machinery with his brother. Later, while on a visit to Ohio, he decided to locate in Canton and establish a machine shop, and in 1871 removed his machinery and some of his best workmen, and the new enterprise called the " Canton Steam-Engine Works " was started. The business became involved, but Mr. Bush sustained his credit, and began business again with reduced capital. He is now the sole proprietor of the Novelty Iron Works. Jan. 30, 1857, he married Miss Melissa Godfrey, of New London, Conn. They had five children, of whom three are living ; of these Alfred L. and Frederick W. are employed as workmen in their father's manufactory, and the youngest, Philo P., is attending Public School. In 1869, Mrs. Bush died, and before his removal to Ohio in 1871, Mr. Bush married, on Feb. 6, of that year, Mrs. Sarah Adams, daughter of Samuel Jeffery, an old sea captain of New London, Conn., who has borne him one child.   ERNEST BACHERT, firm of Bachert, Silk & Co., paper manufacturers, Canton ; is a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and was born Dec. 21, 1834. He lived in his native city until about 13 years of age, receiving in the meantime his education. His parents dying, he was taken to a large paper mill at Freiburg, where he learned the trade, serving there until he was 20 years of age, buying his release from the army. He then came to the United States, landing in New York, in October, 1855, and came direct to Cleveland, Ohio. He at once found employment in a paper-mill, where he worked about six years and was then put in charge of one of the mills and conducted the same for about three years. He then formed the present company, came to Canton and bought the mill they now occupy, and which they improved and opened. Mr. Bachert took charge of the mill, and in 1871, in company with others, bought the paper-mill at Massillon, forming a stock company, known as the " Massillon Paper Co." Under his management the business has been successful and has increased largely. He was married in December, 1856, to Miss Barbara Silk, a native of Germany, who came to Cleveland when young. They have had ten children, eight of whom are living, viz. : John, Kate, Earnest A. William, Fannie, Edward, Frank and Allen. He is Republican in politics, and a member of the German Reformed Church.   DR. P. H. BARR, druggist, Canton ; was born Sept. 3, 1836, and is the youngest of five children born to Joseph and Elizabeth (Dottawar) Barr, natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married. About the year 1830, they came to Ohio and settled near Paris, in Stark Co. He was an undertaker in the East, but after removing to Ohio, followed farming. He died in the year 1840 ; Mrs. Barr is still living on the old homestead, and is now past 87 years of age. Our subject was born after the family moved to this county, and hence is an " Ohio man ;" he lived at home until he was 15, then went to La Fayette, Ind., where he remained two years, working at carriage trimming ; he then returned home, and attended a select school at Paris for three years. He had been reading medicine for some time, and after leaving school, came to Canton, and formed a partnership with Dr. C. J. Geiger, with whom he had been reading. Under the firm name of Geiger & Barr, they carried on the drug business where Mr. Barr now has his store. In 1859, Dr. Barr attended a course of lectures at Jefferson College, Philadelphia, and in 1860, having abandoned the idea of practice, graduated at the College of Pharmacy, in Philadelphia. He returned to Canton, and remained until 1863, when he sold his interest to Dr. Geiger, and opened a store in Alliance, with his brother-in-law, T. G. Hare, as a partner. P. H. Barr & Co. conducted this business until the death of Dr. Geiger, in 1876, when he (Barr) bought the Canton store, and again removed to this city, retaining his interest in the Alliance store. In 1869, he was a prime mover in the organization of the First National Bank of Alliance, and upon the completion of its organization, he was made Vice President, and continued as such until after his removal to Can-