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501 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY CHAPTER XXIII VILLAGE OF LOUISVILLE THE FATHER OF THE VILLAGE—THE SPREAD EAGLE TAVERN—LOUISVILLE PLATTED—CORPORATION MATTERS—FOUNDING OF ST. LOUIS CATHOLIC CHURCH—THE UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH—THE FIRST BRETHREN CHURCH — SOCIETIES — THE JUILLIARDS—EARLY INDUSTRIES—THE BANKS—THE LOUISVILLE HERALD—CORPORATE MATTERS. Seven miles northeast of Canton is the enterprising and substantial Village of Louisville, with its factories and mills and 1,700 or more people. It has its banks and newspaper, good school and churches and societies, all of which tend to make the place desirable as a residence town. Louisville has enjoyed an abundant water supply for more than twenty years, which has given the locality a high reputation for healthfulness ; in other words, the village is a good place in which either to live or to die-preferably to live. THE FATHER OF THE VILLAGE The father of the village, also the most prolific father who ever lived within the bounds of Stark County, was Henry Loutzenheiser, a Pennsylvanian German from Westmoreland County, who settled on the southwest quarter of section 11, about two miles northeast of the present site of Louisville, in the summer of 1807. Nimishillen had been laid out a few months before, as a candidate for the county seat honors, and, as we know, lost the fight. Mr. Loutzenheiser and his brother-in-law, John Rupert, came together and built cabins on adjoining quarters. A few years afterward Loutzenheiser sold his land to Martin Houser, a revolutionary soldier, and bought the southeast quarter of section 28, containing a log house and lesser remains of the ambitious Nimishillentown. THE SPREAD EAGLE TAVERN In 1825 Mr. Loutzenheiser built the two-story brick house which was the first structure of the kind in the township and stood in Louisville Vol. II -8 502 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY for so many years. In that noted building he opened the tavern with the sign of the Spread Eagle, which became such a popular stopping place for travelers. In its palmy days most of the traveling was on horseback, and the usual charge for man and beast over night—supper, breakfast and lodging, with two "horse feeds"—was 50 cents. The locality was known as "Loutzenheiser's," and was one of the places where general muster was held at stated intervals. John Augustine was general ; David Bair, of Paris Township, colonel, and Henry Loutzenheiser, major, of the troops which gathered around and in the Spread Eagle Tavern. Those were gala days for both old and young. The parade usually closed with a few fights, and in the evening there would be a friendly dance. Landlord Loutzenheiser, in the course of time, became the father of twenty-five children, all of whom were living at one time. He married three wives. His nearest competitor was a Daniel, a farmer living on section 25, same township, who was the father of eighteen. LOUISVILLE PLATTED In 1834, seven years after the platting of Harrisburg in the northeastern part of Nimishillen Township, Henry Loutzenheiser and Frederick Fanot laid out the Town of Louisville on their lands in section 28. It was originally named Lewisville, after a son of Loutzenheiser, but on application for a postoffice it was ascertained that one already existed in the state by that name ; the spelling of the Stark County town was therefore designated as Louisville. The postoffice was established March 11, 1837, and Solomon A. Gorgas was made postmaster. CORPORATION MATTERS The Village of Louisville was laid out in 1834. A start was made by Henry Wolf putting up a hewed loghouse and keeping in it a store and tavern with bar combined. Solomon Gorgas, after whom Gorgas Street was named, opened the first regular store. Blaeksmithing was done by Andrew Goughanour. Wheat was first hauled to Cleveland to market. Later after the canal was built it was hauled to Massillon, and after the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway was built it found a ready market in Louisville. John H. Klippart, a merchant, built the first warehouse and became the first home wheat buyer. Henry Wintrode was the first township clerk ; Daniel Matthias the first justice of the peace, and Jacob Lombaugh the first constable. The first postmaster of Louisville was Samuel Petree, in 1835. HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 503 The Village of Louisville was incorporated in 1872. At the municipal election held in April of that year the following named officers were elected. George Violand, mayor ; W. M. Sluss, clerk ; E. J. Chappuis, marshal, and Henry Matthias, John 0. Myers, J. H. Penney, Stephen Paquelet, Albert Jacquet and Nicholas Merley, members of the council. The following named persons were elected mayor and served as follows: George Violand, 1872-76 ; J. H. Penny, from April, 1876, to February 8, 1882; A. M. McCarty, February 8, 1882, to the following April; George Violand, 1882-86; D. M. Sluss, 1886-90; Charles Snay, (PICTURE) MAIN STREET, LOUISVILLE 1890-94 ; W. H. Rinehart, 1894-96 ;M. 0. Sherer, 1896-1900 ; L. S. Vinez, 1900-06 ; Paul F. Loichot, 1906-10 ; F. W. Lisch, 1910 to January, 1914 ; J. L. Coy, 1914 to January, 1916, was re-elected to serve another term, ending January 1, 1918. The waterworks installed in the village were completed in 1895. The plant is located in the west end of the village, where the water is taken from five wells, the standpipe being located near the center of the village, and the water furnished is pronounced to be equal to the best in the state. The present capacity of pumps is estimated at 500,000 gallons per ten hours. The system is such as to furnish ample fire protection. The sanitary system of sewage was installed in 1910 and is a pronounced success. Electric light for public and private use is furnished by contract with the Canton Electric Lighting Co. Main Street has been paved the entire length of the village, brick being used for the work. 504 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY FOUNDING OF ST. LOUIS CATHOLIC CHURCH About 1836 a building was erected in Louisville upon land donated by James Moffit, under the supervision of the Dominican Fathers at that time in Canton. The first priest stationed in Louisville was Rev. Matthias Wurz, from Lorraine, and the next Rev. L. de Goesbriand. The strongest element of the congregation was French, its membership being drawn from the large French colony which had emigrated from Alsace-Lorraine ten years before and settled northeast of the site of Louisville, at that time unplatted. Besides forty French families, the St. Louis Catholic Church, previous to 1846, consisted of about twenty German families and twelve Irish—in all, about 400 communicants. In the '50s, during the pastorate of Rev. L. F. D 'Arcy, a schoolhouse was built and the church building and grounds greatly improved. Rev. L. Hoffer succeeded him, and while he was in charge of the parish the academy and college building was erected. St. Louis Catholic Church, under Rev. N. P. Weekel, has a large attendance, and the academy and college is among the influential and growing institutions of the county. THE UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH The strong German Protestant element at Louisville was early evident in the formation of such churches as the United Brethren, Reformed and Brethren. The existing United Brethren Church was organized in Louisville in the year 1856 by Rev. John Demming, and the first house of worship was completed in 1859. The present building was erected in 1901. Rev. W. W. Moody, the pastor now in charge of an organization of nearly 200 members, has had, as predecessors, the following : Revs. John Demming, W. D. Traver, C. Wortman, William Turner, J. Waldorf, B. F. Rinehart, A. R. Bower, D. M. Slusser, Sherman, Miller, D. M. Slusser, L. B. Perkins, L. L. Rinehart, J. Cecil, S. W. Koontz, E. Lower, J. Shepler, D. M. Slusser, William Airhart, S. W. Koontz, F. P. Sanders, A. L. Moore, H. A. Dowling, I. I. Gorby, W. B. Leggett, E. G. Collins, R. C. Ward, O. W. Slusser, W. O. Siffert, M. M. Philips, D. G. Davidson, A. M. Sheperd, M. F. Fritz, V. L. Frye and J. F. Davidson. THE PARADISE REFORMED CHURCH The Paradise Reformed Church of Louisville was organized November 21, 1863, by Rev. Abram Miller, there being forty-two adherents at the time. The first church building was completed and dedicated Feb- HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 505 ruary 28, 1869, and the present large brick edifice was erected during the pastorate of Rev. J. J. Leberman, D. D., in 1893. In 1904 a beautiful pipe organ was installed. The pastors who have served the congregation have been : Rev. Abram Miller, six years ; Rev. Joshua H. Derr, three years ; Rev. J. J. Leberman, D. D., twenty-seven years; Rev. George H. Souder, eight years, and Rev. John C. Gekeler, the present incumbent. The membership. of Paradise Reformed Church is now 525. THE FIRST BRETHREN CHURCH The First Brethren Church was founded in 1884 by Rev. Josiah Keim. A house of worship was soon afterward erected, which, in its remodeled and improved form, still serves the congregation. Following the first pastor, Mr. Keim, were Revs. I. D. Bowman, J. L. Kimmel, J. Welty, Alvin Byers, W. M. Lyon, J. L. Bowman, W. C. Benschoff and A. B. Cover. Under the pastorate of the last named, the First Brethren Church has a present membership of 150. SOCIETIES Among the societies most active and widely known may be mentioned Juilliard Lodge No. 460, F. and A. M. ; Knights of Maccabees, Loyal Order of Moose, and organizations both identified with Catholicism and Protestantism. THE JUILLIARDS The name of the Masonic Lodge recalls the Juilliards, John N. and Charles L., who were of that fine French element which has been so largely concerned with the progress of Washington, Paris and Nimishillen townships. John N., the father, located in the eastern part of Stark County, as a young man who had all but become "food for cannon" in the last draft made by Napoleon the Great on the youth of France. The son was a California gold seeker of 1849-51, and, for a number of years afterward, sold provisions to the miners ; thereby recouping himself for his previous losses. Before going to California, Charles L. Juilliard had conducted a saw and grist mill on Sugar Creek and for years after his return engaged in farming and made investments in various Louisville enterprises. He was one of the stockholders in the woolen mill erected in 1872 and long one of the leading industries of the place. 506 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY EARLY INDUSTRIES The basket factory and the planing mill, established, respectively, a few years before and a few years after the woolen mill, were both operated by Elias Essig, with partners. For a time, in the late '80s, Juilliard & Company conducted an establishment for the manufacture of linseed oil. A flouring mill was established by Daniel Chapuis as early as 1851. S. Flickinger was subsequently connected with it for many years. In the early '80s a large merchant mill was erected by Messrs. Geib and Pontius, the latter also conducting a brick yard. In 1865 P. B. Moinet erected the brewery which remained in operation a long time. Thus the status of Louisville as a desirable locality for manufacturers was early fixed, and it still retains its good reputation. Of the industries now active, mention is made of the following : The Central Novelty Company, A. J. Nusly, Jr., proprietor, operated by electricity and turning out toys and other specialties ; United Garment Company, at the head of which is Fred Goebel, manufacturers of aprons and dresses, also electric driven ; Louisville Machine Company, Paul F. Loichot, makers of clay-working specialties; Louisville Milling and Elevator Company, Thomas Weir and Son, proprietors; planing mill and lumber yard of M. 0. Sherer, and the plant of the Louisville Brick and Tile Company, controlled by A. L. Keim and 0. Brumbaugh. THE BANKS The First National and the Louisville Deposit banks divide the financial transactions of the village. L. C. Bonnot is president of the First National Bank and A. L. Keim of the Louisville Deposit. The Keim family has long been prominent in the industrial, financial and public enterprises of Louisville. THE LOUISVILLE HERALD The Louisville Herald was founded in 1887 by L. P. Bissell, who came from Medina for the purpose. He continued as its editor and proprietor until 1893, when it was sold to A. F. Juilliard. Both also served as postmasters of Louisville. In January, 1897, John C. Prenot purchased the Herald and has since been its editor and owner. He was born in the village, educated in its public school, learned to set type under Mr. Bissell, and, it is perhaps needless to say, is thoroughly posted in village, township and county affairs. HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 507 Several of the manufactories of Louisville are supplied with operating power from the Canton Electric Plant, which also furnishes light day and night. CORPORATE MATTERS The waterworks, which were built about 1893, comprise a pumping station in the west end of the village and five artesian wells. The mayor of the village is Josiah L. Coy. It may also be stated, in regard to other municipal matters that Louisville has a substantial city hall, containing the council chamber, village offices and quarters for the chemical engine and other fire apparatus. The superintendent of schools is W. A. Forsythe. Fragmentary as some of the foregoing information is, it is believed that it will convey a fair idea of the past and the present of the progressive and attractive Village of Louisville. |