664 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

CHAPTER LXXI.

MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP.*

SURVEY-FIRST SETTLERS AND SETTLEMENTS - ESQUIRE NEWELL - CHURCHES -OLD HOPEWELL - ASHLAND - ITS EARLY SETTLERS, ETC.-FIRST CARRIAGE-FRANCIS GRAHAM'S RECOLLECTIONS-POST OFFICE-SCHOOLS - THE ASHLAND COLLEGE-THE CHURCHES OF ASHLAND-THE BUSINESS OF ASHLAND-THZ NEWSPAPERS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS.

SINCE the erection of Ashland County, Montgomery has assumed a position of importance, being near the center of the county geographically, and including the county seat within its limits. It was surveyed in October, 1806, by Maxfield Ludlow. In running the south boundary going west, seventeen chains and twenty links from the third mile stake, he came to a well-marked Indian trail running southeast and northwest. This is the well known path of the Wyandots, which was followed by Maj. Robert Rogers in 1761, in his route to the forks of the Muskingum, on his return to Fort Du Quesne, as well as by Gen. Beall, en his expedition to Sandusky. This trail passed over the farm known as the late residence of John McCammon, thence across the Ryal farm, fn Milton Township, into Richland County, in a northwesterly direction through Blooming Grove Township. The east boundary of the township is noted as flat and marshy, with bottoms subject to overflow; the timber, elm, maple, sugar, swamp-oak and alder bush.

On the third mile going north, a plain, much traveled Indian trail, leading northwest, was seen. This passed by the old Newell farm, thence to near the covered bridge on the Wooster road, where it divided, one branch leading up the Catataway, and the other near the bridge on the Harrisburg road, by the old residence of Daniel Carter, Sr., subsequently known as the John Mason farm. The lands of Montgomery on the east are described as level

*Now in Ashland County, formerly in Richland.

and rich; in the middle and west part of the township as rolling and of good quality ; the timber, ash, walnut, oak, hickory, cherry, sugar and maple, with considerable undergrowth, and a number of glades. The subdivision into sections was surveyed by Jonathan Cox, in November, 1806. Mr, Cox found an ancient earthwork north of Ashland, which is referred to fn another chapter of this work.

Montgomery was organized June 6, 1815; out of the north two-thirds of Vermillion, being then twelve miles long from north to south, and six miles wide. June 3, 1816, this territory was divided, and Orange created out of the north half, leaving Montgomery fn its present shape-six miles square.

Montgomery, lying back from the principal streams, was not settled as early as the other parts of the county, no settlers being found within its limits for several years after the settlement at Greentown. Robert Newell was, without doubt, the first settler of the township, He came from White Eyes Plains (Newcomerstown), Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, to Montgomery, in 1811, settling on the land afterward occupied by Hugh McGuire. He seems also to be the only settler until the spring of 1812 when Samuel Carter came. April 1, 1814 Henry Baughman, with his wife and one child settled on Section 3. Samuel Burns also came early in the spring of 1814, from Guernsey, County, Ohio, settling on land adjoining that of Mr. Newell. He brought his family by Ovate in a pirogue. He was fourteen days coming up

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. - 665

the Muskingum, Walhonding, Mohican and Jerome Fork. Following there were Henry Gamble, March, 1815 ; Francis Graham. 1821 Jacob Grubb, November, 1823; Sage Kellogg, October, 1818; John Hough. 1823: James Kuykendall, March, 1815, Section 6 : Henry Maize, June 23,1828; Joseph Markley, March. 1815, Section 17; John McNaull, 1815; Christopher Mykrants, April, 1823; Andrew Proudfit, December, 1817 ; Michael Riddle, spring of 1819, Section 2; Joseph Sheets. November. 1817; William Skilling, June. 1817 Peter Swineford, 1819 ; Elias Slocumb. 1817 ; Michael Springer, 1815; Daniel Vantilburg, 1816 Alanson Walker, March. 1822. The following settlers and their families were here in 1814 Jacob Crouse, Daniel Mickey. Widow Treckle, John Carr, Benjamin Cuppy, Daniel Carter, William Montgomery, John Heller, Conrad Kline and John Smith.

Of these settlers, Daniel Carter one of the earliest, cut the first road in the township, settling one mile northeast of the present town of Ashland. It was January when he arrived. and his shelter. until his cabin could be erected was an, open ended tent. These pioneers must have had stout hearts to thus settle in the dense woods, in mid-winter, with no shelter from the snow, cold, wolves, bears, etc., but a tent. He cut and hauled the logs for his cabin as quickly as possible, but could not raise it without help. and traveled sixteen miles through the forest to get the fourth man for that purpose, He cut away the timber and planted seven acres of corn that same spring, but when Hull surrendered, fearing a general Indian massacre, Mr. Carter deserted his new home and went to New Philadelphia, Ohio. returning the following year and finding their premises unmolested, save that their corn had been partially taken by the wild animals. When informed of the murders on the Black Fork by the Indians. the family fled to the block-house.

Mr. Gamble was a soldier of the war of 1812.

The cabin of Robert Newell was burnt by the Indians in 1812. Mr. Newell was a very illiterate man, being unable to read or write, as were many of the pioneers. through no fault of their own perhaps ; but Newell was nevertheless a man of integrity, a good citizen. and possessed of good judgment. He was elected by his neighbors Justice of the Peace, and. of course, could not keep a (docket or issue a summons. So satisfactorily, however, and with such an even hand, did he dispense justice upon principles of strict equity rather than law, that his official acts were indorsed by a re-election. Eloyd Eddy, his son-in-law, and Jacob Kline, elected as constables, were also equally illiterate. In most cases, Squire Newell would refuse absolutely to issue summons. fixing up and enforcing on summary but equitable terms of settlement issues among his neighbors; but this could not always be clone. In one instance, Andrew Clark demanded summons on Martin Mason for balance of pay claimed for constructing a mill-race. and the Squire. after protracted efforts to bring the parties to settlement was unable longer to defer an issue of summons. Accordingly he called upon Constable Kline and presenting that functionary with a strong buckeye club, informed him that was his authority for bringing Mason dead or alive, into "court," to call upon said defendant; and if he showed any symptoms of unwillingness to obey the summons to make vigorous use of the club. Mason readily obeyed the summons, however and the litigants appeared before his honor.

The Squire demanded first of the plaintiff, then of the defendant a full statement of the matter at issue, which demand having been complied with. he rendered judgment as follows: " Mason shall pay to Clark two bushels of corn: Clark being a poor man, and having no horse you Mason shall deliver the corn at his house, Forever after this. you are to be goof friends and neighbors, and if either of you shall fail in the least particular to obey this

666 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

order, I will have the offender before me and whip him within an inch of his life. As for myself, I charge no fees. Not so with Constable Kline, his charge being a quart of whisky, which plaintiff and defendant will see is brought into court as promptly as possible for the use of all present."

The Squire was quite an important man, as he owned 1,000 acres of land, and was considered in other respects in comfortable circumstances.

After the war of 1812, this township, in common with all others in the county, began to fill up quite rapidly, and its pioneer history is not different from that already written of other townships. As soon as the settlers could get a clearing about their cabins, and provide for their immediate wants, they began to think about schools, churches, etc.

The first church erected in this part of the county was "Old Hopewell," called "Old " perhaps from the fact that it was abandoned for another of the same name, afterward erected in Ashland. This church was erected (of logs) one mile west of Ashland in 1819, by the Presbyterians. In the first settlement in this neighborhood were several Presbyterian families, viz., those of Robert Nelson. Abraham Doty. David McKinney, William Huston, David Pollock, Abel Montgomery and others. These formed a society in 1817, which they called "Montgomery." The Montgomerys were prominent among the early settlers, hence the name of this church and the township. Rev. Joshua Beer and Rev. William Mathews were their first ministers. Thirty-four persons constituted the first society; the first Elders were Robert Nelson and Abraham Doty. The congregation worshiped in the cabins of the members until 1819. The old church was a square log. substantial and comfortable for that day. Its name was changed to Hopewell in 1820. One of the earliest ministers in this church was Rev. Robert Lee, from Westmoreland County, Penn. Mr. Lee afterward went further west, and settled in Crawford County near the little village of Leesville, which was named for him. He was a well-known preacher in that part of the country, and a very excellent man. Old Hopewell was the "mother" of all the Presbyterian churches in this part of the country. In 1833. twenty-one members were dismissed to form a society in Clear Creek Township; on the 5th of August in the same year, nineteen members were dismissed to form a church at Orange, five miles east of Ashland; in April 1834, thirty-nine members were dismissed to organize a church at Olivesburg. Thus, in less than a year, seventy-nine members were dismissed, showing how wide-spread was the influence of Old Hope well. People went a long distance to church in those days, but those were not the days of newspapers, telegraphs and railroads. After sending out these three colonies, sixty-five members were yet left in Hopewell. In 1836 the old log church was abandoned for a better one, in the village of Ashland.

In the township outside the town of Ashland, two churches were erected; one the Evangelical Lutheran, on the east line of the township, in 1838 ; Rev. Mr. Wolf was first Pastor. The other, the German Baptist, or Brethren three miles south of town. The latter have three churches known as the "Ashland District," and the church is better known as the Dunkers, or Dunkards, (properly Tunkers), which name wits given them in Germany, and still clings to them in this country, though they repudiate it.

In these curly days there did not, however appear to be any religious sects or political parties. It was emphatically an "era of good feeling." When it was known that a man was to preach in the neighborhood, everybody. for miles around, came to the meeting; it mattered little what denomination he belonged to he was welcome. Most of the clergymen visiting this part of the country were, however. Presbyterians and Baptists.

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Ashland, the seat of justice for the county, was originally known as Uniontown, and was laid out July 28, 1815, by William Montgomery, who gave it the name of Uniontown in honor of his native town of that name in Pennsylvania. When he laid out the town, it was all woods, and deer, bears and wolves roamed unmolested. There was not a cabin or building of any kind upon its site. Henry Gamble and John Smith were in the neighborhood. and were the nearest settlers. Mr. Montgomery erected the first cabin on the site for his own use. James Kuykendall assisted in its erection. It was of hewed logs, and occupied the lot upon which Treace's tavern was afterward erected. Mr. Montgomery kept tavern in it and entertained the travelers on the road between Wooster and Mansfield. He was also engaged, at this time, in distilling whisky which was looked upon as a respectable employment in those days. He was also proprietor of a tannery, which he subsequently sold to George Sweineford, and which occupied the premises afterward occupied by David Whiting.

In 1817, Joseph Sheets, William Montgomery, David Markley and John Croft, with their families, constituted the population of the town. Markley was engaged in selling groceries, whisky, etc., and had the first store in the town. It was on the lot where the town ball was afterward erected. Samuel Urie came in shortly afterward and started the first blacksmith-shop. Nicholas Shaffer soon arrived. He was a carpenter by trade, but found nothing to do except hew out door and window frames as there was no frame houses being erected, and no mills to make lumber. John Antibus manufactured hats. Croft conducted the tannery.

The first vehicle in the form of a carriage made its appearance in the new town in 1821. Its springs were of wood, and, excepting the tires upon the wheels, there had not been twenty pounds of iron used in its manufacture. It was manufactured in Connecticut, and was brought here by Dr. Luther, who was probably the first physician in the place. In 1821 Francis Graham came to Uniontown and brought with him a stock of dry goods and groceries. He says at that time it was a, village of fourteen or fifteen families, two distilleries, one sawmill, one small tannery, one wheelwright shop for the manufacture of wheels for flax-spinning ; one blacksmith-shop, kept by Samuel Urie, and one physician-Dr. Joel Luther, David Markley, as before mentioned, was the first storekeeper, but he had no more than a one-horse wagon load of goods, and did not replenish his stock, so he soon ran out. Joseph Sheets kept the next store. He brought a small stock of goods from Steubenville, Ohio, in 1819. He did not replenish this stock, and soon sold out. There were so few people, and their wants were so simple, that store-keeping did not pay. Mr. Graham may, therefore, be considered the first store-keeper who carried a general stock and started a permanent store. The other two stores had disappeared, and he rented a room. of Mr. Sheets, on Main street, and also engaged board of him at something less than $1 per week. Sheets was keeping a tavern at the time, the second one started in the place. In 1822, John Hull; the wheel-right, opened the third tavern in a small building which was, some years after; moved back to give place to the Slocum House, where the town hall was afterward erected. Graham found his goods in demand, but no money in the country to pay for them, and was compelled to part with them in exchange for produce of various kinds, for which lie found no market. Wheat was worth about 25 cents per bushel, but no one wanted to buy it for family use and, as there was no market outside the immediate neighborhood but little was raised. Oats were traded off at 12 to 15 cents per bushel, corn was in better demand, and brought, in goods, from 15 to 20 cents per bushel and became almost lawful tender, because it

668 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

(Picture of Ashland College, Ohio)

could be converted into whisky, which could be freighted to the lake, and found a ready market. Maple sugar was also an important item of trade, and was made in large quantities, bringing from 4 to 6 cents per pound.

In 1822, Mr. Graham petitioned the Postmaster General for a post office at Uniontown. The petition was forwarded to Hon. John Sloan, then Representative to Congress from the Richland and Wayne County District. The Postmaster General declined granting a post office with the name Uniontown, as there were

The name Uniontown continued to hang to the place two or three years, when it was changed to Ashland by the Legislature.

The first school in Ashland was taught by Therrygood Smith, and was situated on the lot west of the one afterward occupied by Hugh Davis. This cabin burned down in 1824, taking fire from its lath and clay chimney. The first house erected for school purposes was in 1825 on the lot afterward owned by Sarah Jones. Chandler Foote taught here. The third school was taught in l826, in a cabin owned by Cullen Spaulding, by Mr. Fleming already two Uniontown post offices in the State. Mr. Sloan then made choice of the name of Ashland, there being no post office o that name in Ohio. Mr. Graham became the first Postmaster, and the first contract for carrying the mail was let to a Mr. Bell, who was to make the trip once a week between Wooster and New Haven, Huron County, via Ashland The mail was carried on horseback about . year, when the Post Office Department discovered it would not pay expenses and withdrew the contract. Mr. Graham then hired the mail carried to Mansfield three years at his own expense and at a loss. In progress, the Ashland schools have kept pace with the growth of the town. At present it is divided into three districts, with excellent buildings in each.

The question of establishing a first-class institution of learning somewhere within the limits of Pennsylvania, Ohio or Indiana, had been freely discussed for many years by the more enterprising members of the Brethren Church, and attempts had been made in each of these States and in one of them a large sum of money had already been guaranteed for this purpose; but for various reasons all these efforts failed, though the importance and benefit of

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such an institution became more and more apparent and acknowledged by the church at large. Under these circumstances, repeated offers were made to Elder S. Z. Sharp, then Professor in Maryville College, Tennessee, to take charge of the enterprise and bring it to a successful issue, which, after mature reflection, he accepted, and, in the summer of 1877, made a tour through Ohio in quest of a suitable location. Of the many places proposed, Ashland was selected ; and in June, 1877, a meeting was called of all the business men in Ashland; the aims of the founders and the character of the proposed college presented to the crowded assembly in the town hall. Among the prominent features of the institution were mentioned " freedom from vain show and extravagance in dress," assuming that "high intellectual and moral attainments" were the true objects to be placed before the student. The citizens of Ashland at once seconded the proposition to establish such an institution at this place, and raised $10,000 toward the erection of buildings, while agents were at work elsewhere collecting funds.

A corporation was formed and, on February 22, 1878, a charter obtained by which the institution was placed under the care of the church of the Brethren and legally on an equality with the best in the State. In the following summer, the main building was erected 100 feet deep 100 wide, and four stories high with ten recitation-rooms professors rooms, literary halls offices, and chapel for the accommodation of 500 students.

During the summer of 1879 another building, 110 feet long and four stories high was erected as dormitory and boarding hall. The buildings and grounds are valued at $60,000.

On the 17th of September, 1879, the college was formally opened; fifty-nine students registering their names the first day; seventy-five during the first week, and closed December 24, with 112 enrolled.

The charter provides for four departments First, classical, with the degree of A. B.; second, philosophical, with the degree of Ph. B.; third, normal; fourth, commercial. Students completing either of the last two, will receive suitable certificates of graduation. A department has also been added to prepare those wishing to take a scientific and classical course.

Each course is based on the most natural and philosophic plan by which all the powers of the mind are developed simultaneously and symmetrically, and the time of the student divided among language, mathematics, science and philosophy while opportunities are offered to study some of the fine arts.

The classical course requires four years to complete, and the studies are arranged as follows

Freshmen Year-First term Virgil, Anabasis, geometry, sacred history; second term, Virgil, Anabasis, higher algebra, sacred history; third term, Cicero's De Senectute et Amicitia. Memorabilia, higher algebra completed, botany.

Sophomore year-First term, Livy, Memorabilia, trigonometry and surveying. chemistry. lectures on Roman history - second term, Horace's Odes and Epodes. Homer's Iliad, trigonometry and navigation, lectures and Greek history; third term, Horace's Satires. political economy. general geometry. zoology.

Junior Year-First term, Tacitus, March's English grammar and Milton, mental philosophy (elective), German, Greek or mathematics : second term, Demosthenes' Corona, mental philosophy, Gonat's Physics (elective). ancient or modern languages; third term. English literature, moral philosophy, physics (elective), ancient or modern languages. mathematics or science.

Senior Year-First term, philosophy. art of discourse. church history, geology and mineralogy, French ; second term, history of philosophy, rhetoric, Eusebius, astronomy, New Testament history (elective), modern languages ; third

670 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

term, history of philosophy, evidences of Christianity, natural theology, Greek Testament, Butlers Analogy.

Composition throughout the course.

Philosophical Course-This is designed for those who wish to prepare themselves for some special department in science. The study of Greek and a part of Latin omitted, and an additional number of scientific studies added. Prominence is given to modern languages.

Normal Department-This course is fully as complete as found in other commercial colleges, with a shorter course for farmers, teachers, mechanics, etc.

The preparatory department is similar to those in other first-class colleges.

Among the distinguishing features found in the first circular issued are:

1. It is thoroughly Christian, but not sectarian.

2. Combines the most liberal course of study with the least expense.

3. It inculcates the spirit of plainness and economy in dress ; aiming to adorn the mind and character more than the body.

4. Its location is unrivaled in advantages. The government is mild and firm; the students are taught as much as possible to govern themselves. Tuition, $30 per year in advance. Boarding from $1 to $2 per week. The Faculty, at present, consists of Elder S. J. Sharp, A. M., President and Professor of Mental and Moral Science; L. Huber, A. M., Professor of Greek and Modern Languages; J. E. Stubbs, A. M., Professor of Greek Language and Literature; David Bailey, A. M., Professor of Mathematics; Jacob Keino, Ph. B., Professor of Natural Sciences; F. P. Foster, Superintendent of the Commercial Department; J. E. Ewing, Instructor in Music.

At present (February, 1880), 140 students are enrolled.

There are eleven churches in Ashland, viz., Methodist, Presbyterian, English Lutheran, German Lutheran, German Reformed, Disciple. Baptist, United Brethren, Albright, St. Edward's Catholic and Dunkard.

As has been mentioned, the Presbyterians were organized in Hopewell Church, which was transferred to Ashland in 1837; a building of stone having been erected here in 1836. This building stood until 1879, when it was taken away, and the present beautiful brick erected at a cost of $20,000.

The Methodist Church was organized about 1828, and a stone church erected which was afterward purchased by the county and used as a court house until the present buildings were erected on its site. The present brick church, on the corner of third and Church streets. was ' commenced in 1848, and completed in 1858 and cost $4,000 or $5,000. Present membership about four hundred.

The English Lutheran was organized about 1835 by Rev. F. J. Ruth, now an aged citizen of Galion, Ohio. The present brick edifice is located on Third street, and cost about $3,000. Present membership, 250. The society contemplates erecting a new church building during the year 1880.

The Baptist Church was organized in 1860, by eleven persons. Its membership is now about thirty. First Pastor was Rev. I. N. Carman. They erected a frame building soon after organization that cost about $1,500.

Disciple Church organized by John Rigdon in 1824. Their frame church building on Orange street was erected in 1842, and cost about $1,500.

German Lutheran organized in 1872, about which time they also erected a brick church on Main street, at a cost of $4,000. Present membership about one hundred.

The German Reformed was organized, and the building erected about the same time (1872). The building is frame, and cost about $2,500. Membership about sixty.

The United Brethren Church was organized about 1872, by Rev. Mr. Moody, and a frame

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building erected on East Walnut street at a cost of $3,000. Present membership about one hundred.

The Albrights have erected a fine brick church on Third Street, at a cost of $6,000. Present membership about one hundred.

St. Edward's Catholic Church on Cottage street, was organized about 1872. The building is brick. and not yet finished.

The Tunkards, or Brethren, as they prefer to be called, organized in 1879, and at present, hold services in the chapel of the college. The membership is about one hundred S. Z. Sharp, J. A. Worst and S. H. Bashar are the leaders.

Ashland has grown into a town of nearly, or quite; four thousand people, the Atlantic Great Western Railway contributing not a little to its development.

There are two large flouring-mills; four large dry-goods stores: four clothing, three hardware, four agricultural implement, three stove and tin, ten grocery and three drug stores ; three restaurants, two hotels, two banks, one insurance company, three tanneries, two planing-mills and the usual number of people in other business in the same proportion.

The Ashland Mutual Insurance Company was organized in 1851. It is permanent and reliable, its assets aggregating about $600,000. William Osborn is President; L. Jeff Sprengle, Secretary, and J. D. Stubbs, General Agent.

The First National (and only national) Bank was organized first in January, 1852, and reorganized and made a national bank in January, 1864.

The Farmers' Bank was organized July l, 1874. It is a private institution.

The Ashland Herald was started in 1836, by John C. Gilkison, of Mansfield, who continued its publication about one year, when he sold the press and material to Joshua H. Ruth, now of the Loudonville Democrat. The Herald was Whig in politics, but Ruth changed both its politics and name, calling it the Ohio Globe. It supported Van Buren for the Presidency. In less than a year, Ruth was succeeded by Judge Samuel McCluer, now a leading lawyer of Akron, who changed the name to the Western Phoenix. The politics were again changed to Whig, but the paper only lived about a year.

From 1838 to 1846, Ashland was without a paper ; but in the latter year two were started one the Ashland Democrat, edited and published by Jonathan Maffett (now of Upper Sandusky, Ohio) and William Hunter The other was the Ashland Standard. The first represented the hard money Democrats, and the last the soft. The Standard was published the last two years by W. T. Jackson. These papers continued about four years, when both concerns sold out to Horace S. Knapp, and in their place appeared the Ohio Union. In 1850, a Whig paper was established called the Ashlander, by W. B. McCarty, now an attorney at Bowling Green, Ohio. It was continued two years. July 14, 1853, the Ashland Times was started by L. Jeff Sprengle (who is authority for this account of the papers) and Judge William Osborn. It was Whig in politics, and continued four years, when Judge Osborn, who had been editor-in-chief, sold his interest to Mr. Sprengle, and was succeeded as editor by Josiah Lochs, of then Indianapolis Journal, who continued as editor two years, when he returned to Indianapolis and resumed his place upon the Journal. Mr. Sprengle continued the publication of the Times in the interest of the Republican party until June 1, 1876, when he disposed of his interest to his son-in-law, J. E. Stubbs, who afterward sold a half-interest to his brother, John C. Stubbs. These gentlemen have conducted it until the present time, it being under the editorial and business management of G. W. Stubbs and B. G. Grosscup.

At the Times office, is also published a religious paper called the Gospel Preacher, in the

672 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

interest of the Brethren, or Tunkards, which has a circulation of 4,000. Its editors and managers are Prof. S. Z. Sharp, S. H. Bashor and John Worst.

In the same office and for the same society, is also published a Sabbath-school paper, called the Young Disciple, which is edited by Prof. S. Z. Sharp, President of the Ashland College; James Quintor. Its circulation is nearly 10,000.

The jobbing department of the Times office is complete in every respect, and the establishment generally is one of the largest and most complete in this part of the State.

The Ohio Union, above mentioned. continued in charge of Mr. Knapp until 1853, when he sold to John Sheridan, by whom it was continned until November, 1855, its name having, in the mean time, being changed to the Ashland Union. At that date, it was purchased by Collins W. Bushnell. In January, 1857, H. S. Knapp repurchased, and continued the publication of the paper until May 30, 1860, when he disposed of it to J. J. Jacobs. Mr. Jacobs sold, in 1865, to McCord, Nelson & Landis, and in the same year it was transferred to J. M. Landis & Bro. In 1868, the establishment was purchased by George W. Hill, who conducted it until August, 1872, when he sold to Nelson & Gates, who changed the name to the Ashland Press. January 1, 1879, W. H. Gates retired from the firm, and Nelson continued until July 17, when the establishment was purchased by Alberson & Heitman, the present proprietors.