SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP - 525 detect the presence of any desired game, his attention was arrested by an unusual noise in a ravine near him. Something seemed to be rustling the dead leaves, and, as cautiously as an Indian, the hunter approached the spot to ascertain the cause. He reached the brink of the ravine, and peered over, and saw a large mother bear and two half-grown cubs. The mother was pawing up the leaves, and apparently covering some object with them, while the cubs rolled idly on the autumn leaves. The hunter coolly took deliberate aim, and, as the sharp report rang out on the air, the mother fell to the ground, with a bullet through her head, in the agonies of death. The cubs ran to their dead mother for that protection never before denied them, but the hunter quickly dispatched them in turn by rapid shots from his unerring rifle. Mr. Truby was no novice at bear-hunting, and he well knew that Mr. Bear could not be far distant. He, therefore, concealed himself and patiently awaited the appearance of the bear whose family had been ruthlessly murdered. After two or more hours, and just before dark, he heard a shuffling in the leaves below him in the ravine, and a few moments later saw a large bear approaching.. It came slowly on, and, when within about fifteen rods of the spot where its family had been left, it placed its fore-feet on a fallen tree, and, after sniffing the air a few times, uttered a peculiar whine. Not receiving the expected answer from its mate, it moved on rapidly toward the scene- of the tragedy. It reached the spot, and moved around among its kindred dead, and, as Mr. Truby thought it might start off suddenly and elude him, he fired, giving it a mortal wound, and, walking up, gave it second shot that stretched it dead on the leaves beside its family. It is related of Henry Willard that, on one occasion, he killed a mother bear and two cubs under the following circumstances : He owned a fine heifer, which ran in the woods with other cattle, and was the pride of its owner. While at his mill, on Sugar Creek, one day, he heard his heifer bawling as if in the greatest distress. He snatched up his rifle and ammunition in a hurry, and ran out through the woods toward the spot, rightly surmising the cause of the disturbance. As he approached the spot on the run, he saw that a large bear had thrown his heifer to the ground, and was busy tearing it with teeth and claws, despite the continued bawlings of the unfortunate animal. Mr. Willard did not hesitate long what to do. He took quick aim, and sent a bullet through the bear's head. The cubs were also immediately shot. The poor heifer, to the great sorrow of its owner, was so terribly torn and lacerated that it was found necessary to shoot it. It was a long time before Mr. Willard recovered from his wrath. With the multiplication of settlers, industries began to spring up in various parts of the township, to supply much-needed articles nearer home. As early as 1816, Henry Willard built a grist-mill on Sugar Creek. It was a frame building, about thirty feet square, and two stories in height. A big dam was built across the creek, and the mill was supplied with water by means of a race, in the usual manner. A large breast-wheel communicated motion to the machinery, by means of rude wooden shafting. Two sets of " nigger-head " stones were placed in the mill, one for wheat and the other for corn. A paying patronage was early obtained, which steadily increased as time advanced. This mill was of great value to the settlers in the township; it saved troublesome journeys to distant places, and added to the attractiveness of the township as a place in which to reside. After it had continued in operation some fifteen or twenty years, a Mr. Bell assumed ownership and control of the mill, which was enlarged and improved, and a saw-mill, to be run by water from the same dam, was erected. Mr. Bell also built an extension to the grist-mill, in which was placed Machinery necessary for carding, spinning, weaving and dressing cloth. This occupation was followed quite extensively, in connection with the running of the grist-mill and saw-mill, for some half dozen years, when Mr. Bell's mysterious death caused it to stop. It is said that Mr. Bell was in the habit of chinking to excess ; and one day he was found dead on the road leading to a neighboring distillery. His head was found immersed in a small creek, and it was surmised that he had become drunk, and, having fallen into the creek, was drowned. Some whisper of foul play, but this view is probably erroneous. The carding mill- was not abandoned, but Mr. Bell's two sons, Phillip and George, continued the three mills many years. At last the factory was abandoned, and some ten years ago the saw- 526 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. mill was also permitted to run down. Some twenty-five or thirty years ago, the entire property passed to Jonathan Barr, who has owned it ever since. The grist-mill has been greatly improved in every way during the long years of its continuance. It has the reputation of having no superior in the county. Custom work was abandoned some years since, and the mill at present has an enormous merchant trade: The quality of flour produced has no superior in the market. Henry Croninger built a distillery at an early day, about half a mile north of the mill. He owned two copper stills, each having a capacity of about twenty-five gallons. Whisky was distilled on shares, at the rate of from one to three barrels per day, and, after probably ten or twelve years, the enterprise was permitted to die. This was, probably, the most extensive distillery ever in the township. It was not the only one by several odds. A Mr. King built a saw-mill near the center of the township, at an early day. It was located on a small stream called King's Run, and, for a number of years, did good work. John Edgar also built and operated one a few years later. This was located on Sugar Creek, above the King's Mill. It was an excellent mill in its time, and ran until a few years ago. There were a few other saw-mills' in the township in early years. A man namedKilgore owned and operated a grist-mill in the township many years ago. It is said that at one time in early years, there were no less than seven distilleries in the township, the owners being Henry Croninger, Jacob Grounds, Joseph Bechtel, and four others whose names are forgotten. Several of them did quite a lively business in honor of Bacchus. Four villages have sprung up in the town- ship. Justus Station dates es beginning from the time the Tuscarawas Valley & Wheeling Railroad was completed, some nine or ten years ago. There are four or five dwellings, a large frame United Brethren Church, and one, or two stores in the village. George Wilhelm has quite a respectable store there. In time, the village will secure a population of several hundred. Plainsburg was first known as Stambaughtown, named for Henry Stambaugh, a "Justice of the Peace and pettifogger, who re sided there with several of his grown sons. He owned a farm, and in time a tailor named Conrad opened a shop there and began work in his line, as did also a cabinet-maker named Sprankle. The little village, if such it can be properly termed, has been known by a variety of names, some of which it has refused pointedly to recognize. In the estimation of the residents there, some villian of the darkest dye bestowed upon the unpretentious village the peculiarly suggestive cognomen " Slabtown." This met with stern and uncompromising opposition on the part of the villagers, who looked upon the man as an impostor, and his conduct as a delusion and a snare. Latterly, to the joy of the Villagers, the name Plainsburg has prevailed. Within the last few years, Plainsburg has attained considerable prominence as a berry producing locality. Large 'quantities of raspberries, strawberries, blackberries and grapes are produced annually, and shipped from the railroad station at Beach City to distant points; Beach City had its origin with the erection of the Willard grist-mill in 1816. This, together with Mr. Willard's residence; and the residence and distillery of Henry Croninger, constituted what was then known' as Willard's Mills, until 1830, approximately, when Mr. Bell, who then assumed ownership of the mill, opened a small store, in which was placed a stock of goods valued at perhaps $300. After this, largely through the influence of the Bell family, several families located at what then became known as a little village by the name of Bell's Mills. P. V. Bell became a prominent man largely on account of his pecuniary influence. As has been said, he greatly improved the old Willard grist-mill, and began doing merchant work, hauling the flour in a six-horse wagon to the canal, whence it was conveyed to market. He was respected and trusted by the people, who loaned their money to him without a doubt that it would be forthcoming according to agreement. The store was conducted on an extensive scale from a fine general assortment of goods valued at about $8,000. But, notwithstanding Mr. Bell's honest intention, he filially failed in business, and his creditors received little or nothing for their pains to accommodate. But the farmers in the neighborhood did not relish the idea of having no store at the mills ; so they formed' a sort of stock company, with a paid-up capital of some $7,000, and. invested this amount in goods, placing in the store two men, who came well recommended, to dispose of the goods. Things progressed smoothly for a few years, SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP - 527 when suddenly, like a clap of thunder in a clear sky, the sad news flashed abroad that the enterprise had collapsed. Eastern creditors came forward, and the two clerks, with well-filled purses and eyes no doubt undergoing a series of chronic winks, pushed with greater haste and secrecy for the West than accorded with their usual demure movements. Assign' ees were appointed by the court, the stockholders were called on for an additional sum of money, and in a short space of time the " stock-store was a sorrowful remembrance of the past. Getty & Converse, with a portion of the same goods, about $1,500 worth, carried on a store for a short time, and then sold to Col. Hiram Reed, who continued a few years, securing, in the meantime, a post office at the village. He finally closed his goods out at auction. Welty & Weitmer opened a store eight or ten years ago, but soon afterward failed and made an assignment. About this time Eli Ax built a brick building at a cost of some $2,500, placing in one apartment about $4,000 worth of goods, consisting of groceries and provisions. Drs. Ayers, Robinett and David Crise opened a drug-store some six years ago. William Raff has a $2,000 clothing store. Hiram Brown has a $5,000 drug-store. John Hoss opened a hardware store two years ago. Hay & Fetro have a fine dry goods store. Henry Rose built a large tavern about nine years ago. It has changed owners many times since. William Agler is at present keeping hotel in another building. Thus the village has two hotels. George Crise owns a plaining mill, which was built and started seven years ago by four men. Mr. Linn is a saddler. Fellows Brothers have a wagon-shop. Kyle Brothers built a large grist-mill last summer, placing therein three sets of stone. They have already quite a custom trade. The motor is steam. J. M. Shetler built a warehouse about eight years ago. He buys and ships considerable grain. Mr. Bell, also, in his time, carried on the warehouse business. Beaeh City was not properly laid out and recorded until the presence of the railroad rendered this necessary. At this time, J. M. Shetler, who owned the land where the business portion of the village now stands, secured the services of Amos Woodling, Stark County Surveyor, and in March, 1872, laid out thirty-eight lots of the usual size. Two additions have since been made by Mr. Shetler, one of forty-one lots and the other .of seventy-three, making a total of 152 lots. The lots were sold for prices ranging from $100 to $200. The town was named in honor of an engineer on the Valley Railroad. The name Streatorville, for a railroad official, came very nearly being bestowed upon the village. It is a lively little place, and has a population, according to the census of 1880, of 282. Wilmot is a much older town than Beach City. It was laid out by Jacob and Henry Wyant, owners and proprietors, in April, 1836. Fifty-seven lots were laid out ,by John Whitacre, County Surveyor, to which additions were afterward made. George Pfouts opened the first store there, near the time the village was laid out. He started with a few hundred dollars' worth of goods, but at the expiration of a few years sold out, or at least removed his goods, and was succeeded by George Frease. John Frease owned the store soon after this, and finally it passed into the control of J. & J. Frease, who conducted it until near 1850, when the old stock was purchased by Weimer & Hurrah, who increased it, and three years later sold to Welty & Jarvis. Samuel Jarvis owned the store about 1856, and then sold to Sager & Gilmore. A year later, Mr. Wyant took Mr. Gilmore's place, and the partnership continued thus until some time during the last war, when Sager abandoned the enterprise and Wryant continues it yet. Shunk & Bash owned a store in Wilmot, beginning about 1865. Last year their stock was closed out at auction. Putnam & Wyant own a store in the village at present. A post office was located at the village about the time it was first laid out, George Pfouts being the first Postmaster. Wyant & Putnam began conducting a foundry and repair-shop not far from 1830, manufacturing plows, stoves, hollow-ware, and various other useful articles and implements. Motion for the machinery was secured by -means of a large tread-wheel, upon which cattle or horses were obliged to walk—a sorry life for the dumb brutes. These partners continued the business until the death of Mr. Wyant, when the ownership passed to Putnam, Johnson & Co. These men extended the scope of the enterprise, and altered it in many essential respects. This was about 1846, and at this time they began manufacturing threshing machines. The machine was not a separator, as it simply beat the grain from the 528 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. straw. Five or six years later they began manufacturing the well-known " Pitt Separator," then looked upon as a model of ingenious invention and execution. The company did a lively manufacturing business, and about the beginning of the last war, added the " Excelsior Reaper and Mower" to their catalogue of manufactures. It is said that more than a hundred were constructed annually, and sent for sale to various parts of the country. Departments of the undertaking have been abandoned during the years since 1830. About five years ago, the construction of reapers, mowers and threshers was discontinued, and the enterprise is at present limited to the manufacture of hay rakes, hay loaders, a few threshers, a few plows, and perhaps a small quantity of hollow ware. Between twenty and thirty workman have been employed by this company at one time. In about the year 1850, James Allen established a cabinet-shop at Wilmot, and began manufacturing considerable furniture, and also a clover-huller of his own patent, which sold in large numbers readily at $65 each. Thus the occupation was continued until about 1852, when under a patented improvement, Mr. Allen began preparing his " huller and separator." He ceased the construction of this machine about the beginning of the last war, and after continuing an exclusive cabinet business a few years, sold his machinery to the planing-mill company. Lentz & Co. established a woolen factory in the village about the year 1856. They erected a large, two-storied frame building, and began carding, fulling, spinning, weaving, dressing and dyeing cloth. Charges were made for so much per yard. A small stock of yarns, flannels, satinets, blankets, cassimeres, etc., was kept in store for sale. In about 1853, Samuel Toomey began a general blacksmithing and carriage-making business in Wilmot. He constructed large numbers of light carriages and buggies for ten or twelve- years, and then removed to Dover, since which his business has assumed gigantic proportions. When he first began the industry, he charged parties to whom he sold his buggies, not to permit more than two persons to ride in one at a time. It is said that these identical buggies, yet in running order, are capable of carrying 1,500 pounds. Heminger, Bash & Co. owned, and conducted a large plaining-mill a number of years ago. This was disposed of a few years later, and finally, some years ago, D. Rust & Co. erected a mill of the same kind. This was afterward destroyed by fire, but immediately rebuilt. Hurrah & Co. built a gist-mill in 1873, beginning a fair custom trade with three sets of stone. Since 1879, merchant work has been done. Putnam Brothers bought the mill a few, years ago, and greatly improved it. The motor is steam and the flour is shipped by wagon to Beach City, whence it is conveyed to market by rail. Wilmot was laid out and recorded as Milton. A change in name was finally effected, but the exact date when this was accomplished' is not given. Much more might be said to the credit of the little village of Wilmot. The schools of Sugar Creek did not spring into life and activity as early as those in other portions of the county, obviously from the fact of the township's later settlement. There is much doubt and speculation concerning the first school taught, and it is not pretended that its location or date of commencement will be given with mathematical accuracy. A log schoolhouse, with huge fire-place and chimney, rough clapboard seats and desks, and heavy puncheon floor, stood in Wilmot in 1825. It was probably erected as early as 1820, as several large families were living in that immediate vicinity at that date. Some eight or ten years later, the old house was replaced by a neat frame building. This was used, if recollection is correct, until about the year 1838 or 1840, when a small brick schoolhouse usurped the rights of the old one. This brick house cost about $2,000, and was used continuously until some ten or twelve years ago, at which time the present house was constructed at; a cost of about $7,000. The house is a fine brick structure, and three teachers are employed to teach the youth who assemble there to learn the way of the wise. The schoolhouse at Beach City is a large, square frame building two stories in height, and was constructed at a cost of $2,500. It was erected a few years ago. A .maximum price of $2.50 per day is paid teachers, and about 110 scholars are enrolled. It is thought by several, and this view is probably correct, that the first school in the township was taught in the Grounds' neighborhood by .Jacob Grounds. Mr. Grounds is known to have taught school, and it is not probable that he would allow his children to grow up about him SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP - 529 unlettered. He very likely taught either in his own cabin, or in one that had been abandoned by some pioneer family. The schoolhouse at Paddy Nelson's Corners was built as early as 1830, or, perhaps, it was only partially built. In the process of construction, when the house was about two-thirds completed, the settlers in that neighborhood who were interested, disobeyed the behest of Dr. Watts. They quarreled, and the house was neglected. What troubled them was its location. All could not be suited, and disappointed ones were mad as March hares in consequence. It is said the god Momus was so addicted to fault-finding that, when the first man, Prometheus, was created, the god objected to him because there was not a window in his breast, through which his thoughts might be seen. At last, when Aphrodite was created, so perfect was she that the god Momus vexed himself to death because there was nothing with which to find fault. It is said that some of the quarrelsome settlers above mentioned were almost equally as troubled. The house was completed, but when a new one was to be built some six or eight years later, the same opinions and desires clashed as they had before. At last, Mr. Fisher arose in the school-meeting, and, by a happy thought, proposed in extended and appropriate remarks, that a portable house be built, and made a motion, amidst great laughter to that effect. This had the effect of clearing the clouded minds of the settlers, removing their selfish prejudices, and quickening into life their fund of reason and common sense. The result was that a house was speedily built, but it was not portable. Another house was built a number of years later, but was shortly afterward destroyed by fire. Another was built, and it was also burned to the ground. Then the present house was erected. Take it all in all, the district has had quite a time with its school, has it not ? From 1815 to 1830, the various school districts were created and provided with schoolhouses. It may be truly said, in conclusion, that the township is well supplied with good schools. The church history of the township is fully as indefinite as the school history. The United Brethren and the Methodist Episcopal denominations each have a fine brick church at Beach City. They were both built in 1875 at a cost, each, of about $4,500. The two buildings look very much alike. Each has a fair congregation, and both are doing well. The Weimer Church (United Brethren) is said to have been built as early as 1825. It was a log building at first, and was used as a combined church, schoolhouse, town-hall, etc.; but at last, in about 1835, it was burned. The present house has been used since. The Bose Church (Lutheran) was constructed at an early day of logs. It had a strong congregation at first, but after a time the membership became so small that the meetings were irregular, or perhaps were totally discontinued for a time. The present frame house was built about thirty-three years ago. The Welty Church (United Brethren) was built nearly thirty years ago. It began with a membership that was in earnest, and soon the society was in fine financial condition. It has been one of the best churches in the township. The Baptist Church, toward the northern part, was built at least forty years ago, but did not continue longer than about twenty years. On still farther north is the Bunker Hill Church (Methodist Episcopal), which is said to have been built first some fifty years ago. It has not been used for the last thirty years. The Lutheran Church, at the cross-roads, was first built of logs about fifty-five years ago. This was afterward replaced by a frame church. The Evangelical Church was built some forty years ago, and has been used until the present. It is yet a good church. The Methodists used to hold services in this house, but now they have one of their own. The United Brethren built a church in 1870 which cost about $3,000. The Albrights also built a church some twenty years ago. No country township in the county has a greater opportunity for religious privileges than Sugar Creek. Churches are found numerous as people are found moral. They are never built until the need of them is felt. Before a church was built in the township, various religious societies were instituted, and meetings were conducted in the settlers' cabins. It is said that in early years, a revival was held at the cabin of John Weimer for six consecutive weeks, the most intense religious enthusiasm prevailing throughout the neighborhood at the time. Similar revivals were held in other residences. Surrounded with such influences, and directed by such teachers, it is no wonder that the children grew up with love in their hearts for God and mankind. 530 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY CHAPTER XXVI.* PIKE TOWNSHIP—TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES— BOUNDARIES AND ORGANIZATION—SETTLEMENT BY THE WHITES - HARD TIMES—PIONEER INCIDENTS SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES—VILLAGE, ETC., ETC. " So centuries passed by, and still the woods Blossomed in Spring, and reddened when the year Grew chill, and glistened in the frozen rains Of Winter, till the white man swung the ax Within them—signal of a mighty change." —Bryant. A SECOND and a third generation are now enjoying the fruits that resulted from the toils and perils of their industrious and frugal ancestors. And what a contrast between circumstances and appearances then and now ! The tangled forest is gone ; the beasts of prey that were wont to prowl through its gloomy depths, have disappeared ; the war-whoop of the savage is no longer heard—his wigwams have wasted away by the rot of time, and his council-fires were long since extinguished by the light of civilization. The white man came and waved his wand over the landscape, and all was changed, as if by a touch of Aladdin's wonderful lamp. Fertile fields bloomed in the glory of bountiful harvests, smiling gardens sprang up, commodious dwellings arose, schoolhouses were built, edifices were erected and dedicated to the worship of Almighty God. Indeed, science and culture have wrought a grand transformation. Had these multitudinous changes been foreshadowed to the simple pioneer seventy-five years ago, he would have been dumbfounded, and would not have believed, "though one had risen from the grave " to proclaim them to him. And in no part of Stark County has the march of civilization left plainer or broader traces than in the section to which this chapter is devoted. The pioneer, with his rude habits and surroundings, have given place to all the modern inventions and improvements that go to make life pleasant and labor a pastime ; and where, three-quarters of a century ago, our ancestors found an unbroken forest, we find to-day the most productive and fertile hills. Pike Township lies in the extreme southern * contributed by W: H. Perrin. part of the county, and is bounded on the north by Canton Township, on the east by Sandy Township, on the south by Tuscarawas County, on the west by Bethlehem Township, and,. by the census of 1880, had 1,506. inhabitants. The surface of the township is very uneven, and much of it may even be termed hilly. Says a writer in the Canton Repository: "Pike Township is sometimes called the Switzerland of Stark County, from a fancied resemblance in miniature to that rough and mountainous country of which we read in geography. People who live in the more level portions of the country won,- der, as they climb the steep hills of Pike, and descend into the low valleys, whatever possessed the early settlers to select such land, when there was so much that was level to be had at Government price. And what is stranger still, that the present inhabitants should continue to slave themselves and horses plowing up and down and around the hills, among the stumps and stones, when the rich prairies of the West offer such an inducement to migrate ; but "There is a divinity that shapes our ends," etc., and that is the reason that Hannah continues to smoke, and follow in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother and Jacob to plow among the hills. The hills of Pike are underlaid with wealth, however, such as their outer surface have never yielded. In the language of Col. Mulberry Sellers, "there's millions in them." Coal mining is already carried to a considerable extent, and though there is no means of transportation but wagons, yet all that is mined finds a ready market in Canton. With convenient railroad facilities, the wealth of Pike's black diamonds -would prove immense. The agricultural resources of the township lie principally in raising corn, wheat and grass, although some attention is paid to stock-raising. The land. is drained by the Nimishillen, Sandy and Limestone Creeks, and their numerous PIKE TOWNSHIP - 531 branches. The Nimishillen passes through the eastern part from north to south; the Limestone rises near the center, and flows south into the Sandy, which merely touches the southwest corner of the township. The timber consists principally of oak, hickory, sugar maple, beech, walnut, elm, etc. The township has no railroad, and but one small village. The first permanent settlements made in what is known as Pike Township are credited to George Young, James Eakins, John Shutt and Jacob Kemery. Of Eakins, Shutt and Kemery, but little is remembered. Eakins settled on the farm occupied by James Evans, about 1808. Shutt lived to the age of ninety-two, and Kemery eighty-four years. Young was a native of Maryland, and when very young went to Somerset Co., Penn., where he married at the early age of nineteen years, on the authority of the Bible, perhaps, that " it is not well for man to be alone." Residing for a few years in Pennsylvania, he emigrated to Ohio and stopped in Jefferson County. He remained here several years, and, having accumulated a sufficiency of worldly wealth to purchase a couple of horses and a few agricultural implements and other actual necessities, he, in 1806, decided to come to Stark County. He leased a piece of land lying in Section 9 of Pike Township, of the owner, who lived in Jefferson County. With provisions to last them on the journey, and their clothing packed on one of the horses, while his wife, who had a young baby, rode the other, he set out for his new home. With his trusty rifle as a means of defense and of procuring food, he trudged on foot, leading the pack horse through the wilderness, and along Indian trails. Reaching his land, he at once proceeded to construct a shelter of poles and brush, to serve as a protection from storms and wild beasts, and as a lodging-place at nights. His nearest neighbors were John Nichols, then building a mill on the Nimishillen, four miles to the northwest, and John Farber, whose land was in Tuscarawas County, adjoining the boundary line of Pike, distant five miles. The incidents in the life of this pioneer family would form a volume of interesting reading matter. They worked together for weeks, clearing ground and preparing it for a crop. At night, until the horses became sufficiently used to the place not to stray away, they were tethered, and lived and grew fat on the wild pea vines which grew abundantly, and wild grass. After completing his sowing and planting, Mr. Young returned, with his wife, to Jefferson County, to harvest a wheat crop in which he had an interest. After the wheat was taken care of, he sold his share, thus, securing means with which he purchased a cart, and a load of produce, such as corn, salt, whiskey, tobacco, etc. Upon becoming the owner of all this property, a feeling of pride came over him, equal, perhaps, to a king who acquires a new province. While in Jefferson County, looking after his wheat crop, his wife found a home for herself and child with the settlers, and, by hiring to them to weave; not only supported herself and child, but made some money besides. When ready to return to Pike, Mr., Young put his horses to his cart, loaded in his stock of goods, made his way back to his new home, cutting his way through the forest after crossing the Sandy. He now built a log cabin of the usual pioneer style, constructed some rude furniture, which served for their wants: Persons were not choice then about their household furnishings, and black walnut furniture and Brussels carpets were luxuries not yet vented. A puncheon served for a table, blocks for chairs, and a " sugar trough " for a cradle or a " bread tray," as circumstances required. The first winter spent by the Youngs in Pike was a long, dreary one, and little could be done out-doors, except to cut down trees and prepare firewood. They seldom saw the, face of a white man--indeed, Crusoe on his desert island was not more lonely, or more exiled from human aid or human intercourse. Indians were roaming over the country, and often called for something to eat. They were harmless, but would frequently frighten the women when alone. An incident is told of Mrs. Farber, who, going out one evening about dusk, with a 'crock of milk, to .put in some cool 'place to keep for their breakfast next morning, found herself, upon opening the door and stepping out, face to face with a burly Indian. This so frightened the good woman that she dropped the crock of milk and fled into the cabin, screaming at the top of her voice. The savage enjoyed the joke intensely--much more than she did—walked into the cabin and made himself quite at home, but harmed no one. Mr. Young lived on this leased land until 532 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 1811, when, by the closest economy, he had accumulated enough to enter the northwest quarter of Section 21, and upon which he erected a cabin. He improved the place, and opened up a farm upon which lie lived until his death, but a few years ago, at the age of ninety-seven years. During. the war of 1812, he was drafted three times, each time furnishing a substitute. While soldiers were encamped at Canton and Wooster, be furnished them beef cattle. He kept a store at his residence for many years, from which he furnished the settlers such articles as were most needed—such as salt, iron, nails, glass, leather, etc. Mr. Young was of German extraction, and, like many of the uneducated of that. race, was a little disposed to believe in supernatural agencies. He believed firmly in witches and witchcraft, and, to the fact of his being " left-handed, " he attributed his power over them, and held firmly to the opinion that they were unable to gain an ascendency over him. He bought a book from somebody in Canton which he declared told how to control witches and other evil spirits. He grew out of these views, how- ever, as civilization broadened and deepened, and he became more enlightened, and lived and died respected and regretted by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Another of the prominent pioneer families of Pike Township was that of Jonathan Cable, who settled here in 1811. He was from Somerset Co., Penn., and entered the soutkeast quarter of Section 27, which he commenced to improve. With the help of a hired man, he put up a cabin and cleared and plowed five acres of ground, which he sowed in wheat. He had lived in Jefferson Co. the year previous, and had brought provisions enough with him to last while building his cabin, and during inclement weather he spent the nights in Young's cabin. In the spring of 1812, he moved his family to his new possessions, but had scarcely become settled when a' notice was served upon 'him that he had been drafted into the United States service, and that he must appear at a certain place on a certain day, properly " armed and equipped according to law," or furnish a substitute. Here was a " go,' and what to do in such a trying scene was a rather puzzling question. They were comparatively alone in the wilderness ; Mrs. Cable had three small children, the eldest less than five years of age ; neighbors were " few' and far between ; " rumors of Indian depredations were thick and exciting, and the thoughts of being left alone under these trying circumstances were too terrible to contemplate. Mrs. Cable, who seems to have been in this family not only " the power behind the throne, " but the " power that was greater than the throne itself," determined to try what could be done. She went to work, and finally succeeded in hiring a substitute, for which she paid $60—a sum of money she had saved up while keeping tavern in Jefferson Co. The substitute had no gun, and she was thus forced to part with their trusty rifle, which caused more regret than parting with the $60, for she had become an adept in the use of it, and could bring down a turkey or deer at as long range as most of the men. But she kept her husband at home, and there was consolation in that. She is represented as a woman of whom there are few, if any, representatives left. A local writer upon the early history of Pike, terms her the " last of the old guard, " a compliment deserved of her. It is said that she would, after she had put her children to bed at night, go out with her husband; assist him in rolling logs, piling and burning brush ; that she could split rails, build fence, cut cord-wood, etc., and that in the harvest field she made a regular hand. We are not an advocate of women performing (or attempting to perform) men's work, nor in favor of making field hands of the fair sex ; but we do glory in a woman who, when emergencies arise requiring it, can become, in deed and in truth, a helpmeet to her husband. Mr. Yant, of Pike Township, has the following of Mrs. Cable in a communication to the county papers a few years ago : " Mrs. Cable's maiden name. was Crise. Her mother died when she was five days old. She was such a diminutive little mortal that her father said it was useless to expect to raise her.. She was, however, taken by Mrs. Henline, and developed into the hardy woman we have described. She is in the enjoyment of good health, possesses a retentive memory, and is in her eighty-fifth year. I am indebted to her for a number of facts and incidents in these sketches. " Mr. Cable died in 1848. Mr. Yant gives the following incident of him : " Jonathan Cable built a dozen or more cabins for the settlers, and generally camped out while at work, Up- PIKE TOWNSHIP -533 on one of these occasions, when Mr. Hipple and one his boys were helping at this work, the wolves surrounded them in great numbers after night, while laying by the fire. The boy became much alarmed, but Mr. Cable took a fire-brand in each hand, ran in among them, and dispersed the whole pack." One more incident of this pioneer couple, is related by the same authority: " Mr. Cable worked a sugar camp on the east side of the Nimishillen, and Mrs. Cable would cross in a canoe, gather in the sugar water, and bring it over. Upon one of these occasions, the stream being high and the current rapid, she used a pole to push the canoe through the water, and while making the utmost exertions to head the craft against the stream, the end of the pole caught in her dress, and threw her out. The water took her up to her neck, but she kept hold of the canoe and pushed it ashore." Mrs. Cable is described by those who know her, as " tall, of fine form, walks erect, a pleasant, intelligent countenance, hearing unimpaired and eyesight good." She is still living, and neatly ninety years of age, hale and hearty, and bids fair to live many years longer. In 1812, the settlement was augmented by the arrival of Pitney Guest and Benjamin Miller. Guest was Miller's son-in-law, and both families hailed from New Jersey. Miller was a Revolutionary soldier, and served mostly under Gen. Greene. He was wounded in an engagement with Cornwallis in North Carolina, but remained in the service until the war was over. They came to this township as above, and 4 squatted" on land in Section 19, sleeping in their wagons until they could get up a cabin. Miller died in 1828, and the old Revolutionary hero lies buried in the little graveyard at Sandyville. Guest was a shoemaker, and by working at his trade, and making and mending shoes for his neighbors, he was enabled to thus procure many of the necessaries of life. He had a monopoly of the business, as we learn there was no other " cobbler" in the settlement for several years. He was drafted in the war of 1812, in the last call for troops, but peace was declared before he was ordered to the front. The first three years he spent in Pike Township, he lived on Section 19, then sold his improvements for $100, and entered the northeast quarter of Section 7, the place now owned by his son, Washington Guest. The elder Mr. Guest was both a Justice of the Peace and a regularly ordained minister of the Baptist Church, and in the two official capacities he, perhaps, united more people in the holy bonds of wedlock than any other man in the county. He could do up the job according to the views of either the religious believer- or the Ingersollian skeptic—the one he would unite in his capacity as a minister, and the other in that of a Justice of the Peace. He held the latter office for more than twenty years, and was a just and upright Judge. When parties came to him for " justice under the law," he invariably tried to compromise matters between them without a lawsuit; and in this manner prevented a great deal of bickering and hard feelings among his neighbors. He is described as a man of fine appearance, sound. judgment and more than ordinary intelligence. He was killed in 1856, by being thrown from a wagon during the running away of the team attached to it. His widow died in 1874; at the age of ninety-two years. During the year of Mr. Guest's settlement, Henry Bordner and Phillip Seifert came into the neighborhood. They were men of some enterprise and standing, and were both elected officers upon the organization of the township. A daughter of Bordner's married her cousin, John P. Bordner, who was a great sport and hunter, and also a successful farmer for that early period.. From the year 1812 to 1815 the following settlers came in, the most of whom entered land and engaged in opening up farms : Amos Janney, John Russell, Michael Holm and his son John, George Fetters, Christian Hipple, John Bechtel, Daniel Faller, Joseph Keel, the Hen-lines, Keysers, Schroyers, Weavers, Peter Hockersmith and the Howenstines. Of these we have not been able to learn much, beyond the fact of their early settlement. Janney laid out the town of Sparta, which will be again alluded to. He built a saw and grist-mill, the first in the township. The grist-mill was a rather primitive structure, but of great benefit and advantage to the settlers. Mr. Janney was an honest man—a surveyor—and is represented as a man who had an eye to business, but was exceedingly careless in business details, and consequently less prosperous than otherwise he might have been. He finally removed to Indiana, where he died some years later. John Holm and his father, Michael Holm, came from Maryland, and purchased the northwest quarter of Section 8 from a man named Andrews. On 534 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. the place is a fine spring, which, in early times, was a great resort of Indians. Many arrowheads and other Indian trinkets are found in its vicinity. Prier Foster was a " wandering son of Ethiopia's fated race," and a well-known and well remembered early settler in Pike Township, and the first of his race in Stark County. His face was blacker than a storm-cloud, and his mouth reminded one of a coal-pit, set around the opening with marble slabs.' He was married in the " Oberley Corner," by Squire Coulter, in the year 1811, to a comely white girl, who is represented as " a girl of good sense and judgment, but of grossly perverted taste." Foster was a hard-working, industrious man, and possessed great physical strength. His. trade was that of a miller, and he was often heard to say that he never saw the horse that could carry as ranch at one load as he could. The following incident is related of the Fosters : A stranger was passing Foster's house one day and stopped to inquire the way to a certain place. Mrs. Foster was alone, and in reply to the inquiry said, " My dear will soon be in, and he can tell you." Presently Poster made his appearance. The stranger in utter astonishment, looked at the husband and then at the wife, at a loss how to reconcile the incongruity. " Madam " said he, " did I understand you to call that man your dear ?" "Yes, sir," she replied. " Well," said the stranger, " I'll be if he don't look to me more like a bear." Foster had a son named George, who was quite as black and quite as brawny as his father, who also married a white girl. Squire Guest was called upon to perform the marriage ceremony between them, but declined until he had consulted an attorney at Canton, after which he united them " for better or for worse." It is said that it takes all sorts of people to make a world, and we admit that it is a matter of some convenience that all people do not see alike. Other pioneer settlers of the township were Mich 'le Worley, Jacob Miller, John Richards, Jacob Flora, Michael Apley, John Carnes, Bartley Williams, John Newhouse, John Bernheimer, Martin McKinney, Jacob Bowman, Daniel Pryan, the Princes, Hemmingers, John Stametz, the Painters, and others whose names are not remembered. After the close of the war of 1812; emigrants came in so rapidly that it is impossible to keep trace of them, or to note the date of settlement of each family. It is enough to say in this place, that the flow of emigration continued to this township, this Switzerland of Stark County, until the last vacant quarter-section of land was gobbled up. The majority of its pioneers came from the old Keystone State, and were either Pennsylvania Dutch or Quakers. Their descendants form a portion of the best class of citizens of the county. A part of the history of Pike Township that should not be omitted, is the fact that it was long the home of a man who, as an editor and a writer of ability, has few equals and fewer superiors in the country. We allude to Hon. Joseph Medill, editor of the Chicago Tribune, one of the ablest newspapers published in the Northwest. His father moved to Stark County in 1831, when he, the embryonic editor, was but seven years old, and thus the great journalist is not an " Ohio man," as is claimed by many of his admirers in. this section. Six of his brothers and sisters, however, were born in Stark County, and one sister and his mother, a lady now in her seventy-seventh year, still live here. His father died about ten years ago and lies buried in the cemetery of Canton. Joseph worked on a farm in Pike Township some nine or ten years, when, in 1844-45, he began reading law with Hiram Griswold, as he could spare time from his farm labors. Later. he spent some months in the law office of R. H. Folger, of Massillon, finally flnishing his studies with Judge and Seymour Belden, of New Philadelphia. In 1850, he laid down Blackstone, and took up the pen, and since that time his service in the party of his choice has been no child's work. From an awkward plowboy, he has gone on up the ladder of Fame, until he has become the editor-in-chief of one of the greatest newspapers in one of the greatest cities of the greatest country upon which the sun shines. It is not an easy matter in this day of plenty and of modern improvements and inventions to realize the great disadvantages under which the early settlers labored. In Pike Township, several neighbors would join together and load a canoe or " dugout " with their surplus produce, and float down the Nimishillen, Sandy and Tuscarawas to a place called the " station " and exchange their cargo for whisky, tobacco, iron, nails, salt, pepper, coffee, etc. The return was PIKE TOWNSHIP - 535 a more serious affair, as rowing against the current was laborious work; and when corn was scarce they would take boat loads of iron from the " bloomery " at Sparta, down to Urichsville (Egypt as it was then called), and trade the iron for corn, which they would bring back to their settlement. Mr. Yant, in his sketches of Pike Township gives the following, pertaining to its early history : " In those early days bears, wolves, deer and a variety of other game was abundant, from which source the pioneer settlers supplied themselves ; the streams also abounded with fish. James Eaken shot three bears, which were foraging on chestnut trees, of the fruit of which they were very fond. He secured all three before he left the ground. Eli Miles lived in Sandy Township. His wife, Mrs. Miles, took her babe and started to make a visit to Edward Jackson's, in the south part of this township. When she got a short distance south of Sparta, night overtook her, and the wolves were upon her track. She sought a place of safety. Climbing a large tree, upon which a large limb had grown out, forming a seat, another just in the right position to rest her feet upon, and still another to support her back ; just as comfortable a position as it would have been possible to find under such circumstances, and seeming almost to have been made for the special purpose to which it was now devoted. The wolves soon appeared, and one of the hungry pack stayed all night under the tree, and did not leave until daylight sent him to his lair. Mrs. Miles had taken her apron and tied herself and child fast to the tree. After the wolf left, she came down from her retreat. and found herself near the neighbor's she was going to visit." The foregoing but faintly portrays the life which the people lived in this section sixty to seventy years ago. They settled in the wilderness, were poor and without means to provide the comforts of life even had they been accessible. Says Mr. Yant : " The early settlers generally had barely means sufficient to pay for a home and necessary moving expenses, and destitute of means sufficient to pay for supplies until crops could be raised ; many were put to straits for breadstuffs. Abundant supplies of wild meat could be procured at the proper season, by the use of the rifle ; but flour and some additional necessaries could only be had by going to the Ohio River; and corn at the Moravian settlements on the Muskingum. Mrs. George Young took a horse and went to Steubenville for supplies. During her absence the provisions were exhausted. Mr. Young went to James Eakins' for a pailful of meal, and gave the pail for the meal. When the harvest came, his first crop of wheat was cut without bread. The wheat was beaten off and boiled in milk, as a substitute for the staff of life. Such shifts were then not uncommon." But it is unnecessary to pursue further the life of the early settlers, and their mode of living. It was universal in all sections of the country in the pioneer days. Originally, Pike and Bethlehem formed one township, and so remained for about two years. Previous to their organization into a township, they formed a part of Canton Township. They were separated from Canton on the 6th of March, 1815, and an election ordered to be held at the house of Henry Bordner, on the 1st day of April. At this election, Pitney Guest was elected Justice of the Peace, and Abraham Sheplar Township Clerk. The next election, which was held in April, 1816, at the house of William Ryder, resulted in the election of Abraham Yant and Amos Janprey, Trustees ; Basil Thompson, Treasurer,; James Chapman and John Shutt, Supervisors ; Haman Vanderston and William Eckler, Listers ; Henry Mills and George Allman, Constables ; Jacob Anspach and Matthew Brothers, Fence Viewers ; John Sherman and Henry Bordner, Overseers of the Poor. In December, 1816, Pike and Bethlehem were separated, and each became an independent township, Pike remaining from that time to the present day without further geographical changes. The first grist-mill in Pike Township was built by Amos Janny in 1810, or thereabouts. It was on the Nimishillen, a little below Sparta, and is described as a very primitive affair. The frame was four posts set in the ground, forked at the top, in which poles were laid to support the roof, which was of clap-boards. The sides were never weather-boarded. A water-wheel resting on two posts, similar to those in the frame of the building, a driving-wheel attached to the shaft, and a " turner-head," composed the gearing of the concern. A pair of buhrs three feet in diameter, made out of quartz bowlders found on Sugar Creek plains, did the work of grinding. The bolt 536 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. was a piece of cloth, which was operated by the customers themselves. Primitive as was this mill, however, it was a great improvement to the horse mills of the time, the "hominy-block " and the coffee-mill. Other mills followed this pioneer structure, and the settler was no longer annoyed in procuring breadstuffs. Janny also built the first saw-mill in the township, which was quite as rude as his grist-mill, but of considerable service to the community. Pitney Guest was the first shoemaker, George Young the first merchant, and Luther Drury, probably, the first blacksmith in Pike. Other tradesmen came in, and the wants of the people were supplied at home, which proved of great advantage, and was appreciated accordingly. The following incident in Pike's early history is related through the columns of the Democrat: " A boy, about fourteen years old, in the family of David Evans, an early settler of the township, was eating peaches one day, when he concluded to swallow them stones and all, and a stone lodged in his throat and would not go up or down stream. Dr. Simmons, of Canton, was in the neighborhood, and was called in, and, after vain attempts to move it, said he would go home and read up the case, and return the next morning. At the appointed time he came back, and said the stone must, according to medical authority on the subject, come up and not go down. So he went to a blacksmith's shop and had a pair of pinchers made, and with the rough instrument returned and tried to take it out by putting the pinchers down the boy's throat and taking hold, but failed. He then declared that the only way was to cut it out. To this the family objected until they could consult the family physician, Dr. Bonfield. Accordingly he was sent for, and, in the meantime, Dr. Simmons went to see another patient. Dr. Bonfield came, and calling for an umbrella, took from it a piece of whalebone, greased it, and easily pushed the stone down the boy's throat. Dr. Simmons returned, and was much chagrined at his own failure when he found how easily the stone had been removed." The religious history of Pike dates back almost to its first settlement. The first preacher in the township of whom there is any reliable account, was Rev. J. B. Finley, a Methodist circuit rider, and who traveled the " Zanesville Circuit," as it was called, in 1809-10. This circuit was said to have covered the following territory : " From Zanesville toward the Ohio among the different settlements to New Philadelphia, One-leg Creek, then to Nimishillen. This appointment was at the cabin of Abram Cozier thence to Canton, at Wolf Creek, and south to Carey's, on Sugar Creek, thence to William Butts, Whiteyes, Tommica and Zanesville, making a distance of 475 miles, and embracing thirty-two appointments." Our stall-fed pastors of the present day would think this a rather hard pastorate, at a salary of $80 a year, and we will not quarrel with them if they do. We are glad times have improved, and we do not claim to be of those who believe the pioneer days were better than these. The preachers of those days, as well as those who felled the forest, were equal to their labors, and the Methodist ministry afforded few " soft places." The following incident is related of Mr. Finley's ministry in those pioneer days, by Mr. Yant : " In those early times there were fashionable ladies, as well as now, but the general rule was not to push the folly to extremes that more abundant means allow in the present; and these plain men who preached the Gospel purely for the love of it, did not fail to rebuke the follies of the times. One of the fancies of Madame Fashion in those days, was to make the sleeves of dresses, from the elbow to the shoulder of an enormous size, and a hoop of ratan or grapevine was inserted in the middle of this inflated bubble, reducing the sleeve at that point and leaving two puffs. A Miss  sat directly in front of the preacher, and, by one of those pranks that misfortune sometimes plays, the ends of the hoop in one of her sleeves had become disconnected. This so distended the arrangement, as to swell the puff even with the top of her head. Mr. Finley could not endure the sight without a merited reproof. He broke the connection of his discourse, and remarked parenthically that in these days the ladies were wearing sleeves of such enormous size, that a man might put his head in one of them ;' at the same time making a pass with his head toward the offending sleeve, upon which Miss left one seat vacant, and hastily found her way to the door." In most parts of the Western country, the Methodist itinerants were the pioneer ministers, and gathered the scattered settlers in their rude cabins, even as the shepherd gathers sheep PIKE TOWNSHIP - 537 into the fold. Other Methodist circuit-riders, as the preachers of this denomination were called, followed Mr. Finley, and Mr. Cozier's cabin was a regular preaching-place. The " Bible Christians " were the next after the Methodist, and also had meetings at Cozier's. Most of the early settlers, however, were of the Lutheran and German Reformed denominations. A class was formed about the year 1830, at the house of Abraham Chestnutwood, and the Revs. Aurora Calendar and Hawkins were the ministers. Jacob Miller moved on to Section 16, in 1831, and his house then became a place of worship, and a society was formed. Jacob Miller, Samuel Miller, Samuel Bard and Jacob Smith, and their wives were among the first members. Thomas Worley, John Miller, Joseph Keel and others were added subsequently. The preachers of those days were Revs. Plimpton, Green, Drummond, Weirish and others. They are described as " mighty men in the Scriptures." A church known as " Asbury Chapel " was built in 1844, and is a brick structure. A flourishing society and Sunday school has continued here ever since the erection of the church. The United Brethren have a commodious house of worship in the township called " Otterbein Chapel." They maintain a flourishing church and Sunday school. Zion Church is a substantial structure, and belongs to the German Baptists. Mr. Yant closes an article on the church history of Pike in the following words, which speak well for the township. He says : "Perhaps no part of the county of equal population is more abundantly supplied with religious instruction and moral training than the rural population of Pike. And without having access to actual records, it may safely be said, that the population of the township furnishes fewer criminals and less litigation than any other township in the county. The amount of ardent spirits used by the population also presents a largely diminished ratio to the general average." This is a good showing for the township, and worthy of imitation. We have been informed, since our work commenced of compiling its history, that no intoxicating liquors are sold within its limits—another item well worthy of imitation. The educational facilities of Pike were somewhat behind many of her sister townships, and few schools were taught previous to the inauguration of the Free School system. One of these early schools was taught by a German, who boasted the ponderous name of Louis Augustus Ferdinand Constantine, a combination of powerful names, that in their day have been highly renowned in European history. He taught both in the German and English languages, and after one term, was succeeded by Thomas McKean, an Irishman, and a fair sample of the Irish Schoolmaster described by the poet in the following lines " Old Teddy O'Rourke kept a bit of a school, At a place called Clanna, and made it a rule If learning wouldn't mark the mind, 'faith he'd soon mark the back, As coming down on them with a devilish whack." Mr. McKean is said to have used the birch very freely. At this school many of the children of Pike received their start in education. From fifty to sixty-five scholars, we are told, was the usual attendance, and " the want of shoes and suitable clothing alone prevented the attendance of one or two additional scores." The following incident is related by Mr. Yant : "About forty-four years ago a spelling-match took place at the Guest Schoolhouse ; the son-test between Bethlehem and Pike. The house was crowded by spectators, and a large number of the best spellers of both townships were present, eager for the contest. John Billings, one of the best teachers of Bethlehem, pronounced for his township, and George Ritter, the teacher of the Guest School pronounced for Pike. The spellers divided off—those from Bethlehem on one side of the house, and Pike on the other. The contest was spirited and exciting as the boys and girls- from both sides-dropped out of ranks at each round, and after spending an hour or more in the well-contested match, George Holm represented Pike, and David Yant was all that was left of Bethlehem. The contest thus narrowed down to a speller of each party the excitement was greatly intensified ; for a considerable time there was no miss by either. Mr. Ritter was of German descent, and, not so correct in his pronunciation of the English, failed to be intelligible in a common word, and Yant stepped out leaving George Holm the victor." This is one of the first spelling schools of which we have an account, but which in later years have been carried to considerable excess in many neighborhoods. The subjoined statistics from the last report of the 538 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.   Board of Education show the present school facilities of the township. They are as follows : Balance on hand September 1, 1879 - $2,455 95 State tax - 753 00 Irreducible fund - 169 70 Local tax for school and schoolhouse purposes - 1,783 43 Total - $5,162 08 Amount paid teachers - $1,887 75 Sites and buildings - 923 56 Fuel and other contingent expenses - 229 26 Total expenditures - $3,040 57 Balance on hand September 1, 1880 - $2,121 51 Number of school districts in township. - 9 Number of schoolhouses in township - 9 Total value of school property - $6,000 Average wages paid teachers per month—males - 24 Average wages paid teachers per month—females - 15 Number of pupils enrolled—males - 259 Number of pupils enrolled—females - 209 Total - 469 Daily average attendance,-males - 165 Daily average attendance—females - 136 Total - 301 The war record of Pike Township deserves special mention. Although a full chapter in this work is devoted to the war history of the county at large, it is but justice that some reference should be made in this chapter to the patriotism of Pike. It is one of the few townships, not only in the, county, but in the State, that filled every quota without a draft, and kept ahead of every call for troops. Among those of Pike's loyal sons who laid down their lives in defense of their country, are B. F. Steiner, Captain Company D, One Hundred and Seventh Infantry ; Jeremiah Holm, Orderly Sergeant Company G, same regiment ; William Hickman, Sergeant Company D, same regiment ; George Rudy and William Holm, at Chancellorsville ; David Metzker, Seventy-sixth Infantry, at Pilot Knob, Mo. ; J. W. Smith, same regiment, died at home ; Leonard Schroyer, of the Fourth, and Jacob Crawford, of the Twenty-Sixth Battery ; Jacob Au, Moses Darr, David Yant, Henry Clarke, Michael Keeper and Aurora Keel—fifteen men in all. " The muffled drum's sad roll has beat, The soldier's last tattoo No more on life's parade shall meet, The brave and fallen few. On fame's eternal camping ground Their silent tents are spread ; And glory guards with solemn round The bivouac of the dead." The village of Sparta was laid out by Amos Janney, and the plat recorded in the Recorder's office, " third mouth, twenty-second, 1815," as he put it, in the quaint phraseology of the Friends, to which sect he belonged. He called it Sparta, after the rival of Athens, in the history of ancient Greece, believing that a great name would cause it to flourish, and become as great, perhaps, as its ancient namesake. In the original plat there were but four streets—two each way—crossing at right angles, and designated by the names Buffalo, Elk, Wolf, Bear. A post office was established in 1854, and called Pierce, in honor of Gen. Franklin Pierce, then President of the United States ; John Croft was appointed the first Postmaster. Abraham Cozier opened the first store in Sparta, about the year 1820, but did not continue in the business very long. His establishment was a rather small one, and a larger one was opened through the instrumentality of James Hazlett, of Canton, who owned some property in the place, when Cozier closed out his store. About the year 1819, a man named Luther Drury came from Canada, accompanied by his wife, two children and a niece. He erected a "bloomery " and forge for the purpose of making wrought iron from the native ore obtained in the vicinity. The experiment did not prove satisfactory, and, in 1823, Mr. Drury sold the establishment to James Hazlett, of Canton. The bloomery was discontinued, and, under charge of John Laird, the forge made a better quality of iron. Mr. Hazlett sold the forge to Mr. Janney in 1826, and in 1840 bought it back again, together with Mr. Janney's mill and farm. The forge was soon after discontinued, and the first mill built by Janney had been burnt and a better one built, which is still standing and in operation. The following extract is from the county papers : " Mrs. Drury was an accomplished lady, of great personal attractions, and did not associate with the plain rustic society of the place. Her superior attractions were no safeguard to virtue, but, as is often the case, rather an incentive to vice. A tailor by the name of Robert Lytle made the Drury family a place of frequent resort in carrying on his business, and, after a    JACKSON TOWNSHIP - 539 more mature acquaintance, the tailor married the niece of Mr. Drury. But, not content with his success, he proceeded to invade :the sanctity of Mr. Drury's domicile, succeeding in stealing the affections of the accomplished wife. After a full proof of her infidelity, Mr. Drury administered a severe castigation to the enemy of his peace, and would have inflicted summary punishment had he not left instantly, and thus escaped his vengeance. Mrs. Lytle, who was much esteemed by Mr. Drury, followed her husband. This was in the month of March, in a very inclement state of the weather, with snow and slush on the ground, for which the lady was poorly provided, having nothing but a thin pair of slippers to protect her feet. Mr. Drury's sympathies for his niece were deeply moved. He tried to follow the fugitive pair through the forests, but his search was fruitless. He could find no trace of the course taken by them. Years passed, and nothing was heard. of the guilty man, until the outbreak of the oil excitemeat in Pennsylvania, when a citizen of Stark County came across an old man, in the oil regions, up the Allegheny River, who inquired of some of the old citizens on the Nimishillen, and gave his name as Robert Lytle. His wife was dead. Mr, Drury took his wife and two children to Canada, then returned,- sold his property at Sparta, and left the neighborhood forever. " There are two churches at Sparta. The Disciples, Church was organized about 1840, and is a strong and healthy society. They have quite a comfortable building, and maintain a flourishing church and Sunday school. The Methodists have a good church building in the village, and, as a society, are in a prosperous condition, with a fair membership and a good Sunday school. Sparta has never attained very large proportions, either in business or in population. A store or two, a few shops, a post office, the churches mentioned, and a small collection of houses, form at present the sum total of its earthly glory. CHAPTER XXVII.* JACKSON TOWNSHIP —DESCRIPTIVE— SETTLEMENT BY THE WHITES— INCIDENTS OF PERSONAL NATURE—DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL INDUSTRIES— GROWTH OF VILLAGES —PROGRESS OF EDUCATION AND RELIGION. " O, the pleasant days of old, which so often people praise! True, they wanted all the luxuries that grace our modern days; Bare floors were strewed with rushes, the walls let in the cold; O, how they must have shivered in those pleasant days of old."  —Frances Brown. THERE is something mournfully sad in contemplating the destruction of old buildings or other objects, which are green in the memory with fond associations. The heart goes out in sorrow when they are gone, as if some beloved friend had been laid at rest in the grassy grave. That old house was our home in childhood, and memory paints the scene again as it was of yore. We see our mother,s kind face, and run to her again to be comforted. We listen to her words, and our childish clouds are dispersed by the sun- * Contributed by W. A. Goodspeed. light of her loving smile. We hear our father’s voice in patient and repeated admonition, and can now realize a parent’s earnest solicitation for the welfare of his child. Here are our dear brother and darling sister again, and the childish plays are renewed in the old house that is now in ruin. It is sweet though sad to recall the scene—sweet, because we see the precious faces of dear ones; sad, because the picture is unreal, and will pass away like the mists of morning. Let us dream on, for our happiness is the fairy offering of imagination—a gossamer veil that lifts anon to let in the sullen tide of sorrow and adversity. Let us build our castles on the highest pinnacle of dreamland, and build them often. The old landmarks are passing away with those who placed them, and must be noted before they are gone. A few objects, here and 540 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. there along the pathway of life, are preserved and cherished; but the greater number are allowed to perish, to the sorrow of loving descendants. Few people there are who see beyond the narrow circle of their own age, or who, seeing, care for the joy of those who follow them. Items of private interest and often of great public utility, are neglected and permitted to disappear. It thus occurs that to the misfortune of the reader, the historian has an easy task in gathering the few items which fate has assigned him to record. There are many important facts connected with Jackson Township in early years, which have passed beyond the hope of recovery. A few are remembered, and these will be mentioned. When the county was organized in 1809, Plain Township was one of the first five created. Jackson was a part of Plain, and remained thus until April, 1811, when it became a part of Green Township. In March, 1815, Jackson and Lawrence Townships were separated from all others under the former name, and remained thus until Lawrence received a separate creation and organization. Jackson is a good township, having an excellent soil. It is drained by streams which flow west into the Tuscarawas, and by those which flow east into the West Branch of Nimishillen Creek. The first officers of the township were elected at the house of Jacob Click, on the first Monday in April, 1815; but who they were is a mystery not yet solved. The following is a list of the land-holders of Jackson Township in 1827: John Arnold, Daniel Brougher, Isaac Boughman, James Black, J. H. Brinton, John Beatty, Jacob Brougher, Richard Breed, Elias Benner, Samuel Bachtel, Andrew Bachtel, Jacob Bachtel, Christian Balmer, Jacob Balmer, Jacob Bower, Jacob Click, Jacob Chubb, Samuel Click, Mathias Clapper, Aaron Chapman, Isaac Clay, John Cable, Henry Dissler, William Dickinson, Charles Dinger, David England, George Everhart, Jacob Ettleman, John Fawney, James Gregg, Jacob German, Henry Huffman, William Humbert, James Huston, Abraham Hubler, Jacob Hough, Isaac Hammel, James Jackson, Philip Keller, Henry Keller, Isaac Krytrer, Nicholas Kandel, Jacob Lichtenwalter, Solomon Lichtenwalter, Samuel Luter, John Luter, Mr. Loomis, Freeman Leering, Jacob Livingston, Jacob Mishler, Jacob Miller, Matthew Macy, George Miller, Thomas Marshal, Peter Miller, Peter Moriter, Thomas Nowlin, Jacob Paulus, George Row, Daniel Richmond, Thomas Botch, Thomas Reed, John Shutt, Samuel Spangler, James Speakman, Daniel Slanker, Nathaniel Skinner, Henry Shoemaker, John Sprankle, Michael Sprankle, Adam Shriver, George Shutt, Samuel Spitler, Joseph Saul, Simon Spitler, David Secrist, Jacob Swigart, Simon Stall, Charles K. Skinner, Christian Tresch, William Tresch, Samuel Tripp, Peter Tresch, David Tresch, Henry Tresch, Henry Troup, Martin Winger, Arvine Wales, Richard Williams, Bezaleel Wells, John Wintrode, John Writeham and Frederick Young. This list does not embrace many of those who first settled in the township. Many of those who were most prominent in the organization of the township, and who did a great deal to allure immigration within its limits, left the township before 1820. Indeed, in Jackson, as in all other townships in early days, the first settlers, or rather " squatters," were roving or wandering hunters, who often had large families dependent upon them for support. These men were often old "Indian slayers," who, nothing daunted by the presence of the red man, came into the wilderness with their families without misgivings. It is impossible to describe how the families of some of these hunters subsisted. The husband and father was often absent on long hunting or trapping excursions for weeks at a time, leaving his family to shift for themselves. Often the wife and mother became an expert huntress, by obedience to necessity. It is not known that Jackson harbored any of these families; but it is to be presumed that it did, as hundreds of them swept over Ohio in advance of the pioneer settlements, removing farther westward as the tide of colonization advanced. Although Jackson did not have a separate organization until many years after the county was organized, yet a few settlers located within its borders quite early. The name of the first settler is not remembered. This is unfortunate, as it is always a pleasure to know who first visited the land JACKSON TOWNSHIP - 541 where we reside. Plain .Township, lying east of Jackson, contained some of the earliest settlers in the county, and very likely, from its proximity to Jackson, controlled immigration into the latter to some extent. Settlers were in Plain as early as 1805, and beyond a doubt, within a year or two, some pioneer’s cabin had intruded its way into the sanctuary of. Jackson’s forests. The following list comprises almost all the first settlers in the township, and the reader will be politely accorded the privilege of selecting the first settler from the following names: Jacob Ettleman, Nathaniel Skinner, J. C. Balmer, Henry Shoemaker, Isaac Clay, Isaac Bowman, Richard Williams, Daniel Richmond, George Miller, John Lutz, Samuel Lutz, Henry Friday, Simon Stall, Isaac Hammel, James F. Leonard, Michael Sprankle, Jacob Click, John Ganser, Daniel Slanker, Nicholas Kandel, Mr. Capes, a Revolutionary soldier who died at the age of 103 years, Samuel Kandel, Jacob Swigert, Elias Benner, John Fauney, Mr. Stansberry, Daniel Paulus, Mr. Gleason, Mr. Scott, John Sprankle, William Hill, James Huston, James Black, Samuel Click, William Backster, John Arnold, John Beatty and others. Many of these settlers when they arrived in the township had no money, no property, and but few implements of labor. But this did not stagger their resolution, apparently, in the least, as they cheerfully went to work to level the forests, to let in the sunshine and beat, and to introduce to the virgin soil the products of civilized man. The process of clearing land of its timber is not a child’s undertaking. After the trees have been cut down and removed, the long process has but barely been initiated. There are the stumps and stones to be removed, and time alone can accomplish this task. It is extremely tiresome and vexing to be obliged to skip around a field full of stumps in plowing and cultivating. It is not soothing to the temper, if a person is in ill humor. It is an ample source for outbursts of volcanic wrath, which savor of brimstone. Add a little whisky to this and you have broken the poor camel,s back Why, it was about all a man was able to do to cultivate eight or ten acres, and when he had a family of some fifteen Children, each one of whose consuming powers represented about three acres of productions, you have the dilemma under which many an early settler labored. The only way to provide for this swarm of robust children, was (to use a figurative illustration), to turn them out in the woods like cattle. Those who could obtain a living on their own account did so and lived, the others died. But few deaths, occurred, and these were mostly caused by accident. Pioneer children seemed to thrive best on a scarcity of food and clothes, and on their capability of resisting privations and disease. They asked for only sufficient clothing to render them decent—that was the object, to be decent, not to be comfortable. Their comfort consisted in simpicity, in Dr. Tanner fasts, and in hardihood. They were taught to look upon anything else as effeminate and foolish. This is why so many of the old settlers cling to the more difficult means of accomplishing the duties of life. They were taught thus, and having been guided during their walk in life by the precepts of privation learned in infancy, they refuse, when on the verge of the grave, to alter their mode of life by acquiring new knowledge to be applied in place of the time-tried and time-honored old. Settlers, upon their arrival in the township, usually had a small amount of money, which had been carefully' hoarded by the family when it was decided to seek a home in the wilderness. After the log cabin had been erected by the assistance of neighbors, and the family had entered upon their new life, the money began to flow like water from their pockets for this thing and that—actual necessities--until within a year or two nothing remained. Then began the more serious trials; for, dear reader, when you part with your money you part with your most steadfast friend, one that alone stands by you in adversity, -and one whose companionship is a solace and a supreme satisfaction. If an entire neighborhood was settled within four or five years, during that period what money had been taken there had flowed away, no one knew whither. It was gone, and in its place had arisen a system of barter and exchange, that, in a measure,. supplied a representative of value. Money is not a value; it represents 542 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. value, and facilitates exchange by adjusting balances, where values cannot be divided. Money serves to measure value, just as bushels serve to measure grain or provisions. But the settlers had no money, and they were forced to adopt some measure to expedite and effect commercial transactions. Some article in the neighborhood with an almost permanent value was taken as a standard, by which values were quoted. For instance, a deer skin was worth $1.50. That is, it passed for that value during a series of years at the early settlement of the neighborhood. It thus came to pass that grain or provisions were quoted as worth so many deer skins. Other standards of values were adopted. So many pounds of sugar were worth so many dozen eggs. So many yards of calico or linsey-woolsey were worth so many pounds of butter or bushels of potatoes. This condition of things was the outgrowth of a lack of money in the transactions of commerce. It thus was brought about that there were two measures of values—a " cash price " and " trade price," the latter being higher' than the former. Calico was worth, say thirty cents per yard in cash, or thirty-five cents per yard in trade. Some few settlers, who happened to have considerable money at their command, took advantage of this condition of the market to make large purchases at a low cash price, and to sell at a high trade price. Perhaps, reader, the fortune you are now enjoying, the fine farm you now own, was acquired thus by your father, when the country was yet a wilderness. Settlers soon saw that the lands were rapidly rising in value, and those who made the money, or who had it, invested it immediately in large tracts of valuable land, which, within fifteen or twenty years, quadrupled in value. Slowly and gradually these hardships for the mass of pioneers were overcome, and money found its way into the frontier settlements. People prosper as commerce prospers. Anything that checks the movements of commercial transactions, seriously infringes upon social prosperity. Our wants are supplied by purchase, or by trade, if money be lacking. Anything that obstructs the satisfaction of our wants, violates the laws which render us happy. Money is the oil which prevents the wheels of commerce from stopping. Trade is a poor substitute, which largely lacks that lubricating quality, which renders smooth and easy the movements of commerce. And yet, even this poor substitute is better than no oil at all. It effects the desired purpose in a bungling manner. If values be permanent, and the system of striking balances be thoroughly, understood, trade is often more expeditious than purchase and sale. This is illustrated in the clearing houses in all the large cities. But, even in these cases, money is required. and used in adjusting final balances. It is better to have a union of the two, and this was finally secured after money began to flow into the settlements. Long practice had rendered almost perfect the pioneer system of exchanges; and, when money was brought forward, commercial transactions became so prosperous, that the West made gigantic strides in financial prosperity between 1815 and 1835. This was precisely the condition of things in Jackson Township. Improvements went on slowly at first; but, as soon as values could be controlled, the prosperity and consequent happiness of the settlers were assured. Then were laid the foundations of many of the present handsome private fortunes; and then were the rude wilderness homes transformed into those of opulence and civilizing refinement. Old settlers do not like to lose altogether the recollection of early years. Then, hundreds of deer could be seen in the forests at almost any hour. Sometimes the settler, upon rising in the morning, would see a small herd grazing upon his wheat field. A shot from the door or window would bring down the fattest, and send the others, pell-mell, into the forest. It is stated by old settlers that deer were less afraid of women than of men, and would often approach quite near the former, especiaily if gaudily colored dresses were worn. This fact was sometimes used as an artifice to secure deer after they had become somewhat scarce. Many of the early settlers were skillful hunters and trappers, devoting much of their time, especially during the winter months, in securing flesh and furs for market. During the hunting season, they JACKSON TOWNSHIP - 543 sometimes made as high as $500. It is related that, on one occasion, one of the Lutzes, who had been hunting in the woods, had shot a deer, which had fallen upon the ground. Mr. Lutz went forward to cut its throat; but, just as he leaned over the prostrate animal, it leaped to its feet like a flash, knocking the settler to the ground like a battering ram, and bounding off at full speed through the forest. It had only been stunned by the shot. As soon as the hunter could collect his scattered senses, he looked around to find his deer; but it had disappeared, nor was it afterward to be found. It is stated that one of the Harters, of Plain Township, went hunting deer in Jackson at a very early date. When night came, he had killed eight of these animals, besides a variety of small game. He caught sight of a bear, and followed it several hours, but was finally obliged to give up the chase. Many other incidents of a similar nature are related. When the first settlers came into the township,: bears were quite numerous, and a few anecdotes regarding them are related. Mr. Friday, who had settled very early in Plain Township, but who, about the year 1810, had moved to a rude log cabin he had erected in Jackson Township, was one day, just at dark, hunting in the woods in the southern part of the township, when, as he was walking along a high ridge toward home, he saw two bears in the ravine below him. The animals were shambling along together, and had not perceived the hunter. Mr. Friday was but an indifferent hunter at best, and hesitated a moment before he decided to risk a shot at the bears, which were within about twenty rods of him. But he had plenty of resolution and courage, and, taking a rest in the fork of a small tree, he shot one of the bears through the head. Fearing that he might be attacked by its mate, he ran in the opposite direction with all his might for a short distance, without looking to ascertain the result of his shot. At length he stopped to load his gun and listen. No unusual sound was borne to his ears, and gathering courage from that 'fact, he started back to see what had become of the bears. He approached the spot whence he had fired, and, looking cautiously down, saw one of the bears lying upon the ground apparently dead, but its mate was not to be seen. Mr. Friday walked down, and saw that the bear -was indeed dead. This was much more than he had expected, as his rifle was none of the best, and he was a poor shot to boot. The other bear had secured its safety by flight, and Mr. Friday was satisfied to let it go. It is stated that at one time a party of hunters with their dogs, from Plain Township, pursued a bear into Jackson, and having wounded it, fought it with dogs and clubs for a long while, and at last finished the sport by shooting it through the head. The dogs at first were very bold, under the encouraging words of their masters; but, after they had been knocked a rod a few times, no coaxing or commanding could induce them to approach within reach of the bear. One of the dogs was so badly injured that it was afterward shot, to the great regret of the owner. It is with dogs as it is with men, the bravest are the ones that suffer. The wolves were very troublesome in early years, killing sheep, calves, swine, etc., without leave or license. Owing to these midnight marauders, it was almost impossible to keep sheep. If sheep were neglected for one night, and this occurred with every settler who tried to keep them, a flock of wolves was sure to kill half of them before morning. When the settler went out to feed them the next morning, and saw the animals, over which he had spent, so much time, lying dead upon the ground with their throats cut, maledictions of the bitterest sort came by the dozen from his lips. Aside from the liability of being killed by wild animals, still, it was difficult to keep sheep, owing to noxious and poisonous herbs growing in the woods, upon which the sheep fed. Sometimes half the flock were carried off at once in this manner. Swine ran wild in large numbers in the woods, feeding upon the " mast " which at all seasons of the year could be found in abundance. They were often killed by bears. Mills of various kinds were erected in Jackson at an early day. James F. Leonard, who at first had located at Canton, where it is said he kept a tavern, built the first saw-mill in the township. Mr. Leonard was an intelli- 544 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. gent man, and had followed surveying to some extent. The mill was erected not far from 1815, and was located in the southwestern part, on Mill Brook. A strong dam was built across the stream, and the mill was supplied with water by means of a race. Motion was communicated to the saw and machinery by a large breast-wheel. Mr. Sprankle soon pur- chased the mill, and, after operating it successfully until about the year 1822, it was permitted to run down. Elias Benner built a saw-mill on a small stream in the northern part, about the time the Leonard mill was abandoned. It was a frame mill, and was operated by Mr. Benner until about the year 1832, when it was bought by Mr. Singley, and after a short period was again sold to Isaac and Henry Bechtel. These men improved the mill and enlarged its capacity, and after operating it until 1838, sold out to Henry Beard. This man, and his son after him, greatly improved the mill, and continued operating it until a few years ago. During its career no steam has been used to operate the mill. It was purchased a few years ago by Mr. Smith, upon whose hands it ran down. It was one of the best mills of its kind ever in the township. In about the year 1820, Daniel Slanker erected a log grist-mill on Mill Brook; it was a rude concern, with one run of stone made out of "nigger-heads," and was known throughout the surrounding country as "the pepper-mill." It richly deserved this name, as the flour it furnished was about as coarse as pepper usually is. Mr. Slanker conducted this mill with success, until about the year 1828, when it was abandoned and was soon in ruins. The following year (1829), he built what is known as the " High Mill," called thus from the fact that it was four stories in height. This mill has been in operation ever since, under a change of owners, and, during the time of its continuance, has done a great deal for the township. Settlers liked to locate near good grist mills, as it saved them long, fatiguing journeys, often' through almost bottomless roads. In about the -year 1833, the mill was sold to Mr. Lenox; but not long afterward, Michael Sprankle became owner, with whose family it has remained since. Daniel Slanker, immediately after selling the "High Mill," built another at Mill-port called the "Stone Mill." It is yet running, and has- been the best mill in the town ship, and one of the best in . the county; it was, at first, operated by water-power, and, at that time, had a thriving custom trade; but now the motor is steam, and an extensive merchant trade is enjoyed. It has been owned by different parties, one of them being a man named Wellman. The present owners are McLain. Bros., of Massillon. It is related that before Mr. Slanker built these mills and while he was yet at Canton, he one day went to the place where they are located, to examine the creek, as to its fall. He became satisfied that it was an excellent site for a mill, but he had no money with which to build one or to buy the land. He was afraid that somebody would get the start of him and buy the site. Jacob Braucher owed him $100, and Mr. Slanker, after a little thought, resolved to offer to take $50 cash for the debt. This was done, and• the offer was accepted, and Mr. Slanker immediately dispatched a man with the money to Steubenville to enter the land. He had seen other parties looking around there, and surmised what they were endeavoring to do. The messenger reached Steubenville in the night, and proceeding to the office of the land agent, sat down on the steps, and there remained until the office was opened the next, morning, when the land was immediately entered. About two hours later, one of the men who had been seen looking at the mill sine, put in an appearance, and made application for the land, but he was informed that he was . too late. Incidents of this character frequently occurred in early years. James Black owned a distillery which was located near the " pepper-mill " in early times. It is thought that the building was owned by Slanker, and that Mr. Black was employed as distiller, though this is not certain. Whisky of fair quality was manufactured at the rate of about a barrel a day. Mr. Lenox also owned one, which was located at "High Mill;" he also made about a barrel of whisky per day. Neither of the distilleries was conducted longer than about six years.. Henry Bechtel relates that it was customary, before going JACKSON TOWNSHIP - 545 into the field in the morning, to drink a decoction of whisky and tansy, with bread and butter, and after working until about 8 o’clock, a hearty breakfast was eaten by all. Another hearty drink was taken just before dinner, and one also just before supper. It was too often the case that men would drink so much whisky in the hay-field, or harvest-field, as to incapacitate them from labor. Mr. Bechtel was one of the first to put a stop to this; he instructed the whisky carrier to give so much and no more to each man, and despite the fault that was found, persisted in this conduct. Some of the men demurred on the first day, and were on the point of quitting the field, but harmony was restored at night, when Mr. Bechtel placed a pail of whisky and a tin cup on a block in the yard, and told the men to help themselves. A second invitation was not necessary. Mr. Bechtel told them his object in doing as he had done, and further informed them that he intended to continue thus during the harvest. The men saw that their employer had adopted the wisest course, and wisely followed his advice. An old-fashioned harvest-field presented an interesting appearance. Here were the cradlers one after another, swinging their heavy implements through the tall grain and laying it in long even rows for the binders, who followed with rakes, to form and bind the sheaves, and to rake up the grain that had been scattered by themselves and by the cradlers. It took a smart man to rake and bind after a good cradler; frequently, it was all that two wanted to do. It was a common thing to see women in the field, raking and binding after the cradlers. They often could bind as much as a man. Going back still further, though not beyond the memory of many an old settler yet living, and we see the grain cut by the sickle. It seems unaccountable, and yet with this rude, primitive implement, several acres of grain could be cut down in a single day. What a wonderful change has taken place in harvest machinery during the last half century. Now it is so that the farmer can drive his team around the field all day, and at night his grain is ready for the shock. Truly, this is the age of invention. Jackson Township, unlike some others in the county, has had but one village proper within its limits. Certain localities, where several residences were erected, have made pretensions to the name and fame of villages; but, aside from these localities, the citizens have generally rejected as ridiculous all such assumptions, and have stigmatized the so-. called villages by high-sounding and opprobrious epithets. Of course, such unfriendly conduct met with bitter hostility from the residents, who claimed to be villagers.. Those who were disposed to be critical, and who extended the finger of scorn, were frankly told to mind their own business; this did not mend matters, though time did. It is stated that Miliport has had as high as twelve families living in it at one time. This fact did not deter the outsiders from criticism; they became more Argus-eyed, or lynx-eyed, than ever, and circulated strange reports regarding the growth of—yes, the villages. Could any conduct be blacker, or savor more of brimstone? And yet the villagers refrained from taking immediate and summary vengeance upon the. offenders. They believed with Portia that “The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath; it is twice bless'd. It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes. 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown." Two coopers have plied their trade in the village, turning out quite a number of useful articles. Now, say if you dare, it is not a village. Lots in size to suit purchasers have been sold, and now something else is sold besides lots. And still the tale is but half unfolded. James Reed (all honor to him) has braved the frowning face of criticism, and established a store at the village. T,he outsiders have been so ill-mannered as to "dub" the store " one-horse." Should such conduct be tolerated in this enlightened age? In the language of Gen. Garfield, Hunt the rascals down." Mr. Reed keeps a general assortment of goods, and his advent was hailed with delight by the ambitious villagers; Bridgeport has shared the same ignominious treatment; even worse, for, as it could boast of only some seven resident families, it has been made the constant butt of jokes, until forbearance has 546 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. ceased to be a virtue. This village was first started by Abraham Miller, who built a tavern on its present site, at a very early day. This was probably about the year 1827, when boats first began to run on the canal. Mr. Miller soon secured a paying patronage, and followed the occupation for a number of years. Neither Bridgeport nor Millport has ever been properly platted and recorded. McDonaldsville was' laid out, platted and recorded, in March; 1829. The owners and proprietors were John Clapper and Abraham Routan, and the surveyor was Henry Beard. The village is located on Sections 9 and 10. Twenty-four lots were laid out, to which no recorded additions have since been made. The assignment of the land for village purposes was acknowledged by the owners before Henry Bechtel, Justice of the Peace. At the time the lots were laid out, there were some three or four dwellings in the village. Others" were immediately erected, and soon the villagers called for a store. There is a tradition concerning the naming of the village, which is not generally known. Henry Beard, the surveyor, about this time, had been reading Revolutionary war history. He had read of Marion in the Carolinas, and the military achievements in those colonies had made a deep impression on his mind. One of Gen. Marion’s subordinate officers was a man named McDonald. This officer, one day, when on a scout, stopped at the residence of a rich old Tory, and asked the latter if he had any good horses. The Tory said he had not, but the officer, not believing him, went to the barn, and there found a magnificent race-horse. The Tory begged the young officer not to take, the horse, but all to no avail, as the animal was saddled, and bridled, and ridden away. The horse had attained a wide reputation for speed, and was called "Salem." The young officer rode the animal to the quarters of his General, to whom it was presented. The description given: of McDonald so pleased Mr. Beard, that, when the owner of the village asked him what it should be called, he at once suggested McDonaldsville, and the name was adopted. William McCormick opened the first store in about the year 1830. A small building was erected, and, in one apartment, about $300 worth of goods and $50 worth of whisky were placed. This store remained open for about twelve years, and during that time the stock had been increased until it is said to have been worth nearly $1,000. The other portions of the building were fitted up in a suitable manner, and thrown open for public use as a tavern. Mr. McCormick,s tavern patronage was considerably injured by ,another tavern, situated on the Friday road toward Canton, and owned by Michael Aley. This man kept a saloon in connection with his tavern, and the place soon became a great resort for those who loved the "flowing bowl." The revelries were carried on far into the night, and those who left early the next morning, said, "We had a fine time." The patron age was largely taken from McCormick, and yet he made considerable money. He at last sold his store, saloon and tavern to William Heldebrand. Since then, many persons have kept store, tavern and saloon in the village. These three occupations have usually been combined. There has been no time when whisky could not be had for--the money. The village had a hard name for a number of years, not only on account of the quantity of liquor sold there, but also on account of the hard cases who were residents. Of late years the inhabitants have greatly improved in this respect. Many other parties have embarked on the mercantile sea at the village. William Calbeck was in for a short time soon after Heldebrand. Other merchants have been C. B. Blodgett, John Palmer, Mr. Weidler, Hammer & Braucher, Mr. Roush, William Schick, and the present merchant, William Moose. There have been times when there was no store in the village, but usually there has been, some of them being first-class. A general assortment of goods has been usually kept, and, in some instances, the stock has been worth several thousand dollars. There has been a tavern in the village since the lots were laid out. Shoemakers, carpenters and blacksmiths, have come and gone, leaving the effects of their presence in substantial work. A post office was secured at an early day. It has been customary for the merchants to deal in general country produce, giving goods from JACKSON TOWNSHIP - 547 their store for butter, eggs, hams, cheese, etc., these provisions being shipped by wagon to Massillon or the county seat. A willingness on the part of the proprietors to give goods in exchange for country produce, has brought patronage to the stores, that would otherwise have been transferred to stores in the larger places. At no time has the population of the village exceeded one hundred. It was the design of the owners to make the village an important point, where large amounts of cap.- ital should be invested, and where the wealthy and educated should assemble for mutual profit. They saw no reason why this could not be accomplished, as villages not so favorably located had passed successfully through the incipient stages of obscurity, disfavor and apparent standstill in growth, to great prosperity and unprecedented improvement; the lots were advertised for sale, but unfortunately, as was too often the case in early years, they were rated so high that mechanics and artificers could not afford to buy, and the result was that the very class of men needed to build up the village in valuable industries, journeyed on to places where they could locate permanently at less expense. After a few years the owners saw the mistake into which they had fallen, and endeavored to extricate themselves by lowering the price of the lots; but their time for possible success had been permitted to slip by, and they sorrowfully clothed themselves in sackcloth and ashes, and mourned over their shortsightedness. Nothing save the presence of a railroad or a gold mine would raise the village from its present obscurity and inaction. Schools were taught in the township at an early day. The citizens did not wait for large, fine schoolhouses, and highly educated teachers who required large salaries. They must have schools for the children, who were growing up neglected around them. It is too true that people who have a good thing, do not prize it as highly as those who have it not. The latter, not having it, can appreciate the trials to be met without it; while those who have it, do not trouble themselves about the prospect of losing it. Thus it is with schools; people who had passed through life without any book education, had been met by situations where, had they possessed proper education, they could have triumphed over, difficulties, which resulted in defeat from a lack of education. These resolved that their children should be spared the same fate. Accordingly, the first schools in the township were taught in dwellings, by teachers who .possessed scarcely more than the rudiments of education. Sometimes the dwellings possessed two comfortable rooms, one of which would be fitted up with rough desks and benches for the children, and a stand or table, from which the decrees of the teacher were to be issued. A broad fire-place, whose genial blaze cast a ruddy glow over the healthy forms of the pioneer children, was, perhaps, the most cheerful object in the room. Old settlers insist that the early schoolhouses were much healthier than those at present, as the fire-places served to furnish almost perfect ventilation. It is stated that the first schoolhouse was a rude, round log affair, built at the geographical center of the township, as early as 1816. It was through the instrumentality of Mr. Slanker that it was erected. A Mr. Upson, an eccentric Yankee, was one of the first teachers; it is said that he often punished bad scholars by treading on their toes; this correction produced the desired effect, and was considered as a "Yankee trick." Mr. Upson taught a good school, and, at its conclusion, went to the western part of the State. This house was used until about the year 1820, when it was abandoned, and Mr. Slanker’s children were sent to Kendal, where they boarded with a relative and went to school. In about the year 1824, a hewed-log house was built at the center, and since that date, school there has been continuous. A schoolhouse was built on Section 6 as early as 1825; it was a log structure, and two of the early teachers were Samuel Bechtel and Mr. Sorrick. Some eight years later, a better house was built about half a mile farther east, and a few years ago the present brick was constructed. A log schoolhouse appeared on Section 10, not far from the year 1820. Samuel Bechtel taught in this house during the winter of 1821-22. When Christmas came, the boys determined to bar the teacher out, and thus force him to treat them. The teacher rather liked the idea of being barred 548 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. out, as they thus secured a holiday. Mr. Bechtel was one of this sort. He resolved, however, to get ahead of the boys; he, accordingly, sent his brother Henry, then a tall stripling of sixteen years, to the schoolhouse to teach in his place. Henry reached the schoolhouse before the boys, and endeavored to kindle a fire, but failed. Two young men, scholars at the school, appeared upon the scene, and not dreaming that it was Henry’s intention to teach during the day, assisted him to start the fire. Soon all the large scholars had arrived, and were anxiously awaiting the appearance of the teacher, chuckling with satisfaction at the prospect of barring that functionary out. The hour for opening the school came, whereupon Henry arose and informed the scholars that he had been sent, to teach the school that day, and directed them to take their seats and get their books. All did as requested and the day passed without noteworthy incident. Just as the school was about to close at night, Samuel appeared with a "treat" of candy and doughnuts; this healed all disappointment. A schoolhouse was built in the northeastern part as early as 1825. The first schoolhouse was built at McDonaldsville about the time the village was laid out; it was a large building, and was used for a variety of purposes until 1837, when another house was built to take its place, about one hundred rods farther west. Owing to a lack of interest on the part of those in the district, the house was built by Henry Bechtel at his own expense; and even then Mr. Bechtel was required to board the teacher. He secured the services of a competent teacher, Thomas Clemmons, who taught several terms there. The school at the village has occasioned the citizens a great deal of trouble. The present house, a fine brick building, which cost some $2,400, was erected five years ago. The southwestern part had a schoolhouse at a very early day, but almost everything regarding it has been -forgotten The first church edifice in the township was erected in 1824 by the Lutherans and German Reformers. It was a union structure, built of hewed logs, and became known as "Mud Brook Church." Among the early members were the families of Messrs. Slanker, Click, Braucher. Tresch, Humbert, Everhart and Heldenbrand. Mr. Ettleman united with the church some time afterward, and, as the building about this time needed re-chinking, he was employed for that purpose; he had never done anything of the kind. before, and it is safe to say he never did anything of the kind again after he got through with that job; he plastered the entire outer surface of the building with mortar, until it looked as if mud had been rained from the clouds. The Superintendent pointed out the inappropriateness of the work, but Mr. Ettleman refused to see anything out of place. In about the year 1834, the old log building was replaced by a handsome brick structure, which is yet standing; it is not so handsome as it was in earlier years. The two religious societies that own the church worship on alternate Sundays, and have since their church was first built. Revs. Anthony Weier and Benjamin Foust were two of the early ministers connected with these societies; they were both good men, and were known throughout the greater, portion of the county by settlers who yet love to remember their kind faces. Rev. J. J. Fast, a Lutheran, succeeded Weier, and J. W. Hamm, a G erman Reformer, succeeded Foust. Rev. Hamm Preached for the society for almost half a century, and left behind the record of a life full of example well worthy of imitation; his moral influence upon the neighborhood will be felt for scores of years to come. The same two denominations built the " Zion,s Church," in the northeastern part, in an early day. It is located on the line between Plain and Jackson Townships, from each of which it has taken members. Further mention of this church. will be found in the sketch of Plain Township. In about the year 1835, an Evangelical Church was built at McDonaldsville; it was a frame building, poorly constructed, and, after being used some ten years, was replaced with another, and is now used as a barn. The present church was built a short time after the last war. The society is in a prosperous condition, and holds regular services. A few years ago, the Dunkards erected a $2,000 church, near the Zion Church; the building is a large frame structure, built without orna- BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP - 549 mentation, and the membership is, at present, on the increase. The township is not so well supplied with churches as other portions of the county. This is due to the fact that many of the citizens belong to churches located without the limits of the township. CHAPTER XXVIII.* BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP—SOIL AND DRAINAGE—PIONEER FAMILIES -INDUSTRIES AND IMPROVEMENTS—EARLY INCIDENTS AND CUSTOMS—CALCUTTA— NAVARRE AS A WHEAT DEPOT —ITS INCORPORATION—EDUCATION AND RELIGION. " There was a time when meadow, grove and stream, The earth, and every common sight, To me did seem Appareled in celestial light— The glory and the freshness of a dream. It is not now as it bath been of yore : Turn wheresoe'er I may, By night or day, The things which I have seen I now can see no more. " — Wordsworth. THERE is much in a name, notwithstanding the poet's confident assertion that a rose by any other name would be as sweet. It is interesting to know that little things, which have no seeming importance or value, often control the destiny of individuals or nations. It was but a little piece of red-white-and-blue cloth that the rebels fired upon at Fort Sumter, yet it kindled a flame of fiery wrath throughout the nation that swept through the " Sunny South " to the Gulf, and that is yet smoldering in all the Northern States, ready to burst forth at any moment into angry activity at the prospect of impending calamity to the country. It was but a little child, born at the obscure village of Bethlehem, in Judea, among thousands that claimed that beautiful country as their native land, that has filled the whole earth with triumphant joy and bewildering hope. How sweet is the name Bethlehem in every Christian's heart ! It is like the memory of joys that are past. It is a symbol of God's presence on earth, and is a comforting lullaby in moments of despondency. The name is immortalized on earth, and is lovingly bestowed upon dear or honored objects by those who profess an adherence to the faith proclaimed to the world by the " Babe of Bethlehem. " A large colony of Moravians that came to Pennsylvania a century and a half ago settled in a beautiful valley and * Contributed by W. A. Goodspeed. founded a village, which was named Bethlehem. Followers of this sect from this locality came to the Tuscarawas Valley long before the State was settled by the whites, and established missions among the Indians. One of these was located in what is now Bethlehem Township, and is fully described in another chapter of this volume. The early settlers were well aware of this circumstance, and when the township was created, appropriately named it Bethlehem. The township is not of the usual size—six miles square—but lacks about four sections of being up with the standard. This is owing to the fact that the southern boundary of the township is partly of the Greenville treaty line, which takes a dip to the southwest from Section 34. Entering the township about a mile east of the northwest corner, thence flowing with many windings in a southeasterly direction and leaving from Section 34, is the famous Tuscarawas River. It is now only about two-thirds its size in early years. Boats drawing several feet of water were accustomed in early years to ascend this river to the northern part of Stark Co. or farther, to take loads of grain down the river to the Ohio, thence to New Orleans to market. This would be impossible at the present depth of the river. The township is well and thoroughly drained by various small tributaries of the Tuscarawas. As a whole, the township is too rolling for agricultural purposes. The valleys and level tracts of lands are exceedingly rich, as is shown by the heavy crops raised upon them annually. The forest is left standing on the more rolling land. In some cases such land has been converted into meadows or pastures. Coal and stone are found at several places. Out from the river the land is leveler, though even here it is far from flat.