PREFACE
OUR history of Stark County, after months of arduous. toil, is now completed. Every important
field of research has been minutely scanned by those engaged in its preparation ; no subject of
universal public value has been omitted, 'save where protracted effort failed to secure trustworthy
results. The necessarily limited nature of the work, the impossibility of engrafting upon its pages
the vast fund of the county's historic information, and the proper omission of many valueless
details and events, have compelled the publishers to be brief on all subjects presented. Fully
'aware of our inability to furnish a perfect history from meager public documents, inaccurate
private correspondence and numberless conflicting traditions, we make no pretension of having
prepared a work devoid of blemish. Through the courtesy and the generous assistance met with
everywhere, we have been enabled to rescue from oblivion the greater portion of important
events that have transpired in Stark County in past' years. We feel assured that all thoughtful
people in the county, at present and in future, will recognize and appreciate the importance of the
undertaking, and the great public benefit that has been accomplished.
It will be observed that a dry statement of fact has been avoided ; and that the rich romance of
border incident has been woven in with statistical details, thus forming an attractive and graphic
narrative, and lending beauty to the mechanical execution of the volume. and additional value to
it as a work for perusal. We claim superior excellence in our manner of collecting material ; in
the division of the subject matter into distinct and appropriate chapters ; in giving a separate
chapter to every town, township and im portant subject, and in the systematic arrangement of the
individual chapters. While we acknowledge the existence of unavoidable errors, we claim to have
prepared a, work fully up to the standard of our promises, and as accurate and comprehensive as
could be expected under the circumstances.
AUGUST, 1881 - THE PUBLISHERS.
CONTENTS.
PART I.
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
CHAPTER I.—Introductory—Topography—Geology—Primitive Races—Antiquities—Indian Tribes - 11
CHAPTER II—Explorations in the West. - 19
CHAPTER III.—English Explorations—Traders—French and Indian War in the West—English
Possession - 37
CHAPTER IV.—Pontiac's Conspiracy—Its Failure—Bouquet's Expedition—Occupation by the
English - 48
CHAPTER V.—American Exploration—Dunmore's War—Campaign of George Rogers
Clarke—Land Troubles—Spain in the-Revolution—Murder of the Moravian Indians. - 52
CHAPTER VI.—American Occupation—Indian Claims—Early Land Companies—Compact of
1787—Organization of the Territory—Early American Settlements in the Ohio Valley—First
Territorial Officers—Organization of Counties - 60
CHAPTER VII.—Indian War of 1795—Harmar's Campaign—St. Clair's Campaign—Wayne's
Campaign—Close of the War - 73
CHAPTER VIII.—Jay's Treaty—The Question of State Rights and National Supremacy—
Extension of Ohio Settlements —Land Claims—Spanish Boundary Question - 79
CHAPTER IX.—First Territorial Representatives in Congress —Division of the
Territory—Formation of States—Marietta Settlement—Other Settlements—Settlements in the
Western Reserve—Settlement of the Central Valleys—Further Settlements in the Reserve and
Elsewhere - 85
CHAPTER X.—Formation of the State Government—Ohio a State—The State
Capitals—Legislation—The " Sweeping" Resolutions - 121
CHAPTER XI.—The War of 1812—Growth of the State—Canal, Railroads and other
Improvements—Development of State Resources - 127
CHAPTER XII—Mexican War--Continued Growth of the State —War of the Rebellion—Ohio's
Part in the Conflict - 132
CHAPTER XIII.—Ohio in the Centennial—Address of Edward D. Mansfield, LL D.,
Philadelphia, August 9, 1876 - 138
CHAPTER XIV.—Education—Early School Laws—Notes—Institutions and Educational
Journals—School System—School Funds—Colleges and Universities - 148
CHAPTER XV.—Agriculture—Area of the State—Early Agriculture in the West—
Markets—Live. Stock—Nurseries, Fruits, etc.—Cereals, Root and Cucurbitaceous
Crops—Agricultural Implements—Agricultural Societies—Pomological and Horticultural
Societies - 151
CHAPTER XVI.—Climatology—Outline—Variation in Ohio—Estimate in Degrees—Amount
of Variability - 163
PART II.
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.—Physicial Features—Geological Survey—Rock Section—Stark County Coal
Deposits—Blackband Iron Ore—Surface Products—Agriculture—Farming and Stock
Raising—Societies, etc. - 165
CHAPTER II.—The Early Inhabitants—Prehistoric Occupation and Remains in Stark
County—Classification of Earth-works—Sketches of Indian Tribes—Stark County
Indians—Interesting Incidents - 183
CHAPTER III.—Organization of the County—Heckwelder's Mission—White
Settlements—Early Public Buildings—Court Houses and Jails—Civil Divisions of the
County—Post Offices—The County Infirmary, etc. - 199
CHAPTER IV.—Early Church History—Pioneer Ministers—Schools and Schoolhouses—
Statistics—Railroads and Canals—Their Construction—Railroad System of the
county—Projected Railroads - 216
CHAPTER V.—War History—The Revolution—Capt. Stidger's Company of 1812—Stark in the
Mexican War—Opening of the Rebellion—Sketches of Different Regiments -Drafts—Aid
Societies, etc. - 229
CHAPTER VI.—The Court and Bar—Common Pleas—Associate and President
Judges—Lawyers Past and Present - 256
CHAPTER VII.—The Medical Fraternity—Early Doctors—Different Systems—Medical
Societies. - 270
CHAPTER VIII.—Canton Township—Its General and Physical Features—Meyer's
Lake—Settlement by the Whites —Original Plat of Canton—Slusser's Mill—Indians
Schools—A Retrospection - 287
CHAPTER IX.—The City of Canton—Its First Sale of Lots- Original Boundaries—The Land
Office—Early Industries—Farmer's Bank—Temperance Reform—Theatricals and Other
Pastimes—First Post Office - 300
CHAPTER X.—The City of Canton—Its Growth and Increase of Wealth—Slackwater
Navigation—The Aultman Works —Present Proportions of their Business—Other Industries
—Capital and Labor Employed—Census Statistics - 320
CHAPTER XI.—The City of Canton—Educational Agencies—The Press—City Newspapers—
Schools of Canton—Their Past and Present—Religious Influences—Sketches of the
Churches—Benevolent Societies - 346
CHAPTER XII.—Perry Township—Name and Organization - Settlements—An Incident—First
Religious Meetings—Village of Kendal—Pioneer Industries—Ohio Canal - Education—Charity
School—Villages, etc. - 372
CHAPTER XIII.—The City of Massillon—Its Birth and Growth —A Destructive Fire—The
Canal—First Post Office—Educational—The Schools of Massillon—Incorporation of the
Town—Its Municipal Government - 389
CHAPTER XIV.—The City of Massillon—Manufacturing Interests—Russell & Co.'s
Works—The Massillon Iron Company—Other Enterprises and Coal Interests—Massillon
Railroads—The Banking Business, etc. - 398
CHAPTER XV.—The City of Massillon—Its Church History—The Early Methodists—Other
Church Organizations--Secret and Benevolent Institutions—The Press—First Newspaper in
Massillon - 407
CHAPTER XVI.—Lexington Township—Its Early History and Physical Features—Settlement
by the Whites—Pioneer Industries—Educational Influences—Teachers—Churches —Church
History,. etc. - 421
CHAPTER XVII.—The City of Alliance—Growth and Advancement—Business
Industries—Schools and Colleges —Churches, Sunday Schools, etc.—Benevolent
Organizations—Other Incidents - 434
CHAPTER XVIII.—Lawrence Township—Description and Physical Features—Coming of the
Pioneers—Names of Early Settlers—Progress—Canal Fulton—Its Growth and Development -
452
CHAPTER XIX.—Nimishillen Township—Boundaries and Topography—Organization—Early
Settlement—Pioneer Industries—Advancement and Progress—IncidentsChurches, Schools, etc. -
462
CHAPTER XX.—Sandy Township—Settlement, Boundaries and Organization—Indian and War
Incidents—Pioneer Industries—County Officers—Waynesburgh—Its Incorporation—Church
History - 469
CHAPTER XXI—Osnaburg Township—Topographical Features—An Incident—Early
Settlement—Hard Times and Rough Scenes—Organization of Township—Schools and
Churches—Villages, etc. - 483
CHAPTER XXII.—Plain Township—Outline of Physical Features—Old Records—Early
Land-holders—Pioneer Improvements and Industries—Growth of Villages—School and Church
History - 492
CHAPTER XXIII.—Paris Township—Description and Physical Features—Early Settlement by
White People—Facts and Incidents—Early Improvements—Organization of Township—Schools
and Villages - 502
CHAPTER XXIV.—Tuscarawas Township—Organization, Boundaries, etc.—The Roll of Early
Settlers—First Census—Schools and Early Teachers—Churches—The Poe Family—Post
Offices, etc. - 510
CHAPTER XXV.—Sugar Creek Township—Physical Features —Land Owners of
1828—Settlement and Accompanying Incidents—Industrial Growth—Villages—Educational
and Religious Influences, etc. - 521
CHAPTER XXVI.—Pike Township—Descriptive and Topographical—Boundaries and
Organization—Settlement by the Whites—Pioneer Incidents and Industries—Educational and
Religious—Villages - 530
CHAPTER XXVII.—Jackson Township—Description—Early Settlement—Personal Facts and
Incidents—Development of Local Industries—Villages—Progress of Education and Religion -
539
CHAPTER XXVIII.—Bethlehem Township—Soil and Drainage—Pioneer Families—Industries
and Improvements -Calcutta—Navarre as a Wheat Market—Schools and Churches - 549
CHAPTER XXIX.—Lake Township—Surface Features and Climatic Condition—First
Settlers—Organization—Industrial and Social—Manufactories—Villages, Churches and Schools
- 559
CHAPTER XXX.—Marlborough Township—Coming of the Pioneer—List of Old
Settlers—Mills and Foundries—The Quakers and the Underground Railroad—Villages—
Schools, Churches, Agriculture, etc. - 569
CHAPTER XXXI.—Washington Township—Natural Features —Early Settlers—Lost
Children—Pioneer Industries and Improvements—Educational and Religious—Underground
Railroad - 580
PART III.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
Alliance, City of - 717
Bethlehem Township - 982
Canton, City of - 595
Canton Township - 646
Jackson Township - 977
Lexington Township - 749
Lawrence Township - 767
Lake Township - 934
Massillon City of - 656
Marlborough Township - 918
Nimishillen Township - 901
Osnaburg Township - 838
Perry Township - 705
Plain Township - 878
Paris Township - 867
Pike Township - 850
Sandy Township - 817
Sugar Creek Township - 950
Tuscarawas Township - 795
Washington Township - 999
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PORTRAITS.
Bayliss, James - 373
Coates, A. W. (Biography on page 720) - 437
Folger, Robert H. (Biography on page 667) - 389
Goodin, W. B. (Biography on page 1012) - 485
Hartshorn, 0. N. (Biography on page 754) - 445
Harter, Isaac (Biography on page 611) - 343
Hane, Jacob (Biography on page 613) - 357
Holtz, George (Biography on page 882) - 533
Koontz, Jeremiah (Biography on page 827) - 517
Loutzenheiser, Peter (Biography on page 886) - 213
McCall, Thomas (Biography on page 837) - 469
McDowell, James (Biography on page 887) - 501
Mathias, H (Biography on page 911) - 463
Pontius, John (Biography on page 890) - 493
Pontius, A. (Biography on page 890) - 181
Robertson, W A. (Biography on page 831) - 477
Royer, H. C. (Biography on page 692) - 405
Russell, C. M. (Biography on page 686) - 413
Sherrick, Jacob (Biography on page 652) - 293
Schmachtenberger, Jacob (Biography on page 875) - 505
Stump, Levi (Biography on page 710) - 381
Slusser, John (Biography on page 632) - 325
Schwartz, Jacob (Biography on page 945) - 565
Trump, P. P. (Biography on page 637) - 309
Teeters, Elisha (Biography on page 764) - 421
Wyant, George (Biography on page 1012) - 509
Young, Cyrus (Biography on page 793) - 453
VIEWS.
Fairmount Children's Home - 590
Mount Union College - 441
Stark County Court House - 165
Addenda - 1012
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