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CHAPTER XXIX.*

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP—PHYSICAL. FEATURES—COAL. AND OTHER MINERALS—SETTLEMENTS OF'

THE WHITES—CRANBERRY GROWTH—VILLAGES

—EDUCATIONAL AND RELIGOUS INSTITUTIONS.

THE charms that cluster like gems around I. the mysteries of the silent past do not end with the beginning of authentic history. but linger with multiplied beauty around the strange myths and fairy tales that come to us through the lapse of unknown centuries. Through the medium of ethnology, archaeology and philology, a wonderful vision of past years is revealed to the present age—one that haunts the inquiring mind of the historical investigator like the face of an angel, instead of like the dismal shadow that shook its gory locks at Macbeth. The vision reveals that, thousands of years before the Christian era unknown centuries before a means of recording human events had been invented—the human race lived a quiet pastoral life in Central Asia.

•Coutributed by W. A. Goodspeed.

Seen through the mists of years, their homes and haunts became the source of many a legend or poetic tale, that had its creation on the bold summits of the Scythian hills, or in the fertile valley of the Oxus or the Jaxartes. Every known field has been carefully searched to clear up the darkness that antedates recorded history ; but the sacrifice of time and labor by the assiduous inquirer has been almost wholly fruitless, and has met with continued disappointment and rebuff, and the early mythical traditions are believed to be an imperfect account of what actually transpired in prehistoric times. Since the origin of writing, the most valuable invention ever given to the human race, remarkable strides have been made in intellectual and moral advancement, and in all that makes a people great. During the

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passage of time, though unnumbered events of vital importance to the human race have been left unrecorded ; yet "line upon line and precept upon precept" of measureless value to man have been written for his perusal and improvement. History is but an imperfect record of human experience, though, notwithstanding its defects. it is of almost infinite importance to the race. for the probable events of the future can be foreknown only by a knowledge of the past. Men and nations are wise only as they can look into the future and anticipate coming events which cast their shadows before. and this can be done only from analogy with what has taken place in the past. The proper study of mankind is man." and history in its widest and grandest sense is such a study. This places the historian in the light of a public benefactor to succeeding generations ; but a prophet—one that can anticipate the future —labors on without the respect or honor of his own country and age. His name will become embalmed in song as the cycles of time sweeps by, will become colossal in the hearts of generations yet unborn, a sublime monument to the departed genus of past ages.

It is not expected that the simple narrative of these pages will be prophecy, for the art of divination is yet in its swaddling clothes. It is difficult enough for ordinary capabilities to acquire a correct and comprehensive knowledge of what has taken place in past years, without borrowing trouble by attempting to peer with curiosity into some Pandora's box of the future. Fictions and hopes and idealisms are thrown down. and facts of all hues are taken up to be woven into the gaudy fabric of local history. The historian, like the insurance agent or the undertaker, has a thankless task, but he takes comfort in knowing that coming generations will fully appreciate the result of his labors. It may appear to some that the historian has an easy time in rummaging through dusty memorials, or following some Jackwiththelantern tradition that constantly eludes him, but knowing as he does that the weight of the responsibility of recording the truth, giving to each item of history its appropriate and comparative degree of importance, leaving no path partially neglected or wholly un-searched, resisting the demands of the bigots who insist in having their names enrolled high on the page of honor. rests uponhis shoulder like the sphere of Atlas, he puts forth his greatest powers to encompass the situation and to hand to posterity an accurate and comprehensive record. Nothing but patient, protracted labor brings the desired information. t thus occurs that, in looking over Franklin Township. much difficulty is experienced in accumulating its past history. Traditions are vague and unsatisfactory, and an accurate knowledge of all the facts is out of the question. It often occurs that no two men who are questioned give a similar account of the same event, thus adding much to the perplexity of the historian, or placing the subject beyond the possibility of a correct solution. A cheerful readiness to tell everything known, and to volunteer much information of events of doubtful occurrence. is met with everywhere. Men yet living, who were in the township at the time of its creation. cannot recall any of the incidents connected therewith. The names of many of the earliest settlers have passed beyond the powers of recollection, and the gloom surrounding many important circumstances refuses to yield to the historian's repeated and emphatic injunction. " Let there be light !" It is again necessary to call the attention of the reader to the fact that history at best is but a partial narration of events.

In 1854. Lucius V. Bierce wrote : "The portion of Franklin Township lying east of the Tuscarawas was surveyed in February, 1800, by Ebenezer Buckingham. The Tuscarawas was then the boundary between the United States and the Indians, which was the reason why the balance of the township was not surveyed at the same time. It will be recollected that the Indian title east of the Cuyahoga. the Tuscarawas and the portage path was extinguished by the treaty of Fort McIntosh (Beaver) in 1785. Their title to the territory west of those rivers was not extinguished until the treaty of Fort Industry. in 1805. It is a singular feature of these treaties that the Indians, in the first treaty, ceded the territory east of those rivers, and, in the last treaty, all west of those rivers, but have never ceded the rivers, the fee of which is still in the Indians. This township is No. 2 of Range 10 of the Ohio Land Company's purchase. In forming ranges, the United States began at the east line of the State, on the base of the Western Reserve, and every six miles west was a range,

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numbering from the east toward the west. The townships on the east side counted from the Ohio River north to the base line of the Reserve. Thus the north township in the first range in Stark County on the base line of the Reserve is No. 19, Range 16, lying nineteen townships, or 114 miles north of the Ohio River, and 6 townships or 36 miles west of the east line of the State. The townships continued to be thus numbered until they reached the Ohio Land Company's purchase, when they count from the north line of that purchase. This regularity continues until Range 10 is reached, when the north township (Franklin) is numbered 2 from the following circumstances : In 1800, when the survey was made and the township and ranges numbered, there was but a fraction of Franklin lying east of the Tuscarawas and within the Government limits—all west of the river belonging to the Indians. In running the west line of Range 10, the surveyors struck the Tuscarawas in Lawrence Township, next south of Franklin, and, as they could not cross the river to complete the required six miles east and west of those two townships, they named them Fractions 1 and 2 in Range 10. In 1807, two years after the land west of the Tuscarawas became the property of the Government. it was surveyed y Joseph H. Harwell, and enough was added to the fractional townships on the east to make two full townships each six miles square, but the numbers have never been changed : so that what originally stood for the numbers OF fractious now stands for the numbers of the townships." Franklin is thus No. 2 instead of No. 1. as it should be to conform with adjoining townships.

In early years the situation of the township was looked upon with favor by the settlers. An abundance of excellent waterpower could easily be obtained on almost every stream, especially at places where the smaller ones entered the Tuscarawas. The river, then a much larger stream than it is at present, afforded fine communication with the southern portion of the State. Several lakes were in the township, in which an abundance of excellent, though small, fish abounded. The soil, though lying flat and very wet, was rich with decaying vegetable remains, and gave promise of boundless fertility, when the stagnant water could be turned into some of the neighboring streams,and the action of the sun could be unchecked y the removal of the forests. The township is a fraction over five miles north and south, and exceeds that distance by a little east and west, although not quite six miles. The surface like the greater portion of Ohio is irregular, though in some portions is comparatively level. There are thirtysix sections, No. 1 being in the northeast corner, and No. 36 in the southeast. The northern and western tiers of sections are fractional. The Tuscarawas River enters the township on Section 4, thence crossing Sections 9, 16, 20, 29, 32, and leaving from 31. Chippewa River joins the Tuscarawas on Section 31. Nimisilla Creek drains the greater portion of the southern part, and finally unites with the Tuscarawas in Stark County. The southeastern part is drained y several small streams which flow into the Tuscarawas. Polecat Run rises in the northwestern part, and flowing southward joins the river about a mile north of Clinton. Mud Lake, a small body of water of about fifty acres, lies in the eastern part of Section 32. Turkey Foot Lake, probably the largest body of water in the county, lies near the northeastern corner of the township. It is said to have been named for a noted Indian chief. Its outline is very irregular, the lake consisting of I several distinct bodies of water, joined by ! straits of different width. It probably covers about a section of land, and its extreme length is about two miles, while the greatest width will I not exceed half a mile. An enlargement of the outlet of this lake, in the extreme northeast corner, is used as a reservoir, where large quantities of water are stored up during the rainy months, to be gradually used for milling and other purposes in dry portions of the year. The lake is quite deep, though the water is inclined to be "drumlie," as Robert Burns says of the streams about the Castle of Montgomery. However it is a fine lake, and its value will be slowly developed as time passes. There are several small lakes, or rather ponds, scattered over the township, though the number has greatly decreased since the township was first settled. Several have been drained, others have dried up, and a few yet remain to be subjected to the same fate. In traveling over the township. the chief characteristic which meets the eye is the prevalance of depressed tracts of land, or more properly basins, that at an indefinite period in the past were undoubtedly small

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lakes. Some of these contain peat, and not a few of' them contain a considerable quantity of bog iron ore. The township is rich in that valuable mineral deposit, coal. In 1838, there were three coal mines worked, but at that date a Prussian miner, named Michael Becker. came to the township and opened up several others, giving such impetus to coal mining that about fifteen years later the exports of coal exceeded 60,000 tons annually. There are now twelve or fifteen mines, and the exports are not far from 100,000 tons per annum. Side tracks are laid by the railroad companies to many of' the mines, thus favoring extensive and rapid work. The coal deposits are enormous and are practically inexhaustible.

In early years thousands of bushels of cranberries grew annually in the numerous Franklin swamps. These cranberry fields were called marshes, and the berries were gathered by the Indians before the first settlers arrived. and taken to Pittsburgh and other towns in Pennsylvania and Virginia. where they were exchanged for ammunition, clothing, ornaments. etc. The berry is a member of the heath family, and is known to botanists as Oxycoccus macrocarpes.The plant is a creeper. or trailer, with slender. hardy. woody stems and small evergreen leaves. more or less white underneath. with single flowers. borne on slender. erect pedicles. and having a pale. rose corolla. The stems are from one to three feet long, and the flowers are lateral, rendering easy the gathering of the berries. The plants require very wet ground. and are often found growing where the soil is covered with several inches of water. The conditions for the possible life of the plant have been removed almost wholly, and cranberries no longer grow in paying quantities in the township or county. The berries, which get ripe in autumn. are red, with some yellow. and are very acid. The harvest begins in October. and is only closed by cold weather, or perhaps the quantity of berries fails. They are gathered during the spring months also, having remained out all winter. They are less acid when gathered in the spring, as the freezing converts portions of the starchy substance of the berries into sugar compounds, and in this condition the berries are valued more highly, as less sugar is required to fit them for the table. When the township was first settled the berries were almost worthless, as there was no market for them in the west, and the lack o1 sugar required to sweeten them prevented their general use in the cabins of the settlers. The settlers were compelled to forego the use of such luxuries. being satisfied often with the bare necessities of life. However, after a few years they were worth 25 cents per bushel, and. in about 1830, had arisen to than 50 cents to 81 per bushel. The cranberry business then became very extensive. Thousands of bushels were purchased annually by the merchants at Clinton, Manchester. and other neighboring villages. and taken by wagon to Pittsburgh. Philadelphia and New York. the teamsters bringing back loads of dry goods. groceries. salt. notions. etc. Watertight barrels were filled with the berries. after which the remaining space was filled with water. and the barrel dosed. In this condition the berries kept fresh and bright for many months. So great became the quantity purchased at one time by Mr. Patterson. an early merchant at Clinton. that he either could not find market for them. or could not procure wagons in which to ship them East. and 300 bushels spoiled on his hands. and were thrown away. Very likely the same thing happened to others. When cranberry picking was at the height of' its prosperity many of the settlers were thus engaged, several of whom made little money. Those gathering the berries men and women wore long legged boots to keep out the water. and as a precaution against snake bites. The berries grew on their short stems, on the under side of long. wiry vines that crept over the mosses and sedges. growing in profusion in the marshes. A section of plank from a foot and a half to two feet long and about a foot wide was taken. and around one end was hound a tough hand of hickory hark. forming a sort of box. The other end of the plank was serrated. the teeth being about eight inches long. Two handles were attached. and the rude implement thus completed was used in gathering cranberries. The teeth were placed over one of the long. slender vines, and the implement was held so that when it was pushed along the berries were scooped into the box at the other end. Fifteen or twenty bushels were often gathered in one day with this implement. Whole families turned out during the cranberry season. and the marshes swarmed with settlers, some of whom came many miles and remained several days, camp

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ing in their wagons. When a sufficient quantity of berries was gathered to fill the wagonbed, it was taken to some of the villages and sold. The berries when first gathered were full of leaves, moss and grass, and had to be cleaned before they were taken to market. A sort of ladder was made, having the cross pieces about an inch apart. When emptied upon this rude seive, the berries fell through the slits, and the grass. etc., was collected on the slats. Large quantities of berries were cleaned in a few hours by means of this rude screen.

Immediately after the Indian title to the soil west of the river was extinguished, a wealthy Quaker, named Richard Carter, living in Wheeling. purchased the land, and employed John Harris, Esq., and David L. McClure to lay out a town at the junction of the rivers. Tuscarawas and Chippewa, the latter at that time being known as Indian Creek. This was accomplished in September. 1806. and the village in honor of its founder was named Cartersville. was located on the low land at the junction of the rivers, and at every freshet its uninhabited lots and unworn streets were overflowed by the murky waters. If any building was erected in this village. or if any improvement was made other than laying out the streets and lots and platting the same on paper, such improvements are unknown. Very likely the village existed only in name, but the inference is that as soon as it had its origin on paper, its ambitious founder made efforts to have settlers locate there. Like many another man in early years. his hopes were destined to be blasted. His village died out with the platting and christening, and nothing remains to mark the spot where it once was located. t surpasses in loneliness the deserted village" of Goldsmith :

" Sweet smiling village. loveliest of the lawn.

Thy sports are tied and all thy charms withdrawn.

Amidst thy bowers the Tyrants hand is seen.

And desolation saddens all thy green."

After this event, no permanent improvement or settlement was made until the spring of 1814. Prior to that time, the township was the home of those wandering hunters, who kept moving westward as the tide of settlement advanced, and whose practical training in woodcraft and in the arts of the chase could furnish pleasure only in the depths of the uninhabited wilderness. The forest was filled with wild game, and the swamps, rivers and lakes were the resort of many valuable furbearing animals, that afforded the trappers almost his only means of support. Small cabins were erected in which were domiciled their wives, who, to all appearances, were capable of living without any visible means of support, and who were frequently left alone in the cabins for weeks at a time, while the husband and father was off on a long hunting excursion. The whole family were inured to privation, and if the cabin did not contain the needful supply of food, it was no unusual occurrence for the mother to go out into the surrounding woods and bring down a deer or a squirrel or some other animal that would afford food for the hungry children. This was true. not only of the families of the professional hunters who came to the most remote frontier ; but also of families living in localities where considerable advancement had been made in settlement and civilization. A skillful hunter often made by the sale of flesh and furs, upward of a $1,000 during the hunting and trapping season, a large share of which, instead of being used in purchasing land, or in providing much needed comforts for the family. was squandered at neighboring grogshops and distilleries. Traditions are in existence. that several of these hunters lived for short periods in rough shanties or wigwams in the vicinity of Turkey Foot Lake and on the Tuscarawas.

In the spring of 1814, Christopher Johnson, or Yankee Johnson." as he was called by the Dutch. came to the township and settled on the southwest corner of Section 24. He built a log cabin and made some improvements in the way of clearing and cultivation, but after a few years he became tired of his home, and, disposing of his land. he removed his family to Steubenville. What finally became of him is not known. On the 20th of April. 1814, two men—Thomas Johnson, from the Keystone State, and William Hallowell. from Eastern Ohio—arrived in the township. built their rude dwellings. and began making improvements. Thomas Johnson located on Section 27. where he resided with his family several years, after which he moved to Norton Township, settling at what, in his honor, was afterward known as " Johnson's Corners." William Hallowell located on Section 28, about a mile northeast of Clinton. Here he lived and labored until

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1833, when he sold out and moved to Richfield. After this, the settlers came in quite rapidly. Among the settlers who came in at this time, or soon after, were Jacob Sour, Joseph Mishler, John Hick, Mr. Harter, Jacob Balmer, George Rex, Jacob Hollinger, Michael Bradenburg, David Harvey, Mahlon Stewart, John Snider and others. By 1820, there were as many as thirty families living in the township. Other early settlers were the following, who obtained patents of their land from the Government : Samuel Borgne'', Mr. Vanderhof, Mr. Smith, Mr. Himelright, Matthias Davis, John Swaisgood, Adam Marsh, and a little later, Mr. Ludwick, Christian Clay, John Spidel, Mr. Waltenberger, George Righley, Mr. Wholf, Mr. McMurray, William Harvey, John Scott, Ephraim Brown, Mr. Wise, Mr. Greenhoe, Jacob Hook, Gorham Chapin, Mr. Rosseter, Jacob Grove, John Stump. John A. Stump, Charles Herring, John Teeple, Mr. Bliler, George Wirt, Mr. Wagner, John Hoy, J. W. Hamm, Dr. Levi Brooks, Dr. Troup, Henry Troup, Mr. Dailey, Mr. Wiltrout, Benjamin Bear, Jacob and John Row, John and Adam Sorrick, and many others. The names of some of the most prominent of the early citizens have been unfortunately forgotten. From 1815 to 1820, the rush into the township was very great, the settlers being largely Dutch . from Pennsylvania, with a sprinkling of Yankees from the Reserve and from the East. Improvements were begun in all directions, and waving seas of wheat and corn could be seen where once the monarch of the forest reared his majestic head. Villages sprang up as if by magic ; the forests echoed with the hum of industries ; schools and churches began their mission of intellectual and moral improvement, and the aspect of the township became materially altered.

Early in 1817, the Commissioners of Stark County, having been properly petitioned by the citizens then residing in Franklin, ordered the organization of the township by the election of the necessary number of officers. The election was held in April, 1817, but only part of the officers elected on this important occasion are remembered. Jacob Balmer and David Harvey were elected Justices of the Peace, and Jacob Hollinger, Michael Bradenburg and Mahlon Stewart, Trustees. From this time onward, the growth of the township was rapid. The settlers belonged mostly to that industrious andsober class of people of whom William Penn was a representative man. Instead of endeavoring to make a living by their wits, or by hunting and trapping, they went resolutely to work, and their comfortable homes soon proved the wisdom of their course. In 1814, John Johnson, a son of Thomas Johnson, was born, being the first birth in the township. The parties to the first marriage, which occurred in 1813, were John Hick and Catharine Flickinger. The second was in 1816, between Jacob Sour and Mary Hartner. During the summer of 1815, the wife of Jacob Balmer was bitten by a rattlesnake, and before the needed relief could be obtained, she died from the effects, her death being the first.

The rapid settlement of the township between the years above mentioned. led to the immediate erection of mills and other mechanical industries. During the winter of 181617, George Rex erected a gristmill at the outlet of Turkey Foot Lake. The mill was a rude affair, but was the outgrowth of home demand. Notwithstanding the presence of a good mill at Middlebury and at other neighboring villages. the demand for one in the township resulted in its erection. The distance to Middlebury was practically double that at present, owing to the almost impassable condition of pioneer roads (if they deserve such a dignified title). Rex built a dam across the outlet of the lake. locating it at a point where he could obtain the advantage of as much fall as possible. He succeeded in furnishing quite a fair article of flour, and was sufficiently well patronized to warrant continuing the pursuit for many years. Finally, when the lake was converted by the State into a resorvoir for feeding the canal, the millsite was ruined, and Rex was paid for the damage done him. His mill was one of the best in the township in early years. In about the year 1825. or perhaps later, Mr. Caldwell built a sawmill in the western part, on Polecat Run. He succeeded in obtaining a fair waterpower, and continued operating the mill some fifteen or twenty years, when it was abandoned. and a gristmill built on the same stream a little below it. After a number of years it was sold at Sheriff's sale. Prior to the erection of Mr. Caldwell's sawmill, another had been built very early above it, on the same stream. It was located on a low piece of ground, and how it was operated is a mystery, as there is no

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stream passing the site of the old mill, and apparently never was one. The location seems to have been a swamp, but this does not explain the nature of the motor. Its owner and operator are forgotten. At a point on the river just east of Clinton, Mr. Harvey built a gristmill in about the year 1820. He did a paying business until the canal was projected through the township. At that time some understanding was entered into between Harvey and the canal authorities as to the surplus water of the canal, in consequence of which Harvey went to work to build a large, strong dam ; but the canal, instead of being projected according to agreement, was extended along the opposite side of the river, and his millsite was ruined. He had conveyed large stones into the river where the dam was to be located, but all this labor was thrown away. Mr. Chapin also built a sawmill at an early day, on the waste water of the canal. It was located at a point where there was considerable fall, and the result was that the dam was washed away some five times, entailing an additional cost for repairs of nearly $1,000. He then abandoned the enterprise that had lost him so much money. His mill was a good one, with patented reaction wheels, but was idle a large portion of the time, on account of the frequent breakage of the dam. Mr. Smith also located a sawmill on the canal, using the waste water. The mill has been operated almost all the time until the present, and has been one of the most valuable in its time ever in the township. Mr. Smith and the members of his family have owned and operated it during the entire period of its continuance. It is impossible to estimate the enormous quantity of native lumber turned out by this mill. John Grill erected a sawmill on Polecat Run, locating it a short distance above the Caldwell Mill. He drove a thriving business for a number of years. On account of the large number of frame buildings that were going up in early years, the mills, notwithstanding their number, ordinarily did a thriving and paying business. Roughly though strongly built frame buildings soon took the pace of the primitive log cabin, though occasionally one of the latter is yet to be seen, standing like a monument over the decaying habitations of early years. The first cabins were usually built of round logs, but a little later nicely constructed hewed log buildings could be seen, and later still, the present frames were erected. As soon as the canal was opened, much native lumber was sent to Cleveland for shipbuilding on the lakes, and for shipment to other cities. This no doubt contributed to the paying operation of the mills. There were several other mills in the township in early years, both for grinding grain and for sawing lumber. After Mr. Chapin died in 1841, his old mill is said to have been haunted. Strange sounds are said to have been heard there y those who had occasion to pass the old mill during the solemn hours of the night. It was said by the credulous that Mr. Chapin's ghost would wander into the old mill, and a strange noise like the filing of a saw thrilled the hearts of listeners. There was a gristmill, which did a large amount of grinding, erected at an early day, either at Manchester or near there, but the name of the owner has been forgotten.

Three or more distilleries were erected in the township prior to 1833. A Mr. Wholf built one probably as early as 1820, but this was abandoned about 1830. John Hoy and Mr. Res each built one as early as 1825, but these were likewise abandoned before 1840. The grain out of which the liquor was manufactured was probably ground at the nearest gristmills. A certain aspect of respectability was conceded the distiller in early years. Whisky was upon every sideboard, and the custom of dramdrinking was universal. It was no uncommon thing for women to indulge in this luxury, and many children may be said to have been raised on the whisky bottle. In view of this fact, and the fact that children largely inherit the appetite for strong drink from their parents, it must not be wondered at that the quantity of liquor consumed is so large. That the quantity consumed, on the average, per capita, is a great deal less at present than it was formerly is evident to those who have made the subject a study. Liquor will always be drunk so long as there is a demand for it, and the demand will only decrease as the appetite is denied or eradicated altogether. People must learn to control their appetites ; until then the problem of intemperance will remain unsolved. The distilleries mentioned had a large custom trade, though it is not remembered whether their products were shipped away or not. They started up about the time the canal was being

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built, as it was seen that an enormous demand for liquor would be made by the canal laborers. There is no neighborhood through which the canal extended that did not have its drunken brawls and fights, often accompanied with serious injury to one or more participants. The expression, " Can drink as much as a boatman," became familiar to settlers living along the canal. It is likely that the distilleries turned out whisky or brandy at the rate of about a barrel per day each. The old settlers speak in high terms of the quality of this whisky. They say " It was no such stuff as we get nowadays." They also state that there was not as much drunkenness at the " rollings '' and "raisings " in early times as there isat present throughout the township. This is probably a mistake. The fact that liquordrinking was so common removed all cases of debauchery beyond observance. except the more serious ones. Today every case is noted and criticised, and the careless comparison magnifies the present number of drunkards. Almost every early settler, soon after he came in. set out a peach orchard, and in a few years enormous quantities of peaches were raised. The prevalence of heavy timber throughout the State modified the climate, rendering this condition of things possible. The distilleries made an excellent quality of peach brandy that was rapidly consumed by the early settlers. In addition to this, large quantities of peaches were dried and shipped Fast, so long as the demand was lucrative. These distilleries closed as stated, and there has been but one in the township since. This was built in about 1854. and located about half way between Clinton and Manchester. It did not amount to much, and closed at the end of about three years to the joy of all.

Prior to 1860. a welltraveled line of underground railroad crossed the township. being confined to what is known as the Chestnut Ridge, with occasional side tracks. Prominent officials on this road were Alexander Russell, James Hile, Harvey Maranville. Washington Heffieman and George Wirt. These men lost no opportunity of assisting runaway slaves to Canada. On one occasion, Messrs. Russell and Martinville were notified that five slaves—two women and three men—were west of Clinton, in the heavy woods on Chestnut Ridge. waiting for food and clothing. They were accordingly supplied, and directed on their course to thenext station. On another occasion, a settler in the township who had come from Kentucky, seeing a negro traveling northward through the woods with a gun on his shoulder, ran after him and took away the gun, saying as he did so, " It's against the law for nig's to carry a gun." Two or three of the men mentioned above informed this settler to return the gun to the negro immediately, or trouble would ensue, whereupon the fellow reluctantly did so. When questioned as to where the gun was obtained, the negro replied that " Massa Wales." of Massillon, had given it to him to kill partridges and other game, upon which to subsist while traveling North. Wales was probably traindispatcher on this road. He was a good one. and no collision has since been computed to his fault. John Hall, of Springfield Township. often took negroes who were closely pursued by their masters, and, having concealed them several days at his residence, placed them in his close carriage and conveyed them the entire distance to Cleveland. where he saw them safe on board Canadabound steamboats before he parted from them. This man was a prominent official on another line. Mr. Hile was a Methodist, and a poor man, as far as this world's goods were concerned, but in many of the cardinal virtues. was a millionaire. It is said that He would run his legs off any time to assist runaway slaves." The reader is cautioned against construing this statement in a literal sense. t simply means that Mr. Rile would fly around the township when escaping slaves were in trouble. The reader is further cautioned not to render the last sentence in a literal sense. for Mr. Hile would have been a rare

indeed. had such a condition of things transpired.

Franklin has been the site of four or more villages. The first laid out has already been referred to. No house was built there, and consequently the " village " existed only in the " mind's eye " of the projector. In the extreme southwestern part of the township, on the north side of Chippewa River. David Harvey .aid out a village as early as March, 1816. It was platted, and properly recorded at Canton, and one or more additions of lots were afterward made. Lots sold quite rapidly. and erelong the village could boast of a population of about sixty. One or more small stores I were built and filled with a small stock of

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goods each. A blacksmith came in, and the sound of his hammer reechoed through the muddy streets. A carpenter appeared, and began to ply his craft. A shoemaker built a small shop, where ." patching " could be secured on short notice. He probably kept a small stock of shoes for sale. A tailor also located in the village, and passersby on the streets could see him sitting crosslegged in his little shop, busily engaged on a suit of clothes for some one of the settlers. t is likely that a sawmill was started on the river in the village, although this is not certain. The village, which had been named Savannah, grew quite rapidly—not so much so, perhaps, as " Jack's bean stalk " or " Jonah's gourd "—yet improvements went on until it was seen that the coming canal would not touch the town, in which case the latter would be supplanted by its more fortunate rivals. The location of the village was not healthful, as some of the citizens were shaking or ailing almost all the time. In addition to these. other circumstances arose, and, finally, in about 1825, a grand rush was made for Clinton and other points on the canal. and Savannah became entirely deserted. The stores and the trades were the first to leave, and soon afterward the villagers, seeing the impending fate of their village, likewise "took up their beds and walked." It is stated that, in 1827, no family resided in the village. although several deserted buildings were yet standing. Many of the buildings were taken apart and removed, after which they were again put together where they had been conveyed. Thus were the hopes of Mr. Harvey blasted. However, he had cause to be grateful. as his son, William Harvey. who had laid out Clinton in February, 1816, owned valuable property at that place, and as the rush from Savannah was mainly to Clinton, the loss to the family was not so serious after all. Clinton, from 1825 to 1840, did more business compared with its population than any other village in Summit County. The village had no sooner been laid out by Mr. Harvey than William Christmas and J. W. Lathrop made additions to it. and industries of various kinds made their appearance immediately. Stores were opened, hotels were erected. mechanics and tradesmen. appeared, numerous dwellings were built, and finally the rush from Savannah and the opening of the canal tripled improvements of all kinds, and lifted Clinton to prominence and wealth. The village immediately entered upon a career of prosperity unknown to it before or at present. Three good storerooms were built, and were constantly occupied y fair stocks of goods, in charge of capable salesmen. Tradesmen and mechanics began their needed labors. Blacksmiths, carpenters, shoemakers, tailors. gunsmiths, wagon makers, merchants, doctors, lawyers, butchers, tavern keepers, liquor dealers, millers, warehousemen, preachers, teachers, and a variety of others, entered upon the prosecution of their individual duties, and the village soon gained wide reputation as a lively trading point. Three large warehouses were built quite early, and the quantity of grain purchased and shipped north on the canal seems marvelous. All three buildings were 50 feet square ; one was three and a half stories in height and the others two and a half. Mr. Maranville, who kept books and purchased grain for the owners, says, that at one time the largest warehouse was filled to the roof with wheat, and contained 100,000 bushels. and the other two were almost as full. He says that he purchased as high as 1.500 bushels of wheat from sun to sun. and that several other buyers at the same time did about the same. Farmers from as far west as Mansfield brought their grain to the village. In fact, a large share of the producers in Richland, Ashland, Wayne and Medina Counties sold their grain at Clinton. The presence of so many farmers in the village afforded the merchants an extensive trade. From 1840 to 1850 more wheat was purchased at Clinton than at Akron. It is said that lines of teams extending into the country a mile waited their turns to unload, and many a man sat in his wagon patiently waiting until after midnight. An average price of about 40 cents per bushel was paid for wheat. Clinton became a point to which merchants living west in the counties above referred to ordered their goods to be shipped. Upon their arrival by boat, arrangement was made by which they were deposited in the warehouses until the owners could send teams for them. A small commission was charged for the storage. Teams loaded with grain, coming from distant villages, returned loaded with goods for the merchants. Corn, cloverseed and other grains and seeds, were

636 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

purchased by parties in the village. The enormous grain trade infused life into every industry in the village. It soon became a great coal center, and large quantities were shipped by boat to Cleveland, to be used on the lake steamers, and to be taken to cities on the lake shore. Large quantities of iron and salt, and leather, and merchandise and other articles, came to the village, to be used throughout the country by the farmers, mechanics and dealers. A large wool business was also done at the village. A carding machine was started, but, for some unknown reason, abandoned the contemplated project. Among the merchants have been Mr. Chapin, Hardy & Moffit, John Patterson, Sorrick and Welhouse, Filson & McConnell, Alexander Russell, M. D. Wellman, Henry Davis, John Price, and many others. Mr. Russell kept store many years. He died a few years ago, and his business was gradually closed by his daughter Maggie. Dr. Alexander Porter located in Savannah when that village was at the zenith of its prosperity. Some of the Clinton followers of Esculapius have been Dr. Chapin, Dr. Richie, Dr. David Chichester (the last two keeping drugs), Dr. Edwards and Dr. Andrew Oberlin. Dr. William Bowen, of Massillon, practiced in the township, as did also Dr. Dolbear, of Fulton. and Dr. Armstrong, of Doylestown. Charles Rinehart, a lawyer, lived at the village a number of years. Several pettifoggers, the most prominent being Jacob Bradenstine, have also practiced law. A post office was secured about the time the canal was opened. Mr. Rosseter, who kept a small tavern on the bank of the canal, in 1833, was one of the first Postmasters. He made out three different reports_ for the same time, all of which were returned marked " incorrect." He said to Mr. Maranville, " I've made out three reports, and can't make 'em stick." Mr. Maranville assisted him, and the next report " stuck." Some of the merchants employed five or six clerks, although the stock of goods kept on hand was usually not very large. Clinton, like almost every other village, has been in its time a " tough place." Large quantities of liquor were drunk there in early years, and several times the crowds of half drunken men have taken possession of things. Squads of miners would come to the village, get drunk, and convert themselves into beasts generally. The citizens were imposed upon, until, finally, they sent to Cleveland and purchased a dozen revolvers, or perhaps pistols, and warned those who were in the habit of creating a disturbance that such conduct must cease. It gradually did. Like all places where miners are in the habit of congregating, fights and drunken brawls have been unpleasantly frequent. The village at its best has had a population upward of five hundred. At present it is about three hundred. Clinton was first laid out on the west bank of the river, but, in 1835, Gorham Chapin, on the opposite side, laid out another village, which he named Orradeen. The lots were so low and wet, however, that but few persons located there, and two years later William and Francis Pumroy laid out the village of Pumroy, on the east side of the river, adjoining Orradeen and a little below it. Here it was that the business centered, and Clinton proper, on the west side, was almost deserted. many of the lots being sold at Sheriff's sale. The post office is Clinton, but, in conveyances of real property, the names Orradeen, Pumroy and Clinton are employed, depending where such property is located.

Manchester has had, in many essential repects, a widely different history. In September, 1815, Mahlon and Aaron Stewart laid out the village, platting the same and properly recording it at the county seat. Lots were immediately sold, and the village began a permanent and rapid growth. The site was much pleasanter than that of Clinton, and in many respects a better class of citizens located at the former place. Mr. Palmer opened the first store, not only in Manchester. but also in the township, and John Snider opened the first tavern. The settlers poured into the neighborhood rapidly, many of whom built dwellings in the village, where they resided. Tradesmen mechanics, teachers, merchants. etc., appeared, and by the time the canal was opened through the township, three or four good stores and other industries to a like extent were in good running order. By this time, Manchester had become quite prominent as a tradingpoint. Its stores were wellconducted, and were capable of supplying almost anything in the usual line of merchandise. Its citizens were enterprising and industrious, and withal Manchester was a pleasant place for country people to trade. When the proposed canal became a settled reality. Manchester suffered considerably, as

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many of its citizens removed to the more favored villages that sprang up on this highway of water. It did not die, far from it. It suffered the drain from its vitals, and when the worst had been done, it slowly regained much of its lost strength. Of course, Manchester was never the grain point that Clinton was. Its removal from the canal rendered that out of the question, besides several industries that were conducted with great vigor at Clinton. On the other hand, Manchester enjoyed the absence of many perplexing problems, proposed for the villagers at Clinton to solve. It was never captured y a brutal and drunken mob of reckless men. nor were its citizens insulted and persecuted. Whisky was sold, and men got beyond their reason, or in other words, drunk, but beyond a few light skirmishes at times, the citizens enjoyed the blessings of peace. Additions have been made to the village, and Manchester at its best has had about as large a population as Clinton. Hon. John Hoy lived at Manchester, and Hon. Hugh R. Caldwell at Clinton, both of whom served as County Judges after Summit was created. When this event occurred, or just before it, great opposition was manifested in the township, when it was proposed that Franklin should be severed from Stark County, and made a portion of the new county of Summit. The citizens opposed it to the bitter end, and employed every means to prevent it, but without avail. They dreaded the idea of becoming a part of " Cheesdom,"' as they called the Reserve, and clung with filial affection to " Molly Stark." to whom they were deeply attached. They begged to he let alone, and, like Rachael weeping for her children, refused to be comforted because they were not. Notwithstanding their earnest and repeated protests, the dreaded change took place, and went into effect as silently and perfectly as the late financial resumption. Nobody saw any change save in their" mind's eye, Horatio." The Dutch mingled with the Yankees with impunity, and were not harmed. The Yankees visited the Germanic portion of the county. and went back loaded to the muzzle with glowing metaphors in its praise. The change took place without a ripple, and the quiet waters of contentment laughed to scorn the words of prophecy, that had predicted unpleasant and even direful results.

Schools were opened in Franklin at an early day. The necessity for educating the pioneer children forced itself upon the attention of the early settlers, and, like the ghost of Banquo, would not " down." Some of the adjoining townships had been settled earlier, and had opened school, such as they were, at the time the township was first visited. Large scholars could traverse the long distance through the woods to these distant schools, but the smaller ones were compelled to remain at home until nearer schools were begun, or until they in turn had grown large enough to be trusted on the long journey. It is stated that a small log church had been built at Manchester as early as 1816 or 1817. This building was probably intended both for a church and a schoolhouse. At least, it is remembered that in the year 1817, a young man named Joseph Mishler, of Teutonic descent, taught in this old log building. The room was provided with a goodly number of *roughly constructed seats. A large fireplace, capable of taking in a log of almost any dimensions, occupied one end of the room, and a small table was provided at the other, to establish for the teacher a permanent position from which to pronounce decrees, issue commands, and administer condign punishment to offending pupils, or, perhaps, it was intended as an altar, from which some pioneer preacher could thunder the anathemas of heaven upon the hydra headed forms of infidelity, or pour divine blessings, in golden showers, upon the joyous hearts of the faithful. As was stated, Joseph Mishler was a German, and could handle the glib idioms of his native tongue with fluency and precision. Mr. Mishler had but one personal drawback—he was very homely. It is true he could not help that, although it may be presumed that be ruefully contemplated his ugly features in that blessing of civilization—a looking glass—and wished with all his heart that he could have the privilege of chiseling his nose to a more respectable shape, of rounding the irregular outlines of his face, or of taking all the features of his face apart and putting them together again after the ideal his aching heart had created. These things are to be presumed. Yet, throughout all his trials, Mr. Mishler remained as homely as ever. One thing is certain, he was a good disciplinarian and a competent instructor, and his school was liked so well that it was continued from that time onward. Mr.

638 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

Mishler enjoyed the honor of "boarding around." It is no wonder that he was homely, and that gray hairs soon showed themselves in the auburn locks on his brow. "Boarding around" is a direful enough punishment among refined people ; but when that burden is thrust upon the unfortunate shoulders of a pioneer pedagogue by backwoods people, it becomes cruelty unspeakable. This old house was used but a few years. and was then replaced by a larger and better one. One or more other schoolhouses have taken the place of the old one. It is quite certain that school was taught in Savannah, although nothing definite on this point has been learned. Where fifty or sixty people resided for several years, it is not out of place to presume that schools sprang into life. At all events, when Savannah was deserted, a building that had been used there, either for a schoolhouse or a store, was taken apart, conveyed to Clinton. where it was put together again, and used for a schoolhouse. This building was thus used until about 1S36, when a "compromise" schoolhouse was erected about half a mile north of the village. This was caused y the fact that, from the shape of the school district, several families, living about two miles north, were unwilling to go so far to school, and insisted on having the new schoolhouse located nearer their residences. It may be said here that, in early years, schools followed the scholars instead of the reverse. Two other schoolhouses have been built in Clinton. About the time the canal was projected through the township. two or three school districts were formed. As time passed on, these were increased, and now Franklin can boast of having many good schools. Mr. Maranville, who located in Franklin in 1833, says, that at that time there were but few competent teachers in the township. Large numbers applied for certificates to the Board of Examiners, and if any were permitted to teach, the grade of the teachers' qualification must be lowered. This was done, and persons not familiar with even the rudiments of the fundamental branches became teachers. Mr. Maranville says that, on one occasion, a " teacher" came to him for assistance, having become stuck " on a problem in long division. Teachers assembled evenings and assisted each other on the next day's problems. Spelling schools were numerous, and afforded a great deal of amusement. It is related that one of the country spelling schools was once broken up by a gang of roughs, and the occasion ended in a pitched battle, although it is probable that some of the participants did not afterward designate the occasion as amusive.

The early church history of the township is almost wholly lost in the shadows of the past, and many dates and interesting incidents relating thereto have faded from the memory of the oldest settlers. Many of the early settlers were members of various religious organizations, and these began to meet early at designated dwellings to worship God. It was not long ere the propriety of erecting log churches began to be discussed. Itinerant ministers appeared in the township as early as 1816, and held meetings in the cabins of the settlers. They traveled over large sections of country, and always stopped to preach where a few were ready to listen. At the close of the services. a collection was usually y taken for the benefit of the preacher. Some of these collections did not " pan out " as well as the minister desired. Many of the early preachers were eccentric characters. singularly gifted with a rude eloquence that fired the hearts of the pioneers. Many had renounced all social ties, save such as bound them to the house of praise and prayer. With hearts overflowing with love for God and humanity, they had come into the wildnerness to preach " peace on earth ; good will toward men." They were instrumental in laying the foundation of many of the fine religious organizations that are seen throughout the country today. So far as known, the first church was the old log building located at Manchester, as already referred to above. unless

"The groves were God's first temples."

Meetings were conducted in this old house by local preachers, and y some of the more prominent of the early settlers. It is not certain which denomination, if any, predominated at these gatherings. It is likely that all professors of religion, without regard to creeds or. sects met here and worshiped in unison and harmony. An early minister in the township was Rev. J. W. Hamm, an OldSchool Presbyterian, who was a German, and who could preach either in his native tongue or in broken English. If the German element predominated in his congregation, the word of God was

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preached in that language ; but if many were present who could understand German imperfectly or not at all, the sermon was preached in English. The Presbyterians built a church at Manchester a few years after the canal was opened, and this society, at times, has been quite strong, and has done much good in the neighborhood. It is impossible to estimate the great good done by a lively religious society. The nobler instincts of life are strengthened, many species of vice are shunned, and the result is an abundant harvest of pure lives and morals. May religious societies continue their noble work until

"All crimes shall cease, and ancient frauds shall fail,

Returning Justice lift aloft her scale ;

Peace, o'er the world, her olive wand extend,

And white robed Innocence from heav'n descend. "

Some eight or ten years after the Presbyterian Church was built, an Evangelical Church was erected at Manchester. This society issaid to be doing well. About the same time, the Methodists constructed a church at Clinton. At the head of this denomination were Alexander Russell, Washington Heffieman, James Hile and others. The United Brethren also built a church at Clinton, during the late war. About four years ago, the English Lutherans started up, and built a church at Clinton. The most of these churches are doing well. When the Germans make up their minds to join a church, like a flock of sheep they go with a rush, and go to stay. The German Lutherans have a small church in the northern part. The congregation is considerably reduced. Franklin is well supplied with good churches and schools, and no family of children need be raised to their majority without a good common-school education, sufficient for the transactions of life. and the acquirement of that early religious and moral training, which furnishes sober, intelligent and upright citizens.