Hide Article Text (OCR)
1 1 1 » ■*rm •#*mmm mms%STORY OF HASSILLON* iThe »tory of Massillon has been told frequently, and ite recital is ever a pleasant task to the fortunate individual who lives and moves and has his being: in this charming corner of God’s country. The wide »ud shaded avenues, the well-kept thoroughfares, the handsome and exquisitely artistic homes of our peace-loving and prosperous citizens, the habits of industry, intelligence and thrift which universallyprevail, the wise sanitary measures, a♦decent respect for the rights of others, the common sentiment that all are free and equal before the law, and entitled to the right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,1' a community of interests ‘ that makes every man a neighbor of every other citizen—all this and more contribute to make of Massillon not simply a summer and winter “resort, but an ideal home for all time.. But.it was not always thus. This city did not spring into existence—did not attain its development in one night. It did not always carry such a beautiful and euphonious name as Massillon, In the times long gone it was known to the aborigines and the first familiaa as “Duncan’s Mill,’5 “The Rotch. Settlement,11 “the Kendal Community,1’ and within the resollection of some of our staid and sober pioneers who still linger on the footstool, as “The Wheat City.” But while wer fcould not if we would deny its common origin, it is now our “dear, delightful Msaiiion,” the moat cherished spot on this wide round earth. “Sweet Auburn” was Goldsmith’s “loveliest vilI3age of the plain.” But we can readily forgive Mr. Goldsmith, for he lived before Massillon had a local habitation. Mark Twain never was in Massillon, or else he would not grow so ecstatic over the island of Mauritius, which is somewhere outside os the Universe off the barbarous coast of Africa. Mark says that Mauritius was made first, and then heaven, and that heaven was patterned after Mauritius.We appreciate the fact that a new class of readers is constantly coming forward, and they cry out for the recital of thp truths of local history, for a knowledge of the remarkable men and the events that contributed to themarvelous development of our city andthe region roundabout. Tee Item has apt been here a very long time,it***m*****but it has a pretty fair conception of what the people expect in a progressive local paper, and so we juBt newly pointed a half dozen extra “Dixons” and by the light of an incandescent tallow dip and Mr. Polger’s and other histories, we are going to get there on both feet if possible.“Kendal,” now the Fourth ward of Massillon, was laid out as a village by Thomas Roteh in 1811. It was namedafter a manufacturing town in England.The commissioners of Stark county held a meeting on the7th of December,1813, and authorized the voters of Perry township to meet in Kendal on the last Saturday in February, 1814, for the election of officers for the new township of Perry. This was accordingly done, and the township which was namad in honor of the great hero of the naval battle on Lake Erie, Commodore Perry, had a being and existence.Among the most prominent of the early settlers in Kendal were Thomas Rotch and his wife Charity Rotch, Arvine Wales and C. K. Skinner, all of whom came from New Bedford, Mass., io 1812.Captain James Duncan, the proprietor of Massillon, came to Kendal iu1814, and purchased the quarter section of land on which a large part of this city was afterwards laid out. He erected a flouring mill and saw mill, near where the The Item office now is, and the place was then known as “Duncan’s Mill.”After the declaration of war between England and America in 1812, ail classes of business were greatly paralyzed, and this continued for a number of years. When the reaction came, wheat sold for 25 cents a bushel, potatoes, 124 cents, and salt went up inprice to 83 a bushel.The first religious society was the “Kendal Preparative Meeting of the Society of Friends,” organized in 1813-The first brickyard was opened in Kendal in 1-813, by Bradford Kellogg and his two sons, and the first brick house in the village (still standing) was built by Alexander Skinner, of bricks from this yard.The first store in Kendal was opened about this time, 181.3, by Thomas Rotch.Judge William Henry and Hon. Gib berthorp Earle, among the most progressive citizens of Massillon, came in 1814 Judge Henry purchased the fractional section of hand west of the river and built the briek house now standing near the L. W. railroad for a store and residence*John Bowman, a Pennsylvania Dutchman, kept the first hotel in Kendal. Wm. Mott taught the first school in the township. Dr. William Gardner was the first physician in the township.Jonathon Chapman, familiarly known as “Johnny Appleseed,” planted the first orchard in the township.In those days land on “the Plains” south of Massillon, was not as valuable as it is now. In 1824, one thousand acres of “the Plains” land sold for $4,25 per acre and was paid for in factory goods.In 1824 the legislature of Ohio passed an act authorizing the location of the canal, Engineers were at once put to work, and the route was agreed upon. The building of the great waterway progressed with such diligence that the canal was opened to navigation between Massillon and Akron on the 25th of August, 1828. The first boat to arrive at this port was the Alien Trimble. The event was celebrated by bonfires and illuminations at night, the booming of cannon by day, and all sorts of manifestations of inexpressible delight all.the time.Massillon now entered upon a career of prosperity never dreamed of by her most hopeful and patriotic citizens. The opening of the Ohio canal made this city the greatest shipping market for wheat in this part of the state, and farmers for fifty miles in all directions hauled their wheat here in wagons and shipped it via the canal.In the winter of 1825-26, after it was decided that the canal should be open ed through this territory, steps were taken to lay out the town, and have it incorporated. Mrs. Duncan, wife of the owner of nearly all the land on which the new town was erected, gave the name of “Massillon” to the embryo city, after a famous Catholic Bishop of France, a favorite author of Mrs. Duncan.The new town grew rapidly, and many men of means and energy located here, and assisted in the development of what promised soon to be the greatest city in the eastern part of .the state. The Wellman Brothers, Hiram B. and Marshall D., came here in 1829 and opened a large dry goods store, and also a wheat market, offering to buy all the wheat they could get, and to pay cash for it. Massillon was then known as the “Wheat City.” and for a great many years more wheat was handled here than In any town or dityshort of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Maeaillonfs unexampled prosperity continued for twenty-five years until the building of the railroad through this part of Ohio, which opened other markets for wheat and destroyed the prestige of Massillon.In the summer of 1828 the Kendal Community was organized, based generally upon the views of Robert Owen, the distinguished socialist and reformer. They purchased over 2,000 acres of land from the Thomas Rotch estate, including a number of town lots in Kendal and Massillon, for $20,000. A year later the Community was. reenforced by the accession of a partyfrom the east, including Jamss Bay lies, Dr. Samuel Underhill, Nathaniel Underhill, Edward Dunn, and others.The James Bayliss property on EastMain street was erected in 1823 by James Duncan, who occupied it many years as a residence and store. The first dwelling house built in Massillon after the town was laid out, stood on the corner of Erie and Oak streets, where Mr. Segner is now erecting a fine business block. The lot was purchased by Julius Hey don from James Duncan for $40. In this house was celebrated the first wedding in the village, the contracting parties being Wm. M. Folger and Miss Julia Hey don, and the event ooc^irred on May 18,1826.The second dwelling erected was the present residence of Hon. S. A. Conrad. It was built by Dr. Beriah Brooks, the first physician in Massillon. John Everhrd built the first brick house on the west side of the canal, and opened a store.Col. Ben Baser was the first shoemaker. Col. T. S. Webb was the first saddler and harness maker. The first carpenter was Hamilton Sherer. Jesse Otis was the first blacksmith. Thomas Williams the first tanner. The first justice of the peace was a blacksmith named Francis Smith. Capt. Myhew Folger was the first postmaster; the office was established in 1827, and located in Kendal.The first newspaper was the Massillon Gazette, which made its appearance in 1830, and was published by Captain James Allen and Dr. John Townsend.IIn 1832 a series of temperance lectures were delivered in Massillon. He must have been a brave man who could introduce the subject of temperance to a public audience in this town at that early day. The dl’it king habit was so prevalent among the people then and for years later, that if you went into a dry goods store to make a purchase, on the counter stood tumbler and a bucket of whiskey, and all you needed to do was to help yourself.The great manufacturing concern of Russell Co. was started in 1842 by three brotuers,—Charles M. Russell, Nahum S. Russell and Clement Russell. The concern has prospered be yood all precedent and is now the largest manufactory of the kind in the state* It has been of untold benefit to this city, and ite magnificent proportions and financial success are a continued source of comfortable delight and real satisfaction to our people.In matters of an educational and literary character, Massillon has alwayskept close to the head. Many of our early settlers were men and women of character and ability. The schoolmaster came early and remained, andCOKTtSOBD ON PAG* TJJKBE.Doll Hats . . .01 1HatsFor a little girl's Christmas present call and see Jacob Wise, the Milliner, and get a beautiful Velvet Made Doll hat.• *TAKE A LOOK AT THEM IN THE WINDOW.Original Styles Only...Jacob WiseiMassillon’s Leading Milliner Clairvoyant.... Mme; Ronheur, the Gypsy clairvoyant, mind reader and palmist, is at 39 West Main street. All worried or in trouble will do well to consult her. Will be ir this city' for a short time only. Office hours: 9 a. m. to 9 p. m, Sunday, 9 a. m. to 9 p. m.If you want your horse shod right call onJ. B. SCHRADER.41 N. Erie Street, - Massillon, Ohio. Farmer’s Telephone 246.Z. T. BALTZLY,DRUGGIST BOOKSELLEROpera Block.
Newspaper Details
Massillon Item
Massillon, Ohio, US
Sat, Dec 18, 1897
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Massillon P.
OH, USA 05 Aug 2019
Other Publications Near Massillon, Ohio
Massillon Daily Independent
Massillon Item
Massillon News
Massillon Independent
Evening Independent
