OHIO STATEWIDE FILES OH-FOOTSTEPS Mailing List *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. *********************************************************************** OH-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest Volume 99 : Issue 214 Today's Topics: #1 STARK COUNTY - PART 8 [AUPQ38A@prodigy.com (MRS GINA M RE] #2 JESSE J. BATES - STARK COUNTY [AUPQ38A@prodigy.com (MRS GINA M RE] #3 ABRAHAM YOCKEY - STARK COUNTY [AUPQ38A@prodigy.com (MRS GINA M RE] ------------------------------ X-Message: #1 Date: Sun, 4 Apr 1999 21:46:55, -0500 From: AUPQ38A@prodigy.com (MRS GINA M REASONER) Subject: STARK COUNTY - PART 8 HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF OHIO, By Henry Howe, LL.D., 1888 ALLIANCE is eighteen miles northeast of Canton, on the P. Ft. W. & C.; C. & P.; L.E.A. & S. and A.N. & A.R. Railroads. Alliance was originally called Freedom, and was laid out in 1838, by Matthias Hester and John Miller. The original proprietors of the land were Matthias Hester, William Aultman, Michael and John Miller, Messrs. Scott and Cassidy. The first house was erected and the first store established by Mr. Hester. The growth of the town was very slow until the crossing of the P. Ft. W. & C. and C. & P.R.R. at this point gave it a new impetus. The population in 1850 was 250. Gen. Robinson at this time gave the place the name of Alliance, on account of the relation it was expected the two systems of railroads would occupy to each other, although no alliance had been consummated at that time. Since then the growth of the town has been steady, until it now stands among the important manufacturing centres of the State. City officers, 1888: O.M. Coxen, Mayor; James Culbertson, Clerk; Wm. Teel, Treasurer; Judson L. Phillips, solicitor; M. Stacey, Marshal; Matthew White, Street Commissioner. Newspapers: Leader, Independent, Democrat, Wallace H. Phelps, editor; Review, Republican, J.W. Gillespie, editor; American Carp Culture, Fish Culture, L.B. Logan, editor and publisher. Churches: 2 Methodist Episcopal, 1 Congregational, 1 Disciples, 1 Baptist, 1 Welsh Congregational, 1 Friends and 2 others. Bank: Alliance Bank Co., John Atwell, president, W.H. Ramsey, cashier. MANUFACTURES AND EMPLOYEES. -Elmer E. Cline, general machinery, 6 hands; Millord & Co., foundry work, 7; Stanley & Hawkins, flour and feed, 6; Alliance Steam Boiler Works, 4; G.L. Chapman, general machine work, 3; F. Baugh, castings, 8; Morgan Engineering Co., 400; J.T. Weybrecht, sash, doors and blinds, 14; The Solid Steel Co., 215; The A.W. Coats Co., hay-rakes, 6; George N. Yant, planning mill, 7; State Report, 1888. Population, 1880, 4,636. School census, 1888, 1,832. C.C. Davidson, superintendent of schools. Capital invested in manufacturing establishments, $51,300. Value of annual product, $154,000. -Ohio Labor Statistics, 1888. Census, 1890, 7,607. In 1867-68, there was built in Alliance an opera house at an estimated cost of $80,000. Even at the time of its completion the building was considered unsafe, owing to the use of poor material and hasty construction. Indeed, so well was this understood, that its property value was very materially affected thereby, and the building was sold in 1877, for $9,000. At this time, some $14,000 to $16,000 were expended in improvements, but without permanently securing its safety as subsequent events demonstrated. The frontage of the building was eighty feet, by the same depth; it consisted of four stories, containing stores, offices and assembly rooms with the third floor entirely occupied by the opera house auditorium, stage, etc, with a seating capacity of one thousand, although fifteen hundred were sometimes crowded within its doors. On June 2, 1886, two of the offices on the second floor, and three of the four stores on the street floor were occupied by business men. An adjoining two-story frame building east of the opera house, was occupied upstairs as a dwelling, by the family of George Myers, and downstairs by the grocery of James I. Rickard. Early in the day they discovered that their doors did not open and shut freely; they at once surmised the pressure of the yielding east wall of the opera house to be the cause and notified Mr. Florian Marchand, manager of the building. Later in the day, Mr. Marchand in company with J.T. Weybrecht, an expert builder, made an inspection of the building, with the result that its immediate vacation was ordered. At 4.30 Messrs. Marchand and Rickard were anxiously watching the building, when fragments of brick began to fall. At once perceiving that the end had come, they raised the alarm. The frightened immates of the stores and offices came rushing out, none too soon. A long gap opened in the east wall, an awful roar swept over the startled city, a cloud of dust rose slowly against the slanting rays of the afternoon sun, and the stately pile fell crushed like an eggshell into utter and shapeless ruin. The fire bell rang out clear in the awful silence that followed. Men and women stood for an instant spellbound with horror; then a cry arose on all sides; "The opera house has fallen!" Every mind instantly rested on the occupants of the ruined structure. Women screamed and fainted, men shuddered and turned pale, and all rushed to the scene, dreading the worst, scarcely daring to hope. As if by magic, the streets were black with people, with blanched faces and fast beating hears. The general and intense relief can be imagined when it was definitely ascertained that positively no person was killed, or even injured. The families of the persons whose various occupations were conducted in the opera house block were naturally frantic with fear and terror, only equaled by the joy caused by the unexpected good news that all had escaped. By a combination of circumstances peculiarly fortunate the great ruin became the tomb of no living being. Had those falling walls, sinking floors and crashing timbers engulfed, as well they might, hundred of happy, unsuspicious pleasure seekers, the mind shudders at the awful picture. That such a risk of terrible calamity as menaced the people of Alliance for a term of years was permitted in the State of Ohio, is evidence that our laws on the construction and maintenance of public buildings are not such as should satisfy the people. MOUNT UNION COLLEGE, located at Mount Union, south of, and connected with Alliance by an electric railway, is a progressive institution that has exerted a wide educational, moral and religious influence. It had its beginning in a school founded by Rev. O.N. Hartshorn, D.D., LL.D., in 1846. It had unusual success and the outcome was the college, founded in 1858. The institution has had a phenomenal growth, largely owing to the energy of Dr. Hartshorn, ably assisted by his colleagues. It would have been impossible for the college to reach its present large proportions but, for the princely gifts and wise counsels of Hon. Lewis Miller, of Akron, and Messrs. C. Aultman and Jacob Miller, of Canton. Its buildings are handsome and extensive, beautifully situated on the grounds, which comprise some fifty-four acres. A new building has just been erected through the generosity of T.R. Morgan, Jr., of Alliance, Richard Brown, of Youngstown, and others. This building is to be used for a gymnasium and observatory, and is said to be one of the finest college edifices in the State. The Museum of Art and Science is valued at more than a quarter of million dollars. Bayard Taylor said of it in the New York Tribune in 1876, "The Museum of Mount Union College is among the best I ever visited anywhere, and the natural specimens are the most select and valuable I have seen in any country." In 1886, Dr. Hartshorn retired from his long and useful career, and in 1888, Rev. Tamerlane Pliny Marsh, D.D., of Chicago, was elected his successor. Under his control the institution is rapidly increasing its sphere of usefulness. The institution has been attended by more than 18,000 persons, has graduated 1,477, and during the past year has had 580 students in it different departments. Among its most noted graduates are Gov. Humphrey, of Kansas, Bishop John H. Vincent, LL.D., of Buffalo, N.Y., Prof. H.S. Lehr, president of Ada Normal University, Von Jackson, Privy Counsellor to the King, Stuttgart, Germany, and many other eminent men. MINERVA is on the line of Stark and Carroll counties, mostly in Stark, at the junction of the C. & C.; C. & P. and L. E. Alliance & Southern Railroads. Its situation is pleasant, in a good country in the valley of the Big Sandy, near its head waters. City Officers, 1888; Mayor, James Jerome; Clerk, Wm. Unger; Treasurer, A.C. Unkefer; Marshal, T. J. roach; Street Commissioner, Jos. Eiken. Churches: 1 Methodist Episcopal, 2 Disciples, 1 Lutheran and 1 Presbyterian. It has one newspaper, the "Minerva News," W.S. Knox, editor; 1 bank; car building factory, two planing and one grist mill, and water works, and is in a fine agricultural and coal mining region. Capital in manufactures, $109,100; value of annual products, $642,400. -Ohio Labor Statistics, 1888. CANAL FULTON is fifteen miles northwest of Canton, on the Tuscarawas river, the Ohio canal, C.L. & W. and Massillon branch of the C.A. & C. Railroads. City Officers, 1888: Charles H. Fisher, Mayor; J.W. Kirk, Clerk; J.M. Bergold, Treasurer; Jas. McLaughlin, Marshal and Street Commissioner. Newspaper: Fulton Signal, Independent, J.P. Yockey, editor and publisher. Churches: 1 United Brethren, 1 Reformed, 1 Presbyterian, 2 Catholic, 1 Methodist Episcopal and 1 other. Bank: Fulton, J.M. Bergold. Population, 1880, 1,196. School census, 1888, 575. I.M. Taggart, superintendent of schools. Principal manufactures are Fulton Wind Engine and Pump Co., and Fulton Tool and Manufacturing Co. GREENTOWN is nine miles north of Canton, on the Valley Railroad. School census, 1888, 133. LOUISVILLE is seven miles northeast of Canton, on the P. Ft. W. & C.R.R. It has five churches. Newspaper: Herald, Independent, L.P. Bissell & Co., editors and publishers. Bank: Louisville Deposit (Keim & Sons), John Keim, cashier. Population, 1880, 1,050. School census, 1888, 476. J.M. Kerstetter, superintendent of schools. Louisville was almost entirely settled by French from the Rhine, of whom there are several thousand in this county. They form an excellent population and readily assimilate to the American customs. The French enter the English schools, while the Germans show more attachment to those in their native language. -Old Edition. WAYNESBURG is twelve miles southeast of Canton, on the C. & P.R.R. Newspaper: Valley Enterprise, Independent, Chas. A. Law, editor and publisher. Churches: 1 Methodist Episcopal, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Lutheran, 1 Disciples. Population, 1880, 622. School census, 1888, 198. WILMOT is twenty miles southwest of Canton. School census, 1888, 167. Newspaper: Review, Independent, W.S. Spidle & Co., editors and publishers. LIMAVILLE is seventeen miles northeast of Canton, on the C. & P.R.R. Population, 1880, 494. NORTH LAWRENCE is fifteen miles west of Canton,on the P. Ft. W. & C.R.R. Population, 1880, 494. MT. UNION is one and a half miles south of Alliance, on the L.E.A. & S.R.R. Population, 1880, 327. School census, 1888, 178. F.P. Shumaker, superintendent of schools. NAVARRE is ten miles southwest of Canton, on the Tuscarawas river, the Ohio Canal. C.L. & W.; W. & L. E. and C. & C. Railroads. Churches: 1 Catholic, 1 United Brethren, 1 Reformed Methodist, 1 Episcopal, 2 Lutheran. Newspaper: Independent, Independent, Frank M. Cord, editor and publisher. Population, 1880, 867. School census, 1888, 370. J.E. McKean, superintendent of schools. Coal mining is its principal industry. It is a very rich agricultural district, which also abound in coal, fire-clay, lime and building stone. BEACH CITY is fourteen miles southwest of Canton, on the C.L. & W. and C. & C. Railroads. School census, 1888, 200. MAPLETON is eight miles southeast of Canton, on the C. & C.R.R. It has five churches. School census, 1888, 130. NEW BERLIN is five miles northwest of Canton. School census, 1888, 66. OSNABURG is five miles east of Canton, on the C. & C.R.R. It has four churches. Population, 1880, 507. School census, 1888, 246. UNIONTOWN, P.O. Lake, is twelve miles north of Canton, on the Valley R.R. It has three churches. School census, 1888, 101. MAGNOLIA is twelve miles southeast of Canton on the Tuscarawas Branch of the C.& P.R.R. School census, 1888, 130. MARLBORO is fourteen miles northeast of Canton. School census, 1888, 131. ------------------------------ X-Message: #2 Date: Sun, 4 Apr 1999 21:47:01, -0500 From: AUPQ38A@prodigy.com (MRS GINA M REASONER) Subject: JESSE J. BATES - STARK COUNTY A PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF DELAWARE AND RANDOLPH COUNTIES, IND. A.W. Bowen & Co., 1894 Page 821 JESSE J. BATES, a prosperous miller of Winchester, was born in Marlborough, Stark county, Ohio, September, 3, 1837. His parents, Benjamin and Lydia (Johnson) Bates, were natives of Virginia, but were married in Stark county, Ohio, where the father followed farming until 1873, when, having lost the mother, the family came to Randolph county, where the father ended his days at the home of his son Edward. He was a member of the Society of Friends, was a successful man, and was a strong abolitionist. Jesse J. Bates worked on the home farm in Stark county, Ohio, until he was twenty years old, and then served two years at the carpenter's trade under Benjamin Hawley; next he engaged in the grocery business at Alliance, Ohio, for a year and a half; he then engaged in milling at Bellefontaine for eighteen months, and then, in 1873, came to Winchester, and with his brother Edward and Colton Bros. purchased an interest in the mill then owned by Robinson, Miller & Co. In 1877 the Colton Bros. retired, the Bates Bros. continuing in the business. The mill has a capacity of 100 barrels, and is fully equipped with the new roller-process machinery. It is 40 x 100 feet, with engine room attached, and is arranged to grind wheat, corn, oats, barley and rye. In February, 1864, Jesse J. Bates was married in Stark county, Ohio, to Mary A. Colton, a native of England and a daughter of Samuel and Eliza (Culford) Colton, who came to America at an early day, and settled in Ohio. To the union of Jesse and Mary were born four children, viz: Harry, deceased; Nina and Frank, at home with their parents, and Helen, deceased. In politics, Mr. Bates is a thorough republican, and under the auspices of that party at one time served as township clerk in Stark county, Ohio. In religion he is a Methodist. ------------------------------ X-Message: #3 Date: Sun, 4 Apr 1999 21:46:58, -0500 From: AUPQ38A@prodigy.com (MRS GINA M REASONER) Subject: ABRAHAM YOCKEY - STARK COUNTY A PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF DELAWARE AND RANDOLPH COUNTIES, IND. A.W.Bowen & Co., 1894 Page 736 ABRAHAM YOCKEY -One of the successful farmers who have shown of what Indiana soil is capable is Abraham Yockey. He is located in Perry township, Delaware county, and was born in Starke county, Ohio, August 10, 1820, the son of Peter and Christina (Hoover) Yockey, both natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent. In 1840 Peter Yockey came to Delaware county with his parents. He learned the trade of carpenter and followed that occupation until his marriage. He was the father of nine children, two of whom are yet living, Levi and Abraham. In 1852, Mr. Yockey, Sr., died and thirteen years later his wife followed, in 1865. The former was interred in Randolph county, and the latter in Allen county. Abraham Yockey was reared on the home farm until he was seventeen years of age, at which time he started out to take care of himself, working in a general way at anything which offered proper remuneration. For about seventeen months he worked in a saw mill and a year in a distillery. In 1849 he was married to Eliza Hoover, daughter of Eli and Nancy (Rockenfield) Hoover, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Yockey reared a family of four children, as follows: Mark, born September 19, 1852, married Martha Bowers: David, born November 17, 1854, married Estella Rose: Nella A., born April 7, 1857, the wife of Andrew Blount: Eli, born November 15, 1858, married Emma Thornburg. After marriage Abraham Yockey engaged in farming, renting land for that purpose for five or six years. He then bought thirty acres of land, and after improving it in some degree sold it and bought forty acres, adding since until he has 140 acres in all. He has built a fine house with all modern improvements, and has the best of modern tools with which to carry on successful farming. He and wife are members of the Christina church, in which they are held in high esteem. Politically Mr. Yockey is a republican, and one of the best and most reliable residents of the county. -------------------------------- End of OH-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest V99 Issue #214 *******************************************