GREEN TOWNSHIP - 598

CHAPTER XXVI.*

GREEN TOWNSHIP—PHYSICAL. FEATURES—SQUATTER-HUNTERS—AN INCIDENT—SETTLEMENT-
PIONEER HARDSHIPS—MILLS AND OTHER INDUSTRIES—SCHOOLS-
CHURCHES—GRAVEYARDS—VILLAGES. ETC.

GREEN TOWNSHIP is situated in the southern part of Summit County, below the forty-first parallel of latitude, which is the southern limit of the Western Reserve. This township is bounded on the north by Coventry and Springfield ; on the east by Lake Township, of Stark County ; on the south by Jackson Township, of Stark County. and on the west by Franklin Township. Green is Township 12 of Range 9. in what is known as Congress land." It is six miles in extent from east to west, and about five and one-half miles from north to south. containing nearly if not quite thirty^. three square miles of land. The general character of the land might be considered rolling, but toward the southwestern portion the undulations are much higher and these elevations are called hills " by the inhabitants. The township is naturally well drained by several small streams and creeks. which wind around the hills and through the vales, but this natural drainage has been improved by numerous ditches. The watershed between the Mississippi Valley and the St. Lawrence basin extends into this township and divides the. waters which descend from the heavens. This can plainly be seen on several different farms. A short distance west of the Gongwer Schoolhouse, near the center of the township, are two small swamps ; the overflow from one finds its way to the Gulf of Mexico, while the waters of the other reach Lake Erie, on their route to the sea. The soil of the township is very fertile and well adapted to farming, and Green ranks with Springfield and Franklin Townships among the richest agricultural townships in Ohio. Several of the farms are underlaid with beds of rich coal, and the owners of' other tracts susdect that the vein is also hidden beneath their lanp, but their fears of disappointment prevent them from prospecting for the desired treasure. A mine has been worked on Wise's

* Contributed by Thomas P. Hopley.

farm, in Section 24, for some twelve years, and another on Whitacre's land, about one half-mile south of Greentown Station, for nearly, if not quite, three decades. Some thirty rods east of the township line they discovered a vein of iron ore, many years ago, which they mined for a short time, but failed to find a sufficient amount to make the mine a profitable investment. Several veins of coal have been struck while miners were prospecting on various farms in Green Township, but the results obtained did not please the operators, and the mining was discontinued. Among these abandoned shafts is one on John Kepler's farm, southeast of the village of East Liberty.

On Sections 7 and 18 of this township, is a portion of Turkey Foot Lake, the greater part being situated in Franklin Township, on Sections 12 and 13. This body of water is about one mile in length from east to west, and varying in its width. At the narrowest point, directly on the township line, it is but little over a quarter of a mile in width, but, at both ends, it is from one-half to three-quarters of a mile in width. It is called Turkey Foot Lake because the shape of the sheet of water resembles the foot of a turkey. Just north of this lake is the " Reservoir," a portion of which extends into Green Township, on Section 6. Another small lake or pond is situated in this township, upon Section 33. This sheet of water, which would possibly be more correctly termed a marsh, lies between the hills, and is about one mile in extent from north to south and very irregular in width. The southern portion seems to terminate in a sink-hole, which is said by some to be bottomless, but, by more reliable authority, from sixty to eighty feet in depth ; the sink-hole covers an area of about three acres. There are also three very deep little lakes or sink-holes on and near the southwest corner of Section 20, which have destroyed many head of cattle in times past that approached too near them and

594 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

were swallowed in the miry muck which surrounds the ponds. Tritt's pond, on Section 31, and Heckman's mill-race on Section 13, are artificial reservoirs, which serve as water-power for mills. Gen. Bierce says : One of the greatest curiosities of the township in the early settlement was ' Rattlesnake Spring, on Section 25, first owned by John Yarrick. It is on the road from Greentown to Greensburg. When Yarrick first purchased this land, the spring was a great resort for rattlesnakes. The water issues from a crevice in a limestone rock, overlaid with a hold bank of about twenty feet high. In the fall of the year, the snakes would resort to this spring and enter the crevice of the rock, where they remained through the winter. When the warmth of spring revived them from their torpor. they would emerge from their winter quarters to bask in the sun. At this season they fell an easy prey to the destroyer. Yarrick and his family would kill hundreds of them, then pile the snakes on a log-heap and burn them. By this wholesale butchery the spring was soon rid of rattlesnakes. but it ever afterward bore the name of its first venomous inhabitants.'

For many years previous to the settlement of Ohio by the whites. Green Township must 'lave been a favorite resort of the aboriginal race which then inhabited the State. for in the early day. many remains of their handiwork were found. Gen. Bierce says : " The northwest quarter of Section 25, on land purchased by Cornelius Johnston of the United States in 1813, appears to have been a favorite hunting-ground of the Indians, as arrowheads, hatchets. skinning knives and other implements have been found there in great abundance. From the numerous flint chips found on that quarter of the section, it would seem to have been a place for manufacturing their stone hatchets and arrowheads. Where they found the stone is unknown. This spot seems to have been selected on account of its being light-timbered, clear from underbrush, and elevated a little above the surrounding lands. Scattered over this elevated plateau were found piles of stones, varying in size from a man's fist to his head, and arranged in heaps of from four to six feet to a little larger or smaller. Tradition assigns to them the honor of holding the ashes of some warrior or chief, but as no bones or human remains have ever been found in them, I am inclined to think them altars, on which they sacrificed to their gods, and the spirits of their departed braves. Among all the tribes sacrifices were common. Tradition says that one of the early settlers in Green attempted to desecrate one of the altars, but after throwing down three or four feet of it, and when he was, as he supposed, about to accomplish his object, he was seized with a supernatural fear, and abandoned the enterprise." Previous to the war of 1812, Indians were quite plenty in the township, but as they sided with the British they were compelled by the white settlers to leave, and since then an Indian has rarely been seen within the limits of Green. Many families who located after the war declare the red men had all left when they cane from Pennsylvania. The remains of their old forts and wigwams were seen as late as 1855. according to Gen. Bierce, at the head-waters of the Nimishilla, on Sections 36 and 25. They also occupied several camps near Turkey Foot Lake, and what is now the reservoir. in 1809, when the Kepler family first located in the township. " Among the celebrated Indians who used this township for a hunting ground was a chief called by the whites " Beaver Hat.' He had a settlement at what is how the south part of the village of Wooster. where the Baptist burying-ground now is. His Indian name was Paupellnan. and his settlement he called . Apple Chanqueeake,' or apple orchard. He was a bitter enemy of the whites, and. when drunk. he would take out a string with thirteen white men's tongues on it, dried, and exhibit them with much pride. One day he got out his string of tongues, and began to shake them, when George Harter took his rifle and started after him, saying he would go and kill a buck. The report of a rifle was soon after heard, but he brought back no game, nor was Beaver Hat ever heard of more."—Bierce. Harter lived immediately south of Section 16 land for a few years at an early day. Most of the original permanent white settlers of Green Township were Pennsylvania Dutch and their descendants. and the cast and tone of morals and society still retain a decidedly German character. The citizens are honest. frugal, industrious and wealthy. Although the dialect of the Pennsylvania Dutch is to a great extent the medium of communication between the residents of the township, it is seldom an inhabitant is found who cannot understand when asked a question in English. and these excep-

GREEN TOWNSHIP - 595

tional cases are generally the aged and infirm. Many of the early settlers and their children refused to adopt the advanced ideas and new improvements advocated by the genius of the most progressive nation known to history, and many of these old fellows died still clinging to their old notions of the past, but occasionally one still living and blessed with wealth will declare how little he cares for those glories of the nation as shown by mighty works of architectural grandeur : and this poor mortal will expect you to accord to him a weed of praise and make a virtue of his ignorance. But the descendants of these men have, by mingling with a different race, caught the spirit of progress which will in future years bring forth a rich harvest, for by uniting to the bone and muscle the industry and frugality of the German, the refinement and progressive spirit of the Yankee. a generation will be born in Green that will rank with the best bone. muscle and mind of the country.

Green Township was for many years the bunting ground of several families. mere " squatters" on the land, who were as nomadic in habit as they were transient in location. They lived chiefly by hunting and fishing. and many of them paid very little attention to farming. Among these were Johnny Holmes. an old fellow who was raised with the Indians and was possibly a half-breed. He married an Indian squaw. and they lived with Williams, an Indian. who camped on Williams Bun. When the war of 1812 broke out. Williams was anxious to leave for Upper Sandusky. but Holmes did not wish to go. and this created bad feeling between the two. Williams left with his wife and after two days sent back for Holmes, reporting that he had reached a place where much game abounded ; this had the desired effect upon Holmes, and he left with his wife for the favored locality, but upon reaching the place found that Williams was still feeling savage toward him, for at supper time he refused to let Holmes have anything to eat, but supplied Mrs. Holmes and his own wife. This to Holmes was a very bad sign, and he left that night for his old home by a different route from the one he had previously traveled. By special agreement his wife returned another way ; they met at a secret place in the vast wilderness which was known to both ; they were then tired and hungry, so famished that they were willing tofeast on a hedge-hog which Holmes shot. This old fellow afterward settled near New Portage, and after living there some years moved away.

There is considerable ignorance among many old pioneers of Green in regard to the first family that settled in the township. Gen. Bierce in his history stated that " it was John Kepler, who came in the fall of 1809." This is a slight error; Kepler was the first person to purchase Government land and make a permanent settlement, but when he arrived in 1809, there were several families temporarily located on Section 16 land. These were John Cruzen, David Hartman, Bazil Viers, the Dixons, the Triplets, and their families. This statement is made on the authority of Jacob Kepler, son of John, Mrs. Mary Paulner and Mrs. Sarah Warner, daughters of Andrew Kepler, and John Buchtel. The former three are over seventy-five years of age, and came with their parents in 1809 and 1810. Mr. Buchtel was twelve years old when he settled in Green, shortly after the Keplers did. Both John and Andrew, sons of Andrew, deny this statement and declare that no other families were living in Green Township when the Keplers came, but Andrew was not born till 1815, and consequently obtains his knowledge through other parties, and John says he was only three years old when his father moved to Ohio. Very little is known of some who located temporarily on these school lands at an early day. They were generally very poor, and the Trustees of the township permitted them to live on Section 16 lands if they would each year put a certain amount of improvements upon the farms they occupied. There is some doubt in regard to which family first located on these lands. Mrs. John Hunsberger, of Greensburg, a daughter of William Triplet, relates that her father' always claimed that either he or John Cruzen was the first settler of the township. The wives of these two men were cousins. Cruzen had a large family of children. He once killed an elk near a small stream which was afterward named Elk Run. This spot was one mile and a half southwest of Greensburg Village on the farm now owned by Widow Beltz. It is claimed that this was the only elk ever killed in this section of the State, but a pair of elk-horns were afterward found on old Philip Hartong's farm. Cruzen remained in Green Township

596 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

but a few years, and then removed to near Sandusky City.

William Triplet, who was the second settler of the township if Cruzen was the first, appeared about 1807. By the statements of John Buchtel and Mrs. Sarah Warner, he came several years previous to 1809 (the year John Kepler located in the township). William was the son of Joseph Triplet, who also settled in Green with his family a short time after his son did. Joseph was born in England, and for many years followed the sea as a captain's cook. By his first wife he had three children—Hetty, John and Charles ; they did not remove to Green with the father. The two sons left for the West before their father did, and were never heard of afterward. Joseph's second wife was a Miss Drake, of Maryland. He followed butchering in Baltimore, then moved to South Branch, Va., where his daughter Hetty married a man named Wolf. Joseph removed to Pennsylvania, then located for a short time in Ohio. near Steubenville, and afterward in Green Township. This old gentleman must have spent much of his time moving ; he finally died about the year 1825, aged seventy-one, at the residence of his son William, in Coventry Township. He dressed in buckskin, with coat. pantaloons and vest of that material ; wore moccasins on his feet and a fur cap, made from wildcat, otter or raccoon skin, on his head. By his second wife, Joseph had eight children, all of these were early settlers of Green Township. They were William, the first or second settler of Green ; James died in Coventry ; Polly, married Simeon Payne and removed to Licking County ; Abraham, settled in De Kalb County, Ind.; Betsy, married Jonathan Potts, and they moved West ; Sallie, married Samuel Hanes, they settled in Brimfield Township ; Solomon, who traveled with a circus at an early day, and afterward located in Licking County ; Jacob moved to Indiana. These eight children of Joseph Triplet are all dead. Many incidents are related in regard to this family. When they first located in Green Township, they had to secure all supplies at Steubenville, and secured their grist at a mill on the Sandy River, until the old tub-mill " was built at Middlebury. It is said that William Triplet would plow all day with his horse, and turn it out to pasture at night, but the wolves being very troublesome, it was necessary to guard the animal, and Triplet wouldlay down near the animal with his rifle, remaining all night near the faithful beast, in order to protect it. One day the Triplets heard their pigs squealing, and when William visited the pen to investigate matters, he discovered a bear walking off with a fine article of bacon ; Bruin always relished pork meat, and never failed to make the settlers uneasy in regard to the safety of their winter supply. An Indian squaw paid a visit to the Triplet family on one occasion, and greatly admired the dress worn by little John Triplet ; the effect of her covetousness was that she stripped the white child, and adorned her own papoose with the stolen clothing. William once shot at a deer and missed it ; he followed the animal for a short distance, and was suddenly confronted by an Indian, who exclaimed, " Whoa ! see me buck ? " This unexpected appearance of the native who desired information in regard to " his buck " cooled the ardor of the white deer-hunter, and he relinquished all claim to the animal he desired to capture. The Indians claimed all the game in the forests, and when the whites commenced to settle the county, the red men appeared more frequently on this portion of their hunting-ground, in order to secure as much of their " own property " as they could. William Triplet was drafted during the war of 1812 ; that is, every ablebodied man was expected to turn out and protect the settlement from the British and Indians. Triplet visited Canton, but was so sick that the doctor exclaimed, " We don't want any such looking men as you are and William was sent home. The Triplets lived on Section 16 land for six or seven years, then moved to Coventry Township, where Joseph and his son William died. The latter married Mary Dixon, daughter of Thomas Dixon, an early settler of Green Township. William Triplet was the father of nine children—John, Hetty, Cynthia, Joshua, Eliza, William, Amanda, Marian and Sophia. The eldest, John, is now a resident of Coventry Township ; Cynthia is now living in Greensburg, the wife of John Hunsberger. These are the only two of Triplet's children Low living in Summit County.

Another early settler on Section 16 land was Thomas Dixon. John Buchtel thinks that the Dixons were the first settlers of Green Township. They appeared about the same time the Triplets did, and the two families were connected by marriage. Thomas was a weaver by

GREEN TOWNSHIP - 597

trade, and his daughter Ann assisted him at this occupation. The Dixons had previously lived near Steubenville, Ohio. Thomas had five daughters and four sons—Mary Dixon married William Triplet ; Ann married Bazil Viers ; Betsy married Jacob Smith ; Margaret married David Hartman ; the fifth daughter, Jane, died, being unmarried. Triplet, Viers, Hartman and Smith were early settlers in Green ; the first three lived on Section 16 land, near their father in-law. Very little is known in regard to Hartman and Viers, but it is related of old " Granny " Viers, possibly the mother of Bazil, that she was a good hand to call on in case of sickness, and once, when a cow in the neighborhood was bitten by a snake, old granny collected some herbs and cured the valuable beast. It is to be hoped that many other good deeds were recorded for this old lady in the " good book above," for she passed over the river fifty years ago. Thomas Dixon afterward removed to Coventry Township, with , his two sons-in-law, Triplet and Viers, and died about the year 1822. Dixon's four sons were Liberton, Michael, James and John ; the latter died at New Portage ; James and Michael removed to Richland County.

About the name of Liberton Dixon is clustered much that is romantic, for he of all the early settlers of Green Township has been handed down to posterity as the daring adventurer of the early day. There is considerable added to the credit of this mighty hunter of the past which would not bear the closest scrutiny of an unbiased historian ; but, if we should tail to give Green Township due credit for being the home of this illustrious Nimrod, and record on these pages some of the stories told about him, then every true son of Green would brand the Summit County history as a " fraud." It is said that Liberton lived with the Indians for seven years, until one evening an old Indian got mad at Liberton while they were around the campfire, and took after him with a huge knife. The famous hunter being convinced that discretion is the better part of valor," fled from the camp and was followed by the warrior. Liberton accidentally tumbled over a brush heap, and the brave shared the same misfortune. It was a lucky accident for Liberton, but an unlucky one for the Indian, who dropped the knife when he fell ; Liberton seized the weapon, killed the savage, anddecided to return again unto the haunts of civilization. When on the way to the white settlements he was chased by the Indians who had discovered the body of their comrade. Liberton sought shelter from their bullets behind a tree, but the trunk was so small that it did not satisfactorily answer the desired purpose, and some seven shots were put through his clothing, but nevertheless, he escaped, and afterward settled in Green Township ; but, in his after years, he became a bitter enemy of the red man in consequence of their treachery toward him. According to his own accounts many Indians suffered death by his hands. It is said that, in relating his exploits, he would always leave his hearers to infer that the savage antagonists with whom he had frequent encounters had all been sent to the " happy hunting grounds " in consequence of his skill as an " Indian hunter." But the event of his life, which relates more particularly to Green Township, was the tragic death of Wam-pe-tek. This savage was the chief of a band containing about forty, and they had their headquarters near Turkey Foot Lake. These inoffensive red men never harmed the whites, but spent most of their time hunting, fishing and resting, at which latter occupation they were very successful. But one day Liberton and the chief quarreled about a bee-tree which both claimed. The result was, shortly afterward, the Indian was missing. Some one hearing the report of a rifle, asked Liberton what he had shot. "I shot at a deer," was the reply. Where is your prize ?" was the next question, and his answer was, I missed the animal." Dixon was a crack shot with the rifle, and never missed the object he fired at ; consequently, his statements on this occasion were not believed, and it has always been said that Wam-pe-tek, and not the deer, was his mark ; the chief never appeared to clear the mystery, and the supposition is that, while the savage was standing on a log near Indian Pond the fatal bullet struck him. Dixon then threw the body in the pond, which is situated about one mile west of East Liberty, and just northwest of the schoolhouse at that point. Other persons add other statements in regard to the matter. It is stated that a few days after the chief disappeared the ashes of a fire were discovered in the woods, and in them only half consumed were several articles formerly owned by the savage. Also that the band of

598 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

Indians suspected Liberton, and would have killed him, but Dixon's brother John interfered. This brother John was also a hunter of some note ; but, fortunately, did not consider it was necessary to slaughter every inoffensive Indian who crossed his path. It is related of John that he killed a very large wildcat at the swamp which is just west of Greensburg, and this locality was afterward called " WildCat Swamp." He also shot a large bear which was on a chestnut tree; standing upon land now owned by Widow Spitler, of Greensburg. Liberton married Mrs. Hannah Culver, formerly Miss Pelton, and removed to Coventry Township, where he died about 1830. There are some old settlers who declare that toward the end of his life he was afraid to go out after night through fear that the spirits of some of the savages he had killed would capture him. Liberton was the father of four children ; they all moved West. It is related of Liberton and his brothers that they were brought up in the backwoods and were inured to all kinds of hardships : they could sleep on the ground, and were not particular about a shelter to protect them from snow and rain if they desired repose ; they could eat anything and live, march. and work without eating for a much longer time than the men who were the permanent settlers of the township. The Dixons were not afraid of danger, and, therefore, more valuable in turbulent times during the war of 1812 than a score of the farmers who inhabited the town-at that time.

John Kepler, who made the first permanent settlement in Green Township, came out to the new country with his family in the fall of 1809. He was a blacksmith by trade, and worked at this occupation some in his new home. His brother Andrew brought him out to Ohio with his four-horse team ; he then returned to Pennsylvania for his own family, and they reached Green Township in the spring of 1810. The Keplers were born in Bucks County, Penn., and married twin sisters. John's wife was Magdalena Cramer, and Andrew married Mary. The Keplers purchased from the Government 320 acres, comprising the east half of Section 17. John occupied the western part of this tract and Andrew the eastern half. In after years they purchased other extensive tracts. which are now the property of their descendants. When John first arrived with his family. theylived for some time in a hut built beside a log ; then erected a more permanent residence on the land afterward occupied by his brother Andrew, which they owned during the first winter, and for a short time after Andrew's family came, in 1810 ; for a brief period both families occupied the same cabin. John Kepler was not able to go to the war of 1812. and so he assisted in sending young John Dixon as his substitute. furnishing him with blankets and other articles of clothing. John was a resident of Green Township for about twenty-five years and was then killed while working a cider-press. His wife survived him many years. John was buried in the graveyard on his brother Andrew's farm. He was the father of nine children. as follows : Catharine. married Henry Warner. of Coventry : John. formerly of Green ; Jacob, now a resident of Coventry : Andrew. shot on August 16. 1871. by his son-in-law : Daniel, moved to De Kalb County. Ind.: George formerly of Coventry. now deceased ; Henry. died at eighteen ; Samuel. died in Illinois, and Lena. died after marrying Henry Cook. Daniel was the youngest child when the family removed to Ohio. After Andrew Kepler moved his family to Ohio. he sold two of his horses to his brother .John. and. shortly afterward. the other two animals died. He then purchased oxen to aid in farming. The family suffered many hardships for several years. The Indians would frequently appear with their ponies. dogs and papooses ; they brought baskets which they desired to trade for flour. meal. potatoes and other articles. When Andrew was with the American army. during the war of 1812. the Indians kept his wife supplied with venison. which they exchanged for meal and potatoes. Mrs. Kepler never feared the savages. for they were always friendly and kept their promises. it was only necessary to supply one with a loaf of bread and tell him that venison was desired at a certain time. and he never failed to respond. But the wolves were very troublesome, and would occasionally approach within five or six rods of the fire where Mrs. Kepler was cooking the meals. Mrs. Rebecca Herring, formerly Miss Kepler, says : "We children did not hate the Indians so much as we did the wolves ; these animals howled around the house at night until we thought the clapboards on the roof were shaking.' Finally, the State offered a bounty for each

GREEN TOWNSHIP - 599

wolf scalp, and the howling tribe of the forests commenced to decrease in numbers, and in a score of years farmers were able to raise sheep with profit. At one time, during the absence of her husband, Mrs. Andrew Kepler caught a wild turkey with her hands ; she made a feast, to which she invited her relatives and friends. About the same time, old Joseph Triplet's wife having obtained a rumor, from some source. that the British and Indians were coming, alarmed the neighborhood. The two Kepler families, the Smiths and the Buchtels hastily prepared to leave, and got halfway to Canton before they found the alarm was false. (This was possibly at the time Capt. Drake, in order to try his men, gave a false alarm, and his men became panic-stricken.) Andrew Kepler. after living in the township nearly fifty years, died January 16, 1855. at the advanced age of seventy-eight years and eleven months. He was buried in the graveyard at East Liberty. He was the father of eleven children. Nine grew to maturity, were married and raised large familes, and the Kepler descendants are very numerous in Green Township and elsewhere. These nine children are located as follows : Elizabeth married Samuel Stover and removed to Illinois ; Mary married three times. and is now the widow of Jacob Paulner. at Greensburg : Catharine married Peter Wilhelm. of Green, and died ; Sarah. now Mrs. David Warner, of Green : John. of Green ; Rebecca. now the widow of Lewis Herring, of Green ; Jacob A. died in Green ; Andrew. of East Liberty, and Samuel. struck by lightning on August 10, 1854.

Gen. Bierce says in 1854: "Jacob Smith. Jacob Coleman and Col. Dillman next came into the township. They were all from Center County. Penn. Coleman and Smith (lied about fifteen years ago (1839) and Dillman twenty (1834)." Of these three men, Coleman settled on land now owned by Alex Stine. and was buried at Uniontown ; Jacob Smith was the son of Conrad Smith, who entered the northwest quarter of Section 17 in the spring, and died six months after settling upon it; previous to his death, he endeavored to make a bedstead to sleep upon but failed. His son Jacob put a large bowlder upon his grave, and in rough letters carved the name of his father on the stone. It is reported that, after the farm was sold to the Baughmans, this rude monument was takenfor the cornerstone of a new barn. " Col. Dillman," it should be Conrad Dillman, settled upon 160 acres now owned by John Gougler ; he was a very moral and religious man, and would go from house to house with his Bible teaching the people. He was a prominent member of the Methodist Church at an early day, and afterward united with the Evangelical Association. His youngest daughter married Rev. Adam Klinefelter, for many years a prominent citizen of Green Township. Dillman was buried on the southwest corner of his farm. The Buchtel family also settled in Green Township at an early day. Peter Buchtel came in May. 1811. with a large family of children, and entered at the Government office at Steubenville the land now owned by John Kepler. Peter was in the American army during the war of 1812. and died of disease at Sandusky City. John. his oldest son, who resides north of Akron, is the father of Hon. J. R. Buchtel, of that city. John relates the following : "The first house we lived in was built of stakes taken from a large chestnut tree which we cut down, and formed a rude hut by leaning the stakes against the log ; there were eleven children in our family. but we never had a doctor in our house. We lived mostly on deer's meat and wild honey ; father killed twenty-five deer one fall. and found one bee-tree which contained eighteen gallons of honey : after father died. I had to assist in supporting the family ; I had to work four days for a bushel of wheat. and two days for a bushel of rye." Peter Buchtel's wife was Margaret Cramer ; she was a sister of Mrs. Mary and Magdalena Kepler : their brother Daniel. Jacob and Abraham Cramer were also early settlers of Green Township, locating upon Government land about 1812. Among those who settled in the township previous to 1820. were John Yarrick, who entered the east side of Section 25 about 1809: his daughter was the mother of Lewis Miller, Esq., of Akron ; William Ball, southwest quarter of 25. about 1809 ; Thomas Macbee, northwest of 36, about 1809 ; Abraham DeHaven, southwest of 24, about 1810 ; Ludwig Spotts, southeast of 34, in 1812 ; Daniel Raber, southeast of 24, about 1813: William Beltz, southwest of 26, about 1813 ; Henry Everhart, northeast of 36, about 1813 ; Jacob Sichley, northeast of 26, in 1813 (this gentleman always claimed he heard

600 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

the roar of the cannon during Perry's victory on Lake Erie, from his farm in Green Township); — Swales, southeast of 26, about 1813 ; Cornelius Johnston, northwest of 25, in May, 1814 ; Simon Yarrick, father of Adam, in 1814 ; Daniel Wise, about 1813 ; John Kreighbaum, in 1814 ; Michael Myers and sons with their families, in 1814; Philip Hartong, about 1813; Henry Raber, Sr., about 1814; Adam Working, about 1815; Robert Hall, in 1817 ; Jost Snyder, in 1819 ; John Hunsberger came with his family in 1822, and purchased 400 acres on Sections 15 and 22 ; he brought $800 with him from Pennsylvania, and the money was hid in the churn while traveling to Ohio; Hunsberger built upon his land the finest house and barn which, up to that time, had been erected in the township ; the children of the family received in Pennsylvania a good common-school education, and have always taken a prominent position in Green Township. Abram, the eldest son, taught school for twenty-one successive winter terms; served as Justice of the Peace for twenty-four years, and was also Township Clerk twenty-one years. Among the prominent families who have settled in the township since 1820, are the following : John Foust, in 1822 ; Henry Warner, 1823; Jacob Hartong, 1824; Jacob Dickerhoff, 1826 ; Henry Beard, 1827 ; Michael Heckman, 1828 ; Peter Thornton, 1829 ; George Chisnell, previous to 1830 ; Jacob Vandersoll, John Mottinger and George Bidleman, in 1830 ; David Grotz, 1832 ; Jacob Humbert and Michael Schreiner, about 1833; Joseph Grable and Charles Stromau, Sr., 1834 ; Peter Wise, 1835; David Smith, 1836; John Gougler, about 1837 ; Jacob Grable, 1838 ; Joseph Stauffer, 1840; Isacc Franks, about 1841; George Foster and George Kline, in 1842.

Most of the early settlers of Green Township suffered many hardships. At first, there were no mills nearer than Steubenville, Ohio, and other supplies had to be obtained about the same distance from their new homes ; frequently, some families would run entirely out of provisions, or, by being on short rations for weeks, secured an appetite which would devour anything that could be " chawed." Alex ; Johnston relates an incident in regard to one family in their neighborhood, who, for a time, had only " parsley for breakfast, parsley for dinner and parsley for supper." Fortunately,1 after several days, they secured other diet. Another household demolished the last food in the larder. After planting their early potatoes and growing hungry, they dug up the " seedlings," devoured the outside, and then planted the eyes. But the soil was very fertile, and, in a few years. all had an abundance. Then each man desired to sell his surplus grain ; but, for years, there was no market for anything raised on the farm. Consequently, money was very scarce. When a new settler arrived from Pennsylvania, he generally had a small balance in cash, but desired something to eat. The result was, that there was a strife among those having produce to see these new settlers before their neighbors did, and secure a portion of this money to pay necessary bills, such as taxes. John Spots relates that when his father settled in the township in 1812. wheat was so scarce that Ludwig had to pay $3 for a bushel. In a few years, the old gentleman had wheat to sell. and then he could not get 23 cents for the same amount of grain. In those days, farmers received so little for their produce that frequently men hauled a load of wheat to Cleveland, and exchanged it for a barrel of salt. Money being scarce, people considered themselves poor. although they had plenty to eat and clothes to wear. Their apparel, however, was generally home-made. Before the canal was completed, all store goods were high, and. consequently. settlers without funds could not always secure these high-priced luxuries ; but they clothed themselves, for there were many spinning-wheels brought from Pennsylvania. and the women knew how to use them. The men frequently wore buckskin, and garments made from this material were not an uncommon sight many years after 1820. The forests, for a few years, were full of game ; but the white population of the township increased so rapidly that by 1825 scarcely any wolves or deer could be found. The last deer shot in the township was possibly killed by Simon Yarrick, about the year 1830. Bears and panthers were hunted down and exterminated many years previous. Gen. Bierce says : " Superstitious notions about ' spooks were formerly somewhat common among many of the early Dutch settlers, who dreaded the spirit of a dead Indian far more than they did the living spirit encased in desh and bones, however well armed. In the early settlement of the township, the low grounds were noted

GREEN TOWNSHIP - 601

for the appearance of the ignis fatuus, or ' Willo-the-wisp." By the superstitious pioneers, these dancing and deceiving lights were supposed to be the spirits of the Indians or spooks,' who had come back to visit their hunting-grounds, and upbraid the pale faces for their fraud and double tongues. These harmless lights caused many a strong man to tremble, as he paced his solitary way through the dense and dark forest.

But the early settlers of Green Township were not all farmers, and this was fortunate, considering the large amount of produce raised each year, which could not be sold, for want of a market. When these tillers of the soil exchanged, at Canton, forty-four bushels of rye for a barrel of salt, they could not so readily complain because some men thought it was not expedient for all mankind to be farmers, and so followed other occupations. Some of the early settlers who purchased farms. occasionally worked at trades they had learned in Pennsylvania. John Kepler and Michael Myers were blacksmiths as early as 1814, and erected forges near their dwellings. Myers transferred his forge to his son Henry, and he to his son Michael, who today uses the vise brought from Pennsylvania by his grandfather. Ludwig Spotts, who came in 1812, also followed blacksmithing. A man named Kauffman started a rude tanyard at an early day, on the farm now occupied by C. Long, west of Greensburg. In those days, tanners were lucky " men, for their goods were in greater demand than the fruit of the soil. Nearly everybody had wheat, but few had leather, which they all needed ; consequently, leather was valuable, and it was the article with which everything else could be obtained. Tanners would not exchange their work for wheat at all times, for in those days leather was as good as cash, and it was frequently the medium of exchange between the settlers, notwithstanding it did not have the stamp of the Government upon it. Kauffman's tannery was afterward removed to Greensburg. There was also a tanyard near East Liberty at an early day. The first shoemaker that started a regular shop was old Adam Musser's son John, who manufactured and repaired, about one mile east of what is now Greensburg. Previous to this, Adam Working followed this trade some at his farm, which he entered about 1815. John Foust, who came in 1822, was ashoemaker, and worked at this occupation during the winter, when his services were more in demand. In those early days, the Knights of St. Crispin would wander through the country, and deliver the settlers from the evils of going barefooted. These cobblers would remain with a family until all the members were " shod " to order, and then seek employment elsewhere. The first weaver who appeared was Thomas Dixon, and he was assisted by his daughter Ann. George Dull, who came in 1814, was a weaver for two years, then returned to Pennsylvania. Jost Snyder appeared in 1819, bringing his loom from Pennsylvania, and followed weaving for many years. In 1824, Jacob Hartong, father of Cyrus, settled on land now owned by the Widow Thursby, and, while his sons farmed, Jacob provided the clothing for his own families and many other settlers of the neighborhood. Philip Hartong, brother of Jacob, came in 1813. For several years, he kept an inn on the old Portage road, near where Jacob King's brick residence is at the present time. The hotel business being unprofitable, he built a sawmill on land now owned by Henry Krumroy. This mill was erected about 1819, and reported to be the first in the township, but this is very doubtful, as there were many families by that time, and, in all new settlements, a sawmill is generally provided by some enterprising man at a much earlier period in the history of the community. However, mills of this description were soon numerous. The Hartong Mill was run by Philip and his son Samuel for some twenty-five years. About the same time Hartong erected his sawmill, John Richards built one on the site now occucpied by the Peter Heckman mill. Richards ran this about five years, until he died, in October, 1823. Another was also erected previous to 1827, in the extreme southeastern part of Green Township, on land now owned by Simon Young. Henry Beard started another mill by 1828, and he thinks there was also one on Turkey Foot Lake, in Green, run by a Mr. Rex. Beard continued the business nearly forty years. He also had a fulling-mill and carding machine in connection with his sawmill, which establishments were conducted for some fifteen years. David Eby also ran a carding and fulling-mill for several years. There were also one or two flouring-mills operated at an early day. Gen. Bierce says : " George A.

602 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

Rex erected the first mill in the township (1816-17), at the outlet of Turkey Foot Lake (this was possibly in Franklin Township), but when the State took possession of the water for their reservoir, and raised the level, the mill-site was ruined." However, the State paid damages. Christian Swartz milled at what is now the Stauffer flouring-mill, for three years after he came, in 1835, and, in 1827, Tritt operated a mill, which stood near the present site of the Tritt Mill. When Peter Wilhelm settled in Green Township, May, 1814, he put up a distillery, at which was manufactured much that did not improve the citizens. The establishment was located just south of the present site of Greensburg. John Yarrick also started a still-house about 1820. just southwest of what is now Greentown Station. After some twelve years, this " gin-mill " was discontinued. as was also Wilhelm's.

The early settlers of Green Township found it a very difficult task to travel from one section to another for the lack of roads. The first thoroughfare laid out through what is now Summit County, was the old Portage " Path." which extended from Canton to Cleveland, by the way of Portage. This was in the early days a route extensively traveled by many desiring to journey from Stark County and that section of Ohio, to the lake. The road was located at a very early period, but not completed as a highway for several years. This Portage road entered the township at the southeast corner of Section 35. and crossed it in a northwesterly direction, passing nearly one mile west of what is now Greensburg. A considerable portion of this old " Portage Path " is still used as a highway, but in some places has been vacated. Many years since, Rev. E. Stayer had the section across his farm, in Green Township, abandoned and a new road opened. When the early settlers wished to go any place with their wagons, it was necessary to go out with an as and cut the underbrush away. The second road through the township was laid out by John Richards, from his farm. on the northwest quarter of Section 13, to Canton. It is doubtful if Richards ever had the route of his highway recorded, but deemed that by general consent the settlers would always permit the road to remain, and so they did, for the "Richards" road remains to this day, cutting

across Sections 24, 25 and 36 of Green Township in a southerly direction, and bearing to the east. Other roads were planned and finished to suit various neighborhoods, but for years some of these were very unsatisfactory highways, at first only paths cut out through the trackless forests, but they were improved year after year, until at the present time the roads of Green Township will compare favorably with the highways of any other farming township in the State not traversed by stone pikes.

Until 1840, Green Township formed a portion of Stark County, which was organized in 1809. In 1811, what is now four townships in the northern part of the county, was organized, with one set of officers. Gen. Bierce says in regard to this : "The township then embraced Green. Lake. all of Franklin lying east of the Tuscarawas, and Jackson. The first election was held at the house of Nathan DeHaven, one and a half miles northwest of Greentown, on the 6th of July. 1811. Abraham DeHaven, Jacob Harsh and Joseph Triplet were Judges of the election ; Jonathan Potts and William Triplet were Clerks. Peter Dickerhot; of what is now Lake Township : Christian Bolmer. of what is now Jackson ; and John Yarrick. of what is now Green. were elected first Trustees. Samuel Spitler. a resident of what is now Lake, was elected Clerk ; George Knoddle, Treasurer ; William Ball. Assessor : Simeon Harsh and John Kepler, Constables. At the fall election. October 3, 1811, there were only sixteen votes polled in the territory comprised by these townships, and, at the Presidential election, October 20, 1812, during the war, only nine votes. Peter Dickerhoff was the first Justice of the Peace : his commission bore date August 21, 1811. The commission of John Wise, who was the next Justice, bore date June 16, 1814. He resided in what is now Lake Township, and died in Greentown, in January, 1853." Green Township as it now is was organized April 7, 1815, and the following officers were chosen : Trustees, George McCormic, William Ball and Joshua Richards ; Clerk, Robert Lawson ; Treasurer, Daniel Wise ; Constables, David Hartman and Thomas Parker. At the election held only seventeen votes were polled. Green Township continued a portion of Stark County until 1840, when Summit was formed from fourteen townships of the Western Reserve, and Franklin and Green,

GREEN TOWNSHIP - 603

from Stark County. Bierce says in regard to this : "That it was the first instance in which the southern line of the Reserve had been broken in the erection of a county, and when the bill was being considered in the Legislature, Senator Hostetter, of Stark, declared : ` You might as well attempt to make a Dutch horse and a Yankee broad-horn work together, as the inhabitants on the opposite sides of that line to amalgamate.' Experience, however, has shown that such fears were groundless, and such divisions wholly imaginary." However. the citizens of Green Township were not generally satisfied with the new arrangement, and, consequently, when the question of a county seat was submitted to the voters, certain men from Cuyahoga Falls appeared amorg them and promised to use their influence and have Green reattached to Stark if the dissatisfied citizens of Green would cast their votes in favor of Cuyahoga Falls as the county seat in preference to Akron. If any votes were secured by these fickle promises. they failed to change the result of the election, for it was decided in favor of Akron.

Most of the early settlers of Green Township were Pennsylvania Dutch, and many of these were very ignorant and superstitious. consequently at an early day the cause of education did not flourish. Possibly the first school held in the township was taught by William Triplet, who endeavored to instill into a few youthful minds the first rudiments of knowledge. The children assembled at an old shanty on Section 16 land. and Triplet undoubtedly did his duty, but was not appreciated by the parents of his pupils. John Buchtel, who resides north of Akron. states : I never learned to write. as there were no schools in Green Township at an early day." Mrs. Herring, of East Liberty, says : " In those days, they had to pay 50 cents a month for each scholar, and if a teacher failed to secure enough scholars, no school could be held for two or three years." Mrs. Herring was the daughter of Andrew Kepler ; her sister, Mrs. Paulner. declares : " I had to ploy many a day for my father, and had no time to go to school." This was the secret of the absence of educational facilities; it cost something, and they wanted the children to work, and the ignorant minds possessed by some of Green Township's early inhabitants failed to comprehend the benefits of a cultivated intellect; consequently they refused to permit their offspring to have advantages which were possessed by themselves in Pennsylvania, and a race was multiplied, a generation raised in ignorance the effect of which will be felt to the third and fourth generation. Several years after Triplet attempted to establish a school in that neighborhood, Nicholas Sichley, who married Andrew Kepler's sister, Susan, made a second trial in a log building on Section 16 land ; this building had possibly been occupied as a residence by some of the early settlers on the school lands. Sichley's support was not extensive, and he was followed months afterward by William Early in the same building. This gentleman also taught in other districts of Green Township. About 1820, he was employed in a building on the southeast corner of the land belonging to the Foust heirs ; William Sweeney also taught at the same place. A schoolhouse was put up at an early day in what is now the King District, which was also used as a church. Alex Johnston says : The first school I attended was at what is now Greensburg about 1816. It was taught by an Irishman named Robert Lawson, in a building which had been erected by George Dull for a weaver's shop." The first school-house in District 6 was built about one mile west of my residence after 1820. but at that time. there were special buildings for school purposes in other districts. Simon Yarrick relates : .' We didn't go to school much in those days. in good weather had to stay at home and tramp our wheat ; boys attended school longer than they do now, sometimes until twenty-four and twenty-five years of age." In about 1823, a German school was taught by a Mr. Crum in the district east of East Liberty ; it was held in a log building put up for school purposes some two years previous. Henry Beard taught a few scholars at his home about the year 1827. and thinks this was the first attempt made in southwestern Green, but the lands in that section were not settled until after many inhabitants were in other portions of Green. t is a satisfaction to learn of one Dutch mother who appreciated education, as Adam Yarrick relates : " My mother used to spin on the spinning wheel in order to secure money to pay the tuition of her children. She got a dollar for spinning six dozen cuts and could finish eighteen each day, netting her twenty- five cents. Con-

604 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

sequently we got a better education than most children of the township." Among those who taught in the township at an early day, not previously mentioned, were Henry Gates. John Betz, Electa Tupper, — McCauley, Jacob Everhart, George Tousley, Showalter. McCauley went to sleep one day in his chair, and was tipped over by the large boys of the school. Alex Johnston also taught many terms, and Abram Hunsberger was employed for twenty-one successive winters at teaching in various districts. Simon Yarrick relates of him : " Once we barred old Abram Hunsberger out, and kept him out for three days because he would not treat us to apples on Christmas." Apples were very scarce in those days and prized more by the children than at the present time, when every farm contains a fine orchard of the choicest varieties.

The first ministers to preach the Gospel in Green Township were pioneer missionaries of the Methodist Church ; among these were Revs. Holloway and Green. Several families, formerly members of the Evangelical Association in Pennsylvania, united with the Methodist Episcopal congregation, continuing their support to this denomination until some time after Evangelical ministers appeared in the township ; one of these early members was Conrad Dillman, who would go from cabin to cabin with his Bible teaching the settlers. The public services were held at private cabins and log schoolhouses for over two decades ; in later years. the congregation used the First Evangelical Church until some time after 1840, when a brick meeting-house was erected in Greensburg on land donated by a Mr. Switzer ; William McBride built this church, which was finally torn down in the spring of 1881. At one time, the Methodist Episcopal congregation was a strong and influential church, containing about seventy members. but many died or moved West ; other troubles weakened the church, and services were held very irregularly ; at the present time, the few members left are without a church or regular preaching. Closely following the Methodist ministers in the pioneer days, were missionaries of the Reformed and Lutheran Churches, holding services in the German language. At that time, the differences between these two denominations were so slight that many families encouraged and supported ministers of both sects. It is said that Rev. John Hamm, a Reformed or German Presbyterian, first conducted services in a round log-house which stood on Phillip Hartong's farm, now owned by Jacob King. This building had formerly been used by Hartong as a residence, but when he built another cabin, his first rude home was donated for school and church purposes. Rev. Hamm lived at Manchester for many years, until he died some five years since. In the early days it was his custom to walk over from Manchester to this log building, accompanied by his wife ; he organized the Reformed Congregations in Green Township, both at Greens' burg and East Liberty, and it is said those at Uniontown and Mud Brook. It is possible, however, that Rev. Wier, of the Lutheran, and Rev. Faust, of the Reformed Church, conducted services in Green Township, at private houses, before Rev. Hamm did, as they preached at Manchester before he appeared in this section of the State. Among the early ministers of these sects were Revs. Wyant, Happock, Hartbrook and others. The Reformed Congregation erected the church at Greensburg, now used by the Church of God, or Winebrennarians, and another building was erected at East Liberty and used by both the Lutherans and Reformed congregations. The principal religious sect in the township at the present time is the Evangelical Association, which has two flourishing and influential congregations, one at Greensburg and the other at East Liberty. It is not certain who the minister of this denomination was that first held services in Green, but among those who preached at the cabins of early settlers and log schoolhouses were Revs. Hosier, Samuel Van Gundy, —Fry, Abraham or Henry Neeble, George Mottinger, Joseph Long, Aaron Yombert, Adam Klinefelter, Elias Stayer, John Kopf, Abraham Ream, Adam Hennich, John Triesbach and others. Each one of the last four has been claimed by different persons to have been the first minister who conducted services in the township in the interest of the Evangelical Association, but it is conceded by most authorities that the first regular circuit was organized in 1829, that Revs. Adam Klinefelter and Elias Stayer were the ministers in charge ; they organized the association at Greensburg, which was the first congregation of this sect established permanently in Summit County. These men rode a circuit of about four hundred miles ; it was

GREEN TOWNSHIP - 605

said of Rev. Klinefelter at his death : " His travels were extensive, as he frequently had to make long and tedious journeys back and forth from Pennsylvania to Ohio in the saddle ; the circuits then embraced as much territory as the entire conference district does at the present time. He preached almost every day ; was exposed to all kinds of weather ; lodged in poor huts and rude log cabins, with a great change of diet ; almost impassable roads. The greatest hardships he endured were in Ohio, when the country was yet a wilderness, thinly inhabited and the people mostly poor." Services were conducted at the cabins of various pioneer settlers ; among these were Jacob Kauffman's, Conrad Dillman's, Elias Benner's, Fanney's, John Mottinger's, John Buchtel's, Peter Thornton's and others. Schoolhouses were also occupied for many years ; finally, about the year 1838, the congregation erected a house of worship about three-fourths of a mile west of Greensburg, at the present site of the graveyard. This church was dedicated by Bishop Long and the General Conference of the Evangelical Association held in it from October 23 to November 2, 1843. Some years afterward, another edifice was erected in Greensburg, ' which building is now occupied by the congregation. The church at East Liberty was erected in 1869, at a cost of $3,200 ; the congregation was organized many years previous, and a Sunday school started since 1869. The first camp meeting held in Green Township was conducted about the year 1828 on land belonging, at that time, to Phillip Dundore, now to John Leonard ; it was continued about one week under the direction of Revs. Joseph Long, Aaron Yombert, George Mottinger and others. Several camp-meetings were afterward held at the same place in after years. Disciple ministers appeared occasionally after 1840 and held meetings ; among these were Elders Row, Green and his son, Lockhart and others. Services were conducted in the schoolhouse at Greensburg, and afterward in the Winebrennarian Church. About four years since the Disciple congregation built their present meeting-house, which is one of the neatest chapels in the county. The Church of God or " Winebrennarians " organized their congregation after the year 1850, and about twenty years since purchased their present house of worship from the Reformed Church for $400. Rev. Cassell is Pastor at the present time. This sect has another congregation in the southwestern part of the township, who occupied Tritt's Bethel." This building was erected about the year 1871, while Rev. Lily was Pastor ; Samuel Thursby, Joseph Tritt and Emanuel Working were the first Trustees of the association. A Total Abstinence Society was started by Abram Hunsberger and Jacob Dillman previous to 1830, which, for a short time, exerted quite an influence on some of the young men.

" All that tread the earth are but a handful to the tribes that slumber in its bosom." This can be appreciated by one who endeavors to write a record of all the burying grounds of Green Township. t is not known who was the first white person laid beneath the sod by those early pioneer settlers. Andrew Kepler's little son, Andrew, died about 1812, and was buried on his father's farm, and possibly the first regular graveyard of the township was then established. The exact spot is near the center of the east eighty acres of the southeast quarter of Section 17. When others died in this neighborhood, they were laid beside young Kepler. About fifty interments were made, but scarcely a dozen stones were erected to the memory of these departed ones, and most of the graves have been desecrated. Possibly, old Conrad Smith died before young Kepler. He was buried on his own land, and a huge stone placed over the grave by his son, who carved upon it his father's name. In after years; the bowlder was used for the corner stone of a barn. When John Rhodes died, about the year 1825, he was buried on the southwest corner of Conrad Dillman's land. Other settlers were buried here, and the spot of ground became consecrated earth, and sacred to the memory of these dead, was fenced in, and Mr. Dillman deeded the ground for cemetery purposes. Years afterward, he was interred upon this land, as was also his wife. Rev. Adam Klinefelter, his son-in-law, Mrs. Klinefelter and many of their children. When a man named Herring committed suicide, about 1828, he was buried just southwest of this ground. John Richards died October 6, 1823, and his wife Katharine, two days later. They were buried on their own land. Their graves were inclosed by a neat fence, and plain stones put up to mark the spot. Some of Mr. Palmer's children, who lived where Levi J. Hartong does now, were interred on that farm

606 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

as early as 1830. Old Jonathan Grable was also buried here, and about one dozen others. When Henry Beard's infant daughter Christina died, May 4, 1832, she was laid beneath the sod on Beard's farm. Others of that neighborhood were placed beside her. The ground was fenced in, but no stones ever erected. The Evangelical Church graveyard, about one half mile west of Greensburg, was started about the year 1836. Peter Thornton states he donated the first piece of this land to the church for cemetery purposes, and that his son, George Thornton. aged about twelve, was the first person buried there. In 1S73, an additional acre of land was purchased from George Gougler, and added to this cemetery. Rev. Elias Stoeber was possihly the first person buried in the new addition. The cemetery at East Liberty was started about 1845, and is already well filled with those who formerly lived in that neighborhood. But those who died in Green Township were not all laid within these cemeteries ; for in those early days, many mothers oft wept beside little graves placed in leafy dell. or near the babbling brook. These little mounds, unmarked by marble slab, were only consecrated by their tears. Many of these lonely burialplaces have been desecrated, and the ground plowed over by those who were either ignorant or careless in regard to the sacredness of that soil.

There is considerable speculation in regard to the first marriage ceremony performed in Green Township. Gen. Bierce says in regard to this : " The first recorded marriage in the township was Abraham Bair to Elizabeth Harter, who were married by Abraham DeHaven on March 31, 1812, though tradition shows that previous to that time Jacob Smith, Jr., was married to Miss Betsy Dixon, but of which no record was ever made. Tradition says the marriage ceremony of this first couple was ' You bromis to take to voman you holt by to hant to pe your vife, and tat you will shtick to her through hell-fire and dunder ? Den I bronounce you man and roman, by cot ! ' Blair died soon after the marriage, and his widow subsequently married Jehu Grubb, and now resides in Plain Township, Stark County." (This was written in 1855 ; it is said that she is still living there, although it is now nearly seventy years since her first marriage). The general opinion of many old settlers is that the quaint ceremony above mentioned was actually performed, andthat the man who married the couple was old Andrew Kepler. Several of his children admit that he performed the ceremony; but his oldest living daughter, Mrs. Mary Paulner, says the story is not true. John Buchtel states that Kepler performed this marriage before he received his commission of Justice of the Peace, and that afterward he refused to serve in this capacity. Others state that the last words uttered by Kepler to the bride and bridegroom were " Now, vers mine tollar ? " These additional words furnish more convincing proof to the truth of this incident than the second-hand statements of several men. It is doubtful who the first child born in Green Township was. The earliest of which we can obtain any knowledge is John Triplet, son of William, who is now a resident of Coventry. He was born March 4, 1809, and must have been among the first two or three white natives of the township. However. there were several other families at that time living near Triplet's. and the first birth might have occurred among one of these.

Since the settlement of Green Township. three villages have been laid out within its borders ; these are Greensburg. East Liberty and Myersville. Greensburg, the oldest of these. was surveyed August 27, 1828, by David Baer, on land belonging to Abraham Wilhelm. This village is located on the southwest part of the northeast quarter of Section 27 ; it lies considerably south and a little east of the township's center. A short time after the village plat was first made and recorded, Wilhelm decided not to establish a town on his land, but, after several years, the village was permanently located. The place contained only six or eight houses for many years. The tax duplicate of 1846 shows that it then had only ten frame houses, although the plat contained at that time fifty-three lots. When Greensburg Seminary was established, it received a " boom," and a movement was made to have the place incorporated, but it is said objection was raised to this by some who were afraid their cows world not then be permitted to graze on the streets, and the movement was squelched. Among the early business of the burg and vicinity were the following establishments : Wilhelm kept an inn a short distance south previous to 1820 ; he also had a stopping-place for the old stage line which ran from Massillon to Middlebury, but

GREEN TOWNSHIP - 607

this four-horse stage was only run a short time over this route and then changed to a road running through Manchester and Canal Fulton. One of the Wilhelms had a distillery just south of the village, previous to 1820, and, after it was discontinued, a Mr. Moulton ran a chair-factory in the same building. John Shick started the first store, about 1836, and also kept the first hotel ; he ran this latter establishment five or six years, and it was finally destroyed by fire ; another was built on the same site, which was run by Benjamin Seiss for about ten years ; it passed through several hands and is now owned by Peter Thornton and run by Jerry Garmon. The present landlord enlisted in 1861 in the Union army, and served faithfully during the war ; he then joined the regular army for several years. Jacob Garmon, his father, put up a hotel on the northwest corner, previous to 1840, and this building was also destroyed by fire. John Hunsberger started his mercantile establishment in the village about 1838 ; he was appointed first Postmaster of the place under Van Buren's administration; when he settled in the village, there were only six houses ; these were two hotels, one pump-factory, Hunsberger's residence, and a wagon-shop, which was run by George E. Smith for many years. The pump-maker, Peter Weidman, remained about ten years. About 1840, the first schoolhouse was built in the village ; previous to this the scholars went to school about one mile south. Harry Raefsnider started a tanyard south of the village previous to 1838, but quit after a few years : then another was established nearer Greensburg by Jacob Kauffman ; this was afterward sold to John Hunsberger, who transferred it to I. W. France. The first blacksmith-shop was owned by Lewis Denious, and John Wetzel built the first sawmill. Some thirty years since, a brickyard was established by Adam Leopard. Daniel Bender commenced manufacturing and repairing harness as early as 1843.

Many other industries have been carried on for a time in the village and then discontinued. The first physician to locate there was Dr. John Thomas, who remained about two years. Among those who practiced there in later years were A. H. Mann, H. Peters. Jacob Musser, Wesley Boden, Garber, C. A. Perdue, Da vid Joseph, B. F. Sampsell, Levi Markam, A. M. Weidler, 0. E. Brownell, — Parmlee, ===Howland, -----Reynolds and others. An addition was added to the village by Elias Herring, which was surveyed by Henry Beard ; John Switzer afterward added another.

The most important enterprise ever established at Greensburg was the seminary. This educational institution was for a few years in a very flourishing condition. It was, to a great extent, under the control of the Evangelical Association, and, at one time, two conferences of this sect desired to control the seminary, and much bad feeling was occasioned. It was finally reorganized with twenty-six stockholders, at $50 per share, and at another period of its history was conducted in the interest of the Disciples' Church. It was originally started in 1855, with Prof. J. W. Raubalt as Principal, and Miss Jennie Wells as Assistant. The directors at that time were Revs. Abraham Leonard, P. W. Hahn and E. Stayer, Alex Johnston and D. Cramer. Prof. Raubalt remained two years, and was succeeded for three years by Prof. Barnes, who had assisted Raubault one year ; then Prof. Idgins was Principal for one year, and he followed by Profs. A. A. Smith and J. W. Hahn. Under the Disciples' Church management, Prof. Williams had charge and G. F. Burgetts was assistant. Prof. Davis ran the institute for a short time in his own interest. During the time the seminary was conducted, many of the young folks of Green Township attended ; these acquired a higher and more complete education than the children of those settlers who did not appreciate the value of the institution. During the Know-Nothing movement, quite an influential order of this political secret society was established at Greensburg, and for a time flourished like a " green bay tree," and then gave way before the " irrepressible conflict" which resulted in the rebellion of 1861. The farmer opposed the " middlemen " for a short time by organizing a grange which continued for several years, but the only secret society of Green Township at the present time is Hadassah Lodge, No. 450, of the I. O. O. F.; this was instituted July 9, 1.870, by Horace Y. Beebe, with seven charter members, as follows : D. F. Hunsberger, 0. E. Brownell, J. P. Snyder, W. P. Hoffert, J. H. Anderson, Stephen Zembrot and C. Intermela. The lodge met for some eight years in a small room back of Humberber's store: At the present time they have one

608 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

of the finest lodge-rooms in Ohio for a village the size of Greensburg.

East Liberty was laid out on land belonging to John Castetter February 15, 1839. It was surveyed by Henry Beard, and Adam Yerrick assisted in carrying the chain. George Andrews put up the second house immediately south of Castetter's, who then occupied the southeast corner of the town; Castetter kept a cabinet-shop there for about fifteen years. George Andrews opened the first shoeshop. Daniel Lutz started a tannery at an early day, which he sold to Henry Raefsnider and David Thornton ; the latter sold out to the former, and after ten years the business was continued. About 1841, Andrew Kepler built the tavern now owned by Kroft. Several stores have been established in the village during the past forty years ; prominently among these is the establishment conducted by Charles Stroman for some fifteen years. This gentleman taught school for twenty-one terms, was Clerk and Treasurer of the township for many years, took the census for one decade, and was Postmaster ten or twelve years ; he died May 8, 1879. The first physician who settled in the village was Dr. L. S. Witwer, who remained about six years, and was succeeded for about five years by Jonathan Buchtel. There is some jealousy and strife between the two villages of East Liberty and Greensburg, which is manifested mostly at spring elections. By

general consent, the polls are held at Greensburg in the fall and at East Liberty in the spring. The result of this is that the township officers are generally "East Libertyites," and this occasionally causes some of those aspiring to these same positions who reside at and near Greensburg to feel dissatisfied with the successful political spring campaigns waged by the sons of Liberty, but in the fall the Greensburgites generally do the " . smiling."

Myersville, which is destined in the near future to be the. most important village of Green Township, was surveyed by Jacob Mishler on the land of J. B. Myers. The plat has not yet been recorded by Mr. Myers. The first house was built by Moses Kroft in the summer of 1876. The next year William Miller erected one, and Curt. Brause and James Riley started the sawmill. A storeroom was built and Edward Steese opened out a stock of goods, and afterward sold out to William Sweeten, who continued the business from April, 1880, to February, 1881. when he removed to East Liberty. The warehouse was erected by Edward Steese in the summer and fall of 1879 ; it is now leased by Hunsberger & Shick ; the first grain was purchased March 17, 1880. The construction train of the Valley road first passed over the Uniontown public Road at Myersville Station August 4. 1879, at 10:15 A. M.