EARLY FACTS AND REMINISCENCES AS GATHERED FROM JACOB HALL, W. N. BORAH, J. B. BORAH, JUDGE WILSON AND OTHERS---LOVELETTE, THE TRADITIONAL FIRST COMER---ENOCH BEACH, THE FIRST SETTLER, WITH A SKETCH---NAMES AND SKETCHES OF OUR SETTLERS AND THEIR FAMILIES---CAMPS AND CABINS OF THE EARLY DAY---TRUNDLE BEDS AND THEIR TRASH---FIRST SCHOOL AND WHO TAUGHT IT---FIRST MARRIAGE, BIRTH AND DEATH---THE OLD RANGERS---JUDGE WILSON AND THE DEER THAT TORE HIS CLOTHES OFF----JOHN McCOLLUM AND HIS COON---WILD CATS---FIRST MILLS, CHURCHES, PREACHERS, ETC. ETC. ETC.
To demand a complete and thorough history, perfect in all its parts and bearings, in relation to the events of the "long, long ago"---events that were second-hand at a time when heads now silvered by the frosts of many winters were in the bloom of childhood -- is only equaled by the expectation of finding perfect men in this world, or seeking infallibility in a weak and fallen race. The standpoint from which events and incidents are observed must be considered as well as the opportunities of the witnesses upon whose testimonies we are chiefly called upon to rely for the most accurate information obtainable at the time.
The intelligent observer is sometimes led on to wonder, and even to amazement, when he hears, in our courts, good men, honest and true, testifying diametrically opposite to each other about events, viewed at the same time by each, yet from different standpoints. But, in rendering judgment, the reasonableness, the weight of testimony, as well as the idiosyncrasies and opportunities of each witness, must be taken into consideration.
It is little different in gathering incidents of history, for, after the greatest care and diligent research, many items will doubtless remain untold, and others will appear among chronicled events that are questionable as to accuracy, and some may possess an air of improbability.
But history is useful, inasmuch as it secures to us the advantage of the experience of others, whose successes and failures in life are as beacon lights, by which we may safely guide our floating barks on life's sea to a haven of security.
The first actors on the arena of civilized life in Massillon Township, the men who "came, and saw, and conquered," have long since passed to their reward, and their places are now largely occupied by men who knew them not, but have entered into their labors and are enjoying the blessings procured by the others' hardships. There is no excellence without great labor, and the labor and endurance of the first were the means by which the latter generations have procured immunity from kindred privations. Some of them were, indeed, grand men---men whose lights would shine in any age or sphere, and, brilliantly illume the horizon around them. In a few instances, their sons, who either came with them in early childhood, or were "to the manor born," are still living, as bright men as any among us, but even their steps are tottering with age, and ere many changing seasons, as the morning dew beneath the summer's sun, they, too, must pass away and he gathered to their fathers.
We here wish to acknowledge our obligations to Messrs. Jacob Hall, William N. Borah, J. B. Borah, Judge Wilson and some others, for reliable information concerning the early pioneers and many incidents in this narrative. These gentlemen are all remarkably well preserved in mind and body, and in addition to being the sons of hardy pioneers, possess stores of valuable information from which we have copiously drawn for these chronicles.
Massillon Township embraces the whole territory designated by Government surveyors as Town 1 south, Range 9 east, of the Third Principal Meridian, in Wayne County, Ill. It is bounded on the east by Edwards County, on the south by Leech Township, on the west by Jasper Township, and on the north by Mt. Erie Township. In its physical features it differs somewhat from any other township in the county, having within its boundaries two rivers, between and along which are large areas of swamp lands covering almost fourteen sections, which are subject to overflows, and are often submerged to considerable depths. These low lands, when cultivated, yield an alluring wealth of farm products, unequaled in their abundance, but the uncertainty of harvesting the fruit of the husbandman's labor, on account of overflows, has, to a large extent, acted as a hindrance to their general cultivation. While very productive in favorable seasons, these lands have generally been left in their wild and uncultured state, and furnished ample pasturage for thousands of cattle and other stock during nine or ten months of the years. This pasturage will probably remain for many generation to come, and will continue to furnish a luxuriant growth of rich and succulent grasses that may be turned to advantage by the thrifty stock-grower of the future. These flat lands must of necessity remain unfenced for many years to come, and the grand range be open and free to all men until large sums are expended for levees to secure fences from breakage by high waters.
Much the larger portion of Massillon Township, as the white man found it, was covered with a heavy growth of timber, which has been of great value, not only to the surrounding country but for exportation. Very considerable quantities of the better grades of hard wood yet remain, and can be obtained at fair prices.
When the red man abandoned this country, these forests were comparatively open, but little undergrowth being found to obstruct the vision. This destruction of the germs of trees and shrubs was brought about by the annual autumnal fires that swept over both timber and prairie alike. These fires were not the result of accident as many have supposed, but were caused by the deliberate act of the Indians, that there might be no hiding places for the wild game, upon which they relied for sustenance. The prairie fire must be seen, and that in the night time, to be fully appreciated. The sight is a grand one, often terrific, and not easily forgotten; but he who relies upon the account of western sensational writers for information on this subject, is sure to be misled, and can have no just conception of this really beautiful panorama, for the simple reason that their statements are overdrawn, and the authors never saw what they pretend to describe.
Over portions of Section 4, 3, 10 and 9, in Massillon Township, extends an arm of Grand Prairie, which is known here by the name of Long Prairie. In the southeastern portion of the township, next to Jasper Township, Tom's Prairie covers about one section of land. Since the cessation of the early fires before mentioned, the timber growth has made considerable encroachments upon these prairies, so that their area is not so great now as it was sixty years ago.
Massillon Township, as a whole, is very fertile, and some of the finest bodies of farming lands to be found in Southeastern Illinois are located within her borders. The lands, aside from the flats, or overflowed lands along the river, are undulating, with sufficient drainage to carry off the rainfall within a few hours' time. The abundant crops of hickory nuts and various kinds of acorns are of great value as swine food, besides which large quantities of hickory nuts are shipped and bring considerable revenue into the community. In the good old times, pecans grew in great abundance, and formed no inconsiderable article of early commerce, being bought by merchants and shipped in flat-boats to New Orleans, where they found a ready market. But the vandal hands of shiftless men, who, like the fabled boy that slew the goose that lay the golden egg, have felled the trees bearing these truly luscious nuts,that they might share the profit of the single crop obtained thereby, though their destruction deprived themselves and others, including their own children, of the enjoyment for many years, the luxury of this fruit. It has been said that "the Anglo-Saxon race is a race of pirates," and one must indeed close both eyes and ears almost every day of his life to not be forced to the conclusion that the declaration is but too true.
Catalpa, a tree of large and abundant growth, with a luxuriance of flowers, and extensively used for shingles and posts on account of its durability, is indigenous and deserves a special mention. In fact, the timber growth of this, both in quantity and variety, is scarcely excelled by that of any other township in the State.
The fauna of Massillon Township was the great attraction to the red man in his day, and this was the Elysian field of the pioneer hunter, the alluring magnet that drew him here. From the best information now at hand, the bear, deer, turkeys and larger game, to say nothing of the smaller varieties, existed in larger numbers, and remained longer after the first settlement in this township than elsewhere in Wayne County. Birds existed in great variety, many species of which yet remain. Wild fruits in great abundance were indigenous to the soil, and were a welcome article of food to the early settler.
At the intersection of Sections 20 and 28, but lying chiefly in the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 28, is a pond somewhat noted for the large numbers of water-fowl that formerly congregated there, and was a place of resort for hunters in quest of the same. Wild ducks and geese were killed here in quantities sufficient to make the modern quail and snipe hunter feel the utter insignificance of his calling.
Owing to the deposit from the frequent overflows, and the rank growth of vegetation, falling and remaining on its surface, it is supposed that, within the recollection of men now living, the depth has decreased not less than three feet. In addition to this the portion belonging to Mr. David Monroe has been partially drained, and some attempts made at cultivation; but the overflow, which seems to be almost as sure as death and taxes, precludes the possibility of successful cultivation, notwithstanding the great wealth of accumulated soil on its bosom.
Near this pond, on the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 29, the property of Marvel Hill, are three mounds, composed of sandy loam, about ten acres of which are above all overflow, supposed to have been the work of ancient Mound-Builders. Signs of Indian burial are to be seen there yet, and small pieces of human bones, teeth, scraps of pottery with other relics are still to be found.
In 1833, while Judge Wilson, then a lad, was plowing on the largest of these mounds, his plow struck something hard, which caused him and his father to investigate, and, upon digging down, they unearthed a slab-stone vault, 2x3 feet in size, in which was doubled up a large human skeleton, apparently in a fair state of preservation, but which soon crumbled, with the exception of the teeth, when exposed to the atmosphere. The flat stones of which this vault was composed were unlike anything of the kind found in the neighborhood.
The Little Wabash River enters Massillon Township near the center of the eastern line of Section 12, bearing in a southwesterly direction through Sections 11, 14, 15, 22, 27, 33 and 32, where it enters Leech Township. The western portion of the township is drained by Elm River, which runs through Sections 18, 19, 30, 29 and 32, where it enters the Little Wabash River.
Village Creek in the east and Little Elm in the northwest carry off the surplus rainfall in those portions of the township.
On the premises of James Ed Lane, southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 31, are yet distinctly to be seen portions of the buffalo trace, along which were scattered many bones when the county was first settled. Signs of an Indian village having existed here are numerous, and many relics, such as stone axes, arrow points, etc., have been found at this place. Along the bluffs of Section 31 are numerous springs of water that flow the year round, and the driest seasons have not perceptibly affected them.
There is not the uncertainty as to who were the first permanent settlers in Massillon Township that we sometimes encountered in others.
There in an old tradition, however, whether true or untrue we have no means at hand of ascertaining, that a Frenchman by the name of Lavalette, prior to the war of 1812, had a trading post, for barter with the Indians, at or near the place where the town of New Massillon was afterward founded. Through the same tradition, we also learn that, being impressed with a sense of insecurity, so remote from any other white man, when the war cloud began to gather, he also "gathered" his traps and sought a place of greater security.
Enoch Beach is entitled to the honor of being considered the first settler in Massillon Township. He came from South Carolina and located on the northeast quarter of Section 30 as early as 1817. He moved in a large "schooner" wagon, a style of wagon unknown to the present generation, the first wagon brought to Wayne County, and with him came King, his brother-in-law, who soon died, and Pritchet, who settled in Jasper Township, and also Abraham Beach, his nephew, with their families. The intelligence, benevolence and energy of Mr. Beach made him a prominent factor in the community until his death, which occurred about the year 1836. He early became an extensive land-owner, and improved a large farm; was elected or appointed Justice of the Peace, the duties of which he administered to the satisfaction of all; he filled the position of State Senator with honor, and, while modest and unassuming, he was foremost in all public enterprises or movements for the welfare of the people. Prudent in the management of his own affairs, he always had some ready money, a matter of no small moment at that time, and it is said that if a neighbor was in want of money he could sell his stock to Mr. Beach for cash, and thus obtain relief, when without such an opportunity many would have been distressed. Having the only wagon in the neighborhood, he would gather the people's corn and do their heavy hauling, for which he charged five bushels of corn per day. A man of enlarged views, he did not follow hunting for the sake of the peltries that could be secured, but as a sportsman engaged in the chase for recreation. Seeking larger game, he kept heavy dogs, and bear-hunting was his favorite pastime. After the extermination of the bears in the country, his instincts led him in quest of the deer, and the dash and game in his nature were shown when mounted on a fine charger. His hunting was always on the "drive."
Sixty-three years ago, he built what was then and remains to this day one of the best dwelling houses in the community, owned and now occupied by Mr. Stewart Cunningham.
Not himself a church member, he opened his house to public preaching, and it is thought by some that the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Tom's Prairie was first organized in his dwelling.
He planted the first apple-trees in the county, some of which are still standing, but gradually are being borne down by the weight of years. He also raised the first wheat in the community, and by his enterprise the interests of the country were greatly advanced. Mrs. Mays and her daughter, of Fairfield, and Mrs. Andrew Crews, of Marion, are the only lineal descendants remaining to him in this community.
Abraham Beach came from South Carolina with Enoch Beach in 1817, and is reputed to have been a good, quiet man. A millwright by profession, he built many of the early horse mills in the country, and also made coffins. He lived to be quite old, and died about 1838.
In 1837, Andrew Crews came from Kentucky and lived one year in Barnhill Township, and in 1818 settled on Section 31 in Massillon Township, where his descendants still own a fine farm. He was born in Halifax County, Va., lived near the Cumberland River in Tennessee, remained in Kentucky but a short time, and then came to Illinois. He is remembered as a man of moral stamina, having a determined will in favor of right, and his counsels were of weight in the community. Being a Methodist, his house was long a preaching place, and the present Ebenezer Society was organized there. He was, for many years prior to his death, afflicted with rheumatism.
George Russell came with the Frazier's, his brothers-in-law from South Carolina in 1818, and settled on Section 19. He was an uneducated man, talked too much, and often about other people's business, sometimes causing trouble, without so intending. He was a successful hunter, and shiftless in other respects, but possessed an active business wife. Being an Old School Presbyterian, the early preachers of that denomination preached at his house. He died about 1842. His son Macomb was killed by the Indians in California in 1849. His son John became a Baptist minister, and with his brother Frank moved to Arkansas.
Rev. James Crews came to Illinois with his father, and was for many years a useful Methodist Episcopal local preacher. Though a Methodist, he was a lover of all Christian people, and died greatly respected a few years since.
Rev. Woods M. Hamilton lived on the Enoch Beach farm in an early day, and, being a regular pastor, a fuller account will be given of him in the account of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Rev. David McLin, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister of great ability, and one who made his impress in all this region of country, organized his church in Massillon Township as early as 1822. He will be more fully mentioned in connection with his church.
Edward West came from Pennsylvania, about 1822, and settled on the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 10, where he improved a good farm and became the wealthiest man in the township. A man of good education for the times, he was possessed of good tastes and refinement, and was intelligent and progressive. He was the first Justice of the Peace in the present territory of Massillon Township, also a Representative in the Legislature; was a live-stock dealer, and died about 1846. One of his daughters is the wife of William N. Borah.
John Henson came from Indiana about 1826, and was the first to settle on the Indian mound between the rivers. He built a camp for his family, and being a successful hunter, supplied them with meat, and nothing more, his wife having to furnish the other supplies by her own labor. He was not a good man, being unscrupulous, a practical joker, and his gallantry among the ladies was often offensive. A Mr. Chapman, father-in-law to Henson, came soon after, and built a small cabin on the mound near the pond, but died in a short time. He was almost a giant in stature, weighing over 300 pounds. He was a fine-looking man, and reared a large family of well developed and exceedingly handsome sons and daughters. The sons were fond of good horses, and were great-fighters. The family moved away after the death of the father.
Samuel McCollum came from Indiana about 1828, and it is thought that he was originally from Georgia or Alabama. He was a large and very portly man, always dressed well, full of life, fun and frolic, very fond of fine horses, a jolly jockey, ran many horse races, and was fond of seeing a fight, though peaceable and good-natured himself. He bought the water-will of Saunders, which he ran for many years afterward.
William McCollum, a son of Samuel, improved a farm on the southwest quarter of Section 16, where he died. He was a quiet, peaceable man, attending to his own business, and was highly esteemed as a good citizen.
Matthew Monroe lived one year on Richard Hall's place, and then moved to Tazewell County, Ill.., where he recently died.
Gillison Price came from Indiana about 1835, and settled on the northeast quarter of Section 6. He was a good, upright, industrious and progressive man, and left a worthy family. When Gen. McLernand was a candidate for Congress, he told him frankly that he should not vote for him, because he liked his opponent better. His death occurred about 1860.
Larkin Price came with his brother Gillison, and improved a good farm on the southeast quarter of Section 6. Like his brother, he was a truly good man, and at his death, which occurred in 1859, he left a worthy family, that have, by their upright lives, reflected anew their father's memory.
Miles Morris came from Indiana about 1826, and settled near "Farmer's Lick." He was a good hunter, but not progressive, and died many years ago.
Farmer's Lick was a famous evening resort for deer, on or near Section 15, where the unsuspecting animals were ambushed, and, during their career, many thousands of them were slain there.
William Farmer settled on the northwest quarter of Section 15 as early as 1825. His occupation was that of a hunter. He built scaffolds in the trees, near the lick, where he concealed himself of evenings, where, it is claimed, he killed 500 deer. He moved to Elm River Township, and died about 1848.
Nathan Martin, generally called "Big Nuck," the son of James Martin, came to Wayne County in 1818, and settled in 1825 on the southwest quarter of Section 15. He was a peaceable man, but would defend the weak, when oppressed; hence his many fights, in which he was always victorious. He died at Clay City a few years since. Monroe Martin and Mrs. Melinda Crews are his children.
Daniel Baily, whose wife was a Cannon, came from Kentucky in 1817 and 1818, and was the first man to settle east of the Wabash River, in Massillon Township. He improved a fine farm on the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 25. An industrious, progressive man, he came to the county poor, and by his thrift, previous to his death, which occurred in 1847, he amassed a good property.
William Batson came to Massillon Township as early as 1828, and settled on the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 34, where he improved a good farm, planted a large orchard, built a hotel on the road leading from Mt. Carmel to Salem, and was a progressive man, and valuable citizen generally. He died in Leach Township about 1844.
Joseph Welch came from Pennsylvania about 1826, and lived on Richard Hall's place, being too shiftless to build a cabin of his own. Being a good hunter, he provided wild meat for his family, but let them raise their own bread.
He was fond of whisky, and when drunk would drive his family from home. When his wife was tired of venison, he would furnish a fresh supply of coon and ground-hog. To insure a supply of meat, he salted down coon and possum, which was called Welch's "small bacon." He moved to the mouth of the Wabash River, Indiana, where his family nearly all died. His son, an old man, after an absence of forty years, returned to Fairfield, where he lived a year or two, but recently returned to Ohio and died.
Among others who settled in Massillon Township many years ago, were Samuel Allison, James Simms, W. H. Porterfield, Daniel Spitler, Stephen West, and his son Michael, the homeliest man in the world, J. J. Lum, George L. Borah, George W. Courtright, W. M. Shearer, John Hays, Clifton Boles, James Wheat, Marvel Hill, Thomas St. Ledger, Walter Dunn, James Thomas, Hiram Miller, Charles Iles, Stewart Cunningham, Levi Garrison, Daniel Kendrick, William Collins, Cyrus Oakley, Isaac Tree, A. Mason, James Lane, J. A. Paul, Lee Duckworth, Willin McCollum, and his brothers, John, Daniel, James and Samuel.
Hugh, Joseph, James and Green Walker came about 1832. An account of Richard Hall will be found in the general history of the county.
The Government land in Massillon Township was surveyed in 1809. The entry price was for many years $2 per acre, with the privilege of partial payments.
Many entered more than they could pay for, but were allowed to apply all their payments on smaller tracts, and thus secure homes.
Many settled on Congress land without purchasing the same, and were called "squatters." The homes of the squatters were sometimes entered by others, and they lost their homes. As before stated, much of Massillon Township is composed of swamp lands, and the growth of the community has been retarded by unfavorable litigation in connection with the same.
The county has expended many thousands of dollars in this litigation, but somehow has always met with repulse and defeat.
Seven or eight years ago, Col. H. Thompkins came to Wayne County and undertook to remove the cloud from the title of many tracts of this land for private owners. After a long and tedious struggle for many weary years, he has recently obtained decisions from the highest tribunal in the State, confirming the title in the rightful owners. The test case was "Scates vs. King."
The careful student of the world's economy will have observed that the natural blessings to mankind have been tolerably evenly distributed by a kindly and overruling Providence. One country will surpass another in many respects, while it has its drawbacks, and is more then equaled by the other in other qualities. Life, health, soil, materials, opportunities and many other conditions enter as competitors in these lists in the conflicts of life.
The pioneers in Wayne County were nearly all poor, and forsook the many advantages of older communities, depriving themselves of many comforts, and enduring many hardships that they might better their own condition, and secure a settlement with homes for their children. A majority of them came on pack horses, others in pirogues, and some even on foot. There were no roads in the country, and they were under the necessity of following a course or mere trail to their destination, and even after their arrival and settlement with most of them it took many weary years of toil before they could hope to become moderately comfortable. Few of them had money, and what they had was reserved to purchase the much-coveted homestead.
A Mr. King's, brother-in-law to Beach, and grandfather to Mr. Clay King, is thought to have been the first death in Massillon Township.
Mr. Haulcome, a school teacher, was the next victim, so far as is now known. He died of milk sickness, and was the first to tell what his ailment was, having been acquainted with the same disease in Indiana. On the 22d of August, 1822, David Monroe and Nancy Crews were married, Archy Roberts officiating. This was undoubtedly the first matrimonial venture in the township, and proved to be a good one. August 13, 1821, Owen Martin and Polly Crews were married by the same, but the alliance was not a fortunate one. On May 13, 1822, Abraham Beach was joined in bonds matrimonial to Anna Price, by Owen Martin, Esq.
The early pioneers were necessarily self-reliant, and many shifts were resorted to in their penury that would seem ridiculous to the present dependent generation. In their labors and plannings, as is generally the case, the noble women bore a generous and heroic part. It has been said that "woman is God's noblest and best gift to man," and without her refining and restraining influence man becomes a savage, and soon sinks low in the descending scale of human depravity.
The pioneer cabins were built of small logs, and covered with clapboards, upon which were placed weight poles to keep them in place, nails being out of the question, and those used long after were forged by the blacksmith. The chimney, which occupied a large portion of one end of the house, was built on the outside, of sticks and clay. The floor was made of hewed puncheons, and the door of riven board, and hung on wooden hinges. For the window, a small hole was cut, through which one could peep out, and it was many years before the people generally could afford the luxury of a glass window. This one room was used for kitchen, parlor, dining-room, dormitory, and chapel, and contained the spinning wheel, reel, winding blades and loom, besides the family and casual visitors. Ten to sixteen children were esteemed no disgrace, and often constituted the family's greatest wealth. Trundle beds were used to stow away children at night, but placed under the larger steads in day time. The larger children slept up stairs, or rather climbed a ladder into the loft, where beds were spread for them. Four or five children in one bed were supposed to keep each other warm in winter. Cook stoves were unthought of, and the cooking was done on the hearth before the fire, by means of pots, skillets and pans. Gourds were used for drinking cups, and in them were often stored lard, salt, soap, honey and the oil from wild animals. The dishes were often made of pewter, and could not easily be broken. In summer, strips of venison were cut and hung in the chimney above the fire to be tried, and was called "jerk." Corn was grated when soft, or pounded in wooden mortars, before mills were erected.
The blades of corn were stripped off and cured, as they are in the Southern States today, for fodder. Prairie grass was often cut, and made excellent hay. Oxen were used for plowing and drawing loads, and sleds and truck wagons were common vehicles. The plows were primitive, but answered their purpose in the redundant soil. Flour was but little used, and was not so highly esteemed for bread as corn meal.
The first school in Massillon Township was taught by William Aldrich in a house built by Welch on the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 30. There are only two schoolhouses in the township at present, but some union districts have houses in adjoining townships, the low lands being so distributed as to make such divisions necessary.
The first singing school was taught at Richard Hall's by James Miller.
Preaching by the Cumberland and also Old School Presbyterians, the Methodists and Baptists was commenced and kept up in private houses almost from the first settlement. The morals of the first settlers were generally good.
Grain cradles came into use about 1830, and rats first made their appearance in this township in 1840, coming gradually from the direction of Shawneetown.
Of accidents and incidents of a tragic character, Massillon Township has furnished a fair proportion. If an old tradition be reliable, a man by the name of Dubose, on his way from Vincennes to Kaskaskia, was drowned in the Little Wabash River, at or near the present site of New Massillon, previous to the war of 1812.
While the rangers were camped near the same place, in sight of the Indian camp fires, a man by the name of Hensley shot and killed a comrade named Hughes, mistaking him for an Indian. George Laird was drowned at Massillon, while swimming his horse across the river, about 1860.
Isaac, a twelve-year-old son of William Collins, fell from a canoe at the lower bridge on Elm River, and was drowned, about 1850. About 1855, a man named Orr, while drunk, was killed by a man whose brother he was assaulting. A daughter of Samuel Duckworth was thrown from a horse and killed near the town of Massillon a few years since.
In 1841, Judge Wilson, while hunting near the place of his present residence, shot and wounded a large buck, and supposing him to be killed, as he was down, gathered hold of him, but to his sorrow found him to be only stunned. A terrible struggle ensued, sometimes one and then the other having the advantage, but finally the deer escaped, leaving Wilson shirtless, the skin of his back split, his few remaining articles of apparel in shreds, and himself in no elegant plight to appear in drawing-room or parlor.
While John McCollum was one night hunting in the bottom, near the mounds, he treed, as he thought, four coons on a large water oak having many limbs. As was often done, he climbed the tree to drive off the game that his dogs might catch them when they should come to the ground, but to his amazement a large wild-cat sprang on top of his head with a scream and made her escape, but McC., letting all holds go, tumbled from limb to limb till he reached the ground considerably bruised, but more scared than hurt.
In 1843, Newbery Cline laid off the village of New Massillon, on the south half of the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 15 in Massillon Township. There were six blocks, composed of sixteen lots, each lot 50x100 feet square. William L. Gash was the Surveyor. North street, leading north, was forty feet wide, and intersecting this street at right angles, was Main street, fifty feet wide and Second street, forty feet wide.
On the 25th of November, 1849, Wiley Webb, assisted by Thomas R. Burket, the Surveyor of Edwards County, made an addition to the town, and on the 13th of March, 1850, Mr. Webb made another adddition, increasing the number of lots in the village to sixty, at the same time establishing Mill and Water streets. William Whitacre was the surveyor, and the true meridian is given, and also the magnetic meridian, with a bearing of 70o 30' east.
It seems that a man named Saunders erected a water mill for grinding, at this place, as early as 1825, which he afterward sold to Samuel McCollum, when he moved to Arkansas. McCollum operated this mill till about 1836, when it was washed away. Wiley Webb built a mill on or near the same site, for the purpose of grinding and sawing, in 1849, which he operated for many years. The village grew rapidly, and became a competing point in population and business with Fairfield, though it is hardly probable that it ever equaled the county seat in these respects.
In 1854, there were sixty families living in New Massillon, and town lots were sold as high as $50 each. At that time there were three general stores in the village, kept by Harris & Vandaveer, Dr. W. H. Camp and Ed Willey, the latter being succeeded by Alvis Boze. Two saloons also flourished at this time, and were not looked upon as they would be at the present in Wayne County, where there has been nothing of the kind for the past seventeen years.
Benjamin Harris was the first Postmaster, and is remembered as an enterprising and most excellent man. He moved to Clay City subsequently and died.
Samuel McCollum operated a tanyard, while the cooper shop was run by a man named Entriken, and the coffins and wagons were made and chimneys built by Justice Beach. James L. Vandaveer was the blacksmith. There was a toll bridge across the river, but it fell down about 1855.
Benjamin Harris was the Justice of Peace. Wiley Webb early built steam saw and grist mill, so that the village had two mills running at the same time. Wiley Webb seems to have been one of the most enterprising men that ever lived in the township. Considerble quantities of pork were packed at this place during its prosperity, which was transported to New Orleans on flat-boats. A number of flats, loaded with produce, were sent down the river from New Massillon. Martin and Henry Webb, and Crews & Campbell shipped several boat-loads of hoop poles.
A Methodist parsonage existed here, and the pastor of New Massillon Circuit lived in it. The Baptist Church at one time had a membership of about sixty people in this vicinity, and the Methodists were probably equally flourishing, but neither of them have been prospering for a number of years past. The town of New Massillon was quite a village in its day, being at least the second in importance in Wayne County. But, like many ancient cities, it enjoyed its periods of rise, growth, maturity and decay; and upon the establishment of Mount Erie, New Massillon began to decline, some of the houses being torn down and removed to that village, while others were taken to different places in the surrounding country, until at this writing very little remains to mark the spot where New Massillon one flourished.
Upon the establishment of township organization of Wayne County in 1859, the township was called Massillon in honor of the village of that name.
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