Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1868-12-23
ReminIseenses Of Champion.

CHAMPION, Dec. Q, 1865.
Dear Chronicle .-Having read with pleas
ure your accounts of the early settlers and
settlement Of other towns, I had thought
that perhaps some record Of the pioneers Of
this town might not be NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
readers, especially those who inherit the
family name and acres of the FIRST families
OF Champion
The first settlement Of the town was made
about the year 1909. by H. Rutan, ST., on the
placenow lived on by his son, H. l. Rutan,
his brother, John utan, on the lot known as
the Old Troup place. Nipple on the State road
near the residence Of Mrs. Elliott, and Cron-
higher who raised his cabin near the brick
house north Of the church. b next year
these were followed by VIM. Woodrow, on
the farm OF Squire Christy. These were
mostly from Washington County, Pa. They
were reinforced within a year or two, by
John Chambers, who purchased Croninger's
improvement. Donaldson, a native of the
Emerald Isle, squatted where the residence
Of Simon Boerstler now stands, and Mr..
Smith on the homestead farm of John Lane.
It was during the residence OF Mr.. Smith In
Champion, that his sons, the future mer-
chants Of Warren, Charles and Henry, car
ried the mail between Warren and Pitts
burgh, on horseback. Mr.. Smith dying about
this time, his widow and family removed
from towns as did John Rutana and Mr.. Nipple.
About this time, 1872, the land which, like all
Of that on the Western Reserve, wa owned
by parties in Connecticut, was taken ont Of
market and no more sold until lS2S, in the
spring Of which year Edward Pierce, ST.,
settled on the place now owned by his son
E Pierce, Jr. In the fall Of the same. year,
VIM. burst moved on the farm at the east
end Of the State road, and other settlers fol-
lowed rapidly.
The township OF Champion. Ike most OF
the townships Of the County, was originally
owned by one Trumbun, OF Connecticut, for
Whoms the County was called. Champion,
however, passed into the possession OF his
son-in-law, Aristarchus Champion, who
gave the town his name. Many stories are
told Of this Ysnkee landlord. At one time,
1t is related, he left with hissgent in Warren,
Freeman) a quantity OF specie to be deposit
ted in a Freeman not being at leisure,
he intrusted II to the care Of his law student
who was boarding with him at the time
The receipt the Bank gave for themOney fell
short by several dollars Of the count which
Champion had made Of III money before
5tuuAuB IL hluOl AsdIAua t4ALE ECcL4dA uAu
sent it by a boy, as he called him, strongly
intimsted that Eaid boy had eonnseatedp part
of II. This OF course reused the ire Of the
limb of the law, who insisted on seeing the
list OF the coins which composed the money
deposited. On looking over the list the mis-
take was found in estimating the value OF
some OF the coin. The young law-student
then intimated that an apology for having
called in question his honesty would be in
order. Champion however could not see IL
in that light. WhsTeupon the embryo law
yer inserted his fingers between the neck
and coat collar OF the aged land shark, with
the intention Of persuGdin1 him that 1t was
his duty to apologize. Freeman. however,
sPurred between the cnmbStsnts, and tins
future ediaer Of juriss forbore to infict the
ehaEtisement he had meditsted. Champi-
onisnow dead aforementioned andunnOurn=
ed, The law student has since been Govern
or Of Ohio, and had the honor Of declining
the ONCE OF Secretary OF the Treasury from
President Lincoln. Hei known and mourn
ed by the people Of the State, by the simple
name Of DAVID Ton.
This sketch is sufficiently long If it has
rescued from oblivion the name or fame Of
any Of that noble race ofmennOw faSt dying
away, the fathers Of the settlement. who
battling with nature in natures. own for
tress, the forests overcome her at last reap
ing not for themselves but leaving to other
generations the fruits Of their labors.
p. H.