The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-06-15
1istoriraL
SKETCHES OF THE EARLY SET
ELEMENT or STARK COUNTY.
NuMBER IL.

Early in the spring of 1906, lots were
sold aud several cabins erected. Leon.
ard bought the lot south west corner
Of Seventh and Market, upon which he
erected the same year, the brick house
still standing, now 70 years old The
house has history which may be given
in detail hereafter Leonard was mar.
ried to Sarah Barber, June 6, 1906, which
was the first marriage ceremony per.
formed in the county, and this previous
to its organization. Leonard subse,
quently moved into Plain township and
then to Jackson in the organization Of
both of which, he participated. After
ward he removed into Summit county
and from thence into Cuyahoga, where
he died at an advanced age. James and
William Barber each bulta cabin on sec
ton 10 in the fall of 1905, and brought
out their families the following spring.
James Crawford, also from Virginia, set
tied on the south west quarter of section
Is, now known as the Lucas Shook farm.
Among those who selected and entered
land in Canton township in 1905, were
David Bechtel, Jacob Autman, the
BARS, Philip Schlosser, (since anglicized
to Slusser) and William Ewing. The
quarter section entered by Bechtel is
the same, upon part Of which, his son
Martin is now living. The original
patent signed by Thomas Jefferson,
President of the United States and James
Madison, Secretary of State, is still in
the family, probably the oldest title to
lard in this county now eXtant.
These men after completing their seleC-
tions ofland, returned to their homes east.
but engaged Rudy Bair, who was of their
number, to go to the land office in Steu-
benVille and make the necessary entries
and payments So far as can be asCer-
tanned at this day, no white persons re-
mained in Stark county, during the
winter Of 1906 except Leonard and the
men in his employ. If there was any
family, they were located in Sandy town
ship.
David Bachtel was from Maryland
came to Columbiana county in 1903 and
lived near New Lisbon. In the fall of
'06, he came ou' TO his land with hire
ling, put up cabin, cleared and fenced
three acres and sowed it in wheat; went
back to Columbiana county, remained
there during the winter married and re-
turned with his wife to his new home
in the spring of 07, where he remained
until his death in 1888.
Mr.. BaChtel was among the first set
tiers who succeeded in aising fruit. His
orchard was located upon high ground,
where it was less likely to be injured by
frost. He was fond of hunting, wore a
hunting shirt edged with fringes, and
always carried his rifle when from home
even at funerals. He also had with
him long knife attached to belt at
his side. One night the dogs treed three
bears near his cabin and kept them up
till morning, when he shot them. He
once had an encounter with a buck,
which would probably have been his
last, but for his trusty knife. He sup.
posed he had shot the buck, as simulta-
neously with the crack of the rifle the
buck fell, and when Bachtel came up the
animal lay apparently dead, not moving
a muscle. Bachtel drew his knife for
he purpose of cutting its throat and as
he took hold of an autler to turn the
head, the buck suddenly sprung upon his
feet and made for him, ran prong of
his antlers through his left hand pinning
him to an oak, when he soon would
have disabled him, had not Bachte by
superhuman effort, plunged the knife
into the chest of the buck causing him |
TO relax, whereupon lie followed up his
advantage and soon dispatched him
The bullet had only grazed the top of
tie skull, producing temporary conCus-
sion. Beside the game he killed, he
was successful trapper, catching otter
and other fur animals in the Nimisnil-
len.
There is an Indian burial ground, or
mound upon the farm of BaChtel. Relics
such as arrow heads, stone hatchets and |
other implements Of stone and iron have |
been found. A dwelling that stood upon
the place many years ago, was said TO
have been disturbed at night by the
spirit of dead Indians buried under
meath. Bachtel had no love for the Indi-
ans who prowled around the neighbor-
hood. There was one in particular who
was in the habit of displaying string
of human tongues and boasting that he
had taken them from pale faces. On an
occasion of this kind, in the presence of
Bachtel, they both left the company
about the same time, and that Indian
was never afterward seen. 1t was said
Bachtel helped him on his journey to
the Spirit Land. Mr. B. was strong in
his convictions of right and duty-be-
ionged to the Jacksonian school of poll
tics, was kind neighbor and an honest
man. He served several terms as County
Commissioner.
Jacob Aultman was from Westmore.
land county, Penn. He came in 1906
with his family consisting of wife and
three children-Christian, Jacob and
Mary. Christian had rowing dsposi-
ton, followed the river and died South.
Jacob, father of G. Aultman & Co., died
in Osnabulgh, and Mary, who married
Jonathan Holden (now anglicized Hol-
wick) died in 81. Her husband is still
living. Mr. Aultman had poor health
was an almost constant sufferer from
arrangement of the liver. He consulted
every physician within reach, but re-
ceiVing no benefit he was finally induced
to go to his native home in Pennsylvania
and put himself under the treatment of
physician there. 1t seems there was no
help for him, as he grew worse and died.
Mr. A. was quiet, unassuming man,
but much respected for bis strict integ-
rity.
Its claimed that the first school taught
in the county, was in log structure
erected in 1907 for that purpose. John
Harris was the first teacher, the same
who in after years, was prominent and
influential member of the Canton bar.
The next teacher employed was Christie
pher Bair. The school books in use at
that day were Dillworth's Speller, Bible
and Testament for readers and Coughs I
Arithmetic, which, in calculations of
treated exclusively of pounds,
shiliings and pence. There was no geog-
rAphy or grammar taught.