The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1879-04-03
qRliscrl1nrnms.
[For the stark County Democratl
HISTORY OF THE EARLY SETTLE
MENT OF PIKE TOWNSHIP.

g. 1915. For purposes OF jurisdiction the
surveyed township west (now Bethle-
hem), not then organized, was attached.
The first election for township officers
was held the following month at the
house of Henry Bordner, on the south
west quarter Of section 5, the same now
owned by Jesse Hines. In filling the
different Offices, men were selected from
both townships. The township was ma
med after General Zebulon Montgomery
Pike. who was killed in the war Of 1912,
while in command Of an expedition
against York (now Toronto), the capital
of Upper Canada.
The first man known to have settled in
the township was George Young. He
was born in Maryland, and while yet a
boy, left home to work for himself He
went to Somerset county, Pa, and after
remaining there year or two, married
at the early age of 10. From Somerset
he removed with his wife to Jefferson
county, Ohio. Here he remained several
years, working wherever he could obtain
employment, saving his earnings until
he had sufficient to purchase two horses
and a few farming implements. Pack
ing on the horses some corn meal and
salt, his family clothing and stock of
farming implements, he started in the
spring of 1906 to settle upon a piece of
land he had leased from the owner, who
resided in Jefferson county. Mrs. Young,
with a young babe, rode one Of the hor
ses the other horse Mr.. Young led, car
rying his trusty ride, with which he ex-
pected to obtain all the meat they would
want. What contrast to the facilities
afforded at the present day tor migra'
ting west! After several days of weari.
some travel through wilderness count
ry, a portion of the distance by an In
dian trail, crossing Sandy creek at Down.
inR's Ford, they reached the Sulpher
Spring at the head of Limestone creek
in section 8. Here he constructed a
shelter of poles and brush, which served
as protection during storm, and a
lodging place at night. His nearest
neighbors were John Nichols, then build
ing mill on the Nimishillen, four miles
north, and John Farber, whore land Was
in TuscaraWas county, adjoining the
boundary line of Pike, distant five miles.
For weeks this couple worked togeth-
er, clearing the ground and preparing it
for a crop. At night the horses, until
they become acquainted with the new
locality; were tethered or hobbled, and
fed upon the luxuriant pea vine and
grass, with which the woods abounded,
Having completed sowing and planting,
Young returned with his wife and child
TO his former home in Jefferson county,
10 harvest wheat crop he had put in
Ibe year previous, and in which he had
an interest. While engaged in this, Mrs.
Young obtained employment at weaving
from the neighbors, by which she not
only secured board and lodging for her
self and child, but made some money,
After lbe grain was cut, Young dispos
ed of his share, which afforded bin
the means to purchase cart and load
of merchandise, consisting of -four, corn
meal, salt, whisky and tobacco. With
this accumulated stock Mr.. Yonrg felt as
proud and independent as did ever the
millionaire Stewart, on the occasion of
his heaviest importation. HitChing bis |
horses 10 the cart tandem style, he re.
returned to his home in Pike, cutting mis- |
way through the woods after crossing |
Sandy. He built a log cabin and con-
siructed some rude furniture, sufficient |
for all their wants, In those days a su-
gar trough answered the purpose of
cradle and doughtray. Il was lonely |
dreary winter. The time was mainly |
spent in cutting down trees and prepar
ing fire wood. IL was seldom they saw
ahe face of white man. Indians were
roaming over the country, and would
frequently call for something to eat.
They were harmless, and yet would fire.
uuently frighten the women if they hap
Issned to be alone. On one occasion Mrs.
Farber was coming out of their cabin af.
ter dark with a crock of milk, intending
10 store in the cave for the night Just
as she opened the cabin door there stood
a big Indian, whose appearance fright
ened her go that she let the crock fall
and made a rapid retreat into the cabin.
The Indian laughed heartily at her alarm;
walked into the cabin and made himself
at home as was their custom.
On this leased land Mr. Young strug-
gled alorg until 1911, by which time he
had accumulated sufficient means to en-
Ter the north west quarter of section 81,
npon which he died but few years
Snce. Mr.. Young was drafted three
times during the war of 1872, each time
a substitute. While troops
we're encamped at Canton and Wooster
le supplied them with beef cattle. For
many years he had small store al his
Jouse, in which he kept and had for sale
ueh staple articles as salt, iron, nails,
lass, leather and other commodities in
.sneral demand.
In common with many other good
,eople of that day, particularly those of
German descent, Mr., Young helie' ell in
witches and wiChcraft. He was left :
landed, which ne claimed gave MIN Eu
,ernatural power over this unseen agen.
y. He also boasted of having in his
possession book, purchased az Il high
igure from DR. FogIe, Zone of the early
merchants Of Canton, containing instruc- 9
ions how TO control witches Our early
hunters, especially those who were con T
idered crack marksmen, and participated :
o shooting matches, we're inclined to +
elieve in the power of certain persons e
D put what they called "a spell" on your a
ifle, which would materially impair its f
Gcuracy Of shot, never acknowledging q
hat the fault was in the shooter .
Henry BOrdner and Philip Seffert set. :
led in the township in 1871, and both i
we're chosen township officers at the first
lection A daughter of Bordner mar y
led her cousin, John P. Bordner, one of
he very few men given to sporting, who =