The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1880-07-29
THE OLD SETTLERS.

Meeino of The Old Settlers on The Fair Ground
A Laroe Attendance and a Good Timed ConStt
tuition ADOPTED and Officers C~hOSen-Judge Lout-
zenbeser President of the association Short
Speeches Made and Old Times Revived.
Everybody present at the meeting yesterday
was agreeably surprised at the large concourse OF
people assembled at the Fair Grounds, in view OF
the short notice given. The bald heads and gray
boards we're there from every township in the
county, and the manner in which they seemed to
enjoy themselves was truly refreshing. Parties
who had not met each other for twenty, thirty
and ever forty years came together, reserved old
acuuaintances and talked over old times. 1t was
estimated that there were over a thousand per-
sons on the grounds, and Of that number very
few under 70 years Of age, Among the notable
persons present were Mrs, Joseph Doll, Of Osna
burg, daughter of Jacob Kit, born October, 1906,
he first White child born In the county, Elizabeth
slusser, born December, 1905, the Oldest born In
Canton township now living. Daniel Dewalt,
aged 81, aud Michael KrOft, aged IS, all who are
left Of those who served in the war of IL.
Groups of persons were observed in different
portions OF the grounds. rehearsing their early
trials and adventures. We heard George Hoss.
Ter, OF Plain, tell of killing four bears at one
time from the same tree, the largest Of which
weighed 275 pounds. Peter POntius gave a
graphic description Of their early style OF living
how they managed to get along without turni.
ture, except such as they could make Themselves,
That after several years they found themselves
able to buy three chairs Of George Dunbar, Sr.
These were kept for the use Of strangers, while
the family were accustomed to sit on stools and
benches. The incidents related would fill a vol.
ume.
TIE assembly was called to order about II
O'Clock. On motion of DR.. Slusser, Judge Peter
Loutzenhiser was made Chairman, and on mo-
ton OF David Yant, DR.. slusser was elected Sec.
rotary.
Judge Loutzenhesser on taking the chair, re-
turned thanks for the honor conferred, and
briefly stated the object OF the meeting,
DR.. slusser then submitted a draft Of a Constitu'
ton and Bylaws for the government Of the AS.
citation, which, after some discussion and a few
amendments, was adopted. The following is a
copy;
NAME N OBJECT.
This organization shall be known as the "Pio'
neer Association OF Stark County" and its object
will be the cultivation Of a %fraternRl feeling by
an annual meeting, and the collection and pres
ervation OF facts connected with the early settle
ment Of the county,
OFFICERS.
The officers of the Association shall be a Presi-
dent, q Vice President from each township, a Sec
rotary, Treasurer and an Executive Committee
Of five members. The Office OF Preaiden shall be
held by the member who is the longest resident
citizen {. the county. The other officers, upon
nomination, toibe voted for UtUG voce,
WHO ARE ADMISSIBLE TO MEMBERSHIP OF THE
ASSOCIATION,
The Association shall be composed of both
sexes, and the requirements for membership is a
residence of fifty years in Stark county.
L AND PLACE OF MEETING.
The Association will meet annually at such
time and place as may be determined by the Elk
ecutive Committee, who will also arrange a pro
gramme Of exercises.
In the absence Of the President, the Oldest resi-
dent Vice President, present, will take the CHAIR
The Secretary will keep a recOrd.of the proceed
ings, make out a list Of membership, the age o
each member and the year he or she settled Of
were born in the county.
The Treasurer will receive all dues that may
be assessed, and pay out upon the order of thu
Secretary, countersigned by the Chairman OF thu
Executive Committee.
The following Vice Presidents were nominated
and confirmed
Paris township, Jacob Burger; Pike, Washing
ton Guest; Bethlehem, David Yant Sugar Greek
Christian Wyandt; Tuscarawas, VIM. MaxheimeI
Perry, Benz. Raser; Sandy, John EljoD; Nimishil
len, Adam Loutzenheiser; Marlboro, Abner Tay
lor; Lawrence, Joseph Porter; Jackson, Henr
Bachtel; Plain, Samuel Reese; Canton, DAME
Dewalt; Lake, Michael Wise; 0snaburgh, Josepl
Doll; Washington, Ellis N. Johnson; Lexington
Abraham Gaskill.
MI. David Yant, OF Bethlehem township, bein
called upon referred to the labor and hardship
of the settlers, and the schools of the early day
with the scarcity Of books, giving high praise
the old English Reader and the Bible, which wa
then read in school. He referred to the improve
ments since then, and said the red man VIII
roamed this region for long years did not In
prove. He related how that after Perry's victor
the boys in their boats on Tuscarawas rive
would have naval sham engagements, one BOZ
, being the American and the other the BIRTHS
boat. The worst disaster that would befall an
one would be a ducking or be taken prisoner.
E. Landon, Esq, Of Nimishillen, spoke Of II
wonderful change in the SO years since he can
to the county, and referred to the destruction
=. Gods forests.
Mr.. Thomas Deweese, Of O~snaburg TOWNSHIP
, said he was born in Paris township in 1918. E
referred to the amount Of crime prevailing
these days, saying devilIry was travelling by raj
, THE AFTERNOONS PROCEEDINGS.
At this time dinner was announced, and Il
nine tables were soon filled, Accommodate
g about two hundred. Hot coffee was served
the good ladies of Canton, and the well.fllt
= baskets brought abundance OF good food. Fol
g or five hundred we're at the tables.
n About 2 p. M. Judge Loutzenheiser called to O
A der, when DR.. Slusser announced:
= A. McGregor, who referred to his experience
: the beckwoods, though not In Stark county. I
referred to the wonderful Improvements as
u locomotion within his recollection, and the gre
z and ontinusl immigration to this country. /
d referred to the causes that drove men to lea
home and friends to seek a distant land to FIJI
equal citizenship and opportunity to become
70 independent land owner. He referred to /
class oppression that kept down the masses Of Il
q people in other lands and drove them away
thousands,
ESQUIRE A. Pontius, of Plain township, W
called on and spoke OF circumstances and ear
occurrences he got by hearsay, He spoke Of I
high and improved character Of the farming
j., stark county and the great attention given
: scientific farming.
DR.. Slusser spoke a few minutes on the imp
lance Of cultivating sOciability and hence t
value Of this Association, He referred to t
D. mixed condition Of our population, thinking
y was working we'll, In speaking Of New Englal
he thought 1t was a good region to move fro
He spoke Of the large number Of old people
Ia tho nn1nir snid In TnscaraWaa tnWnRhipt the az