The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-01-10
HENRY WERNER,
THE OLDEST RESIDENT OF STARK
COUNTY, PASSES AWAY.

The End as Calm and Peaceful as His
Life Had Been Eventful and Useful
"A Pioneer Contractor and Builder
of Note-Born In the First Year of
the Nineteenth Century-Came to
Stark County When Canton Consist
ed of Only Few Log Houses-Fu-
neral Arrangements.
The pioneers of Stark county, who have as.
sisted to make this the garden spot of Ohio,
are fast being gathered to their reward. Only
a few remain to tell the wonderful advance
made in a few short years in this county
Another of the Oldest pioneers of this section
has been called to the world beyond. Death
visited Henry Werner Friday morning at
about o'clock and after long life of useful
ness he passed peacefully away. Henry Wer-
ner was one of the best known men in Ohio at
an early period of the history of Stark county
He started even with the nineteenth century,
having been born in Lancaster county, Pa, in
the year 1900, and kept pace with the settle-
ment of this county Of which he became citi-
zen at the age of 12 years. When Henry
Werner, in 1912 came to this county, there was
ve5y little of Canton but sage brush and trail
ing vines. Where the Eagle block now stands.
in the very heart of city of nearly $4,000
inhabitants, AIN old long hut stood. Mr. Wer-
ner settled on farm near Osnaburg and as he
advanced in years he advanced in usefulness
to his fellow man. Osnaburg was then the sec
ond town of importance in the county, Massil-
Ion being the metropolis. Teamsters made
the trip from Osnaburg to Massillon, through
Canton, but seldom thought of stopping here,
the place not being of sufficient importance
Mr.. Werner was indispensable in the COM
munity. He was genius, constructed upon
the plan that made him the friend of every
body. When building was to be erected
Henry Werner was sent for to figure out the
7 IL. IL.
n builder of note and a capital joiner. In
those days the timber was cut and would be
secured together with wooden pegs Then Mr..
Werner would stand upon the top beam and
give directions while the neighbors, who had
been invited to the 'frOic,'
raised the frame work. For performing
efficient work in this line he
became known all over Eastern Ohio and
Western Pennsylvania and men came from
miles away TO consult him or secure his SER
vices. Mr.. Werner carried on this business
for years, spending the greater part of his time
in and around Osnaburg. He often came to
Canton and before his death related many in
teresting incidents. He was present when
Baechtle was hung in North Cherry street
about the year 1888.
During all of his life he was never i'll. Up
to three years ago, when he had attained to
the age of 91 years, he was apparently hardy
and strong, though old age was creeping over
children could bestow upon him, and for the
past three years, becoming enfeebled and un-
able to attend to his own wants, he has been
making his home at Louisville, o., with his
daughter, Mrs. David Weirick. He gradually de-
clined until Friday morning when, as he quiet
ly slept the dissolution came, and the oldest
resident of Stark county was dead
Henry Werner was big hearted, generous
man, He loved his friends, and did not de-
light in prodding his enemies, IT, indeed, he
had any TO prod. He was God fearing man,
kind husband and indulgent father, an hon
orable neighbor and a good citizen. In poll
tics he was Democrat of the "Old Hickory"
stripe, and had been a Democrat all his life.
His reputation as a builder made him sought
after IN other directions, and seldom was an
old hickory pole raised, with a Democratic
emblem ON the top of it, that Henry Werner
was not there, experimenting the job and
joining in the cheers of enthusiasm attendant
upon the occasion.
Mr.. Werner was twice married, his last wife
being Elizabeth Freed, who died several years
| later. By his second wife five sons and two
daughters were born. One of the daughters,
Mrs. John Krumlauf, preceded her father to
the grave, but the others are living. The sur
viving daughter is Mrs. David Weirick of
Louisville, and the surviving sons are f. b.
Werner, J. IL. Werner, Isaac Werner and c.
w, Werner of Canton, and Jefferson Werner,
who resides in the west -Four children were
born of the first wife, William H. Werner, Mrs.
George Reed, and Mrs. Thomas Baker of Osna-
| burg, and Mrs Amanda Goetz of Waterloo,
Ind.
The funeral services over the remains will be
held Sunday morning at 1890 o'clock at the
residence of his daughter, Mrs. Weirick OF
Louisville. The interment will take place at
| Osnaburg where the deceased spent the greater
portion of his long and useful life.