The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-04-30

The above picture will appear quite
familiar to many of the older citizens
of Canton. Said building was erected
by the late Jacob Myers about sixty
years ago, and occupied by him as his
residence until his death in 1879. 1t
still stands where it was built at the
extreme south end of Cherry street
across the creek, on an elevation that
has commanding view of Canton and
the surrounding country.
Jacob Myers was native of Hagers-
town, Maryland, having been born in
November, 1884 and died in Canton,
Ohio, in December, 1873, having entered
upon bis Goth year at the time of his
death. He came to Stark county in
1911, then in the 26th year of his age, at
which time there were few houses in Cam
ton, and the county almost wilder
ness. The few citizens then here were
always glad to see newcomers, and
their cordial welcome was one long 10
be remembered, and Jacob Myers loved
to relate many of his early experiences,
and the scenes and incidents of his first
coming to Canton. In the fall Of 1911.
he returned to Hagerstown, but came
back to Canton in 1872. While he was
in Maryland he built wool cording
machine and also took unto himself
a wife, and when he returned to Canton
he brought also his cording machine
being the first machine of the kind
brought to Stark county; he put the
machine in operation at the east of
town, in What was known for many
years as the Rowland Mills; both the
mill and cording machine were after
ward destroyed by fire. 's
After this Mr.. Myers bought q lot on
the southwest corner Of Eighth and
Market street, and again put a cardine g
machine in operation there. running the
same by horse power. ''fg ,
At one time Jacob Myers owned par
of the land on which the city of Mas
sillon now stands, near where Sippt
creek empties into the Tuscarawas
river; some distance up the small
stream he built a saw mill and a powder
mill. | think this was the only pow
der mill ever established in the county
In the early days the Indians had camps
on the west bank of the Tuscarawa.
river. About 1915 Mr. Myers sold hi
Massillon property to Folger & Coffin
and ! think they afterwards sold i
to Mr.. Roach. who built a wooiel
factory further up the stream.
In 1916 he leased the tract of land OF
which the house as illustrated stands
but afterwards bought 1t; being schoo
land it could not at first be purchased
but by taking the lease as he did, h
had the first chance to purchase tn
same when brought into market.
The Touring mill first built by Jaco
| Myers near the residence as shown II
our illustration, was among the frs
to be built in Stark county, and at on
time had quite large custom. In thos'
days all mills were run by water power
no mills with steam power were the
in use. The east branch of the MIN
ishillen creek afforded good suppl
OF water for this purpose, but of cours
1t took hard work and outlay of none
to make all the proper connection
The foundation OF the old mill. or par
of said foundation may yet be seer
After the burning of the mill whe
owned by George c. Harvey 1t neve
was rebuilt.
For want of transportation facilities
wheat was unsalable when sold II onl
brought about 25 cents a bushel an
in this condition of things Jacob Myoi
had quite lot of -four on hand, 6
he Joined Daniel Slanker who had
mill In Jackson township, general
known as the high mill" and togethe
they built boat on the Tuscaraws
river In 1923, intending TO take II dow
via the Muskingum river to the Obi
and from thence to New Orleans. The
got 800 barrels on board; they also ha
some pork and whisky on board; Il
in addition to the Touring mill while
Mr.. Myers built. he also built a dii
tillery. With a crew Of five men the
finally started their cargo; they coul
only float with the current. and Gei
orally tied up at night. They got alQu
safely but slowly, until they reacht
zanesville. on the Muskingum riveI
there they ran against q raft Of log
partly wrecking their boat, which veI
soon thereafter sank. M. Glank'
h apd Mr. Myers 10th became 4IeeouFaG>
/; -: I: sss a.: II q