The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1902-04-01
BEATEN PATHS
Led to Sommer Brewery
In Old Days.

The death of Christian Kropf, who
operated the brewery near Richville, a
few miles southwest Of Canton, has
excited some comment as to the early
history of the place where the kropf
ale and the old brand of Sommer's
beer was manufactured.
Away back in the '20s Henry Som
mers had local coppersmith make
him a kettle that would hold possibly
two barrels; he built brick furnace
about it and secured other equipments
for the brewing of beer.
In those pioneer days, brewery was
q rarity. Almost every other farm had
its still where whisky was distilled
but little of the wilder drink was on
the market. It's shipping qualities were
not good, and the manufacturer had tc
depend upon local consumption almost
entirely. a
Fortunately for Sommers. this Sec
tion of Ohio was settled principally by
the Germans. They brought to the
wilderness their innate love of matted
liquors. The raw whisky of the yankee
was not satisfying to the palate of the
Teuton, and they were not long in find
the old beverage could be secured.
PATHS WELL BEATEN.
The consequence was that all the
trails through the swamps and forests
Of Stark county back about 1880 OF
even earlier, led toward the Sommers
brewery. 1t was there that friend met
friend and drank to the health Of the
Fatherland. The place became a fam
GUS resort and pilgrimages were made
from distant points by parties who
were in search of the cup that cheered
Sommer's place was to the pioneers
what Zoar was to the pleasure seekers
of more recent times. AS the cities OF
Massillon and Canton built up, the
roads leading to the brewery were more
used than any others leading from
them. The brewery was about equa,
distance from each. At this place
crowds from the two towns met, and
there were not only men, but maids
and women frequented the resort.
AS a result of the genial intercourse
and fraternal feeling engendered ovei
the mugs of ale and beer, many troth
was plighted and inter-city marriage
resulted
AS the years went on evidences oi
prosperity began to manifest them
selves at the Sommer's place. The ole
kettle was relegated to the scrap pile
Modern equipment was put in, the
buildings grew apace, and 1t was not
long until the demand was greater
than could be supplied.
ACQUIRED A FORTUNE.
Sommer continued to make money
and at the time of his death was esti.
mated to be- worth quarter of mill
ion of dollars, which was an immense
sum to acquire In little country brew
cry.
His sons, who had learned the bust
ness of brewing from the father, EN-
barked In the same calling extensive
ly near Navarro, but while they knew
how to brew the good brown ale, they
lacked the acquisitiveness Of their sire
and did not make financial success
Christian Kropf was a nephew oi
Eommer and from boyhood worked al
tho brewery. When Sommers died, h,
took charge and continued to do bust
ness at the old stand. 1t is said that few
travelling men came to Canton .withou
taking a few schooners of the'produc
Of the old pioneer brewery, and thu
death of Kropf will be lamented wide
y.
Just what disposition of the property
will be made since the death OF the
father has not been determined.