The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1904-01-26
OLD LANDMARKS NO. I9

The recent death of Jacob Sterling
in Canal Dover, o., reminds us that
the old landmarks are passing away;
only few of the early natives of Can
ton remain.
John Sterling, Sr, the father of
John and Jacob Sterling, came to Can
ton in 1908. At that time Canton was
quite a small village. About 1915 he
built the two-story brick building at
the northeast corner of Market and
Tuscarawas streets, now occupied by
w. K. Homer. When said building
was erected Tuscarawas street was
not graded as it is today. At the
Sterling corner the descent eastward
began at Piedmont street. 1t was
several feet lower than it is at this
time. we'll remember that the two
story brick building that my uncle,
John Slusser, erected on the north
east corner of Tuscarawas and Pied
mont streets was thrown five or six
feet below the level of the street in
front of 1t when the present grade was
completed.
The Sterling family consisted of
seven daughters and two sons. Maria
Sterling married David Rowen, One
of his daughters, Mrs. Orin F. Brown
ing, is yet living in Canton, on West
Tuscarawas street. Eliza Sterling was
first married to Mr.. Swigert, and af'
ter his death she married the late
Daniel DeWalt. Margaret Sterling
married John Hart, who lived in the
neighborhood of Middleburg, or what
is now known as East Akron Frances
Sterling married man by the name
of Binkley. He lived for some time
on the east side of North Market
street, the first corner south of the
present st. Edward hotel and while
there he was engaged in the pottery
business, the old pottery kiln stand
ing there for some years after the
business was given up. Matilda Sterl
ing married George Kirk of Cleveland
He held the Office of marshal in said
city for some time. Marinda Sterling
married John |. Smith, who was q
saddler and harness maker. living and
carrying on his business for some
years on the same lot where the First
Methodist Episcopal church building
now stands. Catherine Sterling died
quite young-not more than six OF
seven years old.
John Sterling. Jr., was born in 1915
and died in 1854, aged SO years. His
remains were buried In the old grave
yard at the northwest corner of Nc
Kinley avenue and South street, apt
the tomb was marked by one of the
largest and best marble shafts in
that old burying ground. In later
years the remains were removed tc
Westlawn cemetery.
Only few of the oldest citizens o.
Canton will remember the Sterlinl
family as living in the house describ
ed. John Sterling was large ant
well developed man, and to all human
appearance promised to live Longer
than he did. Both John and Jacot
Sterling went to school in the ole
academy building that stood many
years ON the same lot where our pres
ent high school building is located
on West Tuscarawas street. Boil
were quite popular young men Will,
they lived in Canton. Very few o
our present citizens will remembe
them, as they went to Canal Dove
when quite young men and were en-
gagged In mercantile business there 70
a number of years.
Old Mr.. Sterling built one of tn
first tanyards erected in Canton.
think it stood near where the presen
passenger depot of the W. & L. e. r
| r. Is located on East Tuscarawa
street. He died In 1924
| In 1926 Mrs. Sterling married Lev
} B. Gitchell. Mrs. Cornelia Latimel
now living with her daughter, Mrs
John S. Melbourn, is daughter of tn
Gitchell family, and Samuel r. Glitch
, ell, 1925 South Market street, is
: brother of Mrs. Latimer. There wa
, another son whose name. think, wa
, Remus. He died when about Is year
, old
Both Mr. Sterling and Mrs Gitct