The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1906-09-28
BY Jacob Smith.

pay their taxes, Inc plat was Qulte
large containing 176 lots. The loca-
tion was very nice one, and at that
time there was, already, quite brisk
trade on the river in canoes and small
boats, but for some reason the village
never prospered, and contained az
most but four or five houses. A gro
cery was kept just north of the plat,
and one of the residents Of the vii
lage was shoemaker, Mr.. Mock.
Some of the earliest settlers were
buried on Lebold's hill nearby, but
the place of their interment is now
obliterated. The plat of the town has
long since been vacated, and the place
is under cultivation.
The next attempt to establish
town met with better success, and In
August, 1925, village was plated on
both sides of the proposed canal line
opposite Lawrenceville, and was
christened Kelleysville in honor of
Alfred Kelley, of Cuyahoga county,
who was the Ohio State Canal Com
missioner. This gentleman, however,
declined the honor, and the town was
then called Bolivar, in respect to the
great emancipator of South America.
The original number of lots in Bolivar
was 1O9, and the proprietors were
John Shorb and William Christmas
The original plat had but two
streets running north and south. A
space of two hundred feet was left
for the canal and these two streets
called respectively East and Wes'
Canal streets. There were nine
streets which crossed these at right
angles, viz: Plain, Pine, Poplar, Cher
ry, Water, Tuscarawas, Sandy ,Lau
rens and Walnut, extending various
distances east and west. In 1885 al
that portion of the village lying be
tween the canal and river, including
with additions made to 1t, about 6t
lots, was altered, but afterwards por
tions were vacated from time tc
time until nothing remained 1t was
vacated on account of the low and
wet condition of the soil. Being sur
rounded by water on three sides il
was subject to frequent overflows
and consequently not desirable
place to live in.
Other additions made to the town
by different persons were as follows:
an the year 1928, John Mackin made
an addition of 81 lots on Tuscarawas
Water and Cherry streets, which hi
called The Western liberties II
1885, David Yant made an addition
of II lots on West Canal, Mulberry
Liberty, Wants, Bolivar and Harrison
streets, west of the canal, and q
lots east of the canal. Forty-eigh
of these lots were afterward vacated
East Bolivar, consisting of 21 lots
ers in 1887, east of the Tuscarawas
and north of Sandy and Beaver Can
al. A large town was evidently ex
pected but the failure of the cana
withered the hopes of the proprie
'tors ,and the village had an exist
ence only on paper. John Hays, IL
1887, made an addition of 33 lots OF
Poplar, Cherry, and Water streets
Jonathan Gables, In 1885, laid out al
addition of 10 lots on Poplar street
IA. c. Dickson, in 1874, had an add
tion OF 10 lots surveyed, located be
tween Poplar and Water streets. Il
1S82, J. F. Evans, made an addition
of 10 lots between Poplar and Soutl
streets, and west of Dickson's add
tion."
The first tavern In Bolivar wa
built by John Shorb of Canton an
stood on the south corner of Waite
and Canal streets. The first stor
was kept by Henry Stidger who aft
erward moved to Carrollton. Rober
McMurray was the first postmaste
and also had a small store in COZ
nection with the Office. Gardnc
was the first produce dealer. Abou
LlS36, James G. Tinker started a tar
merry which continued to do bushes
In a small way for upwards of thirt
years. After the Ohio canal wa
completed in 1880, Bolivar became
great point for the buying and shil
ping OF grain. at commanded tn
trade OF Carroll county, and portion
OF Stark, Harrison and even Colun
biana andJefferson. Warehouses wer
built and large mercantile trad
established" David Yant, one of til
grain merchants, stated that upo
one occasion shortly after the can;
became effective there were 127 w
gon loads of wheat brought to BoI
var In one day the greater porto
being from Carroll county, The Pc
brothers built one of the warehous,
used at that time, and is owned m
operated at present by ]. F. Evan
grain and feed merchant. The war
house owned and conducted by Dav
Yant has long since been remove
1t stood at the north end of town {
the bank of the canal. Some of Il
merchants who were prominent
4 Ill