The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1906-06-12
PIKE TOWNSHIP
CELEBRATION

was originally natlVe OF Maryidhu'
but when quite young in life had went
to Somerset county, Pa, where he
married at the early age of 19 years.
For short time following his mar
riage he lived in Pennsylvania, then
emigrated to jefferson county. o..
Here he resided short time farm
ing ground on the shares, until he had
accumulated sufficient money to pur-
chase team of horses and some ag-
ricultural implements and actual
necessities with which to commence
his labors in his new home.
THE LOG CABIN.
"He now built a log cabin after the
usual pioneer style. The furniture
which was necessary for their wants
was principally constructed by him
self In those days the surroundings
were such, that it was unnecessary to
be choice in their furnishings, made
only such things as were actually
needed were provided, and these
from inability to purchase, were gen.
orally of the rudest kind. A large
puncheon with legs set IN auger holes
served for table; blocks of wood for
chairs, and trough made from split
half of small tree, served for a era
die or a dough-tray as circumstances
required.
'Mr Young lived on this leased land
until the year 1911, when by close
economy he had accumulated suffi-
cient money to enter the northwest
quarter of Section 21. Here he erect
ed cabin and began to improve the
place by opening up a farm upon
which he lived until his death which
occurred about thirty years ago, at
the remarkable age of 81 years.
"In addition to his work as a farm
er he kept store at his residence for
many years, supplying the settlers
with such articles as were most need
ed at the time, viz; salt, glass, nails,
iron, tobacco leather, etc. During the
time the soldiers from this part of
Ohio, in the war of 1912, were en-
camped at Wooster and Canton, he
furnished them with beef cattle, prin.
cipally from his own raising.
"Mr. Young was of German lineage
and like very many of that race into
whose minds in the time Of early life
had been taught the prevailing super
stitions of the day; he was also dis
posed to believe in agencies accom-
plishing great deeds by the help OF
supernatural powers. He was a strong
believer in witches and witchcraft.
"For many years during the latter
part of his life he was considerably
afflicted with rheumatism, making II
necessary for him to use canes OF
crutches in order to get around. BY
good management and, industry he
was enabled to add to his property in
Pike, another quarter section of land
lying in the adjoining township OF
Bethlehem.
FIRST CROP OF WHEAT.
"The first crop of wheat which Mr.
Young harvested in Pike was done
without bread, there being no meal tc
be purchased nearer than Steuben
VILE or the settlements on the Mus
Eingum. The wheat was beaten out
of the heads and boiled in milk as &
substitute for bread.
"The usual manner of preparing
meal for bread was by rubbing tn,
ears of corn over a large tin grate
nailed on a board or block of wood
This could be done with some degree
of ease until the corn became too hare
and finty when the pounding blocl
was resorted to as better and easie
~ hn1 nf rn1, inc tho waE. 80
For several years after Mr.. Youn,
settled in Pike, most of their mea
and -four was prepared by the method
named above.
OTHER SETTLERS.
"Other settlers who came into tn,
township about the years 1S07-S, wer
James Eakins, John Shut and Jacol
Kemery. OF these settlers we canno
say much. Eakins settled some
where near the southwest corner OF tn
township in 1903. Shut settled ol
section s, where he resided until hi
death, which occurred in 1863, at tn
advanced age OF S2 years. He was
tall, stout, we'll built, active man an,
: " ldDOi dihOSL W Tie cit
of his life. Many were the time
when past four-score years of age
ne might be seen out in the wood
snopping wood, splitting rails, burn
ing brush, or with a grubbing hoe o
scythe cleaning out the brush an
weeds which grew in the fence corner
and other places where they were al
Incumbrance. He asserted that h
always felt better, could rest muc
more comfortably, and enjoyed lif
better when actively employed tha
when idle. KemeIy settled in tn
northwest part of the township wher
the balance OF his life was passed
He died at the age OF "a years.
PIONEER FAMILIES.
among the prominent pioneer fam