Stark County

On the 14^th inst., two young men, sons of Mr. Henry Sower, of Franklin township, in this county, went out to hunt Deer. After some time one of them perceiving something throught the bushes, which he supposed to be a deer – fired, and on approaching the spot found his brother a lifeless corpse! - Repository.

A short time since a man named Gilmore, was found dead in Rock township, Harrison county, on the road from Steubenville to Canton . It is supposed that being intoxicated he fell from his horse and was frozen. – Ib.

For some time past we have had unusual fall of rain, and our streams were considerably swollen. On Saturday last it again commenced raining and continued almost without intermission until Monday morning. On Sunday the streams rose to an unprecedented height, and incalculable damage has been sustained in the destruction of Bridges, Mill-dams, Fences &c. In this county, so far as we have heard, are the following: The pier of the new bridge over the east branch of the Nimishillen gave way and the bridge fell and broke in the centre. The bridges of the Furnace and Janney's mill on the Nimishillen; and the Free Bridge over the Tuscarawas at Massilon are entirely swept away. The Mill-dams of Adam and Peter Wise, John Ebi, Henry Everhard, John Trump, Jacob Welty and Amos Janney, on the Nimishillen have been seriously injured or entirely destroyed. On Scippo, James Duncan's dam is entirely removed, and Capt. Folgers' seriously injured. On the west side of the Tuscarawas, William Henry's Catetters and Isaac Taylor's dams have been destroyed. We also learn that much injury has been sustained along the line of canal, by the washing away of embankments, & c. recently formed and in an unfinished state. - Repository.

THROUGH THE HEART. Shocking Death of William J. Oberlin. Financial Trouble The Cause

Unfortunate in His Business Enterprises, He Declares His Inability to Longer Endure His Troubles, and Ends His Own Life in a Terrible Manner.
   William J. Oberlin, one of the best known residents of this city, was found dead in his office at an early our Tuesday morning. A pistol ball fired directly through the heart had ended his existence. The discovery was first made by Mr. Oberlin's son. Wen the former did not return home in the evening as usual, Mrs. Oberlin became worried, and at 1 o'clock sent the boy in search of his father. Going straight to the insurance office, at the corner of Main and Erie streets, the young man was horrified to find his father cold in death, lying upon the floor. Wild with grief the son summoned assistance, and Policeman McGuire was the first to respond.
   Coroner McQuate was notified and arrived about 4 o'clock, when Mr. Oberlin's body was conveyed to the residence in East Main street. Several physicians were called and in their opinion the body when found had been lifeless for two hours. The shot, then, must have been fired between the hours of 11 and 12 o'clock, and strange to say it attracted no attention. When found Mr. Oberlin was lying upon his back. His coat had been removed and he had written a note to his wife, before taking his life. The revolver, a 32 caliber, was lying between his knees where it had fallen from his hand.
   There could have been little or no premeditation on Mr. Oberlin's part. Before stating down town in the evening he asked his son about a picnic which the latter expected to attend today, and had provided him with money to defray his expenses. After going down town he purchased some bread to take home with him, and laid it carefully beside his hat, so that he could not forget it. These evidences tend to show that the desire to take his own life stole upon him very suddenly, and he acted upon the impulse of the moment. Nothing in his walk or conversation had ever suggested to any member of his family that he had ever thought of suicide.
   Frank Shepley in speaking of Mr. Oberlin remarked this morning that he had frequently heard him say that he would not live to vote for McKinley this fall.
   W. J. Oberlin was appointed guardian, a number of years ago, for Inez and Lulu M. Oberlin, relatives of his. Inez became of age several years later, and a settlement with her was made. Lulu Oberlin recently attained her majority and only last week her guardian filed his final account in the probate court of Stark county. By this account he was indebted to Lulu Oberlin in the sum of $4,000, and no settlement was reported. Mr. Oberlin was given a blank receipt and instructed to effect a settlement at once. None has been made since.
   Mr. Oberlin's inability to settle upon Miss Oberlin the amount due her from the Christman estate need not have been made public or have worried him beyond endurance. He had made known the existence of the debt to members of his family who promptly offered their assistance and succeeded in adjusting matters. The exact amount due Lulu M. Oberlin was $4,300, Mr. Oberlin having offsetting to the extent of $1,800, thus making his total shortage in the estate but $2,500. He was also indebted to various persons in the city in sums aggregating nearly $1,000. After all had been amicably adjusted Mr. Oberlin concluded that he could not assume the interest and living expenses and succeed.
   The letter addressed to Mrs. Oberlin was undated and showed careful preparation. It was typewritten and signed, and indicated that the purpose of the writer was not merely to escape from the weight of trouble pressing upon him, but to put his estate in a thoroughly solvent condition, and enable it to make good every outstanding obligation, and such will be the result. The language suggested the author's deep desire to leave no stain upon his memory, and gave proof of his honorable purposes. He bade farewell to his wife in touching terms, writing affectionately of her loyalty and worth, besought her to rear the children well, and teach them to forgive their father for his course. He included a statement of his affairs, and showed that after all his debts had been paid there would remain a home and a sum in cash for the benefit of the family. It is not improbable that Mr. Oberlin had brooded over his affairs for some time, and had prepared the letter considerably in advance of his death, holding it until prepared to fire the fatal shot. Whether or not he was insane upon the subject is an undeterminate question, many authorities believing that suicide is necessarily the result of a diseased mental condition.
   Mr. Oberlin was the eldest son of the late Samuel Oberlin. He was 45 years of age and leaves two children, a son and daughter. They reside in a pleasant East Main street home. Mr. Oberlin himself seemed to have all the essentials to success - intelligence, energy, and fine personal qualities, but as his note indicated, he failed to get along in business as he liked, and finally succumbed to the strain. His home life was happy in every respect. He was a passionate lover of flowers, and his knowledge of them was very unusual. He had many friends, and they, and all the wide circle of of friends of the family, are filled with deep regret at the unspeakable bereavement that has come upon the wife, children and relatives.
(submitted by Ida Maack Recu)

Evening Independent (Massillon, Ohio) July 3, 1976
Stanwood's Oberlins served as Washington's bodyguards
   The community of Stanwood is located about 12 miles southwest of Massillon and has a population of approximately 30 persons.
   Originally known as Stands, the community apparently took its name from settlers of that name. When a post office was located there in the early 1900's, the name Stanwood was given to the community. The name was suggested by Edward Stanton Miller, father of Monford O. and Paul R. Miller who still lives there and Paul R. Miller who lives in Mount Vernon.
   The Post Office was located in a general store owned and operated by Ottoman Oberlin. Rural mail routes later established in the community closed the post office. Oberlin moved to Beach City and sold the store to Albert A. Shilling. It was later purchased by Mrs. Vashti Stanford who operated it only a few years before it was closed about 25 years ago. The store is now a residence.
   Early settlers were coal miners employed by the Massillon Coal Mining Co. whose operations extended into Tuscarawas Township and Wayne County.
   A cider press was operated for many years east of the general store by Henry Baird. It was later taken over by Miller (who named the community) and moved by Miller to the family residence which is now occupied by Monford Miller and family.
   The elder Miller manufactured wheelbarrows, auto trailers and had a saw mill. He also had a sorghum press which provided area residents with a substitute for sugar. It was especially appreciated during World War II when sugar was limited.
   A grain elevator also was located in the community. Area farmers brought their grain to the elevator for grinding into flour and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad had a switch into a coal mine there "doubled" in service with the hauling of grain and coal.
   Some residents of the community recall having heard about a Hotel Brogan being located there but nothing further could be learned about it.
   The name Oberlin is prominent among the early settlers. Family history records state Frederick Oberlin came from Wurtemberg, Germany to Pennsylvania with his six sons, one of whom is buried in the Stanwood Cemetery.
   According to the Congressional Record Library at Washington, D. C., the Pennsylvania Record of Soldiers of the Revolution of Lancaster, Pa., Militia, the names of Michael, Adam, Jacob, John, Christpher and Anthony Oberlin are recorded, indicating that all of them served in the Revolutionary War. It further states that Michael started as a private and became a captain, Adam was a sergeant and Jacob a corporal.
   Apparently because of their size - each was said to be at least six feet tall - they are reported to have been bodyguards of General George Washington.
   Another source of information states that Adam, who is buried in the Stanwood Cemetery, was a sergeant on the roll of Capt. Gear's Company of the Ninth Battalion of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It further states that he married Eve Ensminger and lived in Cumberland, Pa. They came to Ohio with their family, including some married sons in 1811. His wife is thought to be buried in the Stanwood Cemetery.
   Adam Oberlin and, perhaps some of his brothers, came to Stanwood after the war and received land grants from the U. S. government.
   Adam is said to have been born in 1745. A huge boulder, apparently from the fields of Stanwood, marks his grave and a smaller stone on which a plaque has been placed gives his name and the year of his death as 1812. The stone bearing the plaque was erected and dedicated by the Massillon Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in the late 1950's, in memory of his service in the Revolutionary War.
   The Stanwood Community Church, as it is known today, has a membership of about 150 from the area and is served by the Rev. Peter Mathewson. The Stanwood Evangelical and Reformed Church as it was known then, was organized in 1823. Worship services were conducted in a frame building which was bricked and an extension constructed to the original structure when it was moved across the street in 1954.
   The former Stanwood School in the community now serves as a Community Hall for various events. Students attend the Tuslaw Local School District since consolidation in 1957.
(submitted by Ida Maack Recu)

The Massillon Independent (Massillon, Ohio) April 11, 1898
Howard Isaac Luttrell and Inez Rebecca Oberlin
Howard Luttrell and Inez Oberlin, of West Brookfield, were married at 11 o'clock on Wednesday morning at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Kuhn, by the Rev. F. H. Simpson. A few immediate friends only were present. Mr. and Mrs. Luttrell left on the afternoon train for the West.
(submitted by Ida Maack Recu)

A three year old son of Henry Leahy died Monday of membranous croup. (January 6, 1888 The Massillon Independent, Massillon Ohio Submitted by S. Williams)

Frederick Albrecht, a man of middle age, died at his home on Wooster street Thursday of typhoid fever, having been ill since Sunday only. He leaves four children. (January 6, 1888 The Massillon Independent, Massillon Ohio (

Submitted by S. Williams)

Evening Independent ( Massillon , Ohio ) July 5, 1909 last, aged 81 years. He commenced the publication of the Ohio Repository in 1814 and was connected with the paper ever since.

She Came to the United States From Belgium in 1852 – It Took Forty-Seven Days to Cross the Atlantic – Came Down From Cleveland by Canal Boat

Mrs. Mary Royer, now 74 years of age, whose property, with that of Charles Oberlin, is the site of the proposed new postoffice building, on the corner of Erie and Plum streets, tells of the improvements made in Massillon since she became a resident here in 1859.

“I came to the United States ,” began Mrs. Royer, “in 1852, with my parents, from De La Bunard, a small village in Belgium , to New York , and between Buffalo and Massillon we changed boats once. We were forty-seven days in crossing the Atlantic , as we came by sailboat, and we were all sick most of the way over, although the weather was not rough.

“We came down from Cleveland in a short time by canal boat, and stopped at the landing between Main and Tremont streets. We ate dinner in a hotel run by Adam Sibila, where a five and ten cent store in now located, at the corner of Charles and Erie street . After we had finished dinner, we went aboard, and went as far as

Navarre

, where my folks bought a home.

“I met Mr. Royer in

Navarre

, and in 1854 we were married by Father Yochime in the old St. Mary’s Catholic church, on March 15. He used to tell me how he pushed a wheelbarrow when he was 12 years old, when he helped build the Ohio canal. All the schooling he ever got was before he was 12. We moved from Massillon to a place called Larr, in Franklin county, Indiana, where my husband bought a blacksmith shop in the year of the great frost. We went up from Cincinnati to our new home on a canal boat. He worked at this blacksmith shop and learned his trade, and after we were there for five years, we came back to Massillon , and Mr. Royer bought out Fred Penoval, who owned a blacksmith shop on Plum street, in the same building now used by the Wornet Brothers as a tin shop.

He bought the shop and the small red house now used by Conrad as a warehouse (which at that time stood against the blacksmith shop on the north side of the street) for $2,000. After living in this little red house for fifteen years, we bought the large house on the corner, which was built by John McLain. When we bought the house we made it two stories high from one and a half, the improvement coating $1,4000, which at that time was a great deal more money than the same amount is today. Before we moved into the house it was occupied by Robert Folger, a family by the name of Russell, and a family by the name of Rank, some of whom are living in Canton . The mill across the street on Erie street was built by a man named Rawson, who sold the place shortly after it was built and moved to Cleveland . The Morganthaler mill was already built when I came here, and the buildings in West Main street extended as far as the Bee Hive, and from there to the west nothing but dwelling houses were to be seen, and they were few and far between.

“One night a big warehouse was partly burned where the Warwick block now stands, and a short time after the city built a frame addition to be used as a postoffice, and when the government found that the postoffice was in a frame building they removed the office, and, as the building was of no further use, it was torn down and the Warwick block built in 1885.

“From Plum to Main street on Erie there was a string of one story shacks which were burned in a fire which destroyed the entire block. The building on the southeast corner of Plum and Erie streets was one of the first built over one story high in the town.

“Before Mr. Royer went to Indiana the first time, he helped carry bundles out of the building which was burned, where the opera house block now stands in South Erie street , and he told me that just as soon as he got out of the building, the ceiling came down. I found a gold watch on the sidewalk and instead of hunting for the owner, I took it inside and laid it on a shelf, where it was destroyed by the fire.

I think it was in 1855 that the opera house block was erected. John Killinger, Sr., had a marble shop in one of the shacks on the east side of Erie street , before it burned. He lived in the brick house on the corner of Hill and Plum streets at that time.

“Mr. John McLain also built that large house now occupied by C. L. McLain on the corner of Hill and Plum streets, one and a half stories high, but after his death, it was made into a two story building.

“Mr. Royer once owned the property now owned by Oberlin, but as a large stone building, which once was once used as a woolen mill, occupied the property, and could not be rented, he decided to sell, and he disposed of it to a party who in turn sold it to Mr. Oberlin.

When the civil war broke out, I saw one thousand soldiers in Main street at one time. They had camped on the west side the night before.

“I also saw the first railroad train pull into the city over the Pennsylvania railroad, with the great smokestack on the wood fired engine.”

Mrs. Royer showed a rosary, which was brought from the exposition in Philadelphia in 1876. It was made of wood and was marked with peculiar engravings.

About the same time the Pennsylvania railroad was built through the city a sham battle was fought near the station on a large hill, between South street and the railroad, in which one man was killed. This was about the same time the cholera broke out in

Navarre

when six persons died within a few days of the dreaded disease.

PORTER FOLGER “ On the 19th ult., at the residence of the bride's parents, No. 67 Prospect street , Massilion , Ohio , by Rev. R.L. Williams, Dr. J.M. Porter, of Toledo Ohio , and Miss Mary Joy Folger,'s daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R.H. Folger.

Canton, O., Jan 8 - Elizabeth Brown, aged 35 years, known as the wine room woman, was found dead in an alley. Five wounds on the head made by a stilleto or a pickax, showed she had been murdered. Thus far there is no clue as to the identity of the murderer.

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania), November 28 1827

Died on the 23d ultimo, in Stark county, Ohio, Mrs. Maria Hostetter, wife of Mr. Jacob Hostetter, Jr. and daughter of Mr. Frederick Keeler, formerly of the Borugh, in the 37th year of her age.

Submitted by Nancy Piper