Augusta Cemetery, Augusta, Carroll County, Ohio

The land embraced within the limits of this township, together with East, Fox, Washington, and that part of Center which was taken from Washington Township, was a contribution of Columbiana County, at the formation of Carroll County by the Ohio Legislature in the winter of 1832-33.  The present civil township of Augusta does not embrace all of the original surveyed township No. 15, in Range 5, by one row of sections 1, 12, 13, 24, 25, and 36 on the east side which were taken off Augusta and added to East Township by the commissioners after the formation of the new county.

The present township of Augusta contains but 30 sections, while an original surveyed township contains 36 sections, or 23,040 acres.  Brown, Fox and Rose are the only townships that have not been changed form the original survey.

Augusta Township had very few permanent settlers before the year 1810, although it had been traveled over for many years before, by the Indians, French, English, and the early American hunters.  Nearly all cross country travel was made by following the Indian trails, which they had made to most all parts of the country, one of these trails called the Great Trail.  Also known as the Tuscarora Trail, which crosses part of the extreme northern part of Augusta Township, and is said to have been located by the Tuscarora Indians for the French in appreciation for the help they had given them.  This was the main route between Fort Duquesne and Detroit, and was used extensively in early history.

This is probably the route Frederick Post, the Moravian Missionary and Captain Pipe traveled over in 1761, after the Delaware chief's invitation to him to visit his people at the Indian village on the Muskingum River.  After visiting the Indians and building a house on the north side of the river near the present town of Bolivar, in Tuscarawas County, which is said to be the first house built in Ohio, by white men, he then returned to Pennsylvania.

The next spring, in 1762, he, with a young missionary by the name of John Heckewelder, returned to the house he had built the year before, they having brought seeds to plant a garden with them, cleared a plot of ground and planted the first garden made in Ohio.  They came here in the hope of starting a Mission, but it ended in failure.

The early settlers of Augusta Township came from Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland, and the surrounding counties, many of them were of Irish descent, some English, many German, a few Swiss, and many of mixed descent.  These courageous pioneers all faced with the problem of surviving in this new country, which was mostly all a wilderness.

Their first need was a shelter to protect them from the weather, which they made by building a lean-to of poles, making this do until time permitted building a log cabin.  The next problem was getting enough grain and seeds planted to make food for the next year.

The first few years of the early pioneers' life in the new country was the most difficult of all.  It is almost unbelievable what they accomplished with the tools and equipment they had, which were so crude compared to what we have today.

The corn was dropped by hand and covered with a hoe, oats and wheat broadcast by hand and harrowed in.  Oats and wheat cradled or cut with a sickle, raked and bound by hand, then grain threshed out by hand with a flail or tramped out with horses.  Many years later, the thresher run by horse power came into use.

Apples, potatoes, and vegetables would be kept in a cave or buried in the ground to keep them from freezing, in the winter.  Many apples and peaches were dried and sold or kept to use.

A few of the early settlers were jack of all trades and master of most.  They were carpenter, stone mason, brick layer, made their own shoes from leather they had tanned, brooms from broom-corn they had raised, maple syrup from the sugar tree, candles from the tallow, etc.

Wood was the only fuel of which the pioneers had plenty.  Chopping wood was a daily chore in the winter.  Wood choppings were very common in pioneer times.  When anyone would put up a new building, his neighbors would all come in and help with the raising.

Salt was an essential needed by all in curing their meat, seasoning their food, and for their livestock.  In early times salt was scarce, costing $5.00 or more a barrel to get from the east.  In 1809, the first salt well was put down near Salineville, Columbiana County.  A short time later, more wells were drilled and by the 1820's, salt could be purchased there.  Shortly after the end of the Civil War, in the late 1860's, salt was made at a well near Lisbon, Columbiana County, which had been drilled for oil.  Instead of oil, they struck gas and salt water.  changing their plans, they went to making salt, using the gas for fuel in boiling down the salt water, and made up to 30 barrels a day.  Some of the farmers of that day made an annual trip with their horses and wagons to the salt works near Lisbon and bought enough salt for the coming year.

Our pioneer farmer had very little market for any of his surplus wheat nearer than the Ohio River.  After the Ohio Canal was completed, he might haul his wheat to Massillon, Bolivar, or other canal ports, taking two days to make the trip and receive $1.00 per bushel if the price was good.

Several of our early settlers had the ingenuity to take advantage of nature's power by damming up a creek and using water power to run machinery.  In the early history of Augusta Township, there have been at least eight mills run by water power.

No. 1, a saw mill 3/4 mile up Reed's Run from State Route 9.  No. 2, a saw mill one-half mile S.W. of Stillfork Creek, near S.R. 9.  No. 3, a grist mill one-half mile up Twp. Rd. 256, from County Rd. 43.  No. 4, an up and down saw mill, near where Twp. Rd. 251 joins Co. Rd. 43.  No. 5, a grist mill one-half mile up stream near T.R. 251.  When they quit using the building as a grist mill, they turned it into a stillhouse, and went to making whiskey.  No. 6, a grist mill at Cat-fish Pond on Stillfork Creek.  No. 7, an up and down saw mill one-fourth mile up Twp. Rd. 466 from Co. Rd. 44.  No. 8, a grist mill near the cross roads of Co. Rd. 43 and 30, this was later changed to a saw mill.

A yoke of oxen on a tread mill furnished the original power to run one of our early grist mills.  The author of this has seen a large Holstein bull running a tread mill, which furnished power to run a cream separator for one of the early Augusta Township dairymen.  Dogs have been used on small tread mills to run churns and small machines.  Much water has been pumped by wind wheels in Augusta Township.  Steam power soon crowded out water power for heavy machinery.  Then gasoline engines, in all sizes came into use and could be used to run anything from a washing machine to an ensilage cutter.

Tractors started to come into use in the early 1920's, mostly on steel and as they slowly improved and changed to rubber tires, they gradually crowded out the horses and mules on many of the farms.  All other farm machinery has kept improving as time goes by, and many new labor saving machines have been invented.

Of all the improvements and inventions, electricity has benefited the rural people the most.  Many 32 volt home light plants were in use in the early 1920's and a few with 110 volt current, but not until the R.E.A. took over, did many of them get electricity.

Geologists tell us almost all of Ohio, of which Augusta Township is a part, show signs of having been formed, grown, or deposited in and under water, which at that time, would be the Gulf of Mexico, which extended almost to the Great Lakes.  The soil having been formed by the aging of the rocks, except the low areas along creeks, which are clay, as no glacial drift crossed the Tuscarora Trail in this township to cover the rocks, an abundant supply of stone covered most of the ground when the pioneers settled here.  As many of these stones had to be removed when they plowed the ground, many would make stone fences out of them, which were quite numerous at one time.  Much of the stone of this section were of a quality that could be formed into most any shape and was used to build houses (of which Augusta Township has many), stone walls, etc. 

Around the year 1900 and before, there was a tax called a poll tax.  Each male citizen between the age of 21 and 65 years old was assessed $3.00 per year with the privilege of working this out on the road at $1.50 per day or $3.00 if he brought his team and worked with them.  Some would put their team to a road grader with one or two others and make ditches along the sides of the road.  Others would take their team and wagon and haul stone from a field to the road where others would break up the stone in bad places in the road.  Many stone fences were hauled out on the road in this manner to improve the roads.  A road supervisor, appointed by the trustees, was always on the job to O.K. it.

There was a law several years before, that made it the duty of each board of township trustees to set aside $50.00 each year to build and keep up watering troughs along the public highways, for the benefit of horses.

In the early history of Augusta Township, we find most of the population receiving their mail at Augusta, except the ones living around the border, who were closer to the surrounding towns.

The mail at Augusta was hauled from Kensington to Augusta by horses, and has been known to have been carried on horse back in extreme bad roads.  There was a tri-weekly mail route from Carrollton to Kensington for several years, during the late 1880's.  A contract for this route was let to Ellsworth Harsh on March 4, 1887, for four years.  After the building of the Cleveland, Youngstown, and Pittsburgh Railroad, the mail was hauled from Augusta Station, and continued in that manner until it was delivered by truck.

With the establishing of the Rural Free Delivery mail routes in February, 1902 and later, which delivered mail to the major portion of the rural population being one of the greatest improvements to that time, and appreciated by all.  Mail was delivered with horses or mules to a cart, buggy, or mail wagon, until automobiles came into use several years later, and the roads had been much improved.

About this time, the telephone came into use in Augusta Township, first with an experimental line or two, then they hooked up with the Bergholz Company.  The Eastern Ohio Company built a main line from East Rochester to Augusta first, then branched out from this line, charging each subscriber $1.00 per month.  The Farmer's Line was also organized about the same time, with headquarters at Pattersonville, with each party building and maintaining his own line.

About the year 1906, autos started coming into the township and Augusta Township citizens have had their share of pleasure and grief with their Tin Lizzies, Puddle Jumpers, Willies-Knight, White-Steamers, Metz, etc.

One of Augusta Township's young men of that day, by the name of Johnson Crawford, rode the first motor cycle into the city of Toledo, Ohio.  It was a French monstrosity, made in Paris.  The cops arrested him and took him to headquarters.  When they went to fine him, they could not find anything in the books to fine him for, then they requested him to take them for a ride and show them what it would do.

Dairy products always were one of the major products of Augusta Township, during the early  years.  Several of the families in the township were of Swiss descent, the majority of them being good dairymen, and some of them the finest cheese makers.  A cheese factory was built in Muddyfork Valley, by A. & L. Cunningham, where a high grade of Swiss cheese was made in the years 1884-85 and 86, then it discontinued operation.

In 1887, Alex Cunningham built a cheese factory east of Augusta, one mile or more on County Road 18, at one of the best springs in the locality, where John Tritten and others made a fine grade of Swiss cheese for several years.  About this period, another cheese factory was in operation a short distance east of this at Kennedy's Mill, and operated by Gotleib Zumbrunnen, another good cheese maker.

An unusually large amount of milk was produced around the years 1916-1918, as mechanical milkers had started to come into use and some were using them.  A major part of this milk was sold to the condensory plant at Minerva, and hauled with horses and wagons, having to use 3 or 4 horses to a wagon at times in the winter, as the roads would get almost impassible.

Finally, a few of the milk haulers bought trucks, which they could use in the summer.  Most of these had solid tires and were chain driven.  As autos and trucks increased in number, so did the talk for better roads.  They kept improving a strip here and there, but it was not until about 1928, when Route 9 was put through, then they followed up by improving the secondary roads.

Augusta Township is not only noted for its dairy products, but, it has had and has at the present time, some of the best breeders of beef cattle.  Its Black Angus, Hereford, and Shorthorn are known far and near, and our 4-H youths have taken their share of the blue ribbons, not only on livestock, but on all other lines.

Before trucks came into use, quite often cattle would be driven to market.  Scales were located at Augusta, where they might be weighed.  One well known stock buyer, A. Bryan, made many trips to Wellsville, hiring two boys to help drive the cattle.  They would be met at Highlandtown by others, who would take over from there on.

Much wool was produced in this township, at one time.  Cattle have now replaced many of the sheep.  Much of the wool was sold at Augusta.  The author of this has seen many wagon loads of fleeces of wool pitched, one fleece at a time, by a man in the wagon, to a man in the door of the second floor of the Crawford Brothers store, at that time, where it was weighed and sold.

Much fruit and berries have been grown in Augusta Township in the past.  Old record show that four berry growers of near Augusta, shipped 600 bushels of strawberries, the year 1893.  A basket factory was in operation at this time, in Augusta.  Berries, at that time were hauled to Kensington and shipped on the train.  The younger generation is still keeping up the tradition.  At least two nurseries have been located in this vicinity in the past, the Henry Shaw Nursery, and the Nathaniel Marshall Nursery.

In 1949, a Volunteer Fire Department was organized in Augusta Township, and a fire truck purchased with donations and otherwise, the township trustees furnishing a place to keep it.

As many of the older generation had moved away, and some had passed away, and new faces had taken their places, and the ones left were not showing as much interest in the Homecomings as in the past, the Volunteer Fire Department took over, and with the cooperation of all, and the untiring efforts of the younger generation, have had an annual strawberry festival ever since, to help support the department, which has done a wonderful job, in taking care of all fires, and all members should be complimented for their services so willingly contributed.

 

Stillfork Creek, a branch of Big Sandy, derives its name from the fact it does not have as much fall, not as swift a current, a quieter running stream than most, thus the name Stillfork.  The low areas in the valley having a heavy clay soil like most other low areas in this township, which adapt to grasses for pasture best.  Stillfork Valley is noted for its many artesian wells up and down the valley.

We find the lowest point in Augusta Township in this valley being near the junction of Stillfork and Muddyfork creeks, the elevation being approximately 1039 feet.  At Stillfork bridge, on C.R. No. 10, the elevation is 1049 feet, this being near where Stillfork Creek enters the township.  This making a fall of 10 feet in crossing the township.  The elevation near where Muddyfork Creek enters the township being approximately 1067 feet making a fall of 28 feet in crossing the township.

The highest point in Augusta Township being Chestnut Knob, which is 1306 feet, located in the N.W. 1/4 of Sec. 19.  The second high point 1294 feet in the N.E. part of the N.E. 1/4 of Sec. 10.  Augusta and Quaker Cemetery about the same at 1250 feet.  Crawford Cemetery in Sec. 26, 1280 feet.  Mt. Zion Church 1121 feet at crossroads.  Pattersonville bridge 1045 feet.

At the time of the building of the Sandy and Beaver Canal, it was contemplated deepening Stillfork Channel so boats might come up as far as Pattersonville, to connect with the Sandy and Beaver Canal, but was never started.

The building of the railroad through Augusta Township was a great benefit to the township, and especially to the residents of Stillfork valley, by supplying a means of transportation which was far ahead of what they had at this early period; by making employment for many of the local citizens, and quite a few making it a lifetime occupation, and by helping the county and township financially, with the large amount of tax which they pay.

The right of way was obtained by the Cleveland, Youngstown and Pittsburgh Co. for the new railroad in late 1882, and early 1883 was built and operated for a period of time by this company.  In 1884, the appraised valuation on the new railroad was $4000 per mile and the rolling stock $1000 per mile, which would make the county around $800 tax for the year.

On July 31, 1886, the railroad was sold to a committee of creditors for $100,000 and on Jan. 28, 1887, a new board of directors was appointed and the name of the company changed to Lake Erie, Alliance and Southern, and was operated under this name for a period of time.  In 1902, the year the new depot was built, the road was operating under the name Lake Erie, Alliance and Wheeling.  A short time later it was changed to the Lake Shore, Michigan and Southern, and finally to New York Central.  In the early years of the railroad, the north end of the line beyond Alliance was a narrow gauge.

The first stop coming up Stillfork valley on the railroad after leaving Minerva, was at Cat Fish Pond, where a station, also a warehouse were located at one time.

The next stop being Pattersonville, which was platted Nov. 15, 1907 by George S. Patterson, it being called Augusta Station by the railroad Co.  The station being a small building, which was replaced in 1902 by a new and larger passenger and freight depot, on the opposite side of the public road.

Much freight passed through this station during the period before trucks and automobiles came into use.  The following have been station agents at this station in the past:  Conley Patterson, Charles Mills, George Eckles, Ralph Westfall, Mr. Bedell, John Dow, John McLain, Ben Lloyd, Dave Hess, Roy Roudebush, Homer Dennis, Howard Witherspoon, Lucille Weir and Scott Crawford; also Perry Mills, James Ashbrook, and Ellsworth Harsh.

A siding was put in from which cars were loaded and unloaded:  fertilizer, lime, feed, ashes and many car loads of coal were shipped in, and many cars of hay and straw were shipped out.  Stock yards were built along the siding, scales installed, and many cars of livestock were shipped out.

A warehouse was built along the siding by Conley Patterson and Edgar Crawford.  After a period of time, Crawford sold his share to Patterson, who later sold to Mills brothers, Perry and Charles, they selling to John Rutledge, who later sold to F. R. Patterson and W. G. Hyatt, Patterson later selling out to Hyatt.  A few years later Hyatt sold to Earl Yoder.  After a period of time, Yoder sold out to L. D. Wilson, who continued to operate it until June 1959, when the warehouse and feed mill burned down.

A creamery was in operation for a number of years in Pattersonville, having been built by John Rutledge and M. O. Leyda.  Rutledge later selling out to Leyda, who owned it for a period of time, then selling out to W. A. Leatherberry and son, who operated it for a short time, then selling to George Leatherberry:  Jacob Leatherberry and Pearl Miller being operators for different owners.  George Leatherberry later selling out to the Andalusia Dairy Co., Homer Arnold operating the creamery until it was discontinued.

A post office was established in Pattersonville after the railroad was built.  Mrs. Annie Cassidy being the first postmistress, Dec. 17, 1890.  Harry McLain, the next postmaster, also having a general store, March 15, 1905.  Roy Best, postmaster and general store, Feb. 26, 1909.  Harry Henry, next postmaster and general store, Oct. 3, 1928.  The post office was discontinued Oct. 31, 1957 and the mail is now delivered by the rural carrier on Route One, Minerva.

About the year 1903, the Farmers Telephone Company was organized by a group of local citizens, for the purpose of getting telephone service to as many of the local citizens as possible.  Starting at Pattersonville as the central point where an exchange and switchboard was located, and has been operated by many different people.  Starting the company by building two or three lines from Pattersonville a short distance to which many more were added later, and the ones extended farther they had built, and making connections with other companies' lines, until at the present time, the lines cover a part of four townships.  The telephone company was sold to L. D. Wilson, who took possession Aug. 1937 , and has been operated and maintained by the Wilson family from then to the present time.  Mr. Wilson changed the lines to the dial system May 20, 1962.  The name having been changed to the Pattersonville Telephone Company when the company changed owners.

The following have had blacksmith shops in Pattersonville in the past: Jos. Wickline, Robert Campbell, Grover Davis and John Davis, also Vince Thomas.

Watheys Crossing being the next stop up the valley, a small station was built and they called it Watheys.  A siding was put in where cars were loaded and unloaded.  Feed, fertilizer, lime and coal were shipped in and hay, straw, coal and charcoal were shipped out.  Stock pens were built, scales installed and livestock was shipped to market.

Up the railroad a short distance, brick kilns were built, the bricks being made nearby.  They made wood charcoal by burning wood in these kilns or ovens with but little access of air, using our native trees, the willow being used in making the finer grades of charcoal, which was used in the manufacture of gunpowder.  In 1902, the old station was replaced by a new passenger and freight depot, by the L.E.A. & W. Railroad.

Up the railroad a mile more or less, a small building was erected near the railroad at Hewitts Crossing, by William F. Specht, where he had a post office, established Dec. 8, 1890 and a general store, from which Specht derives its name.

In 1893, a creamery and cheese factory called Gold Spring Creamery was built at Specht by a stock company of local citizens.  The officers being:  Pres. Wesley Snively, Sec. Will F. Specht, Treas. J. C. Patterson, who together with Jason Kennedy and Eli Crawford, formed and constituted the board of directors.  The creamery and cheese factory was in operation for an unknown period of time, when Will F. Specht bought them out, after which he and Henry Herrington operated the plant for another period of time.  Then they discontinued operating the plant, and Mr. Specht made the building into a residence, a general store and post office, which the Spechts continued to operate for many years.  Prior to the building of the creamery and the cheese factory, there had been a small creamery in operation for a short period one-fourth mile up the road.

A stave mill, which was built near Specht at an early date after the railroad had been built, did a large business making barrel staves out of the native trees and loading them on cars on the siding that had been put in near Specht, by the railroad company, then shipping them to the distilleries, where they were sold.

The swamps and thickets along Stillfork Creek, in the vicinity of Specht and Watheys, have recently been found to contain shrubs, flowers and plants not common to this vicinity, also a kind of cricket foreign to this section.  It has been contemplated making a preserve in this locality.

Later research revealed that M. O. Leyda bought the Gold Spring Creamery Sept. 1897, and must have moved the machinery and equipment to Pattersonville and used it when he and John Rutledge built the creamery there.

 

The first Christian Church in the community was an old structure known as the Baker Church, located at Glade Run Corners.  Later, the Disciples in the vicinity of Augusta held their meetings in a Manfull barn.

In 1842, the old Stone Church was built.  The floor was built on an incline which faced the pulpit and the entrance on the west.  The land grant was recorded in 1845, a gift of George and Mary Manfull.  William Manfull, George Manfull, William Elvin and Washington Iddings were trustees of the first church of the Disciples of Christ in Augusta.  No formal records were kept of the proceedings of the church until Dec. 9, 1887, but we do know from various family histories, of some of the happenings.

The ministers of this period were circuit riders.  One of the earliest was Eli Riggle, followed by Rev. Beaumont, Strawn, Sloan, Maxwell, Sprague, Hart, Moore and Dray.  The baptistry was built in a run on the Sheckler farm, now known as the Frantum farm.  The minister and those that were to be baptized dressed in the Sheckler home.  The bell for the old stone church was donated by this family, and is still in use today.

In 1881, the church was rebuilt, using the stone from the old church in building the foundation for the new one, but this time, facing the south.  In 1887, the Church was incorporated under the formal title "Christian Church of Augusta."  The men who signed the corporation papers were Jonathan Milbourn, Roland Pennock, John L. Dowling, Samuel Milbourn, and Sutton Cunningham.

In 1929-30, the church was remodeled and redecorated.  The archway lights were donated by Mrs. Sidney Rowley.  Since that time, new windows have been added, and the interior of the church was repainted.  Mrs. James Amerman of Canton made a gift of new carpeting and a Bible.  the church has been an influence for good, not only in this community, but in neighboring communities.

At the time of the Centennial Celebration in 1942, the following were:

ELDERS:  Embert Leatherberry, Orvie McMillen, K. O. Manfull, Royal Manfull, Pearl Miller, William Lutz, O. N. Long (deceased.)

DEACONS:  A. D. Thompson, Gilbert W. Harsh, Jay Owen, Floyd Walters, Jr., Everett Leatherberry, Ralph Sheckler.

DEACONESSES:  Rhoda Leatherberry, Myrna Leatherberry, Laura Manfull.

TRUSTEES:  Wilbur Roudebush (Chairman), A. D. Thompson, Jay Owen, Ralph Sheckler, Charles Leatherberry.

TREAS.:  Jay Owen.  Royal Manfull, Chairman of Officers.

PRES. - LADIES AID SOCIETY:  Laura Manfull.

PRES. - CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR:  Erla Leatherberry.

SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT:  Gilbert W. Harsh.

CLERK:  Pearl Cameron.

PASTOR:  Lawrence Ray.

 

I was only ten years old when the house we now occupy was built.  The Westons were here before my people and I think were likely one of the families that started the church.  For Mother Weston would not be long in her new home until she started at least a Prayer Meeting.  From what I can learn, there were cottage prayer meetings.  And they may have used the old Wesleyan Church, which was very small and somewhat dilapidated, and which stood northeast of the present building, about where the Leyda and Hague burial lots are in the cemetery.

I only remember one of the members of the Wesleyan Church, William Moorehouse, who donated his library to the M. E. Church when he came into the church.  It was contained in an old fashioned hair trunk, and was thankfully received, as they did not have much along that line in those days.

There were other families who moved into this neighborhood, among them, my father's family, John Patterson.  They came in 1827 and organized a Methodist Episcopal Church, and some time later, built the old log church which stood northwest of the present building, across the road a few rods.  It was in 1840 or near that time it was built.  I do not know who the charter members were, except the Weston and Patterson families.

The burden bearers of the church, at my first remembrance were:  Mrs. Grace Weston and son Francis, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Caskey, Mr. and Mrs. Nosset Hannum, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Leyda, Mr. and Mrs. James Cassidy, Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Dennis, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Calerdine, Mr. and Mrs. John Patterson, Mr. and Mrs. David Stewart, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Weston, Mr. and Mrs. Levi Pennock, Mrs. Mary Ward, Mrs. Hart (mother of the late John Hart), James Hyatt (grandfather of W. G. Hyatt).

Through the years that have elapsed since the time of those whom I have mentioned, the church has practically been kept up by the children and grandchildren of the good old mothers and fathers and others, who moved into the neighborhood in earlier years.

I recall the names of the following preachers who ministered in the old church:  Rev. Gilmore, Rev. Andrew Huston, Rev. Fisher, Rev. Vail, Rev. McCall, served one year in the old church with Henry Neff as junior pastor and one year in the new church (which is our present one), built in 1859, with George Dennis as junior assistant.

Soon after the old church was built, there was a change in the old order of things, and we had but one preacher, and I believe James Rogers was the first pastor after the change was made.  Rev. Rogers came about the year 1861, at the beginning of the Civil War.

I will endeavor to name the ministers who have served the church from the time of the building of the church in 1859 to present time:  John Freshwater, W. H. Hamilton, H. C. Huddleson, James Bray Sr., James Bray Jr., O. R. Roller, Jimmy Russel, W. D. Stevens, A. M. Scott, D. D. Hunter, John Hunter, Joseph Hollingshead, R. H. Wright, A. C. Leggett, L. Weaver, E. P. Edmons, A. H. Keeler, A. M. Billingsley, J. A. Rutledge, A. M. Merchant, J. A. Young, C. C. Chain, A. A. Gilmore, A. W. Harris, T. H. Kerr, J. A. Hollinghead, Thomas Taylor, R. N. Ball, W. M. Gamble, T. L. Carson, Wm. Gardner, Wm. Power, Wm. Mitchel, J. F. Ellis.

 

The following taken from the history of the church, given at the 100th anniversary of the church.  A church called "Stillfork" was organized March 26, 1832, by Rev. James McKean.

The following elders were elected:  John Potter, Andrew Watson, David Hyatt, and Robert Gibson.  June 15, 1832 Andrew Watson and John Potter were ordained, and on the 16th, the following 9 members were received into the Church as charter members:  Andrew Watson, Jane Watson, David Hyatt, Elizabeth Hyatt, John Pottor, Henry Pottor, Hannah Morledge, Mary Watson, and Sarah Vanhorn.

Thomas Conley donated the land for the church and cemetery.  It was erected in 1832 by donations of labor.  It was a small log building, called then the "Meeting House," located on the hill south of Pattersonville, and derives its name from Stillfork Creek.  The cemetery marks the site.  The furnishings of the church were crude, the seats were slabs of unhewn logs with wooden pegs, the pulpit was elevated and reached by a flight of stairs.  One minister was so small that he had to stand on a box behind the pulpit to be seen.

During the summer, two sermons were preached each Sabbath, with a brief intermission at noon for a light luncheon.  There were few hymn books.  Two lines of a hymn were read, and all joined in singing them, then two more lines and so on to the end of hymn; this method was called "lining out."  Two men, who were called clerks, stood at each end of the pulpit and led the singing.

The Bible "Itself" was used in Sabbath School and whole chapters committed.  The shorter catechism was committed and recited to the minister when he visited the home.

Strict discipline was enforced in matters that seem trivial at the present time.  It is noted in the records, that a member came voluntarily to the session and confessed that he had quarreled with a neighbor and used profane language, for which he was sorry; according to their verdict, he was admonished by the minister, a statement read from the pulpit, and then restored to his former standing in the Church.

This church building was occupied for 24 years.  The ministers during this period were:  James McKean, Swaney, Merl and Broof.  The pastorate of McKean lasted for 14 years.  106 were received into the Church, during this period.

The second church was built in 1856, between Pattersonville and Augusta.  It was chosen as a central location; the site is marked by a cemetery.  The land was donated by John Cameron.  The building committee were:  Thomas Conley, Jesse Phillips, John Cameron, and Alexander Mills.  It was built by Daniel Sheckler, and was a well built frame building, painted white, and large enough to accommodate the large congregations that finally assembled.

The succeeding ten years are considered the darkest in its history.  The weevil destroyed the wheat, and the destructive frost of 1859 blighted the farmers' prospects.  The Civil War followed with all its horrors, but the church maintained its trust in God, and had regular worship.

During the 26 years that this church was occupied, a great many changes took place.  Hymn books were supplied and lining out discontinued, an organ was purchased, candles were discarded for kerosene lamps and many other changes.

There were 158 members received into the church during this period.  It was supplied by the following ministers:  Rev's. J. B. Miller, Scott, Simpson, Dalzel, Joseph Patterson, J. B. Miller for the second time, and Eaton.

The present church was built in 1882.  The building committee were:  Rev. Eaton, J. D. Patterson, George Leyda, Isaac Cox, William Cameron, John Kennedy and George Gans.  John Smith had the contract for the carpenter work.  The brick were made by James Daniel, on the farm where George Kinsey resides.  The following masons were employed:  Jason Dumbleton, Joseph Arthur, John McBane, Andrew Emmons, James, David, and Charles Daniel.

During the first 50 years this church had been occupied, it was supplied by the following ministers:  Rev's. Eaton, Hays, Gaily, Young, Donnell, Dickey, Grimes, Hodil - 6 years, Duffield, Ward, Richie, Wilson, Conrad, Hanna, Davidson, Nagle, Taylor - 3 years.

 

The following taken from the history of the church, given at the 100th anniversary of the church on August 29, 1943.

John Herrington, the founder of this church, was born January 1, 1759.  He was a boy soldier of the Revolutionary War, under George Washington.

He moved to Ohio from Penna. in 1816.  While in Penna., many of the inhabitants of the colonies were killed by the Indians.  This was the cause of Mr. Herrington's parents' death, he being carried to safety by them before they died.  In July 1817, Mr. Herrington moved from Jefferson County, Ohio, to the land now owned by Clarence D. and Pauline Cooper, in Section 35, Augusta Township, Carroll County.  Mr. Herrington received a deed for this farm, which was nearly covered with wooded lots, from Frederick Woods in 1819, paying $1,000 for it.

In John Herrington's home, he and his neighbors held old fashioned Methodist Prayer and Class Meetings until 1825.  In that year, Mr. Herrington gave the land on which this stone church is standing, to build a church of hewn logs, which were cut on his own farm.  The church was built by the local men, and Mr. Herrington deeded the amount of one acre and nine perches of land to the trustees of the church, who were:  John Clinton, Jesse Hendrickson, and John Herrington Jr., on March 7, 1825.  The amount paid was $1.00, the amount of land given was large enough to include a cemetery.

The first person buried in the cemetery, then in the woods, was in Feb. 1823, when Jacob Long accidentally shot his brother, George Long, while in pursuit of a wounded deer; this was before the log church was built.

In 1841, there were 80 people converted at a great revival held in this old log church.  Among those converted, was the late James Herrington "Old Uncle Jimmy," as everyone called him.

When in after years, the old log church began to look dilapidated, the following story was told of John Herrington:  He was supposed to have thought it a sin to hold services in such a place, so went up one day, set the church on fire, went down and sat on his porch and watched it burn; whether this story is true or not, we do not know, but Mr. Herrington wanted a lasting structure built of stone, of which he had the stone quarry on his own farm.  Mr. Herrington helped to quarry the stone and to build the church.  The cornerstone for this church was laid in 1843.  The stone mason was Frank Dunmore, a negro who lived in East Township.  (He also built the stone house on the Cooper farm.)

Mr. Herrington never allowed the church to be locked, and his wish was held sacred, up until a few years ago, when it was necessary to have locks put on the doors, to protect our church properties.  Mr. Herrington had but one picture taken during his lifetime, and that one on his 100th birthday at Augusta, Ohio.  He lived to be 103 years, 4 months, and 18 days of age, when he died at the home of his son Nathan, originally his own home.

Even though many of us only know Mr. Herrington by hearsay, we know that he was a man of great faith and loyalty, and we are proud of what he has helped to build for us and that we can celebrate its 100th anniversary.

A few names we remember coming from the early days of the church were:  John and William Deford, Joseph and Thankful Snively, George Hines, Levi Marshall, George and Mary Jane Rutledge, John, Nathan and William Herrington, Lydia Hewett, Billy Croxton, John and Matilda Ulman, Enock, Nancy and Hiriam Gray - negroes of our church, Christine Foreman, and Samuel Dumbleton.

No musical instruments were in the church before the year 1880.  The hymnals had no musical notes written in them: the congregation learned the tunes from memory, with old uncle Jimmy Herrington leading the singing for many years.

The church was heated by two stoves, one on each side of the church.  A high partition was in the center of the long seats, with the men sitting on the west side and the women on the east.

The pulpit was quite a bit higher than it is today, until a remodeling plan was carried out in 1905, with Rev. Chain as our minister.  The pulpit was lowered, the chancel rail and choir chairs bought, the slate roof put on, and gas lights replaced candles and oil lamps, and in later years electricity was put in.  A furnace was installed and many other improvements made.

 

The Augusta Society of Friends was a branch of the Sandy Spring Society of Friends.  Sandy Spring Meeting House was located about one mile west of Hanoverton, in Columbiana County, and was one of the oldest meeting houses in the vicinity.  It was built by a group of Friends, Stephen McBride, initiating the move to erect a log meeting house and school house in 1807.  Later in 1827, to accommodate the growing congregation, a brick meeting house was built, which was used for more than half a century.

Stephen McBride later came to what is now Augusta Township, Carroll County, having received a patent deed in 1820, from the U.S. Land Office at Steubenville - James Monroe, President, for the S.E. 1/4 of Sec. 2, Township 15, Range 5.  (The writer of this having this deed in his possession.)

A burying ground adjacent to the meeting house, above mentioned, is the final resting place of three soldiers of the American Revolution:  Stephen McBride, Andrew Milbourn, and William Skelton, all familiar names in the early history of Augusta Township.

Jonathan Dean, James McBride, Jabez Coulson and Jeremiah McBride, having been appointed at Sandy Spring monthly meeting to take a deed in trust for a lot of ground, in what is now Carroll County, on which Augusta Meeting House was later built.  And they accordingly took such deed from James McGowen, Dec. 12, 1818, for one acre of ground, located in the N.W. corner of the N.W. 1/4 of Sec. 2, Twp. 15, Range 5.  (He having received a patent deed from the government in 1816 for the N.W. 1/4 of Sec. 2, Twp. 15, Range 5.)  This for the use of members of Augusta Meeting and Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting when held at Augusta Meeting House.

The same committee also received a deed in trust, from David Haldeman and Ann his wife, Oct. 12, 1825, for one acre of land, adjoining the one acre they had received in 1818, on the north side.  On the latter, a school house had been built in 1810, and was called the Augusta "Friends" School House.  This is the earliest school house in the vicinity, of which a record has been found.  The schoolmaster was Nathan Pim, who passed away in 1816 and was laid to rest near the school house, and is said to be the first person buried in the "Friends" or Quaker Cemetery.

Oct. 27, 1840, the above named committee transferred both lots to the new trustees appointed:  Taber Coulson, Mahlon Hole, James Chambers, and David Haldeman.  A meeting was held by the trustees and others June 13, 1840 at which time and place, it was decided to build a log meeting house, with donation labor, on the lot bought for that purpose.  Work was commenced June 18, 1840, and continued as time permitted, until it was completed in the fall of 1841.

Meetings were held in this building by the Friends or Quakers, for many years, where silent worship was held.  To many, the pioneer Quaker's way of worship was unusual.  Their meeting begins, not with a hymn or any formal opening whatsoever, but by those who have met to worship God, settling themselves in silence to self examination, meditation and secret prayer, the men usually on one side of the room and the women on the other.  The stillness thus begun, may continue for a longer or a shorter period, possibly during the whole meeting, for it may please the Lord, or leaders that no word be spoken.

Often however, some are given messages by Him to deliver.  When any are thus led to speak, they rise and express their message, from whatever part of the building they may be in, or if anyone feels called upon to offer vocal prayer, he or she kneels, while the congregation rises and remains standing till the prayer is ended.  When the meeting for worship has continued as long as those, sitting at the head of it think profitable, they turn to each other and shake hands, which act, while expressing the renewed bond of Christian fellowship, marks the conclusion of the meeting.

No musical instruments were used in their meetings, in the old meeting house.  One of the early customs of the Friends, was burying the Friends in rows instead of family lots, and some using sandstone for a marker, with only their initials and date cut on it.

Having held meetings in the old Meeting House for thirty years and more, the congregation having continued to increase as time passed by, and many changes having taken place, in 1876, it was decided to build a new and larger brick meeting house, which was completed and ready for occupancy Feb. 20, 1877.

This Meeting House is remembered by many of the present generation.  The building being heated by a large round heating stove on each side of the room, and lighted by a large chandelier or ring of oil lamps, hung from the ceiling on each side of the room, also an oil reflector lamp on the wall, back of the minister, on each side.  The back row seats being raised one step higher than the rest.

Many of the regular members had stalls built with a roof over them, for the protection of their horses from the weather, while at the meetings.  These meetings were well attended around the year 1900, for many years before and after, and the house was filled to overflowing many times.  Meetings have been held outdoors in a tent, when the meeting house would not hold the crowds, which attended special meetings, which were held at times.  One of the many changes made, was the use of the organ, in their meetings.  Protracted meetings were held at times, with special speakers.  Regular ministers were had for a period of time.

After an extended period of time, as many of the old Friends had passed away, and some had moved away, and not enough members remaining to keep up the Meeting House, and as the roof was in need of repairs, they decided rather than take a chance of it being desecrated by vandals, they would have the building taken down, which they did about 1946.

The cemetery marks the location, which is partly in Carroll, but mostly in Columbiana County, and is well taken care of by the Trustees of West Township, Columbiana County.

 

methodist episcopal meeting house

Old records show a transfer of 1/2 acre more or less, of land in the southeast 1/4 of Section 15, Township 16, at the north side of Augusta (located 1 chain and 50 links north and 3 chains and 38 links east from a post on the west line, which is 93 rods and 10 links from the southwest corner of the said 1/4 Section), from William Wrigglesworth to William Morehouse, Conrad Brandeberry and Simeon Westfall, trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of the County and State, all to be used for a burying ground by all denominations and professions, except a plot forty feet square, on which to build a Meeting House.  (Recorded June 13, 1833)

A Meeting House was built, and a few were buried in this cemetery, but were later moved to the cemetery across the road.  No other record has been found.
 

CHRISTIAN MEETING HOUSE

Old records show a transfer of 1/2 acre of land for $10, located in the southwest corner of the northwest 1/4 of Section 19, Township 15, from Michael Fimple and Elizabeth, his wife, to Charles Markham, Joseph Leslie and Jacob Eitenier, trustees of the Christian Society, and their successors in office for ever, for a Meeting House and a burying ground.  (Recorded May 1, 1847)

A Meeting House was built at this location in which services were held for an unknown number of years.  No church record has been found.
 

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

Old record show a transfer of 88 rods, more or less of land, located in the southeast corner of the southwest 1/4 of Section 30, Township 15, on T.R. 238, for $7, Feb. 26, 1850, from John Cook and Elizabeth, his wife, to Henry Leyde, George Ebersole, Mr. Fitehandle and John Gants, church council of the Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, organized March 4, 1845, in the Swamp Church in Harrison Township.

A church was built at this location, and known to be there as late as 1874.  No church records have been found.

 

The history of education or the provision for it in Ohio commenced before there was an American settlement northwest of the Ohio River.  In building our new nation, our forefathers realized that if the new America was to be successful as a democracy, where each individual would have the right to assert his opinions and judgments, the individuals must be enlightened so their judgments and opinions would be soundly constructed.  Bearing these things in mind, they made early provisions for the establishment of schools throughout the country.

In an ordinance passed by Congress in 1785, for the survey and sale of the western lands, it was provided that section sixteen, or one thirty-sixth of every township included under the ordinance, should be reserved from sale, for the maintenance of public schools within the township.  When Ohio was admitted into the federal union as a state in 1803, the school lands already reserved, were granted to the state, to be used by the Legislature in the maintenance of public schools of the township, an endowment of 704,000 acres of land.

Another stipulation at that time was, that the state of Ohio was not to tax any of the Congress land sold for a period of five years from the time it had been sold, this land having been surveyed, and divided into townships six miles square, they being sub-divided into sections one mile square, and the sections into halves and quarters.

For many years before and after the land grants began to produce any income whatever, schools that were in existence in Ohio were sustained wholly or principally by private subscription, and by rate bills paid by the parents of those children who attended the schools.

The common subjects taught at that time were reading, spelling, writing, and arithmetic.  In 1825, began the system of examining teachers before they were employed, but as late as 1838, the law only required them to be examined in reading, writing, and arithmetic, other subjects were added later.  A few schools of this time prohibited the teaching of any other subjects except these.

In 1821, the first law was passed, which authorized the levying of a tax for the support of schools, but was not compulsory.  By this law, authority was given for the division of townships into school districts, and for the election of district school committees, consisting of one school director, two sub-directors, and a clerk, elected at an election held at the school house each spring, by the residents of that district.  Their duties were hiring the teachers, building school houses, keeping up repairs, buying supplies, etc.  this was later changed to the township school board of five members and a clerk, who have hired the teachers from then on.  Very few records of our early schools are to be found at this time, however, there were a few private subscription and select schools in Augusta Township, in the early years.

In the early 1850's, John D. Patterson, a resident of near Pattersonville, built a school house on his farm and taught a three month term private school there, receiving $13.00 wages.

Lewis Pim, Sr. held a private school in his home, in the early history of Augusta Township, employing others to do the teaching.  Albert Grimes held a subscription school in Augusta in the early years.  Mrs. Mary Pim taught a private school at her home in 1870-71, at the same time her husband, Asa Pim taught one of the public schools.

Augusta Township has had the following select schools, prior to the first high school, and probably others.  In 1878-79 and 80, Prof. T. B. Sawvel was principal of a select school at Augusta, besides the ordinary studies, also a department of music, vocal and instrumental, piano, organ and violin.

Miss Morrow was principal of a select school in Augusta, in the late 1880's, with many of the young people of that time attending.

Prof. A. M. Fishel, one of Carroll County's dedicated teachers of that period, having been principal of Carrollton schools, also Magnolia, was principal of several different select schools in the county, and was principal of a select school in Augusta in the middle 1890's, which many of the young people attended, several of which started in shortly after, on successful careers as teachers.  Augusta Township has produced many successful, and some of the best teachers in its history.

At the time the schools of Augusta Township were centralized, we had the following school districts:  No. 1, called Stone Pile, having a stone school house built at an early date, by William Kennedy, a stone mason and farmer, living in that district, who had come over from County Down, Ireland, at the age of 13.  When school house No. 3 was built, it replaced No. 2, which was close to the same location, and were located on the west side of County Road No. 10, approximately 200 yards south of where Township Road No. 269 joins C.R. No. 10.  No. 1 school house was located approximately 3/4 mile southeast of the others, and was built at a very early date.

Old records show that Edwin Ferrall, a pioneer teacher of Carroll County, taught this school the winter of 1841-42, and had a daily attendance of 45 pupils, and having to make 10 to 25 copies a day, also make and mend as many goose quill pens, at that time wages were ten to fifteen dollars a month, and board around one dollar a week.

District No. 2, called Dewey Hall, had two school houses near the same location, on the south side of S. R. 9, approximately one mile southwest of Stillfork Creek.  The first being called Brown or Brown Frame, there being another school in the near vicinity by the same name, one was called Big Brown, and the other Little Brown.  The last school house being built about the same period that Admiral Dewey was made a hero by destroying the Spanish fleet in Manilla Bay, without losing a man, they decided to change the name of the new school house to Dewey Hall, in honor of Admiral Dewey.  A deed is on record of the buying of a plot of land by the directors, for the purpose of building a school house in 1846.  This would likely be the first school house, and was located one half mile or more, southeast of the others.

District No. 3, called Whole Bark, perhaps, because there was an old gentleman up stream, that ran a tannery, using the bark of the trees whole, instead of grinding it up to use in tanning the hides, in the making of leather.  This district has had three known school houses, No. 1 being a log school house, No. 2 and No. 3 were frame buildings, all located in the near vicinity, originally located near Whole Bark Creek, approximately three and one half miles northwest of Pattersonville, near T.R. 228.

District No. 4, called Lower Muddy Fork, being near the lower end of Muddy Fork Valley, from which it derives its name, has had two known school houses near the same location, where T.R. 251 converges with C.R. 43.  No. 1 school house being located on the east side of the road and No. 2, on the opposite side.  This district was later transferred to the Minerva school district.

District No. 5, called Enterprise, has had three school houses in the district.  No. 3 school house was built in 1883 by J. L. Smith, a carpenter of Augusta, and replaced No. 2, a stone school house at the same location, at the crossroads of C.R. 30 and 43.  No. 1 school house is said to have been located approximately one half mile northwest of the others.

District No. 6, called Eureka, has had three school houses in the district.  No. 3 school house was built in 1899, by J. L. Smith, a carpenter of Augusta, and replaced No. 2 school house on the same location, which were located on the west side of T.R. 258, approximately one fourth mile north of S.R. 9.  No. 1, a stone school house, was located one half mile northwest of the others, and was used as a school house in the 1850's and 1860's.

District No. 7, or Augusta, the first school house is said to have been built in 1833.  In 1837, William Finch, Joseph Watson and Charles H. Hayes, school directors of this district, bought a building lot 60 by 180 feet for $17.00, from George Manfull and wife, Mary.  This lot being located on the north side of Augusta, and on the south side of the land, which had been surveyed by Roger Morledge in 1831, and sold by William Wrigglesworth, to the trustees of the M. E. Church in 1833, for a cemetery and Meeting House.  The second school house, a two story, two room brick building was built in 1853.

On April 27, 1887, the board of education of this district appropriated $1600.00 for a new school house at Augusta, after quite a controversy, as many wanted to build a two story building, as they had been holding select schools at times and needed more room.  After some time, a contract was given to John Hyatt, a local carpenter, to build a two room, one story frame school house, which was completed in 1888, the lower grades being in one room and the upper grades in the other.

About the year 1920, the first high school was started in Augusta Township, a three year high school, having to finish the fourth year at another high school.  Previous to this, anyone wishing to go to high school, would have to go to Carrollton, Minerva, or elsewhere.  Several from this vicinity would walk daily to Augusta Station, then go by train to and from Minerva, to high school.

About the year 1927, they started building the new Augusta Township high school building, and before it was entirely completed, the old school house, including the portable buildings they were using, burned down.  After the fire, the high school moved into the new building, also the grade school, what they had room for, the balance moving into the township house and elsewhere.

The new high school building was built under the administration of the late D. L. Buchannon as county superintendent, and Prof. Bert M. Thompson as principal.

The new school being a four year high school, Hanover Township, Columbiana County, hauled the majority of their high school pupils to Augusta by bus, for several years, until they built a new high school building of their own.  Several were also hauled from East Township.

Shortly after this building was completed they centralized the schools of Augusta Township, using this building for the grade school also, it having been enlarged quite a lot.

All of the one room school houses that were in use, at the time the schools were centralized, have been sold and moved away whole or in pieces from their original locations, except Enterprise, which is on its original location, and Wholebark, which was moved only a short distance, and nearly all were remodeled into dwelling houses.

 

Originally, all school lands were in charge of land agents.  The person who wanted to occupy a piece of school land was directed to this agent, who told him that it could be leased from 7 to 15 years, provided the occupant would clear a certain number of acres, each year, build so many rods of fence, and plant an orchard.  So stringent were these regulations, that few accepted and the plan failed.

Two years later, authority was given to the land agents to lease the land for a money consideration, but new troubles arose, and it was found for many reasons, that these lands could not be handled satisfactory, by the agents.

In due course, the agencies gave way to a plan, for three trustees and a treasurer, to be elected by the people of the township, to lease the lands, collect the rents, and distribute them to the schools.  In order to make possession of these lands easier, the state legislature, in 1817, authorized the granting of 99 year leases, renewable forever with appraisals to be made every 33 years, and the rent to be fixed at 6 per cent of the appraised value.  Many of these leases are still in force.

By law of Congress, which went into effect in July 1820, these quarter sections were divided by a north and south line, into east and west half quarter sections, containing 80 acres each.

Provisions were made in 1826, for the sale of the land, the proceeds to be deposited in what was called the irreducible debt funds of the state, and interest thereon to go to the schools.  In 1914, permission was given by the legislature, to the auditor of the state, to lease the school lands for oil, gas and other minerals, the money from these leases to be handled in the same manner as funds derived form the sale of the land.

In 1917, the Garver law was enacted by the legislature, which placed these lands under the supervision of the auditor of the state, the local management remaining with the township trustees, under the supervision of the auditor of the state.

The school land of this township was sold earlier than most of the school lands of other townships of the county, a part was sold before the county was formed.

The northwest quarter of Section 16, was sold to John Criss in 1832, the east half for $230.00 and the west half for $400.00.  He received a deed from the governor of the state, Duncan McArthur.

The northeast quarter was sold to William Finch in 1834, the east half for $366.62 1/2 and the west half for $220.97 1/2.  He also received a deed from the governor of the state, Robert Lucas.

In 1835, the east half of the southeast quarter was sold to John Cameron, for $256.00 and the west half to Joseph Watson for $184.19, each receiving a deed from the governor of the state.  In 1838, Watson sold his land to Cameron, for $1000.00, making Cameron owner of all of the southeast quarter.

In 1836, the southwest quarter was sold to William S. Wilson, who in 1843, deeded it to his two sons, John and Robert, giving to each 80 acres.

This school land having been sold at an early date, did not build up as large a source of income as many school sections, which were sold at a later date, however, Augusta Township does receive a small income from the state, from the sale of this school land, which was $119.10 in 1964.

 

The following taken from the Carroll County Chronicle of March 22, 1878:

The undersigned take great pleasure in announcing to the public, that they have procured the services of Prof. T. B. Sawvel as Principal of the Augusta Select School, located at Augusta, Carroll County, Ohio.

Besides the ordinary studies, Natural Science, Literature and History, the English Etymology and method of teaching will receive careful attention, preparatory to actual labor of the schoolroom.  In all, the aim will be thoroughness.

Also a department of Music, Vocal and Instrumental, Piano, organ and Violin.  Tuition for term of 12 weeks, $8.00.  Instrumental music alone, 1 lesson per week (12) lessons, $6.00.  1 lesson per week, including school tuition, $10.00.  Arrangements have been made for boarding, ladies $2.00, and gentlemen $2.50 per week: rooms for self boarding at reasonable rates.

Prof. Sawvel is a gentleman eminently qualified for the duties incumbent upon the wide awake teacher, and will endeavor to make the school a success.  Gentlemen and ladies desiring to prepare themselves for the profession of teaching, will find this a rare opportunity for that purpose.

The location of Augusta being in one of the most healthy regions, sufficiently removed from the bad influences of our public thoroughfares, the moral and religious tone of society, and the fact that intoxicating liquors are not sold in our village, render Augusta a suitable location for a school of the above character.  The spring term of the school will commence on the 1st day of April and close on the 21st day of June (A.D.) 1878.

J. B. Roach, George Gans, T. B. Culp, J. T. Morland, School Committee.

The following taken from the Carroll County Chronicle of June 14, 1878:

The closing exercises of the Augusta Select School will take place Friday next, in Crawford's Grove.  Miss Lizzie McLean of Augusta, will read the Valedictory Essay, and Judge McCoy will deliver the closing address.  The fall term of the School will commence on the 2nd of Sept. and continue twelve weeks.

 

MASONS - F. and A.M. Blue Lodge No. 504 was organized at Augusta Oct. 21, 1875.  The officers and charter members were: G. P. Davis, J. B. Roach, J. A. Crook, T. B. Culp, Jonathan Woodward, H. A. Iden, Andrew Kennedy, and O. P. Deford.

EASTERN STARS - Eastern Star Chapter Order No. 412 of Augusta was organized March 15, 1919.  The charter members were: Mabel Leyda, Elizabeth Dixon, Carrie Dager, Vesta Brice, Mary Manfull, J. F. Brice, Carrie Mills, Alvada Guthrie, A. M. Grimes, Ina Crawford, Laura Guthrie, Sanford Leyda, George Guthrie, D. V. Manfull, John Guthrie, Anna Hole, Ina Milner, L. M. Hole, Leona Brice, Edith Hannum, Martha Edgar, Dr. W. A. Leiper, Sam Leiper.

I.O.O.F. - The Independent Order of Odd Fellows had an active order in Augusta in the early 1880's.  The following officers were installed in 1884 for Lodge No. 499: Homer Stockman N.G., A. L. Wyand V.G., Jno. McBane R.S., T. Cunningham W.D., L. Moncrief I.S.G., A. G. Ray R.S.-N.G., W. Myers R.S.-V.G.  They and the Masons each erected new brick buildings in the early 1870's, on the lot and just west of Nick's store at the present time.  These buildings were both destroyed in the first large fire they had in Augusta Feb. 12, 1888.

MACCABEES - The Maccabees had an active order in Augusta about the year 1900 and held their meetings in the building where the J. W. Brice Garage is now located.

WOODMEN - The Modern Woodmen of America had an active Lodge or Camp in Augusta about 1903 and held their meetings on the second floor of the building now owned by the Masons.

GRANGES - Augusta Township has had two Granges in its history, Augusta Grange No. 941 in Augusta Township, was organized June 5, 1874 with W. B. Deford as master and John S. Pottorf as secretary.  Their Grange Hall was located in the northwest 1/4 of Sec. 26 near Twp. Rd. 269, where meetings were held for an unknown number of years.  A picnic was held annually in Pottorf's grove nearby for several years.  This Grange was discontinued at the end of 1905 for reasons unknown.

Stillfork Grange No. 1370 was organized Dec. 4, 1890 by County Deputy Frank Clark with S. H. Ellis as master, A. K. Akins as secretary and Ithamer Mills, James Dager and M. O. Leyda as trustees, with 24 charter members.  A plot of land near the railroad, in the village of Pattersonville was leased from John D. Patterson, and stated in this lease no liquor neither spirituous, vinous or fermented ever be sold on this lot.  And on this lot they built a two story, two room Grange hall, with donation labor, in which they held Grange meetings for sixty years.  During most of that period an annual festival was held the Saturday evening before the fourth of July, which was well attended by young and old, and looked forward to by many, in the horse and buggy days.

By the late 1940's, the old Grange hall was not large enough to accommodate the growing membership, and a decision was made that a new Grange hall be built, Frank Mills donating the land on which to build.  A new Grange hall was started on the land donated, and with the generous contributions of all and the great amount of labor donated by so many, with a large amount of hired labor, a new Grange hall was built.  The Grange moved in and held their first regular meeting in the new Grange hall Sept. 12, 1951.

 

A group of Augusta Township citizens held a meeting on Sept. 20, 1870 and formed a society to be known as the Central Agricultural Society, which shall hold an annual fair in Augusta Township.  J. B. Roach, H. M. Shaw, William Kennedy, Rowland Pennock, T. B. Culp, J. H. Shaw, Samuel Daniel, H. A. Iden, R. C. Watson, B. S. Hole.  Recorded Sept. 21, 1870 - James Holder.

The Augusta Central Agricultural Society was incorporated on October 21, 1871 with capital stock to the amount of $20,000 to be divided into 400 shares of $50 each.  Robert Henry, William Kennedy, T. B. Culp, H. M. Shaw, William Iden, J. B. Roach, A. Kennedy, Nathaniel Marshall, James Hyatt, I. L. Curry, Jonathan Woodward.  Recorded Jan. 13, 1872 - James Holder.

Officers, Directors, and Committees of the Seventh Annual Augusta Township Fair, (and possibly the last fair): President - Alexander Cunningham, Vice President - William Cameron, Treasurer - T. J. Crawford, Secretary - H. M. Shaw, Marshal - Jacob Culp.

Members of the Board of Directors: Andrew Kennedy, Hopkin Hannum, William Kennedy, Robert Henry, T. B. Culp, D. L. Moncrief, John Woodward, William Iden, I. L. Curry, and George Gans.

The harness race program run on a half-mile track, was governed by rules of the national association, with Robert Yates, Dr. Foracre, and Elisha McGuire serving on the trotting committee; and Dr. Welch, Daniel McGary and John McHugh on the pacing committee.  In addition were purses of $125, $50 and $25 for the fastest trotting and pacing horses or mares.

Departmental Committees: Draft Horses - Josiah Dennis, James Figley and Dr. Yates.

Shorthorn.  Hereford and Alderney Cattle - Jonah Queen, Griffith Brogan and John Ulery.

Grade, Work and Fat Cattle - Joseph Hasley, Ephriam Finefrock and Richard Cunningham.

Sheep - Mahlon Coulson, David A. Boyd and John Gearhart.

Swine - Andrew Pottorf, Solomon Miller and Amos Brogan.

Poultry - H. G. Fouts, Daniel Powell and Levi Marshall.

Field Crops, Roots and Vegetables - Jacob Grunder, Solomon Long and William Davis.

Bread and Butter - Mrs. David Crawford, Mrs. N. B. Deford and Emmett Fletcher.

Honey, Pickles and Preserves - Mrs. G. H. Coulson, Mrs. John Gearhart and N. L. Shaw.

Flowers - Mrs. Elizabeth McGinty, Mrs. Levi Blackledge and Alonzo Arter.

Farm Implements, Vehicles and Machinery - G. S. Bently, James Foreman and James Hyatt.

Domestic Manufacture - Elwood Robinson, Joshua Rollins and Jesse Hendrix.

 

About the year 1903, a group of Augusta Township citizens, a few having good driving horses and being interested in racing, held a meeting and decided to repair the old race track, where the Augusta Township Fair had been held.  After doing this, they then decided to hold a 4th of July celebration at the old fair ground, which they did, having horse races, bicycle races, foot races, and other events, and quite a large crowed.
 

Records show that on July 28, 1876, Jehu Manfull sold to Edwin Cyrus, lot no. 64 of the Manfull addition to the village of Augusta, including the privilege of using what water goes to waste from the Manfull spring for $100.  For reasons unknown, Edwin Cyrus sold and transferred this at the same price the same year to Alexander Cunningham, who built the Augusta Mill.  Edwin Cyrus, a colored man, who was a miller by trade, assisted Mr. Cunningham in operating the mill for an unknown number of years.

This being a steam powered mill requiring a large amount of water, it soon became apparent the spring was not a satisfactory source of obtaining water from.  They then proceeded to dig a well to the depth of 30 feet.  This did little to improve the situation.  Then they drilled the dug well deeper, which did not produce the desired results.  They then had a deep well drilled in a new location and struck a good vein of water, which proved satisfactory as long as the mill was in operation.

Alexander Cunningham owned and operated the mill until April 1886, when he sold Lot 64, also a part of Lot 59 to his son Sutton Cunningham for $4500.  They made flour with a brand name on the sacks of Farmers and Mechanics Good Luck Flour - Cunningham - Augusta, Ohio (with the picture of a horse shoe on each sack.)  Sutton Cunningham erected a building on the east side of the mill, where they operated a cider press, and also made apple butter, using steam from the boiler in the mill in making the apple butter.  It is said they did a large business in the cider making season, and many times would run into the late hours of the night.  During the Cunninghams' period of operations, they had employed B. K. Cunningham as engineer, Thomas Iden, John Dowling as millers, Harve Phillips, and probably others.

On April 1, 1893, William G. Mitzel of East Rochester started operating the Augusta Mill, which he had leased from Sutton Cunningham, and continued to operate until Feb. 1896, when Mr. Cunningham sold the mill to William G. and Charles Mitzel for $2500.  They continued to operate the mill until August 1900 when Charles sold his share to his father, who continued operating the mill until Feb. 1902, when he sold out to Edward S. Johnson for $2000.

The Mitzels made flour, using the brand name of "Grandma's Choice None Better" (with a photo of grandma on each sack), every sack warranted, William G. Mitzel and Son, Augusta, Ohio.  This brand name was also used with the name of Mitzel and Johnson on each sack.

Mr. Johnson being joined some time later by his son A. H. Johnson, continued to operate the mill until June 1911, when they sold it to F. W. Bortner (et al) for $1800, who operated the mill until Mary 1912 when the mill burned down.

In Sept. 1913, F. W. Bortner, W. H. Glen and S. L. Newbold sold the lots the mill was located on to Mrs. Sidney Rowley.

The Augusta Mill had been a great benefit to many of the Augusta Township farmers, by making a market for a large amount of their wheat, a source of cheap feed from the byproducts of making flour such as bran, mids., etc., a near location to get their grinding done, and a market for a large amount of the coal that was mined locally, when it was hauled with horses and wagons, and distance meant more than it does today.

 

No history of Augusta Township would be complete without the legend of the buried treasure, which is said to have taken place two hundred years ago or more.

One hundred years ago, more or less, a man mounted on a fine riding horse with an expensive saddle and equipment, came following the Tuscarora Trail, inquiring if anyone knew of three springs in a group nearby.

There is a farm of which a part of is in the northwest 1/4 of Sec. No. 4, Augusta Township, and near the old Tuscarora Trail, which at that time had several springs in a group, which had been called Water Town by the early settlers.  It must have been an Indian name, and an important meeting place of the Indians, as many Indian relics have been found nearby.

This was the stranger's story:  When his great uncle was a French soldier at Fort Duquesne just before the French destroyed it in 1758, before the British moved in, he was one of a party of ten sent with sixteen pack mules loaded with gold and silver, which the French had accumulated in their raids on the British about the time and prior to Braddock's defeat.

They were following the Tuscarora Trail enroute to Detroit, and had passed through Painted Post, "the crossroads of the Moravian and the Tuscarora Trails, a landmark known to most all Indians and pioneers," and near the present town of Dungannon, when shortly after, their scouts reported the signs of an Indian ambush.

They buried the loot and left several clues identifying the location and made a map of it.  The stranger's great uncle was the only survivor of the incident.  The Indians killed all of the others soon after the treasure was buried.

His great uncle had the map and went south to North Carolina to make his home.  He had heard him tell the story, and in the papers of the old Frenchman's estate, he found the treasure map.  After an extensive research with no success, he gave up the search, and went back to North Carolina, never to be heard from again.

This story cleared up several mysteries which had occurred in the past, such as the finding of the old rusty musket barrels, also the two old French type shovels under old logs, and the finding of a tree with a deer's head carved on it, also a tree with a stone in the fork of it, all in the near vicinity.

This treasure has been searched for by many different persons at different times and places, some digging by hand and a few using power shovels, running into many difficulties, a few going to a fortune teller for help.

A few historians have the theory that the washes and gullies of this locality were much deeper at the time the treasure was buried, and that one or more of the men may have known of these gullies, and knowing they would likely have to fight the Indians soon, and no good place to hide the treasure after they got to the flat lands in the Sandy Valley, they decided to hide it here.  Not having much time, they hurriedly placed the loot in one of these deep gullies or washes, covering it with dirt and then brush, and were soon outnumbered by the Indians, with the known results.

As some of these gullies are known to have leveled off and many feet of dirt are in them now, who knows what 200 years of aging of the land has put on top of the treasure by this time.

Many years ago the owner of the farm where the treasure was thought to be and his neighbor were digging for it when a thunderstorm came up, and they went into an old log cabin (which had been built near the spring in pioneer times) to get out of the rain.  A bolt of lightning struck nearby, running into the cabin, striking the neighbor, knocking out one eye and making him unconscious for a time.

This is the legend of the buried treasure as related by G. E. Robbins, a third generation owner, and lifetime resident of the farm.

Also by J. G. Pim, son of the man who was struck by lightning, who in his 92nd year, remembers well the Decoration Day many years ago when his father was struck by lightning, it following a draft of air through a broken window pane into the cabin, and the neighbors bringing his father home.

Who knows, a fortune may be buried there yet, as no one has ever admitted finding it.

 

Former historians say Jacob Brown built a log hut where the H. M. Shaw maple grove now stands, which is 200 yards more or less south of the public square in Augusta, on the east side of the road.  This must have been the first house in or near what is now Augusta, also Jacob Brown may have been here as early as 1809.  Augusta was first called Brownsville.  There must have been more than one family of Browns here in the early history, as several different Brown's names appear on some of the early deeds around Augusta.

Old deeds state on Sept. 7, 1812, Jacob Brown received from the United States (James Madison, Pres.), by patent deed, the southeast Quarter of Sec. 15, Twp. 15, R. 5.  Also August 10, 1813, the northwest Quarter of Sec. 23, Twp. 15, R. 5 was transferred from the United States by patent deed to Jacob Brown.  This Quarter Sec. Mr. Brown sold Feb. 29, 1816 to Thomas Brown 156.56 acres for $792.80.

The following is a copy of Jacob Brown's original plat of Augusta, which was recorded in Columbiana County March 31, 1818, and was transcribed from their records and recorded in Carroll County July 27, 1868, James Holder, Recorder.

Section 15, Township 15, Range 5, beginning at a post in the New Philadelphia Road, where a white oak 16 inches in diameter is, N. 21 degrees 30 " W. 8 links.  All the lots fronting on Main Street are 60 feet in front and 160 feet deep, and those fronting on Market Street are 60 feet in front and 180 feet deep.  Main and Market Streets are each 60 feet wide.  Certified to be a true plat, James Craig, surveyor - Feb. 28, 1818, Columbiana County, Ohio, personally appeared before me one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said county, Jacob Brown, and acknowledged the within Plat of the town of Augusta and all the streets and alleys as his act and deed agreeable to the laws providing for the laying out and recording of town plats.  Given under my hand March 3, 1818, Joseph Springer, J. P. Recorded and compared, March 31, 1818, J. Springer, Recorder.

In 1803, Matthew Crawford, his son William, and their families emigrated from County Donegal, Ireland to the United States, locating in Washington County, Penna.  In 1820, Matthew in company with his three sons, came to what is now Augusta Township, Carroll County, where his sons received 160 acres each of land by deed, from the United States Land Office, William Crawford receiving the southwest Quarter of Sec. 15, Twp. 15, R. 5.  In 1836, William Crawford and Nancy his wife, sold this quarter section to their son George for $650.  It remaining in this name until the 1870's or later, the major part of it remains in the Crawford name at the present time.  A part of the west side of Augusta is located in this quarter section.

The original lots of the village, when they were first sold, brought from ten to twenty dollars each, many of them changing owners several times in the early history, and each time at a higher price.

Jacob Brown and Rachel his wife sold lot No. 17 to Samuel Wass 1821 for $10.  They also sold lot 7 to James Rowley 1822 for $12, lot 10 to Thomas McMillon 1825, lot 15 to Stephen Manfull 1826 for $10, lot 4 to Chris. Johnson 1832, lot 11 to Henry Johnson 1832, part of lot 16 to Roger Morledge 1832.  In 1824, Jacob Brown sold 12 acres more or less adjoining Augusta on the south, to Stephen Manfull for $90.  In 1827, Jacob Brown sold the remaining part of the southeast quarter Sec. 15 in Twp. 15, to William Wrigglesworth for $1000.

N

In the history of Augusta of the many family names that make up the history, the name Manfull has appeared more frequently than any other name, from the time the village was platted in 1818 until the present time.

In 1837, William Wrigglesworth sold to George Manfull and Mary his wife, the southeast quarter of Sec. 15 in Twp. 15, R. 5, with the following exceptions, two lots to Henry Saunders, one lot to Charles Hays, one lot to William Clinton, a lot for a graveyard, twelve acres sold to Stephen Manfull and the original plat of Augusta, 143 acres more or less for $2500.  George and Mary Manfull remained owners of this farm until 1856 when it was sold to Jehu Manfull, Jehu selling to George Manfull, George selling to Paul J. Manfull, Paul J. Manfull selling to Clair L. Manfull, the fifth generation of Manfulls as owner.

The first business house said to have been in the village was a general store, keeping in stock almost everything needed by the pioneers of that day; this was conducted by a Mr. Morledge.  A general store was also started by A. Hayes about the same time.  James Gaston and William Higby were merchants of an early period.  Manfull brothers operated a general store in the late 1820's and early 30's.  George Manfull opened a second store about 1834, on the northwest corner of the square, this being on Lot No. 8 which was sold by James Rowley in 1837 to Thomas Kinsey, and he selling to John Manfull in 1854.  This lot was sold by Chris. Manfull and Jonathan Milbourn as executors of John Manfull (dec.) to Frances Culp in 1864.  This was where T. B. Culp's mammoth dry goods Emporium was located.  T. B. Culp did a large business in the dry goods line all through the 1870's and was called the boss advertiser by the editor, as he usually had a two column ad in the Chronicle.  In the 1870's and 80's, Augusta was called the Hub by several of the Carrollton people.  It is said that George Manfull sold his store to Levi Marshall, and he to Stephen Wilson; this must have been their first store.

The village of Augusta having grown in size beyond the limits of the original plat, a new plat was made and laid out on June 17, 1859, on the south half of Sec. 15, Twp. 15, R. 5, Carroll County, Ohio, by the following named persons, they being the proprietors of the same:  John Manfull, Samuel Milbourn, William Rutledge, John Ashbrook, Thomas Kinsey, Alex McLean, Clark Manfull, John Ashbrook Jr., John H. Shaw, Thomas Culp, John Crook, William Wanen, William Clinton, Criss Manfull, William Ashbrook, Seth Ball, Robert Watson, Madison Leath, John Jackson, Jesse Hendrix, Andrew Figley, Ann Crawford, S. W. Day, John Gans, Stephen Manfull, David Eakin, and Jacob Marshall.  Recorded Feb. 22, 1860 - Jas. E. Philpott, Recorder.

Charles H. Hayes was the first Justice of the Peace in Augusta Township.  Jacob Simpson and Joseph Fleming were also early Justices of the Peace.

Manfull's 1st Addition:  Sec. 15, Twp. 15, R. 5.  Plat of Jehu Manfull's addition to the town of Augusta, taken April 4, 1877 by E. D. Shaw, a stone at the southeast corner of Lot No. 50.  I hereby certify that the above is a correct survey of Manfull's first addition to the town of Augusta.  E. D. Shaw, C. S.  Recorded June 26, 1877, W. M. Hagerman, Recorder, Carroll County, Ohio.

George Gans came to Augusta in 1869 and formed a partnership the same year with T. J. Crawford and Albert Heston, and opened a general store at the present location of the J. W. Brice garage.  It was known as the Crawford, Heston and Gans store.  In 1873, Crawford and Gans bought out Heston.  Then it was Crawford and Gans.  After a period of time, Venemon A. Manfull joined the partnership, then they operated under the name of Crawford, Gans & Manfull.

In 1879, Crawford, Gans and Manfull purchased the entire stock of dry goods owned by T. B. Culp, leased the large store room and moved into their new location.  In 1884, Crawford, Gans and Manfull bought all of T. B. Culp's property.  Mr. Culp went to Minerva where he conducted a general store for a short period of time, then moved to Alliance where he operated the T. B. Culp's dry goods store for several years.  In Sept. 1886, the junior member of the firm, Mr. Manfull, passed away very suddenly, he having worked that day helping to move heavy boxes.  After this the partnership was Crawford and Gans.

In 1889, they were in possession of a dry goods store, a men's clothing store, and a hardware.  After a peaceful twenty year partnership, they mutually agreed to divide.  Crawford taking the dry goods store and building, Gans taking the men's clothing store, the hardware and buildings.

Mr. Crawford continued to operate the store as the T. J. Crawford store until shortly before his death in 1891.  From this time on the store was conducted by his sons, Edgar and William, one or both for many years.  Several different ones have assisted in operating this store, John Dowling, George Gans, H. B. Manfull, H. McGranahan, Perry Caldwell, Miss Anna Smith, Mr. and Mrs. B. K. Cunningham, William Sheckler.  A millinery department in the store was conducted or assisted by Miss Mitzel, Miss Janet Sweeney, Miss Mary Huey, Miss Ina Huey, Miss Myrtle Thomas.

About the year 1903, Edgar Crawford was elected State Senator from this district, and served his tenure of office in the Ohio State Senate.  From this time on, William Crawford conducted the store the most of the time until he passed away in 1944, after which his widow, Mrs. Ina Crawford conducted the store until it was sold to Ralph McCartney, who operated it for a few years, until he was struck by a train at a crossing, from which he died.  The store then was sold to Denton Locke, who was the last owner to conduct a store in this building.

George Gans was proprietor of a men's clothing store in the 1880's and the early 1890's, in a store room adjoining the Crawford and Gans general store.  This building is now owned by the Masons.  This clothing store was conducted for several years by H. B. "Ben" Manfull.  J. M. Long conducted a clothing store in Augusta for six years, and probably at this location.  In the year 1900, a door was made between these two store rooms.  Prior to this, the clothing store was a separate store: after this the clothing store was operated in conjunction with Crawford's Store.

A small weekly newspaper called The Augusta Gazette was published in Augusta in 1879, for a period of time by William Roach, Adam Myers and others.

In 1873, the Masons and the Odd Fellows each erected new two story brick buildings on Main Street in Augusta, the Masons on the west half and the Odd Fellows on the east half of lot No. 17, each using the second floor rooms for their meetings and leasing the first floor for store rooms.

In the early 1880's, we find a hardware store in one building, conducted by Len. Cunningham and a general store in the other building, conducted by Ashbrook and Turnipseed.  Ashbrook must have sold out to Turnipseed, as Len. Cunningham bought the entire stock of merchandise of D. B. Turnipseed, in the spring of 1885; Mr. Turnipseed moving to Kensington, where he took over another store.  After taking over both stores, Mr. Cunningham put in a new line of dry goods, millinery, hats, etc., procuring the services of Miss Nellie Curtis, said to be one of the best milliners in Cleveland, to have charge of the millinery department.  Mr. Cunningham quite often would have a one or two column ad in the county paper, held discount sales, gave chances on prizes, paid cash for farm produce, or trade for groceries, dry goods, or hardware.

In late 1886 or early 1887, Len. Cunningham sold out to his brother.  Richard Cunningham took over both stores, carrying on the same line of goods with more, added a line of jewelry, men's ready made, also tailor made suits were added.  J. Clark Etling, a cutter and tailor was employed.  Mr. Cunningham also did a lot of advertising, having a two column ad in the paper at times, paid cash or traded for farm produce, and bought an immense lot of poultry in the fall, and had a large trade in 1887.

About 2 A.M., Sunday, Feb. 12, 1888, fire was discovered in the ware room in the back of the Odd Fellows block, and in a short time fire was also discovered in the ware room in the rear of the Mason block on the same lot, and just across a driveway from the first.  Before the citizens could be aroused, it was under such headway, that all that could be done was to save adjoining buildings.  Every building on these lots together with the contents were entirely consumed by fire.  Tom Cunningham's house on the next lot east, though saved from burning, was entirely wrecked by falling walls.  Richard Cunningham occupied the business rooms in both buildings, also the large ware rooms.  This was the largest fire that had been in Augusta up to this time.  It was presumed $30,000 would cover loss, partly covered by insurance.  (Incendiary)

Lemuel Stockman, formerly from East Township, came to Augusta in the early 1880's and started or took over a grocery store on the north side of East Main Street.  A news item of Jan. 1885 states Frank Fleming, our barber has moved his shop to Lem. Stockman's, where he is going to teach Lem. the art of barbering.  From this time on for many years, Mr. Stockman operated a barber shop in conjunction with the grocery store, assisted by his wife or daughter in the store.  This was in the days when a hair cut and shave were a quarter; the quarter being worth twenty five cents in that day.  The writer of this has had many a fifteen cent hair cut by Lem.  Mr. Stockman continued to operate the barber shop and store as long as his health would permit.

After Mr. Stockman's death, his daughter and husband Charles Thomas, conducted the store for a period of time until it was sold to George Leatherberry, Lew. Myers taking over the barber shop for Mr. Leatherberry.  After a short period of time, Charles Leatherberry having learned the profession of barbering, and started up in the Rutledge building, joined his father and took over the barber shop.  Later on, Charles took over the entire store, adding other lines of goods, meats, confectionery items, etc. and remodeled the store, conducting this store with the assistance of different members of the family, for the rest of his life.  Since his decease, a hardware store has been conducted by Seth Owen, in this building for a period of time.

In 1889, D. H. and J. W. Rutledge purchased the lot on which the Odd Fellows building had been located (which was destroyed by fire the year before), and erected a large two story frame building, in which they opened up a general store in the first floor store room, the second floor room being used as a town hall for many years as public needs required.  This store was conducted under the name of Rutledge Bros.

After a period of time, J. W. Rutledge moved to McKeesport, Penna., where he established a commission house. D. H. continued to operate the store, buying poultry and farm produce, which he shipped on the railroad to John, who sold it through the commission house.  After a few years they changed places, John came back to Augusta, taking over the store, and Howard moved to McKeesport.  This arrangement continued for quite a length of time.

In 1896, Rutledge Bros. removed their stock of clothing and dry goods to Bergholz, Ohio, and sold or leased their store to A. H. Myers and M. S. Milbourn.  Mr. and Mrs. Myers conducted the store, assisted by their son Everett, Samuel Crawford, and probably others.  Miss Lulu Long was in charge of the millinery department.

In Sept. 1898, A. H. Myers and M. S. Milbourn sold their store to Rutledge Bros.

Jan. 1899 Rutledge Bros. are closing out their store.

Frank Brannan conducted a hardware and general store in this building for a few years, his daughters assisting him, also having charge of a millinery department.

Mr. Douglas H. Hunter opened a hardware store in the Rutledge building in 1905, Mr. Brannan having moved to Kensington, where he took over a hardware.

In 1908, J. W. Rutledge and D. V. Manfull formed a partnership and opened a general store in the building which is now the J. W. Brice Garage.  After a period of time, they moved the store to the Rutledge building, Mr. Hunter having sold his stock of hardware and moved to another location.  Some time later Mr. Manfull sold out to Rutledge, who continued to operate the store for several years, with the help of others at times.  Mr. and Mrs. Frank Manfull conducted the store for Mr. Rutledge for a period of time.  Mr. Rutledge also was a funeral director, having learned the profession prior to this time, which profession he followed, conducting funerals as needs required.  After many years in Augusta in the store business, the J. W. Rutledge family moved to Minerva, where they established the Rutledge Funeral Home.

The following have had general, grocery, and/or confectionery stores in this building at different times for a period of time:  Charles Leatherberry, George Leatherberry, John Davis, Mr. Gherhelm, William Ferguson, Joseph B. George, Mr. and Mrs. Ed. McKee, Lee R. Finley, and Nick Lavkulich (Nick's), the present store.

In 1889, when Crawford and Gans dissolved partnership, George Gans was owner of a hardware store in the present J. W. Brice garage.  In 1893, he sold the store to Frank Brannan and William Kennedy.  Some time around 1895, Brannan and Kennedy sold out to John Thomas and sons Charles and Clarence of East Rochester. 

While located in this building, a fire was discovered, a crowd soon gathered and a bucket brigade was formed, which soon brought the fire under control.  The crowd all went home, but were soon called back, as the fire had broken out again, having eaten its way into the partitions, which made it a stubborn fire to bring under control, but it was finally extinguished; this time they remained with it.  It started up the third time, but was soon extinguished.  After a period of time, Thomas and sons moved the store to the McLean building, operating the hardware a few years in this building, when they sold out to Simeon Ashbrook, who continued to operate the hardware store until 1904, when the building and contents burned.

Carl Walters operated a garage and machine shop, on the north side of West Main Street.  J. W. Brice garage, welding, and machine shop at above location, at present time.  Frank Geffert, filling station operator, Saline Oil Co.  Harley Brown conducted a hardware store in later years, on the south side of East Main Street, assisted by his father, Harry Brown.

 

Dr. Blackledge, Dr. Westfall, Dr. J. B. Roach, Dr. Frank Laughlin, Dr. George Patterson, who lived a short distance out of town; Dr. Thomas Crawford, Dr. William Leiper, Dr. J. A. Rhiel, Dr. Jos. Laughlin.

PAST AND PRESENT AUGUSTA POSTMASTERS

Roger Morledge, first postmaster; Wm. Clinton, appointed April 23, 1835; Alexander McLean, appointed Oct. 14, 1851; Almon L. Iden, appointed Dec. 4, 1897; Charles F. Caldwell, appointed Sept. 10, 1914; James A. Crook, appointed June 23, 1918; Mrs. Emma Kinsey, appointed Sept. 17, 1921; Charles W. Leatherberry, appointed Jan. 1, 1946; Thomas J. Kinsey, appointed April 1, 1947.

PAST BLACKSMITHS OF AUGUSTA

Jos. Gaston, J. E. Hess, Newton Stuller, Mike Little, Wilson Ramsey, James Ballentine, Mr. Chapman, Ambrose Whitacre, James Boutz, S. H. Thomas, Charles Helman, Robert Campbell, Andrew Knight, G. E. Cook, John Davis.

FORMER MEAT MARKET OPERATORS

B. T. Norris, Jonathan Harsh, Albert Grimes, James Baxter, J. Gearhart, Graham Haymaker, Clem. Cunningham, John Pennock, Fred Slates.
 

William Manfull, the first tailor shop.  James Rowley, a tailor shop at an early date.  Mrs. Henrietta Bettis, a dress maker at an early date.  Miss Annie Rowley, the first dress making shop.  Miss Lizzie Heston of East Township opened a dress making shop in Augusta in 1886.  Mrs. Ava Grimes, also Mrs. Minnie Long were dress makers at a later date.  Caroline and Deborah Baxter, carpet and rug weaving in the earlier years.  Mrs. Emma Manfull, carpet and rug weaving in the earlier years.  Mrs. Mary Turnipseed, carpet and rug weaving in later years.  Mrs. Criss of Minerva opened a millinery shop in Augusta in 1879.

John Cook is said to have had the first grocery store in Augusta.  James Ashbrook operated a grocery in Augusta in 1887, but sold out in Feb. 1888 to Ellsworth Harsh.  Dick Saunders said to be the first shoe maker.  J. Gallagher also, boots and shoes at an early date.  Thomas Jolley, an early wagon maker, also Roland Pennock had a wagon shop, where he made wagons, also repaired watches and clocks.  Dr. O. B. Roberts, a dentist came to Augusta in 1880, purchased the Thomas Jolley wagon shop, had it remodeled into a dental office, where he made his future abode.  J. H. Shaw conducted a dry goods store in the early years.  William Ashbrook owned and operated a general hardware store in the early 1880's.

Harry McCartney had a tin shop in Augusta in the 1880's.  McCartney and Sheline were in partnership in the roofing and spouting business.  Perdues had a restaurant on the south side of East Main Street for several years, and Homer Perdue also a pool room in later years.  A. E. Mitzel had a restaurant, barber shop and pool room, located in what is now the J. W. Brice garage building, in the late 1890's.

Foster McBride operated a barber shop in Augusta around 1930.  Clarence Cox operated a barber shop in Augusta around 1900.  Pete Milner also operated a barber shop in Augusta.

The following ad taken from the Carroll Free Press of May 5, 1853:  We have just completed installing one of the most modern steam powered mills at Augusta, Ohio, by competent millrights, our steam engine being most economical, grinding ten bushels of feed on one bushel of coal, we are equipped to grind all kinds of grain, and solicit your trade.  John Manfull, James Westfall and Co.

John Manfull and James Westfall were school teachers of that day, and it is said Mr. Westfall cut all the timber for this mill that winter, when a mantle of nearly three feet of snow covered the ground and the logs would be almost buried after the trees fell.  This mill was destroyed by fire about 1865 and was rebuilt later, but as a saw and planing mill.

John Crook, a native of England, came to Carroll County in 1844, coming to Augusta some time later and started a saw and planing mill, which he operated for several years, then was joined by his son James A. Crook.  Then it was John Crook and son until Mr. Crook's death, after which the mill was operated by J. A. Crook for many years.  Mr. Crook had a basket factory in the mill and had quite a trade in baskets in the berry season time.  A brook making machine was also located in the mill.  A fire was discovered in the mill at one time, but was brought under control before it did much damage.  It is said much of the lumber used in building several of the buildings in the early years of Augusta, the trees were cut by Isaac Curry on his own farm.  The logs were hauled by him to Crook's mill, where they were sawed and the lumber finished.

The stone house on the southeast corner of the square being one of the land marks of Augusta, the post office having been located in this building by Al. Iden in conjunction with a grocery and confectionery store.  Floyd Caldwell, post office and store; Al. Crook, post office; Mrs. Emma Kinsey, post office; Charles Leatherberry, post office; Thomas L. Kinsey, post office until he moved across the street.  Eli Sheckler had a furniture store in the building in 1880.  This house stands upon the site of one of the first houses of the town, and is of native sandstone, quarried on the Kinsey farm nearby.  All the stone were cut and dressed before the building was commenced, each as intended, fitting directly in its place.  This house was built by John Manfull, at about the same period the Herrington Church was.  The stone mason was Eliel Dunmore, a colored man of East Township, and a brother of Frank Dunmore, who was the stone mason who built the church.

Frank and Eliel were brothers of a family of six boys:  Eliel, Oral, Joseph, George, Frank, and Christopher, who were raised on a farm in upper Muddyfork Valley.  They could all play the violin more or less, but were called fiddlers in that day, and most of them were stone masons and/or brick layers.  The writer of this at an early age, lived neighbors to Christ. and went to school with a daughter of this respected family, to a one room school house.  Your writer remembers his grandfather telling about some of these boys furnishing music for a dance one evening, at a dedication of his new house in 1882, then walking to Salem to be there to go to work the next morning.  Some time later, Frank and Joseph were working on a scaffold, building a high chimney at one of the shops at Salem, Ohio, when the chimney and scaffold both fell.  When Frank regained consciousness, he inquired "how's Joseph?" and was told Joseph was better off than he was.  Joseph was killed and Frank was all broken up, but came through it and lived to be an old man, but never built anymore high smoke stacks.

{Augusta Cemetery Website Note:  Taylor Woodward writes about Eliel and Frank Dunmore, stone masons, who built the Herrington Church and the stone house in Augusta.  Mr. Woodward writes Eliel and Frank were brothers in a family of six boys.  Eliel is most likely Elias Dunmore who is listed in the census records.  Elias Dunmore had quite a few sons, two who were named Frank and Elias.  However, his sons Elias and Frank were not yet born when the cornerstone was put in place for the Herrington Church in 1843 or at the time the stone house was built in Augusta.  Therefore, it must have been the father, Elias Dunmore, who was the stone mason for the stone house.  Elias, the father, could have had a brother named Frank who worked on the Herrington Church, but as yet, we have no record of that.  Mr. Woodward writes he was a neighbor of Christ. Dunmore.  Therefore, the six brothers he writes about are the sons of Elias Dunmore.  The census records show Elias had sons named Elias and Eli, so we aren't sure exactly who Eliel might be.  There is also no child named Joseph shown in the census records.  There are two sons named John and Josiah, so perhaps Joseph is one of those boys.  If you have information on these people, please contact us.  End of note}

Augusta had a printing shop in the 1880's.  A. H. Myers proprietor, who in 1886, printed a monthly paper devoted to teachers, called The Teachers Advance.

William Stackhouse had a harness shop in his own residence on the north side of West Main Street, in the 1880's, with his son John and Charles Ashbrook assisting him.  Simeon Ashbrook, a harness shop on the north side of West Main Street in the late 1880's and early 90's, with his son Charles assisting him.  Charles Ashbrook, a harness shop at the same location, in the late 1890's.

William Stackhouse, a furniture store in 1873.  Seth Ball, a store and shoe repair shop.  Al. Watson, a shoe repair shop.  J. J. Brannan, a paint shop.

 

According to records in old newspapers, Augusta has had several bands in its history.  A band would be organized and hold practice meetings until they could play good, then after a year or two some would move away, a few would drop out, and they soon would disband, until enough new citizens moved into the neighborhood, or enough of the younger generation that had grown up would be interested in a band, then they would organize again. 

In the 1880's an Augusta news item states the band is practicing to go to Mechanicstown to play.

In the early 1890's, Augusta had a drum corps for a period of time, consisting of eight young men of the vicinity at that time.  Henry McGranahan, George Hannum, George Patterson, and Ben. Manfull, each played a fife, and Eugene Hannum.  Conley Patterson, Orrin Manfull, and Thomas Patterson played the drums, with Tom. playing the big drum.

It was the custom in earlier years on Decoration Day, to meet at the square in Augusta, and if there was a band, they together with others, would march up to the cemetery to decorate the graves of the soldiers.  During the time the drum corps was organized, they were in the parades.  One year, the drum corps after having played and marched at Augusta in the morning, went to Mechanicstown in the afternoon, where they marched and played.  While marching, a sudden shower came up which ruined all their drums.  This was the end of the drum corps.  One of these young men, Eugene Hannum got another set of drums a little later and traveled all over the country with a circus, playing the drums.  These drums are now in the possession of a niece.

About the year 1910, a band was organized in Augusta, with the following members, several having been in former bands: Homer Carman, G. E. Cook, John Rutledge, Edgar Crawford, William Crawford, John Pennock, John Shaw, K. O. Manfull, Royal Manfull, Paul Manfull, Thomas Manfull, B. K. Cunningham, Jesse Bettis, T. C. Woodward, Robert Johnson, Rev. F. W. Spooner (minister of the Christian Church), Edward Spooner, and Ralph Sheckler, with Rev. Spooner as leader, meeting for practice in the J. W. Brice garage building.  At that time many would come to town on Saturday evening.  The band would quite often put on a concert on the square by the light of a torch held by someone.  The town had a number of large oil lamps for street lights for a period of time prior to this, but they did not prove satisfactory.  This band remained together for a period of time, going to Kensington and other places to furnish music, but finally disbanded the same as former bands.

A band or orchestra was organized in the early 1920's by Rev. Skellett, minister of the Christian Church at that time, and was the leader.

Augusta had had several different school orchestras or bands since music has been taught in the grade and high school.

 

William Rutledge, the pioneer undertaker of Augusta and vicinity, began his profession in 1850 at his farm home east of Augusta.  He was also a cabinet maker.  As a young man, he worked three years for his board, as an apprentice to a cabinet maker and undertaker.  The importance of his unique services to the community are little realized and understood today.

Mr. Rutledge could determine the size of a coffin for a deceased person by means of a long stock of wood brought to him by a bereaved person, the length of the stick corresponded to the height of the deceased and a notch on the side indicated the width of the coffin.  Mr. Rutledge made all the coffins, then he and his wife Harriett would trim them, they being experts at this.  In 1864, he quit making coffins, as a company began manufacturing them, however the concern only supplied the shells, which still left the trimming task for Mr. and Mrs. Rutledge.  Coffins were finished with a varnish coating, while caskets were cloth covered.  Mr. Rutledge built the hearse that his business owned.

This profession had made much progress from its sod and salt, ice box, and other crude methods used in pioneer times.  The standards have been greatly raised in the embalming profession.  A license issued by the state is required in both embalming and funeral directing.  The requirements are most rigid, and a full knowledge of anatomy, sanitation, public health and pathology is essential.  Society today would frown on methods used by embalmers of pioneer times.

 

A hotel, a livery and feed stable, and a blacksmith shop were as essential to the traveler of the horse and buggy days as the filling station and the garage are to the tourists of today, and Augusta had them all.

John Dennis was proprietor of a hotel, a livery and feed stable in the early years.  John Pennock, a livery and feed stable.  Stanton Long, a livery and feed stable.  Mr. and Mrs. Frank Manfull, a hotel and feed stable.

The first real hotel is said to have been started by Stephen Manfull in the late 1820's.  A hotel was started by Chris. Johnson around 1830.  Mrs. Thomas Kinsey was proprietress of a hotel in the early years of Augusta.  Seth Ball was proprietor of a hotel on the northeast corner of the public square, called the Eagle Hotel, for many years, after which it was sold or leased to Mr. A. Petitt, who operated the hotel a few years in the late 1890's, then it was transferred to Mr. Pottorf.

Shortly after 10 P.M., April 16, 1901, an alarm of fire was sounded.  In a few minutes every citizen of the town was hurrying to the public square, where blinding smoke and flames were issuing from the Pottorf Drug Store.  When the first persons arrived, it was at once seen that the store and building were doomed.  A strong bucket brigade was at once formed, but in spite of their combined efforts to save the buildings, it soon spread to the Eagle Hotel on the west, and the Pottorf dwelling on the east, and then to the Thomas Kinsey residence on the east. 

At three o'clock, nothing but the smoldering embers and the blackened foundations remained of what was the Eagle Hotel, owned by Andy Pottorf, but was occupied by O. J. Manfull's.  The drug store belonged to E. O. Pottorf.  Part of the goods from the Pottorf residence and the Thomas Kinsey residence was carried out.  The hotel and drug store partly covered by insurance, the Pottorf and Kinsey residences, no insurance.  It was the biggest fire Augusta had ever experienced, and one which for a time threatened to wipe out about the whole town.

A handle factory was started in Augusta in the early years of 1900 and operated for several years by Harry Brown, an Augusta citizen.  Mr. Brown personally selected the trees in the woods, from which a high grade product was made in the factory.  John Rutledge and Floyd Caldwell operated the factory for a period of time until Mr. Rutledge had the misfortune to have an accident, injuring one hand with a power saw, after which Mr. Brown took over the shop and operated it for an unknown length of time.

 

H. W. Shaw, the pioneer fruit grower and nursery man of Augusta, began his profession in 1857, at the south edge of Augusta.  the following taken from a catalog of fruit and ornamental trees, which was put out in the spring of 1881 by H. W. Shaw & Co., printed by A. H. Myers, the printer of Augusta, who did an excellent job (this catalog now in the possession of the writer.)  Mr. Shaw states in the catalog, "having been in the nursery business twenty four years and having established a reputation that warrants me to enlarge my business, therefore I have now, Mr. O. A. Curry, a young man who is well skilled in the propagation and cultivation of trees, associated with me.  We are adding all the new and improved varieties to our lists and discarding others unworthy of further cultivation."

The following is the list of apple trees.  (The writer of this, in earlier years, has picked and eaten apples from trees of the varieties marked* in this list, which were bought from this nursery and set out by his grandfather, Milton Bettis, in the early 1880's.)  In the early years much fruit was dried.  H. W. Shaw & Co. had the agency for the county and sold the American Evaporator, said to be the best at that time.

Summer Varieties:  Red Astrachan, *Carolina June, *Early Harvest, Duchess of Olenburg, *Golden Sweet, Sweet Bough, Holland Pippin, *Sherwoods Favorite.

Autumn Varieties:  Fall Pippin, Fall Queen, *Maiden Blush, *Orange Sweet, Ohio Nonpareil, St. Laurence, Sweet Rambo, *Sweet Russet, Cuyahoga Red Streaks, *White Sweet, *Romack Seedling, Colverts, *Fall Wine.

Winter Varieties:  Culp, American Pippin, *Baldwin, *Blue Rambo, Black Detroit, Bethlehemite, *Ben Davis, French Pippin, *Grimes Golden, *Graniwincle, *Gate, Hubbardson's Nonesuch, Ladies' Sweet, *Newtown Spitzenburg, Peck's Pleasant, King, *Rambo, *Rome Beauty, *R. I. Green, Roxberry or Putnam Russet, *Stark, *Northern Spy, Tulpehocken, Wagoner, *Switch Willow, White Winter Pearmain, Weaver Sweet, White Seek Nofurther.

K. O. Manfull & Son, growers of fruit, berries and potatoes, operated a roadside stand in Augusta.

P. J. Manfull & Son, growers of fruit, berries, potatoes, corn and other vegetables, operated a roadside stand in Augusta.

C. L. Manfull, grower of fruits, berries, potatoes, corn and other vegetables, operates a roadside stand in Augusta at the present time.

Andrew Knight, a former fruit and potato grower, also operated a cider press at the north side of Augusta.

George Knight is a grower of berries, fruit and potatoes.

 

Jan. 14, 1898, the Carroll County Telephone Co., which was recently formed and a line started to Carrollton, decided to extend their lines throughout the county, the company having been granted the exclusive right of all public highways in the county for the period of 99 years, for the construction of telephone lines.  E. T. Crawford, J. C. Thomas, H. McGranahan and J. C. Patterson of this place, and J. Fimple and Sheriff Ashbrook of Carrollton - telephone committee.  The line to Carrollton will shortly be completed, and a line from there to Canton by way of Minerva and Malvern is contemplated.  The Bell Telephone Company is said to have taken possession of the Carroll County telephone lines April 7, 1899.  A telephone line was built from Augusta to Specht early in 1901 at about the same period they were prospecting for oil and gas around Specht.

A telephone exchange was established at Augusta and located in the stone house on the square, after they had become associated with the Bergholz Company, and was in operation several years by different citizens of Augusta.

A stock company, called the Augusta Oil and Gas Co. was formed Dec. 30, 1898, with a capital stock of $50,000 for the purpose of operating our oil field, with the following officers:  S. Pottorf of New Lisbon, Pres.; E. T. Crawford, Vice Pres.; O. A. Curry, Sec.; A. L. Iden, Treas.  Land is being leased by them, and oil is expected to be flowing through pipes within 40 days to the R. R.  Several wells have been drilled in the history of the township.  A small amount of oil and gas are said to have been found in a few, but the majority of them have been a disappointment to all concerned.

 

Jan. 23, 1880 - Sutton Cunningham and Owen Curry have established a flour house in Cleveland, Ohio.  Their sales will average 200 barrels a week.

June 13, 1884 (Presidential election year) - Republicans thought they would shoot Sat. Eve. on account of Blaine being nominated, and they bursted the cannon, one piece going over town.  Some claimed they heard a piece going 3/4 of a mile from where it bursted - nobody hurt.

Oct. 24, 1884 - The McGuire Foundry at Carrollton has just turned out a cannon for the Augusta Republicans, which weighs 400 lbs.

Nov. 14, 1884 - The Augusta cannon was stolen, but it was discovered; the Republicans did it themselves and buried it.  (Cleveland was elected president.)

March 27, 1885 - The Augusta Flouring Mill is doing a booming business, and good work, too.

June 5, 1885 - An excursion train on the Cleveland, Youngstown, and Pittsburgh railroad killed 20 sheep and lambs for Chester Hyatt the other day.  the railroad is not fenced, and farmers are much incensed at the company.

Oct. 23, 1885 - The C.Y. & P.R.R. had to make the second trip to carry the people to the Minerva Fair on Friday.

July 10, 1885 - Crawford and Co. have bought about 100,000 lbs. of wool.  Thirty cents is taking it all.

Nov. 19, 1886 - Over 7500 lbs. of poultry were taken in at R. Cunningham's store in Augusta on Tuesday of this week.

May 28, 1886 - William Manfull had a valuable four year old mare killed last Wednesday morning by the C.Y. & P.R.R.

Oct. 31, 1884 - Wanted - one hundred bushels of chestnuts immediately, highest market price paid.  J. C. Ferrall, Carrollton.  Dealers offer $1.90 a bu.

Sept. 1, 1883-84 - William Cameron was paid $58.00 for assessing Augusta Twp.  The assessors which were elected in April by the voters in each township, to canvass the township and make assessments on all taxable property, also must procure correct records of the births and deaths in the township for the past year, as provided by the Act of April 30, 1866.

July 5, 1878 - Last Friday, William McGranahan, Jr., who lives two miles north of Augusta on Muddyfork, killed a water snake which had a head on each end.  He first mashed one head and started to leave it, when he noticed it crawling away and discovered the other head, and mashed it.  Quite a number of persons saw it.

April 13, 1887 - Alexander Cunningham will commence making cheese at his new cheese factory east of town May 13.

May 18, 1887 - Clem. Cunningham and Bill Cameron were in the southern part of the county, buying cows for the cheese factory, which is running full blast at the present.

Feb. 17, 1888 - Augusta will hereafter be supplied with mail from the Lake Erie, Alliance and Southern Railroad instead of Kensington.

Feb. 24, 1888 - Angus Cameron received the contract to carry the mail from her to the L.E.A. & S.R.R. twice daily.

Feb. 17, 1888 - Our Grist Mill is running almost day and night to keep up with the trade.

 

A Homecoming called the Augusta and East Township Homecoming was started about the year 1911, and held annually for many  years on Labor Day, mostly at the grove on the Augusta school grounds, except for a few years out during the war period.

When this was started before autos were common, and old friends at a distance did not get together often, this was looked forward to and attended by many.  This was not only a Homecoming, but also a reunion for many old friends.

 

10:00 A.M. - FIRST BALL GAME STARTS - (Augusta-Wellsville)
12:00 P.M. - SPORTS & ATHLETIC CONTESTS - Prizes to Winners
1:30 P.M. - PARADE
2:00 P.M. - INVOCATION, DEDICATORY ADDRESS, HONORARY POEM (at Honor Roll)
2:30 P.M. - NUMBERS BY FAIRMOUNT CHILDREN'S HOME BAND
2:45 P.M. - PUBLIC ADDRESS - REV. HARRIS
3:15 P.M. - VOCAL & PIANO SOLO - JANE HARRIS & JANET HALL
3:30 P.M. - HOME TALENT NUMBERS
4:00 P.M. - PRIZES GIVEN TO:  Oldest Person,  Picture - Tallest Stalk of Corn, 50 lb. Calf Feed - Youngest Person, Doll Cradle - Largest Potato, 25 lb. Calf Feed - Largest Family, 5 lb. Butter - Newest Married Couple, 4 Linen Towels - Traveled Longest Distance, 25 lb. Flour - Oldest Married Couple, 2 Dinners.
4:30 P.M. - SECOND BALL GAME STARTS (Augusta-Wellsville)
ALSO
4:30 P.M. - REMARKS FROM OLD TIMERS
5:15 P.M. - NUMBERS BY FAIRMOUNT CHILDREN'S HOME BAND
6:00 P.M. - SUPPER TIME
7:00 P.M. - "PRAIRIE RAMBLERS" HILLBILLY ORCHESTRA
7:30 P.M. - AMATEUR CONTEST - Prizes to Winners
8:30 P.M. - ENTERTAINMENT BY "PRAIRIE RAMBLERS"
9:30 P.M. - DRAWING & GRAND DRAWING PRIZES GIVEN AWAY

 

Augusta Township has been represented in all of the major conflicts of our country, from the American Revolution to the present time.

During the great Civil War, many Augusta boys answered their country's call and were mustered into the service.  There were two companies recruited from the village and township.  Company F. of the 126th O.V.I. and Company F. of the 32nd Ohio, this latter one later becoming the 26th Ohio Battery.  Thomas Hendricks was the first of these soldier boys to be killed, falling at Cheat Mountain, from a shot through the forehead, the remains resting in the little cemetery of his boyhood home.  His mother gave a white vest he had, to B. T. Norris, a comrade boy, Mr. Norris retaining the garment as a treasured keepsake.

Another reminiscence of Civil War days at Augusta and a stirring one, was that of the memorable Morgan's Raid in July, 1863.  Morgan had passed up from what is now Bergholz to Norristown and Salineville.  At Salineville, being driven back again toward Norristown, owing to close pursuit by Union soldiers and the home guard, several of Morgan's men were taken prisoner near Norristown.  The captives, or at least a number of them, were taken to Augusta and held in an empty room of a building used by B. T. Norris, prior to the war as a meat market.  There were 15 of these men and all wrote their names and other bits of army lore upon the walls, Mr. Norris never erasing them.  These names remained there as a memento of a historic event until the building changed hands.  The men were taken from Augusta to Columbus as prisoners of war.

A story in connection with the capture and holding of the prisoners at Augusta is told.  Joshua Rawlins, a man of the village, had previously been captured and held a prisoner for a time by Morgan's men in Kentucky.  At the capture of the men and incarceration at Augusta, Rawlins in a spirit of revenge, was outspoken for their summary execution and desired to obtain firearms himself to the purpose.  He was however, convinced that such treatment would not be justifiable or considered.  Morgan and his men took several horses while on the raid through the community, and the citizens turned out to aid in his capture, guns, corn cutters, clubs, or any available bludgeon carried as an implement of warfare.

Another story is told of one of the boys who joined the posse when they went to try to capture Morgan and his raiders.  When he got back home, he found his gun was not loaded.

When Morgan and his men passed through the vicinity of Norristown, a prominent citizen of that locality by the name of Shaw, had one of his best horses stolen by one of Morgan's scouts.  Prior to this he had been a southern sympathizer.  After that he had very little to say on this.

James Crawford, a resident of Upper Muddyfork Valley at the beginning of the Civil War, and later in Stillfork Valley, purchased horses for the United States Army, during the Civil War.

Augusta Township is said to have had at least one station in the famous Underground Railway, which helped so many slaves in making their escape.  This escape route is said to have been founded or organized by Levi Coffin, a wealthy Quaker of North Carolina, who conducted his campaign in and around Cincinnati.  It is stated around 50,000 slaves were assisted by the Underground Railway in making their escape, prior to the Civil War.  The station being in Stillfork Valley and known by code number, as the owners were rarely mentioned by their correct names.

 

Dr. Alexander McLean was born in Scotland October 14, 1816.  He had scarcely any schooling, as it amounted in all to only a few days, but by close application to his books around the old Scottish fireside, he received a very fair education.  While a young man, he had the misfortune to have an ox step on one of his feet, which injured it so badly that amputation became necessary.  A few years later he had to have the same limb amputated near the knee to save his life.

While suffering from his injured limb, he was in a hospital in England, and after he was able to go about, remained quite a while as nurse, and while there, he began the study of medicine.  Mr. McLean came to America in 1843, and came to Augusta, Ohio in the same year.  After remaining a short time, he went to Salem, but soon came back, married Miss Elizabeth Crawford, and made Augusta their permanent home.

Mr. McLean, being appointed postmaster of Augusta in 1851, purchased lot No. 10 of the original survey and erected a large frame building which contained a large store room, also a dwelling house.  Mr. McLean had the post office located in this building until shortly before his death in 1897.  He also had a hardware and the first drug store in Augusta, and was also a carpet weaver, having the carpet loom in the basement.

Many stories reminiscent are told of the character, honesty and integrity of the pioneer fathers.  One in particular is recalled of Alex. McLean, long in business, and a man whose candor and sincerity of purpose was ever highly regarded.  Mr. McLean gradually forged his way from a small beginning to greater activities and was most successful in his work, eventually having a large store, his line of trade being drugs and hardware.  Should a patron come to his store and want a hundred pounds of nails, and it was all he had, he would not sell him all, but allow him to have but fifty, saying he must retain a supply for other of his customers, who might also want nails before a new supply could be obtained.  If he had but a gallon of oil and a customer wanted a gallon or a half gallon, it was the same way, and he perhaps would sell him a quart, having every thought and consideration for other of his customers who might come in.  Not the benefit he might prove himself to be to one, but of all, was a cardinal principle of Alex. McLean.

 

The first will probated in Carroll County was that of Alexander Leslie, which was signed on March 6, 1831.  It was filed in the office of Daniel McCook, the county's first clerk of courts, who recorded the instrument, since the probate court was not in existence until the state constitution became effective in 1852.  After penning a lengthy religious treatise in the preamble, Mr. Leslie bequeathed all his property to his wife.

Under the same date, William Skelton made his mark to a will, also recorded by Clerk McCook.  He left to each of his two sons, 80 acres of land, and to each of his two daughters, he bequeathed one dollar.  To a third daughter he gave "one heifer calf valued at one dollar."

Maurice Albaugh, in a will drawn up on March 17, 1833, bequeathed to Catharine McKisson, "my bed and bedding, one spinning wheel, and one cow, when she becomes of age," (meaning Catharine, of course.)

In 1857, the will of Van Brown, lawyer and editor, was probated.  One item read: "I desire my executor to furnish my family whilst they remain in Carrollton, a weekly newspaper published in Carrollton, provided such a newspaper be a genuine Whig paper and not contaminated with the blighting curse of Locofoco Democracy or its adjunct Free Soil Abolitionism."

As curious a will as was ever recorded in Carroll County, was that of Alexander McLean, who was appointed postmaster at Augusta during the administration of Franklin Pierce, and who served in that capacity until his death in 1898.  Mr. McLean was a Quaker and stipulated in his will that he was to be buried in the "Friends" burial ground.

The will, covering four pages of foolscap paper in the minute handwriting of the testator, was dated "12th month, seventh day, 1880."  The opening paragraphs were written as a warning of the "extravagance and pride" now manifested, which he said was the "curse of the age."  He desired to be buried in a coffin "made of old store boxes, or, if such could not be procured, rough pine boards would do."  The dimensions of the coffin were to be "two feet wide, two feet deep, and six feet long, inside measurement."  It was to be lined with straw or shavings and "an old bed quilt or piece of rag carpet."  He was to be buried in his oldest suit of clothes and the "friend who digs my grave is to have my best suit for his trouble."

The grave, according to the will, was to be eight feet deep and marked with a common field stone "such as grows in any woods."  The initials "A. M." were to be cut thereon together with the year of his death.  A small pine tree, "such as is grown on Euclid Avenue in the city of Cleveland," was to be planted at the head and foot of his grave, and "four scotch pines at the side."

A hearse was taboo with Mr. McLean, being branded as "useless pride."  James Chambers was to haul his coffin in a "common farm wagon."  Mr. Chambers, however, died before his friend.

 

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