History
From
“History of Stark County”
by William Henry Perrin
Published 1881
(pages 564-565)
Greentown was laid out in February, 1816, by Henry Wise and Peter Dickerhoof, owners and proprietors. A total of sixty-four lots was laid out, thirty-two of which were on the land of each proprietor. The lots were laid off from the northeast and the southeast quarters of Section 30, Township 12, Range 8. In accordance with a peculiar freak of the owners, the village was unusually and peculiarly laid out. Each square was divided by two diagonal alleys, and at the four corners of the central square were four small open parks, or squares, the one at the northwest being called Jones’ Square, the one at the northeast, Burrow’s Square, the one at the southeast, Blakely’s Square, and the one at the southwest, Allen’s Square.
Mr. Wise owned the northern half of the village, and Mr. Dickerhoof the southern half. Both men, in after years, did a great deal to build up the village. It is said that the dauhters of Mr. Dickerhoof worked regularly in the fields. One day, Betsey, his daughter, while busy in the field, suddenly felt something touch her shoulder, and, turning quickly around, saw a tall Indian standing laughing at her side. It is also related that there was a man at the village, in early years, who had lost an arm and a leg, both from the same side of the body. One day Betsey asked him how he came to lose his 1imbs, but he avoided her repeated questioning for some time, and at last said: “I will tell you, if you promise not to ask another question,” This she agreed to do, whereupon the man said: ‘They ware bitten off.” As may be imagined that answer made the whole subject more mysterious than it was before; but her promise prevented Betsey from asking any further questions.
But to return to Greentown. It is said that James McNabb built the first house in the village. When this building was torn down, a few years ago, the air-dried body of a rat was found between the walls, in such a position as to show that it must have been inclosed there when the building was erected. It is thought that this building was erected immediately after the village was laid out. Other buildings were soon erected, and erelong, several families were found residing in what may be called Ancient Greentown.
It is probable that a man named Goodwill opened the first store in the village. The date is not given, although it was not far from 1820: he did not own over $200 worth of goods. Hiram Myers, who succeeded him, had a very good store, and made some money, devoting most of his time to this pursuit. Other merchants have been: Ephraim Ball, who failed, and “became $1000 worse off than nothing,” G. & M. Wise, W. J . Lininger, Henry Nunamaker, Wylie, Smith & Co., Henry Clemmer, Isaac Hunsberger, Thomas Gorgas, Pollock & Hayes, J. H. Wise & Co., Henry Shanafelt, Young & Stine, Feather & Glassor, Willis & Baugh, H. Shanafelt & Co., Peters & Shafer, France & Bair, S. S. Bumberger, who failed, O. P. Shanafelt, Shanafelt & Shafer and Isaac Hall. Some of these kept large fine stocks of goods on their shelves and received excellent patronage. Others had small stocks and small patronage. It has in all cases been true that a good store at the village has done well ; it is the case in all small villages, and in large ones, also, that poor stores, miserably conducted, apparently poison the public confidence and respect. They vitiate the public taste for good ones. This is true everywhere. Too many men undertake the mercantile pursuit, as a result of uncontented dispositions, who were never cut out for John B. Aston or A. T. Stewarts; knowing nothing of this interesting occupation, they blindly peg along for a few years, perhaps, after which the significant words, “failed” or “busted” could be appropriately inscribed on their banners.
This is true in every occupation in life. Men should search the persuit best adapted to them; when found, it should be followed to the exclusion of a11 others. The system of skilled labor has become both a science and an art. Experence teaches that it is better to seek excellence in few things than mediocrity in many. Various industries have flourished from time to time in Greentown. In about the year 1857 Houck, Morgan & Co. purchased the old Methodist Church. Intending to use it as a shop in which to begin the manufacture of engines, etc. One was really constructed, several others repaired, and then the undertaking Was abandoned, much to the disappointment of those men at the village who may be looked upon as capitalists, and who had expected to be financially benefitted by the presence of the industry.
From
“A Standard History of Stark County, Ohio”
by John H. Lehman
Published 1915
(page 80)
Greentown
From 1811 to 1816 Lake Township was a part of Green, and was still unborn in February of that year, when Greentown was laid out by Henry Wise and Peter Dickerhoof, its proprietors. The village also had its industries for about twenty years from 1840, and for more than a decade it was quite a center for the manufacture of agricultural implements. It was at Greentown that E. Ball commenced the manufacture of the Hussey reaper, and the small industry which was moved to Canton in 1851 was the basis of the immense plant which was founded and developed at Canton by Mr. Ball and Cornelius Aultman. Although considerable mining of coal has been done near the village, and may be accounted as one of its earlier industries, the transfer of the Ball-Aultman works to Canton knocked away the props from beneath Greentown.
edited April 22, 2008