HISTORY OF MAGNOLIA BY MISS EDNA KURZEN |
GEOGRAPHY OF MAGNOLIA
Many years before the present village of Magnolia was settled, this territory was covered with a glacial drift. When this ice
and snow melted away, it left a sandy soil from which Sandy Valley derived its name.
Magnolia is situated 41 North Latitude along this valley. It is about on-half mile south of “The Great Trail” or Big Trail, the
most important of Indian trails in the Central West. It began at Fort Pitt and ended at Sandusky, Ohio, but way of the mouth
of the Big Sandy Creek.
The early settlers found valuable forest of oak, ash, elm, walnut, chestnut, hickory, and other valuable woods occupying the
higher lands of the township, while the plains were covered with young oaks growing up among rank prairie grass. These
latter lands, where now our best farms are found, were not settled first but were thought to breed fevers and agues unlimited,
besides the hills abounded with pure spring water.
The land surrounding the village is very rich in coal and clay which are extensively mined. This particular section is a basin
district which was formerly a large creek; but after the forests were cleared, the water disappeared somewhat, which left a
rather small creek.
Hills of medium height are found near here. The water supply which provides Magnolia is drained from the largest hill near the
town, Farber’s Hill. Rock Hill, north of the town, is said to have been near an Indian Settlement.
THE COMING OF THE WHITE MEN
The early settlers found many Indians which were mostly friendly at the time of the first settlements. The more hostile
Tuscarawas and Wyandot had been driven westward during the 18th century.
The Delawares, generally peaceful, inhabited the valley. From the fact that the Moravian Missionaries were established in
Stark County may account for the peacefulness of the Delaware Indians. Although at different times, due to the influences of
the hostile chiefs, the Indians would plunder and pillage the white settlements.
In 1818 the Delawares ceded their lands to the United States and emigrated to Missouri. Since they were great out-numbered
by the whites, the greater portion of the Indians left immediately after the close of the War of 1912, though straggling bands
remained and could be seen as late as 1852, or even later.
Our early pioneers were men and women with a great strength of character, a vision to see ahead, courage, and a desire to
make new homes.
We find that the first white persons to pass through here over “The Great Trail” were captives of the Indians from Maryland
and Pennsylvania. This was as early as 1730 or 1740.
During the French and Indiana War George Washington saw a great amount of action in Ohio. It is said that four bullets cut
through his clothes after one Indian had shot 15 times, who declared he could not kill Mr. Washington.
In 7161 came the first pioneer missionary of the Moravian faith, Christian Frederick Post.
Three years later, 1764, Col. Henry Bouquet with his army passed through here on his expedition to the valley of the
Muskingum against the Delawares, Mohicans and Mingoes. This was during the year of Pontiac’s Conspiracy. Accompanying
Bouquet was Thomas Hutchins, the first geographer of the U.S. who went in the capacity of assistant engineer.
Again in 1778 Gen. McIntosh with his troops came over The Great Trail to Fort Laurens near Bolivar, which was the first
military fort built in the N.W. Territory.
During George Washington’s administration, Hutchins was sent again to Ohio to survey the public lands. Placing his Jacob
staff on the north bank of the Ohio on the Pennsylvania State line, he ran a line west over what is now Columbiana and Carroll
Counties, along the south line of Sandy Township, to a point 42 miles west of the starting point which is close to the Farber
Cemetery. A stone was placed there which is supposed to have been the first set by the U.S. Government in the Northwest
Territory. These surveyors proceeded to lay out the counties, running lines every six miles from the Geographer’s Line south
to the Ohio River. This first stone marks the junction of three counties, four townships, and four farms.
Many years before the present village of Magnolia was settled, this territory was covered with a glacial drift. When this ice
and snow melted away, it left a sandy soil from which Sandy Valley derived its name.
Magnolia is situated 41 North Latitude along this valley. It is about on-half mile south of “The Great Trail” or Big Trail, the
most important of Indian trails in the Central West. It began at Fort Pitt and ended at Sandusky, Ohio, but way of the mouth
of the Big Sandy Creek.
The early settlers found valuable forest of oak, ash, elm, walnut, chestnut, hickory, and other valuable woods occupying the
higher lands of the township, while the plains were covered with young oaks growing up among rank prairie grass. These
latter lands, where now our best farms are found, were not settled first but were thought to breed fevers and agues unlimited,
besides the hills abounded with pure spring water.
The land surrounding the village is very rich in coal and clay which are extensively mined. This particular section is a basin
district which was formerly a large creek; but after the forests were cleared, the water disappeared somewhat, which left a
rather small creek.
Hills of medium height are found near here. The water supply which provides Magnolia is drained from the largest hill near the
town, Farber’s Hill. Rock Hill, north of the town, is said to have been near an Indian Settlement.
THE COMING OF THE WHITE MEN
The early settlers found many Indians which were mostly friendly at the time of the first settlements. The more hostile
Tuscarawas and Wyandot had been driven westward during the 18th century.
The Delawares, generally peaceful, inhabited the valley. From the fact that the Moravian Missionaries were established in
Stark County may account for the peacefulness of the Delaware Indians. Although at different times, due to the influences of
the hostile chiefs, the Indians would plunder and pillage the white settlements.
In 1818 the Delawares ceded their lands to the United States and emigrated to Missouri. Since they were great out-numbered
by the whites, the greater portion of the Indians left immediately after the close of the War of 1912, though straggling bands
remained and could be seen as late as 1852, or even later.
Our early pioneers were men and women with a great strength of character, a vision to see ahead, courage, and a desire to
make new homes.
We find that the first white persons to pass through here over “The Great Trail” were captives of the Indians from Maryland
and Pennsylvania. This was as early as 1730 or 1740.
During the French and Indiana War George Washington saw a great amount of action in Ohio. It is said that four bullets cut
through his clothes after one Indian had shot 15 times, who declared he could not kill Mr. Washington.
In 7161 came the first pioneer missionary of the Moravian faith, Christian Frederick Post.
Three years later, 1764, Col. Henry Bouquet with his army passed through here on his expedition to the valley of the
Muskingum against the Delawares, Mohicans and Mingoes. This was during the year of Pontiac’s Conspiracy. Accompanying
Bouquet was Thomas Hutchins, the first geographer of the U.S. who went in the capacity of assistant engineer.
Again in 1778 Gen. McIntosh with his troops came over The Great Trail to Fort Laurens near Bolivar, which was the first
military fort built in the N.W. Territory.
During George Washington’s administration, Hutchins was sent again to Ohio to survey the public lands. Placing his Jacob
staff on the north bank of the Ohio on the Pennsylvania State line, he ran a line west over what is now Columbiana and Carroll
Counties, along the south line of Sandy Township, to a point 42 miles west of the starting point which is close to the Farber
Cemetery. A stone was placed there which is supposed to have been the first set by the U.S. Government in the Northwest
Territory. These surveyors proceeded to lay out the counties, running lines every six miles from the Geographer’s Line south
to the Ohio River. This first stone marks the junction of three counties, four townships, and four farms.
