The village of Magnolia was laid out in the year of 1834 by Richard Elson and John W. Smith, the land being surveyed by
John Whitacre, Sr.
The original plot extended from the county line on the south to a line on the north over which Harrison Street now passes.
This section of land was purchased from Benjamin Tappin, Steubenville, Ohio for $1200. He had purchased the land from the
U. S. Government. The sheepskin issued by the government covering the sale of this land and the signature of James Monroe,
President of the U. S., is now in the hands of Richard Elson.
ORIGINAL PURCHASE AGREEMENT
All to who these presents, may come greets: Know ye that I Benjamin Tappin of Steubenville, in the count of Jefferson and
state of Ohio, and Betsy Tappin wife of Benjamin Tappin for and in consideration of twelve hundred dollars to us in and paid
by John W. Smith, and Richard Elson of Stark Co., in the state of Ohio aforesaid, the receipt whereof is hereby
acknowledged, have given, granted, bargained, and sold, and by these presents, do give grant bargain and sell upon them, the
said Smith and Elson, all that contained piece parcel or half section of land lying and being in Stark Co., aforesaid, being the
south-east quarter of section 30. And the south-west quarter of section 29. In township seventeen and range seven, in the
Steubenville district containing 323 acres of the same, more or less, to have and to hold, the aforementioned bargained and
sold premises to them, the said Smith and Elson, their heirs and assigns forever, and I the said Benjamin Tappin, do warrant to
and with, the said Smith and Elson, their heirs and assigns for myself executors and administrator’s, that and until the
enseating authority, to sell and convey the above bargained and sold premises, in manner and form as is above written, and I
will warrant & define the same to them the said Smith and Elson, against all lawfull demands whatsoever, to witness whereof
we have here unto set our hand and seal this 12th day of October A.D. 1834.
Signed and delivered in presence of, Abner Frazer, H. Sutherland. State of Ohio, Jefferson County.
Personally appeared within name Benjamin Tappin, and Betsy Tappin his wife, before me, Alexander Sutherland, a Justice of
Peace in aforesaid county, and acknowledged, that they assigned and sealed within instrument of writing as their act for the
purpose therin and contained, this eleventh day of October. A. Sutherland, Justice of Peace.
Richard Elson and John Smith both originally came from Brooke County, Virginia and were among the strongest and most
progressive men of this section.
Richard Elson, although denied any educational advantages, became a man of broad influence and success. His progressive
spirit and self-reliance is shown in the fact that at nineteen he constructed a flat boat and engaged in trading on the Ohio and
Mississippi Rivers. He loaded his craft with port, flour, whiskey, and other products, floated it down the river to New
Orleans, disposed of his products and walked back to Steubenville, a distance of 1500 miles.
He abanded his trading business in 1823 and joined his family who had settled in this county. In 1834 with John Smith, Mr.
Elson purchased the site of Magnolia.
There were some forty names selected from which to decide the title of this village. The name of Magnolia was finally
chosen, Mr. Elson having been impressed with the name from having seen the Magnolia tree in full bloom in the South.
The portion of the village lying in Carroll County was known as Downingville, later called Magnolia. This was supposed to
have been lain out by Isaac Miller in 1836 who named it Downingville in honor of his famous father-in-law.
The two towns became as one February 1, 1846, when Magnolia along with Zoar became incorporated.
AN ACT
To Incorporate the Towns of Downingville in Carroll County and Magnolia in Stark County.
Sec. I – Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, that so much of the Township of Rose, in Carroll
County, as is now or may hereafter be included in the Limits of the recorded plat of the Town of Downingville, and so much
of the Township of Sandy in the County of Stark, as is or hereafter may be included in the Limits of Magnolia, be and the
same is hereby created a Corporate Town, to be known and designated by the name of Magnolia. And shall in all respects be
governed by the provisions of an Act, Entitled “An Act for the Regulations of Incorporate Towns,” passed February
Sixteenth, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty-Nine. And all Acts in Force, or that may hereinafter be passed regulating
the same.
Sec. II – The jurisdiction of the Mayor and Marshall of said town in all Criminal Actions shall be coextensive with the
Township of Rose, in Carroll County, and of the Township of Sandy, in Stark County. And their Civil jurisdiction shall be co-
extensive with the limits of Sections Thirty and Thirty Six, Rose Township, Carroll County, and Sections Seventy-nine and
Thirty in Sandy Township, Stark County.
Sec. III – All appeals from the decisions of said Mayor, and all recognizances made by him shall be made to the Court of
Common Pleas of Carroll County, except in Criminal Cases, which shall be made to the Court of Common Pleas in the County
in which the offense was committed.
Sec. IV – Any five (5) qualified electors residing within the Corporate Limits of said Town, May Call the First Meeting under
said Act, by posting written or printed notices of the Time and Place of said meeting, in Three (3) of the most public in said
Town, at least six (6) days previous to said meeting.
Elias F. Drake, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Seabury Ford, President of the Senate.
Passed February 1, 1846.
This was the first Post Office of the name of Magnolia in the United States. However, there are 23 now.
Long before Magnolia became an incorporated town mail come into the village over the stage coach line from New
Philadelphia to Waynesburg. John Smith was the first postmaster, May 26, 1836. In a short time he left Magnolia, selling his
interests in the village to R. Elson, and turning over the Post Office to him, who was postmaster until some time in the 50’s.
The other post masters were: Frederick Winters, W. H. Greer, Sr. to 1885; J. W. Speaker during Cleveland’s first term; N. J.
Randall in Harrison’s administration; Jacob F. Endlich in Cleveland’s second administration; Douglas Gotshall from 1897-
1914; W. L. Knotts from 1914 to January, 1921; Sanford Gotshall; Hugh Gregory; Mrs. Hattie Davidson, and Ann Knotts,
1933.
The first mayor of this Midwest village was Lewis G. Kemp, father of Charles Kemp. He was probably mayor until he died.
As near as can be ascertained the following were mayors in the order of their naming: Wm. Raedel, 1960-1980; Wm. Greer,
Sr., 1870-1878; Geo. W. Speaker, 1878-1890; John Johnson, W.J.Randall, Jacob Wadswoth, E.B Baker, Jacob Endlich, John
Johnson, Chas. C. Weis, Douglas Gotshall, Francis Locker, Ferd Prusser, W. L. Him, C.C. Woods, C.S. Greer, W. L. Hime,
J. J. Williams, Chas. G. Kemp, Rob’t E. Beck, and Chester Corbett, 1932.
Since Magnolia was a prospering and progressive village, it became necessary to lay out an addition, the first in 1836 by
Richard Elson along what is now Harrison Street.
A second addition was laid out later by A. R. Elson along the west side of the road leading from Magnolia to Canton,
extending from Harrison St. to the bridge crossing the canal.
A third was laid out by John Meitzler and John Elson, son of A. R. Elson. This consisted of 31 lots along Plum Street,
extending from Harrison Street to Carrolton Street.
Richard Elson, who is still living, laid out two additions to the town. The first one was made up of a row of lots along the
north side of the road leading east from Magnolia to Carrollton. The second is known as Elson Ave., between Harrison St. and
Carrollton St.
Clarence Greer, now deceased, laid out the lots extending from Plain Street to his own on home on the Magnolia-Mineral City
Road.
During the days of the brief existence of the Sandy-Beaver Canal, Magnolia enjoyed great prosperity which for a time justified
hopes of future greatness. But the parting of the canal boats took away from her trade, and for years she was almost a
deserted village. Prosperity was contagious and within the last 20 years Magnolia saw a decided growth, but because of the
depression the growth has subsided somewhat. Today we find a beautiful little village of hospitable and kind-hearted people,
loyal to their community and country.
John Whitacre, Sr.
The original plot extended from the county line on the south to a line on the north over which Harrison Street now passes.
This section of land was purchased from Benjamin Tappin, Steubenville, Ohio for $1200. He had purchased the land from the
U. S. Government. The sheepskin issued by the government covering the sale of this land and the signature of James Monroe,
President of the U. S., is now in the hands of Richard Elson.
ORIGINAL PURCHASE AGREEMENT
All to who these presents, may come greets: Know ye that I Benjamin Tappin of Steubenville, in the count of Jefferson and
state of Ohio, and Betsy Tappin wife of Benjamin Tappin for and in consideration of twelve hundred dollars to us in and paid
by John W. Smith, and Richard Elson of Stark Co., in the state of Ohio aforesaid, the receipt whereof is hereby
acknowledged, have given, granted, bargained, and sold, and by these presents, do give grant bargain and sell upon them, the
said Smith and Elson, all that contained piece parcel or half section of land lying and being in Stark Co., aforesaid, being the
south-east quarter of section 30. And the south-west quarter of section 29. In township seventeen and range seven, in the
Steubenville district containing 323 acres of the same, more or less, to have and to hold, the aforementioned bargained and
sold premises to them, the said Smith and Elson, their heirs and assigns forever, and I the said Benjamin Tappin, do warrant to
and with, the said Smith and Elson, their heirs and assigns for myself executors and administrator’s, that and until the
enseating authority, to sell and convey the above bargained and sold premises, in manner and form as is above written, and I
will warrant & define the same to them the said Smith and Elson, against all lawfull demands whatsoever, to witness whereof
we have here unto set our hand and seal this 12th day of October A.D. 1834.
Signed and delivered in presence of, Abner Frazer, H. Sutherland. State of Ohio, Jefferson County.
Personally appeared within name Benjamin Tappin, and Betsy Tappin his wife, before me, Alexander Sutherland, a Justice of
Peace in aforesaid county, and acknowledged, that they assigned and sealed within instrument of writing as their act for the
purpose therin and contained, this eleventh day of October. A. Sutherland, Justice of Peace.
Richard Elson and John Smith both originally came from Brooke County, Virginia and were among the strongest and most
progressive men of this section.
Richard Elson, although denied any educational advantages, became a man of broad influence and success. His progressive
spirit and self-reliance is shown in the fact that at nineteen he constructed a flat boat and engaged in trading on the Ohio and
Mississippi Rivers. He loaded his craft with port, flour, whiskey, and other products, floated it down the river to New
Orleans, disposed of his products and walked back to Steubenville, a distance of 1500 miles.
He abanded his trading business in 1823 and joined his family who had settled in this county. In 1834 with John Smith, Mr.
Elson purchased the site of Magnolia.
There were some forty names selected from which to decide the title of this village. The name of Magnolia was finally
chosen, Mr. Elson having been impressed with the name from having seen the Magnolia tree in full bloom in the South.
The portion of the village lying in Carroll County was known as Downingville, later called Magnolia. This was supposed to
have been lain out by Isaac Miller in 1836 who named it Downingville in honor of his famous father-in-law.
The two towns became as one February 1, 1846, when Magnolia along with Zoar became incorporated.
AN ACT
To Incorporate the Towns of Downingville in Carroll County and Magnolia in Stark County.
Sec. I – Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, that so much of the Township of Rose, in Carroll
County, as is now or may hereafter be included in the Limits of the recorded plat of the Town of Downingville, and so much
of the Township of Sandy in the County of Stark, as is or hereafter may be included in the Limits of Magnolia, be and the
same is hereby created a Corporate Town, to be known and designated by the name of Magnolia. And shall in all respects be
governed by the provisions of an Act, Entitled “An Act for the Regulations of Incorporate Towns,” passed February
Sixteenth, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty-Nine. And all Acts in Force, or that may hereinafter be passed regulating
the same.
Sec. II – The jurisdiction of the Mayor and Marshall of said town in all Criminal Actions shall be coextensive with the
Township of Rose, in Carroll County, and of the Township of Sandy, in Stark County. And their Civil jurisdiction shall be co-
extensive with the limits of Sections Thirty and Thirty Six, Rose Township, Carroll County, and Sections Seventy-nine and
Thirty in Sandy Township, Stark County.
Sec. III – All appeals from the decisions of said Mayor, and all recognizances made by him shall be made to the Court of
Common Pleas of Carroll County, except in Criminal Cases, which shall be made to the Court of Common Pleas in the County
in which the offense was committed.
Sec. IV – Any five (5) qualified electors residing within the Corporate Limits of said Town, May Call the First Meeting under
said Act, by posting written or printed notices of the Time and Place of said meeting, in Three (3) of the most public in said
Town, at least six (6) days previous to said meeting.
Elias F. Drake, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Seabury Ford, President of the Senate.
Passed February 1, 1846.
This was the first Post Office of the name of Magnolia in the United States. However, there are 23 now.
Long before Magnolia became an incorporated town mail come into the village over the stage coach line from New
Philadelphia to Waynesburg. John Smith was the first postmaster, May 26, 1836. In a short time he left Magnolia, selling his
interests in the village to R. Elson, and turning over the Post Office to him, who was postmaster until some time in the 50’s.
The other post masters were: Frederick Winters, W. H. Greer, Sr. to 1885; J. W. Speaker during Cleveland’s first term; N. J.
Randall in Harrison’s administration; Jacob F. Endlich in Cleveland’s second administration; Douglas Gotshall from 1897-
1914; W. L. Knotts from 1914 to January, 1921; Sanford Gotshall; Hugh Gregory; Mrs. Hattie Davidson, and Ann Knotts,
1933.
The first mayor of this Midwest village was Lewis G. Kemp, father of Charles Kemp. He was probably mayor until he died.
As near as can be ascertained the following were mayors in the order of their naming: Wm. Raedel, 1960-1980; Wm. Greer,
Sr., 1870-1878; Geo. W. Speaker, 1878-1890; John Johnson, W.J.Randall, Jacob Wadswoth, E.B Baker, Jacob Endlich, John
Johnson, Chas. C. Weis, Douglas Gotshall, Francis Locker, Ferd Prusser, W. L. Him, C.C. Woods, C.S. Greer, W. L. Hime,
J. J. Williams, Chas. G. Kemp, Rob’t E. Beck, and Chester Corbett, 1932.
Since Magnolia was a prospering and progressive village, it became necessary to lay out an addition, the first in 1836 by
Richard Elson along what is now Harrison Street.
A second addition was laid out later by A. R. Elson along the west side of the road leading from Magnolia to Canton,
extending from Harrison St. to the bridge crossing the canal.
A third was laid out by John Meitzler and John Elson, son of A. R. Elson. This consisted of 31 lots along Plum Street,
extending from Harrison Street to Carrolton Street.
Richard Elson, who is still living, laid out two additions to the town. The first one was made up of a row of lots along the
north side of the road leading east from Magnolia to Carrollton. The second is known as Elson Ave., between Harrison St. and
Carrollton St.
Clarence Greer, now deceased, laid out the lots extending from Plain Street to his own on home on the Magnolia-Mineral City
Road.
During the days of the brief existence of the Sandy-Beaver Canal, Magnolia enjoyed great prosperity which for a time justified
hopes of future greatness. But the parting of the canal boats took away from her trade, and for years she was almost a
deserted village. Prosperity was contagious and within the last 20 years Magnolia saw a decided growth, but because of the
depression the growth has subsided somewhat. Today we find a beautiful little village of hospitable and kind-hearted people,
loyal to their community and country.
| MAGNOLIA ORIGINAL PURCHASE AGREEMENT |
