As we look back over the events of the village we find many interesting facts.
John G. Croxton ran the first store. The largest was owned by E. J. Barkdoll and company. They sold and bought everything
salable and buyable. Some of the other early places of business were: John Smith and Richard Elson; W. H. Knotts, Agent,
Agricultural Implements; W. H. Greer, General Merchandise; Messrs. Adam and Chapman, General Merchandise; Jacob
Wadsworth, harness maker; Mathias Koehler, saloon; Daniel Klopman, hotel; John Gregory, hotel.
The following list of prices were taken from a ledger of Smith and Elson Company’s General Store, Sept. 20, 1833:
wearisome journey on horseback, for there were no roads and often there were hostile Indians.
One of the thriving places in the early days, as it is today, was the saloon. It was often the scene of much ribaldry and
rowdyism, especially during the building of the canal through here. A story was told which brought out vividly the type of
character of the man and women who settled and built Magnolia.
John Shoice, an orphan lad who worked for Richard Elson, was coming past the saloon, which stood near the present
McCreery home. He stopped to look in. One of the workmen on the canal slapped John. He came down the street, tears
running down his cheeks, and the finger prints of the workmen still on his face.
Young John was met by John Knotts, a brother of Capt. Bill Knotts, who immediately asked the lad what was the trouble.
Upon hearing the story, John Knotts dropped on the street the feed he was carrying, dashed up to the saloon, and upon being
shown the man, floored him with one sock.
As he picked him up again, R. Elson said, “John, you’ll kill that man.”
“No, I won’t. I just wanted another sock at him.”
The pages of pioneer history are colored with incidents of that sort, for it took a fighting blood to build a civilization.
One of the first hotels was located on the site of the John Elson home. On that same corner, Maine and Canal Street, was the
first sign post which gave the directions to New Philadelphia, Canton, Waynesburg, and Steubenville.
It is not known exactly just where the first house stood. It is thought to have been where John Able’s home now stands, at
the corner of Maine and Carrollton Streets. Isaac Miller, one of the Indian Scouts, is thought to have been one of the first, if
not the very first, to own his house. A tavern was owned by Mr. Halderman and operated in this house. The last family to live
there were the Webbs, who are still living in Magnolia. Beldon Webb, who was born in this house, is the oldest living man in
Magnolia who has lived here all his life. The Webbs sold the house to John Eagen who tore it down and built a beautiful brick
house on the same location.
Other old houses in town are the Seeling home, the Johnson home, the Prati home, and the MacMillan home, which formerly
stood on the site of Dr. Bunker’s present home.
The first bridge north of town on the Canton-Magnolia road was a covered bridge which was built about 1860 or 1861. The
present iron bridge was built later. The first regular barber shop was built for that purpose alone was for I. E. Joseph, where
Bill Chaddock is now located. It contained a public bath room for which each customer paid 25 cents to use.
The first newspaper, “The Sandy Valley Press,” was established in 1899 by W. L. Hime. In 1919 Mr. Himes sold out to Paul
Williams who moved it to Waynesburg.
INDUSTRIES
Having been instrumental in founding a new town, Mr. Elson and Mr. Smith spared no pains to make it progressive place.
In 1834 the first Magnolia Mills were erected which was 40 ft. square. The original stands today although there have been
several additions made to it.
The site of the mill at that time was so heavily covered with underbrush that Mr. Elson had to crawl on his hands and knees to
survey it. The grist mill was soon put in operation which did much to develop the town.
The mill used an undershot water wheel and secured water power by damming up the Sandy Creek and forcing part of its
water into a stream which led to the mill when the Sandy and Beaver Canal was built. Richard Elson secured the water right
of running his mill by the water of the canal. This source of water power is practically the same as used by the mill today.
In 1851 A. R. Elson began to work in the mill with his father as a partner for one year. Since the mill was in bad condition, A.
R. Elson took it in his own hands, gradually improved it, and turned out a superior grade floor.
In 1867 new machinery and new equipment were installed. Again in 1881, a complete roller-process outfit was put in. The
flour turned out was of unexcelled quality. This was shown by the fact that in 1876 baked goods made from this flour by a
wholesale baker in Trenton, New Jersey, secured Gold Medals at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, and later in the
Paris Exposition in 1900.
In 1890 Richard R. and John R., two of his sons, were admitted to a partnership interest. This continued until 1900 when a
stock company was incorporate under the laws of the state as the A. R. Elson Company. The organization exists today and is
operated by the sons of A. R. Elson.
Magnolia once had an iron foundry which was built by Patrick McCall in 1834 or 1835 near the present residence of Harry
Elson. Mr. McCall conducted his business for four or five years and then moved to Waynesburg.
Richard Elson, one of the most influential mend of the town, was a sheep grower. He built the first woolen mill in Magnolia
about 1838 or 1839 on the site of present saw mill.
The following advertisement appeared in the Carroll Free Press, Carrollton, Ohio, Friday, May 21, 1839:
“Wool Carding and Cloth Dressing”
“Richard Elson and Charles C. Camp would respectfully inform the public that they have commenced the above business at
the town of Magnolia, Stark County, Ohio, where they are prepared to card wool and to dye, full and dress cloth in the very
best manner and upon the shortest notice. Their machines are new and in good order; and, from the long experience of one of
the firm in this line of business, they do not hesitate to say that all their work shall be executed in a manner and upon terms
which will prove satisfactory to their customers. They would therefore respectfully solicit the patronage of their friends and
all the public. Elson and Camp”
In 1861 during the Civil War the Woolen Mills were operated by G. W. Chaddock from Waynesburg. The story is told that
the residents of Waynesburg made much sport of Mr. Chaddock and his family for coming to such a crude and undeveloped
town as Magnolia. Pigs, cows, and chickens ran at large over the streets. The citizens of the village objected to penning them
up because the poor couldn’t afford to buy pasture.
In 1871 the Woolen Mills were moved to Carrollton Street being operated by steam. The mills were kept in operation by
members of the Chaddock family until 1903. The principal things they manufactured were blankets, shirts, yarns and
cashmeres. Most of the wool was bought directly, but part was brought in by the farmers and worked up on the share. This
at one time was one of Magnolia’s most flourishing industries.
In 1898 the Brewster Co. leased the Geo Sherer farm for the purpose of mining coal. In 1899 and 1900, at the request of the
Brewster Company, a branch of the B. & O. Railroad was laid from Sandyville to the location of the Sherer farm selected for
the tipple. In the spring of the year 1899, they began to mine coal. Several hundred men were employed and from six to ten
flats of coal were mined daily. Work was discontinued in the spring of 1909. Although this mine was not in operation long it
helped the town to flourish.
Since the land around here is rich in coal and clay, both have been extensively mined.
The National Fire Proofing Company built its plant on the land purchased from Wm. Beatty. Among the first to start to work
out this were Hugh Knotts, Cooper Downes and W. W. Farber.
The Whitacre-Greer Company, which was first operated by Greer and Beatty, was started on the farm owned by John
Downes. Tile, brick, and building block are manufactured.
Both of these plants along with the coal mines have furnished much labor for the citizens of Magnolia. At present they are idle
because of no demand for their particular products.
Although agriculture is not as important in this valley as formerly there is still a great amount of it done, and important means
of livelihood.
John G. Croxton ran the first store. The largest was owned by E. J. Barkdoll and company. They sold and bought everything
salable and buyable. Some of the other early places of business were: John Smith and Richard Elson; W. H. Knotts, Agent,
Agricultural Implements; W. H. Greer, General Merchandise; Messrs. Adam and Chapman, General Merchandise; Jacob
Wadsworth, harness maker; Mathias Koehler, saloon; Daniel Klopman, hotel; John Gregory, hotel.
The following list of prices were taken from a ledger of Smith and Elson Company’s General Store, Sept. 20, 1833:
- 2 days boarding…………….$.30 1 lb butter………………………… $.08 1/2
1lb tea………………………$1.00 30 gal. whiskey @ $.25………..… $7.50
1.2 lb. spice………………...$.12 ½ 16 lb sugar @ $.12 ½……………...$3.00
2 axes @ $2.25……………. $4.50 2 doz. Eggs @ .061/4…………….$.12 ½
wearisome journey on horseback, for there were no roads and often there were hostile Indians.
One of the thriving places in the early days, as it is today, was the saloon. It was often the scene of much ribaldry and
rowdyism, especially during the building of the canal through here. A story was told which brought out vividly the type of
character of the man and women who settled and built Magnolia.
John Shoice, an orphan lad who worked for Richard Elson, was coming past the saloon, which stood near the present
McCreery home. He stopped to look in. One of the workmen on the canal slapped John. He came down the street, tears
running down his cheeks, and the finger prints of the workmen still on his face.
Young John was met by John Knotts, a brother of Capt. Bill Knotts, who immediately asked the lad what was the trouble.
Upon hearing the story, John Knotts dropped on the street the feed he was carrying, dashed up to the saloon, and upon being
shown the man, floored him with one sock.
As he picked him up again, R. Elson said, “John, you’ll kill that man.”
“No, I won’t. I just wanted another sock at him.”
The pages of pioneer history are colored with incidents of that sort, for it took a fighting blood to build a civilization.
One of the first hotels was located on the site of the John Elson home. On that same corner, Maine and Canal Street, was the
first sign post which gave the directions to New Philadelphia, Canton, Waynesburg, and Steubenville.
It is not known exactly just where the first house stood. It is thought to have been where John Able’s home now stands, at
the corner of Maine and Carrollton Streets. Isaac Miller, one of the Indian Scouts, is thought to have been one of the first, if
not the very first, to own his house. A tavern was owned by Mr. Halderman and operated in this house. The last family to live
there were the Webbs, who are still living in Magnolia. Beldon Webb, who was born in this house, is the oldest living man in
Magnolia who has lived here all his life. The Webbs sold the house to John Eagen who tore it down and built a beautiful brick
house on the same location.
Other old houses in town are the Seeling home, the Johnson home, the Prati home, and the MacMillan home, which formerly
stood on the site of Dr. Bunker’s present home.
The first bridge north of town on the Canton-Magnolia road was a covered bridge which was built about 1860 or 1861. The
present iron bridge was built later. The first regular barber shop was built for that purpose alone was for I. E. Joseph, where
Bill Chaddock is now located. It contained a public bath room for which each customer paid 25 cents to use.
The first newspaper, “The Sandy Valley Press,” was established in 1899 by W. L. Hime. In 1919 Mr. Himes sold out to Paul
Williams who moved it to Waynesburg.
INDUSTRIES
Having been instrumental in founding a new town, Mr. Elson and Mr. Smith spared no pains to make it progressive place.
In 1834 the first Magnolia Mills were erected which was 40 ft. square. The original stands today although there have been
several additions made to it.
The site of the mill at that time was so heavily covered with underbrush that Mr. Elson had to crawl on his hands and knees to
survey it. The grist mill was soon put in operation which did much to develop the town.
The mill used an undershot water wheel and secured water power by damming up the Sandy Creek and forcing part of its
water into a stream which led to the mill when the Sandy and Beaver Canal was built. Richard Elson secured the water right
of running his mill by the water of the canal. This source of water power is practically the same as used by the mill today.
In 1851 A. R. Elson began to work in the mill with his father as a partner for one year. Since the mill was in bad condition, A.
R. Elson took it in his own hands, gradually improved it, and turned out a superior grade floor.
In 1867 new machinery and new equipment were installed. Again in 1881, a complete roller-process outfit was put in. The
flour turned out was of unexcelled quality. This was shown by the fact that in 1876 baked goods made from this flour by a
wholesale baker in Trenton, New Jersey, secured Gold Medals at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, and later in the
Paris Exposition in 1900.
In 1890 Richard R. and John R., two of his sons, were admitted to a partnership interest. This continued until 1900 when a
stock company was incorporate under the laws of the state as the A. R. Elson Company. The organization exists today and is
operated by the sons of A. R. Elson.
Magnolia once had an iron foundry which was built by Patrick McCall in 1834 or 1835 near the present residence of Harry
Elson. Mr. McCall conducted his business for four or five years and then moved to Waynesburg.
Richard Elson, one of the most influential mend of the town, was a sheep grower. He built the first woolen mill in Magnolia
about 1838 or 1839 on the site of present saw mill.
The following advertisement appeared in the Carroll Free Press, Carrollton, Ohio, Friday, May 21, 1839:
“Wool Carding and Cloth Dressing”
“Richard Elson and Charles C. Camp would respectfully inform the public that they have commenced the above business at
the town of Magnolia, Stark County, Ohio, where they are prepared to card wool and to dye, full and dress cloth in the very
best manner and upon the shortest notice. Their machines are new and in good order; and, from the long experience of one of
the firm in this line of business, they do not hesitate to say that all their work shall be executed in a manner and upon terms
which will prove satisfactory to their customers. They would therefore respectfully solicit the patronage of their friends and
all the public. Elson and Camp”
In 1861 during the Civil War the Woolen Mills were operated by G. W. Chaddock from Waynesburg. The story is told that
the residents of Waynesburg made much sport of Mr. Chaddock and his family for coming to such a crude and undeveloped
town as Magnolia. Pigs, cows, and chickens ran at large over the streets. The citizens of the village objected to penning them
up because the poor couldn’t afford to buy pasture.
In 1871 the Woolen Mills were moved to Carrollton Street being operated by steam. The mills were kept in operation by
members of the Chaddock family until 1903. The principal things they manufactured were blankets, shirts, yarns and
cashmeres. Most of the wool was bought directly, but part was brought in by the farmers and worked up on the share. This
at one time was one of Magnolia’s most flourishing industries.
In 1898 the Brewster Co. leased the Geo Sherer farm for the purpose of mining coal. In 1899 and 1900, at the request of the
Brewster Company, a branch of the B. & O. Railroad was laid from Sandyville to the location of the Sherer farm selected for
the tipple. In the spring of the year 1899, they began to mine coal. Several hundred men were employed and from six to ten
flats of coal were mined daily. Work was discontinued in the spring of 1909. Although this mine was not in operation long it
helped the town to flourish.
Since the land around here is rich in coal and clay, both have been extensively mined.
The National Fire Proofing Company built its plant on the land purchased from Wm. Beatty. Among the first to start to work
out this were Hugh Knotts, Cooper Downes and W. W. Farber.
The Whitacre-Greer Company, which was first operated by Greer and Beatty, was started on the farm owned by John
Downes. Tile, brick, and building block are manufactured.
Both of these plants along with the coal mines have furnished much labor for the citizens of Magnolia. At present they are idle
because of no demand for their particular products.
Although agriculture is not as important in this valley as formerly there is still a great amount of it done, and important means
of livelihood.
| FACTS AND INDUSTRIES |
