Here is another of E.H. Hauensteins great articles published in the Daily Record. This time it is about West Lebanon, which lies between Dalton and Mount Eaton. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Family Links to Early Days in Paint Township Town By E. H. Hauenstein Published in the Wooster Daily Record October 1, 1951 WEST LEBANON — The quaintness of this old-fashioned town which dates back to pioneer days is accentuated by two ultramodern enterprises, Fountain Valley and its concrete swimming pool on one side, and the Hofacre mink farm on the other. Fountain Valleys picnic grounds and its modern facilities are popular among young and old alike during the summer season, while pelts from the mink farm are shipped to the New York market and made into the mink coats which are favorites of the ultra-rich. The town, in the extreme northeast corner of Paint township, is the farthest east village in Wayne county, less than a mile from the Stark county line. It is on an isolated hill, 1,120 feet above sea level, in a glaciated and well-dissected area. It is one of the hilliest regions of the county, but the hilltops are well rounded, the slopes not too steep, and the land has always been productive. The area offers some of the best scenic views in all of Wayne county. Up until forty years ago chief product of the vicinity was coal, and the Camp railroad was built from Craymore, north of Apple Creek, through Kidron to West Lebanon to move this coal to market. WHILE THE railroad was in operation, it brought in supplies of food and general merchandise for the community, and from its warehouse was shipped hay and grain and livestock and other products of the farming community. Once or twice a year there would be an excursion in which residents of the community would join in trips to then famous Ohio resorts, such as Silver Lake, near Akron, or Cedar Point on Lake Erie. Except for these excursion trains, the railroad never operated a passenger service. The railroad lasted longer than the coal mines, but thereafter operated at a loss, and some 25 years ago was discontinued altogether. It is near the site of the old warehouse, managed for a time by Charles Schaffter and later by Earl Tschantz, that the present Fountain Valley summer resort is now operated. It was established by E. E. Budd, a descendant of a pioneer family, and its present operator is his son, Raldie Budd. CHIEF COAL mine operator in the neighborhood was Edward Penman, and probably the most productive mine was that on the Cramer farm. The coal companies leased the land, paying royalties of ten cents a ton, and the product at an average $1 a ton at the mine. The mines, in their hey-day, employed a considerable number of men and the who came in from other areas to dig coal were among the chief patrons of the towns three saloons. The pioneer farmers of the community and those who established tie village were persons of high integrity and deep religious conviction, and were responsible for four churches which operated in the town simultaneously with the three saloons. In fact, a considerable number of farmers also worked in the mines, but were not of the rough and tumble class that characterized some of the come-and-go coal diggers. SERVICES to the community by representatives of two families have been outstanding. One of these was the Hauenstein family, in which the father, Henry Hauenstein, and his four sons, John, Alfred, William and Oliver, plied their trade as carpenters. Henry Hauenstein taught his trade to all four sons, and together they built many of the nice houses and barns in the community. They lived nearer to Dalton than West Lebanon and Oliver, the sole survivor, continues in residence east of Dalton. THE OTHER family is that of the Snivelys whose reputation as country doctors extended far and wide. Before the turn of the century Dr. John Snively set up practice in West Lebanon, and was joined later by his brother, Dr. George Snively, who was the youngest of a family of ten children all of whom were reared on a farm near Richfield in Stark county. From that time until the death of the younger Snively 15 years ago, the two brothers served the medical needs of the community, braving winter storms and muddy spring roads in horse-drawn vehicles to reach homes where illness struck, and caring for vast numbers of patients in their offices in town. After Dr. George Snivelys death, his nephew, Dr. Lloyd Snively continued his practice for three years before going to Massillon twelve years ago. The town has had no doctor since that time. The widow of Dr. George Snively continues to live, in the family home here. She has two sons. John, located in Detroit, where he is a salesman; and Alton, who is in business in Canton. Oldest lady in West Lebanon whose forebears were pioneers, is Mrs. Nancy Morgan, 80, whose husband, Frank Morgan, died in 1937. Mrs. Morgan is a grand-daughter of William Budd who came from Lancaster County, Pa., in 1826. He was the father of eight sons and two daughters. The sons were Odadiah, Andrew, William, Jr., John, Joshua, Joseph, Israel and Ira. The old Budd home was just off the West Lebanon-Mt. Eaton road. Mrs. Morgans father was Andrew Budd, who served in the 120th OVI during the Civil War. Her husband, a miner in his younger days, later opened a butcher shop and operated it for a long time. Mrs. Morgan continues to live in her home in town, but spends some time with her daughter, Mary, wife of William Lax, member of the Board of Trustees of Paint township, at the Lax farm home situated on a scenic knoll a short distance out on the Kidron road. There she helps care for the garden and continues her activity in other chores. Recently she enjoyed a trip to Washington, D. C., going with her son, Raymond Morgan, Orrville and Wooster attorney who formerly was Wayne County prosecuting attorney. There another daughter, Mildred, wife of John Schromen in Orrville. Mrs. Morgan was born in the brick house at the southwest corner of the square, one of the oldest houses in town, now the residence of the Lester Pitman family. Oldest resident of the community is Wesley Weirich, who observed his 90th birthday anniversary last May 22nd. Formerly he operated the village store, but his present home is half a mile out on Massillon road, Route 241, on land where his grandmother, Barbara Fortney, lived in pioneer days. Mr. Weirichs principal occupation in earlier years was farming. Later he became a stone mason. All of his 90 years save one, have been lived in the West Lebanon community. The exception was a year in Orrville. He became proprietor of the store in 1909 and operated it for 15 years. His grandmother died at the age of 37 when Wesley was a boy. He has three sons, Floyd, Curtis and Harvey Weirich. The latter is now West Lebanons oldest business man in point of years of service, having operated the Chevrolet garage since 1927. In partnership with him now is his nephew, Dale, who joined his uncle when he returned from service in World War II. Wesley Weirich recalls a physician who served the community long before the days of the Snivelys. He was Dr. A. M. McMillen, who was born in 1816. and who began his practice in West Lebanon in 1849 and continued until has death in 1874. Dr. McMillens nephew, D. H. McMillen, read medicine with his uncle and succeeded him in practice. MR. WEIRICH recalls the days when Rev. Martin Beck was pastor of the Winebrennerian church. According to Douglass History of Wayne County, that congregation was organized in 1857, and services for some time were held in the Lutheran church, and also in the village school house. Rev. Beck was pastor when the church built in 1865. He donated the land for the church, and also assumed the role of carpenter and builder.
Posted on: Thu, 30 Oct 2014 23:09:34 +0000
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