The Slusser Families of Stark County, Ohio

JOHN SLUSSER. whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Cumberland County, Penn., Sept. 9, 1790. His father, Philip Schlosser, came to Stark County in 1805, with a family of ten children, five.sons and five daughters, all deceased save one, Mrs. Jacob Danner, now in her 79th year. All are buried in Stark County, excepting the eldest son Philip, who removed with his family to Illinois, over forty years ago. It is doubtful whether any other family have as many of the connection interred in the county. Thejwere among the first settlers; in fact, were here several years before the county was organized. It was then the Western frontier; Indians were numerous, and dwellings of the whites few and five between. The now flourishing city of Canton consisted of less than half a dozen log cabins, only two of which were occupied. Phillip Schlosser, the father, built the first grist-mill in the county. It was on the site now occupied by the East Canton Mill, where Ninth street crosses Nimishillen Creek. He erected a saw-mill the year before, and it was as manager of this that the subject of our memoir dates the commencement of his career with the outside world. But 16 years of age, with very- limited education and no experience, he was yet required to take all the responsibility involved in dealing with new settlers, all clamorous for accommodation. He often referred to it as an experience that proved of practical utility in after j'ears. In keeping the saw-mill in repair, and occasionally assisting the millwright while working on the grist-mill, he acquired considerable skill in the use of wood tools, and as emigrants arrived in the neighborhood, and wanted certain articles for domestic use, such as a dough-traj, table or cupboard, there being no cabinet-maker within reach, he was solicited to make them. In this way, without having served an apprenticeship at the trade, he became a cabinet-maker. During the last war with England, when there was a call for troops from this section, Mr. Slusser, then 22 years of age, enlisted. While near Sandusky he was taken with a fever, which seriously impaired his constitution. Soon after his muster-out, he married Nancy Dewalt, daughter of Phillip Dewalt, who came from Dauphin County, Penn., and settled in Canton in 1807. His father gave him a portion of Sec. 4 (now in the city limits) which he had previously purchased of Government, and upon this he erected a frame dwelling house, and a work-shop. Here he remained, following the trade of cabinet-maker for a number of years. The bureaus and clock-cases of his make that have been handed down through several generations, yet in good state of preservation, attest the workmanlike manner of their construction. In 1825, he exchanged his property for a two-story brick house, and lot, corner of Tuscarawas and Piedmont, belonging to and occupied by John Wobb. Soon after removing to town, he engaged in merchandising, and in company with several other merchants, rode on horseback to Philadelphia and New York, and with their assistance, purchased a stock of miscellaneous goods, such as were kept in stock by merchants at that day. Ho continued in this business until 1850, accumulating considerable means, most of which he invested in western lands. In 18S3. lie sank a tan-yard on the lot now occupied by the Connotton depot. Mr. Slusser was twice married. Ilis first wife died in 1842. They had seven children —Sarah, the eldest, is the wife of Madison Raynolds; Samuel I), and Lewis are living in Canton; Mary and Alfred died of scarlet fever in \KVi: John died in South Carolina in 1800, and Rebecca, the youngest, is the wife of David Zoltars. ilr. Slusser married a second wife, Mrs. Catharine Whitman, in 1843, but by her he had no issue; she died in 1879. Mr. Slusser died in 1859, respected by all who knew him, as an honest, upright man.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM FOSTER SLUSSER, f aimer; P. O. Pigeon Run. The Shisser family have been tpiite prominently associated with Stark Coimty as early settlers and stanch citizens of the same. William Foster, son of Peter and Susanna (Augustine) Shisser, was born in this township in 1822. His grandsire, Phillip Slusser, was among the earliest pioneers in the county; he came West to Canton from PennsylvEmia, and there settled when there was but little promise of its future as an inland town. Peter Slusser located one mile south of Brookfield, this township, in 1809, where he remained until his death (1865); his wife died five years previous. Mr. Slusser was esteemed by all who knew him, being worthy of the respect, with which he was held in the community of which he was so long a representative, both as citizen and a Christian gentleman, having been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years. Ten children were born him, three of whom are living; Williimi Foster, Georie and Elizabeth, of Hillsboio, Highland Co. this State. William Foster left home at 2ii. Sept 5, 1844; was united in wedlock to Harriet N. Boreland. who was born in 1827, daughter of John and C'clarinda (Hoadly) Boieland who were natives of the Eastern State.', and emigrated West to Ohio when the country was new, Mr. Boreland being among the pioneer school teachers. Mr Slusser. moved to his present place of living in October. 1844, his land being situated in the northwest part of the southwest (quarter of Sec. 17>. Of three children born him but one is living Cai'line Ann, now of Mahoning Co.. Ohio, being the wife of John E. Gray. Mr. Slusser and wife are members of the United Brethren, he being one of the official members of that body.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

D. M. SLUSSER, merchant; Louisville; is a native of Canton Tp., Stark Co., O., and was born in 1827. He is one in a family of twelve, born to Jacob and Elizabeth (.Minchick) Slusser, and their names respectively are — Jesse, Catharine,.John, Jacob, Elizabeth, George, Rebecca, Eli, Michael, Danii.l, Benjamin and David. All tlieke are living except John, Benjamin, Michael, Jesse and George. The parents were of Germanic ilesceiit, but were born in Pennsylvania. This family came to Canton Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, in 1804, settling ni a forest in which but few sett'i's then lived. The father had very poor health, and he remained almost all the time in the house working at his trade — shoemaking — while he hired his out-door work done until his hoys were old enough to do it. The family lived here in the woods, clearing and improving the place, luitil Mr. Slusser's death, which occurred in 1837, aged thirty-seven years. The fall before he was tvifenty years of age, D. M. Slusser went to Indiana, where he lived two years. Learning that he could obtain land partially cleared just as cheap n Ohio as Indiana, he returned to Stark Co., working on the old homestead one year. He then formed a partnership with his lirother-in-law in the provision business at Louisville, under the firm name of Slusser & Holdwick, with stock valued at about 1,000. This partnership continued for five years and was then dissolved; Mr. Slusser clerking in the retail store of Lawrence & Mathias. He remained with this firm two years, and then, in 1868, started the manufacturing of baskets in Louisville, a business he followed with success for some time, and from that business again started in the provision trade. He now owns one of the best grocery stores in town, and does a general dealing in produce. In 1879, he admitted as a partner his son, O. W., and the firm name now is D. M. Slusser & Son. The year before he came to Louisville, Mr. Slusser was united in marriage with Lydia Holdwick, daughter of one of Canton Tp.'s early pioneers. To this union were born nine children — O. W., A. O., Alice, Lucy, Harvey, Lincoln, Cora, Ada and Mary E. The last-named was first born but has since died. Mr. Slusser is one of Louisville's substantial and leading citizens. He is a Republican, and the Slussers adhere to the United Brethren Church in their religious views.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.