John Slusser

As printed in 1881

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 History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.