CHAPTER XXVII.
BERLIN TOWNSHIP
pg. 307

     THIS township received its name from some of its earliest settlers having emigrated from Berlin, Connecticut.  It was created Mar. 9th, 1825.  Stephen Cole proposed the name.  Among the first voters were A. H. Royce, Ed. Richardson, the Markleys, George Wolford, James Traer, John Brown, Sr., Jno. C. Brown, John and Peter Keregher, Fred. Ogg, Jeremiah Brown, Richard and Asael Roberts, John Long, Jacob Leady, Joseph Lane, Daniel Hedrick, the Joslins, and John Moltzbaugh.
     PALMYRA, during the days of our vassalage to stage and wagon transportation, was its sole town, and for many yeas a noted place of refreshment for man and beast, voyaging by mud and snow from Mt. Vernon to Mansfield.  Since the construction of the railroad, it has dilapidated.
     The township in 1830 had 520 inhabitants, and 11,674 acres of land were entered on the tax list. at a value of $34,724.  In 1840, the population numbered 1,100; in 1850, 1156; and in 1860. 1,012.
     ANKENYTOWN, or "Squeal," as it was more commonly called for the sake of euphony, is noted from the fact that when the steam-horse first made his appearance there, his "squeal" so terribly alarmed the natives that they came out armed capapie with gun and blunderbuss to capture him, and some worthy German denizens attempted to stop his travel on the iron track by tearing up the rails; the history of which fully and at large appears in the records of Knox Common Pleas.
     SHALERVILLE, so called from Shaler's Mills, is quite a trading point, where Henry W. Greggor officiates as Postmaster and Merchant.
     Among the earliest settlers in this township were the Robertses, Richardsons, Wrights and Farquhars - all Friends, and from Maryland; the Browns, Pinkleys, Leedys, Hedricks, Coles, Wm. Van Horne, Peter Wolf, David McDaniel and Henry Markley, an intelligent Pennsylvania German, and his brother-in-law, Michael Harter.  Markley had been a merchant, and was a quick .and sprightly business man, and hence was selected for one of the first Commissioners. He was generous, and well liked by the people.
     John Lewis and his family, Quakers, were here in 1808.  Nov. 14th, 1857, John, Jr., died.  Casper Fitting, in 1808, lived with his family on the place, since known as the Harter stand.  He is dead, and his sons, Frederick and Solomon, are living; the former a successful merchant at Bellville.
     The Harters are worthy of special notice.  Their tavern, at an early day, was the best in northern Ohio.  The old people were kind and hospitable, and the society of the amiable Miss Christina made it uncommonly interesting for sleighing and other parties.  The fame of Aunt Christina's cookery, pronounced by connoisseurs the best, caused travelers to ride long miles after night to get there.  The Harters moved to Canton, where some of their descendants reside.
     In 1849, a Postoffice was established at the residence of Richard Roberts, Esq., called "Maple Grove," and he was appointed Postmaster, and continued as such till 1860, when it was discontinued by his request.
     Among the present settlers, we find Joseph Baker and wife, who emigrated from Virginia in 1819, the Elliotts, Joel and Amos, the Gibsons, the Foots, the Dennises, and the Loves.  Amos H. Royce, the first Justice, is yet living in the enjoyment of health and plenty.  We can not but commend the character of Henry Miller, Esq., the upright man; Alexander Menzie, the energetic old Scotchman; and others we might name, had we the space.

SUCCESSIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.