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Carroll County was formed on Christmas Day 1832 from its five neighboring counties:
Stark,
Columbiana,
Jefferson,
Harrison,
and Tuscarawas.
See the evolution of the local county boundries,
and the sections transferred into Carroll Co.
The county was
named after Charles Carroll, last surviving signer of the
Declaration of Independence. Originally, Carrollton was called Centerville when it was founded.
Carroll-co was formed out of portions of the old counties of Columbiana, Harrison, Jefferson, Tuscarawas and Stark by the Ohio legislature at its session in the winter of 1832-3, and named in honor of Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, Maryland -- the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence -- who died the same year the county was created; so that Carroll-co has now passed the first half century of its separate existence.
First Settlements
The first settlements within the present limits of the county were made about the year 1800, by persons who came from Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia, who carried with them cherished recollections of their native states, as may be supposed from the names given to the towns of New Hagerstown, Carrollton, New Harrisburg and Loudon township. The first few years after the pioneer settlement had been made were marked by few disturbances of a serious nature, although there are records of numerous cases of hardship and bravery. The Indians committed occasional depredations, but were generally peaceable. Arrow heads, tomahawks and other implements were abundant as relics at this time. Wild animals were very common, particularly bears, deer and wolves. Particular mention is made of a deer having been shot on the present site of the court house and part of the same dressed and roasted near a spring in the rear of where Stockon's drug store has since been built.
The homes of the early settlers were of peculiar structure; in size ranging from fifteen to twenty feet square, and usually not over ten feet in height, yet containing a story and a half, the lower one not over six and a half or seven feet in height, making it necessary for a tall person to remover their hat in order to assume and erect attitude. The roof was generally of clapboard, the floor of puncheon, and the door swinging upon wooden hinges, fastened with a wooden latch. Such a home was occupied until a few years ago by Valentine Friday, who afterwards lived and died on the Harlem road, who told the writer that in early times he had driven hungry wolves away from his door with a burning knott of wood.
Source: County History as reported in The Free Press Standard in 1933
Early Hardships Related In First Installment of County History
(Reprinted from issue of December 26, 1883)
Read More Interesting Articles from 1933
County's Patriotic Namesake Was Distinguished Statesman
Historian Delves Into Early Newspaper Files of Carroll Co
County History Reveals Early State of Society
County History Records First Regular Election
Colonial Troops Passed Through Carroll County
Early Hardships Related In First Installment of County History