History of Hartville
Excerpt from "History of Stark County, Volume I", by Herbert T.O. Blue
The Village of Hartville, located in sections 11 and 14 in Lake Township was first settled just prior to 1830, in which year the first store was opened by John Houghton. He was followed soon after by Joseph Brown and Peter Schollenberger. About 1838 a tavern was opened by John Morehart. Daniel Baum was later the proprietor of this tavern for many years. Other early businessmen in the town were W.C. Lautner, Dealer in general merchandise; John E. Morter, Blacksmith; P. Shollenberger, Dealer in horses; D. Wearstler, Tannery; George Machamer, General store and post office; Henry Grosenbaugh, Merchant; Dr. L.E. Moulton, Physician and surgeon; also a Doctor Hoffman was an early resident; William Wagner, Teacher; S.S. Geib, Justice of the Peace; G.W. Morter, Mechanic inventor of Morter & Berry's improved adjustable plow; H. Goetz, carpenter shop; Neidich, Cabinet shop; other residents were W. Richard; F. Newbauer, C.W. Gieb.
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When the Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroad was built through Hartville the growth of the village was given a great impetus; and from that time on, the town has enjoyed a steady and constant growth. In the more modern day many thriving business enterprises have been developed at Hartville among which may be mentioned the F.E. Schumacher Co., manufacturers of screen doors and windows; The Quality Rubber Co., manufacturers of automobile tires; Goetz & Keller and Neff Bros., both general merchandise stores; A.A. Kurtz and Brumbaugh Bros., groceries and meats; the Hartville Hardware Co.; Service Motor Co.; H.B. Merkle, clothing; F.S. Brumbaugh, grain elevator and coal yard; Richards Bros., flour mill and coal yard; J.I. Bishop, manufacturer and dealer in wagons and farm implements; other prominent residents were Jos. Schollenberger, Michael Nidy, Henry Goetz, Peter Keller, Joseph Moore, W.J. Keiser and George Austin. Austin lived to be 106 years old.
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Hartville is situated in a rich farming community. The marsh areas to the east of the town are widely known for their great fertility and more than a thousand acres of land is given over to the raising of celery, onions, carrots and in fact all varieties of garden vegetables which are shipped in great quantities to Pittsburgh and other eastern points.
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Hartville is a prosperous village, with good schools and churches and excellent mercantile and banking institutions. It is located about twelve miles north of Canton, and one mile south of Congress Lake.
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