Aultman School circa 1885
This property was part of a large tract of land of approximately 100 acres owned by Samuel Smith. On March 5, 1856, this property was transferred to Wilson J. and Daniel J. Smith (see Summit County Recorder’s Office Deed Book 62, pages 46-47). The Smith family operated a coal bank on a portion of the property in the South East Quarter Section of Section 25. The coal bank location is indicated clearly in the 1874 Map & Atlas. Reference to the coal bank of Smith, Borst & Co. is also made at page 88 of the Guide Book for Tourists’ and Travelers over the Valley Railway from Cleveland to Canton, Ohio, John S. Reese, Kent, Ohio 1880. It should be noted that Smith family leased another portion of this larger tract of land to the United Evangelical Church. This land was described as a beautiful grove near Aultman on the Valley Railroad, nine miles north of Canton. See The Evangelical Church in Ohio, Roy B. Leedy, Cleveland 1959, at pg. 234. The Smith family deeded the subject property 1 acre parcel to the Board of Education for $250 in 1901.
The date of construction of Aultman Schoolhouse remains unknown. In fact, as will be detailed below, there is conflicting evidence indicating construction after 1901 or between 1880-90.
Deed research indicates that the Board of Education received title to the property in 1901. Additionally, the Atlas from 1891 indicates that this property was part of School District No. 6. The schoolhouse for District 6 is indicated on land owned by Frederick Boettler in the North West Quarter Section of Section 36. This first District 6 schoolhouse (not the subject property) may have been known as the Lauby schoolhouse. No schoolhouse is indicated at the location of the subject property in the 1891 Atlas. These facts seem to indicate the schoolhouse was constructed after 1891, possibly after the deed transfer in 1901.
The construction style, siding, and foundation material as shown in the photo circa 1923 indicate that the schoolhouse was built prior to 1901. The schoolhouse was probably built to service the expanding population in the Aultman area. The population of the Aultman area was growing from 1870-1890 during the tile manufacturing boom and after construction of the Aultman Railroad Station circa 1878. These facts indicate a construction prior to 1901, probably between 1880-1890.
Architectural Significance
This property is a gable-front frame cottage with three (3) bays on the main facade. The original narrow beveled board siding is intact. While retaining the footprint and character of the original timber frame structure, the home also reflects many features typical of 1920’s craftsman or cottage/bungalow style. These craftsman style elements are compatible with the original architecture of the structure. The architectural features of the property illustrate the property’s two distinct histories: an 1880’s schoolhouse and a 1920’s homestead.
Preservation, Restoration, and Reconstruction Performed
The cupola and bell have been removed. The first floor windows were reduced in size on front and side elevations to accommodate the addition of a floor for a second story inside the structure. A multi-light front door has replaced the original five-panel front door. The original small vent/window in the half story has been replaced with a larger 2-part window. A hipped roof front porch was added across the front of the property. The basement foundation has been replaced with molded concrete block. Many of these renovations are believed to have occurred circa 1923 when the property was converted to a private residence. The changes made to the home are typical of 1920’s craftsman or cottage/bungalow style and are compatible with the original architecture of the structure.
The date of construction of Aultman Schoolhouse remains unknown. In fact, as will be detailed below, there is conflicting evidence indicating construction after 1901 or between 1880-90.
Deed research indicates that the Board of Education received title to the property in 1901. Additionally, the Atlas from 1891 indicates that this property was part of School District No. 6. The schoolhouse for District 6 is indicated on land owned by Frederick Boettler in the North West Quarter Section of Section 36. This first District 6 schoolhouse (not the subject property) may have been known as the Lauby schoolhouse. No schoolhouse is indicated at the location of the subject property in the 1891 Atlas. These facts seem to indicate the schoolhouse was constructed after 1891, possibly after the deed transfer in 1901.
The construction style, siding, and foundation material as shown in the photo circa 1923 indicate that the schoolhouse was built prior to 1901. The schoolhouse was probably built to service the expanding population in the Aultman area. The population of the Aultman area was growing from 1870-1890 during the tile manufacturing boom and after construction of the Aultman Railroad Station circa 1878. These facts indicate a construction prior to 1901, probably between 1880-1890.
Architectural Significance
This property is a gable-front frame cottage with three (3) bays on the main facade. The original narrow beveled board siding is intact. While retaining the footprint and character of the original timber frame structure, the home also reflects many features typical of 1920’s craftsman or cottage/bungalow style. These craftsman style elements are compatible with the original architecture of the structure. The architectural features of the property illustrate the property’s two distinct histories: an 1880’s schoolhouse and a 1920’s homestead.
Preservation, Restoration, and Reconstruction Performed
The cupola and bell have been removed. The first floor windows were reduced in size on front and side elevations to accommodate the addition of a floor for a second story inside the structure. A multi-light front door has replaced the original five-panel front door. The original small vent/window in the half story has been replaced with a larger 2-part window. A hipped roof front porch was added across the front of the property. The basement foundation has been replaced with molded concrete block. Many of these renovations are believed to have occurred circa 1923 when the property was converted to a private residence. The changes made to the home are typical of 1920’s craftsman or cottage/bungalow style and are compatible with the original architecture of the structure.
The Witsaman Family - The Stewards of Aultman School for almost 100 years
Wilbur Witsaman and Anna Marie Yenny were elementary school classmates at Aultman School. Both the Witsaman and Yenny families had lived in the Aultman area (Summit and Stark Counties) for several generations (see family tree next attached). Wilbur’s father, Oscar Homer Witsaman, worked in the brickyard at Aultman. Anna Marie’s father, Yost Yenny, had a celery farm on Wise Road.
In 1914 Wilbur and Anna Marie were married. In 1923 Wilbur and Anna Marie Witsaman purchased the schoolhouse from the Board of Education of the Township of Green and converted the schoolhouse into a craftsman or bungalow/cottage-style home. According to the Witsaman Family, Wilbur and Anna Witsaman moved to the schoolhouse with a horse and buggy from Anna’s sister’s home (Leah) on the south side of Greensburg Road.
Wilbur and Anna Marie had five children, Carl L., Arline, Roy, Glenn Homer, and Dawn. Glenn Homer Witsaman married Carolyn Marie Heisa. Carolyn’s ancestors, the Heisa, Nevel, Sweigert , and Tritt families have also been in Stark and Summit Counties for several generations.
Upon the death of Wilbur Witsaman on April 11, 1976, the property was transferred to Glenn Leroy Witsaman, the son of Glenn Homer Witsaman and Carolyn Marie Heisa, and the grandson of Wilbur and Anna Marie Witsaman. Glenn Leroy Witsaman is married to Rebecca B. (Stadelman) Witsaman. Rebecca’s ancestors, the Rider Family, have been residing in Stark County since at least the 1880’s (see attached tree).
Glenn Leroy Witsaman and his wife Rebecca B. Witsaman continue to reside in the subject property and maintain the property in a state as it was remodeled by Glenn Witsaman’s grandparents in the 1920’s.
To learn more about the Witsaman Family click here.
Wilbur Witsaman and Anna Marie Yenny were elementary school classmates at Aultman School. Both the Witsaman and Yenny families had lived in the Aultman area (Summit and Stark Counties) for several generations (see family tree next attached). Wilbur’s father, Oscar Homer Witsaman, worked in the brickyard at Aultman. Anna Marie’s father, Yost Yenny, had a celery farm on Wise Road.
In 1914 Wilbur and Anna Marie were married. In 1923 Wilbur and Anna Marie Witsaman purchased the schoolhouse from the Board of Education of the Township of Green and converted the schoolhouse into a craftsman or bungalow/cottage-style home. According to the Witsaman Family, Wilbur and Anna Witsaman moved to the schoolhouse with a horse and buggy from Anna’s sister’s home (Leah) on the south side of Greensburg Road.
Wilbur and Anna Marie had five children, Carl L., Arline, Roy, Glenn Homer, and Dawn. Glenn Homer Witsaman married Carolyn Marie Heisa. Carolyn’s ancestors, the Heisa, Nevel, Sweigert , and Tritt families have also been in Stark and Summit Counties for several generations.
Upon the death of Wilbur Witsaman on April 11, 1976, the property was transferred to Glenn Leroy Witsaman, the son of Glenn Homer Witsaman and Carolyn Marie Heisa, and the grandson of Wilbur and Anna Marie Witsaman. Glenn Leroy Witsaman is married to Rebecca B. (Stadelman) Witsaman. Rebecca’s ancestors, the Rider Family, have been residing in Stark County since at least the 1880’s (see attached tree).
Glenn Leroy Witsaman and his wife Rebecca B. Witsaman continue to reside in the subject property and maintain the property in a state as it was remodeled by Glenn Witsaman’s grandparents in the 1920’s.
To learn more about the Witsaman Family click here.