History of Coshocton County, Ohio, its past and present, 1740-1881, Part 80

Author: Hill, Norman Newell, jr., [from old catalog] comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A. A., & co., Newark, O., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Newark, Ohio, A. A. Graham & co.
Number of Pages: 854

USA > Ohio > Coshocton County > History of Coshocton County, Ohio, its past and present, 1740-1881 > Part 80

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A short distance cast of this, near the north- west corner of the southeast quarter of section 11, stands the German Reform church which was built in 1845 or 1846. It is a log building and is about to be replaced by a substantial frame struc- ture. Rev. Jacob Scidle was one of the earliest ministers, holding services in the school-house before the church was built. Rev. Zohner was the first preacher in the church building. The present pastor is Rev. Schodd. Jonathan Price, Jolın Eichmeirer and Mr. Buser, were prominent members during its early days. At present the membership is small.

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran (German) church, located in New Bedford was organized in 1854 by Rev. G. Doepken. He remained in charge of the congregation nineteen years, at the end of that time removing to Marietta. Rev. C. Lembke succeeded him and ministered unto this people two and a half years. Then, in 1876, Rev. O. Pri- wer obtained the pastorate and still has charge of the congregation, which now includes more than sixty families. A German Sunday-school is held during the summer. The meeting house is a commodious frame, which was built in 1855. The church owes its existence to a dissension in the German Reform church, a short distance north- west of this in Holmes county, in consequence of which many members withdrew and became the founders of this society. The prominent early members were Frederick Schmalz, George Lebe- gut, Christian F. Baad, Adam Baad, Gottlieb Rott- man, David Schlegle, Conrad Scheetz, George Gonser, Gottfried Baad, George J. Kleinknecht, Jacob Semmlar, Frederick and Jacob Lauten- schlager, Sebastian Trautwein, Jacob Brandle Gottlieb Ruesz and Joseph Rumbolt. The church is in connection with the Joint Synod of Ohio.

From another distraction in the aforemen- tioned Holmes county German Reformed church sprang the United Brethren church of New Bedford. It was organized about 1848, by Rev. March, with a large membershp. George Smith, George Schultz and John P. Lower were included in the number. Revs. John Dilly and John Crone have been prominent pastors of this so- ciety. Rev. Schluser is the present pastor. The membership is small. The church building is a large, substantial frame, which was erected about 1848. A Sunday-school is held during the summer.

The Evangelical Protestant (German) church, near Chili, was organized in January, ISSO, with about fifteen families, among which were those of Henry Ehrich, Martin Sunkle, John and Ga- briel Lorenz, John Shoemaker and Valentine Huprich. The membership has slighty increased since. Rev. Haffele was the first and present pastor. The church, a large frame buikling, was erected in the fall of 1879, at a cost of over

$1,200. The original members had formerly held allegiance to the German Reformed church, several miles east of Chili. A Sunday-school was organized several years ago in the Chili school-house. From the start it has been under the management of Henry Ehrich, and now contains about fifty members.

The remaining church at Chili is the Evangeli- cal English Lutheran church. It was organized in 1832 by Rev. E. Greenwald, who was settled at New Philadelphia. He preached the first ser- mon November 12, 1832. Rev. J. B. Reek suc- ceeded him in 1835, but, after a few years, the care of the church again devolved (in 1838) on Mr. Greenwald. In 1840 Rev. E. C. Young took charge of the church, and in 1846 Rev. E. Mels- heimer, who died in 1849. In 1850 Rev. A. N. Bartholomew became pastor, and, in 1859, Rev. M. M. Bartholomew. Rev. S. S. Lawson took charge in 1862, and Rev. David Sparks in 1864. IIe remained several years and was succeeded by Rev. J. M. Myers, who severed his connection with the church in 1878. After a vacancy of about a year, Rev. John Y. Marks, in May, 1879, was elected to the pastorate and is still the minis- ter. The elders have been Andrew Eichmier, Jacob Miser, Henry Grimm, John Smith, A. Winklepleck, William Stall, Frederick Everhart, Michael Grile, John Gardner, William Doak, Anthony Stall and Samuel Miser; the deacons, Joseph Miser, George Winklepleck, Charles Gil- lespie, Frederick Everhart, George Ringer, Henry Everhart, Jesse Eichmier, Frederick Barrick, Thomas Christy, Peter Helmreich, Robert Doak, John Bowman, Israel Barrack and Henry Ren- ner. The number of communicants, in 1833, was sixteen ; it is now about one hundred. Not long after the society was organized, a log church was erected on land donated by Philip Fensler. Then, in 1855 or 1856, the present frame structure was erected. It was repaired and enlarged in 1874, at a cost of over $600.

New Bedford is situated in the northwestern part of the northwest quarter of section 3, one corner of the town plat touching the Holmes county line. It consists of fifty-five lots, and was laid out in March, 1825, by John Gonser, while

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

the country around it was scarcely at all settled. Just over the line, in Holmes county, a little vil- lage had been laid out and named Wardsville, and New Bedford was launched into existence as its rival. In his laudable endeavors to found a village, Mr. Gonser was ably seconded by his three sons, Henry, David and Adam, each of whom erected a house for himself in the town plat. The Gonsers were from Bedford county, Pennsylvania, hence the name of the village. It now contains a population of 134. Many of its buildings are newly erected, of ample propor- tions, and fine appearance.

The first merchandising was done by David Burget, who, about 1828, opened his little stock of goods in a building on lot 22, which is still standing, occupied by John Luke. He remained in business in this village until 1864, during which time he accumulated considerable proper- ty. He then removed to Cleveland, where he has since been leading a retired life. John Winkle- pleck was the second store-keeper, coming about ten years after Burget. He remained but a short time, removing to Chili. George Bell and David Gonser trafficked in succession for a short time each, and in 1846 Lewis Helman, a Jew, from Europe, brought a large stock of goods into town, and conducted an extensive and very profitable business for five or six yers. He then sold out to Levi Deetz, and is said to have returned to Europe. There have been two stores here ever since. George A. Rinner and Adam Long are the present proprietors of one, and. George Bow- man and G. F. Shauweker the proprietors of the other.

The remaining business of the town is as fol- lows: One hardware store, Brown & Croft; three groceries, C. C. Hinkle, Jacob Roth and Jacob Welling; one jeweler shop, Noah Snyder; two wagon shops, Jacob & John Engle, and Gottlieb Swigert; one marble shop, Jacob Goetz; one dress maker, Miss Maggie Senft; one milliner, Miss Samantha Luke; one saddler shop, Samuel Snyder; two shoe shops, Adam Diefenbaugh and H. H. Geiger; two blacksmith shops, George Rosencopp, and Jacob Dresher and George Price.

John Bowman, Robert Nickerson, Mrs. Bowman, and J. E. Fleming. There are now two hotels: Commercial House, C. C. Hinkle, and Mansion House, S. S. Snyder.

David Burget was the first postmaster. He filled the position for a long continued term, and was succeeded by J. E. Fleming. A. Doak and Jackson Bowman successively followed, and the mail matter then passed into the hands of Henry H. Geiger, the present postmaster. A tri-weekly mail between West Lafayette and Millersburg, and another between Millersburgh and Philips- burgh, pass through this place.

1. D. Luke is a practitioner of law, and Drs. F. G. Guittard and S. P. Snyder the physicians. The former has had an uninterrupted residence here of about twenty-eight years ; the latter is a late accession. Dr. John Busby was an old and prominent physician of the place, having C. Steward associated with him in business for a whie. Other practitioners have remained in the village but a short time.

The present school-house was erected in 1877, as a one-story building, containing only one room. Miss Samantha Luke was the first teacher therein. In the fall of 1880, a second story was added. The building now presents a very neat appearance, and is nicely fitted up with modern school furni- ture of the most approved pattern. Miss Eliza- beth Boyd and Miss Caroline Shauwecker were the teachers during the winter of 1880-81.

New Bedford Lodge, No. 446, of the I. O. O. F., was instituted June 29, 1870. George C. Rinner, D. D. Funk, Peter Lenhart, Jacob Lenhart, C. G. Baad, Ferdinand Sedlemyer and Gottlieb Stein were the charter members. The officers at pres- ent are as follows: Jacob Engle, Noble Grand ; Christian G. Baad, Vice Grand; F. J. Guittard, Treasurer; Noah Snyder, Recording Secretary ; Benjamin M. Snyder, Permanent Secretary. In 1874, the lodge leased for fifty years the upper story of the building on the northwest corner of the square, and have there a nicely furnished hall. The present membership is twenty-seven.

The village of Chili, located upon the south- east quarter of section 23, approaches within a

The first public tavern was kept by Mr. Parnell, about 1828. Others, who have since acquired a name in this capacity, have been John Luke, few feet of the White Eyes township line. The

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

" inner history " of its foundation is said to be as follows: James Evans had shortly before erected a saw mill in White Eyes township a short dis- tance below where Chili stands. Being an enter- prising kind of a man, he desired a market for the lumber which he was preparing, and urged upon Mr. Fenster, the owner of the adjoining quarter-section, the feasibility of laying out a town. Repeated argumentation at length pro- duced conviction in Mr. Fensler's mind that it was the proper thing to do, and he forthwith set about to lay out the town, much to the satisfac- tion of Mr Evans, delighting in the prospective sale of his lumber. The plat was surveyed March 7, 1834, by James Ravenscraft, and consisted of twenty-nine lots. To the surveyor was given the honor of naming the town. He called it Chili (universally called Chi-li hereabouts). David Zellers, a blacksmith, built the first house, and directly afterward his blacksmith shop. Willis Butler, from Tuscarawas county, was proprietor of the first store. His stay was short, and he re- turned to his former residence. Robert Porter succeeded him, and he in turn was soon super- seded by John Winklepleck, who was engaged in business here for many years, up to the time of his death. In the line of dry goods, two firms are now engaged in business, John Lorenz, and Lenhart & Stein. Gottlieb Feller conducts an excellent tannery, established many years ago by Henry Warnes, and with it a harness and sad- dlery shop. Allen Turner has a cabinet shop, Philip Gebhard a wagon shop, Philip Neiss and John Hawk each a blacksmith shop, and Henry Ehrich and Charles Klein each a shoe shop. Solomon DeWitt provides hospitable entertain- ment for the wayfarer. Ernest C. Volz and Aaron Busby are the two doctors. Dr. Thomas Pinkerton was the first resident physician. Quite a number have intervened between him and the present practitioners ; among them Drs. Chap- man, B. Blackburn, John Beaver, Knight, Busby and Fell. During its existence of nearly half a century, Chili has lost only one building by fire, and it was a small cabin of little valuie. The population at present lacks only a few names of amounting to 100.

CHAPTER LIV.

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

Boundaries-Physical Features-Canal and Railroad-Early Settlers and Settlements-Major Robinson's Captivity- Indians-Schools and Churches-Taverns-Distilleries and Mills-Postoffices-Coal-Oil.

T THE early records of this township, yet pre- served, contain an account of its organiza- tion. The first entry consists of the following notice :

WHEREAS, The commissioners of Coshocton county, Ohio, hath this day erected a new town- ship off the south end of Tuscarawas township in said county, to be known by the name of Frank- lin, and consisting of the fourth township in the sixth range and the cast half of the fourth town- ship in the seventh range; therefore, the quali- fied electors of said township of Franklin are hereby notified to meet at the house of John Wamsley, in said township, on Saturday, the 17th day of September, and elect necessary township officers, according to law.

MORDECAI CHALFANT, JAMES MESKIMEN, Commissioners.

Coshocton, September 6, 1814.

At the appointed time and place John Wams- ley and Jesse Campbell were elected judges, and Israel H. Buker, clerk of the election, and were duly sworn into office. The report of the first election, as made by them, is as follows :

We do certify that the number of electors amounted to twenty-two, and that Israel H. Buker had twenty-two votes for township clerk. Michael Miller, John Wamsley and Benjamin Robinson had each twenty-two votes for trustees. Valentine Johnson and Joseph Scott had each twenty-two votes for overseers of the poor. James Robinson and Jacob Jackson had each twenty- two votes for fence viewer . Michael Miller Val- entine Johnson and Benjamin Robinson had each twenty-two votes for supervisors. Lewis Rodrick had twenty-two votes for constable, and James Robinson had twenty-one votes and Benjamin Robinson one vote for township treasurer.

At the next election, October 11, 1814, thirty-six votes were cast. Thomas Worthington received the entire number for governor; James Caldwell had thirty votes for representative in congress; B. Wells had six votes for the same; Charles Williams received thirty votes and Wright War-

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

ner two votes for State representative ; James Miskimen received thirty-two, and Isaac Draper two, votes for county commissioner. A re-elec- tion of State representative being ordered for January 4, 1815, thirty-nine votes were cast in this township. Of these Charles Williams re- ceived twenty-seven and Lewis Vail twelve.

The east half of township 4, range 7, was with- drawn at the formation of Virginia township, and the township now consists of township 4, range 6. It is in the southern tier of townships, and touches Jackson, Tuscarawas and Lafayette town- ships on the north; Linton on the east, and Vir- ginia on the west; Muskingum county bounds it on the south.

The surface is diversified by hill and vale. The Muskingum river, by a gently winding course, traverses the western part from north to south through a rich and fertile valley. Level bottom lands, for the most part, stretch away for a dis- tance on either side, with low hills rising beyond; but, at times, the hills rise almost precipitously from the river's bank, on one side or the other. Farther east the land becomes rougher, and, along the eastern line, breaks into rugged hills. Will's creek, a stream of considerable size and of very irregular course, is the principal tributary of the river in this township. Entering the south- west corner of the township from Linton, it dips down into Muskingum county; appearing again near the middle of the southern line, it crops northward about one and a half miles to Frew's mill, there bends sharply to the south and, by a circuitous route, reaches the river in the south- west corner of the township. The other streams are inconsiderable and thread the township in various directions. The soil in the river bottoms is a rich loam, and seems incapable of wearing out. Year after year, almost beyond the recollec- tion of men, corn crops have been successively raised with no apparent decrease in the yield. Upon the hills the soil is generally sandy. The timber is of the varieties usually found in this region. Upon a knoll in the eastern part of the township (section 20) are found a few scrubby pines.

The Ohio canal passes through the western part of the township; entering from the north, west of the river, it follows the valley and crosses

into Virginia township, about a mile north of the southern line. The Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and St. Louis railroad enters the township east of the river, from the north, crosses the river at Franklin station, and continues in a course nearly parallel with the canal. The road has three flag-stations in the township: Rock Run, Franklin and Conesville. A single wagon bridge spans the Muskingum, near Conesville. The river is fordable, however, in one or two places.

Franklin was among the first settled town- ships in the county, and here, as elsewhere, the earliest settlements were made along the river. The eastern half of the township is congress land; the western half belongs to the military lands, and consists of two sections, of 4,000 acres each. Many military sections were pur- chased by non-residents of the county, with a view to speculation, holding them until a rise in value permitted them to dispose of their prop- erty in small tracts at a large profit. These two sections, however, were purchased by two Vir- ginians, who emigrated to the wilderness and made it their homes. The northwest or second section was owned and settled by Michael Miller, the southwest or third, by William Robinson.

Major William Robinson was born in 1743. During Dunmore's war, he was captured by the Indians and became the object of the magnanim- ity of Logan, the celebrated chief of the Mingoes, at a time when he was smarting under the cow- ardly wrongs inflicted upon his family by the white men. Howe's Historical Collections of Ohio gives the following account of his capture:

On the 12th of July, 1774, Major Robinson, then a resident on the west fork of Monongahela river, was in the field with Mr. Colburn Brown and Mr. Helen. pulling flax, when they were sur- prised and fired upon by a party of eight Indians, led by Logan. Mr. Brown was killed and the other two made prisoners. On the first alarm, Mr. Robinson started to run. When he had got about fifty yards, Logan called out in English, "Stop, I won't hurt you!" " Yes, you will," re- plied Robinson in tones of fear "No, I won't," rejoined Logan, " but if you don't stop, by - I'll shoot you." Robinson still continued his race, but stumbling over a log, fell and was made captive by a fleet savage in pursuit. Logan im- mediately made himself known to Mr. Robinson and manifested a friendly disposition to him, told

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

him that he must be of good heart, and go with him to his town, where he would probably be adopted in some of their families. When near the Indian village, on the site of Dresden, Mus- kingum river, Logan informed him that he must run the gauntlet, and gave him such directions, that he reached the council-house without the slightest harm. He was then tied to a stake for the purpose of being burnt, when Logan arose and addressed the assembled council of chiefs, in his behalf. He spoke long and with great energy, until the saliva foamed from the sides of his mouth. This was followed by other chiefs in op- position, and rejoinders from Logan. Three sep- arate times was he tied to the stake to be burnt, the councils of the hostile chiefs prevailing, and as often untied by Logan and a belt of wampum placed around him as a mark of adoption. His fife appeared to hang on a balance; but the clo- quence of Logan prevailed, and when the belt of wampum was at last put on him by Logan, he in- troduced a young Indian to him, saying, " This is your cousin, you are to go home with him and he will take care of you."

From this place, Mr. Robinson accompanied the Indians up the Muskingum, through two or three Indian villages, until they arrived at one of their towns on the site of Newcomerstown, in Tuscarawas county. About the 21st of July, Lo- gan came to Robinson and brought a piece of paper, saying that he must write a letter for him, which he meant to carry and leave in some house, which he should attack. Mr. Robinson wrote a note with ink, which he manufactured from gun- powder. He made three separate attempts be- fore he could get the language, which Logan die- tated, sufficiently strong to satisfy that chief. This note was addressed to Colonel Cresap, whom Logan supposed was the murderer of his family. It was afterward found, tied to a war club, in the cabin of a settler who lived on or near the north fork of Holston river. It was doubtless left by Logan after murdering the family. A copy of it is given below, which, on comparison with his celebrated speech, shows a striking similarity of style :

"CAPTAIN CRESAP :- What did you kill my people on Yellow creek for? The white people killed my kin, at Conestoga, a great while ago, and I thought nothing of that. But you killed my kin again on Yellow creek, and took my cousin prisoner. Then I thought I must kill too; and I have been three times to war since ; but the Indians are not angry ; only myself.

"July 21, 1774.

CAPTAIN JOHN LOGAN."

Major Robinson, after remaining with the In- dians about four months, returned to hishome in Clarksburg, Virginia, of which he was one of the proprietors and the first merchant. He soon

after married Margaret Sea, and engaged in agri- cultural and mercantile pursuits. In 1801 he emi- grated to Franklin township. The Robinson section was granted to William Edgar, Jr., by John Adams, President, under deed, dated April 2, 1800, and by Edgar transferred to Robinson, October 27, 1800. Mr. Robinson had, doubtless, passed through this tract in 1774, while on his way from Dresden to Newcomerstown. In the spring of 1801 he and his son Benjamin came out, cleared off a patch of ground, planted the first crop of eorn, then returned and brought out his family. He had ten children-four sons-John, Benjamin, William and James-and six daugh- ters-Sarah, Mary, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Margaret and Catherine. They all settled in this township except the oldest son, William, who remained in Virginia. Sarah was married to Mr. Bar- clay; Mary to John Wamsley, Elizabeth to Obadiah Davidson, Rebeeea to Valentine John- son, Margaret to James Tanner, and Cath- erine to Joseph Scott. All these settled on the Robinson section in 1801, or soon after. Tan- ner emigrated in 1803. His wife's health being delieate, she was unable to endure the hardships of pioneer life, and died about two years after her arrival here, this being probably the first death in the township. Mr. Tanner subsequently mar- ried Naney Taylor, daughter of William Taylor. Other families from Clarksburg, Virginia, fol- lowed the Robinsons here and settled in their midst, thus forming quite a little colony from their old home. Among these were the John- sons, William Taylor and Jacob Jackson. The Johnsons were a brother and three sisters of Val- entine Johnson-James, Nancy (Robinson), Cath- crine (Powelson), and Amelia (Shoemaker). They all settled on the Robinson section. Colonel Robinson died in the fall of 1815, surviving his wife about six months.

James Robinson, the youngest child, was born in Clarksburg, Virginia, 1787, inherited the home- stead, where he remained until his death, in 1856. During this time he was one of the active and publie spirited men of the county. He served one term as associate judge and two terms as State representative; but his time and enthu- siasm was absorbed principally in agricultural and kindred pursuits. He engaged in stock deal-

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

ing, and several times crossed the mountains with droves of cattle. He was actively interested in the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a staunch and steadfast adherent. His house was the principal place of meetings in this neigh- borhood in anti-church days, and many times 150 or more people would here assemble, coming from a distance on horseback, and themselves and horses would be provided for through his old time hospitality. He was twiee married, in 1811 and in 1815. By his first wife he had two sons; by the second seven daughters and five sons. Of these, two sons and one daughter are all that now remain.

James Wilcox was among the earliest occu- pants of the township. He came from New Eng- land about 1801, and for a number of years was the only Yankee liereabouts. He was a stone mason, and was employed in digging wells, etc., for the early settlers; he cleared off a considera- ble tract of land for the Robinsons, and after- ward moved to Adams township, Muskingum county, where he was known as one of its earli- est settlers. Several grandsons now live in Frank- lin township.

Michael Miller came from Hampshire county, Virginia. All the authorities seem to fix the year 1801, as the date of his arrival. His family con- sisted of seven children, Barbara, Charles, Patrick, Edward, John, Isaac and McCarty. In the course of a few years a number of families from Hamp- shire county found their way to Miller seetion. Among the earliest and most prominent of these was Philip Hershman. Jasper Hill and Arnold Kane came about 1808, from the same place, and both were renters on Miller's land. Daniel Haw- kins came about the same time from New Jer- sey. Matthew Pigman emigrated from Virginia, perhaps as early as 1803. After remaining on the Miller section a number of years as a renter, he entered a farm in section 1. Abraham Thomp- son, from Virginia, settled on the place Michael Lopp now owns.

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History of Coshocton County, Ohio, its past and present, 1740-1881, Part 80

Author: Hill, Norman Newell, jr., [from old catalog] comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A. A., & co., Newark, O., pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Newark, Ohio, A. A. Graham & co. Number of Pages: 854

Author: Hill, Norman Newell, jr., [from old catalog] comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A. A., & co., Newark, O., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Newark, Ohio, A. A. Graham & co.
Number of Pages: 854