USA > Ohio > Ohio annals : Historic events in the Tuscarawas and Muskingum Valleys, and in other portions of the state of Ohio > Part 24
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In 1801, Rev. William Edwards was buried at Goshen cemetery, as also Zeisberger in 1808, and a number of Chris- tian Indians.
The above three are undoubtedly the most ancient ceme- teries in the county, and the first two are the most ancient Christian burying grounds in the State of Ohio.
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FIRST PREACHERS IN THE COUNTY.
Of the first preachers in the county mention may be made of David Zeisberger, 1772; Rev. Heckewelder, Smick, Ed- wards, Roth, Jungman, Huebner and Mortimer : Rev. George Godfrey Miller, of Beersheba church, 1808; Rev. Christian Espech, Lutheran, New Philadelphia, 1811 ; Rev. Abraham Snyder, Intheran, 1810: Deacon Elias Crane, 1816: Rev. John Graham, 1817; Rev. Wieland Zarman, 1818; Rev. Michael J. Baumberzoar, 1818; Rev. Thomas B. Clark, and Rev. Jacob Ransberger, in 1819.
THE OLDEST INHABITANTS, MEN AND WOMEN, OF THE TUSCARAWAS VALLEY.
The following are lists of the oldest inhabitants of the valley, who were born prior to the beginning of the pres- ent century, and who were, with a few exceptions, an- cestors of the persons of the same name now living in Tusearawas and other counties :
Oldest Inhabitants of Goshen Township.
Born between 1730 and 1740, William Young.
Born between 1750 and 1760, Mrs. Knisely, mother of David; Mrs. Judy, mother of John, Sr. ; Mrs. William Young, John Hoopengarner.
Born between 1760 and 1770, Matthias. Gossett and wife, Mrs. Lucinda Baltzley, Henry Espich and wife, Philip Fackler, Isaac Cordray, Sr., Valentine Flack, Christian Bachman, Henry Meter, Henry Albright, Philip Jacob Fecht- ling.
Born between 1770 and 1780, Samuel W. Kendrick, Christian Casebeer and wife, David Stiffler, Sr., and wife, John Judy, Sr., and wife, James Wood, Jobn Frederick, Henry Auchenbangh, Abraham Kniseley, Sr., and wife, Philip and Jacob Foreman, Mrs. V. Flack, Christian Fuller, George Platz, Mrs. C. Bach- man, Casper Engler. Agnes Ellis, John McPherson and wife, Mrs J. Hoopen- garner, Amelia Hummell, Mrs. Henry Albright, John Suttle and wife, John Walby, Edward Dorsey and wife, George Stiffler, Sr., and wife. 20
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Oldest Inhabitants of Dover Township.
Born between 1730 and 1740, Mrs. Finton, mother of William.
Born between 1740 and 1750, Mrs. Brown, grandmother of George W.
Born between 1750 and 1760, George Helwig, Mrs. Crisswell, mother of John ; Elijah Critz, Mrs. Critz, mother of Andrew.
Born between 1760 and 1770, Adam Snyder, Mrs. Wallack, Mrs. Lower, Philip Baker, William Finton, Christian Kore, Godfrey Imber.
Born between 1770 and 1780, Richard Burrough, William Gibbs, Sr., George R. Baer and wife, William Henderson, Conrad Lower, John Mumma, Benjamin Wallack, Ludwig Lower, Henry Frinkenbriner, Mrs. Willian Finton, Paul Grove, Sr , James Harper, Mrs. Kauffman, mother of Jacob; John Hildt, Sr., Mary Burroughs, C. Noftsinger and wife, Mrs. Christian Kore, Elizabeth Har- mon, Jolin Chesterman and wife, C. Ritter, Abraham Share, Jacob Blickens- derfer.
Oldest Inhabitants of Wayne Township.
Born between 1740 and 1750, William Collett, Mrs. Burrell, mother of Ben- jamin.
Born between 1750 and 1760, John France.
Born between 1760 and 1770, Henry Myers, Eve Baer, Henry Duncan, John Bess, Sr., and wife, Jacob Bartlett and wife Daniel Bowers, Mrs. Obadiah Pat- terson, Adam Reamer, Cornelius Hand, Edward Jordan.
Born between 1770 and 1780, John Aultman and wife, Eve Deardorff, George Wallaek, John Tyler and wife, John Michael, Benjamin Gorsuch, Henry Knovel, John Lidey, Jacob Knaga, Mrs. Henry Duncan, Mrs. Bayliss Jennings, John Burrell, George Gusler, Jere. Savage and wife, Jonathan Williams, Regena Fulk, Mrs. Philip Bash, Abraham Beninger, Mrs Daniel Bowers, George Rickett and wife, John McQuiston, Sr., and wife, Jacob Snearly, James Mills, Mrs. Adam Reamer, Mrs. David Reshley, Aesop Johnson, John G. Miller, Michael Wallack, John Wright, Sr., Mary Ann Shonk, Elizabeth Swip, Patrick Moore, Michael Kore and wife, John Seloz.
Oldest Inhabitants of Sugar Creek Township.
Born between 1740 and 1750, Michael Dorner, Sr
Born between 1750 and 1760, Mrs. Michael Dorner, Mrs. Bittle, mother of George; Mrs Walter, mother of John; Joseph Kine and wife, John Yotter, David Miller, Jocob Miller, Sr., Mrs. Mafendish, mother of William D.
Born between 1760 and 1770, John Ballman, Daniel Kaiser, Susannah Cor- rell, Peter Harmon and wife, John Miller and wife, Isaac Miller, Mrs. Coblentz, mother of Jacob; Mrs. Jacob Miller, Sr., James Hattery, Joseph Hanlon and wite.
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Born between 1770 and 1780, George Richardson and wife, John Walter, Jacob Dietz and wife, Mrs. Daniel Kaiser, John Bricker, Frederick. Dorner, Chris. Winklepleck, Peter Hostetter, George Dyce and wife, George Smiley, George Miller, Abram Snyder, Daniel Yotter, Henry Kuntz, Ephriam Mid- daugh, Jacob Miller, Jr., Mrs. James Hattery, Christian Livengood, Leonard Hyder, Catherine Barnhouse, John Schultze, Jacob Lowe, William D. Mafen- dish, Mary Noel, Andrew Burkey.
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Oldest Inhabitants of Warwick Township.
Born between 1740 and 1750, Barney Reysert, Sr.
Born between 1750 and 1760, William Simmers, Sr., and wife, Godfrey Westhaver, Henry Davis.
Born between 1760 and 1770, Jesse Walton, Samuel Fry, Abraham Fry, Mrs. Benjamin Lane, Jacob Royer and wife, Mrs. Barney Rupert.
Born between 1770 and 1780, Boaz Walton, Jr., John G. Hoffman, Henry Keller, George Metzger, John Knouse, John Demuth, Asa Walton and wife, John Whitehead, Joseph Sturgiss, William Hill, Joseph Madden, John Romig and wife, Joseph Shemal, John Richmond and wife, Richard Taylor, Catherine Whitman.
Oldest Inhabitants of Salem Township.
Born between 1750 and 1760, Peter Good.
Born between 1760 and 1770, Humphrey Corbin.
Born between 1770 and 1780, William Haga and wife, Mrs. Peter Good, Mrs. Frankboner, Mrs. Paine, Burris Moore, Mrs. Barneby Riley, Charles Hill and wife, Jesse Hill and wife.
Oldest Inhabitants of York Township.
Born between 1750 and 1760, Frederick Hummell, Henry Shawver.
Born between 1760 and 1770, Mrs. Frederick Hummell, John Shull, John Pence, William Ross, Eli Barton, George Putt, John Benfer and wife.
Born between 1770 and 1780, William Butt, Mrs. John Shull, Francis Gar- nant, Henry Ankeny, Samuel Deardorff and wife, Lewis Fox, Mrs Eli Barton, Mrs. George Putt, Christian Beaver, Mary Cummings, George W. Kuhn, Wil- liam Wolff, Henry Shawver, John Grimes and wife, Jacob Howe, Michael Bedinger.
Oldest Inhabitants of Clay Township.
Boru between 1750 and 1760, John Taylor, John P. Sargood, Conrad Roemer. Born between 1760 and 1770, Adam Stocker, Barbara Wheeland, Mary Gen- ter, Mrs. J. P. Sargood.
Born between 1770 aod 1780, Christian Stocker, Mrs. Adam Stocker, Andrew Stocker, Charles L. Stevens, Martin Kiser, John G. Fox, Elizabeth Rebstock, Mrs. Samuel Dingman, Michael Remmell, Henry Kaler.
Oldest Inhabitants of Washington Township.
Born between 1750 and 1760, Matthew Organ, Mrs. George Hussey, Sr.
Born between 1760 and 1770, Jonathan Andrews and wife, Mrs. Matthew Organ. Benjamin G. Duharnell, George Hussey, Jr., Joseph Taylor.
Born between 1770 and 1780, Anannias Randall and wife, Jesse Webb, Isaac Webb, Joseph Miller; James Hamilton, Magdalene Taylor.
Oldest Inhabitants of Perry Township.
Born between 1730 and 1740, Mrs Swain, mother of Joshua, Joseph Johnson, Rebecca Kannon.
Born between 1710 and 1750, John Shaw.
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Born between 1750 and 1760, Mrs. Severgood, grandmother of Jacob, Mrs. Morrison, grandmother of Samuel, Peter Hammer, Thomas Archbold, Elisha Kitch and wife.
Born between 1760 and 1770, John Williams, Richard Moore and wife, Ebe- nezer Kitch.
Boru between 1770 and 1780, Shadrack Minster, Mrs. John Williams, Stephen Horu, Moses Horn, Mrs. Parks, Mrs. Robert McCoy, Edward Johnson, Mrs. Schooly, mother of Samuel, Joseph Johnson, Neil Morris, William George, Samuel Boston and wife John Wilson and wife, Gabriel Vansickle and wife, Timora Russell, Mrs. T. Archbold.
Oldest Inhabitants of Rush Township.
Born between 1750 and 1760, Michael Sponsler.
Born between 1760 and 1770, Thomas Gibson, John Fairbrother, Mrs. Ginter, mother of John, Casper Warner, Joshua Davis, William Caples, Sr.
Born between 1770 and 1780, Michael Van Fleary, John Uhrich, Robert Laughlin, Mrs. Thomas Gibson, Thomas Connell, Mrs. Michael Sponsler, Esther Crumm, Peter Bowman and wife, Daniel Enterline, Conrad Westhaver, Mrs. Joshua Davis, Abijah Robinett, James Tracy, John Lambright.
Oldest Inhabitants of Oxford Township.
Born between 1760 and 1770, Samuel Tucker, John Pearce Sr., and wife, Mrs. Gardner, Margaret Tufford.
Born between 1770 and 1780, Sarah Booth, Mrs. Anderson, John Mulvane, Lewis Roberts, William Andrews, Elizabeth Neighbor, William Neighbor, Sr., James Sloane, Mary Ann Salyards, Joseph North.
Oldest Inhabitants of Dohrman Township.
[The territory that comprised this township was subdivided, and is now Mill Township, Tuscarawas County, and portions of Harrison and Carroll counties.] Born between 1730 and 1740, Mrs. Utterbach, grandmother of William.
Born between 1740 and 1750, Stephen Johnson.
Born between 1750 and 1760, Solomon Delong, Adam Gott, George Dickin- son, Mrs. Hilton, mother of Leonard; Thomas and William Crumm.
Born between 1760 and 1770, George Snowdigle, Mrs. Solomon Delong, John Hunter, James McKay, Mrs. George Dickinson, John McElroy, Thomas Drummond, John Black. Stewart Auld and wife, Andrew Sewell and wife, John Niblack, Sr., and wife, Robert Wilson and wife, William Blackwell, Mrs. Robert Gracy, William Utterbach, Susannah Blackwood, Tarleton B. Wil- loughby, Mrs. Robert Carson, Elijah Boston and wife, Mrs. John Johnston, Edward Bennett, Susannah Carroll.
Born between 1770 and 1780, John Hooper, John Larry, William Mills, John McBean, Mrs. Moses Rutledge, Mrs. George Snowdigle, Ebenezer Ball, Rebecca Cox, Rezin Pomeroy, Mrs. John McElroy, Nancy McGill, William Cor- bett, Isaac Eaton, James Aucksom and wife, Samuel Caldwell, Felix Richard- son, William Moore and wife, Asa Hamblin, George Hoskins and wife, Harmon
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Gitchell, Henry Foster, Thomas Brock, Martha Sterling, Mrs William Welsh, Griffith Cahill and wife, John Howell and wife, Richard French, John Cahill, Sr., John Moore, Arthur Chenoweth and wife.
Oldest Inhabitants of Lawrence Township.
Born between 1740 and 1750, Mrs. Hartser, grandmother of Frederick.
Born between 1750 and 1760, Mrs. Bimeler, mother of Joseph M., Stephen Hoover, John Baker, Mrs. Torner, mother of John.
Born between 1760 and 1770, James Mock, Christopher Platz, Magdalena Auch, Margaret Ackerman, Jacob Heck, John Keller, Sr, John Fashbangh, William Fashbaugh, Jacob Palmer, Barney Brown, Christopher Singer.
Born between 1770 and 1780, Mrs. Stephen Hoover, Barbara Schock, God- frey Lent and wife, Casper Fetter and wife, Jacob Shearing, John Miller and wife, Dorothea Dietz, Jacob Kimmerly and wife, Frederick Klotz, Joseph Boy- ler, Peter Houseman, John Streby and wife, John Mock, John Machin, John Taylor, Mrs. William Fashbaugh, Michael Schaeffer, George Mock and wife, Benjamin Brown and wife, Elizabeth Kullers.
Oldest Inhabitants of Warren and Union Townships.
Born between 1740 and 1750, Mrs. Holmes, mother of Jacob; Conrad Pearch, Mrs. Conover, grandmother of James; Frederick Everhart.
Born between 1750 and 1760 Charles Scott, Joseph Wilson, Joseph Rutter, Sr., Samuel Sample, Sr., Mrs. Frederick Everhart, William Trussell, John Beamer, John Wyandt, Sr.
Born between 1760 and 1770, Joseph Hayes, Frederick Mizer and wife, Wil- liam Scott and wife, Samuel Russell, Jacob Holmes, Thomas Mills and wife, George Davis, John Witchcraft, Samuel Anderson, Paul Preston, John Dunlap, Michael Smith, Robert Stevenson and wife, Peter Jennings and wife, John Ramsberger and wife, Samuel Lappin and wife, Martin Hoffman, Philip Senter, William McClary, Sr., Thomas McPherson, Reuben Runyan, Peter Beamer, Patrick Reardon, William Sherrard, Abram Richardson, Sr., and wife, Moses Shaw, Benjamin Price, John Tinkey, Charles A. Lindsey and wife, William Sears, George Study.
Born between 1770 and 1780, Samuel Griffin, Henry Machaman and wife, Joseph Miller, Kinsey Cahill, Robert Scott and wife, George Davis, Philip Capel and wife, Mary Huffman, James Russell, David Davis, James Davis, Andrew Miller and wife, George Alfred Andrew Black, Catherine Strause, William Conwell, Elizabeth Marley, Daniel Swally and wife, Joseph Buskirk, William Albaugh, Adam Beamer, Frederick Weaver, James Sellers and wife, Jacob Shaffer, Peter Close, John Cross, Adam Sherrard, Nicholas Skeels, Richard Herron, Philip Miller Isaac Masters, Mary Seran, Obadiah Holmes.
Oldest Inhabitants of Bucks Township.
Born between 1750 and 1760, Mary Seldenright, Jacob Lorrey, Mrs. Bennell, mother of William.
Born between 1760 and 1770, Albright Kintlesberger, Stoddard Anderson,
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Mrs. Cummings, mother of Richard, Guy Young, Mrs Helwig, mother of Benja- min, Mrs. Jacob Forney. Israel Penrod and wife, Peter Kern.
Born between 1770 and 1780, David Hoover, Mrs. Guy Young, Valentine Thompson, Mrs. Peter Kern, Joseph Dormer, George Cutshall, John Spang- ler, Sr., and wife.
Oldest Inhabitants of Fairfield Township.
Born between 1750 and 1760, John Bowman and wife, Thomas Cordroy, Sr.
Born between 1760 and 1770, Jacob Weaver, John McCleary, Mrs. Joseph Herminger, George Kollars, Margaret Long, Matthew Laird, Jacob Smith, Gideon Jennings.
Born between 1770 and 1780, Peter Wolf and wife, John Davy and wife, James McKee and wife, Jacob Waltz and wife, Charles Stevens and wife, Lud- wig Snowland, Nathan Corderay, George Strawn.
Oldest Inhabitants of One Leg Township, living in 1830.
[This township was added to Carroll at the erection of that county, in 1833 ] Born between 1730 and 1740, Mrs. Gamble, mother of George.
Born between 1740 and 1750, Mary Waggoner and Mathias Shiltz.
Born between 1750 and 1760, Samuel Snelling, William Reed and wife, Adam Swihart, Sr., Henry Martin, Frederick Walters, Mrs. Warford, grand- mother of William.
Born between 1760 and 1770, John Rule, Jacob Crager and wife, Ann Pat- terson, John Phoenix, William Gamble, Mrs. Laffer, mother of Adam, John Bowers, Sr., George Crumrine, Mary Warner, John Fry and wife, Joseph Jef- fries, William Perkins, John Getterell. William Bavard and wife, Mrs Barrack Roby, James Roby and wife, and Benjamin Leggett.
Born between 1770 and 1780, Michael Thompson, George Nicholson, Joseph Boyd, James Palmer, Samuel McKee, Daniel McMillan, John Sterling, Samuel Hyde, William Watkins, Joseph McDaniel and wife, Abram Warner, William Rouse, Michael Quinn, Jesse Clark and wife, Benjamin Knight, George Gamble and wife, William Ball, Daniel Black, Sarab Stoneman, Barney Bower and wife, Alexander Smith and wife, Mrs. Richard Huff, Patrick McMillan, Richard Coleman, William Kyle, Amos Doyle and wife, Henry Ball and wife, Jesse Carter, Eve Glass, Parlan Pyle, Thomas Walker, Barrack Roby, James Parker, Mrs. George Crumrine, and Mrs. William Gamble.
Oldest Inhabitants of Sandy Township.
Born between 1740 and 1750, Walling Miller and wife.
Born between 1750 and 1760, Mrs. M. Burroway, Philip Farber and wife, George Barnett, Catherine Fulk.
Born between 1760 and 1770, Elizabeth Grinder, John Lennox, William Baird, Elizabeth West, Mrs. J. Johnson, Thomas McKnight, Mary Shees, Mich- aol Flicking and wife.
Born between 1770 and 1780, Joseph Sadler, George Barringer and wife, Frederick Holtzhoy, James Bailey, John Burke and wife, Asa Menard and wife, Henry Wingate, Thomas McKnight and wife, William Williams, Joshua Weaver.
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SKETCHES OF EARLY SETTLERS, AND ANECDOTES.
CHRISTIAN DEARDORFF
Was one of the first pioneers on Sugar Creek. He came from Maryland, prior to 1807, and settled at what is now Dover, where he took out a ferry license as early as 1809. In company with Bohn and Slingluff he bought land, and laid off farm lots, and platted the town of Dover, which became, and has since retained the name of being, the great wheat market of the county. Mr. Deardorff he- came one of the associate judges of the court in 1808, and remained in that position until 1824, being the longest period of service of any man who ever held office in the county. A man of the most sterling integrity in all the affairs of life, his name became the syno- nym of all that was honest and upright. He left a large family of sons to inherit his virtues and his large property, all of whom he made farmers and business men. Being advised to make his son Jesse a professional man, he shook his head, but finally consented , to try it ; and on Jesse's return from New Athens College in 1841-2, he was asked by the judge what class he graduated in. He replied that he was the best ball-player there. Judge Deardorff died in 1851, and his wife Catherine is yet living in 1875, being perhaps the oldest of the wives of the first pioneers west of the river.
JOHN JUDY.
Among the first white settlers of the county was John Tschudi- in English, Judy-who came to the United States in 1803, and reached Tusearawas County the same year. He was descended from an ancient Swiss family, the head of which, Von Aegidies Tschudi, was born at Glams in 1505, and who wrote the Chronicles of Switz- erland, dating back to A. D. 1000, and coming down to 1470. The subject of this sketch came first to Gnadenhutten, and being single, put up a cabin on a piece of land he had contracted for with John Heckewelder. While making rails, John Kuisely, the founder of New Philadelphia, came to the woods where Judy was at work, and bought a large hog of him, and engaged him to come up to town and assist in raising a barn. He did so, and the hog and his work make the first payment on fifty aeres he then bought of Knisely, about one mile east of New Philadelphia, and which he owned until
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he died, having added thereto by other purchases. Martin Keller - and Jacob Keller, with their father, had come over with Judy, who was saved from being sold for passage money by their aid. Mr. Judy was a tailor by trade, and made clothes for the Indians; and at some time he put up on Water street the first house created in New Philadelphia ; assisted in cutting out the first road east from the town ; and was three days helping to move Godfrey Hoff from town to his settlement, about ten miles up the river, having to make a road, and in some places traveled up the bed of the river.
PHILIP CORRELL.
Among the earliest settlers about New Philadelphia were John, Jacob and Abraham Knisely, Henry Laffer, Major Cribbs, Peter Williams, James Clark, Christian Espich, John Judy, Sr., Henry Minnich, George Lininger, George Steffler, George Stuthour, Abra- ham Shane, Philip Correll, David Knisely, all of whom are dead except the two last. Mr. Correll informs the writer that in 1811 there were ten or twelve houses in New Philadelphia, and but three or four graves in the cemetery. At Dover there was then but one house in the present town, and that the ferry house. At the Goshen mission there were about thirty families; among whom were Chris- tian and John Henry, sons of the chief Killbuck; Widow White Eyes and two daughters, "Big Foot" and two sons. A party of warriors from Canada came to Goshen, dressed in war costume. Correll and others "went for them," believing there was a premium on scalps. They found the warriors hid in the drift on the island, named by General Putnam "Zeisberger Island," opposite Goshen. After some parley, the Indians surrendered and were brought to jail-which stood where the Auditor's office now is-and remained there hobbled until Colonel Cass came and had them taken away.
In the war of 1812, he says, about two hundred volunteers went from Tuscarawas County to Fort Meigs, the greater number of whom returned safe. He also says several hundred Kentuckians passed through New Philadelphia to the scene of war, and returned home the same way. They had no money, and moved along in scattered parties, the citizens supplying them with provisions while at New Philadelphia, his father feeding twenty to thirty every night. Henry Laffer was detailed as a commissary to take a lot of flour to Mans- field, and young Correll went along as driver of a team. He says that when they got to Wooster there was a panic among the settlers
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in that country, hearing that the Indians were coming with the Brit- ish to lay waste the whole of Eastern Ohio. The flour was quickly unloaded at Wooster, and the teams hurried home. On their way back they found the roads lined with the teams of settlers, fleeing east with their families. It turned out that the panic arose from the landing at Cleveland of a large number of paroled soldiers from Hull's surrendered army; whereupon the panic subsided, and the settlers, among whom were some in Tuscarawas County who had fled, returned to their homes, and the county of Tuscarawas escaped the devastations of war.
PETER WILLIAMS
Came to New Philadelphia from Pennsylvania as early as 1808, and was then about twenty years old. He took out license to keep store. In 1811 was appointed county treasurer, being the second in the county. In 1813 he married Maria, daughter of John Knisely, - who laid out New Philadelphia, which assured his success in life. He served as treasurer until 1823; and being a shrewd business man, became possessed of good farms and town property. which made him wealthy. Mr. Williams also served as county commis- sioner, and as associate judge several years. It is related of him that while judge he traveled about some in other counties, and no- ticing that the judges generally had arm and cushioned or hickory- bottomed split chairs, instead of the old-fashioned straight-backs, hard bottoms, with no arms, as used in Tuscaravas, he determined to effect a reform in this respect. Shortly after his return home he called on Auditor King, told him what fine chairs other counties had provided, and asked King to furnish new chairs for our judges. King, who was a rigid economist, said he guessed the people would prefer to have new judges instead of new chairs. The result was that he refused Williams' request, and no new chairs were provided until after Williams retired from the bench, in 1839. Judge Wil- liams had thirteen children, and died in 1868. His wife, Maria, died in 1875, aged seventy-nine years.
JACOB BLICKENSDERFER
Came to Ohio about 1800, and settled as a general business man, able to discharge any duty, being an educated man and having a fine mathematical mind. He served as a county commissioner, pres- ident of a bank, took an active part in behalf of the construction
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of the Ohio Canal through this valley, and in opening up roads through this county, and was always foremost in any improvement going on. He was county auditor from 1818 to 1820, associate judge from 1829 to 1836, and again from 1850 to 1852. He also represented the county in the general assembly, and was a delegate to the constitutional convention in 1851. He was perhaps the most practical man in his day on anything, exeept making money. Al- though he purchased largely of lands and other property, and was a man of ordinary economy, he died, after a useful life to his fellow- men, without a sufficiency to discharge his liabilities, which were afterward provided for by his sons out of their means. Failing to leave a fortune to them, as he might have done, they entered upon the career of life the more earnestly, and Professor Jacob Blick- ensderfer, Jr., to-day stands unsurpassed for his engineering and mathematical attainments, commanding at this time a salary equal to that of a foreign minister or cabinet officer.
JOHN KNISELY AND HENRY LAFFER.
These two men were in the forefront of early civilization in Tus- earawas, and their names are to be found in the list of the first pio- neers, in another part of this work.
Knisely came about 1804; bought the thirty-five hundred acre tract on which he laid out New Philadelphia in 1805-6 ; and to pro- eure the county-seat to be located thereat, donated to the county one hundred and sixty acres and one hundred town lots.
Laffer came about 1806; bought and built at New Philadelphia, and opened a hotel of that day, in 1808-9, which he made head- quarters for early settlers.
Both were men of self-will, great energy, ambitious in their way, and each looked upon the other as a rival. One had the more money, and the other the greater brain. The power of the one equalized the power of the other at the start. Just then mischief- makers stepped in. Each had his friends and enemies, who carried stories to irritate. It was whispered to Knisely by one that Laffer had been seen taking his hay. He aecosted Laffer in a rough, brusque manner, and taunted him with what he heard. Laffer re- pelled the imputation, and added that he had never stole hay, or sold the people, or corrupted public officers-alluding to the land and lot donations in the county-seat matter. Knisely repelled the insinuation of bribery ; and then said he could prove the charge,
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having become much heated. They parted enemies. Laffer con- menced an action of slander against Knisely for five hundred dol- lars damages, and caused his arrest on a capias. The trial came on in 1810, Knisely employing Louis Cass and others, and Laffer ent- ploying E. Herrick 'and others, attorneys. The jury found a ver- dict for defendant, the plaintiff failing to prove that Knisely had spoken the slanderous words.
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