The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 40

Author: Warner, Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1017

USA > Ohio > Tuscarawas County > The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio > Part 40

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Thomas C. Ferrell was reared in Harrison County; taught school; served during the war; again taught school and read law. He was appointed Coun- ty Clerk in 1875, at the decease of Clerk D. C. McGregor; served about a year and resumed the practice of law at New Philadelphia, of which he served as Mayor two terms. In 1883, he removed to a farm in Carroll County.

Simpson Harmount, Superintendent of the County Orphans' Home, in Dover Township, is a member of the bar, but has never engaged actively in practice.

Oliver H. Hoover, the Surveyor of Tuscarawas County, was admitted to the bar in 1874, but his official duties have interfered with the active practice of his profession.

The present bar of New Philadelphia consists of twenty-two active prac- titioners. Of these, Hosea T. Stockwell is the senior in point of practice. He was born in Plainfield, Mass., November 21, 1820. In 1845, having read law for one year, he came to New Philadelphia; was Deputy Clerk of the Courts

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HISTORY OF TUSCARAWAS COUNTY.

under C. H. Mitchener for one year, and was then admitted to the bar. Prac. ticing at the county seat for two years, he removed his office to Dover, but five years later returned to New Philadelphia, where he has since contin- ued his practice. He has been associated in the profession with George W. Chapman, George W. McIlvaine and Ready and Mitchener successively, and since 1880 has practiced alone.

Judge John H. Barnhill was born in Jefferson County August 4, 1826; was reared on a farm; taught school for five years during his youth; read law with Col. Eckley. of Carrollton, and was admitted to the bar in 1851. A year later he came to New Philadelphia, and has since practiced his profession here. In 1854, he was elected Probate Judge of the county on the Repub- lican ticket, and served two successive terms. He has also been Mayor of New Philadelphia.

Alexander L. Neely was born in Jefferson County February 19, 1828; he came to Tuscarawas County in 1852, read law in the office of J. C. Hance, and was admitted in 1854. He has since practiced continuously at the county seat. In 1864, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney, but resigned at the ex- piratiou of about one year. He has had four law partners-Simon Wolf (now of Washington City), J. M. Collier, T. B. Finley and W. S. Neely. Mr. Neely has frequently been importuned by his friends to permit his name to be used for nomination to office, but has always declined, preferring the extensive practice which his unerring judgment and knowledge of law has won for him.

Abraham W. Patrick, son of James Patrick, is a native of New Philadel- phia. He learned the printer's trade in the office of the Chronicle, read law with Columbus Delano, afterward Secretary of the Interior under President Grant, and W. R. Sapp, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, and was admitted about 1855. For a year he was member of the firm Delano, Sapp & Patrick, then returned to New Philadelphia, and in 1857 was elected Prosecuting Attorney, serving four years. In 1866, he was elected Probate Judge, serving three years, and declined re-nomination. He resumed practice in 1870, and the year following was elected to the State Senate, serving one term. Mr. Patrick excels as an advocate, and as such has a wide practice.

Fletcher Douthitt was born in Morrow County, Ohio; was raised on a farm; graduated at the Ohio State and Union Law College of Cleveland in 1864; commenced practice in Mount Gilead; located at Uhrichsville in 1873, and in 1879 removed to New Philadelphia, where he has since practiced.

James A. D. Richards, a native of Boston, Mass., came to Tuscarawas County in 1862, taught school for several years, read law with A. L. Neely, and was admitted in 1867. His law partners have been D. W. Stambaugh, J. Lee Webster and F. Douthitt. He is now alone and enjoys an extensive practice.

John H. Booth is a native of Franklin Township, where he was born May 9, 1840. He was reared on the farm; graduated from the scientific depart- ment of Michigan University in 1864; was employed on the United States

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Survey in the Northwest for several years; in 1866, entered the law office of J. C. Hance at New Philadelphia; was admitted two years later, and has prac- ticed since, though for several years he has devoted most of his attention to surveying and to the real estate business.

John D. Laughead was born in Illinois, and came to Tuscarawas County in 1847. In 1858, he became Deputy Clerk of the Courts, and held the posi- tion several years. He was admitted to the bar in 1871. Through his con- nection with the county offices, he has become familiar with all the records, which have proved of material assistance to him in his practice. He has labored zealously in behalf of the Democratic party, and has a wide acquaintance throughout the State.

John A. Buchanan, of Buchanan & De Greif, was born in Belmont County March 9, 1852. He read law in Guernsey County and was admitted in 1871.

After a two years' practice at Barnesville, he opened an office at Newcomers- town, and was there seven years. In 1881, he removed to New Philadelphia, where he has practiced since, in partnership with E. P. De Greif after Febru- ary, 1882.

James T. O'Donnell was born in Mill Township November 9, 1849. He taught school for five consecutive winters; then read law with J. C. Hance two years, and was admitted about 1873. He became the junior member of the firm Hance & O'Donnell, which continued until the election of Judge Hance to the bench, and since then Mr. O'Donnell has practiced alone to an extensive clientage.

John S. Graham was born in Union Township September 5, 1834. He was reared on the farm, and after marriage removed to Warren Township, where he lived until 1871. He then came to New Philadelphia, read law with J. H. Barnhill, and was admitted to practice the fall of the same year, continuing his practice since. In 1881, he was elected on the Republican ticket State Representative, and while in the discharge of his legislative duties, prepared and was instrumental in the passage of the bill to erect a court house at New Philadelphia.

Joseph T. Mccullough is also a native of Union Township. He taught and attended school in his youth; entered the law office of J. H. Barnhill, and was admitted to the bar in 1874. He commenced practice at Uhrichsville, and remained there until 1882, when he removed to New Philadelphia.

Leroy McGregor was admitted to practice in 1874, and for several years followed the profession at New Cumberland, the place of his nativity. He came to the county seat in 1880, and has since practiced, in partnership with Samuel Moore.

Samuel Moore was born in Harrison County October 1, 1846. He attend- ed McNeely College, and taught school from 1867 to 1879. During the latter year he came to New Philadelphia and opened a law office, having previously read law at Deersville and been admitted in 1877.

James Foster Wilkin was born at Holiday's Cove, W. Va., February 26, 1853; moved, when twelve years old, with his parents, from Coshocton to New-

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comerstown; taught school in that village and in Trenton; read law with James A. D. Richards, of New Philadelphia, and was admitted in 1877. He was the partner of Mr. Richards for a time, and has since practiced alone with good success. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney in 1881.

Edward P. De Greif was born in New York City March 14, 1854, and four years later was brought by his parents to this county. He served as Deputy Sheriff and Clerk under his father's administration; read law during the time, and was admitted in 1878. In 1881, he formed a law partnership with J. A. Buchanan, which still continues.

Michael V. Ream, a native of this county, read law in the office of A. W. Patrick, and was admitted to the bar in 1878. He immediately opened an office at New Philadelphia, and has since been engaged in the practice of his profession.

Philip S. Olmstead read law with J. H. Barnhill, and for a short time after admission was associated with him in practice. Having been elected Justice of the Peace for Goshen Township, he opened an office for himself, and is now engaged in the practice of law and sale of real estate in partner- ship with W. S. Bailey.

William S. Bailey read law with J. C. Hance, and after admission at once entered upon its practice at the county seat.

James G. Patrick read law at New Philadelphia, and is engaged in the practice of his profession with his father, James Patrick, Jr., ex-Judge of the Common Pleas Court.

Frank S. Romig is a native of Warwick Township. He graduated at the Michigan University Law School in 1881; the same year, was admitted to the bar, and has since opened an office at New Philadelphia.

The bar at Uhrichsville is represented by Thompson D. Healea, William B. Thompson, Lemuel C. Ball and William Johnston. Mr. Thompson was admitted at New Philadelphia many years ago, but has since entered the bank- ing business and is now seldom seen in court except on business connected with the bank. Mr. Healea read law with F. Douthitt, and after admission became his partner. Since the removal of Mr. Douthitt to New Philadelphia, Mr. Healea has continued the business of the firm at Uhrichsville. Mr. Ball has been Mayor of his village, and served in other public capacities. Ill health has seriously interfered with his practice.

At Dennison, J. W. Yeagley and Edward C. Lingan are engaged in the practice; at Dover, John A. Hostetler and Jasper H. Mitchell; at New- comerstown, Andrew J. Wilkin; at Bolivar, John M. Lessick; at Ragersville, Levi Travis, and at Port Washington, Henry H. Porter.

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HISTORY OF TUSCARAWAS COUNTY.

CHAPTER X.

CANALS AND RAILROADS.

EARLY LEGISLATION-SURVEYS AND ROUTE OF THE OHIO CANAL-ITS CONSTRUC- TION THROUGH TUSCARAWAS COUNTY-CONTRACTORS-ABRAM GARFIELD- EFFECTS IN STIMULATING AGRICULTURE-MANAGEMENT OF THE CANAL- THE SANDY AND BEAVER CANAL AND ITS FAILURE-THE STEUBEN- VILLE & INDIANA RAILROAD-THE CLEVELAND & PITTSBURGH RAILROAD-THE CLEVELAND, LORAIN & WHEELING RAIL- ROAD-THE MARIETTA & PITTSBURGH RAILROAD- THE WHEELING & LAKE ERIE RAILWAY- THE VALLEY ROAD-THE CONNOTTON VALLEY RAILROAD.

T HE importance which was attached to the building of canals a half cent- ury ago can scarcely be appreciated to-day, when they are regarded by most people as little else than the relics of a former slow-moving period of the country's development. Canal construction was one of the first great measures to which the State gave attention. As early as January, 1817, a resolution on the subject of canal navigation between Lake Erie and the Ohio was intro- duced into the Ohio Legislature. In 1822, a bill was passed authorizing a survey to ascertain the practicability and comparative expense of four several routes, namely, from Sandusky Bay, from the Maumee River, from the mouth of the Cuyahoga, or Black, River, by the Muskingum, and from the mouth of Grand River, by the Mahoning, to the Ohio. At the next session, the Canal Commissioners reported either route practicable, and requested further time to ascertain the comparative advan tages of each. At the session of 1823-24, the route through the upper part of the Muskingum, the Licking, and the lower part of the Scioto Valleys, was recommended by the Commissioners. They also called attention to the advantageous route by way of the Miami Valley. In the summer of 1824, two lines of canal were located, one . from Cincinnati to the Maumee, and one from the mouth of the Scioto to Coshocton, and thence by one of three different routes to the lake. The cost of the former was estimated at $2,502,494; of the latter, from $2,626,571 to $2,934,024, accord- ing to the route selected from Coshocton to the lake. Definitive action was taken by the Legislature, February 4, 1825, by the passage of an act authorizing a Board of Canal Commissioners, consisting of seven members, " to commence and prosecute the making of a navigable canal on the Muskingum and Scioto route so called, from the Ohio River at or near the mouth of Scioto River, by the way of the Licking Summit and the Muskingum River, to Lake Erie, com- mencing at the most eligible point on Licking Summit and such intermediate point or points between said summit and Lake Erie and said Summit and the

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HISTORY OF TUSCARAWAS COUNTY.

Scioto River as in the opinion of said Commissioners will best promote the in- terests of the State," also authorizing them to begin work on the Miami line. A canal fund was created, to consist of all lands, properties and moneys de- voted to the object of the act. To manage this fund, a Board of "Commission- ers of the Canal Fund " was established, consisting of three members, with authority to borrow money and superintend its application. Provision was made by the same act for the regular payment of interest and the final re- demption of the stock to be created. Money was borrowed and the work was commenced and prosecuted with energy. The canal received the name of the Ohio Canal, and the line from Coshocton to the mouth of the Cuyahoga, by the way of the Tuscarawas, was fixed upon. It was completed about 1830, and, including feeders, is 333 miles in length and cost $4, 244, 539.

The Commissioners gave notice to all parties concerned throughout Ohio and the adjoining States that a commencement of the excavation would be made at Licking Summit July 4, 1825. The invited guests included many notables of the State and nation. Gov. De Witt Clinton, of New York, raised the first spadeful of earth, and ex-Gov. Morrow, of Ohio, the second.

The scene was one of great excitement and confusion; an immense crowd had gathered. The people shouted themselves hoarse, and the feeling was so great that tears fell from many eyes. Hon. Thomas Ewing, of Lancaster, was the orator of the occasion.

That portion of the canal through Tuscarawas County was built from the north, southward. Alfred Kelley, of Cleveland, was the acting Commissioner who managed the construction of the northern division of the canal. Con- tracts were let by sections of a mile or half a mile in length. Many of the contractors were Eastern men, familiar with canal work, who came West with this business in view. In quite a number of instances, the contractors, be- fore completing their work, would abandon it under an apprehension of loss. Ninety per cent of the contract price was paid as the work progressed, and in cases of abandonment men could usually be found to complete the work at the original price, together with the withheld 10 per cent of the work already done. Mr. Elisha Janes, now one of the oldest residents of New Philadel- phia, completed several contracts of this kind, two near Zoar, one at Canton Ford, near new Philadelphia, and one at. Red Bank, several miles below. Walter M. Blake, of New Philadelphia, Samuel Shane, of Dover, and other citizens of Tuscarawas County were contractors on the canal. Another con- tractor on the canal was Abram Garfield, the father of our late martyred Pres- ident. His section of about a half mile lay between Port Washington and Newcomerstown, and he was there engaged about a year in its construction. Mr. Thomas Moore, one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of New Philadelphia, and one of the lessees of the canal, was a laborer for Mr. Gar- field at $10 per month. John and Lewis Pearse, formerly extensive farmers of near Port Washington, also worked for him. Mr. Garfield employed about twenty hands. Their "boss" was James Ballou, Mr. Garfield's brother-in-law. Mrs. Garfield. the venerable mother of James A., boarded the hands at their

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log cabin. She was a sweet singer, and in the evening, after her day's work was done, used to charm the weary laborers with her enchanting songs. Mr. Garfield is remembered as a thorough, energetic man. Robert Nugen, late of Newcomerstown, was also a contractor. He built the State dam at Trenton and was from that time on closely identified with the canal. At the time of his decease he was the Superintendent for the lessees.

The laborers were usually farmers and their sons, in the vicinity of the work. Money was extremely scarce, and one of the greatest problems for the early settler to solve was how to procure a sufficient amount of money to pay his tases. Produce was in little or no demand, and when disposed of was usually bartered or exchanged for other commodities; but the building of the canal offered an opportunity of acquiring the necessary cash. The wages were from $7 to $10 per month and board, twenty-six working days from sun- rise to sunset constituting a month. The hands were well fed and lodged in shanties.

The effect of the construction of the canal in developing the agricultural resources of the country was wonderful, and the price of grain rose almost in- stantly from 25 or 30 cents per bushel to more than double that amount, and soon reached $1. Previously, a bushel of wheat could scarcely be exchanged for a pound of coffee, but the "Grand Canal," as it was first called, effected a complete revolution in the demand for wheat and corn. Grain and produce merchants established business houses at every port along the canal, and were prepared to furnish ready money for all the grain presented for sale. Most of it was shipped east by way of Cleveland and Buffalo.

The canal was operated by the State from the time of its completion until 1861. John Moffit was the first resident Superintendent of the canal in this county, and served in that capacity until his death. The first boat that passed over the canal was the " Union," of Dover. Its passage through the county was attended and cheered by large crowds that gathered along the banks. Gen. Harrison, in 1840, when a Presidential candidate, passed through this county on a canal boat.

In 1861, the canal was leased by the State for ten years to Joseph Cooper, of Cincinnati, William J. Jackson, of Piqua, Col. A. Medberry, of Roscoe, Thomas Brown, of Dayton, Thomas Moore, of New Philadelphia, and Kent Jarvis, of Massillon, for $20,075 per annum, payable semi- annually in advance. This action was taken by the State for the reason that the manangement of the canal had for several years been attended with great expense. In 1871, the lease was renewed for ten years to the same company and upon the same terms, but in 1878 the company abandoned the lease and in 1879 the State again took possession. The canal is now again controlled by the State, and is under the immediate supervision of the Board of Public Works, who appoint officers and have entire charge of its affairs. "It is divided into three divis- ions, each of which is in charge of a chief engineer, who looks after repairs and other matters and makes a yearly report to the Board. Collectors are stationed at various places along the canal, whose business is to collect toll

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and water rent. A specified amount of toll is paid by those who run the boats, both upon the boat and cargo, the rate depending upon the value or quality of the cargo. It varies from 2 or 3 mills to 2 or 3 cents per mile. The boats are owned by private individuals, who have the use of the canal by paying the tolls. Before the days of railroads, these boats did a through bus- iness, and some of them were 'passenger packets,' which were lightly and neatly built, and arranged for carrying passengers, and made much quicker time than the freight boats. Since the advent of railroads, however, this class of boats has, of course, disappeared, and those carrying freight now do only a local trade, the railroads doing all through business. The boats will carry from fifty to eighty tons and draw from two to three feet of water. Their principal business now is to transport coal, wheat, building stone, and any freight that does not require quick transportation."

From 1879 to 1881, the receipts , largely exceeded the expenditures, but during the past year the damage done to the canal by the high waters has re- quired such an expenditure for repairs that the balance has been adverse. P. Calahan, of Lockport, is the present Superintendent of the subdivision ex- tending from Bolivar to Roscoe. The only collector's port in this county is at Dover.

The amount of business now transacted on the canal in this county may be seen from the following statement of the port at Dover for the last two years:

ARTICLES.

1881 Arrived.

1881 Cleared.

1882 Arrived.

1882 Cleared.

Barrels-

Flour

204

1,219

Oil (linseed) . .

Lime and cement.

3,480

352

1,680

Pork

Salt.

2,400

12,407

2,280

16,942

Bushels-

Clover seed.

284

Potatoes ..

456

895

Corn ..

5,290

4,618

4,680

Coal (mineral).

10,900

1,244,175

12,412

1,501,250

Wheat

114,200

118,642

170,200

175,148

Pounds-

Baggage and furniture.

49,100

7,204

9,400

Fire clay.

119,000

178,940

980,000

Ice ...

60,000

10,900

Iron (pig or scrap).

20,920

44,800

9,000

96,138

Iron (cast)

90,480

14,280

Limestone.

2,401,000

Machinery

21,900 40,210

18,480

180,290

132,000

Merchandise

101,840

409,320

225,390

Ore (iron).

280,920

142,980

Potters' ware.

200,100

8,400 294

Powder

4,200

9,200

Rags

14,000

1,980

Sugar

9,200

Tobacco

980

Sundries.

91,800

42.460

58,290

98,900

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Paper

94,200

Crockery.

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HISTORY OF TUSCARAWAS COUNTY.

ARTICLES.

1881 Arrived.

1881 Cleared.

1882 Arrived.

1882 Cleared.

Number --

Barrels (empty).

2,180

6,579 210,000

19,400

17.786

Brick

154,000

Hoop poles

400.900

108,000

48,000

Lath.

1,908,400

21,500

2.210,000

400,900

Posts ..

1,608

109

2,450

Staves and heading

40,800

16,000

40,200

82,800

Shingles

3,040,500

27,800

4,509,200

108,000

Feet-

Lumber

1,800,900

17,400

3.402,980

212.400

Timber

190,700

12,300

Cords -

Wood.

190

The following is a statement of the shipments and receipts at the port of Canal Dover for the year ending November 15, 1850:

ARTICLES.

ARRIVED. | CLEARED.

Ale and beer, barrels.

Flour, barrels .

38,723

Lake fish, barrels

908

Oil (linseed), barrels.

Oil (lard), barrels

Pork, barrels.

1,574

Salt, barrels.

5,658

110

Whisky, barrels ..

408

2,971

Barley, bushels

1,683

189

Coal, (mineral), bushels.

107,498

Coke, bushels.

2,530

Seeds (clover and grass), bushels.

487

Wheat. bushels

450,899

Butter, pounds .

250,362

Baggage and furniture, pounds.

54,115

78.408

Bacon and pork, pounds.

1,2 9

100,919

Cheese, pounds. .

9,728

369

Coffee, pounds.

53,714

621

Cotton yarn, pounds.

2,550

Cordage, pounds.

2.266

Candles, pounds.

641

112

Crockery, pounds.

39,964

965

Eggs, pounds.

30,787

Fruit (dried), pounds

3,400

98,738

Feathers, pounds.

748

Furs and peltries, pounds.

5,899

Grease, pounds.

8,015

Glassware, pounds.

15,533

17,807

Hemp, pounds.

928

Hides and skins, pounds ...

17,112

2,566

Pig and scrap iron, pounds.

213,658

579,546

Iron, pounds.

119,927

10,573

Lard, pounds.

73,182

Lead, pounds ..

672

100

Leather (Ohio), pounds .

7,474

Leather, sole and unfinished, pounds.

60,174

26,237

Machinery, pounds .

28,190

42,850

Merchandise, pounds

684,243

34,355

Domestic spirits, barrels.

Corn, bushels. .

52,808

Oats, bushels.

Clocks, pounds

13,612

635

Bark

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ARTICLES.

ARRIVED.

CLEARED.

Marble (unwrought), pounds.

85,358

Marble (wrought), pounds.

3,040

Molasses, pounds.

40,133

1,782

Nails, pounds.

65,513

26,029

Oil Cake, pounds.

15,949

Ore (Iron). pounds.

993,520

Potters' ware, pounds.

790

2,996

Paper (Ohio), pounds .

5,694

Pot and Pearl ashes, pounds.

6.673

Saleratus (Ohio), pounds

4,887

Sugar, pounds.

32,517

2,009

Tallow, pounds ..

483

Tobacco (not mixed), pounds.

7,815

Tobacco (mixed), pounds ..

9,675

668

Wool, pounds

1,208

163,378

West India fruits, pounds.

687

White Lead, pounds

4,705

818

Sundries, pounds.

100,954

18,471

Lumber, feet.

120,500

7,362

Timber, feet.

20,692

Stone, perches.

711

Barrels (empty), number.

2,485

1,002

Brooms, number.

318

Passengers

408

Passengers, miles traveled, number

12,828

Split and flat hoops ..

146,550

Staves and heading, number.

10,000

Shingles, number.

135,000

Wood, cords

SIMPSON HARMOUNT. Collector.

THE SANDY & BEAVER CANAL.

The project of connecting the Ohio Canal with the Ohio River at the mouth of Little Beaver in Columbiana County, was agitated by citizens along the proposed route soon after the Ohio Canal was started. As early as 1826, the Sandy & Beaver Canal Company was incorporated. In 1830, the act of incorporation was amended, and in 1835 the Legislature passed another amendment Capitalists at Philadelphia and Pittsburgh interested them- selves in the matter, surveys and estimates were made, and, about 1834, work was commenced. Not until after $1,500,000 were spent and a large portion of the work completed, did the impracticability of the route become apparent. Sufficient water could.not be obtained to operate it. Work had been done all along the line, but aqueducts, culverts, etc., had not been constructed. Boats were run on twenty miles of the western end for several years, but the reve- nue did not equal the expense of repair, and the entire line was abandoned. At present the State occupies three and a half miles and keeps it in repair at a considerable outlay as a feeder to the Ohio Canal. The canal started in Lawrence Township, opposite Bolivar, and thence proceeded eastward through Lawrence and Sandy Townships and Stark and Carroll Counties.

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The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 40

Author: Warner, Beers & Co. Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1017

Author: Warner, Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1017