The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 48

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

USA > Ohio > Tuscarawas County > The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio > Part 48

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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After the seat of justice was established, a steady stream of emigration commenced. George Leininger, the first tavern keeper, took out a license for that purpose in 1803. He died soon after, and his widow, Margaret Leinin- ger, carried on the business for many years at the old stand, the southwest corner of Broadway and Front. It was here that the first courts were held, and in the year 1808, Leininger's tavern was, doubtless, the most important and widest known locality in the county. Abraham Shane opened a tavern in 1809. He raised two or three companies and served as an officer in the war of 1812. He was a prominent pioneer, and filled various public positions. He shipped flour and other articles by raft down the Tuscarawas River and thence to New Orleans. He removed from the county seat to Dover, where he died in 1851. William Albert, in 1814, succeeded Henry Laffer at the latter's tavern stand, which occupied Lot 205, High street, the site of Mathias & McFarland's store. He was a son of Jacob Albert, an early settler of this township, and continued tavern-keeping about a score of years. He died in 1837. Samuel Shull, in 1812 and 1813, paid license to keep a tav. ern at New Philadelphia; Daniel Hummel, in 1813, and Christian Stout, in 1814, and subsequent years. George Gray commenced in 1816. Mr. Hummel came from Chambersburg, in 1811, was a wheelwright and chair-maker and followed his trade two years, when he began keeping tavern at Leinin- ger's place.

John and Alexander McConnell opened a store at New Philadelphia about 1810, and continued it for several years. Alexander worked awhile at tailor- ing, and during the war of 1812 he raised a squad of cavalry, which, however, did not get into action. He was afterward a popular Justice of Dover, where he died in 1839.

Among other early settlers of the village were Christian Espich, George W. Canfield, Jacob Blickensderfer, Philip Itzkin, the Peppers, Samuel Stough and George Sluthour. Mr. Canfield hailed from New Jersey, and reached New Philadelphia about 1814. He was appointed County Clerk in 1818, and died in office in 1826. Jacob Blickensderfer was among the most prominent pioneers. About 1812, he came from Lancaster County, Penn .; was County Commissioner from 1816 to 1819; Associate Judge from 1829 to 1836, and from 1850 to 1852; County Auditor from 1818 to 1820, and filled various other high and important offices. He labored actively and earnestly to secure the Ohio Canal through the valley, and was always foremost in matters of public improvement. He was highly educated and possessed superior math- ematical abilities. He removed to Dover, where for many years he was Toll Collector on the canal. Philip Itzkin came from Philadelphia, and died not many years later. George Sluthour came from Pennsylvania about 1811, and at once engaged in the carpenter trade. He constructed a great many early dwellings at the county seat. Samuel, Albert, Joshua and John Pepper, brothers, and brick-layers, came from Cadiz, and built most of the early brick structures in New Philadelphia.

On the pages of the Tuscarawas Chronicle, for the year 1821, advertise- ments of the following New Philadelphia merchants and business men are found: Dr. Orange Ranney " acquaints the public that he has removed to the office formerly occupied by Wright Warner, Esq., opposite William Al- bert's tavern. He has also just received and now offers for sale a general as- sortment of drugs and medicines," many of which he enumerates, and has also " the following highly celebrated patent medicines: Bateman's Drops, Godfrey's Cordial, Anderson's Pills, Itch Ointment (warranted genuine), Golden Tincture, British Oil, Balsam de Malta, Harlem Oil, Lee's Antibilious Pills."

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J. Johnson advertises a general assortment of merchandise, including dry goods. "ironmongery," cutlery, groceries, liquors, drugs, etc. He offers to receive tallow at his store in payment of debts or for goods. John White gives notice that he has commenced the gun-making and repairing business. and hopes to merit encouragement and support. "Coffee mills sharpened and repaired." H. Williams informs the public that he continues to carry on his business as chair-maker in his new house on High street. He has just " pur- chased the patent right of a newly invented spinning wheel, and made a num- ber on the new plan, which has been highly approved of by those who pur- chased them." Samuel J. Bowlby states that he has commenced the business of book binding in New Philadelphia, and that, " having tools for binding in all its various branches. he will bind books either in ornamental or plain form." He offers for sale a variety of German books, and will take country produce in part payment. Michael Ream commences tailoring in the house opposite Mr. Gray's tavern, " where all orders in the line of his profession will be thankfully received and punctually attended to. To suit the hardness of the times, he has determined to do work at the following reduced prices: Supertine coats, at $3 to $3.50; superfine vests or pantaloons, 75 cents; coarse coats, $1.50 to $2; coarse vests or pantaloons, 62} cents." William Neeriemer tailor, also requests the patronage of the public, and offers to do work at re- duced prices. He states that he has removed to the house of George Slut- hour (formerly occupied as a tavern by D. Hummel). Benjamin and Jacob Roam advertise for a quantity of muskrat skins, for which the highest price will be given in cash. Mathias Springer offers to make " ladies' and children's shoes and bootees, of morocco leather, at a reasonable price." Peter Cribbs " will receive butter in payment of earthenware, at 7 cents per pound, to be delivered at his dwelling in New Philadelphia." Charles F. Espich desires " dried gensing at 25 cents per pound, and 10 cents for undried, paid in store goods, or part cash if required. It must be well washed, carls taken out and trimmed." He also advertises tin and stoneware. Samuel Lane notifies the inhabitants of New Philadelphia and vicinity " that he has commenced the tayloring business, in the first house south of Mr. Smiley's tavern. Persons wishing to have their clothes made according to latest fashions can be suited agreeably to their desires." Robert Sergeant states that he " will receive but- ter at 62 cents per pound in payment of salt, saddlery and earthenware. Those who intend to furnish him with this article are requested not to put it up in kegs."

In the Advocate for 1820, besides several of the above advertisers, B. H. Wartield offers to the public a general line of merchandise; Wright Warner inserts a law card and Dr. Orange Ranney announces himself as a practicing physician. John Hall advertises the tailoring business, and Joseph Landers and Thomas Sergeant appear as tanners; Charles F. Espich as a merchant.

The following curious but business-like notice, taken from the Tuscarawas Chronicle, August 18. 1821, reveals the lamentable fact that the county seat in its infancy was not, in all respects, a model village. The righteous indig- nation expressed, and threatened vengeance, it is hoped, crushed the evil against which it was directed. The notice was worded as follows:

LOOK OUT, SLANDERERS ! It has been a practice among some people in this town to slander their neighbors, and create mischief among our citizens by spreading and telling the most notorious falsehoods. This custom has hitherto been confined to a few women. whose character for lying is so well known, that what they said done no injury. Within a short time, others have joined their ranks, whose standing in society was more respect- able. Men have been guilty of this crime, and have lent their aid in spreading stories about their neighbors, which they knew to be false. Persons who say they heard, that such an one has been guilty of such and such things, or such an one said so and so. are perhaps themselves the forgers of the falsehood. Taking this system of slandering to be a

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PHILIP BLACK

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great evil among our citizens, we recommend that all persons, who tell tales about their neighbors, be made to prove their truth, which, if they cannot do, that their names be posted up on the court house and published in the newspapers, as BASE SLANDERERS, unworthy of being taken into decent company. Those women and men, who know from experience, that this hint is directed to them, will do well to bridle their tongues in time, or punishment and shame will most assuredly overtake them.

NEW PHILADELPHIA, August 18, 1821.

MANY CITIZENS.

The plat of New Philadelphia, as originally laid out in 1804, and enlarged in 1805, was acknowledged by the proprietor, John Knisely, before Christian Deardorff, Associate Judge, May 22, 1813. It included 558 lots, most of them sixty six feet in width and 264 feet in depth. Water, Front, High, Fair and Ray streets extend north 80 degrees west. They are crossed at right angles by East, Second, Third, Broadway, Fifth, Sixth, West, Walnut, Mulberry and Chestnut streets. High, Broadway and Front streets are eighty-two and a half feet wide, Water street fifty feet, all others sixty-six feet. The alleys are each twenty-four feet nine inches in width. The square at the intersection of Broadway and High, thirteen rods each way, is donated for a court house. The two squares at the intersections of East and West streets, with High, are called Lower Market and Upper Market respectively. The following public donations are indicated on the plat: Four lots, 361-4 inclusive, at the north- west corner of Ray and Second streets, for English religious societies; four lots, 273-6, at the northwest corner of East and Fair streets, now the ceme- tery lot, for German religious societies; four lots, 397-400, at the northeast corner of West and Ray streets, to the Moravian Society; Lot 253, ou Third street, for a German schoolhouse; Lot 244, on Fifth street, for an English schoolhouse; Lot 203, on High street, for the public offices of the county.

The first addition to New Philadelphia was made by Benjamin W. Morris. It consisted of twelve lots, south of the original plat and west of Plum alley; was surveyed in September, 1844, and recorded in May, 1845. East Addition, consisting of thirteen in-lots and thirteen out-lots, at the northeast corner of the town, was laid out in 1851 by George W. McIlvaine and Jesse D. Elliott; eleven in-lots fronted on Beaver Dam road and two on Fair street. In the same year Levi Sargent made an addition of twelve lots and two out-lots, south of Water street and west of Fox alley. William F. Neely and Joseph Welty, in 1853, made their North Addition, consisting of twenty-two lots, lo- cated mostly on North street, between Fifth and Broadway. E. Janes' Addi- tion, of three ont-lots and sixteen lots, twelve on East Front and four on an extension of High street, now East avenue, was made in 1857. " West Phil- adelphia," consisting of fifty-one lots, located west of Chestnut and south of High street, was laid out by C. H. Mitchener in 1867. Kate and T. H. Smith, in 1868, laid out three building lots on East avenue. In 1868, Sargent's Northern Addition, consisting of thirty-five lots, between Fifth and Sixth streets, was laid out. A. T. Raiff's Addition of twelve lots, north of Moravian alley and west of West street, was made in 1869. In the same year, John Kaserman laid out his addition of twenty-two lots south of East avenue. The addition of John Arn and Jacob Nickles was made in 1870; it consists of ten lots, located north of Moravian alley and west of Walnut street. " West avenue," adjoining New Philadelphia on the southwest, and consisting of sixty-seven blocks, was laid out in 1872. N. Montag's Addition of nine lots on North West street was laid out the same year. William Campbell, in 1882, subdivided Lots 25, 26, 27 and 28. Eleven building lots were, in 1883, laid out north of West High street by Joseph Welty. Besides the above, a number of outlots adjacent to New Philadelphia have been platted and recorded.

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HISTORY OF TUSCARAWAS COUNTY.

New Philadelphia was incorporated by act of Legislature passed February 12, 1833. The first election for officers was held on Monday, May 6, follow- ing. Thirty-seven votes were polled, and the following citizens were elected to office: B. M. Atherton Mayor, or President, as it was then called; Andrew Seaton, Recorder; John Coventry, Treasurer; Samuel W. Kenrick, Marshal; Francis D. Leonard, John W. Taylor, Peter Cribbs, Sr., Thomas Sargent and David Baltzly, Town Council. The election was held in the court house, and the officers conducting it were Joseph Talbot and Henry Stiffler, Judges; George M. McConnell, Clerk. At the second annual election, held May 5, 1834, forty-one votes were cast, and B. M. Atherton was re-elected Mayor. He continued in this office until 1838, and his successors. with the dates of their first election, were the following: George N. Allen, 1839; Peter Will- iams, 1840; David English, 1841; Isaac Hartman, 1842; Benjamin W. Mor- ris, 1844; John J. Camp, 1846; Thomas J. Sargent, 1848; John English, 1849; Seymour Belden, 1851; George W. McIlvaine, 1852; James Simpson, 1853; William M. McPherrin, 1854; O. P. Taylor, 1855; W. L. Robb, 1858; Morgan Butler, 1860; J. H. Barnhill, 1861; Asbury Insley, 1862; J. H. Col- lier, 1864; John N. Ferrell, 1865; D. W. Stambaugh, 1866; Daniel Korns, 1868; J. P. Chapin, 1872; Daniel Korns, 1874; T. C. Ferrell, 1876; William Campbell, 18S0, present incumbent.

Eagle Hall is a large brick structure, standing on the southwest corner of High and Third streets, and was built in 1871 by the Council of New Phila- delphia at a cost of $22,000. It contains, on the first floor, the Mayor's office, the fire department, and cells for the accommodation of offenders against the peace and dignity of the law; on the second floor is a spacious public hall, which is now temporarily used as an office by the County Recorder and Pro- bate Judge.

The fire department first sprang into existence by the organization of a fire company about 1856, of which O. H. Hoover was Secretary, and William Campbell, Treasurer. Several years later, a hand engine, built at the old foundry of English, Roby & Dixon, was purchased. It was kept in an old building which stood on the court house lot, and the company held its meet- ings in the court house until the erection of Eagle Hall. In 1872, a steam fire engine was purchased from the Silsby Manufacturing Company, Seneca, N. Y., for $5,000, which was used until 1883, when a new engine was pur- chased from the same company. John Orr was the first Chief Engineer of the company, succeeded by William Campbell. Simon Hensel now holds that po- sition. The department now consists of the hook and ladder company and the engine company, each of which alternately recommends the name of a member for the position of Chief Engineer to the City Council, which then appoints him for a term of two years.

A market house formerly occupied Lot 156, East High street, the site of Wells' drug store. It was little used for its intended purpose. The rooms above the market stalls were for many years occupied by the village school.

SCHOOLS.

Who taught the first school at New Philadelphia, who attended and where the building stood cannot now be ascertained. The first log jail, built soon after the county was organized, located on the court house lot, was used for purposes of education occasionally, when not needed to subserve the ends of justice. George W. Canfield and others taught here. A few years later, a hewed-log schoolhouse was built on the west end of the Getzman lot, No. 253, which fronts on Third street, and was donated by John Knisely for a Ger- man school lot. After this primitive schoolhouse had served its purpose, the

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schools were conducted generally in the four rooms of the old market house, until the two story brick was erected on the site of the present school building about 1850. Among the public instructors in the old market house was George W. McIlvaine. The basement of the old Lutheran Church had also been occupied as a school room, and terms of school were taught in various other unoccupied buildings in the village.

At a meeting held March 25, 1850, by the electors of District No. 1, in Goshen Township, it was decided by a unanimous vote to organize a special district for school purposes, under the act of Legislature passed March 21, 1849. The Directors of the district at this time were J. P. Chapin, C. H. Mitchener and John Coventry, and the present site of the school buildings had already been selected and a two-story brick school house, 40x75 feet, partially erected. The first Board of Education was elected April 8, 1850, and consisted of C. H. Mitchener, William Helmick, J. Coventry, J. P. Chapin, J. Demuth and L. Sargent. The building was erected and furnished and the total cost, including the ground, as shown by the record, was $4,035. The first Princi- pal in the new building was A. C. Allen, and the teachers James Heller, J. W. Kitch, Mary A. Russell, Elizabeth Robinson and Mary Seaton. The school was divided into three grades, and the studies authorized in the highest grade were the common English branches, physiology, history, algebra, natural phi- losophy and rhetoric. The zeal of the Directors at that time is made apparent from the following resolution, passed October 20, 1850: " Resolved, That it be the duty of the Board of Directors and Examiners to visit the school, at least one of them, every day." The enumeration of the school youth in the district in October, 1850, was 528; of these 377 were enrolled in school, and the average daily attendance for the first school year reached 249.

Mr. Allen continued Principal for two years, and is yet remembered for the thorough discipline he established in the schools. In the fall of 1852; J. W. Keel succeeded Mr. Allen and remained two years. He was followed by A. Kirk, who also served two years. In 1856, Joseph Welty was elected Principal and continued in service six years. In 1862, W. R. Pugh was con- stituted Principal and served two years. He was succeeded by J. L. McIl- vaine, who served one year. Joseph Welty was then recalled and has re- mained in charge ever since.

In the spring of 1858, on account of the crowded state of the school, the voters authorized an enlargement of the school building, and four rooms were added at a cost of about. $3,000. Better grading and classification followed, and the schools received a fresh impulse toward improvement; in 1864, J. L. McIlvaine reported to the board a three years' course of study for the high school, which was adopted, and with slight changes has been followed to the present. This introduction marked a new era in the high school. Mr. Mc- Ilvaine reclassified the high school and prepared the first class, consisting of five young ladies, for graduation. In 1866, further enlargement of the school building became necessary, and at an election held February 24 of that year, the board was authorized to negotiate a loan of $7,000 to increase the capac- ity of the schoolhouse. The building was remodeled and enlarged, and at- tained a front of 119 feet, a depth of eighty-two feet and had ample space for fourteen rooms. In February. 1877, the entire building was destroyed by fire. The same spring an act of Legislature was passed, authorizing the School Board to levy a tax in the school district and issue bonds to the amount of $35,000 for the erection of a new school building. Work was immediately commenced and the structure was completed the same year. The old building had been insured for about $13.000. The new schoolhouse, including furni- ture and some repairs, cost $50,000, and in size, appearance and convenient

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arrangement is unsurpassed in this part of the State. It is heated by steam, has an excellent system of ventilation, and contains oighteen rooms, fif. teen of which are sufficient at present to accommodate the various departments. The enrollment for the year 1882-83 exceeded 800, and the average attend- ance was abont 600. At the close of this school year, Prof. Joseph Welty was re-elected to serve his twenty-fifth year as Superintendent of the schools. Eighteen classes have completed the high school course of study and gradu- ated with public exercises.

CHURCHES.

Lutheranism in New Philadelphia dates its origin almost with the founda. tion of the village. In 1808, just four years after the town was laid out, Rev. Christian Espich arrived with his family and built him a cabin on Lower Broadway, near the river. There were but four families here at that time, and Rev. Espich served the people in the double capacity of preceptor and minister. The services were conducted in the German language, and were held in the rude log cabins of the day. Rev. John Stough followed him, and a little later, between 1810 and 1814, Rev. Jacob Rhineheart. In 1815, Rev. Abraham Snyder came to, New Philadelphia from Columbiana County, or- ganized a church and became its first settled pastor. He remained in charge for a period of eight or nine years. After the first log jail was built on the lot now occupied by the court house, services were held in its second story until some time during Rev. Snyder's pastorate, when a building was erected on Lot 253, north of the court house, which served both for a church and a school- house. After the brick court house was completed, about 1819, services were held in it for about fifteen years-until the erection of the Lutheran Church in 1834, the Lutherans and Presbyterians ocupying it each alternate Sunday. Rev. Snyder's labors ceased in 1823 or 1824, and for several years the peo- ple were obliged to depend on traveling missionaries. During this time they were visited by Rev. James Manning, Rev. Rodaker, Rev. Wagenhals, and perhaps one or two others. The society became disorganized and the mem- bere discouraged.

In October, 1831, Rev. Emanuel Greenwold, a young minister seeking a Western field of labor, reached New Philadelphia, held services in the court house, and was induced to remain, re-organize and rebuild the society. An or- ganization was effected and the first officers elected February 12, 1832, were George Stiffler and Jacob Kitch, Elders, and Nicholas Neighbor and Charles Korns, Deacons. At his first communion, held April 8, 1832, sixty-seven per- sons partook, and the church grew rapidly under his charge. He did not con- fine his work to New Philadelphia, but extended it in all directions, at one time having fifteen appointments. September 11, 1834, the corner-stone of a church building was laid with appropriate services. It stood on Lot 161, the site of the present church, cost about $2,000, was one story in height, sur- mounted by spire and bell, had a gallery on three sides and a seating capac- ity of about 700. The building committee consisted of Peter Williams, Charles Korns, Jacob Kitch and Samuel Stough. Rev. Greenwold remained in charge twenty years, resigning it to accept a call from the English Luth- eran Church in Columbus, Ohio, in October, 1851. Rev. Moses M. Bartholo- mew succeeded him, remaining till the spring of 1854. Rev. H. M. Bickel then served from June, 1854, to 1857; Rev. Thomas Hill from October, 1857, to April, 1860; Rev. G. F. Stelling, from July, 1860, to August, 1864. Dur- ing his pastorate the parsonago was erected at a cost of $2,000. Rev. Dr. U. J. Knisely succeeded, remaining little longer than a year. Rev. P. Stans Hooper followed, serving from January, 1867, to the summer or fall of 1868; Rev. George Scholl was elected pastor in December, 1868, and took charge

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April 1, 1869, remaining till the fall of 1871. During his ministry the pres- ent commodions brick church edifice was constructed. The corner-stone was laid in the spring of 1870, and the building committee consisted of the pas- tor, Daniel Minnich, Josepb Welty, John G. Kohr and Isaac Everett. Its cost was about $17,000. During its erection, services were held in the schoolhouse and were then transferred to the lecture room of the new church. The audi- ence room was not finished until after Rev. M. L. Wilhelmi, who succeeded Rev. Scholl, took charge. He served from January, 1872, to June, 1875, and was succeeded by Rev. Dr. Steck, who was elected pastor in April, 1876, and delivered his last sermon to this congregation in the spring of 1880. Rev. George M. Heindel, the present pastor, was then installed. The congregation enrolls a membership of 195. The Sabbath school is well attended and pros. perous.

The first Presbyterian minister who preached at New Philadelphia with any degree of regularity was Rev. Jonathan Leslie, who was commissioned by the Assembly's Board of Homo Missions to labor here and at other points. He was superseded in November, 1828, by Rev. Charles Birge, who was sent to Ohio by the American Home Missionary Society, and by the advice of Rev. J.B. Morrow, of Canton. came to New Philadelphia and preached for probably one year. In 1830, the Presbyterian families of the village petitioned the board to send a missionary who should divide his time equally between New Phila- delphia and Sandyville. This arrangement was approved, and in April, 1831, Rev. J. B. Morrow came under the appointment of the board. This minister remained until September, 1835, and returned April 1, 1840, filling appointments here and at Uhrichsville. A church organization was effected in June, 1840. David English and Thomas King were elected Elders, Decem- ber 15, 1840, and ordained on the following 10th of January. Rev. Morrow supplied the congregation until his death, July 30, 1842. The church was then without preaching until September, 1843, when Rev. T. M. Finney was called. He became the first regular pastor by installation, April 29, 1844, and remained until 1849. His successor was Rev. George S. Inglis, who ministered to this church from November, 1851, to April, 1853. A vacancy then occurred in the pastorate until 1856, and during the interval a division of the congregation occurred, one branch organizing a Congregational Church, which called to its pastorate Rev. Lucius Smith, who remained until July, 1859. After his departure, this church affiliated with the New School Pres- bytery, and Rev. D. E. Wells assumed a pastoral relation to the congrega- tion, which continued until February, 1864. Meanwhile Rev. D. S. Logan had ministered to the Old School branch from July, 1859, to July, 1861. A reconciliation and union of the two divisions was effected October 22, 1864, after which Rev. C. J. Hunter was called and installed pastor, June 24, 1865. He remained until April, 1870, and his successor, Rev. W. R. Kirkwood, en- tered upon his ministerial duties, January 14, 1872, remaining until Septem- ber, 1880. In April, 1881, Rev. C. M. McNulty began a pastorate which lasted one year. The present pastor, Rev. James A. Cook, commenced his labors with this congregation October 1, 1882. The present church edifice, the only one this congregation has owned, located on Lot 190, East High street, was built in 1841, and in 1873, remodeled at a cost of $6,000. The lot was donated to the society by Thomas Sargent. Prior to the erection of the house of worship, services were held at the court house, which in early days served as a common meeting house for all denominations. The earliest members of the Mission Church at New Philadelphia were Mrs. Chloe Ather- ton, Mrs. Mary Morris, Mrs. Beulah, Mrs. Jane Abell, Mrs. Catherine Pat rick, Thomas Stevenson and wife Sarah, James M. Smith, Jane Newbury,

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The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 48

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

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