The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 49

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

USA > Ohio > Tuscarawas County > The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio > Part 49

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HISTORY OF TUSCARAWAS COUNTY.

Mrs. Juliana Sargent and others. Many of these, together with Michael Smith, John Farris, John Emerson, David Barnhill, Mrs. Elizabeth King, Mrs. Lucina Baltzly, Charles M. Fowler, David English, Mrs. Sarah Williams (still living), Thomas King, William Shear and a few others were members at the organization of the congregation in 1841. Besides David English and Thomas King, Thomas Magee, John Welch and E. T. Bell have served as Ruling Elders. The session at present consists of Elisha Janes, B. Demuth, William Jennison, D. M. Gudgon, J. M. Kennedy and J. Foster Wilkin. The mem- bership is about 130. An interesting Sunday school is maintained.

The first Methodist Society of New Philadelphia was organized in 1827 or 1828, and its members were William Butt, Sr., W. Butt, Jr., Mrs. Dr. James W. English, Mrs. Cryder and Mrs. Sargent. John Hildt, from Dover, was the first Class-Leader. New Philadelphia Circuit was taken from those of Dover, Canton and Leesburg at the annual conference held in Clarksburg, Va., July 20, 1840. At the third quarterly conference, held March 6, 1841, Robert Hopkins, Presiding Elder, C. E. Weirich and William Knox, preach- ers, it was resolved that David Rummell, George W. Wilt and John Ditto he appointed a committee to estimate the cost of a church building. The estimate reported was $1,000 and amount subscribed $950. A contract was entered into to have the house of worship completed by November, 1841; James Ross was the builder. The church was dedicated by Rev. Henry Whitman. It stood on Lot 117, West Front street, now occupied by the planing mill. As early as 1859, subscriptions were taken to purchase Lot 209, on the northwest corner of Fifth and High streets, a more eligible site and larger house being needed by the society. The present building was erected in 1866, and dedicated by Rev. Bishop Simpson, August 28, 1867. Its cost, together with that of the parsonage, was abont $20,000. The church is large and substantially finished, and has a seating capacity of 600. Rev. John Brown is the present pastor of the congregation, which numbers 275 members, and is the largest in New Phil- adelphia. Like the other denominations in the village, it sustains a flourish . ing Sabbath school.

The Disciple Church, situated on the north side of High street, west of Sixth, is probably the oldest religious structure in New Philadelphia. It is a modest brick edifice, erected about 1842. Several years prior to 1832, Rev. Alexander Campbell, the founder of this denomination, delivered several discourses at the court house, and soon after Rev. Joshua Webb, a pioneer minister of this faith, held services at New Philadelphia, which was attended with success. The Peppers family had removed from Harrison County, where they had accepted the teachings of Dr. Campbell, and formed the nucleus of a little society which was organized by Rev. Webh. For a few years the little band flourished; then influence waned and it disbanded. A re-organization was effected July 13, 1843, through the instrumentality of Rev. Regle. Among the earliest members were John, Joshua and Albert Peppers, George Huston, W. R. Chilson, Dr. J. C. Reed, Casper Singhaus, Seth W. Dorsey and Guy Saben. The lot upon which the church stands was donated to the society by Mr. Dorsey. The organization of the church has been actively maintained for forty years, though of late the society has not always been regularly sup- plied with a pastor. Rev. J. H. Dodds officiates at the present time, giving to this congregation one fourth of his time. The membership is nearly fifty. A well attended Sabbath school is now held.

The First Regular Baptist Church of New Philadelphia was organized March 7, 1858, with the following eleven members: David Alter, Sarah Al- ter, William Grabam, Benjamin Miller, Cyrus Alter, Julia N. Merriman, Catherine Miller, Sarah Uhrich, Esther Alter, Rebecca Ann Miller and Eliza

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Furney. Rev. Leonard Frescoln was Moderator at the organization. A Bap- tist congregation had formerly worshiped at Dover, but in consequence of the removal of most of its members, many of them to the vicinity of New Philadelphia, the society was disbanded, the church property sold, and its pro . ceeds used in erecting a neat brick edifice in New Philadelphia, on Lot 256, southwest corner of Fair and Third streets. This was completed shortly be- fore the organization of the New. Philadelphian congregation, and has ever since been its place of worship. Rev. Ammerman was an early minister in charge, and subsequent to 1865 the pastors have been successively Rev. J. L. Philips, P. P. Kennedy, N. Crandall, G. W. Taylor, J. J. Davis, H. W. Con- ley, who remained but a short time, and was succeeded in April, 1883, by John S. Gough, the present pastor. The present membership of the church is forty-four. A prosperous Sabbath school is maintained.

The German Reformed Church was organized in February, 1859, with a membership of about thirty. In 1861, their house of worship, a substantial brick structure on the southeast corner of Second and Fair streets, was erected, and soon after a parsonage was built on Ray street, opposite the cemetery, which was occupied by the pastors in charge until the summer of 1883, when a new parsonage was built adjacent to the church building. Rev. John Ret- tig was called to assume charge of the congregation in 1860, and in Decem- ber, 1861, he resigned. Rev. Charles Bank succeeded him, and administered to the church about six years. Rev. E. G. Zahner, now of Shanesville, followed and remained about four years. Rev. P. Greding was the next minister, contin- uing eight years, or until 1880, when the present pastor, Rev. Christian Weis- ner, was installed. Until the church edifice was erected, meetings were held in the English Lutheran Church; services are regularly held in German, oc- casionally in English. The present membership of the church is 215. Con- nected with it is a flourishing Sabbath school.

A portion of the German Reformed membership, possessing very liberal ideas, separated from the church, organized themselves into a German Ra- tional Congregation, built a frame church at the east end of High street, and for a time had regular services. This faith did not thrive, the society lost strength, and the building was sold to the United Brethren Church.

The German Lutheran congregation of New Philadelphia, St. Paul's, as- sisted in the erection of the German Church on the corner of Second and Fair streets in 1861, and at present possesses a half interest in the property, and worships there. The congregation was organized many years prior to the building of the church, and the earlier meetings were held in the English Lutheran Church. The present membership is small, embracing about twen- ty-five families, and Rev. Henry Eppens, of Dover, is pastor.

The German Methodist Church established a mission at New Philadelphia about 1855. Several years later a great revival was conducted by Revs. Nach- treib and Hotzer at the court house, where almost a hundred souls were con- verted. Three classes were organized and prospered for a time. Meetings were held at different places; for a time in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Various causes conspired to reduce the membership, until but nine remained. In 1867, Mrs. Joss undertook the task of obtaining sufficient subscriptions to erect a chapel, and secured $900. Mr. C. H. Mitchener, who had laid out an addition southwest of New Philadelphia, donated a lot for the site of the structure, and in 1869 Mrs. Joss completed the building. She then deeded the property to the German Methodist Episcopal Conference, which for a short time supplied it with a minister and then withdrew its support. The United Brethren then worshiped there for a short time, and several years ago the property was purchased by the Dunkards, or German Baptists, who have since

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regularly conducted services there each alternate Sunday. The society of Dunkards is small, and the ministers who fill the pulpit at present are Peter Cullers and Edward Loomis.

The United Brethren congregation was organized in 1875 with a member- ship of about thirty. Soon after, the frame church building, situated on the corner of East street and the Beaver Dam road, was purchased from the Ger- man Universalist society and since used as the place of worship. Rev. R. Rock was the first minister. He organized the society and remained in charge two years. Rev. E. Lower, the next pastor, resigned before serving his first year, which was completed by Rev. Earheart. Rev. A. R. Bower was the next minister, remaining one year, and was succeeded by Rev. A. K. Singer. who labored in this society two years. Rev. G. F. Deal, the next and present pas- tor, will complete his second year of service in the autumn of 1883. The first Class Leader was Henry Fisher; he has ever since maintained this position. excepting one year, during which I. L. Hathaway was leader. The congre- gation now includes about eighty members. The Sabbath school, organized immediately after the church was founded, enrolls eighty scholars, and has an average attendance of sixty.

CEMETERY.

The New Philadelphia Cemetery, located on the north side of Fair street, east of Second, is the only burial ground that has ever existed in the village. The four lote, 273 to 276 inclusive, situated at the northwest corner of East and Fair streets, which were donated by the proprietor of the town plat for German religious societies, was the first depository of the silent dead, and as the needs of additional burying grounds arose, adjacent territory was included, till the grounds now include ten acres. They were surveyed in 1857 by Solo- mon Hoover, and within the last eighteen years have been greatly beautified. The first burial in the cemetery is said to have been that of a man who was drowned in Sandy Creek, and whose remains floated down the river till caught in some driftwood near New Philadelphia. John Judy, Sr., died in 1807, and was the second person buried in the cemetery. Many fine marble shafts have been erected within the grounds. The Everett vault was the first erected. The Hummell and Buell vaults, since built, cost $3,000 each.

SECRET ORDERS.

The introduction of secret orders into Tuscarawas County dates back as far as 1820. On the 1st day of March of that year, a dispensation to open a lodge of Freemasons was issued to Wright Warner, W. M .; Jabez Clark, S. W .; James Galbraith, J. W .; Stephen Shanks, Thornton Whitacre, John B. Sap- pington, George W. Canfield, Alexander McGowan and William Blickensder- fer. A charter was granted in December, 1821, and New Philadelphia Lodge, No. 59. became a fully organized association. Among its members were George Pfonts, Robert Sargent, James L. Crane, David Toland, Nicholas McCarty, Phineas Spencer, Nathan Spencer, Thomas G. Revel and Luther Drury. Its membership did not attain to any considerable strength. Shortly after its foundation, an overwhelming wave of sentiment against the Masons swept over the country, and it was, doubtless, in consequence of this opposition that the lodge languished. It maintained an existence until 1828, then surren- dered its charter, and for sixteen years New Philadelphia was without a lodge. The following notice appeated in the Tuscarawas Chronicle, June 16, 1821:

MASONIC .- Notice is hereby given that the anniversary of St. John the Baptist, will be celebrated by the brethren of NEW PHILADELPHIA LODGE, at New Philadelphia, on Mon- day, the 25th of June inst. A discourse will be delivered on the occasion by the Rev. T.

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Jesse Winkelplech

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GOSHEN TOWNSHIP.

G. Jones, at 2 o'clock P. M. Brethren of adjacent lodges are respectfully invited to attend. By order of the Worshipful Master.

NEW PHILADELPHIA, June 10, A. L. 5821.

T. WHITACRE, Secretary.

Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 177, F. & A M., held its first meeting at the Lion Hotel by warrant of a dispensation from the Grand Master of Ohio, May 16, 1844. Those present at this meeting were Daniel Christy, W. M .; David H. Whiting, S. W .; J. L. Simington, J. W .; G. W. Canfield, S. D .; Marcus Moses, J. D .; Jesse D. Elliott, Secretary; Egidens Rummell, Tiler. The first work which was done, May 31, 1849, was the initiation of G. W. Mc- Ilvaine, present Supreme Judge of Ohio. A charter was granted, October 19, 1849, in which the officers named were George W. Chapman, W. M .; J. L. Simington, J. W .; George W. Canfield, S. D .; Marcus Moses, J. D .; J. B. Parrish, Treasurer; J. D. Elliott, Secretary; Egidens Rummell, Tiler. The first election was held December 19, 1849, and the above officers elected. 'The Masters thereafter elected have been G. W. McIlvaine, D. W. Magee, O. P. Taylor, J. H. Barnhill, W. L. Robb, O. H. Hoover and J. L. McIlvaine. Septem- ber 30, 1853, the name of the lodge was changed to New Philadelphia, there being another Mount Moriah Lodge in the State. The present membership is about seventy, and the officers are J. L. McIlvaine, W. M .; Frederick Schweitzer, S. W .; Joseph Strickmaker, J. W .; William H. Criswell, Treas- urer; William Reidenbach, Secretary; John Breidenstine, S. D .; J.D. Laug. head, J. D .; Joseph Ditto, Tiler. The hall in the City Block is handsomely furnished.

Tuscarawas Chapter, No. 38, Royal Arch Masons, was organized at Dover, January 21, 1848, under dispensation; a charter was granted Septem- ber 9, 1848, and the charter members were John G. F. Holston, H. P .; Zach- ariah Eddy, K .; Robert H. Nugen, S .; T. R. Greenleaf, Nathaniel Gilmore, Daniel Christy, John Allen, John Barton and John Buchanan. October 14, the Grand Chapter authorized Tuscarawas as chapter, to hold its meetings at New Philadelphia instead of Dover, if the members so desired, but no action was taken under the permission until May 25, 1858, when a resolution was adopted to remove the chapter to New Philadelphia. The meetings are held Thursday evenings before each full moon. The officers now serving are O. P. Taylor, H. P .; A. H. Brown, K .; Daniel Korns. S .; J. C. Price, O. of H .; J. L. McIlvaine, P. S .; J. P. Kniseley, R. A. C .; William Reidenbach, M. of 3d V .; William Lenhart, M. of 2d V .; Frederick Schweitzer, M. of 1st V .; William H. Criswell, Treasurer; E. Fribley, Secretary; F. P. Williams, Guard. The membership is about fifty.

New Philadelphia Lodge, No. 107, I. O. O. F., was instituted April 4, 1848, Jobn R. Worman, R. W. G. M., officiating on the occasion. The charter members were Jesse D. Elliott, George C. Graham, Charles H. Mitchener, James Moffitt, Anson P. Adair, Anthony Sluthour and Henry E. Wade. The following were the first officers: Jesse D. Elliott, N. G .; James Moffitt, V. G .; Anson T. Adams, Secretary; Charles H. Mitchener, Treasurer; Henry E. Wade, S. W .; Charles H. Mathews, Conductor; Anthony Sluthour, I. G .; George C. Graham, O. G .; H. J. Howard, R. S .; Jacob Heck, L. S. The order has a commodious, well-furnished lodge-room in the City Block, one of the finest in Eastern Ohio, in which it meets every Tuesday night. The mem- bership is about 100. The lodge is now officered by John A. Hines, N. G .; John Figert, V. G .; I. A. Correl, Recording Secretary; S. B. Flora, Perma- nent Secretary; D. C. Geutsch, Treasurer.

In 1869, owing to the size of this lodge, it was deemed expedient to or- ganize a new lodge. Accordingly, Schoenbrun Lodge was instituted by Rev.

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C. Haddaus, R. W. G. M., of Columbus, July 9, 1869. Its members are Ger mans and its condition is prosperous.

Bethesda Encampment, No. 39, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Dove and removed thence to New Philadelphia, July 20, 1867. It was organize with seven members, Chris Bigler and the following charter officeri John I. Smith, C. P .; H. T. Stockwell, H. P .; Jesse S. Deardorff, S. W .; ( H. Mathews, J. W .; John S. Hull, Secretary; I. N. Deardorff, Treasurer. A present D. C. Geutsch is C. P .; Philip Getzman, H. P .; A. Bippus, S. W .; . G. Diefenbacher, J. W .; I. A. Correl, S .; Louis Zellner, Treasurer. Th membership now numbers fifty-seven.

Equity Lodge, No. 73, Knights of Pythias, was organized at New Philade phia, September 12, 1874, with twenty two members. the Uhrichsville an Canton Lodges officiating in the ceremonies of institution. The first officer of Equity Lodge were D. C. Geutsch, P. C .; Philip Getzman, C. C .; J. A. I Richards, V. C .; G. L. Tinker, Prelate; T. C. Ferrell, K. of R. and S. ; J. W Kinsey, M. of F .; Louis Zellner, M. of Ex .; George M. Bowers, Master : Arms; J. H. Ditto, O. G .; Charles Schlegel, I. G. Besides the above, th charter members were W. H. Sellers, H. V. Schweitzer, W. W. Smith, Wil iam H. Criswell, N. Gardner, F. Kinsey, C. Hamersly, F. R. Bigler, Jacc Wise, John Hupfield, Solomon Ashbaugh and Martin Kughler. Of the charu members three have died-Solomon Ashbaugh, Martin Kughler and J. H. Ditt The lodge has a nicely furnished hall, and meets Thursday evening of eac week. Its membership is thirty-five, and its present officers J. S. Bigler, I C .; R. W. McIlvaine, C. C .; Simon Darst, V. C .; Dr. Charles W. Wilkin Prelate; George W. Bowers, K. of R. and S .; F. R. Bigler, M. of F .; Job Hupfield, M. of Ex .; F. W. Collins, Master at Arms; William Schanfler, G .; John Darst, O. G.

Philos Council, No. 390, Royal Arcanum, was instituted October 2, 187! with a membership of twenty-three. Its charter officers were Asbury Insle Regent; J. W. Ferguson, Vice Regent; R. J. W. Dodd, Orator; F. C. Mi ler, Past Regent; W. H. Miller, Secretary; W. H. Walton, Collector; C. ( Welty, Treasurer: Thomas Sutton, Chaplain; J. H. Ditto, Guide; H. P. Fril ley, Warden; George L. Taylor, Sentry; J. T. McClean, Medical Examine J. D. Elliott, R. J. W. Dodd, W. C. Sutton, Trustees. The charter membe ship included, besides the foregoing officers, James M. Kennedy, A. R. Holme James G. Patrick, O. P. Scott, C. H. Mathews, George W. Sharp, E. . Deardorff, William McClean and Rev. W. R. Kirkwood. The object of th association is beneficiary. The lodge meets in the hall of the Knights Pythias, and its membership is now thirty-four.

Andrew Crawford Post, No. 6, G. A. R., was organized January 22, 188 with forty-six members. It was named in honor of the first soldier from th county who fell a sacrifice in the rebellion. The charter and present office are Fletcher Douthitt, C .; A. R. Holmes, S. V. C .; James Minnis, J. V. C Daniel Korns, Adjutant; I. A. Correll, Quartermaster; Joseph Ditto, Su geon; J. B. Cook, Chaplain; John H. Ditto, O. D .; C. M. Rittenhouse, ( G .; Daniel Sweeny, S. M .; L. R. McClelland, Q. S. M. The membersh has increased to fifty-five, and the post meets the first and third Mondays . each month.

Tuscarawas Lodge, No. 54, Amalgamated Association of Iron and Ste Workers, was instituted at New Philadelphia, April 14, 1883, by John Davis. It possesses a large membership, and meets on Saturday of each wee The officers are Thomas J. Robinson, President; Patrick Hannon, Vice Pres dent; William Southan, Recording Secretray; John C. Kelly, Financial Se retary; Reuben Winters, Treasurer.

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THE PRESS.

The Tuscarawas Chronicle, now the Advocate, was the first and for many years the only newspaper published in Tuscarawas County. In 1819, when the village of New Philadelphia was in its infancy, containing scarcely more than 200 inhabitants, James Patrick engaged in an enterprise of very doubt- ful pecuniary success, by launching into existence the above-named paper. Its first number is dated August 24, 1819, and the sheet was a four-column folio, 11x18 inches in size, and published at a subscription price of $2 per year. Mr. Patrick was born in Belfast, Ireland August 6, 1792. He there learned the printer's trade, and at the age of twenty-five years crossed the ocean, and for a time was foreman in Col. J. Duane's printing office, Philadelphia. He then came to New Philadelphia, where he remained one of its most honored citizens until his death, January 23, 1883. The Chronicle has ever since been regularly published, and is to-day one of the leading organs of the county. It has passed through few changes of owner- ship during its career of sixty-four years. Mr. Patrick remained its publisher and editor until 1834, when he sold it to Samuel Doug- las, who rechristened and called it the Tuscarawas Advocate, by which name it has since been known. Two years later James Patrick repurchased the paper and published it until the spring of 1846, when he sold the estab- lishment to his son, Andrew Patrick, and retired from journalistic life. In 1856, Dr. James Simpson purchased a one half interest, but held it for a sin- gle year only. In 1863, V. P. Wilson was associated with Mr. Patrick in the paper, but he, too, retired at the end of a year. In 1865, McIlvaine & Pitten- ger came into possession of the Advocate by purchase, but soon after Mr. Pittenger sold his interest to his partner, J. L. McIlvaine, who has ever since been its sole publisher and editor. The paper is now a nine-column folio, 22x29} inches in size. In earlier days it was a stanch adherent of Whig politics, and has since been unwavering in its fealty to the Republican party.

The first number of the Ohio Democrat and Dover Advertiser was issued August 1, 1839, in Dover by Hill & Mitchener. It was a six-column paper, and the type and material used were old and had been purchased from a joint-stock company. The type had been used in 1837 and 1838 in the publication of a short-lived New Philadelphia paper called the Farmers' and Mechanics' Friend and Tuscarawas Democrat, established by Alfred S. Tilden, and subsequently edited for a short time by V. P. Bonham. The Ohio Demo- crat was regularly issued at Dover until after the Presidential election in 1840, when it suspended for want of adequate support.

In May, 1841, the paper was resuscitated, Charles H. Mitchener, one of the former proprietors, associating himself with C. H. Mathews in its publi- cation. The material was removed to New Philadelphia, where the paper has since been issued weekly, without missing a single number. The first number issued at New Philadelphia under the new management was dated June 17, 1841. The subscription list then did not exceed 400. The county was strongly Whig, and for several years the paper scarcely paid expenses. Business then began to improve, and June 25, 1846, the Democrat appeared in an enlarged and improved form. In September, 1846, Mr. Mitchener disposed of his half interest to Jesse D. Elliott. Elliott & Mathews conducted the paper until January, 1852, when Mathews sold bis interest to Elliott, who published the Democrat for ten years. In 1862, he sold it to C. H. Mitchener, who managed it for a year. In June, 1864, the office and materials were leased by C. H. Mathews and Frederick Walter, who conducted it jointly until June, 1865, when it was repurchased by C. H. Mathews. The paper was then enlarged to eight columns, and in November, 1868, Mr. Mathews again associated with

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him Jesse D. Elliott, for one year. In June, 1870, Jesse D. Elliott and O. ] Hoover became the purchasers of a one-half interest in the paper, and the fir took the name Mathews, Elliott & Co., by whom it is still published. Tl subscription list has gradually increased from its date of publication, and sin the war it has increased rapidly.

Der Deutsche Beobachter was started at New Philadelphia May 13, 186 by Montag & Walter. In 1872, the name of the firm became, and has ev since been, Walter & Minnig, Frederick Walter and S. R. Minnig being bo publishers and editors. This is the only German paper published in th county. It is issued every Wednesday, and has a wide circulation in th county, besides a considerable list from other counties. In politics it is Den ocratic.

The Tuscarawas Argus has had a brief but very successful existence. I initial number was issued at Dover April 9, 1880, by W. H. Watson January 1, 1883, the paper was removed to New Philadelphia, where it is no published. At the time of its removal, Jacob De Greif became the proprieto W. H. Watson remaining in charge of the editorial department. In politic it adheres to the Democratic faith.

On the 23d of September, 1842, the first number of the Lutheran Standar was issued at New Philadelphia in the basement of the Lutheran Church. 1 was published under the auspices of the Board of Directors of the Luthera Theological Seminary at Columbus, Ohio, and Rev. E. Greenwold, then past of the Lutheran Church at New Philadelphia, was its editor. The paper wa a large folio, issued weekly at $2 per annum. The business management wi attended to by a committee consisting of Jacob Overholt, John Everhard an Peter Williams. Its support was sufficient to pay all expenses, except a salar to the editor, who was obliged to labor gratuitously. The Standard was pul lished at New Philadelphia two years, the last number bearing date Octobe 18, 1844, and was then removed to Zanesville, Ohio, and for some time pub lished there under the editorship of Rev. Stephen A. Nealy.

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The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 49

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

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