The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 50

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

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MEDICAL.

The first resident physician at New Philadelphia was Christian Espich, Lutheran minister, who combined a practice of theology and medicine. E came in 1808, and attended the missionary Zeisberger at Goshen during h last illness in the autumn of that year. Dr. Espich ministered not only 1 the ailments of the white settlers, but his services were frequently called in requisition by the Indians as well. He remained at New Philadelphia mar years. Dr. Jacob Benope was the second physician. He was a native of Ge many, and came to New Philadelphia from Baltimore, Md., prior to 1812. E lived on Water street, and remained in practice till his death in 1826. D Samuel Stough was born May 20, 1790, on the head-waters of the Monong; hela. His parents several times changed their place of abode, and, in 180 settled in Columbiana County, Ohio. In 1815, the young Doctor, in compar with Rev. Abraham Snyder, came to New Philadelphia. After a long an eventful practice bere he removed to Knox County. Dr. Orange Ranne probably came next. In 1836, Dr. R. Powleson opened a practice, which com tinued over forty years. When he came, Dr. Wilcox was engaged in th practice, but about 1838 sold out to Dr. Lewis and went West. Dr. Lew remained only a few years. Dr. Daniel Richards opened an office in 1838 ( 1840, and remained a prominent resident physician until his death, a few year ago. Dr. Charles Reed came about the same time, and after a successfi practice of many years, removed to Massillon, and subsequently went West Dr. E. P. Buell was a leading physician for many years, maintaining an exter

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sive practice until a short time prior to his recent death, excepting a few years, when he abandoned his lucrative practice to serve as Surgeon of the gallant Eightieth Ohio. Dr. Hiram Worstell practiced for a short time forty years ago. Somewhat later, two Drs. McCoy, brothers, were here. Dr. Benjamin Morris, proprietor of the Exchange Hotel for a while, also practiced. To enumerate all the physicians who have located at New Philadelphia would be difficult, if not impossible. Quite a number have opened an office and remained but a short time. Three retired physicians, Drs. Kurtz, Powleson and Grimes, now reside at the county seat. Dr. T. H. Smith is the oldest present practitioner. He is a son of Dr. William G. Smith, now deceased, who was for many years a practicing physician of New Philadelphia. Dr. T. H. Smith has been in practice here since 1854.

The other present physicians are Mrs. N. D. Richards, J. D. Otis, H. A. Moughiman, R. D. Saunders, J. M. Smith, J. T. McLean, C. W. Wilkins, T. J. W. Richards and S. B. Emerson, regulars ; G. L. Tinker, eclectic, and George Peck, homoeopathist.

A brief outline of the Tuscarawas County Medical Society, although an organization of the county, and not of New Philadelphia, is herewith presented.

It was organized at New Philadelphia June 10, 1844, with the following members: Richard Hewitt, of Port Washington; Daniel Richards, of New Philadelphia; Hiram Eckman, of Trenton; Josiah Beabout, of Sandyville; Samuel F. Marquis, Hiram Worstell, of New Philadelphia; John H. Charles, John C. McGregor, Felix D. McMeal, of Dover; William S. Myers, of Sandy. ville; David Nelson, of Port Washington; Franklin W. McCauley, of Uhrichs- ville; W. Goldrick, J. F. Ankenny, William Winnell, of Dover; and O. G. Seldon. The offiers elected for the first year were F. D. McMeal, President; Richard Hewitt, Vice President; Daniel Richards, Secretary; William Win- nell, Treasurer. The objects of the society as set forth in the constitution adopted were " the advancement and elevation of medical science and the pro- motion of harmony and good feeling among its members." The society con- tinued in active operation for some time, but finally the regular meetings were unattended and the organization allowed to perish. On the 10th day of May, 1858, the society was re-organized at New Philadelphia with the following members: D. Richards, E. P. Buell, W. Crawford, W. G. Smith, E. H. Mc- Coy and T. H. Smith, of New Philadelphia; F. D. McMeal and B. B. Brashear, of Dover; F. W. McCauley and J. W. S. Goudy, of Uhrichsville; H. Conway, of Port Washington; E. A. Oppelt, of Gnadenhutten, and O. G. Seldon of Shanesville. The society has since been regularly maintained. Since 1858 it has had seventy-nine members; of these twelve died, one was expelled, one dropped from the society, thirty-one removed from the county, and thirty- four remain members of good standing. The present officers are J. W. Ex- line, of Dover, President; J. T. McLean, of New Philadelphia, Vice Presi. dent; H. Brannon, of Dover, Treasurer; A. M. Beers, of Newcomerstown, Secretary.

BANKING.

The first and for many years the only banking house of New Philadelphia, was known as Blickensderfer's Bank. The business was conducted in a small building which stood on Lot 150, High street, the site of the new hotel. A bill for $5, now in the possession of E. A. Deardorff, establishes the fact that " The Bank of New Philadelphia," which issued it, was in existence in 1817. C. Deardorff was then President and J. Blickensderfer, Cashier. A notice published in the Chronicle in November, 1819, directing the stockhold- ers to meet at the office of Sylvester Johnson, to transact important business, indicates that the banking business was conducted for several years. Money

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in that day was scarce, and the bank flooded the village; with paper currency for amounts ranging from a sixpence upward.

Mr. C. H. Mitchener preserves this graphic account of the institution: "Like all other banks of that day in Ohio, it was honestly run on paper money only, although the bills promised to pay in gold or silver on sight. It was started to build up the town, but met with a sad accident. One day a stranger stopped in with $10,000 of the bills of the bank and demanded the coin. The officers told him to call in again in a short time. This gave them time to hide. They shut the bank and adjourned to Sluthour's shop. He told them he had not many shavings made, and that they had better separate; that he would hide the cashier in the shavings, while the president, having on a pair of leather or buckskin breeches, had better go into the red brush, near the present stable of J. C. Hance, and stay until the stranger left. Thus they kept shady until he was out of town. In a very short time he returned to the bank, and having no specie for him, they let the bank go up higher than a kite, and it never came down. About 1852 or 1854, Peter Hines found the bank safe in a garret. It was an old-fashioned hair trunk, lined with news- papers, and behind which he found two Spanish quarters, dated 1796 and 1800, which the writer purchased for $1, so that he could boast of having all the specie of the first bank in New Philadelphia when it bursted."

After the collapse of the bank, New Philadelphia for many years had to transact its banking business at Cadiz, Massillon and other surrounding towns. In 1852, A. Vinton came to the county seat and soon after opened a private bank, which in 1865, he sold to A. Bates, who is still doing business at the Exchange Bank, with John Hance as Cashier and A. Bates, Jr., Assistant Cashier.

In 1866, the Citizens Bank was opened with a stock of $75,000 by Andrew Patrick and Henry Kaldenbaugh. In 1872, it was merged into the Citizens National Bank, having a capital stock of $100,000. This is the only National Bank at the county seat, and is now officered by S. O'Donnell, President; Henry Kaldenbaugh, Vice President; C. C. Welty, Cashier; and E. A. Dear- dorff, Assistant Cashier.

The City Bank, an unincorporated institution, was opened for business in the spring of 1876. E. Rosemond, the first President, was succeeded in 1881 by W. C. Browne, the present incumbent. H. L. Custer was the first and is the present Cashier.

INDUSTRIES.

One of the leading enterprises of New Philadelphia fifty years ago was the construction of the Lateral Canal. The county seat had lost the Ohio Canal, and Dover, its rival, secured it, greatly to the advantage of the latter and detri- ment to the former. For the purpose of affording New Philadelphia the priv- ileges of a canal, the Lateral Canal Company was incorporated January 16, 1828. Stock was subscribed by the citizens, but work was not commenced for a few years. It was a work of considerable magnitude for a small village to attempt the construction of a canal two miles in length, and it progressed very slowly. At length, about 1835, Seaton & Leonard undertook to com- plete the canal and have a saw mill in operation upon its banks within a pre- scribed period, in consideration that the canal property be granted to them. When partly constructed, the saw-mill was destroyed by fire, but, nevertheless, it was rebuilt and the work accomplished within the specified time. At the entrance of the Lateral Canal into the Tuscarawas River, a short distance above the old Baker Mill-Dam, a lock was constructed. From this entrance or outlet of the Lateral Canal, boats were poled across the river and towed up the river bank to the Sugar Creek lock of the Ohio Canal. Considerable advan-

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tage resulted to New Philadelphia. It became a wheat-buying point, and had greater facilities in receiving and shipping all kinds of merchandise than before. The canal also supplied the flour mill on its banks, and for a time the woolen mill, with water-power.

The Woolen Mills of New Philadelphia, located east of Broadway and south of the Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling Railroad is, perhaps, the oldest manu- facturing establishment now in operation here. It was started about 1844, by I. Steese, Samuel Douglass and Joseph Talbot. Within a few years, Peter Williams became interested, and for many years was identified with its opera- tion. The mills have repeatedly changed possession; they are now owned by Charles B. Harvey, John S. Sharp and R. J. W. Dodd, and are operated by Burry, Dodd & Co. Twenty-five employes are engaged during about nine months of the year, and a full line of flannels, blankets, cassimeres, satinets, jeans, yarns and hose are manufactured.

The New Philadelphia Agricultural Works was the name of a stock com- pany that was organized and commenced business in 1851. In that year a shop 80x35 feet in size was erected. The works were under the management of John S. Hull, and steam engines and mill gearing were manufactured. The shop was not fully supplied with the necessary machinery, however, and in two years the company suspended operation. The property was purchased by English, Roby & Dixon, and the manufacture of engines and gearing con- tinued until 1860, when Ball's Reaper and Mower, now known as the Keystone Mower, and Pitt's Separator and Thresher were first manufactured. The man- ufacture of the threshers was discontinued about five years ago, but the reap- ers are still made, besides other lighter agricultural implements, including sulky corn plows and hay rakes. In 1864, after several changes in the firm name, English & Dixon became the proprietors, and have continued as such until 1883, when business was suspended. Unfinished work is being com- pleted during the season of 1883, and the outlook is favorable that the works will not be permanently discontinued. This has been the largest industrial establishment in New Philadelphia prior to the starting of the rolling mill. From 50 to 120 men were formerly employed, and 1,200 to 1,500 mowers annually manufactured.

The Tannery south of the railroad was built in 1866, by John Kunsley & Co. Bigler & Leus became the purchasers in 1872, and four years later Bigler Brothers, the present proprietors, obtained possession. In 1882, they greatly enlarged the capacity of the tannery, added new machinery and adopted the steam process of tanning, and have thereby materially increased their business.

Two Planing Mills are now in full operation in New Philadelphia. The first was started in the old Methodist frame church on Front street in 1867 or 1868, by Isaac Everett and others. The building was burned in 1870, and was rebuilt by a new company. The property has several times changed pos- session, and is now operated by Criswell & Negley, and known as the Cham- pion Planing Mill. The second planing mill was built a little later, on Lots 354 and 355, Ray street, by a joint stock company. It is known as the Buck- eye Planing Mill, and at present is owned and operated by Warner, Lappin & Ervin.

The River Mills, now owned and operated by A. Beyers, located on the Lateral Canal, southwest of New Philadelphia, were first built by Seaton & Leonard about 1835. During President Jackson's administration, a surplus fund in the United States was divided among the States. Ohio apportioned her amount to the various counties in the State, and from Tuscarawas County Seaton & Leonard negotiated a loan of $20,000 of this fund, and with it

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erected the mill and made other improvements on the Lateral Canal. Andrew Seaton soon became sole proprietor. He died in 1840, and the mill was then leased, and soon after purchased by Steese, Blickensderfer & Co., a firm com- posed of Isaac Steese, Abraham Blickensderfer, Peter Williams, Ed. McClain and John I. Smith. By them, it was enlarged from a custom mill of two run of buhrs to a merchant mill of twice the capacity, and soon after five additional buhrs were added. The mill then successively passed through the hands of Steese & Co., Peter I. Nevins & Sons, Gillet & Noble, J. Gillet, A. Beyers. Sr., and A. Beyers, Jr., the present owner. In 1881, Mr. Beyers introduced the roller system, and all the flower is now manufactured by that improved process. From 200 to 225 barrels of flour are daily produced, which is shipped mostly to Boston and New York. The power of the mill has always been sup- plied from the Lateral Canal.

Williamson & Black, about 1865, erected a frame steam grist mill on Lot 350, Ray street. In 1871, it was burned to the ground. A large, brick structure was immediately rebuilt, and operated by Samuel A. Hess. James Kennedy became a partner in the spring of 1874, and several months later the firm became Kennedy & Welty. In 1878, they leased it to J. H. Van Glahn, who remained in possession until it was a second time destroyed by fire during the night of May 28-29, 1883. The mill contained four run of buhrs, and did an extensive custom and merchant business.

The Smith Foundry Company was organized in the fall of 1882. A sub. scription of $10,000 was donated by the citizens, and a large building, 246x100 feet, was erected east of the rolling mills. Another building, 40x60 feet, is adjacent. Besides a general foundry business, gas and water pipes are largely manufactured. Abont twenty men are now employed, and a considerable increase in the force is soon expected.

The New Philadelphia Gas Light Company was organized in 1875. A stock company, with $30,000 capital, was formed, but immediately the greater part of the stock was sold to R. G. Jordan, then of Wheeling, now of Columbus. J. L. McIlvaine was President at the original organization, and O. P. Taylor, Secretary and Treasurer. Mr. Jordan is now President, and Mr. Taylor retains his original official position.

The first carriage works in the county, and at present the most extensive of New Philadelphia, were erected by J. P. and D. T. Bartles on West Front street, in June, 1846. In 1871, J. P. Bartles became sole proprietor, and con- tinued the manufacture alone for a few years, then received his son in partner- ship. The firm has since been Bartles & Son. From sixty to eighty vehicles are annually manufactured, and from eight to ten workmen employed.

Charles Houpt owns the only other buggy and carriage manufactory in the county seat. The shops are located on South Fifth street, and were erected in 1868 by Casson & Houpt. Two years later, the proprietors were Houpt & Clewell, and after an equal period Mr. Houpt became and has since been sole owner. He manufactures from thirty-five to forty buggies each year.

The leading industrial works of New Philadelphia are the Ward Rolling Mills, which were formally opened March 15, 1883. On Monday, August 1, 1881, an election was held in New Philadelphia, in pursuance of an act of Legislature, passed in the preceding spring, authorizing the village to levy a tax of $50,000 for the erection of manufacturing shops, to vote for or against the issuance of bonds to the amount of $50,000, for the erection of a rolling mill. The voters unanimously favored the project, and the City Council entered into negotiations with the Ward Iron Company, of Niles, Ohio, relative to the removal of their works to New Philadelphia. As a result, this company agreed to erect a new rolling mill at New Philadelphia and em-

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ploy therein 250 men, the town donating $40,000 and twenty acres of land. The Council purchased land in the river bottom, southwest of town, near Bey- er's Mills, and the work of construction was begun in March, 1882, and com- pleted a year later. The main building is 357 feet in length and 125 in width, with a wing 275x125 feet. The sheet mill, about 150 feet distant, is 125 feet square. The frame work and roofs of these buildings are com- posed wholly of iron. Two immense engines, each a 200-horse power, supply the motive power. The cost of the works was about $150,000. They were under the management of Mr. W. E. Ward. About fifty tons of muck iron were daily produced and twenty tons of sheet iron. About 240 men were on the pay rolls of the company, when, in July, 1883, the Ward Iron Company, of Niles, made an assignment, and work was at once suspended at New Phila- delphia. At this writing it has not yet been resumed.

HOTELS.

Taverns in early times performed an important function in the growth of villages. A constant stream of incoming settlers, who made their way to the West by tedious, toilsome journeys, and of prospectors for future homes, sup- plied them with an abundance of guests. In those times, provision was also made at the tavern for the traveler's thirst, and at the bar liquors could always be obtained. In 1820, there were as many taverns in New Philadelphia as there are hotels to-day. As mentioned on a previous page, the first tavern was opened by George Leininger in 1808, or earlier, at the southwest corner of Front and Broadway. The Gray House, which was the now dilapidated struct. ure standing on the southeast corner of Front and Broadway, was used as a tavern stand for many years. During the period of its prime, say from 1836 to 1850, it was the leading tavern in the village. The old Grimm House, on the opposite side of Front street, was a well known and popular resort for travelers for a long time. The Lion House, which, however, often changed names, occupied the site, has been used longer for hotel purposes than any other in the village. Henry Laffer was inn-keeper here in a log cabin during the war of 1812; William Albert succeeded, and for many years Albert's tav- ern was well and widely known. The Alberts built a large brick hotel, the first three story brick building in the village, on the site of the old building, and it was occupied as a hotel by different landlords until within two or three years, since when it has been converted into business rooms and offices. The dry goods store of Mathias & McFarland occupies the corner room. The Ex- change Hotel, now in charge of the genial and popular landlord, C. H. Harvey, is one of the oldest brick structures in town, and it, too, will soon be converted into other uses. The Exchange was built by Dr. Johnson; after his death, his widow married Dr. Benjamin Morris, who continued the proprietorship for many years. William Simeval came next into possession, and he was succeed- ed by Thomas Moore, who purchased the hotel and installed himself its land- lord in 1847, remaining four years. Many proprietors have since conducted this hotel.

At present (September, 1883), two hotels are in process of construction and another has been recently built. In 1881, Ernest Schmidt erected on North Broadway, just north of the court house, the Schmidt (now the Sherman) House. He remained its proprietor until January, 1883, when he leased it to the Zeely Brothers, who are now in charge. During the summer of 1883, Mr. Schmidt sold the hotel to Edward Rosemond. It is a handsome three-story brick, about forty-two by ninety feet in size.

Harrison Kail is erecting, on the northeast corner of Broadway and Front, the site of the Grimm House, recently torn down, a large three-story brick hotel. P

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On the south side of West High street, near the square, C. H. Harver is building the new Exchange, which, when finished, will be one of the hand- somest hotel structures in this part of the State. It is 56x163 feet in size, and three stories in height.

The following is a summary of the mercantile business of New Philadel- phia: Six dry goods and grocery stores, nine groceries, four drug stores, three clothing stores, four merchant tailoring establishments, three jewelry stores, two music stores, three hardware stores, six boot and shoe stores, and three furniture stores. There are also three millineries, three bakeries, three cigar manufactories, three liveries and fourteen saloons.

GOSHEN TOWNSHIP.

Goshen Township in its name preserves a link which connects it with the eventful occurrences in the Tuscarawas Valley prior to the formation of the State government. The beautiful spring, where the patriarch Zeisberger first led his band of peace-loving Indians in 1772, and founded the flourishing mission which he named Schonbrunn, is situated about two miles south of New Philadelphia, on the east side of the river.

In 1777, after five years of unparalleled prosperity, this village was aban- doned through the necessities of war, but two years later, New Schonbrunn was built on the western bank of the Tuscarawas, nearly opposite the beautiful spring and about a quarter of a mile below Lockport. It was destroyed by Williamson's party in 1782. In 1798, Goshen Mission was established by Zeisberger west of the river, about four miles below New Philadelphia, on what is now Lot 39. As mentioned in the chapter on Moravian Mission, Goshen was occupied by the Indians until their removal from the valley in 1824.

Schonbrunn Spring was deeded by the owner, John Jacobs, to the Union Bible Society in 1872, and the historic spot has since been inclosed by a fence. A memorial stone was planted there by C. H. Mitchener, W. C. Williamson, John Judy and others.

Goshen was one of the four original townships into which the County Commissioners divided Tuscarawas County at their first meeting in the spring of 1808. It was twenty miles in extent, east and west, and seven and one- half north and south, comprising Township 8 in Ranges 1, 2, 3 and 4, and the south half of Township 9 in the same ranges, or all of the present Goshen and Sugar Creek Townships, most of Auburn, York and Dover, half of Fair- field, small fractions of Warren and Union Townships, and of Holmes County. The erection of Dover Township in 1810 deprived it of most of this territory west of the river. Fairfield, in 1817, took a considerable corner from it, and lighter losses were sustained in the subsequent formation of York, Warren and Union. Goshen yet remains one of the largest townships in the county. It includes the Schonbrunn tract of 4,000 acres entire. Exclusive of this tract, the southern and eastern portions are composed of 100-acre military lots, ex- cept several sections of congressional land in the northeast corner. In the northwest portion is a quarter of military land and the fractions of two other quarters. The first quarter of Township 8, Range 2, containing 3,554 acres, was located by Godfrey Haga, according to patent dated March 28, 1800, and signed by John Adams, President. Haga, through his ugent, John Hecke- welder, sold the entire quarter to John Knisely, January 8, 1808, for $3, 776, and upon this tract Knisely laid out the county seat.

Goshen Township contains within its limits all the varied topographical features found in the county. The Tuscarawas River in the western portion presents a broad and fertile valley. Beaver Dam Creek, by its tortuous course,

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and its tributaries pierce the hills in all directions, and help to soften their ruggedness. The plains, or second bottom lands, extend along both banks of the river, and while the surface of the country generally was covered with a heavy growth of timber, the vesture of the plains was gaunt and sparse. A scrubby growth of jack oak, in little clumps here and there, comprised almost the entire vegetation. Owing to this scant forest growth, the early settlers, accustomed to the heavy timbers of Pennsylvania and Maryland, regarded the soil of the plains as poor and thin, and they usually preferred casting their lot among the more densely wooded hills. The prevailing types of tim- ber were oak, poplar, chestnut, beech, hickory and walnut. No better soil for general agricultural purposes is found in the county than that of Goshen Township.

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The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 50

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

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