The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 59

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

USA > Ohio > Tuscarawas County > The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio > Part 59

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The post office at Phillipsburg is called Stone Creek. It was established before Phillipsburg was laid out, and was located at first at the farm house of Joseph Murphy, one and a half miles north of the village. The Postmasters at Phillipsburg have been Adam Regula, Jacob DeGreif, Frederick Regula and Albert Wagner.

The following is a list of the Justices of the Peace for the township, as recorded in the book of caths administered: Sedgwick Healy, 1837; Thomas Herington, 1840; Samuel Shawyer, 1840; Anthony Miller, 1843; John Hatch- steller, 1843; Thomas Dotts, 1846; Anthony Miller, 1846; Anthony Miller, 1849; Thomas Dotts, 1849; Thomas Dotts, 1852; William Gorsiline, 1852; Joseph Murphy, 1855; William Martin, 1855; Joseph Murphy, 1858; William Martin, 1858; Elijah Meese, 1859; Frederick Regula, 1861; Jacob F. Biddle, 1861; Michael Haas, 1864; Frederick Regula, 1864; Michael Haas, 1867; Frederick. Regula, 1867; Joseph Murphy, 1870; Frederick Regula, 1870; Joseph Murphy, 1873; Frederick Regula, 1873; Hiram Angel, 1876; Fred- erick Regula, 1876; Hiram Angel, 1879; Frederick Regula, 1879; Michael Haas, 1882; Frederick Regula, 1882.

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CHAPTER IX.

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP.

HISTORIC GROUNDS-AN ORIGINAL TOWNSHIP-JUSTICES-TOPOGRAPHY-FIRST SETTLERS-FIRST SCHOOLS -LAWRENCEVILLE-BOLIVAR- CHURCHES-THE ZOAR SOCIETY.

T THE border-land between Tuscarawas and Stark Counties. in and about Lawrence Township, abounds in interesting and noted historic sites. Post's cabin, built in 1761, and occupied the following year by him and Hecke- welder, stood in Bethlehem Township, Stark County, about four rods from the Tuscarawas River, and a few rods east of its southern bend. Calhoon's trading post was located almost a mile further east, on the opposite side of the river. and on the land annexed to Tuscarawas from Stark in 1847. The ancient capital of the Delawares, Tuscarawas, said also to have been pre- viously inhabited by the Senecas and Wyandots, stood on the plains a few rods from the river, and opposite the mouth of Sandy Creek. Fort Laurens. the scene of savage warfare during the Revolution, was situated a mile and a half farther down the stream, about half a mile below Bolivar. The old settlers can remember when the embankments at the fort were seven feet in height The Ohio Canal pierced these works and the desecrating plowshare has leveled the most of them to the ground, but small sections may yet be seen. The township was given its name in honor of this fort, but the orthography has been changed.

Lawrence was one of the four original townships established in 1808. It then embraced all the land which now forms Wayne, Franklin, Lawrence (ex- cept the small tract since annexed from Stark County) and Sandy Townships, in addition to as much of Dover, Fairfield and Warren as lies in the northern half of Range 9. The first election was held at the cabin of Gideon Jennings. in what is now Fairfield Township. The organization of succeeding town- ships reduced its territory. and it appears from the records that the balance of the original township of Lawrence, after other townships were organized, was converted into Lawrenceville. The incorporation of Lawrenceville Township was recorded May 13, 1817. As constituted at that date, it consisted of the present Lawrence Township and a tract two and a half miles square, from the northeast corner of Dover. Its bounds were as follows: Beginning at the northeast corner of Township 10, Range 2; thence south to the middle of Township 9, Range 2; thence west, to the center of Range 9; thence north to Township 10; thence west to Range 3; thence north to the northwest corner of Township 10; thence east along the line of Township 10, to the place of beginning. The electors were notified to meet according to law in the town of Lawrenceville and elect the proper township officers. The original name, Lawrence, was restored, and it was reduced in size August 7, 1820, by the at- tachment of its southeast portion to Dover Township. Small portions were since annexed from Stark County, and from Sandy Township.

The following have been the local magistrates of Lawrence. Many of the earlier ones resided on land which now belongs to other townshps, but was then included in Lawrence:

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Isaac Deardorff, 1809, resigned 1810; Abraham Mosser, 1810; John Davy, 1813; Isaac Deardorff, 1813; William Fashbaugh, 1817; John Taylor, 1818; John Sparks, 1816; Moses Ayres, 1817; Abraham Mosser, 1819; John Mack. in, 1819; John Mackin, 1825; Milton Smith, 1825; Milton Smith, 1828; Lewis F. Burk, 1831; John Fashbaugh, 1831; Beasel S. Belknap, 1834; John Fashbaugh, 1834; John A. Knisely, 1835; A. J. Bennett, 1836; Chris- tian Ruff, 1836; B. S. Belknap, 1837: John Fashbaugh, 1837; Lewis F. Burk, 1837; Jacob Burton, 1840; John Fashbaugh, 1840; Lewis F. Burk, 1840; David M. Bradshaw, 1843; John Patton, 1843, resigned 1845: Lewis F. Burk, 1843; David M. Bradshaw, 1846, resigned 1847; Lewis F. Burk, 1846; James G. Tinker, 1847; Lewis F. Burk, 1849; James G. Tinker, 1850: Jacob Willard, 1851; James G. Tinker, 1853; John G. Rouf, 1854; John G. Tinker, 1856, resigned 1858; John G. Rouf, 1860; William Hodge, 1861; Simon Beiter, 1862; John Q. McMurray, 1864, resigned 1864: Nicholas Baker, 1864; Simon Beiter, 1866; Nicholas Baker, 1867; Simon Beiter, 1869; Nicholas Baker, 1870; Simon Beiter, 1872; Nicholas Baker, 1873. resigned 1875; Simon Beiter, 1875; John McMurray, 1875; Milton Lessick, 1876; Lewis Haid, 1878; Milton Lessick, 1879; Samuel C. Klein, 1881; William Kurcherer, 1882.

The eastern half of the township consists of two 4,000-acre quarters. The first, or northeast, quarter was located by Abraham Mosser, of Washington County, Penn., and Thomas Bonde, of Lancaster, Penn .. May 23, 1800. In November, 1805, it was almost equally partitioned between them, Bonde re- ceiving the southwest portion. Abrabam Mosser settled on his portion, and gradually disposed of the land to in-coming settlers. Bonde never resided here; he sold the land by parcels, Joseph M. Bimeler receiving the greater portion in trust for the Separatists, 1,275 acres, June 29, 1832, for $4,000. The fourth, or southwest, quarter was located by Jonathan Dayton, of New Jersey, his patent from President Jefferson bearing date January 25, .1803. He sold it to Godfrey Haga February 5, 1804, and Haga transferred it to Jos. eph M. Bimeler in the spring of 1818. The northwest, or second. quarter of the township consists of military 100- acre lots; and the southwest, or third, quarter of Congress lands. The roughest land in the township is found here.

The Tuscarawas River enters the township from. Stark County, and soon after takes a northern bend of several miles, then returning it pursues a gen- eral southeasterly direction till it leaves the township. A southern dip of Sandy Creek brings it for a short distance into the township. Besides these, the streams of Lawrence are small and unimportant tributaries to the river. The Ohio Canal follows the western banks of the river, and the old Sandy & Beaver Canal extends from Bolivar eastward. The Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad crosses through the valley of the Tuscarawas. The bottoms, plains and hillsides along the river, says Mr. David Yant. " were covered in early times with weeds, nettles, wild rye and grass as high as a man's head. This mass of vegetation was set on fire late in the fall by Indians and early hunters, for the purpose of encircling game, enveloping the surface in a sea of flame and effectual y killing every twig of timber. No timber was thus permitted to grow upon the plains, until after these annual burnings ceased." The land away from the valleys is much more rolling than in some portions of the county, and is susceptible of a high cultivation. Farms in the township are valued at from $50 to $150 per acre. Immense quantities of shell ore have been taken from the hillsides in past years. It has been shipped to Gran- ville, Akron, Massillon. Zoar and in small quantities to Dover. Commencing about 1835, the mining of iron ore has been an important business. but the best banks have been exhausted, and little is now produced. Some coal is shipped, but not to any great extent.

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The first permanent settler was Samuel Mosser, brother of Abrahamn Mos- ser, one of the proprietors of the first quarter of the township. Samuel and Abraham Mosser first came out on horseback, about 1803, to examine the land the latter had entered. They were originally from Maryland, but had settled in Pennsylvania. While inspecting the land, they were met by two Indians, one of whom wished to trade his rusty old flint gun for a new rifle which Sam- uel carried. The offer was refused, but the savages were treated before they departed, from the flask the proprietors carried. The Indians soon returned, and the one with trading proclivities was more anxious than before to ex- change weapons of war. To conciliate them, the whisky flask was again brought forth, but without producing the desired effect of conciliation, and at the request of Abraham, his brother at last surrendered the rifle, to avoid diffi- culties which might postpone the settlement of this tract of land. Samuel Mosser first settled opposite Bolivar, about eighty rods from the east bank of the river, and near the the route of the Sandy & Beaver Canal. His first house was a diminutive hut, which served as a shelter until better accommodations could be provided. About 1809, he purchased Lot 2, and the east half of 14, and died in 1810 or 1812, while constructing a substantial hewed-log cabin. His wife survived him many years. Their children were Elizabeth (Kline), Joseph (still living near Quincy, Ill.,) Jacob, Samuel, Catherine (Himes), John, Michael and Abraham.

Abraham Mosser, his son-in-law John Taylor, and Jacob Good next came out, about 1807, from Washington County, Penn., and settled on the Mosser tract. Abraham Mosser built his cabin . nearly a mile east of Bolivar and close to the present residence of John Lebold. He died in 1822. Close by lived Jacob Good, who kept the first tavern in the northern part of Tusca- rawas County. John Taylor settled on the hill about a half-mile distant.

The next settlers on the Mosser land were Peter Houseman, Peter Hartline, John Keller, John Kline and John Mackin, all of whom were probably here before 1812. Peter Houseman died in Fairfield Township. Peter Hartline was German born and came West a single man. He was one of Hull's sur- rendered so diers, and was married in 1817. John and Christian Keller, broth- ers, were from Pennsylvania. None of this name now live in Lawrence Town- ship. John Kline, in 1807, came to Sandy Township with his father, married about 1812, settled in Lawrence, east of the river, but soon after purchased and removed to Lot 2. John Mackin purchased the Abraham Mosser home- stead. He was a Justice of the Peace and a good citizen.

The earliest settlers on the military lots west of the river were John and William Fashbaugh, Jacob Howman, Peter Himes, William Hill, George . Robinson and John Streaby. The two Fashbaughs were brothers, of German birth, and emigrated from Pennsylvania about 1810. They owned Lot 1. . Both died in Lawrence Township, and their familles are scattered. Jacob Howman, who came about the same time, afterward migrated to Kosciusko County, Ind. He settled on the east half of Lot 11. William Hill was a res- ident of the township before 1809. He owned and occupied the west half of Lot 14. Peter Himes and John Streaby emigrated from Pennsylvania about 1812. The former became the owner of Lot 13, and the west half of 11, while the latter settled on Lot 17. George Robinson came about 1815, settled on Lot 19, and remained in the township till his death. Conrad Zutavern, from Baden, Germany, came in 1819, and purchased Lot 28. He remained in the township until death, and his descendants are still here.

John Mock came from Pennsylvania about 1815, and entered and located upon the southwest quarter of Section 14. In religious belief he was a Dunk- ard. He removed to Kosciusko County, Ind. George Mock, his brother, was

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also an early settler in the township, and remained through life. The south- western part of the township was settled later, mostly by Germans. Quite an emigration from Lawrence Township to Kosciusko County, Ind., commenced about 1830, and has continued to the present time. Most of the township's surplus population has gone thither. Shortly after hostilities began in 1812, a Mr. Dempster and another settler were encamped on the river in this town- ship on a hunting expedition. Dempster, taking his rifle, went some distance from the camp, and finding no game relieved his rifle of its load by shooting at a mark. The shot was so bad that he hastily reloaded and, taking better aim, discharged the gun a second time. His partner, still in camp, hearing two successive shots, surmised the presence of Indians. and fled toward Can- ton, with the report that Dempster had been killed. Mr. Dempster, on his re- turn to camp, finding no trace of his companion, also became terror-stricken, and hastened in an opposite direction toward Sugar Creek, spreading the alarm and announcing the death of his partner at the hands of painted savages. So near were the few scattering settlers here to the border, that grave apprehen- sions of an Indian descent were entertained, and for a time credence was given to every wild rumor of impending danger.

The first school on the west side of the river was kept in a log cabin on Lot 2, then owned by John Kline, now by John Bender. The house stood near a spring, in the southwest corner of the place. William Knappenberger was the teacher, and his term was taught about 1817. Messrs. Brown, David Kilgore, Robinson, Fashbaugh and Sibert succeeded him. About this time, Mr. Boyer opened a school at his cabin in Lawrenceville, on the east side of the river, and near its bank, about thirty rods above the bridge. The one room in the house served as schoolroom, kitchen and bedroom, and one use was not permitted to interfere with another. Many of the scholars were full-grown men and women. Here the Brantingham children, the Whites, Mackins, Taylors, Kellers, Hartlines, Housemans,{ Yants, John Pinicks, James Tracy, Peter Swank and others received the rudiments of an education. A few prim- ers, Webster's Spelling Book, Dilworth's Reader and the Bible, says David Yant, were the principal text books. Among the sports in which the boys en- gaged during play-time was the sea fight, the idea of which was obtained from Perry's victory on Lake Erie. They had two large canoes, which would grap. ple, and the boys in each try to obtain possession of their opponents and their oars. When one side became too weak to continue the contest, it would capit- ulate and the captured boat and prisoners be rowed triumphantly to shore. John Mock built the first saw mill. It was afterward rebuilt by David Kline. John Kline afterward built a second, and the Separatists a third, on the same stream, formerly known as Haystack Run. George Mock is said to have operated the first distillery in the township, about 1820, on Section 20. Conrad Zutavern started one a little later, on Lot 16.

Lawrenceville was the name of one of the earliest backwoods towns. It was laid out on the east side of the Tuscarawas, opposite present Bolivar, by Abraham Mosser in 1805, when the people in the vicinity were obliged to go to Zanesville to pay their taxes. It was not then known how this vast country would be divided into counties, and Lawrenceville indulged in the fond hope of becoming a county seat. The plat was spacious, including 176 lots, from which donations were made for court house and jail, market-houses and English and German Presbyterian, German Lutheran, Protestant Episcopal and Mora. vian Churches. The location was a beautiful one, and at that time there was a brisk trade on the river in canoes and small boats. The settlers speculated in a small way, by buying town lots, but the village never prospered. It con- tained at most four or five houses. A grocery was kept just north of the plat,

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and one of the few residents of the village was a shoe maker, Mr. Mock. Some of the earliest settlers were buried on Lebald's Hill in the vicinity, but the site of their graves is now obliterated. The plat of Lawrenceville has been vacated for many years, and the site is now under cultivation.

The secend attempt to establish a town was more successful, and resulted in the handsomest little village in the northern part of Tuscarawas County. It owes its existence to the Ohio Canal. The village was christened Kelleys- ville, in honor of Alfred Kelley, of Cuyahoga County, who was Canal Com- missioner. This gentleman, it appears, declined the honor, and the town was then called Bolivar, in respect to the emancipator of South Carolina.

The original plat of Kelleysville was laid out in August, 1825, on both sides of the proposed canal line. A space 200 feet in width was left for the canal. and for East and West Canal streets. Nine streets-Plain, Pine, Pop- lar, Cherry, Water, Tuscarawas, Sandy, Laurens and Walnut-each sixty-six feet wide, crossed these at right angles and extended various distances east and west. The lots numbered 109. The proprietors were John Shorb and William Christmas.

In this original plat of Bolivar (or Kelleysville) but two streets extended north and south, contiguous to the canal on either side. In 1835, an altera- tion was made in the plat by vacating West Canal street and laying out a street parallel with the canal 100 feet farther west. In 1836, all that portion of the village lying between the canal and river, including, with additions made to it, more than sixty lots, was altered, but afterward portions were va- cated from time to time until nothing remained. The vacations were made on account of the low and wet condition of the soil. Surrounded by water on three sides, it was subject to frequent inundations, and therefore "unfit for the habitation of man."

In 1828, John Mackin made an addition of fifty-one lots on Tuscarawas. Water and Cherry streets, which he called "The Western Liberties." In 1835. David Yant made an addition of seventy seven lots on West Canal. Mulberry, Liberty, Yants. Bolivar and Harrison streets, west of the canal. and twenty four lots east of the canal; forty-eight of these lots were afterward vacated. East Bolivar, consisting of 251 lots, was laid out by John Short and others in 1837, east of the Tuscarawas and north of Sandy & Beaver Canal. A large town was evidently expected, but the failure of this canal withered the hopes of the proprietors, and the village had an existence only on paper. John Hays, in 1837, made an addition of thirty-three lots on Poplar, Cherry and Water streets. Jonathan Cables, in 1835, laid out an addition of ten lots. 52-61 inclusive, on Poplar street. A. C. Dickson, in 1874, had an addition of ten lots surveyed, located between Poplar and Water streets and west of Bruce. In 1882, J. F. Evans made an addition of nineteen lots between Poplar and South streets, and west of Dickson's Addition.

The original proprietors, Shorb & Christmas, were merchants of Canton, the former a Catholic, the latter a Presbyterian. The brush was cleared away from the plains at the town site and a tavern was built by John Shorb, and James Baldwin was established here as host. He was an Eastern man, of broken fortune, somewhat aristocratic in his ways, and remained proprietor of the village inn for many years. The tavern stood on the southeast corner of Water and Canal streets. Henry Stidger kept the first store. He was from Canton, remained about five years, then moved to Carrollton. Robert McMur- ray was the first Postmaster. He first manufactured brick at Bolivar, then se- cured the office and opened a little store. Gardner Field was the first produce dealer. The village opened with flattering prospects of success, and upon the

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completion of the canal, in 1830, Bolivar became a great grain buying point. It commanded the trade of Carroll County, and portions of Stark, Harrison and even Columbiana and Jefferson. Warehouses were built, and a large mer- cantile trade established. The Sandy & Beaver Canal project, about 1834, greatly enhanced the price of property, and led to extensive additions to the vil- lage plat. The boom swelled until the enterprise proved a failure, when prop- erty rapidly depreciated in value and business decreased greatly. The village then grew slowly but steadily, and within the last few years the increase has been more rapid. The population in 1840 was 249; in 1850, 302; in 1860, 367; ir 1870, 413; and in 1880, 564. The natural beauty of the village is un- surpassed in the county. It now contains three dry goods stores, one grocery, three saloons, one drug store, a hardware store, a furniture store, a shoe store, a millinery store, a meat market, a jewelry shop, two shoe shops, two black- smith shops, a harness shop, two wagon shops, one cabinet shop, a livery, an extensive warehouse, a merchant tailor, a dentist, four physicians, a brass band, a town hall, a grist mill, a planing mill and four churches.

A tannery was started in 1836 by J. G. Tinker. About twenty-five years later, the tanning business ceased in Bolivar. Jacob Kline started the first steam mill, twenty-five or more years ago. It was destroyed by tire. Kline & Waters, about 1872, built a second large grist mill, which was also burned about two years later. The present mill was built by Hickman & Kline. In the spring of 1883, it came into the possession of Jacob Renkerd, of Dover, who is now remodeling the mill and adding rollers. The first planing mill was built by Helwick & Webber; the present and second one was built by Fred. erick Webber in 1882.

In the spring of 1883, the village schoolhouse, a two-story frame contain- ing three rooms was burned to the ground. Work was soon after commenced on a large brick structure, which at this writing is not completed. It will contain eight rooms and cost about $12.000. J. W. Pfeiffer has been Princi- pal of the schools for four years. There are now four departments, but the district is yet under the control of the Township Board. The first local physi- cian of Bolivar was B. S. Belknap, who came about 1830, and practiced for probably a year. Dr. A. I. Bennett, in 1831, commenced a practice which continued twenty years, when he removed to Wisconsin. He came from Schoharie County, N. Y., and became a prominent citizen of the county, both as a physician and a politician. Drs. John C. Sisson and William Preston came next. The latter, after a residence of about five years, removed to Can- ton. Dr. William H. Tripp settled in Bolivar about 1851, and remained till after the war, during which, however, he served as Surgeon. He is now Treasurer of Carroll County. Dr. John M. Hodge studied under Dr. Bennett and commenced practice about 1851, remaining till the close of the war. He is now Registrar of the Land Office at Selina, Kan. Drs. Uhl, Shanefelt, and Stephenson successively came and departed, and in 1863 Dr. John M. Black located here and practiced till his death in 1878. Dr. William H. McMurray opened a practice about 1865, and continued until his death several years ago. The present physicians are John C. Sisson, S. D. Hildt, William R. Black and Seth Hattery.

Caldwell Lodge, No, 330, F. & A. M., of Bolivar, was chartered October 16, 1860. Simpson Harmount, Isaac Teller, Ernest Becht, Dr. William Tripp, R. J. Mills, J. T. Overholt, Samuel Barnes, J. V. Smith and Josiah Haid were the charter members. The lodge owns a substantial two-story frame building erected in 1871. It meets the first Saturday on or before the full moon. The membership is fifty-eight, and the present officers are William Smith, W. M. ; S. Hattery, S. W .; William E. Lash, J. W .; E. B. Truby, S. D.,

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Lewis Willard, J. D .; J. W. Pfeiffer, Sec .; Jacob Trudel, Treas .; J. G. Manne: Tiler.

Tuscarawas Lodge, No. 133, I. O. O. F., was instituted about 1850. In 1852, the hall and records were destroyed by fire, and the lodge was allowed to disband. It was re-instituted July 13, 1871, with five members-John Lessick, Christian Bigler, Henry Keefer, John Lebold and Joseph Miller. In 1879, the lodge erected a frame two-story building. 22x50, at a cost of $1.500. Meetings are held on Wednesday evenings. The officers now serving are Lewis Sesline, N. G .; George W. Borroway, V. G .; R. E. Baker, Sec .; J. O. Lash, Treas. The membership is about twenty-five.

The Methodist Church was organized in 1842, by Rev. Thomas Barkdull. Rev. Andrew Stewart had preached at the house of Peter Hartline, Lawrence. ville, as early as 1820. Revs. Henry Whiteman and Hawkins were also early ministers. The leading early members were Jesse Riggs, J. P. Conly, B. S. Belknap, John Lessick, Thomas Swank, James Rutter, Anthony Robinson, Rev. L. B. Smith, David Moreland, I. M. Lichtenwalter and David Yant. Regular preaching was first held in the schoolhouse. In 1843, a dwelling house, located on Lot 36, was purchased, fitted up and occupied until the pres- ent frame structure was built on Lot 48 in 1853. The present membership is about fifty; the present minister, Rev. G. A. Reader.

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The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 59

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

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