The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 65

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

USA > Ohio > Tuscarawas County > The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio > Part 65

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Newcomerstown, the principal town in the southwestern section of Tus- carawas County, has had a steady growth from the year of its formation in 1827 to the present. In 1840, its population was 270; ten years later, it reached 476. In 1860, another hundred were added, the census returning 577; in 1870, the number reached 791, and in 1880 there was a further increase to 926. The present population doubtless exceeds 1,000. It is situated on a broad plateau, in the valley of the Tuscarawas. The Ohio Canal passes through its midst, and two railroads, the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis, and the Wheeling & Lake Erie intersect within the limits of the town.

The settlement here, before the town was laid out, was dubbed by the pioneers " Neighbortown," in honor of its first settlers; but the locality was known by the Indians and by traders as Newcomerstown. The Delaware chieftain, Netawatwes, who ruled the nation at Gekelemukpechunk, was also called King Newcomer, and in this name he sometimes signed State papers. From him the town has doubtless received its name, though a more romantic origin has been ascribed to it. Nearly all the towns in Tuscarawas County, located on the canal, were founded during the period of construction of that commercial highway, and owe their origin to it. Newcomerstown was among the number.

The original plat contained thirty-four lots in three tiers, two north and one south of the canal. Bridge street formed the eastern boundary, and Cross street extended through the plat parallel to Bridge. Canal and Basin streets crossed the village east and west. John Tufford in 1827 laid out West New. comerstown on both sides of the canal. His plat contained forty lots. In 1836, Nicholas Neighbor and Jacob Overholt made an addition of twenty-two lots, 35-56, located on both sides of Neighbor street, from Bridge street westward; Lots 7-12 were also located on the south side of the canal. In 1845, Jacob J. Miller made an addition of thirteen lots, 57-69 inclusive, on the south side of South Canal street; and the same year Andrew Creter laid out an addition of seven lots at the southeast corner of South Canal and River streets. In 1851, Elisha Pocock made an addition of forty lots west of River street, and on both sides of Goodrich street. Andrew R. and Nancy A. Wil- cox in 1868 laid out an addition of seventeen lots, numbered 70-86, located south of Miller's Addition, and west of the Union School Lot. In 1872, Andrew J. Miller and Joshua Wier made an addition of eight lots immediately south of South Canal street. In 1873, A. M. Beers made an addition of eight lots north of the canal, and bounded by Neighbor, Bridge, Basin and Buckhorn streets. David A. Mulvane in 1873 laid out an addition of thirty-six lots, 87-122 inclusive, bounded by the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad, College, State and Chestnut streets. The same year John W. Rodney laid out thirteen lots on Buckhorn and First streets.

At the time the village was founded, it contained a log cabin, located im- mediately south of the present Pan Handle depot; it had been built many

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years before, and occupied by Judge Nicholas Neighbor. He also erected the first store building. a small brick structure on Lot 1, the site of Dent & Pow. leson's hardware store. Nicholas Neighbor and Jacob Overholt were the prim- itive merchants, commencing about 1828, and continuing probably eight years when Matthias S. Neighbor succeeded. In 1830, the village contained but three or four buildings. Besides the above, Aaron Schenck, from New Jersey. dwelt in a small cabin here and operated a tannery. William Garner kept s canal station at Lot 21, in West Newcomerstown. Jacob J. Miller, son-in- law of Nicholas Neighbor, and also a New Jerseyman, opened the first tavern in town about 1835, on the site of the present Globe House. Andrew Creter had, however, kept tavern in the township in the vicinity of Newcomerstow from about 1825 to 1838. Morris Creter, from Morris County, N. J., came to the township in 1829, and kept a grocery two miles up the canal from the vil lage for a year, when he removed to Newcomerstown.

The first church organization of Newcomerstown was that of the Evangel- ical English Lutheran denomination. The records show that Rev. E. Green- wold, of New Philadelphia, commenced preaching at Newcomerstown Novem- ber 11, 1832. About a half dozen members then resided bere, the remnant of a number of Lutheran families who had emigrated from New Jersey nearly twenty years before, and during that period had been deprived of pastoral care. An organization was effected May 10, 1835, at which date Nicholas Neighbor and Joshua Gardner were elected Elders, and Jacob J. Miller and Leonard Neighbor Deacons. The first communion service had been held May 4, 1834. at which there were six communicants-Nicholas Neighbor, William Neighbor, Hannah, Elizabeth and Catherine Neighbor and Margaret Tufford. Rev. Greenwold remained pastor until about 1840. Rev. E. C. Yunge suc- ceeded him. He died in charge, January 28, 1848. Rev. E. Melsheimer fol- lowed, and after a service of three years, he, too, died at Newcomerstown. The subsequent ministers with term of pastorate were as follows: Rev. A. N. Bartholomew, September, 1850, to September, 1858; Rev. M. M. Bartholo- mew, from August 1, 1859, to August 18, 1861; Rev. S. S. Lawson followed and remained until 1863; Rev. U. Jesse Knisely, Ph. D., from April, 1864, to April, 1865; Rev. Joseph A. Roof, from March 7, 1866, until 1869, when Rev. T. Jesse Knisely was recalled and ministered to the congregation until his death, which occurred May 19, 1881. Rev. J. H. Summers, the present pastor, took charge July 1, 1881. The membership of the church is now one hundred. During the past two years it has been steadily increasing. The earliest min- isters had an extensive field of labor, which was gradually reduced as the vari. ous societies became well established. Until Rev. U. J. Knisely was called. this charge included Chili, Stone Creek and Evans Creek appointments. It was then limited to Newcomerstown and Port Washington. Rev. Summers has hitherto confined his labors to the Newcomerstown church. The first church edifice was a brick structure, erected on the hill at the northwest corner of Neighbor and Railroad streets. It was completed in 1838, and is now oc- cupied as a dwelling house. The corner stone of the next and present house of worship was laid October 29, 1869. It is a two-story frame building, 48x60 feet, the second floor of which is occupied as a Masonic hall. It is located on Lots 65 and 66 of Miller's Addition, and the total cost of its construction es. ceeded $3,500.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1830, with Rev. Donahue as pastor. The first Board of Trustees were Jacob Tufford, Aaron Schenck. Peter Gaskil, Conrad Miller and Isaiah Wilkin. The society worshiped in schoolhonses and homes until 1835, when Conrad Miller deeded to the trust- oes the lot upon which the present edifice stands. A brick church was

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erected in 1836 and used by the society until after the war. In 1866-67, 8 new frame structure was erected upon the old site. The church was dedicated during the ministry of Rev. Dickenson R. Moore. A parsonage was also built at a cost of $1, 100. A year after the dedication of the church, during the pastorate of Rev. S. A. Thompson, op extended revival occurred, also during the pastoral term of Rev. S. R. Clark. The society at present is in a flourish ing condition with Rev. W. C. Endly as pastor. During the last winter, the society was visited by the most gracious revival that has ever occurred in its history. The present church membership is 130.

The Methodist Protestant Church of Newcomerstown was organized in 1842. In September of that year, Coshocton Circuit was divided and Tus- carawas Circuit and Newcomerstown Mission formed. Dr. James Brown and David Mulvane were early leading members. The first church was built on the east side of the present Presbyterian Church, and was occupied until the present edifice was constructed in 1878, during the pastorate of Rev. W. L. Wells. It was dedicated July 3, 1879, by Rev. S. A. Fisher, of Cambridge. The building is a handsome brick structure, 40x64 feet in size, and its cost, including furnishing, was about $4,500. The present pastor is Rev. L. Bo- man, the present membership about 100.

The Presbyterian Church was organized November 13, 1876, by a committee of the Steubenville Presbytery, with the following original meinbers: Adol- phus W. Search and Mrs. Low M. Search, Jonathan and Rebecca Evans, Mrs. Emma Evans, George and Ruth Bagnall, Robert Y. Patterson, by certificate; and Philip Sheets, Mrs. Susan Sheets and Miss Lillie T. Bagnall on profession. For several years the congregation was irregularly supplied, and, in 1879, Rev. George W. Riggle took charge, and remained ten months. Rev. A. B. Wilson succeeded him, was regularly installed pastor, and continued a little longer than a year. After a vacancy of some time, Rev. David B. Rodgers, in the spring of 1883, assumed the pastoral relation, and still maintains it. George Bagnall and Robert Y. Patterson, the first Ruling Elders, were installed November 13, 1876. George W. Barnett and Philip Sheets were installed in the same official position January 22, 1879, and John Buck was elected March 17, 1880. The church editice is a handsome and commodious brick structure, located on the west end of South Canal street. It was erected in 1878, at a cost of $3,000. The membership of this congregation is now about sixty

A Baptist society had an existence here a few years ago, which was, how. ever, of brief duration. Samuel Mardis and Caleb Emerson were its main support.

A public notice, directed to the electors of Districts 1, 2 and 3, of Oxford Township, and signed by Andrew Creter, G. H. Dent, James Pilling, William Gardner, William H. Craig, L. C. Davis, Thomas Banks, James Brown, James Norris, C. T. Emerson, J. W. Gibbons, R. H. Nugen and G. R. Little was issued March 18, 1856, calling for an election to be held on the following 29th of March, to vote for or against the adoption of the Akron school law. On the day of election forty-two votes were cast, all favoring the adoption. The first School Board, elected April 12, 1856, consisted of R. H. Nugen and G. H. Dent, for three years, George R. Little and L. C. Davis for two years, and W. H. Craig and Amasa Brown for one year. The special school district thus organized, was very large, including all the land of Oxford Township north of the river and the Nugen farm of 600 acres south of it. When the Akron law was adopted, two small district schoolhouses stood within the present corporate limits of Newcomerstown, one on the lot west of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the other just south of the old graveyard near the depot. In 1857, the two-story frame school building, still in use, was erected and its four

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apartments occupied. In 1880, a frame structure containing two rooms was built on the same lot. In 1873, a small school building was erected within the district, two miles northeast of Newcomerstown, wherein a school has since been held for the better accommodation of those people who resided in that vicinity. C. T. Emerson was the first Superintendent, remaining three years Christian Forney, Rev. H. Bickel, H. H. Porter, now of Port Washington, followed. Rev. U. J. Knisely, Ph. D., then conducted the schools for several years. He afterward opened and conducted a private school, which was very successful. Subsequent Superintendents of the Public Schools of Newcomers- town were A. W. Search, who remained three years. Joseph Rey, who was also in charge three years, and J. T. Duff, who is now serving his third year. The present school enumeration is about 450. The present School Board is composed of J. T. Pocock, President; J. R. Mulvane, Secretary; Joseph S. Lyons. Treasurer; Samuel Tyhurst, G. R. Little and Frank Miskimen.

Lafayette, now Lone Star Lodge, No. 175, F. & A. M., was chartered Octo- ber 18, 1849, with the following charter members: John Allen, R. H. Nugen, Benslow Hare, John Laughead, James R. Johnson, Samuel Hutchinson, Ar- thur Fields and Phineas Inskeep. The first officers were John Allen, W. M .; Col. R. H. Nugen, S. W .; Benslow Hare, J. W. The present officers are G. B. Smith, W. M .; J. S. Lyons, S. W .; M. B. Kenedy, J. W .; S. F. Timmons, Treasurer; L. Carhart, Secretary; T. J. Patterson, S. D .; J. Riggle, J. D .; James McClure, Tiler. The membership is eighty-five.

Newcomerstown Lodge, No. 445, I. O. O. F., was instituted June 28, 1870, with the following eleven charter members: William McFadden, John Swit- zer, F. M. Swan, E. S. Pocock, A. W. Murphy, J. J. A. Thrapp, William Huff, J. H. Frees, J. W. Ayers, Nathan Shepherd and G. M. Wright. The first three mentioned are now deceased. Ten other members were initiated the evening of institution. The present membership is forty-four. The lodge meets every Friday evening, and is now officered by Frank Miskimen, N. G .; James Loader, V. G .; W. R. Shields, Recording Secretary; J. H. Mulvane, Permanent Secretary; J. H. Frees, Treasurer.

Dion Lodge, No. 102, K. of P., was instituted September 20, 1878, with eighteen charter members, as follows: W. R. Shields, P. C; J. A. Buchanan, C. C .; A. C. Bagnall, V. C .; W. A. Johns, M. of F .; R. L. Shoemaker, M. of Ex .; S. F. Ayers, K. of R. and S .; Thomas Lybarger, Prelate; Lewis Gard- ner, O. G .; J.T. Pocock, I. G .; H. G. Little, W. C. Riggle, William Maberry, J. P. McClelland, G. L. Patterson, Thomas Brady, E. S. Connelly, R. F. Dent, A. W. Search, R. P. Neighbor and William Shurtz. The lodge now numbers about twenty-five members, and its regular evening for meetings is Wednes- day. The present officers are Daniel Laub, P. C .; John E. Woods, C. C .; William Shurtz, V. C .; H. G. Little. M. of F .; Thomas Crawford, M. of Ex ; John T. Pocock, K. of R. and S .; Alvin Sperling, Prelate; W. A. Johns, I. G .; David Stitts, O. G.

The first newspaper of Newcomerstown was styled the Newcomerstown Visitor. It was a continuation of the Saturday Visitor, of Coshocton, Ohio, and its publication at the former village was commenced June 7, 1871, by A. W. Johns, H. B. Beech and Dr. A. M. Beers. June 22 following, Mr. Beech withdrew, and December 27, 1871, the name of the paper was changed to the Ohio Independent. From the start, this newspaper venture was successful. and on the 3th of March, 1872, when the paper was sold to N. H. Barber, it had a circulation of 816 paying subscribers, and was well patronized as an ad. vertising medium. Mr. Barber carried it on for a few months and was suc. ceeded by Dr. Goodrich, of Woodsfield, Monroe County, who edited it for an equally brief period. The paper again became the property of Johns &

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Beers in May, 1873, by foreclosure of mortgage, after having been suspended while the case was in litigation. In September, 1873, it was purchased by Dr. W. H. Dunham and J. A. Buchanan, both of Barnesville, who converted it into the Newcomerstown Argus. After several changes in ownership, it came into the possession of A. W. Search and J. A. Buchanan, who retained it until the property was destroyed by fire November 20, 1877. The town was then without a paper until January 1, 1878, when W. V. Kent and W. Fer- guson moved an office from Cadiz and commenced the publication of the Eye. This paper, having become the property of A. W. Johns October 18, 1879. it was regularly issued as the Newcomerstown Eye until August 20, 1881, when the paper suspended. It was purchased, in March, 1882, by A. C. Hursey, who re christened it the Newcomerstowu Index. Mr. Hursey, during his pro- prietorship, associated with him upon the editorial staff C. W. Knisely and afterward Cliff Sultzer. The present proprietor and editor, Wick W. Wood, took charge of the paper March 1, 1883.

Newcomerstown has had its full complement of the various industrial shops which usually flourish in villages and towns. The first pottery was es- tablished by Harmon and Gustavus Fox, about forty years ago. It was situ- ated on Main street near the W. & L. E. Railroad. About 1870, another pot- tery was erected and put in operation on State street, between River and Goodrich, by George Bagnall, but it is now a relic of the past. The first tan- nery was owned by Aaron Schenck. It was built about 1827, and stood on the southwest corner of Canal and River streets. About 1850 it became the property of Elias Patterson, and a few years later, of George R. Little. In 1871, Horace Little and C. F. Hicks took possession and held it for two years, and in 1880 it was purchased by Lewis Carhart, who has carried on the; busi- ness to the present time. Five or six years after the first tannery was set in operation, David Mulvane built one on West Main street, where the business was continued until within a few years. The first saw mill was built by Ed- mund Smith about 1833, directly north of the canal on Buckhorn Creek. The Eureka Planing Mill was erected by John Wilson, George Benton and J. R. Mulvane in 1875, and continued in operation seven years.

William Gardner and Paul Roberts were the first millers. As early as 1836 they erected the mill which stands at the west end of Main street. Their successors have been Elias Patterson and Isaac Hamersley, William Gaskill, Mr. Patterson; then in 1866, W. J. Patterson and William Marlatt, succeeded by Jesse A. Wiandt, the present proprietor, who does an extensive commercial business. A second n.i'l was built by William H. Craig in 1853, on the south side of the canal, opp site the former mill. The subsequent owners and operators of the mill ha e been Abraham Dean, William Marlatt, Marlatt & Patterson, Wilkin & Ayers and A. J. Wilkin, the present owner. It is a custom mill and does a good business.

James Pilling started a woolen mill in 1838, on the banks of the Tuscara- was, about a mile east of town. In 1845, Thomas Benton joined him as a partner. James Pilling rebuilt the mill on a larger scale in 1870, and it was operated for ten years. Since 1880, the mill has been lying idle.

A foundry was built in 1870, by Kenyon & Ferguson, but was shortly afterward destroyed by fire. A second one began operations in 1880, under the management and ownership of Elliott & Clark, who in the spring of 1883 disposed of it to Carhart & Williams. By them it was removed from the banks of the canal to new and commodious buildings near the Pittsburgh, Cin- cinnati & St. Louis Railroad. It is now known as the Peerless Bell and Ma- chine Works.

The Enterprise Manufactory, built a few years ago and now owned and

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operated by R. L. Shoemaker, is one of the most thriving industrial works of the town. Besides an extensive planing mill business, large quantities of cigar boxes, churns and bee hives are manufactured.

There are also at Newcomerstown a carriage shop, owned by Charles Schneider, a wagon shop, three blacksmith shops, two meat markets, three harness shops, three boot and shoe shops, two barber shops, two lumber yards, a bakery, two livery stables, two billiard halls, tive saloons and four good hotels -- the Commercial, Fountain, Globe and Central Houses. The mercan- tile trade is represented by aix general stores, three queensware and grocery stores, two groceries, four hardware and tin stores, two drug stores, one milli- nery store, two furniture stores, one boot and shoe store, one clothing and gents' furnishing establishment, one book store, one jewelry and one music store. A bank has been recently opened. One or two previous attempts in banking have proved failures.

Andrew J. Wilkin is the only practicing attorney. The first physician was Dr. John Upson, who had come and gone before 1830. H. G. Clark was the next practitioner. He came about 1832, and remained till his death several years after. Drs. A. Brown and James Brown had each a long and successful practicc. Other physicians of Newcomerstown were O. G. Sheldon, Dr. Case, Dr. Welty, Solomon Beers and others. At present there are three. J. R. Mc- Elroy, A. M. Beers and John W. S. Goudy.

Newcomerstown was incorporated in 1868. Its first Mayor was John Wil- son. Since him, the following have filled the same municipal office: Frank Swan, Charles F. Davis, E. S. Pocock, John A. Buchanan. Thompson Lybar- ger, J. R. Mulvane, F. S. Timmons and J. T. Pocock, who was first elected in 1880, and is now filling his second term. The other present officers of the village are Lewis Carhart, John A. Burris, A. W. Murphy, I. G. Dickenson and Samuel Tyhurst, Council; George W. Hoglan, Clerk; R. F. Dent, Treas- urer; W. H. Sills, Marshal; G. L. Patterson, Street Commissioner. There is at this writing a town hall in process of construction, which, when completed, will prove a valuable property. It is a brick, two-story building, estimated to cost $10,000. The second story will be used as a public hall, and below will be the Mayor's office, engine room and prison.

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PERRY TOWNSHIP.

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CHAPTER XII.

PERRY TOWNSHIP.

BOUNDARIES-WATER-COURSES-PIONEERS - HUNTING GROUNDS - WESTCHESTER- WILMINGTON-MILLS-CHURCHES-TOWNSHIP MAGISTRATES.

F DERRY TOWNSHIP occupies the southeast corner of Tuscarawas County. Guernsey County bounds it on the south and Harrison on the east; Rush Township bounds it on the north, and Washington on the west. It consists of Township 5, Range 1, of the United States Military . District, and is five miles square. It is composed entirely of Congress land. The township was formed from Oxford Township and named Perry, at a session of the County Commissioners held August 11, 1818, in compliance with a petition presented by Robert Johnson. Its original limits included, besides Township 5, Range 1, a strip two miles wide off the east side of Township 5, Range 2, now in Washington Township. The erection of Washington in 1827 reduced Perry to its present size. The inhabitants of the newly formed Perry were directed to hold an election for township oficers on the last Saturday of Au- gust, 1818, at the house of Robert Johnson, of Westchester.

Perry is isolated to a great extent from other portions of the county not only by distance, but by rough and hilly roads. No large streams have a place within its bounds to break by broad, sweeping valleys the rugged contour of the surface. Fallen Timber Creek crosses eastward through the northernmost tier of sections. It received its name from the adjoining ridge, where a severe local storm, about 1823, had swept to the earth much of the standing timber. Laurel Creek takes its origin in the southwest part of the township, and flows northeasterly. It received its name from the multiplicity of laurel which grow upon its banks. About half way across the township it is met by the waters of a small stream called Phillips Fork, flowing from the northwest. A tradition ascribes the following origin to the name. In times before the forests here were disturbed by the woodman's ax, and when hostilities were rife between the white and red men, Joseph Huff and a Mr. Phillips, while hunting, were discovered by a band of savages, who immediately gave chase. Huff was fleet, and outran his pursuers; but his unfortunate compan- ion was captured and killed near the mouth of the run which now bears his name. In the extreme southeastern part of Perry is Atkinson Creek, which has an easterly course. It is stated that a Mr. Atkinson once killed a bear here, and that this exploit has invested the stream with his name. The soil in the highest ridges is sandy, and chestnut the prevailing timber; but on the lower hills a clay soil is found and oak predominates, intermixed with the gen- eral variety of woods found in this region.

The earliest settlers as a rule did not remain long in this locality. The rugged ;hills could tempt only those whose means were insufficient to locate in lands more favorably situated Many came, and after a brief residence sold out and migrated farther toward the setting sun. The settler often found his way here with all his worldly goods packed on a horse, or in a cart drawn by a team of horses or yoke of oxen. The first settlements were made in the southeastern portion of the township. The first settler was John Cadwallader,

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who entered the south half of Section 20, it is said, about 1808. He was of the Quaker faith, and was accompanied by three adult sons-John, Joseph and David. He is described as a moral, temperate man, obliging, truthful, and capable of giving good advice. He was influential among the primary settlers of Perry, and in the matter of township officers, it is said, secured the elec- tion of any one by simply nominating him for the office. John Cadwallader built the first house in the township, kept the first hotel, was first Postmaster and elected the first Clerk. At the first election, it is said, but seven votes were cast.

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The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 65

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

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