The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 70

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

USA > Ohio > Tuscarawas County > The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio > Part 70

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After the war of 1812 had ceased, a rapid stream of emigration poured many settlers into the township, and in a few years it was thoroughly settled. In 1820, the following land owners resided here, and many of them had emi- grated years before: John Altman had entered and settled on the northeast quarter of Section 10. Henry Baker had been a Hessian soldier in the British service during the Revolutionary war; was captured at the battle of Trenton He concluded to become an American citizen; settled in Somerset County. Penn., where he engaged in distilling, and in 1812 emigrated to this township. becoming the owner of the northwest quarter of Section 6. Frederick Biddle, from Chambersburg, Penn., entered the northeast quarter of Section 21; he was a Lutheran, a gunsmith, and died in 1868. George Biddle, his brother, was also a pioneer. He came to Sugar Creek Township about 1815; was also & gunsmith, and worked at his trade for both white men and Indians, and died in 1871. John Baltzly owned the southeast quarter of Section 19, entered by Henry Miller. He was a Lutheran, and came from Goshen Township. Jacob Coblentz, an Omish man, entered and occupied the southwest quarter of Sec- tion 5. Andrew Critz was the proprietor of the south half of Section 1. entered by George Leininger. Jacob Dietz owned the northwest quarter of Section 2, and eighty acres close to Shanesville; his brother Ernest owned the south west quarter of Section 6. They were members of the German Re- formed Church. Michael Fetter entered and owned the northeast quarter of

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Section 6. Abraham Garber entered and settled on the northeast quarter of Section 4. He was a member of the Omish Church. John Gard, a Methodist, entered and occupied the southwest quarter of Section 3; Timothy, his brother, who died prior to 1820, had settled on the northwest quarter of the same section. Joseph, Peter and Jeremiah Hochstetler each owned a farm. That of the last named, the northeast quarter of Section 2, was entered by Benjamin Hochstetler, a member of the Omish Church, who emigrated from Pennsylvania to near Dover, on the plains, about 1812, and later to this township. Jonas Kline owned the northeast quarter of Section 20, entered by John Kline, a farmer of German Reformed Church, from Penn. John King, a blacksmith, Nicholas Nowel, a tailor, and John, Jacob and Philip Rinehart, owned small tracts in the northeast quarter of Section 3, near Shanesville. Peter Klinglesmith was the owner of the southeast quarter of Section 8. Abraham Olinger, a Dunkard, entered and occupied the southwest quarter of Section 9. Jacob Showalter, a Mennonite, owned a fraction of the northeast quarter of Section 18. His brother Peter, a Dunkard, had thirty acres in the northeast quarter of Section 19. John Showalter, who kept bachelor's hall with Jacob Walters until the latter's marriage, owned a farm in Section 18. George Smiley was the original proprietor and occupant of the southeast quarter of Section 11. John Welty entered and dwelt upon the northwest quarter of Section 10.

James Hattery came to the township in 1817, and lived to the age of eighty-six years. Benjamin Ream, who died recently at an advanced age, came from Pennsylvania, and settled here in 1820. He was the last survivor of the Funston jury. Henry Troyer was an early hunter. While on a hunt- ing excursion once, he built a fire, and crept into an adjoining hollow log for shelter during the night, the weather being disagreeable. Toward morning, experiencing an unpleasant sensation, he awoke to find the log afire. He threw his gun and ammunition out through the fire, then waiting a few moments, until satisfied that he had hurled them beyond the reach of the flames, he scrambled out through the blazing embers as best he could, fortu- nately escaping with only a few burns.

The first grist mill in the township was erected on the site of Barr's mills, by John J. Miller, at a very early day. It was operated by him for many years. In 1853, John Baltzly rebuilt the mill. It has changed hands several times, and came into the possession of the present owner, David Barr, about fifteen years ago, by purchase from Thomas Walters. On the northeast quarter of Section 10, Isaac Altman in early times constructed a little grist mill, the water supply for which failed as the country became settled, and was cleared, and the mill had to be abandoned. On the northwest quarter of Section 1 is a custom grist mill, now operated by William Miller, built many years ago. On the southeast quarter of Section 21 is a woolen factory, erected and operated for years by Jonathan Fisher. His son Franklin succeeded to its proprietorship, and now operates it by steam. Saw mills were quite numerous in a day when the forests yet covered the hills of the township, but their mis- sion has been fulfilled, and most of them have disappeared. Henry Baker, Frederick Sliffe and Jacob Dietz were each the proprietor of a little copper still in pioneer times, whence came a goodly quantity of whisky, then greatly in demand.

The first schools were held in private houses. One was taught by Isaac Miller, in the cabin of Jacob Miller, as early as 1822. Schoolhouses, how- ever, did not then cost $500 or $600, but only a day's work for a few hearty settlers, and whenever occasion seemed to demand a building for educational purposes, it was always forthcoming. Jacob Showalter and Anthony Favers,

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an aged German, were among the earliest teachers. In or near Shanesville, Philip Rinehart, Fred Irwin and William D. Mefendish were among the first to apply the ferule. An early schoolhouse stood on the northeast quarter of Section 22.

The Omish are a German people of plain attire and simple habits. They came to the valley of Sugar Creek from Pennsylvania in an early day, and still inhabit its fertile lands. Probably thirty families of this sect still dwell in Sugar Creek Township, and in the adjoining townships of Holmes County they also flourish. For years after their settlement here they maintained the severely simple life and customs of their forefathers, but innovations have gradually entered the church and rent it in twain. The new or progressive order has erected a church in Holmes County, but the old branch, to which most of the Sugar Creek Township Omish belong, still follow the footsteps of their predecessors, and worship in private houses. A difference in the mode of baptism also prevails. Among the new Omish, the applicant for member- ship kneels in a stream of flowing water, and the officiating minister three times dips the water with his hands and places it on the head of the kneeling convert. In the old order, the rite of baptism is performed in a dwelling house by pouring the water from a cup. The progressives have also departed somewhat from the prescribed dress of the church, while the conservatives maintain with jealous care its utter plainness. The men of this branch wear broad-brimmed hats, long overcoat with cape, and, in general, clothes of plain color, fastened with hooks and eyes, buttons being regarded as a wicked and foolish article of display. The attire of the women is correspondingly plain and somber. The young women wear large black caps till the day of marriage, when they are discarded for white ones. Nothing ornamental is permitted Carpets and window curtains are an abomination. Their first ambition is to possess a large, substantial red barn, and the early Omish constructed spa- cious outbuildings first, dwelling in rude cabins until their stock was com- fortably housed and their grain stored. The best of farm implements are used, and slate roofs sometimes cover their houses. The women are noted but- ter makers. The men are non-combatants, settle disputes among themselves and do not go to war. Marriage to a person not a member of church is for- bidden, and results in excommunication. Like the Dunkards, they have the religious institution of feet-washing. The ministers are chosen by lot, and serve through life or during good behavior. They receive no salary, and are farmers like their brethren. Usually a congregation has several ministers, who alternate in preaching. Services are held once in two weeks. The method of selecting a minister is as follows: At a called meeting, each mem- ber writes his choice on a ballot; the ballots are collected and from them all the names are transcribed. The ministers in charge then arrange a number of books, in one of which a mark or inscription has been placed; all members who have received one or more votes are called to the front, and each draws a book. The one who receives the marked volume thereby becomes the minis- ter. The present ministers in the Sugar Creek Township Omish Church are Jacob Miller, Christian Troyer, Peter Beachy and Benjamin Fry. Jacob Miller, Sr., was the first minister. He commenced preaching in 1810. Fol- lowing him, John Yoder, Stephen Yoder, Jacob Coblentz and Moses Wenger ministered to this people.

The Mennonites strongly resemble the Omish in manners and religion, but wear buttons in place of hooks and eyes.

In the north west part of the township, Section 18, a Union log church was built many years ago, where the Winebrennerians and United Brethren held services. The building has long since been abandoned for religious servi ces.

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At Union Hill, two and a half miles east of Shanesville, is a Union church, which was built in 1879. A United Brethren society worship here under the pastorate of Rev. A. R. Bower. The Omish, Winebrennerians, Dunkards and Mennonites, also hold services here.

In 1831, John King platted a village in the southwest part of the south- west quarter of Section 19, two miles north of Shanesville, and called it Kingsville. It comprised fifty-one lots and four streets, but never advanced beyond its existence on paper.

Barr's Mills is the name of a post office and railroad station in the north- ern part of the township. A cluster of buildings is found here, which include a store, a saloon, a blacksmith shop, a water and steam grist mill and several dwelling houses.

Shanesville, the only village in the township, is one of the oldest in the county. It is located on the summit of a ridge nearly a mile from Sugar Creek. It was laid out in May, 1814, by Abraham Shane, of New Philadel- phia, a prominent pioneer, who had extensive land possessions, and who entered the northeast quarter of Section 3, upon which the village is situated. Its original plat forms an irregularly shaped cross, and at the crossing of the two streets, Front and Main, each sixty-six feet wide, is a public square ten perches each way. The lots are 101 in number; No. 100 is donated for " a German school and meeting house," evidence that the majority of the settlers in this vicinity spoke the German tongue. The lots were sold at public sale. The one upon which the residence of William Hoskins now stands was bought by Catherine Lawbaugh for $6, and others probably sold for little more. The first merchants were William D. Mefendish, John Byers and Henry Williams. In 1820, the advertisement of Mr. Mefendish appeared in the Tuscarawas Chronicle, announcing that he " kept books and medicines " in his dwelling at Shanesville. From the same source it is learned that in 1821 Christopher Ritter, inn-keeper, removed from the sign of the "Cross Keys," Coshocton street, to the " Black Horse " tavern, Shanesville. Among the early residents of the village were Jacob Rinehart, tinner; Johu Rinehart, shoe-maker; Philip Rinehart, proprietor of oil mill; Benjamin Ream, hatter; and Mr. Jones, blacksmith. The population in 1820 was fifty-seven; in 1840, 226; in 1850, 382; in 1860, 321; in 1870, 360, and in 1880, 368.

The mercantile business at present consists of three dry goods stores, two groceries, one hardware store, two drug stores, three tin stores, one clothing store, one millinery shop and two furniture establishments. There are also three saloons, one hotel, a livery stable, a tannery, a foundry, a grist mill, a woolen mill, two blacksmith shops, two shoe shops, one cooper shop, one har- ness shop and two wagon shops. The grist mill is owned by Henry Miller. The woolen mill is operated by John Showalter. On its site a carding and fulling mill was started, probably as early as 1830, by George Wertz. It was operated a long time by him, then changed hands several times, and finally reached its present management. A Mr. Heveland built the first carding mill. It stood on the site of Peter Goeler's stable near the northeast corner of the square, and was operated by tread-wheel power. The present schoolhouse is a large two-story frame, containing four rooms. Two former buildings have occupied the same site. The schools are under the control of the Township Board.

The Connotton Valley Railroad passes about a half mile east of Shanes- ville. It was opened for traffic in the spring of 1883, and its influence in de- veloping this region is manifested by the erection near the station during the year 1882-83, of a planing mill by Miller, Mast & Hostetler; a tile factory and brickyard by Irvin Fulton; a warehouse, built by a company of eight indi:

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viduals, and several dwellings. The warehouse is doing a good business, and much grain, that was formerly wagoned by the farmers of this township to Millersburg, is now brought to Shanesville station.

At Shanesville are three religious societies, each sixty or more years old The German Reformed congregation was organized at Shanesville in 1821, by Rev. W. Reiter, who remained in charge until 1825. For two years the society remained without a stated pastor; then, in 1827, Rev. D. Schaerer became pas- tor. Up to this time meetings had been held in the schoolhouse, but during the summer of 1828, the German Reformed and Lutheran Churches jointly erected a house of worship. The corner-stone was laid September 3, 182S. Revs. Wagonhals, Snyder and Schaerer presiding. The principal contributors of the German Reformed Society were Jacob Dietz, Benjamin Ream, J. Schultz, John Balsby, Father Christman. Jacob Sliffe, Henry Sliffe, Henry Dietz, George Dietz, Abraham Dietz and Jacob Funk. Except for an intermission of six months in 1836, Rev. Schaerer remained pastor until 1839. Rev. J. Baer served from October, 1840, to 1843. Rev. D. Martz became the next minister in July, 1844. Under his administration, a division occurred in 1846, the minority, filled with the spirit of revivalism, retaining Rev. Martz, while the majority, in December, 1846, called Rev. J. G. Zahner, who has ever since been pastor. The former division in a short time passed out of existence, a portion of its members uniting with the Methodists and Albrights. The present membership is about eighty. They worship in a brick structure, built soon after the advent of Rev. Zahner in their midst.

The English Lutheran congregation has about the antiquity of the Ger- man Reformed. Rev. A. Snyder, of New Philadelphia, was the first pastor. and remained in charge many years. John B. Reck, from Greencastle, Penn .. took charge in November, 1835. Christian Winkelpleck and George Beetle. were that year elected Elders, and Nathan Cordery and Jacob Walters, Deacons. Rev. J. J. Harris was pastor in 1848, and in 1849 Rev. J. J. Miller was elected minister. Since 1873, the pastors have been as follows: Rev. W. D. Trover, from October, 1873, to October, 1874; Rev. Henry B. Miller, October. 1875, to October, 1876; Rev. John B. Miller from December, 1876, to 1879; Rev. W. L. Tedrow, since May 1, 1880. The congregation continued to wor- ship in the church on the hill in the northwest part of the village, built by the two congregations, until their present neat brick church was erected near the southwest corner of the square. The present membership of the congre- gation is about 160.

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Shanesville had a prosperous class in 1827, and was organized some years before that date. Among its first mem- bers were James Everhart, Peter Jacobs, Timothy Gard, Elizabeth Axe, Jacob Kint, Lemuel Wagoner, Mrs. Rebecca Wagoner and Mrs. Ann Walters. Services were held for a while in private houses. A log church was then built and used for many years, followed in 1876 by the present frame building. The society is small, and this year has no regular minister.

One of the most appalling disasters that ever befell a community occurred at Shanesville on New Year's Eve, December 31, 1881, at which time a lodge of Knights of Pythias gave a festival for its benefit on the second floor of the Goeler Building, southwest corner of the square. Over two hundred persons were in attendance, and the small hall was packed. Supper had been an- nounced in the adjoining room, but the crowd lingered to listen to the enliven- ing strains of the village band, while a number of boys beat time to the music with their feet. Suddenly the floor parted in the center, and the mass of human beings, stove, lamps and furniture were precipitated in a heap into the storeroom below. Fire was soon communicated to the clothes of the struggling

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victims, and for a time it seemed as if all must perish. The doors of the store- room could not be opened, for the fallen floor, which hung by its sides above, securely barred it. The doors were finally broken down by men from the out- side, and by great effort the throng was released, and the flames extinguished, but not until ten had received their death wounds from the devouring element, and many more severely burned. There was scarcely a house in the village which did not have a struggling sufferer extricated from that terrible trap. Miss Mary Neff was instantly killed, and the following died from injuries received: Mrs. Catharine Yoder and her son, Melta Yoder; Miss Annie Orin, Mrs. Allen Goeler, Frederick Schlarb, the village clothier; Frederick Weimer, a black- smith; George Froelick, farmer; Miss Amanda Troyer and Miss Annie Graff.

CHAPTER XVII.

UNION TOWNSHIP.

BOUNDARIES-SURFACE-ORGANIZATION-MAGISTRATES-SETTLEMENT-BLACK HORSE TAVERN-THE REIGN OF WHISKY-MILLS-SCHOOLS -CHURCHES - ROCKFORD.

NION TOWNSHIP lies in the eastern part of Tuscarawas County. It is bounded on the north by Warren Township, on the west by Goshen and Mill, on the south by Mill, and on the east by Carroll and Harrison Coun- ties. Most of its territory lies in Township 14, Range 7, of which it includes the entire western half, or eighteen sections, except a quarter section in the southwestern corner, which was annexed to Mill. West of this there is also in Union Township a small fraction of the first quarter of Township 7, Range 1, known as the Spencer tract, sixteen 100-acre lots in the fourth quarter of Township 8, Range 1, and north of it a section of Congress land.

The physical features of Union are generally rugged. Little Stillwater Creek crosses the southern end of the township from east to west, and a fertile little valley skirts the stream on either side. Panther and Irish runs flow southward and enter Little Stillwater. They take their origin in deep ravines which slowly broaden, and toward the mouth of the streams form beautiful vales between ridges of steep hills. Successive ranges of hills, lofty and in some places steep, make up the main surface of the townships. They were covered in pioneer days with a heavy growth of timber, of which oak, hickory and chestnut were the prevailing types. The soil is of sandy consistence. Coal is imbedded beneath in veins of four or five feet thickness, and is mined only for home consumption, except near the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad, which crosses the southern extremity of the township. Here the facilities for exportation have led to the development of several mines.

In consequence of the formation of Carroll County, the townships along the eastern side of Tuscarawas were re-shaped March 6, 1833, and Union and Mill organized, the former with the following boundaries: Beginning at the northeast corner of Section 24, Township 14, Range 7, at the Carroll County line; thence west on the south line of Warren Township four miles to the northwest corner of the southwest quarter of Section 10, Township 8, Range 1; thence south three and one-half miles to Township 7; thence east one-half mile to the southwest corner of Lot 1, Township 8, Range 1; thence south two

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and one- half miles; thence east three and one-half miles to the southeast cor- ner of Section 19, Township 14, Range 7, on the Harrison County line; thence north to the place of beginning. The outlines of Union have since been slightly changed. Its territory was formerly a part of One Leg Township. For five years, the elections were held at the house of George Rutledge. The voting place was then changed to the residence of William Brock, where it has since remained. At the first election, about forty-two votes were cast.

The following is a list of the township magistrates: James Boyd, 1833; James Gray, 1833; Thomas L. Milligan, 1836; Abraham Lemasters, 1836; Thomas L. Milligan, 1839; Abraham Lemasters, 1839; Robert McElravy, 1842; Abraham Lamthers, 1842; Cyrus C. Carroll, 1845; Robert McElravy, 1845; Robert McElravy, 1848; Cyrus C. Carroll, 1848; John W. Lytle, 1851; Thomas W. Walker, 1851; John W. Lytle, 1854; William Rutledge, 1854; Richard W. Mccullough, 1855; William Rutledge, 1857; R. W. McCullough, 1858; William Rutledge, 1860; R. W. Mccullough, 1861; William Rut- ledge, 1863; R. W. Mccullough, 1864; William Rutledge, 1866; Joshua Leggett, 1867; William Rutledge, 1869; Richard W. Mccullough, 1871; Luke Quinn, 1874; William Rutledge, 1875; Luke Quinn, 1877; William C. Armstrong, 1877; William Rutledge, 1878; Luke Quinn, 1880; Luke Quinn, 1883.

The present population of Union Township is largely Irish in nationality, Methodist in religion, and Republican politically. They are not the descend- ants of the earliest pioneers, but came and entered lands after the first settlers had become domiciled in the little valleys through the township. The white men who first peopled this region were mostly rough backwoodsmen, who had been reared in the frontier settlements of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Vir- ginia, and who advanced on the foremost wave of civilization and dotted the unbroken wilderness with its first humble cabins. They were a boisterous, restless class of men, who had no scruples to shoot deer and to fish on Sunday, or to take deep potations from the spirits everywhere distilled throughout the Western country, yet they possessed the integrity and virtues of their race and generation. Many of them did not own the soil they occupied, and as fast as bona fide proprietors arrived they yielded possession and built anew in a more unsettled locality. The valley of Stillwater was the portion of the township that was first settled, and from 1808 to 1812 the primitive pioneers located here. Among the earliest were John McPherson, William McCleary, David Wagoner, James Vanater, George Kail, Jacob Creager, Solomon Arnold and James Boyd.

John McPherson did not remain in the township long, but emigrated far- ther west. His cabin stood near the bank of Little Stillwater, on the south side, and during freshets was inundated by the floods. Once the creek rose so rapidly that he rescued his family with difficulty from their watery home. His son had taken refuge in the chimney, but emerged at its top and reached the boat in safety. William McCleary entered the southwest quarter of Sec- tion 20 and occupied it for many years. He then went West and subsequently became wealthy. David Wagoner entered the southeast quarter of Section 19. James Vanater was his son-in-law and by occupation a farmer. For a while, Vanater kept a tavern at Rockford; he then removed to the western part of the State. George Kail entered the northwest quarter of Section 20. He re- mained a life-long resident on a portion of it, and his family have long since gone beyond the limits of the township. Jacob Creager was of German birth. He purchased a portion of the Kail farm and remained there till his death, which overtook him in old age. James Boyd was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, and was a pioneer of Union Township widely known as the host of

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the Black Horse tavern. He purchased the southwest quarter of Section 26, and later in life removed to Allen County.

Other early settlers were Solomon Delong, Jesse Foster, James Gray, Moses Hoagland, William Iler, Philip Knight, John, Michael and Presly Trumbo and Milver Willis. The Delongs were among the earliest settlers. Solomon entered the southeast quarter of Section 26 and was well advanced in life when he entered the township. John Delong was a famous hunter, and an intimate associate of Joseph Huff, the border ranger of Prairie Township. Jesse Delong lived to be one of the oldest men of Tuscarawas County. He died recently a centennarian. He came to Union Township from Virginia, about 1809, was married in 1812, and thenceforth remained a constant resident of the township. Like many other pioneers, his religion was superstition. He was a firm believer in signs, omens and witchcraft, and by his own state- ment had many a tussle with witches in the shape of cats, from which he was delivered uninjured through prayer to the Lord. He was not a member of any church, but was always regular in his habits. Jesse Foster entered the northeast quarter of Section 31, and died prior to 1820. James Gray pur- chased and occupied the southwest quarter of Section 25, entered by Benja- min Wagoner. Mr. Gray afterward removed to the western part of Ohio. Moses Hoagland entered and settled on the northwest quarter of Section 31. He was an early Justice of the Peace for One Leg Township, and afterward removed to other regions. William Iler was the possessor and occupant of ninety-one acres off the northwest and southwest quarters of Section 19, which were entered by James Vanater and John Wagoner, respectively. Philip Knight was a blacksmith and a bell-maker, addicted to the popular vice of that day-a fondness for the cup that cheers. He entered and settled on the northeast quarter of Section 19. John, Michael and Presly Trumbo owned and occupied, respectively, the northwest, the southwest and the northeast quarters of Section 25. Milver Willis did not remain long in the township. He owned sixty acres in the northwest quarter of Section 31.

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The History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Part 70

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

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