MILL TOWNSHIP. - 577

CHAPTER X

MILL TOWNSHIP.

NAME -STREAMS - ORGANIZATION - MILITARY QUARTERS - THE PIONEERS - FIRST CHURCH-JUSTICES OF THE PEACE -EASTPORT-NEWPORT - UHRICHSVILLE-ITS GROWTH - ORIGINAL PLAT AND ADDITIONS FIRST RESIDENTS-INCORPORATION AND MAYORS-SCHOOLS-CHURCHES - CEMETERY - ORDERS - PHYSICIANS - ATTORNEYS-NEWSPAPERS-INDUSTRIES AND BUSINESS - DENNISON - FIRST LOCATION AND FOUNDATION-THE DENNISON LAND COMPANY-THE RAILROAD SHOPS - INCORPORATION - SCHOOLS - CHURCHES -SECRET SOCIETIES - HISTORICAL MISCELLANY - PHYSICIANS - ATTORNEYS-EARLY INDUSTRIES - NEWSPAPERS - EARLY SETTLERS.

MILL TOWNSHIP doubtless received its name from Uhrich's Mill, which, at the date of the township organization, was an important and widely known pioneer institution. The township is irregular in shape, and is distinctively the territory of Big Stillwater Creek, which enters from Rush in the southeast, and. by a very winding course, gradually creeps northward till it finds the Tuscarawas River, in the northwest corner of the township. The bottom lands of the creek are broad and rich, and, in consequence of the meanderings of the stream. compose a large portion of the township's territory. Little Stillwater, which separates Uhrichsville and Dennison, enters from Union Township, and, after flowing circuitously for several miles, mingles its waters with those of Big Stillwater. As in surrounding townships, the land in Mill, which lies back from the streams, is hilly, but it produces good crops.

Mill Township was organized by the County Commissioners March 6, 1833, with the following boundaries: Beginning at the northeast corner of Section , 21, Township 13, Range 7 ; thence west to the military land; thence north to the southeast corner of the first quarter of Township 7, Range 1; thence west one-half mile; thence north to the southwest corner of Lot 1, in the fourth quarter of Township 8. Range 1; thence west two miles; thence south five miles to Township 6, thence east two miles to the northwest corner of the northeast quarter of Section 1. Township 6, Range 1; thence south one mile to the northwest corner of the northeast quarter of Section 10, Township 6, Range 1; thence east through the middle of Sections 33, 27 and 21, in Township 13, Range 7, to Harrison County; thence north to the place of beginning. The outlines have since been slightly altered several times.

The land of Mill Township consists of twelve and one-fourth sections off the Dohrman tract, forming the eastern portion of the township, and the greater part of the first quarter and the fourth quarter of Township 7, Range 1, forming the western part of _.Kill, besides one and a fourth sections of Congress land in the southwest part of the township, at and above Newport.

The first quarter of Township 7, Range 1, a four-thousand-acre tract, most of which is situated in hill, forming its northwestern portion, was located by David Galbraith, a merchant of -New York City, and Thomas Elms, and was

578 - HISTORY OF TUSCARAWAS COUNTY.

transferred by them, in 1802, to Jonas Stanberry and Jonathan Dayton, both of whom were extensive Western landholders. In October, 1818, Oliver H. Spencer, a physician of New York City, purchased the undivided three-fourths interest in this tract from Jonathan Dayton, for $6,000. and the one-fourth interest from Joseph Constant for $2,000. Spencer retained it till his death, and the guardian of his minor children. by virtue of an enabling act passed in the Ohio Legislature February 2. 1832. sold the entire tract of 4,000 acres, in September, 1833, to Walter B. Beebe. Daniel Kilgore, John Olmsted and Chauncey Dewey. of Harrison County, for $9,000, These proprietors made a subdivision of the tract into lots the same year, and during the next few years most of it was sold at an average price of perhaps $10 per acre. This part of Mill Township consequently has little or no pioneer history. The land was withheld from the market for twenty-five years after the organization of the county, though it included a large area of very valuable land. If it had any settlers prior to 1833. they were squatters or lessees.

The fourth quarter of Township 7, Range 1, another 4,000-acre tract in the western part of Mill, was located by John Rathbone, a New York merchant. In May. 1804, Rathbone conveyed to Michael Uhrich 1,500 acres off the north end of this tract, the consideration being $1,500. The land thus conveyed included the site of Uhrichsville, and here Mr. Uhrich made an early settlement. John Rathbone, by deed dated September 13, 1809, conveyed the south half of this quarter, or 2,000 acres, to his daughter Content. wife of Robert Chesebrough, a New York merchant. In 1835, Daniel Kilgore and John Olmsted, of Cadiz, Ohio, purchased this 2,000 - acre tract from Chesebrough and his wife for 86,000, and also the tract of 5110 acres intervening between it and the Uhrich land, from John Rathbone for $2,000. Thus all this large scope of fertile land, except the Uhrich tract, is also destitute of early history. Messrs. Kilgore and Olmsted in 1835 made a subdivision of the tract into twenty lots of irregular size and shape. and disposed of them to their great pecuniary advantage within a few years.

Michael Uhrich was the pioneer of Mill Township. He was born in Dauphin County, Penn., August 7, 1751. and in 1772 married Catherine Borroway, by whom he had eight children. Mrs. Uhrich died in 1794, and Michael was married a second time, to Susannah C. Rouse. As mentioned above, Mr. Uhrich became the purchaser of 1,500 acres of land in 1804; he migrated to it from Pennsylvania the same year, bringing with him five of his children - Hannah, Catherine (afterward Mrs. Godfrey Haga, then Mrs. John Andreas), John, Jacob and Michael. Mr. Uhrich became one of the most prominent and -useful pioneers of the county. In 18116, he built a grist and saw mill, at the site of the present Uhrichsville Mill, which was the first or second water mill in the county. Assisted by his sons, he cleared a large farm in the Stillwater Valley, while dense forests surrounded him on all sides for many miles. He was a member of the Moravian Church, was benevolent and kind hearted, and possessed great energy and perseverance. He died August 14, 1817, his wife preceding him to the grave four years.

Jonn Fenner, who married Susan Demuth, and was a brother-in-law to Jacob Uhrich, settled on the Uhrich tract at a very carp date and assisted materially in its development. He leased a farm in the wilderness, and his cabin stood just west of Uhrichsville, near the present residence of W. W. Porter. Richard Ferguson was also an early lessee on the Uhrich land.

William Caples was the first pioneer in the vicinity of what is now Newport. He was one of the first citizens of Ohio, emigrating with his family to the State from near Baltimore, Md., and settling in what is now Harrison County. Abiding there for a time, he came in 1806 to land which now be-

MILL TOWNSHIP. - 579

longs to Mill Township, having entered the northeast quarter of Section 1, Township 6, Range 1, close to Newport. He remained in the township through life, and his descendants still abide here.

As mentioned in Chapter VI, of the County History, the twelve sections constituting the eastern part of Mill Township is a part of the Dohrman Township granted by Congress to A. H. Dohrman for services rendered during the Revolutionary struggle. It also embraced six sections in Mill Township and eighteen in Harrison County. As this land was not subject to entry, it was not occupied as soon as other parts of the county. It includes a considerable amount of beautiful land in Stillwater Valley, which did not long remain un tenanted. The exact order of its settlement is not known, but in 1820 the following resident land-owners were here, and some had arrived many years before 1820: Perry Andrews owned the northeast quarter of Section 24; James Banister, an old man, the northeast quarter of Section 23, where he died; James Barnes, the southwest quarter of Section 36, where he remained till death; Henry Bidinger, who afterward moved West, the southeast quarter of Section 30; Arthur Cheneworth, who also went West, the west half of Section 24, and the northwest quarter of Section 23; Samuel Caldwell, a New Englander, who subsequently migrated farther West, the southeast quarter of Section 23; John and Griffith Cahill, brothers, who removed afterward to Union County, the former owning the north half of Section 27, the latter, land in the north part of Section 33; James Crabtree, a Marylander and former resident of Harrison County, who afterward went to Union County. the southwest quarter of Section 34; John Creagh, the southwest quarter of Section 23; Robert Caples, who died recently in this township, son of William Caples, 145 acres in the north part of Section 33; Charles Caples, another son of William Caples, later removing West, seventy acres in the same section; James Edes, a life-long citizen of the township, the northwest quarter of Section 22; Henry Foster, from Ireland, and a resident of the township- through life, the southwest quarter of Section 30; Peter Frederick, a German and a shoe-maker from Pennsylvania, the northwest quarter of Section 36; James Gray, seventy acres in Section 30; Harmon Gatchell, from Harrison County, the northeast quarter of Section 28; James Murkey, the northeast quarter of Section 22; Jacob Middleton, who later in life removed to Port Washington and there operated a saw-mill, the northeast quarter of Section 30; Jacob Mills, the northwest quarter of Section 21 and southeast quarter of Section 22; Aquilla Moffit, a life-long citizen, the northwest quarter of Section 35; Connel O'Donnell, the northwest quarter of Section 34, Elijah Preston, the southwest quarter of Section 22; Caleb Perry, who removed to Illinois, the southeast quarter of Section 33; William Ross, later a resident of Uhrichsville, the southeast quarter of Section 36, and William Turner, the northeast quarter of Section 35.

On the southeast quarter of Section 30, in very early days, stood a log Methodist meeting house, the first religious edifice in the township. The society which worshiped here has long since been dissolved, and a graveyard remains to mark the site of the church.

The following are the township magistrates, with their several dates of election: Philip Laffer, 1833; William Ross, 1834; John E. Cahill, 1836; William Ross, 1837; William Logan, 1839; William Ross, 1840; William Logan, 1842; George Tennant, 1843; William Logan, 1845; George Tennant, 1846; Joshua Howard, 1848; Mathias Collier, 1851; Alfred Lester, 1851; Isaiah Thompson, 1852; Mathias Collier, 1854; Isaiah Thompson, 1855; Mathias Collier, 1857; Joshua D. Howard, 1858; John Milone, 1860; Joshua D. How. ard, 1861; John Milone, 1863, resigned 1865; Joshua D. Howard, 1864, resigned 1866; Charles Gantzman, 1865; John Milone, 1865; John W. Lytle,

580 - HISTORY OF TUSCARAWAS COUNTY.

1866; Jobn Milone, 1868; Thomas H. Mozena, 1869; John Milone, 1871; Thomas H. Mozena, 1872; John Milone, 1874; Charles Borgar, 1874; J. T. McCullough, 1875; John Milone, 1877; Charles B. Willoughby, 1877; Thomas H. Mozena, 1878; John Milone, 1880; Joseph Healea, 1881; Thomas H. Mozena, 1881.

The year 1833 was an eventful one to Mill Township. It marks not only the foundation of the township, but also the establishment of three villages. Eastport, Waterford (now Uhrichsville), and Newport. One of these has since lapsed into its primitive state; another is a quiet country place of 200, while the third has become a populous, active town.

Eastport, as laid out by Beebe. Kilgore, Olmsted and Dewey in 1833, on the Past bank of Big Stillwater, two miles north of Uhrichsville, contained sixty-six lots. The proprietors erected a hotel, which was kept for a few years by Mrs. Thompson, a widow lady from Steubenville. The village became the head of navigation for a time for canal boats, and a large business was transacted. Great quantities of wheat were bought at the two warehouses of the Eastport company. Richard Lyons was the first store keeper. John Minnich also owned a store here. For a little while Eastport thrived, but Uhrichsville had a stronger growth, and absorbed its business. Only three or fonr houses mark the site of the village.

Two miles south of Uhrichsville. nestling in the beautiful valley of Stillwater, lies the little village of Newport. It was laid out in 1833 by Philip Laffer, and in the contest with Uhrichsville for precedence, it, too. was worsted. The land upon which it is located was entered by William Caples; he sold it to the proprietor of the town. The original plat embraced fifty-five lots, and the streets thereon appearing were Water, Second, Third and Fourth extending north and south, and Main and Wood extending east and west. James Tracy in 1875 made an addition of seventeen outlots on Tracy street. William Caples resided in a dwelling-house which stood upon the town site many years before the plat was surveyed. Philip Laffer kept the first store, which contained, however, a very limited amount of merchandise. Eli Westhafer was the first, Postmaster. He received the appointment many years after the village was founded, and had not held it long when the rebellion commenced, and soon after that event the office was given to Robert Caples. who had it. but a short time when it was abolished: the name of this office was Brady. The village was then without a post office until the spring of 188'?, when Jacob Welch secured the establishment of Tracy Post Office here. and became the Postmaster; he was succeeded in about a year by Mrs. Jane Beemer, who now holds the appointment.

Newport has a population of about. one hundred and fifty. It contains two general stores. two blacksmith shops. one wagon shop. a ;;god district. school of two departments, a church, a creamery and two potteries. The first pottery was started by Andrew McChesney about 1843. Thomas Reed succeeded him; he sold to Nelson Tracy, whose son, John B. now operates it. The other was started about 1845 by Laban H. Warbs. Subsequent owners were Joseph Figley. Thomas Reed, Nelson Tracy, T. A. Packer. and Lambright & Westhafer, the present proprietors. The potteries are operated about eight months in a year, and each burns about two thousand gallons of stoneware. per mouth.

The creamery was started by Beemer & Ward in the spring of 1883. and soon after was sold to John Bukey, who now operates it. Cream is purchased from the neighboring farmers for nearly as much as they would receive from the butter churned from it. The butter is then churned in a revolving barrel by steam power each morning. the proprietors depending chiefly for their profit on the greater market value of creamery butter.

PAGE 581- PICTURE OF PHILIP FOUT

PAGE 582 - PICTURE OF SARAH FOUT

MILL TOWNSHIP. - 583

The present Methodist Episcopal Church at Newport was erected about 1869, at a cost of $1,500, during the pastorate of Rev. J. W. Dennis. It is a commodious frame, surmounted by cupola and bell. An old frame house of worship preceded it, built about 1840. The class, from which the present congregation sprang, was organized before the town was laid out. Its earliest meetings were held at Wallace's house, two miles distant up Stillwater; James Tracy, Capt. John Brady, Samuel Smith, Abijah Robinett, John Cahill and William Ross were early members. The present membership is about 150; the present minister, Rev. J. Beetham.

UHRICHSVILLE.

Uhrichsville is the largest town of Mill Township, and is the second in size in Tuscarawas County. It is located in one of the earliest settled and most important localities of the county. Uhrich's Mill, on Big Stillwater, one of the first built in pioneer times, was patronized by the settlers for many miles around long before the town was laid out in 1833. The name, with which the proprietor, Michael Uhrich, dedicated the village, was Waterford, but about six years later it was changed to Uhrichsville. The history of the village may be divided into three distinct periods. The first or canal period was one of activity and vigorous growth, culminating with the construction of the Pan Handle Railroad about 1850. Then followed a period of general depression for about fifteen years; business was extremely dull, property greatly depreciated in value and the increase in size scarcely perceptible. The erection of the railroad shops at Dennison proved an invaluable boon to Uhrichsville, for the population was rapidly augmented and a bustle and activity developed which was theretofore unknown. In 1840, seven years after the village was founded, it contained 229 people; in 1850, the population had increased to 577. During the next decade, the increase was only sixty-nine, and few, if any, additional inhabitants were residents here in 1865. Affairs then took a turn; in 1870, the census returns indicated a population of 1,541, and in 1880 of 2,790. During the past three ,years, this has materially increased.

The town of Waterford was laid out on the east side of Big Stillwater in the fall of 1833, by Michael Uhrich. The plat was of goodly dimensions, embracing 94 lots. 1 to 94 of present Uhrichsville, extending from First to Sixth street, and from Stillwater eastward to and including the lots on the east side of Main street. The streets are 66 feet in width. All lots east of Water street are 66x160 feet in size. Those west of Water are 66 feet wide, but of various lengths. Robert M. Dawson in 1845 made an extensive addition to Uhrichsville, formerly called Waterford, south and east of the original plat. It extended from Sixth street to South, and contained 122 lots, 95 to 21.6 inclusive. The lots were 66x160 feet; the streets 66 feet wide, and the alleys 16 feet.

Peter Hoopengarner's Addition to Uhrichsville is located on East First street. It was made in 1861, and includes 28 lots, 217-245 inclusive. William Thompson's Addition of 5 lots, 246-250, was made in 1867, and is situated on East Fourth street. Mary McManus the same year laid out an addition of 10 lots, 251-260, on an extension of Third street. Scott's Addition of 25 lots, 261-285, on High and Cross streets, was made in 1868, and modified four years later. In the same year, Bell's Addition was laid out. It included 10 lots, 286-295, located on Little Stillwater, between the Deersville road and First street. Parrish's First Addition, comprising 24 lots, 296-319, between Sixth and Seventh streets, and immediately west of the Eastport road, was surveyed in 1868.

Carr's Addition of 13 lots, 1-13. located west of Sixth and Fifth streets,

584 - HISTORY OF TUSCARAWAS COUNTY.

was made in 1869; a subdivision of Lots 5 and 6 into 6 lots, was made in 1871. Parrish's Second Addition, consisting of 49 lots, 320-368, on Water and Main streets, and the Eastport road, between Seventh and Ninth, was laid out in 1871. E. G. Helwig and George W. Dawson in 1871 made an addition of 71 lots, 369-422 inclusive, and 441-457 inclusive. between Ninth and Eleventh streets, on and west of Main street.

Joseph Thompson's Addition of 18 lots, 423-440, on Second, Third and Thompson streets, was made in 1871. Huston's Addition was laid out in 1871. It included 15 lots, of irregular shape, located on Little Stillwater, west of Bell's Addition. Alexander Huston's Second Addition, comprising 33 lots. was laid out in 1872. He laid out a third addition, consisting of 16 lots located on Bank street, in 1874. Helwig & Dawson's Second Addition. including 64 lots, located on Main, Water and Eleventh streets, was made in 1872. Their third addition was made the year following, and comprised 49 lots, situated on and between Tenth and Eleventh streets. William Ray in 1872 laid out an addition of 10 lots north of Fair street. Parrish's Third Addition was made in 1874; it consisted of 12 lots, 458-469, located on Parrish street, between Seventh and Eighth.

William W. Porter in 1873 laid out an addition west of Big Stillwater, on First, Second and Third streets. It included 61 lots. The same year, he made a second addition, which consisted of 81 lots. Sebastian Schon in 1872 made an addition of 16 lots between East and West streets. Mary A. Mohr in 1873 subdivided into 7 lots out-lot 18, of Porter's Addition of out-lots. In 1874, Elizabeth Cohall and Theodore Packer subdivided a portion of out-lot 4, of Chalfant's Addition of out-lots. into 30 lots, situated on Packer street. The same year, Alexander and William McConnell subdivided a portion of the same out-lot into 30 lots on McConnell street. Abigail A. and David B. Murphy in 1874 made an addition of 27 lots, on and near Little Stillwater and Murphy street. Monroe and Alexander laid out in 187 an addition consisting of 29 lots, and situated on the Gnadenhutten road, and High and South streets. John McKinley in 1877 made an addition of 139 lots, situated on the Gnadenhutten road. Second, Third, Center and West streets by subdividing out-lots 2, 3 and 4, of Chalfant's Addition of out-lots. The several additions of out-lots to Uhrichsville have been omitted.

When the plat was surveyed in 1833, several buildings had already been erected in the vicinity. At the south end of Water street stood the large hewed-log dwelling of Michael Uhrich, the proprietor. In this building, which was erected about 1804, Mr. Uhrich kept the first tavern in Mill Township. John Welch, who came from Harrison County, kept the first store in this locality. It stood west of Big Stillwater, but after the town was laid out. he built a. store and warehouse on Lot 1 and moved across with a stock of goods worth $1,500. He bought wheat extensively, and about 1844, through the fluctuations of the Eastern market, he lost heavily and soon after retired to his farm, upon which Dennison now stands, where he died quite recently at a ripe old age. About the time the town was laid out, or shortly before. John I. Moore came from Moorefield, Harrison County, and in company with Michael Uhrich built a store and sold goods on Lot 86, northeast corner of Water and First streets. They also bought and shipped wheat. Mr. Moore remained in business here only two or three years. He then returned to Moorefield, where he subsequently died of cholera. John Sterling was an other early and a prominent merchant. He was Irish born, had farmed near Albany, N. Y., and in 1835 came to Waterford, opening a store the ensuing year. Dealing in wheat resulted in his financial ruin, and, after a residence elsewhere for a time, he returned to Uhrichsville and passed his declining

MILL TOWNSHIP. - 585

years in this place Jonas Haskins came from Moorefield in the autumn of 1835. He was a merchant and died in the spring of 1837. leaving a wife and eight children, several of whom still reside in this vicinity.

Mordecai Wheatley, a Virginian, is said to have built the first dwelling house within the plat, after it was laid out, and to have been the first blacksmith. His house stood on Lot 81, east side of Water, between Second and and Third streets; he afterward moved West. Aaron Robinet, from Harrison County, was also among the foremost settlers of the village. He, too, was a blacksmith and pursued that avocation. He is still living in Uhrichsville. Barleen Myers was here before 1835. He built a tannery on the southeast corner of Main and Second streets and lived on an adjoining lot. He removed to Iowa and died in that State. Joshua Lock, a carpenter, was here in 1835. He afterward emigrated to Iowa. John Cahill, an aged man, came with his three sons-Dennis, Alexander and Thomas-about 1835. He died in 1837. William Ross built a house on the northeast corner of Main and First streets in 1836. He was a Justice of the Peace for several terms and until his death at an advanced age. Samuel Warfel came from Cadiz in the spring of 1836. In partnership with Michael Uhrich, he erected on the southwest corner of Third and Water streets a steam saw and carding mill. About a year later the mill came into the possession of Thomas Benner. and its subsequent owners were Nelson Poulson and Philip Uhrich. Mr. Warfel then engaged in tavern keeping for some time and was afterward variously engaged. He possessed great mechanical genius, and died in this village a few years ago.

Besides most of the above, Richard Morris, Robert McClintick, Charles Andreas, Jacob Huston, John Meese and Thomas Ramsour were here in 1838. Richard Morris was a Yankee and a carpenter; he remained here but a few years, then went West. Robert McClintick pursued various occupations, operating a carding machine for awhile. Charles Andreas was a shoe-maker; moved West and now resides in Kansas. Jacob Huston was a tavern-keeper on Water street, near the old bridge; later in life he farmed. and died near Uhrichville while so engaged. John Meese was a merchant and horse-dealer, remaining here several years. Thomas Ramsour was a laborer, met with ill success in life, and his career terminated in a benevolent count institution. The above are believed to include, with very few exceptions, if any, the earliest residents of Waterford or Uhrichsville.

John Welch was the first Postmaster. He retained the office but a short time, and was succeeded by Samuel Warfel, Subsequent Postmasters were Marcus Haskins, Samuel Haskins, Thomas Shaw and John Milone, the present incumbent.

Wheat baying and shipping was the chief business of Uhrichsville prior to the construction of the railroad. When the town was laid out, the Ohio Canal was in operation, and transported all the surplus grain of the West to an Eastern market. Uhrichsville commanded the whole trade of the valley of Stillwater. Wheat was hauled to this point from a distance of thirty or more miles, from a large portion of Harrison and Guernsey, and even a part of Carroll, County. In 1836, there were two grain warehouses at Uhrichsville, and the number afterward increased to five, each doing an extensive business. At first the grain was taken by boats, the flour by flat-boats, down the Stillwater, Tuscarawas and Muskingum as far as Dresden, where a lock connected the river and canal, but about 1838 a lock was constructed at Trenton, and the commercial facilities of Uhrichsville thereby greatly increased. A number of canal boats were built here by George Wallick, and the village enjoyed all the advantages of a canal town. but the construction of the Steubenville Indiana, now Pan Handle Railroad, completely sapped the vigor of the vil-

586 - HISTORY OF TUSCARAWAS COUNTY.

lage by depriving it of its trade. Numerous stations along the line became shipping points, and business at Uhrichsville ceased almost entirely. Property depreciated rapidly, and could be purchased for a mere fraction of its former value. The town had developed as a grain port, and when this was gone it was left a stranded, overgrown country town. Its growth was slight till the hum of the railroad shops was beard across Little Stillwater, when a new era of its existence began, which has rapidly advanced it in size, population and importance. The construction of the Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling Railroad has assisted greatly in building that portion of the town which lies west of Stillwater, and which was formerly called Edgefield, but is now included in the Uhrichsville incorporation.

A petition signed by John Milone and seventy-rive other citizens of Uhrichsville, and dated June 5, 1866, was presented to the County Commissioners two days later, praying for the incorporation of the village. On the 13th of August, the day appointed for a hearing, the petition was granted, and the village as named and described was ordered to be organized. The first election was held November 10, 1866. John G. Price, William McCollams and David Hanley were the Judges on this occasion, and William V. Keepers and William H. Dempster. Clerks. One hundred and seventy-seven votes were cast. which for Mayor, Clerk and Council were divided as follows: For Mayor, John Milone, 114; John P. Brisbon, 61; for Clerk, Charles Ganzman, 98; Thomas J. Forbes, 71; W. A. Bovey, 4; William Wagstaff, 1: Councilmen, H. A. Redfield. 102; \F. V. Keepers, 105; John C. Williams. 104; Elias Johnson. 91; John G. Price, 92; William Wagstaff,. 69, G. W. Venblarcun, 71; Will iam McCollams, 77; William B. Thompson, 65; M. V. B. Haskins. 72; W. H. Dempster, 15; George M. Warfel, 9; S. R. Thompson. 1; five councilmen were elected. The Mayors of the village, with terms of service, have been as follows: John llilone, from November, 1866, to April, 1867; W. B. Thompson. 1867 to 1569; John Milone, 1861) to 1870; 11. Collier, 1870 to 1872: L. C. Ball, 1872 to 1874; E. A. Parrish, 1874 to 1880; L. C. Ball, 1880 to 1882; William Johnson, elected in 1882. now serving.

When Uhrichsville was laid out, a little district schoolhouse stood in that hart of the present corporation called Edgefield, near the present schoolhouse, and here the first youth of the infant village received their instruction in the rudiments of education. William Russell, among others, wielded the ferule in this building. A few years later a small one-story frame schoolhouse was built on the east of Main street between Second and Third. Peter Mooney and Miss Melissa Myers were among the instructors who taught here.In 1852, this building was destroyed by fire, and for four years schools were kept in rooms leased for the purpose in different parts of town. In 1856, a large frame structure was erected at a cost of about $3,000 on the east side of Uhrich street, between Second and Third. Amos Warford was the first teacher here and taught until his death, which occurred about 1861. George Campbell was Principal three years later, and was succeeded by Mr. Poulson, who remained one year.

The Uhrichsville School District became an organized institution by the election of the following School Board in April, 1867: George M. Warfel and John Milone for one year; William Wagstaff and E. A. Parrish for two years: H. A. Redfield and George Hoffman for three years. The improved school system began its course with six departments. W. S. Poulson was elected Principal for one term at $60 per month; the remaining five teachers received $33 1/3. They were Miss Jennie Harris of the grammar school; Mrs. Smith, intermediate; airs. Warford, secondary; Miss Alma Johnson and Mrs. Myers, primary. W. T. Fry wag elected Superintendent in the summer of 1867, at

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$60 per month. He was re-elected the following year at a salary of $80 per month. Dennison was then within the school district, and in 1868 the board took the necessary action to construct a school building there, 30x52 feet in size, at a cost of about $4,500. The contract for its erection was awarded to John W. Baily. The enumeration of September, 1868, was as follows: White male children, 301; white female children, 333; colored male children, 9; colored female children, 9; total, 652. The records are imperfect, but as nearly as can be ascertained Mr. Fry continued Superintendent until 1870, when he was succeeded by John Tucker, who remained in charge several years. J. J. Rockwell served from 1873 to 1875, when Horace G. Welty was elected at a salary of $900, and superintended the schools for two years. W. H. Ray, the present Superintendent, was chosen in 1877 at a salary of $1,000 per year, and has since occupied this position. In May, 1874, the question of erecting a new building, at a probable cost of $25,000, was submitted to the voters who favored the proposition by a vote of 203 to 114. It was further decided to build on a new site by a vote of 160 to 133. At the same time a proposition to erect a schoolhouse on the west side prevailed by a vote of 116 to 96. It is a two-story brick, and cost about $4,000. For the main building a lot was selected on the northeast corner of Main and Sixth streets. , The bid of W. F. Bricker to erect the new schoolhouse for $23,215 was accepted. Including the furnishing and other expenses the total cost has considerably exceeded this amount. It is a large and handsome brick structure, containing Twelve apartments. The present corps of teachers numbers fourteen, including the Superintendent. The School Board is constituted as follows: E. S. Collier, President; J. E. Groves, Secretary; T. D. Healea, Treasurer; D. C. Foster, R. A. Allen and T. A. Packer.

The Methodist Episcopal Church is the oldest religious society in Uhrichsville. Its first house of worship was built in 1839 or 1840 on Main street, and is the building now known as Central Hall. Prior to the erection of this building, services were held at the dwellings of the members of the society, and in the old schoolhouse. The earliest membership included William Ross, John Myers, Barleen Myers and Henry Romig A little later, John Myers, Thomas H. Mozena, Dr. D. B. Myers, Eli Flickinger, George Sterling, Uriah Green, Robert Leggett, Samuel G. Carter, George Laport and a few others were identified with the class. In 1870, a large brick church edifice was built on the southeast corner of Third and Dawson streets. It was dedicated the same year by Rev. C. A. Holmes. Its dimensions are 84x55 feet, and its seating capacity is 900. The spire rises 145 feet. Including the parsonage, the cost of the structure was $30,000. The membership of the church is now about 470. It is the largest congregation in the township, and is prosperous and active in church work. Rev. G. B. Smith is the present pastor.

The Presbyterian Church dates its origin forty-five years ago. A meeting of the citizens of Waterford who were favorably disposed to the Presbyterian interests, was held September 15, 1838, and it was resolved to apply to the Presbytery of Wooster for a church organization. John Sterling was appointed a Commissioner to attend the presbytery for this purpose. The petition was granted and Rev. James B. Morrow organized the Waterford Presbyterian Church, November 10, 1838, with the following sixteen members: John Sterling and Sarah, his wife. Robert Johnson and Nancy, his wife, Mary Sterling (widow), Ann Worstell, Rebecca Bartley, John Johnson and his wife Catherine, Abraham Fredenburr and his wife Mary, Catherine Irvin, Andrew McNeill and Mary, his wife, Miriam Criswell and Alexander Carpenter. The schoolhouse was occupied as a place of worship until the church was erected

588 - HISTORY OF TUSCARAWAS COUNTY.

on Lot 78, corner of Main and Third streets. The lot was purchased in 1841, but the building, which was a commodious brick structure, was not completed until two years later. It was once or twice repaired, and in 1875 remodeled, and a tower added at a cost of about $6,000. A parsonage was built in 1871, which cost $1,200. It was located in Parrish's Addition, and used by the church for six or seven years, then sold. In 1839, the name of the congregation was changed from Waterford to Uhrichsville, and February 11, 1840, it was incorporated with John Sheets, John Johnson, Alexander C. Carpenter and their associates as members. John Sterling was the first Elder; Benjamin Warfel and John Johnson were elected to this position in April, 1841. Other members who have since served in this position are George Tennant, John Merril, Richard McClelland, Andrew Bartley, Hugh McCrary, William Ray, Mr. McElravy. James Crossan, John W. Adams, Alfred Lister, Samuel Welch, Joshua Leggett and W. H. Ray. The last-named six constitute the present session. Rev. James B. Morrow was the first minister. He was elected stated supply April 1, 1839, for one year, and was then called to the pastorate for one-half his time at $225 per year. The other half of his service was devoted to the New Philadelphia charge. Rev. Morrow continued as pastor until his death, which occurred July 3(), 1842. Rev, Thomas M. Finney was called to take charge in September, 1813. In 1844; Rev. Joseph Gorden became a supply for one year. when Rev. Finney. then laboring at New Philadelphia. became stated supply, and continued in that relation for several years. Rev. Israel Price was a supply in 1853. In September, 1856, Rev. Samuel Patterson was called and assumed charge, receiving $250 for one-half his time. He remained about two years, and presbyterian supplies occasionally served the congregation for a year or two. when Rev. D. S. Logan became regular pastor. Rev. W. C. Nealy was called in 1863, and remained about four years. Occasional services were then held until July, 1869, when a call was extended to Rev. W. M. Grimes, who terminated his pastorate in 1871. Rev. C. J. Hunter, who was pastor of the Dennison Church, then supplied the church two years, after which services were held at irregular periods. until Rev. J. K. McKallip was installed pastor in 1874. He served nearly eight years. An interim of a year or two occurred; then in March, 1883, Rev. R. R. Moore. the present pastor, was called. The present membership of the church ex ceeds 2110.

The Uhrichsville Moravian Church was organized in 1814. On the 17th of May of that year, a meeting of the Moravian members iii this locality was called and held, at which Isaac E. Romig and wife, Edmund G. Helwig and wife, Christian D. Helwig and wife, Daniel J. Holliger, Gottlieb R. Holliger, Rufus W. Walton. William Walton, Friedhold Oehler. John Brunner, Mrs. Mary D. Myers, Mrs. Harriet McGonigle. and Mrs. E. J. Ferguson were present. Rev. E. A. Oerter presided. A permanent organization was effected on the following October 24, with a membership of fifteen, who had previously been connected with other Moravian societies of the Tuscarawas Valley. The first meeting was held at the residence of Edmund G. Helwig. Different halls were then rented and occupied until the completion of the church edifice in the autumn of 1878. The building is a. handsome and imposing stone structure, 40x80 feet in size, and located on Lot (i0. Water street. It is well furnished; and cost in the aggregate over $12,000. The first pastor of this congregation was Rev. J. M. Levering, who entered upon his labors January 1, 1875. His connection with the society was severed April 1:3, 1879, and May 25 of the same year Rev. J. H. Clewell, the present pastor, succeeded him in the pastorate of this church. The total membership is now about 130, of whom 76 are communicants.

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The Disciple, or Christian, congregation was organized in 1878, by Rev. James Dodd, who was then Superintendent of the Port Washington Schools. The old school building on Lots 153 and 14, Uhrich street, had been purchased by Daniel Kennedy, and he donated the second story to the use of the congregation. They still occupy this hall. The original members included probably sixteen or eighteen, among whom were Daniel Kennedy and wife, Elias Johnson and wife, William McKeever and wife, Z. Bliss and wife, Mrs. Emily Wherry, Mrs. Matilda Hayes, Mrs. Kate Uhrich and Mrs Allen. Rev. James Dodd continued to minister to the church two years, until he removed to the West. The congregation was then without a regular minister for about one year, but was occasionally supplied with preaching. In 1881, Rev. B. L. Smith became pastor, and remained in that relation for almost a year. An interim again occurred when the little flock was without a minister, but in the summer of 1883, Dr. S. T. Dodd took charge, and is now supplying the congregation; which numbers about seventy-five members.

The Uhrichsville Cemetery lies northwest of the village, near Stillwater, and embraces a tract of about four acres. Of this, one acre was donated as a public place of burial by Michael Uhrich. The remaining three acres have since been purchased and added by the town. The first burial in this cemetery occurred in February, 1837, when John Cahill was laid to rest in the midst of a grove of beech wood. Two months later Jonas Haskins died and his remains were consigned to' the second grave that` was excavated in this silent city of the dead.

Mystic Tie Lodge, No. 194, F. & A. M., was chartered October 16, 1850. John D. Rich was first W. M., and besides him the charter members were Samuel Adarns, David Chalfant. Robert Seamen, Thomas H. Mozena, L. A: Parrish. 'Mathias Collier, Elias Wolf and Philip Baker. The lodge was organized, and held its first meetings on the second floor of a building which stood on Lot 85, east side of Water street, between First and Second. This and several other halls were occupied successively, until ten or more years ago, when the lodge obtained the lease of its present hall, in Wilkins' Block, Third street., for ninety-nine years, by erecting the third story in which the hall is located, at a cost of about $4,000. The lodge now numbers over 200 members, and is officered as follows: R. A. Allen, W. M.; William Johnson, S. W., John Smith, J. W., J. E. Groves, Secretary; E. S. Collier, Treasurer; James-Crossan, S. D.; Z. Bliss, J. D.; Thomas Thompson, Tiler. The lodge meets the first and third Monday evenings of each month.

Cyrus Chapter, No. 114, R. A. M. was granted a dispensation October 22, 1868, and chartered October 16, 1869. Its charter members were J. B. McGonigle, H. P.; David Chalfant, King; Thomas H. Mozona, Scribe; Gabriel Goodman. W. T. Fry. William A. Bovey, J. W. Fularton, James Wilcoxen, Ross Kells, William W. Alexander, William McCollam and Charles Ganzman. The membership is now about sixty-five; and regular meetings are held on the first and third Friday evenings' of each month. The present officers are: W. A. Bovey, H. P.; James Crossan, King; John L. Davis, Scribe; R. A. Allen, C. of H.; John Smith, P. S.; David Dunlavey, R. A. C.; L. H. Ferguson, 3d V.; Thomas J. Evans, 2d V.; John Rush, 1st V.; C. Ganzman, Secretary; E. S. Collier; Treasurer, D. J. Thompson, Guard.

Gebal Council, No. 56, R. & S. M., received its dispensation January 3, 1870, its charter September 15, 1870. Its charter members were J. B. McGonigle, David Chalfant, William A. Bovey, E. S. Ferguson, John H, Manner, W. W. Alexander, Gabriel Goodman, James Wilcoxen, Henry Keffer and William McCollam. The Council meets on the second Friday of each month, and has a membership of about thirty. The number has been greater, but removals from this vicinity have reduced it.

590 - HISTORY OF TUSCARAWAS COUNTY.

Uhrichsville Lodge, No. 519, I. O. O. F., was instituted July 19, 1872, with the following thirty-one charter members: F. W. McCauley, J. J. Rockwell, W. B. Thompson, C. Ganzman, W. H. Gibboney, F. F. Koeblitz, W. Johnson, J. Hoover, J. Knox, W. A. Bovey, M. Stahly, J. C. Wilkins, R. P. Loller, J. Harvey, H. H. Foster, J. H. Campbell, T. H. Mozena, C. S. Getz, D. J. Holliger, P. S. Hooper, G. Braden, G. Goodman, W. Griffin, P. Rosel, D. C. Foster, W. C. Leffingwell. L. P. Hilton, J. Brunner, F. B. Holliday, L. Bigger and J. F. Ralston. The lodge owns a vacant lot on Third street. Its hall is in the Thompson Building, Third street, where it meets every Tuesday evening. The present membership is forty-seven. The officers are F. F. Koeblitz, N. G.; James Stanard, V. G.; H. N. Parks, Secretary; O. W. Griffin, Treasurer.

Jewett Encampment, No. 128, I. O. O. F., was instituted July 4, 1810. Its charter members were L. Hardman, W. H. Gibboney, J. H. Campbell, W. H. Smith, J. H. Teaff, G. Mizer, J. C. Manner. W. Griffin and G. G. Pickerell. The present officers are: J, H. Benson, C. P.; T. J. Moore, S. W.; W. H. Gibben, H. P.; Peter Rosel, J. W. ; F. F. Koeblitz, Scribe; Erwin Shamel, Treasurer. The Encampment meets the first and third Wednesdays of each month, and has a membership of twenty-three.

Tuscarawas Lodge, No. 1.5, K. of P., was instituted October 25, 1869. The charter members were Thomas H. Mozena, J. A. Teaff, William A. Stone, William A. Bovey, George M. Wyne, J. B. McGonigle, William M. Teaff, David Chalfant, George Goodman, E. A. Parrish, John W. Rusk, George N. McGonigle, Willis H. Gibboney and twenty-nine others. The lodge is in a most flourishing condition, and is now officered by John F. Wolf, P. C.; John M. Laizure, C. C., John Hendricks. V. C.; Alvin S. Work, Prelate; C. E. Sauers. K. of R. and S.; J. AT. McCullough, AI. of E.; Lewis McCollum, M. of F.; J. M. Anderson, M. at A.; John Goens, I. G.; Thomas Reed, O. G.

Probably the first physician who located at Uhrichsville and there engaged in the practice of his profession, was Dr. H. H. Worstler, an Englishman, who came soon after the village was founded. e is now residing on a farm in Harrison County. r. David Chalfant came about the same time and remained in practice a long time. Dr. Albert Osbun, who was reared on a farm in this township, opened an office in Uhrichsville very early, continued in practice a few years, and about 1840 took up his residence in Cadiz. Dr. S. R. Magee came about that time, and was for a time associated with Dr. Chalfant. Magee removed to Deersville about 1845, and is now a resident of California. In 1844, Dr. F. W. McCauley entered upon a practice which he has continued successfully ever since, except for a period of three years when he was in the service of his country. Stephen B. Permar came a few years later, but in 1861 entered the Fifty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as Hospital Steward, and is now practicing in the western part of the State. Dr. Tncker settled in Uhrichsville about 1860, but in a few years removed to Gnadenhutten, and subsequently to Kansas. Dr. Crawford came about the same time, but remained only a short time; then removed elsewhere and died. A number of other physicians have been identified with the village, but usually the duration of their residence has been brief. The present practitioners are F. W. McCauley, S. R. Thompson, D; B. Myers, J. E. Groves, G. C. Welch, J. W. Haverfield and W. B. Loller, allopaths, and Nathan Cash, homoeopathist.

Robert E. Knight was the first attorney to seek a practice at Uhrichsville. He came from Leesburg, Carroll County, about 1848, remained several years, then removed to Youngstown, where he is now a lawyer of some note. J. H. Barnhill was the next legal practitioner. He remained until his election as Probate Judge of Tuscarawas County, and since that event has resided at

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PAGE 592 - PICTURE OF GEORGE LECHNER

MILL TOWNSHIP. - 593

New Philadelphia. W. B. Thompson, in 1862, began a practice which continued for fifteen years. He then retired, and is now engaged in banking. Joseph McCullough, after a practice of four years, removed, in 1883, from Uhrichsville to New Philadelphia. At present the bar is represented here by five members-L. C. Ball, William Johnson, I. N. Gibson, E. A. Parrish and T. D. Healea.

The Tuscarawas Chronicle was started in New Philadelphia by V. P. Wilson in 1865. A few months later, James E. Graham became associated with the paper and remained a partner for about one year. when he disposed of his interest to Mr. Wilson. In its earliest days the Chronicle championed the cause of negro suffrage and was very pronounced in its opposition of President Johnson's reconstruction policy. In January, 1869, Mr. Wilson sold the paper to P. S. Hooper and J. T. Warner, who soon after transferred it to Pittenger & Co., who removed the paper to Dennison. The first number issued from that village bears date March 18, 1869. Thence it was removed to Uhrichsville in the autumn of the same year by Pittenger & Campbell. The paper was conducted in the old Union Hall which was destroyed by fire in February, 1870. Notwithstanding the loss which this fire occasioned, the publication was immediately resumed under the management of W. A. Pittenger and J. El. Campbell, the firm name changing once or twice, until December, 1876, when James E. Graham, the present proprietor, purchased, and has since been sole publisher except during a few months, when M. Moody was joint owner. The Chronicle is Republican in politics, and has the support of an excellent subscription list, which is constantly increasing.

The Tuscarawas County Democrat issued its initial number at Uhrichsville, September 10, 1879, and has since been regularly published every Thursday. It is Democratic in politics and has an active circulation. Though yet in its infancy, the Democrat bids fair to take an honored place among the old established newspapers of the county. Its founder and present publisher is J. E. Fisher. When this paper was started, many of the people of Uhrichsville and Dennison thought it was only a campaign sheet, and others predicted that it would not live over ninety days. It is still in full blast and "flourishes like a green bay tree."

The Tuscarawas County Democrat, a twenty-eight column weekly Democratic newspaper, was established in the summer of 1879, by J. E. Fisher, the present editor and proprietor. Terms: $2 per year; $1 for six months. The editor of the Democrat is a good deal of a politician; has been a delegate to every State, Congressional, Senatorial and County Convention for the past four years, from his county, and has enjoyed the confidence of Senator Pendleton, the Hon. George Hoadly, Congressman Wilkins and others, and as his paper is constantly increasing in circulation he says that he hopes to live long that he may be of benefit to his family and party.

The Uhrichsville and Dennison Agricultural Society was incorporated in 1878, with a capital stock of $2,500 divided into $25 shares. Its first officers were William Hill, President; E. W. Uhrich, Secretary; J. Morehead, Treasurer. Twenty-five acres off the Gorley tract, north of Sixth street, were leased for ten years at an annual rental of about $200. The first fair was held in the autumn of 1878, and they have been continued regularly each year to the present time. The first four fairs were pecuniarily successful but that of 1882, owing to the constant wet weather during the fair week, did not quite pay expenses. The interest in this society has been steadily growing. Its present officers are D. C. Foster, President; J. C. Wilkins, Secretary; E. S. Collier, Treasurer. George Welch, A. B. Johnson, David Dunlavey, J. Morehead and William McCauley, constitute the Board of Directors, for the year 1882-83.

594 - HISTORY OF TUSCARAWAS COUNTY.

The grist mill at Uhrichsville is one of the oldest in the county. It was erected by Michael Uhrich in 1806, at which time the only opportunities afforded for grinding in what is now the county were at a horse mill at Gnadenhutten and Deardorff's mill in Dover Township, constructed in 1805 or 1806. The mill remained in the possession of the Uhrichs until 1850 or later. Its subsequent owners have been John Hitchcock, Andrew Stewart, V. B. Haskins, Joseph Firebaugh, Squire Carrol and Aiken & Lucas. The mill has been rebuilt, and the present owners have introduced rollers.

The banks of Uhrichsville are two in number. The first banking house was opened for business in 1869, with a capital of $25,000 by A. James Sterling, W. B. Thompson and Beriah Wilkins. It continued successfully until December, 1881, and was then merged into the Farmers' and Merchants' National Bank, capital, $50,000. Its officers are W B. Thompson, President- E. W. Uhrich, Cashier; C. B. Thompson, Assistant Cashier. The Union Bank, a private institution, was started by George Johnson January 1, 1874. He is still sole owner and operator.

The village contains two good hotels. The United States Hotel, located on the northeast corner of Third and Main, was built as a private residence by William Uhrich about 1850. A few years later, he sold it to William H. Dempster, who converted the building into a hotel, and has ever since been its owner and proprietor. The Central Hotel, on the southeast turner of Water and Second streets, was built about 1873 by E. G. Helwig. He sold it in 1874, while yet unfinished, to J. F. Birney, who completed and furnished it. The subsequent proprietors and owners have been William Hart, Brewster & Son, Frederick Gentz and J. S. Scarborough; the latter gentleman is the present proprietor. The West Side Hotel, built by D. L. Smith in the autumn of 1882, at the junction of the Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling and the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroads, was destroyed by fire in July, 1883.

Dawson & Whittemore started a planing mill at Uhrichsville about ten years ago. In 1882, it was purchased by Everett & Thompson, the present owners. Elias Uhrich, during the summer of 1883, built and put in operation a second planing mill which he still owns. Just without the corporation limits, on the west side, the Mazurie Bros., in the summer of 1883, erected large tile works, which they are now operating at their full capacity. James A. Harper is engaged in the manufacture of carriages.

Of the mercantile interests of Uhrichsville, it maybe said that an extensive business is transacted. Within the village are eleven establishments where dry goods are retailed. Many of these, however, deal in groceries and other merchandise. There are also three groceries, five drug stores, three hardware stores, two clothing stores, three merchant tailors, two jewelry stores, two boot and shoe stores, two bakeries, two furniture stores, three millinery establishments, two restaurants and six saloons.

DENNISON.

The town of Dennison is located on the east side of Little Stillwater Creek from Uhrichsville, the creek forming the dividing line between the two towns. It was named after Hon. William Dennison, Ohio's famous war Governor, now deceased, and, bearing the name of one so widely known, together with the fact that the Pittsburgh. Cincinnati & St. Louis Railway Company had announced their intention of making it the principal point on their line between Pittsburgh and Columbus, the town became familiar to the public from the start. Dennison is sometimes called, and very appropriately, too, the "Altoona of the Pan-Handle road," for the reason that it bears the same relation

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to the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati &. St. Louis Railway that Altoona, Penn., does to the Pennsylvania Railroad-the creature of its creative power and progressive industry, and the location of its principal shops and division offices. The origin of the town was conceived in the councils of the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati &. St. Louis Railway Company, about tho time the road was completed across the Pan-Handle from Steubenville to Pittsburgh. The location was selected because of its being about the middle oŁ the completed line from Pittsburgh to Columbus. The distance to Pittsburgh is ninety-three miles, and to Columbus one hundred, but the grades of the track being considerably greater on the east end rendered the distance equal from an operative standpoint in the minds of the railway officials. Thus Dennison became a place of necessity and importance, and it is not to be wondered that it has grown to be quite a little railroad city.

When the location of the railroad shops and offices here had been decided upon, a company known as the "Dennison Land Company" was formed, which purchased from John Welch, Sr., Isaac Osbun and Alex Huston, between four and five hundred acres of land, lying partly in Mill and partly in Union Townships. The principal portion of Dennison is built upon the ground purchased from Mr. Welch. That gentleman owned in one tract 159 acres, and he sold to the land company 132' acres, retaining as a homestead and residence the remaining 26 1/2 acres, the large brick dwelling-house, orchard, and a pasture field or two comprising the reservation. The following-named gentlemen composed the Dennison Land Company: Thomas A. Scott, J. Edgar Thomson, William Dennison. H. M. Alexander, W. H. Clement, Ashbel Green, George W. McCook, H. J. Jewett. Thomas L. Jewett and George W. McIlvaine. Of these ten persons it may be noted as a remarkable fact that five of their number just one-half-are now dead but the heirs still retain their interest in the company, with the single exception of that of William Dennison, which was purchased some time since- by Mr. M. Moody, of Uhrichsville. And still more remarkable is the fact that the one for whom the town was named is the only member of the original company not now connected with it either by himself or family, a fitting illustration of time's eventful and changing scenes. The Land Company still owns, outside of the town, about 200 acres of land, besides a considerable number of building lots within the incorporated village. George W. McCook was the Trustee of the company, and had charge of the purchase and sale of all property until his death in 1868, when M. Moody was appointed, and still holds the position.

The above-mentioned purchase of land was made in 1864, but Dennison was not laid out as a town until 1865. The shops, however, were begun in 1864, and completed and occupied in 1865. From that time until the present the growth of the town has been steady and substantial. and, in many particulars, remarkable. In 1870, according to the Federal census, the population was 800; in 1880, it was 1,607, showing that the population had doubled in ten years. The lowest estimate; based upon the poll of the politicians and enumeration of school children, places the present population at 2,000, and at this ratio of increase the population of the town in 1890 will be at least double what it was in the census of 1880. Few, if any, towns in Ohio show a more rapid or substantial growth.

Nature had done but little to make the new town attractive or desirable as a place for living; the ground was low, and, in some places, swampy, and in wet seasons mud was the most common article to be found on streets, sidewalks and lots. But the disadvantages of nature must yield to the onward march of progress. What was lacking in natural surroundings and helps to the advancement of the town has been supplied by money, industry and perse-

596 - HISTORY OF TUSCARAWAS COUNTY.

verance. From an open waste of field and swampy bottom, from mud and discouragement at the beginning, Dennison has become a pleasant, well-built and attractive town, with good streets, solid business blocks and elegant residences, and a system of drainage seldom surpassed by towns of its age and size. It is now a very healthy and desirable place in which to live, and its earliest settlers and oldest citizens point with pride to its achievements and progress, and their attachment for Dennison, rising as it has from nothing to its present position within their recollection and the time of their residence in it, is very noticeable and remarkable.

As a matter connected with the early history of Dennison, it may be of interest to note here that when the town was laid out a part of its territory was in Union Township, the line between that township and Mill passing along about where the railway square shop now stands. In order to have the town and school district all in one township, the line was changed soon after the town was laid out, so as to include the entire town plat within the territory of Mill Township.

The shops of the P.; C. & St. L. R. R. at Dennison are among the most complete and extensive in the country. Both new work and repairing are carried on to an extent hardly to be realized by outsiders. New locomotives and cars are constantly being built, and the repair work in both the motive power and car departments of the entire line from Pittsburgh to Columbus is done here, besides considerable work for other divisions of the Pan Handle system. The main buildings consist of square shop, blacksmith shops, boiler shop, tin shop, carpenter shop, car shops, round house and brass foundry. Connected with these are several smaller departments, such as paint shop, draughting and pattern rooms, engine and boiler rooms, store room, tool room, oil room, together with a comfortable office for the general foreman and his assistants. Extensive ice and sand houses, lumber yards, coal yards, transfer tables, etc., are also to be found in close proximity to the main shops. The whole forms a perfect hive of human industry, and contains some of the finest machinery operated by some of the most skillful mechanics to be found in the world. The great works move forward under a system as near perfect as a master mind can make it, and all the officers, machinists and employes seem to take pride in rendering faithful service to the company, and performing such labor as will demonstrate the highest skill. About 100 men are, employed the year round in these shops, and so great is the amount of work to be done that very often the employes are required to put in extra time, for which they are well paid, of course. The company contemplates building large additions to the shops in the near future, when the working force will doubtless be increased, and the facilities rendered adequate to the work required without employes being obliged to put in extra time. The shops are located on the south side of the track, while on the north side is a large, two-story brick building, occupied by the Master Mechanic's office, Train Master. and telegraph departments, with their corps of clerks and attaches. On the same side of the track, also, are several smaller buildings, occupied as offices for the yard dispatcher of trains, superintendent of water works, etc. The railroad company with its shops, offices and tracks, occupies forty acres of the original town plat. The road runs through the center of the town, the population being at this time nearly equally divided between the north and south sides.

The first Master Mechanic in charge of the Dennison shops was Mr. Thomas Denmead, for many years a faithful servant of the company. He was succeeded February 1, 1872, by Mr. Elbridge Pierce, who held the office until his death, June 30, 1875; Mr. Ross Bells, general foreman, was then pro-

MILL TOWNSHIP. - 597

moted to Master Mechanic, and held the position until September 1, 1882, when he resigned, and was succeeded by Mr. Charles B. Street, present incumbent, who is a very pleasant gentleman, and has few, if any, superiors as a Master Mechanic. The railroad company has been very fortunate in the selection of its officials at Dennison. They have uniformly been first-class men, popular with the employes under their charge, always taking a deep interest in the advancement and prosperity of the village. The friendly feeling of the railroad company for the town of its creation, exercised through its officials, has clone much to make Dennison what it is.

Being the middle of the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Division of the Pan-Handle, all passenger trains change engines here, and it is also the terminal point for all freight trains, Dennison to Pittsburgh forming the eastern division, and Dennison to Columbus the western division, or east and west ends, as they are more commonly called. This gives the town an additional importance, making it of necessity the residence of most of the engineers, freight conductors, and other road men.

The town was incorporated in 1873, and the first borough officers elected at the April election of that year, as follows: Mayor, Thomas McCormick; Clerk, C. B. Willoughby; Treasurer, D. T. Denmead; Marshal, E. W. Show man; Council-Joseph Healea, H. B. Keffer, John McHattie, Thomas Shipton, J. C. Johnson, F. J. Andregg. The corporate village has always been carefully managed by its officers, and the people take great pride in bearing testimony to this fact. It has been kept free from debt, and the property owners have never been burdened with excessive taxation, as is too often the case with new and rapidly growing villages. The following Mayors have presided over the affairs of Dennison since its incorporation: Thomas McCormick, 1873 to 1875; William Gloyd, elected in 1875, but only served about two months, when he resigned the office; J. T. McCullough was appointed Mayor pro tem until a special election could be held, and served about one month; J. W. Yeagley was chosen at the special election, July 14, 1875, to serve until the next regular election in April, 1876, and at that time was re-elected for one year, to fill out the remainder of Mr. Gloyd's unexpired term, ending April, 1877, he was then re-elected for a full term of two years, and was succeeded in April, 1879, by Thomas McCormick, who served another full term, ending April, 1851; E. C. Lingan was then elected for two years, retiring in April, 1883, being succeeded by the present incumbent, Joseph Healea, whose term of office will expire in April, 1885. The incorporated village owns two lots, southeast corner of Grant and Third streets, on which has been erected a small, one story frame building, used as Mayor's office and Council room, adjoining which, on the alley south, is the village prison. It is the intention of the corporation to erect on these valuable lots, at some future day, a public building which will be a credit to the town, and commodious enough for the demands of the corporation for all time to come.

There have been three additions to the town of Dennison since it was first laid out, viz., Shipton's Addition on the southeast. Mozena's Addition on the southwest, and McKee's Addition on the north.

From the beginning of the town until the year 1874, the territory belonged to the Uhrichsville School District. A commodious school building was , erected on the corner of Logan and Fifth streets in 1867-68, at a cost of about $4,000. The first school was opened in the fall of 1868, with Miss Agnes Morgan, of West Virginia, and Miss S. M. Burns as teachers. Prof. John Tucker was at that time Superintendent of the Uhrichsville Schools, and as such had charge of the new rooms opened in Dennison. Miss Morgan, who taught the primary department, only remained part of the school year, re-

598 - HISTORY OF TUSCARAWAS COUNTY.

signing, for some reason, in the spring of 1869, and Miss Maggie Inglebright was chosen to fill the vacancy. Miss Inglebright has remained in the schools ever since, being still the efficient and highly respected teacher of the First Primary Department. With the opening of the school year of 1869-70, Miss Burns was transferred to Uhrichsville and Mrs. Ruth Havener took charge of the Secondary Department of the Dennison Schools. Soon afterward an Intermediate Department was added to the schools, with Mr. Thomas White, Sr., as its first teacher. In the year 1873, a law was passed by the Ohio Legislature, making all incorporated villages separate school districts, and under that law an election for School Directors of the Dennison Village District was held April 7, 1874, resulting in the choice of the following persons: E. Pierce, I. M. Hoover, W. A. Pittenger, Thomas McCormick, J. C. Timmons and John Jordan. Mr. E. Pierce was the first President of the Board, and served until his death in 1875, when W. A. Pittenger was chosen President and served until the close of his term in 1876. J. C. Timmons was the first Clerk of the Board and I. M. Hoover the first Treasurer. Prof. William Hill, a well-known educator in the county, a fine scholar and an exemplary Christian gentleman, was the first Principal of the schools under the new organization. He remained in the position until 1878, when he was succeeded by Prof. A. C. Bagnall, of Newcomerstown, who served three years, being succeeded in 1882 by Prof. Charles Haupert, A. M., the present incumbent. The first graduating class in the history of the schools completed the course of study with the close of last school year, the commencement exercises being held on Friday evening, June 1, 1883, in Library Hall. The class consisted of three young ladies and two young men, viz., Jennie McCurdy, Annie Cummins, Ella Lingan, Oscar McCurdy and W. B. Stevens.

The schools having grown to such an extent that more room and additional teachers had become a necessity, the board erected a large addition to the building in 1876, at a cost of $1,450, and a second addition was built during the summer of 1882, at a cost of about $1,000, making the total cost of the present edifice about $6,450. The people of Dennison take a just pride in their public schools, believing them to be as well conducted and as thorough in their course of instruction as any of their size in the State.

Dennison has three churches, viz.. Presbyterian, Catholic and Episcopal. The first church edifice erected in the town was the Dennison Presbyterian Church, commonly known as the "Railway Chapel." Previous to this, however, services were held by some Presbyterian families in a room in Benson's Block, corner of Logan and First streets, and in the school building. The first Sunday school in the town was held in a room in the Benson Building, where the lamented Thomas Denmead, Mr. and Mrs. William D. Robb, Miss Maggie Inglebright, Miss Julia Card (now Mrs. Simpson Harmount), Miss Abbie Card (now Mrs. Rev. Osborne), and a few others, organized what is now the Presbyterian Sunday School. It increased in numbers very rapidly, and by the time a church building was ready for occupancy the school numbered from seventy-five to one hundred attendants. On the 10th of June. 18W, a meeting was held in the schoolhouse, at which time the Dennison Presbyterian Church was formally organized. Twenty members were enrolled, and one Ruling Elder and five Trustees elected. Thomas Denmead was the first Elder of the church, and Messrs. W. W. Card, Thomas Denmead, William D. Robb, J.C. Johnson and E. M. Crigler composed the first Board of Trustees. Revs. A. Swane, T. A. McCurdy and S. Patterson constituted the Committee of Presbytery to organize the church. Ground having been donated by the Land Company for the erection of a house of worship, work was commenced on the

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building, on the site selected by the congregation, northeast corner of Grant and Third streets, in the latter part of June or first of July. The corner-stone was laid August 31, 1870, Rev. W. Morris Grimes, then pastor of the Uhrichsville Presbyterian Church, and temporary pastor of the Dennison Congregation. conducting the impressive ceremonies. Among other distinguished ministers, the venerable Rev. Dr. C. C. Beatty, of Steubenville, was present on the occasion. The building was dedicated on Sunday, April 9, 1871, Rev. Joseph F. Tattle, D. D., President of Wabash College, preaching the dedicatory sermon. The church edifice is one of the finest in Ohio. Though ordinary in size, it is finished in a style seldom seen even in the churches of our large cities. The building is brick, 46x75 feet, including vestibules and choir gallery. The height from floor to square is twenty-four feet; from floor to apex, thirty-three feet; height of tower 110 feet. The roof is slate, the windows are of stained glass, and the audience-room is furnished with reversible cushion seats, with upholstered backs, after the fashion of seats in a railway passenger coach. In the choir gallery is a very fine pedal pipe organ of full compass. The railroad company, in their accustomed spirit of generosity toward their employes, lent substantial aid in the construction of the building, as lid also Messrs. W. W Card, Thomas Denmead and others, from their private means, and the result was the completion of a most beautiful and comfortable house of worship, at a cost of about $20,000, it having a seating capacity of 600 persons. A large annex was erected in the rear of the main building in the spring of 1879, which is used for Sunday school and lecture room, and for socials, official meetings, etc. Rev. C. J. Hunter, D. D., then pastor of the Presbyterian Church at New Philadelphia, was called to the pastorate of the Railway Chapel, and preached the first sermon within its walls, on the Sabbath preceding its formal dedication. He was installed June 12, 1871, and remained pastor of the church until July, 1880, when he resigned, after nine years of faithful and successful ministerial service. On Saturday evening, October 2, 1880, Rev. S. S. Gilson, of Ligonier, Penn., was elected at a congregational meeting, as the second pastor of the church, and entered upon his labors November 14. Rev. Gibson resigned the pastorate at the end of his third year, October 21, 1883. The congregation owns a comfortable parsonage property on Grant street, near the chapel, valued at $2,500, and is entirely free from debt on both church and parsonage. Two of the Ruling Elders and fathers of the church, Thomas Denmead and Prof. William Hill, have been called to their long home, and by reason of other deaths and the many changes incident to a railroad town like Dennison, but few of the early members of the church now remain, but it is still composed of an active and earnest membership, who seem disposed to carry on the work so well begun by the founders and fathers of the church in its early days.

The second church organized in Dennison was the Catholic, known as the " Church of the Immaculate Conception." The history of the Catholic Church in Dennison is characteristic of that denomination. In 1867, there were only three families of that faith in the town. Father Wiseman, of Canal Dover, administered to the spiritual welfare of the few Catholics in the vicinity at that time. Services were held once a month in the dwellings of the parishoners, the first mass being said at the residence of Mr. John Lingan. The congregation increased so rapidly that it was found necessary to procure a hall for the purpose of holding services. The parish being changed from the charge of Father Wiseman to Father Toomey, of Steubenville, the latter, in 1870, commenced the erection of a church building on the corner of First and Sherman streets, which was completed the next year. In 1873, the Rev. W. T. Hawe was assigned to Dennison as the regular and permanent pastor. He at

600 - HISTORY OF TUSCARAWAS COUNTY.

once commenced the erection of the elegant parsonage which now graces the grounds adjoining the church. Rev. Hawe being compelled, on account of ill health, in 1879, to relinquish the pastorate he had so long and ably filled, the Rev. F. J. Campbell, the present incumbent, took charge, who, perceiving that the church building was inadequate to accommodate his largely increasing congregation, proceeded to enlarge it to its present size. The edifice was dedicated on the 21st of November, 1880, by Rt. Rev. John A. Watterson, of Columbus. Bishop of the diocese. Father Campbell has made a great many improvements, and the church property is to-day one of the most valuable in the county. Owing to the zeal and energy of Father Campbell, the congregation is probably the largest in the county, containing a membership of about 100 families, making about 600 souls in charge of the pastorate.

The third church, and the last organized, is "St. Barnabas' Episcopal Mission." This chapel, a frame building, situated on the west side of Sixth, between Grant and Sherman streets, while small and plain in outside appearance, offers to view an interior of great beauty. The windows are of stained glass, one in the south side of the house being a memorial of the Rev. W. M. Probasco, deceased, former rector of St. Timothy's Church at Massillon, who performed ministerial services for the congregation at Dennison before the acquisition of a rector. Besides the usual symbolical church furniture of plain walnut, the chapel contains a good pipe organ and seats for 180 people.

This mission was founded in 1876, by a number of Episcopalian gentlemen, mostly connected with the railroad, among them Messrs. A. B. Beach, J. B. Blinn, J. L. Carnahan, I. Denmead, R. G. Galbraith and Col. J. R. Shaler. The last named officiated as lay reader, holding services at his own house until a suitable room was obtained and furnished. The chapel building, standing on ground donated by the Dennison Land Company, was constructed at a cost of about $2,000 in the summer of 1877, and at Easter, 1878, Rev. J. M. Hillyar became rector. Mr. Hillyar removed to Boston in January, 1882, when Rev. J. H. Clewell, of the Moravian Church, Uhrichsville, officiated until Easter following. In June, 1882, Rev. E. M. W. Hills became rector. In 1879, a comfortable rectory was built adjoining the chapel, also on ground donated by the land company. Both buildings are paid for, and the mission owes no debts.

By reason of death, removals and other causes, very few of the original founders remain; but the number of communicants is still about thirty. The Sunday school, superintended by Mr. J. L. Carnahan, consists of ten teachers and about forty scholars.

The Odd Fellows is the only secret order that has lodges in the town. Of these, there are three-the Subordinate Lodge, the Encampment and Daughters of Rebekah. Jewett Lodge No. 389, named after the late Thomas L. Jewett, the first President of the P.. C. & St. L. R., and a member of the Dennison Land Company, was instituted July 4, 1867, by John A. Lee, Grand Master. The lodge was chartered for Dennison, but, there being no suitable room in the town at that time, the meetings were held in Uhrichsville, by special disp ensation from the Grand Master, for several years, until the present lodge room was ready for occupancy. This lodge numbers among its members many of the earliest and most prominent citizens of the community, among whom we may name Rose Kells, George G. Pickerrell, Thomas Denmead, John Varner, R. C. Adrian, W. A. Bovey, M. C. Sauers, I. M. Hoover, John Hicks, A. J. Trader, William Surgenor and others.

Martha Washington Lodge No. 61, D. of R., was instituted February 22, 1871, by Horace Y. Beebe, Grand Master of the State. Dennison Encampment, No. 198, was instituted September 10, 1875, by W. B. Kennedy, Most

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Worthy Grand Patriarch. All these lodges are in a growing and prosperous condition. The elegant lodge room of the order in which they meet, located on the third floor of the large brick block corner of Fourth and Center streets, was dedicated February 22, 1871. It is one of the finest and most commodious lodge rooms in the State, richly carpeted and furnished in the most complete manner throughout. Jewett Lodge owns two valuable building lots on Grant street, nearly opposite the Railway Chapel, on which a fine Odd Fol. lows building will be erected at some future day.

The Post Office. -A post office was established at Dennison, in December, 1869, with Mr. I. M. Hoover as Postmaster. It was located in the office at the Railway Dining Hall, and remained there until the Dennison Store was opened in the large brick building corner of Fourth and Center streets, when Mr. E. S. Kimber, superintendent of that store, was appointed. and the office moved to that place. Mr. Limber held the position until April, 1872, when he was succeeded by Mr. D. T. Denmead, who held the appointment about eighteen months, being succeeded October 1, 18713, by John Hover. The latter was Postmaster until July 1, 1883, when he was succeeded by Mr. W. A. Bovey, the present incumbent. The business of the office has steadily increased ever since it was established, and it is now one of the most important post offices in the county.

The Railroad Station. -A ticket, freight and express office was established at Dennison by the Pan-Handle road in December, 1873, with Mr. J. M. Maylone as agent. Previous to that, all the business for Dennison was transacted through the Uhrichsville office, except such as was required for the exclusive use of the railroad company at this point. Mr. Maylone remained as agent until October, 1875, when he resigned and was succeeded by George H. Bower, a clerk in the Superintendent's office. Mr. Bower resigned in 1,878, when Charles L. Riddle was appointed agent, and remained until May, 1881, when he resigned and was succeeded by Thomas Wright, the present incumbent. The company does a large business at this office

Newspapers. -The first newspaper printed in the town was the Tuscarawas Chronicle, which was moved by W. A. Pittenger & Co., from New Philadelphia about the 1st of March, 1869, the first issue from Dennison bearing date of March 18 of that year. The office was located in a small frame building on the east side of Sixth street, between Grant and Center. This building was afterward attached to the west end of the Railway Hotel, and was destroyed by fire on the night of October 23, 1881. There being no post office, freight or express office at Dennison at that time, it was decided by the publishers of the Chronicle, for the sake of these conveniences, to move the office to Uhrichsville, which was clone about the 1st of August. 1869. From that time there was no paper in the town until December 13, 1879, when the Dennison Paragraph was established.

The office of the Paragraph was first located on the second floor of the brick building, corner of Third and Center streets, and was moved to the new building erected for its use on Grant street, in January. 1882. Mr. W. A. Pittenger, formerly of the Chronicle, and now of the Paragraph., is the only newspaper editor who has ever resided in the town.

Physicians. -The first physician in the town was Dr. T. H. Wilson, who located here in 1869. Dr. James Campbell came from Coshocton in February, 1872, and practiced here until 1877, when he moved to the West. The next physician was Dr. J. M. Giffen, who came from Cadiz in May, 1872, and remained until the early part of January, 1874. Dr. S. H. Brown located in Dennison, in the latter part of December, 1873, and remained until his death, March 27, 1882. Then came Drs. L. H. Hughes and S. L. McCurdy, who

604 - HISTORY OF TUSCARAWAS COUNTY.

located here about the same time, in the spring of 1882, and still remain in practice in the town.

Attorneys. -The first attorney to locate in Dennison was Mr. J. W. Yeagley, who entered upon his professional career here in April, 1874. J. T. McCullough also located here in 1874, and remained about one year. E. C. Lingan, a law student of Mr. Yeagley, was admitted to the bar September 1, 1879, and gave some attention to law practice until the close of his term as Mayor in April last. Mr. Yeagley is at this time the only practicing attorney in the place.

Early Industries. -Among the early industries of Dennison, we note the steam flouring mills of Robert Hanna. They were moved here from Hannatown, a little settlement two or three miles north of Dennison as early as 1868 or 1869, and have been in successful operation ever since.

The first business house in Dennison was built by John Benson. on the corner of Logan and First streets. In one of the rooms of this building Mr. Benson started the first dry goods and general merchandise store in the town. That was at that time the business center of Dennison, but its glory in that respect has long since departed. The first residence on the south side of the tracks is the one in which Abraham Johnson now lives, southwest corner of Logan and Third streets. The "Company Row," occupying nearly all the ground on both sides of South Third street, between Bank and Logan streets, was built early in 18651, and were the first residences in the town of many of the railway employer. These buildings are still owned by the Dennison Land Company.

The first grocery and provision store in Dennison was kept by Mr. W. W. Wallace, in the front room of the one-story frame house belonging to E. W. Showman, near the railroad tracks, corner South Fourth and Bank streets. He afterward moved his store to Benson's Block, and from there to his present location on Third street. Mr. Wallace is the pioneer of his branch of trade in the town. He came here in 1867, and still remains as one of Dennison's most prominent citizens and business men.

The first drug store was opened by Dr. T. H. Wilson, in one of the rooms of the Benson Building on Logan street, in the fall of 1871. This store was moved to the brick building, corner Third and Center streets, in November, 1872, and was purchased by W. W. Alexander in 1873, and soon after sold by him to Finney & Trader. present owners.

The first stove and tinware store was started by Foster & Woodborne, in the Benson Building, in November, 1872; the first furniture store, by John Hicks. in October, 1813. Other branches of business were also started up about the same time by various parties, but, so far as we have been able to learn, all data are lost as to who was first in the field.

The Dennison Railway Dining Hall and Lunch Rooms were opened in the winter of 1868-69, by Messrs. I. M. Hoover & Sons. These gentlemen continued to conduct it, with the exception of an interval of a year or two, until 1818, when Mr. W. A. Bovey, the present lessee and proprietor, assumed control. Trains have always stopped here for meals, and the hungry traveler has ever found plenty at both hotel tables and lunch counter.

One of the most extensive business ventures in the history of Dennison was that of the Dennison Store Company, which erected the large three-story brick building, corner Fourth and Center streets, and opened a general store, with a stock of goods estimated at about $20,000 in value. The building was put up in 1870, and the store opened, with prominent announcement, November 14 of that year. As an evidence of the enterprise and flourish with which the business of this company was inaugurated, we mention the fact that their

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newspaper advertisement occupied one full page of the Tuscarawas Chronicle of December 8, 1870. The names of the firm were Thomas L. Jewett, Charles Hallowell and A. J. McDowell, with E. S. Kimber as Superintendent. A. J. McDowell retired at the close of the first year, and Messrs. Jewett and Hallowell carried on the business until April, 1872, when Mr. Jewett disposed of his interest to Thomas Denmead and W. W. Card, of Dennison. Mr. D. T. Denmead also succeeded E. S. Kimber as Superintendent. These gentlemen carried on business with varied success until October 1, 1873, when the stock was purchased by John Hover, who remained in possession until February, 1876, when he disposed of the store to Henry Hay, of New Philadelphia. Mr. Hay made an assignment in a few months, and thus ended the career of the Dennison Store.

The Dennison Building. Saving & Loan Association, an institution which did much toward building up the town, was organized in the spring of 1873, and continued in operation for about ten years, closing up its affairs early in the present year.

The Tuscarawas Library- and Reading Room was organized in Dennison in January, 1878. with Col. J. R. Shaler as President and leading spirit, assisted by Messrs. J. H. Barrett, R. Dells, A. M. Mozier. J. W. Ansell, J. C. Timmons, Thomas Wright and others. The object was to furnish a public reading room for the benefit of railroad employes and others. and a suitable place for concerts and other first-class musical and literary entertainments. The Gounod Club was organized about this time, and rendered "Pinafore" and several other entertainments with great success. The early days of the reading room and the Gounod Club are among the most pleasant social recollections of Dennison. The reading room is still in existence, but is managed more in the interest of the railroad company, as a resort and reading place for its employes than formerly, after the fashion of the railroad reading rooms in the larger cities.

One of the leading industries of Dennison is the Dennison Coal Company, which has extensive mines just south of town, and has a tram-way extending into the P., C. & St. L. Railway ,yard, east of the shops. A large coal tipple supplies the engines of the P., C. & St. L. Railway with coal. and a considerable quantity is also shipped to distant points. Thomas Shipton, Jacob Pearch, O. S. Cummings and other citizens of the community were formerly interested in the enterprise, but it is now owned and operated by Messrs. Hurxthall, Allen & Graham. About seventy miners are now employed in the mines of this company.

Dennison, though comparatively a young town, has had several pretty extensive fires within the period of its history. Among the first of these disasters was the large frame boarding house, just east of the Railway Hotel, known as the "Big Onion," and owned by the land company. It was totally destroyed by fire June 20, 1873. A large two-story brick, erected by the Greer Brothers on the corner of Grand and Third streets (where Bell & Penn's new building now stands), and owned at the time of its destruction by Andrew Crim, was struck by lightning, and entirely consumed in 1877. The elegant residence of the Division Superintendent of the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad, on the corner of Grant and Sixth streets, and occupied at the time by Superintendent J. H. Barrett, was burned to the ground November 3, 1874. An extensive conflagration which destroyed four frame buildings in the rear of the depot, on Center street, and threatened for a time the destruction of Bovey's Railway Hotel and lunch rooms, the depot and other buildings, occurred on the night of October 3, 1881. These disasters retarded to considerable degree the progress of the town for a time, but the waste places have

606 - HISTORY OF TUSCARAWAS COUNTY.

all been rebuilt. except the "Big Onion" and the Superintendent's residence.

Among the earliest settlers of Dennison now living in the town, we mention the names of John Benson, Thomas McCormick, George M. Wyne, William M. Teaff, J. C. Johnson, John Varner, John McHattie, John Lingan, Thomas Nelson, J. M. Gloyd, Robert McCully, Mrs. Mary Newton, Mrs. A. Marsh and Mrs. I. Denmead. Others are still living elsewhere, many of them occupying important positions in railway and other public service. Persons who lived in Dennison in its infancy are to be found in all parts of the country, scattered far and near, never to be brought together again this side the eternal shore. Mr. John Welch, the oldest citizen of the town, who owned the land on which it is mostly built, died at his residence in Dennison, April 21, 1881, at the advanced age of seventy-two years. Mr. Alonzo Marsh, one of the oldest employes of the Pan Handle shops, and who had charge of a small blacksmith shop located near where Third street now crosses the Dennison yard, and where necessary repair work was done for the railroad before the shops were built, died at his home in Dennison June 15, 1881. Prof. William Hill, the first Principal of the Dennison Village Schools, died here December 24, 1880.

Many other incidents of an interesting character, relating to the history and growth of Dennison might be written, but our space is exhausted, and we must leave them for the pen of the future historian. That Dennison, young as it is in the calendar of years, has considerable history bound up in the period of its existence, and that it seemingly has a bright future before it, we think no one who reads this brief sketch will stop to question.