Coshocton County, Ohio - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 41 of those read), 1881

Location of Tuscarawa - Description of Original Plat - Additions to Coshocton - Increase of Population - Incorporation - List of Mayors - Postmasters - City Hall - The Press - The Coshocton Republican - Spy - Democratic Whig - ProgresslTe Age - Coshocton Age - Castle of Liberty - Western Horizon - Democrat - Practical Preacher - Young America -Saturday Visitor - People - Commonwealth - Farmers' Home Journal - ^Vochenblatt - Secret Orders - Masons - Odd Fellows - Red Men - Knights of Honor - Patrons of Husbandry.

THE original proprietors of the town of Tuscarawa must have had high anticipations of the future importance of the place, if the extent of its boimdaries be any indication; and, indeed, the location was amply sufficient to warrant glowing expectations of eminence. It was situated at the headwaters of one of the most beauful and noted rivers of the West, in the midst of a luxuriant and classic valley, readily accessible by water crafts, then the only means of extensive transportation.

The town plat embraced a territory perhapsthree-fourths of a mile square, extending southward three squares beyond Mulberry street, and eastward as far as Fifth street, including 308 lots. Besides these, there were forty-seven large outlots. No. 1 to 23, inclusive, east of the town plat proper, between what are now Fifth and Seventh streets ; 34 to 35, west of Muskingum river, and 36 to 47, north of Tuscarawas river. Three squares, of just four acres each, were donated ta the public ; one, occupied by the north building;^ for school purposes, and two for the public use. One of these is now occupied by the court house ; the other lay directly south of it.

The land between the town and river, several hundred feet in width, was to be used as a common, reserving to holders of lots fronting on the common the right of building warehouses and wharves in front of their lots, between lots 229 and 240, provided a street four rods wide be left between the lots and wharves, and provided such wharves and warehouses interfere not with any usual ford or any ferry that the proprietors may establish ; the proprietors reserving all rights tO' ferries within the bounds of the town.

The State legislature, January 13, 1811, passed an act authorizing that the name of Tuscarawa be changed to Coshocton; that the portion of town south of Mulberry street (including 132 lots) be vacated, and that the county commissioners subdivide into lots and sell the public square lying between Main and Walnut streets. Thi& latter was divided into fourteen lots (309-322) and sold soon after. At the same time the proprietor re-subdivided a portion of the plat as vacated by the act into what is known as the south out-lots, and also revised the plan of the east out-lots, lying between Fifth and Seventh streets.

The various additions made to the town of Coshocton are as follows: E. M. Lamb, in May 1837, made a subdivision of land lying east of " east out-lots " into what was called Location lots. It is now known as Lamb's Addition, and was surveyed by John Fulks, deputy county surveyor. William F. De La Mater laid out an addition in March, 1854, comprising east out-lots 13 and 14; surveyed by John C. Tidball. James M. Burt's addition was laid out in March, 1862, from parts of out-lots 13 and 14; surveyed by John C. Tidball. Samuel H. Lee's addition was made in May, 1866, from a portion of lot 12, section 1. September, 1867, Japaes R., David M. and Thomas H. Johnson made an addition including parts of east out-lots 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 It was surveyed by Thomas H. Johnson. John Burt, Sr., made an addition from a portion of lot 12, section 1, in November, 1866; surveyed by Hunt and Johnson. Spangler's addition was made in April, 1868, by E. T. and A. H. Spangler and Joseph Burns, from parts of east outlots 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20; surveyed by R. A. Cunningham. Daniel Triplett's addition, comprising parts of out-lots 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, was made in August, 1868 ; surveyed by William Humrickhouse. John B. Elliott's addition was made in March, 1872, from a part of section 1. It was surveyed by John A. Hanlon. The Coshocton Iron and Steel Company's . addition was made in April, 1872, from portions of «ast out-lots 6, 7 and 8; surveyed by John A. Hanlon.

In August, 1872, Thomas Willard subdivided lot 9, and A. M. Williams and Martin Weisser, lot 8 of Triplett's addition. The Coshocton County Agricultural Society, in December, 1872, subdivided the fair grounds - a part of lot 12, section 1 - J. A. Hanlon, surveyor. W. E. Hunt, Daniel Triplett and Anthony Wimmer, in February, 1873, subdivided in-lots 37, 38, 39 and 40.

and F. Barney from portions of east out-lots 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5; John A. Hanlon, surveyor. In March, 1873, WiUis Wright subdivided lot 13, of Lamb's Location lots.

The growth of the village was at first extremely slow. At the end of ten years there were scarcely a dozen families- living here. Directly after the close of the war 1812 settlers began to arrive more rapidly, and the estimate of several pioneers is, that in 1820 Coshocton contained probably one hundred and fifty people. The census for 1830 gives it three hundred and thirty-three inhabitants. The Ohio canal had just been building, and it served to increase the population of Coshocton, though to a less extent than Roscoe. In 1833 there were in Coshocton a brick court house, a jail, two printing offices, five mercantile stores, four taverns, four lawyers, three regular and two Thompsonian practitioners of medicine, a number of mechanics, a large steam mill with four run of buhrs, and two saw mills, owned by Een. frew & Company. The population was computed at four hundred. In 1840 it had increased to six hundred and twenty-five, and 1850 to eight hundred and fifty. From that date it began to increase more rapidly, and 1860 it had reached eleven hundred and fifty-one. Ten years later it was seventeen hundred and fifty-four. The census returns for 1880, however, indicates the most marked advance in population, for in that year it was three thousand and forty-eight.

The following list of postmasters at Coshocton since the formation of the county is believed to be correct and complete. If there was an office at this point prior to 1811, diligent inquiry has failed to reveal it: Adam Johnson, from 1811 to to about 1826; Wilson McGowan, from about 1826 to 1830; William K. Johnson, 1830-45; C. H. Johnson, 1845-49 ; E. F. Baker, 1849-53 ; Samuel Eich, 1853-54 ; H. N. Shaw, 1854-61 ; Asa L. Harris, 1861-64; A. H. Fritchey, part of 1864; W. A. Johnson, 1864-5; E. M. Voorliees, 1865-69; T. W. Collier, 1869-81; J. G. McGaw, present postmaster. In 1828 the office yielded an income of about $62 per annum. It was held by Adam Johnson in his store room on Water street. After his term of service, it was usually located at some point on Second street, until within a few years, since when it has been kept in various rooms on Main street. Its present commodious quarters are in one of the rooms of the Opera House.

The city hall, standing on the northwest corner of lot 140, Main street, is a handsome and creditable public structure. It is built of brick, with stone facings, and is two stories in height. The upper floor contains a large audience hall and two front of&ces, one of. which is occupied by the mayor. Below are two large store-rooms, and in the rear is the dismal apartment which is best known to offenders against the peace and dignity of the village. The erection of the building was begun in 1877 and completed in 1878, the contract for which was awarded to H. Waggoner for $9,793.

The first printing press and newspaper in the county of Coshocton was established at Coshocton in 1827. It was a small sheet about twelve by eighteen inches, styled the Coshocton Republican, and issued with considerable irregularity. Dr. WiUiam Maxwell was editor and proprietor. After a brief. career of little more than a year the proprietor became so much involved that he was obliged to dispose of the establishment. It passed into the hands of John Frew, who had furnished supplies from his store for some time He continued its publication under the ifame of the Coshocton Spy. Washington O'Hara was placed in charge of the paper as foreman, and, notwithstanding the efforts of Mr Frew, it failed to be 8elf-svipporting,and he was obliged to steadily pay a little for the honor of its publication. It was Whig in its politics, and remained in Frew's possession until 1844. Burket E. Drone then purchased the press and issued the paper for a few years, calling it the Democratic Whiff. At length he also became involved and the press was sold for debt. The paper was then suspended for a year or more, until 1850, when it was again revived under the name of the Coshocton Republican, by Joseph Medill, afterward famed in Cleveland, and still later and more greatly in Chicago, as editor of the Tribune and mayor of the city. Medill soon after removed from the county, and the paper became the property of H. Guild, who at length suspended publication as most of his predecessors had done. After some time the office became the property of E. W. Burt, now in the Internal Eevenue service at Peoria, Illinois. The progress of the paper under his control, as set forth in a letter from him, published in Hunt's Historical Collections, is as follows :

In August, 1853, Mr. H. Guild, the editor and proprietor of the old Whig newspaper at Coschocton, called on me, and desired to sell me his interest in it. He had ceased the publication, two or three months previously, having lost hope of its success. I told him I was not a Whig; had been a Democrat, but was now a Fj-ee Soiler; that my party in Coshocton only included about fifty people, and that I saw little or no prospect of establishing a paper in advocacy of my own principles. I also distrusted my ability to do justice to my own cause, never having had any experience as an editor, nor even as printer. I gave him no encouragement and he went away. But, in truth, he had awakened a desire in my mind to engage in the work of publicly advocating my principles, which I believed would finally triumph. I thought over the matter, talked with my father and some leading Whigs and independent Democrats, and finally embarked in the enterprise. I was assisted greatly by Hon. James Matthews, and his brother-in-law, Thomas W. Flagg, was taken in as associate editor. I called the paper the . Prcgressive Age. The first number was published in September, 1853, and was outspoken on the subject of slavery extension and the fugitive slave law, and strongly advocated temperance. William A. Johnson was foreman in the printing office. I sent the paper to all the subscribers of the old Whig paper and also to all the Democrats whose names I could get. I soon found plenty of papers returned, " not taken out of the postoffice." In two months, however, after my first issue, I had only about 250 subscribers; but I. did not get discour- aged. In a few months, by most persistent efforts, my subscription list was greatly enlarged, and at the end of the year it had reached 700. The following year, the Age took part in the formation of the Republican party, and the new party having succeeded in electing nearly all their candidates for county offices, the Age came in for a share of the public printing, which gave it a firmer footing. I continued the publication about three years, and the Republican party was in power in the county, when I sold the paper to A. R. Hillyer, who published it about a year, and then sold it to J. W. Dwyer. I assisted Dwyer about a year and then left the county.

J. W. ,Dwyer, made very little pecuniary gain out of the paper, and left it to take office in the Treasury Department under S. P. Chase. Asa L. Harris become the proprietor of the paper in 1861. He changed the name from Progressive Age to Coshocton Age, which title it has retained ever since. About the time of the close of the war, Harris received the appointment of postm^- ter at Atlanta, Georgia, and went South. The paper after being for a short time under the management of J. W. Dwyer and W. A. Johnson, became in 1866, the property of Captain T. W. Collier. He retained possession of it until April 1, 1878, when it was purchased and edited by A. W. Search and J. F. Meek. This firm was dissolved in February, 1881, Mr. Search disposing of his interest to Mr. Meek, who is now sole proprietor. The circulation of the Age is considerably in advance of any other paper published in the county. It is reported at 2,000 copies.

In 1831, John Meredith began the publication of a paper at East Union, which gloried in the warlike cognomen of the Castle of Liberty and the Battle Axe of Freedom. It was removed the following year to Coshocton, and was published unr til after the presidential election in that year, when it was discontinued. It advocated democratic principles and the re-election of General Jackson to the presidency. James Matthews assisted in the editorial department for a time.

In 1835 the publication of a democratic paper called the Western Sorizon was begun at Coshocton by William G. Williams. Mr. Williams was at this time county treasurer and he was assisted in the editing of this paper by Russell C. Bryan. He was succeeded in the editorial chair by Joseph F. Oliver. In no great length of time he in turn was succeeded by T. W. Flagg and Chauncey Bassett. They were the publishers in 1840 when the paper was about one-half the size of the present Democrat, and by them the name of the paper was changed to the Coshocton Democrat. They were succeeded by Messrs. Avery and Johnson, who after a year or two disposed of it to James F. Weeks. From his hands it went back again into the possession of Chauncey Bassett, one of its former editors. After him it was edited and pubUshed by Dr. A. T. WaUing, since congressman from the Columbus district. In 1863 Rich and Wheaton were publishing it. In the spring of 1856, Asa G. Dimmock, who had edited the Cadiz Sentinel and the Cosmopolite at Millersburg and had just finished his service as warden of the Ohio penitentiary, became editor and publisher. When nominated for prosecuting attorney in 1862, he disposed of the paper to A. McNeaJ, a young man from Bethlehem township, who had just served as county recorder. He was drowned while fishing in the Tuscarawas river, a few miles above Coshocton in August 1862. Wash. C. Wolfe ran the paper froTjpi McNeal's death until after the election, when Dimmock resumed, and soon thereafter (November, 1861), J. McGonagle, formerly of the Cadiz Sentinel, becanle a partner with Dimmock, arid continued for some twO' years. He removed to Shelby, Ohio. In the spring of 1866 the present pubhsher, John 0. Fisher, of Licking county, became a partner with Dimmock. The health of the latter was at that time seriously broken. He spent the. most of the summer in visiting among friends,- and died that fall at the home of his brother in Montrose, Pennsylvania, and Mr. Fisher became the proprietor and editor of the paper, continuing as such unto this writing, except that during Mr. Fisher's absence in the State senate it was edited by W. E. Gault and other temporary editors and that during the summer of 1875 foV a few months W. C. Brownlee was associated with him. It is understood that in its earlier history the paper frequentlj' required the help of its party friends, and none of its numerous publishers have be6n able to retire with a large fortune. Its appliances are better now than in any past period of its history. Its circulation is reported at 1,175 copies. The Practical Preacher was the name of a threeo column, sixteen page, semi-monthly paper, the publication of which was begun at Coshocton in the fall of 1849. Each number contained "an original sermon by a living minister," in addition to other religious reading. It also contained much miscellaneous matter, including some local news. A series of historical sketches of Coshocton and vicinity, written by Rev. H. Calhoun, ran through the first volume and a few numbers of the second, forming one of its leading features. It was edited by Rev. C. E. Weirich, a Methodist minister, stationed at Plainfield, and Rev. H. Calhoun, the pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church of Coshocton. At the end of the first year, Mr. Weirich removed to Washington, Guernsey county, and the paper was published at Coshocton and Washington co-jointly. With the close of the second volume, Mr. Calhoun withdrew from the paper and its publication was conducted for several years at Washington only, all connection with Coshocton county being severed by the withdrawal of Mr. Calhoun.

In the spring of 1853, S. M. Rich and J. V. Wheaton began the publication of Young America, Mr. Rich as editor, Mr. Wljeaton as printer. It was a large five-column paper, neutral in politics, unsectarian, and devoted to the beautiful in literature, the elegant in art and the useful in science. No advertisements were inserted, the space being wholly filled with choice selections. Like many another worthy enterprise, its career was brief. Lack of support caused it to suspend publication indefinitely within a year of its first issue.

In the fall of 1869, the Saturday Vis'itor was ushered into being by H. D. Beach, w^ho soon after associated with him in its publication L. L. CantweU. It was purely a literary and local paper, letting politics severely alone. In 1871, the publishers sold the paper to W. A. Johns, who removed to Newcomerstown and continued its publication under the name of the Newcomerstown Argus.

In 1874 H. D. Beach began the publication of an independent newspaper at Coshocton called the Coshocton People. After a brief and fitful career of between one and two years it expired.

M. Ferguson. The paper is a weekly publication, independent in politics, and devoted to the news and interests of the county. Though at this wrtting it has barely begun its second year, it has already secured a paying subscription hst of seven hundred, and bids fair to obtain a permanent position of rank in the press of Coshocton county and vicinity.

The Farmers' Home Journal, a monthly publication of sixteen pages, devoted to the interests of the agricultural population, was started in October, 1880, by L. L. Cantwell.

The Coshocton Wochenblatt is a weekly newspaper published in the German language, by L. L. Cantwell and Henry Mining. Its first number was issued October 2, 1880. It is still in its infancy, but the publishers report a constantly increasing circulation.

Coshocton Lodge, No. 96, of the Masonic Fraternity, was instituted in 1846. There had previously been a lodge of this Order at Coshocton, Clinton Lodge, No. 42, which Ijad suspended in 1886. The Coshocton Lodge was organized at Ricketts' Hall, northeast corner of Chestnut and Second streets, and was composed of the following charter members: David Spangler, Master; Joseph W. Rue, Senior Warden ; William Mc- Farlin, Junior Warden; Josiah Harris, E. M. Lamb, William B. Decker, Thomas 0. Ricketts, Samuel Lee, B. C. Bryan, M. Ferguson, T. P. Jones and William Carhart. At this writing, the lodge is officered as follows : George Shrigley, Master ; William H. Robinson, Senior Warden ; Fulton Sears, Junior Warden; Henry Davis, Treasurer; Calvin Skinner, Secretary; Willard Sears, Senior Deacon; H. Cramlet, Junior Deacon, and R. B. Black, Tyler; The lodge hall is located in the McLain building, on Chestnut street, and the membership considerably exceeds one hundred.

Samaritan Chapter, No. 50, of Royal Arch Masons, was chartered October 22, 1852, with the following membership: Josiah Harris, High Priest; Samuel Hutchinson, King ; Smiley Harbaugh, Scribe ; Jacob Nichols, Thomas P. Jones, John Taylor, David Spangler, Thomas Harrison, and Benjamin Bonnett. There are now about fifty members. For the term beginning with

Of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows' there are two lodges and one encampment in Coshocton - Coshocton Lodge, No. 44; Sarah Lodge (Daughters of Rebekeh), No. 25, and Coshocton Encampment No. 191. The first was in-' stituted by Thomas Spooner, Special Deputy, August 2, 1846, with the following charter members: John Lamb, Francis Fritchey, E. L. Stevens, James Eelf, John Arentrue, James S. Clark, James K. Walker and F. JHrk. The first meetings, were held in the Ricketts Hall, corner Chestnut and Second streets, then in the McClain block, a little farther east. Their hall is now in the Sheik building, on Main street. The membership is 135, and the ofiicers at this writing are : Conrad Mayer, Noble Grand; John Tish, Vice Grand; Joseph Wilson, Recording Secretary; Josiah Harris, Permanent Secretary; E. McDonnald, Treasurer; Thomas Campbell, John Cassingham, Lewis Demoss, John Carhart and Joseph Stanford, Trustees. Frank Kane is Deputy Grand Master.

The dispensation of Sarah Lodge was granted January 10, 1870, to E. H. Lyhde, Mrs: E. Lynde, E. McDonnald, Mrs. E. McDonnald, Mrs. P. Hack, John H. Lowrie, Seth McClain, Mrs Seth Mc- Clain, Mrs. D. Harris, Mrs. Thomas Love, Thomas Campbell, Frederick Schnide, E. Collrado, Mrs. L. Demoss, and one other Its membership is now about fifty, and its officers, Mrs, Mary Fritz, Noble Grand ; Mrs. John Carhart, Vice Grand ; Mrs. Joseph Wilson, Recording Secretary; Charles Kane, Permanent Secretary.

The Encampment of Patriarchs was instituted July 7, 1875, with the following membership: Peter Hack, Lewis DeMoss, Joseph Hosleton, James C. Harrison, L. E. Karnes, John Burt and Herman Mueller. Conrad Myer is Chief Patriarch; David Jones, Senior Warden;- Benjamin Richards*Junior Warden; George Lorenz, High Priest; W. H. Coe, Scribe; John Burt, Treasurer.

Ouargo Tribe No. 87, of the Improved Order of Red Men, was chartered October 29, 1874. The original members c6mprised W. W. Bostwick, Herman Mueller, James B. Manner, W. H. McCabe, Theodore Agnew, Luther L. Cantwell, C. F. Burns, John E. Tingle, T. H. Burrell, W. S. Wood, P. S. Faulkner, D. Laffer, P. H. Moore and George Palm. The officers at this writing are: W. S. Wood, Sachem; David Lafier, Senior Sagamore; W. H. McCabe, Junior Sagar more; R. D. Waite, Chief of Records; H. S. Faulkner, Keeper of Wampum. The chief executive office has been filled from the organization of the tribe to the present by the following members successively: W. W. Bostwick, W. H. McCabe, Judson Bunn, G. B. Manner, George C. McNeil, Wilham McNaughton, J. N. Collier, D. S. Wagner, Joseph Wilson, Henry Max, Irwin Miller and W. S. Wood. W. W. Bostwick is Deputy Sachem of the State. The membership is thirtytwO. The hall on the second floor of the Ricketts building, Main street, was first used as the place of meeting, but the hall in the Morris block is now occupied by the tribe.

Guiding Star Lodge, No. 1742, of the Knights of Honor, was organized August 27, 18^9, with the following charter members: W. W. Bostwick, W. H. McCabe, F. A. Wernett, A. W. Search, G. M. Mortley, G. C. McNeal, G. W. Seward, W. H. Robinson, J. H. Hay, John B. Crowley, William Ward, W. H. Barcroft, G, J. Bock, A L. Ayres, G. H. Howe, J. W. Cullison, A. D. Howe, Harrison Hawn, L W. Robinson and Joseph Burrell. It is now officered by the following : A. D. Howe, Past Dictator; W. H. Robinson, Dictator; Richard Walker, Vice Dictator; G. G. Ridgely, Reporter; W. H. Coe, Finance Reporter; Thomas Page, Treasurer ; William Ward, Chaplain; John M. Corniel, Guardian; Albert Ayres, Guide; Tames Moore, Sentinel. The lodge was organized in the, Morris block, but now meets in the Ricketts building.

Besides these a number of orders have been represented by lodges in Coshocton, which are now dead. Among them was Coshocton Lodge of the Knights of Pythias. Orescent Camp of the

Independent Order of Knighthood was otganized a few years ago, but survived a few years only. .It was originally Council 7, but afterward became Coiincil 5. The order is now extinct in this State, and the Coshocton lodge was the last to expire. Equitable Council, No. 310, of the the Royal Arcanum, was chartered April 17, 1879. It met in Norris block, and after a brief career of a year or two gave up the ghost.

Coshocton Grange, No. 1813, of the Patrons of Husbandry, was organized May 31, 1879, by Joseph Love, County Deputy, with a membership of thirty. The number has now reached fifty. D. F. Denman is the present Master.