Crawford Township

Crawford Township

county, on the east by Buck's township, Tuscarawas county, on the south by \^'hite Eyes, and on the west by Mill Creek township. The first, or northeast quarter, is a military section, which Wiis surveyed in forty 100-acre lots by A. Holmes, in 1818. The remainder of the township consists of congress laud, surveyed in 1803, by Ebenezer Buckingham. It was organized as a township in 1828. The name is said to ha\^ been given in honor of Associate Judge Crawford, who held a considerable tract of land in it.

The soil in the southern part is clayey, with limestone a.s the usual surface rock; towards the north it partiikes more of a sandy nature. Like the surrounding townships, the surface is one interminable range of hills e.xcept where the small streams course through its length. White Eyes creek, wliich rises near the northern line and flows southward, and its many little branches!, carry off the waters of its abundant, gushing springs.

No one is known to have preceded Jacob !Miser in the permanent occupancy of this territory. He was tlie first of a group of Pennsylvania Germans who came into the dreary wilderness that shrouded the hills, and by unflagging industry, converted it into pleasant hillside farms. Mr. Miser came about 1815, and settled upon the southwest quarter of section 22, where his son, Samuel, still lives, and remained there till he died. He at first could provide his family only with a rudely constructed camp, and afterward went eight miles for assistance in raising his first cabin. Philip Fensler, his father-in-law, had entered some land in the township previously, but did not remove to it till about a year after Miser came. He had served in the war of 1812, and owned a little property in Virginia. He disposed of this to advantage, and with the proceeds and his army wages, entered several quarters of land, among them the southeast quarter of section 2:5, Upon which Chili is built. Mr. Fensler remained in the township till his decease. His son John continued on the place for some time, then went West. The Fenslers were accompanied or .speedily followed by several other families, all of whom located in the southern part of the township. William SuU settled on the southwest quarter of section 23; William Gotshall, who was directly from Harrison county, the southeast quarter of section 22, where he spent the remainder of his life; his brother, George Gotshall, who afterward removed to Indiana, the northwest quarter of section 21 ; Jnhn Albert, tlie northwest quarter of section 22. He w;is from Pennsylvania, and subsequently removed to Adams township, where his widow, now said to be a centenarian, stillsurvives. Daniel S. Salsberry, originally from Pennsylvania, but immediately hailing from Jefferson county, came about 1817, to the southeast quarter of section IS. William Farver at this time owned the southeast quarter of section 21, and not many years later, his son John occupied it. The veritable John Smith, too, ranked among the foremost settlers. His freehold consisted of the northeast quarter of section 23.

From this time on the settlement of the township was slow. As late as 18.35 there was still unentered land. The rough character of the surface held out no enticing allurements of a life of ease, and those who located here did so expecting to endure innumerable discomforts and to reap no bounteous rewards for their toil. Other early settlers were Jacob Rinehart, John Gonser, Adam Miller, George Lower, Benjamin and Daniel Lower, Mr. Stomnii Mr. Shauwecker, and others. In 1828 David Everhart settled in the wilderness, on the southeast quarter of section 20. He was from Pennsylvania, and about 1820 or 1821 had come to White Eyes township, where he lived till he came here. His farm in this township he had received from Philip Fensler, a,s a compensation for clearing forty acres of land in White Eyes township.

Beginning about 1832, quite a number of settlers from Washington county, Pennsylvania, poured into this and the adjoining township in Tuscarawas county. Among them was William Doak. Very few of them are now living here. The Lorentzs, Himebaughs, Crawfords and Winkleplecks were also old and well known families of this township. A little later a German population began to take possession of the soil, usually in small tracts, of forty or eighty acres each. The hills are now densely settled with this thrifty people, other nationalities having scarcely a representation in the township.

In 1830 the population . was 442. From this date it increased rapidly, reaching 1,134 in ]s4n; ten years later the maximum point of population was reached, 1,552; an almost imperceptible decline reduced it to 1,-516 in 1860; in 1870 it had fallen to 1,245 ; during the last decade, however, this loss was partially recovered, and in 1880 the population was 1,431.

Game w;is abundant among the hills for many years after the first .settlers arrived. Wolves in large packs prowled through the forests and made the raising of sheep an impossibility for a long time. The bears acquired a keen relish for pork, and frequently dined upon their favorite dish. In unison with their wild surroundings it was not uncommon for the pioneers to make pets of bear cubs, and they would even attempt sometimes to domesticate the young of the panther, which was occasionally seen. In several instances did children narrowly escape death from attacks of these half-grown savage pets.

A school was a novelty for a long time after the whites settled this township. The first one was taught about 1820, by Jacob Seidler, in a little cabin which stood in the woods where Chili now stands, just north of the bridge. It was the usual subscription school, and was only three months in duration. The Smiths, Misers, Sondals, Ravenscrofts and others from this and Wliite Eyes township attended here. This one short term was all the school instruction that some of the aged fathers and mothers of to-daj' received, all they had an opportunity of receiving. For a number of years after, school was not again taught in this neighborhood, and then only at irregular periods. The teachers were usually little in advance of their pupils in point of knowledge, and consequently the progress of the latter was very slow. It is said that Joseph Townley was the first early efficient teacher in the township. He taught, about 1835, near the Lutheran church, just above Chili.

John Smith built the first and only mill, on the northeast quarter of section 23. It was a little log structure at first, with one, afterward with two, run of buhrs, setin operation very early and continued many years. Mr. Gonser began the

The religious sentiment of the people is embodied in five societies, four of which conduct services in the German language. Beside these, two others, one just across the line in Holmes county, the other, just over the line in White Eyes township, both German, possess considerable memberships from this township. Geographically, two are in New Bedford, two in or near Chili, and one in the eastern part of the township. One is an English Lutheran, one a German Lutheran, one a United Brethren, one a German Reformed, and one an Evangelical Protestant church. Beside these, a United Brethren church (Germim), now defunct, formerly existed on the southeast quarter of section 12. The house of worship was erected about 1852. The society was formed by the separation of its original members from the adjoining German Reformed church and subsequent organization of a new body. Rev. Miller was the first minister. The membership was at no time very large. Among the early prominent members were Peter Lenhart, Peter Lower and John Miller. The earliest meetings were held in Mr. Lenhart's and Mr. Miller's barns, and, in fact, wherever room could be obtained. Regular services were suspended six or eight years ago, owing to the reduced membership.

A short distance east of this, near the northwest corner of the southeast quarter of section 11, stands the German Reform chuixh which was built in 1845 or 1846. It is a log building and is about to be replaced by a substantial frame structure. Rev. Jacob Seidle was one of the earliest ministers, holding services in the school-house before the church was built. Rev. Zohner was the first preacher in the church building. The present pastor is Rev. Schodd. Jonathan Price, John Eichmeirer and Mr. Buser, were prominent members during its early days. At present the membership is small.

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran (German) church, located in New Bedford was organized in 1854 by Rev. G. Doepken. He remained in charge of the congregation nineteen years, at the end of that time removing to Marietta. Rev. C. Lembke succeeded him and ministered unto this people two and a half years. Then, in 1876, Rev. O. Priwer obtained the pastorate and still has charge of the congregation, which now includes more than sixty families. A German Sunday-school is held during the summer. The meeting house is a commodious frame, which Wiis built in 1855. The church owes its existence to a dissension in the German Reform church, a short distance northwest of this in Holmes county, in consequence of which many members withdrew and became the founders of this society. The prominent early members were Frederick Schmalz, George Lebegul, Christian F. Baad, .\dam Baad, Gottlieb Rottman, David Schlegle, Conrad Scheetz, George Gonser, Gottfried Baad, George J. Kleinknecht, Jacob Senunlar, Frederick and Jacob Lautenschlager, Sebastian Trautwein, Jacob Brandle Gottlieb Ruesz and Joseph Rumbolt. The church is in connection with the Joint Synod of Ohio.

From another distraction in the aforementioned Holmes county German Reformed church sprang the United Brethren church of New Bedford. It was organized about 1848, by Rev. March, with a large membershp. George Smith, George Schultz and John P. Lower were included in the number. Revs. John Dilly and John Crone have been prominent pastors of this society. Rev. Schluser is the present pastor. The membership is small. The church building is a large, substantial frame, which was erected about 1848. A Sunday-school is held during the summer.

The Evangelical Protestiint (German) church, near Chili, was organized in January, ISSO, with about fifteen families, among which were those of Henry Ehrich, Martin Sunkle, John and Gabriel Lorenz, John Shcjemaker and Valentine Huprich. The membership has slighty increased since. Rev. Hafl'elc was the first and present pastor. The church, a large frame building, was erected in the fall of 1879, at a cost of over

$1,200. The original members had formerly held allegiance to the German Reformed church, several miles east of Chili. A Sunday-school was organized several years ago in the Chili school-hou.se. From the start it has been under the management of Henry Ehrich, and now contains about fifty members.

The remaining church at Chili is the Evangelical English Lutheran ciuirch. It was organized in 18.32 by Rev. E. Greenwald, who was settled at New Philadelphia. He preached the first sermon November 12, 1832. Rev. J. B. Reck succeeded him in 1835, but, after a few years, the care of the church again devolved (in 1838) on Mr. Greenwald. In 1840 Rev. E. C. Young took charge of the church, and in 1846 Rev. E. Melsheimer, who died in 1849. In 1850 Rev. A. N. Bartholomew became pastor, and, in 1859, Rev. M. M. Bartholomew. Rev. S. S. Lawson took charge in 1862, and Rev. David Sparks in 1864. He remained several years and was succeeded by Rev. J. M Myers, who severed his connection with the church in 1878. After a vacancy of about a year, Rev. John Y. Marks, in May, 1879, was elected to the pastorate and is still the minister. The elders have been Andrew Eichmier, Jacob Miser, Henry Grimm, John Smith, A. Winklepleck, William Stall, Frederick Everhart, Michael Grile, John Gardner, William Doak, Anthony Stall and Samuel Mi.scr; the deacons, Joseph Miser, George Winklepleck, Charles Gillespie, Frederick Everhart, George Ringer, Henry Everhart, Jesse Eichmier, Frederick Barrick, Thomas Christy, Peter Helmreich, Robert Doak, John Bowman, Israel Barrack and Henry Renner. The number of communicants, in 1833, was sixteen; it is now about one hundred. Not long after the society was organized, a log church was erected on land donated by Philip Fensler. Then, in 1855 or 1856, the present frame structure was erected. It was repaired and enlarged in 1874, at a cost of over 1600.

New Bedford is situated in the northwestern part of the northwest quarter of section 3, one corner of the town plat touching the Holmes county line. It consists of iifty-live lots, and was laid out in March, 1825, by John Gonser, while the country around it was scarcely at all settled. Just over the line, in Holmes county, a little village had been laid out and named Wardsville, and New Bedford was launched into existence as its rival. In his laudable endeavors to found a village, Mr. Gonser was ably seconded by his three sons, Henry, David and Adam, each of whom erected a house for himself in the town plat. The Gonsers were from Bedford county, Pennsylvania, hence the name of the village. It now contains a population of 134. Many of its buildings are newly erected, of ample proportions, and tine; appearance.

The first merchandising was done by David Burget, who, about 1828, opened his little stock of goods in a building on lot 22, which is still standing, occupied by John Luke. He remained in business in this village until 1864, during which time he accumulated considerable property. He then removed to Cleveland, where he has since been leading a retired life. John Winklepleek was the second store-keeper, coming about ten years after Burget. He remained but a short time, removing to Chili. George Bell and David Gonser trathcked in succession for a short time each, and in 1846 Lewis Helman, a Jew, from Europe, brought a large stock of goods into town, and conducted an extensive and very profitable business for five or six yers. He then sold out to Levi Dectz, and is said to have returned to Europe. There have been two stores here ever since. George A. Rinner and Adam Long are the present proprietors of one. and. George Bowman and G. F. Shauweker the proprietors of the other.

The remaining business of the town is as follows: One hardware store, Brown ifc Croft; three groceries, C. C. Hinkle, Jacob Roth and Tacob Welling; one jeweler shop, Noah Snyder; two wagon shop.s, Jacob & John Engle, and Gottlieb Swigert; one marble shop, Jacob Goetz; one dress maker. Miss Maggie Senft ; one milliner, Miss Samantha Luke ; one saddler shop, Samuel Snyder; two slioe shops, Adam Diefenbaugh and H. H. Geiger; two blacksmith shops, George Rosencopp, and Jacob Dreshcr and George Price.

The lir.st public tavern was kept by Mr. Parnell, about 1.S2'^. Others, who have since acquired a name in this capacity, have been John Luke,

John Bowman, Robert Nickerson, Mrs. Bowman, and J. E. Fleming. There are now two hotels: Commercial House, C. C. Hinkle, and JIansion House, S. S. Snyder.

David Burget was the first postmaster. He filled the position tor a long continued term, and was succeeded by J. E. Fleming. A. Doak and Jackson Bowman successively followed, and the mail matter then passed into the hands of Henry H. Geiger, the present postmaster. A tri-weekly mail between West Lafayette and Millersburg, and another between Millersburgh and Philipsburgh, pass through this place.

I. D. Luke is a practitioner of law, and Drs. F. G. Guittiird and S. P. Snyder the physicians. The former has had an uninterrupted residence here of about twenty-eight years ; the latter is a late accession. Dr. John Busby was an old and prominent physician of the place, having C. Steward associated with him in business for a whie. Other practitioners have remained in the village but a short time.

The present school-house was erected in 1877, asa one-story builduig, containing only one room. Miss Samantha Luke was the first teacher therein. In the fall of 1880, a second story was added. The building now presents a very neat appearance, and is nicely fitted up with modern school furniture of the most approved pattern. Miss Elizabeth Boyd and Miss Caroline Shauwecker were the teachers during the winter of 1880-81.

New Bedford Lodge, No. 446, of the L O. 0. F., was instituted June 29, 1870. George C. Rinner, D. D. Funk, Peter Lenhart, Jacob Lenhart, C. G. Baad, Ferdinand Sedlemyer and Gottlieb Stein were the charter members. The oBicers at present are as follows: Jacob Engle, Noble Grand; Christian G. Baad, Vice Grand; F. J. Guittard, Treasurer; Noah Snyder, Recording Secretary; Benjamin M. Snyder, Permanent Secretary. In 1874, the lodge leased for fifty years the upper story of the building on the northwest corner of the square, and have there a nicely furnished hall. The present membership is twenty-seven.

" inner history " of its foundation is said to be as follows : James Evans had shortly before erected a saw mill in White Eyes township a short distance below where Chili stands. Being an enterprising kind of a man, he desired a market for the lumber which he was preparing, and urged upon Mr. Fensler, the owner of the adjoining quarter-section, the feasibility of laying out a town. Repeated argumentation at length produced conviction in Mr. Fensler's mind that it was the proper thing to do, and he forthwith set about to lay out the town, much to the satisfaction of Mr Evans, dehghting in the prospective sale of his lumber. The plat was surveyed March 7, 1834, by James Ravenseraft, and consisted of twenty-nine lots. To the surveyor was given the honor of naming the town. He called it Chili (universally called Chi-li hereabouts). David Zellers, a blacksmith, built the first house, and directly afterward his blacksmith shop. Willis Butler, from Tuscarawas county, was proprietor of the first store. His stay was short, and he returned to his former residence. Robert Porter succeeded him, and he in turn was soon superseded by John Winklepleck, who was engaged in business here for many years, up to the time of his death. In the line of dry goods, two firms are now engaged in business, John Lorenz, and Lenhart & Stein. Gottlieb Feller conducts an excellent tannery, established many yearg ago by Henry Warnes, and with it a harness and saddlery shop. Allen Turner has a cabinet shop, Philip Gebhard a wagon shop, Philip Neiss and John Hawk each a blacksmith shop, and Henry Ehrich and Charles Klein each a shoe shop. Solomon DeWitt provides hospitable entertiiinment for the wayfarer. Ernest C. Volz and Aaron Busby are the two doctors. Dr. Thomas Pinkerton was the first resident physician. Quite a number have intervened between him and the present practitioners; among them Drs. Chapman, B. Blackburn, John Beaver, Knight, Bushy and Fell. During its existence of nearly half a century, Chili hiis lost only one building by fire, and it was a small cabin of little value. The population at present lacks only a few names of amounting to 100.