Oxford Township

Oxford Township

OXFORD township is situated in the eastern part of the county and bounded as follows : On the north by Adams township, on the east by Tuscarawas county, on the south by Guernsey county and Linton township and on the west by Lafayette township. The Tuscarawas river flows through the northern part of it from east to west. Several small streams enter it from the north, the most noticeable being Evans creek. There are no tributaries from the south. The level White Eyes plains having a width of from one to two miles stretch across the township just south of the river. South of this the surface is rouglj and the streams flow in an opposite direction from the river, to Wills creek. This latter stream in one of its tortuous meanderings enters Oxford township from Linton and cuts off fifteen or twenty acres from the body of the township. The soil on the plains is usually gravelly with a sandy loam in patches. A clay soil covers the southern hills while that of the river bottoms is the usual rich loam. The timber which greAV upon the hills was vigorous and of varied lands including sugar, oak, walnut, hickory, poplar and other less important varieties. Sycamore was the prevailing type in the lowest river bottoms while just above this was found the heaviest and best timber in the township. The plains as a rule were scantily timbered, if at all, and were doubtless the haunts of the game-seeking red man. That they frequented the plains and the valley which skirts the river is made manifest by the numerous relics which have been found here. Tomahawks, bullets, stone mortars and pestles, various silver ornaments and pieces of pottery were often picked up by the early settlers. Small mounds, too, were scattered here and there along the valley, indicating that the pre-historic race also had dwelt here ages ago. One of these mounds, standing on Willis Richard's farm on the western side of the township, was about thirty

Oxford township was organized in the fall of 1811, very soon after the county was formed. Its original boundaries included a large portion of the eastern part of the county, but it was gradually reduced in size by the organization of other townships until it reached its present limits in 1835. The first, second and third sections are military sections; the fourth or northeastern section consists of congress land, and was surveyed in 1803, by Alexander Holmes. The first or northeastsection was probably located by Matthew Denman, as he had possession of it very early and sold portions of. it to incoming settlers. The original proprietor of the second or northwest section was William Steel, of Essex county, New Jersey, whose patent dates February 11, 1800. James Williams, of Annapolis, Maryland, was the original proprietor of section 3. His patent is dated March 21, 1800. None of these land owners became residents in the township, but sooner or later sold it to those who settled' here.

There is no doubt that one of the first settlements in Coshocton county was made iri Oxford township, yet it seems impossible at this time to determine definitely the date at which it was made. Hunt's Historical Collections says: "It is believed by some that the first settlement made in the county was made in this township. It would seem that, at all events, the same season Charles Williams was raising his corn on the prairie, Isaac and Henry Evans and Charles and Esaias Baker, all from Virginia, were raising a crop on the Tuscarawas, near Evansburg. Williams had come up the Muskingum, and the four above named had come down the Tuscarawas." It is known that Williams was living on the prairie as early as 1801, and probably a year or two before. Charles Baker, a son of Esaias Baker, now living in Linton to\s nship, states that his father, his father's brother Charles, and Isaac and Henry Evans, came out together from Virginia at a time when there was not a white man on the Tuscarawas river, but he is unable to give the year. Lewis Corbit, of Adams township, tells that his father, Robert Corbit, emigrated with Isaac Evans from Virginia in the year 1804. Calhoun's Historical Sketches, written thirty years ago, states, that " In 1803 Judge Evans settled where Evansburg now stands. There were also others who settled around him soon afterward, forming what was known at the time as White Eyes Plains settlement." These dates are irreconcilable, but it would seem that the Charles Williams settlement, on the Walhonding, was made first. The Evansburg settlement was probably the second one made in the county. The two Bakers came out in the spring, planted and tended a crop of corn on the plains just south of Orange, then returned to Virginia, harvested a crop there, and in the fall of the same year moved out permanently with their families, cut their new crop here and erected cabins. Esaias Baker leased twenty acres from a Mr. Newell, in the western part of the township, on the farm which George Loos afterward purchased. Both Esaias and Charles, a few years later, moved to Linton township, becoming two of the earliest settlers there.

Isaac Evans was the central figure of this settlement, and was a man whose influence was felt in all parts of the county. Soon after he moved out he purchased a tract of land and built his cabin south of the river, close to the bank, just across from Evansburg. The high waters which rose and surrounded his cabin soon after, obliged him to move farther back from the river. He raised and commanded a company during the war of 1812, serving under General Harrison. He was also one of the early associate justices in the county. His brother Henry, who accompanied him here, purchased a farm adjoining his on the east, and being a bachelor, spent his days in solitude there, engaged in farming and stock raising.

Quite a colony of early settlers were from near Carlisle, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. Perhaps the earliest of them was Philip Waggoner, who came to Oxford township in 1806. He died a few years later. Philip Wolfe came soon after, and settled at Wolfe's Corners, a little north of the center of the township, where Henry Wolfe now lives. He died in September, 1825. Still later, George Leighninger emigrated from the same place. He was a young man when he came, and afterward married a daughter of Mr. Wolfe, who is still living with her son in Lafayette township, in the eighty-fifth year of her age. George Loos came in 1811. Like the others, he came overland, moving in a five-horse team, and settling at Loos' Corners, in the western part of the township. He purchased his farm from Kobert Newell, who had been living on it and moved farther west after he had disposed of it.

John Junkins, an Irishman, emigrated to the township, perhaps as early as 1806 or 1808. He lived on the Cadiz road, at the farm now owned by F. Sergeant, about a mile west of Wolfe's Corners. He was the biggest man on the plains, and a genuine Irishman. Two sons, John and David, lived with him, also a son-in-law, Matthew Gray, who was of the same nationality. George Anspaugh, from near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, came about 1811, and settled on the place now occupied by Jacob Wolfe, a short distance west of Wolfe's Corners. Moses Morgan, another early settler, was a New Jerseyman, and settled about a mile east of Anspaugh, on the Cadiz road. He afterwards sold out and went into business at Evansburg.

John Mills, a cabinetmaker, lived where Jacob Starker now does, the southeast quarter of section 12. He once met with a mishap that might haye terminated fatally. He was watching for game, at a deer-lick, one sultry day, concealed behind some bushes, and to drive away the pestiferous mosqviitos that bothered him, was waving a brush about his face and head. Another hunter, approachins, perceived the stir, and mistaking Mills for a deer, banged away at him with his rifle, and shot off his nose.

The Mulvains, Joseph, John and William, were hero in 1810, and perhaps earlier. They settled in the eastern part of the township, north of the river. Joseph was the owner of a keel-boat which plied between New Philadelphia and Zanesville, carrying all kinds of freight. The mode of locomotion was by poling it. "Running boards" were attached to the outside, upon which about a dozen men would stand, with long poles, by the use of which they would make the boat fairly fly through the water.

Loos on the east, was here in 1811. James Lisk came about the time the Junkins did. He married a daughter of John Junkins and afterward a Miss Price, who is still living in this township. Mr. Lisk was an early school teacher.

Milling facilities were no better here in pioneer days than elsewhere on the frontier. In fact, this being one of the earliest settled districts, the first white mein were obliged to travel further to get a little grinding done than the first settlers of most other townships. As late as 1812, Zanesville and New Philadelphia were the usual milling points. Years before this, Esaias Baker and Isaac Evans, having heard that there was a power mill near Zaiiesville, loaded a canoe with corn and started for it. When they reached the mill they found it to be quite a patent affair. " Two canoes had been fastened just at a ripple in the river and a small paddle-wheel set between the two boats, and this, turned by the rippling waters, furnished the power to turn a large-sized handmill."

Isaac Evans erected the first mill in the township. It was built about 1818, on Evans creek. It was a little affair, with one run of buhrs, but answered very well the purpose for which it was intended. A saw-mill stood at the same place. They changed possession repeatedly, and were abandoned about twenty-five years ago.

About twenty years ago a large grist-mill was built on the canal, about a mile west of Orange, by John Wolfe and Timothy Emerson. John Wolfe is the present owner.

George Loos erected a little distillery on his place soon after he moved into the township. He died in 1821, and his son, Christopher, ran it for many years. A number of years later Mr. Shank operated one for ten or twelve years, on the Susanna Appis place, in the western part of section 19. Another was built on the canal about 1848, by Patrick Tregent, an Englishman.

The Cadiz road was the first one constructed through the township, and, in early days, was a principal highway of travel and emigration, so much so that several taverns flourished here for awhile in close proximity to each other. The first one was Philip Wolfe's at the corners.

Daniel Loos relates that when his father moved out from Pennsylvania, in 1811, Mr. Wolfe came out a distance with a team to help him over some of the big hills in Tuscarawas county. He was keeping tavern at that time. His tavern sign was a picture of General Washington mounted upon a white horse, an emblem which then, doubtless, appealed loudly to American patriotism. George Leighninger tended bar here for a while, but afterward bought a farm close by and moved upon it.

John Jenkins soon after hung out a large wooden " blue ball " to the gaze of the passer-by, inviting him to partake of the entertainment provided within, about a mile west of Wolfe. This was an important place in those days. Jenkins was postmaster for a great many years and also a justice of the peace, and the township elections were held here at his tavern.

MoSes Morgan, about 1820, opened a third tavern about a half mile east of Wolfe's tavern. When he sold the place some ten years later, to Mr. Stewart, the tavern was abandoned.

A ferry was established very early at John Miskimen's place, in the eastern part of the township. It was kept for a number of years by Adam Fletcher, and afterwards by the father of Judge Burt. After Evansburg was laid out and became a little business center, a ferry was kept here for a number of years. Moses Morgan and John B. Stout were the chief manipulators of the ferry-boat at this point.

The first bridge built in the township was at Miskimen's. It was built about 1854, and cost $10,000. This was afterward disturbed and somewhat rebuilt. The river having, in 1861, cut a new channel about three-quarters of a mile to the east, a new bridge became necessary, the cost of which was about $9,000. The bridge at Orange was built in 1870. The masonry, of which N. W. Buxton was contractor, cost $8,311; the superstructure (iron) was contracted for by J. H. Davenport. It cost $7,258.

The Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and St. Loius railroad passes through the township, east and west, crossing the Tuscarawas river near the eastern line. It has one station in the township - Oxford, near the center of the township. The Ohio canal crosses the township north of the river. In

The second school in the county was probably taught here. Mr. Calhoun says: "In 1806, or ihereabouts, Mr. Joseph Harris taught a school in the settlement, at Evansburg. This is the second intimation of the existence of a school which we have received. Here the widow Johnson, wife of Adam Johnson, deceased, remembers being sent to attend the school." The first school which Mr.Calhoun speaks of was held three or four years earlier up the Walhonding. An early schoolhouse was built about 1812, at John Junkins' place, in which >]rames Lisk was one of the first teachers. George Leighninger afterward taught iere.

The earliest attempt at town making was made by John Mills, who, in 1815, laid out a little village on the great bend of the Tuscarawas river, south of it. He called it Millsville. Several cabins were reared on the spot, but for some inscrutable reason the village failed to thrive, and soon passed from the knowledge of men.

Evansburg was surveyed September 4, 1830- Isaac Evans was the proprietor, and gave it its name. The original plat lay wholly north olSthe canal, but two years later an addition of five Jots was made south of if. Pt)r a few years it grew vigorously. Moses Morgan owned the first dry goods store. He died a few years after it was opened, and John Stout became the possessor of it. Joseph Watkins kept another store, and built large warehouse, dealing extensively in grain. Philip Wolfe, J'r., ran a tannery here for a while. 'His father, Phihp Wolfe, Sr., had built one about two miles south of this at a very early day, and PhiUp, Jr., operated it here for a time, then removed it to Evansburg. Isaac Evans, Jr., was the inn keeper. The building of Orange about & half mile to the west gave Evansburg its deathblow. The river at Evansburg could be forded only great difficulty, if at all, and a ferry must be here constantly, while the stream at Orange was easily forded. Mr. Watkins removed his warehouse, and the village speedily fell to pieces. dilapidated structures mark the site of ihe once flpurishing canal port.

Orange, situated on the north bank of the river, in the northwestern part of the township, was laid out in 1839. William K. Johnson and G. A. Humerickhouse were the proprietors of that part of it which lies north of the canal, and- Samuel Wolfe proprietor of that part south of it. Hugh Maxwell erected the first house. It was, a frame, still standing, on lot 8, corner of Oxford and -Water streets, now occupied by A. Peck. The next building was a warehouse, erected by Harrison Butler, on lot 49. These two buildings were erected at about the same time. Mr. Butler soon after sold the warehouse to Roe & Armstrong, and it has since been controlled by various persons. John Kichmond is the present owner. A second warehouse was built about 1850 by P. C. Wolfe & Co. Five or six years later it was converted by them into a steam flouring mill, which was operated five or six years with unsatisfactory results, and the mill works were then removed about a mile down the canal to Wolfe & Emerson's mill, and the building restored to its original use. It is now owned by J. P. Peck & Co. From 40,000 to 50,000 bushels of wheat, are annually bought at these two houses.

About 1842 George Augustine built a saw-mill on the canal. P. C. Wolfe & Co. purchased it and attached a carding machine, which was run for some years. The building was taken away several years ago.

One of the earliest postoffices in the county is White Eyes Plains. ' John Junkins was probably the first postmaster. He was succeded by James Lisk. The office is still kept at Oxford Station, by the agent, William Coles. When Evansburg was laid out, a postoffice, which is a requisite of, every well-appointed village, was obtained and Joseph H. Watkins and Moses Morgan were successively postmasters. About 1853 it was removed to Orange, where it still exists, though retaining the old name. James R. Johnson was postmaster here.

Orange chapel, a Methodist Episcopal church, the only edifice of the kind which graces Orange, is a handsome little frame, thirty by forty, which.

was erected in 1875, at a cost of $2,200. It was erected mainly by the efforts of John Richmond and J. B. Peck. The society was formed of members from other congregations in the neighborhood. The membership at present is small.

The Union Methodist Protestant church is located near the center of the township, on the Cadiz road. The house of worship was erected twenty or more years ago, upon a lot donated for the purpose by Henry and William Wolfe. Before it was built services had been conducted in the Union school-house close by. The first meetings were held in Moses Morgan's barn, where about 1840, shortly after the class was formed, a great revival was held. Among the earliest members were Moses Morgan, Joseph Mulvain, John Stout, Joseph Evans, and Jenkin Whiteside. The membership is now about fifty. Rev. Wells is the pastor.

White Eyes Baptist church is situated about a fourth of a mile east of the Union Methodist church. It was organized in 1825 and until 1870 was connected with the West Lafayette Baptist church. An account of this church up to the date of separation has been included in the history of the West Lafayette church and need not be repeated. The congregation still worships in the brick church erected in 1850 which is in good condition. The membership is about forty. Since 1870 there have been but two pastors in charge, Elders E. B. Senter and P. Hodder. The latter ministers to the church at this time. The Sabbath-school is well kept up but like most other organizations of the kind in the country is held only during the summer. Joseph Keims is its superintendent.

A German Lutheran church stands just this side of the county line in the southeastern part of the township. It is a small frame building built about ten years ago. The congregation is very limited in point of number and belongs principally to Tuscarawas county. Mr. Hockenbraugh is a leading member from this township.

The principal early members were John EveralE and wife, John Mackey and wife, James King and wife, and Thomas Smith and. wife. Its condition is prosperous.

A small congregation of Disciples have for several years been holding services at McCune's school-house in the southern part of the township..

A United Brethren society existed years ago in Orange. Preaching commene^ed there about 1853- in the school-house and was continued about twelve years. The society then disbanded ; cause, loss of membership and a minister who proved tobe a wolf in sheep's clothing. The principal members were John Richmond, William Maxwell and John Norman. ,

A Methodist Protestant church at one time' flourished in Evansburg. A brick church waserected but never finished. The village declined and the members removed to other places. Services were then held for a few years in Orangehut they ceased many years ago.

Source changes here: from History of Coshocton County, Ohio;, by Hill, Norman Newell, Jr., [from Old Catalog] Comp, published 1881; 3,442 words in this source stream.

Oxford Township

OXFORD township is situated in the eastern part of the count}' and bounded as follows : On the north by Adams township, on the east by Tuscarawas county, on the south by Guernsey county and Linton town,ship and on the west by Lafayette township. The Tuscarawas river flows through the northern part of it from east to west. Several small streams enter it from the north, the most noticeable being Evans creek. There are no tributaries from the south. The level White Eyes plains liaving a width of from one to two miles stretch across the township just south of the river. South of this the surface is rough and the streams flow in an opposite direction from the river, to Wills creek. This latter stream in one of its tortuous meanderings enters Oxford township from Linton and cuts ofi' fifteen or twenty acres from the body of the township. The soil on the plains is usually gravelly with a sandy loam in patches. A clay soil covers the southern hills while that of the river bottoms is the usual rich loam. The timber which grew upon the hills was vigorous and of varied kinds including sugar, oak, walnut, hickory, poplar and other less important varieties. Sycamore was the prevailing type in the lowest river bottoms while just above this was found the heaviest and best timber in the township. The- plains as a rule were scantily timbered, if at all, and were doubtless the haunts of the game-seeking red man. That they frequented the plains and the valley which skirts the river is made manifest by the numerous relics which have been found here. Tomahawks, bullets, stone mortars and pestles, various silver ornaments and pieces of pottery were often picked up by the early settlers. Small mounds, too, were scattered here and there along the valley, indicating that the pre-historic race also had dwelt here ages ago. One of these mounds, standing on Willis Richard's farm on the western side of the township, was about thirty

Oxford township was organized in the fall of 1811, very soon after the county was formed. Its original boundaries included a large portion of the eastern part of the county, but it was gradu- .ally reduced in size by the organization of other townships until it reached its present limits in 183a The first, second and third sections are military sections; the fourth or northeastern section consists of congress land, and was surveyed in 1803, by Alexander Holmes. The first or northeastsectioii was probably located by Matthew Denman, a.s he had possession of it very early and sold portions of it to incoming settlers. The original proprietor of the second or northwest section was William Steel, of Essex county. New Jersey, whose patent dates February 11, 1800. James Williams, of Annapolis, Maryland, was the original proprietor of section 3. His patent is dated March 21, 1800. None of these land owners became residents in the township, but sooner or later sold it to those who settled here.

There is no doubt that one of the first settlements in Coshocton county was made in Oxford township, yet it seems impossible at this time to determine definitely the date at which it was made. Hunt's Historical Collections says : " It is believed by some that the first settlement made in the- county was made in this township. It would seem that, at all events, the same season Charles Williams was raising his corn on the prairie, Isaac and Henry Evans and Charles and Esaias Baker, all from Virginia, were raising a crop on the Tuscarawas, near Evansburg. Williams had come up the Muskingimi, and the four above named had come down the Tuscarawas." It is known that Williams was living on the prairie as early as 1801, and probably a year or two before. Charles Baker, a son of Esaias Baker, now living in Linton to^nnship, states that his father, his father's brother Charles, and Isaac and Henry Evans, came out together from Virginia at a time when there was not a white man on the Tuscarawas river, but he is unable to give the year. Lewis Corbit, of Adams township, tells that his father, Robert Corbit, emigrated with Isaac Evans from Virginia in the year 1804. Calhoun's Historical Slcetches, written thirty years ago, states, that " In 1803 Judge Evans settled where Evansburg now stands. There were also others who settled around him soon afterward, forniing what was known at the time as White Eyes Plains settlement." These dates are irreconcilable, but it woidd seem that the Charles Williams settlement, on the Walhonding, was made first. The Evansburg settlement was probably the second one made in the county. The two Bakers came out in the spring, planted and tended a crop of corn on the plains just south of Orange, then returned to Virginia, harvested a crop there, and in the fall of the same year moved out permanently with their families, cut their new crop here and erected cabins. Esaias Baker leased twenty acres from a Mr. Newell, in the western part of the township, on the farm which George Loos afterward purchased. Both Esaias and Charles, a few years later, moved to Linton township, becoming two of the earliest settlers there.

Isa;ic Evans was the central figure of this settlement, and was a man whoso influence was felt in all parts of the county. Soon after he moved out he purchased a tract of land and built his cabin south of the river, close to the bank, just across from Evansburg. The high waters which rose and surrounded his cabin soon after, obliged hini to move farther back from the river. He raised and conunandcd a company during the war of 1812, serving under General Harrison. He was also one of the eayly associate justices in the county. His brother Henry, who accompanied him hero, purchased a farm adjoining hison the ea.st, and being a bachelor, spent his days in solitude there, engaged in farming and stock raising.

Quite a colony of early settlers were from near Carlisle, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. Perhaps the earliest of them was Philip AVaggoner, who came to O.xford township in 1.S06. He died a few years later. Philip Wolfe came stxin after, and .settled at Wolfe's Corners, a little north of the center of the township, where Henry Wolfe now lives. He died in September, 1825. Still later, George Leighninger emigrated from the same place. He wiis a young man when he came, and afterward married a daughter of Mr. Wolfe, who is still living with her .son in Lafayette township, in the eighty-fifth year of her age. George Loos came in 1811. Like the others, he came overland, moving in a five-horse team, and .settling af Loos' Corners, in the western part of the township. He purcha.'icd his farm from Robert Newell, who had been living on it and moved farther west after he hail disposed of it.

John Junkins, an Irishman, emigrated to the township, perhaps as early as 180C or 1808. He lived on the Cadiz road, at the farm now ownetl by F. Sergeant, about a mile west of Wolfe's Corners. He was the biggest man on the plains, and a genuine Irishman. Two sons, John and David, lived with him, also a son-in-law, Matthew Gray, who was of the same nationality. George Anspaugh, from near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, came about 1811, and settled on the place now occupied by Jacob Wolfe, a short distance west of Wolfe's Corners. Moses Morgan, another early settler, was a New Jerseyman, and settled about a mile east of Anspaugh, on the Cadiz road. He afterwards sold out and went into business at Evansburg.

John Mills, a cabinetmaker, lived where Jacob Starker now does, the southeast quarter of section 12. He once met with a mishap that might have terminated fatally. He was watching for game, at a deer-lick, one sultry day, concealed behind some bushes, and to drive away the pestiferous mosquitos that bothered him, was waving a brush about his face and head. Another hunter, approachins, perceived the stir, and mistaking Mills for a deer, banged away at him with his ritlo, and shot ofT his nose.

The Mulvains, Joseph, John and William, were here in ISIO, and perhaps earlier. They settled in the eastern part of the township, north of the river. Joseph was the owner of a keel-boat which plied between New Philadelphia and Zanesville, carrying all kinds of freight. The mode of locomotion was by poling it. "Running boards" were attached to the outside, upon which about a dozen men would stand, with long polos, by the use of which they would make the boat fairly fly through the water.

Loos on the east, was here in 1811. James Lisk came about the time the Junkins did. He married a daughter of John Junkins and afterward a Miss Price, who is still living in this township. Mr. Lisk was an early school teacher.

Milling facilities were no better here in pioneer days than elsewhere on the frontier. In fact, this being one of the earliest settled districts, the tii'st white men were obliged to travel further to get a little grinding done than the first settlers of most other townsliips, As late as 1812, Zanesville and New Philadelphia were the usual milling points. Years before this, J^saias Baker and Isaac Evans, having heard that there was a power mill near Zanesville, loaded a canoe with corn and started for it. When they reached the mill they found it to be quite a patent affair. "Two canoes had been fastened just at a ripple in the river and a small paddle-wheel set between the two boats, and this, turned by the rippling waters, furnished the power to turn a large-sized handmill."

Isaac Evans erected the first mill in the township. It was built about 1818, on Evans creek. It was a little afi'air, with one run of buhrs, but answered very well the purpose for which it was intended. A saw-mill stood at the same place. They changed possession repeatedly, and were abandoned about twenty-iive years ago.

About twenty years ago a large grist-mill was built on the canal, about a mile west of Orange, by John Wolfe and Timothy Emerson. John Wolfe is the present owner.

George Loos erected a little distillery on his place soon after he moved into the township. He died in 1821, and his son, Christopher, ran it for many years. A number of years later Mr. Shank operated one for ten or twelve years, on the Susanna Appis place, in the western part of section 19. Another was built on the canal about 1848, by Patrick Tregent, an Englishman.

The Cadiz road was the first one constructed through the township, and, in early days, was a principal highway of travel and emigration, so much so that several taverns flourished here for awhile in close proximity to each other. The first one was Philip Wolfe's at the corners.

Daniel Loos relates that when his father moved out from Pennsylvania, in 1811, Mr. Wolfe came out a distance with a team to help him over some of the big hills in Tuscarawas county. He was keeping tavern at that time. His tavern sign was a picture of General Washington mounted upon a white horse, an emblem which then, doubtless, appealed loudly to American patriotism. George Leighninger tended bar here for a while, but afterward bought a farm close by and moved upon it.

John Jenkins soon after hung out a large wooden " blue ball " to the gaze of the passer-by, inviting him to partake of the entertainment provided within, about a mile west of Wolfe. This was an important place in those days. Jenkins was postmaster for a great many year.s and also a justice of the peace, and the township elections were held here at his tsivern.

Moses M<jrgan, about 182H, opened a third tjivern about a half mile east of Wolfe's tavern. When he sold the place some ten years later, to Mr. Stewart, the tavern was abandoned.

A ferry was established very early at John Miskimen's place, in the eastern part of the township. It was kejit for a number of years by Adam Fletcher, and afterwards by the father of Judge Burt. After Evansburg was laid out and became a little business center, a ferry was kept here for a number of years. Moses Morgan and John B. Stout were the chief manipulators of the ferry-boat at this point.

The first bridge built in the town.ship was at Miskimen's. It was built about 1854, and cost $10,000. This was afterward disturbed and somewhat rebuilt. The river having, in 1861, cut a new channel about three-quarters of a mile to the east, a new bridge became necessary, the cost of which was about |9,0tX). The bridge at Orange was built in 1870. The masonry, of which N. W. Buxton was contractor, cost $8,311; the superstructure (iron) was contracted for by J. H. Davenport. It cost $7,258.

The Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and St. Loius railroad passes through the townshi]i, east and west, crossing the Tuscarawas river near the eastern line. It has one station in the township - Oxford, near the center of the township. The Ohio canal crosses the township north of the river. In

The second school in the county was proljably taught here. Mr. Calhoun says: "In 1806, or thereabouts, Mr. Joseph Harris taught a school in the settlement, at Evansburg. This is the second intimation of the e.xistencc of a school which we have received. Here the widow Johnson, wife of Adam Johnson, deeea.sed, remembers being sent to attend tlie school." The tirst school which Jlr. Calhoun speaks of was held three or four years earlier up the Walhonding. An early schoolhouse was built about 1812, at John Junkins' place, in which James Lisk was one of the first teachers. George Leighninger afterward taught here.

The earliest attempt at town making w'as made by John Mills, who, in 1815, laid out a little village on the great bend of the Tuscarawas river, south of it. He called it Millsville. Several cabins were reared on the spot, but for some inscrutable reason the village failed to thrive, and soon passed from the knowledge of men.

Evansburg was surveyed September 4, 1830- Isaac Evans was the proprietor, and gave it its name. The original plat lay wholly north of the canal, but two years later an addition of five lots was made south of it. For a few years it grew vigorously. Moses Morgan owned the first dry goods store. He died a few years after it was opened, and John Stout became the possessor of it. Joseph Watkins kept another store, and built a large warehouse, dealing extensively in grain. Philip Wolfe, Jr., ran a tannery here for a while. His father, Philip Wolfe, Sr., had built one about two miles south of this at a very early day, and Philip, Jr., operated it here for a time, then removed it to Evansburg. Isaac Evans, Jr., was the village inn keeper. The building of Orange about a half mile to the west gave Evansl)urg its deathblow. The river at Evansburg could be forded only with great difficulty, if at all, and a ferry must be kept here constantly, while the stream at Orange was easily forded. Mr. Watkins removed his warehouse, and the village s]>eedily fell to pieces. dilapidated structures mark the site of the once flourishing canal port.

Orange, situated on the north bank of the river, in the northwestern part of the township, was laid out in 1.S81). William K. Johnson and Cr. A. Hamerickhouse were the proprietors of that part of it which lies north of the canal, and Samuel Wolfe proprietor of that part south of it. Hugh Ma.xwell erected the first house. It was a frame, still st;uiding, on lot 8, corner of Oxford and Water streets, now occupied by A. Peck. The next building was a warehouse, erected by Harrison Butler, on lot 49. These two buildings were erected at about the same time. Mr. Butler soon after sold the warehouse to Roe & Armstrong,and it has since been controlled by various persons. John Richmond is the present owner. A second warehouse was built about 1850 by P. C. Wolfe & Co. Five or six years later it was converted by them into a steam flouring mill , which was operated five or six years with unsatisfactory results, and the mill works were then removed about a mile down the canal to Wolfe & Emerson's mill, and the building restored to its original use. It is now owned by J. P. Peck & Co. From 40,000 to 50,000 bushels of wheat are annually bought at these two houses.

About 1842 George Augustine built a saw-mill on the canal. P. C. Wolfe & C^o. purchased it and attached a carding machine, which was run for some years. Tlie building was taken away several years ago.

One of the earliest postoffices in the county is AVhite Eyes Plains. John Junkins was probably the first postmaster. He was succeded by James Lisk. The office is still kept at Oxford Station, by the agent. William Coles. When Evansburg was laid out. a jiostofficc, which is a requisite of every well-a]iiiointcd village, was obtained and Joseph H. Watkins and i\ro.ses Morgan were successively jiostmasters. About 1853 it was removed to Orange, where it still exists, though retaining the old name. James R. Johnson was postmaster here.

Orange chapel, a Metliodist Ejiiscopal church, the only edifice of the kind which graces Orange. is a handsiimc little frame, ihirtv bv I'ortv, which

-was erected in 1875, at a cost of $2,200. It was erected mainly by the efforts of John Richmond and J. B. Peck. Tlie society was formed of members from other congregations in the neigliburhood. The membership at present is small.

The Union Methodist Protestant church is located near the center of the township, on the Cadiz road. The house of wor.ship was erected twenty or more years ago. iijion a lot d(inated for the purpose by Henry and William AVolfe. Before it was built services had licen conducted in the Union school-house close by. The first meetings were held in Moses Morgan's barn, where about 1840, shortly after the class was formed, a great revival was held. Among tlie earliest mendiers were Moses Morgan. Joseph Mulvain, John Stout, Joseph Evans, and Jenkin Whiteside. The membership is now about fifty. Rev. Wells is the pastor.

White Eyes Baptist church is situated about a fourth of a mile east of the Union Methodist church. It was organized in 1825 and until 1870 connected with the West Lafayette Baptist church. An account of this church up to the date of separation has been included in the history of the West Lafayette church and need not be repeated. The congregation still worships in the brick church erected in 1850 which is in good condition. The meVnbership is about forty. Since 1870 there have been but two pastors in charge, Elders E. B. Senter and F. Hodder. The latter ministers to the church at this time. The Sabbath-school is well kept up but like most other organizations of the kind in the country is held only during the summer. Joseph Keims is its superintendent.

A German Lutheran church stands just this side of the county line in the southeastern part of the township. It is a small frame building built about ten years ago. The congregation is very limited in point of number and belongs principally to Tuscarawas county. Mr. Hockenbraugh is a leading member from this township.

The principal early members were John Everall and wife. John Mac key and wife, James King and wife, and Thomas Smith and w'ife. Its condition is prosperous.

A small congregation of Disciples have for several years been holding services at McCune's school-hou*e in the southern part of the township.

A United Brethren society existed years ago in Orange. Preaching commenced there about 1853 in the school-house and was continued about twelve years. The society then disbanded ; cause, loss of membership and a minister who proved to be a wolf in sheep's clothing. The principal members were John Richmond, William Maxwell and John Norman.

A Methodist Protestant church at one time flourished in Evansburg. A brick church was erected but never finished. The village declined and the members removed to other places. Services were then held for a few years in Orange but they ceased many years ago.