Sandy Township

Sandy Township

SANDY TOWNSHIP was erected by the County Commissioners June 2, 1817, and its electors were directed to meet at the house of Moses Ayres, in the town of Sandy ville, on the 17th day of June following, to elect the proper township officers. Its original territory was Township 10, of Range 1, all of which it still retains, except a small fraction off the southwest corner, west of the Tuscarawas, which is now a part of Lawrence Township. It is located in the northeastern corner of the county. Stark County bounds it on the north and Carroll on the east; on the south are Fairfield and Warren Townships, and on the west Lawrence. The surface features are as varied as any portion of the county of equal size. Sandy Creek, from which the township derived its name, is the principal stream. It crosses the northern portion of the township from east to west in an irregular course. Nimishillen Creek, flowing southward, enters Sandy Creek in the north -central part of the township. The Tuscarawas River forms the southwestern boundary for a distance of nearly two miles, and One Leg Creek, in one of its erratic movements, breaks over into Sandy from Fairfield, and after wandering aimlessly about for a mile or two returns to Fairfield, and soon after reaches the Tuscarawas. Huff's Run is, perhaps, the most important smaller water- course. It drains the south part of the township and is a tributary to One Leg. With its various streams, Sandy is well supplied with fertile valleys. The hill lands, in many places, have gently sloping surfaces, which form excellent farms, but in other localities they possess a ruggedness which may be viewed to better advantage from a picturesque point than from one of utility.

The Beaver & Sandy Canal in years agone, it was thought, would prove a boon in the development of Sandy's resources, but its inglorious failure deprived the township of this expected advantage. Three railroads, two of which are of very recent construction, now pierce the township, and bring it into active relation with the outside world. The Tuscarawas branch of the Cleveland & Pittsburgh road enters from the northeast down the valley of Sandy Creek, and crossing to the hillsides of Huff's Run through a deep tunnel, in the eastern part of the township, continues southwesterly to Zoar Station. The Wheeling & Lake Erie road crosses the southwestern corner of the township, along the Tuscarawas Valley, and the Valley road crosses from north to south by a winding course through the central part of the township. Along the first and last mentioned roads, a number of mines are in operation, which export a large amount of coal. The Tunnel Mines have been the most extensive. They were opened soon after the Tuscarawas branch was built, and have been in operation since. One hundred tons are daily shipped. C. E. Holden has recently opened a mine near Mineral City, and about a half-mile to the east the Block Vein Mine has been operated for years. On the Valley road, about a fourth of a mile north of Mineral City, Ridgeway, Burton &

Co. , ship 100 tons per day. Farther up the road is the mine of the Akron Strawl>oard Company. The coal is of an excellent quality, and is found in veins about four feet thick. Iron ore is mined, but not so extensively as in former years. Fire-clay is found in considerable quantity, and much is consumed at the Mineral City Fire Brick Works.

The northwest quarter of the township is Congress land; the northeast quarter is a military section, divided into forty 100-acre lots; the southeast quarter is a Western Reserve School Section, containing twenty-five lots; the southwest quarter is the greater part of a military section, the third quarter of Township 10, Range 1, which was entered by Godfrey Haga in 1800. In 1805, he sold 1,000 acres, the southwest portion, to Godfrey Huff, and north of this, the same year, 350 acres to John Colver, and 150 to Abraham Romig. la 1810, Haga sold 1,000 acres to Peter Wolf, of Allegheny County, Penn. In compliance with the terms of the will of Peter Wolf, his executor, Christian Wolf, in 1812, subdivided the tract into ten 100-acre lots. The remaining 1,500 acres Haga sold, in 1818, to Joseph M. Bimeler. Five hundred acres, located in the northwest part of the quarter, the Society of Zoar still owns; the remaining 1,000 acres, the eastern part of the quarter, was surveyed for the society by H. Roby in December, 1832, into twenty fifty-acre lots, which were then sold.

The recognized first settler of Sandy Township was Godfrey Huff. The records show that he was from Bedford County, Penn. , and that in May, 1805, he purchased from Godfrey Haga, for $1,062.50, a tract of 1,000 acres in the southwest corner of the third quarter of Township 10, Range 1, or the southwest corner of Sandy Township, embracing also the corner of Lawrence, across the river. The year 1803 has been assigned by old settlers as the date of his emigration to this tract, but we have found evidence that he was here in 1801. Mr. Huff was a man of large frame, and wore the broad-brimmed hat and the garb of the Dunkard sect, of which he was a member. He is said to have raised many hogs on the river bottoms, driven them to Detroit, Mich., for sale, and with the proceeds paid for his land. He had five sons - Michael, Henry, Samuel, Frederick and Andrew. Most of the boys subsequently emigrated to Iowa. Godfrey Huff lived and died in Sandy Township, his death occurring about 1825.

The second settler, Philip Farber, pitched his tent in the extreme northeastern corner of the township and county, on Lot 8. He hailed from New York, and came about 1806, remaining a lifelong resident of the township. He was a Presbyterian, and later in life a Lutheran. His son, John Farber, who settled soon after on the adjoining Lot 7, farmed and operated a distillery there, but, becoming an advocate of temperance, is said to have been the first settler in the neighborhood who cut his wheat without the aid of whisky.

James Eakin, the third settler, in the fall of 1806 journeyed from his home in Beaver County, Penn., to the northern part of Military Lot 24, in this township, and built himself a cabin. The next spring he brought his family to the new home, arriving April 7. That year he cleared four acres, and planted it in corn. He was a hunter, and for seven years the meat on his table was wild game only. His religious belief was of the Presbyterian school. He was a sub -contractor during the construction of the canal, and died while there engaged. He had nine children, one of whom, Squire John Eakin, a hale and hearty old gentleman of eighty one years, still lives in the township, its oldest resident.

Among the next settlers were John Kline, Abraham Cazier, Michael Flick - inger, John Harbaugh and Benjamin Jackson, all of whom were probably here when the county was organized. Benjamin Jackson, a powerfully-built Yir- ginian, and a cousin of President Andrew Jackson, came to the Western wilds in the spring of 1807, built his cabin on Military Lot 23, in the northeast part of Sandy, and brought his family of grown sons and daughters to the new land in the autumn of the same year. Mr. Jackson owned a considerable tract of land, and his children - Francis, Mary (Hatfield), Joseph, Elizabeth (Miller), Thomas, Nancy (Eakin), Edward, Rebecca (Hill) and William - were soon comfortably settled on adjoining farms. They were of the Presbyterian faith. Benjamin Jackson died in his forest home, and most of his sons, with the true pioneer spirit, emigrated further West. None now bear the name in Sandy Township. John Kline, of Westmoreland County, Penn.,. entered the northwest quarter of Section 15, on the western line of the township, journeyed to it in the fall of 1807, built a cabin and made a little clearing, then brought out his family the following spring. He was a Lutheran. His children were Jacob, Henry, John, Philip, Daniel, Elizabeth (Snelbaker), Catherine, Eva (Flickinger), Hannah (Keller) and Margaret (Burns). Mr. Kline died on the farm; his descendants are widely scattered. Abraham Cazier came probably, in the autumn of 1807, and settled on Military Lot 26. The first Methodist meetings within the limits of the township were held at his house. The name of the first minister is forgotten. Rev. Travis was the second and James B. Finley the third. Mr. Cazier, later in life, removed to near Sparta, Stark County, where he died. John Harbaugh was one of the earliest settlers in the county. He located first in Dover Township, then settled in Sandy. He was a blacksmith from Frederick County, Md. Isaac Harbaugh, one of his sons, also settled early in what is now Sandy. Michael Flickinger came from Pennsylvania, and settled on the northwest quarter of Section 6 about 1808. He was a well-to-do farmer, and owned also the east half of Section 6. He died on his farm.

Other early settlers on the Congress land were Peter Fulk, Philip Swank, John Sweaney, Andrew Sheas and Hugh Russell. Peter Fulk was a Pennsylvania German, made his home on the southwest quarter of Section 6, owned considerable land in addition, came before 1815, usually wore buckskin pants, was a successful farmer and died in 1823. Christian and Philip Swank were here before 1815, emigrating from Huntingdon County. Penn. Christian came first, and afterward moved to Stark County. Philip settled on the northeast quarter of Section 5, afterward on the southwest quarter of Section 7. He moved to Livingston County, Mo. John Swaney, from Frederick County, Md., entered and settled on the northwest quarter of Section 14 prior to 1815. He died near Sandyville. Andrew Sheas came in 1816, from Pennsylvania, and purchased the northwest quarter of Section 3, which had been entered by John Burk. He was an Albright, and services of this denomination were held for a time in his barn. His father, Peter Sheas, crossed the Delaware with Gen. Washington, and resided for a short time in Sandy. Hugh Russell, a miller by trade and occupation, came from Maryland to Stark County, Ohio, in 1814, and to Sandy Township in 1817, settling on the northwest quarter of Section 4. He died in May, 1825, and his son, Hugh, is now the only member of his family in the township. Mr. Russell is seventy -four years of age, and one of the township's most respected citizens.

The early pioneera of the military lots in the northeast quarter of the township included John Barr, John Burk, William Baird, John Exline, Lazarus Holmes, Wallen Miller, Jacob Laffer and John Ritter. John Barr was a Revolutionary soldier, and witnessed the surrender of Cornwallis. He came early from Washington County, Penn., and was an Elder m the Presbyterian Church, and located, settled and died on Lot 36. William Baird purchased and occupied Lot 4. John Burk came from New Jersey, owned Lots 34 and

35, and died in Delaware County, at the astounding age, it is said, of one hnndred and eighteen years. John Exline came from Huntingdon County, Penn., with his family, by a toilsome wagon journey, about 1816, and made his presence known by stopping at Mr. Jackson's cabin and asking for a fire. He was surprised the next day by the neighbors, who Hocked in at his camp on Lot 13, and completed a cabin for him before daylight closed. Mr. Exline was a Presbyterian, and died on his farm. Lazarus Holmes was an Irish Pennsylvanian. He settled on Lot 16, but not liking the country returned to the State whence he came. Wallen Miller came, a single man, from New Jersey, married the daughter of Benjamin Jackson, settled on Lot 23, accumulated property and died in the township. His father, Benjamin Miller, a soldier of the Revolution, died at his cabin. John Ritter settled on Lot 14. Ho was an early blacksmith and sold iron ladles to his neighbors. J acob

In the southwestern part of the township other early settlers were Peter Andrews, Michael Burro way, Abraham Hufnagle, George Winkelpleck and Christian Wolf. Peter Andrews came about 1817 from Stark County. Michael Burro way was the son of one of the earliest settlers at Gnadenhutten. Christian Wolf sold his farm and removed to the West.

The Cogans were early settlers. John Snelbaker was here before 1812, and in 1816 is said to have shot and killed an Indian, Beaver Hat, who, while under the influence of whisky, boasted at a house-raising of the many scalps he had taken, and thereby provoked the ire of Snelbaker. The irate settler followed nim with the above stated result.

The few settlers who were here before 1812 felt the dangers of the frontier, and several returned to the Eastern States, unwilling to incur the risk of an Indian massacre. No Indian depredations, however, are known to have been committed. Once, during early hostilities, a woman rode frantically through the settlement in the northeast portion of th« township and reported that 600 hostile savages were at Bethlehem, Stark County, and would soon be upon them. The settlers hastily rendezvoused at Abraham Cazier's cabin, and James Eakin reconnoitered as far as Bethlehem, and established the falsity of the rumor. Among the settlers who served in the war of 1812 were John Snelbaker, Philip Swank, James Eakin, Thomas Jackson, Michael Burro way and Edward Jackson. George Barnett, who settled in the township in 1827* had been a soldier in the war of 1812, and also in the Revolutionary struggle. He was buried in Sandy Township with the honors of war.

The first white child bom in the township was James Farber, boh of John Farber, in the spring of 1808. Nancy Eakin was the second. She was bom in the autumn of 1808. The first marriage was that of Rebecca Flickinger to Mr. Kline. Sally Farber, of the township, however, was married earlier to John Price There being no Justice in this township at that time, a Squire was sent for from Canton. He came to the county line, near Farber' s cabin, and was there met by the expectant couple. William Lee, who was teaching school in the neighborhood, marched his pupils out to the forest altar to witness the ceremony, then solemnly returned with them to the schoolroom and re -commenced practicing (there the art of education. Indians occasionally visited the schoolroom. They would enter noiselessly, remain quietly for an hour or two, perhaps smoke with the teacher, then as quietly again take their departure without uttering a syllable. The Tndians would visit the earliest settlers in bands of perhaps ten or twenty, and refuse to leave the cabin of the white man until the cravings of the inner man were satisfied, even if it required the settler's whole stock of provisions. Many distilleries were operated in the township in the early days. Rev. J. B. Morrow organized the first temperance sooiety, near Sandyville, about 1831. Peter Andrews, about 1832, built a grist mill on One Leg Creek, in the southwestern part of the township. It was afterward rebuilt, and burned a few years ago.

Sandyville is a little village located in the pleasant valley of Sandy Creek, a short distance below the mouth of Nimishillen Creek. It was laid out in 1815 by Henry Laffer. The plat shows that there were originally eighty-six lots, all of which are three perches in width, and west of them twelve perches in length. Main and Front streets cross at right angles and run with the cardinal points of the compass. At their intersection is a M public square," eight perches in width and ten in length. In 1839, Daniel Becket made an extensive addition on the north, consisting of fifty-one lots, thirteen of which are of large size, the others building lots. In 1843, the administrators of Henry Laffer made an addition of forty-seven lots, extending west as far as Sandy Creek. The proprietor, Henry Laffer, was ODe of the most prominent men in the county. He emigrated from Westmoreland County, Penn., to New Philadelphia about 1806, and kept a tavern at the county seat for several years. From 1810 to 1813, he was Sheriff of the county In 1815, he purchased from Joseph Eakin the northeast quarter of Section 8, and founded Sandyville. This quarter had been entered by Joseph Eakin and Jonathan Skyhawk. They erected a saw mill, and soon after Eakin obtained sole possession. Both were from Beaver County, Penn., emigrating to Tuscarawas about 1809. In 1815, Joseph Eakin returned to Pennsylvania. Mr. Laffer engaged in various public enterprises to advance the interests of his community and county, was quite popular, became a Major General of the militia, a State Senator, and filled other positions of trust and honor. He died at Sandyville in March, 1835.

The first house in Sandyville was built by an old Baptist minister, Rev. Edward Otis, who remained here only a short time. Moses Ayres was probably the second resident of the village. He was a wagon-maker and a leading Baptist. Henry Laffer opened and conducted the first store; he was also the first Postmaster. H. B. Laffer now holds this position. Henry Miller was the first inn- keeper, and Rezin Pritchard the second. The population of the village in 1820 reached 75; twenty years later it was 243; in 1850 it was 223; in 1870, 227, and in 1880, 239.

Henry Laffer erected a grist mill; afterward added a carding, and about 1820 a fulling mill. After his death, his son, John Laffer, and his son-in-law, Rezin Pritchard, operated it for several years. The fulling and carding machines were discarded, but the grist mill is still in operation on Sandy Creek, under the proprietorship of Voelm & McKinley. They have a good custom trade, and also buy wheat and ship flour in considerable quantities. Two water saw mills have been destroyed by fire near Sandyvilla The first was erected by Joseph Eakin and Jonathan Skyhawk, and the second by John Laffer. A third was built and is now owned by John Lebold.

A Presbyterian society flourished in the village in former years. It was organized in 1825 by Rev. J. B. Morrow, in the Sandyville Schoolhouse. James Eakin and John Burk were the first Elders. John Farber, John Barn, Milton Smith, Thomas Jackson and David Evans subsequently filled the office. Rev. Morrow remained in charge about fourteen years. In 1832, a church building was reared, which is said to have been the first frame church built in Tuscarawas County. About 1840, a division rent the congregation into the New School and the Old School branches. The pid School maintained an organi- zation for a few years only, and Squire John Eakin is now the sole surviving member. The New School branch, which contained the more wealth, proceeded to build a new house of worship, but before completion their means failed, and the members affiliated with the Lutheran congregation. A Baptist congregation existed without a home for a few years during the infancy of the village, then perished.

The Methodists were the first to effect a religious organization within the township. As early as 1808, they were holding meetings at the cabin of Abraham Cazier, who was Class Leader. The class had no permanent preaching place until 1822, when a log schoolhouse and union church, combined, was erected at Sandyville by the people in the vicinity. Here the meetings were held until 1836, when a frame church was built It is still 'standing, and is occupied at present as a wagon and paint shop. In 1872, the neat church edifice now in use was constructed. Early members of the society were Mrs. Lydia McNamee, James Hull, David Hoadley, Levi West and Henry Luper. The society is now in a prosperous state, served by Rev. S. F. Olivar.

The Evangelical English Lutheran Church was organized at Sandyville in January, 1843, by Rev. Solomon Ritz, with a membership exceeding one hundred. He had been conducting a protracted meeting here, at which more than thirty were converted. A number of Lutheran families resided here, and the New School Presbyterians united with the congregation at its organization, contributing to their unfinished building. It was a brick structure, and was rapidly completed by the Lutherans, eleven members subscribing $1, 100 for this purpose. The church was remodeled a few years ago, and has ever since been occupied as the house of worship. After Rev. Ritt, the following ministers have had charge of this congregation: R. Emerson, J. J. Miller,

W. C. Hauer, George Hammer, J. W. Swick, W. W. Lang, W. O. Wilson, A. R. Smith and Charles Flickinger, succeeded by Rev. Thomas S- Smedley, who has been pastor for twelve years. Leading early members were Milton Smith, Michael Burroway, John Farber, Dr. William S. Myers, Robert Minnis, George Speaker, Hugh Russell, D. K. Nixon and John Dickson. But five of the original class now remain - Hugh Russell, Mrs. Lizzie Ann Nixon, Mrs. Elizabeth Bailey and Emanuel and Rebecca Exline. The present membership is about eighty.

The first Sunday school in Sandy Township and the second in the county was organized in April, 1821, by Moses Ayers, Henry Laffer, Henry Miller and Hugh Russell, Sr. It lasted but a few months. About 1826, James Hull started a second school, which survived two summers. In 1832, or about that time, Rev. J. B. Morrow organized a Union Sabbath school, which was supplied with a library, and continued until 1847, when it merged into the Lutheran Sunday school. The Methodist school was organized in 1838, and has been conducted regularly since.

Dr. Urban Dyer was the first medical practitioner of Sandyvilla He was not a graduate, and soon moved to Stark County. Dr. Emery next attempted a practice, and about 1823, Dr. James W. English, the first regular physician, located here, remaining till his appointment as County Clerk in 1827, when he removed to New Philadelphia. Dr. Josiah Beabout practiced from 1832 to 1864, and Dr. William S. Myers from 1833 to his death in 1845. William K. Crellin was a resident practitioner from about 1845 to 1868, and Drs. Jacob and Benjamin Raiff, brothers, were each located here for a time. Other physicians practiced at Sandyville, but in most cases for a brief period only. The two physicians now citizens of the village are George R. Fox and William Willigman.

who was here in 1817. Prior to that date, Mrs. Mary Ann Nixon, a widow lady, had kept a school in her own house, and on Christmas the mischievous boys, in accordance with the spirit of the times, barred her out of her own house, and Judge Laffer, who attempted to restore her to possession, failed ignominiously. In 1822, a log church and schoulhouse was erected; it was the first public building in the village. The present school is a brick building, containing two apartments, and was built about 1877.

At Sandyville there are now two groceries, a general dry goods store, one hotel, two blacksmith shops, two shoe shops, a cabinet shop, a wagon shop, besides the flour mill and the saw mill.

Mineral City, one of the most thriving villages of Tuscarawas County, is located on Lot 15, in the southern part of the township, at the junction of the Tuscarawas branch of the Cleveland & Pittsburgh and the Valley roads. It owes its origin to the construction of the branch road, the proprietors founding the village by agreement with the railroad officials that a station would be established here. For sixteen years it was a small, insignificant village; then, about 1869, it began to develop, and has grown steadily since. In 1870, the population was 175; in 1880, 642, and is now nearly 900. Its growth has been due chiefly to the mining operations in this vicinity. The village contains at present five mercantile establishments, which keep a general line of goods, one grocery, one hardware store, one tin and stove store, two drug stores, five saloons, two meat markets, a bakery, a furniture store, two hotels, two blacksmith shops, a wagon shop, two shoe shops, a harness shop, a saw mill, operated by Holden & Morrison, a furniture factory, the fire brick works, an excellent school, four churches and three physicians - Drs. Miller, A. JL Davis and C. E. Brothers.

Mineral City was laid out by Alfred Davis and George Lechner in 1853. The original plat consisted of forty lots of various dimensions, located between HufFs Bun and the Cleveland & Pittsburgh Railroad. Broadway and High street are sixty-six feet wide, Railroad street forty-nine and one-half feet wide. The proprietors, in 1855, laid out, north of the railroad, an addition of fourteen lots, 41 to 54 inclusive. In 1857, Alfred Davis and Nathan McGrew made an addition of eleven lots, 55 to 65, located on Miners street, north of Davis & Lechman's Addition. In 1871, Alfred Davis added seventeen lots, 65 to 81, on Davis and High streets. Mr. Davis, in 1876, made a second addition including nineteen lots, 82 to 100, on High, Davis and First streets. In 1872, Ferdinand Brenkman made an addition, ten lots, east of High street; the lots are numbered from 82 to 91 inclusive. Black's Addition of twelve lots, 92 to 103, situated on Water street, was made in 1873. In 1874, Thomas McCreary laid out four lots on Broadway and Branch alley. John Dieringer, in 1881, made a northwest addition consisting of sixteen lots, 1 to 16, on Center and West streets. The years following, Wesley M. Tracy made an addition of eight lots, on and near Center street. C. E. Holden also made an addition in 1 882. It included three blocks of six lots each on Center and North streets.

Alfred Davis, one of the proprietors, built the first house and kept the first store. A post office was established in 1854, and Mr. Davis appointed Postmaster. A change of administration resulted in the appointment of A. D. Davy, who retained the office but a month, George Redman succeeding and continuing about a year. P. Black was the next Postmaster, and held the office until 1868, when Alfred Davis was again appointed, and has since oc cupied this official position.

The fire-brick workB were built in 1872, by C. Edwards Holden, who has ever since remained proprietor. They are the most extensive works in the township. The clay and coal consumed is mined by Mr. Holden in this vicin- ity. About fifty men are employed in the mines and manufactory. The furniture factory was built in 1876 by Davis, Sattler & Co. A year later the firm became Davis, Rice & Walter, who were succeeded by Davis, Walter & Co., the present proprietors. All kinds of furniture are manufactured, but tables and bedsteads are made a specialty. Twenty men are employed.

By act of Legislature, passed March 31, 1877, Mineral City was made a special School District. The first School Board was composed of Charles Fishley, W. L. Davis and Wesley M. Tracy. A year or two later, a handsome two-story brick schoolhouse was erected, at a cost of $7,000. The school building which it superseded was also of brick, and had been built only a few years, but its dimensions had proved too contracted to accommodate the pupils. Since the organization of the special district, E. S. Sours was Superintendent until 1883, when James A. Magher was elected. The schools at present contain four departments.

Mineral City was incorporated October 11, 1882. The first officers elected were J. F. Rice, Mayor; E. S. Sours, Clerk; A. D. Black, Treasurer; John Bierly, George Markley, George Kugler, A. D. Davy, C. E. Brothers and Thomas Osborn, Council. Mr. Rice soon resigned the Mayoralty, and Wesley

Of the Mineral City churches, the German Reformed is the oldest. Some time prior to 1840, the members of this church had built a hewed-log church, about a mile northeast of the village, and worshiped there until about 1855, when they erected a brick edifice on Lots 61 and 62, donated to the society by Alfred Davis; this house is still occupied by them. Among the early members were Jacob Burk, Henry Seaman and Peter and Jacob Kugler. The membership was never very strong, and does not now exceed fifty. Rev. Rusk is pastor. Services are conducted in both the German and the English languages.

The German Lutheran congregation organized and built a frame church in 1856 or 1857. John Sattler and M. Dieringer were chiefly instrumental in the organization. The church is located on Lot 46, which was donated to the so* ciety by Alfred Davis. The membership is small, and the services are conducted exclusively in German.

The Methodist Episcopal class was organized in 1872 by Rev. Hosea Mc- Call, with eight or ten members, most of whom came from Mount Pleasant class. Among them were Nathan McCrary and wife, Mrs. Eliza Work, A. D. Davy and wife, James Hickling and wife and Jesse Crisse. In 1874, a frame church was built on Lot 94, donated by Alfred Davis, under the pastorate of Rev. I. F. Swaney. The present membership is about thirty. Rev. J. Weaver is the minister in charge.

In 1881, St. Patrick's Catholic Church, at Mineral Point, was erected by Father H. B. Dues, of St. Joseph's Church, Dover, Ohio. He is the present pastor. Among the leading members of this society are Patrick and Thomas Meagher, William Murray and Mr. Brik. Prior to the erection of the present church edifice, the congregation had met and worshiped for some time at private houses.

Iron Valley Lodge, No. 444, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Sandy villejs majority of the members residing in and about Mineral City, the lodge was removed thither. The present membership is about twenty five. Saturday evenings are the regular times of meeting. The present officers are Peter Zimmer,

At the junction of the Tuscarawas branch with the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad, near the southwest corner of the township, the Society of Zo&r, ^

LEOPOLD SHOHL, merchant, Uhriohsville, was bom in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 80, 1851, and is a son of William and Minnie (Alishul) Shohl. His parents were natives of Germany, and emigrated to America in 1847, settling in Cincinnati, where the father was a merchant Qnr subject received

Nashville, Tenn., where he store; was then, from 1874 tucky, and, in 1879, he Defiance, Ohio, with a until 1882, when Leopold opened on Third street Price Clothing carries a com famishing has the stock of in Tus- County;is eons and to all. His rience has fied him ness. He fine address, conversation; three languages. His frank, open way of carrying on mends itself to all. He buys direct from manufacturers, enables him to sell at low prices. In politics, Mr. Shohl for the man and not for the party schools of Cincinnati, then commenced clerk* He afterward went to was clerk in a clothing to 1879, clerking in Kenengaged in business in brother, and continued came to UriohsTille and a " Mammoth Star One- House, M where he plete line of gents' goods. He

October, 1882, laid out a village plat of twenty-eight lots, and called it Valley City. The original plat is partly in Sandy and partly in Fairfield Township. An addition of thirteen lots in Sandy Township was made in March, 1883. A Bmall grocery and several dwellings compose the village.

Pleasant Valley Methodist Episcopal Church is located on School Lot 22, in the southeast part of the township. The society is an old one, and among the early prominent members were James Gordon, Jacob Wolf and Levi Williams. A small log church was first built, on Gordon's Hill, a half mile to the north, but about 1855 the present site of the church was selected and a frame erected. The church membership is about sixty, and Rev. J. Weaver is pastor.