Tuscarawas Township

Tuscarawas Township

Peter and Philip Slusaer and their brothor-in-law, Henry Augustine, ercoted the first buildiug, not only in tho township, but on tho west side of tbe river, nilbiu tho present County limits, during the fall of 1808. Andrew Augustine and David Gnff TToro the next cabin-builders.

In tho spring of 1800, Robert nnd John Warden, Charles and Daniel Hoy, Isnao Poe, Peter Johnson, William Henry, John Mason, and Edward Otis settled near them, nnd began their farm-labors.

In 1810 came David Dowersmith, Isaac Charlton, Robert Barr, Levris Rogers, Frodoriok Oberlin, Stephen and Thomas Eldredge, William Byal, John Noel, Scth Hunt, and tbe Lotteus. They woro from Pennsylvania priuoipally, some from New England.

Tuaearawns was organized Maroh 5, 1810, and included in its original boundaries, in part or in whole, Jackson, Lawrence, Perry, Bethlehem, Sugar Creek, and Franklin, now in Summit County. It was reduced to its present limits in 1816.

The first election was held, April 1, 1810, at the house of William Honry, with the following result: justices of the peace, William Henry and Daniel Hoy ; trus- i tecs, Stephen Harris, Daniel Uoy, aud Peter Slusscr; overseers of the poor and ' supervisors, Henry Clapper nnd Thomas Chapman; fence-viewers, Adam Lower and William Critcs; house-appraiser, Andrew Augustine; treasurer, William Ueury ; constable, Stephen Harris ; and clerk, Peter Johnson.

William Raynolds, County clerk, administered the oath of office to Johnson, and by him it was taken from the other ofiicers. The next year the place for olection wns removed to Daniel Hoy's, on Section 16. Mnny ofiioes by one was caused by unwillingness to servo for the trifling compensation.

In May, 1810, was born the first white child in the township, Samuel Slussor; tho second birth, that of Amanda Henry, occurred during election in the same

Tho first death, west of the river, in the County, was that of John Rilter; he beonmo sick while moving out in 1811, lay in his wagon; and died there. In the summer of 1813, A. Augustine was sick with fever, and Dr. Hartford, of Canton, paid him throe professional visits, for which bis bill was thirty-six dollars. Tho differonoo then nnd now is striking, from the then scarcity of money.

Tho first settled physician was Dr. David Anderson, who came in 1832. Curing a oholcrn visitation, which swept oiT eighteen to twenty inhabitants, Dr. Miehonor, of Massillon, slopped at Brooktiold and rendered valuable aid,

Tho first preaching in the vicinity was by Rev. Edward Otis, a Baptist; bis sermons wero generally delivered in private houses. The Presbyterians were most numerous, and bad stated preaching at the houso of James Latin.

Tho first permanent place of worship wns o log building built by them in 1812, on Section 10. Tho first grave-yard in tho township was attached to this building. Rev. James Adams was their first pastor. The Methodists commenced about tho same time to hold meetings, at William Dean's and Peter Johnson's. Their first regular preacher was Rev. Jacob Frey; first public place of worship, the briok Echool-houso in Brookfield, erected in 1825, nnd serving for tho causes of religion and eduoation alternately until 1843.

Tho first school on tho west of tbe river was taught, during tho winter of 1612- 13, by Johicl Pox. It was a night-school, and had a good reputation. The first day-schools wero taught by David Laweon and Jobn Boreland.

The first grist-mill was creeled by Lewis Rogers on Newman's Crcok, in 1812. It was n tub-mill, and for several years only did chopping ; afterwards a bolt was attached, which was turned by band ; it has gone to decay.

During tho war, rumors of Indian attacks wore constantly afloat; for security a substantial hewed log house, built by William Eldredge, was eonvorted into a fort; two-inch augcr-holes were made for rifle practice, and a garrison of about twenty persons gathered in ; the old building wns standing as late as 1856.

Brookfield, tho first village in tho township, was never regularly laid out; hut the land wns sold by tho owner, Jonathan Winter, in half- and quarter-aore lots to suit purchasers. It was first called Slussortown, from Slusser's large frame houso in it, - tho first of tho kind in the township, in which ho opened tavern. Potor Johnson had a small store. Henry and Cummins erected a stcam-mill hero in 1831, which wore tho first stoam-works in use in tbe County.

Among tho township's noted men was William Henry, the first member from tho County to the Legislature, and afterwards eleoted judge ; Adam Poo, who was engagod with his brothor Andrew in the celebrated fight with Big Foot, died, and was buried in this township, in 1842. Daniel Hoy was remarkable for his physical strength : he frequently, at raisings, lifted against four, and even six, ordinary men. The Wardens, Eldredges, and Harrises wore all prominent, influential oitizcne of the township.