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F 497 H5MI
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1900
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Class F497
Book H5ML Copyright N.º.
COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT.
A
BRIEF HISTORY
OF
HARRISOR COURTY
OHIO
By S. B. MEGAVRAN, M.D.
LAYING OF CORNER STONE NEW COURT HOUSE. WAY IT. 1894,
A
BRIEF HISTORY
OF
HARRISON COUNTY, OHIO.
OF CO COPYRIGHT.
JUL 6 1894
WASHINGTON
BY S. B. McGAVRAN. M. D.
PIBLISHED BY THE HARRISON TRIBENJ. CADIZ. OHIO. Max 17. 1-94.
T.
F 497 H5Ml
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1894, by A. B. Lacey. In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, in Washington.
All rights reserved.
12 ag. 46
recut: HBW
INTRODUCTORY.
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TO THE PEOPLE OF HARRISON COUNTY:
I offer to you a history of your county and mine, and, in doing so, I do not hope to present a perfect picture of the growth and developement of this coun- ty from its birth in the wilderness to its present proud position among the rich and enlightened coun- ties of the State of Ohio. I cannot hope to do more than rescue from oblivion and place in readable and consecutive form, such facts that it may contain, and trust that some one in the future may more adequate- ly perform this task.
SAMUEL B. McGAVRAN, M. D.
OUR PIONEERS.
I HE laying of the corner-stone of our new court house, this the 17th day of May, 1894, fur- nishes an auspicious occasion for the study of events which comprise the warp and woof of our civili- zation and our prosperity. The early inhabitants of the county were from New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania. They were men of in- telligence, enlightened judgment, iron nerve and indomitable perseverance.
At the time of the organization of our county in 1813 its limits were almost an unbroken wilderness. The wolf, bear and deer roamed at large. The forest was here in all its native majesty and beauty. Here in this wilderness home our pioneer fathers lo- cated. Their history might be told in a few words, they built a log cabin-they went to work with ax in hand, prepared to level to the earth the stout mon- arch of the forest, and make for themselves and fami- lies permanent homes, and thereby establish upon a new and virgin soil the securities and blessings of a civilization from which they had been voluntarily di- vorced. The life of a pioneer was a continued war fare with wild and uncultivated nature. There was no hardship they were not willing to endure, no sacrifi- ces they were not ready to incur. None can tell what has been endured, nor how much expended to convert the deep sounding forests into our present
Of Harrison County, Ohio. 5
fertile fields. The early settlers of our county were precursors of a mighty race, continually struggling for better conditions, and in their pursuit of lands and wealth and happiness, they sought protection in the establishment of good government - government which should guarantee liberty to all alike in civic af- fairs, and uniformity of rights in matters of religion. The history of our people is not that of conquests of war, but the victories of peace.
ORGANIZATION OF COUNTY.
The act establishing the county of Harrison passed the legislature January 2d, 1813, to take effect Jan- uary 1st, 1814. On January 12th the legislature amended the act making it take effect February 1st, 1813. On January 14th, 1813, the legislature passed a resolution appointing three commissioners to locate the county seat for Harrison county. On April 15th, 1813, Jacob Myers, Joseph Richardson and Robert Speer, as commissioners named in the resolution of January 14th, 1813, to locate a seat of justice for Harrison county, made a report to the common pleas court of Jefferson county, fixing Cadiz as the seat of justice for said county.
JAIL.
At a meeting of the commissioners on the 12th of April 1813, they contracted with Joseph Harris for his Stone Smoke House for a Jail, and employed Charles Chapman to make the necessary repairs. The commissioners at their meeting August 3d, 1813, entered into a contract with George Mires, he being the lowest bidder, to build a wooden jail for the sum of one thousand four hundred and eighty-five dollars. Built of sound oak logs well hewn. September 25th, 1837, the commissioners decided to build a second jail and awarded the contract to Jos. Divine and James
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A Brief History
Crossen, for eight thousand two hundred and forty-nine dollars. March 6th, 1873, the commis- sioners contracted the building of the third jail for the sum of $14,674. It was built of stone, slate roof with eight iron cells. It was a very suitable build- ing. On June 5th, 1893, the roof was entirely de- stroyed by fire, and the walls more or less damaged. The stones were sold to the contractor of the new court house. At this time we have no jail, our pris- oners are kept in the town lock-up.
FIRST COURTS.
The first courts of Harrison county were held at the houses of Thos. Stokes and Win. Grimes. Per- manent arrangements were made at a meeting of the commissioners held April 12, 1813, when they enter- ed into an article of agreement with the trustees of the Associate Reform Congregation in Cadiz, for the use of a meeting house belonging to said society for the term of three years, for the purpose of holding judicial courts in and for said county. At a meeting of the commissioners held October 24, 1815, this article of agreement was renewed with John McFad- den and John Jamison, trustees, for the use of the meeting house for the term of three years, or until the court house for said county shall be finished. The first term of court was held in the house of Thomas Stokes, the 3d day of May, 1813. This was a special court and not much business transacted. The sec- ond term of court was held August 24, 25 and 26. Judges, Hon. Benjamin Ruggles, President, and James Roberts, Samuel Boyd and Ephraim Seers. Esquires, Associate Judges in said county of Harri- son. The court appointed Walter B. Beebe prosecu- ting attorney for the State of Ohio in Harrison county. The court also ordered that Walter B. Beebe be allowed the sum of $33.331 for
Of Harrison County, Ohio. 7
his services as prosecutor for the said August term. The following grand jurors appeared: Andrew McNeely, foreman; William Smith, Tachery Baker, William Mercer, William Hamilton, Samuel Gilmore, William Moore, Thomas Hitchcock, John McConnell, William Conwell, Richard Mckibben, and John Taggart. On motion of Mr. Beebe, who produced to the court the credentials of William Knox, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, satisfying the court that the said William has been regularly ordained as minister in said church accord- ing to the usages thereof, the said William Knox was licensed to solemnize marriages in the State so long as he, the said William, continues a regular minister in said church. The court ordered a license to be granted to John Adams, to keep a tavern at his place of residence in Nottingham township, for one year; also to William Grimes, Mr. Middie, Mr. Niel and Mr. Maholm, to keep a tavern in Cadiz.
The first jury drawn and empanelled were: John Paxton, Samuel Osburn, Jonathan Seers, Robt. Croskey, Samuel Dunlap, James Mc Millen, Samuel Huff, David Barrett, John Clark, Andrew Richey, James Porter and Benjamin Johnson. The grand jury returned one indictment for larceny, four for riot, and seven for assault and battery.
FIRST COURT HOUSE.
At a meeting of the commissioners July 6, 1815, they gave public notice that on the first Monday of September next, they would offer at public sale the erection of a brick court house, for the use of said county. On the 10th of August, 1815, the commis- sioners fixed the spot of ground on which the court house for the use of said county is to be built and caused the same to be surveyed off from the public ground in the town of Cadiz. On September 4, 1815
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A Brief History
the commissioners exposed at public sale the build- ing of a brick court house, forty-two feet square, which was knocked off to one John McCurdy, he being the lowest bidder, for the sum of five thousand six hundred and ninety-five dollars. This court house was to be finished by the first of April 1819.
On the 24th of July, 1827, the contract was given to John Olmstead to build the county offices, for the sum of $1,299. The bell for the court house was furnished by Daniel Kilgore, June 6, 1829. This court house remained the seat of justice for seventy- four years, and during all this time was used for many purposes other than those of justice. Meet- ings of all kinds touching the public interests were held within its walls.
County officials of 1813: Auditor, Walter B. Beebe; Treasurer, Samuel Osburn; Clerk of Courts, William Tingley; Prosecuting Attorney, Walter B. Beebe; Sheriff, Elescondo Henderson; County Re- corder, William Tingley; Coroner, Charles Chap- man; County Commissioners, John Pugh. James Co- bean, Eleazer Hoff.
County officials of 1894: Auditor, H. G. Forker: Treasurer, N. E. Clendennin; Clerk of Courts, M. J. McCoy; Prosecuting Attorney, William T. Perry: Sheriff, D. P. Host; County Recorder, Thomas Ar- baugh; Coroner, S. H. Kent, D. V. S .; County Com- missioners. Thomas Ryder, William C. Adams. John W. Spiker.
SECOND COURT HOUSE.
On the 21st of January, 1893, a meeting was held in the Auditor's office to take action, by which the matter of the erection of a new court house as a neces- sity to the county should be put in motion. At this
Of Harrison County, Ohio.
meeting Col. John S. Pearce was appointed to pre- pare a memorial to the legislature, setting forth the need of a new court house. Maj. Cunningham and S. B. McGavran to draft a bill to be submitted to the legislature, for its approval, authorizing the county commissioners to issue bonds in the amount not exceeding S100,000 with which to build a new court house in Cadiz. The memorial and bill were duly forwarded to our Representative. Hon. R. G. Kean. The following is the copy of the memo- rial as prepared by Col. Pearce:
TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF OHIO:
We, the undersigned citizens of Harrison county. do hereby respectfully petition your honorable body to enact a law authorizing and requiring the com- missioners of said county, to build a new court house at Cadiz, the present county scat. of sufficient size to contain suitable rooms for the holding of the ser- eral courts for said county, including that of the pro- bate court and all the county offices, not to exceed. however, in price, the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, and we state the following reasons therefor:
First: The present court house and the other county buildings which are outside of it, are all old and in a dilapidated condition. having been built in the year 1816, and are now too small and crowded for the proper and safe keeping of their records and of- fice papers, and the convenient transaction of busi- ness therein, and especially have they become very unsafe places for the keeping of such records and papers. The court house is so constructed that it is almost impossible, especially during sessions of the grand jury, to hold court therein, on account of the confusion created thereby, the grand jury and its witnesses having no other means of access to the
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A Brief History
jury room than by a stairway in said court room and owing to the construction of the building this cannot be remedied, and has always existed.
Second: The office of the Probate Judge is in the rooms over the fire engine house, formerly the old market house, and is (if possible) in a worse condition for the want of capacity, and convenience for the transaction of its business and safety of its records, than any of the other offices. This room is not only a very unsafe place, for the records and papers of such office, the destruction of which, by fire, would cost the county more than would the building of a new court house, but it is also difficult and danger- ous of access, especially so, for aged and infirm per- sons. The truth is, not one of the county buildings is a safe place for the keeping of its records and office papers, the destruction of which in any of them, by fire, would be an irreparable and incalculable loss to the county.
Third: A new court house containing all the county offices and court rooms, would not only be a great convenience to those having business to trans- act with them, but would be economy in the end in the expenditure of the public money, in providing places of safety for the public records and papers, and convenient transaction of business therein.
The foregoing are some of the facts upon which we base this application for a new court house, others might be given, but we deem it unnecessary to do so; those given being sufficient in our judgment to justi- fy this petition and its prayers. Should there be any question made as to the correctness of the above statements of facts we would respectfully ask that your honorable body appoint a suitable committee to make a personal examination of them for itself.
11
Of Harrison County, Ohio.
The following is the copy of the bill as prepared by Major Cunningham:
Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assem- bly of the State of Ohio: That the commissioners of Harrison county, Ohio, are hereby authorized and re- quired to construct, without unnecessary delay, a court house on the public square at the county seat of said county, at a cost not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars. For the construction of such building, bids are to be received as provided by law; but no bid shall be entertained by said commissioners that shall exceed the sum of one hundred thousand dollars as herein authorized for the completion of the entire building.
Section 2. That the county commissioners of said county, for the purpose of constructing said court house, are hereby authorized to borrow such sums of money as may be necessary, at a rate not exceeding six per cent. per annum, and issue the bonds of said county to secure the payment of principal and inter- est thereon; such interest shall be paid semi-annually at the office of the county treasurer. Said bonds shall be issued and sold in all respects in pursuance of existing law at not less than their face value, and the principal shall be paid at the said county treas- urer's office at such times as the commissioners shall prescribe, not exceeding nine years after date, and said bonds shall specify the object for which they were issued. The commissioners shall, annually, at their June session, levy such amount of taxes as will fully meet the interest on such indebtedness and at least one-ninth of the principal.
Section 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
The bill was introduced in the House of Represen- tatives January 27th by Hon. R. G. Kean, and read
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A Brief History
the second time January 30th, and referred to the committee on county affairs. Mr. Kean announce I that the bill would not be hurried through, but that sufficient time would be given to discuss the claims for the new court house as set up in the memorial of Col. Pearce. The opposition to the bill became so formidable that the committee of county affairs came to Cadiz on Friday, the 17th day of February, 1893. After the committee in this manner investigated the necessity for a new court house for themselves, they reported favorable, and the bill passed the House February 28, 1893, without a dissenting vote.
A like committee of the Senate visited Cadiz. March 17. 1893, and after a complete examination of our old buildings and hearing arguments on both sides, the bill was recommended favorably and passed March 22. 1893.
A supplementary act passed the House April 13, 1893. authorizing the Judge of Common Pleas Court to appoint a building committee. The Court ap- pointed David Cunningham, William H. Arnold, 1. (). Barnes and W. A. Holmes.
The building committee, with the county commis- sioners, W. C. Adams, Thos. H. Ryder and John W. Spiker, employed Yost and Packard, of Columbus, Ohio, as architects. The plans and specifications were carefully prepared, and the building of the court house was awarded to E. M. Long, of Bow- erston. August 12, 1893, the contract price being $86,985.
THE DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW COURT HOUSE.
The building will be in round numbers 100 feet square. No. 1 Berea stone for body and. Oolitic lime stone for trimmings. The Berea stone comes from the Cleveland Stone Company, of Cleveland, Ohio,
NEW HAMPIS THE COURT HOUSECIATION
س مناجل
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A Brief History
The lime stone from the Oolite Quarry Company, of Spencer, Indiana. The basement, which is all above the grade line, will contain a large public hall, with a committee room attached; two large rooms suitable for the post-office or the public library; one large office, lavatory, heating room, fuel room, etc .; the Smead system of dry closets; wide windows, tile floors, making every part of basement easy of access. On the first floor will be found the Auditor's office, with book room, and a door opening into the Com- missioner's office. Opposite the Auditor's office will be the Treasurer's office and the Surveyor's office. In the rear of the first floor will be found the Re- corder's office, the Probate Court and the Prosecut- ing Attorney's office. Wide corridors leading to the rotunda, make every part of the floor easy of access.
The floors in the corridors and outside the railings, will be of tile, all other floors of oak laid on concrete.
On the second floor there will be the Court Room, with the ceiling of ornamented leaded glass, with a sky-light above, guaranteeing a good light and a pleasant room. In connection, and conveniently lo- cated, will be rooms for male and female witnesses, the Judge's room, offices of the Clerk and Sheriff, Grand Jury room, Petit Jury room, and Library.
The building will be heated by hot water, wired for electric lights, and plumbed for gas and water.
The entire building will be made as near fire-proof as possible. All the floors, beams, ceilings, and roof construction will be of iron. A tower 112 feet high will ornament the building, in which will be a town clock and on it a figure of Justice.
The following are the names of the Presiding and Associate Judges in Harrison county up to 1852:
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Of Harrison County, Ohio.
PRESIDENTS. Benjamin Ruggles, Geo. W. Belden, Wm. Kennon, Benj. S. Cowan.
ASSOCIATE JUDGES.
James Roberts, Samuel Boyd, Ephraim Sears, Matthew Simpson, Alex. Henderson, John McCul- lough, John McCurdy, Thomas Bingham, David Campbell, John McBean, Robert Maxwell, Joseph Hunter, Alexander Patterson, John Hanna, Samuel Moorehead, Thomas Lee, Jas. Maxwell, Wm. Mc- Farland, Wm. Boggs.
I herewith submit a complete list of the county officials and members of the State Legislature from the organization of the county down to the present time.
STATE SENATORS.
John Mclaughlin John Dunlap, Samuel G. Ber- ryhill, Matthew Simpson," James Roberts, Daniel Kilgore, Joseph Holmes, Thomas C. Vincent, John Brady, Chauncey Dewey, Robert H. Miller, John Hastings, Pinckney Lewis, Samuel G. Peppard, David Allen, Charles Warfel, Isaac Holloway, Mar- shall McCall, Isaac Welch, John C. Jamison, Henry West, James B. Jamison, Sam'l Knox, David Wag- ener, D. A. Hollingsworth, Solomon Hogue, George W. Glover, Chas. N. Snyder, J. W. Nichols, Charles M. Hogg.
REPRESENTATIVES.
Stephen Ford, Robt. Patterson, Andrew McNeely, James Willson, Thomas Elliott, James Moores, William Moore, John Patterson, Ephraim Sears, William Willy, Walter B. Beebe, Joseph Rea, Saml. W. Bostwick, John Gruber, Josiah Scott, William McFarland, Jacob Lemmon, Samuel A. Russell, Wm.
* Were residents of the County.
16 A Brief History
Hammond, Marshall McCall, Reynolds K. Price. Ephraim Clark, James Day, William H. McGavran. John Latham, Smith R. Watson, Ingram Clark. Lewis Lewton, Anderson P. Lacey, David Cun- ningham, Samuel Herron, A. C. Nixon, Jesse For- sythe, Oliver G. Cope, Samuel B. MeGavran, Jas- per N. Lantz, Geo. M. Patton, Wesley B. Hearn. Robert G. Kean, Samuel K. Mclaughlin.
PROBATE JUDGES.
Brice W. Viers, Allen C. Turner, Amon Lemmon, E. B. McNamee.
AUDITORS.
The first Auditor (or Clerk of the Commissioners as the office was then called, was Walter B. Beebe. who held the position until Nov. 4. 1816, and Lared Stinson was appointed, and after that J. S. Hanna. Subsequently the Auditors have been:
Joseph Herris, Joseph Meek, James Miller, Chas. Patterson, Z. Bayless, J. Sharp, R. Edney. R. K. Price. John Sloan, Win. S. Gramfell, S. W. Kinsey. Samuel Knox, W. H. McCoy, R. A. McCormick. W. O. Potts, T. W. Giles, J. M. Scott. Henry Spence, Geo. A. Crew. H. G. Forker.
TREASURERS.
Samuel Osburn. J. S. Lacey, Samuel McCormick. James McNutt, Win. Milligan, Zephemiah Bayless. Ralph Barcroft, David Hilbert, John Russell, Thos. Richey, Frank Grace, W. S. Poulson, Elias Foust. Geo. A. Haverfield, H. L. Thompson, N. B. Pumph- rev. A. J. Harrison, S. A. Moore. N. E. Clendennin. Robert Stewart.
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
Walter B. Beebe, Josiah Scott, Edwin M. Stanton. S. W. Bostwick. Thos. L. Jewett. S. G. Peppard.
.
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Of Harrison County, Ohio.
A. C. Turner. Lewis Lewton, Jesse H. McMath. Amon Lemmon, W. P. Haves, David Cunningham, John S. Pearce. D. A. Hollingsworth, John C. Giv- en, John M. Garvin, Walter G. Shotwell, William T. Perry.
COUNTY CLERKS.
William Tingley, Thomas C. Vincent, Samuel M. McCormick, Chas. Patterson, T. C. Rowels, R. M. Lyons, John Fogle, J. M. Garvin, A. W. Scott, E. B. McNamee, M. J. McCoy, E. B. Kirby. .
COUNTY RECORDERS.
William Tingley, I. Harris, Wm. Johnson, S. M. McCormick. M. M. Sloan, Wm. Boyce, Lancelot Hearn, Wm. A. Hern, Joseph Rea, Geo. Woodburn, John Graybill, L. B. Grimes, A. B. Hines, Thomas Arbaugh.
SHERIFF'S.
Elescondo Henderson, James Boswell, John Stokes. Rezin Arnold, Barrick Dickerson, John S. Lacey, Matthew McCov. James McNut, William Milligan, William Cady. William Barrett, David Hilbert, Jas. Bovd, Alex. Barger, E. S. Woodburn, S. K. McGee. J. E. McPeck, James Moore, S. S. Hamill, Elisha Hargrave. E. Howard, J. C. Carver, J. C. Glover. A. Quigley, D. P. Host.
COMMISSIONERS.
John Pugh, James Cobean, Eleazer Huff; Wm. Wiley, Wm. Phillips, John Craig, Robert Maxwell, Wm. Henderson, Joseph Holmes, David Thompson, Thos. Martin, Brice W. Viers, John Caldwell, Hen- ry Ford, John Ramage, Samuel Colvin, Jesse Mer- rill, John Sharp, Andrew Richey, James P. Beall. Thomas Day. John Downing. James Hogland, Sam- uel Hitchcock, Samuel Richey, Luther Rowley, John Carrick, John Yost. Elijah Carver. Joseph Masters.
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A Brief History
Jacob Cramlet, Jackson Croskey, Chas. Wells, Jas. J. Billingsley. Walter Craig, Andrew Jamison, Levi Snyder, Wm. Evans, James Patton, John Sloan, Alex. Henderson, John Latham, Thos. McMillen, E. W. Phillips, Geo. Love, L. M. Branson, Jackson Rea, John Miller, M. B. Fierbaugh, R. B. Moore, Andrew Smith, John W. Spiker, Wm. C. Adams, Thos. H. Ryder.
Harrison county has furnished two Congressman, Daniel Kilgore and John A. Bingham. Two mem- bers of the Board of Equalization, Walter Jamison, and C. A. Skinner. Members of Constitutional Conventions, 1850-1851, Samuel Moorehead; 1872- 1873, William G. Waddle.
The Cadiz bar has been honored by men of talent among the most prominent of whom were: Walter
OLD COURT HOUSE, BUILT IN 1816; TORN DOWN AUGUST 1893.
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Of Harrison County, Ohio.
B. Beebe, Edwin M. Stanton, Chauncey Dewey, Stewart B. Shotwell, Samuel W. Bostwick, Samuel A. Russell, Josiah Scott, Joseph Sharon, Jesse H. McMath, Lewis Lewton, J. M. Estep.
At this time, May 10, 1894, the following attor- neys are actively engaged in practicing in Cadiz: - David Cunningham, John S. Pearce, Amon Lem- mon, David A. Hollingsworth, John M. Garvin, Walter G. Shotwell, A. O. Barnes, Milton Taggart, James Moore, John Busby, W. T. Perry, J. B. Worley, P. W. Boggs.
Surveyor in 1813, Hugh Shotwell. Surveyor in 1894, Jacob Jarvis.
INFIRMARIES.
THE FIRST INFIRMARY.
At a special meeting of the commissioners April 23, 1825, they made a contract with Samuel Boyd for 104 acres of land, (this farm is now owned by Norwood and Samuel Hedges,) for a poor farm for said county, and there being a house thereon, the commissioners appointed Walter B. Beebe, Thomas Lewis, Jacob Webb, Michael Moore, Joseph Johnson, John Hurless, John Patterson, and Matthew Simp- son, directors of the poor establishment in our said county. March 20, 1826, the directors of the poor reported that they had taken possession of the poor house and appointed John Willson as superintendent.
Number of inmates-males 3, females 1.
Paid Supt. for keeping poor and clothing same $162.17.
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A Brief History
Paid Supt. for making rails $6.00.
Paid Supt. for making stakes, S1.00.
To Samuel Lewis for support of outdoor poor $12. To Dr. W. R. Slemmons medical attendance, S4.00. To Walter B. Beebe, blank book, S2.00.
SECOND INFIRMARY.
On the 3d day of April, 1832, the commissioners, Thomas Martin, David Thompson and John Cald- well, contracted with Sheridan Cox for 303 acres of land in Archer township for S3636, for the poor farm. The commissioners gave Robert Watson S240.85 for building a poor house on this farm. This farm was sold to Matthew McCoy. George Cox, super- intendent.
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