Biographical and historical memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio. Embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the county and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy families and individuals, Part 1

Author:
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 642

USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio. Embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the county and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy families and individuals > Part 1

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GEN

ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01704 0202 Gc 977.101 M97b

GENEALOGY 977.101 M97b

Biographical and historical memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio

Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016

https://archive.org/details/biographicalhist00unse 0

Biographical

and

istorical

MEMOIRS

..... OF .....

MUSKINGUM COUNTY OFIO.

EMBRACING AN

AUTHENTIC AND COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNT OF THE CHIEF EVENTS IN THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTY AND A RECORD OF THE LIVES OF MANY OF THE MOST WORTHY FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS,

ILLUSTRATED.

Gc 977.101 M976

CHICAGO, THE GOODSPEED PUBLISHING CO. 1892.

Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270

PRESS OF JOHN MORRIS COMPANY, CHICAGO.

W B. CONKEY COMPANY, BINDERS.

PREFACE.

1251533

HIS book has been prepared under many discouraging circumstances, but is at last finished. Upon examination it will be found to merit the approval of the citizens of Muskingum county. Every line of the history proper has been read and approved by the committee appointed by the Pioneer and Historical so- ciety for that purpose. Every biography was typewritten and submitted by mail to the subject of the same and, in nearly every instance, was corrected and returned. These facts should render the matter in both departments of biography and history very accurate; still, in spite of the vigilance of the committee and the publishers, mis- takes no doubt have crept in and will be found upon examination. The publishers, as is their custom, stand ready to make the work absolutely accurate, and will be thankful if all persons will inform them of any mistakes they may discover, that the same may be corrected in an errata sheet which will be sent to every subscriber to be pasted in the book.

For materials and suggestions which have made the work broadly better and more interesting, we tender our thanks to the president and executive committee of the Pioneer and Historical society, to the committee of revision-Hon. M. M. Granger, Rev. F. Richards and R. J. J. Harkins, Esq .- and to many members of the society. To the press of Zanesville and other towns for access to their files and for editorial courtesies, to the clergy of all denominations throughout the county, to Hon. D. B. Linn for helpful counsel and valuable contributions, to William Cul- bertson for useful suggestions and historical data, to C. Frame for important con- tributions and assistance, and to our patrons for their most valuable support, we acknowledge ourselves deeply indebted. Satisfied that we have prepared a work of great interest and permanent value to the county, we respectfully tender this fine volume to the public.

THE PUBLISHERS.

55.

TABLE CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I .- Geology of the County-The Streams and CHAPTER IX .- Military History of the County -The Drainage-The Soil-The Productions-The Great Coal Fields-Vertical Section of the Strata-Analysis of the Coals-Fire Clay-Stone and Gravel-Iron Ore -Salt and Other Mineral Springs-Petrolenm- Grades of Pottery-Railroads and Navigation.

CHAPTER II .- Monndbuilders and Indians-Classifica- tion of the Earthworks of the Former People-A Description of the Most Noted Works in the State- Conclusions as to the Civilization of That People- The Indian Tribes-The Land Companies-The Mora- vians - Earliest Settlers -Statements of Old Pio- neers.

CHAPTER III .- Era of Settlement-The French Cour- ieurs du bois-Cession of the Soil by the Indians- Claims of the Old Colonies to the Territory-The Re- serves-The Land Companies -Military Tracts- Scouts and Squatters-First Settlers-Subsequent Pioneers -Customs of the Settlers-Game-First White Child.

CHAPTER IV .- Formation of the County-Act of Crea- tion-First County Officers-First and Subsequent Meetings of the Board of Commissioners-Acts of Grocery Licenses-Petitions, etc .- Creation of the First Townships-Assessment of Taxes - Official Bonds-First County Buildings -- Other Important Proceedings.

CHAPTER VI .- Boundary of the County -Disputed Districts and Boundaries-The State Capital at Zanes-

ville-" Old 1809"-The Whipping Post-Subsequent CHAPTER XIV .- Political History-Men Who Have Conrthouses and Other Public Buildings - The Poorhouse-Will of John McIntire-Stock of the Canal and Manufacturing Company-The Children's Home.

CHAPTER VII .- River Improvement and Navigation- The Keelboats and Pirogues-The Landings-The CHAPTER XV .- Miscellany-The Ohio and Eric Canal Canal-The First Steamboats-Boat Builders and Captains-Anecdotes-Improvements of the Rivers- Dams and Locks-Disasters on the Rivers-The Car- goes-Rivermen-Pilots-Explosion on the "Buckeye Belle."

Old Revolutionary Soldiers-War of 1812 in Which were the Muskingum Men under Colonel Cass-The War with Mexico-What the County did in this War -The Rebellion of 1861-65-Sketches of the Regi- ments-Losses and Battles in Which This County's Volunteers Participated-Individnal Record-Roll of Honor.

CHAPTER X .- Schools of the County-The Sixteenth Sections-Lease of the School Lands-Origin of the State and Connty School Fund-Laws on the Sub- ject-Boards of Education-The Early and Later Methods of Teaching Compared-Revenue, Enroll- ment and Attendance-Houses, Cost and Other Statis- tics-Studies Pursned-Districts and Teachers.

CHAPTER XI .- Schools of Zanesville-First Schools in the Town-Early Teachers and Methods-Seminaries and Academics-The Old Grammar and Classical Schools-Board of Examiners -- The Common-school System-The Graded Schools-Teachers and Their Wages-Studies Pursued-Statistics of Cost, Attend- ance, etc .- Board of Education-Laws and Taxation -The Zanesville Atheneum.

opment of the Practice of Law at Zanesville, with Names and Professional Characteristics of the First and Subsequent Lawyers and the Great Jurists of the County, Together with a Description of the Districts and an Account of Legal Affairs here Generally.

CHAPTER V .- Continued Acts of the County Board- General Improvements - Court House, Jail and CHAPTER XIII .- Agricultural and Kindred Societies- Debtors' Prison Erected-Plans and Specifications- Other Important Interests-A List of the Officers of the County from the Earliest Period with Dates, etc.

Mixed Husbandry- Old Farming Methods and Machinery Compared with the New-First Apple Trecs-Recent Statistics of Fruit, Stock, and Grain Products-The County Fairs-Constitution of the Society-General Matters of Interest.

Served the County in an Official Capacity-Incidents Connected with the Early Political Campaigns- Society for the Promotion of Freedom and Universal Rights-Constitutional Proceedings -Vote of the County, etc.

The Railways-The Manufacture of Salt-The Early Itinerant preachers-The Religious Circuits- Fourth of July, 1814-The Case of Jacob Lewis, 1816 -- Reminiscense of an Early Doctor The Silver Excitement -- Population of the County Other Sta- tistics.

CHAPTER VIII .- Medical and Historical Societies- The Early Doctors and Their Methods-Vaccination CHAPTER XVI .- Zanesville's Settlement and Early Practiced for the First Time-Names of the Early Business-The Okl Zane Deed-Laying Out of the Town-Description of the Lots and Streets The Town of Natchez-Mr. MeIntire Described His Death and Epitaph-First Settlers of Zanesville- - First Merchants and Other Business Men Later Manufactures. Physicians-The First and Subsequent Medical So- cieties of the county-The Pioneer and Historical Society-Its Articles of Incorporation and Its Laws -List of Members-Its Approval of the Historical Matter in This Volume.

the Board-Opening of Roads-Tavern, Ferry and CHAPTER XII .- Bench and Bar-A Sketch of the Devel-

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XVII .- Zanesville Incorporated as a Borough and City-Its Officers-Municipal Institutions-Ex- tensions and Development-The Wards-Financial Statistics-The Water System-Bridges-Cemeteries -Market House-Police and Fire Departments- Workhouse-Board of Education-Summary of Busi- ness Industries.

CHAPTER XVIII .- Manufactures and Commerce of Zanesville-Their Industries-Corporate and Indi- vidual Enterprises-Public Buildings and Halls- Board of Trade and the Newspaper Press-Scientific Enterprise-The Postoffice-Banks and Banking Institutions-Building Associations-Business Insti- tutions.

CHAPTER XIX .- Secret Social and Benevolent Associa- tions-Building and Loan and Other Private and Beneficial Organizations-The Pioneer Society-The Zanesville City Hospital Association-The Board of Trustees-Bible Society.

CHAPTER XX .- Churches of Zanesville-Organization of the First Societies of the Various Denominations Represented Here-Names of Early Members and Ministers-The Old Circuit Riders-Sunday Schools and Bible Societies-The First Houses of Worship- Subsequent Buildings-Other Matters of Interest Connected with the Churches.

CHAPTER XXI .- Salt Creek Township. P 2-70

CHAPTER

XXII .- Union Township. - 297

XXIII .- Adams Township. 30 3

XXIV .- Harrison Township.

XXV .- Blue Rock Township. XXVI .- Jackson Township. XXVII .- Salem Township. XXVIII .- Clay Township.

XXIX .- Brush Creek Township. - 325 XXX .- Highland Township.

XXXI .- Hopewell Township. 329

XXXII .- Meigs Township.

XXXIII .- Perry Township. 33 XXXIV .- Springfield Township.

XXXV. Jefferson and Cass Townships.

XXXVI .- Madison Township.

XXXVII .- Licking Township.

CHAPTER XXXVIII .- Washington Township. '

CHAPTER CHAPTER

XXXIX .- Rich Hill Township. XL .- Monroe Township. - 352

CHAPTER

XLI .- Newton Township. XLII .- Falls Township.

CHAPTER

CHAPTER XLIII .- Muskingum Township.

CHAPTER

XLIV .- Wayne Township.

CHAPTER

XLV .- Personal Memoirs.

CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER

CHAPTER

CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER

PAGE

Pioneer Log Cabin. 45- 46

Court House, Zanesville 215-216

Map of Muskingum county and Vicinity 62- 63

Moses M. Granger. 249-250

George W. Cass 79- 80

Schultz Opera House Block. 266-267

McIntire Children's Home 96- 97

View of Zanesville.

283-284

View on the Fair Ground

John Hoge

113-114

A. C. Ross .. 316-317

Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Building, Zanes- ville 130-131

School Building, Zanesville )

Town Hall, New Concord. . S 349-350

Scene on the Street Railway, Zanesville. 147-148

Courier Building, Zanesville )

383-384

High School Building, Zanesville 164-165

Clarendon Hotel, Zanesville ..

D. H. Gaumer 181-182

Private Residence, Zanesville 417-418

Simeon M. Winn.

198-199

Tiling Company's Works

451-452

BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL MEMOIRS OF . .

MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.

Chapter 2.

M USKINGUM COUNTY is bounded on the after following a more or less tortuous course, north by Coshocton county, on the east flow into the river. The surface of the county by Guernsey and Noble counties, on the is much broken and affords easy drainage. The south by Morgan and Perry counties, and on northwestern section is drained by the Waka- the west by Perry and Licking counties, and tomaka creek, which flows through Jackson and has an area of more than 800 square miles. Cass townships into the Muskingum at Dresden. The northern portion may be regarded as a The southwestern is traverseed by Jonathan's valley, having the Muskingum river as its low- creek and Moxhala creek, whose waters flow est line. This river rises and has its source together prior to entering the Muskingum, and wholly within the limits of this state, taking its by Brush creek. To the extreme northeast on rise in a swamp in Richland county about Wills creek and White Eyes creek, the former, thirty miles in a direct line from Lake Erie. with its many forks and tributaries, drains Mon- It drains a surface of about two hundred miles roe and Highland townships entering into Wills from east to west, passing wholly through an creek at the north. Wills creek, uniting with uneven, and in most parts hilly, country which the river a few miles north from Dresden, is fed abounds in the minerals most useful to man. by numerous small streams from Monroe and Its current is gentle, with few rapids. A glance Adams townships, and frequent tributaries to at a map of the county shows the Muskingum the river are seen in Madison, Washington, entering its borders somewhat eastward of the Muskingum and Cass townships. Symmes creek centre of the northern boundary. It has its flows through Madison township into the course in a general direction south, making its Muskingum. It has two branches, of which the exit about midway of the southern boundary northern has its source in Adams township and linc, thus dividing the county into two por- the southern in Salem township. Meigs creek tions, of which the castern is the larger. The drains the townships of Blue Rock and Meigs western section is nearly equally divided by on the southeast, and Salt creek, heading in the Licking river, which flows from Licking Highland township, flows west of south, through county in a southwest direction into the Musk- Salem, Perry and Salt creek townships, and ingum river at Zanesville. The Muskingum flows into the Muskingum at Duncan's Falls. flows through or along the boundaries of This drainage system is complete, freeing the Madison, Cass, Muskingum, Washington, Falls, country from malarial influences and affording Springfield, Wayne, Brush Creek, Harrison and a constant supply of water for stock, while in- Blue Rock townships ; the Licking through numerable springs yield more than enough for Licking, along the northeast border of Hope- household purposes. The water-power of the well and through Falls townships. A few di- county is exceptionally good and is referred to viding ridges are seen in the Muskingum valley, many times elswhere in this volume. but they are limited in extent, and the streams, Wills creek and the Muskingum river,

HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

above Zanesville, are not constantly to be which are quite limited in area, and but few of depended on as commercial outlets. The fall which correspond in boundary with the town- in these streams is slight, and slack water ships of the original survey. Of the counties navigation is perfectly feasible. Many years of the state, Muskingum ranks fourth as respects ago a survey of Wills creek was made, with area, having, exclusive of lands in cities, towns a view to this improvement, and the fall was and corporations, 417,264 acres, an area in found to be a little more than ten inches square miles of 656. The municipalities of the per mile. In former times this creek was sub- county are Zanesville, long regarded as one of ject to very extensive freshets, giving from Ohio's leading cities, and the incorporated fourteen to eighteen feet of water, overflowing towns and villages of Dresden, fifteen miles the country for miles, and, owing to the slug- above Zanesville, on the Muskingum, and Tay- gishness of the stream, lasting for several weeks. lorsville, nine miles below, at Duncan's Falls; During later years such freshets have been of New Concord, fifteen miles east, and Frazeys- rare occurrence, as, temporarily, at least, the burg, about thirteen miles northwest, and Union- climate has become much dryer than previously. town, Adamsville and Roseville. Among the At certain seasons of the year there has usually unincorporated places of more or less size are been sufficient water to admit of floating out Norwich, Otsego, Bloomfield, Chandlersville, rafts of timber. In the Muskingum the supply Duncan's Falls, Gratiot, Irville, Lytlesburg, is more regular, and though now, during the Northport, Mount Sterling and Rix Mills.

greater part of the year, not sufficient for com-

When Zane and his companions "blazed mercial purposes, a comparatively small out- out" the "trace" which bore his name, the lay would render it navigable most of the time. territory of the county was covered by a dense The surface of the county east of the river growth of large trees. The field notes of is generally uneven. Parts are quite hilly, al- Briggs, Mathews and others taken during their though none of the elevations reach the dignity surveys name most varieties of timber common of mountains. The hills are rolling, tillable and to this latitude. Here grow the various oaks, seldom rise above the stream over 250 feet. poplars and walnuts; here were the hickory, Much of the county west of the Muskingum is ash, maple sugar tree, beech, sycamore, chest- comparatively even, and the rest undulatory. nut, buckeye, wild cherry, the common and The scenery is striking and attractive, and slippery elms, the common honey and gum abounds in a variety of views, unsurpassed with- locusts and the dogwood, all among the most in any similar area in the state. Flint Ridge, predominant species. Upon the woodlands of one of the highest elevations in the county, is the county the various kinds of timber above in Hopewell township, west of Zanesville, and named are still found. Among the wild fruits High Hill, in the eastern part of the county, is still more or less abundant are the plum, per- in great favor with tourists. From its summit simon, service-berry, grape and thorn- and crab- the eye ranges from twenty-five to fifty miles apple. and includes an unexcelled landscape of vil-

The soil of the county is deep alluvial upon lage, farm and wood. The variety of surface the bottoms of the river and lesser streams, and is not only picturesque, but affords a wide scope the valleys of the Muskingum and Licking are , to agriculture.

seldom excelled in productiveness. A leading

The line of the fortieth parallel of north crop is corn, of which the Muskingum valley latitude crosses the county near the center, and has at times produced more than any other was made the base for survey. That portion valley in the state. Gray limestone is found in north of this line was known as the United States the uneven sections, even to the top of the military lands, and was primarily surveyed in greatest hills. Upon exposure to atmospheric 1803 by Levi Barker into four-thousand acre influences, this stone crumbles, and, fertilizing tracts. The portion south of the parallel was the soil, renders it equally productive with the congressional lands, and was surveyed into six- lower tracts. The county has no waste surface. mile townships in 1798 by Zaccheus Briggs, John The clay lands, having an admixture of more Mathews and Ebenezer Buckingham. Located or less sand, afford the farmer high remunera- in the southeastern part of the state, the county tion for his labor, and many of the leading cul- is situated near the middle of the great coal tivators till these alone. The slope of the section, which is about 180x80 miles. In form, county is mainly to the southeast and south, Muskingum is nearly square, being about and the drainage is toward the Ohio river. twenty-seven miles in extent, from north to Farms in Muskingum county are usually small. south, and twenty-five from east to west. It is Small farms bearing profitable crops tend to divided into twenty-five townships, some of careful and scientific cultivation and heavy

HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

population. Indeed large farms here are 12,000 square miles (generally stated at 10,000 exceptional, and herein it may be claimed square miles), more than one-fourth of the area lies the secret of the county's agricultural pros- of the state being underlaid by productive coal perity. Near Zanesville gardening and small measures. The western margin of the Ohio farming are practiced. Farther away much portion of the Appalachian field was through land is devoted to clover and timothy and stock the counties of Trumbull. Geauga, Portage, farming is followed. Muskingum is scarcely Summit, Medina, Wayne, Holmes, Knox, Lick- excelled by any of the most extensive sheep- ing, Perry, Hocking, Vinton, Jackson, Pike and growing counties. Her Devon and Durham Scioto, including Muskingum, and the coal breeds of cattle have taken numerous premi- measures are spread over all the territory lying ums at the Ohio State and county fairs. Dur- east of this line of outcrop to the State line at ing recent years the best of blooded horses for the Ohio river. All the beds of coal at present turf and road have been bred, until the horses worked are located in the Upper and Lower of Muskingum rank among the finest in the Coal Measures, the Barren .Measures, as the country. The leading grains, aside from corn, name indicates, containing little coal of suffi- are wheat, oats, rye and buckwheat. Both cient thickness for the immediate purposes of Irish and sweet potatoes grow abundantly. the miner.

Some tobacco has been grown. Flax, that Muskingum county is situated upon the product of the pioneer days, is no longer western margin of the great Alleghany coal raised. The manufacture of butter and cheese fields, and consequently borders the vast coal- is a leading industry. Considerable attention less district which extends over two-thirds of has been given to the cultivation of sorghum Ohio and large portions of Indiana, Illinois, and considerable quantities of marketable Wisconsin, Michigan and Western Canada. All syrup and sugar have been produced. Much of this region is largely dependent upon this maple sugar and syrup are made yearly for and adjoining counties for their supply of coal, domestic consumption. Muskingum's wool and the central position of Muskingum county clip is large. Orchards abound. Peaches, in this coal region, and the advantages it pos- pears and apples are generally raised, and sesses in the way of railroad transportation, there are few farmers who do not have land must enable it to command the market of a set out to fruit trees. The size, flavor and very wide range of country. There is not a appearance of the fruits command high awards township in the county in which workable beds of merit. The culture of the grape is success- of coal are not found. Within the county are fully pursued. The Concord is the most popu- seven separate and distinct coal strata, each lar vine, but Delawares, Clintons and other varying from three to seven feet in thickness, varieties flourish equally well. There are many besides ten or twelve additional seams, portions vineyards, and the agriculturist raises a supply of which only are valuable for working at the for the family. Gooseberries, raspberries and present time. It is estimated that there is an strawberries of the finest size and flavor are average aggregate thickness of over forty feet successfully cultivated in quantities not only of available coal seams covering the entire to supply home demands, but to ship to other county, and in it is found a representative of localities. In 1872, at one of the finest displays nearly every important seam in the coal meas- of native fruits ever made in Ohio, at the State ures of southeastern Ohio. Professor Mather, Horticultural Fair, the first premium was a former state geologist, says: "There is awarded to Muskingum county. sufficient coal in Muskingum county alone to

In her mineral resources Muskingum county. supply the entire population of our State with ranks pre-eminent. The developments which fuel for two hundred and fifty years." While have been made, and which are daily being the coal area of the county is greater than any made, demonstrates that it is among the rich- other county in the State, this coal, lying in est in the world in coal, iron ore and other accessible seams in the hillsides, is readily valuable minerals. The proximity of these drained and easily and cheaply mined. Shaft- minerals to each other, and the facility with ing will for long years to come be here unknown. which they can be mined, must have the effect The coal is of the finest quality of bituminous in due time to concentrate in the county a large and cannel, being for the most part of a very number of furnaces, iron mills, foundries and dry quality-almost entirely free from slate, other iron manufactures.

sulphur, or other impurities-and consequently

The Ohio coal field is situated in the north- is fitted for all purposes, whether it be the western part of the Appalachian coal field, and manufacture of iron or for the ordinary uses. embraces within the state between 10,000 and

For the following account of the economic

HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

geology of this county, indebtedness is ac- township, the dip is reversed, and is north- knowledged to John J. Stevenson and Prof. westward until a line is reached passing east of Edward Orton, from whose reports, published north and south of west through a point about by state authority, it is freely derived: one-half mile east of Norwich, in Union town- The consolidated rocks of the county all ship. There it again becomes southeastward, belong to the carboniferous age, and, for the and so continues until another line is reached most part, to the coal measures. The follow- passing just east of New Concord in a north- ing is an approximate section.

FT.

IN.

1. Shale

100

2. Coal. 2 to 10

3. Clay

4. Limestone

1-3

5. Shale.

6. Crinoidal limestone. 2-4

7. Shale.

1-35 0

8. Coal No. 7b.

1-2

9. Fire-clay

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Biographical and historical memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio. Embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the county and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy families and individuals, Part 1

Author: Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 642

Author:
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 642