20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 33

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 993

USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 33

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

2.645 13,789,310 6,888.570 20,678,850

Total

.20,068 $15,261,210 $7,939,560 $23.204.770

POLITICS.

As this township constitutes a political division outside of the city of Springfield, and yet has some officers that are elected

has a political complexion separate from the city, and this is Republican, when a full vote is had-perhaps from 150 to 200. The offices that belong to the township are those of trustees, justice of the peace and constable. The officers are elected by the votes of the city and township. Separate from these is the school board, which is elected by the voters of the school district, which does not include the city of Springfield. Much of the history of the early settlement of this township is embodied in the general history of the county and that of the city of Springfield.

FIRST SETTLERS.

The first settlement of the township was no doubt that made by Kenton, De- mint and their companions out along Buck Creek just before it enters Mad River, in 1799. Afterwards Kenton went up into Moorefield Township, but in a few years he was back again in Springfield Township at Lagonda, Demint and Hum- phreys going up into what is now the city of Springfield.

The following account of the early set- tlers of this township is taken from authentic records, most of it having been previously published, but having been corrected up to date:

James Rea was a Pennsylvanian, who settled, about the year 1802, where Harvey Tuttle now lives. His sons were James, John and Andrew. John suc- ceeded John Buckles, an owner of a flour- ing-niill on Beaver Creek, on the site of "Junction Mills" (Redmonds). Mr. Rea improved the race, and in 1835 was succeeded by Robert Rodgers. Peter

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Sintz, Sr., was born in Pennsylvania in and, she dying in 1813, her husband was April, 1776, and was the son of Nicholas married in 1815 to Elizabeth Layton, who had born to her Joseph, Jason, Silas, Abram, George, Cornelius, James, Catlı- erine and William. Cooper Ludlow died in 1832. Abram, the last surviving son, died in 1906. and Margaret (Metzger) Sintz, he a na- tive of Germany and she of Pennsylvania. In boyhood Peter moved to Virginia with his parents, and in 1802 he came to Springfield. In 1804 he married Eliza- beth Critz, a native of Maryland, to whom was born seven children, viz: Margaret, Nicholas, Mary, George, Susan, Peter and Elizabeth. He built his cabin in Section 23, on the farm where his daughter Susan recently resided on the Clark and Miami Pike. He accumulated a large estate and died September 30, 1858, and his wife November 15, 1865. His parents also settled here, his mother dying in 1822 and his father in 1823, Susan, the daughter, dying abont 1894 and Peter, Jr., a son, a few years later.

In the spring of 1802 James and John Reid came from Virginia and selected land in Section 10, then went back to their native state, and the same fall returned to Springfield with the whole family, viz: John, Joseph, Nancy, Thomas. Betsey, James, William, Robert and George. They first built a cabin in the village on the site of Myers' livery stable, opposite the Sun office, and began to clear the land in Section 10, where in a year or two they erected a cabin and removed to it, and where George Reid, a grandson of James, now resides with his family in a fine brick residence, which has displaced the rude log structure of the pioneer days.

Cooper Indlow was born in New Jersey in 1783; was married in 1803 to Elizabetlı Reeder, and in 1804 settled three miles west of Springfield, where he opened a tannery. To Elizabeth Ludlow was born Ellen, Mary, Stephen, John and Jacob;

John Perrin was born in Washington County, Maryland, in 1778, and there mar- ried to Amelia Ingram, a native of that county, born in 1778. In 1806, he and family came to Springfield, and he pur- chased the whole of Section 3. His family consisted of six children, viz., Edward. Joseph, John, William, Minerva E. and Emery, the two former of whom were born before coming to this county. He died in 1848, and his wife in 1847, and his sons John and William were among the leading citizens of the township. A grand- son, John, lives on the home farm south of the city.

About the year 1806 Edward Arm- strong settled on Section 5, now owned by Ed. L. Buchwalter. He built and op- erated a distillery for a time, and his wife was an excellent woman, and a Baptist.

In 1806 John Dugan settled in the east- ern part of the township. He was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, June 4, 1787; was married to Polly Hall, a na- tive of Kentucky, born in 1792, of which union the following children were the is- sue: Sarah, William, Margaret, James and John. Mr. Dugan died July 2, 1868, and his wife July 21, 1867.

Francis and Isabel Best, natives of Vir- ginia, settled on the site of P. P. Mast's residence in 1806, where they died. They had ten children-six sons and four daughters,

John and Jane Snodgrass came from

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Kentucky in 1806, settling in Section 11. Henry Oxtoby. She was born in England He died in May, 1826, aged sixty-three, and his wife in May, 1859, aged eighty- seven.

Jobn Hatfield was born in Virginia in 1798, and in 1799 his father, Nathaniel, came with the family to Kentucky, thence to Greene County, Ohio, in 1805, and in 1806 to Section 7, in the south part of this township, where he died in 1812. In 1821 John married Eva Garlough, daugh- ter of Jolin Garlough, twelve children be- ing born to this union. In 1853 he re- moved to a farm in Green Township.

Andrew Benson was born in Bath Coun- ty, Virginia, in 1781; came to this town- ship in 1806; was married to Sarah Ren- niek, also a Virginian, born 1796, dauglı- ter of Robert and Mary Rennick, March 26, 1812. They had six children; four lived to be grown. Andrew died Novem- ber 28, 1826, and his wife February 28, 1848.

George H. Benson, a brother of An- drew's, was born in the same county and state in 1787; came to this township in 1807, and married, in 1818, Isabel Ren- nick, also a daughter of Robert and Mary Rennick. She was born in this township in 1801, and had ten children; eight grew to maturity. She died March 28, 1866, and her husband February 27, 1877.

Nathan Reddish was born in Maryland in 1783; came to Greene County, Ohio, previous to 1808; was married to Matilda Miller, and in 1810 settled on Section 14, Springfield Township, where he engaged in a tannery, which he carried on until 1834. He was married three times; had five children by his first, but none by his second wife, and three by his last wife, who was Harriet Oxtoby, the sister of

in 1792, and died in 1874. Dr. John Red- dish is now the only surviving child of Nathan Reddish.

Lewis Skillings came to this county in 1810, settling in the northeast part of Green Township, and in a few years moving across the line into this township, where he died in 1869. His wife, Anna (Craig) Skillings, came to this county in 1808, and died in 1866. Both were mem- bers of the "Fletcher Chapel," and have left worthy descendants, who honor their name.

In 1810 Matthew and Jane Wood came from Kentucky and settled where George Alt now lives. He died in 1830, and his wife in 1856.

Isaac Wood was born in New York in 1771 ; was married to Jane Corey, of New Jersey, in 1797, who was born in 1779, coming to this county in March, 1812, set- tling in Section 15, Springfield Township, removing the following years to Section 9. They had thirteen children. Isaac Wood died in 1825, and his widow in 1871.

John Foster was an early settler on Beaver Creek, and built the original mill on that stream, at the site of "Junction Mills" about 1808, and, during and after the war of 1812, operated this rude mill successfully.

William Hall was a staid Baptist, and an early settler of the eastern part of the township.

Peter Printz was born in Maryland in 1811, and came with his parents, in 1815, to this township, settling in Section 1, in the southwestern part of the township. He there grew up, and married Catherine Kelly in 1841, who had born to her eleven children. She was a native of this county,

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and yet resides on her husband's estate. Both Peter and his parents died on this farm.

In 1815, Adam and Maria Alt, of Mary- land, settled in this township, where he died in 1876.

Herbert Huffman settled in the north-, ship, on Section 3, and is one of the lead- eastern part of the township as early as 1815, and possibly earlier. He died in 1820, and his wife, Sarah, in 1842.

Luke Byrd was a Baptist preacher of excellent repute, who settled in the east- ern part of the township in 1816. He died August 31, 1823, aged fifty-five, and his wife, Catherine, in September, 1835, aged seventy-two. They reared a numer- ous family, who, with their descendants, occupy prominent places in business and social circles of the township.

Benjamin Foos lived on Section 4, Township 5; was an active business man, and died in the prime of life.

Moses Bishop was born in Pennsylvania in 1804; came to Ohio with his parents in 1806, and, in 1816, from Warren Coun- ty to the eastern. part of this township. His parents were from New Jersey, and had five children, Moses, Margaret, David, Delila and Edward.

One of the most eccentric pioneers of the township was Andrew Pinneo, who was born in Vermont in 1770; came to Green Township, Clark County, Ohio, in 1816; thence to Section 8, Springfield Township. He married Esther Waters, of Vermont, who had seven children. Mr. Pinneo was in the War of 1812. and died about 1859, his wife having died about 1843.

which he had learned in his native land, where he was also married to Sarah Cook. He and wife were earnest Methodists, he dying in 1850 and she in 1867. His grand- son, Wm. J., now resides on the old home- stead in the southeastern part of the town- ing farmers of the county.

In 1820, Henry Wolf and his wife Eliz- abeth (Haller) Wolf, with their family, settled in Section 6, in the northeastern corner of the township. They were from Virginia, and he built and conducted a dis- tillery for a number of years. They had nine children, and Samuel, the seventh child, now resides upon the old home- stead.

Caleb Tuttle was the fourth son of Sil- vanus and Mary (Brown) Tuttle, who settled in Moorefield Township in 1808. He was born in Virginia May 14, 1799, and, March 21, 1822, married Mary Prickett, daughter of Nicholas Prickett, one of the pioneers of the country. By this union he became the father of Sil- vanus, Isaiah, David, William H., Thom- as, Catherine, Eliza, Margaret, Mary E., Rachel and Laura.

John Buckles came to the township from the southern part of the state, and op- erated a flouring-mill and stillhouse on Beaver Creek, near the present site of "Junction Mills." He was the father of a large family. James, David, Robert, Thomas, William, John and Abraham were his sons. The father was a Baptist, and his sons James and Abraham were ministers of that denomination.

MORE RECENT INHABITANTS.

John Stickney, an Englishman, born in 1780, came to the township in 1819, where Others who have been more or less he carried on the blacksmith's trade, prominent in township affairs may be

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mentioned, as the following: Rev. H. H. by W. M. Rockel, in 1862, and died in Tuttle, who was born in this county Sep- 1896. tember 20, 1842, son of John and Margaret John H. Kobelantz, living north of the city of Springfield, was born on his pres- ent residence, March 15, 1839, and was married December 21, 1871, to Anna M. Snyder. Tuttle, was married in 1870 to Laura J. Luse, and is still living in the township. Silas Bird, who was the father of S. Van Bird, the present county surveyor, came to this township in 1816; was married to William H. Berger was born in Penn- sylvania, January 21, 1830, and settled near Lagonda in 1838. He was married March 18, 1852, to Mary J. Jackson and died in 1907. He was a well-known citizen, active in many capacities. Margaret Tuttle, daughter of Caleb and Mary Tuttle, in 1848; has been dead some twelve years. Henry Stickney was a long time resident of this township, having been born November 26, 1821, at the place near where he died, which is now occupied by George H. Reed, who lives east of the city, was the son of James Reed and died in 1857. George was married in 1870 to Eunice E. Bird. Mr. Reed is active in township affairs, having served upon the board of education, as assessor, and in other capacities. his son William J. He was married No- vember 11, 1851, to Isabella J. Baird. He has likewise been deceased some ten or twelve years. William Rice was born in this county, February 17, 1833, and died in 1907. He was the son of Edward and Lucy Rice. He was married January 13, 1856, to Matilda Goudy. He lived near the Greene County Line.

John McClintoch was for a long time a resident of this township south along the Yellow Spring Pike, on the farm now owned by Mrs. Matthews. He died in 1869.

James P. Leffel, who lived south of Leffel's Lane, came to this township at an early date and became quite wealthy, owning 1,600 acres of land. He died in 1887. He was the father of Colonel Jo- sephi Leffel, of this city, who is still liv- ing. Michael Leffel, who lived on the Re- bert place south of the city, was born March 20, 1822, and died in 1894. He was married in 1844 to Elizabeth Cosler. Another son, Reuben, was born in this county May 9, 1836, and was married in 1858 to Rachel MeClellan. He moved south of the city on the farm now owned

Judson Redmond, the owner of Red- mond mills, was born in New York in 1824 and was married October 10, 1846, to Harriet Hinman.

William T. Otstot is a life-long resident of this township, having been born on the farm where he now lives, December 16, 1837, and married January 2, 1868, to Mary A. Willis. Mr. Otstot has served as township trustee and in other official posi- tions.

Charles H. Petre, in the southern part of the township, dis the son of the pioneer Lonis Petre and lived all his life upon his present farm. Quite a number of the Crabill family live in this township, their father, Thomas V. Crabill, having been an early pioneer and accumulated a large tract of land. The sons living are Will- iam, David, James, John, Milton and Jo- seph.

Geo. W. Bymaster was born in Penn-

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sylvania in 1833 and came to Clark County in 1862 and resides at Sugar Grove. He was united in marriage to Mary Jane Til- ton. He is at present county infirmary director.

J. and D. L. Snyder, brothers, were prominent residents of the west end of this township. They came here with their father, Henry Snyder, and located on the site of the present mills. During their lifetime they amassed a large fortune. John died, leaving a fine bequest to the City Hospital, and the park was donated by them. A brother, William, died before these brothers.

Peter Sintz, living in the Sugar Grove neighborhood, was a life-long resident of this township, having died some ten or twelve years ago. John T. May kept a toll-gate along the Urbana Pike for many years. Daniel Young resided north of the city,

The Paiges-William and Ira-live south neur the Green Township line and others have been more or less prominent in township affairs.

Justices of the Peace .- Anthony Byrd, 1834, 1837, 1852, 1855, 1858; Reuben Mil- ler, 1835, 1840, 1843, 1856, 1859, 1862, 1868, 1871; J. S. Halsey, 1836; A. D. Merriness, 1837; John R. Leman, 1838; Samuel Mott, 1838; John Whiteley, 1843; Samuel Par- sons, 1844, 1850; William" Whiteley, 1846, 1849; Pierson Spinning, 1846, 1849, 1854, 1855; John Coffield, 1850; Alfred D. Coombs, 1853; James S. Christie, 1857, 1860; Joseph D. Wood, 1861, 1864, 1865, 1868; D. A. Harrison, 1863; George C. Richardson, 1863; Charles Evans, 1857; J. J. Smith, 1873, 1885; Alden H. Gillett, 1874; Henry Hollenback, 1877-1883; Will- iam H. Burnett, 1879; Frank Rightmyer,

1883; William A. Stout, 1885-1888-1894; John G. Breckenridge, 1886; J. J. Miller, 1888; John B. Clingerman, 1891-1897; Harry D. Brydon, 1897-1900; W. Y. Ma- bar, 1899-1900; A. C. Harriman, 1902- 1908; Roger V. Smith, 1903-1908; Jolin M. Cole, 1903 (did not qualify).

Township Trustees (since 1881)-Will- iam Davidson, 1881-1883; Joe Harrison, 1881, 1883-1886; George Zimmerman, 1881-1885; W. T. Otstot, 1882, 1884-1885; Win. Craig, 1886, 1889-1897; John M. Stewart, 1886, 1898-1900; Wm. Berger, 1887-1890; Thomas O'Brien, 1887, 1888; H. C. Williamson, 1887, 1888; Geo. H. Dalie, 1889-1901; Samuel Hongh- ton, 1890-1892; John Crabill, 1892, 1893; D. H. LeFevre, 1893-1907; J. N. Tuttle, 1894-1896; Win. Myers, 1897-1899, 1903- 1907; T. F. Nave, 1900, 1901, 1904-1907; Geo. Bymaster, 1902, 1903. John H. Kobleantz member elect.

Present Board of Education (1907)- President, Joseph Crabill, Jr., Fred Hirtzinger, John Otstot, J. W. Jenkins, Wm. Hyslip.

Township Treasurers-John W. Par- sons, 1879-1883; W. S. Wilson, 1883-1885; David M. Burns, 1885-1887 ; John W. Par- sons, 1887-1888; J. F. Walter, 1888-1890; II. H. Cumback, 1891-1893; J. J. Goodfel- low, 1893-1895; J. M. Todd, 1895-1899; P. M. Stewart, 1899-1903; Anthony Haesler, 1903-1905; Clarence Arbogast, 1905-1907.

CHURCHES.

Probably the first denomination to erect a Church in this township were the regular Baptists, who organized a society in 1816. The original members were Nathaniel Reeves, Mary A. Reeves, John

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Buckles, Mary Buckles, Nicholas Pricket, nel and wife, John Bishop and wife, William Hangh, William Beesely and James Bishop and wife, Nathaniel Bees- Jey and wife and John Pricket and wife. Between the years of 1840 and 1860 the Presbyterians maintained stated services here. It has been stated that the noted Mormans, Joe Smith and Rigdon, once oc- cupied the pulpit in this meeting-house. James Bnekles. This organization built a log church a few rods from the site of the Union Meeting House built at a later date. It was on the opposite side of the Old Columbus Road. They continued to worship here until 1840, when the prop- erty was sold to Caleb Tuttle. The so- ciety continned its organization nntil 1848, when it was abandoned.

Regular Baptist Church-In 1831 a number of Free-Will Baptists were joined by a number of citizens of various beliefs in the building of an undenominational church, that should be free to all chris- tians. This church was built on the old Columbus Road in the eastern part of the township on Section 6. The principal members of the society were James Don-

It is also said that the regular Baptists had undisputed services on the first Sab- bath and the Saturday before, the Pres- byterians the second Sabbath and the Saturday before, and the Free-Will Baptists the third Sabbath and the Satur- day before. Services are still continued in this organization. This church was re- paired last year (1907) at an expense of $650. Regular services are now held here, Rev. H. H. Tuttle being the pastor.

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places for travellers and teamsters. Like- on the road leading from Vienna to Me- wise it was a regular stopping place for the stage-coach, the mail being delivered in that way. The recent location of the traction line through the village has given it a new lease of life and it shows evidence of returning prosperity. A traction sub- station is located here.

BROTTENSBURGH.

Brottensburgh is the name of a village that exists only in history. It was lo- cated about three-quarters of a mile this side of Enon, where the road turns north towards the river. In 1818 John and James Leffel erected a grist-mill on Mad River. Considerable traffic was carried on in that direction and quite a eluster of houses, principally made out of logs, were erected at this place and occupied by per- sons employed in the mill. In 1837 the postoffice was established at this place and J. R. Miller was postmaster.

This was before Enon was of sufficient importance to demand a postoffice, and the nearest place to get mail was at Springfield.

Historically this site of Brottensburgh may be remembered, because it was at one time the property of the noted and eccentric Lorenzo Dow. This noted preacher traveled frequently through parts of Ohio, prior to his death in 1834.

Upon the establishinent of Enon, Brot- tensburgh gradually went out of existence, until at this date nothing whatever re- mains to indicate its former location.

CATAWBA.

chanicsburg, about fourteen miles from Springfield. It was regularly laid out by Cass and Marsh upon the lands owned by George Dawson, in 1838. Prior to this time there was considerable of a settle- ment at this place. Henry Neer built the first house in the village. The second was built by Miller Williamson, a blacksmith. William Pearson, a carpenter and cab- inet-maker, built the first frame house. In 1831 Joseph Newlove established a store in a small room on the site where Joseph Pearson recently had his store.

In 1833 the postoffice was established and Herriman Chamberlain, who had sue- ceeded Newlove in his store, became the first postmaster. The first name for the place was Newburg, but there being an- other place of that name in the state, it was called Buck Creek. The first tavern was opened in 1838 on the southwest cor- ner of Champaign and Pleasant Streets. John Neer and Joseph Pearson were the first mail carriers. Letter postage at that time was twenty-five cents, payable at the office of delivery, if carried four hundred miles.

Prominent inhabitants of this village in recent years have been Thomas Wingate, who has had a store here since 1865; N. S. Conway, now deceased, and Joseph Pear- son had the hotel and the store connected from 1875 until 1896, and lives there a retired life. The late Dr. M. R. Hunter was the practicing physician of this place for half a century.

There are two churches and an excel- lent graded school. The village is incor- porated. Its inhabitants enjoy a culture

The village of Catawba is located in the and refinement beyond that usually found northwestern part of Pleasant Township, in country villages, and it is their boast

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that no saloon ever did or could exist in Owen Davis in 1800, there was no doubt of their midst.

The strong temperance sentiment, to- gether with the anti-slavery feeling that formerly existed here, have made this a stronghold of the Republican party.

Some years ago Mr. Joseph Pearson erected a hall for services for public meet- ings, the store underneath being occupied for many years by Mr. C. H. Runyan. Mrs. Fralick now has a general store there.

The most stately residence is probably that of Mr. Eli Hunter. The village is situated on the crest of a ridge, which commands an excellent view of all the sur- rounding country. The nearest railroad facilities are on the Big Four at Catawba Station, about three miles to the north- west.

The census of 1900 gives Catawba 231 residents, the population being less in number than it was in 1880.

C. H. Runyan is the present postmas- ter. J. E. Bumgardner is present mayor.

CLIFTON.

Clifton was platted by Bates and Lewis in 1840, in lots numbering 1-84. When Clark County was first laid off, the en- tire present village of Clifton was placed within the boundaries of this county, but General Whiteman had but recently built a house. which is the old stone residence still standing a short distance east of Clifton. He did not wish to be taken out of Greene County and the boundary was afterwards changed so as to put his house back in Greene County. Although the place was not platted until 1840, yet from the fact that a mill was erected here by

somewhat of a settlement here before the plat was made. It received its name prob- ably from the beautiful cliffs immediately west along the Little Miami River. The mill is now in Greene County, and is run by Mr. Preston.

The village is almost due south of the city of Springfield, about eight and one- half miles. It has two grocery stores, an opera house, and a graded school build- ing of four rooms. The county line runs through the school building, the district being a special district composed of ter- ritory in both counties. The village con- tains three churches, the Methodist, Presbyterian, and United Presbyterian. The first church in this neighborhood was built by the Baptists, with the help of the Presbyterians. It was a log house built in 1807 on the north bank of the Little Miami, about eighty rods east of General Whiteman's house. Its population at the Jast census was 262.

Present Officials-A. H. Ellis, Mayor; G. E. Burney, D. A. Clark, B. Z. Luse, R. H. Sparrow, Richard Sparrow, Coun- cilmen; W. M. Cultice, Marshal.

CORTSVILLE.

Cortsville appears to have been plat- ted, but the record of the plat is not in the recorder's office in this county. In 1830 Robert Cort began the erection of a car- penter shop and residence for William Marshall. In 1835 he and Mr. Marshall became partners and built a small store- house at the crossing of the first road leading north from Selma into Green Township. This was the beginning of Cortsville, which is located in the south-

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20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 33

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co. Number of Pages: 993

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 993