USA > Ohio > Ashland County > A History of the Pioneer and Modern Times of Ashland County > Part 14
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Mr. Slocum died at his residence in Ashland, on the 17th of April, 1862, at the age of eighty-two years.
MICHAEL SPRINGER.
Michael Springer entered at the office, in Canton, the land upon which John Springer now resides, in Montgomery Township. He also entered the quarter sections which George Swineford and Austin Moher- man at this time own and occupy. He was a native of Pennsylvania. The lands above mentioned were purchased for his children, whose names were, severally, Daniel, Sarah, John, Nancy, Michael, Elizabeth, Peter, Susan, William, Mary, and Mar-
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garet. Mr. Springer, his son John, and son-in-law, Jacob Figley, (husband of Sarah,) came to the country in December, 1815.
GEORGE THOMAS.
George Thomas, originally from Pennsylvania, set- tled in Petersburg, Mifflin Township, in 1815, and built the first house in that town. Died in 1841. His sons now (May, 1861) living in the county are Henry, Peter, and Josiah; the first and last named being residents of Orange, and Peter of Montgomery Township.
DANIEL VANTILBURG.
Daniel Vantilburg emigrated from Jefferson County to his present residence, in Montgomery Township, in the autumn of 1816. His nearest neighbors then were Daniel Carter, John Owens, William Mont- gomery, and Joseph and David Markley-the three latter constituting the then population of Uniontown. He entered the quarter upon which he now resides in 1812, and his patent, signed by James Madison, President, and Edward Tiffin, Commissioner of the General Land Office, bears date 14th January, 1814.
He remained at Cuppy's (now Boyer's) mill the night prior to the burning of Mr. Cuppy's house, by Indians, and aided Mr. Cuppy in burying and other- wise secreting his goods.
Henry Vantilburg, (brother of Daniel,) and who resides on the farm directly east, removed to his place about 1820 or 1821.
ALANSON WALKER.
Alanson Walker emigrated from Alleghany County, Pennsylvania, March 19, 1822. He engaged as an
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apprentice with Robert Ralston, Jun., the first car- penter who established himself in that business in Uniontown.
Prices of Live Stock in 1823-24.
From the "Stray Book," now in the hands of J. A. Mccluskey, Esq., and the first entry in which was made by J. Gallup, Esq., J. P., January 25, 1823, a very correct idea of the value of live stock in Mont- gomery Township at that period may be gathered.
On the twenty-ninth of that month, G. W. Palmer and Jonathan Markley were called upon to appraise two animals which had come into possession of John Smith as estrays. A heifer supposed to be one year old was appraised at $4; and a hog supposed to be of the same age was appraised at $1. Joel Luther and Joseph Sheets, on the 27th of March, 1823, appraise a hog eighteen months, which had come to Alanson Andrews as a stray, at $1.75. On the 17th July, 1824, Alanson Andrews and Henry Gamble appraise a horse, supposed to be thirteen years old, found upon the premises of Wm. Skilling, at $25.
CHAPTER VIII. Ashland.
THE seat of justice of Ashland County was originally known as Uniontown, and under the latter name was laid out July 28, 1815, by William Montgomery. The causes which led to the change in the name of the town are explained in the statement of Francis Graham, Esq., to which the reader is referred.
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In 1817, the population, as near as can be ascer- tained, consisted of the following named persons and their families: William Montgomery, Jacob Shaffer, Elias Slocum, George W. Palmer, Alanson Andrews, Samuel Urie, Joseph Sheets, David Markley, Amos Antibus, Joel Luther, and Mr. Nightingale. Jacob Shaffer, above named, was a shoemaker and a revo- lutionary soldier, and lived in a small dwelling upon the lot now occupied by the store of Judge Wick.
Population of Ashland in 1830.
235
" 1850.
1264
"
" 1860 1748
It could not have been supposed by its enterprising proprietor, that the town was destined to advance be- yond the dignity of a "Cross Roads" establishment, as the original narrow and zigzag street unmistakably indicates his views. The rude inn, the blacksmith, weaver, tailor, shoe shop, and distillery would have marked very nearly the culminating point in the town's prosperity, had it not been that the enterprise of a generation of men who succeeded the founder of the town conceived the idea of establishing an insti- tution that was destined, under Providence, to accom- plish results that have led to the Ashland that now exists. And this brings us at once to the basis of the rise and progress of the town. It is not too much to say that Ashland owes all the consequence it has attained, and its success in local conflicts with rival rival towns, to
The Ashland Academy.
The town for many years was only known abroad through this popular institution of learning. It was conducted with a degree of skill and ability that gave
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it reputation throughout the State. The catalogue published in 1842 contains a per cent. of names that have since become conspicuous in the history of the country, of which any college in the State might be proud. The catalogue above mentioned was for the academic year 1841-42. The names given as consti- tuting the Board of Trustees are: Rev. Robert Ful- ton, President; John P. Reznor, John Jacobs, William S. Granger, Joseph Wasson, Francis Graham, James Stewart, Abraham Huffman, Joseph McComb, D. W. Brown, William McComb, Jonas Stough, Silas Rob- bins, Secretaries; and John L. Lang, Treasurer. The Faculty consisted of Rev. R. Fulton, A.M., Principal; Lorin Andrews, First Assistant, and William John- ston, Second Assistant. The Female Department was under charge of Miss Jane E. Coulter, Preceptress, Winter Session, and Miss Mary C. Johnson, Precep- tress, Summer Session. Referring to the claims of the institution upon public favor, the Board of Trus- tees in their catalogue say :-
"Taking all things into consideration, there is, per- haps, no other place in the State that contributes so much to the attainment of the ends for which such an institution is established. Easy of access in all directions-and in point of morals, cheapness of living, healthful climate and situation, it is unsurpassed.
"Owing to the death of Rev. R. Fulton, the late Principal, the Board of Trustees have elected the Rev. Samuel Fulton, of Wellsburg, Virginia, Principal of the Institution."
Of the Female Department the Board say that "it is entirely separate from the other, under the care of experienced teachers, where a thorough course of female education is pursued. Arrangements have
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been made with one of the most respectable families in town for the accommodation of female boarders, where they will be under the immediate care of the teacher."
A letter from Rev. R. R. Sloan, now of Mount Vernon, communicates the most satisfactory informa- tion regarding the history of the academy that we have been enabled to obtain from the many sources to which application has been made. From his letter, dated the 5th of March, 1862, the following extracts are made :-
"My first knowledge of the Ashland Academy was in the spring of 1839. It had been built previous to that year-the fruit of the enterprise and public spirit of the citizens of Ashland. A Mr. Johnson and sister, of Granville, I think, had charge of the school during the year 1838. Mr. McClure, now of Cuyahoga Falls, had taught prior to them-whether in the academy, or before it was reared, I cannot now say .* My im- pression is that the school he so successfully and popularly managed gave birth to the thought of an academy. In the spring of 1839, Rev. Robert Fulton, of Florence, Pennsylvania, was chosen as principal, and entered on the discharge of his duties the first of May. I was associated with him, having charge of the English Department; and Miss J. E. Coulter (now Mrs. Sloan) having charge of the Young Ladies' Department.
"Mr. Fulton continued principal till his death, which I think occurred in the fall of 1841. He was
* It was before the erection of the academy. Mr. McClure's school was on the second floor of the building now owned by Jacob Barnhart, and occupied by him as a dwelling and grocery. It was at that time one of the best structures in the town.
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succeeded for a short time by Rev. Samuel Fulton, now of Pittsburg.
"Miss Coulter continued in charge of the Young Ladies' Department for two years, and was succeeded by Miss Lisle, and she subsequently (others perhaps intervened) by Miss J. M. Beckett, now of Lancaster, Ohio.
"My connection with the academy lasted only a year. Returning to Jefferson to complete my collegi- ate course, I persuaded Mr. Lorin Andrews, then, as since, my bosom friend, to abandon the study of the law and give himself to the profession of teaching. Consenting to do so, I commended him to Mr. Fulton, and he became my successor-and subsequently the principal-assisted by A. McFulton and John W. Rankin. His success as a teacher there and else- where is known, for it is part of the school history of Ohio.
"Though many of the pupils have since occupied important places-figuring conspicuously in the pul- pit, at the bar, and on the forum-I am not familiar enough with their life to give even a sketch of their history."
The last principal of the academy was Rev. Mr. Rowe, who is described by those who knew him well as an accomplished scholar and instructor, but was not appreciated. He taught one or two terms in 1845 or 1846, assisted by Thomas Milligan. The existence of the Ashland Academy terminated with the labors in it of Mr. Rowe. Its discontinuance may be regarded as a misfortune to the town. But the public spirit that created and sustained it became engrossed in other schemes. The material interests of the town may have been advanced by new chan- -
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nels successfully wrought out by the enterprise of its citizens; but it may be affirmed that the moral and intellectual standard of the community would have been much higher than now had the Ashland Academy been continued, and its educational facilities enlarged as population and wealth increased. Although the population, since the erection of the present school buildings, has increased about forty per cent., the school facilities have not been augmented; and in- stead of educating students from abroad, many citizens of the once literary town of Ashland seek institutions in distant towns and counties for the education of their sons and daughters.
Ashland Union School.
This system was adopted by the electors of the School District, in 1850. The Board of Education purchased the house and grounds of the former Ash- land Academy, and erected a two-story building ad- joining, making of the old edifice a wing. Mr. John Lynch was employed as superintendent, and continued until September, 1852, when he was succeeded by Mr. S. M. Barber. Who were the assistants during the administration of Mr. Lynch, and who were originally associated with Mr. Barber, is not a matter of record. On the 4th of November, 1861, Mr. Barber, having received a captain's commission in the military service, tendered his resignation as Superintendent of the Union School, and the Board declined to receive his resignation, and granted him a furlough for the term of six months. On the 30th of December, Mr. C. W. Mykrants was temporarily employed. His assistants were nearly the same as those engaged when Mr. Barber retired from the
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school, namely: Miss E. N. Burr, High School De- partment; Mr. S. S. Hare, Grammar School; Mrs. Rohrbacher, Secondary Department; Misses Agnes Jeffreys, Eliza Poe, Mary Sloan, and Jane Kellogg, in the several Primary Departments. Mr. Mykrants' connection with the school ceased in June, 1862, and most of his assistant teachers retired at the same time.
Mr. George L. Mills was appointed superintendent in August, and entered on duty September 15. Mr. Mills is a graduate of Yale College, and had been for several years Principal of the Newark Schools. His associates are, in the High School, Miss E. N. Burr; Grammar School, Miss Jennie Gardiner; Secondary Department, Miss Emma L. Fulkerson; Primary De- partment, Miss Elizabeth E. Stubbs, Miss Mary Sloan, and Miss Isabella Buchan.
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CHURCHES.
There are seven church organizations in Ashland, namely: 1 Old School Presbyterian; 1 Methodist Episcopal; 1 Lutheran; 1 Disciple; 1 Baptist, and 2 German Protestant. The three last named denomi- nations have no church buildings-the old Hopewell, Court House, and Town Hall being used by them as places of worship.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN.
[Compiled from records in the hands of Rev. John Robinson. ]
The first settlement of Ashland by white people was made in the territory embraced by Hopewell congre- gation about the year 1815. Among the first settlers
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were several Presbyterian families, viz. : those of Robert Nelson, Abraham Doty, David Mckinney, William Houston, David Pollock, Abel Montgomery, and others.
Toward the close of the year 1816, the Rev. Joshua Beer, who spent most of his ministerial life on the waters of Sandy, in the Presbytery of New Lisbon, preached in the neighborhood a few times; and shortly after- ward, the Rev. William Matthews came to the same place also,
These clergymen were both before the people, at the same time, as candidates for settlement. Their choice fell upon Mr. Matthews, who was engaged as stated supply for one-third of the time, and the other portion of his time he devoted to the churches of Jeromeville and Mount Hope-the latter of which was then called Muddy Fork. The original settlers in this community were mostly Presbyterians. The congregation of Hopewell was formed in the year 1817, and was called "Montgomery."
In the same year (1817) the Lord's Supper was dispensed for the first time; and, on that occasion, twenty-two persons with certificates of church mem- bership, and twelve received on examinations-in all thirty-four persons-were associated together in a new society. Elders from elsewhere officiated on that occasion, and a church was not regularly organized, as no elders were elected.
In the year 1818, two elders, viz., Robert Nelson and Abraham Doty, were elected, ordained, and in- stalled. These being the first elders of the church, its proper organization, therefore, must date from the time of their ordination. The congregation continued for some time to worship as they could in private houses.
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The first house of worship, a square log building, was erected in the year 1819, about one mile west of Uniontown, (or Ashland, as the village has since been called.) In the year 1820, the name of the church was changed from Montgomery to Hopewell. Of the progress of the church nothing is known for several years. The earliest sessional record extant is dated May 22, 1822. At that time it appears that the Rev. Robert Lee was the officiating minister. In the year 1826, Mr. Lee left, and Mr. Matthews returned, and was regularly stationed as pastor of the Hopewell Church. In this place he continued for nearly eight years. These were years of prosperity, as the membership arose to nearly one hundred and forty. On the 1st of July, 1833, twenty-one members were dismissed as a colony to form a new church at "Clear- creek," seven miles north of Ashland. On the fifth of August following, nineteen members were dismissed, in order to form a church at Orange, five miles east from north of Ashland; and on the 21st of April, 1834, thirty-nine members were set off as a colony to form a church at Olivesburg, six miles west of Ash- land. Thus in less than one year, seventy-nine mem- bers were dismissed; and this mother church had three promising daughters settled in her vicinity. After sending out these three colonies, there were sixty-five members left in Hopewell Church. Mr. Matthews having left, the Rev. James Robinson was engaged in the former part of the year 1834 as stated supply for half the time; and he officiated in that capacity until the close of the year 1837. As the village of Ashland had somewhat increased, and a new house of worship was required, it was deemed best by the members to remove the site of the church
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to the village; and in the year 1836, a new and com- modious house of worship was erected in Ashland. The Rev. Samuel Hare officiated as stated supply in the churches of Hopewell and Clearcreek, in the early part of the year 1839. In the mean time the com- munity had been filling up with people from New York and some of the Eastern States. About this time the habit of parcelling out the lines of the hymns in singing-a practice brought from the Old Country by the Scotch-Irish part of the community-was dis- continued in the church.
In 1839, for about nine months, the Rev. S. N. Barnes preached statedly for Hopewell Church; and Robert Fulton, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Wash- ington, and Principal of the Ashland Academy, an in- stitution just put into successful operation by the liberality and energy of the citizens, was employed as stated supply for some time in the years 1840 and 1841.
Prior to this, and as early as 1836, partial aliena- tions between some of the members of the church began to manifest themselves. These grew to some extent out of personal differences, and were encouraged by differing tastes and customs in reference to modes of worship. A part of the membership were of Scotch-Irish descent, having emigrated from Penn- sylvania; and a part were of Puritan origin, having been reared in New York and other Eastern States. These classes differed in taste and custom in reference to some matters of form. This difference, added to personal alienations already existing, produced un- pleasant contentions. These contentions ultimately concentrated upon the mode of conducting praise in the church. One party desired to have a choir to
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lead the congregation. The other were utterly op- posed to this method of conducting praise. Other matters, as the unpopularity of some members of session, etc., were agitated, (Messrs. William Camp- bell, Joseph Sheets, and - Aten, having been elected and installed as elders at some unknown date prior to this;) but the choir question became the per- manent one. Various schemes for the pacification of these troubles were adopted; among others the follow- ing: The choir party agreed to bring their choir from the gallery, and place it upon elevated seats in the rear end of the church; the other party to let it live on this condition. But this compromise failed to secure the harmony desired; and, at length, wearied with this state of things, the advocates of the choir, in April, 1841, applied to Presbytery for the organi- zation of a new church in Ashland. The prayer of the petitioners was not granted; but the difficulties in the church having been before Presbytery, it took order in the premises by giving counsel to the church. Two several committees, by appointment of Pres- bytery, visited the church during the following May. They heard the whole history of the difficulties from the lips of both parties; and, in view of all the facts, they gave such advice as they thought best adapted to restore harmony. The anti-choir party refused to be controlled by this advice; and a portion of them at least contemplated the securing of another organi- zation; but not agreeing together on this subject, they abandoned the project. The difficulties still con- tinuing and increasing, a pro re nata meeting of Pres- bytery convened in Hopewell on the 13th day of July, 1841. Having investigated the difficulties and their history, and, in view of the inefficacy of the measures
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adopted previously, both by the parties and the Pres- bytery through its committees to investigate evils, Presbytery resolved "That the Hopewell Church be dissolved, and its name erased from the roll of Pres- bytery." It also directed those who desired to enjoy the privileges of the Presbyterian Church, and could agree to walk together, to seek a new organization. At the same time it appointed a committee to receive such application if made, and organize a church in Ashland. Alleged dereliction of duty on the part of the session, and dissatisfaction with the session by a large minority of the church were the reasons, chiefly, which led the Presbytery to dissolve the church.
A number of persons, including those who were favorable to choir singing, made application to the committee of Presbytery; and on the 29th day of July, 1841, were organized into a church, called the First Presbyterian Church of Ashland.
Of the act of Presbytery in dissolving the Church of Hopewell, a complaint was carried up to the Synod of Ohio in October, 1841, and the Synod sustained the complaint, thereby declaring the continued ex- istence of Hopewell Church. At the time of the dis- solution of the church the membership exceeded one hundred. Of these, fifty-seven were found still to adhere to the old organization. The remainder went into the new organization.
From the period of its resuscitation until the spring of 1843, the Rev. James Robinson gave part of his time as supply to Hopewell. In the month of July, 1843, the Rev. Samuel Moody, from Steubenville Presbytery, took charge of Hopewell and Orange, and was installed as pastor of the same on the 7th day of November, 1843; which relation he sustained until
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the time of his decease, April 25, 1856. He was suddenly called away by being drowned, in attempt- ing to cross the Ohio River, near Wellsville.
After the division, it was not found practicable to maintain a Sabbath-school in Hopewell, because of the scattered situation of the families, and having public worship only half the Sabbaths, all the children in and near the village could attend Sabbath-schools in those churches where the congregations met for school and public worship every Sabbath.
The First Church of Ashland was organized with a membership of forty-three, all or nearly all of whom had been members of the Hopewell Church. At the organization, Messrs. Joseph Wasson, Thomas Smith, and Samuel Fulton were elected to the eldership; the latter two were ordained, and all were installed as elders-Mr. Joseph Wasson having been previously ordained. Messrs. William Wasson, Jacob Mykrantz, and Samuel Smith were elected, ordained, and in- stalled as deacons. Immediate measures were taken for the erection of a house of worship-the congrega- tion, in the mean time, worshiping in a school-room. A lot was purchased, in a central position, of Mr. Francis Graham, and, in 1842, a neat and very sub- stantial stone edifice, 43 by 50 feet, was erected, at a cost of twenty-two hundred dollars, and dedicated to the worship of Almighty God. During the first three months of its existence, the church was supplied by Rev. James Rowland, of Mansfield. In January, 1842, Mr. Robert Fulton, a licentiate of the Presby- tery of Washington, who had charge of an academy in the village, and had been serving the Hopewell Church at the time of its dissolution, but had in the mean time been preaching to the Jeromeville and
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Lexington churches, was engaged as stated supply; and in April, 1842, the church presented a call for his services as pastor. His delicate and declining health induced him to hold this call for a time; and in a few months it became manifest that he could not continue to labor in the ministry. He was soon con- strained to cease preaching, and shortly afterward he removed to Wellsburg, Virginia, where, on the 20th day of August, 1842, he died of pulmonary consump- tion. Subsequently to his removal, Mr. Samuel Ful- ton, nephew to Mr. Robert Fulton, and licentiate of the same Presbytery, supplied the congregation for six or seven months. Mr. Joseph Gordon, of the same Presbytery, succeeded him, and labored four or five months. Subsequently, Mr. Simeon Peck, a licentiate of a Presbytery in Western New York, was heard for a few Sabbaths, as a candidate for settle- . ment.
In November, 1843, the church invited Rev. John Robinson, then pastor of the churches of Corinth and Monroesville, in the Presbytery of Steubenville, to visit them with a view to settlement as pastor. With this invitation he complied in December, 1843, having been dismissed from his former charge, at a pro re nata meeting, held in the Second Church, at Steubenville. On the 18th of January, 1844, he re- moved to Ashland, and commenced regular labor among them upon the first Sabbath, the 4th day of July, 1846. At the next meeting of the Presbytery of Richland, April 10, 1844, they presented a call for his pastoral labor at a salary of five hundred dollars per annum; which call he accepted, and on the 21st day of June, 1844, was installed as pastor by a com- mittee of Presbytery.
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