USA > Ohio > Ashland County > A History of the Pioneer and Modern Times of Ashland County > Part 16
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36
After the institution of the Lodge, the brothers . proceeded to elect the officers for said Lodge for the ensuing term; which election resulted as follows: for N. G., John Clark; for V. G., Jackson Wolverton; for
Digitized by Google
244
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY.
Recording Secretary, John Musser; for Permanent Secretary, H. J. Hayes; for Treasurer, James Sloan.
At the semi-annual election held on the 31st day of December, 1861, the following officers were elected for the ensuing term, viz .: N. G., B. Wenrick; V. G., M. M. Desenberg; Secretary, Charles Knoth; Trea- surer, M. S. Campbell. For Permanent Secretary, H. S. See was re-elected to serve during the ensuing year.
The number of members on the 30th day of June, 1861, was sixty-two.
The lodge room is in the third story of J. & R. Freer's building, Main Street.
THE FIRST BURIAL GROUNDS.
The first burial ground for Uniontown and vicin- ity adjoined the old Hopewell Church, one mile and a half west of town. The first body deposited in that ground was in 1816. A few years later the ground adjoining the present Hopewell Church was selected, and used until 1857, when the grounds be- came so crowded that the selection of another place was considered a public necessity.
Ashland Cemetery Association.
The late Bolivar W. Kellogg, Esq., in the fall of the year 1855 circulated a paper, to which he ob- tained the signatures of ninety-two citizens of Ash- land, agreeing "to purchase ground suitable for family burial lots, at a price not to exceed ten dollars per lot; provided an association be properly organized under the law providing for the organization of
Digitized by Google
245
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY.
Cemetery Associations." In 1856, the Ashland Cemetery Association was organized, and an arrange- ment made with Lorin Andrews, administrator of the estate of his father, Alanson Andrews, deceased, for the purchase of ten acres of the grove west of town as a site for the cemetery. The body of Mr. Kellogg was the first deposited in the new cemetery, though the lots were not surveyed and the title per- fected until May, 1857. A large number of the tenants of the Hopewell churchyard have been disin- terred and deposited in the new cemetery. The grounds embrace ten acres and a few perches. There are seven hundred and six lots 12 by 24 feet.
OHIO NORMAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC.
This institution was organized as a corporation in the summer of 1860-the object being to afford facili- ties for acquiring a thorough musical education, espe- cially to those whose object is to qualify themselves for teachers of music, either vocal or instrumental. The regular sessions of the institution are in July and August of each year, and the third term commences on the 2d Monday of July, 1862. The Board of In- struction are: B. F. Baker, Boston, Massachusetts; W. H. Ingersoll, Boston, Massachusetts; E. C. Kil- bourn, Ashland, and Robert Kidd, Cincinnati. E. C. Kilbourn and Dr. I. L. Crane, Superintendents, and E. C. Kilbourne, Cor. Sec'y. The institution has achieved a success fully equal to the hopes of its enterprising founders, (the most active of whom were Professor Kilbourne, Dr. Crane, and Professor Inger- soll,) and is regarded as permanently established.
Digitized by Google
246
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY.
ASHLAND NEWSPAPERS.
On the 30th December, 1834, the first number of the " Ashland Herald," published by J. C. Gilkison, appeared. It professed to hold a neutral position on the question of politics. The office was "one door east of Granger & Campbell's new brick store room;" and "here," as announced in its motto, "Shall the Press the People's rights maintain-unawed by influ- ence, and unbribed by gain." The paper before us is vol. i., No. 3, dated 13th January, 1835. The Herald did not, it appears, enter upon its second volume. In this number is a letter list advertised by Luther M. Pratt, postmaster. A. W. Melsheimer advertises the "Golden Eagle" tavern. Granger & Campbell advertise goods at the Ashland cash store, and also notify those indebted to the late firm of A. Campbell & Co. to make prompt settlement. S. Moulton ad- vertises dry goods, etc. Therrygood Smith offers for sale in "the very flourishing and business village of Ashland" a lot on which is "a good dwelling-house, thirty feet in front and twenty feet back," and "a convenient storeroom, 30 by 18, ready for use." W. M. Deming would have his debtors "take heed, if you wish to save cost." John P. Reznor advertises as Agent for the Columbus Insurance Co. Reznor & Luther demand of those indebted to the old firm of Reznor, Luther & Deming, to call and settle-"for goods bought at Ashland, payment will be made to Reznor & Luther, at the same place; for goods bought at Orange, payment will be made to Reznor & Deming, at Orange." And finally the printer advertises horse- bills, justices' blanks, and blank deeds-and that "bookbinding is carried on at this office." He also
Digitized by Google
247
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY.
agrees to receive in payment for the Herald, flour, corn-meal, wheat, rye, corn, oats, potatoes, rags, fire- wood, and pork.
In 1835-36, J. H. Ruth published the "Ohio Globe." The paper advocated the election of Martin Van Buren for President, and Richard M. Johnson for Vice-President. The number for July 13, 1836, con- tains an oration delivered on the fourth of July of that year, by Lorin Andrews. The editor says of it that he has the pleasure of laying before his readers the oration delivered by Mr. Lorin Andrews, on the fourth instant, near Mr. Ritter's hotel. "It is brief, but embraces language so strong and so well worthy the occasion as to do honor to the young gentleman who delivered it." The number for July twenty- seven contains part of an oration delivered on the fourth, at Orange, by Dr. Deming. Among the ad- vertisers are Wm. Wasson, Ruth & Jacobs, Reznor & Luther, Hugh Davis, S. B. Whiting, Granger & Lang, R. P. Fulkerson, and R. B. Campbell & Co.
The " Western Phoenix," by Thomas White, was published in 1836-37. No copy of this paper ap- pears to have been preserved.
Soon after the organization of the county, in the spring of 1846, R. V. Kennedy established the " Ash- land Standard," and continued its publication until the spring of 1849, when H. S. Knapp purchased the "good-will" of the office, and the Standard was dis- continued-Mr. Kennedy removing to Missouri. Wil- liam J. Jackson was the publisher of the paper during the last two years of its existence-Mr. Kennedy re- taining his position as editor. Mr. Kennedy was a polished and agreeable writer, and the best practical
Digitized by Google
248
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY.
printer that has been connected with the newspaper press of Ashland.
The "Ashland Democrat," by Hunter & Maffett, was the fifth journal established in Ashland, and made its appearance within a few days after the issue of the first number of the Ashland Standard. They were both professedly of the same party, but exceedingly bitter in the hatred they manifested in their editorial columns toward each other. The Democratic party at that time were divided upon the question of "hard" or "paper money," and the Democrat was the organ of the "hards," and the Standard of the "softs." In February, 1848, Hunter & Maffett dissolved their partnership-Jonathan Maffett having purchased the interest of his partner, William A. Hunter. In April, 1848, H. S. Knapp purchased the printing materials, and in January, 1849, enlarged the paper and changed its name to the "Ohio Union." He continued in charge of it until November, 1853, when he sold to John Sheridan, by whom it was continued until November, 1855, (having meantime again changed the name to "Ashland Union,") when Collins W. Bushnell pur- chased the establishment. In January, 1857, H. S. Knapp repurchased, and continued the publication of the paper until May 30, 1860, when he sold to the present proprietor, J. J. Jacobs.
"The Ashlander" was established by William B. McCarty, in the summer of 1850, and continued by him until about the close of the year 1852.
The first number of "The Ashland Times" was issued from the press upon which was formerly print- ed The Ashlander, by L. J. Sprengle, proprietor, and William Osborn, editor, on the 14th of July, 1853. In 1855, Josiah Locke assumed the editorial man-
Digitized by Google
-
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY. 249
agement of the paper, from which he retired in 1857. Since the latter date, Mr. Sprengle has had sole charge of the Times as editor and publisher.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND INSTITUTIONS.
The church edifices in Ashland will compare favor- ably, in number, style of architecture, and capacity, with those of any town of equal population in the State.
The COURT HOUSE and JAIL are also an honor to the county, and are much better edifices than the average of those found in older and more populous counties.
The TOWN HALL BUILDING, erected in 1857, at a cost, including the lot, of $10,000, is 54 by 80 feet, three stories on Centre, and two on Main Street. The lower floor is occupied principally as an engine house, a place for holding elections, and a prison for offenders against the ordinances of the town. The second floors on Main Street are used as storerooms, by Messrs. Gorham & Parmely, dry goods merchants, and by E. W. Wallack, grocer, etc. The hall itself, about 50 by 65 feet, is valued by the citizens of Ashland as the best public enterprise that has been accomplished for the town.
ASHLAND BANK.
This is an institution of discount and deposit. It was organized in 1851, under the name and style of LUTHER, CRALL & Co .- the partners being then, as now, Hulburt Luther, Jacob Crall, James Purdy, W. S. Granger, G. H. Topping, and J. O. Jennings. Mr. 17
Digitized by Google
250
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY.
Jennings has been cashier since the organization of the bank. The institution has been wisely and honestly conducted, and possesses the full confidence of the business community.
ASHLAND COUNTY MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY.
The charter of this company was granted by a special act of the General Assembly of Ohio, passed on the 8th February, 1851. The corporators named in the law were L. J. Sprengle, Hugh Burns, G. W. Urie, J. Wasson, J. Crall, B. B. Clark, Abraham Huff- man, J. Musgrave, H. Luther, P. Risser, and J. B. F. Sampsel. L. J. Sprengle has been the secretary and active manager of the business of the company; and it is to his energy and skill that the institution has obtained a character throughout the State as among the most successful and reputable Mutual Companies that have been organized in Ohio. The Board of Directors for the current year consists of T. C. Bush- nell, H. Luther, Jacob Crall, Joseph Wasson, L. J. Sprengle, Wm. Osborn, Peter Risser, J. O. Jennings, and H. C. Sprengle.
ASHLAND GAS LIGHT COMPANY.
This company was organized in 1858- John M. Stevenson, President, and Wm. Stevenson, Secretary and Treasurer. The embarrassments of the original company compelled a sale, and in December, 1861, J. W. Smith, Esq., became sole owner of its franchise and property. Mr. Smith has made a marked im- provement in the quality of the light; and the rapid extension of gas pipes to remote and hitherto dark corners of the town is the result of his judicious management.
Digitized by Google
251
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY.
In addition to the county buildings, the town contains 5 churches; 1 town hall; 1 Masonic lodge, and 1 lodge of I. O. O. F .; 2 printing-offices; 4 hotels; 5 dry goods stores; 2 drug stores; 3 provision stores; 3 boot and shoe stores; 1 grocery, crockery, and hardware store; 1 hardware store; 1 grocery and hardware store; 2 confectionery and baking establishments; 3 groceries; 1 hat and cap store; 1 steam saw-mill and planing machine; 1 woolen manufactory and flour-mill; 2 clothing stores; 4 blacksmith shops; 2 clover hull- ing manufactories; 1 carriage manufactory; 1 wagon manufactory; 3 tanneries; 2 saddlery shops; 4 mil- linery establishments; 1 jewelry shop; 1 daguerrean gallery; 2 founderies; 4 furniture establishments; 1 carding and fulling mill; 6 clergymen; 10 attorneys; 8 physicians, and 2 dentists.
List of the Principal and permanently established Professional and Business Men in Ashland, in the year 1862.
Ashland Mutual Fire Insurance Company .- L. J. Sprengle, Secretary. Office, Main Street.
Ashland Union .- J. J. Jacobs, editor, and J. J. & F. S. Jacobs, publishers. Office, Main Street, over J. R. Wicks's Store.
Ashland Times .- L. J. Sprengle, editor and proprietor. Office, Main Street.
Ashland Gas Works .- J. W. Smith, proprietor. Office, Main Street.
Ashland Mills .- Luther, Crall & Co., proprietors. Manufac- ture cotton and woolen goods, flour, etc.
Black & Moore .- Bakery, confectionery, and groceries-espe- cially for family supplies.
Cahn, J .- Dealer in dry goods and notions. Corner of Main and Church Streets.
Clark, P. H .- Physician and surgeon. Office at his residence, Main Street.
Cowan, J. P .- Physician and surgeon, Main Street.
Digitized by
252
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY.
Davis, Hugh .- Harness, saddle maker, and tanner, and dealer in hides and leather, Main Street.
Deshong & Willis .- Dealers in stoves, tin, copper, and sheet- iron ware, Main Street.
Devor, J. P .- Attorney-at-law and justice of the peace, Main Street.
Diller, J. M .- Homoeopathic physician and surgeon. Office, Main Street.
Ensminger, E. M .- Ambrotype and photographic artist, Main Street.
Eppler, Charles .- Furniture manufacturer and dealer, Main Street.
Finley, A .- Proprietor American House, Main Street.
Freer, J. & R .- Dealers in hardware, cutlery, groceries, pro- duce, etc., Main Street.
Gorham & Parmely .- Dealers in dry goods, groceries, carpets, crockery, etc., No. 1, Town Hall Building.
Gray, D. B. & Co .- Livery and sale stable, and proprietors of New London, Oberlin, Shelby, Rochester depot, Mansfield, and Wooster stage lines, Main Street.
Greenewald, Z .- Dealer in clothing, and merchant tailor, Main Street.
Hill, Geo. W .- Physician and surgeon. Office, Main Street. Hume, C. A .- Boot and shoe manufacturer, Main Street.
Jacobs, J. J .- Attorney-at-law, Main Street.
Johnston, Wm. T .- Attorney-at-law and Pension Agent, Main Street.
Kenny, T. J .- Attorney-at-law. Office in Court House.
Kinnaman, J. W .- Physician and surgeon, Main Street.
Knapp, H. S .- Master Commissioner in Chancery and Notary Public. Office in Court House.
Lodge, Masonic .- In Millet's Block.
Lodge, I. O. O. F .- In Freer's Building.
Luther, Crall & Co .- Bankers, Main Street. Organized in 1851. Hulburt Luther, Jacob Crall, James Purdy, W. S. Granger, G. H. Topping, and J. O. Jennings.
Mansfield, M. H .- Manufacturer "Mansfield's Clover Huller," Main Street.
McNulty House .- Wm. McNulty, proprietor.
Mc Combs, J. H .- Attorney-at-law, Main Street.
Mc Dowell, J. W .- Resident dentist, corner of Main and Church Streets.
, Digitized by Google
253
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY.
Mc Carty, Wm. B .- Attorney-at-law, Main Street.
Mc Cauley, L. & Co .- Livery stable; rear of American House, Second Street.
Miller, J. A. J. F .- Dealer in dry goods, groceries, provisions, crockery, and notions, Main Street.
Miller House .- M. Miller, proprietor, Main Street.
Ohio Normal Academy of Music .- Town Hall.
Osborn & Curtiss .- Attorneys-at-law. Office on Church Street. Oswald, Levi .- Boot and shoe maker, Main Street.
Potter, W. H. H .- Agent. Dealer in drugs, medicines, books, stationery, wall paper, etc. Also telegraph operator and express agent, Main Street.
Ralston, Wm .- Watchmaker and jeweler, Main Street.
Roller & Howard .- Dealers in hardware, cutlery, etc., Main Street.
Sampsel, D. S. & J. B. F .- Physicians and surgeons. Office, Main Street.
Sheets, Jos .- Physician and Surgeon, corner of Main and Church Streets.
Smith, J. W .- Attorney-at-law. Office, over the Bank.
Slocum, Willard .- Attorney-at-law, Church Street.
Sprengle & Richards .-- (Successors to Ames & Leech,) car- riage manufacturers, Sandusky Street.
Wallack, E. W .- Dealer in groceries, queensware, glassware, and woodenware, No. 2, Town Hall Building.
Wasson, J .- Manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes, Main Street.
Wasson, Wm .- Manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes, Main Street.
Wentworth, N .- Proprietor of daily line of hacks and Express line between Mansfield and Ashland. Leave Ashland at 8 A.M., and Mansfield at 2 P.M.
Whiting, D .- Manufacturer of clover hulling and cleaning ma- chines, and dealer in agricultural implements, Centre Street.
Wick, J. R .- Dealer in dry goods, groceries, and clothing, Main Street.
Witwer, Myers & Co .- Dealers in dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, etc., Main Street.
Woods, Henry. - Dealer in provisions and groceries, Main Street.
Digitized by
254
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY.
CHAPTER IX.
Vermillion Township.
SURVEYED in 1807, by Jonathan Cox, Deputy Sur- veyor of the United States. Settled by white people in 1811. Organized 25th December, 1818.
Population in 1820
639
' 1830
1451
" 1840. 2402
" 1850 (including Hayesville) 2900
" 1860
2255
[Extracts from a paper read before one of the Literary Societies of Vermillion Institute, by Mr. Thomas J. Armstrong. ]
The First Settlement.
In the spring of 1811, a modest, unassuming, demo- cratic log cabin was erected by Mr. George Eckley. The place where the improvement was made is now known as Goudy's Mill; and here is where the first oak was felled by the hand of human industry. There were no towns nearer than Wooster and Mansfield. Ashland had not made its appearance, and the village of Hayesville had never entered the minds or excited the imaginations of the sturdy pioneers. There were two Indian villages-Jerometown and Greentown- not far distant from the present limits of Vermillion.
Captain Pipe, etc.
The first mentioned village was the residence of the noted warrior, Captain Pipe, who dwelt there in all the regal style of a forest king. Here the Indians
Digitized by Google
255
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY.
held their councils, and smoked the pipe of peace, and danced away the hours when time seemed to grow heavy. Here, too, lived one or more of the Johnny- cakes, Buckwheat, and other princes of the royal blood. Captain Pipe had laid aside his war club and tomahawk and become the friend of the white man. He had assisted in all the border wars in this part of Ohio-had conducted the execution of Colonel Craw- ford with all its attendant barbarities and enormities in 1782, and was with the Indians when Wayne de- feated them in 1794. He after that removed to Jerometown, and continued true to his professions of friendship. Our settlers traded with him, and he and his people were their neighbors, and they never experienced anything but friendship in their inter- course with them.
The Settlers seek safety in the Block-Houses.
The settlement soon had an accession of several families, and everything passed off well, although they labored under many disadvantages. They prospered under all the difficulties they had to combat, until 1812, when the settlement was abandoned for a time. In that year the country became involved in war with Great Britain, and the settlers went to the block-houses for safety to escape the scalping-knife of the savages, who had been induced to take sides with Britain. Some of them went to Wooster, and others to the block-houses situated on the Lake Fork. There were stirring times within our borders, although Vermillion sent no soldiers to battle for the rights of America.
Digitized by Google
256
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY.
Battle of the Cowpens.
Yet there has been an army drawn up in order of battle within its peaceful limits, and the dogs of war let loose to drive back the invader. In the summer of 1812, General Bell passed through with the army, composed mostly of militia and mounted volunteers, on their way to Fort Meigs. They encamped for two weeks upon what is now known as the Griffin farm, about one mile and a half northeast of the present village of Hayesville. While there one dark and rainy night, when the army were wrapped in slumber, and not dreaming of war-when nothing was heard but the patter of the rain, and the senti- nel's cry of "all's well"-there came, borne upon the damp night air, the sharp, shrill crack of a rifle. The sentinels rushed in and reported the enemy upon them! The drums beat to arms, horses neighed, bugles sounded. The ground trembled with the dull tread of squadrons tramping. The order was given to "fire!" and never before or since was such a noise and din heard in Vermillion as there was on that eventful night. The cavalry charged in direction of the supposed enemy, but finding no person or thing, they returned from the charge and reported that the foe had retreated; but when the first gray of morning appeared, the outposts discovered that they had been firing upon a herd of cattle belonging to the settlers, which had been roaming through the woods, and had slaughtered seventeen. This was afterward known among the soldiers as "the battle of the Cow-pens," and was the only engagement in which many of them were employed, although others gave vent to the patriotism that filled their bosoms, and yielded up their lives upon the bloody ramparts of Fort Meigs.
Digitized by Google
--
257
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY.
Settlement of the Township resumed.
Toward the close of the year the settlers returned, and ever after pursued their labors undisturbed by wars or rumors of wars. Settlers came rapidly; the sound of the woodman's axe was heard on every side, and log cabins began to appear where not long before silence reigned supreme.
Organization of the Township.
In 1813, Richland County was organized, and soon after Vermillion Township was created. It embraced within its limits what is now Montgomery Township, and there being need of civil officers to execute the laws, James Wallace and Robert Newell were elected justices of the peace. This was about the beginning of the year 1814. Soon after Montgomery was struck off, and Robert Newell lost his office, and Squire Wal- lace continued to dispense law and justice to the citi- zens of Vermillion.
Erection of the first Mills.
During this year a mill was erected upon the stream which turn's Wallace's mill, about half way between it and the place since occupied by Goudy's. The mill was put in order, and the inhabitants began to feel that some labor was about to be taken off their hands; but the machinery would not work. The mill was abandoned, and the people turned to their hand-mills and corn pounders. Some time after this another was built where the ruins of Goudy's now lie, and this time complete satisfaction was given, and hand-mills went out of use.
Digitized by Google
258
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY.
The first Public Road, Hotel, etc.
In 1815, the first public road was laid out through this section from Wooster to Mansfield, which helped the settlement some, as it was the direct route from the eastern portion of the State to the western. The lands along the road were bought and settled in a short time, and a thriving settlement was soon going on. Emigrants traveling West had to encamp along here, as there was no hotel then, and so continued until 1817, when one was established by Linus Hayes, at Hayes's Cross Roads, who provided food for the weary traveler and for his jaded steed.
No School-Houses.
There were no school-houses, and consequently no schools, and the young student had to be satisfied with what he could get by his own efforts, and from such books as were within his reach, which were by no means "plenty."
Churches.
Neither were there any churches, or places for hold- ing religious meetings other than the houses of the settlers, or the groves, where they met, with no roof above them but the pure vault of ether, to worship the Most High. To-day we have costly, showy, and elegant churches, pointing upward with their spires and steeples beauty without and comfort within- but no purer, holier, and sincerer Christianity fills the breasts of those who worship there, than that which these pioneers practiced. In the year 1816, a small church was erected by Mr. Eckley, which was the first building for that purpose; and at the same place
Digitized by Google
259
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY.
and about the same time a graveyard was laid out, and Mr. Constance Lake was the first person buried in it. The church was used by all denominations; and after other churches were established, it passed into the hands of the Lutherans, and was known by the name of Eckley's "Meeting-House," which name is still attached to the place it formerly occupied.
Progress of the Settlement in 1814-15.
By this time the township had become pretty thickly inhabited. The northwestern portion had not as yet been appropriated, but the eastern, middle, and western parts wore the appearance of a thriving "clearing." The people had got clear of many diffi- culties which in the first place had troubled them, and now that spirit which is so general among the inhabitants of the Northern States, began to manifest itself. Moneymaking seems to have seized upon them, and the ambition of being rich to have fired their souls. All kinds of labor and respectable means of obtaining wealth had been instituted-the blacksmith had come in and set up his forge; the wagonmaker had got to work; the carpenter was shoving his plane; and nearly all the various mechanical pursuits were represented.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.