USA > Ohio > Ashland County > A History of the Pioneer and Modern Times of Ashland County > Part 19
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issued for his body. Under that law, if the judgment- debtor gave bail he was released from prison, and became entitled to the "jail-bounds," which compre- hended the limits of the county; but the law con- fined him strictly within such boundaries, and if he placed his foot over the line his bond would become forfeited. The defendant had procured the necessary bail, and, within the territory of Richland County, his movements were as untrammeled as those of his creditor. A party of wags, of which Hayesville, in those days, always had "a quorum," disliking the lofty "style" and fraudulent practices of said debtor, originated a scheme by which to entrap him, and which, having stated the premises, will be understood by the reader as we narrate it.
Thomas Stringer and David Potts, (brothers-in-law, fast friends, and notorious lovers of fun,) whose "heads had been together" on this case, obtained sight of their victim standing near a public place, and forthwith made for his vicinity, in earnest dispute about the trotting qualities of the horses of which they were the respective owners. As they approached their in- tended victim, their dispute waxed more fierce, and the young man at once enlisted in the broil, and "mixed in." A wager was agreed upon, and the money staked. Judges were also selected, one of whom happened to be the debtor; and the ground selected happened to be on the Mansfield and Wooster Road-the eastern terminus also happening to be a few rods east of the county line.
The arrangements being completed, the contestants for the wager, each astride his own horse, followed by the judges at a certain distance, were soon upon the ground and absorbed in the exciting race. One
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of the parties to the sham bet, (Mr. Potts,) a regular Falstaff in physical contour, of about two hundred and twenty pounds avoirdupois, appeared rather "much" for his horse, which would occasionally "break," when, by the rules of the race, he would be compelled to turn the animal completely around, thus losing much precious "time." Mr. Stringer, however, not being a remarkably accomplished horseman, the beasts and their riders reached the established goal about "neck and neck." The point having been reached, Stringer and Potts cast themselves from their horses, and engaged in fierce crimination and recrimination, each charging upon the other "foul play" in riding, and throwing off their coats for a desperate fight. The young judge, yet in full view of the "deadly strife," but with his "associate judge," a short distance in the rear, put spurs to his horse, and, with the least pos- sible delay, placed himself between the hostile parties with the humane purpose of saving the useless effu- sion of blood !- assuring the gentlemen, upon his "word of honor," that the matter should be determ- ined by a scrupulous regard to the rules of racing. His pacificatory eloquence prevailed, and the bellig- erents meekly received the verdict of the judges, and a happy reunion of broken ties was the result.
After the return of the crowd to town, some one in- cidentally remarked, in the hearing of the real victim of the drama, that it was rather a remarkable circum- stance that Richland County did not afford land enough upon which to have a trotting match, and that it became necessary to use for that purpose a part of Wayne County! Our hero turned to Mr. Stringer and inquired whether they had really passed the limits of Richland County; whereupon Mr. Strin-
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ger forthwith proceeded to make a very nice calcula- tion of metes and bounds, and after much deliberation arrived at the amazing conclusion that the eastern stakes would, sure enough, bring them within Wayne County! The crowd, discovering the embarrassment of "young gent," gave way to their feelings in an irre- pressible and prolonged roar of mirth. The young financier became enraged-charged conspiracy, and all manner of crimes-swore terribly, and the more terribly he swore, louder and more wild became the merriment of the crowd. Discovering, at length, that the insurrection against him was too extensive, he subsided, and with a forced pleasantry consented to permit the affair to pass off as "a good joke."
MICHAEL SIGLER.
Michael Sigler immigrated with his wife and four children to Vermillion Township, in November, 1820, and purchased the eighty acres upon which Henry Hel- bert now resides. He emigrated from Pennsylvania. Prior to his purchase of this land, he had contracted with Mr. Hersh for the land upon which the major portion of Hayesville now stands; but some trifling difference in regard to details prevented the closing of the contract, and Rev. Mr. Cox became the pur- chaser.
Mr. Sigler has resided the last twenty-seven years in Lake Township.
STEPHEN SMITH.
Stephen Smith immigrated to Vermillion Township from Trumbull County, Ohio, and purchased for his future home the northwest quarter of section 33, Vermillion Township, now occupied by his son,
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James B. Smith. His family at this time consisted of his wife, daughter Lydia, and son James B. Mr. Smith died August 19, 1840, at the age of fifty-one years, less a few days.
With the exceptions of John Johnston and George Shriver, who occupied adjoining quarters, among his nearest neighbors was Linus Hayes, subsequently one of the proprietors of Hayesville. The country was very sparsely settled, and the little family would find their nights made hideous by the howling of wolves, which would often approach within a few rods of their house. Wild beasts and reptiles abounded in the wilderness. Rattlesnakes, some of them of immense size, were also numerous.
JOSEPH STRICKLAND.
Joseph Strickland, an emigrant from Jefferson County, Ohio-his native State being New Jersey. He was the father of Mahlon, Joseph, William S., and Amos Strickland. Mr. Strickland died in Seneca County, Ohio, about thirteen years ago, at the age of eighty-six years. He served as a soldier in the war of the American revolution.
JOSEPH WORKMAN.
Joseph Workman, an emigrant from Adams County, Pennsylvania, removed with his family (consisting of his wife and four children) to Vermillion Township in the fall of 1815. He entered the northwest quar- ter of section 26; and also purchased, of John Bap- tisté Jerome, the property in section 12, since known as the Goudy Mill property. He subsequently sold the last named tract to Constance Lake, who erected upon it the first mill. In 1854, he purchased the
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farm upon which he now resides-being thirty acres in section 25. He is now in his seventy-seventh year, and in vigorous mental and bodily health.
First Justices of the Peace.
When Mr. Workman came to the country the ter- ritory of Vermillion and Montgomery were united in one township, under the name of the former; and Robert Newell and James Wallace were the two justices of the peace. Mr. Workman was elected in 1817, and was the successor of Mr. Wallace.
Indian Neighbors.
His nearest neighbors were Johnnycake and his squaw. He was a quiet, friendly neighbor, and Mr. Workman took his first lessons in hunting wild game of this Indian.
The First School.
The first school taught in Vermillion Township was in 1821, in a building which had previously been used as a Baptist church. Its site was near where the present school-house in Thomas Bushnell's dis- trict stands, and the school was taught by Miss Sedelia Bushnell. Six years, therefore, had elapsed . before Mr. Workman's children had the privileges of any other instruction than such as they received at home.
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CHAPTER X.
Hayesville.
THIS town was laid out on the 26th of October, 1830, by John Cox and Linus Hayes. It was incor- porated March 2, 1849, as will be seen by the copy of the law which follows :-
AN ACT to incorporate the Town of Hayesville, in Ashland County.
SEC. 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That so much of the Township of Ver- million, in the County of Ashland, as is included in the town plat of the Town of Hayesville, together with such additions as may hereafter be made thereto, be, and the same is hereby declared a town corporate, by the name of the Town of Hayesville, and by that name shall be a body corporate and politic, with per- petual succession.
SEC. 2. The town named in the preceding section of this act shall be entitled to all the privileges and be subjected to all the restrictions of "an act for the regulation of incorporated towns," passed February sixteenth, one thousand eight hundred and thirty- nine, and the several acts amendatory thereto.
JOHN G. BRESLIN, Speaker House Reps. BREWSTER RANDALL, Speaker of the Senate.
March 2, 1849.
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THE ORIGINAL TOWN.
From memoranda now in possession of Rev. John Cox, the subjoined is gathered :-
"The following is a draft of a number of lots, divided by streets and alleys in the form below de- scribed, intended for a town to be known by the name of Hayesville, situated on the east half of the southeast quarter of section 15, township 21, of reserve 15, formerly known by the name of Hayes' X-Roads, being the lands of Messrs. J. Cox and L. Hayes. The principal or main street is laid out on the road lead- ing from Wooster to Mansfield, with one row of 19 lots on each side-each lot 60 feet front by 120 feet back. The road leading from Loudonville to Ash- land crosses the above-named road at right angles, with 20 lots to the east and 18 lots to the west. Parallel to the first are two streets, viz .: one crossing at the north end of the lots on the north side, the other crossing at the south end of the lots on the south side, each 16 feet breadth, parallel to the second. East is one alley of 10 feet breadth, one street of 20 feet breadth, dividing the lots of Cox and Hayes; east of all is an alley of 12 feet breadth. West is an alley of 10 feet; west of all is an alley, as may be seen in the plat.
" The first, or principal street bears south 85 de- grees; 60 feet breadth.
"The second, or cross street, bears north 5 de- grees; 50 feet breadth."
The inhabitants of the town, separate from the township, have only been imperfectly taken at two decennial periods.
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Population in 1850 441
" 1860. 336
These figures show an apparent diminution of the population of the town between the years 1850 and 1860, which is accounted for from the fact that the census-taker in 1850 embraced in his return a dis- trict which, although obviously as much a part of the town as any other, was not legally within the incor- porated limits. It is unquestionably true that the population and business of Hayesville during the last twelve years have been constantly augmenting. This has been particularly the case since the Vermillion Institute, which is the chief source of the prosperity of the town, and which has withstood the shock of the present civil war that has prostrated so many kindred institutions, has been under the charge of Mr. Diefendorf. The town and the institute were never in a more prosperous condition than now.
Hayesville contains 3 churches, 3 resident clergy- men, 2 physicians, 1 lawyer, 1 high school, (the Ver- million Institute,) 1 lodge I. O. O. F., 2 hotels, 5 boarding-houses, 3 dry goods stores, 2 clothing stores, 2 boot and shoe stores, 1 drug store, 1 bakery and confectionery, 2 shoe shops, 3 saddle shops, 3 wagon manufactories, 4 blacksmith shops, 1 silversmith, 3 cabinet shops, 2 tanneries, 1 tinsmith and stove store, 2 cooper shops; and 1 barber shop.
Borough Officers for 1862.
Mayor, David Fox; Recorder, J. Ross Folwell; Council, Joseph Folwell, D. K. Hull, John Craig, Frederick Fox, and Wm. S Strickland; Treasurer, S. M. Folwell; Marshal, John Stevens. -
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CONCORD LODGE, No. 325, I. O. O. F.
The dispensation for this lodge was granted 14th May, 1857, to J. Kinninger, Wm. L. Smith, Wm. G. Galloway, Nicholas McCool, and M. Mclaughlin.
The lodge was instituted on the 27th July, 1857, by R. W. G. Alex. E. Glenn.
The first officers were Joseph Kinninger, N. G .; Wm. L. Smith, V. G .; M. Mclaughlin, Rec. Sec .; and W. G. Galloway, Treasurer. The lodge was organized with the five charter members, nine were initiated, and one admitted by card. Total, fifteen.
Lodge-room in third story of the building of Mr. John Craig. It is a well finished hall, 36 by 20 feet, and 11 feet in height.
Present officers-Wm. O. Porter, N. G .; George Johnson, V. G .; Wm. E. Doolittle, Rec. Sec .; R. N. Leech, Per. Sec .; John Sharick, Treasurer. Present number of members forty.
CHURCHES IN HAYESVILLE.
OLD SCHOOL PRESBYTERIAN.
The Presbyterian Church in Hayesville was organ- ized in the fall of 1846, and had as the first minis- ter the Rev. Benj. T. Lowe, who preached the half of his time there and the other half in the church of Jeromeville.
The Rev. Wm. W. Colmery became pastor and had charge of the church until the spring of 1850, when Mr. Colmery having taken the Jeromeville church, the Rev. Sanders Diefendorf, Principal of Vermillion Institute, became minister of the Hayesville church. This arrangement lasted until the spring of 1852, when the Rev. Jacob Coon having succeeded Mr. Die-
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fendorf as principal of the institute, also took his place as stated preacher to the church. In the autumn of 1853 Mr. Coon resigned, and the church was vacant until April, 1854, when the Rev. Mr. Diefendorf, who had settled in Athens, Ohio, was recalled, and has ever since been their minister. A handsome and substantial house of worship was erected in 1859 nearly on the site of the old building.
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION OF HAYESVILLE.
We have not access to the records of the organiza- tion of this congregation. The earliest records attain- able were made in 1838, at which time Rev. Samuel Hindman was the pastor of the congregation. He became, as we are informed, pastor of the congrega- tion in 1837. A preaching station was recognized here by the Associate Church, perhaps as early as 1832, and the "Associate Congregation of Hayesville" was organized soon after. The members were but few at its first organization, and when Mr. Hindman be- came their stated pastor, they were able to obtain no more than one-fourth of his ministerial labors-the other three-fourths being divided equally between Mansfield, Iberia, and Savannah. Mr. Hindman's connection with this congregation continued till 1842, when the pastoral relation was dissolved. In the year 1844, Rev. J. L. McLain, having accepted a call from the congregation, was installed as their pastor. His ministerial labors were divided equally between Hayesville and Mansfield. Mr. McLain's connection with the congregation continued for eleven years. Early in the year 1855, upon the mutual request of the pastor and congregation, the relation was dis- solved by the Associate Presbytery of Richland, to
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which the congregation was in subordination. After this the congregation was dependent upon supplies until the autumn of 1856, when Rev. J. Y. Ashen- hurst, receiving a call, became their stated pastor. His labors were divided equally between Hayesville and Savannah. In May, 1858, the union being con- summated between the Associate and Associate Re- formed Churches under the name and title of the United Presbyterian Church of North America, and the Associate Congregation of Hayesville, acceding to the terms of union, became the United Presbyterian Con- gregation of Hayesville. In December, 1859, upon the petition of the Congregation of Hayesville, the entire labors of the pastor were granted to them, thus dis- solving the relation between him and the congrega- tion of Savannah. In January, 1860, Mr. Ashen- hurst entered upon his labors at Hayesville, as a separate charge-and the congregation, for the first time in their history, obtained the entire ministerial labors of a pastor, which they still continue to enjoy. In 1856, when the present pastor took charge of the congregation, there were about fifty-six members. Since that time about sixty have been admitted to membership; and the decrease by death and removals has been about forty, leaving the present membership about seventy-six. The contributions of the congre- gation for religious purposes average about eight dol- lars to each member annually.
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METHODIST.
The society was organized in 1828, at the house of Richard Jackman. . About two years after Hayes- ville was laid out, the society erected a house for worship 28 by 35 feet, which occupied the site of
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the present residence of Mr. Craig. The membership at this time amounted to thirty. The clergymen were Rev. H. Sheldon and Rev. S. Renark. Trustees -S. Smith, R. Jackman, John Harman, and W. James.
The present building was erected in 1855. Its size is 38 by 50 feet-valuation $1400. Rev. Mr. Starr and Rev. Mr. Wilcox are the present clergy- men, and R. Hill, J. Hill, and W. Seamans are Trus- tees of the church.
PERMANENTLY ESTABLISHED BUSINESS MEN IN HAYESVILLE-1862-68.
Armentrout & Co., dealers in dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, hats, and caps. Also manufacturers of millinery goods and clothing. Northeast corner of North and Main Streets.
Folwell, S. M., dealer in drugs, medicines, paints, oils, books, and stationery. Also soaps and perfumeries. Main Street.
Kinninger, J. & Co., dealers in dry goods, groceries, oils, etc., and manufacturers of clothing. Main Street.
CHAPTER XI.
Green Township.
SURVEYED in 1807, by General James Hedges, Deputy Surveyor of the United States.
Population in 1820
621
" 1830
1097
" 1840 2007
" 1850 1908
'1860 (including Perrysville). 1743
The first white settlement was made in 1809 or 1810. It was, probably, settled the same year with
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Mifflin and Mohican. There is no township in the county more rich in antiquarian wealth, or incident relating to its early history, than Green. Dr. J. P. Henderson, of Newville, a fine scholar, and a gentle- man of cultivated taste, has a collection of specimens of the ancient race, the accumulations of many years, and gathered from Ohio and other Northwestern States, some of the most valuable of which were ob- tained from this township. After centuries of undis- turbed repose, the disemboweled earth of old Green has yielded up treasures which have enriched the cabi- nets of students of archaeological science to a greater degree, probably, than any surface of equal extent in the country.
Upon the land of Jesse Parr existed a circular em- bankment, seven feet in height, inclosing an area of nearly three acres. From a mound, a few rods east of this work, curiously wrought implements of copper and stone were taken. Regarding other of these an- cient works near the old Indian village, the reader is referred to the statement of Samuel Graham, which will be found in its proper place.
Much of the surface of Green Township is broken, although its hills and valleys yield rich rewards to the cultivators of its soil, as the agricultural statistics demonstrate.
The Black Fork enters the township from its west- ern border, and flows in a southeasterly course, until it reaches Loudonville, in Hanover Township-trav- ersing a distance of about ten miles. The low banks and sluggish current of this stream render its water privileges of comparatively little value. There are, however, two dams upon it in Green Township. One of these, owned by Mr. Beechley, runs two pairs of
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burrs and one saw; and the other, formerly known as the "Stringer Mill," but now owned by Augustus A. Taylor, furnishes water for running three pairs of burrs and one saw. The valley of this stream is generally broad, and not exceeded in fertility by any area of equal extent in this quarter of Ohio.
It will be discovered, by statements elsewhere made, that in the early settlement of the township, Messrs. Coulter, Oliver, Rice, and others built flat-bottomed boats, and freighted them with pork, flour, whisky, etc., and ran them to New Orleans. These boats would average about fifteen feet in width, fifty feet in length, and would carry near twelve hundred pounds.
Upon the Clear Fork, which only runs about a mile through the southwest corner of Green Town- ship, there is one dam, furnishing power for running a grist-mill with three pairs of burrs, and a saw-mill .
with one saw. These mills are now the property of Thomas W. Calhoun.
Honey Creek originates in the Quaker Springs, near the southeast line of Vermillion Township, and pur- sues a southwardly course through Green, a distance of about five miles, and terminates in the Black Fork, upon the land recently owned by the late Abraham Dehaven. Upon this stream there are six saw-mills and one grist-mill.
CHURCHES IN GREEN TOWNSHIP.
Aside from those in the town of Perrysville there are two.
UNION.
About 1837, the Methodist Episcopal denomination erected a house for worship near the northeast corner
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of Green Township, adjacent to the present town of Mckay. The society, about twelve years since, be- coming feeble, by reason of deaths and removals, the building and ground were purchased by Christians, in the neighborhood, belonging to various denominations, and it is now open to all creeds who desire its use as a place for worship. The present trustees are Abner Hissen, Jacob Barlett, and Jesse Davis. The building is a frame, and will accommodate with seats about two hundred persons.
GREENTOWN BAPTIST CHURCH.
The building was erected in 1837. It is built of brick; is 35 by 44 feet, and will accommodate with seats a congregation of three hundred and fifty per- sons.
PERRYSVILLE.
This town, the only one in Green Township, was laid out on the 10th day of June, 1815, by Thomas Coulter.
Population in 1830 9
1860 135
The town is situated upon the line of the Pitts- burg, Fort Wayne, and Chicago Railroad. It con- tains one church, one forwarding and commission house, two dry goods stores, one tannery, one hotel, one tailor shop, one blacksmith shop, one grocery and provision store, and two physicians.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This is the only one in the town. Perrysville united with Lake Fork in the support of a minister;
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was organized, probably, in 1818, or earlier, and en- joyed part of the ministerial labors of the Rev. S. Baldridge for several years.
Rev. William Hughes was licensed as a clergyman of the Old School Presbyterian Church, by the Pres- bytery of Beaver, on the 24th of June, 1829, and during the same year immigrated to this county. On the 15th of August, 1829, he preached the first sermon in the neighborhood of his present residence, at the house of the late William Taylor, Esq., in Green Township. On the ninth of September following he was appointed by Presbytery as stated supply for the churches at Perrysville and Lake Fork Cross Roads. April 5th, 1830, he was ordained.
The first elders of the church were Thomas Coulter, John Van Horn, and George Crawford-none of whom are now living. The present elders are William D. Ewalt, James Byers, John White, and William Reed; and the deacons are James Coe and William D. Ewalt.
The building was erected thirty-six years ago, is 30 by 44 feet, and will accommodate a congregation of four hundred persons.
REMINISCENCES OF THE PIONEERS OF GREEN TOWNSHIP. JAMES BYERS.
James Byers, wife, and child emigrated from Wash- ington County, Pennsylvania, to Green Township, in the spring of 1821. He had two years previously entered the southeast quarter of section 23, and erected thereon a cabin, and made some other im- provement. He yet resides upon this land.
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CONRAD CASTOR.
Conrad Castor emigrated with his wife and son, Tobias Castor, from Pennsylvania, to the place upon which he now resides, in Green Township, in the fall of 1817. He is now seventy-two years of age, and resides upon the land he originally entered-being the southeast quarter of section 22.
The orchard upon this place was commenced by trees transplanted from the nursery of Johnny Apple- seed, situated on the John Murphy place, northeast of the farm owned by the late James Rowland.
Although the township had been settled some six years when Mr. Castor removed to it, the country was yet very wild. About four weeks after he removed his family into his cabin, a bear made his appearance within twenty steps of the cabin door. Having no gun, bruin was permitted to leisurely pursue his way.
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