USA > Ohio > Ashland County > A History of the Pioneer and Modern Times of Ashland County > Part 29
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cooking vessels. His lodging place, when not upon the ground adjoining the burning brush and log heaps on the land he was clearing, was upon the ground floor of his camp. In this house, and thus employed, he spent a portion of the year 1817 and the summers of 1818 and 1819. During this period he exchanged work occasionally with Joshua Carr, of Montgomery Township, but with this exception his life was one of profound solitude, rarely meeting a human being.
Dangers of the "Fat in the Fire."
One evening while engaged in cooking supper for Mr. Carr (who was then at work for him) and him- self, the vessel containing his meat capsized, pouring its whole contents into the blazing fire. No sound from wolves had been heard before this, according to Mr. Cory's recollection, but they evidently snuffed the good living afar off, as within twenty minutes after the accident the beasts appeared to be approach- ing from all directions, making the earth almost trem- ble with their fierce howls, and the men were glad to betake themselves to their camp supperless. The wolves serenaded the occupants of the camp with their hideous voices till dawn of day, but their dread of the fire which blazed in front of the camp deterred them from an attack.
Rattlesnake Den.
It is supposed, from the large number that were dis- covered and killed in the vicinity, that a rattlesnake den existed in a ledge of rocks near the northwest corner of the quarter owned by Mr. Cory. On one occasion, in this neighborhood, Isaac Johnson and David Scott encountered and killed seven, when the
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men became sick, and discontinued the slaughter, although others were yet in view.
George Hamilton.
This Indian was well known to Mr. Cory during his residence in Tuscarawas County. He was of un- mixed blood, but not, as is supposed by some, a chief. He had fought against Wayne during the Indian war, but in the last war with England acted as spy under Gen. Harrison.
Phillip Ignatius.
This noted Indian was also an acquaintance of Mr. Cory. He, with another wild and savage-looking In- dian, are the same who are referred to in the state- ment of Hugh Carr and Thomas Newman as having visited the cabins of Mr. Bryan and Mr. Collyer, on their route from the Huron River country to Tusca- rawas County. He has often listened to the descrip- tion by Phillip of the fight on the Black Fork.
Probably the Oldest Bible in the County.
Mr. Cory has in his possession a duodecimo copy of the Bible, printed in Oxford, England, 1727, which was originally the property of his father's grandfather, Joseph Freeman, as appears by his name, written on a blank leaf, bearing date November 30th, 1729. The volume is remarkably well printed and bound, gilt- edged, and silver clasps, and in a remarkably good state of preservation.
The First Sermon and First Prayer.
The first sermon and first prayer ever heard by Mr. Cory, were from the lips of Rev. James B. Finley, in Tuscarawas County. He was, at this time, ten
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years of age. This sermon is thus referred to by Mr. Finley in his autobiography, page 196 : "At one time I made an appointment on Sugar Creek, but when I came to it there was no house for me to preach in. Accordingly I called the people together under a large oak in a small prairie. The people, however, would not come near me, but stood in the plum bushes around, and I preached to them, in their hiding- places, Jesus Christ and the resurrection. At my second appointment they seemed less fearful, and I gained so much on their confidence that I ventured to make an appointment for my next round at Mr. Cory's house."
In the immediate vicinity of where Mr. Cory re- sided, Mr. Finley was the first preacher who had ap- peared in the neighborhood. The Moravian mis- sionaries had confined their labors exclusively to the Indian towns, some miles distant.
JAMES DICKASON.
James Dickason immigrated, with his wife, to Perry Township on the 17th of May, 1817. He was an emigrant from Pennsylvania. He leased and occu- pied for five years a part of section 16, and subse- quently purchased of Edward Gallagher the south- west quarter of section 4, Perry Township, upon which he continues to reside.
CORNELIUS DORLAND.
Cornelius Dorland emigrated from Green County, Pennsylvania, to Columbiana County, in 1805; from thence he immigrated to Salt Creek Township, Wayne County, in April, 1811; from .thence to the block- house in Wooster, during the fall of 1812; from the
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latter place to the land in Perry Township upon which now stands a part of the town of Rowsburg, where he arrived March 1st, 1814.
When he came to Perry Township his family con- sisted of his wife and the following children, namely, John, James, Garrett, Margara, Samuel, and Clem- ent N. Subsequently, in the year 1815, David and Cornelius (twins sons) were born in Perry Township.
He entered the southeast quarter in section 15, upon which he resided about three months, and then sold to John Raver. [The latter-named person, when he removed to the place he purchased of Mr. Dorland, was regarded as one of the most wealthy and enter- prising citizens of the township, but subsequently lost all his property, and died in the Ashland County In- firmary during the year 1861. Such is life!]
In June, 1814, Mr. Dorland purchased of Messrs. Hunter and O'Harra, residents of Pennsylvania, the north half of section 10, Perry Township, which was the place of his residence at the time of his decease, which occurred March 6th, 1816, aged forty-one years.
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Loss of Clement N. Dorland.
On a Thursday morning in June, 1816, John Dor- land, aged sixteen years, (whose mind had been con- siderably impaired in consequence of bodily disease,) left home with his little brother Clement, aged two years and seven months, on an excursion in the woods, and after a few hours the two became separated, John returning home alone. The country at this time was very wild and the settlement sparse. The alarm, however, was immediately given, and a search com- menced by the whole neighborhood, engaging in the work people from Wooster, twelve miles distant.
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The first, second, and third days passed without any reward for the labor of the two hundred men who had been anxiously enlisted in the generous and humane work; and, as the forests were alive with wild beasts, the painful conclusion began to take pos- session of the minds of the family and friends of the little boy that he had fallen a victim to their savage hunger. On Monday morning, however, the fourth day after his disappearance, Jonathan Hayes, whose own illness had prevented him from participating with his neighbors in the search, discovered the boy under the following circumstances: he was out looking for his horse, and, just as he had found him, and while engaged in putting on the bridle, he heard a strange but subdued sound, among some fallen timber near him. He concluded that it proceeded from a wild beast, and not being physically able to grapple with a savage animal, he determined to first mount his horse, and then reconnoiter the vicinity whence the sound had proceeded. In putting this design into execution he soon discovered the lost child, the life of which, owing to hunger and exposure, was almost extinct. Although in the month of June, there was a frost, as there had been every morning since the loss of the child. Mr. Hayes took it up, wrapped it in his own coat, and conveyed it to Mrs. Chandler, the nearest neighbor, as related in another place. Nicho- las Carr was the bearer of the glad tidings of the dis- covery of the boy to his parents and friends. The distance from the child's home to where he was found was about five miles.
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Killed of Fright.
Daniel, aged eight years, son of John Raver, during the year 1815 was killed of fright under these circum- stances: he was engaged at play with other children, when a mouse darted up the inside of his pantaloons, causing such fright as to produce convulsions and his death within a few hours.
The War of 1812 Predicted by an Indian.
While Mr. Dorland was residing upon Salt Creek, twelve miles south of Wooster, he was visited by an Indian acquaintance named Lyons. This was in the fall of 1811. He expressed to Mr. Dorland the opinion that within a few months Great Britain and the United States would be engaged in a war, and in case this should occur, that the Indians generally would take sides with England. He, however, gave his voluntary pledge to Mr. Dorland to protect him and his family to the full extent of his power, warning him at the proper time of his danger, etc.
ABRAHAM ECKER.
The Ashland Times of November 24, 1859, con- tained the following :-
After an illness of twenty days, died at his resi- dence, near Rowsburg, November eleventh, Dr. Abra- ham Ecker, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. He was a faithful brother in the church for more than forty years, and died in full hope of a blessed immor- tality. He emigrated from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, in May, 1818, and was known as a physician upwards of thirty years. He leaves a kind
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and loving companion, ten children, seventy-five grandchildren, and twenty great-grandchildren, to mourn his loss. But they need not sorrow as those who have no hope :-
" Friend after friend departs : Who has not lost a friend ? There is no union here of hearts, That find not here an end."
His family have lost an affectionate husband, a kind and indulgent father. He has been called away by the "grim bailiff of the grave," but his precepts linger still. He has been called to lie down in the narrow tomb, but the memory of one so dear cannot perish. The example he has given cannot pass un- noticed; the pattern he laid down cannot be forgot- ten; and we would not be human could we remain unmoved and not startle at the announcement. We would not be human could we restrain our grief- restrain our tears. Oh, no! but we sorrow not as those without hope. We believe he died in the Lord, and now sweetly sleeps in Jesus, and, in the morning of the resurrection, will arise to immortality and eternal life. His seat is now vacant, his gentle foot- steps are no longer heard, his faltering voice no longer greets our ears, his aching eyes are forever closed to terrestrial objects, his throbbing heart has ceased to beat, his weary head is now at rest, his suffering and attenuated form is now part and parcel of the cold, damp earth, and reposes by the side of those who preceded him to the "silent city of the dead." May the Lord whom he served be our comfort and sup- port. May he sanctify this solemn and trying be- reavement to our present and eternal good. We hope to meet again, "when the day of life is fled," where
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sorrows and separations will be forever unknown. Oh! I would not live alway!
"A few short years and then, Impatient of its bliss, The weary soul shall seek on high A better home than this."
BENJAMIN EMMONS.
Benjamin Emmons entered a quarter section of land in Perry Township, in 1810; and from thence removed, in 1819, to Montgomery Township, on the farm recently occupied by his sons, (now owned by Matthias Boffenmire,) about one and a half miles north of Ashland.
CONRAD FRIDLINE.
Conrad Fridline emigrated from Pennsylvania to Perry Township, during the spring of 1821. His family consisted of his wife and two children, David and Ludwig. He purchased of David Smith the land upon which he has since resided.
JOHN FRY.
John Fry emigrated from Franklin County, Penn- sylvania, to Plain Township, Wayne County, in May, 1824. He removed to the southeast quarter of sec- tion 16, Perry Township, in April, 1826; which tract, when it came into market, was purchased by his family, and is now occupied by his widow and son, Andrew J. Fry. He resided upon this place until his death, which occurred on June 10th, 1827. The widow and two sons, Rev. Jacob Fry and Rev. An- drew J. Fry, are the only survivors of his family.
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HENRY GRINDLE.
Henry Grindle emigrated from Somerset County, Pennsylvania, to Perry Township, in April, 1825. He died in December, 1832, aged forty-six years.
WILLIAM HAMILTON.
William Hamilton emigrated from Washington County, Pennsylvania, to Perry Township, in the fall of 1820-having previously purchased, of his brother Hugh, the northeast quarter of section 3, in said town- ship. His family were composed of his wife and seven children-the only survivor of whom, now re- siding in Perry Township, is Mrs. Mary J., wife of John A. Campbell.
Mrs. Hamilton died in October, 1850, at the age of seventy-three years. Hugh Hamilton, Esq., of La- fayette, born September, 1821, in Perry, is the only son of William Hamilton, now a resident of the township.
Ancient Fortifications and Mounds in Jackson and Perry Townships.
Upon the land in Jackson Township, now owned by John M. Livingston and John Ramsey, about a mile northeast of Lafayette, are the remains of what is supposed to have been an ancient fortification. This work is located on the western side of an ele- vated ridge, but its eastern line reaches the summit. Its shape is quadrangular. Before the timber was cleared by the race now occupying it, its outlines could be distinctly traced, but the plow has nearly obliterated them. The oak timber which was found growing upon its sides was equal in dimensions to any in the surrounding forests. When the ground
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was yet in its wild state, only twelve years since, the embankment was about eight feet at its base and eighteen inches in height, these dimensions being very regular. The area was about one and a half acres. Within the inclosure of the fort, about twenty-five years since, John H. Hamilton found a hard flint stone, highly polished surface, five inches in length, two inches at the base, and one and a half inches at the point. The center was encircled by a groove, in which he could bury the point of his finger.
Two ancient mounds also existed in Perry Town- ship, on the farm originally entered by Hugh Ham- ilton. They were about thirty feet distant from each other, and occupied the summit of a hill. The largest was eighteen feet in diameter at its base, and rises four feet above the natural surface. This one still remains undisturbed, with the exception of having been cleared of its timbers. The smaller one was about twelve feet in diameter at its base, and was elevated about three feet above the natural surface. There were no indications that the earth of which these mounds were composed had been taken from the immediate vicinity of their location.
Some thirty years ago, when William Hamilton was excavating the earth for his cellar, the western side embraced the ground occupied by about one-half of the smaller mound. After the earth had been re- moved down to the natural surface, the remains of some wood, supposed to be a root, were discovered; continuing, however, the excavation, it proved to be a shaft of timber that had been placed perpendicularly below the surface. Following down the decayed wood, the men reached a quantity of coarse but pure sand, and a few inches below this a human skeleton; and
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yet below this two other skeletons, also imbedded in sand. The wood, from the point where it entered the sand, was found to be in a good condition of preservation. The bones of the skeleton were re- markably well preserved, including the teeth and the most delicate portions of those belonging to the fin- gers and toes. A few hours' exposure to the atmos- phere dissolved all except the larger bones. One of the skeletons indicated that it had belonged to a per- son of immense size. James McMeeken, the largest man in the neighborhood, weighing over two hundred pounds, and having a remarkably full face, would pass the lower jaw of this skeleton over his own coun- tenance without any difficulty. The end of the shaft referred to terminated at the depth of the lower part of the last skeleton. It had been dressed so as to present three sides, and the marks of the edged in- strument used in dressing it were clearly visible. There were also imbedded in the sand, about a pint of a powdered substance, resembling Spanish brown paint; also a polished stone, about six inches in length, one inch in width, and half an inch in thick- ness-the sides and ends being rounded off. This stone was afterward used to sharpen a Dutch scythe, by Mr. Oner, a revolutionary soldier, and a resident, up to the time of his death, on the farm now owned by William Patterson.
JOHN HELLMAN.
John Hellman emigrated from Centre County, Penn- sylvania, and settled in Perry Township, June 17th, 1818. He purchased of Elijah Charles the southwest quarter of section 3, which land he improved, and has, up to the present date, made his home. His family,
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at the time of emigration, consisted of his wife and three children, viz .: David, Mary, and Catherine. The first mentioned is now a resident of Jackson Town- ship; Mary is the wife of Daniel Eshelman, of La- fayette, and Catherine is the wife of George Walkey, of Perry Township.
THOMAS JOHNSON.
Thomas Johnson immigrated to Perry Township in 1814. He had several years previously resided in Jefferson County. His family at this date consisted of his wife, and sons Henry, Isaac, Jacob, and Benja- min, and six daughters. He died in 1826. Benja- min Johnson, now a resident of Vermillion Township, is the only surviving male member of the family.
RUDOLPH KAUFMAN.
Rudolph Kaufman immigrated to Perry Township from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in June, 1822, and purchased of Jacob Baker the two hundred and thirty-three acres in section 27, upon which he resided until the time of decease, which occurred March 11th, 1825, at the age of twenty-seven years six months and five days.
The surviving members of his family were his widow and one son. Emanuel, son of Rudolph Kauf- man, was born upon the place above described July 31st, 1824, and now resides at the old homestead.
JACOB KLINGAMAN.
Jacob Klingaman emigrated from Berks County, Pennsylvania, with his wife, to Perry Township, in May, 1817, and entered the northwest quarter, section 8, in said township. The east half of this section he
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subsequently surrendered, and retained the west half. Himself and wife yet occupy the last-named place.
JOHN KRÆMER.
John Kræmer immigrated to Perry Township from Pennsylvania, October, 1829, and purchased of John Gorsuch the farm which is now owned and occupied by Samuel Buchanan. During the last three years Mr. Kræmer has been a resident of Rowsburg.
JACOB LASH.
Jacob Lash emigrated from Washington County, Pennsylvania, and arrived in Perry Township in the early part of the spring of 1824. Jacob Onstott and himself jointly purchased the southeast quarter of section 8, which they subsequently divided. Mr. Onstott resided upon his half quarter until his death, and Mr. Lash still continues to occupy his half. When he removed to this county his household con- sisted of his wife and two children, and a brother-in- law, Uriah Ackley.
PETER LASH.
Peter Lash immigrated to Perry Township, and leased the farm now owned and occupied by Peter Mang, in the fall of 1823. His family at this time consisted of his wife and five children, namely, Eliza- beth, William, Susannah, Peter, and Charity A.
Mr. Lash died in July, 1838, at the age of seventy- eight years. . He had served in the war of the Ameri- can Revolution, and during the last years of his life received a pension for his services. Of his children above mentioned, William and Susannah (the latter the wife of Robert Nelson) are the only survivors who now (January, 1862,) reside in Perry Township.
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PHILIP MANG.
Philip Mang, in 1816, entered seven quarters of land in Perry Township. Upon one of these quarters resides his son Samuel, upon another Peter.
He was an emigrant from Somerset County, Penn- sylvania, and when he visited the county he made his home with Jerome.
JOHN MAURER.
John Maurer removed to Plain Township, Wayne County, in November, 1821. He was an emigrant from Pennsylvania. In April, 1825, he purchased and removed to the land in Perry Township, now occupied by William Adams. His family, at this time, consisted of his wife and eight children, the only survivors of whom, now residing in Perry Town- ship, are his widow, his son William, and widowed daughter, Mrs. Ann Jackson. Mrs. Maurer, if she lives until the 18th of August, 1862, will be eighty- seven years of age. Mr. Maurer died January 13th, 1860, aged eighty-three years and eight months.
ADAM REICHARD.
Adam Reichard emigrated from Centre County, Pennsylvania, and removed to the east half of the northwest quarter of section 8, (which he had pre- viously entered,) in April, 1829. His family, at this time, consisted of his wife and an infant son, Jacob. Mr. Reichard is among the very few in Perry Town- ship who reside upon the place they originally entered.
JAMES SCOTT.
James Scott removed, when a boy of seventeen years of age, with the family of his brother-in-law,
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Isaac Smalley, from Columbiana County, Ohio, to Perry Township, in November, 1816. With the ex- ception of about two years, (which were spent in Wooster,) he has resided in Perry Township since the date named. He has, since 1825, owned and occupied the farm upon which he at present resides, and which land was first improved by him.
JOHN SHISSLER.
John Shissler was born in New Jersey, but while a young man, removed to Pennsylvania, where he re- mained about five years; thence removed to Jeffer- son County, Ohio, and in the spring of 1823 immi- grated to Perry Township, where he married, and purchased of William Morgan the land which he now occupies. When he settled upon his land the country was very little improved, and, between Ashland and Rowsburg, was almost a wilderness. As supervisor of roads, he aided in clearing the timber from the Northern State road, between Wooster and Mansfield.
The nearest market for wheat was at Sandusky City, where it would command, at the outside, 50 cents per bushel; at Wooster, hogs were sold, weigh- ing two hundred pounds, for $1.50 to $2.00. Taxes, however, were low-the highest tax-payer in the township not paying, probably, more than $3.00.
JOHN SMALLEY.
John Smalley immigrated to Perry Township, and purchased the land that now constitutes the farm of Jacob Geackley, in the spring of 1818. He subse- quently purchased of Edward Gallagher the farm upon which he died, and which is now owned by his sons, Richard and John P. The last named is now
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(January, 1862) residing in the house in which he was born.
RICHARD SMALLEY.
Richard Smalley removed from Jefferson County, Ohio, to Perry Township, in the year 1815. Previous to the war of 1812 he had entered a half section ad- joining the present town of Rowsburg-being the land now owned by his son, Richard Smalley, Jr. Mr. Smalley died in 1850, at the age of eighty-four years. The surviving male members of his family now residing in the county are, John Smalley, of Orange Township; Benjamin Smalley, of Vermillion Township; and Richard Smalley, Jr., who occupies the old homestead above mentioned, in Perry Town- ship.
JOHN SWARTS.
John Swarts immigrated to the northwestern terri- tory, from Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, during the Indian campaign of General Wayne. He first selected his home in what is now Harrison County, Ohio. In 1813 he removed to that part of Mohican which afterward became Chester Township, Wayne County. His family, at this time, consisted of his wife and the following named children: John, Henry, David, Eliza- beth, Jacob, Daniel, Catherine, and Mary. Of these, the only one now residing in Ashland County is David Swarts, who owns and occupies the farm on the north line of Perry Township, one and a quarter miles northeast of Jeromeville-a farm widely known for its elegant and commodious outhouses, having a barn upon it which alone cost $3000.
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JOHN TANYER.
John Tanyer, an emigrant from Pennsylvania, set- tled in Perry Township in 1824. He is now a resi- dent of Montgomery Township, about one mile north of Ashland.
FREDERICK WISE.
Frederick Wise removed from Centre County, Penn- sylvania, to Perry Township, in May, 1822. His family consisted of his wife and seven children. He had entered his land, being the southeast quarter of section 18, in the year 1815. While exploring the country for the purpose of making his selection, he made his home with Baptiste Jerome. Mr. Wise yet resides upon the land he originally entered.
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