USA > Ohio > Ashland County > A History of the Pioneer and Modern Times of Ashland County > Part 35
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MIFFLIN.
The town of Petersburg (now Mifflin) was laid out June 28, 1816, by William B. James, Peter Dear- dorf, and Samuel Lewis. The census return of 1830 showed a population in the town of 35. This was the only instance in which the census of the town was taken separately from the township. It never had & corporate existence.
The town now contains two churches, (one Luth- eran and one Union,) two physicians, two taverns, one drygoods store, three boot and shoe shops, one cabi- net shop, two blacksmith shops, and one grocery.
CHURCHES.
There was a Presbyterian Church organized under the name of "Mifflin," in the summer of 1851, and Petersburg agreed upon as the place of public wor- ship. Immediately after its organization, Rev. W. T. Adams became its stated supply for a year or two, and Rev. James Rowland succeeding him, acted in the same capacity for one year. This church, small at the time it was organized, became less, and has
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dwindled until it is now numbered with the things that were, but now are not. The worship was held in the "Union" church building.
This "Union Church" was organized in March, 1851-John Lemon, Luke Selby, and Jonas Bolyeat, trustees. The Baptists, Presbyterians, and Method- ists have generally occupied the church building, although it has been open to all denominations. The Baptists and Albrights used the house at stated in- tervals during the last year.
The Evangelical Lutherans-whose church build- ing was destroyed by fire on the night of the 18th of February, 1863-are the most numerous religious denomination in the vicinity of Petersburg. The expenses of the church have been mainly sustained through the munificence of Messrs. Culler. Rev. Mr. Ruth is the present pastor of the church.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS FOR 1868.
Clerk, Henry B. Hershey-Trustees, Peter Gongaway, John Peterson, and John Clugston-Treasurer, John M. Weaver.
SUCCESSIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1838. William Gardner, elected. | 1848. Elijah Hart, elected.
1838. James Doty, elected. 1850. Samuel Culler, re-elected.
1839. John Fleming, re-elected. 1851. Elijah Hart, re-elected.
1841. James Doty, re-elected.
1853. Samuel Culler, re-elected.
1856. John Charles, elected.
1842. Isaac Gates, elected. 1844. James Doty, re-elected. 1845. Isaac Gates, re-elected.
1846. George Roberts, elected.
1846: Charles Boals, elected.
1847. Samuel Culler, elected.
1848. Isaac Gates, re-elected. -
1856. Samuel Culler, re-elected.
1859. John Charles, re-elected.
1859. Samuel Culler, re-elected.
1862. Henry Blust, elected.
1862. Joseph Doty, elected.
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REMINISCENCES OF THE PIONEERS IN MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP.
DAVID BRADEN.
David Braden, an emigrant from Washington County, Pennsyl- vania, removed to Mifflin Township in the fall of 1815, and died the year following, at the age of 52. His son, Solomon Braden, now resides in Green Township.
LEONARD CRONINGER.
Leonard Croninger, originally from Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, removed from Trumbull County, Ohio, to Mifiin Township, in April, 1815, and died in December, 1833, at the age of 52. Benjamin Croninger, son of the deceased, now occupying the old homestead, is the oldest survivor of the settlers in the north part of the township.
MICHAEL OULLER
Michael Culler, in 1816, purchased of Philip Seymour, Jr., the farm upon which the tragedy described in the preceding pages was enacted. The cabin which was the scene of the strife was occupied by Mr. Culler about a year. The bodies of the slain are deposited within a few rods of his present residence. He had visited the country in 1815, but commenced bis residence in 1816.
DANIEL HARLAN, 8EN.
Daniel Harlan, Sen., an emigrant from Virginia, removed to Mifflin Township, with his family, in April, 1815. Died in 1824, at the age of 53.
Samuel Harlan, of Vermillion Township, and Daniel Har- lan, Jr., of Green Township, and the wife of Solomon Braden, also of Green Township, are the only surviving children of the late Daniel Harlan, Sen., now residing in Ashland County.
BENJAMIN HENSHEY.
Benjamin Henshey emigrated from Lancaster County, Penn- sylvania, in October, 1825, and settled upon the southwest quar- ter of section 31, Montgomery Township; being land that he had purchased the year previous. A year or two subsequent he pur- chased, of Andrew Newman, the mill property on the Black Fork, in Mifflin Township, which he subsequently sold to its present owners, the Messrs. Stayman.
THOMAS SELBY.
Thomas Selby settled in Mohican Township, in April, 1813. Since April, 1855, he has resided in Mifflin Township. Many incidents connected with the early experience of Mr. Selby, in Mohican Township, would be of much public interest; but his absence in the West, during most of the time this work has been in preparation, has placed it beyond the power of the writer to obtain his valuable contribution.
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JACOB STAMAN.
,Jacob Staman emigrated with his family, from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to Mifflin Township, in October, 1825. Of his sons, Benjamin and Jacob are the only two whe composed his family at the time he settled in the country, who now reside in the county.
A portion of the farm upon which Benjamin Staman now re- sides was owned by Martin Ruffner, when the latter, with others, was murdered by the Indians in 1819. The stream which pro- pels Mr. Staman's saw-mill is known as "Ruffner's Run."
Johnny Appleseed had a nursery on the Ruffner quarter sec- tion, which is not enumerated among those mentioned in the pro- per place. Apple trees of a gnarled appearance, and bearing marks of age, were scattered among those of the natural forest, and remained there until the land was cleared about twelve years since.
CHAPTER XIX.
Milton Township.
SURVEYED in 1807; organized in 1816.
Population in 1820. 544
" " 1830 1156
" 1840. 1861
" 1850 1432
" 1860 1300
We are enabled to exhibit the increase of wealth, by reference to the taxable valuation at two periods :- In 1861 the value of lands in Milton Township amounted to. $345,585
Chattels
102,626
Total real and personal valuation in 1861 $448,211
Total real and personal valuation in 1826. 35,753
Increase in thirty-five years .. $412,458
* The two western tiers of sections, including the town of Olivesburg. were excluded when the county was erected.
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The system of appraisement in 1826 did not, it is true, approximate as near the actual value as that now established; but it must also be remembered that the area of the township has been diminished one- third.
EXTRACTS FROM THE OFFICIAL RECORD. Organization of Milton Township.
Now it came to pass when men began to multiply on this side the river westward toward the lake, even the great Lake Erie, and the inhabitants of Milton Township became numerous and strong, that they said one to another, Go to, let us separate ourselves from Mifflin Township, to which they aforetime had been attached; for why should we be oppressed by our brethren, and costs multiplied on us in carrying us before strangers? Let us select a goodly number from among our brethren that shall bear rule over us. And they prayed the court at Mansfield, and their re- quest was granted. Milton was organized, and became a free and independent township. This happened in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen.
[Signed] ROBERT NELSON.
ELECTION OF APRIL 7, 1862.
Trustees, John Nelson, James Wharton, and Elisha Barton- Clerk, Henry Piper-Treasurer, Scott Nelson-Assessor, Abner Mercer-Constables, Charles McCready and Wm. Ohl.
SUCCESSIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE OF MILTON TOWNSHIP.
1816. Robert McBeth, elected.
1816. Benjamin Montgomery, elected.
| 1819. Samuel King, elected.
1822. Benjamin Montgomery, re-elected.
1819. Robert Nelson, elected. 1825. Jos. Arnold, elected.
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1888. Jos. Arnold, re-elected. 1828. Isaac Charles, elected. 1831. Isaac Charles, re-elected. 1831. Thomas Smith, elected. 1834. William Taggart, elected. 1834. Thos. Smith, re-elected. 1837. James Andrews, elected. 1837. Thos. Smith, re-elected. 1840. Jas. Andrews, re-elected. 1840. Thos. Smith, re-elected. 1843. Jas. Andrews, re-elected. 1843. Thos. Smith, re-elected. 1846. Amos Hilborn, elected.
1846. Thoa. Smith, re-elected. 1849. Benj. Grosscup, elected. 1849. Thos. Smith, re-elected. 1852. Samuel Smith, elected. 1852. Andw. Burns, Jr., elected. 1853. Jas. Andrews, re-elected. 1855. Samuel Smith, re-elected. 1856. Jas. Andrews, re-elected. 1858. Samuel Smith, re-elected. 1859. Daniel Grosscup, elected. 1861. Samuel Smith, re-elected. 1862. Daniel W. Whitmore, elected.
PIONEERS OF MILTON TOWNSHIP. Among the pioneers of this township, are the following :-
JAMES ANDREWS.
James Andrews immigrated to the eastern division of the ter- ritory of the United States, within the limits of what is now Columbiana County, about the year 1800. In 1816 he purchased and removed to the farm upon which he now resides. Mr. An- drews served in the war of 1818, as captain in a company of the 2d Regiment, 2d Brigade, Ohio Militia, and subsequently as bri- gade inspector. He served twenty-seven years as justice of the peace of Milton Township.
ABRAHAM DOTY.
Abraham Doty removed from Virginia to Milton Township, in October, 1816. He died on the 88th of February, 1843. Of his sons, two are residents of the county, namely, John Doty, of Orange, and Joseph Doty, Esq., of Mifflin.
WILLIAM LOCKHART.
William Lockart emigrated from Beaver County, Pennsylvania, to Milton Township, in December, 1818.
ALEXANDER BEED.
Alexander Reed immigrated to Milton Township, in 1814. He was the original purchaser of the land adjacent to the old Hope- well Church. The body of his wife, who died November 17th, 1820, was the eleventh that was interred in the old Hopewell
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churchyard. In 1821 Mr. Reed sold to Joseph Marklay his farm above mentioned, containing eighty acres, of which thirty were cleared, for 550 gallons of whisky. He was also the owner, at different times, of town lots in Uniontown, (now Ashland,) among which are some of the most valuable of any now in the town, which he sold at from $18 to $14 per lot-payment mostly "in trade." Mr. Reed was an emigrant from Pennsylvania.
JOHN WOODBURN.
John Woodburn removed to Milton Township, in September, 1825, from Pennsylvania. Captain Woodburn served in the war of 1812.
ADDITIONAL PIONEERS.
In addition to the above, PETER BRUBAKER, JOSEPH BECHTEL, JOSEPH CHARLES, JOHN CLAY, JOHN HAZLETT, HENRY KEEVER, JOHN NEAL, and MICHAEL SMELTZER, were among the early set- tlers of Milton Township.
CHAPTER XX.
Ruggles Township.
THIS township, when organized in 1826, and until the erection of Ashland County, twenty years later, belonged to the County of Huron. It probably de- rived its name from Almon Ruggles, who settled in that county in 1808, and who, in 1815, laid out the town of Norwalk.
In 1820 its territory was included in Bethel Town- ship, which had a population that year of 164.
Population of Ruggles in 1830
271
=
1840
1244
1850
1084
1860 918
Ruggles Township, as well as the whole of the original territory of Huron County, was within the "Fire Land" district. These fire lands embraced a tract of country containing seven hundred and eighty-
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY.
one [781] square miles, or nearly five hundred thou- sand [500,000] acres, in the western part of the Western Reserve. The name originated from the circumstance that the State of Connecticut had made a grant of these lands in 1792, as a donation to cer- tain sufferers by fire, occasioned by the invading English during the revolutionary war, particularly at New London, Fairfield, and Norwalk. This tract was surveyed into townships of about five miles square each; and these townships are then subdivided into four equal quarters, No. 1 being the southeast, No. 2 the northeast, No. 3 the northwest, and No. 4 the southwest. And for individual convenience, these are again subdivided, by private surveys, into lots of from fifty to five hundred acres each, to suit indi- vidual purchasers. The surveys were made in 1808.
In 1820 there existed in Huron County a town- ship named Bethel, with which it is supposed the ter- ritory of Ruggles was associated for civil purposes. Whether this township of Bethel embraced the pres- ent townships of Greenwich, Fitchville, or New Lon- don, or all of them, cannot be clearly ascertained by the writer of this.
The population of Bethel in 1820, was 164
of Ruggles in 1830. 271
1840. 1244
1850.
1084
1860. 918
In addition to those causes which have operated, during the last several years, to diminish population in other townships of the county, is the fact that there existed, at the time of the opening of the Cleve- land, Columbus, and Cincinnati Railroad, a flourish- ing town known as "Ruggles Corners." The con-
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY.
struction of the railroad caused the business and population to rapidly decline, until it is now without a single business or mechanical establishment. The post-office, which was formerly here, is now removed to the center of the township.
EXTRACTS FROM THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF RUGGLES TOWNSHIP.
FIRST ELECTION-1826.
Names of the electors who voted at the first election held in Ruggles Township, on the 2d day of January, 1826 :-
1. Perry Darfee.
2. Harvey Sackett.
3. Norman Carter.
4. Truman Bates.
5. Justus Barnes.
6. Daniel Beach.
7. Reuben Fox.
8. Bradford Sturtevant.
9. Jacob Roorback.
10. Abraham Ferris.
11. E. D. Smith.
12. Aldrich Carver.
At this election, the following officers were chosen, namely :-
Township Clerk, Ezra D. Smith-Trustees, Jacob Roorback, Daniel Beach, and Aldrich Carver-Overseers of the Poor, Brad- ford Sturtevant and Harvey Sackett-Fence Viewers, Justus Barnes and Abraham Ferris-Appraisers of Property, Reuben Fox and Perry Durfee-Constable, Norman Carter-Supervisor, Truman Bates-Township Treasurer, Harvey Sackett.
COMMISSIONS OF JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
A commission of Daniel Beach, as justice of the peace, bears date the 20th of February, A.D. 1840.
A commission of Albert G. Buel, as justice of the peace, bears date the 13th of April, 1840.
The commission of D. W. Brown, as justice of the peace, bears date the 9th of November, 1840.
PIONEERS OF RUGGLES TOWNSHIP. DANIEL BEACH.
Daniel Beach immigrated to Ruggles Township on the 2d of August, 1823. He died in 1862. His was the first family that settled in the township. He was born in Connecticut.
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NORMAN CARTER Norman Carter and wife removed to Ruggles in 1824.
ALDRICH CARVER.
Aldrich Carver and family, consisting of three persons, settled in Ruggles, in 1825. His was the fourth family then in the town- ship. He had emigrated from Cayuga County, New York. Mr. Carver (to whom the editor of this work is indebted for much valuable information relating to the early history of this town- ship) states that the township took its name from Alman Rug- gles. He settled in Vermillion Township, Huron County, and became judge of the court. Before the organization of Ruggles, it was attached to New London.
JAMES POAG.
James Poag settled in Clearcreek Township, in 1885, upon the land which is now the farm of James Heanst. About 1827 he purchased the farm in Ruggles, upon which his widow and son, Washington I. Poag, now reside in Ruggles Township. He died April 9, 1854, at the age of seventy-one years.
HARVEY SACKETT.
Harvey Sackett and family removed from Talmadge, Summit County, to Ruggles Township, in April, 1825. Mr. Sackett now resides near Ashland. -
BRADFORD STURTEVANT.
Bradford Sturtevant and family immigrated to Ruggles Town- ship, in September, 1823; being the second pioneer of the town- ship. He had removed to Medina County, from Connecticut, in 1816. The lands of the township, Mr. Sturtevant says, were monopolized by non-resident speculators-the principal land-own- ers being Joseph & Wakeman, of Fairfield County, Connecticut. Martha E., daughter of Bradford Sturtevant, was born 17th of May, 1825 being the first white female child born in the town- ship. She is now the wife of Rev. Horace Taylor, a missionary in Southern India.
BALMON WESTON.
Salmon Weston immigrated to Ruggles Township, on the 17th of June, 1828. He removed from Connecticut, and occupied one month in traveling from his old to his new home. The journey was performed from Warren, Connecticut, to Albany, New York, in wagons ; from Albany to Buffalo, on the Erie Canal; from the latter place to Sandusky City, on the schooner Superior; and from Sandusky City to Ruggles, in wagons. Mr. Weston was the first settler in the eastern portion of the township.
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Churches in Ruggles Township.
There are two-the LUTHERAN, situated in the southeast part of the township, which was organized in 1852. The house, 26 by 30 feet, was erected the same year, at a cost of $360.
The CONGREGATIONAL, at the " Centre," was organized in 1827, with eleven members-four males and seven females. The build- ing is a very comfortable one, and will accommodate a congrega- tion of 400 persons.
CHAPTER XXI.
Troy Township.
THIS is a comparatively new township, having been organized in 1835.
Population in 1840. 289
" 1850. 849
" 1860. 931
For many years the settlement of Troy was re- tarded to a greater degree than even the adjacent townships on the north, east, and west, in conse- quence of the ownership of the soil by Eastern specu- lators. Some years prior to 1845, a system of legis lation prevailed in Ohio, the effect and probably the design of which was to practically confiscate the lands of non-resident owners. For some years the wild lands were valued for taxation the same as im- proved farms. The roads were made and improved by a tax of a certain amount per acre upon lands- the wilderness acres of the speculator being subject to the same burdens as the best and improved acres of the settler. The taxes for the erection of school- houses and for the support of schools were also espe- cially burdensome upon the non-resident. This legis- lative policy soon brought the lands of non-residents
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into market, and during its continuance the principal portion of the soil of Troy Township passed into the hands of those who purchased for cultivation.
TROY CENTRE.
The official census of this village has never been taken separate from the township. It contains a population of about 200; and two church buildings and three congregations, 2 physicians, 2 lawyers, 1 clergyman, 1 dry goods store, 1 tavern, 1 tin and stove shop, 2 blacksmith shops, 3 wagon manufactories, 3 boot and shoe shops, 1 harness shop, 1 paint shop, 1 tailor shop, 1 steam grist-mill, 1 saw-mill, 1 cabinet shop, and 2 groceries.
CHURCHES.
There are two church buildings in the village-the Methodist, built in the spring of 1850 or 1851, and the United Brethren, completed in 1859. These build- ings will each seat a congregation of about 300 per- sons. Formerly the Free Will Baptists had a church building, made of logs, one mile west of the village; but this has been abandoned, and the congregation now worship in the house of the United Brethren.
PIONEERS OF TROY TOWNSHIP.
NATHANIEL CLARK. Nathaniel Clark and family settled in the township in 1834.
BENJAMIN MOORE.
Benjamin Moore emigrated from Monroe County, New York, and settled in Troy Township in 1833. At the first election, in 1835, he was chosen justice of the peace. At this election twelve or fourteen votes were given.
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JOSEPH 8. PARKER.
Joseph S. Parker is the oldest settler now residing in the town- ship. He removed to it in 1832. Between Sullivan and the place to which he removed, there were only two cabins-one of which, belonging to Ralph Phelps, had only been erected a few days previous.
Township Officers for 1862.
Clerk, J. D. Skilling - Trustees, C. E. Parker, and C. P. Ogden-Treasurer, Henry Summers-Assessor, Daniel Fulk- Constable, Jerome Potter.
CHAPTER XXII.
Sullivan Township.
MEDINA COUNTY, formed in 1812, and attached to Portage County until organized in 1818, embraced Sullivan Township within its limits. Upon the formation of Lorain, in December, 1822, the town- ship became included in that county. The township was organized on the 27th of May, 1819.
Population in 1880
137
" 1830.
206
-
" 1840. 789
" 1850. 1101
" 1860. 1056
Thus it will be observed that Sullivan is one of the few townships in the county the population of which increased during the last decade.
PIONEER SKETCHES.
BY 8. PARMELY.
Very few have any idea of the privations and hardships the pioneers endured in the early settlements of these now populous towns. These large, well-cultivated fields were, a few years since, (not half a century,) covered with forest trees. The majestic oak,
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the beautiful poplar, the graceful elm, the hardy beech, black wal- Dut, chestnut, and the delectable maple, interlaced with iron-wood, dog-wood, boxwood, crab-apple, wild cherry and plum, covered these beautiful fields; and the deer, the wolf, and the bear were its inhabitants. Herds of these wild animals roamed fearlessly through the thick forest unmolested.
Where, but a few years since, nothing was to be seen but the wild woods stretching far and wide in rude magnificence, unbroken by the hand of man, and naught was heard but the songs of winged choristers hymning notes of praise to their Creator, mingled with the howlings of wild animals, and the fierce yells of the savage, may now be seen-
"The sheltered cot, the cultivated farm, The never-failing brook with busy mill, The decent church, that tops the neighboring hill!"
While the busy hum of cheerful industry echoes in every direc- tion. The songs of grateful praise and adoration ascend from many a hearth-stone, and pleasing converse bespeaks the intel- ligence, virtue, and happiness of the people. What, indeed, hath not the hand of toil wrought ! What may not patient, persever- ing industry accomplish ! Nor is this all; as the footsteps of civilization have advanced, the mists and vapors of ignorance have been dispelled, and the brilliant rays of truth have broken upon the mind with power, illuminating our path with knowledge, and guiding us through the intricate labyrinths of science.
SULLIVAN.
This township was surveyed in 1816 by Esq. Baldwin, of New- burg, Cuyahoga County, assisted by myself and others. We commenced the survey in the month of October-camped in the woods two weeks, there being no settlement nearer than Harris- ville east, and Elyria north ; no road but a line of marked trees. A road was laid out in the time of the war of 1812, nearly parallel with the present, but had never been marked. Game was very plenty. Business of importance recalled Mr. Baldwin to New- burg; being absent longer than was expected, the county not having very comfortable quarters, I started after him, there being no mode of communication but by messengers. I traveled on foot the whole distance by the aid of marked trees and trail not very well defined after I left Harrisville.
On the eighth of November, a very heavy fall of snow ob- structed my walking very much; it was about a foot deep in the woods, but I went through. After all this fatigue and delay, I was obliged to return without him. On my return night overtook me, and I was unable to follow the trail; but, nothing disheartened, I sat down on a log and waited for the moon to rise. It was still very difficult to follow the trail, and I could only do so by feeling the marked trees. As good fortune would have it, I was not very
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far from Mr. Strong's, of Strongsville; and arriving there, I tarried till morning. In a few days Mr. Baldwin came, and we again prosecuted the survey ; he brought another surveyor with him, which expedited our business much, and we accomplished the sur- vey in about a week. During this time, considerable rain fell, and from Wednesday till Friday had to wade in water in some places up to our armpits. On Saturday morning finished the survey; it was a very rainy day, the water had been so high we could not get to Harrisville for provisions, and were obliged to divide our rations, having only one-fourth of a pound of bread a piece for three days, and some beef. We finally succeeded in getting to Harrisville on Saturday night. We went to James Rogers, and, notwithstanding they had a wedding, we were received from the woods with the greatest kindness, and treated with marked atten- tion ; and surely wedding supper was never more acceptable to any one or devoured with keener relish-meats, pudding, pies, cakes, and a variety of sauce of wild fruits, cranberries, crab-apples, plums, etc. for dessert. Soon after this I returned to Vermont, having finished surveying and selecting 3000 acres of land for myself and friends.
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