USA > Ohio > Butler County > A history and biographical cyclopaedia of Butler County, Ohio, with illustrations and sketches of its representative men and pioneers. Vol. 2 > Part 38
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The mail was carried, prior to 1834, by Dr. Stephens, on horseback, from Brookville to Lebanon. Abner Ross had the contract also, and sometimes went with his oxen, making the round-trip in one week. He went by the way of Lasourdsville and Hamilton, to Brookville, Indiana, and would return by the way of Hamilton, Princeton, and Huntsville to Lebanon. Dr. Stephens had the office up to 1834, 'Squire McLean to 1841, at which time it was moved to Bethany. Peter Williamsou then took it and kept it a long time.
The Methodlist people of this place former y worshiped at private houses, and frequently met at the Beatty Tav- ern, where they were always welcomed. The Rev. Sam- ucl Parker was presiding eller when the popular and youthful Rev. John Strange served as their first minister, in 1809. The first, Methodist Episcopal Church building was a frame, erected in 1849, aud is standing yet, doing duty as a town hall. The present brick was erected in 1876. The Bethany people attended the Huntsville Methodist Episcopal Church from 1817 up to 1849, at which time this Church was removed to Bethany. The Cumberland Presbyterians built here in 1875. The so- ciety has forty members.
HUNTSVILLE.
Among the early settlers of this vicinity were the Hunts, Voorheeses, Win. Elliott, Elijah Hughes, John Harden, John Holden, John Malally, Charles Legg, and
others. The place was named from Thomas Hunt, who died June 25, 1814, aged sixty-eight years, nine months, and twenty-eight days. He came here prior to 1800. His wife, Anna Hunt, lies by his side in the old private grave-yard. Duran Whittlesey and his wife, Ruth, also lie in this yard; he was buried September 26, 1823, and was forty-eight years old. She died September 24, 1855, at seventy-five years of age.
Prominent among the early events of this place was the building of the Spring meeting-house, the first Methi- odist Church in the county. The Elliotts especially were greatly interested in this work. The Rev. Arthur Elliott, the pioneer Methodist preacher, took the matter in hand, and his brother, Joshua Elliott, gave the ground for both the building and the grave-yard.
The country was then under heavy timber, and when a daughter of Charles Legg died in 1816, the trees aud brush had to be cut away to make room for the digging of a grave. She was the first person buried in that yard. The next year the hewed, log-house owned by Joshua Elliott, a half mile distant, was moved bodily through the woods to the allotted place, and was known as the Spring meeting-house. The building stood some twelve years, when a brick church was built. This last Church building was used as such until 1849, when the society moved to Bethany, since which time there has been no Church in the place.
Mr. Charles Legg was the first class-leader in this Church ; he came from Washington County, Pennsyl- vania, in 1805, and settled first between Huntsville and Bethany. The Rev. John Waterman was the first preacher. Samuel West, Me. Goddard, and Mr. Mat- thews were also early missionaries in this field.
The New Lights were numerous in this place at this time, and bad a bailling of their own where the old grave- vard is now. It was made of brick, and ercsted about 1831 or 1832. Ira Hunt at that time burned brick, and had the first brick-yard in the township. He and bis sister, Phobe, were leading spirits of the Church. The Rev. Mr. Simonton was one of their pricipal pioncer preachers, and the Church society was very large. It was not then thought far for the beaux and their girls to walk two or three miles to attend one of those night meetings, and usually a large congregation would assem- ble. Nor was it an unusual thing to have a noisy time of it. The sight of a hundred Dew couverts, clap- ping hands, shouting, singing, praying, yelling, confusing noise itself with deafening cries, was not uncommon, and was often witnessed there.
Ira Hunt moved West, finally, and the Church grad. ually went down. He did much for the town with bi- brick-yard and mill. Nicholas Curtis had a distillery the place, and Joseph Curtis the pioneer store. This bouse was jest opposite where Alexander Dykes now keeps one. Zebedee Akers has been a blacksmith in this town for forty years or more. The Voorheescs were set-
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tlers liere prior to 1800, and this is where Daniel Voor- lees, of Indiana, was born.
Daniel W. Voorhees, of Terre Haute, Indiana, and Senator from that State, was born in Liberty Township, not far from the old Spring meeting-house, September 26, 1827, and was ouly two months old when his parents removed to Fountain County, Indiana, where they now reside. His father, Stephen Voorhees, was born in Mer- cer County, Kentucky, 1798, and emigrated when quite young to Butler County, and in December, 1827, moved to the farin in Fountain County, Indiana, which he now occupies. His grandfather, Peter Voorhees, was born in New Jersey, and soon after the close of the Revolutionary War, emigrated to Kentucky. Peter Voorhees's wife, whose maiden name was Van Arsdale, was born at Brant's Station, then a fort. Her father, Luke Van. Arsdale, fought at the battle of Blue Licks, and distinguished hin- self there and elsewhere against the Indians under Daniel Boone. His other grandfather, Stephen Voorhees, was a soldier in the Revolutionary army, and fought at Prince- ton, Monmouth, and other celebrated historie fields. His paternal ancestors came from Holland, the original name being Van Voorhees. Mr. Voorhees's mother, Rachel Elliott, born in Maryland, of Irish ancestry, was married in 1821, and still survives. Daniel W. is the third child, and was brought up on a farm about ten miles from Covington, Indiana, remaining there until 1845. In 1845 he entered Asbury University, whence he gradu- ated in 1849.
Soon after graduating he entered the law office of Lane & Willson, at Crawfordsville, and the following Spring settled to practice at Covington, the county seat of Fountain County. Here E. A. Haunegan, formerly United States Senator, having heard him deliver a "Fourth of July " eration, made proposals for a law partnership, taking effect in April, 1852. In June, 1853, Mr. Voorhees was appointed by Governor Wright prosecuting attorney of the Circuit Court, in which posi- tion he soon established a fine reputation as a criminal lawyer, and broke up a nest of desperadoes whose head- quarters were at Lafayette. In 1856 he was nominated by acclamation Democratic candidate for Congress, but was defeated by two hundred and thirty majority in a district previously Republican by 2,600. In November, 1857, he removed to Terre Haute, the county seat of Vigo County, and the ensuing April, 1868, was ap- pointed United States District Attorney for the State of Indiana, by President Buchanan, in which position he increased his reputation as an orator and lawyer. He was elected to Congress in 1860 aud 1862, nad in 1804 was again a successful candidate, but ia this last elcetion his majority was contested by his opponent, Henry D. Washburne, who obtained the seat. In 1866 Me. Voor- hres refused the nomination, but in 1868 he was elected, and again in 1870. In 1872 he was defeated by Morton C. Hunter.
As a precursor of the late war the insurrection at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, in which John Brown and others were concerned, and for which they were convicted and hung in 1859, will always stand prominent in the history of the country. At that time the gifted A. P. Willard was governor of Indiana, and the champion of the Indiana Democracy, and it was with sorrow and dis- may that his friends learned that Colonel J. E. Cook, arrested with " Ossawatomie Brown," was a brother of Governor Willard's wife. Governor Willard was not the man to turn his back upon a brother or a friend. His first thought was of " Dan Voorhees," who was then at Vincennes arguing a case before Judge Michael F. Burkc. Governor Willard sent a message to Vincennes, and Judge Burke continued the case while Mr. Voorhees im- mediately started to consult with Governor Willard. Several gentlemen advised him not to undertake the de- fense, but he emphatically declared his resolution to de- fend his friend's brother regardless of consequences. He went and took part in that celebrated trial. The result is known. John Brown was convicted of murder and treason, but Mr. Voorhees succeeded in having a Vir- ginia jury convict Cook of murder only, thus bringing bim within the pardozing power of the governor. Gov- ernor Wise, however, refused to pardon, and Cook was executed with the others. This was, however, the be- givning of Mr. Voorbees's national reputation. His speech was listened to by the vast andience with rapt attention, and met with unequaled approbation. He was the recip- ient of enthusiastic congratulations, and his speech was published all over the country and in Europe. From this time forward he has occupied a conspicuous place in the eyes of the public. At the bar, on the stump. and in the halls of Congress, he has been a man of mark. Mr. Voorhees's political carcer and principles, his powers as a parliamentary orator and a statesman, are not a portion of the history of the nation.
From the sobriquet of "the tall Sycamore of the Wabash," so often and familiarly applied to Mr. Voor- hees, it will be inferred that he is of tall stature. He stands six feet and one inch in height, and weighs over two hundred pounds.
In 1850 he married Miss Anna Hardesty. of Green- castle, Indiana, and they have four children.
Mr. Voorhees was appointed November 6, 1877. to succeed Goveruve Morton in the United States Senate. The issue in the election of 1878 in Indiana was whether be should be elected by the Legislature to succeed his ap- pointment .. On this issue the Legislature pledged to bis support was elected by a majority of over thirty thousand over all opposition. During his term of service in the Senare he has been assidums in his attentions to the publie needs. He is always present. and allows to mensme of his political opponents to pass without the severest gerntiny. With him vigilance is the price of I liberty. He has recently shown his power of breaking
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
old shackles by speaking for protection io American industry.
JERICHO.
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Jericho is virtually a suburb of Bethany, and nigh unto it, hence its name. It has but four or five families, the oldest resident being Vincent Wyle, who came there twenty-four years ago. "Squire MeLean built the most of this town, the first house being David Lee's, just opposite Mr. Wyle's. This house was erected in 1841. Mr. Wyle was born in Maryland in 1815, came here in 1838, and married Miss Jane Curtis in 1843. She died in 1851, when he married Mrs. Jane Perrine, of New Jersey, formerly Miss Kyle, daughter of James Kyle, who came in 1803.
KYLE'S STATION.
7
Kyle's Station is on the Short Line Railroad, and is the place where Thomas Kyle settled in 1803. He came from near Cookstown, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, bringing his wife and son, James, who was theu thirteen years old, with him. And here he lived until his death. He struck an ax into the first tree ever felled in this neighborhood by a white man, and endured all the hard- ships incident to pioneer life. James Kyle became a sub- scriber to Liberty Hall, now the Cincinnati Gazette, fifty years ago. He married Esther Clarke, April 16, 1816, and by this union had six children, all of whoin are dead, except Mrs. Wyle, of Jericho. His wife died in 1832, and in 1834 he was married to Elizabeth Conover, by whom he had three children. He died April 19, 1879. He was born in Pennsylvania, September 17, 1791, and was never sick save during the few days of his last illness which ended his days. B. F. Kyle lives on the home- stead at Kyle's Station.
HUGHES'S STATION.
Hughes's Station is also on the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis Railroad, and was named alter Joshua Hughes, who owns the laud on which the town is built, and was the first postmaster of the place. He was born there June 6, 1822, and on December 6, 18.47, married Miss Mary Aun Legg. He owns a good farm, ou which is a fine country residence, and is a repre- sentative citizen.
Early among the first arrivals in this part of the town- ship was Cornelius Murphy, the father of Peter Murphy. He settled ucar here as early as 1800, and lived till a comparatively recent period.
Among the oldest settlers of the county now living is Daniel Griffis. His father, David Griffis, who was a Revolutionary sollier, subsequently moved to the banks of Shady River, Virginia, where, after clearing up a farm, he found the tide to his lands worthless and left, going first to the Ohio River, where he took passage on a flat-boat for Cincinnati. He here bought a dumpling of a pony, a small pair of oxen, and a rickety two-wheeled
vehicle, and after loading up all his effects made out for the wilderness.
After reaching a point about a mile north of Prince- ton his cart broke down. He then made his way alone to Lasourdsville-leaving his wife and infant son, Dan- iel Griffis (born August 9, 1800,) then but nine months old, where he stopped. At Lasourdsville he found Abram Freeman, who persuaded him to settle where he broke down. He then went to Cincinnati, and made arrangements with Judge Symmes for land that is now a part of Daniel Griffis's farm, and here it was he settled and opened up the first blacksmith shop in the township. Mr. Griffis had but few neighbors. Peter Murphy lived near, as also did Brice Virgin. James McLean then lived where Luman Griffis now resi les.
David Griffis erected a pole cabin, and in this house Daniel Griffis lived to manhood. He went to school when not large enough to pick brush. This was a mile and a half south-east of Princeton, the first loy seboel- house in the township. There being no roads at that time, the trees were blazed to indicate the direction to and front school. The second school-house cabin was built near Lewis Murphy's, on the hill, and was made of buckeye logs. John Holden then lived on the west side of Gregory's Creek, one mile and a half south of the old Lebanon road. He came prior to 1797. Thomas Fisher was the second teacher in the township. Mr. Giithis had two sons who were preachers, one of them now being dead; one who is a dentist in Hamilton, and two farmers.
Peter Minrphy is the son of Cornelius Murphy and Eleanora Windsor, now both dead. His parents were early settlers of Liberty Township, and moved there when Cincinnati was but a mere village, and the pike now leading from Cincinnati to Dayton was nothing but an Indian trail. Mr. Murphy volunteered in the War of 1812, but was wounded in the knee with a tomahawk while drilling, and was discharged. Peter Murphy was boru in Liberty Township, on the Ist of October, 1820, and was married in 1844, to Cyrena Van Gorden, daugh- ter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Van Gorden. She was born in March, 1820. They have six children. Sallie Maria, the eldest, was born in 1845; Lewis D. was bord in 1847; Cora E., in 1851; Willie E., iu 1857; Harry, in 1859; and Clarence, in 1862. Sallie Maria, Cora E., and Willie E. live in Preble County, and the rest in Liberty Township. He was sheriff of Butler County from 1851 to 1855, four years, and was State senator from 1871 to 1873, in the Butler and Warren district.
PRINCETON.
Princeton, now known as Clawson Post-office, was laid out by Sammuel Enyart, in 1812. Benjamin Enyert built in this town prior to 1820, and his house is still standing. He kept tavern up to about 1880, and sub- quently this house was occupied by Dr. Hitchcock
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Dr. Opdlike was here previous to Hitchcock. There are two physicians now in the place.
Princeton was a lively business center in carly times. Mr. Cummins owned a fanyard that brought its quota of custom. A carding-machine was in full blast before 1820. Here were some distinguished persouages. Ben- jamin Van Gorden came here in 1810, served as justice of the peace full forty years, and represented the county two termis in the State Legislature. He was also county collector for several years. Christopher Hughes repre- seuted the county in the Lower Honse of the Legislature at the same time Peter Murphy did the Senate. Ben- jamin Van Gorden and Daniel Woodmansee represented the county in the Legislature as early as 1825.
The first brick house was built as early as 1830. It was erected by William Carroll, who burned the brick, laid them into walls, aud did the carpenter work him- self. James Clawson, now in the eighty-seventh year of his age, was the first shoemaker in the town. He was also a weaver. His son Stephen lives in the town, and is in the sixty-third year of his age. The Russells were also early settlers in Princeton. Baldwin and Gowdy packed pork here in former times, aud then sent it off in wagons to Cincinnati. Whisky was also a large prodnet of the township.
The Princeton Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1835, Smunnel Bayliss being the grantor to Benjamin Van Gorden, Thompson L. Bring, Alexander McDonal, Robert Doty, Solomon Fleaner, William B. Peck, and James Bullion, trustees. In 1848 a revival brought into the society about seventy-five additional members. The new brick was erected iu 1859. The lot for this build- ing was formerly owned by Pearson Carl, who bought it from the county when sold for taxes.
The Universalist Church in Princeton was built in 1851. Uriah Walter donated the ground. The trustees are Richard Sewell, Christopher Hughes, and Elias Stickle; David Bascom is pastor. The membership is small, and during the war the services in this church were suspended.
Auburn Church was built on Rudolph Flenner's land after the erection of the Methodist Episcopal building in Princeton, but owing to some dissensious it is now aban- floned, and there has not been a Sabbath-school in the place for twenty years. A successful revival was hield there last Winter.
The list of the justices of the peace of Liberty Town- ship does not include all who were clected from that township, as prior to 1823 the justices of Liberty were also those of Union, as both townships were then one. We have given, in the list of Union Township. those who were then residents there.
Isaac Swearingen, William Hays, Peter Williamson. John Ayers, Michael Ayers, Benjamin Van Gorden, James Cummins, John Morrow, Joseph Worth, John M.Lean, Linus Parkhurst, John Gibson, David Pearce,
Stephen B. Squier, Richard Sewell, Joseph Breaden, Silas Williamson.
Below will be found a list of the postmasters of the township:
Huntsville .-- John Hunt, April 1, 1817; Eliphalet Stevens, April 3, 1826; John MeLcan, Angust 12, 1837; Elijah Elliott, October 4, 1841. Changed to Bethauy June 24, 1844.
Bethany .- Peter Williamson, June 24, 1844; Elisha G. Lesourd, May 10, 1870; John Lesourd, March 8, 1880; Isaac P. Clark, December 28, 1881.
Fontana .- James R. Kyle, August 22, 1872; B. F. Kyle, August 18, 1879. Changed to Kyle's, August 29, 1870.
Kyle's .- Jesse P. Little, August 29, 1879; Stey B. Brant, May 30, 1881.
Princeton .- Samuel Bayliss, December 27, 1816; Ben- jamin Van Gorden, April 24, 1826; Cyrns Osborn, Jan- uary 8, 1830; Samael Hitchcock, April 17, 1832; Ben- jamin Van Gorden, October 27, 1848; Stephen B. Squier, November 25, 1854; Joseph Breaden, May 25, 1857; Charles S. Drake, May 16, 1860; James H. Kronmiller, 1864. Changed to Hughes's Station, Decem- ber 9, 1872.
Hughes's Station .- Elmore T. Anderson, December 9, 1872; Joshua E. Hughes, April 22, 1873; Augustus E. Williamson, June 9, 1875; Samuel W. Stewart, April 30, 1877; Augustus E. Williamson, January 26, 1880. Changed to Hughes, September 19, 1881.
Hughes .-- Augustus E. Williamson, September 19, 1881.
Clauson. - John W. Cornell, December 20, 1881.
Jericho .- Robert Steelc, March 8, 1852. Discontin- ued December 28, 1855.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.
John Anderson was born in Kent County, Delaware, and was married in Butler County, about 1811, to Maria Hagerman, who was born in New Jersey. They had ten children. One died an infant, seven reached maturity, and two died at seven and nine years. George lives in Indiana; William is in Liberty Township, and Adrian lived in Miami County. Jane, the widow of Daniel Brewer, is in Missouri; Simon is in Miami County; Saralı Anne is the wife of David Staats, and lives in Miami County. Mr. Anderson came to Ohio from Del- aware about 1809, and settled in Liberty Township ou ninety-two acres belonging to his wife in Section 7, where he resided until his children were all grown up. He had very little mean's when he came here, and the land was in the woods. There was not a stick cut. He was a man of good common sense, and for the time had a very good education. He was a school director for many years. He was also very quiet and unobtrusive, and consequently did not push himself forward, but worked hard to clear his farm and rear his large family respect-
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
ably. All the clothes worn by the family for many years were grown and spun or woven on the premises by his wife. She was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years. Mr. Anderson was drafted for the War of 1812, but sent a substitute. His son William was born in Liberty Township, February 10, 1816, and married February 6, 1839, Maria Elliott, born in Liberty, in October, 1817. They had five children ; one died in infancy and four are living. Elmore S. was born in July, 1841 ; the others are John, Elliott, William, and Caroline. The latter is the wife of Louis C. McLean. Mr. Anderson learned the carpenter's trade in Bethany under Charles C. Legg, being bound an apprentice to him and serving for five years, from sixteen to twenty-one. He then launched ont for himself. and carried on his trade for about fourteen years. He then bought sixty acres and went to farming, also working more or less at his trade. He has held the office of township trustee for about twenty-five years, with the exception of two years; also serving on the school board. He has been connected with educational interests since 1840. He was a member of the Odd Fellows for some years, and passed some of the chairs, but drew out during the war.
Ephruim Baker was born in New Jersey,. in Essex County, on the 4th of March, 1779, and died September 9, 1845. He married, in 1801, Nancy Easton, born in New Jersey, February 28, 1786, who died May 21, 1831. They had nine children, of whom one is living, Clark Baker, Ephraim Baker came to Butler County in 1802, and settled in Liberty Township. His father had par- chased two hundred and seventy acres of John Cleves Symmes, and gave ninety acres of it to him, and ninety acres each to Matthias Brant and John C. Long, his sons- in-law. He was drafted for the War of 1812, but sent a substitute. His father was a soldier of the Revolution, and his brother David was pressed with his team. He was only fourteen years of age, aud was taken to drive the horses. Ilis son, Clark Baker, was born in Liberty Township, August 8, 1807, and married in Shelly County, Olio, to Sarah Inwrence, a native of Liberty Township, where she was born, March 12, 1812. . He had seven children, of whom four are living. Ephraim V., Clark L., and Moses E. are married and live in Liberty Town- ship. Margaret is the wife of Clark A. Baker. He received a little property from his father, but he has since acquired two hundred and twenty-eight acres in Butler County. He now resides on the farm his father settled.
John Baker was born in Essex County, New Jersey, March 14, 1774. He was married in that State, on the 22d of March, 1795, to Jeannette Hand, daughter of Stephen and Mary (Morgan, Hand. She was born in Essex County, June 5, 1772. They had six children, of whom only one is living. Rachel, wife of William Van Scoyk. He moved from New Jersey to Maryland ist 1795, and remained there about eight years, coming, in
1803, to Butler County. He settled on Elk Creek, in Madison Township. In the Fall of 1805 he removed to Liberty, and settled on the farm where his daughter Rachel still lives. He had means when he came here, and purchased a quarter of Section 22. He was a mem- ber of the regular Baptists for many years, and was re- peatedly a delegate to their yearly associations. He died January 4, 1852, and his wife died November 27, 1851. He came overland io Pittsburg, and floated down the river to Gallipolis on a flat-boat.
John Peter Becker was born in Hesse-Darinstadt, Germany, November 6, 1826, and was married in the city of Hamburg in April, 1856, to Henrietta (Arnhold) Miller, widow of Armand Miller. She was born in Beckow, Prussia, April 8, 1824. She had two children by her first husband, one of whom is deceased. William is married and lives in Mississippi. She had three chil- dren by Mr. Becker, two of whom are living. Henri- etta, born September 6, 1858, is dead; Matilda, born June 11, 1863, and John R., born August 6, 1865. Mr. Becker emigrated to America in 1856, and came to Hamilton, where he remained about two months, work- ing a few weeks at wagon-making. He then moved to Formandale, Fairfield Township, where he worked as a hand in wagon-making and blacksmithing for three months. He then began business for himself in the same line, and remained there about three years. He then removed to Woodsdale, and carried on a cooper's shop, saw-mill, and wagon-maker's shop. He also went into the canal business, owning boats, and buying cord-wood and shipping it to Cincinnati. He stayed there two years, and in 1863 he rented of William B. Smalley the farm he now owns, and which he purchased in 1865. There were one hundred and sixty acres to the tract then, but it is now enlargedl to two hundred and forty aeres. He and his wife are members of the German Lutheran Church.
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