A history of Adams County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, including character sketches of the prominent persons identified with the first century of the country's growth, Part 50

Author: Evans, Nelson Wiley, 1842-1913; Stivers, Emmons Buchanan
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: West Union, O., E.B. Stivers
Number of Pages: 1101

USA > Ohio > Adams County > A history of Adams County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, including character sketches of the prominent persons identified with the first century of the country's growth > Part 50

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

"The Blue Eyed Nigger."

Typical of the times in the days of the Fugitive Slave Law, and the "underground railroad," the following anecdote was related to the writer by Mr. Zedekiah Hook, proprietor of the village hotel in Cherry

Digitized by Google

409

MISCELLANEOUS

Fork. Mr. Hook was living at the time of the occurrence on a farm near Clayton in Adams County. There resided in that vicinity at the time a man nemed Lindsey and another by the name of Ambus who with their families had recently come into the neighborhood from some place in Kentucky. Dave Dunbar, now of Manchester, as that genial gentleman is familiarly called, was at that time a young man working at the harness trade in Vincent Cropper's shop in Clayton. A few days before the incident herein narrated, Lindsey and Ambus had caught a runaway slave and returned him to his master across the Ohio, and re- ceived for their services the sum of fifty dollars each, as a reward. This created quite a sensation in and about Clayton, and the loungers who congregated nightly in Cropper's harness shop, grew enthusiastic on the subject of "Nigger Catching" and awarded themselves large sums in the near future from that pursuit. Dave Dunbar listened in silence and resolved to have some sport at the expense of these would-be slave hunters.

One evening after supper he dressed himself in a ragged old suit of clothes, and having carefully blacked his face and hands, made his appearance in the village in the guise of a runaway slave. He hurried along the road leading toward Decatur, one of the underground stations, some miles away, seeming to avoid contact with those who saw him. In a few minutes the word was passed around that a fugitive slave had just gone down the Decatur road, and soon the would-be catchers set out in hot pursuit. They were accompanied by a great Newfoundland dog that now and then would scent the fugitive's track and bark encour- agingly as the pursuers urged him on. Coming to a turn in the road, they saw beyond, the object of their pursuit hastily climbing a rail fence, and then making off with all his speed across a pasture field toward a. piece of woodland some distance away. Now the chase began in earnest, over fences, through fields, across hollows, down hill and up hill, the pursuers shouting and clapping their hands to urge forward the dog to overtake and seize the fugitive, who, when near the crest of a hill he was ascending, from sheer exhaustion came to a halt and threw himself down upon the ground. The pursuers seeing this tried to recall the dog then close upon the fugitive, fearful that he would be torn to pieces by the savage brute before they could interpose. But to their astonish- ment the dog ran up to where the fugitive lay, wagged his tail in a friendly manner and sat down upon his haunches to await the coming of the pursuing party. To their disappointment and great chargin upon approaching, they found the supposed runaway slave to be Dave Dun- bar, rolling upon the ground convulsed with laughter at the sport he had had at their expense.

Now the whole party entered into the spirit of the affair, and it was agreed that Dunbar should make his way alone across the fields to the residence of Lindsey and inquire the way to Dr. Norton's, an "under- ground" station, near Decatur some miles distant. He did so, and Lindsey fearing to seize him single handed, in order to get the aid of Ambus, told the supposed fugitive that he could not direct him as re- quested, but that a neighbor near by could, and he would accompany the inquirer there to obtain the desired information. They found Ambus at home and were invited into the house, but no sooner had they entered

Digitized by Google

410

HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY

than Lindsey locked the door, and he and Ambus seized the supposed runaway, and informed him that they would return him to his master in Kentucky. The wife of Ambus threw the bed upon the floor in order to get the cord off the bedstead to secure the fugitive. While this was taking place, Lindsey's wife, who had put in an appearance, got into a serious altercation with the Ambus woman as to the share of the re- ward each should have, the one accusing the other of getting a silk dress out of the last reward, while she got but a calico gown.

After the fugitive had been securely bound he was taken before old 'Squire Bryan for identification. Lindsey testified that he knew the captive to be the property of a Mr. McKee near Washington, Kentucky. That he had worked as a laborer for McKee the year previous, and saw this negro daily. That his name was William, and that he was positive this was the same person for he was the only "blue-eyed nigger he had ever seen."

Then Dunbar, to the amazement of the court and witness, dis- closed his identity, and was speedily unbound and discharged. Lindsey and Ambus took their departure amid the jeers and shouts of the spec- tators, and soon afterward removed from the county.

*Postoffices in Adams County.

Beasley Fork 6

Harshaville 10

Selig 20

Beaver Pond 23

Hills Fork 7

Stephens 14

Bentonville 5

Jaybird 22 Stout 27

Blue Creek 15

Locust Grove 16 Tranquillity 17

Bradyville 10

Lovett 21 Tulip

Buck Run 20

Lynx 10 Vineyard Hill 8

Cedar Mills 10

Mccullough 15 Waggoners RippleIo

Cherry Fork 10

Maddox 10 Wamsley 20

Dunbarton 11

Manchester 10

West Union

Dunkinsville 6 May Hill

Wheat 8

Eckmansville 16

Mineral Springs 18

Wilson 14

Emerald 18

Osman 5

Winchester 14

Fawcett 10

Peebles 13

Youngsville 14

Grimes 12

Seaman 15

* Names in black letter are Money Order offices. Figures following, indicate distance from West Union.

Digitized by Google

PART II. TOWNSHIP HISTORIES By EMMONS B. STIVERS

Digitized by Google

CHAPTER I. BRATTON TOWNSHIP

This township lies in the central north part of the county bordering Highland. It was organized by the Board of County Commissioners, Sep- tember 4, 1877, from territory cut off the west side of Franklin Township and was named in honor of John Bratton, an old and respected citizen of the township.

Surface.

The surface is undulating and hilly, with deep and narrow valleys formed by erosion of numerous small streams that flow into the East Fork of Ohio Brush Creek. This beautiful stream rises from the"Three Forks" on the northern limit of the township, and flows in a deep channel south across it, uniting with the West Fork at Newport in Meigs Township. On its upper course and within sight of the "Three Forks" is the Great Ser- pent Mound, a description of which will be found under another chapter. 'The valley along the East Fork is narrow but very fertile, and the top hills along its middle and lower courses contain a fine quality of iron ore.

Early Settlers.

John Shepherd, a brother of Abraham Shepherd, of Eagle Creek, who represented Adams County in the State Senate several terms, was among the first settlers of this township. He located in 1801, on the East Fork, on lands recently owned by Peter Andrews. "Shepherd's Crossing" of Brush Creek is on the "Trace" made by John Shepherd from Orr's Ferry, below Aberdeen, to his settlement on the East Fork. Following Shep- herd, came William Armstrong, who settled on the East Fork above the present village of Loudon in 1802; and about this date, Benjamin, Joseph, and John West came from Pennsylvania and settled on lands bought in the Abraham Shepherd survey on upper East Fork. These Wests were rel- atives of Benjamin West, the celebrated painter. Samuel Shoemaker, Jacob Wisecup, Adam Keller and Michael Beaver were among the early settlers.

Villages and Postoffices.

LOUDON, near the Great Serpent Mound, is a little hamlet that was begun about Lovett's store in 1839. It was never regularly laid out, but E. G. Lovett sold small parcels of land for residences and shops to suit the con- venience of purchasers. The place was called Loudon because that portion of the township was settled by families from Loudon County, Virginia. The postoffice is named Lovett's, and was established in 1844 with E. G. Lovett as postmaster.

MARBLE FURNACE-There was built up about the old Marble Furnace a little settlement of mechanics, tradesmen, and furnace men, which became

(413)

Digitized by

Google

414

HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY

known as the village of Marble Furnace, and was a flourishing place in early days; but after the abandonment of the furnace in 1834, the village rapidly declined, anl now nothing remains but a few buildings and a mill. Marble Furnace postoffice was established here in 1822. It is now discon- tinued.

LOUISVILLE-This was laid out by Dr. John Gustin, December 3, 1838, on a plat of eleven acres of land, divided into forty lots. Lacey Peyton started the first store in the village. A postoffice was established named Gustin, with James McAdow as postmaster. It has long since been an- nulled, and the village site turned into farm lands.

Churches.

Methodist Episcopal at Louisville, Dunkard at Marble Furnace, Methodist Episcopal at Loudon, and Dunkard at May Hill.

Schools.

It is said that the first school in this township was taught in 1815 by an old teacher named Vinsonhaler, in a house belonging to James Trimble, afterwards Governor of Ohio, on lands recently owned by Alfred Fulton. But this is questionable, as Samuel McCollister taught in the Brush Creek settlements as early as 1809. There are at present nine sub-districts with an enrollment in the present year of 337 pupils distributed as follows:

No.

Males.

Females.

No.

Males.

Females.

1.5

REMINISCENCES.

Rescue of John and Katy Davis from the Indians.

Just above old Marble Furnace was once the site of an Indian village, and here after the whites had settled in this vicinity and along Ohio Brush Creek, Indian families would come and camp to hunt and fish. While Thomas Davis, who resided on Brush Creek just above the Fristoe bridge, was away from home, an Indian squaw stole John and Katy Davis, two of his small children, and carried them to the camp on East Fork. The mother of the children gave the alarm, the squaw was followed to the camp, and the children were rescued.

Jacob Wise and the Bear.

In the cliff on the Sommer's farm near Marble Furnace in 1801, Jacob Wise discovered two cub bears in a den in the rocks. Fearing an attack from the mother, Wise got old Peter Platter to help secure the cubs. When Wise went into the den after the cubs, and while securing them, the old she-bear rushed past Platter and started in after Wise. Platter seized her by the hinder parts and held her until Wise crawled out at an opening in the side of the den. He and Platter then attacked the old bear and killed her, securing the cubs for pets. These soon grew so large and became so unruly that they had to be killed.

Digitized by Google

CHAPTER II. FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP

Franklin Township was organized February 25, 1828, from territory taken from Meigs Township, and at the time of its organization included what is now Bratton Township. It takes its name from America's wisest patriot, Benjamin Franklin.

Surface and Soil.

The western portion of this township is comparatively level, except bordering the narrow streams which have cut deep furrows in the surface. This section is drained into the East Fork of Ohio Brush Creek. The east- ern portion of the township is hilly and in places mountainous, and the soil is poor and unproductive except along the narrow valleys of the streams. This section is drained to the southeastward by the tributaries of the North Fork of Scioto Brush Creek. A large scope of territory in the vicinity of Locust Grove and to the northward of it, at one time in the geological past sunk so as to put the shale and Waverly sandstone in the geological plane of the cliff limestone. Hence shale and sandstone outcrops in the channels of the tributaries of Crooked Creek, while a short distance to the eastward these strata occupy a plane from one hundred and fifty to two hundred feet higher.

Early Settlers.

Peter Platter, Peter Wickerham, James Horn, James Boyd, Aaron Freeman, Robert Earl, William Pemberton, William Ogle, George Heller, Jesse Wetherington, John Evans, and John Chapman were among the pio- neers of this region. Platter and Wickerham came in 1797 or 98 and the following year Wickerham opened a tavern at what is now known as Palestine then on the line of Zane's Trace. Afterwards James Horn, who lived a mile north of Wickerham's on the Trace, opened a tavern where a public house was kept for many years. Wickerham built the first brick house in this region in 1805. It is now used as a dwelling by one of his descendants.

Villages and Postoffices.

LOCUST GROVE is the only village in the township. Curtis Cannon in 1805 kept a tavern on the site of the residence of the late Jesse Kendall. He also carried on a tannery, the first in this region. Afterwards, in 1830, his son Urban W. Cannon built a hotel and planted a grove of locusts opposite the hotel recently conducted by D. S. Eylar, where he had a flourishing trade in the days of the old stage coach line from Maysville to Chillicothe. In 1835 he laid out a town about the site of his hotel, which he named Locust Grove, and a postoffice was established bearing the same name.

(415)

Digitized by Google

416

HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY

Churches.

The first church organized in this township was the old Covenanter at Palestine, a history of which we give below from the pen of Rev. W. M. Glasgow, of Beaver Falls, Pa. The old log house stood on the old Wick- arham farm now belonging to the heirs of Stephen Reynolds. It was afterwards removed to Palestine and used for a blacksmith shop. This congregation was known as Brush Creek church, and originally worshiped on West Fork near the bridge over that stream on the Tranquillity pike and opposite the residence of W. O. McCreight.

Brush Creek Reformed Presbyterian Congregation.

The Reformed Presbyterian, or Scotch Covenanter Church, is the lineal descendant and true representative of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland in her purest days. This church has never been guilty of schism, but holds tenaciously to all the attainments of that historic body. Because the Covenanters held to the Word of God, and to the belief that it taught the "moral personality and accountability of nations to God, thousands of these pious Christians were martyred in Scotland in the seventeenth century under the bloody house of the Stewarts. Many were banished to the Col- onies, and others found a welcome asylum on these American shores. The first society was formed near Harrisburg, Pa., in 1720. In 1743, led by the Rev. Alexander Craighead, they renewed their ancient covenants ; and, with uplifted swords, declared their civil and ecclesiastical independence of Great Britain. In 1774, they received an organization as a distinct body of Christians in this country, and have come down to the present day as the sole church of the Scottish Reformation.

Applying their Scriptural principles to the Constitution of the United States, in 1789, and not finding in this creed of the nation any reference to the supreme authority of God in civil government, or to Jesus Christ as the King of Kings and the Governor among the nations; or to the word of God as the higher and supreme law for nations as well as men, Cove- nanters have uniformly dissented from the civil establishments, and for the honor of their Savior-King forego the priviliges and emoluments of office- holding in this land. But they are not traitors or revolutionists. They dissent and separate from that which is wrong in civil government, and encourage by way of reformation all that tends to bring our national life to Jesus Christ and his law as fundamentally necessary to a rightly constituted government. They are peaceable citizens, pay their taxes cheerfully as a moral obligation, and bear arms heroically in every national contest.

Ae early as 1801, a few families of these Covenanters had come from Scotland and Ireland, and some from Kentucky, and settled along Brush Creek. Among these was James Reid, the grandfather of Hon. White- law Reid, who came from Kentucky in 1804. Others settled further north on Paint Creek, and in Highland and Ross Counties, even as far as Chilli- cothe. They at once established the "Society," which was a meeting for prayer and conference. Between the years of 1809 and 1814 they were fre- quently visited by the Rev. John Kell, and other itinerate missionaries. After 1814 they were supplied by the Rev. Robert Wallace. They were organized into a congregation called "Chillicothe" (because that was the nearest postoffice), October 11, 1815. The first bench of ruling elders

Digitized by Google

417

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP

consisted of John French, Hugh Hardy and John Wickerham. For six years after their organization Mr. Wallace continued to supply them oc- casionally with preaching.

Rev. Charles Brown McKee became their first pastor, being ordained and installed on August 7, 1821. He resigned the pastorate on September 10, 1822, to accept a call to Cincinnati. For five years the congregation was vacant, although frequently supplied and increased in numbers and in- fluence. In 1822, William Milligan; and, in 1825, Joseph Thompson were inducted into the office of ruling elder.

. Rev. James Blackwood was installed as the second pastor, April 12, 1827, but he only remained two years. In 1828, Andrew Burns and Wil- liam Glasgow were ordained elders. On July 7, 1829, the name of the congregation was changed to "Brush Creek," as most of the people now resided along this stream and in Adams County. This name it ever after- ward continued to bear.

Rev. David Steele was ordained and installed as the third pastor, June 24, 1831. He had several places of preaching, one being at Mill Creek, in Kentucky. During his pastorate (in 1833) the whole church passed through a division on the question of their civil relations, but Brush Creek congregation was little affected by this trouble.

In 1840, Mr. Steele regarded his church as unfaithful to her cove- nanted engagements, and he, with elders William McKinley and Thomas Ralston and some of the members, withdrew to constitute a new organiza- tion called the "Reformed Presbytery." The elders still remaining in the original congregation were Andrew Burns, William Glasgow, Joseph Thompson, John Wickerham and Samuel Wright.

On September 29, 1842, Rev. Robert Hutcheson was installed as the fourth pastor of Brush Creek congregation. In 1845, Francis Gailey, a suspended licentiate of the church, led away some of the people into an organization of his own called the "Safety League." Among these latter defectionists were elders Joseph Thompson and John Wickerham. As the session had been strengthened in 1842 by the addition of Stephen Bayles, Henry George, John McIntire and J. Thompson Montgomery, the congregation did not lose its organization and but few of its members. By emigration and death the congregation became so weakened in resources that Mr. Hutcheson resigned the pastorate May 21, 1856, and the congre- gation was declared disorganized October 11, 1857. For twenty-five years it continued in this condition, although a few Covenanters continued to reside in that vicinity, and to hold occasional society meetings.

The Brush Creek congregation was reorganized under an act of the Lakes Presbytery of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, November 16, 1881. There were thirty-three members enrolled, and Thomas Davis and Daniel Sharp were chosen elders. In 1883, William C. Ralston was added to the session. They never possessed a settled pastor, but enjoyed the stated labors of Revs. R. J. Sharpe, William McKinney, R. C. Allen, T. C. Sproull, and others. The membership is now about twenty-five; Daniel Sharp and W. C. Ralston are the elders; and this faithful remnant hold fast to the principles and usages of their martyred ancestry. Among the most prominent families which have composed the Brush Creek con- gregation of Covenanters might be perpetuated the names of Reid, Burns, 27a

Digitized by Google

418

HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY

Glasgow, Milligan, Stevenson, Hemphill, Montgomery, Wright, Thomp- son, Wickerham, Mckinley, Torrence, Foster, Mitchell, Copeland, Bayles, George, Ralston, Fulton, McIntire and many other worthies.

The following is a register of the pastors and office-bearers of this his- toric congregation of Covenanters :

Pastors.

Installed.

Released.

Robert Wallace (S. S.).

July 10, 1814.

May 10, 1821.

Charles Brown McKee

August 7, 1821

September 10, 1822.

James Blackwood.

April 12, 1827.

April 9, 1829.

David Steele ..

June 24, 1831

September 18, 1840.

Robert Hutcheson.

September 29, 1842.

May 21, 1856.

Robert James Sharpe (S. S.).

January 1, 1882.

October 1, 1883.

William Mckinney (S. S.) ...

November 1, 1883.

May 1, 1884.

Robert Cameron Allen (S. S.)

June 1, 1886.

November 1, 1886.

Thomas Cargill Sproll (S. S.).

October 1, 1888.

April 1, 1803.

Year ordained.

Elders.

Year released.

Cause of disjunction.

1815

John Fulton

1830

Removed to Sparta, Il1.

1815.

Hugh Hardy.

1824 ..

Removed to Philadelphia, Pa.

1815

John Wickerham ..

1845

Withdrew to " Safety League."

1822.

William Milligan

1833

Removed to Morning Sun, Ohio.

1825

Joseph Thompson ..

1845

Withdrew to "Safety League."

1828.

Andrew Burns ..

1857.

Disorganization.

1828.

William Glasgo

1853

Died, January 13, 1853, aged 64.

1834

Thomas Ralston.

1840

Withdrew to " Reformed Presbytery."

1837

William Mckinley

1840

Withdrew to "Reformed Presbytery."

1838 ..

Samuel Wright.

1841.

Died, May 23, 1841, aged 73.

1842

Stephen Bayles

1852.

Removed to Northwood, Ohio.

1842

Henry George.

1857. Removed to Rushsylvania, Ohio.

1842.

John McIntire.

1851.

Removed to Linton, Iowa.

1842

J. Thom's'n M'tgomery.

1853

Removed to Linton, Iowa.

1881

Thomas Davis

1888.

`Died, January 30, 1888, aged 61.

1881

Daniel Sharp.

1883

William C. Ralston

The following is the register of the dates of death and ages of those elders whose decease is not noted already, viz .:

John Fulton died near Sparta, Ill., in 1859.

Hugh Hardy died in Philadelphia, in 1839.

John Wickerham died near Locust Grove, Ohio, April 4, 1865, aged 76. William Milligan died at Fair Haven, Ohio, Dec. 4, 1839, aged 66. Joseph Thompson died at Coulterville, Ill., July 2, 1852, aged 68. Andrew Burns died near Locust Grove, Ohio, Nov. 17 1872, aged 90. Thomas Ralston died near May Hill, Ohio, Jan 11, 1850, aged 47. William McKinley died at Northwood, Ohio, Aug. 14, 1868, aged 83. Stephen Bayles died at Morning Sun, Iowa, March 2, 1879, aged 78. Henry George died at Rushsylvania, Ohio, March 13, 1875, aged 75.

Digitized by Google

419

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP

John McIntire died at Morning Sun, Iowa, Dec. 21, 1890, aged 83. J. Thompson Montgomery is still living at Washington, Iowa, being about eighty-five years of age.

Thus the banner for "Christ's Crown and Covenant" has been dis- played, and His royal prerogatives have been advocated for many a cen- tury in Adams County.

Locust Grove M. E. Church.

This church was organized about 1825. The first class was composed of Jacob Newland, Anna Newland, Peter Andrews, Margaret Pemberton, Cornelius Kane, David Newman, William Hamilton, Elizabeth Thomas, and Catharine Tener. Meetings were held at the house of Jacob Tener until 1828 when a log house was erected. In 1854 a frame building was erected at "the Grove."

Lodges.

Locust Grove F. & A. M. was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Ohio, at Toledo, October 17, 1866. Charter members: James A. Murphy, W. M .; David Thomas, S. W .; D. S. Eylar, J. W .; Jesse Kendall, Treas. ; Newton Richards, Sec .; J. W. Tarlton, S. D .; Isaac Earl, J. D .; T. S. F. Collins, Tiler; J. R. Copeland and W. C. Elliott, Stewards; Silas E. Parker, Geo. W. Reddick, James T. Holliday.

Schools.

The village school of Locust Grove in which two instructors are em- ployed has the following enrollment: Males 31, females 34. The sub- districts are as follows :

No.

Males.

Females.

No. .

Males.

Females.

REMINISCENCES.

As late as 1820, bears, catamounts, wolves and wild cats were plenti- ful in this region. One day in the autumn of 1817 the children of Peter Platter while playing about their home discovered a large catamount closely eyeing them from a branch of a tree in the dooryard. The older ones gave the alarm and James Horn was sent for who shot the ferocious animal, and upon inspection pronounced it one of the largest of its kind.

There is yet standing in this township the old log cabin in which Col. John A. Cockerill, the "Drummer Boy of Shiloh," and afterwards man- aging editor of the New York World, was born. And almost within sight of the old Cockerill home is that of the ancestors of Whitelaw Reid, editor of the New York Tribune.

Digitized by Google

420

HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY

Massie's Springs.

It was in this township that General Nathaniel Massie in 1802 built the health resort known as Massie's Springs, at the sulphur spring which yet bears his name. The place was expected to rival the celebrated resort in his native state Virginia, but his expectations were never realized, and now all traces of the former buildings are obliterated.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A history of Adams County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, including character sketches of the prominent persons identified with the first century of the country's growth, Part 50

Author: Evans, Nelson Wiley, 1842-1913; Stivers, Emmons Buchanan Publication date: 1900 Publisher: West Union, O., E.B. Stivers Number of Pages: 1101

Author: Evans, Nelson Wiley, 1842-1913; Stivers, Emmons Buchanan
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: West Union, O., E.B. Stivers
Number of Pages: 1101