USA > Ohio > Knox County > A history of Knox county, Ohio, from 1779 to 1862 inclusive > Part 25
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1837. Marvin Tracy.
1815. Alexander Enos.
. 1838. James Elliott.
1816. Jonathan Miller.
1839. Byram Leonard.
1817. Waitstil Hastings.
1840. D. L. McGugin.
1818. W. W. Farquhar.
1841. C. J. McNulty.
1819. R. D. Simons.
1842. C. J. McNulty.
1820.
1843. George Ankeny.
1821.
1844. James McFarland.
1822. H. Curtis.
George Ankeny.
1823. R. D. Simons.
1845. W. H. Smith.
1824. Thomas Rigdon.
1846. E. W. Cotton.
1825. John Shaw.
James McFarland. .
1826. Wm. Robison.
1847. E. W. Cotton.
1827. Thomas Rigdon.
184S. L. Van Buskirk.
1828. Charles Colerick.
Jacob Voorhies.
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HISTORY OF
1849. Ezekiel Boggs.
1855. B. F. Smith.
1850. Eli Glasgo.
1857. Wm. McCreary.
S. F. Gilcrest.
W. B. Cox.
1851. James Witherow.
1853. Jacob Merrin.
1855. George W. True.
1859.
1861. Wait Whitney.
COMMON PLEAS JUDGES
Who have presided in the districts in which this county has been situated, are William Wilson, of Newark ; Alexander Harper, of Zanesville ; Ezra Dean, of Wooster; Jacob Parker, of Mansfield ; Levi Cox, of Wooster; James Stewart, of Mans- field ; Rollin C. Hurd, of Mt. Vernon ; Sherman Finch and Thomas C. Jones, of Delaware. Of this number, Judges Hurd, Finch and Jones have been elected by the people ; the others were chosen by the Legislature.
CLERKS OF COMMON PLEAS.
Charles Loffand, James Smith, Isaac Hadley, S. W. Farquhar, and A. C. Elliott have served as Clerks. Prior to 1851, they were appointed by the Judges; and since that time, the two last named have been elected by the people. Among the Deputies who have performed longest service, were Henry B. Curtis, E. C. Vore, Horatio S. Miller, F. P. Griffith, A. C. Elliott.
The Clerks of the Supreme Court have been Jas. Smith, Alexander Elliott and A. C. Elliott.
ASSOCIATE JUDGES.
1808. John Mills, Wm. W. Farquhar, Wm. Gass.
1810. James Colville, April 30th, in place of Gass, who goes into Richland county.
1813. Jacob Young in place of Farquhar, resigned, Dec. 12th. 1814. Samuel Kratzer, May 9th, in place of Mills.
407
KNOX COUNTY.
1815. John Trimble and Abraham Darling.
1818. John H. Mefford in place of Darling.
1819. Stephen Chapman.
1820. Joseph Brown, James McGibeny.
1827. Anthony Banning.
1834. Eli Miller.
1841. William Bevans.
66 Abner Ayres.
Isaac N. Richardson.
6 James Elliott. 1846. Wm. McCreary.
1838. William Bevans. 1848. Jacob B. Brown.
1839. Richard C. Davis. 66 B. H. Taylor.
By the adoption of the new Constitution, the office was abolished.
COUNTY AUDITORS.
1820. W. Y. Farquhar, the first officer of this description, was appointed at this date, to value the lands for taxation ; and when the law creating a distinct bureau passed, having been Clerk of the Board of Commissioners and conversant with its business, he was reappointed annually until 1824, from which time the people have elected for a term of two years.
1824. Alexander Elliott.
1844. K. Winne.
1826.
1846. M. M. Beam.
1828. Marvin Tracy.
1848.
1830. 66 66
1850. B. F. Smith.
1832.
1852. 66
1834. S. B. Kenton.
1854. John Lamb.
1836.
1856.
1838. 66
1858. S. W. Farquhar.
1840. 66
1860.
1842. K. Winne.
1862. John D. Thompson.
PROBATE JUDGES.
The New Constitution created this office, and at the first election, in October, 1851, for Probate Judge, to serve three years, commencing February, 1852, Sam'l F. Gilcrest was elected, entered upon the duties of his office February, 1852, and at the
408
HISTORY OF
expiration of his term was a candidate for re-elec- tion, and beaten, 1854, by Joseph S. Davis.
1857. Joseph S. Davis was re-elected.
1860. Thomas V. Parke.
MEMBERS OF CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
The Convention that framed the present Con- stitution of Ohio, was held in 1851. Knox and Holmes formed a district, and the Delegates elected were Matthew H. Mitchell and John Sellers, Dem- ocrats, over Rollin C. Hurd and John H. Wheeler, Whigs.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION.
Daniel S. Norton,
Byram Leonard,
Henry B. Curtis,
James McFarland, S. T. Cunard.
TREASURERS.
Until 1825 this office was filled by appointment of Commissioners each year, and from that time the people elected for a term of two years. The period at which each Treasurer was chosen, we append :
180S. Henry Haines. 1841. James Blake.
1815. George Downs.
1847. Jacob W. Lybrand.
1816. James McGibeny.
1851. J. H. McFarland.
1817. Gilman Bryant.
1855. John Beaty.
1819. James McGibeny.
1859. Alex. Greer.
1825. W. Y. Farquhar.
1861. H. H. Greer.
183S. S. W. Farquhar.
COUNTY COLLECTORS.
The Commissioners appointed annually the col- lector of personal tax, and that upon lands of residents. In 1820, the duties of this officer were somewhat changed, and, in 1817, the office was
409
KNOX COUNTY.
abolished by law, and its business transferred to the County Treasurer.
180S. Silas Brown ; amount of bond $658.87. 1822. R. D. Simons.
1821. Benj. Jackson, Jr.
1809. James Smith.
1823. Joseph Brown.
1812. John Greer.
1824. John Shaw.
1817. John Shaw.
1825. Silas Brown.
1819. Eli Miller.
1827. Jacob M. Banning.
1820. William Bevans.
In 1822, a system of cutting under was com- menced by competitors for this office, as we find that the State tax was collected this year for 22 per cent., and County tax gratis ; the next year Brown underbid 4 per cent .; and Shaw, in 1824, capped the climax by proposing to collect both State and County tax gratis !
ASSESSORS.
Assessors have been in our history of two kinds -Township and County. The county were ap- pointed by the Commissioners until, in 1827, the people by law were required to elect such officer ; and after 1811 the office for the county was abol- ished, and the old system of Township Assessors was re-established.
Prior to 1827, the Commissioners appointed, as Assessors, R. D. Simons for 1821 and '5, Marvin Tracy in 1826, and Hill Runyan in 1827, who served from March until the October election, when he was elected for two years. In 1829, John Greer was elected, and, having resigned in October, 1830, Daniel McFarland was elected and continued until, in 1834, Henry B. Carter was chosen, and served two terms. In 1838, Uzal Ball was elected ; in 1840, Wait Whitney
410
HISTORY OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
1808. Joseph Walker, John Harrod, John Lewis.
1808. Henry Markley, Matthew Merrit, and Wm. Douglass were elected Oct. 11th ; and, by lot, it was declared that Mark- ley continue three years, Merrit two, and Douglass one.
1809. William Douglass.
1810. Robert McMillen.
1834. Silas Brown.
1811. John Harrod.
1835. William McCreary.
1812. Daniel Cooper.
1836. David Shaw.
1813. William Mitchell, ap- pointed by Court May 9th, 1814, vice Harrod, deceased.
1814. William Mitchell.
1815. Jonathan Miller.
1816. Moses Merrit.
1817. William Mitchell.
66 John Warden vice Miller.
1818. Allen Scott.
1819. Gilman Bryant.
1820. Abner Ayres.
1821. John Wheeler.
1822. John Kerr.
1823. Abner Ayres.
1824. John Stilley.
1825. Daniel Sapp.
1826. Byram Leonard.
1827. Levi Harrod.
66 Gilman Bryant appo'ted. 1828. Peres Sprague, Jabez Beers.
1829. Francis Wilkins; Wil- liam McCreary for 3 years, Francis Wilkins for 1 year.
1830. David Shaw vice Wil- kins, deceased.
1831. Jolın Jeffers for 3 years, David Shaw 2 years.
1832. William McCreary.
1843. Henry Prather.
1844. James Witherow.
1845. Robert Graham.
1846. William Babcock.
1847. James Witherow.
1848. Robert Graham.
1849. Win. Babcock.
1850. Wait Whitney.
1851. George McWilliams.
1852. Abraham Darling, M. H. Mitchell vice Whitney, resigned.
1853. George W. Jackson.
1854. Sewal Gray.
1855. John McElroy.
1856. Jacob Bell, full term.
66 W. McClelland, vice Gray, resigned.
1857. W. McClelland.
1858. John McElroy.
1859. Jacob Bell.
1860. Wm. McClelland.
1861. J. W. Bradfield.
1862. John S. McCamment.
SHERIFFS.
1808. Silas Brown, appointed by Thos. Kirker, Acting Governor of the State, June 6, till October election, and reappointed by Governor Samuel Huntington, October 11, 1808.
1811. Ichabod Nye. 1815. John Shaw.
1813. John Hawn. 1817.
1833. David Shaw.
1837. Thomas Wade.
1838. Christopher Wolf.
1839. Thomas Axtell.
1840. Thomas Wade.
1841. Christopher Wolf.
1842. Thomas Axtell, Henry Prather.
411
KNOX COUNTY.
1819. Alexander Elliott.
1842. Absalom Thrift.
1820. William Bevans.
1844.
1822. 66
1846. David C. Montgomery.
1824. Charles Colerick.
1848.
1826. 66
66
1850. Thomas Wade.
1828. John Shaw.
1852. 66
1836. Hugh Neal.
1854. Lewis Strong.
1832.
1856. Israel Underwood.
1834. Isaac Hadley.
1858.
1836.
1860. James S. Shaw.
1838. Wm. Beam.
1862. Allen Beach.
The following persons have acted as Deputy Sheriffs at different periods: John Cramer, Isaac Hadley, Resin Yates, Ben. Jackson, Henry Prather, D. C. Zimmerman, Johnson Elliott, Jesse B. Ro- gers, W. Beam, S. B. Kenton, E. W. Cotton, W. D. Headley, Stiles W. Thrift, D. C. Montgomery, John Beaty, T. P. Morton, James Myers, J. Under- wood, T. V. Parke, Josiah Cochran, George W. Steele.
CORONERS.
1808. Jonathan Craig, elected April 4. 1834. Andrew Vance.
66 John Merritt, appointed Oct. 11.
1809. John Butler, appointed.
1811. Dr. Timothy Burr.
1842. Asa Freeman.
1815.
1846. Michael Miller.
1817. 66
1848. 66
1818. Dr. Robert D. Moore.
1850. Alexander Love.
1819. Dr. Waitstil Hastings.
1852.
1820. Dr. E. G. Lee.
1854. William Bonar.
1822. James McGibeny.
1856. Albert Ellis.
1824. Hill Runyan.
1858.
1860. John W. Leonard.
1828. 1830. George Low.
1832. W. E. Davidson.
1836. 66
1838. 66
1840. Richard Hunt.
1813.
1844. 66
1862. M. M. Shaw.
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
The first officer answering to this description was Samuel Kratzer, Esq., who sort o' officiated in be-
1840.
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HISTORY OF
half of the State when no better qualified person was present. He was not an attorney, but appears to have been allowed fees for his services. Edward Herrick was the main reliance in this branch in the early courts, until 1812, when Samuel Mott was appointed on the 14th of March. In January, 1814, Charles R. Sherman was appointed, and at different terms S. W. Culberson, Wyllis Silliman, Hosmer Curtis, John W. Warden, and other attorneys, were appointed by the court, as business required, until in 1833 the Legislature provided for the Prosecu- ting Attorney's election biennially by the voters of the county, who have made the following selections :
1833. Benjamin S. Brown.
1848. Lafayette Emmett.
1835. Columbus Delano.
1850. Clark Irvine.
1837.
1852. William Windom.
1839. M. H. Mitchell.
1854. W. F. Sapp.
1840. M. A. Sayre.
1856.
66
1842. J. K. Miller.
1858. TV. C. Cooper.
1844. 66
1860.
1846. Lafayette Emmett.
1862. Frank H. Hurd.
SURVEYORS.
The Court of Common Pleas, until 1831, ap- pointed the Surveyor of the county, and the office was filled by the following persons :
1808. Samuel H. Smith appointed.
1810. John Dunlap appointed June, in place of Smith, resigned. 1815. Wm. Y. Farquhar appointed April 15, and resigned 1827. 1827. Edson Harkness appointed.
The act of the Legislature of March 3d, 1831, having provided for the election of this officer for a term of three years, the first elected by the people was, in
1831. Edson Harkness.
1834. Thomas G. Plummer.
1837. T. C. Hickman.
1840. T. G. Plummer.
1843. T. C. Hickman. 1846. David Gorsuch.
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KNOX COUNTY.
1849. David Gorsuch. 1852. T. C. Hickman.
1855. David C. Lewis.
1858. David C. Lewis. 1861.
COUNTY RECORDER.
The Judges of the Court of Common Pleas ap- pointed this officer until 1829, at the October elec- tion, the people chose a Recorder. Under the former system, the term of service was seven years; under the present, three years.
1808. Gilman Bryant, May 2d, until 1815.
1815. Alexander Elliott, May 2d, until 1822. 1822. Henry B. Curtis.
The Legislature of 1828-9 having provided for appointment of Recorders by County Commission- ers, where office becomes vacant prior to October, the Commissioners appointed-
1829. John A. Colerick, May 29th, in place of H. B. Curtis, whose term had expired.
1829. Hill Runyan was elected in Oct., and served until 1838. 66 1847.
1838. David Montgomery 66
1847. Elijah Harrod
1857.
1856. Calton C. Baugh 66 1859.
1859. Elijah Harrod
and re-elected 1862.
INFIRMARY DIRECTORS.
1842. John Hobbs, J. F. 1851. Timothy Colopy. McLain. 1852. John McCamment.
66 Wm. Borden.
1853. G. W. Jackson.
1843. W. Borden.
1854. J. B. McGrew ..
1844. Abraham Darling.
1855. Thomas Rogers.
1845. C. A. Drake.
1856. Thomas Larrimore.
1857. E. J. Whitney.
1846. Abraham Darling. Absalom Buckingham. 1858. Thomas Rogers.
1847. G. W. Jackson.
1859. Thomas Larrimore.
1848. Abraham Darling.
1860. E. J. Whitney.
1849. Christian Musser. 1861. Asahel Allen.
1850. G. W. Jackson.
1862. James Scott.
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. HISTORY OF
-
CHAPTER L. Dan Horton
IT will be expected that a history of this county will devote more than a passing notice to the mem- ory of that citizen of whom, in July, 1849, the editor of the Times said, "We are of opinion that none of the earliest pioneers of our town have ever done so much to promote its growth and prosperity as Mr. Norton. If Mt. Vernon is specially in- debted to the enterprise and liberality of any one man, that man is Daniel S. Norton."
The Democratic Banner of Nov. 1, 1859, says : " One of our most eminent and highly valued citi- zens died suddenly, of congestion of the lungs, on Tuesday morning, October 25th, aged 72 years." The following extract from that notice of his death evidences the regard and opinion entertained for his services, and its republication will not be inap- propriate :
"He first visited Mt. Vernon in the spring of 1816, and, in the summer of that year, introduced the first complete Carding Machine in this part of the State, and set it up at the mill of William Douglas, now occupied by J. S. Banning. In the summer of 1817, he moved to Mt. Vernon, and in the fall of that year, having secured the admirable mill seat and water power which his sagacious eye had discovered the summer previous, he built the mills, which, improved and enlarged from time to time, as the wants of the county required, he continued to occupy and operate until his death.
4.15
KNOX COUNTY.
"He engaged also in the mercantile business, and carried it on pros- perously for many years. He erected a woolen and a cotton factory, and an oil mill, and engaged extensively in agriculture and the raising of cattle and horses, and contributed much to the improvement of the stock of both in the county.
"He was elected to the Senate from Knox and Richland counties, and while in that body took lively interest and an active part in inaugurating and establishing the wise canal policy of the State. He was a member of the committee appointed to welcome De Witt Clinton. At the canal cele- bration in July, 1825, he first met Bishop Chase, who served as chaplain on that occasion, and during the interview he suggested to the Bishop the eligibility of the grounds which were afterwards chosen for the location of Kenyon College. He contributed liberally to the establishment of that institution, and was always its steadfast friend.
He was always among the foremost in all public enterprises calculated to increase the growth of the town, or improve and develope the resour- ces of the country.
As a man of business, he had no superior. Prompt, energetic and de- liberate, he apeared to see the end from the beginning, and his plans , wisely laid, were worked out with a precision which commanded the ad- miration of all.
A man of social qualities, he was the pride of the society in which he lived. Remarkable for his address and conversational power, his exten- sive reading, his acute observation and his wonderful memory, he attracted notice wherever he appeared, at home or abroad, and entered no circle which was not entertained and instructed by his presence.
He had a keen perception of merit in the young, and not a few owe the beginning of their prosperous carcer in business, to his kind and wise patronage. He was ever ready to aid the industrious, and had a lively sympathy for the unfortunate. It was a touching sight to see the poor gather around his bier, and not the least of a good man's reward, to hear them call him blessed."
A brief statement of some of the events of his life, evincing his indomitable spirit, extraordinary business qualifications, great liberality and genuine patriotism, may follow the tribute from another pen. The first American settlers in the Attakapas of Orleans were the Nortons, who for several years endured contentedly the perils and privations in that, then foreign, clime, until sickness and death reduced their number and deprived them of their
416
HISTORY OF
head ; and the management of the affairs of Mrs. Ann Norton, and nine children, devolved entirely upon the young Daniel S., who, possessed of a pe- culiar business mind and an adventurous spirit, carried on various trading operations in the terri- tory and the Mexican provinces. His papers, care- fully preserved, show many ventures that few would have the nerve to undertake ; and yet suc- cess invariably crowned his efforts. Some of his practical operations are worthy of notice. He in- troduced the first sugar-cane in the Attakapas, and established that it could be cultivated successfully. His active and well informed mind, and inventive genius, was always striving to make improve- ments, and he first directed attention to the navi- gation of the Bayous and rivers, and was interested in the first boat that engaged in their trade. He traveled on the first two boats that made trips on the Mississippi, and subsequently on the first boat built by a company at Brownsville, Pa., and run by Capt. Gregg on the lower Mississippi and Red River. His suggestions in construction and navi- gation, his knowledge of the rivers and the country, contributed much to those enterprises.
It was with the view of carrying on a trade with the southern country that he located at Connels- ville, and engaged in erecting machinery for manu- facturing ; and hence his deep solicitude for suc- cessful navigation of the rivers, to promote which he carried on correspondence, published articles, made investments, and labored industriously. The first Cotton Factory on the Youghiogheny he erect- ed, and operated successfully, bringing the raw
417
KNOX COUNTY.
cotton from his old home in Louisiana. His lands in that country were of great value, and his busi- ness there for about a half century was faithfully attended to by Gov. Johnson, as his agent, who has informed us of his unsurpassed reputation as a business man. He never relinquished the idea, which he had entertained though life, of returning there to live, and which was only broken in upon by his coming to this county to marry, and being still further irresistibly attracted by the fine water power, fertile lands and beautiful prospects of Owl Creek.
The building of machinery and improving of mills and manufacturing establishments may be said to have been the ruling passion of his life. We find a petition presented to the General Assem- bly of Ohio, when it met in Chillicothe, by Daniel S. Norton, John H. Piatt and Herman Long, of Cincinnati, Asa Norton, of Kentucky, and Abra- ham Baldwin, of Pennsylvania, who had associ- ated in manufacturing business, asking for encour- agement of woolen manufactories, etc. The first complete carding machines, west of the Allegheny mountains, were put up by Daniel S. Norton, and our venerable townsman, Wm. Reeves, says that he first saw him, in 1805, at Tom Smith's mill, on Whitewater, setting up machines.
I have often heard father laugh about how his father caused him to trade a valuable lot in Cincin- nati for a little sorrel pony, saddle and bridle, and leave there for his home in the Attakapas. Another trade that amused him very much was that of a set of machines, to a man named Lowrie, for a scholar-
27
418
HISTORY OF
ship in Transylvania University, which his father, who had given him what he deemed sufficient education at Middlebury College, did not relish ; nevertheless, he procured his books, and took out the value in Latin, Greck, and mathematics, &c. There he formed the acquaintance of many young men who have since become eminent in the coun- try, and that friendship and regard for Henry Clay which caused him to cling to his fortunes through good and through evil report.
His career in this county-his efforts to promote education, home manufactures and internal in- provements; his contributions to objects calculated to benefit the public ; his assistance to old settlers in purchasing their farms and stock, making im- provements, and providing for their families ; his kindness to friends, and generosity to relatives- will long be remembered. His love of country was unbounded, and the blood of the Revolution never coursed through veins more determined to perpetuate "Liberty and Union." His liberality and patriotism in the War of 1812, the Texan Rev- olution and the Mexican War is on record; and were he living to-day, he would be faithful to the Union and true to the principles of the Consti- tution.
NOTE .- The cultivation of the cotton plant attracted his attention, and among his papers of 1810 are calculations as to its culture and manufac- ture. He planted the first black seed in the Southwest (it had been brought from the Bahamas), and he was the first experimenter with the hirsutum and the herbaceous in that locality.
419
KNOX COUNTY.
CHAPTER L.
KENYON COLLEGE AND THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
THIS valued institution of learning and religion was founded in this county by the Rt. Rev. Philan- der Chase, first Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Ohio, upon Section one, Township sia, and Range twelve, U. S. Military Lands. The pre- liminary steps to its establishment were taken at Worthington, by commencing a school, in 1825, under an act of incorporation for a "Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Ohio." In pursuance of this pur- pose, Bp. C. visited England, and obtained very liberal donations for the cause; and the surpassing beauty of the present site secured its selection. In his annual address, 1826, he thus speaks : "July 22d. This day, for the first time, in company with a number of gentlemen, I explored the lands now rendered so interesting to us on account of their many advantages for the location of the seminary and college." Two of the gentlemen alluded to were Henry B. Curtis, Esq., and Daniel S. Norton, whose statements in regard to that "interesting" occasion we have; and that of the former, as pub- lished in the Kenyon Collegian, we had designed giving entire, but our limits will not permit. In fact, we can only allude to the establishment of
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HISTORY OF
the college, with the promise of giving at an early day a complete history of the institution, its founder and benefactors, for which we have now a large amount of interesting material in manuscript. The college lands, 4,000 acres, on both sides of the Ko- kosing, five miles below Mt. Vernon, were pur- chased of Wm. Hogg, Esq., of Brownsville, Pa., who made a generous donation in consideration of the object ; and by a unanimous vote of the Con- vention of 1826 the site of Kenyon College was settled forever.
Views of Kenyon College, Ascension Hall, Bex- ley Hall, Milnor Hall and Rosse Chapel, the prin- cipal buildings of the Institution, appear in this work. They tell of the pious and devout labors of Bishop Chase, whose lithograph is also given, and of his very worthy successor, Bishop McIlvaine. They also speak, more than tongue can tell, the liberality and nobleness of the Christian people of Great Britain and of the United States, who have been graciously moved to give of their abundance to this noble object. To Henry Clay, whose influ- ential letters gave Bishop Chase access to the British heart, we are also deeply indebted.
Kenyon College to-day stands erect, having passed through many periods of tribulation and gloom. With an able corps of instructors, trustees and friends, zealously devoted to her interests, a bright future is before it. In our forthcoming work, we will prove, by showing what it has done for the country, that the expectations of its friends have, in great part, been realized.
In 1827, the foundations of the work were laid
421
KNOX COUNTY.
on College Hill, commanding the most beautiful view in the whole country. The place is noted for health, as the Institution has been for the thorough- ness of its course of instruction. Among the very able officers at the present time are-Rt. Rev. G. T. Bedell, Rev. T. M. Smith, Rev. M. T. C. Wing, Rev. J. J. McElhinney, of the Theological Facul- ty, and Professors John Trimble, H. L. Smith, B. L. Lang, Francis Wharton, H. D. Lathrop and G. T. Chapman, of the College.
The Kenyon Grammar Schools in charge of Rev. A. Blake, at Gambier, and Rev. Peter S. Ruth, at Worthington, are valuable adjuncts, and well sus- tained.
The Libraries of the College and the Philoma- thesian and Nu Pi Kappa Societies, containing over 15,000 volumes, and an abundant supply of literary food, are over accessible to the student.
The present Trustees of the Institution are- Rt. Rev. C. P. McIlvaine, D.D.D.C.L., President; Rt. Rev. G. T. Bedell, Vice President ; Rev. S. A. Bronson, D.D., Rev. E. Burr, D.D., Rev. James McElroy, D.D., Rev. H. B. Walbridge, Rev. Lewis Burton, Rev. J. E. Grammer, Hon. J. W. An- drews, Hon. R. C. Hurd, Hon. C. Delano, Gen'l Kent Jarvis, Wm. Procter, Esq., Dr. J. N. Burr.
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HISTORY OF
CHAPTER LI.
THE FAMOUS RACE OF SEELEY'S BULL vs. TOM'S HORSE.
ONE of the "phunny" characters in our county's history is our old friend Seeley Simpkins, who is now in his 70th year, and was born in West Jer- sey, the precise spot he doesn't know-nor is it material to the thread of this discourse. In 1801, when five years old, he was brought by his father from Morgantown, Va., and his recollection of Mt. Vernon runs from the time Capt. Walker lived in a little log hut close by the old sulphur spring. Secley says that its water had a great medicine reputation with the Indians. He was a great favorite with the squaws and pappooses, by reason of his uncommon musical talent. He could mimic any sound of varmint or human, surpassed the lute of Orpheus, and out-whistled all creation. He furnished the music for carly musters, and when it took four counties to make a regiment he gave a challenge to out-whistle any man within them. He recollects with much pride the encomiums of Adjutant Stilley, who, he says, was " the best judge of swill music then in the country." Hc fre- quented race tracks, and drew crowds and supplied hoe-downs on demand. For a long time he labored under the disadvantage of making his pilgrimages on foot, but having the good luck to hear at preaching that " Balaam took his ass and saddled
423
KNOX COUNTY.
him," he concluded to take the next thing to it -- his bull-and saddle and ride him. He was a nice little muscular brute, raised by him, and being gentle, was trained so that he traveled right smart on Seeley's circuit. Often have we seen Seeley in all his glory ride to the mill with his grist, and while it was being ground he would take an airing around the town, whistling as he went. The races were usually on the fiat front of Norton's mills, and there Seeley acquired " immortality and fame." On the occasion of a grand race, when the Critch- fields, Sam. Arbuckle, and the Creek nation were in town in their strength, a race was gotten up by Hugh Neal, John Gregg, and John Kellifer, be- tween Seeley's bull and Tom Irvine's horse. The stakes were up; judges took their stand; and ex- pectation on tiptoe was soon gratified by the entrance of the steeds. At starting, the little bull's tail received a sudden and severe twist, causing him to bellow lustily as Seeley with " vaulting ambition pricked the sides of his intent;" and goaded to desperation, bull pawed the earth and sped on with all his might, while the air was rent with the shouts and yells of the spectators, frightening him almost out of his skin. The horse, altogether unused to such "noise and confusion," inclined to balk, shied to one side, and trembling from fear, could not be brought to the " outcome" · in time, and the judges honestly pronounced in favor of Seeley's bull. Amid the applause of the large concourse, Seeley proudly mounted his charger, and as he stroked his neck, complacently
424
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
took the wager, and rode home a happier man than ever in his life before or since. The poet says :
"Honor and fame from no condition rise ; Act well your part-there all the honor lies."
Seeley has done this, and his name is inscribed on the page of his country's history, to be remembered long after those who have laughed at his career shall have been forgotten.
TO THE READER .- We rest-not insensible to the fact that we may, in your estimation, " have done those things which we ought not to have done, and left undone those things which we ought to have done;" but there is no help for it now. Our field was entirely new, and but very few papers are accessible at this early day in our history-the future writer will have still less, and this work may prove advantageous to those who succeed us. We have not sought to embellish, but simply to give plain statements of old matters. Several thousand families have been named, and omissions of any of the old settlers have been unintentional. The multitude crowding upon us has caused us to give less notice to several of our best citizens than we designed. Errors, typographical and otherwise, may exist; attribute them to the peculiar circum- stances that surround us in these days of war and excitement, and join us in prayer for a return of the good old times of peace, prosperity and happiness.
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