USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio. Embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the county and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy families and individuals > Part 53
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As the end of the first decade approached, of the commissioners was a matter of deep in- the inhabitants residing on this territory began terest to all the people residing on the territory to discuss the subject of a township organiza- so detached, and by the most of them the tion. Accordingly on the 9th day of March, action so taken was asked. Again, by the 1808, as the journal of the commissioners of action of the county comissioners of the date Muskingum county discloses, sundry petitions of the 20th day of December, 1839, section 13 were presented the board of county commis- of Salt Creek township, as before stated, situ- sioners then in session, asking for the creation ated west of the Muskingum river and em- of certain townships. Among those petitions bracing the village of Taylorsville, was de- so presented was one from citizens of Salt tached from said township and made a part of Creek township according to the established Harrison Township. This action of the com- survey. The journal says "the boundaries of missioners was also asked by the citizens of the townships were established and the town- the detached territory for the reason they ships received." No time was fixed for the were separated from the township to which election of township officers as the statute re- they belonged by the river, and were further quired, and no election of officers ordered. cut off from their own township by a portion Under this order of the commissioners it can- of Wayne that formerly belonged to Salt Creek not be found that any further action was taken. township. These are all the territorial changes Again, December 12th, 1808, it appears in the in the township from what it contained as first journal entry of that date, that "the petition established. of sundry inhabitants of Township 13, Range Hitherto, previous to entering on the second 12, was presented the board, praying an elec- decade of the settlement, the daily routine in tion be ordered to elect three trustees and a each family, year in and year out, had been treasurer of that township." The journal says mnuch the same. But now visible changes be- in response to this petition, "granted and order gan to be more and more apparent. The single for election sent out by John Chandler." This room cabin with its outer wall decorated with was still an incomplete order and it does not the skins of the coon, fox, wolf, deer, bear, and appear that any action was taken looking to other wild animals, began to disappear. It was its execution. Again, March 8, 1815, more fast being supplanted by the new two-story hewn than six years after the last proceedings were log dwelling. Residences of a still more pre- had, this journal entry again appears: "A pe- tentious character also appeared, and before tition from a number of inhabitants of Salt this second decade had closed, stone, brick and Creek township was presented praying that the frame dwellings, of six, eight and ten rooms original surveyed Township number 13, Range each, could be seen in several parts of the 12 be crected into a township to be called and township, farm houses that would to-day bc known by the name of Salt Creek township, creditable to any portion of Muskingum county. and it is ordered the above township bc .
New industries other than farming began to established." Although this last order was in- spring into being. Trades, though on a some- complete, looking to what were the require- what small scale, yet adequate to the demand ments of the statute in relation to the organi- of the community, were introduced. The first zation of townships, as no further action upon mill erected was enlarged and improved by the subject seems to have been taken by the the aid of new machinery, so as to convert it commissioners, it may be taken that this con- into a general flouring mill, and a saw mill at- cluded all that was done towards the erection tachment added. Two tanneries were put in and establishment of this township; and that operation, one a half mile north of the present its civil and political existence may be re- village of Chandlersville by a man named garded as commencing on this last datc.
James Austin, and the other, the pioneer of the The first mutilation of the territory of Salt tannery, conducted in the present stone build- Creek township as created in March, 1815, grew ing in the village, by Samuel Chandler. Other out of the establishment and organization of smaller trades, in those days conducted in rural Wayne township in 1826. By the action of communities, followed, but they no longer exist.
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
It was during this, the second decade of action. Hence the Sabbath was distinctively the settlement of this township, that the people observed as a day of rest if not of worship, were first enabled to introduce somewhat the more so than in densely populated communi- habits and customs that attach to social life; ties. The desecration of its sacred hours, no habits and customs that belonged to the com- matter how, was rarely known, and when munities whence they came. That complete known the entire community would frown upon isolation to which they had been subject only the act. Whenever it was announced there was now existed to a limited extent. These to be preaching in the neighborhood, no dif- pioneers were an intelligent body of men and ference by whom or of what denominational women. They mingled together on occasions creed, all made it a business as well as a duty varied and numerous. They were friends, to attend the services. And until churches sympathic and helpful. The same spirit of were organized such continued to be the cus- sociability dominated old and young. The tom of the neighborhood.
outgrowth of all these new conditions became
Of the soldiers of the war of 1812, the manifest. During the decade there were no writer has only been enabled to obtain the fol- less than eighteen marriages in the township. lowing names: Samuel Chandler, John Clap- The contracting parties were in every instance per, William Cunningham, Joseph Linn, the son and daughter of a pioneer and were Samuel Bliss and Dr. Daniel Bliss. The latter themselves pioneers. This, too, was a period engaged in the service as surgeon for a limited of great material prosperity among all the time only and until another could be secured people of the township, and this fact, coupled to take his place. Bliss, (Samuel,) was dis- with what has just been narrated as having charged at the end of two months because of taken place, afforded " confirmation strong " of sickness. Cunnigham was killed by the Indians the correctness of the Malthusian theory as to in the battle of Mississinawa on the Wabash. population.
Chandler in this engagement exhibited so
The early pioneers and settlers of Salt courageous and conspicuous a daring, that on Creek township were for the most part a re- the close of the war he was tendered by the ligious people. They had been religiously department at Washington the office of Major educated. They had been accustomed during in the regular army of the United States. This the years of their childhood and later on in honor he declined. The others on the expira- early manhood and womanhood to attend upon tion of their respective terms of service re- church services, and many of them had been turned to their homes.
church members. Those who came from the
The pioneers of Salt Creek township took New England states were all of Puritan stock, a large interest in the establishment of schools and had been educated in the Congregational and the education of the youth of the neigh- faith and mode of worship. But as the re- borhood. To nothing can their descendants ligious faith and the politics of the church were point with a greater degree of pride than to quite different things, they cared little for the the high character these schools maintained. latter, so they could entertain their convictions The first brick school house in Muskingum as to the former. Those who came from Penn- county was erected in this township. It was a sylvania and New Jersey were generally Pres- large and commodious structure capable of byterians, or had been so educated, and as comfortably accommodating sixty to seventy their doctrinal belief was much the same as pupils and provided with desks and other nec- that of the Congregationalists of that day there essary appendages of the school room equal to was no difficulty in the two assimulating under any of the present day. The first five male the Presbyterian faith and mode of worship. teachers, commencing with the winter of 1823- Other denominational creeds and beliefs were 24, who conducted schools successively in this represented among the first pioneers. Of course, building were all graduates of American col- coming into a new country where such a thing leges. The structure was erected and finished as the stated preaching of the Gospel was un- throughout by private subscription. The first known, all naturally became luke warm and circulating library in Muskingum county, con- apparently somewhat indifferent to their taining about 150 volumes at first organization, church vows. But withal, the religious impres- for that matter, with two exceptions, the first sions they had received in their earlier years in all southeastern Ohio, was established in could not be wholly eradicated, and these had this township, and so this organization was the effect to restrain and hold in subjection kept up until the establishment of Sunday the passions that otherwise, under the circum- school libraries about 1830. stances, might have gained the control of their
The foregoing constitutes, very briefly, an
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
account of the principal events in pioneer life Chandler, October1, 1814; John Stevens, Jan- in Salt Creek township. Of what has subse- uary 31, 1829; Nathaniel Chapman, August 3, quently occurred it is not sufficiently known, 1832. Name of the office was changed to Chan- at least to the present inhabitants, to render dlersville January 12, 1843. Chandlersville, any narrative thereof in this connection unnec- Nathaniel Chapman, January 12, 1843; Isaac essary. The population of the township at the Brittain, December 3, 1845; Llewellyn Pierce, different decennial periods since its organiza- June 19, 1849; Isaac Brittain, July 16, 1853; tion, and the names and dates of the commis- Thomas W. Crumbaker, May 31, 1861; William sions of the several postmasters may be a sub- E. Ferguson, March 27, 1869; Israel C. Robin- ject of interest and are herewith given. Popu- son, August 9, 1869; O. H. P. Crumbaker, Oc- lation 1820, 967; 1830, 1,190; 1840, 1,252; tober 19, 1870; John W. Ludman, September 1850, 1,215; 1860, 1, 158; 1870, 1, 138; 1880, 1, 141; 27, 1889. Duncan's Falls P. O. was establish- 1890, 1,148. Postmasters, Salt Creek, John ed July 24, 1837.
Chapter XXII.
UNION TOWNSHIP.
P RIOR to the opening of the Zane Trace, settlement grew rapidly. Among those who there were Indian settlements in the town- came during this period were Adam and Daniel ship, notably one on a creek in the south- Bowman, James Cummins, - Decker, Simon ern part of the township, called after a Shawa- Elliott, Joseph Geyer, Wm. Garner, Peter Gal- nees chief, White Eyes creek, and another camp ligher, Frederick Henderson, Joseph McCune, Joseph Mckinney, Col. John Reynolds, Wm. Speer, David Sellers, Isaac Tewalt, Bennett remain unknown, as many of them, after a short Vandevert, Benj. Wortman. was located in section five. The names of ear- liest settlers in the township will probably ever residence, pushed on still farther into the wilds
Among the pioneers between 1815 and 1835 of the great west. A portion of the township, were Samuel Conners, Wm. McClellan, David the southeast quarter, was reserved by the gov- and John Conners, Thomas Pearce, John and ernment for school lands, and many of these Alexander Brown, Samuel McCormick, John first comers being unable to purchase, squatted Barrett, Richard and Isaac Storey; David Stor- on the school lands. Among those who occu- mont, Allen Black, john McLeod, Abraham pied school lands between 1803 and 1806 were Haines, Robert Buchannan, David Sinsabaugh, Henry Hardesty, Peter Monroe, Henry Hardy, James Caldwell, John McClure, Billy McClure, Wm. Newland and Mr. Mullen. About the George Miller, John and Moses Riley and John same time several families came from Pennsyl- Jamison. vania and located in the northeast part of the
New Concord was a requirement of the township. Thomas Warren located in section days of its organization. The land upon which 13 on the old Zane road, opening his house for it was located was first settled by Henry accommodation of the public in 1804. John Reasoner in 1804. Judge David Findley in Self took up land on the creek that bears his 1806 purchased the tract of Mr. Reasoner and name in 1805. Judge David Findley coming cleared and cultivated the land. In 1827 the in 1806 purchased land of Henry Reasoner, who establishing of the national road through his had located in section one in 1804. Samuel place prompted Judge Findley to lay out a Wilson selected the northwest quarter of town, which was acomplished March 24, 1828. section 11 in 1806, and in 1807 John Haddon The location of the town of Concord and the settled on section 8. Wm. Hunter, Robert description of the plat is recorded as follows: Walker and Andrew Lorimer located on sec- Plat of the town of Concord, on the first section tions 13 and 18, while Ralph Hardesty took a of township number one, of the fifth range, U. portion of section 14. From 1806 to 1815 the S. military district, in Muskingum county, and
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
state of Ohio. The lots are all four poles in was a healthy, sure growth. A religious ele- front and twelve poles back, each containing ment pervaded the entire township and Con- forty-eight square perches. The main street is cord was in 1835 the site of three churches. eighty feet wide, all other streets are forty-one Education was demanded by the children of feet wide, and the alleys are one perch wide. the pioneers, and a more thorough and exten- The proprietor gives one lot on Second street sive education than could be obtained in the for a meeting house and literary purposes. An common schools of the time, was greatly de- addition to the town of Concord was platted sired; hence we find in 1835 a number of those in Sept., 1849 by James Findley and two, Irwin's most interested seeking the establishment of a and Speer's, were platted in 1855. college in Concord. A meeting of the citizens
The opening of the National road was the of Concord and vicinity was called on July 9, signal for the transfer of the bulk of travel from 1836. After considerable discussion relative to the old Zane Trace to the new road which, be- the needs of such an institution and the advan- ing better constructed and better kept, made tages to be derived from it, the meeting ad- traveling easier and less expensive. A line of journed until the afternoon of August 10, stage coaches was transferred to the new road, of same year. Upon this latter date a consti- and to accomodate travelers and freight haul- tution and by-laws for the management of an ers, taverns sprang up along the road. Many academy were adopted and a board of direct- of those who had formerly lived on the old ors chosen, consisting of seven members; and Zane Trace now changed their residence to the at a subsequent meeting the board of managers new route. Among those who moved was completed and Mr. Andrew B. Black was made Joseph McKinney, who had a blacksmith shop principal of the academy. In the autumn of on the old Zane Trace. He opened the first the same year the school was opened with very shop in Concord. His place was the spot encouraging prospects. This academy was where the Reformed Presbyterian church now successor to the Pleasant Hill academy, con- stands. Concord was made a stage station or ducted in the Presbyterian church, one mile rather a relay station, where the six stage horses south of this village. The board taking into driven at full speed from Zanesville, the near- consideration the fact that New Concord was est station west, were exchanged for fresh situated in the heart of a fertile country, thickly horses. The stage horses were supplied by inhabited by a people favorable to literary pur- Joseph Mckinney, who also changed the mails, suits, and quite remote from any literary insti- he being the first postmaster at Concord, ap- tution, its ease of access-being on the Nati- pointed 1819. onal road-called a meeting of the citizens
At this time the present flourishing village with a view to petition the Legislature to grant had but few houses. There was a house on the them a charter for a college. As a result of site of Gault's drug store, one where Mr. Herd- this action a petition was prepared and placed man's residence is located. Mrs. Drummond's in the hands of Honorable David Chambers, a house was built about that time. These houses member of the house of representatives. This were all frame, the pioneers having so far petition being presented to the legislature, was progressed that even then the day of the log favorably considered and in March, 1837, an house was passed. Judge David Findley's act was passed incorporating Muskingum col- large brick house was erected in 1828. It was lege, to be under the management of nine trust- the first brick house in Concord. It was used ees, with power to increase the number to as a tavern and is still standing and apparantly fifteen. The board immediately took steps to almost as good as new. It is now known as procure grounds and to erect a college build- the Wilson hotel. Wm. Galligher kept the ing. At the meeting of the board, June 14, first, and at the time of which we write the 1837, a faculty was chosen, consisting of Rev. only store, in the building now occupied by Benjamin Waddle, president; Andrew M. Wm. Given and sons as a meat market. A Black, professor of languages; Elisha McCoy, school house occupied the site where the professor of mathematics. During the first meeting-house of the United Presbyterian year the educational work of the college was church now stands. The second store in the conducted in a rented building, while in the village was that of Thomas McGiffin, who kept meantime a college building was in process of a general store. A Mr. Rogers kept astore be- erection and was so rapidly completed as to tween 1835 and 1840.
allow class room work to be conducted in the The impetus given by the advent of the beginning of the second college year. The National road was not soon checked. To be energy, perseverance and ability with which sure the growth of the village was slow, but . these men were actuated and impelled is de-
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
serving of the highest admiration. The build- has been highly satisfactory both in attendance ing was rapidly pushed to completion and af- and in its beneficial results to both sexes. forded ample facilities for college work at that While the young women have for the most time. But on the fourth of March, 1851, a de- part taken the scientific course, yet many have structive fire occurred, which partially destroyed taken a full classical couse, and in point of this building, and on the thirteenth of the same ability and scholarship have shown themselves month the board met to take measures to re- able to compete with the young men in all ed- pair the damage done. At this meeting a com- ucational work. There are two courses of study, mittee of citizens waited on the board and the classical and scientific. The former requires tendered to them a sum of money sufficient to six years of earnest work. It has recently been repair the building. enlarged, and now compares favorably with the
In 1873 an additional building was erected curicula of other institutions. The student, upon on the front of the old one, which greatly im- completing this course, receives the degree of B. proved its appearance, adding to its space and A. The scientific course requires five years of convenience, and affording the needed addi- study. Eight terms of Latin are embraced in tional room and facilities for educational work. it; Greek and Hebrew are omitted. All the From the beginning of the college to 1877 it sciences, and the greater part of mathematics was entirely under local management, and sup- of the classical course are required in this ported largely by local patronage; and in order course. Its completion entitles the graduate to advance its utility, a meeting was held on to the degree of B. S. The college has had July 6, 1877, at which it was deemed expedient twelve presidents. The first was Rev. Benja- for the interests of the institution to extend its min Waddle, D. D., who was largely instrument- patronage, and with this end in view, they al in originating the institution. Mr. Waddle proffered the college to the control of two was twice president-first one year, and then presbyteries of the United Presbyterian church, for three years. Two of the twelve, Rev. J. P. viz: Mansfield and Muskingum. After some Lytle, D. D., and Rev. H. P. McClerkin, D. D., consideration on the part of the presbyteries, served one year each as president pro tem. the offer was accepted by them, and a board The longest presidency was held by Rev. David elected to take the oversight of the institution. Paul, D. D., from 1865 to 1879. Dr. Paul was This board met and organized August 28, 1877, chiefly instrumental is raising the college to the and took steps to secure a change in the char- favorable position it occupies to-day in the ter adapted to the new relations. During the rank of educational institutions. The present succeeding five years this denomination con- incumbent, Rev. John D. Irons, D. D., has oc- tinued its oversight of the college, and took cupied the position for three years, and his steps to enlarge the field of its patronage by efforts have been crowned with the highest tendering the institution to the United Presby- success in placing every department of this in . terian synod of Ohio, which was cheerfully ac- stitution upon the most healthful basis, making cepted; and since that time an established and it to-day one of the most vitalizing and pros- uniform success has attended its operations. perous educational institutions in the state. The The college is at the present day under the alumni of this college comprise men who are management of the Synod of Ohio, and the prominent to-day in the ministry, in the field board of trustees consists of twenty-one mem- of letters, and among the professions and busi- bers (elected by the synod, ) and the president ness men in various sections of the Union. The of the college, who is a member ex-officio. following are the members of the present board The expenses of the college are met in part by of trustees: Term expires 1891- Rev. W. H. a light tuition, collected from the students, and McFarland. Cambridge, Ohio; Rev. J. T. Camp- by a partial endowment. Special efforts are bell, Kimbolton, Ohio; Rev. J. J. Madge, Dal- now being made to largely increase the endow- ton, Ohio; Rev. J. W. Martin, Mt. Perry, Ohio; ment fund and greatly enlarge the facilities of Rev. W. H. Vincent, Mansfield, Ohio; Rev. J. this institution. Upon its first inception the G. Kennedy, Wellsville, Ohio; Henry McCreary, management confined its privilages to young M. D., New Concord, Ohio. Term expires in gentlemen only, and so operated until March 1892- Rev. J. P. Lytle, D. D., Sago, Ohio; D. 20, 1854, at which time its management became E. Ralston, Esq., New Concord, Ohio; Rev. C. conscious that the spirit of the times demanded E. White, Galligher, Ohio; Rev. W. R. Ilarshaw, a change, and young women were admitted to Steubenville, Ohio; Samuel Harper, Esq., New the privileges of the institution on the same Concord, Ohio; Samuel Smiley, Esq., Sago, conditions as young men. The board has never Ohio; John E. Sankey, Esq., Cambridge, Ohio. had cause to regret this action, for the result Term expires 1893- Rev. David Paul, D. D.,
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.
New Concord, Ohio; Rev. W. G. Waddle, D. Two societies composed of students of the D., New Athens, Ohio; Rev. John A. Wilson, college, exert a strong refining and moral influ- D. D., Wooster, Ohio; Rev. D. K. McKnight, ence on the young people of the town. These Rix's Mills, Ohio; Rev. J. S. McMunn, Mechan- societies are the Young Men's Christian asso- icstown, Ohio; Rev. A. E. Brownlee, Martin's ciation and the Young Women's Christian Ferry, Ohio; W. W. Mckinney, Esq., New association. Of the former, R. L. Warrick is Concord, Ohio. Officers of the board: Rev. president; J. D. Chisholm, vice-president; J. H. J. P. Lytle, D. D., Sago, Ohio, president; Henry White, secretary; L. A. Taylor, treasurer; H. McCreary, M. D., New Concord, Ohio, secre- F. Lyle, corresponding secretary. Of the last tary and treasurer. The executive committee named association, Miss Ida Carter is president are: Rev. J. D. Irons, D. D., chairman; Rev. J. and Miss Lydia Finley is secretary. The col- P. Lytle, D. D .; Rev. David Paul, D. D .; L. J. lege has a fine orchestra, composed of students Graham, treasurer and financial secretary, John and teachers. E. Sankey, and D. E. Ralston, Esq. The fac- In 1878 the New Concord graded school ulty comprises men of eminence in scienceand building was erected. It is a handsome two- literature, and will compare favorably in their story brick structure 40x70 feet in dimensions, accomplishments and as educators with those containing four rooms with a seating capacity of any of the prominent educational institutions for 200 pupils. The citizens of New Concord of the country. The faculty of the college are: point with just pride to this beautiful struct- Rev. John D. Irons, D. D., president, and pro- ure where the youth have all the comforts and fessor of mental, moral and political science, advantages of more pretentious institutions. and Hebrew; Rev. J. A. Gray. A. M., professor Prof. A. H. McCulloch is the superintendent, of mathematics and logic; T. H. Paden, A. M., and is assisted by an able corps of teachers.
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