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 54

Author:
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 642

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 54

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professor of Latin and Greek languages; John

The musical department in Muskingum col - McBurney, A. M., Ph. D., professor of natural lege affords exceptional opportunities for the sciences; Eva M. Grier, A. M., professor of cultivation of this art, and the people of Con- English language and literature; Jesse Johnson, cord invariably avail themselves of the advan- A. M., professor of Hebrew and Greek; Mary tages thus afforded. Scarcely a home may be Miller, A. M., teacher of French and German. Mu- found in the village where there are sons or sic-J. W. Brown, organ and harmony; Dora E. daughters old enough to study music, but there Martin, piano and voice; Nellie Harris, B. S. is found a piano, organ, or stringed instrument. teacher in art. Officers of the faculty: John D. Musical entertainments are of frequent occur- Irons, president; T. H. Paden, secretary. This rence, and the refining and elevating influence institution issues an annual catalogue, which of music is here strongly demonstrated. In will be forwarded upon request, and commends addition to the music of the homes, the town itself to the consideration of young women and supports an excellent musical organization in young men in all sections of the country, to the New Concord Silver Cornet band, which which we refer, for the liberal terms of tuition, was organized in 1888. The band is composed etc. The advantages of this place are more of twelve members. W. I. Miller is the leader; fully set forth in the general articles upon the J. W Ramsey, president; A. A. McBride, sec- village.

retary; Hugh Given, treasurer.

The alumni of the college number 282 per- In New Concord are now twenty-two busi- sons, 210 of whom are males, 72 females. Of ness houses, saw mill, flour mill, planing mill, these, 125 are ministers, Ic of the alumni are for- cigar factory, one bank, two wagon shops, eign missionaries, one of whom is supported by three blacksmith shops, one livery stable, two the students in college. Among those who have coal yards and two hotels, United States ex- graduated from Muskingum college who have press, Western Union telegraph. attained distinction and prominence, we find The postoffice was established in 1829. Jo- W. R. Harper, Ph. D., president of Chicago seph Mckinney was the first postmaster; he university; W. G. Morehead, D. D., Professor of held the office until 1845, when William Mc- Theological seminary, Xenia, Ohio; D. A. Lain was appointed. Noble Kelly, Ichabod McClennahan, D. D., Professor in Allegheny Drummond and Joseph Mckinney have had Theological seminary, Pa .; H. T. Sudduth, A. the office since that time. Jacob Herdman is M., Professor in State university, Athens, Ohio; the present postmaster, and is assisted by his W. O. Thompson, A. M., president of Long- daughter.

mont college, Longmont, Colorado; T. A. Smith, Ph. D., professor in Beloit college, of red pressed brick with stone trimmings, the Beloit, Wis.

In 1888 a town hall was erected. It is built front gable of stucco. Its dimensions are 53

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

feet front by 104 feet in depth. The basement

About 1852 a movement was set on foot to is used for the fire department and is fully organize an Associate congregation in New equipped with ladders, buckets and truck. Concord. The organization was effected by the The ground floor contains two of the finest election of Hon. Samuel Bigger, Mr. Law, R. R. business rooms in the village, besides the may- Moore, Elijah Coulter and Robert Harper as or's office and justice of the peace court room. elders. For some time Rev. Samuel McArthur, The second floor contains a fine public hall who was then president of Muskingum col- with a seating capacity of 1,800 people, besides lege, acted as pastor. Rev. James M. Hender- the council chamber and library room. The son became pastor in 1855 and was pastor at third floor is arranged as a banqueting hall, the time of the union of the Associate and As- with kitchen, pantry, etc., attached

The sociate Reformed churches in 1858. In 1859 building cost the village $16,000, and is a credit he resigned this charge in order that the con- to the town and county. To erect this build- gregation might unite with the Associate Re- ing the village issued thirty-two bonds of $500 formed congregation, which had been vacated each, which when sold yielded $16,240.90.

by Dr. Waddle in 1858. The United congre-

The Baptist church in New Concord was gation is now known as the United Presby- organized September 26, 1829, and the meet- terian congregation of New Concord. Its first ings were first held in Norwich. Revs. Will- pastor was Rev. J. C. Minich. He continued in charge from February 1860, to February 1876. Since July 1876, Rev. David Paul, D. D., iam Reese, William Spencer, William Magow- ers and others performed much ministerial work extending over the county and into re- has been pastor. The membership is about 330. gions beyond. A small house of worship was The first step toward the organization of built in New Concord about 1836, the first in New Concord Presbyterian church was occa- the new town. The present meeting house sional preaching by traveling ministers who, as was erected in 1860. Some of the families that they journeyed east and west, filled an occasional were connected with the church in its early appointment. In the year 1804 the Rev. John history were Josiah Miller's, James Tulk's, Ste- Wright, going on a journey, lodged with Mr. John phen Williams', Fraser Storer's, Levi Hughes', Reasoner, in New Concord. An appointment Thomas Smith's, Reuben Case's and others re- was made for him and an encouraging congre- siding in the country. The first pastor was gation was gathered and services were held William Reese. A number of young men have near the present site of Mr. Reasoner's barn and entered the ministry, and several of them were for a time such services were usually held at students in Muskingum college. Of these E. Mr. Reasoner's house or in the vicinity. The O. Town, Enoch Tilden, A. W. Hall, James church is supposed to have been organized by Herbert, C. N. Harford, W. H. Mckinney, A. Rev. James Robinson, in the year 1818. Mr. L. Wilson and several others have been long Robinson was succeeded in October 1819 by known for their work's sake. The present pas- Rev. Samuel Baldridge. At this time preach- tor is B. Y. Siegfried, who continues in active ing services were held in a tent near Pleasant service, and has been a successful minister for Hill spring, in barns and in private houses. ' over fifty years, more than half of that time in During Mr. Baldridge's ministry, a frame Muskingum and Guernsey counties.

church building was erected forty feet square,

The Associate Reformed Congregation was with a second story to be used as an academy. organized about 1812. The first church build- In 1823 Mr. Baldridge left for the west.

ing was erected about one mile north of New

Rev. Mr. Clark held communion serv- Concord. The congregation continued for ices in 1825, and Rev. Mr. McMillan in 1826. many years to worship and bury their dead In the year 1827, Rev. James Arbutlinot was near the same location. Eventually the place ordained and installed pastor of the churches of worship was changed to the village of New of Pleasant Hill and Salt Creek. Mr. Arbuth- Concord. A large frame church building was not had charge of these churches from the erected, which is still used. The first pastor of spring of 1827 to the fall of 1830. On Oct. 27, the Associate Reformed congregation then 1828, he organized the church of Norwich, of called Crooked creek, was Rev. David Proudfit, which he also became pastor. Rev. Samuel who was installed pastor April 21, 1824, who Wilson was ordained and installed over the served until his death. Mr. Johnson Welsh was united churches of Pleasant Hill, Norwich, ordained and installed as pastor April 22, 1835. and Salt Creek, April 5, 1832, giving to each Later Benjamin Waddle became pastor of one third of his time, and receiving from each, Crooked creek, Salt creek, Lebanon and East one third of his salary of $400. This arrange- Union.

ment continued for seven years, when Pleasant

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

Hill and Norwich applied each for one third Cunningham; Eleanor Forsythe; Alexander of his time, and Mr. Wilson was released from and Mrs. George; Mathew, Sr., Mathew, Jr., Salt Creek. This pastorate continued for thir- and Mrs. Mitchell; Samuel, Isabel, Sr., Isabel, ty six years and was interrupted only by the in- Jr., James and Anna McCutcheon; Neal and firmities of age and failing health of the pastor. Mary McNaughton; Wm. Robinson; Joseph,

In the years 1849-50, this congregation Ann, James and Jane Sterrett; Thomas, Mary, rebuilt and enlarged their house of worship. Sr., Mary, Jr., William, James and Archibald After Mr. Wilson's resignation, Rev. N. C. Stevenson; David and Mary Sims; Jacob and Helfrich became pastor of the united charge. Anna Wortman. All these are now dead.

His labors in Pleasant Hill church began on John Auld, John Jamison, David and Benjamin the second Sabbath of June, 1870, and on the Wallace, David Hawthorne, Richard and Ioth day of November he was installed. His Thomas McGee, Archibald and Wm. Steven- labors with this church terminated October 25, son, Walter McCrea, David Stormont, William 1874. Rev. Faris Brown became stated supply and Thomas Wylie, John Gibson, William For- of the churches of New Concord and Norwich, sythe, William Speer, William Elliot, Thomas September 10, 1875, and November 21, 1876, he Stewart, John Taylor, James McCartney, was installed pastor of these churches, which Samuel Mitchell, James R. Willson, Hugh relation still continues. In the year 1872, a Patterson, and John C. Robb.

new site having been obtained in the village of

In October, 1823, Mr. Wallace was installed New Concord, a new church building was erec- pastor, and also preached at Jonathan's Creek, ted thereon, at a cost of about $4,000. The Muskingum and Wills Creek. Mr. Wallace name of the church was changed from Pleasant died in July, 1849. In October, 1850, the Rev. Hill to New Concord, by act of Presbytery. Dur- Hugh P. McClurken was installed, and re- ing the present pastorate of fifteen and a half mained almost interruptedly for thirty-two years, 324 members have been received to its years, and until his release in October, 1882. communion, 14I persons have been baptized, The Rev. James M. Faris, the present pastor 38 adults, 103 infants. Its present membership was installed July 3, 1884. 1S 200.

Hanson Post, No. 468, G. A. R., and New The Reformed Presbyterian church, of New Concord Lodge, No, 761, I. O. O. F., are both in Concord was known as Salt Creek, until 1871. a flourishing condition.

The first Covenanter known to settlers in this In 1880 Mr. C. B. McKee established the vicinity was Mathew Mitchell, who came with his Weekly Enterprise which met the encouragement family from "the forks of the Yough" in Penn- it merited. In the spring 1881 the present sylvania in 1804. Later came John Jamison, editor and proprietor, Mr. J. H. Aikin, pur- Wm. Robinson and Samuel Mccutcheon. Their chased a half interest, and in December he families constituted a praying society and un- bought out his partner and assumed entire con- furled the banner of the Covenant. They were trol. The Enterprise is a seven column folio, is occasionally visited by Revs. John Black and a spicy, newsy paper devoted entirely to local Matthew Williams. In the summer of 1814, interests and local news, and enjoys a good Rev. Robert Wallace, who is the father of patronage.

Covenanterism in Ohio began missionary work The opening of the National Road brought principally at Utica and Chillicothe. In 1815 many new settlers to Union township. This he providentially met Neal McNaughton, at a fact prompted William Harper to plat a town hotel in Zanesville, who took him to his home, in 1827, which was incorporated six years later. where Mr. Wallace preached the following This town, Norwich, is in section seven, the Sabbath. The society continued to grow under National Road being the main street of the his occasional ministrations until the organiza- village. Probably the first house erected on tion of the congregation in June, 1821, by the the site of the village was a boarding house or election of John Auld and John Jamison, tavern erected by Samuel McCloud. After ruling elders. The communion was soon after- ward a hotel was kept by Reuben Whittaker. ward dispersed and Mr. Wallace was assisted A store, probably the first in the place, was kept by the Rev. Charles B. McKee. The services by Thos. Maxfield.

were held in the woods near the farm of Mr. The schools of Norwich are graded. This Mccutcheon, and the following forty members system was adopted in 1884. At this date a communed at the first sacrement: John and new building was erected at a cost of $2,300. Mary Auld; John and Margaret Jamison; Mrs. The building contains two rooms, but is con- Black, Robert and Elizabeth Brown; Mathew, sidered inadequate to the necessities of the Mary, Rachel and Rebecca Calhoun; Betsy rapidly increasing attendance of pupils. The

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

schools are in good condition. Charles Fulk- church was superseded by the present frame erson is principal, Miss Rose Scott, assistant.

building. Mr. Wilson continued to be pastor The United Presbyterian church of Nor- of this church until April 28, 1868, when on wich was organized about 1860, by members of account of failing health the pastoral relation churches of this denomination who were joined was dissolved, making a pastorate of thirty-six by dissenting members of other churches in years and twenty-three days. During this pas- Norwich. Some of the pastors were Rev. Boyd, torate, about 700 persons were received to the Rev. Hutchinson, Rev. Dr. Paul, Rev. Huston, communion of the churches of Pleasant Hill Rev. Dr. Spencer and the present pastor, Rev. and Norwich. Of these nearly 500 were on Wyatt. A meeting house was erected shortly profession of faith and about 200 by letter from atter the organization of the church. The site other churches. About 600 persons were bap- selected was the north side of Main street near tized; of these nearly 500 were infants and nearly the center of Norwich. The building is frame 125 adults. The present membership is 186.

and with the grounds on which it stands is worth $2,500. It has a seating capacity of ganized May 20, 1852, by a committee acting

300.

Duncan's Falls Presbyterian Church was or-

under authority of the Presbytery of Zanes-

The Norwich Presbyterian church was or- ville. The members of this committee were ganized October 27, 1828, by Rev. James Ar- Rev. M. A. Hays, Rev. W. M. Ferguson and buthnot, under authority granted by Pres- Elder Samuel Milhous. The congregation or- bytery of Lancaster, September 30, 1828. ganized with nineteen members, seventeen of Its church building is located on an eminence whom held letters from other congregations; at the west end of the village of Norwich. the remaining two were received after exami- This organization was mainly constituted of nation.

The first deacons were James Irwin, members from the Pleasant Hill Presbyterian John B. Peairs and Joseph Peairs. The first church. Its first pastor was Rev. James Ar- pastor was Wm. M. Grimes, who served the buthnot. This pastorate continued for about church for three years and was succeeded by two years. The original elders, elected at its Rev. M. Livingston, whose pastorate continued organization, were Robert Miller, John Jami- only one year. John Kelly was the third in son, John Wycoff and Wm. McLoughlin. Its charge of the congregation and remained with first trustees were Robert Miller, John Mc- the church six years. The next, Henry Ful- Curdy, John Wycoff, Peter Galligher, John ton, remained with the congregation longest of Crawford and Benjamin Wortman. In August any pastor,-six and a half years. Then fol- 29, 1831, a call was made for the services of lowed Martin L. Donohue, two and a half Rev. Samuel Wilson, which was accepted by years; David M. Williamson, six years; James him and he was ordained and installed April A. Baldridge, four years; and in 1887 Edward 5, 1832. This congregation worshiped in a W. Brown, the present pastor, who has minis- small frame house, perhaps 25x35 feet, with a tered to the spiritual wants of the church con- rough platform for a pulpit. In the year 1839 tinuously since that date. Immediately after they built a brick meeting-house 64x45, which its organization in 1852 a meeting-house was in a brief space after being occupied, was free erected at a cost of $2,000. The church has a from all debt. In the year 1852 the brick membership of ninety.

Chapter XXIII.

ADAMS TOWNSHIP.

A S near as can be ascertained the first settler county, and settled on Wakatomaka creek, near within the bounds of what is now Adams Dresden, and in 1808-10 settled on Wills creek township was James Wilcox, who was of in what is now Adams township. The town- English descent and came from a seafaring ship being an entire wilderness, he built a hut family who were early settlers of the state of of brush and bark in which he lived until he Maine. James Wilcox first went to Marietta could build a log cabin in which to shelter his and then came to what is now Muskingum family. Bear, wolves and panther abounded,

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

and his hogs had to be kept in a close pen to

In March, 1818, Anthony Slater, Esq., cut keep them from being devoured. One night his way through the woods and settled on the he heard them squealing in terror and, seizing homestead where he so long resided. He was his ax, an implement which the old pioneer from near Leesburg, Loudon Co., Va., and emi- kept handy, not only for use but for defense, grated to Ohio in 1816 and settled in Washing- he sprang out and would have attacked bruin ton Township this county. He built a log cabin single handed, when his faithful wife, who was and afterwards, in 1828, a hewed log house. Rebecca Campbell, from Virginia, seized him He assisted in building the New Hope Lutheran by his hunting shirt and held him back. The church of hewed logs, in Salem township, and bear sprang through the side of the pen and also the Bainter school house in Monroe town- escaped, and the hogs following, were scattered ship, which was one of the earliest school houses through the woods in all directions. Mr. Wil- in this part of the county. He was one of the cox cleared up his farm and reared a large early justices of the peace of Monroe township family of children, and some of his descend- before Adams township was formed, and him- ants are citizens of this county and township. self and Sq. Caleb Jordan were the first justices

Among the next earliest pioneers were David of the peace of Adams township. Mr. Slater Brelsford and Jacob Hashmar, and Hugh Bal- was justice of the peace for twenty-one years in lentine, who settled on the bend of Wills succession. The first couple he married were creek. About 1814, Abraham Wisecarver set- Alpha Buker and his first wife. Mr. Slater tled on Section 18. Caleb Bidwell, Samuel went to mill and for mail to Zanesville, eighteen Monroe, Robt. Osborn and Wm. Barton were miles away. Letters from his parents in Penn- early settlers. In 1817 Valentine Shirer from sylvania cost 1834 cents postage. The last Pennsylvania settled on Section 16. In 1812 bear known to have been killed in this town- James Sprague and Sons of Monroe township, ship, was on Mr. Slater's farm, and met his cut out the first road, which ran through death there at the hands of the famous hunters, Adams township. It was from the settlement H. and D. Bainter, in 1816. Anthony Slater on Symmes creek to Otsego, in Monroe town- was the ancestor of George W. and Harrison V. ship. Slater, of this township, (see sketches). In

Before there were any settlers in this town- 1818, Jacob Sturtz, a pioneer settler of Wash- ship, there was a trail from Cambridge to the ington township, settled on land owned by salt works, at the mouth of Wills creek, which George W. Bell. He understood the use of all was originally a deer trail, and at a long time kinds of tools. He was a fair blacksmith, gun- previous to the settlement of Wilcox, the In- smith and carpenter, and made gunpowder dian scout and intrepid hunter and trapper which was sold. His descendants rank among passed over this trail. Probably about 1818 it our most honorable citizens. Charles Sturtz, was open for teams. Another road through son of Jacob Sturtz, came with his father to the township was from Mechanicsville to Mar- Adams township when he was six years of age quand's Mills, which was first laid out by Jona- and grew up with the pioneers. When young, than and Stephen Starkey, in 1821. The for- he was a great hunter, and became a substan- mer picked it out, and the latter measured the tial farmer and business man. He is now a distance by following at the supposed rate of venerable man in his eightieth year and has three miles an hour. many reminiscences of pioneer days. In

In 1814, Benjamin "Stuffle" Whitabury, 1818-19, Charles Marquand Sr., and Stephen with his step-sons, John and Wm. Campbell, Starkey, petitioned congress to reduce the and his step-sons-in-law, Jock Lewis and John price of land from $4.00 to $2.25 per acre, and Rife, came from Vermont. Whitabury settled to sell it in smaller lots than 160 acres, which on the Hanks farm. Wm. Campbell settled on previous to this was the smallest amount which the Foutch tract. Jock Lewis settled near the could be purchased. This opened the way for mouth of Symmes Creek. John Campbell a rapid settlement of the township and men "squatted" on the south part of the old Gordon from New England, Virginians, Pennsylvanians, farm, afterwards owned by Nixon Stewart and Germans and Irish came in bringing their fam- John Rife, and only a little distance from ilies. In 1820, John Barrett came here from Whitabury, who expected to own a fine strip Salt creek and was followed by John Bell, of of land to the east and southwest of him. It Perry township, who was a soldier in the war seems that John Campbell was a squatter for of 1812, and reared a large and respectable five years and then bought his land, which he family of children. He settled in Perry town- owned eight years, and sold out in 1828 and ship in 1811. went West.

In 1830 Basil Ridgway came from Belmont

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

county. He was secretary of the board of a squatter on the Crumbaker farm. "Pensioner trustees of Edwards, now Fairview church, in Davis," a Revolutionary soldier, lived on the 1836-1838. In the spring of 1821 (some au- Knisely lot, and afterwards moved into a rail thorities say as early as 1818-1819,) Mordecai pen just below D. Sarbaugh. Joe Williams, a Edwards came from Salt creek and put up a blacksmith on the D. Ross farm. He moved little log cabin on the farm where his son Wil- away in 1819. In 1823 S. J. Hanks settled on liam now lives. "Father Edwards," as he was Section 25. In 1831 Jacob Wagoner settled on known to the pioneers, was the stanch friend Section 24. From 1825-1835 many families of the Christian religion and of education, and came and went. Campbells, Stoners, Crusc- his influence as one of the founders of the mans, Sturges, Starkeys, Shanafelts, Yearians, Edwards school and Fairview church, has been and others had left. But Joys, Melchers, far-reaching, extending not only to this genera- Powelsons, Ramseys, Sandels, Mitchells, tion and this township, but to many generations Shaws, Sarbaughs, Jordans, Tomlinsons, Rol- to come and throughout the country. He lings, Rollers, Cooneys, Shoemakers, Millers, entered the land on which he built his humble Browns, Priors, came into the township. cabin, and cleared up his farm from the heavy Among others the Vinsels have figured much timber. His wife was Phoebe Barrett. They to the credit of the township. The Swarts attended the old Methodist church at Wheel- family have been publicly known, and have ens, of which Mrs. Edwards was a member, a wide influence.

and both were members of the original class

The Shaws became public business men and formed by the Rev. Jesse Roe, called Bethesda, have wielded much power. The Laffles have and also of the first Fairview society, the his- been helpers for good in the community, and tory of which could not be written without giv- loyal to their country in war. George Wertz, ing an account of his connection with it. After- Esq., reared a family who are ornaments of wards came the Millers, Swigers, Shanafelts, society and of strict integrity. Among the Davises, Yearians, Fillers, Crumbakers, and original pioncers large families were the rule, many others.

and it is worthy of note that Asa Brown, a set-

In 1826, on account of the inconvenience tler on the old Stewart farm, had a family of in working the roads, Adams township was cighteen children. In 1833 the first saw-mill formed from Monroe and Madison. It was was built by David Swigert on Section 23. In named Adams, at the suggestion of Caleb Jor- 1835 David Brelsford built a saw-mill on the dan, Esq., and in honor of John Q. Adams, river bearing his name. A saw-mill was also then a candidate for president. Soon after built by William Willis on Symmes creek; date this Solomon Wenna came with his family. In is unknown.

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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 54

Author: Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 642

Author:
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 642