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 55

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 55

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1826 James Stewart came from Jefferson · county.

The first marriage of which there is any rec- ord in the township was solemnized between

In 1827 John Wagoner moved here. David David Shirer and Lydia Gaumer in 1822. The Ross came the same year. John Ross was a first blacksmith was David Brelsford in 1810; local director about twenty years and at his settled on Section 1. Phineas Tomlinson was death was justice of the peace. Jacob Gaumer, also one of the first blacksmiths in the town- Jr., came to Ohio in 1808 with his father, Jacob ship. The first frame house was built by Will- Gaumer, who was a Revolutionary soldier and iam Barton. Anthony Slater introduced the settled first in Washington township and then in first threshing machine and the first mower into Salem township, giving two acres of his land this township.

for the Lutheran church. Jacob Gaumer, Jr.,

A petition was presented by Caleb Jordan. after marriage, in 1814, moved with his family Esq., signed by a number of citizens of Madi- through the woods and settled in Adams town- son and Monroe townships, setting forth that ship, on the land now occupied by Geo. W. they labor under many difficulties and disad- Bell. He was a noted hunter and selected this vantages in consequence of the distance they land on one of his hunting excursions. He have to travel to elections, and praying that a built the first brick house in Adams township. township may be set off of part of Monroe and The brick were made and burned on his farm Madison townships, and the commissioners be- in 1840 and the building was erected in 1841, lieving the prayer of the petitioners necessary and is still in good condition. Mr. Gaumer for the convenience of the inhabitants and assisted to build the log Lutheran church and township officers, do hereby order a new town- also the barn structure which took its place. ship to be set off according to the following He was a soldier in the war of 1812. boundaries, to-wit: Beginning at the northeast

Among the first settlers was David Henry, corner of Salem township line and running

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

thencc west along said line to the northwest of the Wesleyan stamp, and was the real corner of said line; thence north to Coshocton founder of both the Bethesda and Fairvicw county line; thence east to the northwest corner societies.

of the original survey of township No. 3, range In 1826 a class was first organized at the 5; thence south to the place of beginning, residence of John E. Honnold and consisted comprising the original surveyed township No. of the following persons: Jesse Roe, James 3 in the 6th range of military land, which shall Stewart, Mordecai Edwards, John E. Honnold constitute a new township to be called Adams and their wives. This class sometimes met at township. Also ordered by the commission- a school house, at others at the house of Rev. ers, that an election be held at the house of Roe.

Caleb Jordan, Esq., on the Ist day of January

In 1827 a class was organized by Joseph next, being January 1, 1827, to elect township Casper and Cornelius Springer at Jesse Roe's officers for the township. December 5, 1826." school house. It was composed of Jesse Roe,

An election was held at the house of Caleb Margaret his wife, and their son Thomas, Jordan, Esq., and a full set of officers, except James Stewart, Margaret his wife, and their justices of the peace, were elected viva voce. son John; Mordecai Edwards and wife; Will- Caleb Jordan was a resident of Madison town- iam Barton, Jane his wife, their son Alexander ship in section 14, and justice of the peace, and and daughter Sarah; Caleb Bidwell and wife. Anthony Slater was a resident of Monroe James Stewart was the class leader. Rev. township and a justice of the peacc, and both Jesse Roe was largely instrumental in intro- were included in the new township. As "viva ducing Methodism into Adams township. He voce" was not a legal method of voting, this lived the life of a devout Christian and dicd election was declared null, and a new election strong in the faith he had preached to others. ordered. The place was near the present town A log church was built in 1835, and dedi- house on section 18, at the residence of John cated by Rev. H. S. Fernandes-the text being Campbell, and it took place April 2, 1827. Ca- Genesis xxviii: 16, 17. A white frame church leb Jordan was appointed clerk; James Wilcox, was dedicated by W. F. Lauck in 1856, and Anthony Slater and Jesse Roe were appointed marks the old site. At this date, June, 1892, a judges of the election, which resulted as fol- movement is on foot for the crection of a new lows: Town clerk, Caleb Jordan; trustees, An- and more elegant structure. The orginal thony Slater, James Wilcox and Benjamin members of Roe's or Bethesda church, in 1831, Whitebury; overseers of the poor, Abraham we give in full. The records from which this Wisecarver and David Ross; fence viewers, is taken are still preserved but very much Jacob Sturtz and Powell Chrisman; treasurer, worn, and contain nothing further of interest. John Campbell; constables, John Shanafelt The list shows who constituted the class from and John Mullen; supervisors, David Swiger, which Fairview church sprang. It was led by Thomas Green, Francis Titus and Robert James Stewart, Sr. James Stewart, class leader; Brown. The first grand juror was Jesse Roe; Margaret Stewart, John Stewart, James Stew- the first petit juror was Mathew Humphrey. art, Jr., Jane Stewart, Ann Stewart, Samuel In 1829 the election was at the house of Adam Steadman, Martha Steadman, Mordecai Ed- Miller, and afterward alternated between pri- wards, Phoebe Edwards, Margaret Roe, Mary vate houses and schoolhouses. In 1876 a town Noble, Nancy Barclay, Robert Shields, Susanna house was erected on land belonging to Mary Stewart in section 18. Shields, James Armstrong, Rachel Armstrong, Mary Hill, Mary Steers, Wm. Hilling, Pleasant

The Bethesda M. E. church is the oldest Hilling, Mary Winner, Aaron Winner, Eliza- religious organization within the bounds of beth Miller, Jeremiah Hanks, Catherine Hanks, Adams township. Its origin can be traced to Helen Hanks, Martha Lucas, Mary Ridgway, "Wheelens" in Madison township, which was Wm. Collins, Elizabeth Collins, Margaret the place of worship for the original pioneers Burnside, Janc Burnside, John E. Honnold, for many miles around. It is now forsaken Mary Honnold, Catherine Jackson, Jane and the humble church residence is in ruins. Needler, Elizabeth Titus, Mary Titus, Ist; On the authority of Rev. Hugh W. Stewart, Mary Titus, 2nd; Harriet Armstrong, Jacob who was born and reared in Adams township Linder, Alice Linder, Adam Miller, Mary and took a great interest in its history, we Stump, George Needler, Benjamin Stump, Will- make the statement that the first sermon in iam Davis, Rebecca Davis, Jane Yearing, Adams township was preached in the neigh- Jacob Yearing; Catherine Davis, Nixon Stewart, borhood of Bethesda in 1821 by Rev. Jesse Elizabeth Snoots, Elizabeth Wilcox, Elizabeth Roe, who was a very zealous local preacher Walls, Charlotte Larnum, Mary Seaborn, Eliza-

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

beth Hanks, Mary J. Steers, Mary Winner, These two pure fountains of Christian life, one Eliza Atchison, Francisaum Roe, Lavinia flowing from Wheelens and the other from Hill, Sarah Hecathorn, Robert Roe, Christian Roe's societies, unite with the Edwards' neigh- Hecathorn, Mary A. Davis, Elizabeth Guyer, borhood, to form Fairview church.

Amelia Steers, Rhoda Atchison, Sarah The services continued to be held at the house Florence, Lydia James, Anice Atchison, of "Father Edwards," as he was called, until George Parsmore, Margaret Humphries, Eliza- 1828, when a log school house having been beth Stewart, Jane Gregg, Samuel Titus. John erected on his farm, it was found more con- Titus, Alvira Linder.

venient to meet there. In this building a few

Rev. Jesse Roe was a zealous Methodist would meet for prayer and class, and at times preacher of the pioneer type. He was the real for preaching under Rev. Roe, and other times founder of both Bethesda and Fairview church. listening to exhortations by Bro. Granville He was largely instrumental in the spread of Moody, then a licensed exhorter and afterwards Methodism in this part of the county, and the an eminent Methodist minister. In the fall marks of his efforts are very plain to the his- of 1831 a class was formed by Rev. John W. torian. He died in 1828 in the faith hc had Guilbert, tlien pastor in charge of Cambridge preached to others, and was buried in the circuit, appointing Thos. Roe as leader. The Wheelens graveyard. Before the church was first recorded meeting of the class was May 4, built, the land adjoining the church site was 1833. There were doubtless others unrecorded. bought by Robt. Shields and Robt. Halsty for At this date, an opportunity to unite with burial purposes. The first burial therein was the church on probation was given, when Jonathan Rudd's child. In 1882, the number of Joseph and Eleanor Green, and Catherine church members was 90. The leaders were Filler gave their names. The original class Nathan Ross, John Foster and Samuel W. Sut- numbered twelve persons, as follows: Mordecai ton, Jr. The Bethesda church is now in a Edwards, Wm. Hilling, Basil Ridgway, flourishing condition and one of the most zeal- Wm. Davis, and their wives; John Stewart, ous Methodist churches in the county. Catherine Shaw, Mary A. Davis, and Thos. Roe.

No history of Adams township would be We are indebted to the manuscript of the late complete with a full account of the founding Rev. Hugh W. Stewart, for many of the inter- and progress of the famous Fairview church, esting reminiscences which follow. Of the which from the times of the pioneers, has been twelve original members of Fairview Church, the most noted church in Adams township and all have passed to a Christian's reward. Wm. for miles around. Its converts are numbered and Pleasant Hilling removed to the west, and by the hundreds, and many of the Methodists are deceased. Mordecai Edwards and wife are of this county and in far distant places became also dead. ( for full history of his life and sketch connected with their church in this township. of his son Wm. Edwards) Of Bazil Ridgway, It is the second oldest church organization in the following anecdote of his connection with what is now Adams township, although the his class, is preserved. When Rev. Guilbert original pioneer settlers of Adams township enquired of him if he desired a society here, he first attended the Methodist church at "Wheel- responded "Yes, Sir." What is your first name? cns," probably as early as 1810-15, which is "Bazil." Upon which his name was enrolled situated in the King neighborbood in Madison with the others. He finally settled in Coshoc- township. From Wheelens originated the soci- ton Co. He was very benevolent and gave ety called Roe's, now Bethesda, and here our largely in support of the church, and died July fathers and mothers attended divine services, 18, 1857, a professing Christian. Sister Mary until the neighborhood some four or five miles Ridgway was a member of Roe's Church from southeast became settled with Methodists and which she was transferred. She died Nov. 9. their friends. A branch from the old society 1855. The names of William, Rebecca and was soon formed in this neighborhood, called by Mary A. Davis, were laid aside on account of some Edwards, and somc Wesley, and after- their removal to a distance. Catherine Shaw wards known as Fairview society. Many of emigrated from Virginia and died March 22, the early members of Fairview church, when it 1854. Thos. Roe was a temporary leader from was organized in 1831 and the few succeeding Rev. Jesse Roe's society, and never attended years, were received from Roe's, or Bethesda to his duty, living too distant. He afterwards church. In fact, Mordecai Edwards and his became a local preacher, but finally lost his wife were both members of Roe's church, as religion and died in Sept. 1861. Catherine were also Wm. Hilling and wife and John Stew- Filler died in the Christian faith. Joseph art, Wm. Davis and other prominent members. Green was accidentally killed on a canal boat.

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

His wife is also dcad. John Stewart, known members, which is probably the greatest num as "Father Stewart" was class leader for ber the society ever contained of full members. more than thirty years. Himself and wife In 1851, the "Harmony Excitement," as it was arc both deceased. Thus originated a called, came up, and many of the Fairview society of Christians, whose work is a lasting members joined that class, and by 1853, thc monument. It is further quaintly remarked by members had decreased to 43, which was partly Rev. Hugh Stewart, that "the external appear- caused by emigration. In 1847, the trustees ance of the school house in which they wor- were John Stewart, M. Edwards, B. Ridgway, shiped was somewhat of the backwoods style. I. Knisely, J. J. Bell and A. Ross.

The interior, by the labor of the sisters, was

In 1854, they began to feel the necd of a always neat and tidy. From the exterior and new church building. The old site being con- perhaps from the appearance of the people. sidered too low, a new one was chosen ton rods Bro. Guilbert could never constrain his col- north of the old onc, on a high eminence which lcague, Bro. Lybrand, to preach in this place." overlooks the surrounding country for milcs, He further naively remarks, "one thing strange and is justly called Fairview. In the fall of in connection with the formation of this class 1855 the new church, a large and beautiful is that both its founder and temporary leader frame structurc, was completed. In June, 1859, fell from grace and left a dim evidence of their the church experienced another powerful re- future glorification. That there should be any vival, during which over thirty joined on trial. In premonition in this, we deny, but simply re- January, 1864, another revival was vouchsafed mark its singularity."

the church, resulting in twenty-five full mem-

WVm. Hilling, John Stewart, and Mordecai bers. Among the many noted revivals in this Edwards werc all class leaders, the class re- church, those of 1847, '59 and '64 were the most maining undivided until 1828. It being large, remarkable. "This church has certainly been it was then divided into two-one under the a power for good in the Lord." From it have leadership of Mr. Edwards and the otherunder gone forth many ministers of the gospel, ex- the leadership of John Stewart. In 1835, the horters, class-leaders, and Sabbath-school society began to feel the need of a more suit- superintendents. Among them the Revs. Wm. able place of worship, the services having been C. Filler, Benj. F. Heskitt, C. N. Edwards, H. conducted in the log school house until this B. Edwards, J. E. Starkey, Wm. B. Stewart, date. It was decided to build a hewed log H. W. Stewart; also as members, Revs. Nixon church, which was completed by July of this Stewart, John Macennally, and Thos. Roc, cight year, on land donated in 1834 for church pur- traveling and two local ministers of the gospel. poses by Mordecai Edwards, and near the In 1882 the church membership was eighty- grave of the old pioneer and class leader, four. The class leaders were Wm. Edwards James Stewart, who was the first person buried and W. H. Reese; the steward was Wm. Ed- in Fairview church yard in 1826.

wards; the local preacher was Nixon Stewart; the circuit preachers were H. M. Rader and J. R. Hoover.

It was known as the Edwards meeting house. The following were the building com- mittee: Basil Ridgway, John Joy, Mordecai Edwards, John Stewart, Wm. Hilling, Joseph the spread of pure morality than the itinerant

No class of men have contributed more to Green and Jacob Yearing. Solomon Wenner Methodist preachers, and none have suffered was employed as builder and erected a good more from the silence of the historian. The hewed log building. The dedicatory sermon days of the rifle, the ax, and the saddle-bags have was preached by Rev. H. S. Fernandes. The passed away, and the voices of those old timc- subject, "The Wedding Garment." The society worn pilgrims are silent in their graves, but prospercd this year, the class numbering fifty. "By their words ye shall know them," and from During the year 1837, the class enjoyed a far-off Maine to distant Oregon, the prosper- gracious revival. In 1838 it numbered sixty- ous Methodist churches of the present day are five members. The class was consequently the result of their humble efforts. Bcforc them divided, 33 being dedicated to John Stewart, was spread the trackless forests and the sky and about the same number to Mordecai Ed- girted prairie. Here, guided by the blazed track wards, the division being made by Rev. James of the settler, there by the Indian war path or Armstrong. Under the labors of E. H. Taylor hunter's trail, they made their way from one and D. Cross in Feburary, 1847, one of the most appointment to another, spreading the gospel, powerful revivals of religion came over the and everywhere raising the standard of the society, thirty-four members united with the cross.

church, and this year there were in all eighty

The first Sunday school was organized in

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

1835, with Wm. C. Filler as superintendent. society had been gradually growing less by Some of the first teachers were Sarah Florence, means of death, letters of dismissal, removals, H. Edwards, Harriet Edwards, John and Nixon etc., and the church, by this time, had not Stewart, B. Ridgway and others. They used enough members to support it. It was finally the Testament, spelling book and church hymn disbanded, and in 1891, the church building book.

was sold. The names of the original members

Soon after our German settlers began to were John Darner, Rebecca Darner, Abigail come into the township, they felt the need of Darner, Henry Darner, Elizabeth Darner, Jud- attending religious services in the language of son M. Darner, Angeline Darner, Mary Match- the Fatherland, and according to the doctrines ett, Abigail Sturtz, Abraham Gray, Elizabeth of Martin Luther. Therefore, in 1839 the Zion Layton, Elizabeth Hawk, Rebecca Mckinney, Evangelical Lutheran was organized by the Mary Clossin and Elizabeth Clossin. The Rev. Fred Minner. The following are the clerks were John Darner, afterwards Judson founders and original members of this church: M. Darner. John Matchett was deacon. Among John Vollmer, Jacob Fiers and family, Martin the pastors was Rev. Eli Frey, Rev. W. M. Sauer and family, Michael Strohecker and Marshall, Rev. J. C. Skeimer and Rev. Lyman family, Adam Shroyer, John Denny, Martin Mears, who was the last pastor.

Zimmers, David Grass, Christian Lerwig, John The first school house in this township stood Hahn, Henry Lapp, Jacob Roller, Philip Moser, on land belonging to a man named Minnick, Michael Grass, Henry Smith and Michael near the site occupied by the town house of Thresh. The church trustees were John Voll- to-day. The first teacher was Wm. Jennison

mer and Adam Shroyer. The ground for the from New England. He taught school here in church was given by Valentine Sandel, and a 1820. He was succeeded by Thos. Barclay. log church was erected in 1841. The early In 1828, Edwards, Barrett, Wagoner, Gaumer pastors were Revs. Minner, Gehbel Kaemmerer, and others joined and put up a log school Schnell and Schmidt. Rev. A. N. Bartholomew, house, at the old forks of the road below Fair- was the first pastor who preached in the En- view, on the land of M. Edwards. The roof glish language. This occasioned a division in was the regular old time weigh-pole affair. the church, the older members, clinging to the The building was 18x20 feet with puncheon language of their fathers, held the church floor and loft, the cracks of the loft between property and burying ground, and became in- the slabs were daubed with mud, the floor was corporated as the Evangelical Lutheran and very loose and could easily be taken up. The Reform Zion church.

chimney was an odd affair built in the south-

In 1872 a new frame church was erected west corner and would contain a back log north of the old church, the land for this pur- about six feet long. The benches were of pose being given by Jacob Sandel. The dedi- loose slabs or split logs with two round pins catory services were held October 5, 1873, by for legs at each end and one in the middle. the Revs. G. W. Mechling, W. P. Rutterauff and The writing desks were rough slabs resting on J. Weller. The Rev. J. W. Bartholomew was pins driven into the wall. James Hayworth the first pastor of this new society. He was taught the first few terms in this house. He succeeded by the Rev. J. P. Hentz, Rev. John was a friendly old miser, and had considerable Webber, and others. This new organization property which, when he died, went to the attracted the majority of the members of the state. Many a nocturnal search, after his old church. Among the wardens of this death, was made on his farm for his hidden church, we find the names of Valentine Thresh, wealth.

He wore wooden shoes and lived Albert Klein, and others, and among the elders, alone in a rude hut, his habits of life being very Peter Houk, Geo. Reiger and David Grass. simple. Sometimes to keep up his fire he The society is now in a flourishing condition. would drag in a dry sapling, brush and all, and The Adams Township Baptist church, was con- burn one end in the fire place while the other stituted March 3, A. D. 1855, by elders Wm. end stuck out of the open door. He was a cur- Sedgwick and E. W. Handle. Among the ious, clever fellow, a fine scholar and good prominent founders of the church were John teacher. In 1836, a school house was erected and Jacob Darner. It never had a large mem- by the Stewarts, Bells, Saffles, Cowdens and bership, but was very harmonious and strong in others. The custom was, in those days, for the faith. Preaching was held here monthly any neighborhood who needed a school house, for some years, afterwards semi-monthly. July to build one. They were subscription schools 23, 1881, Rev. L. R. Mears, pastor, preached the at first. This school house stood on the land last sermon of which there is any record. The of J. J. Bell. Edward Menaugh, familiarly

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

called "Old Minney," taught the first few modern improvements. In 1844, in District years here. No. 3, there was a large number of scholars.

In 1841 the citizens contributed and built a H. D. McGaw taught an average of over 60 house on the farm of Solomon Wenner. This per day. N. B. Stewart, who taught a very building was an improvement, and was built of long term, had a daily attendance of fifty-one. hewed logs about 22x24 with permanent desks. Besides the common branches there was taught B. V. Webster taught the last term in the Ed- philosophy, history, music and algebra.

wards schoolhouse and the first term at Wen- Among the old time school teachers, were ner's. J. O. Sullivan followed and introduced James Stewart, Hiram Shaw, C. C. Ridgway. the " McGuffey Readers." Before this they Jonathan Gaumer, Levi Stoner, Caleb and Rev. read in almost anything. In 1853, in conse- A. Jordan, A. G. Honnold, and others who were quence of a new constitution of the state, the efficient teachers. Rev. J. C. Spencer was township was re-districted, and instead of five "barred out" of his school house at one time parts, as before, it was made into four dis- and John Wagoner assisted him to open it. F. tricts. This threw much of the Wenner and M. Buker found foxes and rabbits so abundant, the Lowe districts together, and henceforth it that he had trouble to keep his boys in when was designated No. 3. Dr. J. W. Wortman it was a good day for hunting. He introduced taught the last term in the Lowe house. Jas. steel pens to escape the nuisance of making L. Honnold taught in the Wenner house in them out of quills.

1853-54. In those old school houses were Rev. George Gaumer became an effective taught Cobb's, United States, elementary, and Lutheran preacher. S. J. Hanks had seventy McGuffey's spellers, the bible, United States scholars; of these four died in the army. Rev. history, McGuffey's readers, and almost any Thos. R. Taylor, A. M., taught school in this other book, Smith's Geography, Parke's township at seventeen years of age and had an arithmetic and Kirkham's grammar. Gram- average of thirty scholars. J. L. Honnold was mar was a luxury. If a boy could read, write, a teacher who was very popular. Rev. J. E. and cipher, he was considered well enough Starkey was a faithful teacher. Ratie C. educated. It a man had a little idea of a noun, McBride was well remembered. Hon. H. D. and that the earth was not flat, " above all of McGaw is another of the old time pedagogues. which was the knack of using a gad on a boy's C. N. Gaumer, another old teacher, afterwards back," then he might "teech skule." Some married one of his scholars. John Wagoner, of the teachers, however, were well educated. in his school had the first public exhibition in The pay of the country teacher was not large. in district No. 3. Samuel W. Sutton has been Edward Menaugh received $12 per month and an efficient and excellent teacher for twenty " boarded round." Hiram Shaw taught a sub- years in the township. scription school in the thirties, at $1.25 per At present there are four school districts in scholar, making about $10 per month. In Adams township, and the schools may be said 1838, Clegget Ridgway taught and was con- to have greatly progressed since the olden sidered a good teacher. In 1854, a farm house days, having a wider and more varied course of was erected on the Sandel farm, 24x25, costing study. $339.3712. It was a substantial building of

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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 55

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