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 57

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 57


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there were but few in the valleys. Habitations The Methodists built the first church in were rude in character, and present civiliza- 1820. Revs. Smith and Cunningham were tion seemed far remote and barely possible. preachers for the Presbyterians as early as 1818. The first frame house is thought to have been The first bridge was built over the creek in built for Joshua Bennett, and the first brick 1823; it was of hewed timber on trestles, and house was erected about 1830, by Mr. Blizzard. the work of the neighboring settlers. Squire The old house is situated northwest of Frazeys- McCann recalls an old log shanty used for burg, and became known as the home of Col. school, church, and singing, which stood two William Blizzard. The Mendenhalls were also and a half miles from Frazeysburg. Philip early settlers. Joshua Bennett, Samuel Men- Shaffer was an early singing-teacher, having denhall's son-in-law, came in 1816. A German taught in 1831 and 1832. The people of Jack- named Tushman came early; also Joseph son are healthy and contented; they love their Chaney, who located north of Frazeysburg. fine hill-side scenery, and the traveler winding Level lands soon obtained roads; these hilly his way up the slopes in long stretches sees at regions were impassable, and the laying of a each summit a new and pleasant landscape. road was an event like the survey of a railroad. The early settlers of this township were allured The road from Owl creek to Zanesville via hither by the fertility of the lands in the valley Frazeysburg was laid out in 1822 by John Adams of Wakatomaka creek, like those who settled and Samuel Frazey, commissioners appointed nearest to the valley of the Muskingum. It is true that the area of perhaps twenty-five miles


by the State.


A. C. Pocs, Janesville.


( DECEASED.)


AUTHOR OF THE FAMOUS CAMPAIGN SONG, "TIPPECANOE AND TYLER TOO " AND MAKER, WITH A CAMERA OF HIS OWN CONSTRUCTION, OF THE FIRST DAGUER- REOTYPE EVER PRODUCED WEST OF NEW YORK.


317


HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.


on either side of the latter stream is included vate residences and business houses, which in the term, "Valley of the Muskingum," and would do credit to larger towns and cities. Its yet the smaller valleys have afforded special citizens, as a class, are intelligent, enterprising attractions to the settler. Actuated by the and progressive, as will clearly appear in a motive to make a paradise wherever nature in- notice of its public institutions. There are vited them, the settlers, therefore, selected three churches, viz .: Disciples', Elder J. S. sites as near to the streams of importance as Bonham, pastor, with seating capacity of about seemed good to them. Jackson is undulating three hundred. Presbyterian Church, Rev. C. in its surface, and ocasionally broken. The soil C. Downs, pastor, with seating capacity of is rich limestone, clay being plentiful on the about four hundred. M. E. Church, Rev. R. uplands, and sandy loam in the lower lands H. Griffith, pastor, with seating capacity of and bottoms. Iron and coal of fair quality, four hundred. The district has a fine two are found in various localities. The latter is story brick public school building, with four consumed at home, while the former is ship- rooms. The enrollment is 201, with an average ped to Zanesville via Frazeysburg.


attendance of - 189. The Frazeysburg Library Among the early physicians who practiced association was organized April 15, 1890 with lib- in this township for a longer or shorter period rary at the store of C. M. Bell. Its officers are J. were Dr. Elmas Wheaton, of Irville, Licking Corn, president; Mrs. T. J. Tremley, vice pres- township, and Doctors Black, Pearce, Bartley ident; Miss Mame Cochran, treasurer; C. M. and Philander Byam Mordecai Bartley, after- Starner, secretary, and C. M. Bell, librarian. wards governor of Ohio, is thought to have The Frazeysburg Building and Loan Associ- been the only lawyer here in the early days. ation was organized April, 1888. Its officers The first tavern at Frazeysburg was kept by are: C. M. Bell, president; T. C. Pearson, Samuel Mills, who was also an early carpenter. secretary; John A. Evans, treasurer. Board Other of the pioneer knights of the chisel, saw of directors: James Stitt, George W. Judy, H. and plane were John Ruckle and Charles Mor- L. Stamets, Dr. Jasper Corn, J. W. Frazier, J. row. Among the first surveyors were the W. Baker, Wm. Hamilton, W. A. Norris, C. M. Robertses, John and Charles. They came in Bell, T. C. Pierson, John A. Evans. Frazeys- 1822. Charles Roberts surveyed many of the burg lodge No. 490, F. & A. M., meets Friday farms in this township and John Roberts laid evening on or before full moon. Dr. J. D. out Frazeysburg. Among early and old justices Fleming, W. M .; T. J. Reeder, S. W :; Wm. of the peace were Robert Selder, Clark Hollen- Clemens, J. W .; J. B. Bennett, treasurer; Thos. back and Richard Griffee. Henry Shepherd Rose, secretary; Alexander Wishart, S. D .; opened the first blacksmith shop in 1827 in a Isaac Pryor, J. D., and Joseph Van Austin, log building of the old style. James Morgan tyler. Lodge room over city hall. Glendale taught a subscription school in a log house half lodge, No. 649, I. O. O. F., meets Monday a mile north of Frazeysburg, in 1822. This is evenings of each week. J. T. Reeder, N. G .; thought to have been the first regular school in Welcome Wright, V. G .; M. J. O'Neil, secre- the township. John Bowen was a school tary; J. E. Ruckle, treasurer. Junior Order of teacher in Jackson in 1831, Samuel McGinnis American Mechanics, No. 79, organized in in 1832. Samuel Mills' pioneer tavern, opened March, 1890. C. M. Bell, junior past counsel- about 1817, was a log building on the site of lor; George W. Judy, counsellor; Wm. Pine, the Hamilton store in Frazeysburg. He was vice counsellor; C. M. Gardner, recording succeeded after a number of years by Stephen secretary; Joseph Wires, assistant secretary; Cessna. Later "landlords" were William Eng- D. H. Lewis, financial secretary; J. R. Johnson, lish, Thomas Foster and Jonah Campbell. This treasurer: C. E. Ruckle, inside sentinel; C. E. old hostelry was long since torn down.


Paugh, outside sentinel. Griffith Post, No.


Frazeysburg is not only one of the leading 331, G. A. R., Wm. Lettler, commander; W. and most prosperous villages of the county, H. Fairall, senior commander; Hugh Lackey, but is situated in the midst of a rich agricul- junior commander; J. W. Evans, officer of the tural, wool-growing and stock-producing sec- day; Wm. Wires, adjutant; T. J. Buchanan, tion. In close proximity is found excellent quartermaster; C. M. Bell, chaplain; M. Adams, stone quarries, while the soil supplies the best officer of the guard. In 1890 the town officers quality of potter's clay, moulding sand, white were Geo. C. Adams, mayor; John Debolt, mar- and gray clay for the manufacture of tile and shal; R. P. Mendenhall, M. O'Neil, Joshua Ben- pottery, fire and building brick. The village is nett, Chas. W. Fleming, Henry Host, H. Night, on the line of the Pan Handle railway and council-men; M. D. Packard, town clerk; Jas- Ohio canal, and contains many handsome pri- perCorn, town treasurer; A. Mendenhall, street


19


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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.


commissioner. V. Z. Norris, W. A. Norris, Dr. J. about the first of June, 1889, and equipped with Corn, H. L. Stamets, T. C. Pierson, Wm. Ham- the necessary machinery for planing, matching ilton, school board. Frazeysburg has a good and scroll work, and for the execution of every two story town hall, a good band and a well description of planing mill and job work. The conducted weekly paper.


individual members of this firm are A. S. and Frazeysburg was platted June 6, 1827, by C. W. Thomas and Wm. L. Phelps, gentlemen Clark Hollenback and named Knoxville. As who bring into requisition that mechanical has been stated, the actual survey was made skill and executive ability which cannot fail to by John Roberts. Numerous additions have meet the most liberal consideration. The ma- been made. In 1828, Mr. Hollenback sold the chinery is propelled by a twenty-horse power original town to Samuel Frazey, who changed engine and boiler, and the building, which is the name to Frazeysburg. The village was in- two stories in height and 40x50 feet and engine corporated in 1868, and L. W. Doane was the room 14x40 feet in dimensions, gives ample first mayor. The postoffice was established in capacity for prompt and efficient work. This the winter of 1828-29. Samuel Frazey was the firm are prepared to enter into contract to sup- first postmaster. Richard Griffee is credited ply doors, sash, blinds, dressed or undressed with having opened the first grocery store in lumber, lath, shingles, pickets, posts, and for the township. Another early store was Whit- the execution of the entire wood work of pub- ney's. Col. Blizzard opened a store in 1828. lic or private buildings.


The Frazeysburg Tile and Brick works were corner of the present canal bridge in 1828-29, erected in 1884, and the concern comprehend the largest opened in the township to that a ground space of 30x120 feet in dimen- time.


Samuel Frazey had a store near the southeast


sions, which are equipped with the best ma-


The Frazeysburg Mill company was or- chinery and appliances for the rapid and effi- ganized here in 1885, and is controlled by some cient manufacture of the best building and pav- of the leading citizens. The building, exclusive ing brick and the most substantial drain tile, of office and engine room, is three stories and from three inches to twelve inches in diamen- basement in height, and 36x48 feet, in dimen- sions. Contracts are taken for special sizes or sions. The engine room is 20x36 feet, and the quantities, and stock will usually be found on office 12x18 feet in size. In all departments hand for prompt shipment. The concern also the mill is equipped with newest improved ap- manufactures the best hollow building blocks, pliances for the rapid and efficient manufacture whose construction supplies strength and of the highest standard grades of bakers' and solidity to buildings.


family flour. The mill is a complete roller mill,


The first journalistic venture in Frazeysburg with the best purifiers and is propelled by a was the Federalist, published by C. E. F. Miller, 30-horse power engine and a boiler, and has a in 1875-76. The editorial work was done in capacity of fifty barrels of flour per day. The Frazeysburg, where the paper was really issued, staple brand for which this mill has secured but the mechanical work was done in Dresden. more than local celebrity, is known as "Pure The Midland is the title of a vigorous, spicy and Gold," which bears the highest standard of ex- reliable family and local newspaper, which was cellence in all markets into which it has been started here August 29th, 1889 a five-column introduced, and enjoys a high degree of popu- eight-page paper devoted to literature, news and larity both with the trade and consumers. The local matter, with Rev. C. B. Downs as manag- individual members of this company are John ing editor, and A. B. Clark, of Newark, asso- A. Evans, Jus. Stitt and J. W. Frazier, gentle- ciate editor; general business manager, D. H. men whose enterprise and business ability give Lewis. Jasper Corn, M. D., physician and sur- vitality to this section of the county, and who geon, druggist and pharmacist, is a native of are recognized as prominent in public affairs. Jackson county, in this State, and was born in They do merchant grinding and exchange, and 1847. Dr. Corn is a graduate of the O. W. U. deal in grain, flour, meal and mill feed. They of Delaware, and read medicine with Dr. A. S. are also engaged in the manufacture of brick Combs, of Thurman, Ohio. He graduated from and tile, noticed elsewhere.


the Cincinnati Medical College, at Cincinnati, Jackson county, for one year. In the spring of 1874 he came to this place, where he has since


Thomas Brothers & Co.'s Frazeysburg Plan- in the class of '73, and located in Keystone, ing Mills and Lumber Yard, is one of the most important industrial enterprises associated with this section of the county, and was established devoted his attention to the duties of his pro- here by Messrs. Thomas Brothers & Co., in fession, to which he still gives his attention in 1889. The present building was completed connection with his business interests. In 1882


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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.


he started his drug store. The individual this township in 1855. The firstagent at Frazeys- members of the firm of Dr. J. S. Trembley & burg was E. L. Lemert.


Son, druggists and pharmacists, are Dr. J. S.


.


Some time before 1820 a small cabin was Trembley and his son, T. G. Trembley. The erected for church purposes, north of the site senior member of this firm is a native of this of school-house number three. David Evans county, born in 1819. Early in life he de- donated the land upon which it stood, in con- voted his attention to the study of medicine sequence of which it was known as Evans' and surgery, and has been in active practice for church. Frazeysburg Methodist Episcopal over thirty-six years. He located in this place Church was organized at the house of Zacha- in 1868. Mr. T. G. Trembley, is a native of this riah Bonham in 1815. Meetings were held at county and was born in 1850. After complet- Mr. Bonham's, at R. C. Mendenhall's, at John ing his early education he became connected Wimmer's and at other houses, and later at a with railroad work, in which he was chiefly en- school-house near the north side of Frazeys- gaged upto the time of formation of the present burg. In 1840, a church building was erected partnership in 1875. This is now the postoffice at a cost of $1,000. In 1878 it was succeeded store, Mr. T. G. Trembley having received his by the present edifice, a frame building that appointment to this place April 27, 1889. J. cost $1,800. The Frazeysburg Presbyterian D. Fleming, M. D., resident physician and sur- Church was organized with 34 members in 1876. geon, is a native of this county, born in 1857. Its brick church, which cost $2,370, was dedi- He was reared upon the farm, and after com- cated September 8, 1877, by J. W. Tenney, and pleting his literary education read medicine with the first pastor, Rev. S. D. Smith. Mount Zion Dr. . C. F. Wilkin, of Irville, now of Colum- Christian Church was organized with eight bus. He graduated from the Columbus members in 1832. The first meetings were held Medical College, March 8, 1887, and first at the house of George McDonald. In 1845 opened his office at Adams' Mills, but after one the society built its present frame church, year located in this place March 8, 1888. The which cost about $500, about two miles north canal was completed in 1831-32 and the " Rein- of Frazeysburg. The Disciple Church was or- deer," a small pleasure boat, made the trip from ganized in 1843. The first pastor was Rev. Newark to Coshocton. The "Union" of Dover Lewis Corner. A church was built soon after was the first regular freight boat to pass through. 1880 at Frazeysburg. The Pan Handle railroad was completed through


Chapter XXVII.


SALEM TOWNSHIP.


T HIS township is bounded on the north by now receive much attention and fairly divide Adams township, on the east by Highland the honors. The first short-horned cattle were township, on the south by Perry town- brought in by W. S. Denison, who also intro- ship and west by Washington and Madison. duced the first mower and the first sulky-rake. The surface is moderately hilly, though much Singleton Hardy operated the first threshing of it is low and level enough to figure as prairie machine in the township. W. W. Adams, since land. Drummond's Knob, in the southern 1861, became prominent as a breeder of fine part, is the highest point in the township. The cattle. Originally a part of Highland, when soil is a mixture of clay and sand, and for the that township was ten miles square, this town- most part quite fertile. The principal streams ship, five miles square, was set off by the are Salt creek and Prairie run. Two branches county commissioners, in July, 1819. It was of Symmes creek flow through the northwest named in honor of Salem, Mass., from the corner. Grain raising was formerly the leading vicinity of which historic town, many of the occupation. Stock-raising and fruit-growing early settlers had come. The northeast quarter


320


HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.


of the township is school land. The first elec- iams and Lucy Denison were the first couple tion for township officers was held at the house married in the township, and their son Gordon of Jesse Williams. The first justice of the peace Williams was the first white child born in and for Salem township, under the organiza- here. The first death was that of Mrs. Ja- tion, was Joseph Stiers, who served continu- cob Gaumer, about 1816. Dr. Jacob S. Rea- ously until 1837, a period of eighteen years. soner was the first physician in Salem. He Rev. William Spencer was a justice of the peace practiced here from 1832 to 1853. Dr. Henry for Highland township, living within the pres- Decker came in 1839; Dr. Jared Cone practiced ent township of Salem prior to, and at the time here 1845-55; Dr. James Crawford 1835-42; of organization. Some of the early elections Doctor Loy and Doctor Blake about 1841-42; were held at the house of Thomas Collins. Dr. John Mills, who studied with Doctor Adamsville has been the polling place since Decker 1843-50; Dr. P. A. Baker, 1857-79; 1846. Doctor Sidle came in 1860, but remained only


The settlement of this township began in a short time. Dr. Thomas Gaumer came in 1810-18II. Among the early settlers were 1879. Later physicians in this township are Jacob Gaumer, William Denison, Jesse Will- Drs. W. R. Hosick, and W. C. Waters. The iams, Jacob Swigert, Philip Shroyer, Peter primitive mill within the borders of Salem was Wertz, Laurence Wisecarver, George Stoner, that erected by Peter Livingood, below the Peter Livingood, George, Samuel, John and forks of Salt Creek, on section 18, about 1814- Jacob Shurtz, Joseph Stiers, William and 16. Sometime about 1830 it was sold to one Stephen Starkey, Thomas Collins and Rev. Bratton, and has long since disappeared. On William Spencer. Jacob Gaumer located on lot the southeast one-fourth of section 16, or Salt 28. [See biographical department for ex- Creek, Joseph Bowers put a sawmill in opera- tended sketches of his and other pioneer fami- tion, in 1832, which he sold, in 1849, to Jacob lies of this township. ] William Denison, from Keiffer. The latter moved the concern to the Massachussetts, located on the northeast quar- east bank of the stream and, in 1869 added a ter of section 15, on the William S. Denison large frame grist mill. In 1836, Charles Sturtz property, and with him came Jesse Williams, built a sawmill on a branch of Symmes run, or who married Lucy Denison, daughter of Will- section 4, in which was made most of the lum- iam, and settled on the northwest quarter of ber used in building the earlier houses in section 13. Swigert located on lot 40, of the Adamsville. It is not now in existence. A school land, Shroyer on lot II, Wertz on lot 8. steam sawmill was built on school land lot 21 Stiers settled on the southwest quarter of sec- about 1850 by Isaac Stiers and Samuel Harris. tion 8, Collins on the southwest quarter of sec- About a year or two later it was bought by Mr. tion 13, and Rev. William Spencer on school Shrigley, who added a grinding department. land lot No. 28. The Starkeys were from Vir- G. W. Shoemaker became the owner in 1854, ginia. In 1868 Sutherland Stiers, a mile south and was succeeded by John Skinner in 1855. of Adamsville, cut down a large white oak tree Mr. Skinner's ownership was short lived, how- and within its body found a succession of ever, for the concern was destroyed by fire in "blazes" made with an ax, as was very evident, 1856. A steam grist mill was built near and not with a hatchet or tomahawk. A com- Adamsville in 1862 by Charles Beck. In 1873 putation of the difference between the date of it was sold to John D. Hanks. Levi Mc-


the discovery and the number of annular rings Laughlin later entered the milling business at enveloping the scars, revealed the fact that the Adamsville. Jacob Gaumer was the first gun- marks were made in 1752. That was twelve smith in the township. He and Peter Wertz years before Bouquet's expedition and ante- and Adam Wade were early blacksmiths. dates that of Braddock, and the men of Salem Stephen Starkey was the first carpenter. The have cudgeled their brains in vain in the first school house in Salem was erected in 1817 attempt to identify even a probable white visit- on school land lot 37. Abraham Smith opened or to this territory at that remote date. The the first school there in December, that year. first frame house in the township was built in Amy Wade taught there in 1820, Mr. Colvin in 1812 by William S. Denison. The first stone 1822. "Jacob and William Shively were two house by Jacob Limmer, in 1827, and the first other old settlers," says the Adamsville Register. brick house by William S. Denison in 1841. "Jacob Shively was the first settler on the farm The first public road through the township was now owned by Julius Taylorand William Shively that from Zanesville to Plainfield, Coshocton the farm now owned by Jacob Lane. At the county; the second ran from Mechanicsville to present time none of their descendants remain Livingood's mill on section 18. Jesse Will- in the township. James Shively is a valued


321


HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.


subscriber of the Register, residing at Kansas, stituted with Richard Johnson, Eliza Johnson, Illinois. Benjamin Crane, the grandfather of Nancy Spragg, Joseph Stiers, Benaiah Spragg, our fellowcitizen, Jacob Crane, was another pio- Margaret Stiers, G. Tousler, Martha Tousler, neer. He settled on what is now the Charley Solomon Baughman, Nancy Baughman, Joseph Bowden farm in the year 1814, and built a cabin Johnson, John Daily and his wife, Ruth John- in the woods."


son, Nancy Crane and others as its first class; New Hope Evangelical Lutheran church Richard Johnson, leader. In 1852, a frame was organized in 1811, by Rev. Anthony Weyer, church house was built at a cost of about $900 with the following members: Jacob Gaumer, on land donated by Benaiah Spragg. Good Catharine Gaumer, Philip Shroyer, Maria Shroy- Hope Lutheran church was organized in 1868 er, Peter Wertz, Susan Wertz, Henry Bainter, by Rev. William Gilbreath. The following Adam Bainter and his wife, Samuel Shurtz, Mary were the constituent members: Levi Statts, Shurtz, George Shurtz and his wife, Christian Amandy Statts, Charles Sturtz, Rachel Sturtz, Shroyer, Catharine Shroyer, Jacob Gaumer, Louisa Sturtz, John Sturtz, Sarah Wisecarver, Jr., Elizabeth Gaumer, Daniel Gaumer, Hannah Elizabeth Wisecarver and Elizabeth Wire. A Gaumer, Catharine Shurtz, Margaret Shurtz, frame building was purchased at Adamsville John Shurtz, John Ault, Mary Ault, Jacob in 1871, and fitted up and dedicated as a church. Shurtz, Jacob Shroyer, Abraham Shroyer, Beulah Baptist church was organized, after a Anthony Slater, Susan Slater, George Stiner series of meetings in 1872, by Rev. E. W. Dan- and wife. The first church was built on the nels, with the following members: Isaac Darner, northwest corner of lot 28, the site now.occu- D. Winn, Ann Darner, Catharine Winn, Samuel pied by the old Lutheran cemetery, already re- Bowmatn, J. A. Winn, Hannah Bowman, H. N. ferred to, in 1817. In 1838, it gave place to a Winn, R. J. Winn, Hattie A. Winn, Robert brick building which was superseded in 1870 Scott, Samantha Whitecraft, John Whitecraft, by a frame structure. The cornerstone was J. W. Bratton, Nancy M. Winn, Elizabeth A. laid May 14, 1870, by N. J. Knisely, and the Bratton, William P. Winn. J. R. Bratton, Lizzie church was dedicated May 28, 1871, by Revs. Hunter, Mary A. Bowman, Emma Hardy, McHorine and Jacob Roff. The old church Emeline Williams, Lucy Williams, Mary Huff, site and graveyard was donated to the trustees Austin Lehew and Jared Williams. Early of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, by Jacob meetings were held in Salem Chapel. Later Gaumer, in 1819, and the present church site they were held in Milligan's schoolhouse. In was donated by Jonathan Gaumer. Salem 1872 a church lot was bought of J. A. Morrison, Baptist Church was organized in October, and the house of worship was finished and 1818, by Revs. Amos Mix and Henry Pringle, dedicated by Rev. T. Powell, January II, 1874.


The oldest cemetery in the township is that


with the following named constituent members: William Spencer, Catharine Spencer, Jessie Will- early set apart by the Lutherans. The first iams, Lucy Williams, Wm. Cooksey, Elizabeth person buried there was Mrs. Jacob Gaumer. Cooksey, John Laurence, Amos Stackhouse, The first summer Peter Wertz discovered his lit- Philip Shoff, Sarah Shoff, Elvira Shoff, Morde- tle daughter Margaret in danger from a copper- cai Adams, Hannah Adams, Isabella Ackerson, head snake. Picking her up, he held her un- Rebecca Tennis, Ethelinda Denison, Rachel der one arm, while with a club in the other he Jordan, Sarah Whittenberry, Lucy Babcock, dispatched the snake. His son Jacob Wertz is Susannah Hickman and Lucretia Slack. The authority for the statement that before he left first church, a hewed log structure, east of the spot he killed fourteen of those dangerous Adamsville, was erected in 1822. It was, in reptiles.




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