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 59

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 59

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of the peace was Samuel Whitaker.

Rev. William Foster, an Evangelical Lutheran flourishing condition of the two congregations, it minister, conducted religious services in Brush is necessary only to refer to the new church built Creek township, 1812-18, in the dwellings of the near Stovertown in 1878, at an estimated cost of pioneers. In 1818-19, meetings were held by Rev. $5,000. There is no indebtedness, and, taken all Andrew Henkle and his brother Charles. In 1819 in all, the congregation is in a more flourishing con- Rev. Lewis Shite, assisted by Rev. Andrew Henkle, dition than at any other time in its history. The organized a charge consisting of four or more con- first Presbyterian organization in Brush Creek

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

township was formed by Rev. James Culbertson in church, composed of Samuel Bagley, Joshua Breeze, 1825. Services were held at the residence of Mrs. William Foster, Henry Hamrick, William Marlow, Turner, on the James Leasure place, for some and Sarah McCurdy, was organized in Schoolhouse years. In 1831 a church was erected, as has been No. 3, on Irish Ridge, June 4, 1831. Joshua stated, by the Presbyterians and the Lutherans. Breeze was chosen pastor. In the spring of 1833 At that time Rev. Mr. Hunt was installed as pastor a hewed-log church-house was erected, which, in of the Presbyterian congregation. Following is a 1859, was superseded by a frame structure. Amity list of the members: Mrs. Turner, Lemuel Whita- Sunday-school, which has exerted a salutary influ- ker, Mr. and Mrs. David Woodruff, Mr. and Mrs. ence in the township, was organized in 1831, with Thomas B. McConnell, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Hank- Lemuel Whitaker as president; William Swingle, inson, Mr. and Mrs. William Thompson, Mr. and vice-president; Adam Baughman, treasurer; John Mrs. John McCandless, Mr. and Mrs. James French, Baughman, secretary.

Daniel Spangler, Mary Stover, and Hiram Wood-

The only trade center in the township is Sto- ruff. Antioch United Brethren church grew out of vertown, a postoffice on the line of the Brush meetings held at the house of the third George Creek branch of the Columbus, Shawnee & Hock- Swingle, about 1830, by Rev. Royal Hastings. A ing railroad, nine miles south of Zanesville; popu- cabin church was erected in 1844, on the farm of lation about 100. This place was laid out in 1832. Samuel Dozer, and occupied until 1869, when the and named in honor of Samuel Stover, who was congregation took possession of a neat and ade- found murdered near the upper bridge in Zanes- quate frame church. The original members were ville. After his death a stock of goods came from Henry Dozer and wife, John Barringer and wife, New York addressed to him and were brought to Samuel Dozer and wife, George Dozer and wife, this point, and the store thus established formed Peter Stainbrook, and Kate Davis. Zoar Baptist the nucleus of the present little village.

Chapter XXX.

HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP.

THIS township is bounded north by Monroe susceptible of easy cultivation. The northern area township, east by Guernsey township, south is elevated and broken.

by Union township and west by Salem township.

The settlement of Highland began in 1808, Following is the record of its erection and original when Mathias Trace, from Washington county, survey; it was reduced to its present area July 2, Penn., located on the northeast one-fourth of sec- 1819: "A petition was presented by a number of tion 11. The corresponding one-fourth of section the inhabitants of the northeastern division of 16 was entered by Lot Wortman; the northwest Muskingum county, praying that the 5th and 6th quarter of section 15 by James Honnold, from Vir- ranges, thence east to the county line, thence north ginia; the southwest one fourth of section 13 (on to the place of beginning, may be incorporated the property since occupied by P. P. Geyer) by into a new township, by the name of Highland, Peter Bond, from Maryland, abont 1811; the and the election ordered to be, held at the house of southwest quarter of section 19 (the George William Dennison, on the first Monday in April, Fisher place) by Thomas Rambo, about two years 1814, to elect the necessary township officers. later; section 22, or a part of it, by J. K. McCuno An idea of the original extent of the township may and Alexander Mays, about 1813: the northwest be gained from the fact that Mr. Dennison lived a one-fourth of section 19 by Edward Ostler, in 1814: mile and a half southwest of Adamsville, in what the corresponding quarter of section 14 by Jacob is now Salem township. Joseph K. McCune and Honnold in 1815 or 1846. In 1813 came William Joseph Williamson are said to have been the first and John Davis, William, Peter, John and Casper justices of the peace. The central and southern Bradford; the Davises locating on section 7, the parts of this township are comparatively level and Bradfords ou section S. Among the early settlers

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

also were the families of Geyer, Fell, McMichael between the Concord and Dresden roads in 1852. and Shroyer. In 1854 he built the William Mintier store. In

The advancement was so rapid in this township 1857 he retired. After him came Atchison & Bell, that in 1835 John Bradford, James Honnold and Atchison & Bro., James Block, J. F. Warrick and Andrew Geyer and their families were living in Thomas Mckay. The present merchants at. frame houses. A more pretentious one was erected Bloomfield are Marion F. Geyer and William B. in 1845 by Samuel Scott. Thomas Roberts built Kelley. a brick house near the Bethel church in 1850. In

David Rankin was the original owner of the 1815 Noah Decker built the first mill in Highland, town site of Bloomfield, an inland postoffice, on the northwest quarter of section 14, which was twenty miles northeast of Zanesville, and four transformed from a sawmill to a distillery with a miles north of New Concord, the nearest shipping grinding attachment as a distillery auxiliary. On point. It is situated in the northeastern part of the northwest one-fourth of section 21, James Mc- Highland township, and has a daily hack line to Michael put a gristmill in operation about 1830, and from New Concord, its nearest banking point. which gave place to a carding machine about Population is about 100. Thomas Clegg, William twelve years afterward. Another early gristmill Weylie and Daniel McLane bought a few acres was one built in the southern part of the township each, and had them surveyed into lots in 1853, by by John Geyer. William Reynolds put a sawmill Joseph Fisher. Additions were later platted by in operation on White Eyes creek about 1832 or John D. Hogseed and J. P. Lytle. John Crooks, 1833. Andrew Henderson's "Parker wheel" mill the first postmaster here, was appointed in 1857. on this stream and Hugh Simms' mill on one of its This place is historical as the seat of M. C. Corkle branches, are well remembered. Mills were put college, an institution which, though of humble in operation by James MacDonald at the Bloom- origin, came to be popular and prosperous. In field site (later owned by Martin McLane) in 1843, 1862 Rev. William Ballantine, of the Associate by John Buchanan and Samuel Moorehead, on the Presbyterian Church, induced several young men southwest quarter of section 10 in 1853; and by to prepare for the ministry, and himself heard reci- Theophilus Wark, in 1873-a combination grist, tations in his study. Numbers increasing, the saw and planingmill, the most pretentious in the meeting-house was offered and used, and the name township. The Buchanan & Moorehead mill of Bloomfield High School bestowed. For years changed hands several times and was last operated, it continued an individual enterprise, until the first down to about twenty years ago, by Joseph Sel- students were ready to enter the senior class. In ders. The first public road laid out in this town- 1868 the synod passed an act appointing Messrs. ship was that from Cambridge to Dresden, about Robert Atcheson, John Bell, William Finney, 1806; the second was that from the Findley mill- Samuel McKee, Robert Hyslop. Robert Brown, A. dam, south of New Concord, to the mouth of Wills McCreery, J. H. Johnson and John Baird a board creek, about nine years later. In May, 1817, Jo- of trustees. In 1869 the Bloomfield Academy was seph K. McCnne surveyed a road "from James incorporated, and a house purchased. A college Sprague's, in Highland township, to John Rey- building became a necessity and J. Bell, presi- nold's store, on the Wheeling road." The pioneer dent of the board, being appointed general finan- blacksmiths were Robert Baxter and James Hon- cial agent, sufficient funds were raised; a founda- nold, on the Adamsville road. The first wagon tion was laid in the fall of 1872, and the spring was brought into the township by Peter Bond, term of 1873 was held in the basement. A college grandfather of Peter B. Geyer. John Bell intro- charter was obtained on February 12, 1873, and duced fine sheep here in 1857. About 1835-45 the school became clothed with full university David T. Bigger operated a small tannery on the powers. Rev. W. Ballantine, A. M., was elected Bloomfield and New Concord road. Dr. E. S. president, James Hindman, A. B , vice- president, Wortman is said to have been the pioneer physi- and R. C. Kerr, A. B., professor of languages. cian, before 1840. Dr. A. B. McCandless practiced The college proper began existence April 3, 1873. here about 1850-55; Dr. R. T. Wark about 1850- It had an endowment of $8,000, and, including 70. Dr. J. Morris Lane came to Bloomfield about values in building, a capital of $20,000. The post- 1848. Dr. W. G. Lane is a more recent physi- office at this point is known as Sago. The primi- cian. Joseph Graham kept the first store, on the tive log schoolhouse of the township was standing Samuel Moorehead place in 1833. Another early in 1818, and doing double duty as temple of learn- merchant was William Mason, east of Bloomfield, ing and house of worship, on the northwest one- 1835-43. George Buchanan began merchandising fourth of section 11. Later it was moved to a site in Bloomfield in 1848, and was succeeded by Will- further down the Cambridge road, and finally gave iam Weylie, who built and did business in a new place to one of the three hewed-log, hexagonal store, 1851-66. Thomas Forsyth began trading buildings used in this township for school pur-

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

poses, all of which have disappeared. Lorenzo congregation was organized at the house of David Dow, the first teacher in this old school, was buried Duff, by Rev. John Walker, March 20, 1818. near by, in 1818, his having been the first inter- Meetings were held in tents, one pitched near ment in what is now Bloomfield cemetery. The the site of the present house of worship, and a site of this cemetery was devoted to the citizens by later one about a mile north of the Russell farm, Walter Hogseed. A third of an acre was added in till the first log church was built, in 1822, near the 1879, and a deed to the whole given by James eastern side of the present graveyard. This was Hogseed, the area then being three and one-third succeeded by another log structure, hewed, near acres. In 1853 Peter Bond was buried near his the site of the present building. It was erected grandson, Peter B. Geyers. In 1878, upon the re- in 1831, and is remembered as having had two moval of his body to Bethel cemetery, it was found wings or additions. The third church was a frame to be completely petrified. building, erected on the present site in 1847. In

The first Methodist class was organized by Rev. 1858 the Associate Presbyterian and the Associate William Knox in 1816. A hewed log meeting Reformed Presbyterian churches consolidated house was erected in 1828, which was two years under the name of the United Presbyterian church. later replaced by a brick edifice. The latter was Twenty out of the 170 members of the Associate burned in 1854, and Bethel Methodist Episcopal Presbyterian church declined to go into the union, church, a large frame building, was erected soon and built a church for themselves in 1863, the old after. The Bloomfield Associated Presbyterian building having been taken by the majority.

Chapter XXXI.

HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP.

A PETITION was presented to the county westward course. Along this road, at a mile's commissioners February 3, 1812, signed by interval, is the village of Hopewell, laid out by a number of the inhabitants of Falls and Madison John and James Rickey in 1829; and the town of townships, asking to have a new township, to be Mount Starling, laid out during the same year by called Hopewell, formed from their territory. Not- Nathan Wilson, who the following year laid out an withstanding a remonstrance against the proposed addition. Farther on the road is the town of measure was also presented, the commissioners Gratiot, partly in the adjoining county of Licking. decided to grant the petition, and ordered an elec- Kent's run heads near the middle of the township tion for the officers of the new township to be held and flows southward into Perry county. Poverty at the house of John Colvin. It appears that the run traverses the northern portion. The Indians election was held at the house of James Rollins, had not deserted this territory when the white man instead, and without regard to this fact, the officers appeared. They finally disappeared about 1810 so elected were permitted to serve, and among or earlier. A man named Hinton already lived them were Simon Simons and Thomas Higgin- on Poverty run when, January 1, 1806, Samuel botham, justices of the poace. All that part of Bonnifield located there. The latter stated that Falls township within the first township of the "John Carr and Joseph Jennings lived near;" his ninth range of military lands was annexed to uncle, Jamos Wilson, came soon after, and his Hopewell September 1, 1817, and February 22, father died there about 1808. "On our way 1819, that portion of Hopewell cast of Licking here," he wrote, "we stopped but a day or two in creek was annexed to Licking township. This Zanesville, and also a couple of days at William's township is bounded north by Licking, east by place, which is more on the National road. Four Falls, south by Springfield and Newton and west members of a family named Faid, living up the by the county line. The Central Ohio railroad run, died in 1806. My brother Arnold was born crosses its northeast corner, and the National hore in 1806. We came here in a four-horse road traverses the lower central portion on its wagon, and the trip occupied weeks, all of which

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

time, with the exception of two nights, we camped Skinn's distillery was in operation on Kent's run; out. A man named Hensle and his family were in in 1815, Nathaniel Richley's, on the Burley place; our party, as was also William Wilson, an uncle and about the same time, Samuel Richley's, on the and a captain in the war of 1812, who went up to Porter place. Dr. Duzenberry. who was a peda- Mackinaw. Hensle settled on the Flint Ridge gogue as well as a medical practitioner, came about road." Rev. Cornelius Springer, speaking of 1812 and dealt out physic and "taught the young William Hamilton and his son-in-law, Rev. Robert idea how to shoot." Dr. E. D. Bain located north Manley, who came from Maryland in 1806. says, of Hopewell in 1828 and afterward removed suc- " they were the two first families that settled here. cessively to Gratiot and to Mount Sterling. Dr. They were both men of dignified and impressive Knight practiced in the township from about 1840 characters, yet mild and conciliating. They were to 1855 or 1856. The first regular school was surrounded with such a religious atmosphere that taught in 1814, in what is now District No. 1, by you could not come in contact with it without feel- Abraham Frey. The township was divided into ing a desire to be better. The first thing these school districts in 1835 or earlier. The nearest eminent men did in their new location was to gristmills were at Zanesville and Dillon's Falls, erect the altars of religion and offer unto God in until 1814, when a small gristmill was erected on their cabins their daily and weekly sacrifices. The Kent's run, which was still in operation six years influence of their example was such that the early later. On Poverty run, near Bonnifields, there was settlers around them, with scarcely an exception, another early grinding mill. On the Licking county embraced religion and formed the church. I think line, Adam Smith had a mill in operation at an early it doubtful if ever two men settled in the west date and Jacob Martin had a combination grist have sent down upon posterity such an influence and sawmill or Kent's run. A man named Reese for good." In this year Major William Bonnifield, built the first saw mill in the town, however, on with his wife and five children, came from Shen- Kent's run above Colvin's. John Colvin set out andoah, Va., and stopped in Falls township, re- an orchard in 1814, and Henry Winegardner moving thence January 1, 1807, to the Samuel planted another in 1817. The next year lie Bonnifield farm, on Poverty run. Among other planted peach stones, procured in Perry county. families who located in this neighborhood was that The first pottery of which information can be of William Coffman, Curtis Willey Sr .; John gained was started by Mr. Burley in the neighbor- Clabagh, E. B. Morgan, John Colvin and Charles hood of Mount Sterling. One Casteel, so it is Franklin came early, as did also the Richey- said, started another in 1822 and sold it to John Brothers, James Burley and James Boyle. Henry Burley in 1825. It burned down in 1827 or later Winegardner, later the tavern-keeper at Mount and was rebuilt about 1830. It gave place to a Sterling, came in 1814 and built a cabin out of more modern establishment in 1875. Allen & seventeen trees, and about that time came James Son, of Mount Sterling invented and for a time Smith and Conrad Emeny. George Dent, who manufactured earthenware coffins at Mount Ster- afterward gained prominence politically and other- ling. In 1825 Daniel Drumm made millstones in wise, in Putnam county, Ill., was a resident this township, which gained popularity as the here with his parents as early as 1808. Frederick "Flint Ridge buhr stones." About fifty years Beams, who came about 1812-14, owned consider- ago tanneries were built at Mount Sterling and able land round Mount Sterling, and John Dillon Gratiot, but never became established. The old entered large tracts of land in Hopewell, and cut Henderson tannery, started about 1835, was bought much wood for the furnace at Dillon's Falls. in 1854 by George Rutledge, who in 1866 sold it Joseph Richey, who became sheriff of the county and it became the Van Allen pottery. and held other offices, came in 1830.

Upon the completion of the national road The first blacksmith in this township is said to through the township a postoffice was established have been Peter Crumrine, whose shop was near at Hopewell, but without change of name, it was the Peter Starkey place. About 1828 Thomas later moved to Mount Sterling. There has for

Dean had a shop in "Normantown." William about sixty-two years been a movable postoffice at Heath, who was a son-in-law of William Hamilton Gratiot, which has been kept part of the time in and who came in 1814, is said to have been the Muskingum county, part of the time in Licking. first carpenter. About 1827 Francis Fresize There are postoffices also at Pleasant Valley and opened the first store on the Thornsville road, just Cottage Hill. Henry Winegardner kept tavern on east of the Kent's run bridge. He was merchan- the national road at Mount Sterling abont 1829. dising later near Asbury chapel and still later Soon afterward Henry Blair opened a public house where Hopewell now is. The next storekeeper on the opposite side of the street. The first road was Samuel Dolman, at Mount Sterling, who was through the township was the Cooper mill road in business there as early as 1832-34. In 1812 laid out in 1808. The National road was the next,

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

Cut in one of the stones forming the wall of the

The primitive graveyard was opened on the old culvert over the run at Burley's is the following Reamy place. The Bonnifield and the Beulah inscription : "Built A. D. 1830, by C. Niswanger ; graveyards contain the remains of numerous James Hampson, superintendent ; D. Scott, assist- pioneers, some of whom died at an advanced ant. The Policy of the Nation : 'Reciprocity at age. Home and Abroad.'" The first thresher owned

The Predestinarian Baptists built a church in in the township was made at West Zanesville by 1832, on land belonging to Robert Bolin, which John Van Horne and brought to Hopewell by came to be known as the Timber Run Baptist Frederick Beams in 1837. It was a horse power church. Hericon Lodge No. 192, I. O. O. F., affair of peculiar construction. In 1845 Louis was organized February 23, 1852, at Browns- Ijams brought in some merino sleep. Others to ville and subsequently removed to Gratiot. A. bring in and breed fine sheep were Le Roy Robin- R. Jordan was its first noble grand, John G. Bain son, the Pryors, George Pollock, George Campbell its first vice grand and Parson Gee its first secre- and Samuel Campbell.

tary.

Chapter XXXII. 1

MEIGS TOWNSHIP.

THIS township is bounded on the north by Rich section 9. Llewellyn Pierce and John Hammond Hill township, on the east by Noble county, were elected justices of the peace and Jacob Wort- on the south by Morgan county, and on the west man town clerk.

by Blue Rock township, and consists of an entire The nameless and roving Indian traversed the congressional township of thirty-six sections. It hills and valleys pursuing the game and camping was named from Meigs creek, and that in honor of upon the banks of the stream. His departure left Gov. Meigs, of Marietta. This stream drains the face of nature unchanged. The settler came, the southwestern part. The southeastern part is and the impress of his presence is known by grow- drained by Dyes' fork, of the same creek. The ing orchards, cleared fields, and time-worn cabins. northeastern part is drained by Collins' fork, of Who were the early settlers of Meigs? Yet a few Wills' creek. The northwestern part is drained years and none can answer. One of their vener- by Kent's creek. These streams have cut deep able survivors answers for them as follows: Finley ravines through the lime and sandstones and lower Collins was a pioneer inhabitant of the northeast coal measures, and divide the hilly and uneven sur- corner of the township. Near what is known as face into several noteworthy elevations. High High Hill dwelt Gillogly with a large family of Hill rears its summit 1,375 feet above sea-level, sons, some of whom are known as Meigs' leading and is the source, within a space of 200 yards, of farmers. L. Pierce is claimed as an old settler and branches of Wills, Meigs, Kent's and Salt creeks. early justice. Charles Gilbaut settled near a high It is said that twelve counties are visible from its portion of land, to which his name is given. Gil- summit. Under date of July 13, 1819, the follow- baut's Hill is in the north of the township. Gil- ing enactment is recorded in the journal of the bant was a Frenchman. and interested himself in county commissioners: "A petition was presented sinking a salt well near the hill some time in 1825. to the commissioners praying for a division of Rich Joseph Johnson, from Pennsylvania, a former Hill township. The commissioners, therefore, soldier, settled on section 7 as early as 1810. John enacted the twelfth original surveyed township, in MeIntire, from the same state, was known as a the eleventh range, to be a separate township called worthy old settler of Rich Hill. The Staritts, Meigs township. The qualified electors to meet at James and Joseph, long known and highly re- the house of Zoath Hammond on the last Saturday spected, have passed away. The Dunlaps, the of the present month to choose township officers." Sevalls, and the Doans were early settlers in the Zoath Hammond lived on the northeast quarter of southern part of Meigs. Goods were first sold in

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

the township by Squire Gilbeaut, where is now the black residents there. Eventually a separate store of Chapman & Gillogly, kept by the latter school was provided for the colored children. since 1855. At Zeno postoffice is a store kept by Dr. Clark, of Morgan county, was the first phy - William Ewing. A commendable liberality has sician who practiced his profession among the been shown in educational and religious affairs. people of Meigs. Drs. Dalton and Wilson came, The construction of early churches, where the labor but did not remain long. Dr. Joseph Register could be done by combined effort, was a speedy came in 1842, Dr. Charles Hurd in 1846, Dr. James work. Most were the result of subscription, and Gillogly in 1847, and others have followed or suc- the work went tardily forward. Each fine church is ceeded them, among the number Drs. Spring and a standing monument to the enterprise of one or Marshall.

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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 59

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