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 60

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 60

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more of the township's liberal citizens. Times

Meigsville is situated in the southwest quarter have changed and business has become settled. of section 27, and was laid out by Gilbert Bishop The days of speculation in the township are past. in 1840, and William Betz platted an addition six The trappers and hunters, the tavern-keepers and years later. Zeno is an inland postoffice in the stage-drivers, the land speculators and town pro- western part of Meigs township, twenty-one miles prietors, have moved westward or settled quietly from Zanesville, and six and one-half miles from down to realities. The excitement of the "Silver Gaysport; Merriam station is its nearest shipping Mine" is a legend hardly believed by those who point. It has a daily mail from Gaysport. Muse- hear the story, and the long, wearisome journeys ville is a postoffice near the central part of Meigs for provisions, the shifts and the deprivations of township, twenty-one miles southwest of Zanes- the settlers, are a constant surprise. On the north- ville, and six miles from Cumberland, from which east quarter of section 9 David Stevens, in 1808, it has a daily mail. Coal is found in considerable built a cabin over a large chestnut stump, that quantities. Cumberland, six miles distant, on the served as a table, upon which, it is said, no less B., Z & O. R. R., is the nearest shipping point. personages than Gen. Cass, Bishop Asbury and High Hill is a postoffice, so called from the name Gov. Meigs dined at one time and another. The of a hill near by, that is supposed to be the sec- Zanesville and Marietta road was the first road ond highest point in Ohio. It is situated in the surveyed through this township. The "Old Fed- northwestern part of Meigs township, seventeen eral Trail " was another early highway here. The miles southeast of Zanesville, and four miles from first hewed-log house was erected by Archibald Spratt on the B., Z. & C. R. R., its nearest ship- Bowles. John P. Farrell built the first frame ping station, and has a daily mail. Coal is found house; William Yanger the first frame barn. Cas- here in abundance. In 1845 a postoffice was es- per Hallenbeck erected the first brick house, on tablished at Lytlesburg (Meigsville), with William the David De Long place, on the Zanesville and Betz as postmaster, and another at High Hill in Marietta road, about 1832-33. About 1815 charge of C. J. Gibeaut. The postoffice at Muse- Thomas C. Gilkison built the first tannery, on ville was established in 1853, with Henry Onslatt Collins fork, and later sold it to Chauncey De as postmaster; the one at Coal Hill in 1876, with Long. The first store was opened at Lytlesburg Jesse Frazier in charge. In July, 1863, occurred (now Meigsville) by John P. Farrell. Later more Morgan's historic raid, if such it can be called, in pretentious stores were opened, at Lytlesburg by which Meigs township was on the line of march. George Lytle, at High Hill by William E. Walker.

About sixty-two years ago the people in the A Mrs. Harkness taught the first school in the southwest part of the township erected a " union" northeastern part of the township about 1814. It meetinghouse on the farm of Philip Yanger, is related that Miss Hannah Bliss taught a school which was used by all denominations until 1846, at 50 cents a week, and accepted feathers and when Rev. John Arthur organized a Presbyterian maple sugar in payment. Benjamin B. Seamans society which acquired the building and the inter- began to make wagons in the township soon after est in it and its site of Mr. Yanger. At the es- 1815. The pioneer blacksmith was Levi Thomas. tablishment of the High Hill Presbyterian church, The first distiller was William Dye. Joseph Rea- in 1878, the society transferred to the Methodists soner built a gristmill on Collins fork before 1825. the right to occupy the old church house, still John McGlashen started a fulling mill about 1830. retaining its ownership. The Salem Methodist This establishment was enlarged by the addition Episcopal church is the outgrowth of a class of a cardingmill, and for a time was operated by formed under the leadership of John Crawford, William Yanger. Jacob Onslatt built a sawmill in 1820. The first house of worship was built in on one of the branches of Meigs creek shortly sub- 1830, and gave place to the present one in 1853. sequent to 1830. Before the war of the rebellion This is the oldest religions organization in the there was much difficulty in Meigs, both politically township. A class was formed at Lytlesburg at and in the schools, between the white and the a comparatively early date, which developed into

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

the Lytlesburg Methodist Episcopal church, whose white and colored Methodists was formed at house of worship was built in 1854. In 1852 Lazarus Marshall's, in the southeast corner of meetings were held in Schoolhouse No. 5 by Rev. the township, in 1824, which met in private Thomas Shepherd (Baptist), and in Schoolhouse houses for twelve years, when a few log churches No. 6 by Revs. J. Winters and Benjamin Thomas were built on section 24, which was called Wesley of the same denomination, resulting in additions chapel. Race difficulties led to the withdrawal to the old Rich Hill and Brookfield churches, of the Africans, in 1843, who built a hewed-log seven of whom were formed into a society called church on section 23, which was burned in 1854. the western branch of the Brookfield church. A In 1857 a frame church was built on the same frame meetinghouse was built in 1853. Six years site which came to be known as Pleasant Hill later a separate organization was effected under Methodist Episcopal church (colored). After the the name of the Ark Spring Baptist church, with disruption the Wesley Chapel society declined. Rev. Washington Glass as pastor. A class of

Chapter XXXIII.

PERRY TOWNSHIP.

"THIS township, organized in 1812 from the being unable to pay for it, he sold it, about four " Military district " and named in honor of years later, to George Border, and made a new home Commodore Perry, is bounded north by Salem, for himself on the southwest quarter of the same east by Union, south by Salt creek and Wayne, and section. In 1807 Jacob Livingood came to this west by Washington. The surface is undulating; township from Washington township, and located the soil is limestone clay with sand and yields good in section 12. It is believed that Joseph Dicker crops. The township is drained by Salt creek and located on section 9 in 1808. John Wartenbee, Little Salt creek, White Eyes run and numerous from West Virginia, located on section 22 in smaller streams. The National pike was completed 1810. Peter Livingood located on the Howard through the township in 1829. The Central Ohio Dunn place, on the "trace" in 1810; Jacob Van division of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad crosses Pelt on the George Little place; Simon Merwin on the township with a station at Sonora.

the Elijah Eaton place; Philip Baker on the Irvin

James Brown Sr., sometimes called Luke Winn place; Christopher Schuck on the northwest Brown, is credited with having been the first settler quarter of section 9; James Brown Jr., on the within the borders of Perry township. He had northeast quarier of section 20; Alexander Arm- come out from Massachusetts to Waterford, Wash- strong, from Ireland, on the "trace. " About ington county, but in 1801 built a cabin and opened the same time came Samuel Connaway. In 1811 a tavern on Salt creek at the crossing of the old Aaron Vernon, from Washington township, located Zane trace. He had some means and much intelli- on the northeast quarter of section 5; one Harris, gence and these gave him a prestige that made him from Pennsylvania, on the northwest quarter of a formidable competitor to Isaac Prior, who kept a section 20; Mr. Engel on the northeast quarter public house farther west on the road. Just west of section 16, on the " trace. " The Zane trace, of Mr. Brown, James Comstock settled in, 1804. In called also the "Old Wheeling road, " entered- 1807 came Abraham and Reuben Gabriel, father this township on section 20 and passed out and son, from Franklin county, Penn. Buying 500 near the southwest corner. As was natural, acres of land in the Johnson 4,000 acre purchase, the pioneers located along this road. The first they located where the R. H. Atkinson place was cabin was that of James Brown Sr., erected in afterward known. The Samnel Bowers place was 1802. Eli Walls built the first brick house in settled the same year by Amasa Davis. About this 1819. The next was Kaufman's, built in 1820 and time John Echelberry, from Green county, Penn., afterward ocenpied by Michael Sauerbangh. The entered the northeast quarter of section 6, but first tavern of James Brown Sr., opened in 1802, 19

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

has been referred to. His son, Major James Brown, in 1852. Evan Crane was the first postmaster. also kept tavern on the Wheeling road in 1810 The office was established in 1855. Sonora has a and later. James Brown opened the first store population of about 200, and the usual variety of on the Wheeling road in 1834; six years business places and small manufacturing interests, later, Philip Bastian opened one on the Na- with good telegraph, express and railway facili- tional road, west of Bridgeville, which has had ties. The postoffice at Bridgeville was established numerous proprietors down to the present time. twenty-two years earlier. Andrew Hughes was the Jacob Wisecarver, who lived on Peter Livingood's primitive postmaster. The population of this ham- land, southwest of where Sonora now is, was the let is about seventy -five.

The Wesley Methodist Episcopal church grew

primitive blacksmith, about 1811. By some it is claimed that the operations of Amasa Davis, another out of a class formed in 1808, of which John W. disciple of Vulcan, antedated those of Wisecarver. Spry was class-leader. Until 1816 the meetings The earth was first opened in the township to re- were held from house to house. Then they were ceive the remains of one of its pioneers in 1808, held in a log schoolhouse until 1823, when a when Abraham Gabriel died and was buried on hewed-log meetinghouse was built on the Bowers the George Orr place. The first marriage was that place, for many years called the "Bowers Meeting- of Christopher Schuck and Mary Livingood. The house." A frame church was erected near Sonora ceremony was performed by Christian Spangler. in 1846. The Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal church The first log schoolhouse was erected on the Com- was organized in 1827, by Rev. Joseph Carper. A stock place, and Simon Merwin, who was the first hewed-log, plastered and weather-boarded church teacher, taught in 1811. Soon after he came (1807) was built the following year. In this structure Jacob Livingood built a sawmill and gristmill on Rev. Gilbert Blue preached the first sermon. Rev. Salt creek on section 12. In 1810 John War- Samuel Kaemmerer formed a class at George Bor- tenbee built a small sawmill on Salt creek, in the der's about 1830. George Border and Robert southwest quarter of section 22. In 1812 he Dickinson deeded an acre of land to the organiza- he built a small gristmill. The Livingoods later tion for church uses, on which a log house of wor- built several mills on Salt creek, but one after an- ship was erected. In 1856 another plat of ground other they all fell into disuse and eventually disap- just east of the old site was secured from John peared. Dr. J. S. Halderman was the first resi- Culbertson, on which a frame church was built, which was dedicated by Rev. James Ryan and dent physician in the township.

The original proprietor of the town site of Sonora Rev. A. Bartholomew. was John Brown. It was platted by Isaac Stiers

Chapter XXXIV.

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP.

ORMERLY a part of Newton township, the seph Jennings, constable. The township was form- H first election in Springfield as such was held ally organized at this meeting. The next election at David Harvey's tavern. June 21, 1803, resulting was held April 1, 1805, at the house of Thomas in the election of the following officers: Dr. In- Dowden. The original boundary of Springfield crease Mathews, clerk; John Mathews, David Har- was thus recorded: "Beginning at the mouth of vey and Isaac Zane, trustees; Robert McBride and Licking river, on the south side; thence up said David Beam, overseers of the poor; Seth Carhart river to a point where it intersects the base or mil- and Thomas Cordry, fence-viewers; David Beam itary line; thence west along said line six miles and William Bevunt, appraisers of houses; Thomas from the place of beginning (bounded on the nortli Dowden, lister of taxable property; Henry North- by Falls township and a small portion of Hopewell rup, Henry Crooks, John Chandler, George Bey- township); thence south three and three-quarter mer and Hans Morrison, supervisors of roads; Jo- miles (bounded on the west by Hopewell and a

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

small portion of Newton township); thence east six ing can recall these names and link them with the miles, south one-half mile, and east one mile, to the busy, laborious scenes of frontier life. Among Muskingum river (being bounded on the south by early justices in Springfield John Springer held a Newton and a small portion of Brush Creek town- leading place. The first school was taught in a ship); thence up the Muskingum river to the place building on the hill near Natchez. Daniel Dim- of beginning." At this time Springfield is bounded mick is remembered as the first instructor. Another north by Hopewell and Falls, east by Zanesville, of the pioneer schools was taught in Putnam by one Wayne and the river, south by Newton and Brush who bore the name of Jennings. It is said that Creek and west by Hopewell and a small portion many of the backwoods teachers were old country- of Newton. The surface of this township is men, and very savage in their treatment of the generally rolling, the valleys being fertile to a wild, robust youth of that day. The first tavern degree. Thompson's run and its tributaries, Jon- was kept in Springfield by Crooks, one of Mus- athan's creek, Chapman's run, Shawnee run and kingum's first white occupants. Dr. Mathews was more insignificant streams supply adequate drain- the first merchant and the first physician in Put. age. The Muskingum touches the eastern border. nam, and Jacob Reagan was the first blacksmith. David Stokely built his cabin near the site of He moved from Newton, and found useful labor in the Putnam foundry in the spring of 1799. July 3 making bells for cows and horses, which, running he married Abigail Hurlbut and on the 6th brought free in the woods, were recognized and found by her to his pioneer home. When the lands were their sound. The youth of to-day know little of sold he was unable to buy so large a tract, and they the trials of the border settlements in hunting passed into the possession of Dr. Increase Math- strayed stock, and more than once the boys met ews, who associated with him his cousin, as else- with bears and wolves while on this duty."

John and George Mathews put the first grist- of Jonathan's creek, and there lived until his life mill in operation here in 1799, which, as are some closed, forty-odd years afterward. The following other matters here touched upon, is referred to was written some years since, of the pioneer period elsewhere more in detail. Sawmills were built in this township:

where stated. In 1805 Mr. Stokely moved south

by John Sharp, for the Spring Hill company, in Whipple added a gristmill. The Levi Whipple

" We have in Springfield a record of early set- 1801-02; by Levi Whipple in 1802. In 1804

tlement and of the well-known founders of Putnam.

In 1801 the land on which that beautiful suburb flourmill in Putnam was built by the Spring Hill stands was purchased at Marietta. There were company in 1803. In 1804 Mr. Crooks opened a three men associated in the purchase-Increase wagon road along the Zane trace, from Zanesville, Mathews, Rufus Putnam, and Levi Whipple. These about nine miles to the crossing of Jonathan's laid out a town and named it Springfield, and in creek in Newton township, and opened a tavern 1802 several houses were erected. Andrew Crooks that was a well-known public house for many lived from 1799 to 1804 on the land back of where years. A line of stages was put on this road by South Zanesville or Natchez now is, that was later William Beard in 1821, to connect with the Wheel- entered and occupied by Gen. Isaac Van Horne. ing and Chillicothe stage line, which was estab- Adam Fronce was the first farmer resident upon lished by John S. Dugan in 1817. John Mathews the land known as Springfield township. He was built a large flouringmill about half a mile above succeeded by John Springer, who, in 1806, emi- the mouth of Jonathan's creek, and about the same grated from Western Virginia and settled in the time a saw-mill near by. In 1810 he started a woods of Springfield, four miles west of Zanesville. distillery. William Simmons is said to have put He bought of John McIntire a portion of the the first brick kiln in operation, near the fair original section 16, in this township, at $4 an ground site, in 1807. Jacob Reese built a distil- acre, before it was appropriated by congress to lery on his farm about 1820, and about the same school purposes. His son, Jacob Springer, was time Dr. Mathews engaged in growing fine-wooled married to Catharine Stover, December 12, 1812. sheep. The National road was opened through this Prior to this date Mr. Springer's three sons had township in 1828; the Zanesville and Maysville cleared one hundred acres of land, excepting eleven pike about ten years later. The Pataskala mills, acres. Jacob Springer, a well-known and promi- in the northeastern part of the township, date ment citizen, settled in the woods, on a quarter sec- from 1830, and were put in operation by Isaac tion adjoining the home traet. Abner James cleared Dillon. The " Western," afterward the " Method- for himself and family a home in the woods in the ist Recorder," established July 18, 1833, by southwest part of the township. Among other co- Rev. Cornelius Springer, was the only paper ever temporary backwoodsmen, George M. Crooks re- published in this township. Its history is inter- calls the names of Dr. Rodman, William Hibbs, woven with that of the literature of the church it John Fogles and Cornelius Kirk. Few now liv- represents. A postoffice was established in 1839

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

in the "Western Recorder " office, at "Meadow frame church was built about 1835, largely through Farm," Mr. Springer's home, six miles west of the influence of Mr. Wylie, in consequence of Zanesville, and Mr. Springer was appointed post- which Mr. Wylie's son, Abraham, facetiously master. It was discontinued in 1845. The Cin- called the building "Solomon's Temple," a name cinnati, Wilmington & Zanesville, afterward the that clung to it long afterward. A Sunday-school Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley railroad, was built was organized in 1838. The present house of wor- across the east end of this township in 1854, and ship was erected about 1855. Revs. William Ivans leading citizens of Putnam were prominent con- and Cornelius Springer were the early preachers tributors toward the enterprise. Fire clay, coal, here. '

iron, blue limestone and sandstone are found in Springfield.

The Springfield Association for the Recovery of Stolen Horses was organized in 1833, with Jacob

A Methodist Protestant class was organized in Reese as president, and Edward Rex as treasurer. Springfield in 1827, and meetings were held in a Other members were Anthony Smith, John Fogle dwellinghouse vacated by Solomon Wylie. A and Samuel Seamans.

Chapter XXXV.

JEFFERSON AND CASS TOWNSHIPS.

THE area embracing Jefferson and Cass town- was soon taken up and burned by the township ships was undivided municipally until 1853, trustees, because the county auditor refused to when Cass was formed from Jefferson, which had register and sign them officially. The trustees re- been organized for many years previously. The issued these bonds July 22, 1852, asset forth in the earliest record extant of the election of township extract from the official record given below: "Af- officers in Jefferson reads as follows: " Agreeable to ter due consideration, the trustees took up and de- an election held at the house of Henry Northrup, stroyed by fire the said $100,000 of bonds and exe- on the first Monday in April, 1805, for the pur- cnted and delivered to the said railroad company, pose of electing town officers for the township of in lieu thereof 100 bonds of $ 1,000 each, and nnm- Jefferson, there were elected the following persons: bered to 1,000 consecutively, and dated them the Trustees, Seth Carhart, Valentine Johnson and same as theformerissue to wit: April 1, 1852.'.' Isaac Cordray; overseers of the poor, John Out of the nine of these bonds grew the trouble Walmsley, James Sprague; fence viewers, James which a little more than a year later resulted in the Wilcox and William Elben; listers and appraisers, division of the township. At the special election Peter Reasoner and Jacob Jackson; supervisors of held to vote for and against the issue of these highways, Henry Northrup and James Tanner. " bonds, 340 votes were cast" for " and 144 "against." John Cain was at that time town clerk. Febru- The voters of Dresden were almost unanimously ary 15, 1806, Isaac Cordray was elected a justice in favor of the nine. The farmers throughout the of the peace, to fill a vacancy caused by the death township opposed it, and they obtained an idea of Seth Carhart; and April 1, 1809, Joseph Scott that. by dividing the township and setting up an was elected a justice of the peace without any op- independent township, they could escape any lia- position.

bility on account of the bonds, leaving all respon-

April 1, 1852, at a special election held in and sibility upon those who should live in what would for Jefferson township, it was voted to issue to the still be Jefferson township. But though the form - Steubenville & Indiana Railway company town- er party organized Cass, they did not throw off ship bonds aggregating $100,000 to aid in the their liability, and that issue of bonds eventually construction of its road, now familiarly known as cost the townships of Jefferson and Cass abont the Pan Handle; to bear 7 per cent. interest pay- $200,000. Following is a copy of the record of able semi-annually on the first days of January and the division of the township, which appears under July, and to mature January 1, 1862. This issue date Tuesday, September 6, 1853: "The commis-

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

sioners resumed the consideration of the matter by the shortest route to the Wakatomaka town, relating to the erection of a new township out of the about sixteen miles below the present Coshocton. territory comprising Jefferson township, and order The pilots were Jonathan Zane, Thomas Nicholson that a new township shall be erected out of said ter- and Tady Kelly. About six miles from the town the ritory, to be known by the name of Cass township army were met by a party of Indians to the number and to contain territory agreeably to the petition in of forty or fifty, who gave a skirmish by way of am- relation to the same, which petition included the buscade, in which two of our men were killed and whole of Jefferson township, excepting the dis- eight or nine wounded. One Indian was killed trict included within the following boundaries, and several wounded. It was supposed that seve- viz. : Commencing on the Muskingum river, below ral more of them were killed, but they were carried Dresden, at a point where the southeast corner of off. When the army came to the town it was Charles Dickenson's land and the northeast corner found evacuated, the Indians had retreated to the of Thompson Ferrell's land unite, being on the east opposite shore of the river, where they had formed boundary of Jefferson township, running thence an ambuscade, supposing that the party would west on the line between said Dickenson and cross the river from the town. This was imme- Ferrell's land, to the southeast corner of George diately discovered. The commanding officer then W. Lane's land, being lot number 17; thence north sent sentinels up and down the river, to give notice to the center of Wakatomaka creek; thence down in case the Indians should attempt to cross above said creek, in the center thereof, to the eastern or below the town. A private in the company of boundary of Jefferson township; thence along said Capt. Cresap, of the name of John Hargus, one of eastern boundary, down the Muskingum river to the sentinels below the town. displayed the skill the place of beginning. The commissioners of a backwoods sharpshooter. Seeing an Indian be- caused notices to be written and sent by James hind a blind, across the river, raising up his head Morgan, with directions to put them up in three of at times, to look across the river, Hargus charged the most public places within the new township of his rifle with a second ball and taking deliberate aim Cass; which notices appointed the 19th day of the passed both balls through the neck of the Indian. present month for the electors to meet at the school The Indians dragged off the body and buried it house in subdistrict No. 5, in part of Jefferson with the honors of war. It was found the next township this day formed by the commissioners of morning and scalped by Hargus. Soon after the Muskingum county in the aforesaid new township town was taken, the Indians from the opposite of Cass, for the purpose of electing persons having shore sued for peace. The commander offered them the qualifications of electors to fill the several of- peace on condition of their sending over their fices of said newly formed township." The offi- chiefs as hostages. Five of them came over the cers of Cass township for 1854 were: Maxwell Mc- river and were put under guard as hostages. In Cann and Alexander Struthers, trustees; D. D. Mc- the morning they were marched in front of the Ginnis, clerk; Richard Morgan, treasurer; Will- army over the river. When the party had reached iam K. Burch, constable; J. S. Tremley, justice the western bank of the Muskingum, the Indians of the peace; William Cass, Carter Garret, Will- represented that they could not make peace with- iam Butler, Daniel Wolford, Thomas Morgan, D. out the presence of the chiefs of the outer towns, Pence and John Holmes. Cass is bounded north on which one of the chiefs was released to bring in by the county line, east by Madison and Jefferson, the others. He did not return in the appointed south by Muskingum and west by Jackson. Jeffer- time. Another chief was permitted to go on the son, the smallest township in the county, is bound- same errand, who in like manner did not return. ed north by Dresden, east by Madison and south The party then moved up the river to the next and west by Cass.

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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 60

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