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 62

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 62

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343

HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

then took the name of the Plummer mill. The construction. In 1817 Charles Copeland built the D. F. Mckinney mill, just above the mouth of first brick house here. Symmes creek, was built by James John and The first church erected in the township was James Gibbons as a sawmill. They added a grist- the Wheelen Methodist Episcopal church in 1823. mill and sold the property to Lloyd Dillon. A It was a hewed-log structure 24x36 feet. There distillery was started below the mouth of the is a statement in print that the Methodists had a Wakatomaka, on the river, before 1812, and a house of this description two or three years earlier. "tramp mill " for crushing grain is said to have This church organization, which was composed of been attached. Wood & Eberts had a furnace in many of the pioneers and their families, ceased to operation on Symmes creek, half a mile above its exist at least half a century ago. Prospect Meth- mouth, about 1814-16. It was soon abandoned, odist Protestant church was organized from the however. In 1816 Daniel Milton had a black- membership of this old church in 1831 by Rev. Mr. smith shop near the furnace. Copeland & Parma- Gilbreath. Leonard Hurdle was class leader, and lee kept the first regular store about 1840, as is meetings were held at John Walkers, until 1838, claimed by some; others say the store of Thomas when a log church was built on land given by Mr. Pierce, at his mill, was the first. The William Hurdle. On an adjoining lot, donated in 1861 by Minner pottery was established at the forks of John Stoner, a frame building was erected which Symmes creek in 1869. Ten years later the King was dedicated by Rev. J. C. Hazlett. Salem & Swoope pottery was put in operation a mile Methodist Protestant church was organized in 1834 above the mouth of that stream. Postoffices were by Rev. William Marshall. The class leader was established at the mouth of Symmes creek and at John Mahan. A hewed-log church was built in the residence of Thomas Armstrong in 1850, with 1838 a mile southeast of the mouth of Symmes Charles Love in charge of the first; Mr. Arm- creek. In 1868 a frame structure was built on the strong in charge of the last mentioned. Mr. same site. As early as 1835-36 Judge Daniel Mapes began to make salt just below the mouth of Stillwell, a Presbyterian, built a church on his land Wills creek in 1810. . James Tingle came into in Madison township, first for the use of Christians possession of the springs and works in 1852, and of his own denomination, but open to any other operated them until about the close of the war. when not so occupied. Rev. William Baldwin

Jacob Swigert settled on the river in this town- organized a Methodist Protestant class in 1868, ship in 1800 and sold his claim to J. S. Copeland, which has worshiped here since. The first class who transferred it to John Bainter early enough so leader was Samuel Hammond. St. Matthew's that the latter may be called one of the pioneers. Protestant Episcopal church had its inception in In 1801 Bainter moved to the higher land on the meetings held in 1837 by Rev. William A. J. G. Stump place. The southwest quarter of Smallwood, of Zanesville, in the church building section 19 on Symmes creek was entered by first referred to. St. Matthew's parish was organ- Wyllis Silliman, who sold it to James Sprague, a ized October 22, 1838. at the house of John C. Nova Scotian, who settled on it in 1802. Valen- Stockton. A house of worship was erected on tine Shriver, a Swiss, located two years later on land given by Evan James. The corner stone was the northeast quarter of section 23. In 1808 laid August 4, 1839. The cost of this building George Adams, from Fauquier county, Va., settled was $900. It was not completed until May, 1846, on the southeast quarter of section 18. About the congregation worshiping meanwhile in the old this time Charles Copeland located near the mouth church. The Symmes Creek class of United Breth- of Symmes creek. Adams built the first hewed- ren was formed in 1846. Zachariah Adams deeded log house in the town. Some years later he added an acre of land to this organization for church pur- a frame building to it, which was the first frame poses in 1861. A frame church was built in 1864.

344

HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

Chapter XXXVII.

LICKING TOWNSHIP.

L ICKING township is full of interest to the resi- prior to 1812. Game at that time was numerous, dent; he feels that it is of his father, his farm as regards deer and turkeys, but bears and wolves and his village that these lines are descriptive, and were becoming rare. Bounties paid for wolf scalps statements are made of which his own experience made their pursuit an object, and bear's meat for has knowledge. Long before the actual settlement food, and the skins for use, besides the excitement of the township a hardy race of hunters and squat- of the chase, led bruin a hard run for life. Deer ters had built their cabins and made improvements were killed in Licking township as late as the fall about the site of the present villages of Irville and of 1835, and turkeys until recently. The honey- Nashport. Among these men were David Devore, bee preceded the settler, and the old pioneers John Thrapp, Henry Barrickman, Aaron Claypool, would line a bee to the tree and glean the long- and Joseph and Ephraim Baker. Among the first stored sweets, and sometimes takes home the swarm to enter lands as actual settlers were Jonathan and to the cabins. Round-log houses were succeeded Solomon Wood and families, from Virginia, Leon- by the hewed, and, in time, the first frame build- ard Stump, Jacob Victor, David Vandenbark and ing in the township was erected at Irville, and Nathan Fleming. These settlers, prior to 1808, dedicated as a house of worship by the Presbyte- are of the dead, and their children have grown rians, under charge of resident pastor, Rev. Smith. aged upon the old lands. Of those who moved The first road running east and west through the . into the township before 1812 who were permanent township was the old stage route between Colum- inhabitants, we give the names of John Irvine, bus and Zanesville; along this highway the four- John Van Voorhis, Richard Ayers, and John R. horse coaches ran daily prior to the construction of Roger, son-in-law of Stump. It is related of Enos the National road. The old stage-drivers are of Devore that he came west with his father, John past times, and even their names are lost, save that Devore, in 1801, bringing with them two cows and of John Wilson, who married Polly Sheppard, of an ox, on which they packed all their goods. John Irville. The only gristmill in the township was Devore soon returned to Virginia, where he is built in 1832, and is known as Claypool's mills. thought to have died. Enos Devore settled at The township has two villages: Irville, laid out in what is now called Nashport. At this time there 1814 by Richard Ayers and John Irvine, and Nash- were two habitations in the place-one owned by port, by Capt. Thomas Nash, in 1827. Possibly David Devore, the other by Samuel Jones. Prob- the first attempt at merchandising in the township ably the first tavern-keeper in Licking was Jona- was made at the foriner place by Francis Cassady, than Wood, whose house at Nashport, a hewed-log in a two-story frame, part of which was used as a building, was the favorite resort of the settlers to dwelling. The first postmaster was Jared Brush, hold elections, make up horse races, and attend to of Irville. The medical services of Elmus Wheaton, business matters. Jacob Victor was a hammerman this village, were long required over a field on at the forge at Dillon's Iron works, and later was which there was no rival to dispute his rights. a settler upon a farm which he had previously Near Nashport of the present was erected the old bought and let to a tenant to clear up. John Ir- log schoolhouse of the period; on its puncheoned vine employed part of his time at carpenter work, floor the boys and girls of 1815 formed in line, and the remainder at farming, as was usual with and here instruction and discipline were given by tradesmen of the day. John Sidle was the owner Dougherty and his successor, Edward Rogers. of the pioneer corn-cracker mill, and in time gave One Dickinson was the first white man buried in it in charge to his boys to hoist the gates and the old Indian burying ground, on land now owned draw the toll. John Fleming and David Vanden- by Levi Claypool. Early settlers were Virginians. bark are reputed to have planted the earliest The present population are to the manner born. orchards of the apple and the peach some time This township was organized before 1806 from

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

the Virginia military land. The earliest local rec- ted for the proprietor by the Roberts Brothers. ord in existence is a portion of a treasurer's book The pioneer postoffice was at Irville, and was estab- bearing date June 3, 1813. That year the total tax lished in 1818. Early in the thirties it was re. levy was $40. John Spencer, who collected it, was moved to Nashport. The early mails came only paid $2.40 for his services. The township super- weekly. The earliest schoolhouse in Licking was visors for 1814 were Solomon Wood, Samuel Guest, built about 1814-16, abont twenty rods north of William Thrapp and Nathan Fleming. In 1815 Nashport, on land owned later by Thomas Devine. Leonard Stump was overseer of the poor; William In an improved form it was standing about fifteen Thrapp, Nathan Fleming, Daniel Lovitt, Aaron years later. An early teacher here was one Dough- Claypool and Samuel Gnest, supervisors; Samuel erty. A hewed-log schoolhouse was built at Nash- McCann, township clerk; William Bell, collector; port in 1835-36. The timber was given by Daniel Asa Snider, Daniel G. Wilkins and William Thrapp, Van Voorhis; the tree from which the shingles were trustees. The tax that year was $65; in 1816 it made by Elias Ellis; the stone by John R. Stump. was $50. The first road through the town was the Leven Coverdale was the contractor and was paid stage road between Zanesville and Columbus. The about $90. The Ohio canal was completed through first local surveyor was Jonathan Wood. Charles Licking in 1830. The "Reindeer, " a pleasure and John Roberts also did much surveying in the boat built at Newark, was the first boat to pass township. About 1810 John Fleming had a fine Nashport. The first regular canal boat to pass apple orchard on his place north of Nashport. through the township was the "Union," of Dover. David Vandenbark had a peach orchard about the The only lodge of Odd Fellows in Licking is same time, and sold John Van Voorhis a half Durban Lodge No. 478, which was instituted in bushel of peachstones in 1812. The first hewed- 1871. A division of the Sons of Temperance was log structure was an addition to the log house of instituted at Nashport in 1870 and disbanded in Jonathan Wood at Nashport, which he built about 1878. Following are the names of heads of fami- 1812. John Van Voorhis had brick manufactured lies in Licking in 1826:

on his place, and with them he erected the first

C. Baxter, Thomas Mattocks, Daniel Farns- brick house in the township in 1817. David Van- worth, Adam Piper, William McDonald, William denbark, above mentioned, built the first stone Hall, H. Allison, I. Francis, P. Claypool, James house in the township. Mr. Wood kept tavern in McDaniel, Peter Pake, George Pake, John Pake, his round and hewed-log house mentioned above. William Boilan, Asa Langstaff, J. Terrel, S. Cole- Later he sold to John Kerr, who was succeeded by man, W. Beard, A. Maloney, J. Rhodes Sr., J. Capt. Thomas Nash, the founder of Nashport. Rhodes Jr., William Arter Sr., William Arter Jr., This was closed as a public house prior to 1830. B. Redmon, Mary Irvine, B. Walker Sr., I. D. In the township records is found mention of Stewart, Jesse Keen, P. Howard, John Perry, N. Thompson's tavern, in 1815. Richard Ayers, who Fleming, Elizabeth Wood, Thomas Liggitt, James with John Irvine laid out Irville, was an early Dickey, James Coe, Peggy Hughes, M. Taylor, I. tavernkeeper, and Hugh Allison and Joseph Rob- Lewis, Jared Brush, H. I. Cox, Josiah Walker, A. erts were early " landlords " there too. Early and Mcclellan, E. Fern, Samuel Scott, Charles Hunt, now long gone mills in this township were the fol- D. E. Wharton, Lennox Sheppard, John Yocum, lowing: John Sidle's saw and gristmill, which was Abel Randall, George Osler, Thomas Brook, in operation on Licking creek as early as 1815, Robert Hagerty, William George, S. Prior, E. Shep- and was demolished in 1840; Nathan Fleming's pard, Edward Spencer, William Reggs, Michael sawmill on Stump's run, west of Irville; Daniel Dunn, John Wells, Alexander Vass, Joseph Fell, Woods' water-power sawmill, on the Licking. James Farnsworth, John Rhodes, William Nichols, The Claypool mill was built by Jacob Rhodes in Robert Bonham, J. Sidle, D. Vandenbark Sr., G. 1830. Vandenbark, E. Hunt, Simon Sterlin, C. Ditter,

The platting of Irville, in 1814, by John Ir- M. Sherrard, George Tebo, James Ward, Daniel vine and Richard Ayers, has been referred to. In Ward, H. E. Burkholder, Leman Mead, William 1818 Jared Brush opened a store thore. The Edwards, James Walker, D. N. Murch, W. Mnn- store of Nathan Fleming was opened in 1825. son, Jacob Leffer, Leonard Stump, John Regar, H. Daniel Van Voorhis began merchandising there in Tipton, Thomas Nash, Jacob Victor, David Victor 1832, and continned nntil 1843, when he returned Sr., David Victor Jr., L. Coverdale, John Fleming, to agricultural pursuits. He was elected to the William F. Starkey, John Van Voorhis, Joshua state legislature in 1860, and now at an advanced Evans, Solomon Wood, James D. Stump, Samuel age is living in Zanesville. Elmus Wheaton was Jones, George Hito, Albert Randall, W. MeClure, the first postmaster at Irville. In 1827, as has Abijah Haman, Matthew Fleming, O. Hillary, David been stated, Capt. Thomas Nash laid out Nashport. Jones, Daniel G. Wilkins, Charles King Sr., Sam- The town site embraces forty acres, and was plat- nel Guest, James Pentecost, John Myers, James

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

Tunis, Charles Dougherty, Thomas Wickham, Jr., built a log house of worship about fifty years ago. Moses Snider and Hull Wickham.

It passed out of regular use about sixteen years The little log meetinghouse of the Macedonia ago. Nashport Methodist Episcopal church was Methodist Episcopal church was erected about organized about 1845. A lot was donated to 1835, three miles north of Irville. It was aban- the society by Captain Thomas Nash, and the doned ten or twelve years ago and the society built church building was erected in 1854-55, at a cost a larger building outside of the township. Two of $1,000, and dedicated by Rev. Joseph M. Trem- and a half miles north of Irville the congregation ble. A Sunday-school was organized in 1855, with known as Highland Methodist Episcopal church R. C. Dean as superintendent.

Chapter XXXVIII.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

T THE first actual settler here of whom we have gan to come in more rapidly and were mostly from any definite knowledge, while a great hunter, Pennsylvania and Virginia, with a few from Dela- belonged more to the pioneer class. His name ware, from which last named state Moses Boggs was Isaac Prior, the ancestor of Alexander Prior, came in 1805, and made his settlement in the now residing in Licking township, and whose biog- eastern part of the township on land purchased of raphy in this volume presents a more extended Noah Zane. He possessed some business ability, sketch of this first settler of Washington township. for he was county commissioner from 1840 to 1843. Through data obtained in the Prior family, we Jacob Livingood came in 1805, from Pennsylvania, learn that Isaac Prior was a native of Pennsylvania, accompanied by Elija Hart from the same state.

and that he settled with his family in 1799 on land Joseph Evans and George Crane, Joseph Ver- since owned by A. C. Howard. Tradition tells us non with his wife and regular pioneer family of that he provided the meat for his family largely twelve children, came in 1805. In 1806 Gen. by his skill as a hunter, and that he sold deer and Robert McConnell, of Pennsylvania, settled on wild turkeys to the very first settlers of Zanesville. land afterward owned by William Fox. He was This humble log cabin and small clearing was the afterward the founder of McConnelsville. In first in the township, and the fertile soil of the 1806 Joseph Slack also came in and settled on township first yielded to his cultivation a crop of land afterward owned by James Galloway. He corn.

built a log house roofed with shingles, which was

Isaac Prior was not a reckless Indian hunter, the first to boast such a luxury. About this time but was a church member, and took with him to came John Walters. In 1808 Jacob Gaumer a the wilds of Muskingum, a letter of dismissal from revolutionary soldier from Reading, Penn., settled his church as a member in honorable standing. in this township. His son-in-law, Jacob Sturtz, the After he had somewhat established himself, he ancestor of the Sturtz family in this county, from built a hewed-log house, and his hospitable roof so Somerset county, Penn., settled the same year on frequently sheltered the wayfaring hunter and the farm now owned by Mr. Lovett. Jacob Sturtz land seeker and other adventurers, that it came to was a soldier in the war of 1812, and served in be looked upon as a tavern which was the first in Capt. Robert MeConnell's company of riflemen. the township. It seemed to have been the custom He was in several. fights with the Indians. In for many of the first pioneers to keep open house, 1810 Job Dickson sold out his tavern to John their latch string was always out, and no man who Speers who had recently come to the township. songht shelter with them was ever turned from George Swasek came from Virginia in 1811. John their door. Likewise, Job Dickson, who came soon Robertson settled in the township in 1812. By after Isaac Prior, entertained travelers at Three- 1816 Samuel Cassel, John Price, George Jay, mile spring, as soon as he had built his cabin and William Keatley, Albert Cole, Isaac Beatty, Spen- cleared three acres of land. The settlers now be- cer Lehue and William McConnell had arrived.

347

HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

In 1820 John Wall came from Pennsylvania, and to the Muskingum river, thence up the river till it the Suttons and Batemans came shortly before. strikes the east and west line, through the centre Then came L. McLain and John McCashland. In of township 2, in range 7, thence east with said 1822 a Virginian, Jonah Hague, came with a line between Jackson and Copeland's land. and on pioneer family of fifteen children. A man by the with said line until it strikes the range line between name of Bates had a tavern on Mill run in ranges six and seven, at the northeast corner of the 1804. . The first marriage was solemnized between fourth quarter of the second township in the John Mercer and Elizabeth Vernon, in 1807. The seventh range, thence south with the range line, first death was Eliza Hart, who died in 1807. between ranges six and seven, to the place of be- There were no more deaths for ten years, when ginning, which shall constitute a new township, to Jane Slack died in 1817. The first birth was be called Washington township; also, ordered that Rebecca Vernon, daughter of Joseph Vernon. the auditor advertise for an election, to be held at the

In 1810 William McConnell built a sawmill, house of Mathias Colspier, on the 22 day of June the first in the township. Some time after this a inst., to elect a sufficient number of township officers mill run by ox power was built by William Beatty. in and for said township of Washington. On June

27, 1822, the first election was held for township John Howell and William Evans were In 1811 John Bates mined the first coal in Mus- kingum county, on Mud run, this township, which officers. he sold in Zanesville. Jacob Slack opened the clerks.

The officers elected were, for treasurer, first road, assisted by his brother George. It is William Culbertson; trustees, James Huff, Robert what is now known as the Adamsville road, and McConnell and Moses Boggs; overseers of the was from his house to Wheeling road. In 1813 poor were Robert Boggs and Robert Culbertson; the Adamsville road was surveyed, which was the for clerk, Samuel Orr Jr .; road supervisors, first county road. The first man to drive a team Nicholas Closser, Anthony Woodruff and John over this road was Jacob Slack. In 1819 George Harris; fence viewers, Mathias Colspier and Jury built the first distillery and Albert Cole the Nicholas Closser; justices of the peace, George first tannery. In 1814 a coal bank was opened by W. Jackson and Moses Boggs; constables, An- John Speers for his own use.

thony H. Woodruff, Leonard Lull and George

The first school teacher in the township was Slack. The first infirmary director elected was Ellen Spinner, in an old-time schoolhouse built in Robert Slack, in 1875.

1816. Samuel Cassel was the second teacher.

As early as the year 1800 there was a Muskin- John Price had the first blacksmith shop in 1820, gum and Hockhoeking circuit, which, in 1802, was and this same year Henry Conrad opened a store. changed to the Little Kanawha and Muskingum. In December, 1822, Samuel Barstow made the first Jesse Stoneman rode this circuit, but it was Robert claim against the township for $12.18, for burying Manly who organized the first Methodist church John McCasky. In 1830 the village of Jackson, in the valley. Just how far up it is impossible to on the National pike, four miles east of Zanesville, say. James Quina traveled this circuit in 1804-5. was surveyed into lots. The record was made While the records of the early Methodist itinerants October 20, same year. The land was formally are very incomplete, we find that some stanch owned by Spencer Lehue. This village has at- seekers after truth met in private homes in our tained no considerable growth, and is simply a township, and listened to the word of God. The quiet residence hamlet with no business enterprises first class was organized about 1808, holding their worthy of notice.

meetings, among other places, at the homes of From the County Commissioners Journal of John Vernon, Joseph Bowers, John Bowers and Wednesday June 5, 1822, we extract the following: Isaac Beatty. Feeling the need of a permanent " The commissioners met agreeable to adjourn- ment, present, all three, as heretofore. A petition having been presented from a number of inhabit- in the fall of that year. place of worship, these zealous Methodists, in 1823, erected a hewed-log building, which was dedicated It was built by the pio- ants of Zanesville township, north of the military neers themselves, without outside assistance. It line, thence running west with said military line to was situated on a farm owned by John Bowers Sr. the southwest corner of Buford's farm, on the In 1816 a frame structure, costing over $1,000, was Wheeling road, thence north with the west bound- erected in Perry "township, on George Borders' ary line of the Buford farm, until it strikes Joseph farm. Among the early preachers were Presiding Shut's land, thence west and north with the west elder Jacob Young, William Knox, John Water- boundary of said Shut's land, to land belonging to man, Thomas Carr, John Tires, Samuel Glaze, T. John Lehne's estate, thence west and north with A. Morris, Charles Elliott, James Gilnth, Samuel the west boundary of Lehe's land, on the line be- Broekmier, Jacob Hooper, Archibald MeElroy, tween Lehue's land and Jeffrey Price, with said Leroy Swainestedt, M. M. Honkle, B. Westlake, line northerly to Mill run, thence down Mill run J. P. Durbin, David Young, William Cimningham,

348

HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

Thomas Beecher, E. H. Taylor, Ezra Brown, Z. John Bateman, Semote Menifee, Jacob Slack, Ho- H. Coston, Michael Ellis, C. Springer, J. Calihan, sea Woodruff, Margaret Ferrell, Ami P. Hunter, Joseph Carper and W. B. Crislee. During the Peter Mears, Samuel Barstow Jr., Martha Wood- summer of 1833 the first Sunday-school was organ- ruff, George Barstow, Mary Bailant, Mary A. ized by Joseph Church. Rev. D. P. Mitchell and Michael, Mary Barstow, Elizabeth Zett, Ann Hick- J. W. Spry revived the old Sunday school in 1851, man, Mary J. Dunmead, William Mears, Mary Mar- the old one having existed but three months.

tin, Brittania Presgrave, George Presgrave.

Methodism was well established in Washington

Prior to 1848 a company of Methodists used to township, when a class was formed in a school- meet in the Woodruff schoolhouse. In 1848 they house on John Orr's farm in 1842. It consisted built a church on the farm of Thompson Hague, a of John Wall, Amanda Wall, James Walwork, short distance north of Coaldale. The first two Margaret Walwork, Lucretia Brown, Patsy Shiflet, class leaders were Isaac Franks and William Cat- Lloyd Bishop, Mrs. Bishop, James Smith, Marga- lin. Among the prominent members of this church ret Smith and Nellie Hart. The class-leader was at its organization, we find the names of Job Mor- Stephen Schafer. After three months the class gan, Jacob Walters, William McCashland, Albert moved to William Brown's tobacco barn. Some Jones, Joel Jones, Robert Jones, Jonathan Malox time afterward, the new meeting house being fin- and Joseph H. Bowers. Among the early pastors ished in 1843, the meetings were held there. The were Revs. Wyrick, D. P. Mitchell, Robert Boyd, class leaders have been Stephen Schafer, James I. N. Macabee and Henry Snyder. Twenty years Smith, John Wall, James B. Smith, James Mc- ago this church had a very flourishing Sunday- Jurkin, Jonathan Collins, Turner Wolf and John school, which was well conducted. Gray. A Sunday-school was early organized, which was well attended.

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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 62

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