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 63

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 63

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In the early sixties the Lutherans organized a Sunday-school in a log cabin on the land owned

The Baptist church was formed from the Bap- by David Shick, which flourished. Among its tist church in Salem township. Many of the Wash- superintendents were Samuel Shick, James McGee, ington township members, finding it inconvenient David Shick, A. Martin, Mrs. Maggie Shick, Miss to attend church in Salem township in 1842, peti- Kate Boggs and John Mitzlett. This was called tioned the Baptist church in Salem township for the St. John's Union Sunday-school. In 1863, permission to organize a church in this township. springing from this Sunday-school, came the St. The petition granted, and a new association John's Lutheran church, worshiping in the same formed, the next year built and dedicateda church, log cabin. A frame church was built in 1876, under the pastorage of Rev. William Sedgwick. Samuel Shick subscribing $400. Among the promi- They soon organized a Sunday-school, which nent members in an early day were Samuel Shick, proved a great aid to the church. As the signers John Hetzel, Allan Dunn, James McGee and Eliza- to the petition to the Salem church may be consid- beth Hetzel.

Among their pastors have been ered the founders of a new church, we give their Revs. George Sinsibaugh, William M. Gilbraith, names as follows: William H. Barstow, A. H. Logan Gilbraith, John Bocker and George Woodruff Sr., Robert Combs, Amy Presgrave, Shrieves. Land on which the original log church James Miller, A. H. Woodruff Jr., Elga Combs, stood was donated by David Shick in 1863 for thir- Mary Leach, Mary Cobb, Harriet Bateman, Eliza- teen years, the transaction being made legal by the beth Mears, Sarah Callihan, Willis Barstow, Will- receipt on his part of $1. iam Leach, Penrod Bateman, Elizabeth Bateman,

TENTH WARD SCHOOL BUILDING, ZANESVILLE.

TOWN HALL, NEW CONCORD.

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

Chapter XXXIX.

RICH HILL TOWNSHIP ..

R ICH HILL was organized in 1815 under the located in sections 19, 20 and 29. William Herron following order of the county commissioners: took up his residence on the southwest quarter of "A petition was presented to the commissioners section 18 about the same time. During the next from a number of the inhabitants of Salt Creek year, on section 16, located Daniel Monroe, John township, praying that they would incorporate Jones, John Reynolds, Adam Shaner, William the thirteenth surveyed township in the eleventh Ivers, and one Crow, and, on section 1, Michael range, to be erected into a township called and Hammond and Abraham Pollock. Philemon John- known as Rich Hill township, to which is added son, a Revolutionary soldier from Vermont, Israel the twelfth surveyed township, and that part of the Robinson and Hezekiah Hyatt came in 1808 and eleventh surveyed township in said range, which 1809. In 1811 came Caleb Monroe and C. Brady; lies in Muskingum county. Ordered by the com- in 1812, Thomas Elliott and Thomas Brady. missioners that the township be erected, March Among other early comers were the St. Clairs, Fos- 18, 1815." Abraham Warne was one of the first ters, Gregorys, Forsyths, Aulds, Sims, Givens, trustees. Israel Robinson, a justice of the peace Crawfords, Spillmans and Dixons. The first who under the Salt Creek organization was retained in died in the township was Elizabeth McNaughton, office in Rich Hill. It is said that John Reynolds a little girl. The second was one of the same gave the new township its name because, as he said, name, but an old lady. A man named Martin was it was "so rich and hilly."

the third. All were buried in 1812, on the Mc- Rich Hill is essentially an agricultural district, Naughton's land. The first public cemetery, now and all kinds of crops grow abundantly. The known as the "Methodist graveyard," was opened chief article of export is wool, but latterly quite a two years later. The marriage of James Dixon good many horses and cattle have been raised for and Ann Herron was the first in the township. market. The first mold-board plow used in the Caleb Monroe's and Deemy Hyatt's was the next township was introduced by Abraham Warne, who one. The first birth was that of John Moore, in also set out the first orchard. The plow was of March, 1807. In August following Pierce Warne the kind known as "Wood's patent." A Mr. was born. The Zanesville and Marietta road was Mayers brought in the first threshing-machine at a the first surveyed through any part of the town- date that can not now be recalled. D. Irwin ship. The road from Chandlersville to Cambridge, brought the first Merino sheep into Rich Hill from put through, it is said, in 1810, was the second. Pennsylvania. About 1836 Abraham Wells brought Leonard Stichler built the first log cabin in 1805; in a few short-horn cattle from Morgan county. Andrew Howell the first frame house in 1819; In 1856 James Herron bought some thoroughbred Neal McNaughton the first stone house in 1827; short-horn Durhams of James McCune, of Blue James Calhoun the first brick house in 1828. John Rock township. Later he bought some more in Jordan taught the first school in 1814 or 1815, in Athens county, Ohio. Daniel Tom introduced a a little log house near the site of the Pierce Warne fine pair of Devonshires from Guernsey county in residence. Dr. Daniel Bliss, of Salt Creek town- 1876.

ship, was the first medical practitioner here. Neal

It is thoughit that the first settlers in Rich Hill McNaughton built the first gristmill in 1818, on were one Lawrence, a German, and his stepson, the east branch of Salt creek, on the northeast Leonard Stichler, who located on school section quarter of section 29, and after owning it twenty- 16 in 1805. Lewis Pierce and his sons, Llewellyn, one years sold it to Thomas Randolph, who in Jonathan and Andrew, and Abraham Warne, John turn transferred it to Jesse Hayden, in whose Moore, William Robinson and John and Neal Mc- ownership it was burned. Abraham Warne built Naughton, came from Pennsylvania in 1806, and the first sawmill in 1824. In 1837 James Cal- 20

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

houn built the John Smith gristmill at Rix's Mills. building over the line in Guernsey county, until The Rich Hill postoffice, the first in the township, a building was erected in this township. Rixville was established at John Randall's, and removed in United Presbyterian church was organized in 1825, 1846 to Rix's Mills. Another office was established by Rev. David Proudfit. The first church build- at Thomas Sheppard's, and removed successively ing was burned, and in 1850 a goodly frame struct- to Morgan Morgan's, to Watt Henderson's and to ure was erected on the southwest quarter of sec- John Pierce's. It was vacated in 1861 and rees- tion 9, at a cost of $1,600. Rich Hill Baptist tablished as Freeland postoffice in 1874.

church was organized in 1833. No traces remain The only trade center in the township is Rix's of its meetinghouse, which stood on the east side Mills (sometimes called Rixville) which is an inland of section 29, on the creek bottom. Rich Hill Re- post hamlet in the northeast corner of township, formed Presbyterian church was formerly a flour- sixteen miles east of Zanesville, and six miles from ishing organization. As late as 1836 its house was New Concord, the nearest bank. Spratt, a small standing on section 30. Mount Zion Presbyterian station on the Bellaire, Zanesville & Cincinnati church was organized August 4, 1839. Its first railroad, four and one-half miles distant, is the church building was erected in 1841, on the nearest shipping point. southeast quarter of section 27, and later became "Monroe's Meeting house" was the familiar a parsonage. The present house of worship was name of the first church built in this township in built near the old structure in 1864, at a cost of 1813, by a Methodist class formed at Daniel Mon- $1,800. Buffalo and Williams' forks and South roe's in 1812. In 1836 it was replaced by a frame creek and McKee's, May's forks of Wills' creek structure, costing $1,200, on the southeast corner drain this township. There are no minerals of of section 9, on land purchased of F. R. Winrod.

consequence except coal. During the spring of In 1861, at a cost of $1,250 a new frame was built 1807, a band of Shawnee Indians, numbering about on the old foundation, and was dedicated in 1862 thirty warriors, encamped on the Salt creek bot- by Rev. Hiram Miller. Goshen Baptist church toms, near Abraham Warne's, and after a consulta- was organized October 18, 1822, by Elders Debalt tion with the whites, retired without molesting and Rees. Early meetings were held at houses. them or theirs.

From 1824 to 1849 the church worshiped in a

Chapter XL.

MONROE TOWNSHIP.

THE original pioneer of this township was works on Wills creek at an early day, and built a r

T Charles Marquand, who settled on the land gristmill, sawmill and ran a carding and fulling- now occupied by his grandson, Charles Marquand, mill, which were the first mills in this part of the in the wilds of Wills creek, in 1810. He was of county. He also conducted a general store in French descent, and spoke that language, was born 1834 for the pioneers, the first in the township, and on the Island of Guernsey about 1763, and mar- carried on a large business. In 1836-37 he built ried there, and here all his children were born. a large two-story brick house, which at that time He first settled at Georgetown, D. C., where he was the only brick house in that part of the town- worked at his trade of a carpenter. When he first ship. Charles Marquand was one of our most en- settled on Wills creek not a stick of timber had terprising and business pioneers, and was largely been cut on his land, and no clearing had been instrumental in settling up this part of the county. made in what is now Monroe township. Charles He was known far and wide, and extended aid to Marquand was a man of energy and thrift, and many of the pioneers to assist them in establishing aided by his sons, cleared up his land, and at his homes. To the French settlers, especially, he death owned 625 acres in this county. Possessing never refused aid, and possessed their confidence business ability to a marked degree, he had salt and esteem to a great degree. His son, Peter

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.'

Marquand, followed in the footsteps of his father, measured ten feet from tip to tip. His younger and was a business man of large influence. Mar- brother, William, was with him, and together they quand's mills were known far and wide by the old placed the beast on a pony's back and brought him settlers, and were of great advantage to them. The in triumph to their father's cabin. Samuel property is now owned by John and Charles Mar- Sprague, another son of James Sprague, the old pioneer, deserves a passing notice, as the oldest

quand, grandsons of the original settler.

James Sprague Sr. was the next pioneer of man in Monroe township at the time of his death. Monroe township. He settled at Otsego in 1812, He was born in Bedford county, Penn., March 4, and was the first settler of this place. He was one 1796, under Washington's second administration, of the early pioneers of Ohio, and first settled at and was brought to Ohio when a child. He died Marietta, and about 1800-1 settled at Waka- near Otsego July 4, 1890, and was ninety-four years, tomaka, now Dresden, where he ran a gristmill for three months and twenty-six days old at the time another party. The Indians from Otsego would of his death. Hisdaughter, Mrs. Levenia Simmons, . come to him with small packages of corn to grind. was the first white child born in Monroe township. Being a lover of hunting, he often visited Monroe She is yet living. Samuel Sprague set out the first township and Otsego in search of game, and was orchard at Otsego, bringing the trees from Dresden pleased with the locality. When the Indians on an ox sled. crossed the Muskingum river at Cass' ford in 1812,

The Bainters were among the very earliest set- on their way to the reservation, Mr. Sprague saw tlers of Monroe township, and were great hunters them cut through the ice with their tomahawks, to and a well-known pioneer family. They all spring enable them to swim their horses through the river. from Godfrey Bainter, the original pioneer, who He soon after moved his effects to Otsego on a sled. came from Germany, bringing his wife and settling

Nehemiah and Jonathan Sprague, his brothers, in Maryland, where twelve children were born. In were famous hunters and early settlers of Marietta, 1800-1 he came to Ohio with his family and set- and while the Indian troubles were still rife, as- tled on wild land in Madison township, on the land cended the Muskingum river in a canoe, and en- now occupied by Joshua Stump, which to this day tering the mouth of Wills creek, continued up is called the old Bainter farm. He died in 1803 at about five miles, and discovered a small lake which the age of eighty-nine years. is now called James Wilson's pond. Here they

Jacob Bainter Sr., the son of Godfrey, and carefully hid their canoes from the Indians, signs the father of Frederick and Jacob Bainter, now of whom were plentiful, and proceeded to hunt living in this township, was born in Maryland, and

deer and other game. They preserved their meat came with the family to Ohio. He was a soldier by sinking it in the water until they had procured in the war of 1812, and married in Bedford coun- sufficient for their needs, when they returned to ty, Penn., where Godfrey Bainter made his home Marietta. It is claimed that this visit to Wills some time after leaving Maryland. He settled first creek was made before the settlement at Zanesville on the Wakatomaka creek, and in 1812 moved with or Dresden, and was probably the first visit made his family to Monroe township and settled on land by white men to this vicinity. James Spragne was which his son Jacob now occupies. This is the a great wolf hunter. It was difficult to get money statement of the venerable Frederick Bainter, son for anything except wolf scalps, and thus many a of Jacob Bainter Sr. But Jacob Bainter Jr., is wolf fell before his accurate aim. James Sprague quite positive that his father settled on this land is described as a fine example of the Ohio hunter the fall of 1811, and that Charles Marquand set- and pioneer. He was a tall, strong, and large tled before him, and that James Sprague settled boned man, weighing from 185 to 200 pounds. He at Otsego June, 1812. However, the difference is dressed in buckskins, wearing a fringed hunting slight, and there is no positive authority as to shirt and coonskin cap. He first erected a rude, log which statement is correct. It is evident that the but on the spot where Charles Walker now lives, Spragues and Bainters made their settlement in where about three acres of land had been cleared the township at about the same time, and that by the Indians. This hardy old Revolutionary sol- Charles Marquand Sr., preceded them nearly, if dier and hunter passed his life without any severe not quite, two years.

sickness, and died in this township at the great age of nearly ninety-seven years. The first year the Bainters settled their food gave out, and as the wheat was just heading, they The next generation of Spragues being yet rubbed out the heads and used it with milk. They well remembered by some of our older settlers, as would have suffered for food had not the game hunters and pioneers, it will be necessary here to been so plentiful. Jacob Bainter was a very skill- give but a short account. Elijah Sprague, son of ful hunter, and provided an abundance of wild James, was born in 1801. At the age of thirteen game for the family. He was a powerful man, of years he shot, with his father's rifle, a panther which iron constitution and a substantial pioneer farmer.

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: HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

owning nearly 600 acres of land. He died in 1865 moved his family through the woods on horseback at the patriarchal age of nearly ninety-five years. and settled in a log hut with neither door nor floor, He belonged to a long-lived family. Of the twelve which had been built by James Sprague, and here children of Godfrey Bainter, all lived to be over Mr. Elson cleared up a good farm. He built the eighty years of age.

first gristmill in this vicinity, on White Eyes Frederick Bainter, his son, was born in Madi- creek, in 1819. Henry Elson, son of Tunis, was a sou township August 15, 1804, and is among the substantial old settler of this township. The ma- last of the sons of the pioneers, and is now living ternal grandfather of his wife was a Mr. Kelly, at the advanced age of eighty-eight, a substantial who was one of the old colonial pioneers. At one farmer, and still able to work on his farm. In his time, while journeying in a boat with his wife, three prime he had the tough sinews of a backwoodsman, children and two other men, one of whom was his and could cut the trees and make 250 fence rails in brother, they met a boat containing a white man one day.

and two Indians, who appeared friendly. After

Jacob Bainter Jr., now a substantial farmer in some talk the Indians borrowed two of their best this township, was born on the farm where he now rifles, under the pretense of killing some deer. lives, June 10, 1815, making a continuous resi- Mr. Kelly and his brother unsuspiciously stepped dence on one farm of seventy-seven years. Adam ashore to gather some pawpaws growing on Bainter, son of Godfrey Bainter, was born in the bank, when the Indians, who were on the Maryland, and was sixteen years of age when his watch for them, shot and killed them both, and father moved to Ohio. About 1816 he moved to they fell back into the boat dead. The remaining Monroe township and settled on the farm where man pushed the boat off and escaped to the other Andrew A. Bainter now lives. He lived to the age side with Mrs. Kelly and the children. Leaving of eighty-two years. Jolin Bainter, his son, was the boat, the party began a fearful march for the born in Cass township in 1809, March 9: inherited settlement. During this perilous journey Mrs. his farm from his father; was one of our respected Kelly and her three little children, one of whom citizens, and died in 1890 aged eighty-one years. was a babe in arms, lived on haws and other wild

Henry Brannon, another of the pioneers of berries, and were nearly starved. She was bitten Monroe township and the founder of an excellent on the ankle by a copperhead snake, and her limb family, was born in Pennsylvania and settled in became badly swollen. Fearing they. would all this township in 1812 on the farm adjoining that starve before they could reach the settlement, the now occupied by James M. Brannon, his son. In man of the party set out alone for assistance, and, his old age he sold out and went to Henry county, arriving safely, stirred up the settlers to the res- Iowa, where he died at the age of seventy-eight cue. In the meantime Mrs. Kelly was days in the years. He was also a mighty hunter, and one sea- wilderness, and at one time, becoming entirely dis- son, from the door of his log cabin. he shot seven couraged, laid her infant at the foot of a tree to deer that had come to feed on his turnips. This die, when a boat came along and took them to a date of settlement was given on the authority of French station. Mrs. Kelly and her children were James M. Brannon, who is very positive he is cor- in a pitiable condition, but the kind-hearted set- rect. In 1813 Jared Cone came from New England tlers relieved all their wants and sent men to bring and settled on section 13. In 1814 Joseph Stoner in the bodies of her husband and his brother. came from Pennsylvania and settled on section 13. The infant who came so near perishing in the wil- In 1812-16 David Richardson came from Connect- derness became the mother of Mrs. Henry Elson, icut. In 1812-16 John S. Abbott, father of David now an aged lady residing in this township, from J. Abbott, came to the township. He had mar- whose lips the writer gathered this story, which ried a daughter of Capt. David Richardson, and has never before been in print.

these families came out together. The journey

In 1819 Caleb Buker, who was born at Gray, was made by means of ox-wagons over the Indian Me., in 1794, settled in this township. He was trail from Cambridge.

the son of Israel H. Buker, a Revolutionary soldier,

Tunis Elson, one of the pioneers of Monroe who served under Washington and Lafayette and township, was from Crawford county, near Mead- who was at the battles of Princeton and Trenton ville, Penn., and came to Ohio in a pirogue, or and with Washington at the famous crossing of the large log canoe, bringing his wife and four chil- Delaware and during the bitter experiences of the dren, and settling in Monroe township in 1817. winter at Valley Forge. He was one of the early They made the entire journey by water, coming school teachers of this region, and died at Otsego. down the Ohio and up the Muskingum river, and His sons were famous early school teachers of this then up Wills creek until they reached Marquand's county, and were widely known. Caleb Buker be- mills, where they were stopped by the riffle, the came the wealthiest man of his day in Monroe dam not having then been built. Samuel Sprague township. When young he was a soldier in the

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

Warof 1812. He was also a sailor, an old-time postoffice, was built in 1849 by James Bell. school teacher, one of the early merchants and an Squire Marshall and afterward Caleb Buker were extensive real-estate owner. At his death his es- merchants. tate was valued at $150,000. He built the first

In 1866 the village directory contained Joseph stone house in the township, in 1830. In 1819 C. Simmons, hotel-keeper and farmer, William Alpha Buker, brother of the above, settled in Mon- Vinsel & Co., dry goods, groceries and postoffice; roe township. He was also one of the noted J. M. Lane, physician and surgeon; William pioneer school teachers. About 1851 he settled at Snoots, blacksmith; J. L. Wortman, boots and Otsego and bought the hotel property now owned shoes; Kinsey Wortman, coal dealer; Elias Sprague by Thomas H. Davis, which he kept for many general store; Douglass Bell, M. D. ; Barton Cone, years. He was postmaster and fifteen years justice justice of the peace and farmer. Dr. Alonzo- De- of the peace.

In 1827 Robert Waters came to Monroe town- Originally the eastern portion of the town was ship when a boy of fourteen years of age, with bis owned by Moses Abbott and the western portion brother Reuben. In 1828 Mrs. Elizabeth M. Mc- by Francis Wires.

Donald, widow of Nathaniel McDonald, settled on

In 1880 the village contained twenty-seven the farm long afterward occupied by Squire John houses and 120 inhabitants. The two hotels were McDonald, who was a boy but fourteen years old kept by Joseph C. Miller and Joseph C. Simmons. when the settlement was made.

In 1812 the first road was made between Symms a general variety store. Boyce and Cowden were Creek and Otsego, by James Sprague and sons. in the same buisness. Thomas H. Davis was In 1815 the first road which was regularly surveyed proprietor of a shoe shop and grocery. E. H. was laid out by Charles Roberts, from James Lind- Bradford was a cabinet-maker. The millinery busi- ley's, in Union township, to the mouth of Wills ness was represented by Catherine C. Wortman creek. The next road was from Col. John Rey- and Phoebe Riney.

nold's store, on the Wheeling road, in Union

William and Alfred Smith were in the coal bus- township, to James Sprague's, in Monroe township iness. Dr. A. L. Jackson was proprietor of a by Joseph K. McCune, surveyor in 1817. The town- drug store, while James T. Case and Isaac Mc- ship elections were held at the house of James Graw were the blacksmiths of the town. John Sprague.

Hammond had a wagon shop, Marquis Norris was

In 1817 the first sawmill was built by Martin a harness-maker, and Walker & Co., were tanners. Richardson, on White Eyes creek. In 1819

Otsego is surrounded by a good agricultural Charles and Peter Marquand built the dam across growing section, and contains about 150 inhab- Wills creek at the place since known as Mar- itants and is distant about eighteen miles from the quaud's Mills. Here they built a sawmill in 1820. county seat. It has a good public school building, In 1829 they built a carding and gristmill. In two churches and a number of business houses. 1839 Samuel Sprague built a sawmill. In 1826 Barclay & Ross, general merchandise; Cowden & Joseph Walker started the first tannery and re- Boyce, general merchandise; John Hammond, mained in this business for many years, which was wagon- maker; Hamilton & Watkins, millers; Otsego afterward conducted by his son R. A. Walker. Flouring mills; J. T. Riney, contractor and under- The first thoroughbred Durham cattle were intro- taker; Isaac McGraw, blacksmith and old soldier; duced into the township by Decatur Buker and Jesse Ridgway, son of Basil Ridgway a pioneer of Barton Cone. In 1830 Dr. Cass came to Otsego, Adams township, is a prominent business man of and was the first physician to reside here. Otsego, and engaged extensively in buying and

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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 63

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