USA > Ohio > Adams County > Caldwell's illustrated historical atlas of Adams County, Ohio. 1797-1880 > Part 11
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25
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF ADAMS COUNTY, OHIO.
are all iu mber . of the t . P. Furch at Cherry Fork. Joseph Me- Veil. and his oldest son, Jauns, were both in the war of 1812. I be son who went into the army at 18, was celebrated for his fleet- hess of' font. While the troops were lying at Sandusky. he had a foot race with an Indian that created some interest at the time. Six thousand men were present to witness it, Gov. Meigs being also on hand to see it. The spectators formed two lines, between which the parties ran. MeNeil was the winner and was present- ed with : cane, as & memento of the contest. This cane, he, 'in after life, constantly carried whh him. Thirty-eight years after the event he was at Ripley, O., when a steamboat arrived, and a passenge recognized M. Neil with his staff, as the young man, who ran he rare with an Indian at Sandusky in 1814. In July, 1863. a bummer who appeared to be hovering around Hobson's men, who were in pursuit of Morgan, for phmider, met McNeil, who was riding a very good horse, and demanded it for the use of the army. enforcing his claim, by presenting a pistol at the old man. MeNeil immediately drew his enne for fight. The Hummer withdrew his pistol, let go the rein, and the rider went. on with his horse.
CHAPTER XIV.
OLIVER TOWNSHIP.
This township was organized, March 8, 1853, with a territory of twenty-nine and one-fourth square miles. It was formed by detaching portions of Wayne, Meigs and Tiffin townships, the larger portion from Wayne. Its lines are very irregular.
It was named in honor of John Oliver, a prominent and in- fluential citizen and a county commissioner at the time.
The first election was ordered held at the house of William B. Brown, in Unity, on the first Monday in April, 1833.
The surface is mostly high and rolling, with a soil of reason- able fertility. The principal stream of water is the Chery Fork of Brush creek.
It is divided into seven sub-districts with well managed school in cach.
There are three villages, Harshaville, Unity and Dunkins- vil', with a post office at each.
" FIRST SETTI ENS.
John Clark, was probably the first settler in Oliver township. He came in the fall of 1806, and settled, west of, and adjoining the village of Harshaville, on Cherry Fork. This property is now owned by his son, John Clark. The next year, 1807, Robert Fin- ley settled the adjoining farm, now owned by N. C. Patton. Gen. Saml. Wright came in 1808, and settled where the village now stands.
VILLAGES-BARSHAVILLE.
Though this placo was never regularly laid out as a town; yet the enterprise and good judgment of W. B. Harsha, the pre- prietor of the excellent mills of this place, that bear his name, have attracted to it, a class of people whose intelligence and culti- vated tastes, have built up quite a little villago. The general cu- terprise of the citizens, and their bright tasty houses make it one of the prettiest little towns in the country, which is attested by the many views of their residences and business houses that adorn our work.
BUSINESS OF HARSHAVILLE.
This village contains one dry goo's store, and the mills- wore particularly described on another page ; one blacksmith -hop, two harness shops, one shee shop.
STORES.
In 1849, Mr. G. A. Patton opened a store in the village, which has done a successful business since. This store is first-class in every ilepartment, and is The only establishment of tho kind ever kept in the place.
UNITY.
This little village is situated on tho piko loading fro.n Grace Ran on the North Liberty and Tranquillity pike, to Dunkinsville, some four miles from the tatter pinee. It was never laid off as a town, but has grown up by lots being sold from time to time, by George Clark, to suit purchasers as. they wanted to buy. The Urst lot was sold in the spring of 1848 to the U. P. church, for n meeting house and cemetery. . This church was called Unity hostop, hy common consent that unnie has been applied to the vil- Inge which has grown up by it.
The second lot was sold to Thomas and Smiguel MeCinamhan, who started the flest store, in 1848. This store was on the lot now occupied by W. B. Brown as a residence.
In February, 1851, the store was sold by Jacob Poole, who in July of that year, removed to Ripley, taking with him his dry goods selling the groceries to W. B. Brown, who filled in a gen- eral assortment of goods and continued the Masters untii 1874,
when he sold out to his sons, J. W. and H. H. Brown, who have since contime.l it.
'the village contains one dry goods store, one blacksmith shop, one shoe shop, one steam saw and grist mill.
STEAM MILLS-UNITY.
This mill is a good substantial building pot np in 1850, by McClanahan & Fisher, as a saw mill. They afterwards put in a pair of burrs for grinding corn. In 1853, they sold it to Freder- ick and Conrad Plummer. They continued it until 1855, when they sold to Isaac and Cyros Plack. These parties run it until 1862, when it was burned. They rebuilt and in 1864 sokl to Brown & Blake. In 1870, Mr. Brown became sole proprietor and has since continned the business alone.
MCCLANAHAN'S MILL.
This mill, located on Treber's Run, some two miles west of Dunkinsville, was built some ten or twelve years ago, by J .. B. McClanahan who is still the proprietor. It is well constructed and does a fair business.
DUNKINSVILLE.
This place is situated on the pike between West Union and Jacksonville, about six miles N. E. of the former place. It is a village of little enterprise. It was laid out with 18 lots, Decem- ber 14, 1841. It contains one small dry goods store, one black- smith shop, two cooper shops, fourteen houses and seventy inhab- itants.
POST OFFICES .- DUNKINSVILLE.
This is the oldest office in the township. It takes its name from the village.
WHEAT RIDGE.
This office was established at Unity January, 1851, with the above name, from Wheat Ridge, a tract of country known by that name on account of its excellent and heavy crops of wheat, Unity being situated on this ridge. William B. Brown was appointed first post master, which position he held until December, 18ti3, when he was succeeded by Cyrus Black, who died in May, 18ti4. June 30, 1864, G. A. Patton was appointed to succeed Mr. Black, deceased. Mr. Patton, who lived in Harshaville, two miles dis- tant, removed the office to that place, and "Unity was left out in the cold." September 30, 1865, the name of the office was chang- eil from Wheat Ridge to Harshaville and the office restored at Unhy with the old name of " Wheat Ridge," and William B. Brown again postmaster, who is the present incumbent.
HARSHAVILLE.
This office was, as stated above, established here June 30, 1864, with G. A. Patten as postmaster, who has held the position ever since.
UNITY CHURCH, UNITED PRESBYTERIAN.
At a meeting of the Presbytery, held April 18, 1846, a petition was presented by Samuel Clark and thirty others, asking to be set off as a separate congregation, giving as a reason, their dis- tance from a place of worship. Their petition was granted and lev. Jolm Graham was appointed to preach in the neighborhood of the petitioners, and preside at the election of elders.
Previous to the meeting of the Presbytery, the initiary steps were taken for the organization of the congregation and Messrs. Samuel Clark, Hugh MeSurely and George Clark, were elected ruling elders.
At the meeting of the Presbytery, held August 1. 1846, Mr. Graham asked the appointment of elders to assist him in the ex- amination and ordination of the elders elected, whereupon Mat- thew McCreight and William Finley were appointed.
Before the next meeting of the Presbytery held October 7, 1846, the organization was complete.
The meeting had up te this time, been held at the house of George Clark. The first meeting after the organization was held July 27, 1846. At this meeting George Clark was chosen Treas- urer, and James B. McClelland, Clerk. A contract was also made with Georgo Clark and J. B. McClelland, to build a house of wor- ship for $225. The original plan of the house was afterwards changed, making an additional cost of $95.13. This was for oaly the shell of the building, the plastering and seating was another expense. Everything was completed and the house ready for use and the first services held in it in October, 1847. The services on this occasion were conducted by Rov. A. Atan. At the same time he, assisted by Rov. Robert Stewart, pastor of Cherry Fork congregation, held the first communion. The house on this ocen- sion was crowded to its ut most. capacity.
A call was made for A. W. McClannhan, a licentiate at. that time under the care of the A. R. Presbytery, of Chillicothe. lle necepted it September 26, 1848, and was ordained and installed April 28, 1819, pastor of the united charge of Unity and Decatur.
At the time of the installation of the first pastor, forty (40) menibers had been received into the communion of the church and fifteen infants had been baptized.
After a pastorate of over two years, he offered his resignation
of the Unity part of his charge and the relation was dissolved September 10, 18:1.
During Mr. MeClanahan's pastorale, thirty-six (36) person- were received, into the communion of the church, and thirteen (13) infants baptized. Also the following ruling ellers. werr elected, ordained and installed, namely : Messrs, Nathaniel Kirk- patrick and John Platter.
Mr. McClanahan, deceased a few years atter he severed his connection with the congregation.
During the interval between the resignation of Mr. McClan- ahan and the installation of another pastor, fo arteen persons were received into the church, two adults and nineteen intants bapdiz- ed.
Iu a little over a year, February 25, 1853, the Presbytery granted the request of the congregation for the mederation of a call, which was made out for Rev. James Arbuthnot which Was accepted April 9, 1853. lle was installed October 10th sanie yea .
.April 15, 1868, a petition was presented to the Presbytery, 1 commissioners frem the congregation of Unity and West Cuiu asking to be made one pastoral charge and that the time of li James Arbuthnet be equally divided between both congregation After a pastorate of over twelve years, the last three in connection with West Union, Mr. Arbuthnot, on account of the infirmities of age, tendered his resignation May 8, 1866.
During Mr. Arbuthnot's pastorate ninety-two persons were received into the church, six adults and eighty-three infants bap- tized and two ruling elders, namely, Archibald Leach and Jona- than MeCreight, were elected, ordained and installed. The church building was alse repaired. Several members of the church sus- tained serious lesses by Morgan's raid, aggregating seven or eight thousand dollars.
It was during this pasterate that the unien between the Asso- ciate and Associate Reformed churches was censumated forming what is now known as the United Presbyterian church. By this union, this congregation was enlarged by members of the Asso- ciate church residing in its bounds. It was also during this pas- terate that a Sabbath School was organized in this congregation. This took place at a meeting held March 27, 1857, by choosing Cyrus Black Superintendent and W. B. Brown, Assistant Super- intendent, G. A. Patton, Libarian and J. W. McClung and A. R. Leach a committee to procure books for a library.
During the interval between this and the installation of the next pastor, forty-three persons were added to the church, eight adults and twenty-twe infants baptized, and the following elders were elected, ordained and installed, namely : Messrs. N. C. Pat- ton, W. B. Brown and W. B. Harsha.
The Presbytery at a meeting held September 12, 1866, grant- ed the request of the congregation for the mederation of a call, which was made out for Rev. J. Stewart, and was by him accept- ed September 10, 1867, and he was installed June 22. 1968.
After serving nearly three years Mr. Stewart tendered his resignation, which was accepted, January 10, 1871.
During this pastorate fifty-four were received into the church, thirteen adults and thirty-four infants were baptized. The Sab- bath school reached 200 members. During the short vacancy tive infants were baptized.
At a called meeting of the Presbytery held September 2, 1871. the moderation of a call was granted and on the same day made out for Rev. J. P. Finney and was by him accepted September 27th, same month, and on the 19th of October he was installed.
LICK FORK, BAPTIST CHUken.
Previous to 1840, there had been occasional preaching, in the neighborhood of this church, by Baptist ministers, who were passing through the vicinity. In the winter of 1840, a church wa- organized under the preaching of Elders Spohn and Griswold. with a membership of thirteen. Rev. Darkl Spohn was chosen pastor and remained two years, in which time the membership had increased to fitty. Rev. William Algood was the next pas- tor. After him the church was left without a pastor from. Octo- ber, 1844, until June, 1846, when Rev. Il. S. Kelly, took, charge and remained nearly three years, at the expiration of which time the pulpit was again vacant nutil October, 181), when Rov. Wil- liam Calahan was called to the charge.
During this year, a council of the church was called to- con- sider the propriety of ordaining Bro. F. Fear to the work of- the ministry. The council decided not to ordain him on account of his unwillingness to devote his whole time to the work. ~
June 19, 1849, Elder Catahan tendered his resignation, which was accepted, and the church again left without a pastor." It was supplied alternately by Elders Spolm, Fear and Gabriel until Sep- tember. 1854, when auother council met and assisted by Elder Spolin ordained F. Fear to the work of the ministry.
After Mr. Fear's ordination, he was called to the pastorate of the church in which capacity he served more than three years. After the expiration of Elder Fear's labors, Elder Wulluce accept- ed tho j :. storal charges. During his brief pastorate 35 members were added to the church. In May, 1861, Elder Wallace was sie- ceeded by Elder A. B. White who continued to labor with them until June, 1863, when he resigned and Elder Trichler was called and Inbored with them until 1864. Eklor Storer next took charge. He remained only six months, when he resignel anl was sie-
26
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF ADAMS COUNTY, OHIO. ~
werded by Rev. F. Fear who safi Blod the desk nutlt October, Ist7. when a counell was called to coffer ith the churches af West I'nin and Winchester relative "> emp ., Ing a pastor which re. yhed in calling Elder W. Haw.
HOUSE OF WORSHIP.
After its organization und after years of walting the congre- gation built themselves n confortable log meeting house on the ground now ocenpied by the present building.
In 1856, they decided to sell the old honse aud apply the pro- reed- to the erection of a new one. The same year it was begun sind a new frame honse 34x44, built.
LIST OF PASTORS
The following is believe:l to be a correct list of pastors since the organization of the church :
SERVICES.
MEMBERS.
L'ASTORS.
Commene't
Closc.
Recei- red.
Dismiss- ed.
1. Rov. David Spohn .. Jan., 1840 Apr., 1842
40
Woon. Algood. . April, 1842[Oct., 1844
11
10
. 11. Vance .. .
Oct., 1844 Dee., 1845
90
" W. Calahan. .
Oct., 1819 June, 1852
4
1
. " F. Fear-pastor Sept., 1854 June, 1858
8
11
S.
* S. Wallace ..
Ang., 1858 Apr., 1861
36
1
9. ..
A. B. White ...
May, 1861 June. 1863
C.
10.
..
D. Trichler. ..
Sept., 1863 Dec., 1864
15
11.
W. Haw
Jan .. 1868
38
15
..
G. W. Thoạip'n Nov., 1873 Mar., 1874
32
13.
Joseph Smith .. June, 1874 Ang., 1879
17
14.
S. G. Lindsey .. [Oct., 1879 Mar., 1880
25
CHURCHES.
This township has four churches within its limits ; the U. P. elmich at Uuity, the Regular Baptist church and U. B. church, on Wheat Ridge, and the Methodist Episcopal church nt Dunkins- ville.
UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH-WHEAT RIDGE.
No history furnished by this elinrch.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH-DINKINSNILLE.
No history furnished.
CHAPTER XV.
MCCLUNG AND CLARK FAMILIES.
OLIVER TOWNSIII.
JANE MUCLUNG-Now in her 86th year, was the daugh- ter of Samuel and Sarah Clark; and was born in Rockbridge rumty. in the State of Virginia, on the 13th day of September, 1794. Samuel Clark, her father, came to this country in the year 1. w, and settled three miles north of West Union, on the farm . ww owned by David Strake, then a vast forest. llis eldest son, . hu, married Betsey Gaul. Before leaving the State of Vir- : hw. with his young wife and two children, settled on Cherry . one mile above where Harshaville now stands. He sunk a wdl and worked at the business of tanning and dressing her in connection with that of clearing up and opening out a "in. Itis family consisted of seven sons and six daughters. Of ii- softs, all are living except one, who was killed by being caught in a thresher. His danghters are all dead bat two. Ilis son John lives on, and owns the old farm. Samuel, the next eld- e' son. married Nancy Brown, December 20, 1821 (an aunt of W. B. Brawn, the Treasurer elect of this county,) and settlect in the woods, one mile South of where Unity now stands, on the old county road leading from West Union to the mouth of Cherry Fork. lle was also a tanner, and went into that business in con- Raction with that of clearius out his farm. Ile built upon his Would a rude log cabin, and lived in the same for a number of years. Afterwards he built a double hewe ' tog house, one and a half stories in height. It was at the ramag of one of these houses that a young man by the name of Joseph Brown was killed by the falling of a heavy log, which struck him on the head, causing ;his death in a few days afterwards. . Mr. Clark continued the business of tanning for many years, doing a large amount of work for all the western and northern parts of the county, and was familiarly called " Unele Sammy Clark, the tasner." ile was a strict adherent to the " Galvanistie doctrines, " ned wax one of the ruling elders of the U. P. Congregation at Unity, from the time of organizing until his death, which occurred March 22, 1339. Ile was a man greatly beloved and respected for his mayy chris- tinn virtues. Ilia wife only survived a tew years, and they now sleep vide by side In the cemetery at Unity. Their children
all survive them, and are Hving within the bands of the Culty Congregation. Jumos, the second son, married Jane Young. Their history Is comprised In a few words. To know them, way to love them. They, were not possessed of an excess of the world's goods, but were possessed of loving hearts, and raised n small family, consisting of three danghters and one son, all of whom ure dead, except one daughter. Andrew, the fifth and last son, never married, and died at the age of tifty-three years, His grave was the second in the cemetery at Unity. He was n model of vir- tue and honesty. Edward, the fourth son, married Sallie Baker, and settled on Milligan's branch of Cherry Fork, now Newton Tolle's farm. About 1837, he sold out and moved to Logan conn- ty, Ohio. After a year's stay there, he returned to Adams county, and settled in the woods, on the road lending from West Union to Hillsboro, near Hemphill's mills, tive and a half miles north of the former place. Ile wns Justice of the Peace for many years in the township of Wayne, and was possessed of superior intel- lectual endowment-was one of the ablest debaters of the time in which he lived, and was a leader of the Democratic party, under- standing its principles perhaps better than most of men of bis dây. He cleared out his tarin and worked at the carpenter trade, and raised a large family, consisting of five sous and four dangh- ters. W. R., the oldest son, edited the " Adams County Dento- craf, " at West Union. for several years, with great eredit to him- self and the satisfaction of the party. He retired from the edito- rial chair on account of failing health, and soon after fell a victim to tha: " fell destroyer, " consumption. Edward died June, 1862. Ilis widow is still living at the old home, with an unmarried so: and daughter. Mary, the oldest daughter, married Archibald Caruthers, a widower with two children. They reared a family of five children, three sons and two daughters, all deceased but two, IIugh and Erwin, the first of whom lives in Illinois, the lat- ter in Oregon. Frances, the second daughter, married James Clark, and lived for many years on Gift Ridge, near where now slands Quinn Chapel, in Mouroe township. At this place Mrs. Clark died, October, 1849. Mr. Clark moved to Hamilton county, Indiana, about one year after the death of his wife, and if living, is still in said county and State. There were eight children born to this couple, three sons and five daughter :. Of these, there are yet living one son and four danghters. Sarah, the third dangh- ter, was married to Robert Clark, and settled near the Old Bridge road, leading from West Union to Manchester, on what is now known as " Ellison's Ridge. " Their family consisted of five sons and three daughters. There is now but two surviving members of this family, a son and a danghter. Both reside on the old farm. We now come to the history of Jane, the youngest dangh- ter, and only surviving member of the family of Samuel and Sarah Clark. She was joined in marriage to John McClung, by Rev. Win. Baldridge, January 4, 1827, and moved with her hus- band to his farm, then in the woods, in Liberty township, on the head waters of Eagle Creek, better known as Hill's Fork. There they opened out their little farm, suttering many hardships and privations, such as are common to the early settlers. Iler hus- band and herself were among the original members of the Associ- ate Reformed congregation at Cherry Fork, and continued to wor- ship with the congregation for about twenty years, when they sold their farm and moved to the farm on which the widow now lives, (better known as " Caruther's farm. ") This farm is fonr miles north of West Union, and in Oliver township. They united with the U. P. Congregation at Unity, shortly after its organiza- tion. Her husband died February 8th, 1873, in his 83th year, and had been a member of the church for seventy years. Their fam- ily consisted of two sons and three daughters. All are now living except Samuel, the eldest son, who died June 29, 1869. Both of her sons enlisted in Co. E. of the 70th Ohio Regiment, Colonel J. IL. Cockerill, on the first day of November, A. D. 1861, and served for three years. Her two youngest daughters live with her on the old farm. The old lady's devotion to her government is only equaled by her devotion to her Lord and Master, which subject she loves to talk on above all others.
DER EARLY RECOLLECTIONS.
She says tlint the first water mill in the county that she can recollect. was Hemphill's, on West Fork of Brusk Creek, above the month of George's Creek. And the next one was built by Andrew Eltisou, on Lick Fork of Brush Creek, opposite to which the old Stone House stands, on the West Union and Jacksonville road. This mill was built about the year 1808. The Stone House was built in the year 1893, by Andrew Ellison, who was a full consin to her father, Samuel Clark. She says the scaffolding was still up when their folks arrived in this country in 1803, and . that Mr. Ellison had received an injury from a fall from the seaf- fuld, about the time the house was being completed, of which he never afterwards fully recovered. Andrew Ellison was the father of John Ellison nad Andrew Ellison. John was elected to the Legislature, and served as inember with no little distinction. Ile was also Sheriff of the county for a term of years, and offici- ated. at the hanging of David Backei, which she thinks took place in November, 1803. John was the father of A. B. Ellison, now of Manchester, and of the late John Ellison, of the firm of Ellison & Co., bankers of Manchester. Of the third son, William, she cannot tell anything about, .Andrew, the brother of John, she
never knew ihuch of his history, ho luft the conuty when young, und went Into business and boonme wealthy. The oldest dungh. ter of Andrew Elllson was numed Sarah. She died when qnite young. lønbet, or Ibby, another daughter, was married to the Rev. Dyer Burgess, and lived near West Union. Mary married Thomas Huston, and lived in West Union on a farm now ocen- pied by R. W. MeNeal. Both of the daughters died childless. His daughter. Margaret, married Adum McCormick. They also lived at West Union, and both of them fell victims of that death denling scourge, cholera, during its visit to that place in 1848. These parents never had but one child, Joseph, by maine, and well remembered by the citizens of tho county ns a " brilliant man and fine lawyer. " She says of the daughters of John and sisters of A. B. Ellison, that Mary was married to William Ellison, late of Manchester, but now dend. The present Aoditor, R. II. Elli- son, is one of their children. William Ellison was a man highly respected by all who knew him for his many christian virtue -. Mary, his widow, still lives at their old home in Manchester, and is respected and loved by all, and especially the poor and needy l'he first white child born in this county was John Clark, cou-is to our informant, born at Manchester, March 17th, 1791. Hle wa- the son of John Clark and Margaret, formerly Margaret Ellison. sister to Andrew Ellison, who built the Old Stone House on Lick Fork. John Clark and his wife, Margaret, settled on the old Ridge Road, leading from Manchester to West Union, on the farm owned and occupied by widow Nixon. They settled there about the year 1793, and raised a family of thirteen children, all of whom are now dead except one, James, well known to many of the old citizens of the county, now a resident of llamilton county. Indiana, and in his 86th year. Ilis youngest daughter is the wife of Jolin Clark, near HIarshaville. She is the only mem- ber of the family living in this county. Samnel Clark, and his wife Sarah, parents of Jane McClung, were born in the county of Tyrone, Ireland. Her mother's maiden name was Sarah Lamma, and her grandmother's name was Wilson. Her brother, John Clark, was born in Ireland, and crossed the " briny deep " when a child with his parents.
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