USA > Ohio > Adams County > Caldwell's illustrated historical atlas of Adams County, Ohio. 1797-1880 > Part 18
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CHAPTER XIX.
TIFFIN TOWNSHIP.
This township was formed at the reorganization of the town- ships in 1803. It then had the following boundaries : Beginning at the mouth of Island creek on the Ohio river, thenee up thu river to the mouth of Brush creek, theuce with the high land be- tween Brush creek and Lick Fork, till it strikes the east line Wayne township, thence south along said line till it strikes 1 north-east corner of Sprigg township, thence south along the c line thereof to the place of beginning. Since that time seve important changes have been made in its boundary lines. It w named in honor of Edward Tiffin, then Governor of the State.
The elections were ordered to be held at the court hasp West Union.
SURFACE.
Tiffin township, as well as the whole of Adams county, w. doubtlessly once a level plain. This is evident from the even and horizontal position of tho layers or strata of the rocks. The reg- ularity of their stratification shows conclusively that they were deposited in quiet waters, and they lay in an unbroken stenta that covered the whole land. t
This level plain has been farrowed with the valleys we now see, wholly by the excavating power of water, that has cut down through the rocky, strata, until the country presents the appearance of the endless succession of hills and valleys that we How sec. The present configuration of the conntry is enused by artificial means.
STREAMS.
While no considerable streams pass through this township, two or three creeks have their source or head springs within its limits. The highest spring of Beasley's Fork is near the old the- tory building in West Union. Flowing south ward, increasing in volume by the added waters of other springs along its course. it becomes a considerable ereck, and finally empties into Ohio Brush creek, opposite the farm of Nathan Foster, in Greene town- ship.
Lick Fork has its source in a spring on the form of Mrs. Ilolmes, apposite Jerry Stewart's house, one-half mile west of
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF ADAMS COUNTY, OHIO.
West Calon, win ling its way enstwurtly ; it flows into Brush creek, nonr the Fristew farm; a inlle sonth of Jacksonville, ,
There is another strong spring, ahont a mile north of the Holmes spring, known as the Stroman spring. This was once a noted deer lick, and is generally considered the source of Liek Fork, nud whleh gave name to the latter creek.
EARI.T SETTLERS.
We have been unable to gather with certainty the exact dutes nt which the first settlers in Tiffin township eame.
Jacob Treber, who came in 1797, nnd settled in Lick Fork, where his grandson, William 'Treber, How lives, was among the very first that settled in the township. Among others who were here when he enme or who arrived soon after he did. were An- drew Ellison, who settled about half a mile south-west of him, and built the stone house now owned by Simon Fields; Daniel Collier, who settled on Brush creek, on the farm now owned by his son-in-law, Andrew Ellison ; Duncan Mckenzle, who settled a little lower down than Collier ; Lewis Piatt and a few others.
Another settlement was made in the neighborhood of Kil- lintown, ahont 1800. Among these settlers were Jaines Ellison, James, Robert and Jonathan Ralston ; Job Denning, Joseph Ey- lar. Adam Hempleman, Jolm Killis, who afterwards laid off Killinstown ; Devern Clary and Jacob Piatt, who died at the age of 104 vears; Samnel Compton, who came in 1802; George Har- per and David Collins. . Harper located adjoining West Union on the north side. The property is now owned by Salathiel Sparks. Collins settled sonth of the village.
CHURCHES.
There are within the limits of Tiffin township, twelve churchie's, as follows: one Presbyterian, three Methodist Episco- pal, one Methodist Protestant, one Baptist, one United Presbyte- rian, thre. Ch: istian Union, one United. Brethren, one Christian church.
We have, by the assistance of some of these churches, been able to gither their history, which we give lu onr work, whilst others have rendered us no aid, and therefore their historles are necessarily left out, because we could not obtain it.
POST OFFICES.
There are two Post offices, West Union and Osinan. The history of the former le given fully, but there is no data to give the history of Osman.
THE TREBER FAMILY.
JOUN TREBER-Was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylva- nia, from whenee he emigrated to Limestone-now Maysville, Kentucky, In 1794 or '95. From that place he removed in 1797 to Adams county. and settled the farm now owned hy his grandson, William Treber, on Lick Fark, about five miles northeast of West Union, on the Maysville and Zanesville pike. There were but few settlers here when Mr. Treber came. "Among those who were here, ar eame about that time, war Andrew Elluiou, who settled about half a mlle southwest, on the farm now owned by Simon Firlide, where the old stone bonse now stanits. Daniel Collier,. who settled the farm now owned hy Mrs. Andrew Ellis.In. Dun- ran Mckinsey, Lewis Piatt, and a few others. Mr. Treber first built n cabin, for temporary shelter for his family, but in 1798, he erected R substantlal hewed log house and hung ont a shingle inscribed " Traveler's Entertainment. ". This was one of the first taverns opened in Adams county-the Leedem House at Benton- ville. perhaps preceded it two or three years. Mr. Treber kept this tavern nulil 1825, when he traded It to his son Jacob, for his farm on the Klltenstown ridge. Jacob continued the old tavern itutil abont 1850, when The introduction of railroads had so changed the modes of travel that conutry taverns were no longer paying lustitutions, and the " sign " which the winds had swayed to and I'ru for over fifty years was pulled down, and the house offered "travelers entertainment " no more: This building was weather-boarded In 1831, and Is to-day, after a lapse of eighty year», In good condition, making a very comfortable, pleasant residence for Ita orenpants. There are many Incidents of lilstorie Interest connected with this old house and Its vleinity. : Belng on the Mavaville and Zanesville road, which Col. Zane marked ont, this road, the route of travel from the south and the south west to the eastern States was aver this road. General Jackson passed over It on his way to Washlugton city in 1839, to be Inauguraled Prewhient. Henry Clay and Thomas H. Benton used to pass thils way to attend the sessions of Congrew, and both have slept within the walls of this ald tavern. In 1815. a company of Kentucky soldiers on their way home from the uriny, after the declarations of peace, stopped over ulght. Que of then, . named Zucharlalı Moun, belug ølck, dled during the ulglit. Ills companions remain- ed over & day to bury their dend comrade, wineh they dhl with inilltary honors, Though no stone marks the last resting phee of this dem soldler, It has been respected ;. no ruthless plow share has over devecrated It. This grave Is about sixty rods northeast of this old dwelling, in the filel.l near the roadside. Il Is marked by a clump of bushes that with their green follage, cast a pleasant shade over the spot in the summer's heat, while the beautiful
wild flowers by their mute silenec seem te plead in pity to the passing traveler for sympathy for the quiet sleeper whose rest they seent to guard. About thirty reds southwest of this house along the pike towards West Union Is a spot rendered memorable by the death of Asahel Edgington, who was killed there by the Indinus in December, 1793. A narrative of this affair is given in another part of this work. Edgington fell near, a small cedar tree that stande about a red from where the pike runs, on the northwest of it. When his friends at Manchester came to look for his body, tlie next day, they found his head stnek upon a pole which was set up near this cedar tree. ITis remains were gath- ered up and interred near the creek. In course of time the wear- ing away of the land by the waters, disinterred his skeleton, which was again gathered up by his friends.
MUNNER OF WILLIAM FLORENCE.
This man lived in Monroe' township, on the west side of Brush creek, near Waggoner's Ripple, on the property after- wards owned by the late John Joucs, and still occupied by his family. William Florence married the daughter of James Kars- kadon, of Blue Licks, Kentucky. This Karskadon appears to have been rather a thriftless kind of a man, fonder of hunting than work, and fonder of whisky than either. He frequently wan- dered over the country with his gun to hunt, and when he could get il, carried a bottle of whisky with him, stopping with friends here and there to stay all night, or to get a meal of vietuals. On one of these occasions, he made his way to the house of his son- In-law, Florence, but knewing his aversion to whisky, Karskadon left his bottle out somewhere, but when he wanted to find it, was unable to do so. He aceused Florence of having found and con- cealed it, and demanded its return, and threatened to shoot him if he did not produce the bottle. Florence was nnable or nuwill- ing to get it, when his father-in-law deliberately shot him while standing in his own door, killing him instantly. Karskadon then coolly started on his way home, shooting a squirrel or two, as he traveled aloug. . H> made his way to Wrightsville, where he was arrested before crossing the river. This occurred on the 24th day of June, 1839. Karskadon was lodged in jail, indicted for murder in the first degree, and tried at the September term and found guilty, as charged in the indictment, the jury bringing In their verdict ou the afternoon of the 27th. The court met on the morning of September 28th, and the Sheriff was directed to bring the prisoner into conrt. to have sentence passed upon bim. The Sheriff presently returned in some cousternation, and report- ed "the prisoner has hung himself, and is dead. " Thus ended the career of James Karskadon.
MURDER OF SIMON OSMAN.
James Easter and Simon Osman lived neighbors in Jefferson township, not far from the forge dam bridge, where they had lived the greater part of their lives. There had however existed a fend between them for many years, that time could not efface. They had grown to be old men, being sixty-five years of age. The familles maintained a like ill-feeling towards each other.
On Saturday, September 28, 1876, the nelghbors had gather- ed at the forge dam bridge, to celebrate Its completion by a ple- nie, with plenty of drink. The Osmans were there, and Easter and his sou John passed with some stock they had sold. After delivering the stock, the Easters returned, crossing over the bridge, where the Osmans hal a restaurant. The old inan Os- man who lind been drinking freely, followed Easter, inflicting several blows on him. 'Easter turned on his assallant with a kulfe, with which he stabbed hilmi, severing the artery of the left armı, from which Osman died In twenty minutes. In the mean time, two of the young Osmans attacked young Easter, one of them stabbing him with a carving kull'e, Inflicting a wound that extended from his temple down his face and body nearly to his knees. In the mean time, the old man Easter, hurrying to the assistance of his sou, was assailed by one of the young Os- inans with a fenee stake, and knocked down and so severely in- jured that he never fully recovered from the effects of It. Old' inan Osman was carried to his home uenr hy, a earuse, and yonug Euster was many months under the doctor's care.
The blood shed on that occasion was visible for a long time on the bridge, which is often called bloody bridge.
Indictments were found against Easter, but they were never prosecuted to final decisions.
CHURCHES.
SOLDIER RUN BAPTIST CHURCH-TIFFIN TOWNSHIP.
On the fourth Sunday in June, 1802, there assembled at the house of Jaines Carson, on Soldier Run, a few of the scattering neighbors to hear the gospel preached. At this meeting a new church was organized, and seven members united with it. This little band of worshippers who at that early dny planted this lu- fant church In the wilderness, deserve to have their names go down to all future generations. They are now dead, but " their memorles should live. " Their numen nre James Carson, Eliza- beth Carson, David Thomas, Patrick Killen, Nathaniel Foster, Priscilla Lovejoy and Eve Ellrod.
Tho Rev. Thomas Ellrod preached the sermon, and regularly constituted the church, after which, a constitution and rules of
government were adopted to guide its members in the way of the christian life.
The house to which these meek ail lowly pioneers neale thelr way from their humble cabins, along the winding path- among the forest trees; that bright, quirt Smalay morning in June, 1802, te usher into existence this new el.urch, is slill stand- Ing near the mouth of Soldier Ran. It is considerably dilapida- ted by the wear of time. It afterwards.passed into the bands of David Black, and is now the property of bis widow, Mr -. Sarah Black. It probably touk some little time to get the machinery. of this ehureh-if we may so speak-into regular ramming order. for It appears that its first clerk was not elected natil October 9th, 1802, when David Briggs wus called to that position, and it wa, not until Saturday, February 12th, 1803; that Nathaniel Foster. and James Carson, were appointed the first deacon-,- On April 9th, 1803, Elder Thomas Ellrod was unanimously tuvited to take the pastoral charge of the church. This appears to leave been the first minister regularly called to the charge. At this uwefing, Nathaniel Foster and James Carson. were ordained deacon -.
July 9th, 1803, the church agreed to join the Bracken a-soria- tion. Elder Thomas Ellrod was uppointed to prejeer a letter for that purpose, to he presented to the next clairch meeting for it-' speetion.
August 16th, 1803, Elder Ellrød presented the letter he wa- instructed so present for the association, which was approved. and Deacon Faster and Bro. Thomas were directed to bear it to the association.
On July 13th, 1805. " Bro. Pangbarn was permitted to preach awhile on trial, " and on April 7th, 1810. " Bro. Ellrod way per- mitted to take out license to keep tavern.
Up to 1835, the regular church and business meetings, on Sat- urdays were generally held at the house of Mr. Carson, but fur preaching or other larger gatherings. were held at Osman's scha 1 house, about three-fourths of a mile from Carson's.
In 1835, arrangements were made to build a meeting house. and an aere and a half of land was purchased from Abraham Newkirk, and in 1836, a comfortable new frame house was built. This deed was made January 29th. 1836, by Abrahina New kirk and Massey Newkirk, his wife, to David Spobu, Jolm Os nan and Wm. F. James, as trustees of the church. The following are com- plete lists of all the church officers. From the organization of the church to 1865, there have been the following pastors:
Thomas Ellrod nad John Harover, twenty;nine years ; Jacob Layman, four years; David Spohn, four years : Hiram Baruet. four years and four months ; Lyman Whitney, two years and tive months; David Vance, two years ; flugh S. Kelley, five years ; Mr. Dinkleman, -; F. Fear, -.
The following ministers have been licensed by the church to preach :
Mr. Pangburn, in 1805; Jolin Harover, 1805: David Spohn. 1825; Walter Smith, 1831 ; Mr. Fry, 1839; Francis Fear, 1854. The following Deacons have been elected :
James Carson, in 1803; Nathaniel Foster, 1803: Julen Hamil- tou, 1838; Samuel Mason, 1838; F. C. Fear, 1844: AAlphens Hum. ble 1852 ; John Oşman, 1852.
The following are the church clerk> :
David Briggs, 1802; Bartholomew Ander-mm, Isot :. William F. James, 1835; William Parks, 1838: William F. itaine-, 1839: F. C. Fear, 1845.
The total number of members that have united with it. is' two hundred and forty-four.
OAK GROVE GERMAN M. E. CHURCIL.
This church is situated on the road leading from West t'niont to Youngville, three miles from the former place, but in Tidin towuship. It was organized about Ist, with the following members, to-wit: J. Kssick und wife, M. Shupert and wife, C'. Shupert and wife. F. Pfenmer and wife, F. Kiunderly and wife, G. Haas and wife, and C. Haugheidench. Rev. tobu Baer was the first preacher.
The meeting house was Inih ia 1813, of hewgd log-, IsA2L
The society now numbers but right of ton timbers. Most of the old membership now sleep in the quiet ehutch yard. while others have removed to the far west. Their descendants have forgotten their mother tongue, and rostly united with ditterem branches of English churches.
OAK GROVE CHRISTIAN CUIRen.
This elmirch is situated near the Oak tirove German M. 1 .. Church, before mentioned. 11 was organized August 12th. Ivi .. by Elders N. Davidson, C. W. Gurcontte, and William Pangburr. with the following members, lo-wit : Hester Lowe, Sarale Pusile- wnit, Margaret Russell, Elizabeth Howland. Jonathan Postewait. Hulduh Lewis, Levi C. Howlend. Andrew Gallaspie, Sarah Rus- sell, Sarah 1 .. Gillaspie and Matilda Billitee. In Isog they pro- cured from James MeGoveny a lot of land adichving the property of the German M. E. Church, on which 'hey erected a nest and comfortable, meeting house. The ballong is a trade. Best! costing $1,200. It was dedicated in October. Ists, by the Rev. \. Dawson. John B. Howland is the present Beacon.
The present mmmaber of members is nowty -nine.
Since Its organization there have been the following past. :.
38
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF ADAMS COUNTY, OHIO.
lo-wit : William Pangburn, George C. Hill, John Shelton, Jacob Hawk, and John F. Burnett, present inenmbent.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
FRANK SENMAN .- This gentleman, was born in Monongah cunnty, now West Virginia, September 7th. 1816. came with his parents to Adams county, in 1820, when but four years old. Ilis father, Jolin Senman, first came and "looked ont " a new conn- try, nud selected Adams county, to which place he afterwards, in 1820, bronght his family. Ile first settled temporarily, about one- fourth of a mile east of West Union, but presently took a lease on a place now known as the Johnson farm, about three and a half miles from West Union. Here he moved his family. It required hard work and economy to provide for them. in this new and comparatively unituprovod country. At the age of sixteen, Frank went forth from the parental roof. to make his way in the world on his own resonrecs, which was the " bone and misle " of his limbs. and a will to use them. fle first went nine miles above Portsmouth, and hired to work on the Ohio canal, then building, where he worked three months, at $13 per month. With this money, he provided himself with some additional clothing, came home, remained a few days, then went to Greenup county, Ken- ticky, and worked for some time at Darlington's Furnace. He then returned to Adams county, bonght a small farm of sixty aeres, on which he placed his parents. He was now eighteen years of age. After buying this land and placing his parents upon it, he again returned to Kentucky. In about a year his father died with cholera. Frank hastened home, to look after the interests of his now widowed mother and his sisters. After providing for their support and comfort, he returned agaiu to Kentneky. IIaving now learned the stone mason trade, he work- ed for Trimble & Co., doing the mnason work for their furuaces. Whilo he was working for this company he married Miss Susan Kane, November 25, 1836. Soou after his marriage, he returned to Adams county, where he continued working at his trade. He worked on several furnaces. In the meantime.he saved his earn- ings, which he invested in lands, as opportunity offered. In 1855, he quit his trade and turned his attention to farming, siuce which he has rapidly accumulated property, until he now owns over two thousand five hundred acres of very valuable laud-the larg- est land owner in Adams conuty-a striking example of what in- domitable will and unflagging industry may accomplish, even with the most discouraging beginnings. Mr. Seaman resides ou the West Union and Cedar Mills pike, about three miles from the former place, where he owns a maguificeut farm, which has on it the largest cattle barn in the county, together with a magnificent dwelliug and other tarin buildings, as will be seen in the eugrav- ing that appears in this work. Mr. Seaman has raised & family of twelve childreu, eight sons and four daughters; named John William, Elizabeth Ann, Henry Allen, Mary E., Silas Chase, Wil- son Shanuon, Sylvester, Sarah Rebecca, Louie Josephine, George, and Francis Marion. Mary E. died at the age of twenty, and a son in earlier years. Seven of the surviving children are married, the other three, Sarah, George aud Louie Josephiue, are nuniar- ried, and remain with their parents.
PETER MCKENZIE .- Duncan Mckenzie, the father of Peter MeKenzie, was horn near Glencoe, Scotland, in 1755. He emi- grated to America in 1786, landing in New York, from whence he came west, and settled on the Mingo Bottom, near Steuben- ville, Jefferson county, Ohio. He came to this country, bringing with him from his church this eirtificate :
"BLARCKIN, 28th of April, 1786.
That the bearer hercof, Duncan MeKenzie was born iu Glen- kinglass, in the parish of Ardchattan, that he had resided for the most part of his life within the bounds of said parish, where his moral character has been always unexceptional, inuffensive, reg- ular, and tree of any scandal and immorality, is attested by
DUNCAN MCFARLANE, Minister of Glencoe and Glentie. "
The following is his receipt for his passage money : "GREENACK, 7th of June, 1786.
This is to certify that the bearer, Duncan Mckenzie, has paid six pounds, as payment of his steerage passage to America, per the Alexander, Capt. Ritchie. JOHN STUART
At the time of Mr. Mckenzie's arrival on the Mingo Bottom, the country there was in a constant state of alarm from the dep- radations of the savages, who were plundering and murdering the frontier settlers at every opportunity. The inhabitants were in a state of continual fear. Military organizations had to be kept in constant readiness to repel an assailing for, or to range the for- ests to observe the approach of any hostile band that might be hovering round the intaut settlements. Mr. Mckenzie at once joined a company of Rungers, under Capt. Meslachan, served his time and received the following discharge :
" Duncan Mckenzie, soldier in my company of Ohio Rangers, having served the time required, he is honorably discharged from the service.
Given under my hand at Sheperdsburg, this 27th of November, 1788.
WILLIAM MCMACHAN, Capt.
Mr. Mckenzie next emigrated to Manchester, where he ar- rived in 1791, joined Gen. Maxsie, and received the bounty of a hundred 'acres of land, which he selected on Brush creek, just
above the bridge, on the West Union and Cedar Mills pike. In 1795, he married Miss Jane Ellison, daughter of Andrew Ellison, an nucle to the Andrew Ellison who was captured by the Indians at Manchester in 1793. This nnele, however, never left Ireland. Duncan MeKenzie with his wite settled on their farmi abont 1800, where they lived and died. Thoy reared a family of six children, four sons and two danghters. They are now all dead but the youngest, Peter Mckenzie, who is the subject of this sketch. lle owns and ocenpies the old homestead, to which he hans added one. hundred acres more by purchase. To give an idea of the way they did business in the early settling of the conntry, when there was little or no money in circulation, we snbjoin a copy of a note which was found among the papers left by Dunean Mckenzie, and now iu the hands of the surviving sou, Peter MeKenzie. This note given to Duncan McArthur, afterwards governor ot Ohio, we presume, from the appearance of the writing, is iu the Governor's own hand. We append it verbatim.
" I promise to pay, or cause to be paid unto Duncan McAr- thur, or order, the just and full smn of two deer skins, at five shillings pr. patern, to he paid on or before the twenty-fifth of December next, it being for value received. Given under my hand seal, this first day of September, 1795.
SDUNCAN MCKENZIE.)
Test JAMES WILLIAMS. 3 WILLIAM NAYLOR."
Peter MeKenzie was born Jannary 14, 1811, and in 1835, mar- ried Miss Susan Boyle, who was a native of Maryland. They are the parents of five children, four sons and one daughter. Two sons survive-the others are deceased. Names of children : Jolin who married Rebecca Moore, in 1873. lle died March 26, 1879, leaving two sons, named Daniel Coleman and John Calvin. Jane, the third child, died October 7th, 1875. She never married. Daniel, the fourth child, married Mary Saterfield. fle died May 5, 1872, leaving three children, two sons and one danghter, uamed John, Wesley and Anna. The latter is since dead. The oldest, named Duncan, married Mary Jane Bayloss, lives at Waggoner's Ripple and farms-has three children, named Laura, Elizabeth, and John Franklin. The son is dead. Peter, the youngost son, is not married, but lives with his parents.
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