USA > Ohio > Adams County > Caldwell's illustrated historical atlas of Adams County, Ohio. 1797-1880 > Part 7
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CHAPTER IX.
MEIGS TOWNSHIP.
ORGANIZATION.
This was one of the original townships, as.reorganized by the Commissioners at their December session, 1806 .. It was named in honor of Gov. Return J. Meigs. It had the following bounda- ries :
" Beginning at the month of Lick Fork of Brush creek ; thenee north along the eust lines of Tiffin and Wayne townships, to the north line of Adams county ; thence east along the north line of the county, to the N. E. corner thereof; thence south along the east line of the county, to the N. E. corner of Jefferson town- ship : thence west along the north line of Jefferson township, to the place of beginning. "
The elections were ordered to be held at the house of Peter Wickerham.
THE SURFACE.
The surface of this township is diversified, a considerable por- tion of it rongh, hilly, poor laud, with smaller level portions, but in the bottoms along the streams is found some very fertile land.
THE FARM PRODUCTS
Are mainly wheat and corn, and the stock raised are caltle and hogs.
MINERALS.
Iron ore was formerly found in considerable quantities in the castern part of the township, and the Steam Furnace was erected te smelt it. This furuare mostly made hollow ware, and was in active operation for many years.
VILLAGES.
This township contains three villages, Jacksonville, Newport and Mineral Spring.
JACKSONVILLE.
This place was laid ont by William Thomas, Oct. 20. 1815, Mul mmed in honor of the " Hero of New Orleans. " Fifty-seven Sot- and eight out lots were surveyed and sold.
STORES.
It is believed that Thornley L. White and Robert Buchanan, were the first merchants in the place. The latter lived in West I'mion. William Williams, from Kentucky, was an early micr- chant in the place.
PRESENT BUSINESS HOUSES.
There are two dry goods stores, two blacksmith shops, one weg- on and buggy shop, one taunery, one shoe shop, one hotel, two doctors, one church, and a population of 140 inhabitants.
NEWPORT.
This village is situated between the east and west forks of Ohio Brush creek, at the junction of these two branches.
It was laid out by James Kirkpatrick, on the 27th day/of January, 1819, on a plat of 58 lots and a public square;
THE FIRST STORE
Was started by William H. MeAdow, about 1843. FIe car- ried on business about six years, and then sold to John Criswell, who continued until 1851. and was succeeded by John Clark, who died in 1853, and his goods were closed out at an Administrator's sale. In October of that year, R. C. Smith occupied the sam: room with a stock of goods, until 1858, when he sold Inis property and closed out his store. Moses Buck next tried his hand, contin- ulug it two years, when he too closed out his stock, and now W.pr the hotel. John Criswell and W. C. Dmuy started a store
in' 1854, emrried it on until 1857, when they sold their slock to a party in North Liberty, William McCormick started a store in 1869, and after two years removed his store to Rome. John Reed kept a small store a short time. Next Robert MeNeil and William Rogers, in 1867, opened a small store, which they closed ont in a year after. In April, 1879, J. It. Neil started n drug store and grocery, which he still conducts. .
POST OFFICES.
There are three post offices in this township, Dunbarton, at Jacksonville, Wilson, at Newport, and Mineral Springs, at the ol'd Steam Furnace-now called Mineral Springs.
DUNBARTON-This is among the earliest post offices in Admins comty, This office was established about 1814 or '15. There being an office in Wayne township. Darke county, called Jack- souville, the name of Dunbarton was given to this one, in honor of James Dunbar, who was an active agent in procuring its establishment. John Young was probably the first postmaster, and the following the succeeding ones in the order of their suc- cession : James Dunbar, who served until 1836, Alexander Ma- han 1836-1846; Dumiel Wittenmyer, 1847-1851 ; William Sample, 1852-1854; Isaac Eakins, 1855-1857; Thomas Ellison, 1858-1862; Wesley Thoroman, 1833-1866; Joseph Thoroman, 1867-1870. E. J. Lewis, present inenmbent. 1870, to date.
WILSON-This office was located at Newport, abont 1868 or .'69. and named in honor of the Hon. John T. Wilson, then a mem- ber of Congress from this district. William R. Rogers was the first postmaster. Since him thero has been the following post- masters, to-wit: A. A. Coleman, William McCormick, John Reid, Joseph Rhea, and John Flory, present incumbent.
MINERAL SPRINGS-This office was established in 1872, and named from two springs, whose medical qualities attract many visitors to the place. The first postmaster was B. Salisbury, the second Joseph Kline, third Isaac D. HTempleman, present incum- bent.
CHURCHES.
There are six churches in the township ; one Christian church at Newport, one M. E. Church ut Jacksonville, one Presbyterian church at Mineral Springs, two Baptist churches, called Brush Creek and Evergreen, one United Baptist church, Beech Grove. The first three named have furnished no history. The his- tory of the last three follows :
BRUSH CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH-This church is situated near the McCormick grave yard, in School district No. 5, Meigs township.
David Fichier, who was born in this neighborhood, was liv- ing here in 1854, when E. Mahatley and W. S. Ellison moved in and settled near by. All three of these families were members of Baptist churches. In 1855, Rev. II. S. Kelly, under the direc- tion of the Missionary Board of the Straight Creek Association, preached once a month at the house of W. S. Ellison. In 1858, Daniel Trichler was employed by the same board to travel as a missionary in the bounds of the association. A part of his salary was collecled on the field, part paid by the Ohio State Conven- tion, the remainder by the churches of the Association. He preached sometimes on week days or nights, but mostly on the Sabbath. These meetings were sometimes held at the school house in the neighborhood, sometimes at private houses. A num- ber of persons were received at different times, and baptized, who united with different Baptist churches.
April 3d, 1867, a meeting was held by members of West Un- jon, Lick Fork, and Crooked Creek Baptist churches, who lived in the neighborhood. It assembled at school house number 5, Meigs township, to consider the propriety of building a house of wor- ship. Rev. Daniel Trichler, and Rev. Joseph Smith, were pres- ent. and participated in the proceedings. A resolution was auan- imonsly adopted to build a meeting honse, at the McCormick grave yard, and W. S. Ellison, David Trichler and Ellison Mahat- tay were appointed a building committee. The committee, assist- ed by the Rev. Daniel Trichler, proceeded to circulate a subserip- tion paper, to raise means to purchase grounds, buy material and construct the building. Many agreed to pay certain amounts, on condition they could do it in, labor, or furnish material, hence the committee were unable to employ a regular contractor, but had to superintend the work personaily, therefore the building pro- gressed slowly. They were aided materially by contributions from members of churches of other denominations and non pro- fessors.
At length, in July 1869, a good. substantial frame inceting livuse, 30x40, costing. $1000, was completed.
Judy 31, 1800, a meeting was held at the new house, by men- bare of Regular Baptist churches, which organized by choosing Rev. Daniel Trichler, moderator, and Ellison Maliatlay, elerk. A resolution was nuanimously adopted, organizing a Regular Bap- tist winirch, and steps taken to call a recognition conneil. August 17, 1869, the council composed of liev. Daniel Trichler, Rev. Joseph Smith, and delegates from seven churches met, and ap- pointed Rev D. Trichler, austerator, and W. J. Ellison, Secretary. After examining their articles of faith and church covenant, and
the letters of 16 members, the conneil reorganized them as a Row. ulur Baptist Church.
Juno 4, 1870, William S. KI-on, David Triebler, and 1 Mahnffay, were elected trustees, and Daniel Trichlor w . to the pastorate. He continued bis ministerial services md gust, 1870, during which time three were added to the E. 1I. Wear preached from October, 1870, to April, IST were dismissed. Rev. G. W. Thompson became pastor i. it, 1871, and preached nutil March, 1874, two years and ten un athis, during which time forty-four members were added to it. and four dismissed.
The church was assisted in paying her pastor, by the Mi -- sionary Society, until Angust, 1872. In June, 1872, W. S. Ellison and E. Malaffay were elected deacons. Rev. C. MeMauis, wa- pastor from May until Angust, 1874.
In October, 1874, Rev. S. G. Linsey, became pastor, and has preachel for the church to the present time, January, 1880, tive years and four months, preaching the greater portion of the' period, one-fourth his time-the remainder one-half his time July 5, 1879, the church gave letters to forty-five members, who organized the Evergreen church. During Mr. Linsey's pastoral charge there has been added to the church 118 members, while there have been dismissed eighty members, of the latter, forty- five were probably to form the new church of Evergreen.
EVERGREEN CHURCH, REGULAR BAPTIST-In September, 1875, the Baptist church at Brush Creek, established a mission station in this place, and the pastor of the church, the Rev. S. G. Lind- sey, commonced preaching in the Rock Spring school house.
In March, 1876, Mr. Lindsey, assisted by Rev. Charles Trich- ler, held a protracted mecting there, which resulted in an addi- tion of sixteen to the church. In March, 1877, he held another series of meetings assisted by Charles Trichiler, at which five ad- ditions were made; and March, 1878, Mr. Lindsey, assisted by L. Il. Denman, held a inceting without any additions being made. In March, 1879, Rev. S. G. Lindsey and L. 11. Denman, held . a protracted meeting, which resulted in seventeen additions. At this meeting an independent church was organized, with forty- six members. The new Church organization was called Ever- green Regular Baptist church. The regular officers were elected by ballot, as follows : Deacons, John Matthews and Robert llerd- man. Trustees, Charles Trichler, William Hoop and John Herdman.
Rev. S. G. Lindsey was called to the pastorate for one year. A good frame honse was built during the year, (1879) at a cost of over $800. It is located abont one mile north of the steam fur- nace, on land donated by Francis Green.
LEECH FORK, UNITED BAPTIST CHURCH-This church, situ- ated in the S. E. part of Meigs township, had its origin in the preaching of Benjamin Porter. These meetings were held at the house of Daniel Stephenson, where a church was constituted in 1864. Andrew Spence is ruling elder and Daniel Stephenson, clerk. Rev. Benjamin Porter has been their regular and. only pastor. They organized with a membership of 33; they now number 46. They have, as yet no meeting house, but meet at the school house, in district No. 11.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH, NEWPORT-No history can be gathered. M. E. CHURCH, JACKSONLILLE-No history.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH MINERAL SPRINGS-No history.
CHAPTER X. 1
MONROE TOWNSHIP.
ORGANIZATION.
This township was formed June 23, 1817, by the Commission- ers, detaching from the south end of Tiffin, all the territory south of a line beginning on Brush creek, at the upper corner of William Stont's farm, thence on a line to three mile tree, below Kirker's mall, thence on a divide line to Clark's meeting house, keeping ou a direct course to Sprigg township, being bounded on the west by the Sprigg township line and Island creek, to its mouth, the Ohio river on its south, and Brush creek on the east.
It was called Mouroe, in honor of James Monroe, who had been lately elected, the fifth President of the United States,
The first election wus ordered to be held at the house of Ar- thur Ellison, the last Saturday in July.
TOPOGRAPHY.
The surface of this township is mostly high land, many party of it hilly and rough, with a thin, unproductive soil. Along the streamis, however, especially the Ohio river, there is some rich productive land.
FARM PRODUCTIONS.
The chief farm crops are wheat, corn, and of late years, some tobacco ; the stock raised are rattle and hog -.
18
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF ADAMS COUNTY, OHIO.
SETTLEMENTA
There were but few .ettki. who ventured to locate in the ronmiry, outside of the fort and stockade at Manchester, until at- ter Wayne's victory over the Indians in 1794. That deteal, so erushed and humbled the spirit of the savages, that they never gave any more trouble to the whites, in this section of country. L'pon the conclusion of the treaty at Greenville, August 3, 1795, settlers immediately began to extend back into the country, and Monroe township being co-niguons to Manchester, and the place where Gen. Massie proposed to tomate the 100 acre lots be offered as bounties to the first colonists that would join him in the set- tlement. it was the first portion of the county to fill up with any considerable population.
The land, from which these bonnties were to be given, lying in one traet, would. when occupied make a settlement of at least twenty-five or thirty families, living in close proximity. But fears from the remembrance of savage erneltics, would no doubt, still linger in the minds of those who had so recently witnessed their atrocities. When the still actual danger to life and proper- ty from the wild beasts, that almost unmolested roamed through all the forests, would naturally incline settlers to locate in neigh- borhoods. With this nucleus of twenty or thirty families, others would gather round them, and thus, commenced the settlement. of the county.
FIRST SETTLERS.
General Massie, before distributing his land bounties to those who had made the contract with him to settle a colony, re- served 1.000 acres for a farm and home for himself. This reser- vation was located around and back of a high promontory, called " Buckeye Station," about four miles up the river, above Manchester, and one mile below Wrightsville. This reservation, which extended back into the country from the station, was mostly, moderately Jevel, and the best lands in the township. After this reserve was surveyed, Massie proceeded to locate and survey to his colonists, each his hundred acres, with the privilege of buying, at au agreed price, as much contiguous land as he had the means to pay for, or might wish to purchase. Thus the orig- inal farms of these first settlers frequently contained two or three hundred acres.
The first settlers mostly located on the highlands in the coun- try back from the river. These lands are known as "Gift Ridge," from the circumstance of their having been a gift from Len. Massie, to the colonists who came to make the first lodge- ment in the wilderness.
We have been unable to gather the names of these early set- tlers with sufficient certainty to make their publication reliable, and therefore omit them.
MILLS.
There are but two mills now in Monroe township. One is located on Island creek, and owned by Abraham Foster. The other, a small corn mill, on Beasly's Fork, owned by Joseph Young.
The second mill in the township was built by Nathaniel Washburn, in 1799 or 1800, on the middle fork of Donaldson's creek.
In 1801, a boy got entangled in the machinery of this mill and was killed.
Ars. E. F. Wells, of West Union, owns the property where this will was located.
VILLAGES, ETC.
There are in the township, one village, one flonring mtill, two .. 1 odices, five churches and nine school districts.
WRIGHTSVILLE.
This village, which is the only one in the township, lies on the north bank of the Ohio, about six miles above Manchester. it was laid out by James Hobson, April 22, 1847, on a plat of 144 lots. October 29. 1859, the court upon petition, vacated lots 78, 79, 80, 81, 125 and 126. The town stands on a level plain, with roont chongh for a city, bet it seems to have never flourished. It has a dihe dated appearance, and contains one store, one blacksmith shop, one cooper si op, one doctor, one church, thirteen small houses and eighty-tive inhabitants.
POST OFFICES.
VINEYARD HILL, is the no te of the post office at Wrightsville. If was established in 1848, a.et all'ed Mahala, in honor of a sister of Capt. William Wade. It was, some years afterwy o. . liscon- tinned for the period of a . . A post office wa age de '- lished with the name of Vineyard Hill.
BEASLEY'S FORK .- This ofice was estat "And it is James Miller as the first Postumuster, who bet. 1 1.0 .4 he resigned, and the present incumbent, Jread Handler It was appointed.
.
The first school house in Monroe low help us on the land of Lewi- Bilde. now owned by William, Men con, and Antiies 1 10. was the fraelor, in Is02.
The second one, was built in 1805 or 6, on the farm of Arthur Ellison. The elections were held at this house and the public business transacted at if, for which reason it wascalled the " State House."
There are now nine sub-districts in the township, in which schools are taught six months in the year.
There are five church's in the township, to-wit: Quinn's Chapel, Beasley's Fork Chapel, M. E. church of Brush creek, United Brethren in district No. 7, United Brethren, Wrightsville.
QUINN'S CHAPEL ..
This is the oldest church organization in the township. About 1805, Rev. James Quinn preached a sermon at the house of William Lucas, on "Gift Ridge." This is believed to be the first sermon ever preached in Monroe towusbip. The meetings were continued, and finally a class was formed, which was prospered, and in a few years a hewed log meeting house was built on the farm of Michael Fenton. This house was used . until 1852, when a new frame building was erected on the farm of John Penny- witt, and called Quinn's Chapel, in honor of the founder of the church. The Lucas farmi, where Mr. Quinn preached his first sermon, is now the property of - Eylar.
UNION CHAPEL, METHODIST EPISCOPAL.
This church is located on Ohio Brush creek, near the mouth of Beasley's Fork. No history of it obtained. It was organized in 1856.
UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH, IN DISTRICT NO. 7.
This church was organized several years ago. Their church building was burnt several years since, and they now occupy the Fenton school house in district 7.
BEASLEY'S FORK CHAPEL, CHRISTIAN UNION.
This church was organized in 1864, with eight members, tive males and three females. In 1871, they built a good frame house, and now number sixty members.
UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH, WEIGHTSVILLE.
No history of this church' can be obtained.
THE M'COLM FAMILY-JOHN M'COMM.
The great grandfather of this family was born in Scotland. from whence he removed to Ireland, where he married and raised a family. One of his sons, named John, was the grand- father of the present MeColm family. This son married in Ire- land, Elizabeth Blair. They raised a family there, among whom was a son named John, who was born in Tyrone county, in June, 1771. This son was the father of the family of whom we are now writing. On the 3d day of Angust, 1793. the grandfather, John Mc- Colm, and the grandmother, Elizabeth MeColm, with the follow- ing members of their family, to-wit : William MeColm, who was a Methodist preacher ; Malcolmn MeColm and wife ; John MeColm, who is the father of the present family of McColms; Elizabeth NeColm and Margaret MeColm, embarked at Londonderry, Irc- laud, for America, in the brig Cunningham ; Captain Cunning- ham. This vessel was captured on its voyage across the ocean, by a Freuch privateer, on the 28th of September, 1793, and the passengers plundered of everything they possessed. They were landed in Baltimore, October 3, 1793, in destitute circumstances, and were supplied with such comforts as their needs demanded, until they could get situations to begin anew. They presently settled in Allegheny county, Maryland, where the grandfather, John McColm, died, September 6th, 1795, aged 64 or 65 years. Ilere also the grandmother, Elizabeth MeColm died, October 25, same year. William McColm, who was a traveling Methodist minister, also died in August, 1795, aged 27 or 28. From here, .the father and his family moved to Pennsylvania, and settled at Red Stone, Old Fort, where they remained until 1804. In the spring of that year, they emigrated to Adams county, arriving at Manchester, May 28, 1804. The family consisted of John MeColm and wife, with their children, William, Sarah and John, (who is the principal subject of this sketch,) Abigail and Anna. They remained at Manchester until December, 1806, when they moved and settled on Gift Ridge. in Monroe township. There are but four persons now living in Monroe township, that were there when Mr. MeColm settled in 1806; these are Capt. William Wude, of Wrightsville; G. B. Grimes, at the mouth of Brush creek ; Mrs. Rebecca Melleury, who lives some two milos np Brush creek, on the west side, and John MeColm, a son ; the others are all gone-either removed or dend. This son, John, was born in Maryland, in 1800, and came with his parents to Adams conuty, in 1801, where .he has continued ever since. He married Miss Hannah Beach, April 24. 1823. Abont eleven years later, he bought his father-in-law's farm uear Waggoner's Rip- jde, where he has since lived. His wife seems to have been a woman of very quiet, domestic disposition, delighting more in he happiness found in her own peaceful home Chan in the glitter
and fashion of the outside world. She was married in a rooms in her father's house that was within two rods of the house she was born in. She died August 20th, 1879, in the same.room and within three feet of where she stood to be married, over ilfty-six years before. The peaceful tenor of this good wounm's ways may be inferred, when we state the fact that she was never forty miles from home in her life, nor was she ever at her nearest vil- lage. IIer bereaved husband, the venerable lohn MeCohu, after a long and useful lite, spent in doing good, respected by all, still.liu- gers on the shores of time in the old home where he has spent his happy life, serenely and cahnly awaiting the summons to call him hence. The father of this family, John McColin, raised ten chil- dren, five sons and five daughters, all of whom grew to year- of maturity. Seven of these children still survive, the youngest of whom is sixty-five years of age.
EARLY REMINISCENCES
Some fifty rods below where the village of Wrightsville now stands, near the Ohio river, was the mound on which General Massie, Israel Donaldsou and party, stood on the morning of April 21, 1791, viewing the "Land skip o'er," with bright visions float - ing in their minds, of the happiness that awaited them, when they should go in and possess the goodly and beautiful land that so invitingly lay before them. These bright visions of imaginary happiness, were suddenly dissipated by a party of Indians, who approached them from the rear, in canoes on the river. With one accord and without debate, they concluded to leave the place at once. They did not stand upon the order of their going, but started each one for himself-for the hills, with an implied un- derstanding that a certain personage whose name it is not necess- ary to mention, might take the hiudmost. Massie, on his march to the hills. laid down his compass and forgot to note the place, and was not found for some years afterwards. Donaldson, being rather a heavy man, in attempting to leap a run, some fifty rods rods from the place of starting, fell into it, and became the nin- Incky hindmost man. The stream, from this circumstance, has ever since been known by the name of " Donaldson's Run."
For a correct necount of Donaldson's captivity und escape, we give his own narrative in another part of this volume.
The mound upon which this party was standing when the Indians approached them, is only a few rods below the village ot Wrightsville. The wearing away of the river bank by the waters. has nearly washed it away, yet human remains and fragments of pottery can be seen remaining in the sides of the perpendienlar bank of the river.
BUCKEYE STATION.
This is a high point that commands a view of the Ohio river for many miles, either way. It is said the Indians used to station themselves here to watch the approach cf boats descending the river. There was a stockade and blockhouse made here by Massic, who removed his family to it. This point is near the southern limit of his thousand acre reservation. Massie did not live here long, but sold it to Charles Wylling Bird, who occupied it previous 10 1809. Bird afterwards sold it to Thomas Johr, who in turn sold to John Ellison, who becoming pecuniarily in- volved. it was finally sold out in smaller parcels to suit purchas- ers, and is now owned by several parties.
BEAR CAVE.
On the farm of H. Grooms, abont a mile and a half bile from the Ohio river, is a cave, into which a man named Dau: Sherwood, once entered with torch and gun, after the manner General I'ninam, and when he reached the bottom, shot and kil ;. a bear that weighed three hundred pounds, from which cirzu :. stance it was known as " Bear Cave," though it has latterly .ber called " Salt Petre Cave."
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