USA > Ohio > Adams County > Caldwell's illustrated historical atlas of Adams County, Ohio. 1797-1880 > Part 9
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and worked at the sall making trade. After the war was over. ho removed to Horsebend, N. J., and engaged in farming where he remained abunnt twelve yours, then removed down the chin nud settled opposite the mouth of Brush creek on the Kentucky side of the river. In 1795 or '96 he settled on Oldu Brusleereck in Adams county, near the old Brush ereck forge where he lived und! died. The farm he settled is now the property of Wesley Satter- fleld. Sometime ufter Mr. Wamsley's urrival in this country, he murrled Leah Stout. They reured a family of ilve children, four sons und a daughter. One of the sons, named William, minrried Sarah Wikoll, of Kentucky, and settled about a mile east of where the village of Wamsleyville has been since locuted. llero he fe- main'd until 1817, when he came to Jefferson township und set- tled the farm now owned by his grandson, J. P. Wumsley. Hy roared a family of eight children-all sous, who grew to mal :- hood, married and ralsed families. They all beenme members " the M. E. church, two of them ministers of that denomination . But two of this fiumnily now survive, Jesse und Christopher. T. : latter lives in Meigs township. Jesse Wnmsley has lived in Jer- ferson township all his life. At the age of fourteen, he united with the M. E. church at Wamsleyville, was licensed to exhort at sixteen, and at the age of twenty-one, was licensed by the Pre-id -; ing Elder, James Quinn, to preach, and was regularly ordained at Chillicothe, in 1836, by Bishop Soule. Ile traveled in the min- istry about three years, the first year as junior preacher with Rev. Cherington ; next year he had charge of the circuit. Ife con- tinued as a local preacher until the war, when a division occurred in the church, which resulted in the organization of the "Chris- tian Union" church, with which branch he united. He married Mary McCormick. They have reared a family of two children- both sons, James Pincher and William Finley Wamsley.
CHAPTER XIL.
WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
Wayne lies in the western tier of townships, with Liberty on the south, Winchester on the north and Brown county on the west. It was one of the original townships, formed by the Com- missioners, when they re-arranged the several townships of the county at their session held December 2d. ISO3. The elections were ordered to be kell at the house of Nathaniel Patton. It then embraced within its limits, a part of what is now Oliver township and the whole of Scott and Winchester. It was named in honor of General Wayne.
FIRST SETTLERS.
The first settler here was probably Sammel Wrigld, who came from Kentucky tn 1799, and located on Cherry Fork, kalt a mile west of North Liberty ; part of lis farm is still owned by his descendants.
In 1800, two families ly the name of MeNeil-John and Jo- seph-located a nele and a quarter south-east of the same village. Their farms are now owned by John McGoveney and John Whitney. About 1802, Francis Mcclellan came and settled near the MeNeils, and in IS04, Thomas Wasson located abont a mil- north-east of the village, on the farm now owned by his san. T C. Wasson, Esq. James Smith came in 1802 or '03, and seitle the place now owned by Nathan Plmnmer, one and half mi east of North Liberty. Rubert Foster in 1802, settled the fa: now owned by his son, Alexander Foster, two miles south-east . town. James Young located where Youngsville now stauds. 1802. Among other carly settlers, were Williaia and James Fi . ley, Jolt MeIntire and James Caskey.
VILLAGES.
There are three villages in Wayne township : North Likeerty. Eckmansville and Youngsville.
NORTH LIBERTY,
Which is the largest, was laid ont by William MeVey, March 28th, 1848. Mr. Mevey was a radical abolitionist, a member of the " Liberty Party," und loved the name liberty so well, that he called his new town " North Liberty." This village stands on the north bank of Cherry Fork. Tho original survey was. fifteen lots, numbered from 1 to 15. commencing at the creek med run- ning north along the east side of the Winchester aud West Uuion nike.
Tho first ad.lition, was made October 20, 1850. by Mr. Me- Vey, who laid off' three more lots, extending the original. plat northword. These lats were numbered 16, 17 and IS. A second addition of nine lots numbering 19 to 27, was made February 2d, 1853. Several parties united to make this addition, contriloning the lots respectively attached to their names to-wit : A. D. Kirk- patrick. lots 19 and 20: A. M. Gabby, 21 and 27; John Kenny, 22; Robert Patterson's heir -. 23; Rev. James Arbuthnot, 21; Mr .. Fry, 26, and Robert Quick, 27.
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF ADAMS COUNTY, OHIO.
These lots 'commenced on : . o west side of the road opposite lot No. 2 of the original plat, uud we. : imbered northward.
"The third addition was made by ". nos. B. Rlcighley, Angust 2Ith, 1857, who laid off' ten mor. lots on the north of the second addition, numbered 28 to 37.
A fourth addition was mid out by William MeVey, August 19th, 1872, of thirteen lots. which were located on both sides of the Youngsville road- four on the north and nine on the south side of that road-numbered 38 te 45, and from 50 to 55.
This village lies on the Winchester and West Union pike, about eight miles north-west of the latter place. It contains two ilry goods stores, one grocery store, two drug stores, one liotel, two wagou shops, two blacksmith shops, one millinery store, three physicians, three churches ; one U. P., ono Methodist Epls- copal, one Baptist, (colored).
EARLY BUSINESS. IN WAYNE TOWNSHIP .- MILL.
The first mill in Wayne township was built by Samuel Wright in 1799, on Cherry Fork, near the villago of North Liber- ty, where the present steam mill of Stewart McCormick stands. It was what they called a tub mill, which means a small affair. Mr. Wright afterwards sold it to Robert Thomas, who rebuilt, enlarged it, and attached a horse power to grind in dry weather, but subsequently put in a steam engine for that purpose. It passed through the hands of many parties, mutil 1877, Stewart McCormick became the proprietor, who did a successful business until his deccase, December Ilth, 1879. His death was caused by his clothing becoming cutangled in arranging some of the belting while it was in operation. He was badiy mangled and died the same evening.
FIBST STORE.
Col. Win. McVey started the first store,probably, in the town- ship. He commenced business at his residence on the north side of where the village of North Liberty now stands, fitting up a room in his dwelling for the purpose and opened out his store in 1835. The elections were held at his house at that time, which, being before any towu was laid out, made it the most public place in the township. Here he carried on the mercantile trade until 1845, when he removed his store to the south side of the ereck, aud occupied a house that uow belongs to C. Helmey. Af- ter the removal, his son William took charge of the business and continued it nutil 1855, when he closed ont and quit the trade. The son seems not to have been as successful as his father.
In the spring of 1848, A. D. Kirkpatrick commeuced the mer- cantile trade in a house on the south side of the creck. In 1849 he removed to the north side, within the village, and continued bus- iness until the fall of 1855, when he sold out to J. N. Brown. This building has since been removed, and a new one built near where it stood, now occupied by the Kleinknecht Bro's.
THE FIRST CEMETERY.
The first cemetery used, was probably the one that now be- belongs to the U. P. church, on the south side of Cherry Fork, and the first interment made in it was a son of Wm. Davidson, killed by lightning in 1802. The second burial is believed to be Jas. Brown, who died in 1804.
FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE.
The first school house ever built in Wayne township was a log cabin, on the farm of Mr. Baldridge, and Wm. Patton was erhaps the first teacher.
There are at present nine sub-districts in the township, with good frame house in cach of them. kept well painted and in good repair, where schools are kept seven months each year.
The enumeration of the. youth of school age in 1879, was : white males, 186; white females, 168 ; colored males, 12; colored females, 9. Total, 375. The colored children are taught by a colored teacher.
There is also an Academy cr High School in the village, but no one can be found that car: tell its history. As nearly as can be gathered it was organized as a joint stock company, a building erected in 1857 aud competent teachers employed, who conducted the schools for some years, but from some canse the investment proved unprofitable to the company, and it was sold abont 1868, to Prof. Smith, who has since that time successfully conducted the institution, either in person or b, others under his manage- ment.
EARLY SETTLERS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF ECKMANSVILLE.
Robert Morrison came to Wayne township late li the year 1803, and temporarily stopped near where North Liberiy now stands. He, however, soon bought a tract of land near whero Eckmansville now is. This land is uow owned by his son,' Wil- liam Morrison. William. and James McKittrick came about 1804. Their property is now owned by Thomas Allisen. Daniel Marlatt settled in 1804 also. His son, Silas Marlatt, Now Ofus the old homestead, one mile north of Eckmaneville. In 1306, Wn. John and Daniel John, settled. Samuel Alexander now owns the farm of the former aud James Johns' heirs owu the latter proper-
ty. John and James Ross also settled about the same timo. Thelr property If now owned by R. M. Alexander. John Thomp- son and James Wright camo a few years later.
ECKMANSVILLE.
In 1824, Wm. Eckinan settled where this village now stands. He was a blacksmith, built a shop and worked at his trade. In 1833, James Cross started a store in a house that is now owned by Robert Fulton's heirs. Amos Gulick bought ont Foster in 1835 and continued the business in the same rooms until 1838, when he was succeeded by Mr. Eckman, who carried on the mereantilo trade until 1854, when he sold to Daniel Bayless, who occupied the house now used by Mrs. Matthews as a hotel.
On July 9th, 1850, Mr. Eckman laid out the village which bears his name. It is located on the Ripley pike, about two miles south-west of North Liberty. The town lies north-east and south-west, and was surveyed into 42 lots. John Morrison and perhaps one or two others, were joined with Mr. Eckmau as proprietors.
Andrew Johnson, in 1835, started a store in the Fulton building, which he carried on about two years, and then closed out.
A building now owucd by John L. Gibbony was for many years-1840 to 1865-occupied as a store. It was successively used by James Walker, Win. Stewart, Robert Manning and Sain- nel Fitch. Since 1865 it has not been occupied as a storc.
John Morrison commenced the mercantile business in the fall of 1837, and has continued it at the same stand ever since. In 1865, he associated his son, A. B. Morrison, with him in business, since which it is known under the name of John Morrison & Son. This is now one of the oldest mercantilo establishments in the country, having been carried on by the same proprietor for forty- three years.
YOUNGSVILLE.
This village was never surveyed or regularly laid out, but the proprietor, David Young, sold lots of all sizes to suit the pur- chaser, until it has grown to be something of a village. There are uow two dry goods stores, one drug store, two blacksmith shops, one shoe maker shop, one doctor, one hotel, and contains a population of 125.
There is a meeting house here that belongs to no religious organization, but is free to all religious denominations. It was built by non-professing christians, who desired to have some place where their children could receive moral instruction.
All denominations preach in it, but none control it.
The first store in the place was started in 1810, by David Young. It was a small affair. James Young next started in the mercantile business in 1845. Ile was succeeded by W. and J. F. Young with a good establishment. This firm continued business until 1864, when they closed out.
Several other establishments have done business in this placc.
SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS.
Wayne is probably the best agricultural township in the county. Its surface is not as hilly and broken as most other por- tions of the county. The soil is mostly of a reasonable fertility, with well improved and neatly cultivated farms, that give it a pleasant appearance.
The principal stream of water is the Cherry Fork, that incan- ders through the township from west to east, passing the village of North Liberty.
FIRST CHURCHI AT NORTH LINERTY.
The Associate Reformed church, of Cherry Fork, near North Liberty, was the first religious organization formed in Wayne townsbip. It was first constituted on Eagle creek in 1803, but as a considerable portion of the members lived near Cherry For k a congregation was formed there in 1805, and the Eagle creek church soon ceased to exist. Their first place of worship was a hewed log house, " chinked " with stone and "daubed " with lime and sand-mortar. It was thirty feet square and had neither fire- place or stove. Each family furnished the slabs for its own seats. This building was used nntil 1833, when a new brick edifice 50x50, took its place. This new house had a four sided roof, twelve feet ceiling and cost $1,200. The third and present house was built in 1854. It is of brick and is 48x70, with twenty-two fect ceiling. Its total cost was $3,600.
The first pastor was Rev. David Risk, who preached a few years. In 1809, Rev. William Baldridge took charge. They proinised 'Mr. Baldridge a salary of $165, for one-half his time ; one-half of this sum was to be paid in " merchantable produce." A. committee, of which Mr. Morrison was Chairman, appointed " to transact the congregational business, rated the price of pro- dnce paid into Mr. Baldridge," as follows :
Beef and Pork per cwt. $2 50
Wheat per bu 58
Rye per bu 42
Whisky per gal 50
Oats per bu 25
Corn per bu 25
Seven hundred linen por yd 50
Clean swingled tiax per th. Sugar per th.
121. 12'
Such tacts as the above show how our forefathers lived In tho carly years of our country. Yet no doubt they lived as hip- pily, perhaps more so, than their descendants do.
Mr. Baldridge preached for this church until his death, in De- cember, 1830. After the death of Mr. Baldridge, there was a va- cancy of about a year, when Rev. Robert Stewart took the pas- toral charge of the church and served it until his decease in 1852. Another vacancy of a year ensued, when Rev. David Marbill took charge in June, 1853. Mr. MacDill remained with the ron- gregution until 1876, when he removed west. After another vi- cancy of a year, Rev. Jno. S. Martin, the present pastor, was called to take charg ?.
. This was called the Associate Reform church until 1858, wh. I a union was effected with the " Associated church," since whi h time it is known as the United Presbyterian church. It now (1830) numbers 265 members.
POST OFFICES.
There are three post offices in the township; Cherry Fork at North Liberty, Eckmansville and Youngsville.
The history of these post offices is so vague and indefinite that it is useless for our work.
CHURCHES.
There are four churches : U. P. church of Cherry Fork ; one M. E. church, and one Presbyterian church at Eckmansville; one M. E. church at North Liberty.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JOHN COLEMAN AND ROBERT COLEMAN .- The ancestors of these brothers were natives of New Jersey. Their grandfather, Christopher Coleman, removed from New Jersey to Washington county, Pa., with his family about 1793. Christopher Coleman's oldest child, named William, and who is the father of the sub- jects of this sketch, was born in New Jersey, and came with his parents when about two years old, to Washington county, Pa., where he grew to manhood. Ile there married Jane Boyce. In April, 1831, he removed to Carroll county, O., where he settled and lived until 1846, when he removed to Adams county, where he resided until his decease in 1854. Ilis wife died iu 1858. These parents raised a family of six children, five sons and one daughter, named Susan, Joseph, Jehn, William, David and Rob- ert, who all grew to years of maturity, and all married but one. Two of this family of children, John and Robert, the subjects of our sketch, now own and occupy the old homestead, about four miles east of North Liberty, on the Grace's Run pike. This farin contains nearly 260 acres. They have cleared it out and put it in a high state of cultivation and adorned it with beautiful build- ings, as will be seen by reference to the view in this volume. Robert, the younger brother, was horn May 31, 1825. He mar- ried Elizabeth E. Taylor, November 9, 1853. They are the pa- rents of five children, named Mary, William, James T., Jennie B., Alma C. William is deceased. Mary married F. P. McCreight, and lives in Oliver township. The others remaiu at home. Mrs Coleman died November 12, 1871. John Coleman was born in . Washington county, Pa., November 7, 1816. He never ,married. These brothers bought and improved their farm, have always lived pleasantly together, and are now enjoying the comforts an:] fruits of an industrious life.
T. C. WASSON .- The subject of this sketch is of Irish descent. His grandfather, Jolm Wasson, was a uative of Ireland, and married in that country. At an early day, he emigrated from there with his wife to America, and settled in Rockbridge conn- ty, Virginia, where he raised a numerous family. Among his children, was a son named Thomas, who married Rebecca Cowan. This Thomas Wasson and wife removed from Virginia to Ohio in 1804, and settled first one and a half miles cast of Winchester, which was then a part of Wayne township, where he lived a year or two. He then removed to Cherry Fork and settled near North Liberty, on the farm now owned by his son, .T. C. Wasson, Esq. Ile and his wife both united with the U. P. charch at Cherry Fork, soon after its organization in 1805, of which they remained honored and consistent members through life. Mr. Wasson cleared up his farm and lived on it, until his deccase, December 3, 1851, aged 73 years, 2 months and 24 days ; his wife died Angust 5, 1838, aged 60 years, 9 months and '2 days. They lle in Cherry Fork graveyard. They reared a fahiily of six children, three sons and three daughters, who all grew to years of maturity and married.' After the death of his first wife, Mr. Wasson entered into a second inarriage with Elkiah Spencer. By this marriage he raised a son named William F., who was born Angust 29, 1845. ' This son enlisted in the war of the re- bellion in Co. II., Capt. D. Uric, 173d Regt., O. V. I., Col. J. R. Hurd. Ile died of disease at Johnsonville, Tennessee, August 29, 1865. Mr. Wasson's surviving children by his first wife, were named Samnel C., John F. T. C., Ellen Q., Rebecca and Polly
23
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF ADAMS COUNTY, OHIO.
. Wasson, ull of whom Free to yours of maturity and married. Sammel ( .. the oldest, maien-l Jane Young, of Adams county. They both fell vietims to the cholera in 1849, Mr. Wasson dying on the HIth and Mrs. W'sson on the 13th of August. Ellen Q .. married Matthew Campbell, who has since deceased. She now lives a widow in Promise City, Wayne county, Iowa. John F. married Sarah McComas. They livo in Tippecanoe county, In- diana. Rebecca married James M. Campbell, who died, and she now lives a widow in Tipton county, Indiana. Polly married Joshua Matthews. They live in Missouri. T. C. Wasson, the third son, whose name tands at the head of this article, and a sketch of whose home adorns the pages of this volume, was born on the old homestead, that he now owns, May 20, 1812. Here he grew up to manhood. Hle married Miss Martha P. Campbell, February 9, 1832. They are the parents of eight children ; one died in infancy; two, Margaret Ann and Rebecca M., died in early years. The other tive, named T. S. Wasson, Matilda Jane, James P., Martha M., and S. Y. Wasson, grew to years of matur- ity and married. T. S. Wasson, the oldest, was born February 22, 1833; was married to Miss E. J. Askren, October 19, 1853. lle is engaged in farming in Wayne township, and is a ruling elder in the U. P. elmirch at Cherry Fork. Matilda Jane, born ., March 17, 1836, married B. F. Pittenger, September 10, 1857.
They live near Minneapolis, Ottawa connty, Kansas. Martha M., was born February 8, 1840; married J. S. Glasgow, October 18, 1St0; lives in North Liberty. S. Y. Wasson was born November 5, 1841. He graduated at Oxford College. lle followed the mer- cantile business in Gallipolis ton years, and represented Gallia county in the Legislature two terms. Ile married Miss Jennie Henderson, of Butler county, Ohio, September 3, 1867. 1Ie is now engaged in farming in that county. James P. was born December 18, 1837; married Martha MeIntire, September 8, 1859. Ile is now engaged in farming in Douglas county, Kansas. In August, 1863, he enlisted in Co. G, Capt. Uric, 129th Regt., O. V. I .. Col. Jolin commanding ; served mostly in Kentucky and Tennessee; was in the fight of Cumberland Gap, and several smaller engagements, and was honorably discharged at the ex- piration of his time. These children were all baptized in the U. P. church at Cherry Fork, of which they became members. Two of them. Matilda Jane and Samnel Y., having removed outside thu bounds of any U. P. church, have united with Presbyterian churches in their neighborhoods. T. C. Wasson and his first wife, both nnited with the U. P. church at Cherry Fork, soon af- ter their marriage, she romaining a member until her deccase, and Mr. Wasson still continuing. Mr. Wasson married for a sec- on wife, Mrs. Eliza J. McNeil. This lady was born in 1818, and was, in her infancy, baptized in the U. P. church at Tranquillity. She was married to Jesse McNeil. Oct. 20, 1836. Soon after their marriage, they united with the U. P. church at Cherry Fork, of which they lived honored and consistent members. Mr.
McNeil was born Oct. 24, 1814, : nd died Sept. 4, 1852. Dy this marriage Mrs. McNeil became the mother of eight children, four of whom died in infancy. The four survivors who grew to years of maturity, wero Mary Ann, John W., James G., and Jesse Mc- Neil. Mary Anu was born December 3, 1837, and died February 1, 1856 ; never married. John W. was born June 10, 1841. En- listed in the service of his country, July 4, 1861, in Co. I., 4th Regt., Iowa Volunteer Infantry. Ile participated in many of the hard fought battles of the war; was at the battle of Springfield, Missouri ; at Pca Ridge, Arkansas ; was through the whole siege of Vicksburg; was at tho battles of Chattanooga; at Mission Ridge, etc ; was finally captured in March, 1864, while with a scout- ing party, somewhere in Georgia, and carried to Andersonville s here he died June 16, 1864. ' James G. was born January 16 1 ,47; enlisted in the 46th Regt., Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Co. HT .. in May, 1864, and died of disease, brought on by taking cold. after an attack of measles, at Memphis, Tenn., September 4, 1864. Jesse was born February 14, 1853; married Jennie May in March, 1873. He resides in Wayne county, Iowa; engaged in farming ; has two children, both boys. In the fall of 1856, after her lins- band's death, Mrs. McNeil's parents, with her brothers and sis- ters, emigrating to Iowa, she accompanied them. Upon their ar- rival there, they located in Wayne county, Mrs. McNeil settling in Promise City, while her parents located in the country adjoin- ing the town. llere the united with the U. P. church, by letter from Cherry Fork. Her she lived, taking a lively interest in church affairs, and working actively in the Sabbath Schools, It- til 1872, when she became the wife of Mr. Wasson, with whom she returned to the neighborhood in which her earlier years were passed, agaiu uniting with her old Cherry Fork church: Now in the afternoon of life, My .. Wassou and his lady, in their pleas- at home amid the scenes of their carly yours, blessed with an abundance of this world's goods, are'enjoying the fruits of their well spent labors, with the respect of all who knew theii. .
SAMUEL. McNEIL .- John McNeil, father of Semuel MeNcil, came to Adams county in 1801, and settled in Wasac township, on a farm now belonging to Mr. MeGovney, . He was born in 1771 und died in 1841. He reared a fumity of teu children, only two of whom are now living. Samuel and Martha Of these- children. two, James and Sarah, were both in Kentucky ; tho others, John, Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth. Samuel, Jessie, Martha and Nancy were born in Adams county. Samuel, who is the sub
ject of this sketch, and one of the two surviving children, fol- lowed teaching for about seven years, but is now engaged in farming. Martha, the other surviving child, is married, but still retains the same name, having married a man named MeNeil.
CHAPTER XIII.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. ..
Liberty township was taken from the north end of Sprigg, and organized as a new township, December 6, 1817, so named from the popular attachment to the principles, the definition of the' word implies. The election was ordered to be held at the house of David Robe, on the first Monday of the succeeding April.
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