USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 34
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Jesse Courtwright, 1848-54.
B. F. Bowen, 1877-83.
Josiah Kinnear, 1883-89.
John J. Dun, 1889-95.
Fredrick Cole, 1833-36.
C. C. Walcott, 1860-62.
Henry Maetzel, 1895-1903.
William Johnston, 1836-39.
Uriah Lathrop, 1862-66.
Walter Braun, 1903-09. Hugh K. Lindsay.
County Commissioners.
The office of county commissioner is coeval with the political organization of the state, the first commissioners for Franklin county being elected in the month of June, 1804. In their order of succession they have been :
John Blair .1804
George Williams 1819
Hiram Andress .1834
Robert Lisle 1835
Arthur O'Harra 1804
Robert Armstrong 1821
James Bryden 1836
R. W. Coles 1837
Ezekial Brown 1805
Andrew Dill 1823
John Tipton 1838
Arthur O'Harra 1806
Robert Armstrong 1824
James Bryden 1839
William Kyle 1840
Samuel S. Davis 1841
John Greenwood
1842
W. W. Kyle 1843
James Marshall 1811
William Shaw 1812
William Miller 1829
John Clark 1845
Adam Stewart 1846
James Marshall 1814
William Stewart 1831
Horace Walcutt 1832
O. P. Clark 1848
Robert Armstrong .1816
John M. White ... 1833 Jacob Slyh 1849
James Marshall 1817
Matthew Matthews 1833
Eli F. Jennings.
1850
David Jamison 1818
Timothy Lee 1833
Jesse Baughman 1851
James Marshall 1808
J. M. Walcutt. 1826
William McIlvaine 1827
Arthur O'Harra 1809
William Stewart 1828
Robert Armstrong 1810
Horace Walcutt 1829
S. S. Davis 1844
Robert Armstrong 1813
Matthew Matthews .1830
T. J. Moorman 1847
William McIlvaine 1815
Joseph Grate 1820
Benjamin Sells 1804
Michael Fisher 1805
James Marshall 1822
William P. Brown, 1866-68.
Josiah Kinnear, 1868-71.
Lyne Starling, Jr., 1832-33.
W. W. Pollard, 1854-57.
Mease Smith, 1833.
Daniel Hess, 1857-60.
Jacob Eley, 1826-30.
Jona. Neeramer, 1830-36.
George Jeffries, 1836-39.
James Walcutt, 1839-43.
Robert Thompson, 1888-94.
Nathan Cole, 1846-79.
Neville Williams, 1897-
Uriah Lathrop, 1839-42.
Jno. Graham, 1842-45.
William Johnston, 1845-48.
William Stewart 1825 M. Fisher 1807
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS
395
C. W. Speaks. 1852
J. O. B. Renick 1869
Thomas D. Cassady. . 1888
L. Moorhead 1889
Willis Mattoon 1854 Frederick Beck 1870
J. B. McDonald 1890
T. D. Cassady. . 1891
J. B. McDonald. 1893
George Bellows 1894
O. P. Hines 1857
Isaac S. Beckley 1874
J. R. Brown 1895
Isaac White 1857
D. Matheney .1875
William Pinney 1896
D. L. Holton 1858
D. B. Strait 1876
J. N. Ackerman 1897
Z. E. Amlin 1898
William Pinney 1899
Jacob Slyh 1861
Thomas Robinson 1879
W. S. Carlisle .. 1900
J. W. Barbee. 1862
Joseph M. Briggs 1880
Henry A. Mason 1901
D. B. Strait 1863
Josiah C. Lunn. 1881
Peter Swickard 1902
J. M. Koerner 1864
William Wall 1882
W. S. Carlisle 1903
J. W. Barbee 1865
J. M. Briggs
1883
H. A. Mason
1904
John G. Edwards 1866
R. Z. Dawson 1884
Morton Hayes
1905
William Gulick 1867
William Wall 1885
A. M. Gibson 1906
E. M. Lisle .1868
Louis Moorhead .1886
Richard Sinclair 1908
The three last named held office until 1909, their successors all being chosen in 1908.
Infirmary Directors.
The office of infirmary director was created in 1842, and the following persons have filled the office since. The first incumbents were chosen for one, two and three years respectively, and their successors were chosen in the years following the names of the incumbents in their order:
George Frankenberg .1842
Newton Gibbons 1863
Henry Lisle 1887
Augustus Becker .1842
Philemon Hess 1864
Stephen Kelley 1888
Robert Riordan 1842
Frederick Beck .1865
John Kelly 1889
George Frankenberg .1843
N. Gibson 1866
Adam Fredrick 1890
August Becker 1844
John Grau 1867
J. N. Ackerman 1891
Robert Riordan 1845
Frederick Fornof 1868
J. F. Medbery 1893
John Walton 1846
H. L. Seibert 1869
Henry Becker 1894
August Becker 1847
William H. Gaver. 1870
Charles Frank 1895
T. D. Preston 1848
John Schneider 1871
J. F. Medbury 1897
Arthur O'Harra 1849
J. H. Earhart. 1872
Wash. Johnson 1898
August Becker 1850
William H. Gaver .1873
Morton Hayes 1899
Arthur O'Harra 1849
John Schneider 1874
J. B. McKinley 1900
Amos S. Ramsey 1852
J. H. Earhart 1875
M. C. Lakin 1901
Rufus Main 1853
William H. Gaver .1876
Wash. Johnson 1902
Orin Backus .1854
J. B. Mckinley. 1903
L. J. Moeller .1855
J. H. Earhart
1878
M. C. Lakin 1904
John Lisle .1856
James Burns
1880
William L. Long 1906
L. J. Moeller 1858
Jacob Reed 1881
Fay May 1907
James Legg 1859
Chris Engroff 1882
S. W. Henry 1908
Philemon Hess 1860
James C. Cleary 1883
William L. Long 1908
Newton Gibbons 1860
Henry Lisle 1884
Fay N. May 1908
Philemon Hess 1861
Emery McDermith .1885
Percy J. Briggs 1908
Frederick Beck 1862
J. C. Cleary 1886
The terms of the last named three, as in the case of the commissioners, are so extended, by a recent statute under a constitutional amendment, as to expire simultaneously in 1911. Their successors to be elected in 1910.
THE TOWNSHIPS.
Montgomery township has been wholly absorbed by the city of Columbus, while Marion in its greater part is an unorganized portion of the city and destined to be absorbed at an early day almost as a whole.
Theo. Comstock 1855
J. P. Bruck 1871
Edw. Livingston 1856
Adin G. Hibbs 1872
Willis Mattoon 1857
Francis Riley 1873
John Snyder 1859
I. S. Beekey 1877
Thomas Sparrow 1860
D. Matheney 1878
R. Z. Dawson 1887
Edw. Livingston 1853
William Cooper 1870
James Burns 1877
William Aston 1857
Chris Engroff 1879
S. W. Henry 1905
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS
A portion of the city, on the west side of the river, is made up from ter- ritory detached from Franklin township, the autonomy of which, however, is to an extent preserved.
In briefly sketching the townships and their villages, no attempt at elaborate history or description will be made.
The most interesting portion of the city and county history alike is largely personal. Hence the sketches will deal largely with the pioneers who founded both the county and the city. It is to be regretted also that there is not in existence a complete record of the pioneers both men and women. In hundreds of houses exist fragments of the valuable record, but the assem- bling of it by any one person for a single object would require an ordinary life time, even if the task could be accomplished at all, save by a community of effort.
Who Were the Pioneers?
Who were the pioneers? It is a mooted question, perhaps, but it will be within the limits to designate the heads and active members of families coming into and residing within the county from 1798 to 1858; and with this guide for determining them, it is hoped that the appended township sketches will repay perusal.
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.
Of the four original townships in the county, Franklin is the only one that retains its name. Its organization is coeval with the erection of the county in 1803. When organized Franklin township alone embraced twice as much territory as the whole of Franklin county of today. In this town- ship the first settlement of the county and city began in 1797, in the present west side of Columbus then designated Franklinton, the county seat. The trend of settlement was south along the west bank of the Scioto, and the first settlers in that direction were the families of Samuel White, John Huffman, William Harrison, Sr., and one or two others whose names have not been pre- served.
The limits of the township, however, were gradually contracted and after Jackson township was organized in 1815 and Prairie in 1819, its pro- portions were more in keeping with the idea of a township, and so continued until Franklinton itself was attached to and became a part of Columbus. The population was largely agricultural, the great prairies stretching west as well as north and south, inviting an agricultural people; corn, wheat, broom corn, oats, potatoes and the like were produced in great abundance-especially broom corn, and was shipped to the down-river markets.
People Fond of Sports.
The people of that day were as fond of sports, especially horse racing, as those of today, and primitive race tracks were maintained on the prairies bordering upon the town, especially in the vicinity of the Four-Mile House, and candor compels the statement that there was more or less betting on the
A REAL COLONIAL DAME-MEHITABLE TAYLOR, 1765-1857.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS
nags, according to the volume of the currency at the track and the enthusi- asm of the bettors. Along in the '40s, Lucas Sullivant established the Ohio Manufacturing Company, worked a milling establishment and operated stone quarries, while further down the river were Moler's Mills and Carding Machine, erected originally by John Ransburgh.
Present Population.
In 1858 Franklin township, including Franklinton, had a population of a little more than two thousand, of whom six hundred seventy-six were be- tween the ages of five and twenty-one years. In 1900, with Franklinton absorbed into the city of Columbus, the township had a population of two thousand six hundred eighty-nine and it is estimated that in 1908-9, it contained approximately three thousand inhabitants.
Franklin Pioneers.
Among the pioneers prior to 1858 were the families of Adam Hosack, Henry Brown, James B. Gardiner, Joseph Grate, Jacob Kellar, Joseph Mc- Dowell, William Lusk, William Risley, Zachariah Stephen, James Marshall, Arthur O'Harra, Samuel White, Nicholas Goeches, James Gorton, Robert W. Riley, Joseph Badger, Jacob Gruber, Reuben Golliday, William Lusk, Stew- art White, James Graham, Samuel Deardurf, Jacob Fisher, William Cald- well, Adam Alkire, William Henderson, Lemuel Frizzell, Bartley Boyd, Benjamin Overmire, Robert King, Bazil Riddell, Jesse Alkire, John A. Kellar and William B. Preston. The descendants of many of these pioneers still reside in this county and central Ohio, while the greater number have followed the star of empire westward, and the same is true of the descendants of the pioneers in all the townships.
Franklinton Postoffice.
Franklinton postoffice was established in 1805 and continued until 1835. The respective pioneer postmasters were: Adam Hosack, 1805; Henry Brown, 1811; Joseph Grate, 1812; James B. Gardiner, 1813; Jacob Kellar, 1815; Joseph McDowell, 1819; William Lusk, 1820; William Risley, 1831, to discontinuance of the office.
The Old Union Church.
The following article touching the history of one of the most famous and historic churches of Franklin county, outside the city, located in Franklin township, appeared a year or two since in the leading Columbus newspapers. Some of the pioneers mentioned therein have passed away since its publication. The new church referred to has since been completed, and the congregation meet in it regularly for Divine services.
About one-half mile northeast of Briggsdale, which is located on the Harrisburg pike, and about three miles southwest of the city, stands a little
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS
one-story brick church with a history of intense interest. It bears the name of "Union Church," which title it has possessed many years, and which was given it in days when this section of the country was inhabited by Indians. In this modest appearing little edifice, hundreds of souls have found the Saviour, hundreds of dear friends of the members have lain before the pulpit cold in death.
A New Church.
A beautiful new church is to take the place of the little chaped that has such a record. The membership has grown to such an enormous size in the past few years that the present building will not accommodate the in- creasing numbers, and at a meeting held a few days ago it was decided that the new church would have to supplant the little edifice to which the older members look back upon with many happy, and at other times many sor- rowful recollections. The new church will not be located on the present site, but will be nearer the Briggsdale school building. Mr. Joseph Briggs, who is one of the prominent members, was also instrumental in agitating the idea of the new church. Mr. Briggs headed the subscription paper, which was started at a business meeting of the members a few days ago, and the amount placed opposite his name was one thousand dollars, and from this amount a reasonable sum is to be taken to invest in a church lot, which is to be selected from any part of his property which runs a half mile on either side of the Harrisburg pike through Briggsdale.
Raising Church Building Funds.
Since the petitions, three in number, have been in circulation, they raised over one-half the amount necessary, and according to the church laws, when three-fourths of the amount is secured they will be allowed to proceed with the construction. This Mr. Briggs thinks will be commenced about March, as the prospects are bright for raising the necessary funds. The new building is to be modern in every way, and will be built from brick. The building committee is comprised of the following members: Joseph Briggs, A. K. Whims, J. J. Eakin and John E. Chambers. The church com- mittees are: J. E. Chambers, Thomas Hart, A. K.Whims, E. C. Armstrong, William House, Jesse Walton, D. Sibley, John Eakin and Joseph Briggs.
The new church will, as it has been for a long time, be known as the Union Methodist Episcopal church. The present pastor is Rev. George Creamer, of Grove City, who, assisted by his brother, has during the past few weeks been conducting a most successful series of protracted meetings, and has increased the membership immensely.
The Press Post has endeavored to secure a few reminiscences of the old church and after many interviews with those well acquainted, the follow- ing story has been compiled, which will prove very interesting to those having any acquaintance :
A Famous Church Edifice.
Among the early religious gatherings in Franklin township outside of Franklinton were a series of meetings held at the house of Henry Goets-
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS
chius, by the Rev. Messrs. Austen and Sims, of the Methodist Episcopal church. The date cannot be given; but it was prior to 1828. The result was the formation of a pioneer class in Methodism, consisting of John and Nancy Goetschius, Richard and Sarah House, Elisha and Elizabeth Chambers, Gil- iom and Leah Demorest, Jacob and Eliza White and a few others, whose names are forgotten. Soon after this class was formed a log meeting house was built on Scioto big run. This was a small affair and rude in its appoint- ments, yet for as many as ten years this devoted band of Christians held frequent meetings within its bush-covered walls. Its successor was the brick edifice known as Union church, occupying the site of the first church. This charge was formerly attached to Darby circuit, and subsequently to Harrisburg.
Immediately after the formation of Franklin county in 1803 it was divided into four nearly equal parts or townships, the southwest quarter was called Franklin. It was then nearly double the size of the present county. It was reduced to its present limits in 1819.
Franklin County Indians.
The red men of the forest were quite numerous in the early settlement of this township. They were principally of the Wyandot tribe, though there were scattering members of the Delawares and Mingoes.
First Settler, Joseph Foos.
The first settler of the township was Joseph Foos, who, in the fall of 1798 came from Kentucky and built a log cabin on what is now Hamilton Place addition.
Scalped at Stony Point.
Samuel White was prominent in the pioneer settlement of Franklin township. He was a soldier in the Revolution and served nearly seven years during that determined struggle. It is said by descendants of the family that Mr. White, at the battle of Stony Point, was scalped by the Indians and left on the field of battle. After the war he returned to his home in Virgina, married Jane Stewart, and emigrated to Ohio, and settled on Scioto big run. The old log church was located on his land and when the present church was built his son, Samuel M., made the trustees a deed for the land. Both are buried in the graveyard of the church.
Samuel White came from Virginia; he was born in New Jersey, March 16, 1758, and died from injuries received in a runaway in 1841. His son, Samuel M., came in possession of the part of his farm on which the church stands, and the late Hon. Clark White, his son, then came into possession of the farm. His wife and son and one of his daughters still live on the same place. His son, Jacob, mentioned elsewhere, was one of the founders of the church. Samuel White's descendants are numbered by the hundreds in this county.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS
The Union Camp Grounds.
As a camp-meeting grounds and place for summer religious services, those about the Union church were known far and wide and there is not an old resident in the entire county or the surrounding ones but knows about the Union church camp-meetings. All who have talked relative to the matter bring up the most interesting stories. Mr. A. G. Grant, in speaking of the camp-meetings held there, stated that he well remembered that one Sunday morning during the camp-meeting when nine large Indians bedecked with their feathers and war paint, walked up to front seats. Their presence nat- urally caused a commotion, but their was no disturbance. This, Mr. Grant states, was about fifty-five years ago. The camp grounds were located in the grove which then surrounded the little church. The places for sleeping and living during the camp-meetings, which would last from three to four weeks, were erected from small trees on the log-cabin plan and covered with brush and the like. The huts were erected side by side and occupied the amount of space about the size of a solid square. In the center the services were held and were attended by mammoth crowds.
The Union Preachers.
Among some of the older preachers better known to many of the resi- dents of the city and county were Rev. Young, who was blind. He was grandfather of Ex-Sheriff Young. Rev. Peter Cartright was also one of their pastors. Another who still survives, is Michael Halm, residing in this city on East Mound street.
The Union Cemetery.
The cemetery adjoining the church also affords a history which in all probability is equaled by few in the county. It contains the remains of vet- terans from four wars. Among those remembered are the following:
Revolutionary war-Samuel White. War of 1812-Thomas Goldsmith, Henry Goetschius, Richard House. Mexican war-Elijah Harris. War, 1861 to 1865-Captain E. O. House, William Goldsmith, Thomas Goldsmith, G. W. Alkire, Richard White, Alfred Goetschius.
The aged father of Mr. Joseph M. Briggs, who is the promoter of the new church, was buried also in this cemetery fifty-seven years ago, but later the remains were removed to their family lot at Green Lawn cemetery. He was the founder of the Sabbath school of Union church.
Memorial Services.
The first memorial services ever held over the graves of the dead soldiers who lie in this little cemetery were held last summer, the last Sunday in June. The services were arranged at the instigation of William Miller, of this city, who is also officer of the day of the Wells Post, G. A. R. He was assisted by Martin Benjamin, of Briggsdale, and the services were so successful and
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appreciated by all that it was then decided to hold the same annually, the second Sunday in June.
SHARON TOWNSHIP.
Sharon township consists of a five-mile-square block, which constituted a very small fragment of what was once Liberty township. It is geographi- cally known as township 2, in range 18. It was erected March 4, 1806, and christened Sharon from the Biblical Sharon. The settlement of the township began in the spring of the year 1803 under the auspices of the Scioto Com- pany composed of migrants from the state of Connecticut under the lead of Colonel and Rev. James Kilbourne who had come west a few years pre- viously and "spied out the land" of the New Canaan.
A Famous Dwarf.
The town of Worthington was duly "laid out" in 1804, and in 1805 it was made a government postoffice, and William Robe was installed as the first postmaster. Mr. Robe was a dwarf and an undersized one at that, and was, in stature at least, the prototype of P. T. Barnum's celebrated Tom Thumb of the middle of the nineteenth century.
His maximum weight was fifty pounds, and his stature did not exceed a yardstick. And withal, he was highly educated, cultured and was neat in appearance, perfectly proportioned, dressed in the highest style of his day and was "a perfect gentleman" in every respect.
He became a teacher in the Worthington Seminary, the foremost educa- tional institution west of Pittsburg in that day. Later he was made chief clerk or deputy in the office of the state auditor. He died January, 1823, at the age of forty-five.
The Pioneer Postmasters.
Mr. Robe continued as postmaster until 1815, when he was succeeded by Aurora Buttles, and he was followed by Recompense Stansberry who held from 1821 to 1841 in which year he was succeeded by R. W. Cowles, who died within less than a year. Recompense Stansberry was again appointed postmaster and held the office until 1843, during which year he passed away and George Taylor was in charge from 1843 to 1849; George H. Gris- wold from 1849 to 1853; and Charles Martin, Jr., from 1858 and past.
Manufacturing Company Incorporated.
In 1811 the Worthington Manufacturing Company was incorporated by act of the legislature, and Colonel James Kilbourne became president and general agent of the company. With the erection of the necessary build- ings completed, the company went actively into business in 1813. The com- pany manufactured a high grade (for that period) of woolen goods, but carried on numerous mechanical branches in other lines. The company also engaged in banking, its charter being so comprehensive that it could engage
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS
in any and all kinds of business. In both banking and mercantile business, it became the most important concern in Ohio or the west for a number of years, and it maintained stores in Columbus and Franklinton as well as in Worthington.
The company met with reverses, however, in 1819-20, and went into liquidation. It paid out all of its liabilities, but when its affairs were settled, the stockholders had sacrificed proportional shares of their private fortunes, while the community as a whole had profited by the energy and enterprise of the concern and its projectors. Co-incidental with the incorporation of the above company, Colonel Kilbourne launched the first newspaper in Franklin county and among the early papers west of the Alleghenies. This was the Western Intelligencer, the progenitor of the Ohio State Journal of the present day.
Worthington Incorporated.
The town of Worthington was incorporated by act of the legislature in 1835, and in the spring of 1836 the first town officers were elected as follows: Mayor, James Kilbourne; recorder, G. H. Griswold; trustees, Samuel Abbott, William Bishop, Ira Metcalf, A. H. Pinney, William S. Spencer and R. W. Cowles; treasurer, Levi Pinney; marshal, Chauncey Barker; street commis- sioner, Abner P. Pinney ; fire wardens, Dayton Topping and D. W. Harrington.
The Pioneer Mayors.
The pioneer mayors of Worthington in their order and date of election were: 1836, James Kilbourne; 1837, G. H. Griswold; 1838, Peter Wright; 1839, John Snow; 1840-41, James Kilbourne; 1842, Levi Pinney; 1843, Sylvester Hayes; 1844, William Bishop; 1845, George Taylor; 1846, James Kilbourne; 1847, G. H. Griswold; 1848-54, Stephen Hoyt; 1855-58, Stephen L. Peck.
Other Pioneer Citizens.
Among the heads of the pioneer families of Sharon township in addi- tion to the foregoing named prominent citizens and public officials were Ezekial Brown, Alexander Morrison, Jr., Ezra Griswold, Isaac Case, Azariah Pinney, Glass Cochran, Rueben Carpenter, Crager Wright, Stephen Maynard, Samuel Maynard, Nathaniel Little, John Goodrich, Jr., John W. Ladd, Stephen Maynard, Jr., Asaph Allen, Ira Metcalf, Philo Burr, Luther Case, Charles E. Burr and I. N. Case.
Almost Stationary Population.
For more than forty years there has been but little change in the popula- tion of Sharon township and Worthington, town. In 1840 the town and town- ship had a population of one thousand one hundred sixty-eight; in 1850, one thousand five hundred nine; in 1858, one thousand six hundred twenty-one; in 1900, one thousand seven hundred ninety-nine, of which four hundred
NORTH EAST VIEW WEST CREST, 1842.
....
SOUTH EAST VIEW OF WEST CREST, 1842.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS
fifty were residents of Worthington. The estimate for 1908-9 is one thousand eight hundred thirty-six. It will be observed that the actual population of Sharon township, as indicated by the census of 1900, was but two hundred ninety more than it was by the official census of 1850, an increase of less than six persons per year. This may be accounted for, however, on the theory that outside the town of Worthington, the real-estate owners hold ex- tensive tracts, and lease only to those who assist in agricultural pursuits, thus reducing tenants to the minimum; while in the town itself, the large majority own their own houses and lots and tenants are the exception.
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