USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 36
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75
Woodbridge, the seller, was later Judge Dudley Woodbridge of Marietta noted for his probity and good citizenship and left behind him a name of which his descendants were justly proud. The purchaser of the four thous- and acre farm was John Huffman of Washington county, Pennsylvania, but not even tradition accounts for his possession of the liquor, but the chances are that he, as in the case of Woodbridge, took it in trade. He came from Washington county to Franklin soon after acquiring the lands and became a
421
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS
prominent citizen. In 1822 he divided the four thousand acres of land among. his numerous children.
The First Settler.
It appears to be a well-settled fact that the first actual settler of Plain town- ship was Joseph Scott, who took a lease on a part of the Huffman tract early in 1802. It was but a few months later when Adam and Samuel Baughman and one or two others came on from Pennsylvania, cutting their way as they went, through the thick forests, which they frequently encountered, with only a compass for a guide to their destination. Henry Huffman, a brother of John, Thomas B. Patterson and others came within the next few months. Samuel Baughman continued to reside in Plain township until he passed off the stage of mundane existence, which occurred at the beginning of the period of the Civil war. He accumulated a competence and made for himself a good name.
Some Other Early Pioneers.
Among the other early settlers in Plain, whose names have been ascer- tainable after the lapse of more than a century, were Lorin Hills, Jesse By- ington, Gilbert Waters, William Yantis, Abraham Williams and Joseph Moore, all of whom were the heads of families and the most of them of large ones.
The land was not regarded as first class by the settlers when placed in comparison with the rich bottom lands, but this was compensated for by an abundance of the best water and the freedom of the locality from the original malaria from which the locality was immune. The result was that the pop- ulation increased rapidly and by the turn of the half century (1858) it was one of the densely settled portions of the country.
Plenty of Saw Mills.
In 1858 there were seven saw mills in the township, but not a single flouring mill. Evidently the sale of Plain township lumber was so ready and profitable that the people considered sawmills as more valuable commun- ity assets than flouring-mills, and so went to the mills in other neighbor- hoods for their bread stuffs. Daniel Kramer erected the first sawmill in 1827, and later additional ones were erected by Archibald Smith, Christian Bevel- heimer and David Swickard. These sawmills are now, however, but the merest reminiscence. Churches of various denominations sprang up in each community or quarter of the township, and the people being of a religious turn of mind they were well attended, especially the camp-meetings of that day.
Early Town Building Attempts.
In 1826 Lorin Hills and Lester Humphrey laid out a town on the Gran- ville road, not far from the present site of New Albany, and named it La-
422
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS
fayetteville in honor of the Marquise de LaFayette; the plat was recorded, but the town was never built, and so far as can be ascertained no building lots were sold, and the proprietors continued to farm the town site. Mr. Francis Clymer likewise sought to transform his farm into the town of Mt. Pleasant, and laid it out into lots, streets and alleys but that was the end of the undertaking.
New Albany Founded.
In May, 1837, Messrs. Noble Landon and William Yantis laid out the present town of New Albany. They were not partners, however. They were owners of adjoining farms which lay on either side of what was to constitute Main street. They had two tracts laid out and platted as one, but each owned, held and controlled the sale of lots on his side of the street. It grew into a thriving village; was a good country business point, and still continues to be a pleasant and hospitable village.
Was Duly Incorporated.
In 1856 the legislature incorporated the town. At the April election of that year; the following officers were elected: mayor, S. Ogden; recorder, C. S. Ogden; marshal, R. Phelps; councilmen, F. Johnson, J. McCurdy, C. Baughman, A. B. Beem and S. Stinson. In 1850 the population of the town- ship was one thousand five hundred and sixty-one; in 1858, one thousand five hundred and ninety-seven, and the population of New Albany was fifty. In 1900 the population of the township according to the United States cen- sus was one thousand one hundred and sixty-three, and of the village two hundred and twenty-four. In 1908 the township population is estimated at one thousand two hundred and of the village at three hundred. The post- office at New Albany was established in 1838 and was named Hope, but sub- sequently changed to the name of the town.
Pioneer Postmasters and Other Pioneers. .
Noble Landon was the first postmaster and held the office from 1838 to 1853. Daniel Horlocker served from 1853 to 1855 and Jacob Ullery served from 1855 to 1860. Among the other pioneer heads of families who came into the township were: John Scott, Simeon Moore, Jacob Thorp, Jacob Smith, Thomas B. Patterson, George Wells, Asa Whitehead, John Davis, Abraham Williams, Daniel Swickard, Paul Farber, Daniel Hamaker, James Carpenter and George Wagner.
MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP.
Migrants coming from Pennsylvania in 1799-1800, began the first settle- ment in Mifflin township. The first settlers comprised William Read, after- ward widely and favorably known as Judge William Read, Wil-
HOUSE BUILT BY DAVID TAYLOR, TRURO TOWNSHIP, 1826.
HOUSE BUILT BY DAVID TAYLOR, 1843, TRURO TOWNSHIP.
425
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS
liam Simmons, Frederick Agler, George Baughman, Daniel Turney, Mat- thias Ridenour and Ebenezer Butler. In the division of the county into townships in 1803, this territory was included in Liberty township; when, in 1811, Mifflin township was organized, the Pennsylvania settlers selected the name for it in honor of Governor Mifflin, of Pennsylvania, with whom many of them were personally acquainted.
The township as organized consisted of one of the originally surveyed townships, of five miles square, and was noted on the map as township 1, range 17, United States military lands. There were no striking incidents connected with the settlement of the township, the inhabitants being of the study, industrious Pennsylvania type, who minding their own business and not interfering with others, prospered and reared their families, and added in all other ways to the steady progress of the entire county.
An Early Drawback.
A writer in the '50s, speaking of this township, said that no flouring-mills had as yet been erected in the township, although quite a number of saw- mills had been put into operation, some of them doing a good business, while others met with only indifferent success. Among the very early sawmills spoken of, was the Dean Mill, erected prior to 1820, and which passed into the possession of Judge Heyl, and also the Old Park's Mill, which was erected about the same time. In 1835-6 a sawmill was erected on Walnut creek by J. J. Janney, and which later passed to the ownership of J. M. Wal- cutt, and another erected by A. McIlvaine in 1838-39.
Gahanna-Bridgeport.
In 1848-9 Messrs. John Clark, Esquire, and Jesse Baughman, Esquire, living in close proximity, were mutually inspired to found a town, which, mayhap, might sometime grow into a city. Squire Clark, on one side of the dividing line, laid out and had platted a town bearing the name of Gahanna. Squire Baughman proceeded to lay out and have platted a town which he christened Bridgeport, and it became a race as to which name should sur- vive-it is Gahanna now. In 1849 Gahanna postoffice was established and it still retains a place on the map. Thomas Young was the first postmaster serving from 1849 to 1853, to be succeeded by John T. Baughman who held the position in 1859. Another postoffice was established at Park's Mill, on Alum creek, in 1851. Jeremiah Lasure was postmaster until 1853, and James Parks for some eight or nine years.
A Steady Growth.
There was a population in 1850 of one thousand and ninety-five in the township and one thousand one hundred and forty-three in 1858. In 1900 the United States census gave the township a population of two thousand nine hundred and ninety-three, of which two hundred and seventy-six were resi-
426
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS
dents of Gahanna. The estimated population of the township in 1908 is three thousand one hundred, of which three hundred reside in the village. Mifflin thus shows a marked and continuous growth in population greater propor- tionally than either of the preceding townships.
Some Later Pioneers.
Among the later pioneer heads of families in Mifflin township, were John Scott, Stephen Harris, Stephen R. Price, Henry Hawken, Samuel Gillet, John Hawken, James Smith, Hugh Ijams, David Beers, James Price, John Starret, A. W. Jeffries, Philip Klein.
Champion Office Holder.
The champion office holder in the township in the pioneer days was David Beers, who was elected justice of the peace ten times in succession in thirty years, his terms of office being three years each.
CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
There is another of the townships under the original survey of five miles square, and which was designated on the original plats as township 1, range 18, United States military lands.
Some First Settlers.
Among the first settlers taking up lands in Clinton were the families of Hugh and Robert Fulton, John Hunter, Samuel Elvaire, John Lisle, the Hendersons, the Hesses and the Beers. The township was organized as such in the year 1811. Roswell Wilcox came into the township in 1814 and erected what for a period of many years were known as the Wilcox Mills; later they passed into the possession of the father of John James Piatt, the poet, and still later passed into the possession of the Messrs. Hess.
Olentangy Mills.
These mills were located on Olentangy river or creek, as some preferred at that date to denominate it. Further up the creek were the mills of George Whips, which also did a large business in producing flour not only for the home trade, but for shipment to New Orleans and other southern points by way of the Scioto to the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
In 1858 and prior thereto there were three very considerable distilleries engaged in the production of whisky, fattening logs, cattle and the like. All these things have disappeared almose wholly.
The Rise of Clintonville.
Clintonville rose rather as an accommodation than as a town. Mr. Alan- son Bull, a land owner, desiring to accommodate several mechanics in that
427
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS
part of the township, who were not only possessed of industry, but growing families, sold in 1846-7, a number of building lots on the side of the road leading from Columbus to Worthington to these industrious mechanics, who erected modest but substantial dwellings upon them, and so Clintonville rose as a way station between the old town of Worthington and the newly enfran- chised city of Columbus.
A Postoffice Established.
In 1847 a postoffice was established at Clintonville, and James Ferguson was appointed postmaster and was later succeeded by his son, James M. Ferguson. The postoffice has been maintained ever since. The favorable growth of Clintonville, seems to have moved Messrs. Solomon and George Beers to start another town further down the plank road toward the state- house, so they laid out and platted lots and the town plat, bearing the name of "North Columbus" was duly recorded, lots were sold, houses erected, and in the lapse of time North Columbus became a part of Columbus; the plank road passed on, the turnpike continued to be and the interurban electric cars brought the public square of Worthington and the Statehouse Park in Columbus within fifteen minutes of each other, when business was urgent.
Churches and Cemeteries.
Mr. William T. Martin writing of Clinton at the turn of the first half century of Columbus, says that "there are in this township three churches and three cemeteries-a Methodist church and burying place on the Worthing- ton Plank Road near the residence of Rev. Jason Bull; another about five miles from Columbus on the Lockwin pike near the residence of G. S. Innis, Esq., and a church at Clintonville, belonging to the Christian denomination, and a burying place three or four miles north of Columbus on the west side of the Olentangy."
There were in the township in 1840 a population of nine hundred and sixty-nine. In 1850 the population reached one thousand one hundred and eighty-six, and in 1858 one thousand two hundred and ninety. The census of 1900 gave the population of four thousand three hundred and eighty-five, and the present population is conservatively placed at four thousand seven hundred and fifty. This is the first township in the order of their organiza- tion to maintain a steady and uninterrupted growth.
Among the Later Pioneers.
Between 1818 and 1858 the following heads of families were active fac- tors in the upbuilding of Clinton township:
Messrs. William McElvain, William Drody, John Smith, John Hunter, Elam Jewett, Aristarchus Walker, Jacob Slyth, Samuel Kinnear, Washing- ton Lakins, Truman Skeels, Joseph Pegg, Edward A. Stanley, Eli M. Lisle, G. S. Innis and Moses Beers. Many of these names are as familiar in the
428
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS
city and throughout the townships today as they were fifty or sixty years ago and in both periods they were the synonyms of good citizenship.
BLENDON TOWNSHIP.
Blendon township was first named Harrison but later changed to Blen- don, as explained further along. The original Harrison township hitherto described having most largely been stricken off Franklin county in the form- ation of Pickaway, in 1810, the remaining part of it was included in the. townships of Hamilton and Madison. In 1825, however, the county com- missioner changed the name of Harrison to Blendon responsive to the gen- erally expressed desire of the inhabitants to have the change made. The township, as set off consisted of one originally surveyed five mile square town- ship and designated as township number 2, range 17, United States military lands. The section of the county embracing this township, for some reason, which at this instance is not exactly clear, was not opened to settlement as early as most of the other townships and localities.
Two First Settlers.
The two first settlers in Blendon were Edward Phelps and Isaac Gris- wold, natives of Windsor, Connecticut, who came into Franklin county in 1806, to make preparations for the coming of their families. It is related that Mr. Phelps was the first white man to chop down a tree in the township. He was well advanced in years when he came to the new country, having been born in 1759, and participated in the war of the Revolution when a young man. He died in 1840 in his eighty-first year. His comrade, Isaac Griswold, lived until about the beginning of the Civil war.
Some Later Comers.
In 1808 several other Connecticut emigrants with their families came to Blendon and joined the two original pioneers. These included Goerge Os- born and Ethan Palmer from Windsor, and Francis Olmsted of Simsbury, Connecticut and his family of sons, of whom was the later General Philo H. Olmsted, one of the most prominent among the earlier mayors of Columbus.
Connecticut Emigrants.
Almost simultaneously with these Connecticut emigrants, there arrived Cruger Wright, John Mattoon and Reuben Carpenter from faraway Ver- mont ; Henry Hane from Pennsylvania; and Isaac Harrison and John and William Cooper from the state of Virginia. A year or two later came Captain John Bishop, Timothy Lee, Gideon W. Hart, the Westervelts and others whose names cannot be recalled.
Two Towns Founded.
Two towns were laid out in the township, one in 1839 and the other in 1849. The present flourishing town of Westerville, the seat of Otterbien
429
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS
College, was laid out by Matthew Westervelt, and the popular pronuncia- tion of the name seems to have been bestowed on it. The second town to be laid out was Amalthea, a name almost forgotten even in Blendon township. It is better known, and has been for half a century or more, as Central Col- lege, once a far-famed seat of learning now a quaint and picturesque village, such as one sees in dim outline in reading many of the classic narrations. It was laid out under the direction of the board of trustees of Central College on the lands of Mr. Timothy Lee in 1949.
Three Postoffices Established.
In 1858 there were three postoffices in the township. They were Blen- don Four Corners, first called Harrison, established in 1824, the name of the township then being Harrison as already stated. In 1825 the name of the township was changed from Harrison to Blendon, and the postoffice was renamed Blendon Cross Roads or Four Corners. The second postoffice was established in 1841, and named Blendon Institute. A year later it was changed to Central College. The third was Westerville, established in 1846, the name remaining unchanged. The town has kept fully abreast the minor municipalties at all times, and for a quarter of a century or more has led the procession.
The Pioneer Postmasters.
The first postmaster at Blendon Four Corners was Isaac Griswold, ap- pointed in 1825, and continued by continued re-appointments until 1853, when he was succeeded by his son, Cicero Griswold, whose official tenure was equally extended. There was but one pioneer postmaster at Central College, namely Austin Stibbins, appointed in 1842 and continuing for more than a score of years. The first postmaster of Westerville was Jacob B. Connelly, appointed in 1846; W. W. Whitehead 1850, followed by William Brush ; W. W. Whitehead, again, Henry Dyxon, N. M. Hawthorn, James Wester- velt and Milton H. Mann who held the office from 1857 to 1860-1.
Religious Denominations.
The most prominent religious denominations in Blendon township in' its pioneer days were old school and new school presbyterians, United Brethern and Methodist, all of them possessing their own church edifices and having large congregations.
A Number of Later Pioneers.
The following were among the pioneers and heads of families between 1818 and 1858. Gideon W. Hart, Robert Jameson, Abram Phelps, Welch Rickey, Jared W. Copeland, Easton Sherman, Randall R. Arnold, Alex- ander Arrison, Homer W. Phelps, Thomas J. Alexander, William H. Grin- nell, Ezra Munson, Theson Lee, Asa Bills, John Knox and J. L. Westervelt.
In 1840 the population of Blendon was nine hundred and seventy-two; in 1850 it rose to one thousand three hundred and three; in 1858, one thou-
430
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS
sand five hundred and seventy-five; in 1900, it had a population, exclusive of Westerville, of two thousand three hundred and sixty; the estimate for 1908, exclusive of Westerville, is two thousand five hundred and eighty-nine. The population of Westerville in 1858 was two hundred and seventy-five; in 1900, one thousand four hundred and sixty-two, estimated in 1908, one thousand six hundred and twenty-one.
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
Jefferson township was established on the 6th of September, 1816. It is a regulation township five miles square, township 1, in range 16, Uni- ted States military lands. Originally it had been a part of Liberty township, and subsequently became a part of Plain until it was detached as stated.
General Jonathan Dayton's Patent.
The first settlements were made in 1802-3, the impetus being given by General Jonathan Dayton, of New Jersey, the patron saint of Dayton, Ohio, whither he journeyed later. In 1800 General Dayton patented the first or northeast quarter of the township and had it platted in lots of one hundred acres each, and sold the most of these lots "sight unseen" to a number of citizens of New Jersey, who knew nothing of the lands beyond the General's description.
Divided the Lots by Lot.
All the lots, it is said sold at a uniform price supposed to be one dollar an acre or one hundred dollars a lot. At all events it is related that after all the lots had been disposed of at a uniform price they were drawn by cards numbered from one to one hundred. The purchaser of a single lot drew one card the purchasers of two or more lots drew a corresponding number of cards-sometimes the drawer of two or more cards got two or possibly three tracts adjoining or possibly on opposite sides of the quarter township. As a rule the lands were of uniform value, and the drawing was quite sat- isfactory.
The Pioneers from New Jersey.
The early settlers of the township in so far as they may now be ascer- tained were Daniel Dague, Moses Ogden, Peter Francisco, William Headley, Michael Stagg, Abraham Stagg, Jacob Tharp, Jacob Smith, John H. Smith, Jonathan Whitehead, Joseph Edgar, John Kelso, Michael Neiswander and Shuah Mann and their families and some of these families reached half a score.
Mills, Villages and Postoffices.
Jefferson township has not yet builded an emporium. In 1853 David Taylor surveyed and platted Grahamsville. It became known to local history as Taylor's Station. The year previous William A. Smith laid out a town
433
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS
and called it Smithville, but when the locator of postoffices had come and gone, it was transformed into Black Lick postoffice.
Some Pioneer Postmasters.
The first postmaster at Black Lick, which became a postoffice in 1852, was Thomas McCollum. In 1856 he was succeeded by C. S. Morris, in 1857 and Morris, in turn was succeeded in 1857 by Ezekiel Campton, who con- tinued beyond the line of pioneer demarcation, and until some time in the early '60s. The first postoffice in the township was established at Headley's Corners and named Ovid postoffice in 1832, and Dr. Ezekiel Whitehead was appointed first postmaster. He held the office four years and was succeeded by William Headly, who looked after its affairs for something like a score of years.
The First Grist Mill.
Bread was an insistent problem in pioneer days and the man who erected a gristmill in a neighborhood was brevetted a benefactor, and put in the line of regular promotion. In 1811-12 Jacob Tharp erected and put in oper- ation the first gristmill on Black Lick creek. Later on it was more generally known as the Somersville Mill and eventually passed into the ownership of Thomas Rees. The third or southwest quarter of Jefferson township was held intact by the heirs of L. Brien until 1850, when they sold and con- veyed it to David Taylor in consideration of ten dollars per acre. It was on this purchase that Mr. Taylor laid out the town of Grahamsville now known and designated as Black Lick postoffice.
Midway and Later Pioneers.
Among the heads of families who came into and settled in Jefferson township between 1816 and 1858 were Henderson Crabb, William Dean, John Inks, Isaac Painter, Andrew Allison, George Beals, Michael Nieswender, Peter Mills, Jacob Smith, Jr., Charles L. Morris and William S. Armsted. The population of the township in 1840 was one thousand and forty; in 1850, one thousand two hundred and thirty-six; in 1900, nine hundred and sixty-four and in 1908 is estimated at one thousand.
NORWICH TOWNSHIP.
In 1813 when Norwich township was surveyed and established, it ex- tended across the river, including what is now the south end of Perry town- ship. It should be remembered in this connection that where the county was originally divided into townships in 1803, what is now Norwich township was a part of Franklin; and when Washington was surveyed and organized in 1809, it then constituted a part of that township until the year 1813.
434
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS
The First Village in Norwich.
No village existed in the township until toward the end of the year 1853, when the village of Hilliard was laid out by John R. Hilliard. The Columbus, Piqua and Indiana railroad now a part of the great Pennsyl- vania system was then built and Hilliards station thereon was established in the village. Five years after its establishment, Hilliards was described as "quite a small village of probably a dozen families, two grocery stores and a postoffice." In 1908, after a lapse of half a century it is a more pretentious and business like place-a pretty rural village in a beautiful section of the county and in close touch with the state capital.
Hilliards Postoffice.
Prior to the establishment of Hilliards, and in 1852, a postoffice had been established at Smiley's Corners in the township with David Smiley as postmaster. In 1854, the postoffice at Smiley's Corners was discontinued by the United States government and a postoffice established at Hilliards of which Thomas W. Dobyns was postmaster for a long series of years.
Gristmills and Sawmills.
Norwich township did not lack these adjuncts to civilization and prog- ress, the Scioto furnishing ample water power. A grist mill was erected on the Scioto, about 1843, by Joseph Corban at a point where Samuel Wilcox had previously erected a sawmill. These mills were subsequently known as Howard's Mills and for a long time did a large business. As early as 1857 there was a steam sawmill at Hilliards, and two or three others at other points of the township. This innovation soon revolutionized the earlier lumber business.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.