Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, 20th, Part 64

Author: Doyle, Joseph Beatty, 1849-1927
Publication date: 1973
Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 584

USA > Ohio > Jefferson County > Steubenville > Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, 20th > Part 64

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).

the War of 1812. His wife was Sarah Clem- ens, who bore him fourteen children. Michael Castner, grandfather of Thomas P. Spencer, Esq., who built a mill at the head of Wills Creek at the beginning of the century, was on the site of Stenben- ville while it was a wilderness-before the place was considered as a town-site. He owned a store on the Monongahela River and one in Kentucky, riding on horseback from one to the other, and going through this region, he frequently stopped on the site of Steubenville. He bought a thousand acres of land in what is now Island Creek Township, and he was one of the pioneer merchants of Steubenville. He built the large briek dwelling near Two Ridge Church, now occupied by Dr. John Kilgore, and his remains are interred in the grave- yard nearby.

The first election for township officers was held at the residence of Daniel Viers, but there is no record of the same. Flour and saw mills were numerous in early days, of which an account is already given.

Ephraim Cooper and William Campbell built the first cabin on the line now the state road between Wills Creek and Yellow Creek. in 1795. Andrew Ault came to this township in 1797 from Pennsylvania. He was the son of a privateer during the Revo- lution, who was captured while bringing prizes into the port of Philadelphia, he not knowing the British were in control, and was sent to England as a prisoner. He escaped and returned to America, building near Redstone the first linseed-oil mill in the West. Descendants still own the land in this township upon which Andrew set- tled. Andrew Huston, of the blood of Gen. Sam Houston, of Texas fame, came from the Cumberland Valley in 1809, locating at the mouth of Wills Creek, the house being on the site of the present Steubenville water works. He afterward removed to the central part of the township, where was born John Andrew Huston, father of Sam Huston, the late county engineer, the home- stead still standing. Sam Huston had in

Dlg zed by Google

452

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY

near Richmond, in Salem Township.

Outside of Toronto extension, Alikanna and Pekin are the only hamlets in Island Creek Township, it being especially a farm- ing community. At the former place is located the pinping station of the Steu- benville water works, and adjoining is Stanton Park, a popular amnsement resort. About a mile above is the Country Club, overlooking Brown's Island and the fa- mous King farm. There is quite a settle- ment at Alikana extending up Wills Creek. A small hamlet named Millvale was platted by Joseph Beatty in 1873, but this has become a part of Stanton Park.

SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.

The first intimation we have of schools in the township is the statement that the first religions services were held in school- houses as well as in the woods and private houses. Mt. Tabor school was held in a log house, first built for a dwelling in 1812, the first teacher being William Jackman. Marks of the foundation are still visible. In 1814 a log structure was erected in the Mt. Tabor district. Destroyed by incen- diary fire four years later, a brick house his possession an iron tomahawk found in Wills Creek and an iron Indian axe found was erected, in which school was taught during the earlier days by Lancelot Ilearn, John Hawhey, Jolm Beebout, George Arm- strong, James Mitchelltree. The late Judge William Lawrence, who was born in Smithfield Township. attended this school. There are now twelve schools in the town- ship outside of Toronto, located on or ad- jacent to the following farms: Moreland, in Section 33; Johnson (Island Creek), See- tion 35; Grafton, Range 2, Section1; Ford, 9; Morrina, 16; Smith, 18; Porter, 19; Tay- lor, 20; Kilgore, 27; Mt. Tabor, 30; Wel- day, 32 and 33.

The first religious organization in the township seems to have been what is known as the Island Creek Presbyterian Church, organized by Rev. James Snodgrass, of Steubenville, who was installed pastor on

November 24, 1800. Preaching was held at Pittenger's, near Bowling Green, Carr's Ridge and on the present site of the church, a large tent being used in summer. The first church edifice wus built of round logs in 1802 on land donated by Ephraim Cooper. This was displaced by a hewn log house in 1810, which lasted until 1825, when it burned down. That year Mr. Snod- grass resigned and was succeeded by John C. Sidball, who served until 1835. During his administration a brick church was built, which was occupied until 1856, when it was partially destroyed by a storm. A larger and better building took its place in 1858, which still stands. Rev. Thomas F. Magill was pastor from 1835 to 1840; John K. Cunningham, 1841-53; Samuel Forbes, 1876-79; Rev. M. A. Parkinson, 1880.

The next organization formed by Mr. Snodgrass was the Two Ridge Presbyte- rian Church, on the Steubenville and Rich- mond Pike, about nine miles west of the former place. The congregation was formed about 1802 or 1803, the people meeting in various places until 1810, when the first place of worship was erected. Mr. Snod- grass was succeeded by Rev. Williamn Me- Millan, who continued pastor of this and Yellow Creek Church, afterwards Bacon Ridge, for six years. The first session was composed of James Cellars and James Bailey, to whom Samuel Thompson, An- drew Anderson, George Day and Thomas Elliott were added. A new house of wor- ship was erected in 1816, and afterwards on May 21, 1819, Rev. Thomas Innt be- came pastor of this and Yellow Creek Churches, which arrangement continued until 1828, when he devoted his entire time to Two Ridges and remained until Oeto- ber 4. 1836. During this time James Tor- rance. Benjamin Coe, Henry Shane, Will- iam Winters, James Milligan und David Gladden became elders. Rev. Joseph Kerr succeeded Mr. Hunt, and he by Rev. Will- iam Eaton on October 21, 1844. John Leech, John McGregor and David Johns- ton were elected elders during this time. Mr. Eaton retired in April, 1853, and the

Dignized by Google

453

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

following summer a new house of worship was erected, which about twenty years after was considerably enlarged and im- proved. After an interval of two years Rev. David R. Campbell became pastor, and Philip W. Coe and John Huston elected elders. On March 19, 1856 William Plummer and James G. Allen were elected. Mr. Campbell retired in October, 1861, and after a vacancy of a year and a half Rev. George Fraser was installed, in the sum- mer of 1836. Thomas Hunt, John Rex, George D. Rex and T. P. Ross were in- stalled as elders on April 24, 1864, and on November 19, 1865, Robert Stark, Richard Wright and Samuel Kirk were elected deacons. Rev. J. B. Dickey succeeded Mr. Fraser in 1867 and on December 19 Rob- ert Stark and Richard Wright became elders. During this period twelve feet were added to the building. Mr. Dickey, after three years' service, was succeeded by Rev. J. M. Lawbangh, who remained but eight months. On September 3, 1871, John Leech and Thomas Robertson became deacons, and in April, 1873, Rev. Israel Price he- came pastor for two-thirds of his time. On February 7, 1874, William Stark and Jolin Leech became elders and Samuel Huston, Simon B. Warren and William Gilkinson deacons, later Darwin Rex. A women's foreign missionary society was organized in 1874. Mr. Price retired in the fall of 1877, and the church was with- out a pastor until January 9. 1879, when he was succeeded by J. C. MeCracken. His successors were W. A. Williams and Rev. Mr. Clark. The place is now vacant.

Pleasant Hill congregation, in Section 9, was organized on March 27, 1866, with twenty-four members. John Morrison, John M. Robertson and Beatty MeFarland were elected trustees; Jolin C. Robertson, treasurer, and Thomas Sanders, secretary. A good brick church was erected in 1876, Hiram Cope, the contractor, and Thomas Frith, of Steubenville, doing the stone work. The pastors have been the follow- ing: R. H. Van Pelt, beginning in 1868; J. F. Boyd, in 1870; Robert Herron, in 1876;

J. C. MeCracken, in 1878; S. C. Faris, in 1885; J. P. Leyenberger, in 1893; T. W. Hine, 1904. Mr. Sanders is still clerk. The present ruling elders are C. R. Shane, D. S. Carr; deacons, Thomas Sanders, John M. Robertson; members, forty-three.

Rev. James B. Finley began preaching in the neighborhood of what is now Mount Tabor in 1814, and organized an M. E. class at the home of Adam Jackman, composed of Richard Coulter and wife, Adam Jack- man, Mary Jackman, Margaret Jackman, Jane Patterson, Isabel Whittaker, George Alban, Garrett Albertson, - Stuckland, William Nugent, Richard Jackman, Jane Jackman, Jane Armstrong, John Craw- ford, James Crawford, Martin Swickard, Margaret Swickard, Jacob Vail and others. Swickard was with the Crawford expedi- tion and died at the age of ninety-six. Rich- ard Coulter was leader and preaching was continned at Jackman's house for twelve years. A brick building was then erected and ocenpied for thirty years. In 1856 a neat frame structure was erected, which is still occupied. Except during a brief inter- val, this charge has been supplied from Richmond, the present pastor being W. A. kinney.

The next M. E. congregation, known as the Island Creek, was organized by Rev. James M. Bray in 1837. The class included John Bray and wife, William Taylor and wife, - Fleming and wife, Jolm Fleming and wife, William Fleming and wife, John Dobbs and wife, Mrs. John Nixon and daughter, and two others, making sixteen in all, which number was increased to thirty-eight before the year was out. A clmreh 30x40 feet was ereeted during the summer of 1838, and dedicated by Rev. P. K. MeKue. It was made a part of Rich- mond circuit and John Bray was the first class leader.

Center M. E. Chapel and cemetery ad- join the Winters farm in Section 16. Rev. J. Williams and Dr. Hare were the first preachers here, and formed a class in 1847. It included Alexander Glenn and wife, Thomas Glenn, Charlotte Morrow, Richard

Dio woolby Google

154

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY

Morrow, Washington Nicholls and wife, Mary and Sarah Nicholls. Alexander Glenn was leader. It was a part of Richmond cir- enit until 1849, when it was made a part of Wintersville circuit. A frame church, 32x42, was built in 1849 and dedicated in 1850 by Rev. Nicholson. The other early ministers were John E. McGaw, William Tipton. R. Cunningham, William Devinney, S. F. Miner, George Crook, R. L. Miller, Chester Morrison, Robert Boyd, W. H. Tib- ball, - Chrissman, James Bray, S. H. Nesbitt, - Blackburn, John Huston, J. Conn, Alexander Scott, D. K. Stevenson, J. R. Keyes and J. Weaver.

An M. E. organization was effected at Alikanua in 1873, with the following men- bers: Samnel Speaker and wife, Eli Al- bright and wife, David Blackmore and wife, John Nixon and Mrs. William MeElroy. Private honses were used for meetings until 1880, when a small frame building was erected. This lasted until 1895, when the increased membership necessitated larger quarters, and the present church, seating about 250, was built. Rev. A. J. Culp was the first pastor, and after that the congregation was served regularly in connection with Thomson and Finley Chapels, the present one being J. E. Miller.

KNOX TOWNSHIP.

Knox Township, named after the first secretary of war, was one of the original five into which Jefferson County was di- vided, its boundary beginning at the north- east corner of Steubenville Township (Is- land Creek); thence west to the western boundary of the county; thence with the county line until it strikes the line of Co- Inmbiana County ; thence east with the line of Columbiana County to the Ohio River; thence with the meandering of the river to the place of beginning. Two justices; elec- tion at the house of Henry Pittenger. This took in all the northern end of Jefferson County, including the present townships of Saline, Brush Creek, Ross and part of Springfield. It is now composed of twenty-

four sections of Township 13, of Range 2, and seven fractional sections of Township 4, Range 1. It is drained on the north by Hollow Rock and Carter's Run, on the east by Jeremy's and Croxton's Runs, and on the west by Town Fork of Yellow Creek. Like the other townships fronting on the river, the eastern portion is very rugged, becoming less so towards the west. The limestone soil is good, and the township rich in fire clays, coal and formerly tim- ber, white oak prevailing. Its territory is historie and was the scene of many a strng- gle between settler and Indian. James Alexander, who came in 1796, was one of the first, if not the first, white settler in the present township. Isaac White came in 1798, James MeCoy in 1799, Baltzer Culp at New Somerset in 1800, and there were Thomas McLean, John Edminston, Charles Watt, Robert MeClellan, James Alexander, George Culp, John Bray, Martin Swiekard and others, of whom we have no record. Michael Myers, Sr., settled on the west bank of the Ohio below the month of Crox- ton's Run in 1800, and John Johnson set- tled on Jeremy's Run in 1801. Michael Myers established a ferry opposite Gam- ble's Run, and built a large stone house on the Ohio side, where he kept a hotel for at least forty years. As already intimated, Myers had a previous reputation as a seout and Indian fighter. As early as 1774 he had killed two Indians on Carter's Run, at the present intersection of the roads from Knoxville and New Somerset to the Hollow Rock camp meeting grounds. This was shortly after he had aided Cresap to kill the two Indians in a canoe through the machinations of Dr. Connelly, the British ngent at Fort Pitt, who was anxious to em- broil the colonists with the redskins to check the rising spirit of independence, thus bringing on the Dinunore War. In a statement made by Myers in 1850, he gave an account of the affray to Lyman C. Draper, he then being about 105 years of age, but in full possession of his mental faculty. In May 1774, he crossed the Ohio River to a point near the month of Yellow

Dgiized by Google

455

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

Creek, in company with two other men, for county. The grave is marked by a very the purpose of looking at the country. They pretentious marble stone : went up the creek two or three miles and stopped at a spring (Hollow Rock), where MICHAEL MYERS, DIED AUGUST 11, 1852, AGED 107 YEARS. Soldier, rest, thy warfare o'er; Dream of battlefields no more. All thy conflicts now are past ; To thy home thou'rt gone at last. they camped for the night. Having spun- celled their horse they turned him loose to graze, and kindled a fire. Soon after they heard the horse's bell tinkling as though he were running rapidly. At first Myers suspected that a wolf had scared the horse, and, taking up his rifle, ran to the point of the hill, where he saw the horse stand- ing still and an Indian stooping at his side, trying to loosen the spancels. Myers, without further investigation, shot the In- dian, and as soon as he reloaded ran up the side of the hill and discovered a large number of Indinns encamped. One Indian with a gun ran toward him, but kept his eyes on the horse. Myers immediately dis- charged his gun at the second Indian, and withont knowing the result of the shot, wheeled and ran toward the spring, but he found his companions had left the camp. Myers returned to the Virginia side, where he found them. The next morning several Indians crossed to Virginia and inquired at the Baker cabin (where Logan's rela- tives were afterwards murdered) as to who had killed the two Indians the previous evening, but Greathouse (by whose name the Baker cabin is often called to this day) would not permit any one to give the In- dians the least satisfaction. This, of course, added fuel to the fire. The encampment discovered by Myers, no doubt, was a part of the Logan camp. Myers always claimed that he was one of the party firing on the boatload of Indians who crossed the river to investigate the murder of Logan's people. The scene of this incident was very near the place where Henry Pittenger aft- erward settled-where Rev. William Pit- tenger, author of "Daring and Suffering," one of the most thrilling narratives of the Civil War, was born, and within a mile of Sugar Grove Methodist Episcopal Church, in whose graveyard are buried the remains of one of the historically noted men of this The ancestor of the MeClellan family,

The remains of Katherine Stickler, his wife, are at his side, Mrs. Myers having died in 1861, at the age of ninety-six years. A son, William Myers, died in Toronto, April 19, 1899, aged eighty-eight years, and his wife, Cynthia Myers, died two months later. The Myers estate possesses the very venerable long rifle which did much exe- eution in the hands of its owner. This rifle is a prototype of the weapon used not only by the Indian fighters, but by the riflemen who won distinction in the Revolutionary War. This weapon was unknown in what was, and what is now, called the "tide- water" regions, where the inaccurate mus- ket and shotgun were employed. The long rifle was brought to the Pennsylvania fron- tier by the Swiss Germans, and of course found its way to Virginia, and Carolinas: and the bold men of the mold of Myers who ventured into the Indian country previons to the Revolutionary War, coming, as they did, from Pennsylvania or the Virginia Valley (including Maryland), had this most effective arın. While the long rifle. was very heavy, the physical training of the pathfinders enabled them to handle it as readily as the light breechloader of to- day. The great advantage of the rifle to the pioneer was its accuracy, thus saving ammunition, which was of vast importance. Even the young sons of the pioneers learned to bring in a piece of game for each bullet discharged so unerring was the aim demanded. This was the effective weapon which gave the Americans more than one victory in the Revolutionary War. The Myers rifle, which was called "Limber Jen- nie." is six feet in length.

Din ed by Google

456

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY

Robert MeClellan, a consin of Robert, the noted scout who was with Wayne, was among the first settlers of Knox Township, coming from Westmoreland County, Penn- sylvania, in 1808. Descendants still occupy the land.

On Monday, April 3, 1802, the electors of the township met at the house of Henry Pittenger, at which James Pritchard was chosen chairman, and the following officers elected : Township clerk, Johu Sloane; overseers of the poor, Thomas Robertson, Jacob Nessley ; trustees, William Campbell. Isaac White, Jonathan West; fence view- ers, Peter Pugh, Henry Cooper, Alexander Campbell; appraisers of houses, John Johnston, J. P. McMillen; lister of taxable property, Isaac West; supervisors of roads, John Robertson, Calvin Moorehead, Richard Juekman ; constable, Joseph Reed. On April 4, 1803, sixty-fone voters being present, an election was held. Sloan was re- elected clerk; trustees, William Stokes, Thomas Bay (who was with Williamson at Gnadenhutten, and a squatter on Yellow Creek territory in 1785), and Henry Pitten- ger; fence viewers, Joseph Reed, William Campbell, William Sloan; appraisers of honses, Robert Partridge, Thomas Robert- son ; lister of taxable property, Isane West : supervisors of roads, Peter Pngh, James Latimer; constable, David Williamson; justices, J. L. Wilson, James Ball.

In dividing the county into civil town- ships little or no attention was paid to the township surveyed lines, Smithfield Wayne, Cross Creek and Salem being the only civil townships identical with those numbered by the government surveys, and conse- quently several of the civil townships em- braced fractional parts of the nmnbered townships.

As already indicated. Toronto, as first laid out, was entirely within the hounda- ries of Knox Township, occupying the southern corner. New Somerset, however, is the oldest hamlet in the township. It is in the northwest corner of the township and was laid out by Baltzer Culp in Feb- ruary, 1816. The lots were 60x150 feet and

the streets fifty feet wide. It never grew yond the proportions of a hamlet, showing a population of seventy-seven in 1870, the only year it obtained separate mention in the census reports, and is no larger now. Knoxville, in the center of the township, was laid out by Henry Boyle in March, 1816, with lots 60x120 and the main street sixty feet wide. Located back from the railroad, like New Somerset, it has re- inained stationary, showing 168 inhabitants in 1850, 131 in 1860, and 165 in 1870. Like New Somerset, the only public buildings in the town are the churches mentioned below.

EMPIRE.

When we come down to the river front, a different state of things exists, and we find a recent development of marked ac- tivity. Three miles above the Toronto rail- way station stands the village of Empire, an old settlement, but a young town, which has had a greater variety of names than any other place in the county. It is lo- cated at the mouth of Jeremy's Run, the origin of whose name is forgotten. In 1821 Alexander Stewart, Sr., bought from a man named Buttenburg all that part of Empire lying above Stewart Street, while Lewis K. McCoy subsequently, through a Incky investment in a lottery ticket, secured a large traet on the south side. A fine grove of sugar maples furnished one of the most famous camps in the county, and when this was cleared away the place was uamed Stumptown. Capt. James Young, a sailor, came here in 1850, bringing with him a collection of Shanghai chickens, probably the first in the county, from which the little hamlet took the name Shanghai. His honse stood close to the present C. & P. depot, and was surrounded by a spacious yard, but was moved east a short distance, when the railroad came, and has since been ex- tensively altered. W. Stanley occupied it as a dwelling, followed by Abraham Peters as a tavern keeper, in 1855. The town was called Olive City for a while, in honor of the youngest daughter of Lewis K. McCoy,

Dgiized by Google

CHURCH OF CHRIST, TORONTO

CENTRAL SCHOOL, TORONTO

M. E. CHURCH. TORONTO

FIRST M. P. CHURCH, TORONTO

ST. FRANCIS CATHOLIC CHURCH. TORONTO

FIRST U. P. CHURCH. TORONTO

Dionted by Google

439

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

who afterwards laid out the place. Capt. James Young kept the first store and Alex- ander Zook had the first blacksmith shop. Reference has been made to an early boat- yard operated by Frank Shane, and a saw- mill owned by Moses Campbell. The fall of 1856 brought the Cleveland & Pitts- burgh Railroad, and for some reason the railway officials, not fancying the name Shanghai, or perhaps desiring to compli- ment MeCoy, who had given them a right of way through his property, named the station after him. The next year Mr. Mc- Coy laid out a town with lots 50x100 feet and streets sixty feet wide, which was afterwards made an election precinct, under the old name Shanghai. Sainnel Henry was the first to build on the new town plat. The introduction of fire brick making brought business to the place, and it being also the railway station for New Cumberland and the territory across the river, made it a place of some importance, but its marked growth came after 1885, mainly as a result of the establishment of the Empire sewer pipe plant. That com- pany offered the town sufficient bricks to erect a public building on condition that it be renamed Empire City. This suited the people, and steps were taken to incorporate it into a hamlet under that name, with the following officers: Trustees, Samuel P. Berry, president. A. P. Culp and B. Whit- comb; clerk and treasurer, James Stone, Jr .; marshal, Henry Chambers. The ham- let first appears in the census of 1890 with a population of 441, which had increased to 509 in 1900. The increasing population calling for advancement from hamlet to village, on December 4, 1896, a petition was presented to the trustees asking that this be accomplished. An election held on De- cember 26 resulted favorably, and on Jime 7, 1897. the secretary of state officially pro- claimed Empire as a village, the word "city" being dropped. The first village officers elected on April 4, 1898, were as follows: Mayor, E. S. Minor; conneilmen, M. O. Gillespie, George Knisely. T. R. Grif- fith, Frank Culp, E. H. Vandyke, H. H.

Beardsmore; treasurer, James Stone; clerk, F. W. Stone; marshal, Gus Whit- comb. Mayor Minor was succeeded by Birch Whitcomb, and he by Thomas Grif- fith, the present incumbent. The present population of the place is about 800. Im- mediately above Empire is the flourishing suburb of Ekeyville, laid out and named by James Ekey about twenty-two years ago. It has a population of abont 400 people, and there has been more or less talk of consolidating it with Empire. A feature of the latter place is the neat mu- nicipal building in a small park full of flowers and shrubbery, the ground being the gift of Mr. McCoy.

Previous to 1862 the residents of this place had to go to Port Homer, two miles above, for their mail and it is not so very many years when they, as well as the Sloane's people voted at Knoxville, three miles distant. In the year named, how- ever, a postoffice was established here and named McCoy's, to correspond to the rail- way station. Prior to the opening of the railroad Shanghai was a relay station for stages carrying the mail, but this does not seem to have given any postal facilities. John Atkinson was the first postmaster, but enlisting during the War of the Re- bellion, he was killed in battle and was suc- ceeded by his deputy, M. O. Peters. Mr. Peters, after a long service, was succeeded by Mrs. 1 .. S. Atkinson, widow of the first postmaster, who served until early in 1899. when she was succeeded by George John- son, who, in turn, was succeeded by Pha- raoh Bell and R. Whitcomb, the present in- cumbent. When the name of the town was changed to Empire, the postoffice and rail- road station were changed to correspond, so that uniformity now prevails. Between here and Toronto are the hamlets of Cahi- met and Freeman's.

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.

Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, 20th, Part 64

Author: Doyle, Joseph Beatty, 1849-1927 Publication date: 1973 Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 584

Author: Doyle, Joseph Beatty, 1849-1927
Publication date: 1973
Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 584