Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 66

Author: Lytle, James Robert, 1841- [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing company
Number of Pages: 926

USA > Ohio > Delaware County > Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th > Part 66

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).

When the early settlers reached this region they found Indians "as thick as blackbirds." as one of the pioneers expressed it. For the most part, they were treated fairly and kindly

by the settlers, and the Indians, as a rule, re- sponded with similar treatment. They did not dispute the settler's right to hunt and fish, and they were slow to learn that they were not equally entitled to help themselves to the corn and vegetables which they found in the gar- dens of the settlement. During the period covered by the years 1811- 13, this community shared the feeling of fear and anxiety that pervaded the entire Northwest. The feeling of tranquility awakened by Harrison's bril- liant victory over Tecumseh was soon dissi- pated by the opening of the second war with England. The settlers knew as well as the British how unprotected they were, and how easy it would be for the enemy to stir the In- dians to a fever heat and send them against these almost defenseless frontiers like a devas- tating cyclone leaving death and destruction in their trail. It is not strange, therefore, that the settlers were constantly on the "qui vive." and it is easy to understand how Drake's stampede, the story of which is still familiar to everyone in the county, could have hap- pened. This experience taught the pioneers a well-needed lesson, and they immediately be- gan to make the necessary preparations for de- fense. Valuables were buried deep in the ground, care being taken to leave no surface indications that would lead to their discovery. It was decided to build a block house at once. The site selected was on the road running along the west bank of Alum Creek, on the rise of ground south of the cross-roads near Cheshire. A two-story structure, forty feet square was erected. The upper story projected over the lower one about two feet, affording opportunities for defense against close attacks or attempts to fire the structure. It was built of hewed logs, a foot square, the ends securely joined so as not to leave the smallest crevice between the logs. There was no opening in the lower story, except the door, which was made of a double thickness of three-inch planks, barred and cross-barred. The upper story was furnished with rifle embrazures in the side, and convenient holes in the floor of the projection for purposes of defense in a close attack. When built, the fort was well

440

HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY

stocked with provisions and ammunition, so as to be ready at a moment's warning, and signals were arranged that the remoter settle- ments might learn of their danger.

It was about this time that a party of set- tlers were out in the woods, some distance from the "improvements," clearing up a spot to build a cabin for some new arrival. Among the party were Chester and John Lewis, David Lewis, Sr., and Asa Scott, besides some boys who were there to look on or pile brush. As was the custom, each man had his gun. with him, leaning against a tree, and David Lewis, Sr., was on duty as scout to note the approach of Indians. It was arranged that if he saw any he was to return and report "bears" in the woods. Some time after noon, he was observed coming rapidly toward the party, and as soon as he got within hearing, he said, "There are bear-tracks in the woods, so fresh that the water has not yet settled in them.' The men quietly ceased their work, took up their guns, and prepared to put things in a state of defense. The boys were sent home, and, not to alarm the settlement, all but Ches- ter and John Lewis slowly sauntered toward the settlement. Then the state of the case was explained, and those families which were situated near at hand were escorted by the old men into the block-house. Blankets were hung up to divide off the space for families, guns were carefully examined, and by nightfall, everything at the fort was in readiness for at- tack. But the cabins of some of the party of choppers were too far off to make it wise to try to reach the fort in the dark. Scott's cabin was some distance to the north of the road crossing, and the cabin of Jacob Aye was still further to the north and east of Scott's. There was a large family of the Ave boys and girls, and they felt reasonably secure, or had not learned of the discovery. Late that night. after the boys had gone to bed, one of the sis- ters, delayed by some household cares, heard the dogs making a disturbance, as though the cattle or hogs were prowling about. Soon she heard some one trying to quiet the dogs, and the cornfield, and Lewis remarked to

she at once concluded it was Indians. She made every preparation against being taken by surprise, but did not summon the boys, lest

in their foolhardiness they might rush out and be killed. The dogs finally became quiet, and the Indians, going towards the blockhouse, came upon Scott's cabin. Here the dogs, who had an instinctive hatred of the savages, com- menced rushing out into a cornfield near by and then back again against the cabin, growl- ing, and manifesting symptoms of rage and fear. Old Mr. Scott knew what such conduct on the part of the dogs meant, and, calling up his two boys, prepared for defense. The windows were only closed by greased paper, and, stationing one with an axe at each of the two windows, he gave them instructions to split the first head that came through. Put- ting out the glowing embers on the hearth, he barricaded the door with what movable furni- ture he could reach, and took a position with his rifle commanding all points of entrance. Here the Indians endeaverod to pacify the dogs in vain, and finally passed along. Soon after, the Scott family heard a rifle-shot. fol- lowed by a rapid succession of lighter guns, and then came, one, two, three in measured succession-the warning guns from the block- house. Meanwhile at the fort another scene was enacting. The little band cooped up in their narrow quarters momentarily expected an attack. After waiting for some time in such suspense, David Lewis, Sr., accompanied by Philo Hoadley, started cautiously out to reconnoiter. The night was described as admirable for this purpose. Clouds heavily veiled the moon, so that an object standing out clear could readily be discerned, while one groping in the shadows and along the ground could be discovered only by close scrutiny. The land sinks from all points at the road crossing, forming there a sort of basin. South of the east and west road, a tree had been felled parallel with the road, and, falling down hill, had left some space between the butt of the tree and stump. Across this road was Hoadley's cornfield, divided from other land by a brush fence. Coming down to the cross- ing, a suspicious noise was heard in

Hoadley that there were either hogs, cattle, or Indians in his field. Listening attentively for a moment, le exclaimed, "There goes another

441

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

ear ; Hoadley, it's Indians!" Lewis, who was an excellent shot, and an intrepid man, told Hoadley to remain at the crossing, and taking shelter behind the trunk and top of the fallen tree, he would gain the rise of ground by the stump, and scan the cornfield situated across the road and on a little lower ground. Lewis succeeded in reaching the stump, and ensconc- ing himself among the shadows between the tree and stump, awaited the issue of events. Soon he saw a dark body jump upon the brush fence and over, and then another, but his prac- ticed eye had seen the second one over the sights of his gun, the report of which was fol- lowed by the heavy falling of the body. Lewis immediately made for the fort as fast as his feet could carry him, with Hoadley just in ad- vance. There was a discharge of several guns in rapid succession from the cornfield. and Lewis, striking his knee against the stump of some sapling that had been cut off, went sprawling to the ground. He imagined him- self shot, but, regaining his feet, made for the fort. Within the fort everybody was on the alert, and Roswell Caulkins stood sentinel at the door. As Lewis and Hoadley came rush- ing up to gain entrance, Caulkins hesitated to unbar the door. David Lewis, Jr., who was celebrated as a keen hunter and woodsman, recognized the steps of his father and Philo and cried to the sentinel, "Roswell, unbar the door! Those are shoes that are coming. It's father and Philo!" And, before the sentinel comprehended the force of what young Lewis was saying, the bars had been taken down by others, and the two men, half out of breath, admitted. The feelings of those in the fort can better be described by one who was there. and we add from a manuscript by Mrs. Rip- ley: "An attack was every moment expected. The alarm guns were fired. The horrid work of the scalping-knife and uplifted tomahawk was, in imagination, ready to be executed. There was neither shrieking nor fainting, but the women stood at their posts in the upper story, prepared for defense." Happily their

expectations were not realized. The next morning broke on their anxious hearts calm and bright, and, as no traces of Indians could be discovered from the block-house. a party

went out to see if the settlers in isolated cabins had been massacred. They were found, as we have related, frightened but not harmed. In the cornfield were found moccasin tracks with considerable traces of blood. The trail led off to the northwest, and indicated that one of their number had been carried. Who they were or what was the reason for their visit, was the subject of considerable conjecture. but it never reached a satisfactory explanation.

While the settlers were kept in a chronic state of fear and dread during the war of 1812, they were not without some compensat- ing benefits. The necessities of the army cre- ated a market where there had been none be- fore for farm produce. Prior to 1812, the set- tler's chief ambition was to provide a comfort- able home and as good a living as was possi- ble with the conditions under which they lived; but during the war production was stimulated, and the income thus secured was devoted to obtaining some of the commoner comforts which had been theirs before they had turned their backs on civilization. The clos- ing of the war deprived them of their mar- kets, money again became scarce and a period of hard times set in which added greatly to the hardships they otherwise were called upon to bear. It was not until about 1830 that business began to revive, and a market worth mentioning was found for the products of the farnı.

At the end of the first ten years there were only about forty families in the township. Half of these had come from Waterbury, Con- necticut, and had located on Judge Constant's land in the southeastern part of the township. Among these people there had been eight mar- riages. The first of these, which was also the first in the township was performed by Rev. Joseph llughes. Elias Adams and Harriet Lewis being the contracting parties. Ten families had located on Colonel Byxbe's land. and there were about eight families in the northwest corner of the township. The first (leath in the township was that of Elanson Lewis, which occurred in 1807. He was bur- ied in the first cemetery in the township, which was laid out on the site where a block-house

442

HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY

had once stood. The next adult who died was Emma Lewis, who passed away in 1811, and besides these two, four children made up the total number of deaths during the first decade. One of the early cemeteries was located on the road to Berlin station, near the town hall. The Nettleton Grove Bank Cemetery Association was organized October 10, 1853. The first officers were Joel Cleveland, president : Lewis Thompson, clerk; and Vinal Stewart, treas- urer. They laid out a fine cemetery just south of Cheshire. Roswell Caulkins, who was a carpenter and joiner, was the first mechanic in the township, and worked at his trade while he was clearing up his farm. He superin- tended the construction of the block-house and did most of the hewing. One of his first pieces of work was a hand-loom for MIrs. Chloe Scott. In 1820, James Eaton and Dan- iel Nettleby erected the first frame residences. Both were east of the creek and near Cheshire. Nathan Sherwood kept the first store in his calin. The early mills, schools, churches, etc., ale treated in the chapters devoted to those subjects.

Cheshire, the principal settlement in the township, is located on a barren clay knoll. Because of this fact, Jesse Hultz gave it the name of "Peth," "for," as he explained, "what don't run away will starve to death." Samuel Adams owned the farm where the village stands, and it was he who laid it off into lots. L. R. Ryant kept the first store here in a little room seven feet by nine. A few years later he added another room, where he sold ready made shoes and made shoes to order. lle was the first postmaster, his commission bearing date of August 10, 1851. The "Underground Railway" passed through Cheshire. From the earliest times there was a strong sentiment in the township in symapthy with the slave- owners, and it was only under cover of the night that the negro seeking liberty could be conducted from Orange along Alum Creek to the Quaker settlement, and then on to Oberlin or some other outlet.

Berlin township officials were: Clayton A. Breece, justice of the peace ; O. B. Furniss and W. H. Hults, trustees ; Harry Jaynes, clerk;

E. R. Durfey, treasurer; S. P. Dunham, as- sessor ; Charles Evarts and Willard Shank, constables ; Willard A. Young and J. T. Sweeney, board of education. The above be- gan their terms in 1908, according to report to county auditor.

BROWN TOWNSHIP.

For the facts and for a large part of the language used in the following sketch of this township, we are indebted to an article pre- pared by Dr. S. W. Fowler, many years ago, whose permission we have to use it. At the time he wrote, Dr. Fowler had access to sources of information no longer available, and it would be impossible, therefore. for us now to secure more data than he had, while he, representing as he does one of the oldest families in Delaware County, speaks with au- thority.

The history attaching to this subdivision of Delaware County really begins about 1804 or 1805, with the discovery of salt in the vicin- ity, although the first permanent settlement within the present boundaries of the township extends no farther back than 1817. The lapse of sixty-three years (1817 to 1880), imper- ceptible in the estimate of an eternity, is a long time in human life. It removes two genera- tions into darkness and dust, and places an- other in their seats who have nearly run their course.

Brown Township originally occupied the central portion of the county, and, later, the north-central portion, lying in Range 18, and, by the United States Military Survey, is Township 5. It is bounded on the north by Oxford, on the east by Kingston, on the south by Berlin, and on the west by Delaware and Troy. The record book of the county com- missioners containing the date when Brown Township was erected into a separate town- ship is lost, but it was probably about 1826.

The township has but one large stream of water-Alum Creek. It passes through the eastern part, entering near the north-east cor- ner, and flowing south, passes out near the south-east corner into Berlin Township. There

443

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

are several small streams that flow into Alum Creek. Some of these are noted for having been the sites of Indian encampments, at a time when the Scioto Valley formed a part of the hunting-grounds of the Delawares and Mingoes. Among these tributaries we may mention Leatherwood Run, which derived its name from a peculiar shrub found growing upon its banks, the wood and bark of which was highly valued by the early settlers for a variety of uses. Big Run, Sugar Creek, Long- well's, Dutton's and Matthews's Runs are some of the principal streams. Sugar Creek, which rises in the western part of Berlin and flows into the Olentangy at Delaware, was made use of by Mr. F. P. Vergon when he constructed Greenwood Lake. The land east of Alum Creek is particuarly adapted to grazing. Near the creek it is broken and the soil is rather thin, while at a greater distance it is gently undulating, and not only good grazing land, but well adapted to farming, there being less clay and more rich black loam than nearer the creek. Along the west side of the Alum, the land is also undulating, and was the first to be brought under cultivation by the early set- tler. The land farther west was low and wet, defying horseback or wagon travel through its swamps, and even barring roadways for years. Owing to the tile and open drainage systems, however, this wet, swampy land once consid- ered worthless, has become the most produc- tive in the township.

Among the attractions that brought the early settlers to this region was the "Salt Lick." as it was called. When the United States Government sent its agents to survey the country, a salt lick was discovered in what is now the north-east corner of Brown town- ship. The Government reserved 4,000 acres of this and deeded it to the State for educa- tional purposes. This was called the "Salt Reservation." About 1804 or 1805, Dr. John Loofbourrow moved into what is now Berk- shire Township from Virginia, and located on what afterward became the Eckelberry farm, but after a short time sold out and moved to what was called the Durham farm, lying just east of Alum Creek on the Dela-

ware and Sunbury Pike. He had with him his old faithful man "Friday," Oko Richey (col- ored). When the Doctor learned from some friendly Indians where they obtained their salt, he and Oko procured large iron kettles, built a large furnace and commenced the man- ufacture of salt. Their process was very slow, but they produced the article in sufficient quan- tities to partially supply the inhabitants, and very soon became noted as salt merchants. After some twelve years the salt business was investigated by other parties, who thought they saw in it a means of acquiring untold wealth. In 1817 they leased from the State 1,000 acres of land adjacent to, and 300 around, the salt lick and on the salt reservation. The con- tractors agreed to bore to the depth of at least 200 feet, unless salt water in paying quantities was sooner reached. They were to leave the well tubed with good copper tubing at the ex- piration of the lease. Loofbourrow now with- drew from the business and soon after re- moved to Wisconsin. After boring to a depthi of 480 feet without finding salt water in pay- ing quantities, the contractors notified the State authorities, who in turn reported to Con- gress, and the latter body ordered the salt reser- vation to be surveyed and sold. Accordingly, a Mr. Carpenter, of Lancaster, Ohio, was au- thorized to survey it, which he did into 100- acre lots. In November, 1826. these lots were sold to the highest bidder, the early settlers and contractors being allowed the refusal of the lands which they had been for some time improving, a business they had found more profitable than boring for salt.

The first permanent white settler in Brown Township was Daniel G. Thurston, in the spring of 1817. But as far back as 1809. a settlement was made in the extreme southwest corner, by a man named Erastus Bowe, from Vermont. He built a cabin and called the place Bowetown, though it was never, we be- lieve, laid out as a town, or populated. except by Bowe and his family, consisting of wife and two children. After a short time he moved to Delaware, and in 1817, he removed from there to Tiffin. Mr. Thurston moved into the township from the eastern part of Berlin,

444

HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY

which at that time was the central part of Berkshire Township. He located on the sum- mit of the first little hill west of the creek, on what is now the Delaware and Sunbury Pike. A cabin was built and into this he moved with his family and his brother Isaac, who had accompanied him to the West. The latter went to work in a distillery not far away, while Daniel worked in a saw and grist mill near by. In 1817, he sold out to Ebe- nezer Loofbourrow, who had just come from Virginia. After Mr. Thurston sold out to Loofbourrow, he moved into the present town- ship of Brown, where he had to begin his pio- neer life over again, as it were. When his cabin was completed and his family located. Mr. Thurston entered into a co-partnership with James Eaton, and a man named Stephen Gorham. These gentlemen were the contrac- tors in the famous salt speculation and the les- sees of the "salt reservation." His new home was on this reservation, or on the "salt sec- tion." Isaac Eaton erected a cabin a little north of Thurston's. Mr. Thurston died in 1843, at the age of seventy-two years. Ilis wife died in 1864, at the age of eighty-two years. They had a family of thirteen chil- dren, of whom we have only the names of twelve-Harrie, Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Samuel, Sarah, Phoebe, Norton, Vinal, Eu- nice, Fannie and Barbara. Harriet first mar- ried Dr. Monroe, and, after his death, became the wife of Dr. John Loofbourrow. She had two children when she moved to Wisconsin. Mary married Israel Wood, a Quaker, who lived in Peru Township (then in this, but later in Morrow County). She left twelve children. Joseph married in 1826, a daughter of B. F. Loofbourrow, who at the time was living on the Thurston farm. There were born to him ten children. Elizabeth married Ralph Longwell, a soldier of 1812. and who died in 1874. His widow drew a pension. She was the mother of thirteen children. Sa- rah first married Lyman Thrall, and, after his death, Andrew Thrall, his brother, Phoebe married William K. Thrall. Norton married a Miss Jones, and died in 1817. He was the father of six children. Vinal married a Miss

Plant, and they had eight children. Eunice married Norton Harden, and they had eight children. Fannie married H. Walker and be- came the mother of six children. Samuel mar- ried, and was the father of eight children. Barbara married William Livingston, and was the mother of ten children. These were the children and grandchildren of Daniel Thurston, numbering in all 122.

The early settlers of this section were not without their Indian experiences. Although the Indians were supposed to be friendly, yet they were looked on with some suspicion by their white neighbors. The Thurstons, being one of the first families to locate in this re- gion, and that some time prior to the removal of the Indians to reservations farther west, en- joyed a more extensive acquaintance with them than settlers who came at a later date. The Indians used to bring their game and furs to trade for corn, and as a general thing be- haved well. The elder Thurston, who had a little mill, would grind their corn for them, and was on the most intimate terms with them, and was known far and wide among the neighboring tribes. When Joseph was a small boy, but nine years old, he was one day sent out for the horses, which, when not in use, were allowed to run at large in the forests. He wandered through the woods for hours, but after a long and fruitless search, he gave up finding them and started to return home. After traveling for some time, he became lost in the forest. but finally struck an old Indian trail, which he followed some distance, when. much to his surprise and consternation, he came upon an Indian encampment, where he encountered an army of dogs, and was forced to take refuge in the nearest tree. The commo- tion produced by these ferocious beasts brought an old Indian from his wigwam to investigate the cause of so much disturbance. To the astonishment of the lad he found in him an old friend of his father, while the In- dian, quite as much astonished as the boy. found the "game" treed by the dogs to be none other than the son of his old friend Thurston. The dogs were called off, and the boy invited to come down from his exalted

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

445

perch. After he had related his adventure, a young Indian was ordered to catch a couple of well trained ponies, upon one of which he was placed, while the Indian boy mounted the other, and, acting as a guide, led him through the forests. and after several hours' ride he was restored to his already over-anxious par- ents.

Isaac Eaton, to whom we have already re- ferred, was a son of Joseph Eaton, who was among the early settlers of Berkshire. He married a Miss Root of Peru township. Wil- liam Williams, who bought out Isaac Eaton, came from Fairfield County to this township. Three years after he located he was chosen justice of the peace, an office he filled for many years. He also served the county as treasurer from 1846 to 1852, and as an infirmary direc- tor three years. He served the township in the capacity of clerk and treasurer, and was often chosen as administrator of estates and guardian of minor heirs.

Immigrants came in rapidly, and soon the entire salt reservation was settled up. One of the first families to move in after those already mentioned, was that of Benjamin McMaster, who came in about 1826. This pioneer was born in New York. His father died when he was quite young, and his mother moved with her family to Ohio in 1813. and located on the Scioto River, in Franklin County. In the lat- ter part of 1814. Benjamin McMaster came to Delaware County. In 1817 he went to Cham- paign County, and the next year married a daughter of Lemuel G. Humphrey, of Liberty Township. His wife lived but a few years. After her death he came back to this county, where in a year or two he married again. At the sale of the salt reservation in 1826, he purchased 100 acres of land, where he built a cabin of the pioneer pattern. Here he lived until 1851. when he started a warehouse and formed a business partnership in Ashley. In the spring of 1852. he sold his place to his son Horace. For many years, the latter devoted much attention to fruit culture.

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 Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 66

Author: Lytle, James Robert, 1841- [from old catalog] ed Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing company Number of Pages: 926

Author: Lytle, James Robert, 1841- [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing company
Number of Pages: 926