Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 70

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

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lic meetings were held, at which were discussed the stories of its delightful climate and inex- haustible wealth. Never having become at- tached to the country which he had adopted as his home, he was inclined to share in the enthusiasm. He disposed of his estate and other effects which he would not need, and having procured everything required for his future home, started for the new El Dorado on the 12th of February, 1801. About twenty other young men ( Powerses, Smiths, and others) accompanied him. He traveled on wagons and sleds as far as Pittsburg, where he loaded his effects and passengers into a boat and continued his journey by floating down the Ohio River. When they reached the mouth of the Scioto River, the cargo and pas- sengers were transferred to keel-boats, in which they were moved up to Franklinton, a place consisting of three or four log houses. and situated across the river from where Co- lumbus now stands. Here a large canoe was procured, and the goods transported up the Olentangy to the place now owned by Captain V. T. Hills, about two miles south of the northern boundary, on the east side of the river, and where he arrived on the Ist of May, 1801, having been two months and eighteen days on the voyage. The first business in order was the erection of a cabin for a shelter. which was built on the bank of the river just above highwater mark. It was rudely chinked with split sticks and covered with bark, but without floor or chimney. Flat stones were set up against the logs to make a safe place to build a fire. The cabin was scarcely finished when it commenced to rain, and continued for eight days in succession. After the flood had abated, the land was surveyed, and according to previous arrangement. Capt. Carpenter re- ceived choice of land in the section. He now began prospecting for a site on which to build a permanent home, which must be erected and finished before winter. His assistants were equally engaged in clearing, planting and hunt- ing, and the result was they harvested 500 bushels of corn. besides superabundantly sup- plying the party with the choicest meats. Game was plenty ; deer were to be seen every day ;

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turkeys were frequently shot from the cabin door, and the creeks were full of fish.

"During the summer a substantial hewed- log house was erected on the site of the pres-

ent residence of Squire Carpenter. The family were moved into it and provided with improved furniture and other adjuncts of civilization. In the spring following Capt. Carpenter's settlement, his party was joined by two other pioneer adventurers, Thomas Cellar and Josiah McKinnie, who were also men of wealth and influence, having their land paid for, and bringing with them surplus money. Mr. Cellar had purchased an entire section (4,000 acres) of land, and upon his arrival built a house on the Taggart farm. McKinnie located on the opposite side of the river from Carpenter. The colony now con- sisted of the families of Carpenter, Powers (who came with Carpenter), Cellar and Mc- Kinnie. Cellar was a gunsmith, and had manufactured guns for the war of Independ- ence, while the others had used them to that end. They were now associated together. not in war. but in subduing the wilderness and building up homes in the new land of promise.

"The children of Captain Carpenter, ten in number, were now young men and women, and. being of congenial disposition, were suf- ficient company for each other to render their forest home cheerful and pleasant. instead of suffering it to become lonely and irksome. They often had exciting stories to relate con- cerning their adventures with wild animals and the Indians. With the latter they were usually on pretty good terms. As many of these pioneer stories have been handed down to the present, we will give one or two by way of embellishment to dry facts. There were those among the Indians, who sometimes become intolerable in their conduct, especially in their demands for whiskey, and the whites in such cases, did not hesitate to enter into a skirmish with them, knowing that they were in bad repute, even with their own people. An old Indian, whose name was Sevans, came to Carpenter's one day and asked for 'Whisk.' Fra, the eldest son, who chanced to be pres- ent, knowing too well what the result would

be, informed Mr. Sevans that he could not be accommodated. The old Indian urged his de- mand with so much importunity, that it be- came necessary to use other kinds of per- suasion than argument. He first drew his knife, but Ira wrested that from him wit !! little difficulty, which rendered the red man furious, and he began drawing his tomahawk from his belt, when a kick from his pale- faced adversary, sent him sprawling out of doors. As soon as he recovered himself, he threw his tomahawk at young Carpenter with all the force he could muster, but the door was brought together in time to intercept the blow. The weapon passed through the door, however, and was now in possession of the white man, who chastised Mr. Sevans quite severely. He then gave him back his knife and tomahawk, with the injunction never to be seen there again-an injunction the old rascal faithfully obeyed.

"There being a surplus of help at home, John Carpenter, the second son, concluded that he would hire out his services, and obtain em- ployment of a Mr. Patterson, who had a trad- ing-post at Sandusky. He set out for that place on foot and alone, following the Indian trails, which were the only roads that were at that time through the wilderness. Ile trav- eled in the daytime, guided by these trails and a pocket-compass, and at night he slept by the side of a log. His first night's rest was quiet and undisturbed, but late in the second night. he was awakened by shrieks or howls, the source of which was evidently approaching nearer every moment. Being thoroughly awakened and conscious of his impending danger, he remained perfectly still by the side of his log. The shrieks were soon changed to snuffings, and then the beast sprang upon the log directly over his head; walking down the log smelling of its intended victim, it again alighted upon the ground, and, after smelling of him from head to foot, legan to cover him up with leaves that were within reach. After having accomplished this feat to its satisfaction, it retired some distance and began to shriek most hideously, and soon Car- penter heard a response in the distance, which

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convinced him that he was the subject of a grand supper talk. Not wishing to become the food of a panther and her cubs, he quietly crawled out of the pile of leaves which had been heaped upon him, and climbed up the nearest tree. The answering sounds which he had heard grew nearer, and soon the young family made its appearance. They tore open the bed of leaves, but their anticipated supper had disappeared. Uttering hideous shrieks, the old one struck the track and followed it to the tree, and, rearing up against the trunk with her fore feet, stared indignantly at the subject of her disappointment. When the morning dawned, the huge panther withdrew her interesting family, and young Carpenter. happy in his escape, went on his journey. Many other incidents of interest pertaining to this pioneer settlement might be narrated, but our space will not permit ; so we will return to facts.

Capt. Carpenter died in 1814. On the evening of the 9th of September. a little more than thirteen years after his settlement in the township, he was returning from the town of Delaware on horseback. The animal on which he was mounted was a very vicious one, and, having left town late, night overtook him be- fore he reached home. He could not see the road, and his horse had no disposition to fol- low it. Winding along the river, it passed be- tween the bank and a tree that stood very near to it. An overhanging limb swept the rider from his seat, and, being so near the brink, he fell down the precipice upon the rocks below. He raised up his hands and uttered a solitary cry for help. The familiar voice attracted the attention of a neighbor near by, who hastened to his assistance. He immediately asked for water, which the man. with his hat for a cup. procured for him from the river. Dr. Lamb was soon at the scene of the accident, but his injuries were fatal, and he soon expired. thus ending. at the age of fifty-six, his eventful life. His death cast a cloud over the entire community : all were conscious that they had lost a friend. His family were devoutedly at- tached to him ; his physician and many friends wept at his grave, as they laid him by the side

of his wife, who had died ten years before."

Among those who came here with Capt. Carpenter were Thomas and Avery Powers, who settled on farms adjoining Carpenter's. Avery Powers was one of the first county com- missioners, and performed the duties of his of- fice with credit to himself and with the ap- proval of the community. His death occurred some years prior to that of Capt. Carpenter's. His son, Benjamin Powers, was president of the First National Bank of Delaware, and his grandson, George W. Powers, is now cashier of the same institution. Thomas Powers was killed at the battle of the Thames in the War of 1812. Josiah McKinnie, to whom we have already referred was one of the first associate judges of Delaware County. He and Thomas Cellar, who came with him, are buried in the old Liberty church cemetery. James Gillies and Ralph Watson and George Case came into the township not many years after the settlers whom we have named. In 1804. John. Eben- ezer and Aaron Welch, with their brother-in- law, Leonard Monroe, came here from Una- dilla County, New York. John Welch came here as agent of the Glover lands, but the coun- try pleased him, so he made his home in this township. Aaron died in Delaware in 1816; Ebenezer died in 1823, and John Welch died in Marlborough Township in 1832. Abijah and Dr. David Welch were sons of John Welch. Abijah was one of the first of the settlers to (lie. The mother of John Welch, who came here with him, died at an early date. John Welch was a justice of the peace, probably the first one in the county to hold that office. Isaac Welch, a nephew, settled near the mouth of Welch's Run at an early date.

Ebenezer Goodrich settled in the extreme southeastern corner of the township about 1806. He purchased his land before he left Connecticut. He was unmarried and for many years had only his faithful dog as a companion. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and after his return he held the office of justice of the peace for a number of years. His death oc- curred on October 15. 1846. He was success- ful in acquiring a considerable property. John Hardin came here from Fairfield County about

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the some time as Goodrich. In 1815, Timothy Andrews and his son, Capt. Timothy, came from Connecticut and settled on what is known as Middlebury Street. The senior Andrews died in 1840. Other settlers in the neighbor- hood were Solomon Moses, Joseph M. Gard- ner, Lemuel Humphreys, Abner Pinney and Eben C. Payne. All were natives of Connec- ticut except Gardner, who came from New Hampshire. Middlebury was named in honor of their native town. Humphrey became a justice of the peace. Gardner was the first person buried in the Powell cemetery. David Buell and David Thomas came here from the same state as most of the other early settlers. the latter in 1810. He settled one mile below the old Presbyterian Church, where he kept a tavern, also the stage stand, which was on the route between Franklinton and Sandusky.

What is known as the Stanbery section was originally purchased by Dr. Jonas Stan- bery from some old Revolutionary general prior to the War of 1812. He never occupied the land, though later his son Charles Stan- bery took up his residence here. As we have already said, this was a favorite hunting ground for the Indians, and later the whites. Squatters also occupied it at an early day. One of these was a millwright named Pasco. He erected a mill on the Scioto River at an early clay, but his venture was not a success. A col- ored man, whose only known name was Peter, was another of these squatters. For a num- ber of years his cabin was known as a station of the "underground railway," his door being always open to fugitive slaves.

About 1809, Isaac Patton settled in the northern part of the township. He was a cap- tain in the War of 1812. Benjamin Bartholo- mew settled in the southern part of the town- ship sometime soon after 1814. Mrs. Bar- tholomew's father, Caleb Hall, who was a na- tive of Massachusetts, settled here.

The article by Mr. Goodrich, from which we have quoted so freely in the earlier part of this sketch, gives such an excellent picture of the wilderness life of the early pioneers, that we will make further use of it here. "The encroachment of the white man-as, it nat-

urally would-irritated some of the Indian tribes until they became hostile, and were readily induced to become allies to the British in the War of 1812. Although too infirm to join the army himself, Capt. Carpenter was represented in the ranks by his five sons-Ira. John, Alfred, Nathan and James-as well as by many of his neighbors. No one but the father was left at home (at Carpenter's) to provide for the family, or defend it against the hostile Indians, who sometimes made incursions in their vicinity. Nathan Carpenter, Jr., in go- ing to the war, had left at home a wife and babe. They lived about half a mile from the old home. Laura, the youngest daughter, then sixteen years of age, went to stay with her in her solitude. She had looked after the various little charges around the house one evening, and had gone inside to attend to the housework, when, looking out of the window into the moonlight, she saw two savages ap- proaching the house. Having just heard of the murder of an entire family but a short distance from their neighborhood, she was considerably startled, and exclaimed, 'My God, Electa!' (which was the name of the young wife who sat in the middle of the room with the child in her arms) 'what do you suppose these critters want?' Electa understood too well her meaning, and was unable to utter a word. In order that they should not surprise her, Laura advanced, opened the door. and propped it open, then, seizing the axe, she re- tired behind her sister's chair that she might better conceal her motions and the axe, with which she had determined to defend them to the last. The savages, armed to the teeth, walked up to the door, came in, and began their parley by making pretenses, during which time Laura remarked that they could obtain what they wanted at her father's house upon the hill. 'Oh, your father live near here?' 'Yes,' she answered; 'only a short distance,' After a few more words, they shouldered their guns and started, as they said, for the 'big house.' Thus the young girl had saved their lives by artfully insinuating that help was near. After they were gone. she received the congratulations and thanks of her sister, who,

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during this time, had sat speechless and as white as death, which each moment she ex- pected to suffer. After barricading the house, Laura, expecting their return, stood guard with the axe until morning, when they re- turned to the manor-house. The savages had not gone there, as they pretended they would. but. on the contrary, as soon as they were out of sight, they went into the woods and were never seen afterward. * Unlike the Ohio, the shores of the Olentangy were swarming with Indians, by whom our party was received with many tokens of friendship, notwithstanding the stories they had been told of their hostile and. savage nature. The Wy- andots predominated in numbers and enlight- enment, followed in their order by the Senecas, Delawares, Shawnees, Choctaws and the Ta- ways, who were noted for their uncleanliness." But there were other dangers that beset the pioneer. Ferocious wild beasts roamed the woods-wolves, bears, panthers and wild cats. Then there was the danger of starving to death. There was no Delaware or Columbus to which to go for supplies of food, but this lack was not felt because there was no money with which to purchase provisions. The prices of sugar and coffee ranged from 25 cents to 75 cents per pound, while the price received by the settlers for what he sold was correspond- ingly low, so it was difficult for men to rake and scrape enough money together to pay taxes.

There has always been a dispute as to who was the first white child born in the township, that honor having been claimed by both Ben- jamin Powers and Jeremiah Gillies, the date of the latter's birth being August 7, 1803, and it is said that Mrs. Carpenter claimed that he was born before Powers.

Ebenezer Goodrich and Betsey Dixon were married at Middlebury, now the village of Powell, in June, 1813, by Aaron Strong, d justice of the peace. About this time also, Nathan Carpenter and Electa Case were mar- ried. George Dean was the first merchant. About 1829 or '30 he opened a store on the Goodrich farm, which he sold a few years later to Edmund Goodrich and Henry Chapman.

After a few years they discontinued. Then there followed a period when there was no store. Joseph M. Cellar was the next store- keeper. His place of business was located at Liberty Church, and here, about sixty years ago, a postoffice was established under the name of Union. This business died out after a few years. The next attempt at merchant- dising was made by Thomas R. Hall at Mid- dlebury. This store at the corners led to an application for a postoffice. This was secured through the influence of Judge Powell of Delaware, and the office was called Powell in appreciation of his efforts. Joshua Pennel was the first postmaster and also kept a store. The place was surveyed and laid out as a vil- lage early in 1876, and the plat was recorded on March 29 of that year. A. G. Hall was the owner of the land on which the village was lo- cated, and he built the first house in that place, Since that time the village has grown consid- erably in population and as a business center. The village cemetery is one of the oldest in the county, the remains of many of the early set- tlers of this portion of the township having been buried here.

The village of Hyattsville was laid out February 6, 1876, by Henry A. Hyatt. Ed Nalz was the first merchant. He sold out to Henry Cook and opened another store in the depot building, and in 1877, when the post- office was established, Hyatt became the first postmaster. Later his business was almost ex- clusively that of a grain warehouseman and shipper. This village undoubtedly owes its existence to the building of the railroad through the township, and to some extent this is also true of Powell. P. Banner is the pres- ent village blacksmith, while W. B. McCloud & Co. keep a general store and H. W. Mc- Clary caters to the public in the line of gro- ceries.

In Powell the leading merchants and busi- ness men are : Sellers, Roy and M. E. Weaver, blacksmiths; C. B. Dobyns, C. O. Hawes and Peter Sharp, general stores: H. E. Sharp, hardware; J. C. Campbell and C. F. Tally, physicians, and George Kibby, hotel proprietor.

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The township officials ( 1908) are: John Thomas and I. N. Gardner, trustees; V. P. Rutherford, clerk : John Taylor, treasurer, and W. G. Chambers and S. C. Blaney, assessors.

MARLBOROUGH TOWNSHIP.

This township was organized June 15. 1808, as a result of a petition to the commis- sioners of Delaware County, and was given its name in honor of Marlborough Township. Ulster County, New York, the native place of many of the petitioners. It is now but a shadow of its former size, originally including a part of Waldo Township, in Marion County. Westfield Township, in Morrow County, the township of Oxford and the northern half of Troy, in Delaware County. It lost that part now Oxford Township, March 6. 1815, the northern half of Troy Township. December 23. 1816. and February 24, 1848, that part which is now in Westfield Township and in Waldo Township was set off, leaving Marl- borough but half the size of an ordinary town- ship.

That part of Waldo Township set off from Marlborough was the first of the township settled, Nathaniel Brundige and Nathaniel Wyatt, Sr., locating about a mile north of Nor- ton in 1806. These two pioneers, originally from Marlborough Township. Ulster county, New York, had moved to Washington County, Virginia, Wyatt in 1797, and Brundige in 1798, and in 1803 with their families joined the tide of emigration into Ohio. For two years they were located at Piqua, Ohio, where they erected a cabin and made a clearing. At the end of that time Wyatt traded his property for a traet of wild land a short distance south of the old Greeneville Treaty line, and with his brother-in-law, Brundige, set out to locate it. After cutting their way through the untangi- ble underbrush which obstructed their path- way along the banks of the Olentangy, they arrived at their destination. Immediately, they set about erecting a cabin to which they brought their families in the spring of the same year. The following year witnessed the com- ing of Jacob Foust, who located within the

present limits of the township, squatting on land at the forks of the Whetstone. Eldei William Brundige, father of Nathaniel, came in 1808, accompanied by his family, and in 1810 Capt. William Drake and family arrived from Marlborough Township, in Ulster County, New York. William Reed, the first settler in Norton, came in 1807, and aiter- ward participated in the War of 1812. Capt. John Wilcox, who had served with honor in the Revolutionary War, participating in the battles of Saratoga Springs and Stillwater. and being present at the surrender of General Burgoyne to Washington, located in Marl- borough Township some time prior to the War of 1812. Thomas Brown arrived at Nor- ton in 1808, and was the first blacksmith in the township. Faron Case came in 1810, and James Trindle in 1811. Ariel Strong settled along the Olentangy River in 1808, followed shortly by James Livingston, who saw service in the War of 1812, and in 1809 William Sharp became established at Norton and gained prominence as the greatest hunter of this section, speaking the language of the In- dians, among whom he lived for weeks at a time during his younger days. William Han- neman came from Kentucky in 1810, and Isaac Bush, Silas Davis and Joseph Curran became settlers in the township before the War of 1812. Peter and Fred Duncklebarger located east of Norton in 1815. and other settlers of the same period were Elisha Bishop, Adin Winsor. Joseph Bishop, Isaac Stratton, Henry Coldren, Elisha Williams, George Jeffries. Thomas Rogers and L. H. Hall. Joseph Gil- lett. a Revolutionary soldier, settled just west of Norton in 1818, and was followed in 1819 by his brother James.

In 1811, Nathaniel Wyatt, Sr., erected the first brick building in the township from brick made on his place. It was a two-story struc- ture, 20 by 36 feet in dimensions, and became famed throughout the State as Wyatt's Tav- ern, the first conducted in the township. It was situated on the old State Road, and formed a part of the celebrated Fort Morrow. now in Waldo Township. Marion County. This fort consisted of two block houses, one

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built by the settlers of round logs and the other by the Government, of hewed logs. The latter bore the painted inscription, "Fort Mor- row. Built by Captain Taylor." The upper story of these block houses projected out about four feet all around over a basement six feet high. Where the second story projected over the basement, there were port holes in the floor, enabling the defenders to better guard against a close attack. The tavern lay between the two block houses. It was from this fort, Captain Drake and his company of soldiers went forth to the relief of Fort Meigs.

The first white child born in Marlborough Township was William Brundige, son of Na- thaniel, born December 3. 1808, and the first burial was that of Ruth Wyatt. John Brun- dige. son of Elder William, was married in 18tt, to Phoebe Drake, a daughter of Captain Drake, and this proved to be the first marriage. The first minister was Elder William Brun- dige, and the first school master, Robert Louther. A man named Case brought a stock of goods to Norton and remained until he closed them out, thus being the first store keeper, but it was several years later before a regular store building was built. The first road was the old Military Road, running along the west bank of the Olentangy River and passing through the town of Norton. This road was abandoned when the Columbus and Sandusky Pike was constructed. the latter running a little west of the old road. The first mill in operation was the saw mill, built as early as 1820 by Robert Campbell of Phila- delphia, on the Whetstone River, in the south- east part of the township. Just north of this mill, a woolen mill was built in 1846 by J. W. Cone and operated successfully for a number of years, then was converted into a grist mill by Mr. Kline.

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Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 70

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