Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 74

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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In 1823 Oliver Gratrax settled in the town- ship. Mr. Perfect said, "He wore leather breeches full of stitches, a fawnskin vest ana a coonskin cap." About 1832 or 1833 Jona- than. Alvin P. and Smith Condit came from New Jersey. Jonathan settled on Big Wal- nut Creek, Alvin settled near him and Smith died about a month after his arrival. Ly- man Hendricks came from Rutland, Vermont, and settled in Berkshire in 1812. but later moved into Trenton. His brother William was a soldier in the War of 1812. The first permanent settler on Rattlesnake Run was a man named Roberts.

Settlers came into this part of the county rapidly after the War of 1812. The building of the railroad through the township did much

to help on its prosperity, making the shipment of timber, stone and livestock an easy matter. As we have already said, Van Dorn kept a kind of store at his tavern, but the first mer- chant of importance, so far as we can learn. was George Akerson, who established himself in business a little north of Condit. The story of the early mills, schools, and churches will be found in the chapters devoted especially to those subjects.

Township Officials ( 1908)-E. W. Debolt, justice of the peace : S. R. Walke and John T. Geddes, trustees: E. G. Condit, clerk; J. W. Condit, treasurer: E. M. Linnabary, assessor ; E. B. Forwood and Frank Spangler. con- stables.

THOMPSON TOWNSHIP.

The history of this subdivision of Dela- ware County is a township dates back to June 5, 1820, when, on petition of the citizens within its boundaries, it was created by act of the County Commissioners' Court, deriving its name from that of an early United States Government surveyor. It was originally a part of the Virginia Military Lands, and when first constituted included a part of what is now Prospect Township, in Marion County, which was set off by act of Legislature when Morrow County was organized, February 24. 1848. Scioto River forms the eastern boundary line of the township, in which it is fed by two streams from the west; Taway Run and Ful- ton's Creek, both of which take their rise in Union County. The first named takes its name from the Taway Tribe of Indians of the Wyandot Nation, which in early years in- habited its banks. Fulton's Creek was named after a famous hunter of the pioneer days. whose mysterious disappearance and probable violent death was mourned by the settlers. among whom he was very popular, and they united in paying him this tribute.

The first white settler of Thompson Town- ship was Thomas Weaver, who came from Virginia. Leaving his native State in 1808. he arrived at Chillicothe, Ohio, and there fall- ing in with a surveyor who gave glowing accounts of the country in this section, made

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his way hither in the spring of 1809. He lo- cated land on the banks of the Scioto and im- mediately set about erecting a cabin and clear- ing his land. He was followed shortly by Michael Dilsaver, who located in the south- eastern part of the township, and from him Dilsaver s Corners and Dilsaver's Ford took their names. There was then a lapse of 1 number of years before the coming of the next settlers. James Cochran arrived from Pennsylvania in 1817, and settled on Fulton's Creek, where in 1827 he erected the first grist- mill of the township. In 1818 John Swartz and four sons came from Pennsylvania and were the first settlers at what aiterward be- came known as Pickrell's Mills. The same year witnessed the arrival of Simeon Lindsley and John Hurd, who came from Vermont and settled along the river to the south of John Swartz's cabin. Roswell Fields, a Canadian by birth and a most desirable citizen, arrived at about the same time and built a cabin near Dilsaver's Ford. He had the distinction of building the first frame house in the town- ship and was the first justice of the peace after the organization of Thompson Township. Next came Samuel Broderick and Joseph Rus- sell. the latter arriving late in 1819, from Connecticut ; he pushed his way up the Scioto. three miles above Pickrell's. Mills, where he purchased 318 acres of land and built a cabin. All these pioneers were located along the river bank, the interior development being exceed- ingly backward. It was not until after 1828 that settlers came in any great numbers, and even then the inclination was to locate close to the river.

As before mentioned the first mill was that of Cochran, built in 1827. on Fulton Creek, about a half mile distant from the Scioto. This was followed in 1830 by a saw-mill, erected by Jacob Swartz a short distance below his cabin on the west bank of the Scioto. Roswell Fields soon after acquired the old Cochran grist-mill, which he enlarged and re- built, and also erected a saw-mill, both of which were in operation many years. In 1844 J. W. Cone built a woolen mill which thrived and was in constant operation for

thirty years. It was the first mill operated by the power of steam, this modern innova- tion transpiring in 1868. Sparks from the engine set fire to the plant in 1874, and re- sulted in its destruction. It was not rebuilt by Mr. Cone, but in 1877 Mr. H. P. Pickrell erected a large modern grist-mill on that site, and it was from him the settlement thereabouts derived its name. Clark Decker, in 1863, erected a small saw-mill in the extreme north- eastern part of the township. This was the extent of the early day industrial enterprises of Thompson Township, which has never had what may be termed a village within its limits. Pickrell's Mills, known in early days, succes- sively, as Eagletown and Cone's Mills, was the nearest approach to urban classification, but at best it had but a postoffice, one store and a few homes surrounding the mills. It suc- ceeded Patterson Post Office as a postal station, the latter being a title which lent dignity to an old frame house on the Military Road, north of Fulton Creek, for several years.

The mill now owned and operated by Bruce Charles and generally known as the Simon Charles Mill, was built in 1834 by Roswell Fields, the millwright being Henry Waits, a well known local character in those days, being somewhat unbalanced in mind. By Mr. Fields it passed into the possession of his son, Samuel Fields, who sold it to Simon Charles, from whom, on the latter's death, it passed into the hands of his son Bruce, who has greatly improved the property, fitting it up with modern machinery. Mr. Charles also runs a powerful hydraulic cider-press.

Susanna Cochran, born in 1817. was the first native white child of the township, and the death of Michael Dilsaver was the first death recorded. The marriage of William Travers and Catherine Swartz in 1822 was the first marriage, and with the dance and feast which followed was an occasion long to be re- membered by the settlers who had congregated from many miles around. James Crawford taught the first school in the cabin on Fulton Creek. The first brick house was erected by a man named Hoskins, and Thomas Lavender, the first brick mason and the first to burn a

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kiln of brick, also erected one of the first brick buildings. Dr. Mathias Gerehard was the first practicing physician resident in Thomp- son. The earliest store was that conducted by Joseph Cox in a house near the Mills. John Detwiler, pioneer tavern keeper, was also a dealer in liquors. It was not until 1869 that a bridge was erected in the township, this be- ing a wooden structure across the Scioto, join- ing Thompson and Radnor. In 1875 a small covered bridge was constructed across Fulton's Creek. Prior to this time it was necessary for the settlers to ford the stream, the most favor- able spot being at what was known as Broad Ford, on the southern boundary line. Jacob Swartz had a large flat boat and a canoe which he used in transporting people across the river, farther up stream.

Thompson Township has the following officials for the year 1908: T. A. Fryman and A. A. Maize, justices of the peace: John Howison and P. H. Perry, trustees: George E. Ayers, clerk; E. M. Decker, treasurer ; J. G. Hill, assessor; Jacob Dilsaver and Fred Kirk, constables; Jolin Davis, ditch super- visor.

TROY TOWNSHIP.

Without village, postoffice, store or mill within its limits, has, nevertheless, taken a front rank among the townships of Delaware County, excelling in the standard of its eiti- zenship and the richness of its soil. It was created by an act of the Commissioners' Court, on petition, December 24, 1816, the northern half being set off from Marlborough and the southern half from Delaware Township. Its geographical lines have remained unchanged since that date.

The Olentangy River, sometimes refered to as the Blue Whetstone, takes a winding course through the length of the township, in which it has as tributaries, from the west, Wild Cat Creek, Norris Creek and Clear Run, and from the east, Horseshoe Branch, thus affording ample natural drainage. The land, where broken by streams, is rolling, but the west part of the township is level. In the early days it was heavily timbered with oak,

elm, ash, walnut, hickory and sugar maple, and the banks of the river were so dense with trees and underbrush as to be almost impene- trable. Wheat and other small grains have been the principal production, whilst stock- raising has always been carried on to a great extent.

Joseph Cole, one of the earliest settlers of the township, arrived near Norton, in De- eember, 1808, and shortly after purchased 640 aeres of land in the northeast part of what is now' Troy Township. He erected thereon a cabin and during the early days of his resi- cence encountered trials almost insurmount- able. Leaving his wife and children in the little cabin in the woods, without protection or safeguards of any kind, he frequently made trips to Zanesville for provisions, or to Frank- linton to have his corn ground. He was a man of that vigorous type so essential to the de- velopment of any community, and left an in- print on the affairs of the township in his day, which time has not effaced. He was the first justice of the peace, elected in 1815, and for a period of twenty-one years discharged the duties of that office in a manner to bring peace to litigants, although frequently at his own expense. He ereeted the first brick house of brick burned on his farm. At his eabin the first meetings of the old Marlborough Baptist Church were held in 1810. He erected a saw- mill about the year 1820, and three years later added a grist-mill, both of which were in operation many years. Many of his descend- ants are today living in the township. His son. Hugh Cole, at the age of sixteen years, began carrying the mail on horseback between Delaware and Mansfield, and continued for four years. It was a task to shake the nerves of an older man, but he acquitted himself with bravery in many stirring adventures, par- ticularly in an encounter with two highway- men in the thick of the forest. David Dix, Sr., came to Troy in 1807. selected a location, and the same fall returned to Pennsylvania to be married. The following spring he returned with his wife to Delaware County, locating temporarily in Liberty Township. In the fall of that year he hired two men to accompany

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him to the place he had located and there erected a cabin, into which he moved with his family in the spring of 1809. At that time his only neighbor was Joseph Cole. Among the next arrivals were Levi Hinton and his step-brother, William, the latter being a full brother of Col. Seburn Hinton, the pioneer mill owner of the Mill Creek Settlement in Concord Township. They located near the center of Froy Township, as did also their relatives, the Duvals. John Duncan came in 1810 from North Carolina, and Comfort Olds came some time prior to that year but con- tinued his way north to the forks of the Whet- stone. Nathan Roath arrived in 1810 and set- tled on land near that of David Dix, Sr., and at about the same time came Pierce Main, who located in the northeast part of the township. Joseph Curren came from Virginia in 1812. and two years later sold his cabin and farm to James Norris, Sr. The latter had come from Portsmouth, Ohio, to Worthington, in 1811, and when Harrison's army marched north to the relief of Fort Meigs, his patriotism led him to join it. Upon leaving the army he rejoined his family at Worthington and in IS14 made his way to Troy Township. Among his children was a son William, then eleven years old, who afterward became associate judge of Common Pleas Court and a man of considerable prominence in the county. An- other son, James Norris, Jr., a small child at the time of arrival, in later years improvised a small grist-mill. the grinding stones being made of "nigger heads." and the power being furnished by a team of horses hitched to a lever which was attached to the upper stone. It was a unique affair, but in the absence of mills near at hand, served its purpose very well. Eleazar Main, early in 1813, came to Delaware, where he joined Harrison's Army in the relief of Fort Meigs, after which he returned and lived at the home of Joseph Cole for a time. He then purchased a farm of his own and built a cabin, which he replaced in 1824 with a brick house, made from brick manufactured on the farm of his father-in- law. Mr. Cole. He was the first of seven brothers to take up his residence in the town-

ship, being followed August 10. 1815, by Sa- beers and Timothy. Lyman and Thomas Main came next, less than a year later, being ac- companied by mother and sisters, and some time afterward, Jonas and John Main moved in. This has been a family long prominent in the township, and its representatives are more numerous now than in the early days. Ben- jamin Martin, the second minister of the old Marlborough Baptist Church and the first resi- dent minister, came to Troy Township in 1815. settling on the farm now occupied by a grand- son, Nehemiah Martin. He was a soldier of the War of 1812, having been drafted into the service immediately after his arrival at Deer Creek. Ross County, Ohio, from Vir- ginia. He had no opportunity to prepare a home for his family, and his household goods were still in the wagon in which they had made the journey. Fortunately, he had an uncle at Deer Creek who looked after Mrs. Martin. and upon his return from the front' he found them comfortably ensconced in a log cabin. which had previously done service as a barn. He was the father of fifteen children, and at the present time a number of his descendants reside in Troy and adjoining townships. Samuel Wells, also a soldier of the War of 1812, came in 1811, Henry Cline in 1815. Thomas Gill in 1816, and Henry Worline, Jeremiah Williams and George Hunt were among others who arrived prior to the or- ganization of Troy Township. Samuel Gil- pin settled on the Horseshoe at this time, David Carter, a stonemason by trade, came in 1817, and thereafter rapid strides were made in the settlement of the township, among the notable arrivals being the families of Craw- fords, Eagons, Moses. Bushes, Darsts, Jack- sons. Cozarts, Willeys and Bishops.

Miss Electa Wilcox taught the first school in Troy Township in 1814. in a log cabin on the farm of Joseph Cole, and several years later the first school house, of the log pattern. was erected. The first mill, as before men- tioned, was that of Joseph Cole. In 1832 Ly- man Main built a saw mill on Horseshoe Creek, and several years later his brother. Timothy, erected one on the same creek, on

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the boundary line of Oxford Township. A small still was operated in the early days by David Bush, but its life was of short duration. Robert Cole, born February 8. 1810, was the first white child born in the township, and the first death recorded was that of Rebecca Roath, wife of Nathan, who died in 1810. The only postoffice was in the home of Joseph Cole, and that but a short time.

The officials of Troy Township for 1908. as reported to the county auditor, are as fol- lows: Levi Bishop and James E. Carter, justices of the peace; F. A. Willis, William Ziegler and James M. Worline, trustees; A. D. Main, clerk; John H. Schaffner, treasurer ; H. J. Strait, assessor ; H. B. Main and L. E. Freshwater, constables; Ben Roberts, ditch supervisor.

SIDNEY MOORE

Representative Citizens.

S IDNEY MOORE, who was for nearly sixty years connected with the bank- ing interests of Delaware County, for the last twenty-four years of that time up to his death in 1907 being president of the Delaware County National Bank. was born in what is now the city of Delaware. December 16, 1821. His parents were Sidney and Phoebe ( Mann) Moore, both natives of Vermont, who came to Delaware County from the vicinity of Brattleboro, that State. in pioneer fashion, but previous to their marriage. Sidney Moore being the first ar- rival. He was born March 16, 1788, and was a young man when he thus set out to better his fortunes in what was then the far west. In his native State he had been closely identified with military affairs, having served as ensign, lieutenant, and captain in the First Regiment of Vermont militia. In Ohio he was subse- quently commissioned as lieutenant-colonel and as brigadier-general, in later life being usually known as General Moore. In Dela- ware County he held civil office as sheriff. recorder and auditor successively, always per- forming his public duties to the satisfaction of his fellow citizens.

His wife Phoebe, who was born near Brattleboro, Vermont, January 3, 1795, and who was therefore nearly seven years his junior, came to Delaware County with her parents, they settling in the vicinity of West- field. By her marriage with Mr. Moore she became the mother of three children. namely : Emily. Sidney, and William. Emily, who was

born in Delaware, February 8. 1819. became the wife of Stephen Stone and accompanied her husband to Nebraska, where she died. William, born May 2, 1835, in Delaware, is still a resident of this place, having always made his home here. Sidney Moore, the el- der.father of the above mentioned children, died at the age of about seventy-eight years. His wife long survived him, passing away in De- cember, 1887, when lacking but fifteen days of being ninety-three years old. They were worthy and much respected people, who well performed their part in life, and whose chil- dren were living testimonials to a careful up- bringing.

Sidney Moore. Jr .. the direct subject of this sketch, was born in the family residence on the northeast corner of Sandusky and Win- ter Streets, the site of the house being now occupied by Smith's Clothing store. He be- gan his education in the local schools and continued it in the Academy until he had mas- tered the essentials of a sound English train- ing. Even at this early day he had a keen appreciation of the value of time, and ap- plied himself closely to his studies, as he did later throughout his life, to his business duties. He early felt attracted towards banking as a congenial sphere of activity, and having ac- quired a knowledge of bookkeeping, he sought and found employment with banking institu- tions, in addition to his local connections, be- ing employed for some three years in banks in Marion, Ohio, and Indianapolis, Indiana. The greater part of his business career. how-

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ever, was spent in his native city. He be- came teller and bookkeeper for the Delaware County branch of the State Bank of Ohio. which began business in 1845, and later be- came its cashier. He was made cashier of the Delaware County National Bank, January 13. 1865, and continued in that capacity until January 8, 1883, at which time he was elected president of the bank, a position that he held for the rest of his life.

Mr. Moore began his business career on a salary of $200 per year. In those days busi- ness was conducted upon very conservative lines, and promotion was slow; but he pos- sessed in large measure the qualities that com- pel success, and having chosen for his goal an honorable position in the business world. he pressed forward with determination and never looked back until he had attained it, and was recognized by his fellow townsmen as one of the leading factors in the business life and prosperity of Delaware. He was for sixty-two years identified with the Delaware County Bank, with the exception of the three years in Marion and Indianapolis above re- ferred to, and after he had demonstrated his capacity, and had been elected president of the institution, his advice was eagerly sought by many of the men who had then or have since attained prominence in the business life of the community. Not a few of them today at- tribute their success to his wise counsel or ready help, which was never withheld from those worthy of it. He seldom mistook his man, being a quick reader of character, and to have obtained his assistance was in itself al- most a certificate of capacity and integrity. In matters aside from business, but connected with the moral and material development of his native city, his name was for many years a synonym for charity, philanthropy and benev- olence. Among his many charitable deeds may be mentioned his donation of the Ilome for Aged People, located on East William Street, Delaware.

Mr. Moore was a prominent Free Mason, belonging to Hiram Lodge. No. 18. of Dela- ware, and having attained the Thirty-third de- gree in the Order. As a token of his high re-

gard for the Order he donated to it the splen- did Temple on West William Street. which is as well an ornament to the city as an evi- dence of the liberal spirit and devotion of the donor. In politics he was a Republican. but never sought public office. It was Mr. Moore's character to be thorough and concentrated. He held that it was better to do one thing thor- oughly and well than to dissipate one's ener- gies in seeking to attain too many different objects, and the wisdom of this policy was exemplified in his own life.

Mr. Moore was twice married: First. about 1851, to Miss Millie Stark, who lived but a few years. His second marriage was to Mrs. Sarah A. Bierce, widow of Alonzo Bierce, and daughter of John and Margery (Chain) Cunningham, Mrs. Moore was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1828. and when an infant about a year old, came with her parents to Delaware County, they settling in Brown Township, where Mr. Cunningham purchased and improved a farm, and where he and his wife resided until reaching an ad- vanced age, when they removed to Delaware. Mr. Cunningham was born in Columbiana County in 1801. and died in the city of Dela- ware in 1858. His wife Margery, Mr .. Moore's mother, was born in Columbiana County in 1802, and died October 3. 1854. They were the parents of four children : Mar- gery, who became the wife of James Harriott : Eliza, wife of John Hill: Sarah, who married Sidney Moore, subject of this sketch: and Jackson, who is now a resident of Delaware. The two last mentioned are the only members of the family now living. Mrs. Moore's grandfathers, Hugh Cunningham and Hugh Chain, were pioneer settlers in Columbiana County. By her marriage with Mr. Moore she had no children but by her first husband she was the mother of two sons, namely : John Bierce, who died at the age of eighteen years. and Arthur W. Bierce, who is now a resident of Delaware.

Mr. Moore died May 27, 1907, in his resi- dence on North Sandusky Street, which he had erected in 1868. His funeral services were conducted with the impressive rites of

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the Masonic Order, of which he was so devoted a member, and his remains were laid to rest in Oak Grove Cemetery. His departure was not only a severe blow to his devoted wife, who had sustained his hopes and shared his triumphs through so many years, but was also felt as a sad loss to the community at large, who realized that a strong man in character and achievement, and a sterling citizen, had gone from among them.

LIVER PERRY BIRD, of the firm of Bird, Richey & Christian, proprie- tors of the White Sulphur Stone Company. of Scioto Township, is one of the enterprising and success- ful men of this section. He was born in Lees- burg Township, Union County, Ohio, Ang. 20, 1867, and is a son of Abner Johnson and Catherine ( Newhouse) Bird.

The Birds came to Ohio from Pennsyl- vania, where John Bird, the grandfather was born January 10, 1801. When the latter had reached manhood he accompanied his father. Sylvester Bird, to Knox County, Ohio. He married Keziah Johnson, who was born No- vember 23. 1801, and who was a daughter of Abner and Mary (Lee) Johnson, the latter of whom was a member of the distinguished Lee family of Virginia. To John Bird and wife were born eight children, Abner John- son being the second in order of birth.

Abner Johnson Bird was born in Knox County, Ohio, March 9, 1827. and resided there until shortly before his marriage, on January 5, 1855, to Catherine Newhouse, who was a daughter of William Newhouse. She died January 5. 1885. Mr. Bird moved from Delaware County, where Mrs. Bird was born, to lowa, and while there one daughter was born. Mary, who is now the wife of J. W. Jackson. During the Civil war. Mr. Bird's family lived in Morrow County, Ohio, he be- ing absent for three years, serving as a soldier in the Eighty-first Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After the war the family moved to Union County, where Oliver Perry was born,

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Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 74

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