Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th, Part 31

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1086


USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th > Part 31


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).


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George A. Spence is a wealthy land owner of this township, born in 1852, son of Mark Spence who was a former county commissioner of Clark County, and died in 1878. Mr. Spence was married to Anna Friermood in 1880. He resides upon the home farm, a short distance north of Northampton. John Spence was a resi- dent of this township for more than three- quarters of a century. He was born here March 21, 1824, and died in 1906. He was the son of James and a brother of Mark. He was married in 1853 to Miss Louisa Bailey. S. S. Jenkins, still a resident of this township, was born in Champaign County in 1848, son of David and Eliz- abeth (Michael) Jenkins. Mr. Jenkins has served a number of times in various township positions. A. J. Funderburg was for four years a member of the board of elections of the county.


Duncan Thackery was for many years a resident of this township. He was an Englishman, born in Yorkshire, England, December 10, 1813, and emigrated with his parents to Champaign County in 1829. He was married to Susan Ray, who still survives, and who was born in 1820. He died about 1897. He was an active, ag- gressive farmer and amassed a consider- able fortune, which was inherited by his children who still reside in this commun- ity


Among the old pioneers of this town- ship is John Ray, who was born in Cin- cinnati in 1813, the son of Lewis and Eliz- abeth Ray. He has lived in this town- ship all his life, and is perhaps at this time the oldest man in the township.


Daniel R. Taylor, present postmaster of Northampton, was born in Virginia, Dec. 31, 1835, and came to this township


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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY


in 1880, as a minister of the German Re- form Church, and preached in a number of charges. He was at one time mayor of St. Paris, and served in the War of the Rebellion ; likewise filled the position of justice of the peace of this township.


William H. Sterritt who now resides in New Carlisle, and who was county com- missioner of this county for two terms, 1884-1890, was for many years a resident of this township.


Other old time residents were Wiley Jenkins, who died a few years ago at the advanced age of ninety-one years; Will- iam K. Jordon, who was justice of the peace for some time; John Miranda who was quite active in township affairs from 1850-1870; (during the hot political times of the war period Samuel Sterrett was the recognized leader of the Republicans and John Miranda of the Democrats) ; Edward Wones now deceased, grandson of Lewis Ray; William Myers now a resi- dent of the city of Springfield, some time clerk of this township; James C. Fuller, Samuel Baker, Charles S. Black, William Black, Jacob and John Myers, Moses Sut- ton, Peter Zinn, Daniel Ream, and others have been active in the affairs of this township. Horace W. Stafford, former prosecuting attorney of Clark County, is a native of this township, the son of J. R. Stafford, deceased.


COUNTY OFFICIALS.


Pike Township having been of the Democratic persuasion politically, did not furnish a very large supply of county of- ficials: Samuel W. Sterritt was county commissioner from 1856-1865. Mark Spence was elected in 1877, but died


shortly after taking this position. W. H. Sterritt occupied the position from 1884- 1890, and if Madison Over had been con- sidered a resident of this township while serving as probate judge this would in- clude all that filled county positions from this township.


TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS.


Referring to the historical records col- lected by Over, we find the following men- tioned as those active in township affairs prior to 1880.


It seems that there are no township records preserved in the office of the town- ship clerk of Pike Township of an earlier date than the year 1828. The first com- mission of James Johnson as justice of the peace is dated in 1830. That of John Black is dated in the year 1834, though he seems to have been in office earlier. George Cost was first elected in 1837, and Henry Long in 1838. The commission of Joseph B. Craig is dated April 10, 1843, and Samuel W. Sterrett's first commis- sion is dated Oct. 15, 1844. Samuel J. Sims was elected in 1847, and James Spence in 1848. Thomas P. Thomas was commissioned November 28, 1855; and previous to him John Miranda served from 1845-1855, was again elected in 1858, and served until 1867. Thomas F. Hard- acre was elected in 1859, and the commis- sion of William K. Jordan bears the date of November 8, 1860. Samuel Mock was elected in 1866, and William Jenkins in 1867. Afterward John A. Black and John W. Cost served as justices of the peace. Madison Over, was elected in 1879, and Thomas Swonger in 1880. Many of the above officers were re-elected, some for


AMPHITHEATRE-FAIR GROUNDS


VIEW IN FERNCLIFF CEMETERY, SPRINGFIELD


VIEW ON LITTLE MIAMI, NEAR CLIFTON


COUNTRY CLUB, SPRINGFIELD


CLARK MEMORIAL HOME FOR AGED WOMEN


VEIW IN SNYDER PARK


297


AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.


several terms. Among the earlier names of those who have filled the office of town- ship clerk, contemporaneous with the above justices of the peace, may be men- tioned James Black, George C. Homer, Jacob Harner, John Miranda, George Cost, Simon Spence, Andrew Clark, Philip Marquart, Asher B. Health, J. R. Lippin- cott, J. E. Fennimore, Jeremiah Ream, William Jenkins, P. M. Hawke, S. S. Jen- kins, and William Myers. The above six- teen persons have served Pike Township as clerk for the period of about fifty years, and have left the reputation of hav- ing been upright and efficient officers.


The following is a roster from the year 1880 up to the present:


Township Trustees-John Myers, 1880; J. L. Rust, 1880-1881; P. S. Zinn, 1880- 1881; B. K. Minnich, 1881; L. I. Lowman, ' January 1, 1908. 1882-1884; Phillip Morningstar, 1882; John T. Maurice, 1882, 1884-1888; John Morningstar, 1883-1901; J. T. Nicholas, 1883; Ezra Jenkins, 1885; Jos. Ulrey, 1886-1890; Samuel Sigler, 1888-1891; J. W. Richeson, 1890-1899; S. S. Jenkins, 1891-December 31, 1907; L. R. Lutz, 1899- December 31, 1907; William Gundolf, 1901-December 31, 1907; W. H. Gerin, F. F. Jenkins (elect).


Justices of the Peace-William Jenkins, 1871, 1873; John A. Black, 1872-1877; Samuel Mock, 1875; J. W. Cost, 1876; Madison Over, 1879-1885; Thomas Swan- ger, 1880; Arnold Kester, 1881, resigned; Joseph Ulery, 1883; J. P. Mock, 1886- 1898; G. W. Harley, 1887; William Myers, 1890; Daniel R. Taylor, 1893, 1905; John W. Ryman, 1894-1903; La Fayette Fields, 1901-1904; O. B. Minnich (elect).


Township Clerks - William Myers,


1880-December, 1893; George S. Schantz, December, 1893-April, 1894; W. S. Jen- kins, April 1894, to present time.


Township Treasurers-Daniel Ream, 1880-1881; Frederick Jenkins, 1887-1897; William Morningstar, 1887-1897; W. A. Ream, 1897-1899; J. W. Flick, 1899-1901; John Morningstar, 1901-1904; C. E. Ful- ler, 1904-January, 1906; G. W. Barnhart, January 1, 1906, to present.


Members of Board of Education-F. Jenkins, president, term expires January 1, 1908; N. V. Bobo, terms expires Janu- ary 1, 1908; S. S. Jenkins, term expires January 1, 1910; W. O. Baisinger, term expires January 1, 1910; L. Fields, term expires January 1, 1910; W. S. Jenkins, clerk, term expires January 1, 1908; G. W. Barnhart, treasurer, term expires


CHURCHES.


The pioneer Methodist organization of this township was the Beech Grove Meth- odist Episcopal Church, which was organ- ized in 1803 by the Rev. Jesse Goddard. The first house of worship was built on the site occupied by the present chapel, in 1840. George Otewalt, Joseph Stott and W. P. Black were the organizers. The following persons have served as minis- ters of this church: Revs. Laws, Els- worth, Conry Newson, Musgrove, Fields, Creighton, Dinkins, Williams, Purkiser, Brown, Black, Robinson, Peck, Whitmer, Verity, Jackson, Rector, Edgar, Kirk, Fidder, Chency, Shultz, Peak, Deam, Prince, Baker, Zink and A. D. Raleigh. This church is located about four miles northwest of Northampton in the Ster- rett neighborhood.


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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY


The Asbury Methodist Episcopal Nyswander in 1875, and the present build- ing was constructed in 1876 at a cost of about $1,200. It is situated in the south- ern part of the township in Ulery settle- ment.


Church was organized in 1830. The first church was built about the year 1839, and was replaced in 1858 by the present build- ing. This church is situated a short dis- tance north of Northampton. A move- ment is on foot at present to build a new church. Rev. S. M. Griffith is at present pastor.


The German Reformed Church in Northampton was dedicated in 1858. Some of the first members of the church were George Cost, D. R. Zinn and Jacob Ross. The first minister who preached Sometime about 1885 there was a divi- sion in this church and the conservatives built a church in the southeast part of the township. Henry Dresher, James Hansborough, David Leatherman, et al., were instrumental in this movement. isters. was the Rev. B. H. Winters. The first trustees were Peter Marquart, Peter Baisinger and Harrison Miller. The fol- lowing have been ministers of this church: Jesse Richards, Shaw, Swander, Winters, Shael, E. R. Taylor, Jesse ' Jacob Sandy and Louis Pfeiffer are min- Stiner and others. The present minister is Rev. J. C. Paul.


Emanuel Church of the German Re- formed denomination was organized by the Rev. Jesse Stiner about 1854. Wiley Jenkins, Jonas Michael and Daniel R. Zinn were among the first members. The present pastor of this church is likewise Rev. J. C. Paul. This church is located northwest of Northampton about two and a half miles.


The Christian Church was organized in 1839. Among the original members were John Priest, Andrew Clark, Nancy and Mary Clark, John Richeson and their families. In 1852 the present building was erected. This church is located in the northwestern part of the township, about one mile east of the Miami County line.


Liberty Church, Brethren in Christ, was organized by George. Ulery and Isaac


The German Baptist Church was or- ganized as early as 1816 by Elder Chris- tian Frantz, the first elder of this local- ity. This church is located south of Northampton. The congregation is in a large and flourishing condition. It is known as a Dunkard organization. Aaron Frantz is the present pastor.


The German Reformed Church, which is now located at Dialton, was formerly in German Township and was moved to Dialton, where the new edifice was erect- ed in 1890, the old one having been de- stroyed by fire. The Rev. J. C. Paul is minister at this church at the present time. It is in a flourishing condition and the organization is actively enjoying their fine new church.


SCHOOLS.


The first building used as a school- house was situated three-quarters of a mile east of where Andrew Black former- ly resided, and James Black was the first teacher.


The first school teachers from this township were, so far as known, Ira Wood, Joseph Morrison, William Wilson,


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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.


James Black, Archie Mitchell, David Morris and Mary Ebersole; more recent- ly, William Myers, S. S. Jenkins and others. Well known citizens have taught in various parts of this township. The township has no centralized school dis- trict designated as a high school. The following are the teachers for the coming year :


Superintendent and music supervisor, K. C. Hause; No. 1, Black Horse, Nellie Funderburg; No. 2, Northampton, prin- cipal, K. C. Hause; primary, Mary Bobo; No. 3, Dialton, principal, F. L. Riegel; primary, Nellie Spence; No. 4, Yale, W. O. Jenkins; No. 5, Center, D. R. Zerkle; No. 6, Liberty, Oscar Thomas; No. 7, Pike, Leota Bucher; No. 8, Triumph, M. O. Mitchell; No. 9, Honey Creek, Harry Maxson.


Enumeration of pupils for 1907-Males, 257; females, 201 ; total, 458.


MEMORANDA OF THE JOURNEY OF SAMUEL AND ANDREW BLACK, FIRST SETTLERS OF THE TOWNSHIP, ON THEIR FIRST TRIP.


Memorandum of the route we travelled, setting out on Thursday, 23d of May, 1805: From Blacksburgh to Union, 45 miles; to Greenbrier River, Alderson's Ferry, 14 miles ; to McClung in Walker's Meadows, 10 miles; to Montgomeries, top of Suel Mountain, 14 miles; to Huff's, foot of Gauley Mountain, 27 miles; to Gauley River, 10 miles; to top of Little Gauley Mountain, 11 miles; to the Kanawha, 10 miles; to the Mouth of Elk, 20 miles, where we crossed on Tuesday following; thence to the mouth of Cole River, 12 miles, crossing the Kanawha; thence to Ward's on Guindot, 30 miles ; to


the Ohio, 8 miles; to Twelve Poles Creek, 8 miles ; to the Big Sandy River, 4 miles ; thence crossing the Ohio on Thursday following, and down it to opposite the mouth of Little Sandy Creek, 20 miles; thence to the Little Scioto, 12 miles; thence across the hills to Big Scioto River, 9 miles ; to Mr. S. Wright's on the Cherry Fork of Ohio Brush Creek, 40 miles, where we arrived on Saturday, the first day of June, in Adams County (after crossing the Ohio we passed through Gallia and Scioto Counties). Thence, after spending a few days in viewing the neighborhood, we set out for the Miamis, to New Market, in Highland County, 18 miles; to Lebanon, 40 miles, in Warren County, on Turtle Creek; thence to Day- ton, 25 miles, in Montgomery County, on Big Miami; thence to Stantown (Staun- ton), 21 miles ; up Miami to Lower Picka- way (Piqua), 6 miles; to Upper Picka- way (Piqua), 3 miles, on Miami; thence returning down past Stantown (Staun- ton) to Jacob Saylor's, on Indian Creek, a branch of Honey Creek, 19 miles; to Tenix's at the forks of Mad River, 16 miles ; to Dayton, 22 miles ; to Price's, on Twin Creek, the way we went, 30 miles, 17 on a straight line; thence to Vieltown, 22 miles; thence to Cincinnati, 33 miles ; thence to Bulskin Creek, 40 miles; thence to the Ohio at the mouth of Brochen, 4 miles, where we crossed; thence to the Wrights', in Burben County, 44 miles; to Paris, 4 miles ; to Lexington, 18 miles ; to Nicholasville, 12 miles; to Kentucky River, 8 miles; to Lancaster, 16 miles ; to Crab Orchard, 12 miles; to Faris' 26 miles ; to Johnstown, 29 miles ; to Divise's, foot of Cumberland Mountain, 30 miles ; to Bean's Station, 30 miles; to Rodgers-


300


HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY


ville, 23 miles; to W. Armstrong, 12 ber 19th is particularly interesting as miles; to North Fork of Holstein, 15 showing what happened to some of his company : miles; thence to Abington, 40 miles ; thence to Evonsham, 60 miles; to Blacks- burgh, 47 miles, where we started from.


Said Samuel Black was also a captain in the War of 1812, and kept a memo- randa of military accounterments re- ceived and how disbursed. This memo- randum book is now in the possession of Horace W. Stafford, Esq. From this book the following is taken :


CAPTAIN BLACK'S COMPANY.


First Drafts-


John Black. 1st Sergt.


Robert Russell


William Smith, 2d Sergt.


Henry Morris


Henry Williams, 1st Corp.


Abner Kelly


Daniel Leffel, 2d Corp.


William McCoy


Levy Williams


Presley Forgey


Francis Kelly


Hugh M. Wallace


Substitutes-


John Hays


James Hametton


James Buckhanon


Benjamin Evans


John Conklin


James Black


CAPTAIN LINGLE'S COMPANY.


First Drafts-


Robert Smith


David Lard


Henry Buzzert


Thomas Murphy


Joseph MeIntire


Hugh Read


Substitutes-


Abner Hall


Daniel Goble


Robert Blany


CAPTAIN COX'S COMPANY.


First Drafts-


Edward Armstrong


Henry Hanford


John Wood


William Bert


Alexander Elliott


William Dill


Substitutes-


John H. Moore


Benjamin Kitter


ENSIGN CLAVENGER'S COMPANY.


First Drafts-


Jonathan Donald


John Price


Layton Palmer


James Hays


Samuel Smith


John Elliott


John Albin


John Sintz


John Simmons


John Minick


Thomas Gilliland Substitutes-


William Harrison


Ebenezer Melvin


James Broaddus


John Hides


William Williams


Peter Minick


Captain Black also kept during part of the time a diary, and the date of Novem-


"November 19th. We were employed in cutting down some timber about the tents and making a barrier against the smoke round the fire-place. The two men sent back from Finley to look after the two men left at the Rapids, returned and found them not. A soldier of Captain Russel's company, by the name of


Murphy, dies and is buried. A general . parade in the evening, at which General Tupper makes a farewell address to the troops, considering himself not at liberty to command longer, in consequence of an arrest being forwarded from General Harrison. After night two spies arrived, who had been at General Winchester's camp, and also had been at the Rapids after the army left there, and says that not far from where the two men were left, they found a man killed, scalped and stripped naked, lying on his face. The same was supposed to be James Buck- hanon, the man left with the sick man, who was Zadock Wood. (A cool day and windy ; the smoke very bad on the eyes.)"


Further on we find the following:


"November 23d. The following men are missing since the expedition to the Rapids : Killed-Aaron Scribner, of Captain Barrett's company; Jeremiah York, of Captain Shendledicker's com- pany; Zadock Wood and James Buck- hanon, of Captain Black's company ; Jacob Young, of Captain Jonston's com- pany; William Shotwell, of Captain Evans' company ; Joseph Hopkins, of the Artificers; Isaac Perrigin, of Captain A. Shephard's company, slightly wound- ed; William Vinyard, of Captain Hin-


301


AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.


ston's company, badly wounded in the shoulder. This account taken by Mr. Phillip Waldron, of Captain Armstrong's company. A man by the name of Boots was buried out of Captain Arm- strong's company. I obtained a yoke of oxen to draw wood for the battalion. Mr. Ellis comes into camp for his son, who has been very sick. (Wet and rain- ing in the morning; after the day rises, turns to snow and continues on till night.)"


This diary ends with December 18th and 20th :


"December 18th. Two men buried this evening out of Colonel Safford's regi- ment. Sergeant Black and Smith returns to camp accompanied by Mr. Samuel Alexander and Mr. George Koss. (A very pleasant day.)


"December 20th. Left camp at Mc- Arthur's Blockhouse for home, where I arrived on the night of the 21st, 1812. Found all my family well."


-


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.


BOUNDARIES.


Pleasant Township is situated in the extreme northeastern part of Clark coun- ty. Is bounded on the north by Cham- paign County, on the east by Madison County, on the south by Harmony Town- ship and on the west by Moorefield town- ship. It is not known how it received the name of Pleasant, otherwise than from the fact that it appeared as an exceed- ingly pleasant place to live to the early settlers that came to this part of the county. It is five miles wide and about eight and a half miles on the northern boundary.


STREAMS.


The land around Catawba is somewhat hilly, but in the southern portion it is not quite so hilly, but all is more or less rolling. Sinking Creek has its source south of the center and flows westerly through the southwestern part of the township. The south branch of Buck Creek flows south of the village of Catawba and west into the main channel in Moorefield Township. Some of the branches of Beaver Creek have their source in the southern part and the branches of Deer Creek drain the eastern part of the township, flowing down through Madison County. The fact that so many of these streams have their source in this township indicates its high elevation, and there is no doubt but it is the highest in the county.


CROPS.


These streams afford facilities for grazing purposes, and that industry is largely carried on in the township. The soil is generally fertile; particularly is this the case with respect to that of the valleys, and the crops which are suitable to the land in this county are grown.


TIMBER.


The timber that covers these hills and valleys is that which is common in this county, to-wit: Oak, hickory, maple, ash, walnut, etc.


The Ludlow line passes through the county west to Catawba, the pike leading south from Catawba to Vienna being on this line. The lands west of these lands


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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY


are Congress lands, and those east are military survey. In this military survey a distinguished Virginian by the name of Bailey held a large tract of land, the last of which were disposed of by the writer about 1888.


ROADS.


The old Columbus Road runs through the southern part of the township; it was an early route to the city of .Springfield and is yet much used, although after the establishment of the National Road a mile or so south, that road is less frequently used.


A good pike was built from Vienna to Catawba, and in the eastern part of the county was the Houston fee road; gravel being reasonably well at hand, the roads are in fair condition. Forty-five miles of public roads are found in the township.


The only railroad touching the town- ship is the Delaware branch of the Big Four. This goes across a small portion of the northwest corner, the station close to Catawba being known by that name. It has only one village, that of Catawba (see villages), being singularly different in this respect from all the other townships of the county, and the residents have never seen fit to have established more than one voting precinct.


POPULATION.


The early settlers of this township were from different states of the union; some from Pennsylvania, others from Kentucky, and still others from Virginia. Like the other townships of the county the population has not advanced; in fact, it


has receded a little. In 1850 it was 1,540; in 1870, 1,553; 1880, 1,585; 1890, 1,597; 1900, 1,437.


ASSESSED VALUATION.


The following table shows the number of acres and assessed valuation of the real and personal property of the township, as the same is divided into school districts:


Real


Acres


Estate


Personal Property


Total


Pleasant Tp. ..


25,177 $727,080


$205,570 $ 932,650


P. & Harmony


School Dist.


961


33,110


8,030


41,140


Catawba Village


118


44,800


17,750


62,550


26,256 $804,990 $233,350 $1,036,340


POLITICS.


At no time in the history of this town- ship has a majority vote been cast in favor of the Democratic candidates. It has steadily given a majority to the op- posing candidates, these majorities in- creasing in favor of the Republican can- didates, at times reaching as high as 250.


OLD SETTLERS.


The most reliable records now accessi- ble give the following in regard to the old settlers :


In 1802 Joseph Coffey, then living in the state of Pennsylvania, becoming dis- satisfied with the prospect presented to himself and family in the rough region where he lived, determined to remove to the then almost uninhabited, but to him, inviting West.


He accordingly pursued his journey westward to a point about nine miles north of Cincinnati, where he remained during the year ; but, as malarial diseases were alarmingly prevalent in that local-


303


AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.


ity, he made successful preparations for a second removal.


Loading into an ox cart such articles as the necessity of pioneer life required, he, together with the other members of his family, consisting of his wife and two sons, Tatom and Joseph, commenced the tedious, and we may safely add, perilous journey toward the north.


He had conceived the idea that he might find a more healthy location near the source of the Little Miami, or some one of its tributaries.


The journey was pursued for several days through the unbroken forests infest- ed by Indians, until he reached what seemed to be the object of his search, May 6, 1803.


Here, near an Indian camp, he halted upon the summit of a hill overlooking a rich valley, through which a stream of water coursed its way. At the base of this hill gushed forth the cool waters of a beautiful spring.


This is the place where the first pioneer of Pleasant Township settled, and is now the site of the residence of this pioneer's grandson, George Coffey.


The first morning after the arrival of this family-May 7-it was discovered that a snow several inches deep had fallen.


A sort of rude tent was hastily con- structed and in this the first few months of the family life were spent.


The pioneer had, in this time, made ar- rangements for building a cabin. He was assisted in its erection by Thomas and Jesse Pierce, then living in Champaign County, and by two or three Indians.


This was the first cabin built by a white settler in this township.


Soon after his arrival the pioneer,


leaving his family alone in the tent, start- ed out in search of food, and, luckily, at the cabin of a neighbor over in German Township, he obtained a small amount of corn, which, however, had been somewhat damaged by the early frosts of the pre- ceding autumn.


In possession of his supply of corn, he proceeded to Simon Kenton's Mill, where it was ground into meal, with which he returned to his family. The mill of Kenton was on the present site of La- gonda. In the autumn of 1803 Isaac Agmond and his family came to this township and built a cabin where Mart Mahar now lives. At this point was an- other Indian camp, the two being con- nected by an Indian trail. In 1804 Archi- bald McConkey and family, accompanied by the father of Mrs. McConkey, removed here from Kentucky. The wife and moth- er performed the journey on horseback, carrying with her the three children- Alexander, Elizabeth and Daniel-the wardrobe and lighter effects of the fam- ily. The other members of the party travelled on foot. It may not be amiss to state that a cow was also brought from the Kentucky home, and perhaps the only one in the little company of pioneers.




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