USA > Ohio > Historical collections of Ohio in two volumes, an encyclopedia of the state, Volume II > Part 46
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137
I had a curiosity to count this line of humanity that stood there in their very much every-day clothes, with open mouths and contemplative airs. My census returns were eighteen men, three boys and a black, short-haired dog, also contemplative, sitting on his haunches near the boys and ferry-bell ; mouth like the others, open. All the boys and seventeen of the eighteen men had their hands in their breeches pockets- pockets open. The eighteenth man, gay with a red shirt, had folded his arms and was resting with one foot lifted on a stone ; mouth, of · course, open ; pockets, apparently unoccupied, were, perhaps, for rent.
As our boat turned its back the group dis- persed, refreshed and invigorated, I have no doubt, by this break in the monotony of their lives. As for the dog he must have been so „invigorated as to straightway have gone some- where and scratched for his buried bone.
At Duncan Falls, nine miles below Zanes- ville, we came to the most varied and pictu- resque scenery on the river. Here the Mus- kingum contracts to about half its original width. The objects to lend to the scenic effect are the falls and a huge mill, an old bridge, precipitous bluffs on the west bank the canal, a mile long, wending its way through fields out of sight of the river ; the companion villages on opposite sides of the Muskingum, Taylorsville and Duncan Falls, and then an expansive up-river view of several miles, which in the far distance was bounded by high and irregularly-shaped hills. One could larry here for days, wander from point to
point and be regaled by the many eye-feasts that nature in the morning lights and even- ing shadows must have dispensed to those who love her and know how to woo her sweet delights.
An Original Character .- On the Duncan Falls side my eyes were attracted by caves in the river bluff, their ugly, black mouths fac- ing the river. The bluff was not over twenty feet high and beyond were the houses of thef villagers scattered about on a level spot. I was attracted by the caves, which it seenis were abandoned coal mines, and especially by several walls of small stones, which were, per- haps, hundreds of feet long and two or three feet high ; these led from the bluff to the water-side and along the shore. They looked like a child's work, sort of toy walls, and just there as I could see of no earthly use, and indeed, could be of no use anywhere. They excited my curiosity, so a passenger, a resident of Duncan Falls, enlightened me abont them in this wise :
"We have," said he. "in our place an old gentleman, a retired physician, Dr. - , a very highly respected man, now seventy-eight years of age. He lost his wife some few years ago and being without a family and out of business, sort o' lone in the world, he built those walls just through a whim. He works winter and summer in the caves with pick and wheel-barrow. When far in he works by a light. He has a grate there and in the coldest days of last winter he burnt coal. He says the work is his medicine, that he labors solely to keep his mind and body employed ; that if he did not do so he should become paralyzed and sink into imbecility."
It seems the doctor had been a highly suc- cessful practitioner, and some forty years ago prominently identified himself with the Washington Temperance Reform by lectur- ing and speaking. The temperance mectings were sometimes disturbed by rowdies. On an occasion going to a certain village to lecture where the baser sort had mobbed temperance speakers, he went fully armed. As he arose to speak he produced his weapon, a huge syringe, and holding it up to the audience, said : "This is my weapon of defence ; if any among you should attempt to molest me they had better look out." On saying which he laid down the syringe on the desk beside him and went on with his lecture in peace.
The approach to Zanesville was beautiful, the river for miles straight as an arrow, with low banks fringed with leaning willows and meadows on both sides, while in the distance the lofty wooded hills, near which the spires of Zanesville spring into view, gave a fin- ishing touch to a scene of pastoral beauty.
At Zanesville we entered a canal by the side of the river. It was Saturday afternoon and some school-boys, with pantaloons drawn up to their knees, were wading in the water and greeted us with yells ; thus, amid the exuberance of fresh young hearts I felt that my interesting voyage up the Muskingum had been blessed with a happy termination.
314
MORGAN COUNTY.
JEREMIAH MCLAIN RUSK, Governor of Wisconsin for several successive terms and now a member of President Harrison's Cabinet, is a native of this county. In amiable parlance he is sometimes called " Uncle Jerry Rusk." He was born June 17, 1830 ; worked on a farm with intervals of study until when at twenty-three years of age he removed to Wisconsin and engaged in farming ; entered the national army, became Major of the 25th Wisconsin, and eventually Brevet Brigadier-General. Was four years Bank Comptroller of. Wisconsin ; served six years as a Republican in Congress, where he was Chairman of the Committee of Pensions. During the threatened Milwaukee riots in May, 1886, his prompt action met with wide commendation in ordering the militia to fire on the dangerous mob when they attempted to destroy life and property.
JAMES W. DAWES, Governor of Nebraska for successive terms, was also a native of this county. He was born in McConnelsville, January 8, 1845. When a boy of eleven years he removed to Wisconsin with his parents. He was educated to the law ; removed to Nebraska, was sent by that State to the United States Senate in 1876. He was elected Governor by the Republicans in 1882 and again in 1884.
CHESTERFIELD, P. O. Chester Hill, is thirteen miles south of McConnelsville. Newspaper : Morgan County Tribune, Independent, W. R. Dutton, editor and publisher. School census, 1888, 158.
DEAVERTOWN is eleven miles northwest of McConnelsville. It has three churches. School census, 1888, 107.
STOCKPORT is ten miles south of McConnelsville, on the west bank of the Muskingum river and on the Z. & O. R. R. School census, 1888, 142.
EAGLEPORT is on the west bank of the Muskingum and Z. & O. R. R., eight miles above McConuelsville. It has a Protestant Methodist church and about thirty dwellings, It was below the dam here that Morgan's raiders forded the Muskingum.
315
MORROW COUNTI
MORROW.
MORROW COUNTY was formed February 24, 1848, from Richland, Knox, Marion and Delaware, and named from Jeremiah Morrow, of Warren county, Governor of Ohio from 1822 to 1826. Surface level on the west and south , north and east somewhat hilly ; soil fertile, with large quarries of good building stone.
Area about 450 square miles. In 1887 the acres cultivated were 97,443 ; in pasture, 74,809 ; woodlaud, 41,291 ; lying waste, 804; produced in wheat, 195,996 bushels; rye, 3,022; buckwheat, 773; oats, 505,626 ; barley, 126; corn, 717,359 ; broom corn, 72 lbs. brush ; meadow hay, 32,653 tons; clover hay, 6,383 ; flax, 7,000 lbs. fibre; potatoes, 47,674 bushels; tobacco, 278 lbs .; butter, 692,743 ; cheese, 70 ; sorghum, 757 gallons ; maple syrup, 23,031 ; lioney, 2,418 lbs. ; eggs, 618,108 dozen ; grapes, 3,830 lbs .; wine, 310 gallons ; sweet potatoes, 170 bushels ; apples, 3,563 ; peaches, 1,495 ; pears, 1,422 ; wool, 540,138 Ibs .; milch cows owned, 5,561. School census, 1888, 5,063; teachers, 248. Miles of railroad track, 55.
TOWNSHIPS AND CENSUS.
1850.
1880.
TOWNSHIPS AND CENSUS.
1850.
1880.
Bennington,
1,265
936
Lincoln,
891
901
Canaan,
1,223
1,087
North Bloomfield
1,443
1,227
Cardington,
1,358
2,376
Perry,
1,150
1,106
Chester,
1,620
975
Peru,
876
916
Congress,
1,651
1,262
South Bloomfield,
1,395
1,067
Franklin,
1,456
957
Troy,
640
730
Gilead,
1,680
2,653
Washington,
1,137
983
Harmony,
1,041
697
Westfield,
1,414
1,199
Population of Morrow in 1850, 20,380; 1860, 20,445; 1880, 19,072, of whom 15,390 were born in Ohio; 1,323, Pennsylvania; 455, New York ; 294, Virginia; 108, Indiana; 27, Kentucky; 268, German Empire; 139, England and Wales ; 131, Ireland; 39, British America ; 9, Scotland ; and 5, France. Census, 1890, 18,120.
This county is a little south of the centre of the State and is just south of the great water-shed, or rather lies on its broad summit, just far enough to have a slow drainage into the Ohio river.
The first permanent settlers came into the county just after the close of the war, 1812-1815, and the first grist and saw mill to accommodate the settlers was built by Asa Mosher on the Whetstone, in what is now Cardington township, in 1821. For many years supplies for the families were scarce and it was difficult to get the necessary grain and have it ground in the dry time of summer and fall. Corn meal and other supplies had to be packed on horseback from Owl creek and Delaware county, but with hominy blocks and roasting ears, mush and milk, and pone and buttermilk, venison and wild turkey, the people got along cheerily and hopefully.
Grabbing a Baby .- When the first settlers came there were Indians about, but on friendly terms with the settlers. The first settler in Washington township was Benjamin Sharrock, who came in the winter of 1818- 1819. When his family came to their rude home in the wilderness they found themselves surrounded by the Indians. "Not long after their coming," says the County History, "Ab- ner Sharrock was born, and when but a few
months old, in a wigwam not far away, an Indian boy, who was about the same age, died. Something of mother-love was mani- fested even in the breast of that dusky sav- age, in that immediately she longed to re- place her lost pappoose, and between her wailings she came to Mr. Sharrock's cabin and asked for Abner. Of course, the request was denied ; but when the mother's back was turned the squaw seized the little fellow in
316
MORROW COUNTY.
her arms and darted out of the door into the woods toward her own wigwam. The mother gave chase, and when the squaw was in the act of crossing a fence she was caught. A
struggle ensued, but for once might and rigl were united, and the stolen child was rescued from the hands of his savage captor."
MOUNT GILEAD, county-seat of Morrow, about forty miles north of Columbus, is on the C. C. C. & I. and T. & O. C. Railroads. County officers, 1888 : An- ditor, Christian Gruber; Clerk, James E. McCracken ; Commissioners, John McNeal, John McCracken, Aaron B. Keese; Coroner, Chauncey C. Dunham ; Infirmary Directors, Lafayette S. Dudley, James Turner, Yelverton P. Barry : Probate Judge, Louis K. Powell ; Prosecuting Attorney, Wm. H. Barnhard ; Recorder, Sylvester R. Rauhanser ; Sheriff, James R. McComb ; Surveyor, Wm. C. Dennison ; Treasurer, David V. Wherry. City officers, 1888 : John A. Gar- ver, Mayor ; W. R. Baxter, Clerk ; B. A. Barton, Treasurer ; John B. Garbison, Marshal. Newspapers : Morrow County Sentinel, Republican, J. W. Griffith & Son, editors and publishers ; Union Register, Democratic, W. G. Beebe, editor and publisher. Churches : 1 Baptist, 1 Methodist, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Universalist. Banks : First National, Allen Levering, president, R. P. Halliday, cashier ; Mor- row County National, W. G. Beatty, president, George F. Wolcott, cashier.
Manufactures and Employees .- Mount Gilead Building Co., doors, sash, etc., 7 hands; Anchor Milling Co., flour and feed, 4; McGowen & Co., drain tile, 4; Morrow County Sentinel, printing, etc., 5; H. Dunn, carriages and buggies, 6; Mount Gilead Machine Shop, repairing, 3; Buckeye Roller Mills, flour and feed, 4; Mount Gilead Pottery, jugs, jars, etc., 6 ; Dennison Brothers, drain tile, 6 .- State Report, 1888.
Population, 1880, 1,216. School census, 1888, 387; J. H. Snyder, school superintendent. Census, 1890, 1,363.
Mount Gilead was laid ont September 30, 1824, by Jacob Young, of Knox county, under the name of Whetsom, though it was generally called Youngstown. In 1832 the Legislature changed its name to Mount Gilead, and in 1839 it was incorporated. It is a rich farming country, and near it are valuable stone quar- ries, where are stone tile works, which, with the Mount Gilead tile works, largely manufacture all sizes and kinds of tile draining.
The town was of a slow growth. At the time of the issue of our original edi- tion, in 1847, it was in Marion county, and therein was thus described : "Mount Gilead, eighteen miles southeast of Marion, is a flourishing village containing two churches, several stores, two or three mills, and about 400 inhabitants." On the formation of Morrow county in 1848 it became the county-seat, and it took a new start. The census of 1850 gave it a population of 646. The excitement of securing the county-seat after a hard struggle got vent in a great jollification by bonfires on the streets and a congratulatory meeting and speeches in the Presby- terian church, in the midst of which Capt. Rigdon broke his 'leg
RUM AND SLAVERY were topics that interested the first settlers of town and county. As early as the spring of 1830 a temperance society with forty members was formed at Mount Gilead, and in 1840 an anti-slavery constitution for a soci- ety was signed by fonrteen men and nine women. This was in the Presbyterian church. It was signed in the midst of the throwing of rotten eggs and an uproar from a howling mob who finally broke up the meeting.
A branch of the " underground railroad," which passed through the township, did a considerable business, though the principal depots were in Peru and Wash- ington townships. In this connection a sad story is related in the County History.
Clipping the Hair of a United States Mar- shal .- In the early summer of 1860 some blacks were staying at a point about two miles south of Iberia, One evening the train stopped and let some parties get off in that vicinity. This fact was telegraphed by
rumor far and near. The young men saddled their horses and hastened to the protection of these fugitives. Two of them were res- cued, but the third man was caught and remanded to slavery. But the boys were incensed. They caught the party, which
THE DOUBLE-HEADED BABY.
Then. Brown, Photo., MIL. Gilvad, 1886.
COUNTY BUILDINGS, MT. GILEAD
318
MORROW COUNTY.
proved to be the deputy United States Mar- shal and two subordinates. Then some of the boys held the deputy for another to clip the hair off his head, while others adminis- tered some ironclad oaths to the subordinates and thrashed them most unmercifully.
Arrest and Imprisonment of President Gor- don .- One who stood by, not consenting to, but opposing this summary punishment, was Rev. Mr. Gordon, then president of Ohio Central College, at Iberia. He was the one, however, who was brought to trial and im- prisonment. After remaining in prison for some time, the affair was brought to the ears of President Lincoln, who immediately par-
doned him. But the pardon did not exon- erate him from blame, and he refused to leave his prison cell, preferring to languish in prison to going out with the imputation of criminality upon him. His friends, however, persuaded or compelled him to avail himself of the pardon and leave his prison cell. But disease had fastened upon him, breathing the fetid atmosphere of his damp cell, and his release was only just in time to save his life. The respite was but brief. The release did not bring permanent relief. A few brief years passed, and the disease contracted in that prison cell in Cleveland brought him to an untimely death, which occurred in 1868.
THE DOUBLE-HEADED BABY.
On October 12, 1870, there was born in Peru township, this connty, one of the most remarkable double children ever known. This monstrosity consisted of two perfect children from the heads to the umbilicus or navel, which was in com- mon. From this point the two united to form one body, the intestinal and secre- tory and excretory organs were common to both, and the genital organs those of a female child. On one side were two well-formed legs, extending from the side of the body at an equal distance from each head, and at right angles to the body, perfect in all respects with the exception of a slight twist in one of the feet. At the other side of the body a double leg, or two legs nnited or blended into one ; this also extended at right angles. This double leg terminated in a double foot on which were eight toes and two heels.
At birth it weighed about twelve pounds. The mother was healthy, and was not aware of any circumstances to account for the pe- culiar and very extraordinary form of the child. From its birth both parts were as healthy as the average infant, although one was somewhat the stronger, and the mother, for lack of sufficient nutriment for both, was obliged to have recourse to the bottle for the stronger one. The parts were named Mina and Minnie, respectively.
The circulation of the blood at the two extremities of this double child was perfectly independent. The pulse at the wrist of one set of arms had, upon examination, been found to beat six beats faster than that of the other, while the prick of a pin or pinch of the shoulders attached to one head was not noticed by the other. Sometimes one was asleep while the other was awake and playing, and again both were asleep.
The appearance of the child was not at all repulsive, as is sometimes the case with mon- strosities, but both faces were bright, intelli- gent and pleasing.
The mother of the child was Ann Eliza Finley, born in Champaign county, July 28, 1836 ; she was a robust woman, quiet and self-possessed in manner. June 6, 1859, she married Joseph Finley. He was born in Pennsylvania, August 18, 1824 ; removed to Ohio in 1845, and in 1862 enlisted in the 96th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served for three years in the South and Southwest with- out losing a single day from sickness, absence, or any other cause. Previous to the birth of
this remarkable child the parents had two daughters and one son and afterwards a daughter; none of these had anything peculiar in their organization.
About five months after the birth of the child it was taken on a tour for exhibition in the principal cities of the United States. At Philadelphia an examination was made by physicians and surgeons of the Jefferson Medical College and a lecture delivered upon it by Dr. Getchell in the presence of many physicians and scientists.
Dr. H. Besse, of Delaware, Ohio, had charge of the double child, both as business agent and physician, from a short time after its birth until its death, and it is from his very interesting work entitled "Diplcterat- ology " that this account is abridged.
The death of the child occurred at Boston, Mass., July 18, 1871, just nine months and six days after its birth.
A few days previous to the death Mina had had a severe attack of cholera infantum, but had partially recovered when Minnie, who had been but slightly affected at the time when Mina was worst, was seized with an attack of vomiting and gradually sank until 7.15 in the evening, when she passed away, and was followed just one hour later by Mina.
A post-mortem examination was held which revealed many wonderful curiosities, both in anatomy and physiology, a full account of which is given in Dr. Besse's book. The body was for a time preserved in a casket with glass facings, but was afterwards buried,
325
MORROW COUNTY.
Numerous cases of the births of double children have occurred, but none so remark- able in all its conditions as this of Mina and Minnie Finley. In most such cases death usually comes a short time after birth and many are still born. Few reach maturity, although there have been instances, as the
Siamese Twins, the Hungarian Sisters, and Millie and Chrissie Smith, the Carolina Twins, now living at the age of thirty-nine. In every such case the death of one part is followed within a few hours by the death of the other.
THE SAD FATE OF RICHARD DILLINGHAM.
A pathetic case of martyrdom in the cause of human liberty was that of Richard Dillingham, of Morrow county, as related in the " Reminiscences of Levi Coffin." He was the son of Quaker parents and himself a consistent member of the Society of Friends. On attaining his majority he engaged in school teach- ing and held a high reputation for uprightness and fidelity to conscientious prin- ciples. In December, 1848, then in Cincinnati, he was earnestly solicited by some colored people to go to Nashville, Tennessee, and bring away their relations who were slaves under a hard master. He undertook the project, but was betrayed by a colored man in whom he confided, was arrested and imprisoned.
While awaiting trial he wrote a very pathetic letter to his betrothed, whom he offered to release from all obligations to him, but she nobly chose to prove her constancy. His trial took place April 13, 1849. After counsel had closed, he rose and in a calm and dignified manner made the following appeal :
DILLINGHAM'S APPEAL.
"By the klu wermission of the court, for which I am sincerely thankful, I avail my- self of the privilege of adding a few words to the remarks already made by my counsel. And although I stand, by my own confession, as a criminal in the eyes of your violated laws, yet, I feel confident that I am address- ing those who have hearts to feel, and in meting out the punishment that I am about to suffer I hope you will be lenient, for it is a new situation in which I am placed. Never before in the whole course of my life have I been charged with a dishonest act. And, from my childhood, kind parents, whose name I deeply reverence, have instilled into my mind a desire to be virtuous and honor- able ; and it has ever been my aim so to con- duct myself as to merit the confidence and esteem of my fellow-men. But, gentlemen. 1 have violated your laws. This offence I did commit, and I now stand before yon, to my sorrow and regret, as a criminal. But I was prompted to it by feelings of humanity. It has been suspected, as I was informed, that I was leagned with a fraternity who are com- bined for the purpose of committing such offences as the one with which I am charged. But, gentlemen, the impression is false. I
alone am guilty; I alone committed the offence, and I alone must suffer the penalty. My parents, my friends, my relations are as innocent of any participation in or knowledge of my offence as the babe unborn. My parents are still living, though advanced in years, and, in the course of nature, a few more years will terminate their earthly exist- ence. In their old age and infirmity they will necd a stay and protection, and if you can consistently with your ideas of justice, make my term of imprisonment a short one, you will receive the lasting gratitude of a son who reverences his parents and the prayers and blessings of an aged father and mother who love their child.'
This appeal created a great sensation in the court-room and several of the jury wept. They retired and in a few minutes brought in a verdict for three years in the penitentiary, the mildest sentence the law allowed for the offence committed.
In the summer of 1850 the cholera broke out in the penitentiary. Dillingham was un- tiring in his kindly ministrations to the sick and dying fellow-prisoners, until one Sabbath morning he was himself attacked, died at noon and was buried at half-past three the same day.
DANIEL MCCARTNEY, THE MEMORY PRODIGY.
One of the most extraordinary cases known of memory, united to power of arithmetical calculation, was illustrated by Daniel McCartney, who resided a large part of his life in this county and then passed his last days in Iowa, where he died in 1887. Our attention was directed to this case by a letter from the venerable Joseph Morris, of the Society of Friends, written from Cardington, " second month, 14th, 1888," which we subjoin together with the printed account from the Cardington Independent. Who wrote the newspaper article we do not
320
MORROW COUNTY.
know. A sister of Mr. McCartney, Mrs. Mary R. Storey, once lived, and per- haps is yet living, in Iberia.
For many years, writes Friend Morris, I was well acquainted with Daniel McCartney ; he has also been at my house. The first time that I remember to have seen this extraordinary man I stepped into a wagon- maker's shop in Cardington on business and was introduced to Daniel McCartney, and was informed of his remarkable memory and that he could call to mind all that he had seen for twenty years. "Yes," said he, "longer than that.
I told him that my wife and I were united in marriage on the 27th of the eleventh month, 1828, nearly twenty years ago. " Please tell me what was the day of the week ?" I noticed a thoughtful expression come over his countenance, and then almost immediately the reply came. "Thursday ; you Friends call it fifth day." I asked him to tell how the weather was on that day. He said it was dark and a little stormy, which was the case. He laughed and said we killed a beef that day.
I asked him if he remembered what they had on the table for dinner. He said he did, and mentioned among other things, butter, but said he did not eat any butter, for he was not fond of it. At other times and on other occasions I have heard him answer questions withont once giving evidence of being mis- taken. I would further add he was a worthy and consistent man, I am directed by J. D. Cox, of Cincinnati, ex-Governor of Ohio, to write to thee on this occasion.
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.