History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 18

Author: Hill, George William, b. 1823; Williams Bros
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: [Cleveland] Williams
Number of Pages: 896

USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 18

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THE HORSE-MILL.

A number of these were crected in many parts of the county. They were rude affairs, requiring great num_ bers of cogs, wheels and other curious machinery. They were propelled by horse-power much as the modern threshing machine or cider-mill. Many produced very good meal and flour, and generally had hand-bolts. A description of their machinery would occupy more space than can be allotted in these notes. They were in very general use for a period of about fifteen years. The buhrs of the horse-mills were made, mostly of bowlders or " nigger-beads," and fitted and secured much like the buhrs now in use in the water and steam grist-mills. The horse-mills were succeeded by improved

WATER-MILLS.

The numerous small streams throughout the county, during the earlier settlement, furnished valuable mil! sites; and a great number of enterprising pioneers crected small grist- and saw-mills upon them. Before the removal of the heavy forests that covered most of the county, sufficient water was obtained to propel one or two set of buhrs, in the smaller mills, the major part of the year ; but since the forests have been cut away, the water produced by heavy showers is rapidly conveyed by brooks and small streams to the larger ones, while the moisture left on the surface soon evaporates ; the ninh being, that nearly all the smaller mills were compelled to suspend work three-fourths of the year. The conse-

quence is, that while, in our earlier history, every little stream had a grist- or saw mill, the number has gradually diminished, until there are not over a dozen good mills left, and these are chiefly propelled by steam.

it will be interesting to note the history of our mills, from the earlier settlements to the present time.

It is generally conceded that the first grist-mill within the present limits of Ashland county, was erected by Benjamin Cuppy, on a small stream one and a half miles northeast of Ashland, on what is now the Orange road, in March, 1816. It had one ron of stones, and ground very slowly, not exceeding four bushe's of corn per day. * It long since disappeared, and was replaced by the pres- ent mill, which has for many years been a great conven- ience to the farmers. It is now run by steam. i

About four weeks after the completion of the Cuppy mill, Martin Mason finished a small water-mill upon the present site of Samuel Leidigh's mill, on the Troy road, four miles north of Ashland. It had one run of hard. head stones. It was of hewn logs. It was a convenient neighborhood mill for many years, and did fair work. It passed through many hands, and the site is now owned by Mr. Leidigh. About the year 1870 he con- structed a new and elegant frame mill, which is partly propelled by water. and partly by steam. It is doing a fine business.

About the year 1817, John Raver put up a small grist . and saw-mill on a run about one-fourth of a mile northeast of the present site of Rowsburgh, in Perry town- ship. It run about one-third of the time, had an under-shot wheel and one set of stones and a hand-bolt. It stood several years, and was replaced by a mill built some years later by John Pittinger, east of Rowsburgh, on the Muddy fork of Mohican, since owned by the late Dr. A. Ecker, and is yet doing a prosperous business.

During the fall of 1817, it is believed that Constance Lale, of Jeromeville, crected a small log grist-mili, where what is now known as Goudy's mill, was subsequently bailt. The Goudy mill was accidentally burned about 1850. It had sustained a good reputation, and was a great loss to the community. It was not rebuilt, and the site is abandoned.

Cond Kline, about the year 1819, built a small horse-mill one and a half miles northeast of Ashland, near the late residence of John Mason. It was com- structed in the usual form of such mills, had one run of stones and a hand bolt. It made good meal and dour. It long since tumbled into ruins.

Jabez Smith, in iSzo, erected a saw- and grist mill half a mile south of the present site of Mohicanville in Lake township. He sold it to R. F. Chandler, who kept the mill moving until the spring of :875 when it acci- dentally burned. It was long a convenience to the farm- ing community, and its destruction was inch regretted. Robert Crawford, a rugged, enterprising pioneer put

"The Cuppy mill had "mager-head" stets, and wi por fier shane site by Thous trơn, the millssight hưng John The way of Charcreek township.

+ The steam-mill was accidentally Burned in the fall of 18,5 site which time the site has remained unimproved

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

up a large and expensive horse-mill on the present land of Albert Tilton, in the southeast part of Orange town- ship, in 1820-21. It had one run of stones, a fine bolt, and did a large business for those times. It was finally abandoned about the year 1837.

About the year 1823 Thomas Ford put up a small horse mill near what is now known as Ford's meeting- house, in Clearcreek township. It was a neighborhood mill, and did some business for a number of years. It has long since given way to the march of improvement.

It is believed that Oliver Sloan put up a saw- and grist- mill two miles southeast of Hayesvill;, about the year 1830. It had one run of stones and a bolt, and did a good deal of Neighborhood work. It was conducted, for some years, by a Mr. Vangilder. It is now in ruins.

John Hendricks built a water mill on Vermillion creek, about one mile west of Savannah, in 1823. It had one run of stones, and a bolt, and did some business. He subsequently sold to the late Joseph Roop, who caused a deep ditch, at heavy: expense, to be dug from the lower · lake, in the hope of increasing the flow of water; but only succeeded in draining the lower lake. The enter- prise was a financial failure, and the mill went down.

Conad Kline erected a small grist-mill, about two miles east of Ashland, at the foot of Roseberry hill, in Montgomery township, in 1825. It did some business, and was carried on some eight or ten years, when it was abandoned.

John Haney built a small horse-till, on a run east of the village of Savannah, in Clearcreek township, in 1825. It was chiefly used for chopping, in connection with a distillery. It stood but a few years, and went to ruin.

David Weitzel erected a small saw- and grist-mill on the present site of the Ashland woollen-mills, about the year 1825. It had a pair of coffee-mill stones and was used chietly for chop-work. It had also a hand-bolt. It subsequently became the property of the late John Ja- cobs, and was by him considerably improved. It was superseded by the large brick flouring-mill now owned by John Damp & Company. This mill is propelled exclus- ively by steam, and its work has long been classed among the finest in the county. It has a fine run of stones and can produce seventy-five barrels of flour per day.

Andrew Newman built what is now known as the Hershey mil!, on the Black foik, two and one-half miles northwest of the village of Mifflin, in the year 1820. It is regarded as one of the best of its kind. It is chiefly a neighborhood mill, does fine work, and is run by water. It is now owned by Stamen Brothers.

Silas Longworthy built a small water-mill three miles southwest of the village of Mifflin, on the Black fork, in 1825, and sold to John Hewhey, he to Charles Lewis, and he to Daniel Kauffman. It was carried on until 1845, when Danie! Kauffman, a skilful millwright, tore it down and erected a valuable mill which he sold to John Charles. It is propelled exclusively by water, and is regarded as one of the best in the county. It has a saw mill attached.

It is believed that James Neely erected a grist-mill, on Vimmer's run, two and one-half miles southeast of Mif-

flin, as early as 1825. The mill is still in operation, and is doing a fair neigliborhood business, when it has water. It is now owned by W. W. Matthews.

Jonathan Harvuot built a small horse-mill, about one mile northwest of Ashland, on lands recently owned by James Wells, about the year 1830. It had a brief career, and was used mostly as a chop-mill by the fariners.

Joseph Sellers put up a small water-mill, on Clear. creek, two miles west of Savannah, in 1830. It strug- gled along a few years and went down.

Colonel John Murray erected, for himself, a grist- and saw-mill, on Mohican creek, one and a half miles north of Orange, in 1831. It did considerable business in wet seasons, but finally became of little value, because of a want of water.

George McCartney constructed a small water-mill in connection with a carding machine-on lands since owned by the late Samuel Urie, in Milion township, in 1830. It had insufficient power, and the enterprise failed and brought disaster upon its owner.

William Goudy and sons put up the present large grist- mill at Jeromeville, about the year 1836. It has passed through many hands, -- Eli Zimmerman, N. G. Glenn, R. McMahan, G. W. Basford, 1851, John Webster, 1856, R. M. Winbigler & Co., 1871, and in 1873, R. M. B., --- and is yet regarded as a valuable property. It has fine water power, and does a fair business. It has a good saw-mill connected with it.

Armstrong Meanor erected a small grist-mill three miles north of Loudonville, on the Hayesville road, near a small stream, about the year 1831. It was subsequently rebuilt, and is yet doing a fair business.

About the same time (1831), Mr. Newman built a grist-mill three miles northeast of Hayesville, on a small! stream in the Finley settlement. It was carried on for many years, and did a prosperous business. A new mill, now known as Smith's mill, was erected in the neighbor- hood some twenty years since, and the old mill is going to decay.

Jacob Mason built a small undershot mill about four miles north of Ashland, on Leidigh's run, in 1831. It was used principally as a chop-mill for a distillery. It has long since disappeared.

Daniel Beach built a saw-mill in 1824, and a grist-mili on Vermillion river one mile north of Ruggles corners, in 1832. It run to about 1858, and is now in ruins. It passed through four or five hands.

Daniel Carter, jr., put up a water-mill two miles east of Ashland, near the Wooster road, in 1832. It did a fair business eighteen or twenty years. It is now in ruins.

The Loadonville mill -- a frame-two run of stones, was built by Alexander Skinner in 1818: Caleb Chapel was carpenter and first miller. He died in ts21, and 'T. J. Bull became the owner of the mill: he sold to Thomas Carlisle; and in 1835 the mill became the prop. erty of Gray & Freeman, of Cleveland. They run it until 1845; then it passed into the hands of James Christmas and John C. Larwill, and in 1861, A. A. Taylor, who erected a tew maill. It is run, principally.

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, O !! IO.

by steam, and has nine run of stones, and manufactures seventy-five thousand barrels of flour annually.

Hanvey and Smith, from Rochester, New York, put up a large flouring mill on the Lake fork, three miles southeast of Mohicanville, in 1836. It is now known as the " Rochester mill." It has. Eine water power, and does an excellent business.

Michael Diblebess erected, in 1840, a small water. mill where the Berkholder mill now stands, on the Cato- taway, in Montgomery township. It made some flour, and had a hand-bolt.

Thomas Stringci erccted a large grist-mill, on the Black fork, about one mile below Perrysville, in 1839. He owned it but a short time. It has had a stirring career, and has passed through many hands. It is a valuable property, and capable of doing a large business.

John Scott, sr., put up a valuable grist-mill one mile north of Hayesville, on the Ashland road, in 1846, It has a good location, and when the seasons are favorable, docs a fair business. The stream is gradually failing, and the mill will eventually have to be run by steam.

In 1874 Messrs. Roop, Coble and Myers erccted a large brick mill in Ashland. It is driven by steam, and is complete in all its machinery. It is capable of pro- ducing one hundred barrels of flour per day. It was put in motion early in 1875, and has already become noted for its excellent work. It is one of the most val- uable mills in northern Ohio.

CHOP. MILLS AND WHISKEY.

As reference has frequently been made to chop-mills, in connection with distilleries, it is proper to state that our pioneers were not particularly noted for intemperance. Distilleries, like mills, were a necessity. There was a surplus of corn and rye, while there were neither pur- chasers nor a market. Transportation by wagons to Portland, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh, was attended with much cxpense. The only way the surplus corn and rye could be made available was to convert them into whiskey, which could be exchanged for grocerics, salt and goods. The whiskey thus manufactured was put into barrels and hanled to market. The result was that many distilleries sprang up in cvery part of the country, and chop-mills came into use. It will be seen, therefore, that good rye whiskey soon became a "legal tender" in the market. Improved modes of conveyance have long since disposcd of the choj-mills and the numerous distilleries. Whiskey is an institution, nevertheless. It pays an enormous revenue,. and is feared alike by the politician and the moralist.

It was said in classie times, that "the mills of the Gods ground slow, but exceedingly fine." It will be observed that the earlier mills of the pioneers not only ground ex- ceedingly slow, but also exceedingly coarse.

I have adverted to the earlier mills, because many of the mill-boys of sixty years agone are yet with us. Many pleasant memories cluster about those days. Trips of thirty miles, os pack-saddles, through the forests, along the winding paths, were not without interest. Sleeping on the mill floors upon an empty sack -- the

delay to obtain a grist, and the lively jokes and songs of those days, must often come to recollection. As the aged mill-boys now meander through the country, by the old mill seats, I have no doubt they are often led to exclaim-

"Here's the path by the long deserted mill, And the stream by the old bridge, broken still, And the golden willow boughs bending low,

To the green sunny banks where the violets bios ; The wild birds are singing the same sweet lays, That charmed me in dreams of the dear old days. "

MILLWRIGHTS.

John Horrick miade most of the nigger-head hominy mortars, and coffee mill-stones.

Colonel John Murray was the most noted millwright in this part of the county. When a young man. he learned his trade in Louisville, Kentucky. He is said to have been a very ingenious workman. Colone! George W. Urie and Isaac Stull. both citizens of Ashland, learned of Colonel Murray.

Abraham Holmes, who resided near Windsor, in Rich- land county, constructed a good many mills along the Black fork and in other localitics.

Daniel Kauffman, who built the Charles mill, was re- garded as a good mechanic. He resides in Richland county.

John Brown, of Millbrook Wayne county, built the Carter Mill, and some others, in the county. He is said to have becon a good mechanic.

NOTE. - In writing the foregoing sketch it was hapossible to obtain the exact date of the crection of all the mills, many of the parties having long since removed or deceased.

CHAPTER AXX.

THE VILLAGES AND TOWNS OF ASHLAND COUNTY.

Loudonville .- Perrysville. - Jeromeville. - Ashland. - - Mitfin. . . Swvan- nah .- Orange. -- Hayesville. - Perrysburg4. - Mohicanville -- Sullivan . . Lafayette .- Polk. - Ruggles 'Center.

IN the long future, it may be interesting to recur to the appearance. growth, and decay of villages and towns within the limits of this county. We will, therefore. proced to notice the location and survey of each.

LOUDONVILLE,

in Hanover township, was laid out August 6. 1814, by James Loudon Priest and Stephen Butler, and contained at the census of i87o, a population of eight hun- dred and eleven. It is located in the northeast corner of the township, on the banks of the Black fork of the Mohican, which was navigable. for many years, for small craft. The Pittsburgh and Fort Wayne tail- road passes through it, and adds drift and enterprise to the place. The road was constructed in the seas 1852 and 1953, and, since its completion, the town has grown quite rapidty. Recently, many fine brick buildings have been constructed along its principal

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

business streets, and a number of handsome and valua- ble brick residences put up, in different parts of the original town, and several very showy ones in a new ad- dition above the depot. During the construction of the Wallonding canal, some thirty-five years ago, it was pro- posed to continue it up the lake and Black fork; and Loudonville was made a point. After that enterprise was abandoned, the village failed to improve, until the completion of the railroad. A good deal of business is now transacted in the town. It furnishes a good market for all the surplus grain and stock of the southeast part of the county. It has a spirited population. and con- tains two good hotels, a bank, several dry goods estab- !ishments, a drug store, a tin and hardware store, a foandry, a carriage manufactory, a large tannery, an excellent steam grist-mill, clothing stores, blacksinith shops, lumber yards, cabinet shops, shoe stores, a gun- smith, five or six fine churches, a newspaper, several physicians, and a lawyer. The country around the town is healthy, and the hills and valleys are quite romantic ; and many legends are related, concerning the red men that roamed up and down the streams of Hanover, three-quarters of a century agone.

PERRYSVILLE,

in Green township, from the victory of Commodore Perry, September 10, 1813; was the second village in the present limits of Ashland county. It was laid out June 10, 1815, by Thomas Coulter. Its growth for many years was moderate. In the days of the con- struction of the Ohio canals, this village had large. ex. . pectations concerning the route of the extension of the Walhonding canal. It is located on the Black fork, which was navigable to within a little distance of the vil- lage. As early as 1822 a number of flat-boats were built in its vicinity, loaded with the surplus products of Green township, and sent south. Since the completion of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago railroad, which passes through the town, its growth has been quite rapid. It has a station and warehouse, and large quantities of grain, and the surplus stock of the south- east part of the county are here purchased and shipped w :st. This adds greatly to the thrift and enterprise of the town. Its population is estimated at about five hun- dred. The village contains three stores, a foundry, a fine grist-mill, a tavein, a post-office, one Presbyterian, one Baptist, and one Methodist church. two blacksmith shops, a carriage and wagon manufactory, four physi- cians, and an excellent institution of learning. The town is surrounded by a rich valley of land, which is cul- tivated by hundreds of thrifty and prosperous farmers. The outlook for the future is very flattering. Her academy, under the management of Professor J. C. Sample, is an orpament to the town, and cannot fail to contribute to the intelligence and prosperity of her people.

JEROMEVILLE,

in Mohican township, named after John Baptiste Jerome, the original proprietor of the land upon which it was surveyed, was the third town within the present him-

its of Ashland county, having been laid out February 14, 18:5, by Christian Deardorff and William Vaughn; and is now estimated to contain a population of about four hundred. It is eligibly located in the northwest part of the township, on the old and much traveled road from Wooster to Mansfield, and prior to the construction of railroads, had a large patronage from the traveling public, and was a good business town. The interests of the town would be greatly enhanced by the construction of a railroad up the valley to Ashland, which project is now being considered by her most enterprising citizens. It contains two or three small stores, two hotels, a carriage manufactory, two cabinet shops, a harness shop, three blacksmith shops, several shoe shops, one wagon shop, a tailor, several groceries, two physicians, a fine mill, and an excellent school .. It also has one Presbyterian, one Methodist and one Disciple church. It is surrounded by fine farming land and industrious farmers, whose pat- ronage adds to the prosperity of the town. No better agricultural lands can be found in the State than those along the branches of Mohican; and all the farmers need is access to a ready market for all their surplus products, to make them wealthy and independent.

ASHLAND,

formerly Uniontown, in Montgomery township, was laid out by William Montgomery, July 28, 1815, and was the fourth town within the present limits of Ashland county .. It retained the name of Uniontown, until the establish- ment of a post-office, in 1822, which was called Ashland, because there was another Uniontown in the State. The village thersupon received the name of Ashland. Mr. Frank Graham, now (1876) eighty-five years old, was the first postmaster.

Ashland is situated on sections seven, eight, seventeen . and eighteen, and is estimated to contain a population of three thousand. In 1822, the village contained about twenty log cabins, one small dry goods store, a black- smith, two distilleries, a tannery, a shoemaker, a tailor. a hatter, a cooper, a wheelwright, a small tavoin, and one physician. The inhabitants of the village were William Montgomery, farmer; Philip Shaffer, shoemaker; Elias Slocum, tavern keper; Alanson Andrews, farnier: George W. Palmer, distiller; Samuel Urie, blacksmith ; Joseph Sheets, tailor ; Joseph Markley, distiller; David Markley; Amos Antibus, hatter; Ebenezer D. Nighti .- gill, hatter; Mr. Barr, cooper; Francis Graham, store- keeper; John Croft, tanner: Alexander Miller, cabinet- maker: Joel Luther, physician. This was really the be- ginning of the village. The principal street was very crooked, and the cabins were ranged along either side of it. A grist- and saw-mill or two, all propelled by water, soon appeared. Jacob Grubb, an excellent cabinet- maker, and other mechanics, soon erected dwellings. . 1 demand for more goods introduced other business mer, and more stores were opened. The original pla filled rapidly, and more room was required. Markley's aldi- tion was laid out, and, in a few years, Alanson Andrews, Francis Graham, Joseph Sheets and Christopher My. krante added their additions. Then, in :846, AAshland

; HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO

became the seat of justice, and South Ashland was laid out. More recently, the additions of Rocky, Cowan & Myers, and Willis, have been added. Some of the orig. inal streets have been straightened and considerably ex- tended, while Main and Orange streets have been paved and guttered with bowlders. The original cabins and frame structures have gradually disappeared, and been re- placed by fine brick buildings along Main and other streets. For many years Ashland was noted for its ex- cellent academy. This was suffered to be merged into the union school system in 1850. At present, her schools are in a prosperous condition. The town con- tains ten churches, nine Protestant and one Catholic. It has three 'banks, an Odd Fellows' hall, and a masonic lodge, two mannfactories of agricultural implements, four blacksmith shops, two large steam grist-mills, three car- riage and wagon manufactories, two steam saw-mills, two fumiber yards, two large tanneries, four harness and sad- die shops, four shoe stores, three hardware stores, three clothing stores, two hotels, five dry goods stores, four provision stores, three stove and tin stores; two silver- ware and jewelry stores, two bakery establishments, two printing offices, one gun store, three butcher shops, two furniture stores, one furniture manufactory, sixteen phy- sicians, two dentists, thirteen lawyers, three livery estab- lishments and two book stores.

The county buildings add to the business of the place during the sessions of the court, and the payment of taxes. The New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio railroad, with its warehouses and depot, is within the northern limits of the town, and adds to its property wealth. All in all, we conclude that in the future, as in the past, Ashland will go steadily forward in the increase of her population, in wealth, and number of valuable improve- ments. It is surrounded by a fine, productive country, and can sustain a much greater population.

MIFFLIN,

formerly called Petersburgh, in Mifflin township, was laid out by William B. James, Peter Deardorff, and Sam- uel Lewis, June 16, 1816. It was located on the old State road leading from Wooster to Mansfield. For many years it was very thrifty, and, under the old stage cra, and during the early settlement of Richland county, was well patronized by the traveling public. George Thomas erected the first tavern, which he conducted until about 1820. The removal of the old stage lines, and the construction of railroads, diverted travel to other lines, and for many years the village has been sustained almost exclusively by the patronage of the farmers of Mifflin. It has one tavern, one store, one cabinet shop, one blacksmith shop, one grocery, a post-office, an excel- · lent district school, one church, one physician, and one shoe shop. It contains a population of about one hundred and fifty.

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History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 18

Author: Hill, George William, b. 1823; Williams Bros Publication date: 1880 Publisher: [Cleveland] Williams Number of Pages: 896

Author: Hill, George William, b. 1823; Williams Bros
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: [Cleveland] Williams
Number of Pages: 896