History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 49

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

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Aaron Markley now (1880) resides on the old home- stead, is seventy-nine years of age, and is the only mem. ber of the family in this county.

Joseph Markley, sr., died in 1831, aged sixty years, and his wife soon followed him to the tomb. Most of his sons went west, where several of them have risen to posts of honor.

VACHEL METCALE.

One of the first settlers in the township of Orange was Kachel Metralt, originally from Washington county, Pennsylvania. When quite a young man, Mr. Metcalf joined the expedition of General Anthony Wayne, which

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

organized at Pittsburgh, and drilled for some time at Legionville, about thirty miles below that city, on the banks of the Ohio river. When Wayne's legion de- scended the Ohio to Fort Washington, how Cincinnati, Mr. Metcalf accompanied it, as a private in a Pennsylva- nia company. He went with the army to the northwest, and participated in all the skirmishes, until the final con- test at Fallen Timbers in 1794. After the treaty he re- turned with the Pennsylvania troops.

During the great battle of Fallen Timbers Mr. Met- calf and four comrades, in a charge, became separated from their company in the forest, and were immediately pursued by the savages. They were unable to rejoin their company without a terrible conflict, in which all might lose their lives. In this crisis they struck out boldly through the forest, making a circuit of some four miles to reach the rear-guard of the army. They made the best time possible, and being strong and active, kept at a safe distance in advance of their pursuers. Although shots were frequently exchanged, none of the party were wounded; but all were much fatigued by the race for life.

In the spring of 1810 a number of families from west- ern Pennsylvania and Virginia located in Mohican, then Killbuck township, Wayne county. Mr. Alexander Fin- ley had settled at a point now known as Tylertown, in the spring of 1809, being the first pioneer in the town- ship. Mr. Metcalf entered a farm in what is now known as the "Bunn settlement." He selected a fine quarter section in the forest, put up a cabin, and commenced to clear a field. He was a man of strong will, full of cour- age, of much physical power, and of unshrinking deter- mination when he had formed a resolution. He looked forward to a time when he would have an excellent farni and valuable improvements, to reward his toil and priva- tions. He was a inan of peace, and loved good neigh- bors. He was astonished. however, to And that tricky neighbors envied his choice of land, and were laying schemes to dispossess him.

The fact was, Mr. Metcalf had failed to secure his cer- tificate of entry before commencing improvements on his new farm. This became known to a few, and a med- dlesome neighbor resolved on securing the title. The sly neighbor, in order not to excite suspicion, employed a young man to visit the land office at Canton, and enter the land .* In doing so, he rode past the cabin of Mr. Metcalf in the day time, and, on enquiry, Mrs. Metcalf strongly suspected from his evasive answers, the object of his trip. She hastened to her husband, who was chopping some distance from the cabin, in the forest, and related the circumstance. Mr. Metcalf was con- vinced that all was not right. He requested his wife to return to the cabin, make two small linen bags into which he might put his hard money: and also to put up for lunch some cold corn-bread and pork. By the titne this had been done, he reached the cabin, lunched, and tak ing the two "money-bus," meining each one hundred dollars in silver, he started down a path healing by the

"James Hay un, who subsequenth mosed to Wood county, Ohio, and 1

deceased in ador.

present site of Wooster, and thence, in the direction of Canton, the location of the land office. Sometime in the early part of the night be reached a point where, for several miles, at certain seasons, the trail was very swampy and difficult to pass on horseback. He found a cabin, and learned that his adversary had not yet passed that point. He was much fatigued by the weight of his dangling money-bags, and his thighs were considerably bruised and his arms wearied. By permission of the occupants, he took a supper of mush and milk with them, and slept on the floor. Early in the morning, the footsteps of a horse were heard approaching the cabin, in the direction of the swamp. Mr. Metcalf hastily arose, took some refreshments, and learned that at the swamp, a new road had been cut around it, increasing the distance one or two miles. Tle again took his money-bags, and hastened down the path ; and on reaching the swamp, found that the man on horseback had gone around. He kep! straight ahead, and trusted to luck.

On arriving at the opposite side of the swamp, where the new road intersected the old trail, he found, to his joy, that he was again in advance. With renewed en- ergy, he pressed rapidly on, while his adversary, appre- hending no danger, rode leisurely and securely. On ap- proaching the Tuscarawas, he discovered an old friend, by the name of Brady, who often ferried emigrants across the stream. He aided Mr. Metcalf, and informed him that he was the first traveler who had passed in that direction that day. He hastened onward, and arrived at Canton, after a journey of some thirty hours on foot, with jimbs stiffened, and arms bruised by his dangling money-bags, and pi'ed his coin on the table, in the pres- ence of the register, and requested a certificate of entry to be issued as soon as convenient, for the reason that he had traveled a long distance, and desired to return with- out delay. The money was counted, and the certificate filed with a description of the quarter of land desired. Mr. Metcalf received, and carefully placed it among bis papers, and retired from the office. It was, to him, a great victory, and he felt exultant. He was now safe. About two hours after this scene, the young agent rode leisurely up to the register's office, to learn that the cov- eted farmi was in legal possession of its rightful owner. Upon his return honte, his officious neighbor was greatly chagrined.

After the surrender of General Hull, at Detroit, in IS12, the Indians of the northwest assumed a hostile attitude toward the border settlements in Ohio. The Indians at Jerometown and Greentown were ordered, by the State authorities, to be removed from theie vil- lages to Urbana, as a means of safety, until peace should be restored. A few weeks after the removal of thes. Indians, a number of them returned when the Ruffner- Zimmer tragedy took place near the Black fork. This affair was speedily followed hv an attack on the cabin of James Copus, by some forty savages. The settlements we're greatly alarmed, and means of detente alopted as rapidly as possible. There were some six or eight fami- lies in the vicinity of Mr. Mevcut, among who were those of William Bryan, James Conley, Elisna Chiketc.

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY. OHIO.

Benjamin Bunn, James Slater and James Bryan. These met in council at the cabin of Mr. Metcalf, when it was determined that a fort should be built. The building was to be two stories high, the walls of the second story to project two feet beyond the first, on all sides ; the floor and sides of the second story to be pierced with port-holes. The pioneers gathered with their ox-teams, and axes, and the logs were cut and rapidly gathered ; and the building soon completed. The lower story, with strong doors, securely fastened, was to be occupied by the women and children, while the men, with their trusty rifles, were to occupy the second story, in hours of danger and alarm. About one acre of ground was cleared around the foit, and enclosed with a palisade twelve or fourteen feet high, with a strong gate ; and all the families of the neighborhood were gathered into the fort, and the horses and cattle inside the palisade. Mr. Metcalf and his neighbors remained, most of the year, in the fort, occasionally visiting their cabins to see that they were safe, and to cultivate their corn and vege:"- bles, with pickets to guard against surprise by the In- dians. This fort was about two miles below the present site of Jeromeville, and stood on an elevated spot, on the lands of Mr. Metcalf.

In the spring of 1814, Vachel Metcalf and Amos Norris moved into what is now Orange township, and purchased lands adjoining the present village of Orange. They are believed to have been the first settlers in the township, although several other families arrived within that year, among whom were those of Jacob Young, Martin Mason, Jacob Mason, Martin Hester, Joseph Bishop, Solomoa Uric, and john Bishop, single. The cabin' of Mr. Metcalf stood not a great way from the present site of the tannery of Mr. Smurr, on a knoll. Mr. Metcalf had an excellent piece of land, though it was heavily timbered, and required much labor to fit it for cultivation. Being a man of fine physical powers, and of determined purpose, he soon cut away the forest and prepared a desirable homestead. At that day, the pioneers traveled many miles to aid each other in the erection of cabins, in rolling logs and clearing. Mr. Metcalf willingly attended all gatherings of this kind. In fact, the unselfish character of the pioneers was one of the most striking features of the times. Each settler volunteered his aid and good wishes to forward the en- terprises and interests of all new comers. They aided each other in the distribution of sved, and in harvesting their crops. In other words, the "laich-string was always out."

Mr. Metcalf was a very active member of the Meth .. odist Episcopal church, and the organization of the first class was probably the result of his zeal. The first church was built about the year 1830, and he was one of the first class leaders and official members, and is under- stood to have been one of the speakers. In the erection of the present church, in 1853, he was prominent as a member and class-leader. He was a lover of peace and good neighborhood, and his influence went hat toward attaining such a condition of society.

When Orange township was organized, in 1818. Mr.

Metcalf was chosen as justice of the peace, and John. Bishop as constable. Mr. Metcalf was, we believe, elected justice of the peace three times. In politics he was a Whig, and, during the heated campaigns of 18:8 and 1832, his party fell into the minority, and remained so daring most of the balance of his life.

Mr. Metcalf died in 1358, aged about seventy-nine years. He is remembered as a good neighbor, frank and straightforward in his business transactions, and a lover of truth and integrity.

His sons, William and Vachel, removed to Illinois, and Jolin to Michigan. None of his family remain in Orange township.

THOMAS SMITH

was a native of Sussex county, State of Delaware, and was bom Jannary 12, 1780. His parents being quite poor, he was compelled at an early age to enter the em- ploy of strangers to procure a living. When a mere boy he became a sailor, in the coast trade, on the Delaware bay. For many years he followed a seafaring life, dur- ing which he became well versed in the vocabulary of that branch of human enterprise, and obtained from "Jack" a wonderful store of anecdote and song. He was vivacious, brave, and uncommonly active, and prided himself on being an experienced sailor and hardy sea- man. In the meantime, he acquired a fuir knowledge of the English branches taught in the schools of Delaware, wrote a fair hand, and concluded to abandon the sea and seek a home in the far west. In 1805 he married, and in 18o6, with his wife and father's family, emigrated, by the usual route, to Fairfield county, Ohio. It 1813 he was drafted to serve in the army in the northwest part of Ohio, and was out twenty-one days, when perce was dechured and he discharged. In March, ISI8, he emi- grated to Milton township, and located for a short time on what was then known as the Jonathan Markley farm. He, subsequently purchased the farm on which his aged widow now resides, near Burns' school-house, to which he removed. Mrs. Smith thinks his nearest neighbors then were: Nicholas Rutan, John Owens, John Taylor, Jacob Foulks, William Houston, Benjamin Montgomery, Boston Burgett, John Crabbs, David Crabbs, Andrew Buras. Robert Nelson, Frederick Sulcer, John Bryte, and a few others, very much scattered.

At the April election, in 1819. Thomas Smith was elected a constable for Milton township. At the April election of t820 he was elected one of the trustees for Milton township. In i821 he was re-elected. In 1823 he was elected appraiser of property. In :824 he was re-elected appraiser of property. In :$25 he was elected lister and appraiser of property. In 1826 he was elected supervisor for his quarter of the township. In 18:7-8 he was elected overse r of the poor of the township. h i Say he was elected treasurer of Millen townat ip In 1830 he was elected justice of the peace, and was ie. elected the six succeeding terms, making a continued service of twenty one years, Dining his oficial career as

Matau + h -

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

justice of the peace he was repeatedly elected township treasurer, trustee and road supervisor. Very few officials anywhere had a stronger hold upon the confidence of the public. In the midst of his official duties, in 1837, he taught a district school, and acquitted himself to the satisfaction of bis employers.

It may be proper, in this connection, to speak more fully of the popularity of the squire. He was benevo- lent to a fault. He rarely permitted a plaintiff to distress a debtor, always endeavoring to prevent the accumula- tion of cost, by giving the party notice prior to commenc- ing an action. His docket shows that after judgment had been rendered he often neglected to exact the full payment of his own costs. This act of mercy, though it ill rewarded him for his time and worry, made him many friends among the poor pioneers. Again, he was free with his money, social and remarkably shrewd. He could tell a good story, sing a pioneer or sailor song, and was the central figure at a log-rolling, house-raising, corn- husking, or at an election. It was his custom, on elec- tion days, to treat his friends. For many years saloon keepers from Ashland were in the habit of sending beer and gingerbread to the polls in Milton township, at the elections. When Squire Smith was in his prime he often purchased a keg of beer and treated his political friends, and to wind up the sport, took a large roll of gingerbread under each arm, and passing through the crowd, per- mitted those who desired to do so, to pluck off a large slice. This produced much amusement among the young men, and the mirthful voters joining in, the scene was decidedly rich. In the meantime the voting quietly pro- gressed, and Squire Smith was always elected. In the days of old corn whiskey, he was expected to treat with a stronger stimulant than beer. In his familiar moods, he would take a tumbler of whiskey, put in sugar, and stir it with his finger, and invite his friends to drink health and prosperity. To abstinence people this may seem ob- jectionable ; but church members, as well as all others, by the customs of those days, were regarded as uncivii unless they treated their visiting friends.

The long official services of Mr. Smith show that he retained the confidence and respect of the people of his township to the last. He was emphatically an honest man. As a politician he was frank and firm. He de- clared he was a Democrat after the Jeffersonian and Jack- son school.

His death occurred July 18, 1851. Being exceedingly fond of fruit, he climbed upon a rail fence, near his residence, to gather cherries from a tree, and his foot- hold being insecure he fell upon his head and shoulders, dislocating his neck, and expired before he was discoy- ered. He was about seventy-two years of age at his de- cease. His widow, now (1875) eighty-seven years of age, still survives, and possesses a clear recollection of the past, though physically quite frail. Mr. Smith was the father of eleven children-seven sons and four daughters : Robert, Henry, John, Mitchel, Charles, William and Thomas, and Ardilla, Catharine. Margaret and Malinda, all of whom are married, and some of whom reside in other parts of the State.

ROBERT NELSON

was a native of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and born June 29, 1769. . He was educated in the common schools of his native county. He taught school, when a young man, and was regarded as a fine English scholar ind a successful teacher. When about forty-six years of age he purchased the tract of land known as the An- drew Heltioan farm, in Milton township, being Virginia military land : and in 1815, came to the township and erected a sort of camp-cabin, and cleared and cultivated a small field about it. He had his bread prepared by Mrs. Conrad Kline, who resided some distance east of the present site of Ashland, and camped each day to labor at his new home.

He resided in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, from about the year 1801, where he married Miss Emalie Bon- ham, and where were born to him seven of his eleven children.

"In the spring of 1816, he removed to his cabin with his family. From near New Lisbon, he passed up Deall's trail, the common route, to within about one mile of his cabin, and then cut a path. He resided there a short time, and then exchanged his land for a new homestead, where Scott Nelson now resides, where, by the aid of his neighbors, he erected a new cabin, re- moved into it, and continued to reside until his decease. When he landed with his family, there were but few set- tlers in Milton township. His nearest neighbors are be- lieved to have been: James Kingsal, Frederick Sulcer, Peter Lance, James Kelly, and Abraham Doty.

At the time of his arrival, and for many years after- ward, the neighborhood was infested by wolves, which destroyed the sheep, and, when hungry, would frequent- ly attack young calves and pigs. Mrs. Nelson was often compelled to build a fire at night near the pen where she secured the young calves, to keep the wolves from destroying them. Mr. Nelson obtained meal and flour at Beam's mill for a number of years, until mills began to be more numerous.

In 1816, July 6, Milton township was organized, prior to that time being under the control of Mifflin for civil purposes. The petition was drawn by Robert Nelson, the best scholar and penmen in the township, and duly acted upon by the court of common pleas of Richland county, and the request of the petitioners granted. The petition displays considerable ability and readiness of con.position, and is an honor to the author. Its history runs thus:

"Now it came to pass when men began to multiply on this side of the river westward toward the lake, even the great Lake Erie, and the inhabitants of Milton town- ship, became numerous and strong. that they said one to another, go to, let us separate ourselves from Mifflin township, to which they aforetime had been attached ; for why should we be oppressed by our brethren, and costs multiplied on us in carrying us before strangers? Let us select a goodly number from among our breth- ren, that shall bear rule over us. And they prayed the court in Mausfell, and then request was granted. Mil- ton was organized, and became a free and independent

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

township. This happened in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen."

The selfishness of our race is apparent in the forego- ing document, in that, while Milton became " free," her jurisdiction continued over Clearcreek four years after the important event narrated by Mr. Nelson.

Upon the erection of Milton, it is believed Robert MeBeth was elected the first justice of the peace. Mr. McBeth resided in the territory now composing Clear- creek township, which circumstance evinced a disposi- tion on the part of the electors of Milton to divide honors with her neighbor.

In 1819 Robert Nelson was elected a justice of the peace, and served until 1822. In 1817, at the spring election, David Crabbs was elected township clerk, and Benjamin Montgomery, Elijah Charles and Robert Mc- Beth, trustees, and David McKinny, fence viewer, and John Ferrell, appraiser of property, and Abel Mont- gomery and William Houston, listers ; supervisors, Will- iam Houston, Frederick Suicer, and George Burget ; and John Freeborn and Jacob Montgomery, constables; and Jacob Foulk, treasurer.

In 1818 Robert Nelson was elected township clerk, and was re-elected in 1819-20. After the expiration of his term as justice, in 1822, he was re-elected ; and was repeatedly elected trustee and constable after that time.

He is said to have been an upright and popular offi- cer, and could have retained office for many years ; but had no ambition to seek office and public favor in that direction.

When the congregation of "old Hopewell" organized in 1817, Robert Nelson, Abrahan: Doty, Daniel McKinny. William Houston, David Pollock, Jacob McClusky, and Abel Montgomery, Samuel Burns, David Burns, William Andrews, Alexander McCrady, and their wives, in Milton township, became members of the new congregation. Robert Neison and Abraham Doty were elected and or- dained elders. Mr. Nelson remained an elder until ad- vanced age caused him to retire." He died August, 16, 1844, aged seventy five years; and his widow survived until May 31, 1862, when she deceased, at the age of eighty years.

Mr. and Mrs. Nelson were the parents of thirteen chil- dren: Mary, James, Eliza, Rachel, John, Samuel, So- phia, Nancy, Margaret, Scott, Robert, Jane and Milton, all of whom survived Mr. Nelson, he being the first member of the family that deceased. Jolin and Scott and three sisters remain in Milton, five of the family are dead, and three are in other localities.

Mr. Nelson served in the war of 1812, and his widow received a land warrant for his services.i John and Robert, sons of Nelson, served in Mexico in the war of 1846; and Scott Nelson, another son, served in the war of 1861-5 in the South.

Mr. Nelson was an influential and upright citizen

"In the war of 1812, he went as a substitute and was elected onde it sergeant, and served at Erie, Pennsylvania. His brother Withty Nel- son was in the same company and died.

+ At the proper place a history of the organization of " or! It pewell ". of the "Montgomery church," as it was originally called, will be given.

His education and fine judgment qualified him to fill the highest public stations in the county. As a member of the Presbyterian church he was much respected. Diffi- dent and unselfish, he found more real pleasure in being a quiet farmer than in public display and official promo- tion. Devoted to his church and the elevation o fsocie- ty, his example, all through life, was in the direction of good order, obedience to law, and the precepts of relis. ion; and when he had run his course, he passed over the dark stream without fear of regret.

JAMES ANDREWS

was another leading citizen of Milton township. He was a Pennsylvanian by birth, and in 1800 emigrated to Columbiana county, Ohio, where he resided until 1816, when he entered a farm in the south part of Milton township, and removed to it with his family. He served in the war of 1812, as a captain in the Second regiment, Second brigade of Ohio militia, and was promoted, dur- ing his service, to brigade inspector, and obtained a war- rant for his services in 1854. After the organization of Milton township, he served as trustee, constable, super- visor, and justice of the peace, and acquitted himself to the satisfaction of the electors of his township .* He died in the fall of 1863, and was buried in the cemetery in the south part of the township. He was about eighty- five years old at his decease. He left several members of his family, none of whom, we are informed, remain in the township. Mr. Andrews, like his pioncer neigh- bors, passed through many hardships in. preparing his farm for culture. He lived to surround himself with many comforts, and was highly respected. The settlers of his day have nearly all disappeared, and soon there will be none left to tell the story of pioneer life amid the wilds of this region.

MICHAEL CULLER,

of Mifflin, purchased the Zimmer farm in 1815. Hav- ing come from Frederick county, Maryland, by way of Charleston (now Wellsburgh), Virginia, through Cadiz, Ohio, to Wooster, he proceeded thence, by way of Mr. Gardner's (now Windsor); to Mansfield, where he niet Philip Zimmer, whose father, mother, and sister, bad been Killed at the Zimmer cabin on the Black fork, in the fall of r$12, and purchased the farm. To have the deed properly executed, he accompanied Philip to Circleviile, Pickaway county, Ohio, to the residence of George Zim- mer, a brother. Here the deed was signed by Philip Zimmer, May 6, : 815, the original patent being made to him, and signed by James Madison, President, and Ed- ward Tiffin, commissioner of the land office, October 2, 1812. Zimmer was the German name of the family. White Mr. Culler was there Philip married a Miss Pui lentine, and removed west. In aSet he returned to visit

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History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 49

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