USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 57
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center, a distance of ten miles, they cut a road through the forest, to enable their teams to pass. They arrived August 28, 1817. The log hut, enclosed on two sides and one end, which had been erected and occupied by the surveyors the year before, was given to Mr. and Mrs. James Palmer to occupy, while the rest of the families slept in their wagons about three weeks, until cabins could be erected for their accommodation. Two hewed log houses were built near the center of the town. Mr. Palmer went to the village of Wooster, on foot, by paths through the forest, to obtain glass for his windows. The nearest mill was also that of Stibbs, near Wooster, to which the new settlers in Sullivan re- sorted for their grists. Mr. Parmely and others soon conceived the idea of erecting a horse-mill in the center. The people, far and near, came there to have their grinding done, after staying all night. Mr. George Mann was the next pioneer. When it became necessary to establish a post-office in the Center, about the year 1820, Mr. Parmely was made the first postmaster. In 1822 he removed to Elyria, and Mr. John Gould was appointed postmaster. In 1833 Mr. Parmely re- turned to Sullivan and reoccupied his old farm. In company with Alexander Porter, he erected a large steam grist- and saw-mill, and established a dry goods store at the Center.
In 1843 he was elected representative from Lorain county to the legislature. After the expiration of his term he attended at Columbus as lobby member several years, to procure the ercction of a new county, of which Sullivan was proposed to be the seat of justice. It was believed by him that ample territory could be procured from the surrounding counties to erect such a county. A counter project was set on foot by rival interests, cul- minating in the erection of Ashland county in the winter of 1846. This unexpected result terminated the legisla- tive efforts of Mrs. Parmely. He returned to the routine of business, and conducted his store until advancing age required his retiren:ent." He was noted as a thorough- going, energetic and upright business man. He was cx- ceedingly industrious, and during his pioneer life labored early and late. His axe was heard ringing amid the wilds. He felled the lofty forest tices, and soon made "the wilderness blossom as the rose." He was strictly honorable in business, mild in disposition, genial and kind to all. He was a friend to the struggling pioneer. and always ready to lend a helping hand to worthy enterprises. He was an earnest member of the Christian church, and a diligent student of the scriptures. He was, for many years, a member of the Baptist church, which was established at an early day in Sullivan. Upor bear- ing the doctrines advocated by Alexander Campbell, he became warmly attached to that reform, and helped or ganize the first Disciple church in Sullivan. For a period of nearly seventy years his name was enrolled as a mem- ber of the Baptist and Disciple churches. He died January 23, 1874, aged nearly ninety years. Mrs. Louis Gould Parmely, his wife, was born January 31, 1;80, and died April 12, 1873, about nine months prior to the decease of her husband. Her ancestors were also Eng.
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.
lish, and settled at Newburyport, as early as 1644. She was a Christian lady, and much beloved by her children and acquaintances. Her house was the minister's home, and many pilgrims were sent on their way rejoicing by the ministrations of this excellent woinan. Eight of her nine surviving children were at her funeral. "The mem- ory of the just is blessed."
The children of Sylvanus Parmely were-Manning, Louis, Louisa, Rosetta M., Sylvia P., Ellesworth, Jane 1 .. , Celia D., Melvin B., and Sarah A. Louisa married Robert B. Campbell, of New Orleans; Rosetta M., John P. Mann, of Sullivan; Sylvia P., John L. Campbell, of Cincinnati; Jane L., John M. Gorham, of Ashland; Celia D., James Pritchard; Sarah A., Stephen Doughton. Ellesworth resides in Wisconsin, and M. B. in Dayton, Ohio.
The whole number of families arriving in 1817 was nine. There were but twenty-seven families there in 1824, and in 1825, about twenty-nine. Jesse Chamber- lain and Betsy, his wife, are the only heads of families now (1876) living, of the original pioneers, Aretas Marsh having deceased May 2, 1876, aged seventy-seven years. Whitney Chamberlain is eighty-two years old, and his wife, Maritta, is eighty years old.
Many of the children of the first settlers reside in Sui- livan township. Ashley Parmely, son of Asahel Parmely, born February 21, 1818, was the first birth in the town- ship. He is now (1876) living on the farm first pur- chased by his father in Sullivan. Mrs. Sylvia Parmely Campbell was the second birth in the town, June 3, ISTS, She was the daughter of Sylvanus and Louis Parmely. John Parmely was the first death in the township, in the spring of ISI8.
The Baptist church reorganized in 1334. A new house of worship was erected in 1839. The Methodists had a small church in 1833. The church of Christ was organ- ized in 1837. The Methodist Episcopal church has gone down. The others possess a good membership.
JACOB CROUSE.
Among the early pioneers of Montgomery township, Jacob Crouse occupies a high place in the esteem of his neighbors, by reason of his good sense, frugality, intelli- gence and integrity. He was born in the State of Mary- land, near Antietam, Septen:ber 10, 1775. When a young man, in 1799, he sought and obtained employment in Fayette county, Pennsylvania. At this period the set- tlements adjoining the Ohio river were just beginning to recover from a long continuance of the Indian wars. Very few families had wholly escaped the tomahawk and gleaming scalping-knife. The frightful sealp-halloo and shrill shriek of the red warriors had sent terror into thou- sands of cabins. A few of the most hearty frontiersmen ventured to locate west of the Ohio river; and about the year 1So7 Jacob Crouse and wife located a cabin home in Colmiobiana county, where a few of their neighbors and acquaintances had removed.
That region was often traversed by the humble red
men after their disastrous route by General Wayne, in the northwest. In fact, their path leading to "old Pitts- burgh" ran through that part of the newly-organized State of Ohio, and it was not uncommon to see hundreds of Delawares and Wyandots loaded with peltry on their way to Fort Pitt, to purchase blankets, cloths and ammu- nition in exchange for furs.
In 1801 Mr. Crouse married Rebecca Reifsnyder, of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, who willingly accompa- nied him to the wilds of Ohio, and endured the priva- tions incident to pioneer life, that she and her husband might in the future become the happy possessors of a homestead.
In 1812, upon the surrender of General Hull, at De- troit, and the assassinations upon the Black fork, Mr. Crouse was drafted, with many of his neighbors, to as- sist in defending the helpless pioneers of the northwest against the savage incursions of the Wyandots and Dela- wares. He was enrolled in the company commanded by Captain Foulks, and made ensign, and thecompany entered the regiment of General Beall, and marched to the vil- lage of Wooster, where a block-house was erected and part of a company stationed, and from there a wagon- trail was cut to the place of John Baptiste Jerome; (now Jeromeville) where another block-house was built and a part of a company stationed; thence, they cut a trail, (now known as Beall's trail), across the north part of what is now Vermillion, the south part of Montgomery, and the middle part of Milton townships, and thence west across the northern part of Richland county, in the direction of Fort Meigs. He served six months, and was discharged in the spring of 18(3, and returned to Columbiana county.
In January, 1814, Martin Mason and Jacob Young visited the regions of Jeromeville, Loudonville, Mans- field, Ashland, and Orange township, with the view of locating wild lands. Their report of the new country was so flattering that they concluded to enter a number of tracts, at the land office in Canton, and return, with others, and put up cabins. In August, Martin Mason, Jacob Mason, Jacob Crouse, Martin Hester, Lot Tod, and Peter Biddinger returned and erected six cabins on lands since owned by the respective parties, and cut and cured a lot of prairie hay, and made preparations to bring on their families, and returned. In October, 1814. Martin Mason, Jacob Crouse, Jacob Young, Joseph Bishop, and their families, removed to their new cabins on the branches of the Mohican. The new colony, in- cluding old and young, numbered thirty one. The route was along the old army trail to Jerome's block-house, and the home of John Carr, now the Nailor farm, where they rested one night, in his cabin, having slept or tented in the air, the entire distance. From thence, they cut a wagon-path up the east side of the Jerome fork, across lands now owned by Joseph Chandler, and thence, across Catotawa, to the cabin formerly owned by Daniel Mirtey, now by Andrew Mason, to the cabin of Jacob Young, some distance west of the present Croase school- house, where they all rested one night. The next mom. ing Jacob Crouse moved into his own cabin, near where
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.
the residence of john Doty now stands. He had leased one hundred and sixty acres, being of the Virginia nali. tary lands, for ninety-nine years, and began to prepare a field to plant corn in the succeeding year. His first field was where the Doty orchard now is.
Like all good and intelligent pioneers, the first thought, after preparing a cabin for the reception of their families, and a field for culture, the new colony turned attention to the necessity of training youth in lessons of Christian culture and civilization. Mr. Crouse proposed to donate one acre of land on his north bound- ary, for school purposes, and to be used as a cemetery. The proposition was accepted, and a comfortable log house was erected about where the present school-house stands, and dedicated to the culture of the youthful mind. The first school was taught there in the winter of 1815-16, by John Swigatt. Ever since that time, that temple of knowledge has been known -- and justly too- as the "Crouse school-house." Let it always retain that name.
A year or two after the expiration of the term of 'Squire Robert Newell, the pioneers of Montgomery elceted Jacob Crouse a justice of the peace, and he served three years, and then declined re-election. His manner was modest and retiring, and official life had no charms for him.
He took a deep interest in the prosperity of common schools, and one of liis sons, Jonas H., became a very energetic and noted teacher.
He and his lady connected with the Lutheran church, in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and remained zealous and leading members nearly fifty years. Mr. Crouse died of pulmonary disease, September 14, 1839, aged sixty-four years and four days; his wife survived him until 1850. They sleep in Crouse's cemetery.
His family living at his decease, consisted of Catha- rine, wife of John Proudfit, Isaac, Benjamin, Jonas H., Isaiah, Mariah, wife of Martin Wolf, and Anna, wife of Thomas Urie, jr .; all are now deceased.
JACOB YOUNG,
of Orange, was born in Hardy county, Virginia, January 1, 1773. His parents were natives of Bavaria, Ger- many, and immigrated to America about the year 1743. The Youngs settled in Virginia, and the father and mother of Jacob Young (the mother's name was Cox), landed in New York, and subsequently settled in Virginia, where Andrew Young, father of Jacob, mar- ried into the Cox family. When Jacob Young was four or five years old his father removed to Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, then considered part of Virginta, and located near Ten Mile creek. He subsequently served some two years as teamster in the Revolutionary army, and died on his homestead about the year tSoy, at an advanced age.
Jacob grew to manhood in Washington county, and married Mary Mason, of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, June 7, 1795, and, in isoq removed to and located in -
Columbiana county, in the newly admitted State of Ohio, where he remained until October, 1814, when he removed to Orange township, then in Richland, but now in Ashland county, Chin, where he had erected a cabin the preceding year. Prior to his removai he had entered, at the office at New Lisbon, a number of tracts of land, one of which is now (1878) owned by John Crivelin, one by the heirs of the late George Hall, one by Isaac Mason, one by William Rhone, and another by Rev. William Sattler, His route to his new home was by the old army trail to Wooster, thence by Beall's trail to Je- rome's Place and block-house, now Jeromeville, and thence up the Mohican, by a new path passing near where Andrew Mason now resides, and thence to his cabin on the present Sattler farm. But few settlers had preceded him, and his cabin was in the midst of an al. most unbroken forest. It was a lonely home, and he was soon serenaded by wolves and the screams of other wild animals. As soon as he had arranged for winter he set to work upon the rich alluvial bottoms to prepare ground for culture the next year. The forests were of stupendous growth, and required much toil to cut and remove them. During the winter his family lived upon corn-bread, milk, and such wild meat as he could secure by means of bis trusty riffe. The hominy block was brought into requisition, and such corn as could be pro- cured in Columbiana county and in the vicinity of, Woos- ter, was prepared for use. His nearest neighbors were Solomon Urie, Vachtel Metcalf, Amos Norris, Patrick Murray, and Jacob Crouse, to whose number others were soon added.
An old Delaware and Wyandot trail ran near his cabin. and Indians frem Sandusky frequently passed along. with furs and skins to Pittsburgh and returned with new blankets, ammunition, and such other articles as they re- ceived in exchange for peltry; but were then: quite civil. They occasionally called at his cabin, in small numbers, for something to eat, and always were served by Mrs. Young when she had anything to allay their hunger. After 1817 they rarely visited the cabin, when off their reservation, which was situated in what is now Marion county, Ohio. They generally hunted in the forests along Black river and in Huron, Lorain and Media counties. They finally disappeared about 1824, and went west in 18:9. In bis bunting excursions he often met small parties of Delawares in the northein forests. On one occasion, in attempting to poss silently to a re- sort for deer -- a sort of lick -- he came quietly upon an old Delaware seated upon a log, soundly asleep, and ap- parently very much exhausted from fatigue and want of food. Upon his approach the Indian was very much frightened; but Mr. Young advanced, showing by signs that he intended no harm, and, upon discovering the real situation of the Indian, drew from the pocket of his hunting shirt a corn cake, which he tendered to his red friend, which was eagerly accepted. The Indian Knes'd down in token of thankfulnesss, at the same time point ing toward the heavens, as if to intimate that the Great Spirit would reward hit for generously feeding the hun. gry.
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.
In 1833. when the great stellar shower took place, when it seemed as if the universe were coming to an end, Mr. Young was hunting in the north woods along the banks of the Black river, and slept of nights in a rude hut or wigwam covered with bark. The singular appear- ance of the heavens amazed him, and fear that some great evil might befall his family seized upon him, but upon his return he was happy to discover that his appre- hensions were baseless. The heavens had again become calm, and the fiery torches that blazed through the lim itless regions of space had disappeared, and all nature seemed at rest. It was not a matter of surprise that he should have been alarmed, for philosopher and divine alike trembled at beholding the phenomenon, and were uncertain as to its final termination.
Mr. Young succeeded in raising a few acres of corn the first year; but was compelled to depend largely up- on the chase for meat. His neighbors were few and far between, and he was often requested to assist in erect- ing cabins for bew settlers, to roll logs, and do other acts of good neighborhood, to all of which he responded, often boarding himself in addition to services rendered, and at the same time furnishing seed corn to the new- comer. Indeed, though industrious, economical, and careful, he found it difficult to protect himself and fam- ily from suffering, until he had succeeded in raising a few crops. Nevertheless, short as was his home supply, he was noted for his generous aid to all comers, even to squandering his own profits by helping parties who were subsequently unable or unwilling to pay him in return. His wife often related that they had, not unfrequently, been so short of meat, for the first year or two, that Mi. Young depended almost wholly upon his gun, from day to day, for a supply; and often returned, hungry and weary, without game, and made a supper upon milk and pouc. In his hunting excursions, during his earlier years, he often met, in the northern forests, that skilful and successful woodman and hunter, Solomon Urie. He often found signs of bear, and frequently succeeded in capturing bruin, of whose flesh he was very fond. Deer were very common, and turkeys often made havoc with cornfields, in the fall of the year. Wolves were also numerous, and very destructive on sheep: their scalps commanded a fair price in money.
Mrs. James Kerr, daughter of Jacob Young, has in her possession a family Bible purchased by her father, with wolf scalps, in Columbiana county, over sixty-five years ago. It was a book duly venerated by Mr. Young, during his life. He made a conscientious effort to fo !- low its precepts.
In July, 1815, John Whittaker, a surveyor of Colum- biana county, was employed by William Montgomery to survey the original plat of the village of Uniontown, now Ashibind, Ohio, and bearded at the cabin of Jacob Young, while so doing; for the site of the new village was covered by the original forest, and had no boarding houses or hotels for the accommodation of travelers.
In 1815 he helped erect the first school-house in Orange township, near his residence, in which John Swi Katt tought the first school, in the winter of 15:5 16,
and married Barbara Young, about the close of his school, which is supposed to have been the first wedding in Orange township. The ceremony was performed by 'Squire Newell, of Montgomery township, at the cabin of Jacob Young.
Mr. Young became a member of the Evangelical Lu- theran church at the age of seventeen years, in Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, and continued faithful until his decease, which occurred in 1862, at the age of eighty-nine years, a period of about seventy-one years.
It is a sufficient panegyric upon the life and character of Mr. Young to say, that he never had a quarrel with any man; that he never sued any man; that he was never a defendant in a law-suit; that he was generous to all men; and that, while he was born under the do- minion of King George III., he lived to see the inde. pendence of the American Republic, the establishment of the Union, and the prosperity and greatness of the States.
His wife, Mrs. Mary Mason Young, was a member of the same church from iSoo until her decease in 1865. being about ninety years and six months old.
The family of Mr. Young consisted of twelve chil- dren, two boys, John, who died in Van Wert county, Ohio, in 1851, and Abraham, who died in Missouri in 1877 ; and ten girls-Elizabeth, wife of the late Joseph Bishop ; Barbora, wife of John Swigart ; Mary, wife of John Swineford; Christiana, wife of Samuel Baugh- man ; Phobe, wife of Rhinehart Allaphela ; Sarah, wife of Abraham Maiks; Amy, wife of John C. Kerr; Han- nah, wife of Robert McKee; Nancy, wife of Jacob Marietta; and Margaret, wife of Jamies Kerr. All sur- vive but Mrs. Bishop.
The entire family, learned at an early day, lessons of industry, economy and morality, and lived to honor the parents that gave them birth. The loom was their par- lor organ, and the busy hum of the spinning-wheel kept time with the music of the shuttle as it shot to and fro among the warp. All made intelligent, exemplary mothiers, and faithful wives.
HOMER PECK
was born at Kent, Litchfield county, Connecticut, March 3, 1820. In April, 1826, his father, Taylor Peck, and family, consisting of his wife and four children, started in a wagon for Ohio ; on arriving at Albany, New York, they took boat passage on the canal. to Buffalo. They found the route pleasant and cheap. At Batfalo they took passage ou a schooner, and, after enduring a rough and tempestuous journey, arrived safely at Sandusky City. At that point Taylor Peck hired a team to remove his family and goods to Ruggles township, Heron, now Ashland, county. The trip occupied three days. The streamis were full, and had to be forded at some risk. The road, a mere path cut through the forest, was tough and fall of chuck holes. Upon reaching the center Mr. Peck and family were kindly received and sheltered under the hospitable roof of Daniel Beach, who bad pre
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.
ceded him some three years to Ruggles township. When Mr. Peck arrived, there were about eight families in the township. He purchased one hundred and fifty-seven acres of land, in lots twenty and twenty-seven, section three, and went to work to clear the same; and by the aid of his neighbors soon had comfortable buildings and other improvements. Mrs. Jerusha Peck died in 1835, and Taylor Peck, the husband, died September 24, 1855. Homer Peck, a son, and subject of this sketch, married in 1845. His family consisted of four daugh- ters, three of whom sarvive. Mr. Peck has lived to see the last of the pioneers pass away-being Harvey Sacket, who died August 11, 1875. He has been justice of the peace five terms. He is a member of the Congre- gational church, a Republican, and a reputable citizen.
ABRAHAM ARMENTROUT
was born near Harrisonburgh, Rockingham county, Vir- ginia, December 15, 1797. In his youth he attended a subscription school and studied the elementary branches. In 1812 he volunteered, and served three months in the company of Captain William Harrison, under Colonel Spangler, at Richmond and Camp Bottom's bridge. Af. ter the expiration of his service he was apprenticed and learned the trade of a carpenter and house joiner. About the year 1817 his brother George, and family, removed to Worthington township, Richland county, and located near the present site of Newville. He was also a car- penter.
In December, 1818, Abraham Armentrout, then a single young man, journeyed on foot from Rockingham county, Virginia, through Cumberland, Maryland, along the pike which had been completed to Wheeling, where he crossed the Ohio river, and continued along Zane's trace to Zanesville, thence up the Licking to Newark, and thence to Mount Vernon, and, by the path leading through Clinton, to Lewis' block-house, on the Clear fork, where he found his brother. He married Miss Priscilla Wade, and worked at his trade until about 1821, when he became a farmer, and continued at that occu- pation until 1840, when he located at Hayesville, in what is now Ashland county After his arrival in this county he kept a hotel about fourteen years, and, in 1854, became postmaster, and retained the office to the close of the administration of President Buchanan.
In September, 1863, Mrs. Amentrout deceased, since which period he has resided in the family of his sou, Wade Armentrout, of Kayesville. He is in fair health, and possesses a good deal of physical vigor for a man of his age. The ancestors of Mr. Armentrout were En- glish and German -on his father's side German, and on his mother's English. They settled in Rockingham county about the year 1690. His grandfather, Henry Armentrout, died there in 1792, at an advanced age. His father died in the same county in 1804.
George Armentrout located in Worthington township. Richland county, in 1817, and Philip Armentrout, an- other brother, in Knox county, near Mount Vernon, and
Jacob in Cedar county, Iowa. The descendants of these brothers are quite numerous. The family retain a num- ber of relics of the olden times. Abraham Armentrout has in his possession a copper tea-kettle, highly finished, which was imported by the family, on the mother's side, from England, about one hundred and fifty years ago. It is in good state of preservation, and quite a curiosity.
The family of Mr. Amentrout consisted of seven chil- dren, three sons and four daughters. Four yet survive- Mrs. Amanda Glass, wife of the late Dr. Samuel Glass, of Ashland, who was born in a little log cabin, twelve by twelve feet, in Worthington township, Richland county, and rocked in an humble cradle; Alpheus, of Windsor, Richland county; Anseville, wife of Judge Jobn J. Gur- ley, of Mt. Gilead, Morrow county, and Wade, who re- sides in Hayesville.
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