History of Clinton County, Ohio Its People, Industries, and Institutions, with Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, Part 49

Author: Albert J. Brown (A.M.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : W.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1108

USA > Ohio > Clinton County > History of Clinton County, Ohio Its People, Industries, and Institutions, with Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families > Part 49

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).

"The above mentioned 'armies' consisted of Colonel Bowman's, in 1779; Gen. George Roger Clark's first, in 1780; Clark's second, in 1782: and Col. Benjamin Logan's. In 1786. Neither Harmar's, St. Clair's, nor Wayne's need be mentioned In this connection, because they were not fitted out in Kentucky, and were not near the Deserted Camp. Bowman and Clark marched against the Shawnee towns, but they either collected their forces at the mouth of the Licking river, opposite the point where Cincinnati now Ja, or marched that way. Neither Bowman nor Clark was ever within the limits of what Is now Clinton county.

"Logan took another route. He marched by way of Bryants Station. on Elkhorn and the Lower Blue Lick to the Ohlo river, where Maysville now Is. This was a large force for that day. It was raised in Kentucky, in October, 1786, and Gen. Benjamin Logan received the command. General Logan, from whom Logan county derived its name, was a man well acquainted with Indian warfare and well qualified to command. The numerical strength of the force was variously estimated at from four hundred to seven hundred men. It was the second expedition fitted out in Kentucky that year. The first, commanded by George Rogers Clark, fifteen hundred strong, was on its way to the Illinois country. Kentucky had sustained a heavy drain of her men to supply the requisite forre of General Clark's expedition, and when General Logan's call was made and responded to. she was, as It were. deprived of male help and defense.

"The mustering of these forces prevented the meeting of the convention elected to form a constitution for the state.

"The expedition under General Logan was raised for the purpose of punishing the warlike Shawneres for their murders and cruel outrages, and to keep the warriors of the

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Miami, Wyandot, Delaware and Shawnee tribes close at bome, while General Clark was operating against the Wabash and Vermilion Indians.

"The men engaged in General Logan's expedition, among whom were Daniel Boone, Major (afterwards General ) Simon Kenton, Judge MeManis (an early associate judge of Clinton county) and Col. Robert Patterson (one of the proprietors and on old resident of Dayton), were mostly backwoods riflemen. All were mounted. They crossed the Ohio river at Limestone, now Maysville, and took a course almost directly north, aiming to strike the first blow at the Shawnee town on Mad river, the birthplace of the great Tecumseh, situated about five miles southwest of the site of the present city of Spring- field, Clark county. They entered Into what is now Clinton county at or near Lynch- burg, Richland county, passed east of the sites of Martinsville, Morrisville and WHming- ton, and west of the site of New Antioch, and encamped for the night at this point. since known as the Deserted Camp.

"Some time during the night. a Frenchman belonging to Logan's army deserted to give notice to the Indians of the near approach of the Kentuckians. The fact of his desertion was soon ascertained. The army was aroused and put in motion. The race for the Indian village was closely contested, but the deserter, having the advantage of the start. retained it until the end. When Logan arrived at the principal Indian town, the ludians were aroused and evidently trying to make their escape. The deserter had given notice of the approach of the Kentuckians, but not in time to enable the Indians to get away. Their towns were destroyed by fire and their fields of corn laid waste. Twenty warriors were killed, seventy or eighty prisoners taken. and the women and children left but a precarious supply of miserable food.

"The Frenchman who deserted from Logan's army had been taken prisoner by General Clark, in one of his campaigns in Illinois, under such circumstances as plainly showed that he and the Indians were not on opposite sides. He was permitted to accompany the army of Clark to Kentucky, where he remained two years, when he joined the forces of Logan and accompanied them to the crossing of Todd's fork.

"The camp then and there made was a controlling call for the deputy surveyor of Colonel Anderson, the principal surveyor of the lands reserved by the state of Virginia. for the officers and men of three years' service in the Virginia, or Continental, establish- ment. On the county map, it is named the Deserted Camp. Five military surveys start from this spot, as one corner of each of these surveys. All call for beginning at Logan's encampment in October, 1750, where a man deserted from him.'"

SHADAGEK.

The location of the court house in what is known as "Shadagee square" has called attention to this peculiar name. Its origin is shrouded in Irish mystery and during the summer of 1915 many persons have been discussing the reason for applying this name to this particular square. The Journal-Republican probably is responsible for applying this name to the square bounded by South. Main, Sugartree and Walnut streets. The word "Shadagee" belongs properly to only the southwest corner of the square and by this peculiar Irish appellation Wilmington people have known It for more than a half century.

When the matter of locating the court house enme up and that square was selected by nearly everylunly as the proper place for the new building, the Journal-Republican commenced calling the entire square Shadagee, that being the shortest and simplest way to identify It, but, strictly speaking, the nickname Shadagpe, through many years, has been applied to the one corner of the square.

From the best information which can be obtained. the corner got its name in the Afties at the time the first railroad was built through Wilmington. The road was known then as the Cincinnati, Wilmington & Zanesville, but now is a part of the Pennsylvania system. The contractor who was building the section through this county employed and

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brought here a large force of Irish immigrants, many of whom could speak no language but their own, and for several weeks they were housed In temporary shacks near that corner. In those days Wilmington had saloons and bad whiskey provoked many fights. Drunk and disorderly cases were numerous in that section. In fact, Shadagee was Wilmington's bad section in the early days, and it is believed that during the time those Irish workmen were here some one of them applied that name to the fighting corner. Shadagee may be an Irish name, and the condition of that section of the town may have reminded one of the laborers of a similar place in Ireland. This is a surmise, but it is a reasonable one. The corner was given the nickname about that time and it has clung to it ever since. Lately the name was broadened to apply to the whole square, but, in all probability, the word Shadagee is of Irish origin and perhaps was, and it may be still, a well-known place on the "ould sod."

THE CLINTON COUNTY HOME-COMING.

The Clinton county and Wilmington centennial celebration and home-coming opened on Thursday, August 25, 1910. For a month three professional decorators, with their assistants, had been working night and day, and still many of the orders were left unfilled. There was not a business house or a residence but wore its gala dress.

The record shows that two thousand two hundred ninety persons registered, and many more failed to do so. People came from all over the United States; some had not been back for five or ten years, some for thirty or even fifty. but they all Joined In the home-coming spirit, making it an occasion to be remembered and an important event in the history of the county.

The home-comers were entertained with band concerts, fre-works, receptions, reun- ions, addresses from prominent men of the state and county, centennial street pageants, and many other forms of amusement and events of interest to those assembled to enjoy the occasion. Over twenty thousand people thronged the streets on Friday, and the good order everywhere was remarkable.

The one hundredth birthday celebration of Clinton county came to a delightful close on Sunday, August 26. The occasion will long be remembered by the inhabitants of the county and those who returned to their native town, as an event to be remembered a life time.

CLINTON COUNTY INFIRMARY.

The commissioners of Clinton county approved the purchase, on March 20, 1:35, of one hundred acres of land one mile east of Wilmington for the consideration of one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars as a site for a county infirmary. A building, erected on the farm a short time afterwards, was constructed with the constant view of strictest economy consistent with the requirements necessary for the convenience and comfort of the occupants. James Harris, James Fife and Isaiah Morris were appointed directors on March 11, 1836, and they at once selected as the superintendent and matron James Wilson and his wife Eleanor, then residents of Wilmington. They were in charge for four years. During their term of office the greatest number of inmates at any one time was seventeen, but the average number was much smaller. The first inmate admitted was Mary Johnson, of Clark township, a native of North Carolina. She had been a resident of Clinton county twenty-six years, a pauper for seventeen years and subject to fits of insanity. Julia Clause, the second person admitted, was from I'nion township, and was afterwards transferred to the asylum for the insane at Columbus. George Washington Morey, the second superintendent, remained in charge until March, 1845, when he was succeeded by Isaac Pidgeon. Mr. Pidgeon had charge of the Infirmary from March, 1845, to March, 1555, and was succeeded by Humphrey Riddell, who was superintendent until September. 1855, when he resigned and was succeeded by William E. Asheraft, who served until March. 1558. A. Taylor Moore then became superintendent

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and continued in the position until March, 1861, when he was, in turn, succeeded by Bennet B. Arnold, who remained until March, 1866. William P. Wolf entered upon the duties as superintendent in March, 1866, and continued In charge for three years. Josephus Blair succeeded him in March, 1800, and discharged the duties of that office until March, 1872, when H. F. Armstrong succeeded and continued the same until 1880. Armstrong's place was taken by Joseph N. Stephens, who remained until 1885. In 1885 Ralph Miller was appointed superintendent and remained in office until 1893, when he was succeeded by Joseph N. James, Mr. James served as superintendent for over fifteen years. He was succeeded by Charles Holaday, who gave way, in March, 1913, to Frank L. McDonald, the present incumbent of the office.

The first addition to the Infirmary farm was made on April 10, 1856, when fifty acres were purchased from Jesse Hughes in survey No. 1.600, for two thousand six hundred dollars. The next addition was made on December 29, 1850. when thirty-six and three- quarter acres were purchased in the same survey from Jesse Hughes for the consideration of one thousand nine hundred and fourteen dollars and ninety cents. The third addition was made on March 28, 1867, from survey No. 1.162, and consisted of one hundred eleven and forty-one hundredths acres. This land was purchased of the sheriff of the county, who sold it under a partition suit styled Francis M. Underwood vs. Socrates Harlan et al. The price paid was six thousand two hundred sixty-six dollars and twenty-five cents. Fifteen acres in survey No. 2.000, bought on June 1, 1872. of James R. Webb, for one thousand eight hundred dollars, constituted the fourth addition to the farm. On March 6. 1876. a purchase of one and thirty-seven hundredths acres in survey No. 2,693, was made from James Wallace for one hundred sixty-five dollars and forty cents. The sixth addition was purchased from Edith Emma Moody on October 2, 1880, and consisted of fifty-four acres in survey No. 1.693. The sum paid for this tract of land was four thou- sand eighty-seven dollars and ninety-five cents. This brought the total area of the infirmary farm up to three hundred sixty-eight and fifty-two hundredths acres. However, at the present time (1915). the infirmary farin consists of three hundred and thirty and ninety-eight hundredthe acres. When the remainder was disposed of by the county the historian has been unable to discover.

The county commissioners, on March 3. 1902, voted to refer to the voters of the county the question of whether twenty-seven thousand dollars should be spent in repairing and rebuilding the building. On July 11. 1902. the contract for repairing the infirmary wns awarded to J. P. Vance for a total of eight thousand four hundred seventy-two dollars and thirty-five cents.

In 1913 a change was made in the management of the infirmary. At that time the board of infirmary directors was abolished and their powers divided between the superin- tendent and the county commissioners. The commissioners now select the superintendent. The following is a list of the directors:

1836. James Harris, James Fife. Isaiab Morris; 1839. Samuel Smith, William Ruble, Warren Sabin: 1843, Daniel C. Hinman, Perry Dakin. Samuel Smith: 1844, Nathan Walker, Perry Dakin, Samuel Smith; 1845. Nathan Walker, Samuel Smith, Isaac B. Thomas: 1846, Joseph W. Hackney, Isaac B. Thomas, Nathan Walker; 1847-50. Samuel Nordyke. Joseph W. Hackney, Isaac B. Thomas: March 5. 1850, John Jones, Joseph W. Hackney. Isaac B. Thomas: 1851. John Jones, Joseph Woods, Joseph W. Hackney ; . 1852, Joseph R. Moon. John Jones, Joseph Woods: 1853, John Hazard, Joseph R. Moon, Joseph Woods; 1×4. Ell MeMillan, Jesse Doan, Joseph R. Moon ; 1555. John Rannells. J. V. Whinery, EM McMillan; March 25, 1850, Johu M. Wright. Thomas Custis, El McMillan: October, 1850, Asa Walker, John M. Wright, Thomas Custis: October. 1557. James Gregory, Thomas Custis, John M. Wright ; 1:58-40, Jonathan Doan, James Gregory. John M. Wright : 1860-43. Thomas Custis, John M. Wright, Jonathan Doan : 1863-64. David Chance, Jonathan Doan; 1864-66, William M. Mann, David Chance, E. W. Marble;

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1806-68, William M. Mann, E. W. Marble, William Applegate; 1860, Robert Skimming, William Applegate, William M. Mann ; 1860-70, Samuel H. Hadley, William M. Mann, Robert Skimming; October, 1870-71. William Bentley, Robert Skimming, Samuel H. Had- ley ; November, 1871-72, Samuel H. Hadley, William Bentley, Jonathan Balley ; November, 1872-73, William Bentley, Jonathan Bailey, Harlan F. Walker; November, 1873, Jonathan Bailey, H. F. Walker, S. H. Hadley ; November, 1874, H. F. Walker, S. H. Hadley, Robert Skimming ; 1875-76, S. H. Hadley, Robert Skimming, William M. Mann; 1876-82, Mark Peelle, Robert Skimming, William M. Mann; 1882-1895, Robert Skimming. W. M. Mann, R. B. Peelle, J. D. Speurs, Mark Wilson : 1805, E. S. Coate, William Mann, Thomas L. Kelso: 1898-1900, William Mann, J. D. Moon, Thomas L. Kelso; 1901, William Mann, J. D. Moon, N. G. Hartman : 1902, J. D. Moon, N. G. Hartman, A. H. Harlan; 1003, N. G. Hartman, A. T. Craig, A. H. Harlan : 1904-1908, A. T. Craig, C. R. Van Tress. A. H. Harlan : 1908-1913, Frank J. Pendrey, C. B. Riley, Milton Holaday.

CLINTON COUNTY CHILDREN'S HOME.

The first official mention of a county children's home enme on February 4. 1884, when the board of infirmary directors met in conference with the county commissioners to consider the cost of keeping dependent children in the children's homes of other counties. At this meeting it was agreed that "it would be a saving to the county if a suitable home could be built for the unfortunate and dependent children." The question of erecting such a home was referred to the voters of the county on April 10. 1884, the result being an affirmative majority. By October, 1884, a site had been purchased and buildings erected. William M. Mann, Joseph Noon and Harlan H. Hadley were appointed trustees, with their terms to end, respectively, on the first Monday in March, 1886, 1887 and 1889.

On July 20, 1899. the commissioners rejected bids for the construction of an addition to the children's home on the ground that they were too high for the amount of money in the treasury for that purpose. The report of the trustees for November 30, of the same year, shows thirteen children in the home.

In 1902 it was decided that a new home should be built, and on March 31, of that year, the commissioners accepted plans for a building submitted by Hannoford & Sons, and ordered the auditor to give notice for bids of the work. The bids were received and examined on May 9, and the contract let to J. P. Vance for the following items: Excavat- ing, brick work, carpenter work, cut stone. henting, rooffing, painting and glazing. plaster and Iron work, at a total of twelve thousand five hundred and sixty-five dollars. The Electric Supply and Construction Company, of Columbus, Oblo, received the contract for the electrical work at one hundred dollars. The old home farm was dighed of and the new buildings erected on the present site of the home, about a mile northwest of the city of Wilmington, on the Xenia pike. The farm consists of forty-six and eighty-three hundredths acres, which was purchased from Shipley McMillan.

The following is a list of those who have acted as trustees of the chlidren's home : 1887-6. William Mann, Joseph Noon, H. H. Hadley : 1859. L. P. Whinery, Joseph Noon, H. H. Hadley: 1802. Matthew Fife, Joseph Noon, II. H. Hadley ; 183, Matthew Fife, Dr. R. T. Trimble, H. H. Hadley ; 1894, Matthew Fife, Dr. R. T. Trimble, Jesse N. Oren; 1997. Matthew Fife, Dr. R. T. Trimble, C. Rhonemus: 1809. Jewe N. Oren, Matthew J. Fife. C. Rhonemus : 1900, Jesse X. Oren, Matthew J. Fife, Dr. R. T. Trimble: 1901. Jesse N. Oren, Matthew J. Fife. Dr. R. T. Trimble, C. Rhonemus; 1902. David M. Rudduck, Matthew J. Fife. Dr. R. T. Trimble. C. Rhonemus: 1908, David M. Rudduck, Matthew J. Fife. Dr. E. Briggs, C. Rhonemus: 1911, David M. Rndduck. J. F. Bennett, Dr. E. Briggs, C. Rhonemus: 1912-15. David M. Rudduck, J. F. Benett, J. E. Clevenger, C. Rhonemus, James F. Smith has been superintendent of the home for many years past.

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VALUATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES OF CLINTON COUNTY.

Total Valuation.

Wilmington Gas, Light and Coke Company ( ga8)

$ 53,000.00

Wilmington Water and Light Company (electric) 150,000.00

Wilmington Manufacturers' Power and Light Company 1.250.00

Blanchester Water Company.

4,000.00

TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANIES IN CLINTON COUNTY.

Milen.

Value.

Clinton Telephone Company

4.118.9

$167.050.000

Ohio Telephone and Telegraph Company.

593

50,240,00

Receiver's Central Union Telephone Company

254.75

15,190.00

United States Telephone Company_

6.800.00

New Burlington Mutual Telephone Company.

2.780.00

Port William Telephone Company ..

2.660.00

Western Union Telegraph Company

700.60

41,980.00

EXPRESS COMPANIES.

Total Value.

Adams Express Company

$ 900.00

American Express Company

80.00

United States Express Company.

3.130.00

ASSESSMENT VALUATION OF CLINTON COUNTY.

Total Value.

Farm landa and buildings

$15,954.100,00

Town lots and buildings

6.262,060.00

Personal property-

Banks

740,230,00

Incorporated companies

337,130.00

*T'tilities

3.125.640.00

Returned by assessor

6.460,300.00

Total

$335.879.460.00

*Schedule of utilities ---

Total Value.

Steam roads

$2.592.370,00

Traction company

25,420.00

Electric light company

151.250.00

Telephone companies

274.620.00

Telegraph companies

41,980.00

Water company

1.000.00

Total

$3,125.040,00

FRIENDS WITH LINCOLN IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

During the Civil War there lived in Clinton county, about fifty miles northwest of Cincinnati, Isaac and Sarah Harvey. They were of the conservative type of Friends of that generation. Isaac was a man often "moved" to do what seemed. to his prudential neighbors, strange. if not foolish, things, which made some of them call him the "crazy Quaker." But he was also a man who did not feel "easy" In his mind if his concerns could not be translated into conduct.

As the war proceeded, and the cause which produced it persisted. In the summer of 1862 Isane Harvey developed a compelling concern to visit Washington and lay the burden of his mind upon the heart of the great President. In INGS Nellie Blessing-Eyster

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visited the Harveys, and the story of her experience was first printed in Harper's Magazine about 1874. In 1889 It was restated, and published in the New Voice, New York. The quotations are from this story, although we have taken the liberty of supplying the real names in place of the fictitious ones used by the author. We start the story with Nellie Blessing-Eyster's meeting with Isaac Harvey in the hallway of the Harvey home.

THE KYSTER STORY.

"I crossed the threshold. when suddenly, from an armchair just inside the door, there arose a tall, slender old man, who, leaning on bis cane, confronted me. His appear- ance would have been remarkable anywhere. His dress was of course, but spotless, white linen, the only bit of color being a narrow binek ribbon carelessly knotted under his brond, unstarched collar. His thin hair was white and fine as spun glass, a few locks falling over his high, unwrinkled forehead. Hlis complexion was as fair as a girl's and the facin. expression intellectual and benignant. His eyes, however, were concealed by green goggles. Such a vision of majestic old age instantly arrested me. Nothing could have been more unexpected. He at once spoke :

""Thy footstep is that of a stranger: enter, for indeed thou art welcome,' was his salutation. I'pon which. I advanced a step or two, and laid my ungloved hand in bis with a few words of greeting.

" "Thy band is that of a gentlewoman, and thy voice is low and pleasant. Be seated and tell me who thon art.'

" 'I have come from the city of Harrishurg. In Pennsylvania, to visit my sister, Grace Harvey. I went with her to meeting this morning and was invited home to dinner by a Indy whom my sister calls "Aunt Sarah Harvey." Do you know her? I replied.

" "S'ex. I do.' There was an instant's pause, when he said : "Thou hast come, then, from the great world of which I know but little. God-ever blessed be His holy name-has seen fit to take away my sight, but I have witnessed the coming of the Lord, and mine eyes have seen the salvation of his people, so I am content.' and. clasping his long, well- shaped hands, his lips moved as If in prayer. My emotions were alive. They were those of awe, reverence and admiration commingled. His articulation was unusually distinct, every word having a purity of finish which would have been marked in the diction of a professional elocutionist.

"Surely this could not be I'nele Isaac, even though he was in a certain sense a 'little queer.' Before he again spoke, Aunt Sarah, Rebecen and my sister entered.

""Thee got here first I see." said Aunt Sarah. "Now, dear, thee must feel at home.' Let me take thy hat. We are plain people, but thee and Grace are truly welcome. Hast thou felt lonely this morning, father?' she asked, pushing aside the stray locks with which a breeze was toying. 'and did thy poor eyes pain thee much?'

"This, then, was the 'Crazy Quaker.' Ils smile was perfect. as he answered gently : 'Oh, no. mother. I forgot my eyes.' His words came to me very clearly : 'For our light. afflictions, which are but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory : while we look not at the things which are seen ; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.' I thank thee for bringing the young stranger home. I will enjoy her speech.'

""I am the one to feel grateful, sir.' I replied Impulsively. 'I have traveled a great deal in my life, but never before been in a place like this. Everything charms me. and I am glad of the privilege to just sit still and hear you talk. May I not also call you "Thele Isane?"'

"Yes, if it pleaseth thee; but thon must not flatter. There is no jewel like unto sincerity : thy tones are earnest."

"Annt Sarah's kind heart was sutisfled. 'I see three can entertain each other.' she Anid. 'so I will get dinner. Grace, thee and daughter can help me' I'nele Isaac and I

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CLINTON COUNTY, OHIO.

were left alone. He broke the silence by asking: 'Hast thou seeu General Grant? Dost thou think him a good man? I long to hear his voice, and daily pray to God to strengthen his bands and to make him worthy of the great work to which he has been called.'

"I said I knew him only as the soldier-statesman, but I felt that he, perhaps, more than any living American, would perfect the grand schemes left unfinished by the death of Abraham Lincoln. At the mention of that name the old man's face glowed with a beauty almost divine. Every fiber in his body seemed animated with new life. Laying his hand lightly upon my shoulder, he asked in a voice of suppressed eagerness, 'Hast thou seen Abraham Lincoln?'

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History of Clinton County, Ohio Its People, Industries, and Institutions, with Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, Part 49

Author: Albert J. Brown (A.M.) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : W.H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1108

Author: Albert J. Brown (A.M.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : W.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1108