USA > Ohio > Coshocton County > History of Coshocton County, Ohio, its past and present, 1740-1881 > Part 74
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COSHOCTON COUNTY INFIRMARY AND FARM. JOHN RICHARDSON, SI
NTENDENT. DAVID FRY, R. C. WARREN, THIOS. WIGGINS, DIRECTORS.
TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
CHAPTER XLIX.
ADAMS TOWNSHIP.
Location-Physical Features-Its Military Sections-Organi- zation-First Officers-Early Justices-Indian Encamp- ments-Early White Occupation-Settlers - Mills- Oil- Physicians-Schools-Churches-Bakersville.
A DAMS township is situated in the eastern part of the county. On the north and cast it touches Tuscarawas county, Oxford township on the south and White Eyes on the west. The surface is hilly throughout though not to a degree depriving the land of value for agricultural pur- poses. The soil is, for the most part, argillaccous or clayey. Some of the hills, however, are cov- ered with a sandy loam. It is productive, yield- ing abundant harvests of corn and wheat, the principal crops grown. The highest land lies in the northern part. Here are the head waters of two streams which flow in a southerly direction draining the entire surface of the township. The more casterly of the two, Evans creek, passes through Oxford township on the south and soon after mingles its waters with those of the winding Tuscarawas. The other, called the East Fork of White Eyes creek, bends to the northwest when near the southern limit of the township and en- ters White Eyes township. The numerous little brooks that feed these streams, trickling through nearly every dale, attest the existence of many fine springs,
The township is five miles square in area, con- sisting of the sixth township in the fourth range of the United States military district. The cast- ern half was congress land, which was surveyed
into sections of one mile square by Alexander Holmes, in the year 1803. The western half was composed of two military sections of 4,000 acres each. In 1800 military land could be entered only in tracts of 4,000 acres, and it sometimes occurred that a number of persons, each holding an insufficient number of warrants to enter a whole section, would unite their several claims for this purpose, afterward dividing the section among themselves, in proportion to the amount of each one's warrants. Thus it was with both of these sections. The northern one, constituting the northwest quarter of the township, was en- tered by a company of ten individuals as follows: Jesse and Abijah Hunt, of Hamilton county, holding warrants for 1,500 acres; Ephraim True, with warrants for 600 hundred acres; James Per- cival, of Connecticut, for 500; Lewis Morris, of Charleston, South Carolina, for 400; Joseph Love- land, of Fairfield county, for 300; Joseph Lock- land, for 300, and four others, Henry Ross, of Washington county; John Buel, major in the army; Stephen Smith and Christopher Hamel, for 100 acres each. The section was located and sur- veyed for the company by John Matthews, he re- ceiving in compensation for his services the one- tenth part, or 400 acres. The other section, form- ing the southwest quarter of the township, was located for a company of Marylanders, of whom Rezin Davis and O. H. Williams were the most extensive shareholders, the two owning more than the one-half of the section. S. Herbert, Jacob S. Towson, Richard Pindall, W. Van Lear and P. Thomas had lesser amounts. The land in these two sections was not placed in the market for many years, and, as the owners were non-res-
454
HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
idents, the settlement of this portion of the township was somewhat retarded. The few pio- neers who settled here, did so without title to the soil, and were obliged to abandon their eabins when the legal holders put in their appearance, if they had not already done so.
Upon the formation of Oxford township, in the fall of 1811, that territory was embraced in its limits which now constitutes Adams township. In 1823, when White Eyes township was organ- ized, the northwestern quarter of what is now Adams township was taken from Oxford, and made a part of the new township. In 1832, the county commissioners ordered the establishment of Adams township, as it now exists. The com- pletion of the organization, by the eleetion of local officers, is thus recorded in the township book:
Agreebly to previous notiee, by the commis- sioners of Coshocton county, the citizens of Adams township assembled at the house of Benjamin Headley, in said township, June 23, 1832, for the purpose of electing the necessary officers for said township, and, after being assembled, did proceed to eleet, viva voce, three judges and two clerks, to hold said election, viz .: Thomas Powell. Joshua Wood and Benjamin Headley were ap- pointed judges, and Henry Delong and P. S, Campbell, elerks, who, after being duły sworn, did proceed to open and hold said eleetion, agreeably to law; and, after earefully examining the poll books of said election, found that thirty votes had been given, and that the following per- sons were elected to the respective offices named, with their names, and did likewise proclaim them duly elected, in the presence of all the voters that were present at the close of said eleetion :
The persons elected trustees were Thomas Powell, Joshna Wood and Archibakt Leach; township clerk, P. S. Campbell ; constable, James C. Colson; treasurer, Richard Taylor; super- visors, William Curry, William Norris, Jr., and Thomas Powell, Jr .; overseer of the poor, Benja- min Headley, and Vincent Dewitt; fence viewers, Robert Corbit and Leonard Hawk.
J. P. James was justiee of the peace at the time the township was organized, having been elected previously from Oxford township. Patrick S. Campbell was the first justiee eleeted in the new township, his eommission dating May 23, 1833. He was successively elected seven times, holding the office until his death, December 4, 1852.
Lewis Corbit also has served the township in this capacity for a like number of terms. He was first elected in 1857, and served continuously un- til 1878. Other early justices were Thomas Pow- ell, John Baker and James Jones.
The Indian villages that were situated in Co- shocton eounty were invariably found in the val- leys of the larger streams. Hence there were none in Adams township. Several small encamp- ments, however, had a place within its limits. One which, according to the tradition of the ear- liest settlers, contained three wigwams, stood in the southwest quarter of section 9, close to the present residence of Lewis Corbit. It was located on the sandy knoll of ground across the road, a few rods southeast from the house. An open space of about an aere extended from the knoll to the spring, which gushes forth from the hill- side close to the house. Quite a number of In- dian relics have been found here, such as arrow- heads, stone axes, etc. Mr. Corbit plowed up in this vicinity, over thirty years ago, an old gun barrel so rust-eaten as to be scarcely recogniza- ble. Another encampment of five wigwams stood southeast from this one, near the mouth of Indian Camp Run. Here the first white arrivals found a cleared space of several aeres, with only one or two wild cherry trees growing upon it.
Deer lieks were numerous throughout this re- gion, and were places of frequent resort for the deer at morning and evening. This fact was well known to the hunters of that day, and turned to advantage by them. Instead of roaming the for- est in search of game they would lie in wait for it here. A blind would be formed of bushes, be- hind which they would screen themselves from view, and as the deer unsuspiciousty approached it could easily be covered and brought low by the unerring aim of the rifleman.
The earliest white occupants of the territory now embraced within the bounds of Adams township were mainly members of that migra- tory class which continually hover on the ex- treme frontier of an advaneing civilization, white men who could not relinquish all intercourse with their race, yet wishing to rid themselves of the cares and duties of a settled country, pre- ferred the free and easy life of a hunter, cultivat- ing perhaps a little patch of eorn, but subsisting
455
HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
chiefly upon the game which could always be had for the shooting. As this became scarce, through the influx of settlers, they would gather up their tents and silently steal away to the west beyond.
Prior to the war of 1812, there does not seem to havebeen any permanent settlement made here, though it was the transient home of several white men. A family named Mulford was the first known to occupy this territory. Mulford built a little cabin on what was afterward Robert Corbit's ·place, the southeast quarter of section IS, but re- mained only a few years, removing to Oxford township. William Sparks afterward occupied the same cabin, and was living in it in 1816. An- other squatter named Murphy, much given to hunting, settled in the same locality very early; also, Remembrance and Elijah Williams. " Mem" was a notable hunter. They eame several years before the war, and both moved west at a later day, Remembrance to Indiana and Elijah to Mis- souri. Aaron Shipley was another carly occupant.
James Baker came with his family from Adams county, Pennsylvania, during the war of 1812. He did not become a property owner here, and subsequently emigrated to Arkansas. Ilis son, John Baker, is still living, and is one of the oldest persons in the township. He was born January 25, 1796, came west with his father from Pennsylvania, and has always considered Adams township his home, though he has been a great traveler. In his younger days he was ex- tremely fond of the chase, and spent much of his time with the Indians, whom he thinks were among his best friends. Mr. Baker was the founder of Bakersville, and has been one of the largest land owners in the township. Ilis wife Ellen, a daughter of Robert Addy, also still sur- vives. She was born May 20, 1800.
Robert Addy, a wild and daring spirit, came from the Virginia banks of the Potomac in 1804, and soon after settled on Will's creek, in Linton township. In 1815 or 1816, he moved to this township, settling in the southwest portion of section 12. He had been drafted in the war of 1812, a short time before its termination, and was on his way to the seat of war when news of peace was received.
Robert Corbit, one of the earliest permanent settlers, came from Hancock county, Maryland,
to the Tusearawas river in Oxford township, with Isaae Evans, in 1804. Not liking the country, he returned to Maryland, but soon after came west again with James Meskimen, of Linton township, and entered his employ, remaining seven years and working for seven dollars a month during the summer, and often for his board in the winter. He then worked for Isaac Evans till the war of 1812 broke out. In one of the earliest drafts John Junkin, a brawny Irish settler on the river, and a man of considerable wealth for those days, drew the fatal ballot which consigned him to a place among the conscripts. Mr. Corbit went as his substitute and remained in the army two years, doing service at Fort Mcigs. After his return, he remained with Isaac Evans till 1818, when he married Susan Fuller and settled on the southeast quarter of section 18. He pos- sessed a keen relish for hunting which never cloyed. His dog and rifle were his inseparable companions, and it was not an uncommon occur- rence for him to spend the entire night in the woods. He remained a life-long resident of this township, and died July 3, 1878, at the age of eighty-eight years.
Robert McFarland came about the same time. He was a Vfrginian and entered the northeast quarter of section 19. In his earlier days he was addicted to the then prevalent vice of intemper- ance, but he joined the Methodist church and entirely abandoned the use of ardent spirits. It is said that he placed a tempting flask of whisky upon the mantel-piece of his eabin, in plain view, where it remained untouched to the day of his death, which occurred years afterwards.
William Norris and James Jones settled here among the earliest. Both were Virginians; the former entered the southeast quarter of section 23, the latter the northeast quarter of the same section. Mr. Norris enjoyed the distinction of being the father of twenty-one children. He died in the township at a good old age in I84I. Some of his descendents still live in this township. Mr. Jones was one of the leading citizens of his time. He was a strictly temper- rate, church-going man and was one of the ear- liest justices. He removed to Benton county, Iowa, where he lived up to the time of his de- cease. Joshua and Benjamin Chance settled
456
HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
about 1818 or 1820. They were not holders of real estate.
Enos and Samuel Dean and John Norman were the earliest settlers in the western part of the township. They had been here sometime before the year 1816. Mr. Norman's father had located on the Tuscarawas river, and John moved up to the head of White Eyes creek very early. Enos Dean first pitched his eabin down by the creek, but not succeeding as he thought he should he built another cabin on a hill situated on F. W. Powell's upper far west of the ereek, with the expectation of doing better. This place, from this circumstance, was dubbed "Mount Hope," a name which elung to it for many years.
Jonathan Tipton soon after came from Harri- son county, with a Mr. Kimble; the latter settled in White Eyes township, and Tipton in the west- ern part of Adams. The names of other settlers were James and William Poland, John Lemons and John Mizer.
Thomas Powell entered the township about 1819. He was an Englishman by birth, a mer- chant by occupation, and emigrated from his native land to Richmond, Virginia, and after- wards to Steubenville. He there leased the Campbell place, situated near the center of this township, in the northwestern quarter, and soon after moved upon it. He remained there about ten years; then purchased and settled upon a large traet of over a thousand acres in the south- western portion of the township. His sons, Thomas and F. W., still reside upon it.
James Campbell moved to his property, va- cated by the Powells, in 1831. He was originally from Pennsylvania, but since 1802 had carried on a large tailoring establishment in Steubenville. He died September 23, 1845. Patrick S. Camp- bell, long a justice of the peace for this township, was a son. Hon. Thomas Campbell, of Coshoc- ton, is another son.
Thomas Pinkerton cmigrated from Pennsyl- vania about 1821 and settled upon lot 12, in the eastern part of the southwestern section, later known as the Jennings lot. He removed to Mis- souri. Somewhat later, John Rodney and George and John Walters arrived from Guernsey county. George subsequently returned there, and John continued on westward, to Knox county.
Edward . McGarvey and Vincent Dewitt were two other early settlers in the western part of the township. The former was an Irishman, and by trade a weaver. He settled here about 1816. Dewitt came about 1825, from Muskingum county.
S. H. Loveless and Archibald Leach, both from Jefferson county, came together, in May, 1827, and entered the northwest quarter of section 10; Loveless the western half, and Leach the eastern. Both families are still represented in the town- ship. About the time the Ohio canal was built, settlers began to arrive rapidly, and in a few years thereafter the land was all taken up.
Adams township contains the oldest person in the county. Mrs. Catherine Albert, residing in the northwestern part of the township has been a centenarian for several years. She is now sup- posed to be in her one hundred and fifth year. Originally from Pennsylvania she spent a good portion of her long life in eastern Ohio. She then came with her husband, John Albert, to Crawford township. They were among the car- liest settlers there. About forty-five years ago she removed to this township and has resided here since. For one of her age she is a lady of remarkable activity.
Milling operations have not been very exten- sive. A saw mill was erected by John Baker on Evans ercek a mile or more south of Bakersville in 1834. It has since been in the ownership of Samuel Gorslin, Andrew Hoek, Joseph Stone- hocker and Samuel Werts. Sawing ceased there six or eight years ago and the mill has been torn down recently.
George Werts in 1837 or 1838 built a grist mill in what is now Bakersville. Several years before he had erected a saw mill at the same place. Mr. Werts sold the mill to Jacob Mizer. They were removed many years ago and the bridge now oe- cupies the spot where they stood.
The whisky consumed in Adams township was chiefly of " foreign" manufacture. The only dis- tillery known to have been operated here was owned by Joseph Duffce. It stood in the north- ern part of the township, and was operated for a few years only beginning about 1840.
Oil is found oozing from the surface of the hill-
457
LHISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
side, near a spring on Robert Corbit's place. years and returned to Tuscarawas county. Dr. Wells have been twice sunk here in search of the oil in paying quantities, but each time with ill success. It is often skimmed from the surface of the spring by the neighboring farmers and used by them for lubricating machinery. It is found to be a superior article for this purpose.
The earliest physician who settled in this town- ship, of whom any account is had, was an eccen- trie, though talented, individual named Kellis Hord. He moved here about 1836, from Vir- ginia, where he had been engaged in practice. While still in that State he lost three children by scarlet fever, and through his grief and disgust at his inability to save them he threw his medical works into the fire and determined to relinquish his profession forever, and it was rarely that his services could be brought into requisition. Only in a great emergency, as in the case of a broken limb, and under urgent solicitation, would he apply the medical knowledge of which he was master. He possessed great mechanical powers, which he was fond of exercising, and many were the devices which he invented. He owned a small tract of land in the northern part of sec- tion 12. Here, at Raccoon Spring, he constructed a diminutive over-shot water-wheel, which fur- nished the motive power for a turning lathe. He was fond of grafting fruit trees, and afterward started a nursery above Bakersville. He moved to Columbus, and later died at Cleveland while at work on one of his inventions.
The next resident practitioner was Dr. William Miller, who came from Pennsylvania. He re- mained here for five or six years, and then re- moved to Illinois. He is described as a élever little gentleman, always ready and attentive to his profession
Since Bakersville has been laid out, quite a number of physicians have taken up their abode there. Dr. John Conoway was the first. He came from Harrison county, about IS50, and after a practice of six years sought a western fickdl of labor in Iowa. He was succeeded in 1856 by Dr. R. C. Chapman, who was born in Washington county. Pennsylvania, and had read and prac- ticed medieine in Tusearawas county previous to his coming here. He remained a half score of
B. W. Chapman, his brother, came in 1866, and has since been in continual practice here. Two other physicians now reside in the village, Drs. E. P. Steward and G. W. Rice; the former came about 1870, from Harrison county, the latter from Tuscarawas county, in 1880. The following phy- sicians also have had a residence here: Drs. Maxwell, Michael Tolen, Michael Conoway, Sam- uel Gorstine, Isaac Busby and William Craven.
The first school-house in the township was built about 1825, on the southeast quarter of sec- tion 18, Robert Corbit's homestead. It was the usual log cabin, its dimensions about twenty- two feet square, built in the rough, rude style prevalent in pioneer times; a puncheon floor, paper window-panes, a huge tire-place occupying one entire end of the building, were some of the features of this, as of nearly every other school-house of that age. No portion of the lum- ber composing it was sawed. Perhaps the most finished piece of workmanship was the door. The split ash boards, from which it was made, had been shaved with a drawing knife to a toler- able degree of smoothness. The merest rudi- ments of an education could be obtained here at first. Reading and spelling often constituted the entire curriculum of study. Few of the earliest school-masters possessed a knowledge of arith- metic. School-books were rarities, and the few that could be collecled were of a motley deserip- tion. A single leaf sufficed Lewis Corbit during his first term at school. His father had but the one reader in his possession, and this an older sister of Lewis must have; she had attended school before, however, and had made some ad- vancement, consequently the first leaf, containing the alphabet, could be spared. This was torn out and carfully pasted on a paddle for Lewis' use.
This was the only school held in the township for many years, and the attendance was accord- ingly very large at times. Among the families represented in the school may be mentioned the Me Farlands, Evans, Richmonds. Norriscs, Jones, Corbits, Pinkertons, Powells, Delongs, Shays and Lemons. It was noted for the number of grown- up young men who attended-great, strapping
458
HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
fellows, who weighed two hundred or two hun- dred and twenty-five pounds.
John Berwiek was the first teacher. He was succeeded by Thomas Pinkerton, one of the carly settlers of the township. Henry Delong was probably the next teacher. He was of Welsh birth, and had been a glass-blower at Wellsburg, Virginia, for a number of years before coming here. He possessed a fair education, and taught several terms. James Jones, another settler fol- lowed Delong. Though a strictly temperate man himself, one of the few who abstained entirely from the use of the popular beverage of the day, he could not avoid treating his scholars to the customary holiday allowance of two gallons of whisky. George Lemons and Thomas Campbell also taught here later. Until 1832, when the township was organized, there was probably but this one school within its limits. In that year, however, the trustees divided the township into three school districts; the first beginning at the southeast corner of the township and ending at Robert Taylor's north line; the second begin- ning at Robert Taylor's north line and extending to the north line of the township; the third com- prising the western half of the township, the mil- itary line being the division between the east and west. This division would indicate that the east- ern half of the township was more thiekly set- tled at this time than the western half. Another district was soon after formed, and others as they became needed, until there were eight, the present number.
The religious advantages of the earliest settlers were as scanty as the educational. Religious services were first held at frregular periods by itinerant preachers, who visited this region for this purpose, or happened along by chance, as the case might be. The Methodists and Baptists were earliest in the field. Of the former denomina- tion, Jabob Meek was among the foremost to con- duct meetings, probably the first in the township. He was a farmer, living in Guernsey county, about six miles below Newcomerstown. Ile preached regularly once a month, either in the school-house or at Robert MeFarland's house, beginning about 1826. These meetings led to the formation of the Taylor Methodist church a few
years later. Jacob Mills was another early itin- erant exhorter of this persuasion. He was a homeless bachelor from Virginia, who had no disposition for manual labor, but traveled from place to place, and gladly exchanged his religious services for board and lodgment.
William Spencer, a worthy farmer, residing somewhere in the western part of the county, is said to have been the pioneer propagator of gos- pel truth in behalf of the Baptist church. He was hokling meetings at the school-house as early as 1828, and succeeded in gathering about him a cluster of Baptists which formed the nucleus of the Baptist congregation organized some years later.
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