USA > Ohio > Coshocton County > History of Coshocton County, Ohio, its past and present, 1740-1881 > Part 76
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No Indian village existed within the bounds of this township, though the savages frequently en- camped along the little streams here. Few set- tlers had arrived when the Indians deserted this part of the country, consequently there was little local communication here between the two races. One Indian, known as J. Cook, encamped for some time in the southwest quarter of section 22, now owned by Mrs. T. English, on the little branch of Wakatomica run, which flows through the place. He had a hopeful scion about fifteen years of age, whom he was endeavoring to train up in the way he should go, by sending him out in the woods every morning to shoot game. The lad formed the acquaintance of Henry Haines' sons, shortly after their arrival, and instead of scouring the wild forest paths in quest of noble game, as he should have done, he whiled away .the lazy hours of the day at the cabin of his white
neighbors, roasting potatoes, scraping turnips and getting a civilized meal occasionally. Our his return home in the evening he would report "no game " to his waiting sire. J. Cook at length suspecting that his son was not as zealous in the pursuit of deer, as he should be, followed him one day, and found him as usual, playing with his white companions. He took him home with him and very successfully applied corrective principles of some kind to the boy's wayward course, effectively curing his hankering after civ- ilized companionship, for he never returned.
When Mr. Haines was about to put up his cabin in 1811, there were no settlers in the vicin- ity from whom to receive assistance. He went down to the neighborhood of Dresden to procure the services of several workmen, if possible, and found two men who willingly agreed to come, but complained a little of the distance they would have to walk. Mr. Haines jokingly advised them to ride two of the ponies belonging to the occu- pants of an Indian village close by. Sure enough, the men appeared at Haines' door the next morn- ing mounted on two horses. They had not been here long, however, when two new arrivals put in their appearance-an Indian and his half-grown son-who had tracked their stolen horses hith- er. A jug of whisky mollified their wrath and induced them to stay all day. The Indian lad rendered some little assistance, but the noble red man devoted his attention exclusively to a full in- vestigation of the whisky jug. As evening ap- proached they bestrode their recovered steeds and silently wended their way homeward, leaving the men to follow the path afoot.
Wolves were quite an annoyance to the set- tlers, particularly to those who owned sheep. These had to be kept in tight pens close to the cabin during the night, and even then were not always safe from the fangs of their old-time ene- mies. Squirrels, too, were quite a pest in de- stroying the corn and other products of the farm. A famous squirrel raid was organized in New Castle township, at a time when it comprised what are now Bedford, Pike, Perry and New Cas- tle townships. The township was divided equally into two parts, the settlers of each division vieing with each other in their efforts to exterminate the mischievous little animal. The hunt lasted
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three weeks, and during the time it is said more than twenty thousand squirrels were killed.
Two salt licks existed near the township cen- ter, one on the northwest quarter of section 18, Levi Haines' place ; the other on the northwest quarter of section 13, about a mile to the north. These were the favorite haunts of deer, generally at night. The venison-loving settler might se- crete himself in the neighboring thicket any evening and be tolerably sure of killing a deer if he possessed a little patience. Deer have often been killed here at night when darkness shrouded them completely from view, the hunter being made aware of the game's presence by its tread, and knowing by experience the direction in which to shoot.
The first road in the township was the one leading from Coshocton to Mt. Vernon. It was built in 1810 or carlier, and just grazed the north- eastern part of the township. The next was the one built from Dresden to the mouth of Owl creek, in New Castle township. It was made as far as the center of Washington township in 1811, and in 1812 or 1813 completed. It was the road which passes through West Bedford north and south.
Richard Wood succeeded him the next year. About 1825 or 1826 a terin was taught by John Oxley in a deserted loom-house belonging to Thomas Norris. The settlers then were obliged to manufacture their own clothing, or wear buckskin, and many of them chose the latter. Oxley afterwards moved to Perry, then Monroc, township, where he died.
Milling facilities were important considera- tions with the pioncer settlers in selecting the spots for their future homes. In this township where the water power could not always be re- lied upon, the settlers made provision for getting along without it when it became necessary. Many of the settlers constructed rude, little hand mills, which they could resort to in an extremity to grind their corn. Draft horse mills also were not rare. One of these was built by Jared Par- ish and Ben. Nulen about 1825 in the northeast quarter of section 23, which was operated ten or twelve years. Ben. Nulen afterward built another in West Bedford but when he moved to Hardin county some years later it was abandoned.
In the southwest quarter of section 18 a grist mill was built about 1814 by John Wolford. An overshot water-wheel was used, and one set of buhrs was run. Mr. Wolford sold to Patrick Eng- lish who added a saw mill and afterward sold out to Isaac Dickerson The mill was operated till about 1865.
About 1818 a school was taught in a deserted cabin on the northeast quarter of section 6. Another, about the same time, was held in an old cabin on the southwest quarter of section 18. It was taught by Thomas McBride, later of New- About 1830 Henry Haines erected a saw mill on the quarter section adjoining this one on the north, on the same stream. Several years later he built a grist mill at the same site. Two races were constructed from the two forks of the run, one a hundred and twenty-five, the other seven- ty-five rods long. A large undershot wheel was employed in driving the machinery. One set of buhrs was connected with the mill, and about 1850 it was abandoned; the saw mill had been taken away some years before. ark, and William McCoy. In 1824 one was taught in the cabin which Henry Haines had occupied, on the northwest quarter of section 18. Mr. Haines bad moved into a new brick the year before. William McCoy, one of this town- ship's pioneer settlers, taught the first term of three months. The three " rs," reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic, were the only branches taught. The families that sent their children here in- eluded the Harrisons, Wolfords, Richards, Mc- Curdys, McCoys, and Cessnas. The next year In the eastern part of lot 11, of the military section, three acres were sold for a mill site, and a saw mill erected upon it about 1835, by Aaron Kane. He removed to Adams county, Illinois, and Harvey Doney came into possession of the mill, who subsequently moved to Greene county, Indiana. The water-wheel was of Parker's pat- another term of three months was taught by John Oxley, an individual who was crusty in man- ner and harsh in his treatment toward the scholars. The school was then abandoned. About 1820 a clumsy little log school-house was built in the northwest quarter of section 25. Nathan Wright, Sr., was installed the first teacher. | tern, and the saw was a sash-saw, as were also
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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
those in all other mills in this township, circular saws not yet having come into vogue.
It is said that Joseph Parish erected a little dis- tillery, abont 1818, in the northwestern part of the township, which remained in operation five or six years. His boys were obliged to pack the rye on horses to a little mill on Mohawk run, in Jefferson township, there being no mill closer.
About 1828, Edward McCoy started a distillery on his place, in the northwest quarter of section 17. He had first built a carding mill, but after a few years abandoned this, attached a little pair of buhrs for grinding, and erected the distillery. His motive power was of a kind not usually found here. It consisted of a tramp-wheel, a large wheel perhaps thirty feet in diameter, set in an inclined position. Cattle were placed upon one side of the wheel, and their weight set it in motion. They were fastened so that they were unable to move along with the wheel, but had to tramp, tramp, up the side of the revolving wheel until the mash was ground in the mill, which was connected by machinery with the wheel. This distillery was operated about ten years.
The next distillery was owned by William Richards, and erected several years later. He had no mill connected with the distillery, but had his grain ground at different little mills around. After some ten years' operation, it, too, was aban- doned.
About 1835, Moses Wolford became another manufacturer of distilled spirits and, not only was whisky made at these little distilleries, but also peach brandy, apple brandy, etc., Wolford's still was located on the northeast quarter of sec- tion 24 and, after a period of four or five years, it suspended operations. Probably the last still was smallest of all, quite an insignificant affair, run for a few years, and owned by John Metz, about thirty-five years ago, in the southern part of the township.
From 1858 to 1860, and to some extent for a few years later, a large amount of capital was in- vested in coal oil manufactories in this and in Jefferson township, Beds of cannel coal, of the richest description, from which the oil was ex- tracted, lie in the hills in the northeastern part of this and the southern part of Jefferson town- ship. The vein is largest on Simmons' run, |
where it attains a thickness of six feet three inches, cannel coal, and three feet bituminous. The average thickness of the cannel is between three and four feet, with the bituminous in pro- portion. It is sporadic, however, liable to swell into a deep rich vein, or dwindle away into a worthless seam, in a very short distance. The bituminous lies over the cannel coal, and was little mined, having no market.
Previous to 1858, coal oil had been manufac- tured to a considerable extent in the east, and about that time extensive works were springing up in Newark, the manufacturers designing to ship the coal from the various mines to that place, and there extract the oil. Colonel Metham, of Jefferson township, was probably the first person in this vicinity to enter the promising field of future wealth. He purchased a piece of land containing coal, in this township, with William Stanton, of Coshocton, as partner, and went to Newark to acquaint himself with the minutiæ of the distilling process. He there met J. E. Holmes and found high excitement prevailing. The coal he was able to supply could be easily disposed of to the various speculators at a fair figure. He was the first to suggest transferring the works to the coal fields, and thus save the freightage on the coal, which was a considerable item of expense. The suggestion was acted upon, and a number of firms came with their works to the coal beds in this township. The coal beds were, as a rule, leased by the operators from the land owners. Three companies were located on the Metham and Stanton tract-Captain Stuart, of Steuben- ville, with two sets of works, one consisting of fourteen, the other of ten retorts; Forsythe & Brothers, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, having thirty-two retorts, and a Mr. Edwards, of Mns- kingum county, with six retorts. Wilcox & Osborn made heavy investments in the coal regions here, still owning about 650 acres of land. Judge Wil- cox, the senior member of the firm, is a banker in Painesville, Mr. Osborn a banker of Chicago. On their property Dr. Semple, of Steubenville, had a set of works, Mr. Carnahew, of Penn- sylvania, another, and Ezra Cornell, of New York, a third. Mr. Cornell superintended his works here in person. Some of the companies not only distilled the crude oil here, but also, at least, par-
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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
tially refined it. Others sent the oil to Newark, or elsewhere, to be refined.
The retorts by which the oil was distilled were of various kinds, the most common pattern be- ing an upright, cast-iron retort, about nine feet high and four feet thick. It was filled with coal, made air-tight, and heat was then applied on the outside. The vapors thus set free were conveyed through a worm and condensed. At first, two charges were run a day, but this was found to be too many, and the number was reduced to one. A ton of coal usually produced about forty gal- lons of crude oil, worth at first fifty cents per gal- lon, but toward the end sold at a narrow margin at ten cents a gallon. Mixed with the erude lamp oil were lubricating oil, asphaltum and par- affine. These, in the early stages of the manufac- ture, were regarded and treated as waste pro- ducts; afterward they were utilized, the lubri- cating oil first, then the asphaltum and paraffine. For a year or two after the war some of the works were operated solely for these latter com- pounds, the crude oil being relied upon, how- ever, to pay expenses.
The works had scarcely become thorougly es- tablished when the petroleum oil wells in West- ern Pennsylvania, which developed rapidly and produced oil in immense quantities, furnished the burning fluid at a figure which made it utterly impossible for the manufacturers here to compete with them, and the business received its death blow. All the costly preparation for a per- manent business, by way of machinery, etc., be- came at once so much dead capital, completely valueless. It is estimated that $300,000 were lost through these enterprises in the two townships. This was not felt to any great extent by the county, however, for the most of it was foreign capital. A few of the retorts were removed only a short time ago, but most of them were taken away during the war, and, it is said, cast into shells and used on various battlefields in the late conflict.
It is a noteworthy fact that most of these rich beds of coal are now owned by non residents of the county, and await only the construction of a railroad in the vicinity to be developed to the full- est extent. The tract of about 650 acres of land, sit- uated in the heart of this valuable field, owned by
Wilcox & Osborn, has already been mentioned. Much of the coal has been purchased by foreign capitalists from parties who still own the land. One company of seven, consisting of Mr. Thomp- son (now deceased), formerly president of the Pennsylvania Central railroad, Thomas Scott, ex- president of the same road, Mr. Shaw, a vice president of this road, Judge R. C. Hurd, of Mount Vernon (now deceased), General G. A. Jones, of Mount Vernon, now receiver of the Cleveland, Mount Vernon and Delaware railroad, Samuel Israel, vice president of the same, and Colonel P. Metham, now own about 800 acres of the coal in this and Jefferson townships.
The Dresden branch of the Cleveland, Mount Vernon and Columbus railroad, which was par- tially constructed in 1873, but then suspended operations by reason of the panie, passed through this region and would have offered the desired outlet to a market had it been completed. The road entered the northeastern part of the town- ship from Jefferson, and passed up the narrow valley of Simmons' run, in a southwesterly direc- tion, for about three miles to "Tunnel Hill," on William Noland's farm, lot 32 of the military sec- tion. The company was at work in this tunnel when it ceased operations, had it been com- pleted, the construction of the balance of the road to Dresden would have been comparatively easy, as the little valley of Wakatomiea run could be followed the entire distance.
Limestone abounds in the vicinity of the coal beds, and kidney iron ore has also been dis- covered. What extent of this iron ore a thor- ough investigation might reveal, awaits the future to determine.
A Christian church, vulgarly known as the " New Light," was organized in 1823. The pioneer settlers, who attached themselves to the organi- zation at or closely following its inception, and grew to be leading lights in the body, included the names of Joseph Hartman and wife, Charles Cessna and family, Richard Mood and wife, Wil- liam Richards' family, Ira Marshall and John Haines. Services were hell at private houses during the infancy of the church, generally at Richard Mood's or Joseph Hartman's. It was eustomary also to hold protracted meetings in
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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
the forest -"God's first temples." In 1840, a house of worship was erected a short distance north of the village of West Bedford, at an out- lay of the modest sum of $300. It was a small frame, which still stands the ravages of time. Revs. James Mervin and Ashley were the first ministers. At a later date, came Revs. Andrew Hunger, Adolphus Bradfield, Jacob Hunger, William Webb and H. Harrah. In 1864, by reason of removals and deaths, the church was too feeble to support itself and became extinet. During its existence, a Sunday-school had been carried on with success and several refreshing seasons of great spiritual revival marked the his- tory of the church. Its membership at one time exceeded fifty.
The Union Methodist Episcopal church is lo- cated in the southern part of the township. It was long known as Smith's church, so called from one of its principal early members who lived in the vicinity of the building, but since his decease it has given way to the name mentioned above. The first church building, a hewed log affair, was erected about 1832. Preaching had been held for many years prior in cabins, but, it is under- stood, the class was formed not long before the erection of the building. Harvey Willson was probably the first minister. The early members were George and James Smith, William McCoy, John Dickerson, Moses Wolford, Jonathan Phil- lips, Isaac Dikus, Martin Markle and the families of many of these. One of this number, William McCoy, built the first church, The present house of worship, a frame structure, was built about twenty-five years ago. The membership is now fifty or more, the minister in charge, A. McCul- lough. A Sunday-school is carried on during the summer.
veyance of his own, could not be regular in his attendance upon services.
The society was organized in his log cabin, which stood on the lot now occupied by the par- sonage. Revs. Kellogg and Joseph Brown were on the circuit at that time. The circuit was larger than at present, embracing New Castle, East Union, Mohawk Village, West Carlisle, Ros- coe, Dresden, and perhaps other appointments. Other early preachers were Revs. Barker, Blan- field, Henry, Whiteman, John MeNabb and Wil- liam Boggs. William Jones and William Smith were the two first class-leaders. Besides these, other original members were Mr. Smith's wife, Nancy (the only original member now connected with the church), and his daughter, Mary Ann; Mr. Jones' wife Rachel and daughter Susan; James Jones, his wife Susan and children Mary Jane and Barraek; Coe Roe and his wife Julia, and Mrs Ellen Renfrew. James Jones had four sons who subsequently became ministers of the gospel in this denomination, Thomas, Barrack, William and Samuel. The second, one of the original members, was at the time of the church's organization a lad of but ten years of age. Meet- ings for a year or two were held in private houses on week days, then in 1841, the church was built and services held in it on Sundays. The church lot was donated by Mrs. Ellen Renfrew. The building is a large frame, with a seating capacity of about 500, built by George Conn. It was re- paired and refurnished several years ago, and, notwithstanding its age, still presents a good ap- pearance, though the members are at present dis- cussing the propriety of erecting a new structure. The year the church was built was a noted one in the history of the church. A revival that year resulted in 500 accessions to the different churches in this eireuit. During another revival in the West Bedford church, several years ago, about 140 conversions were made. The present mem- bership ranges about ninety or 100. Rev. A. Mc- Cullough is the pastor.
The Methodist Episcopal church in West Bed- ford was organized in 1838 or 1840. It might properly be called a branch of the Union Meth odist church, just described, as a number of the early members of that society severed their mem- bership with it in order to organize this one. West Bedford was laid out September 13, 1817, by Micajah Heaton. For a long time it was known only as Heaton's Town, then its proper name came into use. It lies in the southwestern Colonel Roe was mainly instrumental in effect- ing its organization. He was an ardent Method- ist and resided at West Bedford but was unable to walk to the Union church and, having no con- | part of the township, on the northeast quarter of
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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
section 16. Mr. Heaton was from Bedford coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and settled on this quarter-sec- tion about a year previous to the laying out of the village. His cabin was situated upon the corner where James James' residence now is. He kept a tavern here for a few years. The travel through the town was seanty, and the proprietor relied mainly upon the sale of whisky for the in- come of the house. He also received the appoint- ment as postmaster, and thereby drew considera- ble custom to his bar. Thomas McBride after- ward became postmaster and retained the office for an extended term of years. In order to pro- mote the growth of the village, the proprietor offered a town lot to the person who would erect the first house in the village. Enoch Fry and Samuel Waters competed for the prize, but it is unknown which of the two was successful. Lem- uel Holmes was the first store keeper. He had been a merchant in Baltimore, but had met with business reverses and eame West about 1818 or 1819, with his aged father, to retrieve, if possible, his broken fortunes. He had but a small stoek of goods and did not remain here long. He pur- chased a farm near Mount Vernon and removed to it. William Renfrew and Robert Hay suc- ceeded Mr. Holmes in the mercantile business of the place. Their store occupied the site of Mr. Heaton's cabin. Mr. Renfrew remained in busi- ness here quite a number of years, and became a prominent and influential man in the extended cirele in which he moved. When he retired from business, he removed to a farm in the east- ern part of the township, and there, undisturbed by business eares, spent his remaining years amidst the quiet and repose of rural life.
While he was still in business, James McFar- land, an Irishman, opened a second store. He came . here with only $400, rented a little log house, stoeked it with goods, and also lived in it. He remained identified with the village many years, and acquired a large fortune through his business relations. He removed to Vermillion county, Illinois. An important character in the village's early days, was William Lynch, the hat- ter, who fashioned and furnished all kinds of head-ware for his pioneer customers hereabouts. Jabez Heaton, a brother to Micajah, was the first blacksmith, opening his shop about 1820. He
was followed by James Roney, an attentive and industrious mechanie, who worked at the trade here for many years. In 1820, Isaac IFeaton, another brother to Mieajah, was running a little tannery. It afterwards passed into the hands of John Quigley, who sold it to Thomas McBride and William Renfrew. It ceased to exist some twenty-five years ago. Another tannery was started about 1842, by Philip Kennedy. Patrick Thompson operated it awhile, and Thomas Jones then purchased it. Several years later he allowed it to go down.
In the past, considerable manufacturing was carried on in the village. About 1840, a thresh- ing machine manufactory was started by Isaac and Thomas Lewis and William Lukens. Four years later, Dr. E. M. Lewis, who had had charge of the shops for the firm, bought it and in turn sold it to John Shields, who gradually discontin- ued the business. Patrick Thompson and James Roney, about 1851, started a shop of a similar kind, but after three years experience quit the business. Thompson and Shields have built a limited number of windmills here, in years gone by. About 1862, John Shields began making re- volving hay rakes, and is still engaged in the manufacture; about fifty were made the first season, but the number has since been reduced.
In 1858 George Moore ereeted a large steam saw and grist mill just west of the village. The saw mill was first set and the material for the structure sawed. After the building was finished he removed the saw and used the building as a grist mill only. In 1863 Patrick Thompson pur- chased the property, replaced the sawing appara- tus and has earried on both ever since. In former times the mill was kept constantly running but not so much business is done now.
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