History of Coshocton County, Ohio, its past and present, 1740-1881, Part 84

Author: Hill, Norman Newell, jr., [from old catalog] comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A. A., & co., Newark, O., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Newark, Ohio, A. A. Graham & co.
Number of Pages: 854

USA > Ohio > Coshocton County > History of Coshocton County, Ohio, its past and present, 1740-1881 > Part 84

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The Darlings were among the foremost settlers to locate in the Walhonding valley. The family consisted of Robert Darling, his wife and twelve children,William, Abram, Jonathan, Jacob,James, Isaac, Thomas, Robert, Mary, who married Nich- olas Miller, of Keene township, Sophia, the wife John Hork, an early settler of this township, Mrs. Samuel Severns, who also lived in this township, and Mrs. Aaron Loder. The last mentioned daughter is the only survivor of this large fam- ily. She is quite an old, though active lady, and resides in Jackson township. They moved from Virginia in 1806, and settled in the bend north of the river, on the Bell section. The place is still held in the Darling name.

Two of the boys, Jonathan and William, first came out in the spring of the year, and raised the erop of corn; then, in the fall, the rest of

the family crossed the mountains, by team, or on horseback. Mary, then a miss of eighteen suni- mers, drove a fonr-horse team, loaded with family goods. The mother, it is said, made the journey on horseback, having an infant on the horse, before her, and a little boy, Thomas, hold- ing on to her, as he rode behind. Of the boys, William and Jonathan bore arms for their coun- try, in 1812. While they were encamped at Sandusky, their younger brother, Abram, rode out to them on horseback, for the purpose of taking them some stockings. These three sons soon after moved farther west, the others re- maining in Coshocton county, where many of their descendants still live, entering largely into the social fabric of the Walhonding valley, as well as other localities. They were all farmers, and men of sterling worth, noted, far and wide, for their strict integrity. Thomas, for a number of years, served the county as a commissioner. He was also much interested in blooded cattle, and introduced some valuable stock into the valley in which he lived.

John Eller emigrated from Ireland to Vir- ginia in 1804, and thence came, with the Dar- lings, to the Walhonding valley, in 1806. After making several other locations, he settled in Jef- ferson township. He died in 1851, on his farm, now occupied by his son, Cyrus Elder, a little west of Warsaw. He was a full-blooded, county Antrim, Presbyterian. He was twice married and reared a large family, still prominent in the township. During the war of 1812, he spent some months in hauling supplies to the soldiers.

The Merediths, six or seven in number, came to the Walhonding valley about 1807 or 1808. Three of them, David, Stephen and Abner, set- tled in Jefferson township, the others in New Castle. David afterward moved to Indiana. Stephen and Abner settled close to the site of Mohawk village and died there. Abner was a hunter of note, on friendliest terms with the In- dians, and often pursued the wild game in their company. He once went with a band of Indians, up Killbuck ercek, on a hunting expedition, which resulted very successfully, a large number of deer having been killed. As the evening drew near, he was invited to remain till morning with his companions. The Indians determined on

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

having a jollification over the day's sport, and dis- patched several of their number to Charlie Wil- liams', at Coshocton, for the means of celebrating -a good supply of whisky. Meredith, who was an athlete, in the meantime had engaged in the manly sport of wrestling with those who re- mained; had displayed a strength and skill in the art which none of them could equal, and his suc- cess in throwing them humiliated and angered them somewhat. Repeated potations of the fiery liquid intensified rather than assuaged their anger, and the squaws frequently obtained the knives of their boisterous consorts and secreted them. A half-breed, who was present, fearing for Meredith's safety among the now intoxicated, quarreling savages, invited him to stay at his cabin, about a mile distant, that night. Mr. Mer- edith discreetly concluded that this was not a proper place for him to remain, so he quietly slipped away, late as it was, and did not stop until he reached his brother's cabin, near Mohawk.

Joseph Butler, from Virginia, emigrated as early as 1806, and settled on section 15, congress land, just below Washington Darling's residence. His father, Joseph, and his brother, Isaac, soon after came to this latter place. Isaac Butler, met with a sad fate in 1809. While crossing the ford near his residence, he was thrown from his horse into the stream and drowned. This was proba- bly the first death that occurred in the township. He left a wife and three children.

Colonel William Simmons, a Virginian, who had served in the Revolutionary war as a colonel, received for his services " Simmon's section," the southeastern quarter of the township, and settled thereon about 1819. His was one of the few families who brought a carriage with them to the county; he also brought several slaves. He is described as quiet and gentlemanly in his deportment, inclined to be hasty at times, some- what aristocratic, and an ardent Whig in poli- tics. The home farm was situated north of the river, the place now owned by James Frew. He died at a good old age and was buried on his farm. Charles W. Simmons, a son, was a West Point graduate, and subsequently became the proprietor of a hotel at Roscoe; represented the county in the legislature in 1831, and afterward removed to Indiana, where he attained promi-

nence as a politician. The only other son was William. A daughter was married to General William Carhart, the proprietor of Warsaw.

Thomas Treadway, came at an early day from Maryland; began life with a small start in the way of worldly goods, but by his industry and good business qualities, afterward acquired a goodly share of the Simmons' section. James Whitaker settled early, in the southern part of the Bell section. Antbony Ryne occupied that part of section 15 which lies south of the river.

The river lands were, in general, settled earliest on account of their great fertility and level sur- face; yet there were exceptions to this. Some of the settlers regarding the low bottoms as ma- larial and unhealthy, preferred to perch their cabins among the hills, several miles back from the stream. One of these was Jolin Severns, who settled very early in the northern part of section 3. The bulk of the rough congress land, how- ever, occupying the northern part of the town- ship, remained unsettled until the time of the building of the Walbonding canal. It was then taken up in small tracts, and oss apied mostly by German emigrants, many of whom were em- ployed in constructing the canal, These small property owners were usually without any means when they arrived; and during the first four years, before crops could be planted and raised, or by reason of their failure, were often in great want. It was not an uncommon thing for them to approach their more fortunate neighbors in the river-bottoms in mid-winter, and ask for corn or wheat, agreeing to pay for it in work the next summer. The Darlings and other families, by their generosity in furnishing these and other necessities to their indigent neighbors, obtained their lasting gratitude. This was displayed to an undue extent sometimes, as in the following in- stance: One of the Germans, on being asked just before an election how he intended to vote, replied, " I votes for Shake Darling," meaning for Darling's choice. One poor unfortunate, who lived within reach of the malarious river, had stranded his resources in mid-winter, and in making his wants known, dolefully remarked that if he could get enough corn to keep him till "chills set in," he would be all right, as he could not then eat anything.

Trots ENG C

Francis Mcguire S

PAOLO EN& CO NY.

Fanny S. M. Suivre

Samuel, T. h. Suivre Elija 7: Biuro

FRANCIS MCGUIRE, SR., FARMER ..

POSTOFFICE, CANAL LEWISVILLE.

He was born in Lafayette township, this county, in 1811, and was married in 1833, to Fanny G. Thompson, who was born in Ohio, in 1811. They have three children-Mary, Francis, Jr., and Samuel T. Mr. McGuire was not favored with an opportunity to receive a liberal education, but is a progressive farmer in every department. He has given close atten- tion to raising and improving stock of all kinds; his experience, close attention and application in this branch have been crowned with success. He is the half owner of the noted Clydesdale horse. His pedigree reads as follows: " Emperor was foaled in 1877, sired by imported Clydes- dale stallion, Napoleon. Emperor's dam sired by imported Clydesdale stallion Netherly ; 2d dam, sired by imported Clydesdale stallion Conqueror ; 3d dam, sired by imported Clydesdale stallion Sir William Wallace; 4th dam, sired by imported Clydesdale stallion, Robin Hood ; 5th dam, sired by imported Clydesdale stallion Old Clyde." He has devoted a great deal of attention to raising and improving his stock of sheep and cattle. He has on his farm as good stock as the State can produce. Mr. McGuire owns a large farm under a good state of cul- tivation and with good buildings, and is one of the leading, active and prominent farmers of this county.

His father, Francis McGuire (deceased), was a native of Virginia. He emigrated to Ohio in 1804, and settled in this township and remained here until his death, in 1853. He pur- chased eleven hundred acres of land which his children still own.

FARM RESIDENCE OF FRANCIS M'GUIRE, SR., LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP.

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

A needy creature named Carter, without a eent in the world, had obtained wheat several times from John Elder, and once more came to him with two others, equally needy. Mr. Elder replied to their request for food that he was 11- acquainted with them. "Never mind," said Car- ter, " I'll stand good for them." The wheat was furnished and paid for too.

A Mr. Richardson, who was an early settler, had two boys, Joe and Lige, whom he sent one morning into the woods to find the horses, turned out the evening before with bells around their necks. A gun was given Joc, the okler, more through habit than because it was thought he might have occasion to use it. The boys, when they were some distance in the woods, saw a bear, amusing itself by seraping up the ground and rolling on it. They had never before seen a speci- men of this family of the brute creation, and did not know what it was, but, with a courage that did honor to them, they slowly and quietly ap- proached within easy shooting distance, when Joe laid the rifle across a log, took deliberate aim and fired. The bear rose up and with a loud snort started off. The courage of the boys now deserted them, and thoroughly frightened, they dropped the gun and started for home at the top of their speed. Lige, the swifter of the two, reached the house first, and seeing his father, yelled out excitedly that Joe had shot the devil. Mr. Richardson, after quieting the boys, aecom- panied them back to the scene of the exploit. Gun, hats, ete., were found scattered about, and going a little farther the bear was seen lying dead. The youthful hunters, when informed of the character of their game, were highly elated.

A history of the Walhonding valley would be incomplete if mention were not made of the prominent part played by " the cup that cheers" and does inebriate. Whisky was an " institution," heartily endorsed and sustained in practice by the early settlers of the valley, almost without exeep- tion. Every well-to-do farmer kept it, by the barrel, in his cellar, and drank it as freely as water. It was pardonable in those times to neg- leet to invite a visiting neighbor to dine, but an unpardonable breach of backwoods etiquette was committed if he was not offered to partake of the contents of the flowing bowl. The places were

numerous where it could be purchased ; not only public taverns, but many private dwellings, where nothing else was soll, kept a supply to satisfy the great demand. The road up the Walhonding river was greatly traveled in early times by emigrants moving farther west, and taverns were located all along the road. One of the most noted of these was Eckman's tavern, situated north of the river, about two miles west of Warsaw. It was a pop- ular place of public resort, and in the early days of Jefferson township, was the place for holding elections. The tavern remained until the build- ing of the Walhonding eanal, the route of which passed through the site of the building, which consequently had to be torn down. Eckman owned about three acres here, which was eon- demned by the State, and paid for in full.

A tavern was opened at Warsaw by Rufus Eldridge during the construction of the eanal, The first day, as is customary at such times, there was an " open bar," and everybody was invited to drink freely and without price ; consequently, most people in the vicinity indulged that day in a general-good time. A constant use of the beverage, it is said, makes the stomach less sensi- tive to its effects and the brain less giddy than the first dram. Betsy Smith illustrates this fact. She was the wife of James Smith, was a washer- woman, and lived near Eekman's tavern. A pint of good whisky was always the one thing need- ful when there was a washing to do. She onee attended a wool-picking at Thomas Darling's, where she was invited to sip her favorite bever- age. Betsy tasted it repeatedly, then exclaimed petulently that the whisky was not worth any- thing, for she had taken eight or ten big swallows, and for the life of her she couldn't get the taste of it.

One of the township's prominent citizens, when a boy, rode several weeks with a teamster who was engaged in hauling wheat to Coshocton. The invariable custom was to stop at Eckman's for a drink; then at Warsaw, two miles below; then at Nathan Spencer's, in Bethlehem town- ship, where John Bantum now lives; next, where Samuel Burrell lives. Finally, a good, strong pull a short distance across the river, must con- tent him till he reached Coshoeton. The same formula was strictly observed, inversely, on the

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return; and over and over again, day after day. The boy was generally pressed to drink too, and now considers it marvelous that the habit did not ruin him, as it did too many of his early asso- ciates. Jefferson was no worse in this respect than other townships; and a great revolution has been wrought in public sentiment since then. It would perhaps be impossible to find two gal- lons of whisky now in the whole valley, outside of the several saloons that still infest the country.

David Meredith at an carly day erected a small grist-mill on Mohawk run, near the present vil- lage of Mohawk. Some years later, Hon. James Moore built a small saw mill on the same run, about a mile below. Another little grinder was operated by Robert Darling, on Darling run. It was of sufficient size, however, to grind wheat. The mills located at Warsaw are noticed farther on in this chapter. The only mill known to have been located on Simmons' run was a saw-mill owned by the Brickers. It was destroyed by fire.

One of the carliest schools in the township, in all probability the first, was held in the cabin that had been occupied by Isaac Butler, in the west- ern part of the township. The children of the Butlers, Darlings and others attended here. In 1814, or 1815, it was taught by Oliver Remington, from Rhode Island, a well educated, intelligent man. He was a brother-in-law to 'Squire Hum- phrey, of New Castle township, and remained here only two or three years, removing to Holmes county.

Another school, situated north of the river, not far from its banks, was taught by Ben Vial, a tip- pling character, who often came to his daily task under the influence of liis arch enemy. Not- withstanding his pedagogic profession, it is said he reared a family of children who could neither read nor write. James McCoy, afterward pro- prietor of the Warsaw hotel, was also an early teacher of this school. The ordinary complaint against some of the teachers in those times was that they used the rod too sparingly. Mr. McCoy furnished no grounds for complaint of this kind. He was a severe disciplinarian, and applied the whip freely when occasion demanded or oppor- tunity offered, and thus won the confidence and esteem of the community in which he lived; but

Henry Yonkers was the "star" teacher, for he possessed the requisite qualifications in a pre- eminent degree, being six feet three inches in height, and built in proportion. His towering strength, frequently displayed, succeeded in keep- ing his unruly pupils within the bounds of toler- able behavior. Outside of the school-room he- was quiet in his demeanor. He engaged in farming upon the cessation of his school-room duties, and about 1850 removed from the county.

Upon the premises of Pren Metham were sev- eral tenement houses which were subsequently converted into school buildings and used as such for many years. The furniture was of the sim- plest description. Rough boards, fastened with wooden pins to the rude walls, served as writing desks. The seats were of a decided rustic cast, consisting of narrow slabs, supported by legs so long that the average sized pupil could not touch the floor by six inches. Here the children of the last generation uncomplainingly sat, without rest for back or feet, day after day. What a con- trast with the pleasantly and comfortably fur- nished school-rooms of to-day.

The cannel coal, which lies in rich, abundant fields among the hills of Jefferson township, was discovered in the following manner: In 1832, Payne Clark, who had just come into the town- ship, and was engaged in erecting his little cabin, on the Simmons section, was searching in the ravines for a hearth-stone, and saw an out-crop- ping of the coal, Not knowing what it was, and perceiving that in size and shape it was admira- bly -adapted for the purpose in view, he pro- cured a fine, large slab, and fitted it in the fire- place. A large fire was then built upon it, and the result may easily be imagined. The house, fortunately, was not burned, but Mr. Clark was obliged to hunt another hearth-stone. Twenty- five years later, fortunes were spent in cannel coal oil speculations in this vicinity.

A history of these unfortunate coal oil enter- prises has already been given in the history of Bedford township, and it would be superfluous to repeat it here. Jefferson and Bedford were the only two townships in which the oil was man- ufactured. The extent of the business in Jeffer- son was considerably greater than in Bedford

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

township, and, as nearly as can be ascertained, was as follows: on Lyman's place, in the south- ern part of the Simmon's section, six companies were at work, viz : Lunburg & Co., of New York, whose works consisted of about twenty retorts; Porter, Fickls & Co., an castern firm, also about twenty retorts; John Dickey, of Pennsylvania ; J. E. Holmes & Co., of Newark, Ohio; Holmes was a contractor, and also had an interest in a number of other works. Mr. Baker, an Eastern man, and the American Company, of Newark, running about thirty retorts. On John Wood's farm was a company, composed of Coshocton county men, called the Home Company, running about ten retorts. On James Moore's farm were two companies: Rambo, Stilwell & Co., of Dres- den, and one from Knox county. On Given's place, was one set of works owned by J. E. Pal- mer & Co., consisting of about twenty retorts. Palmer was a well-known Methodist preacher, and had as a partner a young New York capitalist.

The village of Warsaw, containing a population of 275, is situated in the eastern part of the town- ship in the Walhonding valley, north of the river. It was laid out November 13, 1834, by William Carhart, the son-in-law of Colonel Simmons. The original plat embraced thirty-two lots lying on both sides of Main street. March 4, 1840, Rufus Eldredge platted an addition consisting of forty-one lots, facing Church street. This was during the time the Walhonding canal was build- ing. The canal improved the little village con- siderably. A second addition, consisting princi- pally of the lots on Cherry street, was subse- quently made by N. Buckalew. The town was named in honor of the capital of Poland, through sympathy with her earnest though ineffectual struggle for liberty.

The first building on the site of the village was the residence of William Carhart, the proprietor. It was built several years before the town was laid out, and stood where the town now is. The first store was kept by John Collins, at a place where Foster's store now stands. Soon after Collins started, Major William Long opened a store room. After the canal was built, he also dealt largely in grain, continuing that business up to the time of his death, which occurred about

1850. After his death, grain was handled for a short time by Joseph Crowley and John Wil- liams; the business was then discontinued for many years. In 1879, Nichols & Gamble com- menced buying grain and are still so engaged. In years gone by, a foundry was successfully car- ried on, first by Ephraim De Vinney, afterwards by Thomas Randles, in the building now used by George Thompson as a blacksmith shop.

The most extensive industrial pursuit is car- ried on at the grist-mill owned by Beck & Well- ing. It is a large building, the main part being thirty-six by forty-eight feet, and the warehouse attached to it twenty-four by thirty-six feet. It is five stories high, including basement and loft, and does a flourishing business, having three run of buhrs. The mill was erceted in 1849. Its water power is applied by the canal. A thirty- year lease for the water power expired in 1879, and a lease for twenty years reissued. The building of the mill was begun by William Long, but before its completion he died, and the mill fell into the hands of Nicholas and Porter Ree- tor, who finished it, and added the warehouse. They operated it for a number of years, then sold it to Donnelly, Darling & Co. Robert Darling purchased the interest of his partners, and, with his son, operated it fourteen years under the firm name of R. Darling & Son. In 1879, it was purchased by the present owners.

Just to the right of the road entering Warsaw from Coshocton on Beaver run, stands a saw-mill owned by C. Strome. It was purchased by him in 1841, having been erected many years prior to this date by Colonel Simmons. Previous to 1841, it was a grist and saw-mill combined. There was only one run of stone, however, grinding nothing but corn and buckwheat. Mr. Strome erected a new building, and put in another set of buhrs, with which to grind wheat. About 1860 he suspended operations in the grinding depart- ment, using the building only as a saw-mill since. A carding-mill was also connected with it in its earliest days.

Farther up the street, to the right of the Wal- honding bridge, is a large three-story frame build- ing, containing several shops. It was erected about 1873, by Wright & Balitf, as a general repair shop. Darius Wright, in 1875, purchased his

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

partner's share, and now has sole possession. He occupies the second floor, using it as a black- smith and machine repair shop, It contains a turning lathe and the machinery necessary to do all kinds of repair work. Four workmen are usually employed in the shop. The upper floor contains the wagon manufactory and paint shop of Casimer Fortenbacher. The lower or base- ment story contains the foundry of Simon Elliott, which he has been running about two years. There are in the village two other blacksmith shops, owned by George Thompson and Philip Rudolph; two wagon shops, Jacob Cline's and John Kepler's; two shoe shops, John Speckman's and F. Seal's, and Adam Coffman's harness shop. Mrs. Plowman is hostess at the Sherman house.

The mercantile business is represented as fol- lows: Dry goods, Nichols & Gamble, C. Stone and James Foster ; hardware, Caser & Co .; drugs, Lawson & Son ; groceries, Charles Markley, Jacob Darling, William Markley and Senft Brothers.

Two practicing physicians now reside in War- saw, Drs. Pren Moore and H. Blackman. David Lawson, who studied with Dr. Russell, of Mount Vernon, commenced practice in 1849, but has since retired, and is now in the drug business here. Among the physicians of a former date were Henry Miller, afterward so distinguished in business circles in Columbus, his brother Jonathan, afterward of Franklin county, and William Stanton.

Warsaw Lodge, No. 255 of the Masonic frater- nity, was located here for many years, but has re- cently been removed to Spring Mountain.

The village school-house is a large, two-story frame builling, erected in 1871, and consisting of three departments, the high-school, secondary and primary. The teachers are J. W. Murphy, C. Shaw, and A. D. Clark.

The old school building contained but one room. It is still standing, and is used occasion- ally for religious services. The Disciples have been holding meetings here for several years. Their congregation is as yet small and feeble, recently formed, and consisting mainly of Matthew Stover and wife, Henry Still and wife, William Wilson and wife, and James Wilson and wife. Rev. Hoffman has been filling the pulpit. The Baptists occasionally hold services here also.

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History of Coshocton County, Ohio, its past and present, 1740-1881, Part 84

Author: Hill, Norman Newell, jr., [from old catalog] comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A. A., & co., Newark, O., pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Newark, Ohio, A. A. Graham & co. Number of Pages: 854

Author: Hill, Norman Newell, jr., [from old catalog] comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A. A., & co., Newark, O., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Newark, Ohio, A. A. Graham & co.
Number of Pages: 854