History of Coshocton County, Ohio, its past and present, 1740-1881, Part 91

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 91

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section, and James Parker, the west half of the- southeast quarter of section 25. It must be re- membered, however, that real estate was not taxable until five years after it had been entered, and most of these were probably in the town- ship in 1822. Mr. Parker was from Beaver county, Pennsylvania; was the first justice of the peace for this township, and finally moved further west.

William Griffith was born near Wheeling, Vir- ginia, and came to this township as early as 1824. At one time he owned 500 acres of the military section. He was the only child of wealthy pa- rents, a practical farmer and thorough business man, accommodating to his friends and neigh- bors, and widely respected for his strict integrity. He unfortunately became addicted to the popular vice of the day, and, from consequent neglect of business, his property became reduced, and he at last removed to Illinois.

Andrew Fetrow and his two sons, Jeremiah and Daniel, a German family, moved to this town- ship from the vicinity of Sugar creek, in the east- ern part of the State. After living here for a while they became scattered, and are no longer in this neighborhood.

Absolom and Joseph Severns, two brothers from Beaver county, Pennsylvania, were among the carliest settlers. The former was not a prop- erty owner here, and removed to a place near Canal Lewisville. Joseph owned a small tract of land, but in 1829, while yet a young man, sold it and emigrated to Illinois.

Peter Rutledge, a Marylander by birth, owned a farm in the northeast quarter of section 23, set- thing upon it in about the year 1823. He was re- garded by his acquaintances as a man of more than ordinary intelligence, but was of a quiet dis- position and not desirous of political preferment. He removed to Illinois thirty or more years ago.

Daniel Butler, the son of Joseph Butler, who was an early settler in the Walhonding valley, cleared and occupied a place in the southern part of the township, and his son-in-law, William Griffith, afterward entered it. Mr. Butler con- tinued to farm it for a number of years, then re- moved to Putnam county.

Michael Stover, from Rockingham county, Vir- ginia, settled upon the west half of the northeast

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

quarter of section 22, about 1823. He remained a resident of this place up to his death. His brother Matthias was also a settler of this town- ship.

David Groves came from Green county, Penn- sylvania, in 1825, and settled upon eighty acres in the southeast quarter of section 13. He sold the place about 1831 and removed to Simmons' run, where he died.

Samuel Brillhart came from Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1827, and engaged in farm- ing for a year for John Stevens, in Jefferson township; then in the fall of 1828, he removed to lot S of section 3, and soon after entered it. He was a mechanic, and in connection with farm- ing carried on a blacksmith and wagon shop, and for a time, a cooper shop also, shipping a great many barrels to Renfrew's steam grist-mill at Coshocton. He died in this township, and his descendants are still residents in this vicinity.

Darius Snow was a peculiar but very valuable character in the early stages of the township's growth. He was probably the only Yankee in it hailing from Connecticut. When he first entered the township, in return for some services ren- dered, he procured a life-lease for a small tract of seven acres in section 23. On this he planted an orchard and erected a blacksmith shop. During the summers he would engage in farming and blacksmithing, and in winter furnish the little educational instruction the settlers of those early days could afford for their children. About 1830 he moved to the Mohican river, in Ilolmes county, but afterwards returned. He was raised a strict Presbyterian, but afterwards joined the Baptists and became one of their itinerant pio- neer ministers. From this faith he turned to the teachings of Alexander Campbell, and became one of the propagators of the Disciple church in this county. In later life he procured a land- warrant for services rendered by his son in the Mexican war, in which his son was killed, and with it entered a lot in this township. Mr. Snow died in this township.

Jacob Lutz, in 1828, came from Green county, Pennsylvania, and was among the first settlers on Big run. He settled on the southwest quarter of section 9, possessing only a squatter's right, and the next year moved a short distance across the

Holmes county line. After living there and in Clark township a short time, he returned to Monroe, at first entering forty acres in section 10, and afterwards adding more to it. He spent his time in farming and hunting. Of this latter pur- suit he was very fond. In 1850 his wife died, and several years later he removed to Paulding county, where he died. He had two children, a son now living in Iowa, and Mrs. Jacob Sondals, of this township.

James Conner, of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, located in the northwestern part of the township prior to 1828. Thomas McConnel, in 1828, moved from Green county, Pennsylvania, to the south- east quarter of section 8. After a stay of about ten years in this county, he removed to Indiana. Larry Croy, in 1829, was living on Big run ; he afterward moved to HIolmes county. John Windsor came about 1830, but remained in the township only a few years. John Reed, a little later, came from Gallipolis and settled on the ridge in the southern part of the township. He remained here until his death, and his children have removed to other parts. Ezekiel, James and Joseph Severns, brothers to John Severns, came from Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and settled on the ridge. William Hughes, still living, came in 1832 or 1833. The country settled up gradually, but as late as 1850 there was still some unentered land in the township. The portions first settled, along the streams and on the ridge, in the south central portion of the township, will compare in value with most uplands north of the river, but the parts later settled were not so desirable for agricultural purposes.

The water power afforded in the township is slight. On Big run a small mill was built, forty or more years ago, in the southwest quarter of section 8, by John Oxley. By him it was sold to Charles Purdy, of Holmes county, and his two sons, Gord and Polk, successively operated it for a few years. George and Charles Caser next ob- tained it and the latter now owns it. The grist- mill contains but one run of buhrs, and is adapted only to the grinding of corn and buck- wheat. The saw-mill has prepared a large amount of lumber in this part of the township.

The mills at New Princeton were built about

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

1846, by Benjamin Williams. They were at first unpretentious in size, but afterwards somewhat enlarged. Mr. Williams sold to John Power, in 1856 or 1857, and he, some five years later, to Jo- seph McCoy, Subsequent owners have been John Burrows, Abraham Landis, William Hughes and Samuel Beek. Mr. Beek is the present owner. The grist-mill contains two run of buhrs. The water power is a large overshot wheel, fed from a race which is about a half mile in length. Mr. Beek has added steam power to the mill. and it now operates at all seasons of the year, doing a custom work principally. A stationary saw-mill was attached when the mill was first built, but after a few years it was allowed to run down. A portable mill has supplied its place and is now in operation.

New Princeton was laid out in this vicinity by William Whinnery years ago; the exact date is not known, for the plat is not on record. It con- sisted of but sixteen lots, of irregular size, and its two thoroughfares rejoiced in the names of Telegraph and Mill streets. A postoffice was kept here at one time, a number of stores have been in operation, but all that marks the place now is the mill and a few houses. A tannery was also operated here, but for several years it too has been idle. Mr. Whinnery was running it in 1858; his son, Columbus, then controlled it for some time, and was succeeded by William Wolfe. Mr. Wolfe disposed of it in 1875, and after being operated by Charles McLain for probably a year, it suspended business, but will soon be reopened. Dr. J. W. Robinson has been practicing medicine here for seven or eight years.

The village of Spring Mountain, located on lot 10 of the 3d section, was founded in August, 1836, by Thomas Gillam, proprietor, under the name of Van Buren. The original plat com- prised that part of the village lying south of the street running east and west, lots I to 22 inelu- sive. Four of these are said to have been deeded to the surveyor for his services in platting the village. In December, 1839, Mr. Gillam made a small addition on the north of the village. A change in the name having been determined upon some twenty years subsequent to its foun- dation, the honor of selecting the new name was

conferred upon Mrs. George Conant, whose hus- band was the principal of the academy, and she, with an eye to natural fitness, called it Spring Mountain.

The first house was built on the corner by Sam- uel Gillam, brother to Thomas Gillam, and was used as a tavern for several years. The second house was designed for a store. It was a very small building, and a very small stoek of goods was kept in it by William Estap. In about three years he disposed of the establishment to Willian Drake, who very materially increased the amount of goods. He in turn was soon succeeded by Levi Drake, who so enlarged the stock of goods as to make a very presentable appearance for a country store. His successors were William Sturgeon, Richards & Brothers, Richards & Me- Coy. Day & Simmons, in 1859-60, and afterward Joseph McCoy, operated in this line briefly, but soon closed out. About 1865, John Emerson started a small grocery. He was succeeded by Baker & Lybarger, who soon purchased the stock of Richards & MeCoy. Since 1866, they have un- interruptedly engaged in mercantile pursuits at this place.

The population of Spring Mountain is scarcely seventy-five. It contains two blacksmith shops and one shoe shop. Isaac Baker is postmaster. The mail is tri-weekly, received from Bloomfield. Prior to Buchanan's administration, the postoffice here was called Ridge. Since then it has been Spring Mountain.

Dr. Briggs was practicing medicine here as early as 1850. He remained only a short time, and, after a little while, was followed by Dr. Thomas Finney, who practiced several years. In 1858, Dr. W. R. Wing located here and continued in practice until 1866. Dr. J. W. Winslow began a practice in 1863, which is still maintained. Recently he has associated with him Dr. T, W. Workman.

Warsaw Lodge No. 255, of the Masonie fra- ternity was removed from Warsaw to this village in 1877. It was chartered October 17, 1854. The first officers were: William Stanton, . master; David Lawson, senior warden; Levi Drake, junior warden; John Hays, senior deacon; P. Metham, junior deacon; John Williams, secretary; Wil- liam Thompson, treasurer; Samuel Darling, tyler.

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

The lodge is at present officered as follows: John Wilson, master; E. L. Lybarger, senior warden ; Corwin McCoy, junior warden; George Wilson, senior deacon; James Wilson, junior deacon; Isaac Baker, treasurer; William D. Hastings, secretary; Abram Bartlett, tyler. The member- ship is at present about thirty.

One of the past institutions of Spring Moun- tain which has reflected honor upon the village, was the academy. It was built by individual subscriptions, and among the stockholders were Silas Moore, J. S. McCoy, William D. Hastings, Samuel Anderson, Mr. Thompson and Levi Drake. The academy building, a large two-story frame, was erected in 1855, on lot 10, and the year following a spacious boarding hall, now the Mountain House, was erected on lot 17. George Conant (afterward superintendent, Coshocton schools), was the first principal, remaining two years. J. S. Haldeman succeeded him, serving from 1857 to 1859. J. B Selby followed him and remained several years. His assistant, Miss Ada Baker, then conducted the school for a year or two, and was succeeded by Mr. Taylor. Prof. Conant returned about 1867, but taught only a few months when the school was abandoned. The attendance previous to 1861 had averaged about sixty, but about that time a large number of students enlisted into the service, and during the war the attendance was greatly reduced, and did not recover its former numbers. Soon after the school was opened, its management came into the hands of a conference of the Methodist Epis- copal church. In IS70, the lower room of the academy was soll to the directors of the school district, and the district school has since been held there Since 1877, the upper room has been occupied as a hall by the Masonic Lodge.

The only church in Spring Mountain is the Methodist Episcopal. As early as 1842 preaching was held at the house of John McCoy, Sr., once in two weeks. The appointment was then within the bonnds of Roscoe circuit. The original membership of the class comprised the following persons: Timothy R. Johnson and wife, John McCoy and wife, Silas Moore and wife; Sarah McCoy, wife of J. S. McCoy; Jacob L. Weather- wax and wife, Jonas Gilbert and wife, and Wil- I possessed few of this world's goods. The first

liam R. Drake. The services were soon trans- ferred to the house of Silas Moore, residing in the " suburbs" of Van Buren, and in a year or two to a small log cabin in the village. The height of the room to the loft was so slight that a man of ordinary stature could scarcely stand erect; yet there were a number of successful re- vival meetings hekl in it. About this time Keene circuit, comprising this congregation, was formed as it now stands. A few years later a new school- house was built near by, and the preaching was held there. Quarterly meetings were held at the barns of Silas Moore and Samuel Brillhart. In 185I the present frame church was built and dedicated by Rev. Harvy Wilson. At the first quarterly meeting held in the church, Rev. George Conant, the pastor in charge, protracted the services, and his efforts resulted in the con- version of from fifty to sixty souls. Other marked revivals were held during the winters of 1855-'56, 1859-'60 and 1865-'66; since which time the church has been prospering. The present membership numbers about sixty. Rev. E. H. Dissette is pastor in charge.

A Sunday-school was organized about 1845, which has a present membership of seventy-five. Its superintendent is Dr. J. W. Winslow.

The oldest religious organization in the town- ship is the Methodist Protestant church, located in the northwest quarter of section 10. The carli- est preaching in this vicinity was by Rufus Rich- eson, under whom a class of thirteen members was formed, about 1836. Among these were Charles Holmes, the first leader, Sarah IIolmics, his wife, and his daughter Susanna, Edmund Me- Coy, his wife, Mary, and daughter Susanna ; Mar- tha Oxley, and John and Mary Lutz. Mr. Riche- son was engaged to preach once in five weeks, on a week day, and filled the engagement only a few times; he was succeeded by another minister, whose name is not recollected, and whose contin- nance was equally brief. After an interim of about one year, Rev. John Baker was called to this charge; he had four other appointments, and from the five is said to have received sixteen dol- lars for his services the first year. Money in those days was a rare article, and the pioneer members

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

meetings were held at the cabins of Charles Holmes and Edmund McCoy for some time, and were then transferred to the school-house. There was difficulty in obtaining the use of this building during term of school, and it was deter- mined to build a church. This was done about 1848. The building cost little or no money. It was a log structure and the material and labor of construction was furnished by the members and friends of the church. The little ready money necessary to procure glass, nails, etc., was obtained by the contribution, on the part of some men- bers, of wheat and other farm products, which were readily converted into cash. This house of worship served until about ten years ago, when the present frame church was erected on the same site, originally donated to the church by Edmund McCoy. The new church was built during the pastorate of John D. Murphy, by Elijah Fortune. The early pastors of the church, succeeding Mr. Baker, were Revs. Hamby, Sam- uel A. Robinson, James Sneed, William Tipton, William Holland, Henry D. Lawson, Lysander May and William Hastings. The church was named Mount Pisgah, but it is now generally known as the Big Run church. Its membership is small-about thirty ; its pastor is John Baker, the first minister that served the congregation for any length of time. A Sabbath-school was organized about 1855, under the charge of John Pixler, and has been continued every summer since.

Pleasant Hill church, of the Evangelical asso- ciation, located in the southwest quarter of sec- tion 10, was organized as a German congregation nearly thirty years ago. Of its earliest members may be mentioned Michael Duppart and wife, Gideon Shelhorn, John Loudener and wife, Mat- thias Kasner and wife and Mary Ann Hostetter. The early meetings were held at the house of Michael Duppart, but during the ministry of George Hossenfluch, about 1863, the house of worship still in use was built. Since then a Sun- day-school has been regularly held during each summer. The services are now conducted in English, and the membership of the church is about forty.

Another congregation of the same denomina-

tion-Beaver run church-is situated near New Princeton. Aaron Heaton and wife, Peter Hol- ser and wife and Christian Bowers and wife, are said to have been the first members. A. J. Mc- Coy, Mrs. Rosanna Snyder and Adam Miller and wife, were also early members. The society was organized about 1855, and the early meetings were held in the school-house. Jacob Rasseler and John Kinsley were amongst the first minis- ters. During the winter of 1866-67, the present frame meeting-house was built, and in the follow- ing spring it was dedicated by C. M. Reinhold. This was while Henry Seachrist was pastor in charge. The church membership at this time numbers about sixty. Revs. Frank Tuthero and J. R. Reinhart, are pastors of the circuit to which this church belongs. An efficient Sunday-school has for many years been an interesting depart- ment of the church. It is superintended by William Heaton.

Saint Elizabeth Catholic church, situated in the southwest quarter of section 21, is the only organization of this church in the northern part of the county. The church edifice, a weather- boarded log structure, was built about the year 1857, under Father Frederick Bender, now of Denver, Colorado, on the land of Conrad Heck, one of the original members, still living. Jacob Hemmer and William Kronapple were other early members. Services had been held for a few years prior to the building of the church. In 1858, Rev. Serge De Stehaulepinkoff became a resident pastor at Coshocton, and since then, the pastors of Saint George's church, at Coshocton, have supplied this church. The membership of the church is about 100, sixty of whom are com- municants.

Monroe Regular Baptist church was organized in 1847, under the name of the Wolf Creek church, subsequently changed to Monroe. When first organized. it went forward with seeming zeal for success, and in a few years had a mem- bership of over sixty. In 1867, it changed its location, at that time having a membership of twenty-seven only. The ministers that have served as pastors to this church have been J. M. Winn and L. L. Root. In 1880, a church was

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

built in Holmes county, school-houses in this township having previously served as houses of worship.

Harmony Regular Baptist church was organ- ized in 1866, with about twenty-seven members. Since then it has steadily increased, and is now about sixty. The pastors have been A. W. Ar- nold and J. K. Linebaugh. The congregation contemplates building a church in the north- western part of the township soon.

CHAPTER LXII.

NEW CASTLE TOWNSHIP.

Location-Physical Features-Scenery-Indian Mound-In- dian Villages-Reminiscences-Block House-Early Nurs- ery-Thomas Butler-A Panther Hunt-Robert Giffen- Other Early Settlers-Mills-Distilleries-Other Industries -- Bridges-Schools-Churches-New Castle-Walhonding- Mount Airy.

ATEW CASTLE was one of the townships or- ganized before the county was organized. It is understood to have been named after New Castle in Delaware. It lies in the extreme west- ern part of the county, touching Knox county. Tiverton township, which forms the northwest- ern corner of the county lies just north of it. Jef- ferson township bounds it on the east and Perry on the south.

The Walhonding or White Woman river is formed in the northwestern part of the township by the junction of the Mohican river and Owl creek, the former flowing south from Tiverton township, the latter in a southeasterly direction from Knox county; thence the river flows east- wardly by a winding course and enters Jefferson township. The valley of Owl creek is wide and fertile; that of the Mohican, though this is a larger stream, is considerably narrower, contain- ing little bottom lands. The other streams are unimportant. One called Laurel run enters the river from the south close to the junction of its. two branches. Another named Dutch run enters it in the eastern part of the township from the north. The surface from the river rises for a mile or two to the south and there forms a water shed, the land further south being drained by

streamlets flowing in an opposite direction. Tomica creek in the southwestern part of the township is the most noticeable of these. It flows in a southwesterly direction into Knox county. The land in the southern half of the township is generally rolling, in some places gently undulat- ing, and furnishes an excellent location for farm- ing purposes, the soil being rich and productive. North of the river the surface is broken and hilly and the soil of a fair quality.

A tradition exists that a large elm tree, stand- ing about a mile up Owl ereck, or Kokosing river, commemorates a tragedy which occurred here towards the close of the last century. Some half a dozen Indians had stolen horses near the Ohio river, and had fled with them in this direc- tion. A squad of white men pursued them, and, when near the forks of the Walbonding, the bells fastened to the horses were heard tinkling in the valley. The horses had been turned out to graze for the first time, while the red-skinned marauders were on the bottoms shooting squirrels for sup- per. It was growing late and the whites decided to defer the attack until daybreak that none of the thieves might escape them through the dark- ness. They accordingly fell back and at nightfall surrounded the Indians encamped under the elm. At first dawn the Indians commenced prepara- tions for continuing the journey. One big Indian came and stood immediately over the captain, crouched under the bank. Another Indian started toward a tree behind which a white man was concealed. He saw him and started back in affright. The next instant a bullet went crashing through his brain. This was the signal for a general volley from the whites, and all the savages fell except two, who dashed into the stream and, when they had reached the opposite side in safety, hurled back a token of defiance. Guided by the sound, several parting shots were fired after them and one of the two was killed. The sole survivor concealed his body in a hollow tree, where he was afterward found and hastened on to Upper Sandusky.

New Castle township affords some of the finest scenery in the county. The valley of the Wał- honding is here narrowest and most picturesque. Tall bluffs descend almost precipitously in some places to the water's edge on either side. The

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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.

steep acelivities are covered, for the most part, with trees of a forest growth, interspersed here and there with clusters of pine and spruce; or these are scattered along singly in places, and again in waving rows among the hillside oaks, while further below are seen the rugged and bleached skeletons of the sycamore. South of the village of New Castle a short distance, is a beautiful cascade in little Laurel run, which falls headlong over the rocks a distance of forty fect. On the ridge road leading from New Castle to Co- shoeton, a mile or so from the village, a view is obtained which commands a sweep of the coun- try for miles around. Away in the distance the White Woman is seen bending in graceful curves and fringed with wooded hillsides. The scene is exhilirating, and a sniff of the almost mountain breeze here is likewise truly bracing.

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History of Coshocton County, Ohio, its past and present, 1740-1881, Part 91

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