History of Delaware County and Ohio, Part 83

Author: O. L. Baskin & Co; Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 818

USA > Ohio > Delaware County > History of Delaware County and Ohio > Part 83

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

John Lawrence came to Scioto Township in 1814, and at once began to clear a farm at Edin- burg (formerly known as Fairview), in close proximity to the farm of Mr. James Dodds. In the following year he died, and was the first one buried in the cemetery at that place. In the same year that Lawrence came to this locality, John Cratty cut his way through the woods, and settled on a farm near the present site of Ostrander. He was born January 23, 1792, and came from Butler County, Penn., in 1813.

When the town of Ostrander began to assume a prominent aspect, he moved into it, and made his home with his son, D. G. Cratty. He is a man who, throughout his life, has identified him- self with the growth and advancement of the best interests of the township, and is highly respected hy the citizens of Ostrander. He is one of the few survivors of the war of 1812, and a man whose hair is "silvered o'er with the snows of many winters." For over sixty years, he has been upon the roll of the surviving soldiers of the war of 1812. The Dodds were natives of Pennsylvania, and, in the year 1813, came to Ohio. Over the mountains with their dan- gerous roads, and across the rivers, whose fords were almost impassable, journeying with tireless zeal and indefatigable energy, overcoming all difficulties, they at last reached Derby Plain, where they remained until 1815, when they moved to this township. On the 15th day of March of that year, they settled on Little Mill Creek, near the present hamlet of Edinburg. The mother of this family-Polly Dodds-died in

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.

1815, a short time after they came, and was the second one buried in the cemetery at Edinburg, where, in the northeast corner, her gravestone, covered with moss, is still to be seen. The father -Andrew-died in 1820. When they settled in this locality, there were no roads in the town- ship excepting the old military road, which passed north on the west bank of the Scioto River to Sandusky. In 1819, Joseph Dunlap began the survey of the first east and west road through the township, and James Dodds-a son of Andrew- carried the chain, which he now speaks of with great satisfaction. He was born in 1794, and lives in the hamlet of Edinburg-a hale old man of eighty-four. His wife still stands by his side, as she did fifty years ago, a help and a blessing. Joseph Dodds-another son three years older than James-enlisted in the war of 1812, and served several months. He died on his brother's farm in January, 1879, aged eighty-seven.

James Liggett came to this locality from Vir- ginia in 1817, and settled right in the woods, upon land now comprised within the incorporated town of Ostrander. He was a man of great en- ergy, and intensely interested in the growth and prosperity of the township. Quite a pleasant anecdote is related of him, which shows his political tendencies. He was at one time acting as a juror in Delaware, and, by a strange coincidence, there happened to be a gentleman from another portion of the county by the same name acting also in a similar capacity. Of course, after meeting each other, they began to look up relationship. "You spell your name the same as myself, I believe," said James Liggett. " Yes," said the gentleman. "You were originally from Virginia." " Yes," said the man. "You surely must be a relative of mine- but, by the way, what are your politics ?" " I am a Whig," said the juror. "Oh, the d-l, you are no relative of mine! I never saw a Liggett that was not a Democrat," and they parted forever.

Asa Robinson, father of A. W. Robinson, set- tled on the Scioto River, near the mouth of Big Mill Creek, in 1815. He was a native of Massa- chusetts, and his wife was from Pennsylvania. They came to Franklin County in 1807. He died in 1866, but his wife is still living, at the advanced age of ninety-four years. In the following year, 1816, William Ramsey and H. G. Smith entered the township. Ramsey was born in the State of Kentucky on January 18, 1780. He located on the bank of Mill Creek. His father, John Ram- sey, served as a soldier through the entire war of

1812. William died in March, 1878, at the ad- vanced age of ninety-eight. Smith came from Massachusetts. He took an active part in the late war, and was a Captain in the Delaware artillery.

Solomon Carr came from Germany to Virginia in 1815, and from there to Ohio in 1817, settling upon the farm owned at present by his son, G. S. Carr, which is a part of the land comprised within the limits of Ostrander. George Bean was a native of Hardy County, Va., and came to Ohio from the Old Dominion in 1817, settling in Ross County, where he remained until 1819, when he removed to Scioto Township, and cleared a farm on Mill Creek. His son, Benjamin, now owns the farm. Although a large and spacious farmhouse is now the home of the latter, still the old cabin that his father first built, and in which he lived, has been allowed to remain, and stands just north of the residence, a fitting landmark of the past. Mr. Bean was one of the first Justices of the Peace in this township.

The Deans came into the State from Pennsyl- vania before it was admitted into the Union but it was not until 1829 that they settled in this town- ship, near the present town of Ostrander. About thirteen years ago, the father dying, the family moved into what is now the village of Ostrander, where Samuel D. Dean, the son, at present resides. W. C. Winget, one of the most honored and respected citizens of Scioto Township, came in 1827. In 1853, Mr. Winget started the first store in the present town of Ostrander, which at that time did not contain a half a dozen houses. He still occu- pies the same old building, where he can always be found, waiting upon the good people of the town. Among those who came at a later date are William Loveless, who came from Mary- land and settled in 1828, and who is now follow- ing his occupation as a farmer, just beyond White Sulphur Spring Station, and W. G. McFarlin, who settled at White Sulphur Station in 1837, and fol- lowed the occupation of mason for a number of years. His mother, sisters and brothers came here with him. The family came to this locality from Stark County, but were originally from Maryland. J. P. Owen settled in the township in 1834, and is a native of Wales.

The first marriage in the township was that of Robert Perry, who wooed and won the fair Sarah Hoskins. The ceremony took place in the log cabin of Richard Hoskins in 1808, and was per- formed by the Rev. Cloud, a Methodist minister, who had traveled all the way from Franklinton for

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.

that purpose. In the fall of the same year, Isaac Smart took unto himself pretty Margaret Smith. The first birth that took place, was that of Hugh Stevens, a son of Zachariah Stevens, and the sec- ond birth was that of James McCune. The first death was that of Z. Williams, who died in 1809, and was the first one buried in the old cemetery on Boke's Creek. The second death was that of John Lawrence, who died at Fairview in 1815, and was buried in the cemetery at that place. The Rev. Mr. Cloud, who married Robert Perry and Sarah Hoskins in 1808, was most likely the first minister to enter the township, but whether he preached on that occasion is not certain, though quite probable. However, the first minister that came into the township for the purpose of preach- ing, was the Rev. Hughes, who held meetings at the cabin of Zachariah Stevens. To whom belongs the honor of being the first physician to practice in Scioto is not now certain, but it lies between Dr. Skinner, of Darby Plains, and Dr. Lamb, of Delaware. The country was so sparsely settled that there was no resident physician in the town- ship, and the sick were attended by those from Delaware and other towns. The first store opened was at Millville by Benjamin Powers and Joseph Dunlap ; Mr. Riggers was also interested in it. The first goods offered for sale were brought in hy traders for the purpose of trafficking with the set- tlers and Indians. They generally put up a little shanty, and remained for a month or two, taking away with them furs and skins in large quantities. The first postmaster was Harry Riggers, who kept tavern at what was then known as " Riggers' Ford," on the Scioto, at the point where the Riggers' bridge was afterward built, and where the covered bridge on the Marysville pike is now situated. The mail was brought at first by mes- sengers on horseback, then by the stage coach, over the old Sandusky Military Road. This tavern was a famous resort for travelers. It was the second one opened in Scioto Township, the first being by James Flannigan.

The first Justices of the Peace were John Cratty and David Shoupe, who, sitting on an old salt barrel, used to deal out even-handed justice to all. From a notice by John H. Men- denhall, Township: Clerk, in April, 1855, we find that the following township officers were elected : Trustees, David Davids, Benjamin D. Good, William Honitor ; Justice of the Peace, Henry B. Fulkner ; Township Treasurer, William Warren ; Township Clerk, C. D. Wolf; Assessor,

Philander C. Beard; Constables, John Grove, Henry C. Hunt; Supervisors, John Van Briner, H. G. Smith, John Taylor, Samuel Strickler, Peter Baily, Luther Gabral, Martin Smith, Samuel Tay- lor, Luther Winget, I. B. Stotenberg, E. A. Ack- erman, F. W. Felkner, Henry Caylor, David Phillain, William Stockard, John P. Owens, Philander Beard, D. F. Hontz, N. W. Sprague, B. Carr, D. Smith, John Decker, A. Trop, H. Wolford.

The present township officers (1879) are as fol- lows : Trustees, Joab Leggett, J. W. Jones, Almon D. Good; Treasurer, William M. Warren, Jr .; Clerk Joseph Crawford ; Constables, Joseph Leggett, E. W. Cuberly, W. P. Irwin; Supervisors, Amos Claflin, J. J. Decker, William Stover, Adam New- house, B. T. Benton, Alexander Newhouse, H. G. Smith, A. McFarland, Calvin Furgeson, John Gabrial, Daniel Mangans, Josephus Philipp, Frank Willis, Joseph Bean; Emery Sherwin, David Freshwater.

The words of love and light which first greeted the ears of the earliest settlers of Scioto Town- ship were delivered in the cabins of Richard Hoskins and Zachariah Stevens, through the thatohed roof of which beams of the sun came streaming down. The date of these first meetings cannot be definitely fixed, but the facts gathered indicate as early as 1810. In the year 1814 or 1815, three Presbyterian families, viz., William Cratty, John Lawrence and Andrew Dodds, settled in the neighborhood of Little Mill Creek, and, at first, con- nected themselves with the church at Delaware, which, at that time, was organized and in a flourish- ing condition, under the Rev. Joseph Hughes. The journey to Delaware, in those days, was quite an undertaking, as they were compelled to ford the Scioto, which, at certain seasons, was a danger- ous, if not an impossible, undertaking. When this trip was impracticable, the next most avail- ahle place of worship was in a log meeting-house at Darby, in Union County. The only route of travel to this was over a trail through the dense woods. About the year 1816, several other Prcs- byterian families were added to the settlement, and a number located on the Scioto River. With these acquisitions it was deemed advisable to or- ganize into a separate church. A meeting was held and the proper authorities petitioned for the power, which was granted, but with a proviso to the effect that they should join with those in Radnor Township, and that the church be known as the Presbyterian Church of Radnor. This was

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.

acceded to, and the organization consummated in the year 1816. The connection continued until the year 1834, when those of Little Mill Creek neigh- borhood, having received considerable accessions, were constituted, by the authority of the Presby- tery at Columbus, under whose jurisdiction they were at that time, into a separate organization, consisting of twenty-four members, and to be known as the Little Mill Creek Presbyterian Church. The following are the names of the original members: James Dean, Hannah Dean, Hannah R. Dean, James Flannegin, Margaret Flannegin, William Cratty, Sr., Sarah Cratty, William Porter, Eleanor Porter, Samuel D. Dean, Eleanor Cratty, Willian M. Flannegin, Jane Flan- negin, Mary Flannegin, Nancy M. Flannegin, William C. Dodds, Mary Dodds, Joseph Lawrence, Mary Lawrence, Eleanor Winget, Alexander Ross, Nancy Ross, Sarah Dodds. Nineteen members of the twenty-four were from the church at Rad- nor, and three were from the church at Marysville, in Union County ; the rest were from the church at Delaware. William Cratty, Sr., William Porter and William C. Dodds, were elected Elders. The church, which served as the meeting-place of this society, was the first built in Scioto Township, and was located at Edinburg, about one mile north of Ostrander, on the bank of Little Mill Creek. It was built of hewn logs, and the work was con- tributed by the members. It was not provided with permanent seats for some time, in conse- quence of which, during service, the church presented a novel appearance, the congregation providing their own seats, being principally chairs used in their wagons riding to and from church. It was not until the year 1836 that a minister was secured as their regular Pastor, when the Rev. James Perigrin was called to the charge, he also filled the pastorate of the church at Marysville. Here- mained in charge about eight months, when, finding the work too difficult, confined his labors to the church at Marysville. In the fall of 1837, the two churches again united in securing the services of the Rev. W. D. Smith. He commenced his labors upon the 1st day of January, 1838, giving one-third of his time to the church at Little Mill Creek, for which he was to receive $133.33 per annum. In the year 1862, the church was re- moved to Ostrander, at which time its membership was fifty; it is now about sixty-six. Shortly after its removal, the name was changed to the Ostrander Presbyterian Church. At this time, the Rev. W. Mitchell was in charge, since which time the fol-

lowing have served as Pastors, and in the order named: The Rev. O. H. Newton, of Delaware; Rev. H. Shedd, Rev. Mason, Rev. H. Snodgrass, Rev. John Price, Rev. T. Hill. The Sabbath school, in connection with the church, was estab- lished in the year 1827, and has been continued ever since without an interruption, and, probably, very few Sabbaths have passed without a meeting.

The Regular Baptist Church is situated upon Mill Creek, in the southern part of the township. The first efforts to organize this church took place in the year 1828, and were but partially success- ful. Previous to this date, Elder Drake had held meetings in the cabins of the early settlers, and seems to have been one of the first to agitate the question of an independent church. The first permanent organization took place about the year 1835 or 1836, with a membership of eighteen, at which time a log meeting-house was built. Since the time of its organization five hundred persons have been received into the membership, either by let- ter or baptism, showing the earnest work that has been going on in this church. The present mem- bership numbers 100, hard at work and enthusi- astic. The log structure was used until the year 1853, at which time a fine brick church was built, costing $1,000. The Rev. W. S. Kent is the present Pastor.

The Millville Christian Union Church was the outgrowth of several denominations, and at first held its meetings in the Protestant Methodist Church, which that organization kindly offered them. It was in that church that a few members gathered on August 5, 1866, to hear the Rev. James F. Given, of Columbus. The first charge council met at Millville, about the year 1867, and engaged the Rev. W. W. Lacy to preach for them, the remuneration thereof to be $300 per annum. From that date until 1869 the membership so in- creased, and the enthusiasm and zeal was so great, that in that year they built a fine frame church at a cost of $1,400, which was dedicated at once by the Rev. George Stevenson, and thus they who were a short time before the recipients of others' charity, could point with pride to their church, the finest in Millville, if not in the township. This marked prosperity did not last long, and the decay and death of the church was almost as rapid as its growth had been, and to-day it is without a regular membership. The Methodist Episcopals occupy their building, although they do not own it. The following ministers had charge of the church from its foundation to the time at which it

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.

ceased to exist as an organization : The Revs. W. W. Lacy, G. W. Hogans, J. W. Hoskins, Purdy King and Hawnawalt.

The Protestant Methodist Church was formed by members who had become dissatisfied with the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and, leaving that society, built a frame structure in the town of Millville in 1844. The building was small, but accommodated the wants of the members until 1857, when it was re-built and re-dedicated by Thomas Graham, but it is now on the decline.

The Wesleyan Methodists originated from a series of union meetings, which were held with the Presbyterian Church at Fairview in the year 1854, and with the zeal and energy char- acteristic of new votaries, they immediately sct to work, and, although their numbers were few, they succeeded in a short time in building a very sub- stantial frame church, which, in the year 1859, was dedicated with imposing ceremonies. The church was at that time located ahout one mile west of the town of Ostrander, and had a large and flourishing congregation, and everything seemed to prophesy a long and prosperous future ; but soon after the war, it was noticed that the lamps of enthusiasm were burning low, and that the old time zeal was rusting with inactivity. It was im- possible to infuse new life and spirit into its mem- bers, and, in 1870, the fire in the altar died out, leaving the Wesleyan organization a thing of the past.

In the mean time, another society, that of the Methodist Episcopal, had sprung into existence, and, although young, was making great headway, and day by day, it continued to grow, and finally absorbed into its membership the remnant of the Wesleyan Church, upon the extinguishment of that organization. After the Wesleyan society had ceased to exist, it became necessary for them to dispose of their church, and, inasmuch as the Methodist Episcopals had treated them with such kindness, and a large number of the old members of the former had become members of the latter organization, it seemed peculiarly fitting that they should donate their edifice to them, and they did this in 1870, upon the following conditions : First, that the Methodist Episcopals would bind them- selves to move the building to a suitable, location in the town of Ostrander, and hold their meet- ings there, which proposition was agreed to, and in compliance with which it was taken from its position west of Ostrander and moved about halfway toward the town, when for want of funds with which to de-

fray the expense, it was deposited in a field, where it remained for two years. About the year 1874, Mr. Welch, of Delaware City, took the matter in hand, and caused it to be moved to the present location in North street, Ostrander. The church was dedicated the same year, and the first Pastor was Rev. Boyer. The following Pastors have since officiated, William Dunlap, W. W. Davies, now a professor in the Ohio Wesleyan University, J. W. Donnan and the present incumbents, Lucas and Crawford. This church has been supplied in late years by young gentlemen from the university at Delaware, who propose to enter the ministry as a profession.

The United Brethren Church is pleasantly sit- uated on the road from Millville to Ostrander, about two miles from the latter town, and is a frame structure, which cost about $600. The church was dedicated in the year 1866, by Bishop Weaver, of the Northern Ohio Conference. Pre- vious to the building of the church, the society held their meetings in the schoolhouse, which stands opposite, and, at times, in the homes of the farmers. The first minister that held the charge was Chancey Barlow. The present Pastor is E. Barnard.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, which is situ- ated about a mile above the United Brethren Church, and a short distance from the town of Millville, is a frame structure, and does not differ materially from that belonging to the United Brethren. It is somewhat larger, and cost about $1,000. It was dedicated in 1869, but at present there is no preaching within its walls, the Methodists having concentrated all their energies at Millville.

The Methodist Episcopal Church at White Sulphur Station is also a frame structure, and was built about the year 1864-65. In style and finish it resembles the general form of country churches. The subscription was gotten up by James Noble, and the amount paid was $1,000. This society was organized as far back as 1837. Its first meetings were held in a little log house, which stood 150 rods from where the present structure now stands. The latter was dedicated by Rev. Dr. Gurley, who at present resides in Delaware. The first minister was Stephen Fant, at present engaged in the manufacture of patent pills. The following ministers have been in charge since its foundation : Stephen Fant, Isaiah Hender- son, Daniel D. Strong, John Parlett, John S. Kalb, John Omarod, William Dunlap, Rev. Boyer, J. H. Bethard, Anothian Gavitt, Christian C.

HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.

489

Wolf, W. W. Davies. At present there is no preaching at this church.

The pioneers, at a very early date, turned their at- tention to that institution, which at present forms one of the brightest features of our government- the common schools. In a rude hut, once owned and used by James McCune as a cattle shed, was taught the first school in Scioto. Soon after, a house was put up on the bank of Boke's Creek, of slabs from the neighboring saw-mill. Since that time there has been a vast improvement and change, as the following statistics will abundantly prove :

State tax for school purposes for the year end- ing August 31, 1879. $ 646 50

Irreduceable fund. 41 96

Local tax for school and schoolhouse purposes 1,371 55

Total tax $5,048 26

Amount paid teachers within the year in Primary Department. 2,113 50

Fuel and other contingent expenses. 654 64

Grand total .$ 2,768 14

Balance on hand September 1, 1879. 2,280 12

Number of school districts. 11

Number of schoolhouses. 11

Number of rooms 11

Total value of school property. .$ 8,000 00

Number of teachers necessary 11

Number employed during the year 18

Number of male teachers 8

Number of female teachers. 10

Average wages of male teachers per month ... $ 32

Average wages of female teachers per month. 24

Number of male teachers who taught the en- tire year

Number of female teachers who taught the entire year.

Average number of weeks of session 24 1

Rate of local tax for 1878-79, mills.

Rate of local tax for 1879-80, mills. 1-10

Number of male pupils enrolled during the year

222

Number of female pupils enrolled during the year.

139

Total number enrolled. 361

Average monthly enrollment of males

155

Average monthly enrollment of females. 108

Total monthly enrollment. 263

In the Primary Department, males. 110

In the Primary Department, females 95

Total in Primary Department. 205

Number of males enrolled; between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one. 47

Number of females enrolled between the ages

of sixteen and twenty-one. 22

Total 69

Millville is a small hamlet pleasantly situated on the west bank of the Scioto River, about half-way between the covered bridge on the Marysville pike and the mouth of Boke's Creek. The old Sandusky Military Road passes through and forms the main street of the town. A good road partially graded and graveled connects it with Ostrander, while branching out from it in several directions are pikes leading to Delhi, Delaware, Ferrisburg, Richwood and Marysville. The nearest railway station is at White Sulphur, on the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad, about two miles and a half directly south over the old military pike road. Millville, as its name sug- gests, was called so from its mill privileges, and the fact that the old grist and saw mill stood here before the foundation of the town. Millville has a large mill, two churches-the Christian Union (now occupied by the Methodist Episcopals), and the Protestant Methodist-a fine carriage and wagon shop, two blacksmith-shops, and a brick store in which the post office is located. At one time in its history, Millville was the largest hamlet in the township, and had a bright prospect for the future, but the railroad robbed it of its birthright and attracted the greater interest to Ostrander.

Over the brick store is the lodge-room of Ruff- ner Lodge, No. 330, I. O. O. F. It was organ- ized and the first installation of officers and initia- tion of members took place in October, 1856, in the hall they now occupy, which is large and well furnished. It is in an excellent condition, having thirty members and a large sum of money in the treasury, besides owning their block and hall. It is related as an extraordinary fact that although this lodge has been in existence for so many years, the members have never as yet been called upon to defray the burial expenses of a dead brother. The lodges at Ostrander and Ferrisburg, in Union County, are outgrowths from this, and are evi- dences of the earnest work of its members. The following are the names of the charter members : William P. Crawford, William G. McFarlin, Thomas Silverthorn, Joseph Frankenfield, Hugh M. Stevens, James Cox and George Crawford. Of these W. G. McFarlin is the only one who takes an active part in the lodge proceedings. The present officers of the lodge are as follows : Adam Newhouse, Noble Grand ; Marshal Howison, Vice Grand; I. Z. Calvin, Recording Secretary; J. T. Shrup, Permanent Secretary; J. W. Jones, Treas- urer; Chancey Pearl, Inside Guardian, and W. G. McFarlin, Conductor.

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History of Delaware County and Ohio, Part 83

Author: O. L. Baskin & Co; Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin & Co. Number of Pages: 818

Author: O. L. Baskin & Co; Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 818