History of Delaware County and Ohio, Part 95

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

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summit standing some eight feet above the level of the surrounding ground, and is about forty feet in diameter at the base. A ditch, two feet deep, surrounds it, outside of which is a wall, or embank- ment of earth, about one foot and a half high and about two feet wide. In the east side of this wall or embankment is a bridge-like opening, resem- bling a gateway. This mound was opened, and in it were found portions of a well-preserved skeleton, charred remains of wood, and a few other unim- portant relics, pertaining to this lost race of people.

William Williams, who bought out Isaac Eaton, came from Fairfield County to this township. Three years after he located here he was chosen Justice of the Peace, an office he has been elected to from year to year until the present time. He has also served the county as Treasurer two terms, from 1846 to 1852, and as an Infirmary Director three years. He has likewise served the township in the capacity of Clerk and Treasurer, and been often chosen administrator of estates and guardian of minor heirs. In all of these positions, his duties have been discharged with a faithfulness and fidelity that is rare in these degenerate days. With the exception of the first three years, he has held official position ever since he has been a res- ident of the county.

Emigrants came in rapidly, and soon the entire salt reservation was settled up. One of the first families to move in after those already mentioned, was that of Benjamin McMasters, who came in about 1826. This pioneer of county and State was born in New York September 24, 1795, and was the third in a family of four children. His father died when he was quite young, and his mother moved with her family to Ohio in 1813, and located on the Scioto River, in Franklin County. He worked here for some time in a saw- mill, the first one built on the Scioto. It was in this mill that the lumber was sawed used in the construction of the old State House at Columbus. In 1814, the MeMasters family moved to the village of Worthington, and lived for a time in part of the house in which Col. Kilbourn kept a tavern. In the latter part of the same year, Ben- jamin came to Delaware County. His first work was the clearing-up of twenty acres of land for a Dr. Warren. In 1817, he went to Champaign County, and the next year married a daughter of Lemuel G. Humphrey, of Liberty Township, Del- aware County. His wife lived but a few years. After her death, he came back to this county,

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.

where, in a year or two, he married again. At the sale of the salt section, in Brown Township in 1826, to which reference has been frequently made, he purchased 100 acres of land, upon which he at once built a cabin of the regular pioneer pattern. He moved into it one night between 9 and 10 o'clock, late in December, and snow on the ground at the time some fifteen inches deep. His worldly wealth consisted of one yoke of stcers, one heifer, ten head of young hogs, a dog (all early settlers had a dog), a small supply of household goods, a few provisions and $50 in money. Herc he lived until 1851, when he started a warehouseand formed a business partnership in Ashley, where he still resides. In the spring of 1852, he sold his place to his son Horace, who still occupies it. For many years, the latter has devoted much attention to fruit culture, and stands deservedly high in that branch of business. His large and well-assorted orchards produce from one to two thousand bush- els of apples annually, with other fruits in con- siderable quantity. He has just completed a cider mill and press, which is most perfect in every particular, and has a capacity of 150 barrels a day.

The same years that brought to Brown Town- ship the pioneers we have already mentioned, witnessed the arrival of others, who, at the same land sales, purchased themselves homes. Among them we may mention Andrew Finley, J. Flem- ing, Zenas Leonard, James, George, Ralph and E. Longwell, S. Harlow, Charles Cowgill, John Kensill and others. With such an influx of immigration, the township rapidly settled up. Among those who came at a later date were John Walker and Will- iam Finley. Walker came from Virginia in 1832, but was a native of Ireland. He was born in 1784, and died upon the place of his original settlement (in this township) at the great age of ninety-eight years. Finley was a son-in-law of Walker, and settled first in Kingston Township, but after a few years moved into Brown. He bought 100 acres of land, upon which he still lives with his son, and is now ninety-two years old, but growing somewhat feeble. His wife is living, and remembers quite vividly the stirring scenes of those early times, when the country round about them " was all woods " and stocked with game of all kinds. The same year of Walker's settlement in Brown, a young man named Charles Neil, now better known as "Uncle Charley Neil," came in. He was also from Virginia, and also married a daughter of Mr. Walker. Mr. Neil carried on an

ashery, and taught school for some ten years, when he was elected County Surveyor. This office was given to him by the people of Delaware County from 1842 to 1864, without any solicita- tion on his part. In the latter year, unknown to him, he was nominated, and, afterward, elected to the office of County Auditor, which office he held for two terms. During his second term as Auditor, he was elected Mayor of the city of Delaware by an overwhelming majority. A short time after the settlement of the Thurstons, Eatons and others already mentioned, Hugh Cunningham came from Pennsylvania and located on what is now called the Hann farm. He was the father of fifteen children, all of whom reached the years of maturity, and of the number there were three pairs of twins. He died in 1824, and his children have all fol- lowed him, except one-Mrs. Torrence, who lives at Mount Vernon, Iowa, and, at an advanced age, is enjoying good health. In 1827, Hugh Lee located in Brown Township, on what was then called the Peter Baker farm, but is now owned by Mr. Snedeker. He was a branch of the illustrious Lee family-a family that has produced as many great men as any in our country. As a proof that the family did not deteriorate in him, a son, John Calvin Lee, who was born while his father lived on this place, and who spent his childhood here, rose to the rank of Brigadier General during the late war, and, after its close, was twice elevated to the position of Lieutenant Governor of the State. In 1867, and again in 1869, he was elected Lieutenant Governor on the ticket with Hon. R. B. Hayes, now President of the United States. A more extended notice is given of both of these gentle- men in another chapter of this work. Dr. Lyman Potter, who lives near the north line of the town- ship, is a native of New York, and settled in Peru Township in 1821, and, in 1844, moved into Brown. When somewhat advanced in life, he began the study of medicine with old Dr. Carney, of Berkshire, one of the early practitioners of the county. After his term of reading, and after practicing some years, Dr. Potter attended lectures at the Starling Medical College at Columbus, from which he graduated in 1850. He then returned to his old location (the village of Eden) and con- tinued practice until his removal to the farm where he now resides. After locating upon his farm, he attended those in the immediate neighborhood who required his professional services, but did not make it his business exclusively. He assisted in organizing the first medical society in the county,

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.

and has always been an active member of it. He has produced some able papers before the society o0 different subjects, and is considered a deep thinker and forcible writer. He says that the only public position he has ever held, of which he feels proud, was that of Treasurer of the Bounty Fund during the late war. This position he held from his first election until the close of the war relieved the county of the necessity for such a fund. Israel Potter, a brother of the doctor, settled in the same neighborhood and at the same time. He is still living, a prosperous farmer, and devotes considerable attention to wool-growing, and owns quite a number of very fine sheep.

In this age of plenty, it is somewhat difficult to realize what straits the pioneers were sometimes subjected to. They often had to pay 60 cents a pound for coffee, and when cash was short, parched corn or burnt potatoes served as a substitute for Rio and Java. Calico was 40 and 50 cents a yard, and if the wife and daughters were able to obtain one calico dress a year they deemed them- selves peculiarly fortunate, and robed (except on state occasions), in linsey-woolsey, produced by their fair though strong hands. Sugar was manu- factured from their own " camps," and, when sold, brought from 4 to 6 cents per pound. Joseph Thurston, his father, the Longwells, Loofbour- rows, Thralls, and a few others, raised a little wheat. All that was not required for home con- sumption found a ready market at Zanesville, seventy-five miles to the southeast, where it was sold at from 37 to 50 cents a bushel. This was mostly taken in trade, barely enough money being received to pay taxes. When this market broke up, they found a better one at Sandusky, on Lake Erie, a distance of about 100 miles. This market, though farther off, was better, as here they received, $1 per bushel for wheat, and other surplus produce found as ready a sale. But this has all passed away. The building of railroads has brought markets to our homes; the age of progress has done away with the pioneer cabin, and left, in its stead, the commodious farmhouse of the thrifty granger, and the ladies, bless 'em ! can have as many new dresses as their hearts de- sire and their means will allow.

Politically, Brown Township has been one of the stalwart Republican strongholds, ever since the organization of that party, and, prior to its organization, was quite as Whiggish as it is now Republican. These principles were introduced by the early settlers, who were from sections of the

Union where such ideas predominated among the masses of the people. They came here thoroughly imbued with their political sentiments-sentiments which they did not fail to instill into the minds of their children. Their fathers and grandfathers were soldiers of the Revolution, and had fought for liberty, and thus came honestly by their Re- publican sentiments and principles. Upon the dismemberment of the old Whig party, the trans- ition to a party claiming much the same political ideas, was quite natural. Thus the large majority of the people in this township drifted into the newly formed Republican party, and so it has re- mained to the present day. The patriotism of Brown is as lofty as any portion of Delaware County. Most of the early settlers were descended from Revolutionary stock, and in the war of 1812 and the Indian wars of the times, many of its citizens bore an honorable part. In the Mexican war, too, Brown Township was well represented. The names of these Mexican warriors, however, could not be obtained. But, when the alarm sounded in 1861, and war became inevitable, then it was that the old Revolutionary fire blazed out and the patriotic principles of the people shone bright as the summer sky. Regardless of party bias or political prejudices, her sons were found at the recruiting office to "enlist for three years, or during the war." In soldier graves some of them are sleeping to-day. Our space will not permit the mention of all who went from this township, and hence we will not undertake it. A few of those who fell in the fight are noticed as their names occur to us : Perry Wigton, lost his life in Arkansas; ' Robert Bell came home and died ; John and Alexander McCay and J. K. White were killed on the Red River expedition ; Elmer Thurston, John Ashburn and James Porter were killed at Chattanooga, Tenn., also William Hume and F. Wigton.

"Not forever have they left us, Those for whom we shed our tears ; Not forever shall our mourning, Darken long and weary years."

Going back to the early history of the township, we find that the first marriage in this pioneer set- tlement was a daughter of Daniel Thurston, who married Israel Wood in 1818. He had emigrated from the old home of the Thurstons in New York, and was married to Miss Thurston by a minister of the Gospel, in the log cabin of her father. We may appropriately mention in this place, that Mr. Thurston's large family of girls were noted far and

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.

wide for their great beauty, as well as their indus- try and economy. From this, or some other cause equally cogent, the venerable parents were soon left daughterless, but their loss was invariably the gain of somebody else.

Some ten years after settlements commenced in the township, the messenger of death entered its precincts, to warn its denizens of their mortality, and that sooner or later they " must render up an · account of the deeds done in the body." The first death was an infant child of James Longwell. It died in 1828, and was the first burial in the old graveyard, just north of Eden Village. This ceme- tery was laid out by Isaac Eaton the same year that this interment was made. It has been pretty well populated since that time. The law had its first representative in Daniel Thurston, who was elected Justice of the Peace in 1821, an office he held three terms. Old Dr. Carney, of Berkshire, was the first practicing physician who adminis- tered to the physical wants of the people of Brown. From 1817 to 1842, he and Dr. Loofbourrow, who lived near Alum Creek, were the doctors for this section. About 1842-43, Dr. Howell settled in the township and practiced about a year. Then Dr. Lyman Potter came in. The Drs. Carothers practiced here also, and Benton and Gosler, and later, Thurston, Willis and Ross. And, lastly, Dr. J. H. Smith, who is now an active physician in the township.

The early training of the pioneers of Brown Township soon made itself felt after their settle- ment in the wilderness. Though their trials and cares were heavy, they found time to read a chap- ter from the old Bible, and return thanks to God for preservation and protection. The first society formed in the neighborhood was in 1828, and of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. It was organized at Mr. Thurston's, and consisted of him- self and wife, Joseph Thurston and wife, Zenas Leonard and wife, and Phoebe Thrall. Once a week they would meet together, and, as they were without a shepherd, prayer-meetings only were held. Soon after the Methodists got well into the harness, the Presbyterians commenced work. They organized a society at Mr. Thurston's, as his cabin seems to have been a kind of religious head- quarters. For a number of years, these two socie- ties continued their meetings under these limited circumstances. At length, a society of the New School Presbyterians was formed, with the follow- ing members: John Hestwood and wife, Hugh Lee and wife, Robert Kinkaid and wife, James

Kinkaid and wife. They built a church of hewed logs, in which they worshiped for several years ; the Methodists also occupied it on special occasions. In 1841, a frame church building was erected by the congregation near the same spot. But they allowed their imagination to run away with them, and laid their foundation on such an extensive scale, that they were unable to complete the building. Finally they tore it down, and of the material erected a smaller one upon the same site. This building was superseded by a more pretentious one in 1855, and the old church con- verted into a residence, which is now occupied by Norton T. Longwell. The first Pastor of this congregation was Rev. Mr. Jenks, who had charge of a church in Kingston Township at the same time.

There were others who took an active part in the formation of a Free-Will Baptist Church, and, in 1836, built a log church near the site of the Presbyterian Church. The original members were John Moore, Thomas Cowgill and wife, Isaac Eaton and wife, Orlando Root and wife, Zenas Root and wife, Thomas Agard and wife, Spofford Root and wife, Nathaniel Arnold and wife, and Isaac Thurston and wife. Rev. Isaac Eaton was the Pastor, assisted occasionally by Rev. S. Wyatt. In 1848, some twelve years after its organization -years of more or less usefulness-it was discon- tinued as a society. The next year, after the dis- banding of this society, the Baptists and Metho- dists, together with Charles Neil, O. D. Hough, Vinal and Norton Thurston, and Thomas Har- graves, with their families, built the church in the village of Eden. Rev. William Godman, a son of Lawyer Godman, of Marion, was the preacher in charge of the circuit at the time the church was built. He was a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University, and a minister of considerable merit.

About the time that church influences began to be felt and recognized in the community, steps were also taken looking to the education of the rising generation. Several years had elapsed since the first settlement had been made in the township, and, as yet, the youth had only been instructed at home in the simplest rudiments. So, in 1830, Mr. Thurston, and his son Joseph, Isaac Eaton, Longwell, Loofbourrow and a few others met together, and, after a short discussion of the subject, sought out a favorable spot on the banks of Alum Creek, near an ever-flowing spring of pure water, and proceeded to erect a log school- house. This temple of learning, the first in the

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.

township, was in the vicinity of the churches, and just north of Eden. In this primitive structure, the children met for the first time to feast from the storehouse of knowledge. Mr. Griffith was the first teacher. He had moved to the settle- ment a few years before from New England. His wife soon succeeded him as teacher, and filled the postion until they decided to return to their Eastern home. Isaac Eaton was the next teacher. As the population increased, more extensive school facilities were demanded, until, at the pres- ent time, there are in the township ten school dis- tricts, in each of which is a comfortable school building. The average attendance at school is as follows : Males, 90 ; females, 63; State tax, $1,105.79 ; county tax, $425.39. In the early time, if each neighborhood could get a three- months school during the winter season, it was as much as they dared expect. Now the school term is from six to nine months annually.

The county infirmary, or poor house, is located in Brown Township. An institution of this kind did not become necessary until quite a late date. When such a necessity did arise, about 1852, a purchase of 113} acres of land was made of Joseph Blain. This land lies half a mile east of Eden, five and a half miles east of Delaware, and is very near the center of the township. In 1854, a large and substantial brick building was erected, 40x140 in dimensions. The yard is large, and a little rivulet windiog through it renders it quite picturesque. As yet there are very few shrubs or trees to adorn it, aside from a thrifty young orchard planted in the rear of the buildings. In 1856, an addition was built to the infirmary as an asylum for the insane. This building was small and uncomfortable, and, in 1874-75, another was built, much larger and more commodious, and comprising all the modern improvements usually found in such buildings. In 1870, it became evident that the farm was too small, and 105 acres additional were purchased from John L. Thurston, which, with the original tract, makes a large and splendid farm. The in- stitution is in an excellent condition, and, under the present administration, everything moves on like clockwork. The first Superintendent was Eli Jackson ; the present is Mr. Glass ; the at- tendiog physician is Dr. J. H. Smith, of Eden, who does all the professional business for $200 per annum-the medicines furnished by the county. The last report of the institution showed the num- ber of inmates to be 84; adult males, 31; adult

females, 25; children, males, 22; children, females, 6. The products of the farm last year were 3,000 bushels of corn ; 500 bushels of wheat; 1,000 bushels of oats, and 800 bushels of pota- toes. A more extended history of the infirmary is given in another chapter, and hence little can be said here without repetition.

The township has the benefit of one railroad, the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis, or Bee Line, which passes through the western part, and is the first railroad built through Dela- ware County. It has been of considerable bene- fit to the township in bringing the best markets to the very doors of its citizens. Leonardsburg, or Eden Station, is the principal shipping-point, and is located near the north line, six miles from Del- aware. It was laid out by S. G. Caulkins in 1852, and was called Leonardsburg for, A. Leon- ard, the first merchant. He opened a store in the place the first year it was laid out as a village, and, soon after, built a grain warehouse. Mr. Leonard was also the first Postmaster. He was succeeded a few years later in the Post Office De- partment by A. R. Livingston, the present in- cumbent. The business of the store and ware- house is carried on by Livingston Brothers, who, for a number of years, have done a large shipping business in grain, wool and other farm products. The Grangers also have a store in the village which has a large trade, with that fraternity at least. A further improvement in the little town was the erection of a church in 1861, by the Methodists. It is a frame edifice, and cost about $1,200, and was built under the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Gow- dry. The church has a membership at present of twenty-four, under the pastoral charge of Rev S. L. Yourtree, of Delaware. A flourishing Sabbath school, under the superintendence of William Jewell, is connected with the church, and main- tained the year round, with an average attendance of about twenty-five pupils.

The village of Eden was surveyed and laid out by Isaac Eaton, for the proprietors, Daniel G. Thurston and Isaac Leonard, who owned the land. The loca- tion was chosen at the crossing of the road ruo- ning east and west, and the one running north and south along the creek, as an eligible site for a prosperous village. The first house in the village was a log cabin built by John Finley ; the first frame dwelling was put up by William Williams, soon after his removal to the neighborhood. This extravagance of architecture created quite a stir among the people, and stimulated others to make

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.

similar improvements, and soon the little town could boast of several imposing frame buildings. Joseph Leonard was the first merchant in Eden. Hitherto the people had been going to Delaware to buy the few goods required to satisfy their limited wants ; but Leonard now accommodated them nearer home. He had the trade all to himself until 1838, when Williams & Loofbour- row opened a store, and thus created competition. A large and handsome schoolhouse was erected in 1840, to accommodate the growing population, and is still in use, though having been in the mean- time thoroughly renovated and remodeled.

In 1830, Ezekiel Longwell built a saw-mill on Alum Creek, within the limits of the village. Lumber had been rather scarce, before the build- ing of this mill, and rather difficult to obtain. The demand for lumber thus created was supplied by Longwell's mill. Several years previous, a small saw-mill had been erected some three miles up the creek, but had never amounted to much as a lumber manufactory. It has been abandoned for some time, but the remains of it are still stand- ing-a landmark of early times. As Longwell's mill began to show signs of age and rough usage, it was repaired by William K. Thrall, who also built a grist-mill in connection with it, which is

yet in active operation. About 1829-30, a black- smith-shop was opened by C. Thrall. It was twenty-one years after the first settlement before there was a post office in the township. The citi- zens received their mail at Berkshire and Dela- ware. In 1838, the Government commissioned C. M. Thrall, Postmaster at the village of Eden, and called the office Kilbourn. A little later, a tavern was opened by Seymour Scott, the first in the place, and for a number of years he furnished "accommodation to man and beast." Alum Creek, in this section, being too deep to cross in safety, on horseback or with teams, for a large por- tion of the year, led to the construction of a bridge at a very early day. ' The first effort was a rough wooden structure, and was built by John Elliott. It was used until condemned as unsafe, when it was replaced by a more durable one. This last one was built by James Landon, and is still in use. B. F. Loofbourrow (now of Dela- ware) at one time operated a carding machine in the village. He sold it to S. Scott, who added a spinning jack, and for several years carried on a spinning and carding factory. The present town hall of Eden was built by subscription, and is used for all public meetings.

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History of Delaware County and Ohio, Part 95

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