USA > Ohio > Union County > Jerome > History of Jerome Township, Union County, Ohio > Part 3
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Tradesmen of all kinds were in the country, and there was scarcely a farmer's family that did not have some member who could do mechanical work, either as shoemaker, harness maker or a wood worker. Nelson Cone was, perhaps, the best all- round mechanic along Sugar Run. He manufactured boots and shoes, harness and saddles. He was also a wood worker
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History of Jerome Township
and made sleds, ox yokes, plow stocks and all kinds of farm implements.
Among the shoemakers were Perry Buck, the Fleck boys, David Beard, and some of the Germans, a Mr. Myers and others. George Ruehlen, who arrived in Jerome Township direct from Germany, along in the fifties, was an expert work- man and erected the first up-to-date cider mill and press in the township. He also operated a sawmill for a number of years.
Nearly every farmer had a good set of tools and made and repaired all kinds of farm implements himself, instead of running to town and to the shop of a carpenter or blacksmith every time it was necessary to have a nail driven or a board sawed. They were especially expert in the manufacture of ax handles out of tough hickory timber, so much in use those days.
The fathers always took a great deal of pains to instruct their boys in the use and care of tools. There was one kind of work along this line that did not appeal to the farmer boy particularly, and that was filing a cross-cut saw. He was well aware that getting the old saw out, in company with a rat-tail file, meant hard work as soon as the saw was sharpened.
If there was one kind of labor harder than any other on a farm, it was for a boy to tackle a saw log about four feet in diameter with a cross-cut saw, for the other fellow was sure to "lay down" on the saw. Did you ever, my old farmer boy friend-now three score and ten-ever know it to be other- wise? I think not.
SOCIAL GATHERINGS AND SINGING SCHOOL.
Before the days of the Civil War, the young people residing along Darby Creek and Sugar Run were noted far and near for musical talent, both vocal and instrumental. Every winter singing schools and literary societies furnished the principal entertainments for all, old and young.
These entertainments were held in the schoolhouses in the neighborhood and on special occasions, such as concerts or literary exhibitions at the close of the schools, they were held
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History of Jerome Township
in the old Seceder Church at New California, or one of the churches at Jerome.
Until about the year 1850, the old square or "buckwheat" notes were used in the music books. The first singing book that used the round notes was the Carmina Sacra, and the first teacher was a Mr. Maynard. Then came a Mr. Dixon, Pinney Case of Jerome, Mr. Moulton of Boston, Wm. M. Robinson of Marysville, Sireno B. Phipps of Columbus, Sam- uel Robinson of Darby Township, and Nelson Cone. In later years James Curry, now a Presbyterian minister of Newark, California, taught a few terms.
After the regular terms of the singing schools closed with a day concert in the spring, the teachers would insist that the young people keep up the practice during the spring and summer months. These practices were held in the evenings and Dan Cone, James Curry, and David G. Robinson were usually the leaders, standing up in front, giving the key with a tuning fork, and beating time.
There was great rivalry between the choruses of Jerome and Darby Townships, and there were many concerts and musical contests. In the summer of 1860, the singers of Jerome, Darby and Milford Center held an all-day concert in the grove on the farm of Michael Sager at Unionville. A number of the music teachers were present in the interest of their favorites, and considerable feeling was displayed by the different factions-each chorus claiming the laurels.
Of soprano and alto singers who were prominent in musical affairs in those days, and still residing in the vicinity, only the names of Amanda McCampbell Comstock, Phebe Curry Wil- liams, Susannah Robinson McKittrick, Mary Curry Gill, Nancy Bain Curry, and Jennie Taylor Carson are recalled, and of the young men tenor and bass, not one. The Robinsons, Gowans, Cones, Liggetts, Dodges, Woodburns, McCampbells. Laugheads, Mitchells, Gills, Currys, Flecks, Beards and Bucks are all gone, and but few of that generation survive.
There were few pianos and organs, but violins, flutes, and violin-cellos were the principal musical instruments. Some of
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History of Jerome Township
the young people were quite talented, and of the Cone family of seven boys, all were violinists.
No public dances were held, but when the young people would meet in the evenings, even at the house of a strict Meth- odist or Presbyterian, they would indulge in a little social dance-a cotillion, swinging eight, Virginia Reel, or French four, with a jig dance by a few of the boys to the old tune of "Money Musk."
Then there was the apple cuttings, which closed at 9 o'clock sharp, after all the tubs, jars and crocks had been filled with apples, pared, cored and quartered, ready to be strung on cotton cord two or three yards in length and hung to the joists above the fireplace to dry. There was no canned fruit, and the apples and peaches were dried around the open fireplaces or on kilns. The kilns were usually made in the orchard by digging a trench a foot deep, a yard wide, and two or three yards long. This trench was arched over with brick, and at one end a chimney several feet in height was erected. The brick over the trench was then given a thick coat of clay mor- tar, smoothed down carefully, and soon dried ready for use by building a fire in the kiln. Newspapers or a cloth was spread over the kiln to keep the fruit clean when it was put in, and in this manner apples and peaches were dried for winter use.
When the apples were all pared and cut at these evening gatherings, the floors without carpets were swept up, refresh- ments were served, and the evening festivities commenced. The old plays were "Snap Up," March to Quebec," and many others. Some of the older persons will recall the old song as the boys and girls would march around the room by couples.
" We're all marching to Quebec Where the drums are loudly beating, The Americans have gained the day And the British are retreating ; The War's all o'er and we'll turn back To the place where first we started,
We'll open the ring and choose a couple in, To relieve the broken-hearted."
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History of Jerome Township
When a boy or girl was "out" they were assessed a pawn which was usually a handkerchief or a knife. To redeem it the penalty was not very severe, sometimes being a mock- marriage to your sweetheart. Some boy or girl would be blind- folded and the prosecutor would hold the pawn to be redeemed over the head of the judge, saying, "Heavy, heavy hangs over your head." The judge questioning, "Fine or superfine ?"-fine if it is a boy and superfine if a girl; then the penalty was pro- nounced by the judge. When the company was congenial both boys and girls were pleased to be assessed some penalty for the pleasure of redeeming.
There were wood choppings and the young men of the neigh- borhood would gather at some farmer's home, especially when the father or some of the boys were sick, but frequently just for a visit, chop wood and haul it to the home in long lengths, working all day, and a sufficient amount of wood would be chopped to last for many weeks. On the same day, the girls would assemble at the house and have a quilting party. In the evening a great supper would be spread and all would be merry with songs and plays until the "wee small hours."
Corn huskings were also evenings of amusement and help- fulness among the farmers. There was always some strife among the boys to see who could find the largest number of red ears, as every red ear found entitled him to kiss his best girl. It would even be intimated that a girl would quietly pass a red ear to the right boy, or if a boy had any doubts about finding one, he would place an ear of the right color in a con- venient pocket before he started to the "husking bee."
The debating societies furnished entertainment and amuse- ment for many winter evenings at the schoolhouses. These debates were participated in by many of the old settlers who were well versed in current events and were good historians as well. In fact, it may well be doubted if the average citizen of today is as well versed in the early history of the Republic as the pioneers of fifty years ago, and these debates were usually quite interesting.
The best class of farmers usually took two or three weekly
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History of Jerome Township
newspapers, one of which was a church paper, and it is recalled that the favorite one was, especially among the Presbyterians, "The Watchman of the Valley," published in Cincinnati. "The Dollar Newspaper," published in Philadelphia, was also a fa- vorite among the farmers, as in addition to all the current news, a continued story by one of the good writers was published, some of which continued for months.
There were no dailies outside of the cities, and the arrival of the weeklies in the Saturday's mail was hailed with great interest.
The writings of some of the standard prose writers and poets were in every household, including Shakespeare, Byron, Burns, Shelley, Scott, Young's Night Tohughts, Josephus, Rollins, and many standard histories. The Bible and hymn book was always on the stand in the living room, and they were both used every day.
CHURCHES.
"Lower Liberty Presbyterian Church" was organized about the year 1807 near Plain City. Services were first held in pri- vate houses, then in a schoolhouse on the lot where the first church building was erected. Among the first members were the Ewings, Mitchells, Chapmans, Taylors, Gills, Wingets, Currys, Robinsons and Bucks.
Rev. Samuel Wood was the first pastor, from 1808 to 1815. He was succeeded by the following named ministers : Rev. Wm. Dickey, Archibald Steele, James Hoge, D. D., Elder Hughes and Cable, until 1821, and Rev. James Robinson from that date until 1828, followed by Rev. Davis C. Allen until 1831. Rev. James Dolbear served from 1831 to 1838 and Rev. Wm. Gal- breath from 1839 to 1848.
In 1837 the denomination was divided into the old school and new school. Rev. Benjamin D. Evans, Rev. Henry Shedd, Rev. Kuhn. Rev. Ulilfelder afterward supplied the pulpit until 1853, when the society was disorganized and church building abandoned.
The first church building of this society was erected about
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History of Jerome Township
1815-1816 on a plat of ground of about four acres, donated by Walter Dun, one mile west from Plain City on the Post Road, in the forks of the road running through the Ricard farm from the east and just across that road from the southeast corner of the old Ewing farm now owned by Harlan Wood. It was a large frame building, not plastered, no chimney, and no way of heating. Therefore, it would not be occupied in the winter season. There were two aisles, one running through the center lengthwise of the building and the other from side to side, crossing the main aisle.
As in the old days the men sat on one side of the church and the women on the other. The seats were ordinary rough benches, supported by legs inserted through inch and a half auger holes. In the year 1836 a large red brick building was erected on the same site, in which services were held until about 1850.
The pulpit was in the front of the church and as a person entered they faced the congregation. The platform of the pulpit was at least six feet high, and only the head and shoul- ders of the minister could be seen, as the front wall of the pulpit was so high. The seats all had high-board backs and a door next to the aisle had a button to it which was turned as soon as the children were all counted in. In those days fam- ilies all sat in the same seat and the seat of each family was well known. Strangers and transients were seated in the rear part of the church, unless invited to sit with some family. Sun- day school in the morning at 9:30, church at 11, two prayers and sermon an hour in length, then half hour "intermission" for dinner, carried in baskets, and it was a good diner, cold biscuits, cold pork or sausage, doughnuts, "pound cake," and mother's juicy gooseberry or currant pie an inch and a half thick. And what appetites we had! Then up to Uncle Jimmie Ewings, well for a drink out of the real "old oaken bucket," and a little visit, then back to the church for another long sermon.
The music was not classical but there were many good voices and it was a real praise service. The singing was usually led by two of the Elders of the church. As there were
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History of Jerome Township
not a sufficient number of hymn books for the congregation, the two leaders would stand up in front of the pulpit and "line out" two lines of the hymn, then leading the singing. Jesse Gill and James Robinson were the two leaders for many years, finally Benjamin Fay, who played the flute and was quite a musician, organized a choir of the young people and I recall he would stand up and give the key with his flute. The music was greatly improved and enjoyed under his leader- ship. Mascal Ewing, who was educated for the ministry and was a fine scholar, would frequently read sermons to the con- gregation when they had no minister. The "Old Red Brick Church" drew great congregations and in the summer time the church would often be filled to overflowing, as the people would come for many miles, even as far as Milford Center and Fairview, now Ostrander, in wagons, horseback and on foot. When the young people would start home on their pranc- ing horses it would look like a troop of cavalry. The services usually lasted until 2:00 o'clock. Not one of the members of that old congregation survives and of the young girls who sang in the choir I recall but two who are living, Jane Curry Randall, of Plain City, and Susannah Robinson McKitrick, residing near New California, and of the young men not one. Of the ruling elders I recall the names of James Ewing, T. M. Ewing, John Taylor, Jessie Gill, James Robinson, Stephen- son Curry, David Chapman, Abner Chapman. The old church building, after the congregation was disorganized, was aban- doned to the birds and bats, the windows knocked out, the yard grown up in weeds and bushes, and so it remained until after the close of the Civil War. In the year 1870 it was torn down and the brick was hauled to Plain City and used in the erec- tion of a Presbyterian church on the site now occupied by the Commodius Church, to which it gave way a few years ago. When that church was erected I was secretary of the building committee and Rev. Wm. H. Galbreath, who was pastor in the old church in 1839, preached the dedicatory sermon. The organizers of the old church were a God-fearing people and while the good old fathers and mothers have gone to their re-
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History of Jerome Township
wards, their seed was sown on fertile ground and has borne good fruit, as evidenced by the fact that many of their descen- dants are still zealous workers in the vineyard of the good old Presbyterian Church at Plain City and other churches. Some of the descendants of this congregation became ministers of the Presbyterian Church, among whom may be named David G. Robinson, son of James Robinson, and James Curry, son of Stepenson Curry, who has been a prominent minister in the state of California for thirty-seven years and is now located at Newark in that state. David G. Robinson died about the year 1872-73.
THE OLD SECEDER CHURCH, NEW CALIFORNIA.
The Seceder Church, now the United Presbyterian Church, was organized at New California between the years 1835 and 1840. The society was organized by the McCampbells and the Beards, who emigrated from Rockbridge County, Virginia, in 1835, and soon after came the Liggetts. The McCampbells and Beards were connected with the Associate Church of Ebenzer and Timber Ridge congregation, Virginia, before coming to Ohio.
Services were first held at the residence of Wm. McCamp- bell, Sr., and then in the cooper shop of John McCampbell.
Rev. James Wallace organized the congregation and the first rulings elders ordained and installed were Wm. Bigger and David Beard, with about thirty members.
Rev. Robert Forester, who resided at Reynoldsburg, Ohio, supplied the church the first two years.
Rev. I. N. Laughead was the first pastor installed. He be- came pastor in April, 1843, and so continued until April, 1864. He was also pastor of the U. P. Church at Unionville Center for the same period. He stated in a letter at one time that his salary at first was $300 per year and never was above $400. Rev. Laughead was also a farmer during his pastorate here and had one of the best improved farms in the neighborhood. He was quite successful as a manager and accumulated con-
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History of Jerome Township
siderable property, although it was not by reason of the meager salary he received as a minister.
He also taught school in the winter season and some of the older persons residing now in the community were his pupils. He was a devoted Christian and enterprising citizen, and gave the best of his life ministering to his congregation, composed of earnest, God-fearing people.
Mrs. Laughead was a woman of intelligence, devoted to the interest of the congregation, and reared an interesting family. The oldest son, William Bradford, died in the army during the Civil War and the only daughter, Elizabeth, now Mrs. J. H. Young, resides in Pasadena, California, and two sons, James and Leander, reside in Iowa.
In the spring of 1865 Rev. Laughead and family removed to Washington, Iowa, where he and his good wife were laid to rest several years ago. The first church building erected by the congregation was of logs about the year 1841. The ceiling was very low and some of the benches used as seats did not have any backs. When the minister was in the pulpit his head reached almost to the joists, which were heavy enough for a railroad bridge. The congregation worshiped in this building until 1852, when the old frame building now used as a town- ship house was erected on the same site now occupied by the church building erected in 1904.
Of the old families who were members of this great congre- gation may be named McCampbells, Liggetts, Beards, Robin- sons, Mitchells, Woodburns, Gowans, McDowells, Biggers, McCrorys, Taylors, Mcculloughs, and Bains
I do not recall but one of that old generation who organized the church seventy-eight years ago who survives-Martha Robinson Beard, widow of Andrew Beard, now living with her daughter, Martha Williams, in Cleveland, Ohio. But few of the younger generation reside in Jerome Township, and of the McCampbells, Amanda Comstock and Dell McCampbell, and of the McDowells, Porter and Leander; the Liggetts, Mrs. Clement Evans ; the Taylors, Mrs. S. H. Carson.
Rev. James A. Taylor succeeded Rev. Laughead in April,
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History of Jerome Township
1865, to November 19th, 1867. From that date until Rev. John Gilmore was installed September 12th, 1871, there was no reg- ular pastor. He was followed by Rev. D. M. Gordon in Janu- ary, 1875, and Rev. Ebenezer E. Cleland succeeded in April, 1878, to September, 1895. Rev. B. E. Dobbins, September, 1897, to April, 1902. Rev. R. C. Finney, July, 1903, to August, 1909. Rev. E. H. Thompson, the present pastor, July, 1911.
The good influence of this congregation in the community for three-quarters of a century has not only been for the spirit- ual welfare of its membership, but for the spiritual and moral welfare of all the people. While at this time the membership is greatly reduced as compared with that of fifty years ago, yet their influence for all that is good in society and the high regard and reverence that still obtains for the Sabbath day and the ceremonies of the church is all in the interest of good citizenship. If we had more such churches in our country there would not be need for so many prisons.
In the early days, soon after the select schoolhouse was erected, a class was organized by the Methodist denomination. Rev. Merrill, who afterward became a distinguished Bishop in that church and an eloquent speaker, was the first minister. Nelson Cone, Judah Dodge (who was an exhorter in the church for many years), James B. Dort, John Ruehlen, John Nonnemaker, James Ketch, and a number of the other old families were active members of the church. Services were held in the Select School building or township house, at Cali- fornia.
A Sunday School was organized and flourished with a good attendance for a number of years. In time some of the active members died and others affiliated with churches at Plain City or Jerome, and the organization was abandoned.
About the year 1854 a number of German families, includ- ing the Kimberlies, Ruehlens, Housers, Myers, Masts and others, came direct from the Fatherland and settled in the vicinity. They held services frequently in the township house, but did not have any regular minister. Many of the young people of the neighborhood attended these meetings,
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History of Jerome Township
and while they could not understand the sermon, they enjoyed the singing, as there were some splendid voices among these good German people.
When the U. P. Church was at the zenith of its prosperity they had great congregations. They came in wagons, buggies, on horseback and a-foot, and from the number of horses hitched to the trees in the woods near the church it resembled a Camp Meeting or County Fair. Like the services in the old Red Brick Presbyterian Church near Plain City, they con- tinued all day, with two sermons and a half hour for lunch. The singing was usually led by Moderwell and Hunter Robin- son, by reading two lines of the Psalm, then leading in the singing.
PLAIN CITY.
The population of Plain City at this time is about 1,500, and of that number 400 reside in Jerome Township. The flouring mill, owned and operated by U. D. Beard, is located on the west bank of Darby Creek in Jerome Township. The mill was erected by Dr. W. I. Ballinger and Richard Woodruff in 1873, and has always done a good business, handling a large amount of grain.
The Plain City M. E. Church is located in Jerome Town- ship. The church building is beautiful and commodious, the congregation numbering about 500, with a large and flourish- ing Sunday School. The Church Society of Pleasant Valley was organized in the cabin of Andrew Noteman about the year 1812, and has been in existence continuously, the major- ity of the congregation residing in Madison County. Rev. S. A. Stephan is the minister in charge at this time.
Pastime Park, joining the village on the north, is located on the old farm owned in the early days by William McCune, who also operated quite an extensive tannery. The park con- tains 27 acres of ground, and has a fine race-track for matinee races and training horses. The grove of natural forest trees is beautiful, and a great pleasure resort. Chautauqua meet- ings are held in the park every year. The "City of Tents"
ROBERT L. WOODBURN S6th O. V. I.
MAJOR LLEWELLYN B. CURRY Paymaster U. S. Navy.
CAPTAIN JAMES CUTLER and I. S. 1., Ist O. V. C., Civil War. Mexican War.
DIVALLEN W. WOODBURY 5th O. V. I.
CAPTAIN JAMES A. CURRY War of ISI2.
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History of Jerome Township
during these meetings is quite large and the attendance is numbered by thousands.
Many picnics and Fourth of July celebrations were held on these grounds before the Civil War. Some of the older citi- zens recall these celebrations held every year in Pleasant Val- ley, and in those days the meetings were patriotic indeed. Usually one good speaker, the reading of the Declaration of Independence, a few patriotic songs, music by a good martial band, made a day of real enjoyment. Long tables were erected, filled with the substantial "fat of the land," and a free dinner for all.
In the year 1833 Otway Curry, who resided in a log house on the exact spot where now stands the residence of Charles M. Jones, composed a poem especially for the Fourth of July celebration. It was set to the music of Pleyel's Hymn Sec- ond, and sung July 4th, 1833, in Bigelow's Grove, Pleasant Valley, under the leadership of Nelson Cone. The poem will be herewith published as a part of the early history of Pleas- ant Valley, frequently referred to by the newspapers of today.
"God of the high and boundless heaven, We call upon Thy name ; We tread the soil that Thou hast given To Freedom and to fame. Around us on the ocean waves Our starry banners sweep, Around us in their lowly graves Our patriot fathers sleep.
With fearless hearts and stalwart hands They bore the eagle high O'er serried arms and battle brands Careering in the sky ; For Freedom, in her darkest day, Their life-blood bathed the plain ;
Their mouldering tombs shall pass away, Their glory shall remain.
4
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History of Jerome Township
God of the Free, Thy children bless, With joy their labor crown; Let their domain be limitless, And endless their renown. Proclaim the morn of Freedom's birth O'er every land and sea,
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