History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present, Part 103

Author: Hill, N. N. (Norman Newell), comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A.A. & Co., Mt. Vernon, Ohio
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Mt. Vernon, Ohio : A. A. Graham & Co.
Number of Pages: 1096

USA > Ohio > Knox County > History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present > Part 103

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Mt. Vernon nursery is located in the northern part of Pleasant township, on the Gambier road. It was established in 1848, by Barton Starr. The nursery contains all kinds of fruit trees, such as ap- ples, peaches, pears and plums; also grapes and a variety of small fruits. About five or six years af- ter its establishment Mr. Starr added to his stock all kinds of ornamental trees and shrubbery. The business was successfully conducted by Mr. Starr until his death in 1874, when his son, Newton P. Starr, took charge of the establishment, and has

made extensive improvements, and has now one of the best nurseries in this part of the State.

The Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus rail- road traverses the valley of the Vernon river for some distance below the city, and passes through the northern portion of Pleasant township, but has no depot within its bounds. The Lake Erie di- vision of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad passes through the southwest corner of the township, and by the location of Hunt's station furnishes the citi- zens of that vicinity with railroad facilities.

In 1830 the population of Pleasant township was 918; in 1840, 1,880; in 1850, 909; in 1860, 828; in 1880, 851 ; and in 1880, 1,033.

The reason of the sudden increase, as shown by the census of 1840, was the laying out and growth of Gambier, the site of Kenyon college, and the cause of the decrease, as shown by the census of 1850, was the setting off of Gambier into the new township of College.

The number of acres in the township is 12,220; number of acres under cultivation, 4,115; acres in pasture, 6,086; acres in wheat, 1,388; bushels of wheat, 20,926; acres in oats, 250; bushels of oats, 7,015; acres in corn, 1,440; bushels of corn, 43,- 375; acres in meadow, 907; tons of hay, 722 ; acres in potatoes, 32; bushels of potatoes, 2,525 ; pounds of butter, 32,208 ; pounds of wool, 29,113.

Number of horses, 369; assessed value of same, $17,482 ; number of cattle, 879; assessed value of same, $12,469; number of sheep, 5,775; assessed value of same, $15,549; number of hogs, 956; as- sessed value of same, $2,361 ; moneys and credits, $22,422 ; total value of all taxable personal prop- erty, $108,754.

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

CHAPTER LXIV. UNION TOWNSHIP.

BOUNDARIES-TOPOGRAPHY-FIRST SETTLERS-FIRST ELEC- TION-FIRST BIRTH-SKETCHES OF THE FIRST SETTLERS- MILLS-ROADS-SCHOOLS-CHURCHES-DANVILLE -- MILL- WOOD-GANN STATION - ROSSVILLE -BUCKEYE CITY- CAVALLO.

T THIS township as originally organized in 1808,

consisted of Brown, Jefferson, Union, Butler, Jackson, Howard, three-fourths of Harrison, and the east half of Clay. In 1825 it was reduced to five miles square, having Jefferson on the north, Howard on the west, Butler on the south, and Coshocton county on the east. Union retained the boundary given it in 1825 until 1876, when one mile from the south side of Jefferson was attached to it.

Union contains within its limits a very fine body of land, embracing almost every variety of soil, which is well adapted for the production of grass or grain, as well as every variety of fruit and vegeta- bles grown in Ohio. The surface is broken and hilly, especially along the Mohican river and Owl creek, where there are numerous high bluffs, for the most part still well timbered. Beyond these hills the township is moderately undulating, and is cov- ered with fine farms and farm houses. The farm- ers are generally well and comfortably settled, and many evidences of wealth and prosperity are seen while passing through the township. It is well watered. The two largest streams in Knox county flow through the township. Owl creek crosses the southwest corner, and the Mohican river cuts across the northeastern part, passing out of the township into Coshocton county, and flowing southwardly, it again enters Union in the southeastern part of the township, and continuing a southeastwardly course about three-fourths of a mile it again passes into Coshocton county.

Little Jelloway and its tributaries water the northern portions, and several small streams the central and southern portion of the township.

The Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad runs diagonally across the northern part of Union, the direction being northeast and southwest.

Originally the township was densely timbered, but owing to the large amount destroyed in clear- ing up the land, and the demand for fuel and build-

ing purposes, the timber is now confined to the high hills, and to small tracts in other parts of the township.

The first white people who remained perma- nently, came to Union about 1806 or 1807. George Sapp, sr., entered the first piece of land within the present limits of Union about 1806. He settled in the northwestern part of the township.

Jacob Baughman came from Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1809, and located in the central part.

Paul Welker emigrated from Pennsylvania in 1807 or 1808, and located his farm in the western part of the township.

The Critchfields, Robinsons, Rightmires, Dur- bins, Spurgeons, McMillins, Hibbitts, Logues, Greers, George Davidson, Jacob Black, Charles Ryan, John Wood, William Shaw and John Arnold, settled here prior to 1814. The settlement of the township progressed slowly until after the War of 1812. At the election held in 1810 but twenty- three votes were polled. In 1816 the number had increased to forty-five.

After the close of the War of 1812 settlers came in from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia in large numbers, and Union, notwithstanding the large amount of territory detached in the formation of other townships, ranks among the first in popu- lation in the county at this time.

The Sapps, who were the first to settle in the township, as now constituted, have long been prom- inent in the county. Four brothers, George, Dan- iel, William and Joseph, emigrated from Maryland to Knox county in 1806, two of the brothers, George and Daniel, settling within the present lim- its of Union.

The ancestors of the Sapps were members of Lord Baltimore's colony of Maryland. Jona- than, son of George Sapp, sr., who was born in Union, July 17, 1809, was the first white child born in the township. He was married in 1830 to Miss May Durbin. Their children were Simeon, Cath- arine M., Susan, Francis, William, Francis second, Edmund, Sarah Ann, Susannah, John B. and Timo- othy. George Sapp, sr., was a soldier of the War of 1812, acting as ensign in Captain John Greer's. company. His brother Daniel was a lieutenant in the same company.

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

The settlers lived in great fear of the Indians, and during the absence of George Sapp in the army his wife would take her children each night to a block-house, which stood near the present site of Rossville, and stay over night Daniel Sapp raised a family of twelve children. Hon. William R. Sapp, one of his sons, was many years a leading citizen of the county. The four brothers have been dead many years, but their descendants are still nu- merous in Union and adjoining townships.

The Welkers deserve more than a passing notice. John Welker, sr., came from Pennsylvania in 1808, settling on section fifteen. About the same time his brother, David Welker, came. The Welkers were of German descent. These pioneers were industrious, energetic, hard-working men. They had to encounter all the privations of early occupation of unsettled territory. At that early day they packed their salt and other necessaries with horse and pack-saddle from Zanesville, through an almost unbroken wilderness, and did their milling at the same place. In the War of 1812 John Welker served as a high private, and received a land warrant for his services, and that was the highest position he ever sought. Although often urged by his neighbors to accept office, he always refused. He reared a family of fourteen children, all of whom lived to the age of manhood and woinanhood. One of his sons, Martin Welker, born in Union in 1819, left the farm in 1831, and went with his brother, John, jr., to clerk in his store at Millwood, where he remained several years. He intended to make a merchant of himself, but an incident occurred, which changed his plans of life. In the store one day, a man offered him a bank bill which, on inspection he found to be counterfeit, and so informed the man. It was passed on another individual, and he prosecuted, and Martin was subpæned as a witness, before the grand jury at Mt. Vernon. He attended, and was compelled to remain several days. He had never seen a court, or a live judge. He there saw Judge Dean, then in the prime of life on the bench, and who seemed to him a much greater man than General Jackson, of whom he had heard. He also there saw Brown, the Curtises, Delano and other lawyers engaged in court matters, and he con- cluded it would be a great thing himslf to be a

lawyer. Sitting beside another boy of his acqaint- ance, he informed him that he would be a lawyer and a judge, and some day take the place of Judge Dean. He kept that resolve before him, and worked for that aim and purpose, and within twenty years, with their great changes, he became a law- yer, and was elected in 1851, judge of the district over Judge Dean, who was his opponent at the election. He sat upon the same bench, held the same court at Mt. Vernon, the holding which by Judge Dean had inspired his youthful ambition. After leaving his brother's store, he studied law with the late Hon. W. R. Sapp at Millersburgh, Holmes county, and subsequently practiced law in partnership with him for several years. In 1851 he was elected judge of the sixth district as before mentioned. In 1857 he was elected by the Re- publicans, lieutenant-governor on the ticket with Governor Salmon P. Chase. He served one term, and declined a renomination. In 1864 he was nominated for Congress for the fourteenth district, and elected, and was reelected in 1866 and 1868, serving six years in Congress. During the war he served as as aid-de-camp to Governor Dennison, and assistant adjutant general with Governor David Tod, with the rank of colonel. In November, 1873, he was appointed by President Grant, dis- trict judge for the United States, for the Northern district of Ohio, which office he still holds. John Welker, sr., lived many years in the enjoyment of the fruits of his pioneer labors. He died in 1869.

William Lydick, a brother-in-law of John Welker, sr., came at the same time with him to Union township. He settled on section sixteen. He was married while residing in Pennsylvania to Miss Catharine Welker. He continued to reside in Union until his death in 1861. One of his sons, Reuben, still lives here.

Another early settler was Dr. Charles Waddle. For many years he was engaged in the mercantile business, and also practiced medicine at Danville. He was a man of great ability and energy, and one of the most eloquent Methodist preachers of that region and day, having a remarkable power over a congregation. He died a year or two since at the ripe age of eighty-seven.

John Hann, sr., came from Pennsylvania in 1808. He first settled in Mt. Vernon, where he followed

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

the occupation of hatter until his removal to this township in 1825. Mr. Hann was an intimate personal friend of Hon. Henry Clay and wife, hav- ing been a resident in the locality of Mrs. Clay, prior to her marriage and of his removal to Penn- sylvania. Naturally, from his associations with and personal regard of Mr. Clay, he was politically an ardent Whig, and during the existence of that party was an earnest advocate of its principles. Mr. Hann was a soldier in the War of 1812. His father, John Hann, sr., was a Revolutionary soldier, and his grandson John Hann a soldier of the war of the Rebellion. One of his sons, Gilman Hann, was the second white child born in Mt. Vernon. John, sr., died in 1856.

Jesse Winterringer, sr., came from Maryland to Jefferson county, Ohio, early in this century, and re- moved from that county to Union township in 1816. He located his farm near the centre of Union. His family of twelve children are all dead but two sons, Jesse, jr., and Barney, who still reside here. The Winterringers are active working members of the Presbyterian church of Millwood. Jesse Winterringer, sr., died on .he nineteenth of September, 1854.

David Welker came from Pennsylvania in 1809. He purchased one hundred and ten acres on sec- tion fifteen, and he reared a family of eight children. He died in 1853.

Joseph Workman emigrated from Alleghany county, Maryland, in 1814. He was a very zeal- ous minister of the Dunkard or German Baptist church, and was the first to promulgate the princi- ples and doctrines of that sect here. His labors were crowned with much success, as that denomi- nation numbers many members in the southern and eastern part of Knox county.

Rev. Jacob Hammond, although not of the very first settlers of Union, has long been an influential and useful citizen. He removed from Alleghany county, Maryland, in 1824, first settling on section sixteen. He engaged in farming for many years after his arrival in Union. In 1848 he was ordained a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, since which time he has been actively employed in min- isterial labors. He has solemnized some fifty marriages and preached one hundred and twenty- five funeral sermons of persons residing within a

circle of ten miles of Millwood since his ordination in 1848.

Among the latter settlers are various names more or less familiar. Jacob Ross, proprietor of Ross- ville and a very public-spirited citizen, has been a resident of Union for many years. George Gann, who became a resident of Union in 1876, by rea- son of the annexation of a portion of Jefferson, was a man of more than ordinary enterprise. He came to Jefferson township in 1831. In consider- ation of his services in securing the right of way for the Cleveland, Pittsburgh & Mt. Vernon railroad, Gann, one of the stations on the railroad, was named in his honor. He died September 7, 1877.

The first grist-mill was erected by Robert Griffin, about 1812 or 1813. It was located in the south- eastern part of the township, on Owl creek. Al- though a very insignificant one, when compared with the mills of this period, it had an extensive patronage. The settlers residing in Knox, Coshoc- ton, and other counties were its patrons. It was torn down many years ago, and no vestige of it re- mains. Another grist-mill was built by John Greer, on Jelloway creek, in 1815 or 1816. The first saw-mill in the township was built about the same time, by Daniel Sapp, on Little Jelloway creek.

The first road was the Mt. Vernon and Coshoc- ton, cut out about 1809. The Mt. Vernon and Millersburgh road was laid out soon afterwards.

For some years after the first settlement, the schools were held in the houses of the pioneers and in small log school-houses. John Wells proba- bly taught the first school in the township. Wil- liam Critchfield was another of the first school- teachers. He taught in a log shool-house near the site of Millwood.

The Catholics were the religious pioneers of Union. Shortly after the first settlers came to the township, George Sapp, sr., Elias Arnold, David Logsdon, Samuel Durbin, sr., Thomas White and wife, Catharine Sapp, Mrs. Daniel Rogue, Benjamin Durbin and wife, and Isaac Dial, organized what is now known as "St. Luke's Catholic church, of Danville," which is situated about one mile west of that village. The congregation consisted chiefly of emigrants from Maryland, who were descend- ants of Lord Baltimore's English Catholic colony. The society was organized by Rev. Edward Fen-

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

wick. Among the resident pastors were Reverend Fathers Dominick Young, Rymaker, Francis, Mar- shall, O'Leary, McAlear, Hill, Joseph Martin, Boland, Myers, Berger, Brink, and Lamy, who is now archbishop of the diocese of Santa Fe, New Mexico; Thomas J. Boulger, Julius Brent, who died in 1880, and the present priest, Rev. Francis Marquery.

The first church building, a log one, was built about 1809 or 1810. George Sapp, sr., donated the land for the church and cemetery attached to it. During the pastorate of now Archbishop Lamy, a frame church was erected, in which the congre- gation worshipped until 1877, when the present beautiful and commodious brick edifice was erected at a cost of about twelve thousand dollars. The church is probably the strongest numerically of any country church of Roman Catholics in Ohio. One hundred or more families are members and regular attendants of St. Luke's. The parsonage, or priest's residence, is situated near the church, on land donated by Henry Porter, sr., one of the early members. A new parsonage is in process of building. The cemetery attached to the church was laid out probably before 1812. It is enclosed with a neat, board fence. Many beautiful ever- greens, emblematical of a life that never ends, is planted at proper distances in the grounds, and af- fords a very desirable resting place for the hun- dreds of devout Catholics interred there.

The German Baptist church was organized about 1832, by Elder James C. Workman. Solomon Robinson, Jacob Shultz, Isaac Workman, William Robinson, Jacob Robinson, and their wives, were the first members. Solomon Robinson was the first deacon. Elder J. C. Workman was the first pastor. He was succeeded by Elders Elias Work- man, John L. Workman, and John J. Workman, who is the pastor at this time. From 1816 to the organization in 1832 the Dunkards, or German Baptists, held frequent meetings at the houses of the Workmans and other adherents to the church. The present church building was erected in 1861. It is a frame forty-five by sixty-five feet in dimen- sions, located about one mile south of Danville.

There are two or three other organizations and churches situated in Miller and other townships of Knox county known as the Danville German

Baptist church, but are all considered as one or- ganization and one church. The total membership of all the societies in the different townships which are included in the Danville church is one hundred and sixty-one. Near the church is a cemetery, neatly fenced and properly cared for, in which many repose. The foregoing are the only churches in the township, outside of the towns.

There are five villages in Union: Danville, Mill- wood, Gann, Rossville and Buckeye City. None of them have been incorporated.

Danville is one of the oldest towns in the eastern part of Knox county. The exact date of its laying out cannot be ascertained. Jonathan Sapp, son of George Sapp, sr., who with Robert Waddle was the founder of the town, puts the date as late as 1818, although it is generally claimed to have been as early as 1813 or 1814. John McDaniel built the first house, McConnell and Grant were the first merchants and William M. Brooks the first physi- cian. William Critchfield kept the first hotel. The first post-office in the eastern part of Knox county was established at Danville, and W. R. Sapp was the first postmaster. The first school- house was a hewed log building erected a short dis- tance south of the village, and the first school was taught by James Cain. The present population is about four hundred, and is steadily increasing. For many years before the advent of the Cleve- land, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad the town was at a stand still, but since its completion through Union township, the business of Danville has greatly increased. There are now two dry goods stores kept by L. Frost & Son, and Workman & Workman; one grocery by Julius Sapp, one drug store by Burns & Shaw, one clothing store by John Smithhiser, one hardware store by Sapp Brothers, one hotel by Emrick & Sapp, one furniture and undertaking establishment by T. M. Metcalf, one wagon shop by Jacob Shindle, one blacksmith shop by Welker Bimm, one cooper shop by Jesse Riser, etc. George Shaw is postmaster. The vil- lage has a flourishing district school, and it is probable the union school system will be adopted before many years.

There are two churches within the village limits, Christian and Methodist. There was a society of Presbyterians established here a few years after the

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

laying out of the village, which had an existence of some years, when the organization was disbanded, and the society was reorganized under the name of the Presbyterian church of Millwood, and trans- ferred to that town. The Christian church of Danville was organized April 20, 1834, by Elder James Hays. The first members were Daniel Sapp, William Robinson, William Shaw and Eliza- beth Robinson. In 1837 Elder James Marvin succeeded Elder Hays as pastor, and remained such until 1861, when he resigned his pastorate. The church was without a stated pastor until 1868, when Elder Marvin again resumed the pastoral charge of the congregation, and continued in that relation until 1872, when he was succeeded by Elder C. A. Williams, who in turn was succeeded by Elder A. Hanger, the present minister. From 1832 until 1840 or 1841, the society held their meetings in the Methodist church of Danville, and until the present frame church edifice was erected. This building was repaired in 1866, to the amount of nine hundred dollars. In 1866 a series of meet- ings were held by Elders Harrod and Chrisman, which resulted in an addition of forty-six members to the society. There are about sixty members in full connection with the church at this time. The officers at present are: Deacons, H. C. Robinson and Joseph Church; trustees, Thomas Snow, Eliza Porter, H. C. Robinson and Joseph Church.

The Methodist Episcopal church was organized at an early date, but as no records were kept, and the first members all dead, but little of its history can be obtained. Among the early members were the Welkers and Waddles; and the early preachers were Rev. John Welker, jr., and Rev. Charles Wad- dle, both for several years residents of Danville. Both were men of much note in the Methodist church and in the community at that time. They were men of great ability and eloquence, and were instrumental in doing much good. The frame church in which the society now worships was erected many years since. The church enjoys a moderate degree of prosperity.

Antioch Lodge, No. 286, F. and A. M., located in Danville, was organized under a charter dated October 23, 1856.

Charter members-Dr. John White, Wait Whit- ney, U. B. Kinsey, Isaiah Hieth, S. W. Corner,

Zachariah Hibbets, John Biggs, Daniel Hess, B. S. Church, A. S. Church, Miner Hildreth, Solomon W. Sapp, B. Casteel, C. W. Page.

The first officers (1856) were: Dr. John White, W. M .; Wait Whitney, S. W .; U. B. Kinsey, J. W .; Miner Hildreth, treasurer; Solomon W. Sapp, sec- retary; Benjamin S. Church, S. D .; Zachariah Hib- bets, J. D .; Abram S. Church, tyler.

First initiation was that of Henry Hibbets, Jan- uary 5, 1856, while the lodge was working under dispensation.

The officers, July 1, 1880, were: Francis M Hibbets, W. M .; Edwin D. Cash, S. W .; William R. Langford, J. W .; Dr. William Balmer, treasurer ; Edward T. Slaight, secretary; Matthias Tressel, S. D .; Levi Frost, J. D .; Nathaniel Critchfield, tyler.

The following members of the lodge have de- ceased since its organization : 1857, Dr. John White, April 20th; 1862, Wait Whitney, October 12th; 1864, Ebenezer Wilson, April 26th; 1866, Daniel Hess, April 20th; 1869, Solomon W. Sapp, March Ist; 1870, William Magers, December 18th; 1871, Mark Greer, April 29th; 1872, Thomas S. Barber, August 29th, John M. Church, November 23d; 1873, Solomon H. Porter, May 27th, Samuel Kin- sey, August 31st, Dr. Isaac Putnam, October 7th ; 1876, Alonzo Gardner, March 29th, William Por- ter, October 2d; 1879, John Spurgeon, October Ist-total deaths, fifteen.

Millwood is situated in the southeastern part of the township. Owl creek flows along its north bor- der. It was so named in consequence of the first mill in the locality being built in the woods, although it is claimed by some of the citizens to have been named in honor of a Mr. Millwood, of Virginia, a friend of the founder of the town. It is a neat and ordinary village of about two hundred inhabitants. At one time it was the most flourishing village in Union, and a large amount of business was trans- acted in the place; but since the location of the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad at Howard and Rossville, the tide of business has ceased to flow here and has been diverted to those villages. The town was laid out about 1825, by John Hann. James Britton built the first log house, and Israel Houseworth the second one. Ross Ar- buckle built the first frame dwelling. The first grist- mill was built about 1825, by John Hann and Eli-

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

sha Gibbs. The present grist-mill, the second one in the town, was erected by John Hann. The first school-house, a small log building, was built on Jacob Hammond's farm about 1829, and William Critchfield taught the first school in this house.

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History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present, Part 103

Author: Hill, N. N. (Norman Newell), comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A.A. & Co., Mt. Vernon, Ohio Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Mt. Vernon, Ohio : A. A. Graham & Co. Number of Pages: 1096

Author: Hill, N. N. (Norman Newell), comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A.A. & Co., Mt. Vernon, Ohio
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Mt. Vernon, Ohio : A. A. Graham & Co.
Number of Pages: 1096