History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present, Part 106

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 106

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).

William Mitchell prepared his cabin for a siege by making heavy batten doors, with iron bars, port- holes for guns, etc. One of his boys rode the ex- press; another kept out with scouting parties, and the old man, with the two workmen, who were with him, were constantly on the lookout for an attack. The girls practiced shooting with rifles, so as to be ready for a large force of Indians at any time; and with the two dogs, Gunner and Rover, that two-story log cabin was prepared for emer- gencies.

The block-house at Fredericktown was a light frame building, enclosed in a heavy stockade, and located on the bluff overlooking the railroad depot, in rear of the present Presbyterian church. The building was constructed on the square, under the direction of Captain Ayers. Mr. W. B. Cox, of Fredericktown, thus writes of it:

The block-house was surrounded by a stockade, commencing a few feet southeast of the southeast corner of David Struble's dwelling house, and running west to the southeast corner of the Presbyterian church lot, thence north to the brow of the hill, above the Baltimore & Ohio depot; thence east to a point near the centre of David Struble's garden; thence south to the place of beginning. The stockade was so arranged as to be nearly bullet proof, and moved on wheels to its position, a command- ing one, overlooking the valley of Owl creek. This building was used for a school-house and church for several years after.

The settlers were several times alarmed and fled to this block-house. Upon the occasion of the killing of Jones, Captain Douglas had followed the Indians in the direction of Upper Sandusky, but not finding them, and thinking it unsafe to return

by the way he went, came back by way of Fred- ericktown. His men, some fifteen in number, were roughly dressed, and had handkerchiefs tied about their heads instead of wearing hats. They looked more like Indians than white men, and as they were going into Fredericktown they fired off their guns, by way of salute, and greatly frightened the inhabitants. Two women fainted in the street, and a general stampede for the block-house took place. The news of the killing of Jones was car- ried to Fredericktown by Johnny Appleseed, who went as a volunteer from the fort at Mansfield to alarm the settlers and obtain re-enforcements from further south, as it was supposed an attack would be made on the fort at Mansfield. Johnny ran all night barefooted through the woods, stopping at the cabin of every settler on the way, and arriving at Fredericktown in the morning. The news, of course, caused the greatest excitement along his route, and many amusing and ludicrous things were said and done.

Samuel Wilson, who then lived near the Quaker meeting-house, within the present limits of Berlin township, was so badly scared that he sprang from his bed, and putting on his overcoat and taking his pantaloons under his arm, ran in that condition all the way to the Fredericktown block-house.

Abner Ayers, who kept the tavern in Frederick- town at that time, raised a company of twelve rangers, by authority of Governor Meigs, and went to the assistance of the garrison at Mansfield.

Uncle Abner Ayers, as he was called, was an im- portant citizen of the village. On the commission- er's records of February, 1808, it appears that the Ayerses were licensed to keep a house of entertain- ment in Fredericktown on payment of five dollars .. Abner, in addition to his tavern, kept the post office, was justice of the peace, judge, etc. In his later years, he was fond of telling how General Har- rison stopped at his tavern, and how he and the general consulted together regarding the war, and seemed to be under the impression that he and General Harrison were two of the greatest men in the world. His tavern stood on the present site of the Wagner house, and was a hewed log; a very solid, substantial building, and was patched up and added to from time to time, and weather-boarded' over, but finally was compelled to succumb to the:

567

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

ravages of time; was torn down and the present substantial brick erected in its place.

While on the subject of hotels, it may be well to mention that the next one was erected on the south- west corner of the square. It is yet standing, is a large square frame, was used many years as a hotel and is now used as a boarding-house.

The Commercial house was erected twelve or fifteen years ago, and is now the principal hotel in the place.

Abner Ayers and most of his cotemporaries have long since passed away, and many of the younger generation will call to mind the appearance of that sedate old man as he walked the long porch that surrounded two sides of his brick hotel (now the Wagner house), with his hands crossed behind him, and his clay pipe in his mouth, ready to greet a friend or join in pleasant reminiscence of the past, or tell some laughable story of his early life, for which he was much noted.

The Kerr mill property has always been consid- ered among the important industries of Frederick- town. Williams sold it about thirty years ago, or more, to Mr. Struble, who, in turn, sold it about 1873 or 1874, to Cuykendall & Seiler, of Plymouth, Ohio, and shortly after it was destroyed by fire. The owners, however, rebuilt it, with some help by the citizens, and conducted it a few years, but were unable to recover from the effects of the fire, and sold out to S. S. Tuttle and others, who still keep its wheels turning.

When the Baltimore & Ohio railroad (then the Sandusky, Mansfield & Newark) was completed to Fredericktown, the village took a long step forward. It had been in existence about forty years before this important event occurred. John D. Struble built the first warehouse and began a shipping busi- ness, and for many years this was comparatively a large produce market. Struble's old warehouse is yet standing, having been purchased by the railroad company and moved to its present location; being now used as a depot and warehouse by the company.

Peter Boyce was also an early grain dealer, as were Messrs. Charles Strong & Sons. The latter took in grain at their mill, located about a mile above Fredericktown, within the present limits of Berlin township. This mill was also destroyed by fire.

Charles R. Hooker, now a resident of Mansfield, was many years a resident of this place, a large pro- duce dealer and an influential and honored citizen.

After the war a bank was started in. the town by Daniel Struble and William Merrin; other partners were connected with it in the course of time, and a large business conducted several years, but it failed through the dishonesty of Merrin, who succeeded in getting away with most of its funds. Within the year succeeding the failure, Daniel Struble and his father-in-law, N. M. Young, started a private bank, which they are yet conducting. S. S. Tuttle is also in the banking business as well as engaged in other business enterprises, including merchandising, manufacturing sash, doors, etc. He, with others, is also conducting a foundry, at which farm-bells constitute the principal article manufactured. Mr. C. Hosack, the druggist, and Mr. Cummings are also connected with this foun- dry business.

. But three newspapers have made their appear- ance in town to date. The first of these was the Rainbow, a migratory journal, which opened out at Mt. Vernon, and removed to Fredericktown about 1845; removing thence in about a year to Bellville, and when last heard of was at Tiffin. It was conducted by Rev. A. Laubach. In 1871 Mr. A. M. Smith started the Independent, and was succeeded in 1872 by W. S. Ensign, now of the Cardington Independent. He sold out to C. W. Townsend who conducted it until April, 1875, when he failed for want of proper support, caused, probably, by the strong prohibition tendencies of his paper. M. F. Edwards purchased the press and material, and the first issue of the Free Press made its appearance June 1, 1875. This was con- ducted by Mr. Edwards until October, 1880, when the present proprietor, Mr. H. P. Johnson, took charge of it. In politics it is Independent Repub- lican ; is a five-column quarto, and a live paper.

The mayors of Fredericktown have been George W. Woodcock, A. Greenlee, W. B. Cox, C. R. Hooker, Morgan LeFever, and Gideon Elliott, the present incumbent.

The following is very nearly a correct summary of the present business of the place: There are two hardware stores, kept by H. Cassell, and Hill & Haggerty; two stove and tin stores, by C. W. Lyon,

568

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

and E. R. Edwards; three dry goods stores, by Cassell & Lewis, M. J. Simons & Sons, and Faw- cett & Co .; two drug stores, by Wyker & Vincent, and C. Hosack; five grocery stores, by W. P. Ger- hart, J. M. Axtel, C. M. Hildreth, A. Thrift, and G. W. Wells; three boot and shoe stores, by W. B. Cox, Condon & Co., and C. F. Karr; two jewelry stores, by U. C. Simons, and O. P. Rowley; two banks, by Daniel Stubble, and S. S. Tuttle; three millinery establishments, by Miss Clara Rowley, the Misses Flattery, and the Misses Mount; one newspaper, conducted by H. P. Johnson, one merchant tailor, A. B. Thrift; one manufacturing tailor, J. F. Ghrist; two harness makers, S. J Cas- sell, and L. Rigby; one photographer, J. L. Scoles ; two hotels, the Wagner house, by A. V. Gest, and the Commercial house, by J. McNabb; two butcher shops, by Braddock & Hurst, and Remy Brothers ; two livery stables, by John Walters, and I. H. Steele; two carriage shops, by Stephens & Scott, and William Gibson; two undertakers, George Rinehart, and Louis Sargent; two furniture dea- lers, George Rinehart, and Hill & Haggerty; two barbers, C. Chauncey, and Thomas Miller; two dentists, A. J. McGrew, and - Swingley; four physicians, S. B. Potter, W. E. Edwards, E. M. Hall, and William Burch; one leather and findings, G. A. Kraft; lawyers, J. L. Baldwin, and B. F. Moree; S. S. Tuttle & Co. conduct the bell foun- dry, the sealing wax factory, the planing-mill and lumber yard, and the Fredericktown flouring-mill; they run two steam engines; the marble works are conducted by John Getz; the steam feed-mill by Elliott & Co.

The benevolent societies consist of three churches; the Masonic Hall Lodge No. 176; the Ellicott Lodge Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 267 ; the Sons of America; Washington Camp No. 33, and Royal Arcanum.

One of the best things about Fredericktown, as about every other town and township in this free State of Ohio, is the public schools.

It is believed the first school in the place was taught either by Artemas Corbin or William Y. Farquhar in the little frame building erected dur- ing the War of 1812 for a block-house. About the same time a school was opened in the cabin that stood on the Columbus road, within the pres

ent limits of Morris township, on the farm of Ben- jamin Dowler. Alma Ashley was a teacher here, as was also Artemas Corbin and Mr. Curtis Allen; the last of whom taught four years. Asa B. Wood- ward and Mr. Ausburn were among the first teachers.

Mr. Philo Doolittle was one of the early, prom- inent, and long continued teachers in Frederick- town. He erected for himself a dwelling house with school-room attached, on the ancient earth- work near the public square, and taught a select school until he died. He taught altogether, prob- ably, twenty-five years.

The second school-house was erected very near the old block-house, and is yet standing, being used for a cabinet shop by Mr. Sargent. It is a good sized frame building, and was used twenty years or more, or until the present brick was erected.

Asa B. Woodward was one of the teachers in the old block-house. He taught here as late as 1828, and must have been its last teacher. This fact throws light upon the time the block-house stood, and when the second school-house was built.

Among others who taught in that building were Sturges, Wilcox, Horner, Duncan, Baugh, Miss Elizabeth Duncan, Miss Roberts, and others.

The system of Union or graded schools was es- tablished in 1852. At the first meeting in the dis- trict for the election of a board of education, W. B. Cox and Philo Doolittle were elected to serve one year; Dr. L. Dwyer and Thomas A. Reed two years; and S. W. Woodruff and C. R. Hooker three years. Mr. Cox had been in the board sev- eral years prior to this, and is yet a member of it. The first board under the new law organized by electing Dr. Dwyer president, Philo Doolittle sec- retary, S. W. Woodruff, treasurer; Rev. John M. Farris, Philo Doolittle, and Rev. H. D. Webb, school examiners. The district deeming it neces- sary to furnish more extensive accommodations, directed the board to levy a tax, purchase and erect a new building. After much deliberation the present site was selected, containing about two and a half acres in the west part of town, in Woodruff's addition, and the present substantial and beautiful edifice erected. It is thirty-eight by fifty-eight feet on the ground, two lofty stories in height, and di- vided into four spacious rooms, two recitation

569

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

rooms, and a hall, furnished in modern style. The building is surmounted by a cupola. Before decid- ing upon the particular arrangement of the house, the board consulted a number of experienced teachers, and spared no pains, compatible with the means placed at their disposal, in securing the best possible adaptation to the wants and conveniences of the schools. In the early part of September, 1853, the schools were formally opened with the following instructors: William Mitchell, of Colum- bus, Ohio, superintendent and teacher in the high school; Miss Mary S. Rogers, teacher in the gram- mar school; Miss C. E. Gates, secondary depart- ment; Miss Olive E. Weatherby, primary depart- ment. This school has been in successful operation since, and yearly turns out into the world of strife its proportion of educated young people.

The Presbyterian church was the first organized in Fredericktown; this being accomplished as early as 1808, by Rev. Mr. Wright. The members of this organization were Jacob Cook, Matthew Mer- ritt, Jeduthan Dodd, Abner Brown, and Ziba Leon- ard. Their meetings were held in the old block- house after its erection, and prior to this, in the cabins of its members. As before mentioned they attempted to build a church about 1820, but failing to pay for the same, it passed into other hands. The building is now used as a livery stable. This congregation was associated with the Mt. Vernon and Martinsburgh churches until September, 1827, under charge of Rev. James Scott. Rev. John Mc- Kinney, of Washington county, Pennsylvania, was probably the first pastor regularly installed in this church. The present building, which is on Main street, near the site of the old block-house, was erected about 1840. It is frame, about thirty by fifty feet, with columns in front, cupola and bell.

Mr. W. B. Cox adds the following regarding this church :

In 1836 Rev. Simeon Brown was called by the Fredericktown church. While he was perhaps the most inferior looking minis- ter the church ever had, yet much the most interesting in the pulpit. He had a low retreating forehead, one leg shorter than the other, so that his carriage was not very graceful, and one of his flock who got offended at him gave him the name of "Old Limpy." During his administration the church prospered, and the present house was built, finished and paid for.

Among those that followed him as ministers were Revs. John W. Ferris, Mr. Colwell, Mr. Engleson, Mr. Brough, and others for shorter terms. The church, perhaps, never had a minister

and his family that they so much loved, on account of good qualities, as they did J. M. Ferris and family.

Mr. M. Ferguson is pastor of the church at this time. He came here from Columbus, Ohio, where he served as chaplin of the Ohio penitentiary during Governor Bishop's administration.

The Methodist Episcopal church is located on Sandusky street, near the public square. It was organized about 1818, the first subscribers being Catharine Haldeman, Mr. and Mrs. Aker, Mr. Fidler and wife, Hannah Benedict, S. Doty, and probably some others. Its first meetings were held in the old block-house, and afterward in Mr. Hal- deman's shop, until the erection of the first church about 1840.

Christian Haldeman was not a member of any church at that time, but a clever old Pennsylva- nian, who swept out his shop on Saturday evening and placed temporary seats for the accommodation of the audience. His shop and dwelling stood near the place on which Dr. Hosack's dwelling now stands.

The new church was a frame and stood on San- dusky street. It is still standing on the same street west of the square, being used as a dwelling by David Condon. The present beautiful brick struct- ure was erected in 1856. It is an honor and orna- ment to the place. A few of the early ministers were Revs. Havens, Crawford, Camp, Oldfield, and others. The present minister is Rev. E. O. McIn- tyre, and the present membership about two hun- dred.

The Sunday-school connected with this church was organized in Mr. Haldeman's shop about 1828, and has been in successful operation ever since. Its present membership is about one hundred. A Protestant Methodist church was organized here about 1830, and continued several years, but went down, the members generally joining other churches.

The Fredericktown Regular Baptist church was organized by Rev. John Thomas, sr., Saturday, March 17, 1838. The members constituting this first organization were five in number, viz: Mrs. Mary Struble, now the widow of the late John D. Struble; Mary.Wright, wife of Dr. Lyman Wright; Miriam Corbin, Jacob Mitchel, and John Colgrove, all of whom are now dead except the first named, who is yet active and influential in the church.

The first pastorate ended in 1841 when Rev. D. E. Thonas was called, and was eminently success-

570

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

ful in his labors. During the single year of his pastorate about forty members were added to the church. He was succeeded, for a few months only. by Rev. Stovers as supply.

In 1843 Rev. H. B. Fuller entered upon a five years' pastorate. He was an excellent pulpit ora- tor and a man of a good deal of business ability. It was during his pastorate that the present house of worship was erected and paid for, he having the hearty cooperation of a united and active congre- gation. The lot upon which the building stands was donated by the wife of Judge Ayres, and the stone for the foundation of the church by Absa- lom Thrift. H. H. Struble gave one hundred dol- lars towards securing the bell and placing it in the tower, which was accomplished in 1856.

Rev. A. P. Mather supplied the pulpit from 1848 to 1851; Rev. J. C. Miller, a short time in 1852; Rev. E. D. Thomas was recalled, and served from 1852 to 1855. A great revival resulted from his labors, as many as twenty-five persons being bap- tized in a single day.

Rev. Amos Pratt was pastor from 1855 to 1858; Rev A. J. Buell served as supply during six months of the latter year. Rev. J. B. Pratt served the church during the stirring times incident to the breaking out of the war, from 1859 to 1862. He was a man unusually devoted to his duties, both to the church and country and as a citizen, and, withal, an excellent preacher.

Rev. J. Hall, D. D., president of Denison uni- versity, at Granville, Licking county, Ohio, was pastor from 1863 to 1865; Rev. G. W. Miller served the church during the year 1866, and was succeeded by the Rev. William B. Watson, who was ordained in 1866, and continued to labor with much success for five years. He was very popular and efficient, many members being added to the church during his pastorate.

Rev. D. B. Simms became pastor in 1871, and was followed in 1872 by Rev. B. F. Siegfreid, who in turn was succeeded by Rev. B. F. Tulloss in 1875. Rev. J. B. Tuttle was the next pastor, and closed his labors of sixteen months in 1879.

The church during all its history has been sing- ularly fortunate in the high moral and intellectual standing of its ministers. It has included in its membership during its career many wealthy and

prominent families. The membership is now a large and active one, numbering at present about one hundred and sixty, though this is less than it has been heretofore

The following have been the deacons of this church: James Mitchel, David Brown, James Jackson, Usual Ball, David Cosner, S. Wright, John Cosner, Daniel P. Kenyon, William J. Struble, Wil- liam McClure, James F. Ghrist, and H. C. Simons. All these were good and true men, and some of them have passed to the "shadow land."

The present pastor, Rev. J. A. Kirkpatrick, M. D., began his labors in 1879, but did not enter fully upon his work until January 18, 1880, when he brought his family and settled in town. A revival in 1880 resulted in twenty-two additions to the church.

The church has for many years maintained an interesting and prosperous Sunday-school under the leadership of James F. Ghrist as superinten- dent. It promises grand results for the future. The church and school are in the habit of contrib- uting liberally to every benevolent work.

A Universalist church was organized in Fred- ericktown about 1831. It was quite weak at first and grew very slowly for several years. After building a good house of worship and securing a minister that attracted attention, the increase in members was more rapid, and for a few years the society was in a flourishing condition. The mem- bers of the first organization were principally east- ern people; among them the Strongs, Corbins, Clarks, Doolittles, Benedicts, Wadsworths, John- sons, Ponds, Gillits, and others. Truman Strong was their preacher many years, and was a very exemplary man. The organization went out of existence many years ago. For many years their church edifice was used as a masonic hall.

A Congregational church was organized in Fredericktown about 1841, by a Mr. Mead, who was at that time preaching to a church in Mt. Ver- non. The prime movers in the organization were Joseph Hitchcock, and Pascal Dunklee, both men of means and liberality. Among the early mem- bets of the society were Messrs. Dunklee, Hitch- cock, Dr. Allen, J. M. Allen, James Richards, Daniel Richards, Gavin Blair, S. H. Sherwood, L. W. Foot, Mrs. Cone, Mrs. Hitchcock, Miss Wright,

571

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Mrs. Dunklee, Mrs. Sherwood, and others. The society built a very good church edifice on East Sandusky street, and for some time their meetings were well attended, but it began to decline, and in the course of fifteen years was extinct. The lot and building were purchased by D. C. Lewis, and the timber and lumber now forms a part of his dwelling house.

The Protestants and Methodists some forty years ago had a flourishing society and a comfortable house of worship, but they, too, have long since disappeared.

The Fredericktown lyceum was organized Octo- ber 12, 1832, by electing James Rigby president, William Byers, secretary, and Philo Doolittle, treasurer.

Among its first members may be found the names of James Rigby, William Allen, Philo Doo- little, James Shaw, Asa Gregg, G. W. Woodcock, Eli Smedley, James Reed, Rev. John McKinney, Dr. John Byers, Eli Gregg, and others.

The society had a continued existence from 1832 to 1856. The records show that during that time it had a membership of over two hundred. Its last recorded meeting was held at the school- house in the fall of 1856.

The village at an early day had a public library comprising about a hundred and fifty volumes. James Rigby was president, and George H. Bull was librarian many years, but no record of it ap- pears anywhere to-day.

Thrall Lodge, No. 170, F. and A. M., is located in Fredericktown, and is working under a charter granted October 18, 1849.

The charter members were Benjamin J. Lewis, Israel Underwood, William McK. Amadon, Delano Dexter, John Garrison, Thomas Trahern, H. M. Shafer, Jesse L. Holley, Truman Strong, Abner Ayres, B. H. Taylor, and Benjamin F. Smith.

The first officers installed were: Chancy Hill, W. M .; T. V. Parke, S. W .; A. Keller, J. W .; O. W. Rigby, secretary; D. C. Beach, S. D .; D. P. Coffinbury J. D .; J. Wages, treasurer; N. S. Reed, tyler.

The first member installed was Morris Sharpe.

The officers elected July 1, 1880, were: N. J. McGrew, W. M .; L. B. Ackerman, S. W .; John W. Leedy, J. W .; O. G. Fawcett, treasurer; W. E. Ed-

wards, secretary, C. W. Edwards, S. D .; C. A. Lindley, J. D .; D. R. Hackinson, tyler.

The number of members at present is sixty-seven.

Mr. Israel Underwood, formerly sheriff of Knox county, now a citizen of Mt. Vernon, and Benjamin F. Smith, now a citizen of Minnesota, are the only charter members now living. Mr. Underwood still retains his membership in Thrall lodge.

Ellicott Lodge, No. 257, I. O. O. F., Frederick- town, was instituted April 11, 1855, by M. W. Grand Master T. J. McLain, assisted by Past Grands William M. Bunn, John W. White, J. Frank Andrews, R. C. Kirk, J. W. Lybrand, A. C. Elliott, of Mt. Vernon Lodge, No. 20, and George W. Shurr, of Chester Lodge, No. 204, of Chesterville, Morrow county.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present, Part 106

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