History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present, Part 81

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 81

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When the first settlers came Indians were numer- ous, and their camps were to be found in various places. They had located a small village on the south side of Owl creek, on land now owned by William Darling. There are many evidences that

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

the aborigines especially abounded here in the ages past. Relics, such as arrow-heads, stone knives, and axes, silver brooches, etc., have been plowed up by the farmers frequently. In the hills on G. W. Riley's farm numerous skeletons have been washed out, which were found in a sitting position, buried according to the mode of the Indians. When the first settlers came there was standing in the northwestern portion of the township a large stone wall about one hundred and seventy-five yards in length, from four to five feet high and about three feet in width. It was in the form of a semi- circle, one end of the construction reaching to Owl creek. It was undoubtedly used by the Indians or some other race of people as a fortification. Near this ancient stone wall is a cascade and cave. Probably the excavation was made by the Indians for military purposes, probably as a place for re- treat while engaged in war with other tribes. The Indians were desirous of having many dogs, and it is said by many of the old settlers that they could at any time trade a good dog for a horse. They also took a special delight in having wrestling matches with the whites, and often engaged in such amusements. Nicholas Riley often had trials of his skill and strength as a wrestler with them, and, being an athletic, robust, and muscular man, could always "throw them." One of the noted Indians who resided in Butler township in its early history was the chief Tom Jelloway. He claimed to be a "bird charmer," and in order to test the genuine- ness of this claim the father of William D. Beatty requested him at one time to give a display of his skill as a charmer. He accordingly ascended a wild cherry tree growing on Mr. Beatty's place, commenced to utter a peculiar cry, and in a few minutes hundreds of birds of every kind were in the tree tops. Some perched on the limbs, and others on Jelloway's head and shoulders. This convinced Mr. Beatty that his claim was not a pre- tentious one.

The pioneer families of Butler township were the Shrimplins, Carpenters, Staats, Darlings, Rileys, Hamells, Horns, Eleys, Beattys, McLarnans, Den- nises, Campbells, Wolfs, Lepleys, Morrisons, But- lers, Giffins, and Morningstars. They were emi- grants from Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New

Jersey, principally from the two first named States. They were a hardy race, well fitted for pioneer life, men of muscle not lacking in brain power, who were not afraid to take hold of the axe and mat- tock, and engage in clearing up their land. The women were well fitted to take places by their hus- bands' sides, and take hold of their distaffs, throw the shuttle, card the fleeces of wool, and often pull, break, and hatchel the flax, and thus materially contribute to the welfare of the family.

Butler township has longer retained the primi- tive habits of early times than any other town. ship in this county, and the log cabin and old fash- ioned fire-place still abound.

At a distance from the railroad and telegraph office, settled among hills almost as high as the largest in any part of Ohio, the inhabitants, many of them, still live a life bordering closely on pio- neer times.

One of the first settlers and noted hunters was George Lepley, now residing in Harrison township at the advanced age of ninety-one years. He came to Butler township with his father about the year 1805. At that time, there were no roads, school- houses or mills, and but a few white families in the township. Butler was then a dense wilderness, wild beasts were very numerous, Indians abounded, and their camps were scattered all over the town- ship.

Mr. Lepley's father settled near Brush run, a short distance north of the centre of the township. At that time it was an almost unbroken wilderness between his place and Mt. Vernon. His neigh- bors were the Staats, Carpenters, Rileys and Shrimplins, who had but recently removed into the county, and had made but very little progress in clearing their farms. For the first few years they went to Zanesville to mill. They generally took their grists on horseback. Mr. Lepley was a great hunter, and has killed more deer than any other man that ever lived in the county. More than a thousand have succumbed to his rifle. The Lepleys down to the present generation are noted Nimrods, and take much pleasure in hunting and fishing, and are experts with the rifle and shot-gun.

John Shrimplin was among the first who settled on Owl creek, and was probably the first settler with- in the present limits of Butler township. He was

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

born in Maryland about the year 1778, and came to the county about 1805, purchasing three thou- sand acres of land, lying on both sides of Owl creek. Prior to his removal to Ohio he made sev- eral trips to New Orleans on flat-boats laden with flour, pork and whiskey, which he sold for cash, and receiving a good price for these commodities, he was enabled to make an extensive purchase of land. He built the first grist-mill in the township, if not in the county. Mr. Shimplin engaged in farming, milling and various enterprises, amassed quite a fortune, and was a man of considerable lo- cal celebrity in the early history of Knox county. He ended his somewhat eventful career in 1818 by shooting himself with a rifle. The cause of his suicide could not be ascertained. His son Sam- uel still lives on the old home place.

The second person to settle on Owl Creek . was Nicholas Riley, who was born in Maryland about the year 1778. He emigrated from Mary- land to Wellsburg, Virginia, about the commence- ment of this century, where he resided until 1803, when he moved to Coshocton county, Ohio. After a short residence there he returned to Virginia, from whence he came to Butler in 1806, residing there until his decease December 15, 1866.

Previous to his renioval to Knox county when it was one vast wilderness, but one white man, Andrew Craig, living in it, he had visited various portions of Knox and was favorably impressed with the county, and this visit to the wilderness, no doubt, had much influence in causing him to secure a permanent location in Butler township. A short time after his removal he purchased seven hundred acres of land from John Shrimplin. This land was a portion of the three thousand acre tract which Mr. Shrimplin had previously bought from the government.

With the exception of three or four acres, which the Indians had cleared to raise some corn, this land was densely covered with sugar, walnut, buck- eye, and other timber. He went to work with a determination to succeed, and in a few years he had a large tract cleared and in good order for farming. He was married to Hannah Shrimplin, of Virginia, by whom he had fourteen children.

Mr. Riley made several trips to his old home, Wellsburg, Virginia, subsequent to his removal to

Butler, for the purchase of salt, sugar, coffee, etc. These journeys were always made on horseback, as the country between Knox county and Virginia was almost an unbroken forest.

Mr. Riley and John Hibbitts went to Detroit about the year 1808, to see Colonel Hamtramck, who owned an extensive tract of land in Knox county, which they desired to purchase. This was considered, at that time, by the entire community, as an event of much importance. Taking their rifles and a pocket compass, they started on horse- back for Detroit. All the human beings they saw on their route were Indians, and when they were near Detroit a few French families. They secured the principal part of their sustenance from the woods. They were frequently pursued by wolves, but frightened them away by firing their guns at them. They succeeded in accomplishing this trip, and in due time returned home in health and safety.

Jacob Horn came from Washington county Pennsylvania in 1815. He settled in the eastern part of the township, near the Coshocton county line. By dint of hard labor and perseverance he became rich. His family of twelve children all lived to become men and women, most of whom are now living in Knox county. The Horns are the most numerous of any family in the township.

Isaac Darling was another early settler. He was born in Monongalia county, Virginia, in 1778, and came to Butler township in 1806. He settled near Owl Creek, and after a few years' residence returned to Virginia, removing again to Butler in 1820, where he resided until his removal to Union county in 1843, his death occurring in that county in 1853. The Darlings have long been identified with the history of the township.

One of the most noted personages of the early times, both of the township and county, was Ben- jamin Butler, who is claimed to be the founder of Mt. Vernon. He was born in Monongalia county, Virginia, in April, 1779, was married to Leah Rogers, May 2, 1799, by whom he had thirteen children, viz: Elizabeth, Hiram, Benjamin, Joseph, Matilda, Huldah, Reason, Laban R., Maria, Pau- lina, Hettie, Squire John, and George W. A short time after his marriage he removed to Muskingum county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming, renting

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

lands of Major Cass, who afterwards became the distinguished Democratic statesman and politician. In 1801 he moved to Coshocton county, where he resided until 1805, when he moved to Clinton township, Knox county. He was one of the three founders of Mt. Vernon, and after the laying out of that town, kept hotel for some years. In 1809 he removed to Butler township, where he lived nearly a half century, engaged in milling and farm- ing. He purchased land lying on the north side of Owl creek, which was very productive, and yielded large crops of corn and wheat. Owing to the infirmities of old age he quit farming and resided with his daughter Hettie, wife of John Carpenter, at New Castle, Coshocton county, where he died May 13, 1872. His son George W. and daughter, Mrs. Carpenter, still reside in Butler township.

Daniel Campbell came to Ohio in 1816, locating in Butler township. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, lying near to the Mt. Ver- non and Coshocton road. He continued to pur- chase from time to time until he was the owner of several hundred acres of good farming land. He was very industrious, and considered laziness as one of the greatest sins of which a man or woman could be guilty, and consequently detested a lazy man. He came from Marshall county, Virginia to Ohio. He was born in Ireland, on the fourth day of May, 1790. His father, Richard Campbell, emigrated to America when Daniel was four years old. Daniel was drafted in the War of 1812, a short time after his marriage to Miss Jane Caldwell of Ohio county, Virginia. He hired a substitute for one hundred dollars. Although the first set- tlers of Butler had come some ten years previous to his removal from Virginia, the township was still almost a wilderness. But little progress had been made in clearing up the land in the southern and central portions. What clearing had been done was principally in the Owl creek bottoms. Deer were still numerous, wolves were troublesome, and small game abounded in great numbers. After Mr. Campbell paid for his first purchase of land, he had four dollars in cash and a blind horse as capital with which to commence farming, but his resolute, determined spirit very soon surmounted all obstacles, and in a few years he was one of the

wealthy farmers of "old Knox." Of his family of eleven, ten children lived to manhood and woman- hood.

Joseph Staats was a native of Virginia, and with his father, Joseph Staats, sr., came to Butler about the year 1806. He was married to Catharine Hull, of Pennsylvania, by whom he had eleven children, several of whom are now residing in the township. He was the first one to put a glass window in his cabin, and also built the first brick house. "Uncle Joe," as he was generally called, was noted for his jovial disposition, very often en- gaging in the then common amusements of the day, such as wrestling, running foot races, throwing the hammer, etc. He engaged for some years in the distilling of whiskey, but hearing a temperance lecture delivered by one of the early preachers who labored in the township, he quit the business and became an earnest temperance advocate. At one time he was about the only Whig in Butler town- ship; but in defiance of all opposition he persisted in voting that ticket. His father, who died in 1826, was the third person to die in the township. His resting place is marked by a large wild cherry tree, which grew from the centre of his grave.

John R. Gamble came to Butler in 1836. He was quite a noted man in central Ohio for many years, on account of his connection with the public works. He was born near Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, September 27, 1796, and came to Delaware county in 1810. A short time after his coming he went to Columbus, where he engaged in brick mak- ing. He was married in 1825 to Lovina Collins. Soon after his marriage he moved to Newark, where he engaged in the construction of public works. From there he went to Tuscarawas county to construct the locks on the Ohio canal. After- wards removing to Coshocton county, and from there to Butler township in 1836, he purchased a large tract of land lying north of Owl creek, and engaged in farming and distilling. He was, during his residence in the township, again engaged in the construction of public works, building several sec- tions of the Walhonding canal. Upon the com- pletion of the canal he erected a large grain ware- house in Walhonding, and was for some years en- gaged in the mercantile, milling, and commission business. Mr. Gamble was a Democratic politi-

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cian of considerable local celebrity, and was the nominee of that party for the legislature for one or more terms. He died at his home in Butler in 1857. His widow still survives him at an advanced age.

William, father of John R. Gamble, emigrated from the county of Antrim, Ireland, having been obliged to flee the country on account of his demo- cratic principles, and in consequence of having a personal collision with one of the King's officers. Mrs. Gamble's father was also Irish. He partici- pated in the old French and English wars; was under General Wolfe at Quebec, and afterwards became an ardent patriot; was in the battles of Lexington, Bunker Hill, Long Island; fought with Gates at Saratoga, where Burgoyne surrendered his entire army to the American commander. He was transferred to the navy, and died while cruising in the Mediterranean. His maternal grandfather was a captain in Washington's army.

The Carpenters were noted pioneers in the early history of Ohio and Butler township. During the Indian wars, while the Revolutionary war was in progress, and subsequently they were often en- gaged in fighting the Indians. William Carpenter came to Butler in 1808. His neighbors at that date were the Riley's, Shrimplins, Spurgeons and Darlings. He engaged in farming, purchasing land in the northern part of the township. His sons Thomas, John, George and Ned are still re- siding in Butler.

William D. Beatty who was born January, 1807, is the oldest man now living who was born in But- ler township. He resides in the southwestern part of the township and is owner of a large farm.

One of the first justices of the peace, who was a good humored "Pennsylvania Dutchman," not having a docket, kept all his official records on his mantel piece, using a piece of charcoal for that purpose. .

Many of the first settlers engaged in the distilling of whiskey. On account of the low prices for grain and not much of a market for their productions, it was more profitable and convenient for them to convert their corn, rye and wheat into whiskey, which could always be sold for money, and was more easily transported.

Johnny Appleseed was a frequent visitor in But-

ler. One of his largest nurseries, located on Nur- sery Island, Mohican creek, was but a short dis- tance from the line between Butler township and Coshocton county. He spent considerable time visiting the early settlers. He frequently stayed several days and nights at a time, with the Rileys, Shrimplins, Staats, Carpenters and Benjamin But- ler. They never charged him for his board or en- tertainment, and he was a welcome visitor at the homes of the pioneers. Apple trees originally pro- cured from his nursery can now be seen in Joseph Staat's orchard, and various other orchards in the township.

The first grist-mill built in Butler, and also one of the first in Knox county, was built by John Shrimplin, some time before the commencement of the last war with Great Britain, the exact date not known. It was a very primitive structure, but was considered a curiosity in those days. Its pa- trons were from various points in Knox, Coshoc- ton, Richland and Licking counties. Mr. Shrimp- lin went to Zanesville after the mill stones, bring- ing them home on horseback.

Another mill erected about the same time was the "Giffin Mill," by Robert Giffin. They have long since been torn down. At one time a couple of pioneers, each with a peck of corn went to mill, put one of the grists into the hopper, turned the water on to the wheel, and started the machinery, but found no meal would come through; after much conjecturing and searching, they discovered a large bull frog in the hopper who placed himself in such a position as to prevent the corn from entering the buhrs. After his removal from the hopper, the grinding proceeded satisfactorily.

The only grist-mill in the township (built about fifty years ago,) is now owned by Lloyd Nichols and Stephen Zuck. It is on the north side of Owl creek, and is doing a large business.

The date of the first saw-mill erected is not known. There are two saw-mills in the township, one on Owl creek, owned by Nichols & Zuck, and one on Brush run by Jacob Beale.

There are two iron bridges: One spanning Owl creek, a few hundred yards east of the Green Val- ley mills. It is probably the longest bridge in the county. The other crosses the Wakatomika in the southern part of the township and is a small one.

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Both of these bridges are of recent construction.

The first road in Butler was the Mount Vernon and Coshocton, and passes across the entire town- ship from west to east. It was laid out and finished at an early date. The other principal roads of early construction were the Mt. Vernon and Walhond- ing and the road leading from Bladensburgh to New Castle.

The first post office was established about the year 1817, with Abraham Darling, postmaster. The name of the post office was "Owl Creek. ", After serving several years and getting tired of the duties devolving upon him, he resigned and the office was discontinued. A post office was estab- lished some months since at Green Valley Mills, called "Zuck, " named after Stephen Zuck one of the proprietors of the mills.

No villages have been laid out in this township. The nearest approximation to a village is at Green Valley mills, where there is a grist and saw-mill, a grocery store, post office, and three families resid- ing. The people generally go to Mt. Vernon, New Castle and Bladensburgh to trade.

For several years after the first settlement, but little attention was paid to educational matters. The teachers were illiterate, and the school-houses were of the rudest style of architecture. The fol- lowing description of one, which George McLar- nan attended when a boy, will illustrate. It was situated on a knoll about four rods from a fine spring of water in the midst of a dense forest. It was constructed of round logs twelve and sixteen feet long, one story high, with a log across the north end placed about four or five feet high from the floor, and about the same distance from the wall, upon which, and against the end wall, was erected a large stick chimney, plastered with mortar, joined to a stone back-wall cemented with the same ma- terial.

The roof was made of clapboards that were held in their places by weight poles, which in turn were held by a small log, notched into the ends of the top end logs, and called a butting pole. Not a nail was used. Greased paper was used in place of glass for windows. The ground floor was composed of huge puncheons, faced and jointed by some pioneer with his broadaxe, and laid upon large logs placed in as sleepers. The seats were made

from small trees, cut into logs of the proper length and split in two, the bark taken off, and the other side hewn and made smooth; two inch holes were then bored into the ends and middle, into which sticks were placed for legs. Holes were bored into the walls on the west side, and south end, and large wooden supporters placed therein, upon which were laid boards to write upon ; then, to complete the structure, the door was made by cutting a hole in the southeast corner of the house, five and one-half by three and one-half feet in dimensions; the same was cased with timber, split hewn and shaved, and fastened with wooden pins." These rude structures have been superceded by neat white frame school- houses, placed at convenient distances, and com- petent teachers have taken the place of incompe- tent ones. William Braddock was one of the first school teachers. His educational qualifications were very limited. He could read, write and "cipher some."

Another of the early pedagogues of Butler was a "Judge" Davis from Maryland. A citizen of the township who was one of his scholars thus describes his personal appearance, etc. "He wore linsey- woolsey pants and home-made linen vest, red flan- nel warmus, cowhide shoes, the sole and upper leather both of his own tanning, together with over- shoes made from sheepskin with the wool on. He was born and received his education near Hagers- town, Maryland, emigrated to Virginia, and from there to Knox county, where he set up as a small farmer, tanner, politician, and last but not least, in- structor of the young rustics of Butler and adjoin- ing townships. He was a believer in Methodism, a thorough Democrat, a good neighbor and citizen.

As to his pupils, they came from every direction for two miles each way. Some of them six feet in height, all dressed in homespun from head to foot. The young women were also clad in homespun. The books corresponded with other surroundings. The old United States spelling book, the Advent- ures of Lemuel Gulliver, Robinson Crusoe, Lives of Washington, Penn and Marion, were the reading books. As for geography, grammar and algebra, they were not known. A majority of these young- sters went to work with a will, and soon acquired the rudiments of an education, and matured into ex- cellent men and women; some of them are the

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sturdy old farmers and matrons of Butler to-day."

For many years after the first settlement religious meetings were held in the houses of the settlers. The Methodists and Baptists were the pioneers. The first church organization was the Butler Bap- tist church, organized April 26, 1841, by Elder L. Gilbert. William Underwood and Benjamin Horn were the first deacons, and Henry Underwood the first clerk. The first pastor was L. Gilbert, who was succeeded by Elders L. Root, B. F. Smith, Gibson Moore, James Fry, Benjamin Morrison, James K. Lionbaugh, W. S. Barnes, and A. W. Arnold. The number of members at present is twenty-six. A neat white frame church has been erected by this society, located in the southeastern part of the township.

The Messiah Evangelical church (Lutheran) was built in 1874. It is a frame building, twenty- eight by forty-four feet. Rev. Thomas Drake was the first pastor. There is no pastor at the present time (1880). Jacob Leply, Michael Beale, and James McCamment were the building committee. No regular church officers have yet been chosen, and as there are but few Lutherans in the town- ship, the church does not yet enjoy a large meas- ure of prosperity.

Riley chapel (Baptist) was built in 1875. It stands in the northeastern part of Butler, near the Coshocton county line. It is a frame building, thirty-five by forty feet in dimensions. John Spur- geon was the first deacon, and J. K. Lionbaugh the pastor. Alexander Hardin is the present dea- con.

The Methodists have no organization, although in the early history of the township they were a prominent denomination.

There are many Disciples in the township, who have generally connected themselves with the Den- nis church organization in Jackson township.

Sunday schools were organized by the Baptists at an early date, and there is a very prosperous school in connection with the Butler Baptist church.

CHAPTER XLVII. CLAY TOWNSHIP.

ORGANIZATION-FIRST SETTLERS - INDIANS - TOWNSHIP RECORDS - MOUNDS - MARTINSBURGH SCHOOLS - MAR- TINSBURGH ACADEMY-CHURCHES-REV. HENRY HERVEY -FIRES.

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History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present, Part 81

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