History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present, Part 89

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 89

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).

Mr. Blake was a member of the first class that graduated at Kenyon college, (1829.) The mem- bers of the class, beside himself, were: Jas. B. Chase, Samuel Chase, Geo. Denison, P. C. Free- man and B. B. Sayre. Four of the six were near relatives of the bishop, and five of the six were from New England. Mr. Blake graduated from the Theological seminary in 1835. During the next fifteen years Mr. Blake was engaged, a por- tion of the time, as president of Milnor hall and city missionary in Cincinnati under the auspices of Christ church. In 1852 he purchased the house built for B. J. McIlvaine and several acres of land connected with it, and opened his select school for boys. Mr. Blake, having many warm friends in Cincinnati, the school was patronized at once by the better class of people of that city and other places. He continued at the head of the school until his decease, July, 1877. His first as- sistant for many years was Rev. E. C. Benson, a very popular and efficient teacher. Mr. Blake and his estimable wife had a peculiar aptitude for man- aging boys, and the school has been a favorite in- stitution from its first opening. For several years Mr. Mckinley has had charge of the school. He has now associated with him Mr. Blake's son Leonard; both are graduates of Kenyon college. The school has never been more successful than it is at the present time.

Mr. Blake was universally esteemed by the citi- zens of Gambier-not only as a clergyman, butas a benevolent, kind-hearted, Christian gentleman; and it is safe to say that he had not an enemy in the world. For several years Mr. Blake was an efficient member of the board of trustees of Ken- yon college.

470

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

CHAPTER LI. HARRISON TOWNSHIP.

NAME-TOPOGRAPHY-INDIANS-FIRST SETTLERS AND SET- TLEMENTS-SKETCHES OF THE PIONEERS-BURLINGTON STORM - ROADS - MILLS -- POST-OFFICES -SCHOOLS - CHURCHES.

H TARRISON township was organized March 9, 1825, and named in honor of General William H. Harrison. It is an excellent township of farming land, being generally level or moderately rolling. It was once very heavily timbered, with the usual varieties found in Ohio, and much oak, sugar and beech timber are still found in the township. It is well watered, both with springs and streams. The Kokosing river crosses the north-west corner. In- dian Field's run is the principal stream. It rises in the western part of Butler township, runs west to near the centre of Harrison, and turning north flows into the Kokosing river. At the mouth of this stream the Indians had cleared a large amount of land, on which they raised much corn, and the stream was so named from this fact. The Kokos- ing and Indian Field's run have numerous small tributaries not named. Barney's run rises in the northwest part of the township, and flowing north into Howard township, empties into the Kokosing river. There are no mounds in this township. A small beaver dam still spans Indian Field's run on Simon Dudgeon's farm.

The Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus rail- road crosses the northwest corner of the township.

The Indians were numerous when the first set- tlers came to Harrison, and for several years after the first settlement they would come from Green- town and the Upper Sandusky to hunt the deer and other wild animals which abounded here. The old Indian trail leading from Greentown to the Wakatomica, passed through Harrison, and bands of Indians were passing frequently through the town- ship several years after the conclusion of the last war with Great Britain. It was also much used by the early settlers before any roads were laid out. After General Lewis Cass, the distinguished Dem- ocratic statesman, was appointed governor of Mich- igan territory, he passed over this trail on horse- back, on going from his home in Muskingum county to Detroit. He was accompanied by a party of three or four men, and stopped over night

at the house of Simon Dudgeon, a pioneer of Harrison.

Andrew Casto was probably the first white man to settle in Harrison township. He entered land in the western part of the township. But little of his early pioneer experience can be obtained as he has been dead many years, and none of his family are living in Knox county.

Jeremiah Biggs, who is claimed by some to have been the first settler of Harrison, was born in Vir- ginia December 27, 1769. He came to this town- ship in 1808, settling on section sixteen. When he first settled here, Harrison was almost, if not altogether, an unbroken wilderness. Deer "were as plenty as sheep," the wolves "made night hid- eous" by their howling, the Indian still lurked in the forest, and Mr. Biggs experienced all the pri- vations, hardships, enjoyments, and pleasures inci- dent to pioneer life. He raised a family of eleven children; one of his sons, John, who was born here in 1812, is still residing in the township. A few years after his removal to Knox county, Mr. Biggs' friends in Pennsylvania sent him a letter addressed as follows: "To Jeremiah Biggs on Owl Crick, State of Ohi," Notwithstanding this vague direction it arrived at its destination. This letter is still in possession of John Biggs. Mr. Biggs lived long to enjoy the fruits of his arduous pioneer labors. He died in. 1844.

The Dudgeons have long been a prominent fam- ily. Simon Dudgeon was born in the county of Donegal, Ireland, in 1776. His father owned a small freehold in Ireland, and being a man of much enterprise and resolution, determined to better his condition by emigrating to America. At the time he formed this resolution, his sons, Simon, Moses and Thomas were in the British army, serv- ing as regulars. Desiring to have all his family with him when he went to America, he sold his freehold and bought the unexpired time of his three soldier boys. He sailed for the United States in 1801, landing at New York city. When Simon landed he had but one English shilling left. He procured employment in the city, and after working a short time went to Connecticut, remain- ing in that State several months. From there he removed to Delaware county, New York, purchased a farm and lived there until 1810, when he came

471

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

to Harrison township, and entered three quarter sections of land near the centre of the township. After making some improvements, he went to Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he was married to Miss Nancy Elliott, by whom he had ten children, viz: Jane, Thomas, Charles, Moses, David, William, Simon, Mary, John, and Andrew. Eight are still living, four in Harrison. Mr. Dud- geon returned to Knox county in 1811, living on his place in Hurrison until his decease, June 2, 1845.

John Schooler, another prominent citizen, was born near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, about the year 1770. When he was twenty-six years old he re- moved to Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where he resided until his removal to Harrison township in 1818. Four years prior to his coming to Knox county he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in the southeast part of Harrison township. While living in Pennsylvania he was married to Miss Sarah Walker. They raised a family of twelve children: James, Rachel, William, John, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, George, Hannah, Jane, Samuel, and Sarah Ann-six of whom are still living. Mr. Schooler was a member of the legislature from Knox county, in 1831 and 1832 ; he also served as justice of the peace several terms, and was other- wise prominent in public affairs. Mr. Schooler was a participant in the Indian wars of the latter part of the last century, and was also a soldier of the War of 1812. He endured many hardships, and made some narrow escapes while a soldier. At one time a squad of soldiers was sent in pur- suit of some Indians who had committed depreda- tions in the frontier settlements. They were cut off from their supply of rations while in the wilder- ness, and were without provisions about a week, when one of them shot a deer, and every particle of meat, even the hoofs and head were cooked and devoured by the famishing soldiers. Mr. Schooler had a small piece of bacon concealed, from which he would take a bite or two each day, so that he did not fare quite as hard as some of his less fortunate comrades. He was a noted hunter. In one year, while residing in Pennsylvania, he killed one hundred and fifty-three deer, and at another time shot two panthers. Game was still abundant when he came to Harrison, and one fall

he shot twenty-three deer. He died in the year 1853.

The Harrods were also noted pioneers, being among the first to settle in Knox county. Michael Harrod removed to Harrison early in this century, settling in the southeast part of the township. John, son of Michael Harrod, who was born in 1807, was many years a resident here. He was married in 1829, to Rachel Veach, and removed to Clay about the time of his marriage. They raised a family of eleven children. Michael Harrod built the second brick house in the township, which was blown down by ths Burlington storm, and Mrs. Harrod and an infant in her arms, were covered up with the bricks. Mrs. Harrod had an arm broken, but the infant was not injured.

Arthur Fawcett came to Harrison about 1810. He was a native of Ireland and being poor it was with considerable difficulty that he secured sufficient means to pay his passage across the Atlantic. He settled in the dense wilderness of Harrison town- ship, and cleared up a farm. Many years after his removal here, he experienced a considerable loss at the hands of some thieves. He had secreted one thousand dollars in his milk-house loft, for safe- keeping. It remained undisturbed some time, when one night it was stolen, and no clue to the thieves could be obtained.

Daniel Ullery was a thrifty Pennsylvania Dutch- man. He was born in Washington county, Penn- sylvania, in 1790, and came here in 1817, locating one hundred and sixty acres of land. At an early age he was married to Miss Mary Kinder. They raised a family of thirteen children, seven of whom are still living. One of his sons, Valentine, is a resident of Harrison.

George Lepley, another Pennsylvania German, was one of the first settlers, and is the oldest man now living in the township. He is the only one of the first generation that settled in Harrison, still re- siding here. He was born about 1790, and his wife who is but one month younger than her hus- band, is still living. Mr. Lepley came from Somerset county, Pennsylvania, about the year 1807, and first settled in Butler township, but re- moved to Harrison about 1812. He served three months in the last war with England, but was in no engagements.

472

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

William Green, one of the early pioneers of Ohio, was born in Maryland about 1789, and with his father settled in the southern part of Licking county, Ohio, about 1804. He removed to Harri- son township in 1824, settling in the southern part of the township. He was married to Elizabeth Morris while a resident of Licking county. One of his sons, Daniel, has been a resident of this township since 1824. He was married to Miss Lydia Bowman in 1843, and their family of nine children are all living. Two of his sons are resi- dents of Washington city, one being a clerk in the census office, and another, an attorney-at-law. William Green died in 1855.

The Horns are quite a numerous family. Benja- min Horn came from Washington county, Penn- sylvania, in 1818, and Joseph in 1820. They both settled in the southeastern part of this township. Joseph Horn was born about the year 1788, was married to Miss Anna Ely in Pennsyl- vania, and their family of eleven children are all living. The Horns are noted for their longevity and thrift.

Nathaniel Ross came to Harrison about 1815. He was born in Green county, Pennsylvania, in 1794. Prior to his removal to Ohio he was mar- ried to Miss Sarah Hair, by whom he had eight children, three-Samuel H., Mary, and Timothy- only, survive. Mr. Ross was a man of indomitable spirit, great liberalily, and was remarkable for his extensive reading. He was one of the very first in Knox county to embrace and advocate the politi- cal views and doctrines of the Abolitionists, and was, consequently, the subject of much persecu- tion. So bitter at one time was this persecution that he was both politically and socially ostracized by his neighbors, but he never deviated in the least from the path of duty as he considered it. He was also one of the very first to espouse the religious views of Alexander Campbell. At that time it was almost as much of a stigma to be called a Camp- bellite as it was an Abolitionist. But he lived to see the unpopular political and religious doctrines, which he so ardently contended for, both triumph- ant and honorable. While Mr. Ross was a resident of Harrison he was a sufferer by two tornadoes which swept over this place. The noted Burling- ton storm, May 18, 1825, prostrated all of his

buildings, destroyed much valuable timber, and otherwise damaged him financially; and, on the second day of September, 1846, another tornado destroyed one of his out-buildings, and a log falling upon his daughter, Rachel Ann, a young lady of sixteen years, caused her death instantaneously. But one of his children, Samuel, now resides here. Several years since he removed to Hancock county, Ohio, where he is now living with his daughter, Mrs. Mary Crumrine.

The Lybargers, although not of the first settlers, have long been identified with the history and in- terests of Harrison. George, Adam, Henry, and Andrew Lybarger, brothers, emigrated from Bed- ford county, Pennsylvania, to Knox county, in the fall of 1819. They rented a house in Mt. Vernon and remained there during the winter of 1819-20. The following spring they removed to Harrison, where they purchased a large tract of land in the northwest part of the township, much of which was Owl creek bottom land and very productive. George Lybarger was born in Pennsylvania April 30, 1791. He was married to Miss Magdalena Lybarger October 9, 1814. Their children were Maria, Elizabeth, Valentine, Simon, Eli, George, Henry, and Louis, five of whom are still living. The Lybargers were industrious, frugal Pennsylva- nia Germans, very zealous Lutherans, and were the prime movers in the organization of the Mt. Zion Evangelical Lutheran church of this township. George died in 1876, Adam in 1872. All of the four brothers are dead. Their descendants are still numerous here.

Isaac Coan, Hugh Miller, Paul Welker, Silas Ralston, Wendell Melker, John Wolf, John Trout- man, Israel Dillon, Benjamin Ellis, Jacob Hayes, Marvis and Asa Freeman were early settlers, and influential citizens. The inhabitants of this town- ship are principally Pennsylvanians and their de- scendants, but there is also a sprinkling of Virgin- ians and Marylanders.

Most all of the early settlers who endured the toils, privations and hardships in rescuing the town- ship from its wilderness condition are gone to their long rest. Their children and grandchildren, who are now living in comfort and even luxury, can but faintly realize what their ancestors suffered to pur- chase the blessings they enjoy.

473

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Nathaniel Ross built the first brick house in the township.

The Burlington storm, one of the greatest that has occurred in Ohio since its first settlement by the whites, swept across this township from south- west to northeast. It prostrated everything in its path, which was about three-fourths of a mile in width. Log, frame and brick houses were blown down, and not a large tree was left standing. It was also accompanied by heavy hail; some of the hail stones were said to be larger than hen's eggs. The second tornado, September 2, 1845, crossed the southern part of Harrison, and caused a great destruction of property and a loss of life.

In November, 1857, another violent whirlwind swept over the southern part of the township. It threw down the dwelling house of Jacob Ellett, some of the family being covered by the debris, and severely injured. It also uprooted many trees, blew down the fences, and passing into Butler township tore down a house in which a corpse was laid out. There have been one or two severe wind storms since the one of 1857, and the inhabitants live in fear of a recurrence of these cyclones every few years, though probably without reason. Several accidents resulting in loss of life have occurred in this township. Some twenty years since William Lepley was killed by falling on an upright saw in his mill while sawing logs. About 1859, John Guess while engaged in cleaning out a well was overcome by the "damps" or gas generated therein, and lost his life. Samuel Lepley accidently shot himself while handling a gun, and was found dead by his friends. About 1833 a Mr. Morrison was killed by a falling tree.

The first road in the township was the one lead- ing from Mt. Vernon to Coshocton, now known as the Mt. Vernon and New Castle road. This was laid out probably as early as 1809 or 1810. The Gambier and Martinsburgh road was cut out some years after this one.

The first saw-mill was built about 1833, by Wil- liam Lepley, on Indian Field's run. This was the saw-mill in which Mr. Lepley was killed.

The first and only grist-mill in the township was erected several years since by Simon Dudgeon, on Indian Field's run. It is a small one and has never done much grinding. The inhabitants gen-

erally get their milling done at the Gambier or Green Valley mills.

The first post-office was established about 1842, and named Wolfe's post-office, in honor of George Wolfe, the first postmaster. This office was dis- continued some ten years after its establishment. Some years ago the inhabitants residing in the central part of the township petitioned the post- master General for another office. Their petition was granted, Pipesville post-office established, and Mr. Warren Pipes appointed postmaster. Mr. Pipes died some time after his appointment, and his daughter Anna Bell has had charge of the office since his death. The inhabitants receive their mail semi-weekly, on Wednesdays and Satur- days, the mail route being from the office to Ganı- bier. Mr. John Burkholder is the mail messsenger.

The first school as far as can be ascertained was taught by John James in a small log building in the Dudgeon settlement. Moses, Jane, Charles and Thomas Dudgeon; John, Charlotte, Levi, David and Elizabeth Harrod; Levi, John and Mary Riggs and Mary Ross were some of the scholars who attended the school. Samuel Hill was another of the early school teachers of this township, as well as of Butler, Jackson and Clay. His services as a pedagogue were in great demand by the early settlers. For many years after the first settlement the schools were taught either in the dwelling houses of the settlers or in small log school houses, but these in course of time gave way for the more commodious and neat frame buildings which are now found in the township. The establishment of the Martinsburgh academy and Kenyon college, both contiguous to Harrison, was of great benefit to the youth of that township, and many of them received a thorough education at those places.

The religious interests of the people have not been neglected. The early missionary preachers through here were the Rev. James Scott and Cunningham, Presbyterians ; the Revs. Charles Waddle, - Crawford and - Glancy, Meth- odists; Andrew Burns, - Taylor; - Lock- heart, -- White, and - - Moody, Disciples; and Truman Strong, Thomas Eaton, and W. W. Curry, Universalists. The Methodists erected the first church edifice, a log one, about 1823 or 1824. This was located in the northeastern part

474

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

of the township, and called the Mt. Labor church. The organization continued to hold meetings in this church several years, when the society dis- solved, and there are very few of that denomina- tion in the township at this time.

About 1832 a small log church was built on Na- thaniel Ross' farm by the Disciples, or Campbell- ites, as they were then named. Nathaniel Ross and Harrod Riggs, with a few others, organized a society and worshipped several years in this small building. From this little body of earnest work- ers has sprung the Union Grove church, built in 1841. It is a neat frame, located in section fifteen, and occupied by all denominations, no particular sect having absolute control. It is now principally used by the Disciples. The Revs. Taylor, Burns, Lockheart, White, William and Jackson Dowling, Charles Van Voorhees, and Benjamin Bell, jr., have preached at various times to the Disciple organiza- tion here.

The Mt. Zion Evangelical Lutheran church was organized in 1835, by the Rev. H. W. Lauer. The first elders were Henry Lybarger and Samuel Stough; deacons, Adam Lybarger and Jesse Ly- barger ; trustees, George and Peter Lybarger; clerk, Samuel Stough. Among the first members of this church were Samuel Stough and wife, Henry, An- drew, Peter, George, Jesse, and Anthony Lybarger, and their wives; Ludwig Lehman and wife, Mich- ael and Frederick Lybarger, and Magdalena Ream. The ministers who succeeded the Rev. Lauer, as far as known, were the Revs. W. M. Gilbreath, Ritz, - Smedley, - Sensebaugh,

O'Bannon, Thomas Drake, - Showers, and I. K. Booker, the present pastor. The first church edifice was erected in 1837. This was a frame building of sufficient dimensions to hold the large congregation which assembled for worship at that early date. In 1854 this building was replaced by a large and substantial frame, in which the society worship at this time. This organization of Luther- ans was a strong body, numerically and financially, from the beginning. The original members were almost all Pennsylvania Germans, and the members now are generally their descendants. The first records of the church were kept partly in English and partly in German. The present membership is eighty-six.

The Baptists have no church or organization in the township, but hold occasional meetings at the Union Grove chapel.

The Universalists hold occasional meetings at Union Grove, but have no organization here.

There are several families of Dunkards, or Naz- arines in the township, who have occasional preach- ing at the Union Grove chapel. The Revs. Henry Davie, John Workman, Isaac Ross, and Edmonston have preached here at various times.

There are a few Catholic families here, but they do not have meetings in the township.

The Mt. Zion cemetery, attached to the church of that name, was laid out about 1831, and the first burial was in 1832.

The Union Grove cemetery was located about 1823, the first interment in the cemetery being in that year.

CHAPTER LII.

HOWARD TOWNSHIP.

LOCATION - FIRST OFFICERS - TOPOGRAPHY - INDIANS - EARLY SETTLERS AND SETTLEMENTS - HUNTING - SKETCHES OF THE PIONEERS - DISTILLERIES - MILLS -- SCHOOLS-CHURCHES-KINDERHOOK.

OWARD was originally a part of Union town- ship, and now lies directly west of and joins it. It was erected into a separate township, and organized March 9, 1825. At the earliest election recorded in the township records, held in 1834, at the house of Nathaniel Critchfield, the following officers were chosen : trustees, George Lybarger, Joseph Critchfield and Jonathan Wartor ; clerk, Henry H. Wartor; treasurer, Nathaniel Critch- field ; fenceviewers, Thomas Elwell and John W. Mason ; overseers of poor, Moses Porter, Nathan A. Magers ; constables, Eli Engle, Samuel Critch- field. Joseph McMahon and Martin Engle were the first justices of the peace elected in the town- ship. Amos Workman, Benjamin Huddington, Thomas J. Porter and William Williams were of the first justices. For several years after the organ- ization of Howard township, the trustees, clerk, treasurer, supervisor, and other township officers,

475

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

donated their legal services to the township. The inhabitants, at that time, were comparatively poor, money was scarce, and it was about all they could do to support their families and pay state and county taxes, and the strictest economy was nec- essary in order to "make both ends meet."

The surface of this township is generally broken, but the ascents and descents are not as abrupt as in most of the eastern townships of Knox county. The soil is fertile, much of it being gravelly loam, which is peculiarly adapted for the growing of wheat and other cereals. The bottom lands of Owl creek, and the big and little Jelloway streams, produce very heavy crops of corn, etc. Howard township originally was well timbered, and at this date much valuable timber exists.

Owl creek, the principal stream of water, enters the township about the centre of its southern side, its course through Howard being north and east, leaving the township near the southeast corner. Big Jelloway creek enters the northeast corner of Howard, from Brown township, and flowing in a southwesterly direction empties into Owl creek near the village of Howard. Little Jelloway creek coming from the northwest, joins the big Jelloway near its mouth. Schenck's run crosses the south- western part of the township, discharging its waters into Owl creek. Barney's run, coming from Har- rison township, empties also into Owl creek. These streams, with their tributaries, make Howard one of the best watered townships in the 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 89

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