History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present, Part 93

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 93

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Its charter members were: Eli Farnham, A. C. Scott, Peter Berry, James Loveridge, Andrew Vance, John S. McCament, Alexander McCament, Wil- liam Underwood, Obed Underwood, Jesse Under- wood, William McCreary, W. F. Redman, David McCann.

Robert Strahorn and D. J. Bentz were the first Masons initiated; this was September 17, 1850.

The officers July 1, 1880, were: Schooler Horn, W. M .; James Donohey, S. W .; W. A. Harris, sec- retary; Jeremiah Hess, S. D .; C. P. Ramsey, J. D .; David Blyston, treasurer; William Underwood, steward; Thomas Earlywine, J. D .; Archibald Lit- tle, tyler.

The number of deaths since organization have been eight. The present membership is fifty-five.

Following are the worthy masters of Ohio Lodge with terms of service: Eli Farnham, seven years; A. C. Scott, fifteen years; Levi Mercer, one year ; Daniel Paul, two years; John G. McGaw, one year; E. W. Hall, one year; N. K. Kamsey, two years; Schooler Horn, elected November, 1879.

The following have served as secretaries: James Loveridge, Josephus Wheeler, Isaac N. Huey, John H. Miller, R. S. Conner, S. T. Schooler, R. D. Mavis, J. Fox Scott, Alexander S. Kerr, D. H. Tut- tle, John W. Scott, F. P. Hess, George McCament, W. A. Harris.

This lodge has been fairly prosperous. It now owns one of the finest buildings in the village, erected three years ago, and is acknowledged to have the best arranged and finest finished lodge hall in the county.

A grange was organized several years ago and a hall was erected by the organization in 1878. The order is prosperous and numbers many of the sub- stantial farmers of Jackson and adjoining townships as members. Several successful fairs under the auspices of this grange have been held at Bladens- burgh since its organization.

For a long time after the village was started the village school was held in a small frame building, which was replaced by a large and substantial structure in 1878, now known as the Bladensburgh Union school. Professor Kennon, of Belmont county, is the principal.

There are two churches in the village-Disciple and Presbyterian. The first, known as the first Disciple church in Ohio, is described elsewhere in this chapter. It was organized before the village had an existence, and the present church building was erected some years after the founding of the town. It enjoys a good degree of prosperity at the present date.

The Presbyterian society was organized in 1846, and was originally an outgrowth of the Presbyte- rian church of Martinsburgh. Rev. Henry Her- vey, pastor of the Martinsburgh church, having preached a sermon on "the evils of war," denun- ciatory of the war with Mexico, then in progress, gave such offence to a portion of the members of his church, that several seceded and organized a society at Bladensburgh. This society soon after erected the present church building. Rev. James Anderson was the first pastor. He was succeeded by Revs. Densmore, Brough, and Brombarger. The church has no pastor at present.

There are three dry goods and one grocery store, one jewelry establishment, two hotels, one barber shop, one millinery store, one harness and several blacksmith shops, also one grist- and one saw-mill. Its present population is about two hundred. Al- though Bladensburgh is a small village it is an en- terprising one. Being at a considerable distance from any large town, large numbers of farmers do their trading at this place.

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

In February, 1869, a murder was committed which caused much excitement at the time. S. L. Roley, a very passionate and bad-tempered man, killed Joshua Cackler. Roley became offended at Cack- ler because of some slight misunderstanding con- cerning a trivial affair, when he procured a club, and, striking Cackler on the head, caused his death in a short time. Roley was caught after he had fled to another State, was brought back to Knox county, had his trial, was convicted of manslaugh- ter and sentenced to two years imprisonment in the penitentiary.

James Ross is the present postmaster. A daily mail is received, the route being from the town of Utica to Bladensburgh.

CHAPTER LV. JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.

ORGANIZATION -- ELECTION-JUSTICES OF THE PEACE -- TOPOG- RAPHY-RELICS-FIRST SETTLERS -- GRAND HUNT-MILLS -SCHOOLS-CHURCHES -- GREERSVILLE.

J JEFFERSON was organized in March 1829. It is the northeast corner township of Knox county, and is bounded on the north by Ashland and Holmes counties, on the south by Union town- ship, on the east by Holmes county, and on the west by Brown township. In 1876 one mile was taken from the south part of this township and annexed to Union.

At the first election held in April 1829, the fol- lowing were chosen: trustees, John McMillan and Josiah Trumbley ; clerk, Robert Greer; constables, Andrew Lockard and Joseph Critchfield.

The early political history of Jefferson is derived from the official records which are still in a good state of preservation. From these it appears that the first official business transacted by the township board after its organization, was the annual settle- ment with the township officers, recorded as follows :

March 1830.

On the first Monday of March 1830, the trustees met a full board. The accounts of the different officers were settled with- out any charge being made by the township, and adjourned. Attest, ROBERT GREER, clerk.

At the election held in 1832 at the house of Frederick Rice the following officers were elected, Alexander Greer, Josiah Frost and John Hibbetts trustees; Alvin Critchfield and Jesse Casteel, con- stables; George Rice and Robert Greer, overseers of poor, and Robert McMillen, fenceviewer.

The following justices of the peace have been elected since the organization of the township : 1829, James Henderson and John Greer; 1832, John Greer ; 1835, James Greer; 1837, James With- row; 1838, Joseph Greer, Josiah Frost; 1840, James Greer, James Withrow; 1842, Alexander Greer ; 1843, James Withrow; 1845, Alexander Greer; 1846, James Withrow; 1848, Alexander Greer; 1849, Robert Greer; 1851, Alexander Greer; 1852, Robert Greer; 1854, Josiah Frost; 1855, Robert Greer; 1857, Josiah Frost, James Greer; 1858, Charles Miller; 1860, James Greer; 1861, Charles Miller ; 1863, John Workman; 1865, Charles Miller, Fred- erick Rice; 1867, Charles Miller; 1868, Edward Day; 1869, Mark Greer; 1870, Charles Miller; 1871, John D. Shrimplin; 1873, Charles Miller; 1874, Benjamin Wander; 1876, John C. Banbury; 1877, James W. Baker, John Body; 1879, Philip Love; 1880, James W. Baker.

This township was named after Thomas Jeffer- son, one of the Presidents of the United States. The surface is exceedingly broken and hilly, some of the lofty and precipitous hills reaching an alti- tude attaining to the grandeur of mountains. The magnificent rocky and hilly country along the Mo- hican river, and elsewhere in the township, is un- doubtedly the most interesting geographical feature in this county. In the early history of the country these high hills and rocky bluffs formed a secure retreat for the various wild animals, and dens for large numbers of rattlesnakes and other venomous reptiles. Hundreds of these reptiles were killed by the pioneers. Wild game, such as foxes, coons, opossums, and turkeys are still quite numerous in the hills, and mink and otter are found along the Mohican.

The Mohican river, the principal stream, crosses the entire eastern part of the township, from north to south, in a meandering course.

Many interesting relics of former ages have been found here. The early pioneers unearthed with their plows hundreds of flints, or Indian arrow

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

heads, and various implements of Indian manufac- ture. On the farm of George Bird, near Greers- ville, were several small mounds. These were ex- plored by the early settlers, several human skele- tons unearthed, and ashes and charcoal also found. On the summit of a high and precipitous hill ad- jacent to Greersville are the remains of an ancient fortification or intrenchment. The sides of a por- tion of the hill were so steep as to make an in- trenchment unnecessary, but the portions less ab- rupt were strongly fortified by a wide and deep ditch, cut in the form of a semicircle.

In the vicinity of Greersville are various ledges of rocks, some of which have received names, sug- gested by peculiar surroundings or individual ap- pearance. One of these ledges, alum rock, is so named because the water which flows from its crev- ices is strongly impregnated with alum. The water which exudes from the rock, on being exposed to the rays of the sun and evaporated produces alum in considerable quantities. This locatity is a fa- vorite resort for pleasure parties in the summer, and is annually visited by many young persons from Mt. Vernon, Loudonville and other places, who encamp here for days at a time, and engage in fish- ing and hunting. Whortleberries are very plenty in the hills of Jefferson township, and hundreds of bushels are annually gathered by the inhabitants here as well as by persons from adjoining counties.

It is difficult to ascertain who was the first white settler of Jefferson township. Isaac Enlow and Nicholas Helm were among the first to settle within the present limits of the township. The date of this settlement is not known, but it was probably a short time after the close of the War of 1812. As far as known there was no settler to be found in this township prior to that war. Jefferson was the last of all the townships of Knox county to be settled. Owing to the broken condition of the surface and its isolation, settlers preferred other government land as long as it could be had in the vicinity. John Melton, Aaron Mathene, Andrew McKee, Ephraim McMillen, Jacob Shiner, Elisha Ross, John Dailey, Alexander Darling, James Hen- derson, John Hibbetts, Josiah Trimbley, Joseph Critchfield and George Greer were of the first set- tlers. The Greers have long been identified with the history of Jefferson. John Greer came from

Ireland to Knox county early in this century, set- tling near Danville. Possessed of a vigorous intel- lect and indomitable spirit, he soon took a promi- nent position among the early settlers. During the War of 1812 he did much to promote the forma- tion of companies, and became captain of one of them. He served several terms as justice of the peace, and was elected representative to the legis- lature in 1830. For forty years some of the Greer name have officiated as justice of the peace in this township.

Robert Greer, another influential and useful citi- zen, was born in the county of Antrim, Ireland, March 12, 1806. He emigrated to America in 1826, first settling in Maryland. In 1827 he re- moved to Jefferson, locating in the eastern part of the township. He received a very thorough educa- tion in Ireland, was an accomplished scholar, well versed in mathematics and the languages. After his arrival here he engaged in farming, also school- teaching; was the first clerk of the township, and was elected justice of the peace for several terms. He died March 13, 1865. His only child, Abra- ham W., is still residing here.

Jacob Colopy, was an early settler, emigrating from Maryland to Knox county in 1812, first set- tling three miles south of Mt. Vernon, where he re- sided until his removal to Jefferson in 1825. He located his farm in the southern part of the town- ship, in that portion attached to Union in 1876. Mr. Colopy was very industrious, working night and day, and at one time was the owner of seven- teen hundred acres of land. Because of his habit of working early and late, he received the appella- tion of "Night and Day," from his neighbors. He resides at present near the village of Gann.

Absalom Shrimplin, son of John Shrimplin, one of Knox county's earliest settlers, was born in Owl Creek valley, November 27, 1806, and was the sec- ond white child born in the county. His mother, Elizabeth Shrimplin, nee Morrison, who was born near the banks of the Ohio river in Jefferson county September 7, 1787, is said to have been the second white female child born in Ohio. Mr. Shrimplin removed to Jefferson township a few years after its organization and resided here until his death, De- cember 28, 1879.

James Witherow was from Beaver county, Penn-

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

sylvania. He came to Jefferson township in 1836, settling on section four. He was elected represen- tative by the Democrats in 1851, Hon. Columbus Delano, the Whig candidate, being the other representative elected that year. Mr. Witherow served one term, but being very much disgusted with the lax morals of some of his brother repre- sentatives, he declined a renomination. He has also served several terms as justice of the peace, and was noted for his accurate decisions in cases tried before him.

Samuel Beck came from West Virginia in 1837. He was married in 1829, to Miss Mary Seaman, of Virginia. Mrs. Beck resided near Bethany, Virginia. She was intimately acquainted with Philip Doddrige, the historian of western Virginia and Pennsylvania, and Alexander Campbell, the founder of the religious body known as Campbell- ites or Disciples. She was present when he preached his first celebrated sermon on immersion, at a private house in the neighborhood of Bethany. She has been a member of the Presbyterian church for many years. Mr. Beck died October 4, 1848. Mrs. Beck's father was born in London, England, removed to Virginia about the close of the Revo- lutionary war, and purchased three hundred acres of land near Wheeling. Her paternal grandfather, Harris, lived near the Potomac river during the progress of the Revolutionary war. At one time, in company with a negro servant, he was pursued by a band of Indians, was wounded, but managed to secrete himself in a sycamore tree. The Indians losing sight of Mr. Harris, continued in pursuit of the negro, and finally captured him.

Jonathan Rice, another honored and useful citi- zen of this township, came from Allegheny county, Maryland, in 1831. He has long been a member of the Methodist church, and a zealous worker for the cause of Christ. A short time after Mr. Rice's removal here, a grand union hunt was organized by the citizens of Jefferson, Brown, and Union townships, and parties from Ashland and Holmes counties also participated. It was estimated that more than a thousand persons were present. There were but few wolves or bears at that date, but deer, foxes, wild turkeys, and smaller game abounded. A central point was selected in the woods, near where the Wesley chapel now stands.

Captains and other necessary officers were ap- pointed to manage the incoming lines, fill up va- cancies, and prevent the escape of game. The lines were formed in a square, enclosing several. miles, and the hunters were armed with guns, clubs, tin horns, knives, pitchforks, etc. At a given signal the lines advanced toward the center, every man and boy making as much noise as pos- sible. As the advancing column approached each other, turkeys began flying over; the affrighted game rushed from side to side, seeking an avenue of escape, and by reason of mismanagement on the part of some of the officers, a gap in the lines was left open, through which most of the game escaped. This was the last grand circular hunt in the township.

The settlers of Jefferson were at first, principally from Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ire- land, but in later years a large number of Germans have located in the township, and form an im- portant addition to its population. Settling among the rugged hills, where it would seem almost im- possible to obtain a livelihood by agricultural pur- suits, they soon, by their good management, industry and economy, acquire a competency.

Although the Mohican river affords abundant water power for mills and manufactories, it has never been much utilized by the inhabitants. The first grist-mill in the township was built about 1833, on the Mohican, by John Greer; he also erected a saw-mill in connection with it. Some years later a large flouring-mill was erected at Mt. Holly, now Gann.

As in other townships, the first schools were "subscription schools," there being no public school fund. These schools were taught at first in the houses of the pioneers. The first school- house was built about 1826, on Nicholas Helm's farm. It stood about eighty rods west of Greers- ville, and was a small structure, built of unhewn logs. Another of the early school-houses, prob- ably the second, was situated on Philip Hardinger's farm, near the centre of the township. A third was erected a few years after this, near the present site of Wesley chapel. These were all log buildings of a very primitive style of architecture. Elisha Ross, Robert Greer, David Buzzard and Isaac Beann were among the first teachers in this township.

496

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Only two churches have an organized existence at present within the limits of Jefferson township, one of these being in the village of Greersville. The first church was organized by the Episcopal- Methodists in 1832, at the house of Rev. Burriss, whowas the first class-leader of the society. George Burriss, William Cornell, Joseph and Henry Hess, the Colwells, McMillens, Hickes and Harrises were among the early members of this organization. The first ministers were Revs. William Conant, Russell Bigelow, John McNabb, Allen Moffatt, Charles Waddle, Daniel Lambert, and

Davidson. The early meetings were held at the residences of the first members and in the school- houses. Some years after the formation of the society a log structure was erected, which was su- perseded by a frame building in 1866, still stand- ing, and in use by the members. This edifice cost about eleven hundred dollars, and is a neat frame, twenty-eight by thirty-four feet in dimensions.

There is a cemetery adjacent to the church, known as the Wesley Chapel cemetery, in which many of the former citizens of Jefferson are buried. The present membership of the church is about sixty-five. In 1853 a Winebrenarian society was organized in the northwestern part of the township, which held their meetings in the Jericho school-house. Thomas Carpenter, - Chamber- lain, and -- Russell, were among the first mem- bers. This organization was a weak one, and dis- banded in a few years. There was also a society of Catholics organized here at an early date, and a small log building, call St. Michael's church, erected in the northern part of the township. There being flourishing Catholic societies at Lou- donville and Danville, it was deemed inexpedient by the members of St. Michael's church to keep up the organization, and it was dissolved many years since, the members generally uniting with St. Luke's church, of Danville, and the Loudonville Catholic church.

The present winter (1880-1) has been a most remarkable one in the history of this township, as well as of the county. Winter and sleighing be- gan about the middle of November, 1880; the sleighing was uninterrupted until some time in February, 1881, and the cold extremely severe. A fall of snow, nearly two feet in depth, occurred

about the first of April, and the voters went to the spring election in sleds and sleighs. A winter of such length and severity is not within the memory of the oldest inhabitant.

Greersville is the only village within the present limits of Jefferson township. It was laid out in 1836 by Robert Greer, is situated on the Mohican river, about four miles north of Gann, and has a population of about seventy. Solomon Hull built the first house, a log dwelling; James Greer kept the first store, and Miss Amanda Allen taught the school. Prior to the erection of the first school- house in the village, a school-house stood a short distance outside of the town to which the first in- habitants sent their children. Arthur Greer taught the first school in this house. At this date there are in the village two dry goods stores, owned by John DeWitt and John Friermuth ; one hotel, kept by George Derrenberger; one harness shop, by Casper Paul; one wagon shop, by Edward Shrimp- lin, and one cigar store, by L. Shaw. John Frier- muth is the postmaster, and the village has a tri- weekly mail.

The Wesleyan Methodist church of Greenville was organized in 1854, by Rev. George W. Bainum. Its early members were Asa Greer, Agnes Severns, Sarah Bird, Calista Severns. Rev. George B. Bain- um was the first pastor of this society. The subse- quent pastors were Reverends L. R. Royce, George W. Smith, William Sewell, - McConnell, - Hamlin, Richard Horton, J. A. Nettleton, James Preston, and B. F. Hestor. The society wor- shipped in the Greersville school-house until 1861, when a neat frame edifice was erected at a cost of one thousand two hundred dollars. The present officers of the church are Jonathan Rice, Michael Wander and A. W. Greer, trustees; John Wesley Rice, William Kaylor and Elmer C. Greer, stew- ards; Josiah Workman, class-leader. The present membership is about sixty. An active Sunday- school is connected with the church, A. W. Greer being the superintendent.

497

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

CHAPTER LVI. LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

LOCATION -ERECTION - TOPOGRAPHY-MOUNDS-SETTLE- MENT-ROADS-MILLS-ELECTION-OFFICERS-VILLAGES -STORES-SCHOOLS-CHURCHES-CEMETERIES-ORDERS -STATISTICS.

IBERTY township was established by the county commissioners, June 4, 1822, and bounded as follows :

Ordered-That the following boundaries be laid off into a separate and distinct township, to-wit : Beginning at the south- east corner of the sixth township of the fourteenth range, and running west on the township line to the southwest corner of the same ; thence north on the line between the fourteenth and fif- teenth ranges, to the northwest corner of said township ; thence east on the township line to the northwest corner of the same ; thence south on the range line to the place of beginning ; which shall be known and distinguished by the name of Liberty town- ship, which shall be entitled to all the privileges of a separate and distinct township.

March 9, 1825, the commissioners ordained that :

Liberty township shall be composed of the sixth township in the fourteenth range.

The surface of Liberty is rolling, but not rough. The southern part of the township is drained by Dry creek, which empties into the Kokosing river at Mt. Vernon, while the northern portion is drain- ed by Granny's creek, Armstrong's run and other small streams. The drainage is good, there being little or no swamp lands in the township. About one-third of the land is under actual cultivation, the balance is in grass and woodland, but nearly all is susceptible of cultivation. The soil is composed of loam, impregnated with lime, and resting upon substratum of drift gravel, hence very productive ; all the cereals being successfully grown.

This section of the country was originally cover- ed with a heavy growth of timber, of the following varieties : hard maple, black walnut, beech, white oak, and other varieties indigenous to the soil, but much of it has disappeared before the destroying axe of the woodman.

There are very few relics of the Mound Builders to be found in Liberty township. About the only ones deserving mention are located on the property of J. D. Higgins, one mile east of Mount Liberty. On the hill north of Mr. Higgins' residence is a mound about thirty feet in diameter, and was originally eight or ten feet high, but is at present

very much reduced in height by being plowed over. It was opened by Mr. Higgins, who, however, found nothing but the traditional ashes and charcoal.

In an adjoining field, and occupying much lower ground than the above described mound, is the remains of a circular embankment one hundred feet in diameter, but so worn down by the plow that its original height cannot be determined. It has the general appearance of a military work, but its proximity to higher ground, and the fact of the earth from the ditch having been thrown outward, would seem to preclude that idea. The mystery that surrounds the subject of the mounds and their builders, appears to be enhanced by the fact that the Indians who occupied this country when the white man made his advent confess entire ignor- ance of their origin.

The earliest settlers were the following: Francis Atherton, Francis Blakeney, Thomas Fletcher, George Ginn, Francis Hardesty, and Alexander Dallas. These came from Washington county, Pennsylvania, in the spring of 1805, and settled on Dry creek. Mr. Atherton located where John H. Bird now resides. He was a very ingenuous me- chanic and was very useful in the new settlement. The first frame house in the township was built by him in 1808. He also built a mill-intended to be a grist-mill-on Dry creek, but died before its completion, and the mill was not a success. Fran- cis Hardesty located where Mrs. Bird now lives, about three miles east of Mt. Liberty. Hr. Har- desty and his wife are said to be the first adults who died in the township. They were buried a few yards east of the Bird's graveyard. The first death was that of a child of Francis Atherton. It was buried in the woods north of Mr. Atherton's house. Alexander Dallas was a rough character --- a distiller by occupation-and was sent to the pen- itentiary for burning a barn. Joseph Higgins ar- rived in the country in 1810, and pitched his tent one mile east of the present site of Mt. Liberty, where J. D. Higgins now resides. Michael Yoak- am came in 1811, and located west of Mr. Higgins. John Yoakam, son of Michael, is still living, and to his faithful memory this history is indebted for many of the statements made. John Wilson was the pioneer blacksmith. His shop stood, in 1811, on the farm now owned by George Carey.

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History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present, Part 93

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