USA > Ohio > Licking County > History of Licking County, Ohio: Its Past and Present > Part 68
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COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
I. Captain Joseph Sutton.
2. Lieutenant Wilson Holden.
3. Ensign Henry Kliver.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
I. First Sergeant E. L. Bonham.
2. Second Sergeant Thomas Berry.
3. Third Sergeant Jacob Bickle.
4. Fourth Sergeant Solomon Myers.
I. First Corporal David Moore.
2. Second Corporal Matthias Kliver.
3. Third Corporal Hazel Green.
4. Fourth Corporal Eli Brady. PRIVATES.
I. George Levingston.
2. Ridgway Craft.
3. Jonathan Routsong.
4. Thomas Demoss.
5. Stephen Batholmew.
6. George Neff.
7. Henry Hursey.
8. Jacob Stotts.
9. John Morris.
IO. John Farr.
II. Robert Johnson.
12. Hyatt Willison.
13. John Statler.
14. Daniel Motherspaw.
15. John C. Holden.
16. Samuel Hull.
17. John Patee.
18. Jeremiah Willison.
19. William McDaniel.
20. Richard Parr.
21. Samuel Herron.
22. Hira Patee.
23. Samuel McHelvey.
24. Joseph Connor,
25. Benjamin Corsen.
26. Jonah Demaus.
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HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
27. Richard Beem.
28. William Harris.
29. Daniel Hopwood.
30. George Hull.
31. George Carrall.
32. William Edgell.
33.
Moses Moore.
34. Benjamin Hull.
35. Samuel Dewess.
36. John Barns.
37. Abraham C. Wilson.
38. John Conner.
39. James Stewart.
40. Leven Fisher.
4I. Andrew McColla.
42. Peter Lineberger.
43. Henry Alexander.
MUSTER ROLL
of a company of drafted militia, under the com- mand Captain Joseph Sutton, in the regiment of Brigadier General Edward W. Tupper's brigade, in the service of the United States commanded by Colonel Charles Miller, War of 1812:
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
I. Joseph Sutton, captain.
Wilson Holden, lieutenant.
3. Henry Kliver, ensign.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
4. John C. Holden, first sergeant.
5. Thomas Berry, second sergeant.
6. Jacob Bickell, third sergeant.
7. David Moore, fourth sergeant.
8. Matthias Kliver, first corporal.
9. Hazel Green, second corporal.
10. Eli Brady, third corporal.
II. Jeremiah Bartholomew, fourth corporal.
PRIVATES.
12. Henry Alexander.
13. Elisha L. Bonham.
14. Richard Beem.
15. John Bevins.
16. Ridgway Craft.
17. Joseph Conner.
18. Benjamin Corsen.
19. John Conner.
20. George Carroll,
21. Thomas Demoss.
22. Jonah Demoss.
23. Samuel Dawes.
24. William Edgell.
25. Levin Fisher.
26. Henry Hevrsey.
27. Samuel Hall.
28. Samuel Herron.
29. William Harris.
30. Daniel Hopwood.
31. George Hull.
32. Benjamin Hull.
33. Robert Johnston.
34. George Levingston.
35. Peter Lineberger.
36. Solomon Myers.
37. John Morris.
38. Daniel Motherspaw.
39. William McDaniel.
40. Samuel McKelvey.
41. Andrew McCalla.
42. Moses Moore.
43. George Neff.
44. John Parr.
45. Richard Parr.
46. John Patee.
47. Hira Patee.
48. Jonathan Routsong.
49. John Statler.
50. James Stewart.
51. Jacob Statts.
52 . Hyatt Willison.
53. Jeremiah Willison.
54. Abraham C. Wilson.
PAY ROLL
of a company of spies commanded by Captain John Spencer, attached to Colonel George Adams' regiment of Ohio volunteers, in the service of the United States, War of 1812:
'COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
I. John Spencer, captain.
2. Abraham Bennett, first lieutenant.
3. Jacob Man, cornet.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
4. Daniel Eaton, sergeant.
5. John Peck, sergeant.
6. Jesse Sutton, sergeant.
PRIVATES.
7. Joseph Rycraft.
8. John Whitaker.
9. William Kirkpatrick.
10. James Blackburn.
IT. John Sawyer.
12. William Conklin.
I3. Joseph Conklin.
14. James Tompson.
15. Derney McDowell.
16. Isaac Hamilton.
17. Miles Whitmore.
18. James Kennear.
19. George Shrofe.
20. John Linsey.
21. Rue Swailes.
22. John Parkhill.
23. John Patterson.
24. John Lee.
MUSTER ROLL
of a company of Ohio volunteers (riflemen), under the command of Captain John Spencer of the
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HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
Third regiment cammanded by Colonel Lewis Cass, War of 1812:
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
I. John Spencer, captain.
Robert Davidson, lieutenant.
3. Andrew Allison, ensign.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
4. James Gibson, first sergeant.
5. Samuel Smith, second sergeant.
6. James Seymore, third sergeant.
7. Joseph Statler, fourth sergeant.
8. Thomas Hughes, first corporal.
9. Samuel Morfoot, second corporal.
10. Elias Hughes, third corporal.
II. Joseph Cunningham, fourth corporal.
12. David Messinger, drummer.
13. Spencer Spelman, fifer.
PRIVATES.
14. John Parrish.
15. John Barrick.
16. James Scott.
17. Matthias Bevard.
18. Samuel Kinneman.
19. William Young.
20. Jacob Pickering.
21. Thomas Davis.
22. Robert McCrine.
23. Jacob Bevard.
24. John Motherspaw.
25. Andrew Stewart.
26. John Johnston.
27. John Forrey.
28. William Cunningham.
29. William Parr.
30. Thomas Jones.
31. John Harris.
32. Jacob Little.
33. John Far.
34- Joshua Evans.
35. John Drum.
36. Henry Myers.
37. William Roe.
38. William Walker.
39. Enos Devore.
40. Archibald Smith.
41. Archibald Kerzey.
42. Jonathan Kerzey.
43. John Hall.
44- John Evans.
45. Joseph Wright.
46. David Shaddock.
MUSTER ROLL
of a company of riflemen militia, under the com- mand of Captain John Spencer, of the Third regiment, Ohio militia, in the service of the United States, under the command of Colonel Lewis Cass, War of 1812:
COMMISSIONED . OFFICERS.
I. John Spencer, captain.
2. Robert Davidson, lieutenant.
3. Andrew Allison, ensign. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
+ James Gibson, first sergeant.
5. Samuel Smith, second sergeant.
6. James Seymour, third sergeant.
7. Joseph Stateler, fourth sergeant.
8. Thomas Hughes, first corporal.
9. Joseph Cunningham, second corporal.
10. Samuel Murphy, third corporal.
It. Elias Hughes, fourth corporal. PRIVATES.
12. Jacob Pickering.
13. Andrew Stewart.
14. John Drum.
15. John Barrack.
16. William Cunningham.
17. Archibald Casey.
18. John Farn.
19. William Parr.
20. William Walker.
21. Jonathan Casey.
22. William Roe.
23. John Evans.
24. Robert McCawn.
25 Enos Devore.
26.
James Scott.
27.
Henry Myers.
28. Jacob Bevard.
29. Matthias Bevard.
30. Joshua Evans.
31. John Harnis.
32. John Forry.
33. Samuel Kinnamon.
34. Thomas Jones.
35. Joseph Wright.
36. Jacob Little.
37. John Motherspaw.
38. John Hall.
39. John Johnston.
40. Archibald Smith.
41. William Young.
42. John Parish.
43. Thomas Drumm.
MUSTER ROLL
of a company of drafted militia commanded by Captain John Spencer, from the Second regiment, commanded by Colonel Henry Lumalt, of the Fourth detachment of Ohio militia, commanded by Major General John S. Gano, ordered into the service of the United States by his excellency, Re- turn J. Meigs, governor of Ohio, War of 1812.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
1. John Spencer captain.
2. Henry J. Goode, lieutenant.
3. John Benham, ensign.
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HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
I. Martin Robinson, first sergeant.
2. John C. Spencer, second sergeant.
3. Robert B. Covert, third sergeant.
3. Abner Meek, third sergeant.
4. Isaac Daugherty, fourth sergeant ..
I. Enoch Wilkin, first corporal.
2. Isam Good, second corporal.
3. Enoch Smith, third corporal.
4. Elias Little, fourth corporal.
I. Daniel Crane, fifer.
2. Richard Baker, drummer. PRIVATES.
J. William Anderson.
2. John Allen.
3. Jerem K. Blackford.
4. Ebenezer Bedunnah.
5. Thomas Brewin.
6. William Blackford.
7. Sylvanus Cornel.
8. Daniel Cahill.
9. Isaac Cahill.
IO. Joseph Cue.
II. John Clyne.
12. Freeman Codington.
13. Isaac Codington.
14. Joseph Copeland.
15. Abraham Clarke.
16. William Coulter.
17. William S. Cawthorn.
18. Andrew Cummins.
19. George Clyne.
20. John Dean.
21. William Daugherty.
22. George Death.
23. David Evans.
24. Wright Elliott.
. 25. David Fox.
26. James Freeman.
27. Vincent Garner.
28. Job Garner.
29. William Garvery.
30. James Griffin.
31. John Grice.
32. John Gill.
33. James Hogan.
34- Eli Hustin.
35. John Holmes.
36. David Hayes.
37.
David Hoblet.
38. Benjamin Hinkston.
39. G. Lemuel Jackson.
40. Elijah Lawrance.
41. John Lyttle.
42. Samuel Lynn.
43. Leonard Linsey.
44. John Lee.
45. Abner Meek.
46. John Mills.
47. Benjamin Morton.
48. John McDaniel.
49. William McDaniel.
50. Gideon McCibeons.
51. Daniel McCray.
52 . James Mullen.
53. Daniel Mills.
54. Henry Mosburgh.
55. Jacob Newkirk.
36. John Oiler.
57. Absalom Payne.
58. Hiram Parris.
59. Samuel Ruble.
60. Joseph Scott.
61. James Spragg.
62. William Spencer.
63. Jacob Snell.
64. David Stokesby.
65. George Tindle.
66. Caleb Whitacre.
67. Samuel Watson.
68. John Woodyard.
69. John Wilson.
70. Charles Wells.
71. James Westerfield.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWNSHIPS.
CHAPTER XLIII.
BENNINGTON TOWNSHIP. ,
ORGANIZATION AND LOCATION-TOPOGRAPHY-TIMBER-SOIL-INDIANS-WHITE SETTLERS-APPLETON AND THE "COOK SETTLEMENT"-GENERAL ROSECRANZ AS A CLERK-LOCK-MILLS-SCHOOL-HOUSES-CHURCHES.
B ENNINGTON township was organized in 1815. It is situated on the northern borders of Licking county, bounded on the east by Burling- ton township, on the west by Hartford, on the south by Liberty, and on the north by Knox county.
The general face of the township is level or gently undulating, and it is well watered by North fork of Licking and its tributaries. The North fork rises partly in the northwest corner of this township, and passing a short distance through the north- ern part, enters Knox county about the center of the northern line of this township, re-entering the township again and passing across the north- east corner. The largest stream in the township- which, however, is not large-is the Otter fork, a tributary of the North fork. It passes across the township from west to east, near its center, pass ing across part of Burlington township, and enter- ing the North fork near the village of Homer. The Lake fork, another tributary of the North fork, rises in the southern and western parts of this township, and running eastwardly, passes across the southern portion of this and Burlington town- ships, entering the North fork in Washington township about half way between Utica and St. Louisville. Upon a tributary of Lake fork, Indian run, is situated the village of Appleton. The tributaries of this stream water all the southern part of the township. Many beautiful springs are located in this township, but it is not so prolific in
that respect as townships further east, notably Fallsburgh and Eden.
This is essentially a township of farmers, there being no railroad, telegraph, turnpike, or canal within its limits, and but one small town.
When the first settlers entered the township, they found it heavily timbered with many varieties of hard wood, such as usually grow on the up- lands. The different families of oak were largely predominant, though beech, sugar, and other hard woods were plenty. The undergrowth was hazel, paw-paw, hackberry, and, in minor proportions, spicewood, sassafras and other varieties. The settlers in nearly every part of it found it necessary to clear away this timber in order to make room for their cabins. This fine timber has been largely cleared away, and beautiful, well-fenced farms oc- cupy its place. The soil is fertile, well tilled and as productive as any in the county.
Bennington presents few traces of the Mound Builders, and those not remarkable. The Indians seem to have left few traces or reminiscences of their occupation. Few, or perhaps, no people now living in the township remember seeing them, and they probably had no permanent camp within its limits, at least in historic times. A very small camp, not however permanent, once had an existence on Indian run, near its junction with the Lake fork. . It disappeared shortly after the first settlement, but probably gave name to that stream.
The first white settler in the township was
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HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
Henry Iles, who settled there in the spring of 1809. He was from Rockingham county, Vir- ginia. John Dripps and Isaac Vanausdel followed him in 1810, locating near the North fork. John Trout, in the same or next year, located on Otter fork, where also Peter Staymates settled soon after. Settlers continued to come in year after year, gen- erally from Pennsylvania and Virginia, until the principal part of the territory of the township was settled. It was divided into ordinary sized farms, and nearly all the township occupied, by 1835.
The "Cook settlement" was established in the vicinity of the present village of Appleton, some- time after the close of the war of 1812, by Titus Knox and Captain Cook, and served as a nucleus for immigrants to the southern portion of the township. The Van Fossens, Jesse Smith, Jacob Clem, the Wrights, Sangers, Carvers, McClintocks, Fishburns, and Trouts were among the names of those familiarly known as early settlers.
In August, 1832, Titus Knox and Carey Mead laid out the village of Appleton, and named it in honor of Appleton Downer, a lawyer of Zanes- ville, who had been a large land owner in the township. It is handsomely situated in a beauti- ful country, near the southern borders of the township, but it never attained to the proportions of a town of one hundred inhabitants, and has been on the decline in later years.
Carey Meade built the first house in Appleton, and there is something of a romantic history con- nected with it. Mr. Meade had a pretty daughter who married a man named Delong, from the east, and Mr. Meade erected this house for a store- room, with the expectation that his son-in-law would bring on a stock of goods and become the first merchant of the future city. For reasons very well understood this expectation was not real- ized, and thus the storeroom-a frame structure, one and a half stories in height-stood empty for a time, and was the only building on the town plat when Mr. Gideon Long and family came to the place, April 3, 1833. Mr. Long moved into this empty store room and occupied it some years. While he was yet living in it Mr. David Messenger, yet living, a resident of Utica, and now a very aged man, came to Appleton, or the site of it, rented the front part of this building, and opened
the first store in the place. Mr. Long, in order to encourage enterprise and assist in building up the town squeezed his family into the single back room of this storehouse. He had, since his advent in the place, been using the upper room of this building for a cabinet shop. A pair of stairs went up on the outside of the building, and here he made tables, coffins, and other necessaries of life and death, and for himself a precarious living. Mr. Messenger must have expected to transact a large business, as he brought on a large stock of goods, for those days, and two clerks. Had the wolves and bears been his customers he would, no doubt, have done a large business, but as the pur- chasing settlers were few and far between, the two clerks seemed superfluous.
These two clerks took boarding and lodging in the family of Mr. Long in that single back room of the store building. One of these clerks was Mr. Franklin Bryant, who, after clerking some time for Mr. Messenger, bought the store himself and conducted it several years. He built the second frame house in town, which is yet standing, and is occupied as a dwelling by Dr. Austin. Not being able to fill up that little back room entirely, with his family and two clerks, Mr. Long took in an- other entire family-Mr. William Van Fossen, wife and one child. Mr. Van Fossen had made up his mind to settle here, and to accommodate him while his cabin was in course of construction Mr. Long admitted the family as boarders.
The other young gentleman clerk, who was a boarder in this large family with limited quarters, was usually called "Billy," and as he had very lit- tle clerking to do, spent most of the time in the woods hunting. Mrs. Long says "he was a good boy-a jolly, whole-souled fellow as ever lived." His last name was Rosecranz, and he afterward became Major General William S. Rosecranz, the hero of Stone River, and the gallant but unfortu- nate commander of the Union forces at the great and bloody battle of Chickamauga. "Billy" Rosecranz remained here as a clerk six months, and many times declared his intention of becom- ing a soldier, and was sent to West Point soon after leaving this place. His father was at that time a resident of Homer, in the adjoining town- ship, and a merchant and farmer.
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HISTORY FO LICKING COUNTY.
This old store room is yet standing, and is part of the present store building of Mr. B. G. Hoover.
The Van Fossen cabin was probably the second or third cabin in the town.
The first school-house in this neighborhood, a log building, was erected some years before Apple- ton was laid out, and was located where Mr. Bigler now lives. Joseph Kerr taught school here fifty- five years ago, and was probably the first teacher in this part of the township. The second school- house was a frame building and stood above Mr. Barrick's house on Harry Ashley's farm. The third and present house-a good frame building- was erected about 1870. All the children of school age in town attend school here; they num- ber fifty or sixty.
The first blacksmith shop in Appleton was erected by Mr. Snyder, who soon moved away, and Mr. John Copper occupied the shop and be- came the permanent blacksmith. The old store building has always been occupied for that purpose, having changed hands many times, and been added to. In addition to Mr. Hoover's store, Mr. W. T. Moorehead keeps a small stock of goods at present, and Franklin Myers a small grocery. Be- sides this mercantile business, there are two wagon shops, two blacksmith shops, two shoe shops, two hotels, and Gideon Long (Mr. Long and wife are both yet living) still carries on cabinet making. The village is a pleasant one, the society good, the people being much interested in both religious and secular education.
The village of Lock is located on the northern line of this township, but the larger part of it is in Knox county, the post office and store being in that county. It is probable that Gideon Long was the first post master in Appleton and retained the office many years; it is now kept by Thomas More- head.
The first water-mill in this township-or mill of any kind-was erected by Jesse Van Fossen, about a half mile above Appleton, on Indian run. It was a saw-mill only. John Denty, yet living a mile above Appleton, erected the second mill, at the junction of Indian run and Lake fork. This mill was both a grist and saw-mill in an early day, though at present only a saw-mill, driven by steam
power. It is the only mill now in the township.
In the old log school-house, before mentioned as standing on the place where Mr. Bigler now lives, was organized in. 1828, what was probably the first religious society in the township. They call themselves Christians, but are generally better known as New Lights.
The well known pioneer preacher, Rev. Isaac N. Walters, was instrumental in establishing this church, and was assisted in the organization by Rev. Daniel Long and Rev. Matthew Gardner. A number of the old settlers accepted the new doc- trine, among whom were Jesse Van Fossen and wife, Catharine; John Helphrey; Jesse Lake and wife, Elizabeth; Daniel Helphrey and wife, Mr. McNett and wife, and others. The old school- house answered the purposes of this society sev- eral years; but in 1834, their numbers having in- creased somewhat by new additions to the "Cook settlement," they were enabled to erect a frame church building; this was dedicated August 16, 1835, Rev. I. N. Walters preaching the dedicatory sermon. This church building is yet standing, and is used by the organization of Grangers as a place of meeting.
The second and present church was erected in 1875, being dedicated February 11, 1876; the ser- mon on this occasion being preached by Elder Enos Peters, the present pastor.
The. present condition of this church is a healthy one, the membership being about seventy- five. The Sunday-school was organized about 1840, and has been kept up since during the sum- mer months of each year. Its present member- ship is probably fifty or more.
The Methodists early organized a society in the township, though no regular class was formed, so far as can be ascertained, prior to 1840. Meth- odist preachers were among the first religious teachers to enter the township, preaching in the cabins of the settlers and in the school-houses. In January, 1840, a class was organized by Rev. Wesley Clark, at the house of John Denty, who is still a resident of the township. The members of this class were George Iles, John Denty, David Weyant, A. C. Barber, Frederick Iles, Jonathan Clayton, Noah Southard, Ed- ward Conner, and some others. The above
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HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
members were appointed a committee to purchase land and erect a church building.
The site for this building was selected near the center of the township, on the Hartford and Ho- mer road, and near the Otter Fork of Licking. The road from Appleton to Lock also crosses the above road at this church.
The first building erected, known as "Benning- ton Chapel," was a small, though substantial frame, and, as the work was largely voluntary, and the material, in part, contributed, it only cost about three hundred dollars. During the last year (1880) this building has been enlarged, repaired and fin- ished in good style. Mr. George Iles died a few years ago, leaving a sum of money, the interest of which was to be used in keeping up the church building, and in beautifying the cemetery grounds adjoining.
No regular preaching is now held in this church. A Sunday-school had an existence here at one time, but it is no longer kept up. Both members of the church and pupils in the school, have generally transferred their allegiance to other churches, mostly, perhaps, to the other Methodist churches, of which there are two in the township.
These two churches were organized and the buildings erected about the same time-in the year 1850. One of these, "Lambert's Chapel," is loca- ted in the eastern part of the township, a little north of Lake fork, on the farm of Calvin Stout.
1
Among the originators of this organization were Jacob Lambert, Elias Kettle, John Denty and wife, William and Elizabeth Denty, Josiah Shipley and wife, Richard Wells and some others. Prior to the erection of the church, meetings were gener- ally held at the house of Jacob Lambert. The present membership is forty or fifty, and a large and active Sunday-school is kept up. The third Methodist Episcopal church in the township is located in Appleton.
Rev. Lemuel Yarnell was influential in this organ- ization, and thhe first members were Louis Evans, Aaron Shaffer, John Denty, A. C. Barber, Nathan Bigley, David Miller, Martin Light, Richard Wells, and some others. These gentlemen were chosen as a committee to select a site and erect a church
building. Rev. Yarnell carried around a subscrip- tion paper and obtained money enough to erect a small frame building on the site of the present church. It was erected and dedicated in 1851. Rev. G. G. West, the pastor in charge, preaching the dedicatory sermon. After several years the old building becoming too small to accommodate the people who gathered there, it was taken away and the present frame building erected. The mem- bership of this church is at present about forty.
The organization of the Sabbath-school is prob- ably coeval with that of the church, and has been kept up in the summer time since; the member- ship being now about forty or fifty.
Just prior to the late war a church was organized in the northeastern part of the township, mainly through the influence and personal exertions of the Halls-Gideon Hall and his son John. A small number of Christians were living in this neighbor- hood, and felt themselves able to sustain a church. Among the members of the first organization were Gideon Hall and wife, John Hall and wife, John Hilburn and wife, Jacob Rowe and wife, and some others. The church languished during the war, and very nearly went out of existence; but in later years it has revived, and now services are held with considerable regularity, though it is not yet a strong church.
A Sunday-school was organized ten or twelve years ago, and has been kept up with considerable regularity, numbering, at present, twenty-five or thirty members.
This township also contains a Congregational church, located in the village of Lock. The date of its organization has not been ascertained, but the church is, at present, in a flourishing condition
Messrs. John Dripps, James Sanger, Jesse Smith and Judge John Van Fossen, are remembered as among the most active and best known of the early politicians of this township, the latter serving some years as an associate judge of the common pleas court.
Bennington occupies an interior and somewhat isolated position, which may have been instrumental in reducing its population, which for many years was on the decline.
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CHAPTER XLIV.
BOWLING GREEN TOWNSHIP.
ORGANIZATION-ANCIENT WORKS-INDIANS-AGRICULTURE AND TOPOGRAPHY-FIRST SETTLERS AND SETTLEMENTS- THE NATIONAL ROAD-THE STAGES AND PONY EXPRESS LINE-THE VILLAGES ON THE ROAD-RELIGIOUS MAT- TERS-THE METHODIST CHURCH OF LINNVILLE-THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF BROWNSVILLE -- THE PROTESTANT METHODIST CHURCH OF BROWNSVILLE-CATHOLIC CHURCH-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BROWNS_ VILLE-BAPSIST CHURCH-THE UNITED BRETHREN AND CHRISTIAN UNION CHURCHES-PIONEER PREACHERS --- JUSTICES OF THE PEACE-POST OFFICES AND POSTMASTERS-POPULATION-VOTE-PROMINENT MEN.
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