History of Licking County, Ohio: Its Past and Present, Part 86

Author: N. N. Hill, Jr.
Publication date: 1881
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 826

USA > Ohio > Licking County > History of Licking County, Ohio: Its Past and Present > Part 86

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twenty-seven years ago, succeeded by a frame build- ing, which stands on the farm of Mr. Anthony Pit- zer, about two miles from where the original church was erected. The pulpit of the church has been occupied with a good degree of regularity ever since its organization; but its membership is, at present, rather limited. The following are the names of the preachers who succeeded Mr. Shinn until the year 1810, as shown by the conference minutes: Revs. James Quinn and John Meeks, from 1804 to 1805; James Quinn and Joseph Wil- liams, from 1805 to 1806; John Meeks and James Axley, from 1806 to 1807; Joseph Hays and James King, from 1807 to 1808; Ralph Lotspeitch and Isaac Quinn, from 1808 to 1809; Benjamin Lakin, John Manly and John Johnson, from 1809 to 1810.

More than sixty years ago the Revs. James B. Finley and C. Springer, the latter of whom is au- thority for this statement, held a quarterly meeting in this church. They reached it from the Musk- ingum region, by way of a blind bridle-path, which led them mostly through the woods, a little south of Flint ridge. It is probable that this meeting was held at the time of the dedication of the first church edifice, though not certain. Revs. Noah Fidler, Jesse Stoneman, and Levi Shinn, brother of Asa, were also pioneer preachers here.

The Christian Union church, a few years ago, organized a society within the bounds of this pio- neer Methodist church, whose members were, for the most part, formerly Methodists, and members of the Hog Run church. The two societies occu- py, jointly, the church edifice, and are of nearly equal strength in membership, neither, probably, numbering more than a score, or thereabouts.

The Friendship, or, as it is commonly called, "The Hog Run Baptist church" (Old School) is one of the pioneer churches of Licking township, and of the county. It has had a career of more than sixty-nine years, and has always exerted a de- gree of influence second to but few churches in the county. Its positive creed, the free, full, outspoken profession of its doctrines, and the unreserved declaration of their belief by its adherents, their readiness to defend the faith they cherish, and the avowal and prompt support by arguments of their somewhat peculiar views as to faith and ecclesiasti.

cal usages, have all tended to attract public atten- tion. The foregoing considerations, together with the wealth they represent, their numbers, their long history and identification with pioneer times, and other causes, have contributed to make this church a power-a church vigorous, widely known, and of considerable influence. The membership of this church has generally been considerable, and crowds usually attend,its ministrations. In 1818, sixty-two years ago, they erected a church which they con- tinued to occupy forty-two years. It was of hewed logs, with a gallery running around three sides of it, and more than a third of a century ago Rev. George Debolt occupied its pulpit. In 1860 it was superceded by a good frame building, which is yet occupied. It is of good size and stands on or near the site of the original one, near Van Burenton, where the plank road crosses the northeasterly branch of Hog run. Rev. John W. Patterson was the first preacher in this church. The member- ship is now half a hundred or more.

The Friendship church was organized February 20, 1811, by Rev. Thomas Powell and Rev. John W. Patterson. The following persons were the original members: Samuel Meredith, John Simp- son, Sarah Patterson, Elizabeth Meredith, Mary Sutton, John W. Patterson, Thomas Deweese, Ann Simpson, and Thomas Powell. Rev. Mr. Patter- son was pastor of this church about a dozen years or more after its organization, and was succeeded by Rev. Eli Ashbrook, Elder Hill, Rev. George Debolt, Rev. Christopher Coffman, Rev. Joshua Breese, Rev. John Parker, Rev. Matthew Brown, Rev. S. Meredith, Rev. C. McClellan, Rev. Zach- ariah Thomas, and Rev. Benjamin Lampton. This society also own a church near Linnville, erected in 1848.

The denominations known as the Methodists and United Brethren, have each a frame church at Jacksontown. They are not large, but may be re- garded as prosperous. Each of them is a preach- ing appointment on a circuit, and its pulpit is mainly supplied by "itinerants," according to the usages of these denominations respectively.

The edifice occupied by the Methodist society is neat in appearance and respectable in proportions, and was erected forty years ago or more. That of the United Brethren was originally built by another

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denomination, and purchased and repaired by its present owners. The membership of the Meth- odist church is sixty or more, with a Sabbath-school of nearly a hundred pupils.

The number of members of the United Breth- ren church is not large, but the Sabbath-school is strong in numbers and in a flourishing condition.

The Fairmount Presbyterian church was organ- ized March 24, 1834, by Rev. Jonathan Cable, assisted by Rev. W. Wylie and Rev. Jacob Little. The original members were Harvey R. Gilmore, Dr. Joseph Mathers, Samuel Dobbins, Charles Wallace, Mrs. Wallace, James Hamilton, Mrs. Hamilton, Sarah Smith, Harriet Smith, William Bounds, Rebecca Cunningham and Lucy Gil- more. Rev. Jonathan Cable was the first pastor, and served from 1834 to 1838. Their ministers were Rev. Ebenezer Buckingham, from 1838 to 1839; C. N. Ransom, 1840 to 1846; N. C. Coffin, 1846 to 1851; N. C. McBride, 185: to 1856; D. H. Coyner, 1856 to 1857; N. C. McBride, 1857 to 1869.

The membership is more than half a hundred, and a large and active Sabbath-school is connected with the church. The original elders were Dr. Mather, A. D. Caldwell, Charles Wallace and H. R. Gilmore.

The church building is of fair proportions, and was erected in 1835. It occupies a beautiful ele- vation (Fairmount,) on the eastern borders of the township, in full view of the National road, near Amsterdam, and in the vicinity of a large mound and numerous other works of the Mound Builders.

Mr. Richard Green, whose residence in this township dates back to 1802, is authority for the information that a Mr. Taylor taught the first school in the township, in the Green settlement, about the year 1806. Educational interests have continued to receive a fair share of patronage and fostering care of the people of the township, which is now divided into eight districts, most of them being provided with a good school-house.

The Ohio canal, along the western boundary of the township, and the National road, running through it from east to west, both constructed about fifty years ago, the former by the State, and the latter by the general Government, very largely contributed to the convenience of the people of

this township, and greatly promoted their mater. prosperity. The National road runs through Licking township from east to west. The work d its survey, location, grubbing, grading and maca: amizing was accomplished during the interval 'x tween the years 1825 and 1835.

In one of the earlier years of this period, MI- Thomas Harris, as proprietor of the land, laid c .: the village of Jacksontown and named it after General Jackson, the hero of New Orleans, wh. was the successful candidate in 1828, as well as 13 1832, for the presidency. Mr. Harris was a zeal ous Jacksonian, especially in the campaign c 1828. His town started off at a lively pace, and soon became a post town of fair promise, bu: : never attained to a population much greater thar at present-something less than three hundred.

Van Burenton is a small village on Hog run, ir this township, four miles south of Newark.

Avondale is merely a railroad station on the Res ervoir, the only building being the "Avonda'? house." It is a pleasure resort for Newark peopk and others in this vicinity, who go there to fis- during the fishing and boating season. It is a de lightful place for a day's rest and recreation.

Isaac Stadden was the first justice of the peace in this township, while it was yet a part of Fairfield county. He was elected in January, 1802, at ar election held at the cabin of Elias Hughes, on the Bowling Green, Hughes being at the same time and place elected captain of militia. John War- den became justice of the peace a year or two later and Abraham Wright was next in order, and wa- in office in 1806, and probably some years earlier. Alexander Holden was among the early mag's trates, and was frequently re-elected. Samael Hupp, Elijah Sutton, John Green, Matthew Black, Herman Caffry, Eldad Cooley, Richard Stadden, John Brumback, Samuel Patterson, Isaa" Green, James Pitzer, Thomas Ewing, James Stev- art, Jesse R. Moore, B. D. Sanford, Martin Dins- more, Thomas Germain, John T. Armstrong, John Woolard, Elias Padgett, F. M. Layton, and Olin" Davis were also among the justices of this town ship, serving pretty nearly in the order in which they are named.

Among the early settlers in this township, in ac- dition to those named, were Isaac, Jehu, and Jo-

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seph Sutton, Michael and Adam Kite, Samuel Davis Nicholas Shaver, James Evans, John and Martin Grove, Anthony Geiger, Samuel Moore, John Brumback, Thomas Beard, Thomas Harris, Sam- uel Parr, Samuel Hupp, Joseph Kelso, Job Rath- bone, George Orr, John Hughes, Willis Lake,

Derrick Crusen, Samuel Meredith and others. Samuel Musselman, one of the pioneers of this township, is yet (1880) living, at the age of ninety- five.

Politically, the township is largely Democratic.

CHAPTER LX. LIMA TOWNSHIP. .

TOPOGRAPHY AND PRIMATIVE CONDITION-INDIANS-FIRST SETTLERS AND SETTLEMENT -- COLUMBIA CENTER-PATASKA- LA-MILLS-SUMMIT STATION-CHURCHES.

"And, round and round, o'er valley and hill, Old roads winding, as old roads will, Here to a ferry, there to a mill. And glimpses of chimneys and gabled eaves, Through green elm arches and maple leaves, Old homesteads sacred to all that can Gladden or sadden the heart of man, -- Over whose thresholds of oak and stone Life and death have come and gone!" -Whittier.

THIS is one of the finest townships of land in T the county-every acre of it being tillable, and of the best quality, consequently the farmers are generally in good circumstances, are free, indepen- dent and prosperous.

In its primitive condition, it was a densely wood- ed country, there being, probably, upon the advent of the first settlers, no spot of land within its limits sufficiently clear of timber to admit the building of a cabin. The pioneers had literally to hew their homes out of the solid unbroken forest. The tim- ber was all hard wood, such as grows upon the best lands of the State; very little, if any, pine, hem- lock or other soft wood being found.

It is well watered by the South fork of Licking and its branches; that stream having its rise partly in this township. The Clear fork and Muddy fork of this stream pass across the township in a southeast direction, uniting their waters just below Pataskala. The difference in the waters of these two streams indicates very clearly the difference in the soil through which they pass. The Clear fork,

as its name indicates, is a clear, sparkling stream, its waters tumbling down over a bed of gravel and stone. It drains the northern and eastern part of the township, made up of high lands. The Mud- dy fork, on the other hand, as its name also indi- cates, is sluggish, and its waters dark; indicating that they flow through a rich, dark, loamy soil. This stream passes nearly through the center of the township, from northwest to southeast, and, with its tributaries, drains the larger part of the township. A ridge of higher land passes north- east and southwest across the southwestern part of the township, upon which is located what is called the "Summit"-a station on the Central Ohio road, and the highest point of land between New- ark and Columbus. This ridge divides the waters of the Muddy fork from those of the Black Lick creek, which travel to the Big walnut and thence to the Scioto.

The Central Ohio railroad passes in nearly an east and west bee-line across the southern central part of the township, and has three stations -- Pataskala, Columbia and Summit-within its lim- its. Over its single track now pass about sixty trains every twenty-four hours, or a train and a fraction every half-hour; the track being used by both the Baltimore & Ohio, and the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis railroads, between Newark and Columbus.

Probably the first mud-road that entered this

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township was the old "Mud pike" from Newark to Columbus, via Granville. It enters the township a short distance north of Pataskala, crossing in a southwesterly direction. Over this road the larger part of the first settlers came. They were from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and, in minor pro- portions, from Virginia.

They were hunters and backwoodsmen, and buried themselves in the depths of these great, dark woods, with wolves, bears, panthers and other wild animals, and Indians as neighbors.

Little is known regarding the Indian occupation of this township, though within the memory of the white man there were no permanent Indian camps within its limits. As a hunting ground it could not be excelled, and was, no doubt, exten- sively used for that purpose by the Shawnees en- camped in Licking valley, and those occupying Raccoon town in the present township of Monroe.

The first white man known to have settled in Lima township was David Herron. He came in 1805 from Pennsylvania, as is supposed, and built his cabin on the east bank of Clear creek, about one-fourth of a mile north of the site of the village of Pataskala, on land then owned by the father of the late Richard Conine.

His brother John came the following year (1806), and remained here, raising a family of nine children, two sons and seven daughters.

Henry Richmond and Amariah Cubberly were the next settlers in Lima. Their cabin was on the ground now occupied by the steam flouring mill in the village of Pataskala. In this cabin was taught the first school, in which the children of both Lima and Harrison were first instructed. Miss Cubberly was the teacher. Mrs. Eliza Baird was a pupil in that school. In this cabin, also, was per- formed the first marriage ceremony in the town- ship. The parties were young Richmond and Miss Cubberly, the teacher. Ministers of the gospel were scarce in those days and civil officers not numerous. Esquire Levin Randall performed this ceremony, and it being the first time he had at- tempted such service, he was much agitated and disconcerted. A gentleman, familiarly called Dea- con Butler, was present, and seeing the agitation of Mr. Randall as he was reading the ceremony, stepped to his side. The 'squire's sight soon

failed him entirely, and he asked Mr. Butler to fin- ish the reading. The latter read until he came to the place where they were to be pronounced "bus- band and wife," when he informed the 'squire that he must do that, as the laws of the State had not conferred that authority upon him. It was done in due form by Esquire Randall.

Mrs. Richard Conine stated before her death -which occurred October 7, 1875, when in her ninety-third year-that she and her husband, with David Vandeburg, Henry Cooper, and some others, visited this place in 1805, arriving about nine P. M., and finding David Herron and Mr. Hatfield neighbors. The latter lived within the present limits of Harrison township. When within four or five miles of their resting place for the night, Cooper, in order to cheer the drooping spirits of the company, gave a howl in imitation of a wolf. To their surprise, and no little consterna- tion, he was answered by what appeared to be half a dozen of the real animals, at no great distance from them. The night was very dark, and, from the old fortifications near Newark, they had no road but an Indian trail. In their hurry to get through, Mrs. Conine's horse stumbled, the girth of the saddle broke and she was thrown to the ground. The gallant gentlemen soon replaced her in her saddle, and all arrived safely.

During the first year of David Herron's resi- dence here he killed the only panther that was ever killed in this part of the county, about one and a half miles north of the site of Pataskala, in a ra- vine directly west of Mr. Hiram Angevine's resi- dence.

A few Indians were occasionally seen by the first settlers; they were quite friendly. One day an old warrior called at the cabin of David Her- ron. Finding Mrs. Herron alone he thought to test her courage by telling her, by signs and broken English, that some day he would watch for Mr. Herron as he was going alone through the woods and shoot him; then he could come and carry away what he chose and take her along and make her his squaw. So far from frightening Mrs. Herron. it only aroused her indignation and wrath; she sprang to her knife-box, seized a large butcher knife, and charged on the old savage, with ven- geance in her eyes. The Indian beat a hasty re-

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treat, and afterward, when relating the incident, acknowledged that in all his perils he was never more thoroughly frightened than when this pio- neer woman went at him with that knife.

From the time of the settlement of the Her- rons, Richmonds, Cubberlys, etc., down to 1821, but few settlements were made in what has since become Lima township.

Richard Conine became a settler in 1821, and was one of the most important and influential among them. He caused a grist-mill, probably the first in the township, to be erected on his land. He engaged a man by the name of Hans Reich- ter, better known as John Judge, to dig the mill- race, giving him, as compensation, one hundred acres of land, now worth one hundred dollars per acre. Mr. Conine was a man of much public spirit and enterprise. He assisted in erecting log school-houses in every direction around him, and when the age of these institutions passed away, was just as ready with his purse and influence to assist in building those of a better class. He was equally ready in the work of erecting churches, giving largely of his means to several in his neighborhood.

When he located upon his farm, but four free- holders were in Lima township. These were, be- sides himself, John Herron, James Pressley and John Armstrong. There were three leasers, Henry Richmond, Charles Arnold and Joseph Vandorn. The last named was a brother-in-law of Mr. Co- nine, and came from New Jersey in 1818. He erected his cabin where the saw-mill now stands, at the south end of the village of Pataskala.

In 1822, there came into this township Jacob Conine, brother of Richard Conine, Andrew and Benjamin Beem, Isaac Tharp, from Hampshire county, Virginia, and Richard Green. Tharp set- tled on Hog run in 1815. Soon after, these were joined by Enos Loomis, Peter Wolcott and Eleazer Wolcott.

More settlements were made between 1830 and 1840, in this township, than in any other decade since its first settlement.

This township was organized in 1827. The first plat for a village was made on the line of the Central Ohio railroad, about one and one-tourth miles from the east line of the township. The

proprietor, Mr. John Reese, laid it out about 1850, and gave it the name of Columbia Center. The town soon had in it a post office, two or three dry goods stores, a grocery, two "taverns," a school- house, two churches, and a commodious brick building for school purposes. The two churches are now occupied by the Christian Union and Congregational societies. The town does not, at present, amount to much, containing something more than one hundred inhabitants. Samuel Bes- see keeps a grocery in his warehouse. There was considerable strife between Columbia and Patas- kala as to which should become the town; both having their origin at the time of the advent of the railroad, about 1850. Reese was an enterprising Welshman, and desired to make his fortune by building up a town. He first tried to buy some land for that purpose of Mr. Conine, who owned all the country about the site of Pataskala, but that gentleman refused to sell, probably for the reason that he had, himself, concluded to lay out a town. Mr. Reese was not to be so easily thwarted in his ambitious schemes, and went a little further up the creek, purchased twenty acres outside of the Conine tract, and laid out his town.

Mr. Conine did not get ready to lay out his town until about a year after; Pataskala being laid out in 1851. He first called it Conine, but the town has generally gone by the former name, and as such appears on the maps, this name being given to the Licking river by the Indians. It was laid out near the east line of the township, just before the railroad began operations. Richard Conine made the first plat, but J. F. Conine and Jesse Green made large and important additions. John Joseph, also, purchased twenty acres north of the railroad and laid it out in lots. The first house erected in the place was a frame dwelling by Alonzo Palmer; his widow yet occupies it. Ephraim Munsell came from Alexandria, built a small store-room, and started the first store. The store-room is yet standing, opposite the Presby- terian church. The first post office was established at his store, and he was the first postmaster, re- taining the office about three years, when it was taken by the present postmaster, Mr. W. C. El- liott, who retained it from that time to this. Upon the arrival of the railroad, it was necessary to es-

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tablish a telegraph office, either at Pataskala or Columbia Center, and there was a strife between them as to which should get it. As Mr. Elliott offered a room free of rent for that purpose, Patas- kala received the office and has retained it. John Stout was the first operator. The town grew and prospered, soon outstripping its rival, and is now a place of six hundred and thirty-four inhabitants, by the census of 1880. It contains four large stores, each carrying a general assortment of goods, namely, Mead & Youmans, Baird Brothers, Miner Hildreth and Dean Ashbrook. Thomas Hunt keeps a hardware store and J. W. Burnside, drugs and a meat market. There are, besides, a shoe store, a hotel, and the usual proportion of shops and people enaged in mechanical pursuits.

A large, two-story brick school-house has taken the place of the old one before mentioned; in it all the children of the town of school age are gathered, to the number of one hundred and fifty, under charge of five teachers (including princi- pal); the school being graded according to the law of 1852.

Immediately in rear of this school-house was, in early days, an extensive swamp, in which were discovered, some years ago, the remains of a mammoth. A tusk was measured by Rev. T. W. Howe, and found to be five feet six inches in length. The swamp is no longer in existence, having dried up, and been, to some extent, filled to a level with the surrounding land.

The mill erected by Mr. Conine on his land near the site of Pataskala, was one of the most important and useful improvements in that part of the county; for many years it did the grinding for a large region of country, and is yet in operation, being now run by steam. A saw-mill is attached. Columbia Center has a steam saw-mill doing a good business, being conducted by the Meiler heirs. Many saw-mills sprang up along the Muddy and Clear forks in an early day. One was located on the latter stream, on land now owned by R. B. Pear- son, and two others were below that-one known as Moon's mill and the other belonged to Alban Warthen, a prominent man in the township, a pol- itician, and at one time a member of the legisla- ture. These saw-mills have long since disappeared, as the timber in the neighborhood has rapidly

disappeared. The days of those old country saw- mills, with their great water wheels and their heavy up and down saws, set in cumbersome wooden frames, are numbered. They will disappear as will the rail fences and other evidences of the good old "wooden age."

The third town in this township can scarcely be called a town. The Summit, before referred to. contains only a station-house, store, and a few dwellings.

The Presbyterians were among the earliest to organize for worship in this township. Rev. Tim- othy W. Howe, yet living in Pataskala, gives the following interesting history of this church:

"In July, 1837, a protracted meeting was held in Mr. Joseph Baird's barn, in Harrison township, conducted by Revs. Henry Little and Jonathan Cable. At this meeting quite a large number were hopefully converted, and, on the eleventh of No- vember following, a Presbyterian church was or- ganized at the log school-house in Lima, near Mr. Samuel Davies Alward's, by Revs. C. M. Putnam, Jacob Tuttle, Jacob Little, and Jonathan Cable. Nineteen persons united in the organization-ten females and nine males."

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History of Licking County, Ohio: Its Past and Present, Part 86

Author: N. N. Hill, Jr. Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Number of Pages: 826

Author: N. N. Hill, Jr.
Publication date: 1881
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 826