USA > Ohio > Logan County > History of Logan County and Ohio > Part 48
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Lake Township is about two miles wide east and west, but extends between six and seven miles north and south, and is in shape an oblong square. The surface is diversified. Upon the whole, it may be described as roil- ing. No broken land is to be found, although it is in some parts hilly, particularly in the northern section. The southern limits of the township begin, especially in the southwest- ern quarter, to subside into the rich and level lands which characterize Union Township and Champaign County.
* Contributed by Dr. T. L. Wright.
HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
The soil varies in character according as the land is hilly or flat; but it is all produc- tive, no "barren" land existing in Lake Township. The uplands are generally of a yellowish clay, mixed with more or less debris of disintegrated limestone, and they are good lands for almost any crop, but are peculiarly adapted to the production of wheat and kin- dred grains. Between the rising lands lie rich valleys of varying extent, of dark vege- table soil, lying upon and near to grand beds of limestone. The soil of these level traets is remarkably well adapted to the production of Indian corn, hay, potatoes and other succu- lent growths. All the soil belonging to this township is richly permeated with limestone gravel, or limestone sand, giving to it strength, durability and permanency. The action of the drift era, which left its marks so plainly upon the region of country in which Lake Township is situated, has enriched the surface of these lands, wherever underlaid by slate, with this fine lime sediment, so that such lands form no exception to the general value and productiveness of the soil. In ad- dition to several valuable deposits of magne- sian limestone, in Lake and adjoining Town- ships, affording excellent material for build- ing various structures requiring stone and line, there are a large number of deposits, some of them extensive, of fine, clear gravel. This material is being utilized in making a system of good roads or free turnpikes throughout the township, and, indeed, throughout the county. Often these depos- its are found in ridges, or mound-like eleva- tions; but sometimes they lie under level fields, whence the gravel may be taken, after stripping of one or two feet of soil. A very great advantage attending the presence of these gravelly deposits is found in their in- fluence in equalizing the amount of moisture in seasons of drouth, or extreme rain-fall. When an excess of rain scalds and ruins crops
underlaid with tough and impermeable clay, the water filters down into the gravelly de- posits in the region of country now under consideration. When, on the other hand, dry, hot summers parch the crops in a soil placed upon a clayey basis, the same gravelly de- posits give up their superabundant moisture. The clay found in some localities is the yel- low aluminum clay. It is considerably per- meated with limestone pellets, and is not of the best quality for making bricks or tileing, although it is used to some extent in the man- ufacture of these articles. Several times whispered rumors of the discovery of precious metals, and especially of silver, have been wafted to and fro. "Specimens " have ac- tually been exhibited in a confidential way. Strict examination has failed thus far to materialize any facts. The probable truth is, that all such so-called specimens have been simple amalgamations and alloys coming from the skilful and industrious hands of the artisan, whose labors were chiefly performed at night, and in out-of-the-way places, and whose productions have a marked resemblance to the metallic currency of the American Re- public. Counterfeiting was undoubtedly one of the industries carried on in Lake Town- ship in times past, but the business has been of so recent a date, and the facts concerning it are of so hazy and undefined a character, that it would be inexpedient to pretend to fix and localize its operations. A considerable portion of the surface of this township was covered more or less thickly with bowlders called " nigger heads," granite rocks, vary- ing in weight from several tous to a few pounds. To clean the land of these intruders, dropped by melting icebergs idly floating from the frozen regions of the north, was a task of no small dimensions. The most sur- cessful manner of removing them was first to cut a large forked limb from a tree; then cut- ting the two branches off, four or five feet
HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
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from the point of their junction, there re- mained a piece of timber, harrow-shaped in its outline, or, as it might be called, V shaped. In the spring time, while the ground was slippery and icy, this implement, only five or six inches in height, and called a "lizzard," was hauled by chains fastened to its closed end, alongside of the bowlders in the field. By the aid of a lever, the stone was easily rolled upon the sliding vehicle and dragged away to some place of common deposit. These stones laid quite superficially, and they are now very generally cleared away.
The flora of any country is one index of its intrinsic character and value. There are so many agencies at work in building up this element that it may be determined pretty ac- curately from the flora of a district whether these agencies, seen and unseen, are of a bene- ficial nature, and whether they are or are not of a sufficiently desirable and permanent kind to be reliable and worthy of confidence as promising continuance. The forests of Lake Township were not only diversified in a re- markable degree, but they were of peculiar lux- uriance. Yet this is no more than might be expected, from the sketch already given of the character of the soil and of its substratum. The larger forest trees were the White Oak and Black Oak; the Hickory, of several varieties; the Ash, the Beech, commingled with which were the Linden, the Walnut and Maple, and not infrequently, upon the lower lands, the magnificent and towering Elm. These were the larger forest trees. From the Maple was derived an excellent sugar, and from the Linden, aided by various sweet-scented shrubs, came, through the laborious industry of the bees, most delicious honey, for the bloom of the Linden tree is famous for the pur- ity and perfection of its honey-bearing quali- ties. To the royal company of these trees, not infrequently the Poplar, with its magnifi- cent flowers, lent dignity and state. Under-
neath this great forest another growth of trees, scarcely less interesting, sprang up in rich profusion. There were the Dogwood, the Ironwood, the Haw, and the Plum; together with the younger members of the great forest giants, gathering strength and size with cach advancing year. And beneath these again were found various vines and bushes, as the Grape, the Gooseberry, the Blackberry, the Raspberry, and the Hazel, almost without limit; and after these came the wild straw- berry, and in many lowlands cranberries were found in great abundance.
The larger trees, with the different aspects of their several kinds, with their varying shades of green, and form of leaf, afforded a most pleasing view as they displayed their foliage in the Springtime. In the Autumn, the innumerable tints which glowed amongst the leaves-red, yellow, brown, purple and crimson-gave a charm to forest scenery un- known and unappreciable to those who have not felt the soft, voluptuous breath of Indian Summer. The smaller growth of trees in the forest-the Dogwood, Redbud, Haw and Plum especially-afforded, by their splendid com- bination of coloring, and their intrinsic beauty while flowering, a most agreeable and alluring appearance. The Wild Grape, Sweet Haw, and Sweet-brier lent delicious odors to the ambient air, and helped to give character, in their way, to the land. But even here there were exceptions. The most beautiful, almost, of the Haw tribe of flowering trees, in respect to visual appearance, was unpleasant in odor. This is a general description of the flora of Lake Township, but in practical fact certain explanations are proper. In the northern portion of the township, the Beech tree pre- dominated, with, of course, admixtures of Hickory, Oak and Ash. In the middle part of the township a mixture of all the prevailing kinds of timber takes place, with here and there a predominance of Maple or Sugar trees,
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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
enough to form an occasional sugar camp, which, especially in later times, became a limited center of sugar production. In the southern portion of Lake, Oak is the prevail- ing forest tree: and this tree is, taking every- thing into consideration, the lord of the forest.
The productions of the ancient forest of Lake Township were numerous and import- ant. The mast and nuts were the food of innumerable squirrels and various kinds of birds. They served, also, not only for food to man himself, but they offered an abun- dance of food for the hogs and sheep of the pioneer. Hogs living upon the mast of the oak, the hickory and the beech, afforded a sweeter and more delicately flavored ham, ac- cording to the judgment of Thomas Jefferson, than those fattened upon corn. At all events, the products of the forest yielded an abun- dant supply for the swine of the carly settler. Hogs, after receiving some mark by which their ownership could be determined, were turned loose in the woods to shift for them- selves. Ere long they became so wild and fierce that wolves were glad to give them a wide berth. Not only were squirrels and many other animals fit for food brought into the country by the products of the native for- est, but the pleasant shade, the abundant water, and the multitude of small and se- cluded prairies, luxuriant with the sweetest grass, invited the deer to take up its abode. The abundance of this species of game, for many years after the white man began to spoil the works of nature and substitute his own, was something wonderful. And Bruin, too, not infrequently came for his feast of wild grapes and plums, whose superabund- ance was incredible. The sweet tooth of the black bear, like that of the small boy, did not fail of sometimes getting him into trouble, either with the bees, whose treasures he cov- cted, or with the sturdy pioncer, his rival in the pursuit of sweets.
Mention has several times been made of plums, grapes, wild apples, and several kinds of berries. The plum was of different de- grees of excellence. Sometimes one plum orchard,-or "plum thicket," as it was called, would produce several grades of fruit. Some were small, and. toward the pit, quite astrin- gent; others large, yellow, flecked with red spots, and quite sweet and agreeable. These plums were, upon the whole, not equal to most varieties of the cultivated and improved fruit, but they possessed many useful and agreeable properties. The same may be said of the immense crop of wild grapes. There were many varieties of different degrees of excellence, but all inferior to the higher quali- ties of the improved article. The crab-apple was a fruit that at first sight no one would think of using, but, cooked with honey, it made a most delicious preserve, and was highly prized. So, also, of the intensely acid gooseberry and cranberry. Honey was very abundant. The population for a number of years was sparse, while the forest range was great, and the cabin of the early settler not infrequently boasted of a barrel or more of wild honey. This was copiously used to pre- serve the several varieties of fruit and berries that the native forest afforded.
In the animal kingdom, or the found, as- sociated with the primitive forest of Lake Township, it must not be supposed there were no drawbacks; that everything was perfectly serene. Innocence and helplessness, para- doxical as it may appear, develop craft and savagery, not only amongst the human fami- ly, but equally amongst the brute creation. The harmless deer invited the presence and intensified the viciousness of the wolf and panther. Wolves, panthers and wild cats abounded, and the smaller pests, as the fox, weasel and pole-cat, wrought sad havoc in the barn-yard. One of the greatest trials of the early settler was brought upon him by the
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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
mosquito, a most insignificantly appearing in- seet, but one which has caused more wicked speech than all the elephants and tigers of India. Added to this plague, which was only bearable when enveloped in the strangling smoke of the "smudge," were the horse-fly, a terrible insect, of large proportions, which tormented horses and cattle into a state of frenzy; and serpents of various species, and many other minor pests of great perversity. The " smudge" alluded to consisted of thick smoke given off by damp chips put upon live coals, which was placed in front of the cabin door in the summer evening, and sometimes within the dwelling itself. The remedy was severe, but preferable to the stinging and the singing of the assiduous mosquito. Many of the destructive vermin of the time atoned in some measure for their depredations upon chickens, young pigs, &c., with their pelts. The skin of the muskrat, fox, coon, and other troublesome "varments," as they were called in the vernacular of the time, were eagerly sought, and brought considerable revenue to the trapper. In times a little later than that of the true pioneer, the root of the ginseng was dug from the hill-sides and traded in the local stores for general merchandise. This article, commonly called "sang," found a ready market in the east, but for what spe- eifie purpose is not so clear. Several consid- erable streams of water traverse Lake Town- ship. Upon the north, barely touching the township, in one or two springs or fountains, is found the source of Cherokee Man's Run, com- monly called Cherokee Creek. This is a con- siderable stream, belonging more to MeArthur Township than to Lake. It pursues a tortu- ous, northwesterly course, and empties into the Miami River, just as it emerges from the Lewistown Reservoir. Lower down is the Flat Branch of the Buckongehelas. It takes its rise in the northeastern portion of the Township of Lake, and, taking first a westerly
and then a southwesterly course, it becomes, after receiving important additions in the neighborhood of the County Infirmary, the Buckongehelas proper. Farther south, and about the middle of the township, is found Tucker's Run, also a fine stream. It rises in Jefferson Township, and, pursuing a south- westerly course, joins the Buckongehelas about a mile and a quarter below the County Infirmary. Tucker's Run and the Flat Branch may be regarded as the two forks, which, coming together, form the main stream known as the Buckongehelas. About three- quarters of a mile east of Bellefontaine, are the head waters of a large creek, called Blue Jacket. The general direction taken by this stream is also towards the southwest, and it joins Buckongehelas about six miles a little southwest of Bellefontaine. At the southern extremity of the township, a large stream known as MeKee's Creek flows through its southeast corner. This water enters into the Miami River a short distance below DeGraff, and below the point where the Buckonge- helas enters the same stream. MeKre's Creek takes the name of Stony Creek in the latter portion of its course. It will hence be perceived that all the waters of Lake Town- ship tend westward, and find their outlets in the Miami River. These, with the exception of Tueker's Run and Flat Branch, which are merely head waters of the Buckongehelas, are all valuable streams, affording power for a mul- titude of mills of various kinds, but of late years chiefly grist mills.
Cherokee Creek was named from a solitary Cherokee Indian, who had, it seems, expa- triated himself from his home in the South, and dwelt upon its banks. Buckongehelas was a noted Delaware Indian Chief, and gave his name to the stream upon which he lived. Blue Jacket's Town once occupied the site of Belle- fontaine. Blue Jacket, himself, was a well- known Shawnee Chief, who lived, according
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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
to tradition, upon the southwestern decliv- ity of the elevation upon which Bellefon- taine is built. Hlis cabin was a few yards northeast of the spot where the C. C. C. & I. Round House now stands, and in the im- mediate vicinity of several fine springs. Blue Jacket was one of the leaders in the Indian campaign in the northwest, which re- sulted in the defeat of the Indians at the battle of " The Fallen Timber," in the year 1294. The stream which crosses the West Liberty Pike road, near the Fair Ground, was called from him. McKee's Creek is called from a white man, who, in company with one Elliott, had a trading-post in early times upon its banks; this was established and maintained to further British interests. Besides these streams there are innumerable spring branches running in every direction through the town- ship, making Lake Township one of the most charming and productive portions of the land, which, as a whole, is probably the most lovely and desirable the sun shines on.
It is believed that the first permanent white settler in the present limits of Lake Town- ship was John Tullis. There are others who appear to have settled there shortly after. 1 Major Tullis, as he was called, came to Lake Township about the year 1506, or a little earlier. He emigratel from Kentucky. Tallis entered a quarter section of land, the northern line of which corresponds with the middle of Columbus street, in B .Hefontaine, which ran, of course, just north of the Public Square. He had a family of several children; one daughter is now living one mile and a half northwest of Bellefontaine, she being the wife of John Smith, Esq., of Harrison Township. The other children have died, or g me to d'stant parts, and have disappeared from the se mes of their early history. Major Tullis was a min of importane . in his day, and was one of the proprietors of the town of Bellefontaine.
Henry Shaw was another of the carly pio- meers of the Township of Lake. His name appears as clerk in the election held in Zane Township in 1806: but there is reason to be- lieve that his residence was at that time a little below West Liberty, on Mad River. Mr. Shaw next settled on a piece of military land in Lake Township, southeast of the site of Bellefontaine. Being deprived of his Jand by other claimants, he settled upon a place near the location of Hull's Trace, west of the Fair Grounds about half a mile. This was just before the war of 1812. This gentleman left a family, which is widely represented at the present day amongst the respectable citizens of Logan County, and elsewhere. One of his daughters married Capt. William Watson, another married Dr. B. S. Brown, and another married Abednego Davidson, Esq. An early settler in this township was William McCloud. This gentleman was born in Ireland, but came to this country in his youth. He married, in Philadelphia, Elizabeth Boswell, a lady of education and refinement, the marriage being the end of an elopement. MeCloud came to Fairfield, Green County, Ohio, where he remained several years. Sub- sequently he made his way to Zaneslickl, Logan County. His name appears on the poll book above quoted, in 1806. He came to the Township of Lake about 1810, and settled a little northwest of Bellefontaine. He was a scout under Capt. William McColloch, during the war of 1812. MeCloud was a great hunter, of fine appearance, and excellent social qualities. He had a large family, most- ly daughters, whose posterity is numerous and wide-spread, and of eminent respecta- bility. His decendants are found in Wis- consin, Arkansas and California, as well as Ohio. Ile was a man of influence and value at the period of time in which he lived. He hecam . one of the Associate Judges of the County Court at a later period.
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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
William Powell was another of the early permanent settlers of Lake Township. He purchased a tract of land adjoining that of Tullis, and situated north of the public square, in Bellefontaine. Powell was originally from Pennsylvania. He found his way, with his family, to Ohio before the beginning of the present century. Our first knowledge of him is at North Bend, in Hamilton County, Ohio. Here he was employed as a hunter for Gen. Wayne's army, a part of which was being re- cruited across the Ohio River, in Kentucky. He remained in that locality several years. We next find him in Salem Township, Cham- paign Co., Ohio, not far from Urbana. Here he also remained several years. Finally, on the 1st of January, 1812, he settled on his land in and near the present locality of Belle- fontaine. Powell had a family of ten hving children, three of whom were girls. Sallie married Jackson MeClure; Nancy married Samuel Carter, and Rachel married Jack Mays. These were fine women and excellent inen. In addition to the families enumerated, James McPherson, also one of the earliest pioneers, had a fine family. One very hand- some and intelligent daughter married Daniel Workman, a prominent man of his time. The McCloud girls married well also. Sallie mar- ried the eldest son of William Powell; Let- titia married Dr. A. II. Lord; Betsy married Isaac Miller, and, after his death, Jacob Krous- kop; Eliza married Jonah Seaman, and Maria married a man named Handford. There were two or three families coming on a little later, as that of Maj. Reed and others.
It will, therefore, be perceived that be- tween 1812, the year of the war, and 1820, when Bellefontaine was laid out, there was good material present and maturing for the foundation and superstructure of a good and healthy society. For, ignoring altogether the temptation to exaggerate the persons and things of the past, the fact is, that the people
above-named woukl attract attention and challenge admiration in any age or country. There was not a defective nor an ugly person amongst them all. On the contrary, they were large, healthy, intelligent and industrious pro- ple. The boys in these families were bold and honorable, but the girls bore the palm. They were really beautiful, honest and wise. And, retrospecting from this point of time, the sum total of the results of life as it befel to these people, it must be confessed that the girls have had the best of it. These men and their families were the leaders, the brains, and the real workers in these old primeval days. But it must not be imagined that there was not another element at hand, and often trouble- some at that time, as there is at all times in society. The verge of civilization was sought by outlawed and turbulent persons, who were driven from better established communities. The horse thief, the counterfeiter, shrewd and plausible; the petty pilferer, and uncouth ruf- fian were not wanting. The better classes, on more occasions than one, were compelled to resort to the whip, and to dire threats, in or- der to regulate portions of this element. Several families settled in different localities in the neighborhood. who were suspected, and no doubt correctly, of being associated with bands of horse thieves and lawless persons of various kinds. It was not uncommon to find suspicious parties loitering about these places without any ostensible business. Such char- acters were merely harbored for a time, it was believed, in order that they might run off a horse or two. For their suppression, a band of citizens was organized, with John Work- man for Captain. They would seize the ob- noxious person, and, tying him up, whip him severely, after which he was suffered to de- part, a permission of which the individual sel- dom failed to avail himself.
The records show that in the year 1805 John Gunn took out a license in Urbana to
HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
keep a house of public entertainment. Ac- cordingly, about that time, or shortly after- wards, Gunn established a tavern stand at a large spring on the farm now owned by Heury C. Miller. The location of this tavern was in the northeastern part of the present Township of Liberty. This spring is about 350 yards from the southern limits of Lake Township. It is one of the finest springs in Logan Coun- tv. Those who have located this tavern and spring upon the farm of Henry Taylor are in error. Mr. Gunn was a Canadian; his busi- ness here was to act as agent for certain hold- ers of real estate situated in the neighborhood of his establishment. During the prevalence of the war of 1812, there was, of course, con- siderable stir in the vicinity now under notice, for it was in the direct track pursued by the American troops, both going to and coming from the seat of hostilities on the northern frontier.
It was about this time that it became evi- dent that a new county would soon be organ- ized, and it was upon a portion of a tract of land for which Gunn was agent that the first town in Lake Township was laid out. It was called Belleville. An attempt was also made to christen, by usage, the nascent county, " Belleville County." This little town was intended for the future county seat. That it was built, if not under the direction, at least with the approbation of Gunn, and in the interests of his employers, is evident from all the circumstances. This seems to be a fair account of the rise of Belleville, and the reasons for it. The town grew up silently during the turmoil of the war.
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