History of Logan County and Ohio, Part 55

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; O.L. Baskin & Co
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin
Number of Pages: 798

USA > Ohio > Logan County > History of Logan County and Ohio > Part 55

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

but in Quiney the destruction was so general that many had to be sent to the country, and thrown on the hospitalities of the farmers. In many houses in Quincy the occupants could be seen at their work, by windows where sash and blind were gone, and in apartments with apertures large enough to admit a horse. The business men evinced that courage which marks the recovery from the blow as sure and certain. Stuck up conspicuously in every di- rection was the following notice, written in ink:

Blown down, but alive and ready to do duty in my dwelling-house, one door north of the old stand. Sam. Frantz, stoves, queensware, etc.

We now come to speak of the churches. Perhaps the earliest preaching bere was in 1813. At that time, James Sutton, a Baptist minister, moved into the settlement, and aided the people in their devotional exercises. He was a man some eighty years old, and had a wife some sixty years younger than himself. His wife soon died, however, and he left the place. John Gutridge was an early preacher, who found his way through the woods on a missionary tour. He was a native of Ken- tucky, and when a boy earned the title of " the wagon-boy," while teaming for his father. The family afterward moved to Adams County. Ohio, and John, at maturity, became a Bap- tist preacher. He used to preach in School- er's log barn, which, though small, afforded am- ple room for the little congregation that gath- ered there. Schooler was by no means a de- vout man. Indeed, it is related of him that he prided himself somewhat upon his skill in profanity, but he courted popularity, and opened his barn to the minister as a part of his plan to secure the applause of his neigh- bors. After the first schoolhouse was built, meetings were held here, and it served the double purpose of school and meeting-house for years.

The first organized church was probably in

the Newman neighborhood. Here a log church was erected in 1828, where a Methodist class had been previously organized. To this point the members of this denomination gath- ered for miles around and constituted an or- ganization of some twenty-five members. The building was arranged as was common in those days. The seats were principally of smooth rails supported on legs. To furnish the necessary warmth, a square box was placed in the centre of the room and filled with dirt; on this a wood fire was built, allow- ing the smoke to escape where it could. For- tunately for the comfort of the audience, the character of the early building offered little obstruction to the passage of smoke, and the people suffered no great inconvenience from this source. Later, charcoal was used, and the people were saved from more serious eonse- quences by the free ventilation allowed in the construction of the cabin. About 1840 the present frame building was erected, and the name changed from the popular title of Newman Church to Ohio Chapel. About a year later the Associate Reformed Presby- terian denomination erected a frame building in Quincy, but it has long ago passed away as a society here, and the building is now used as a stable. A Baptist society was the next to follow in building a church edifice, but that was blown down in 1872, and the society, too weak to rebuild it, practically disbanded and joined the Methodist society. This latter society was formed at an early day, and preaching was held in James Baldwin's cabin as early as 1828. A frame building was put up as early as 1852, under the inspiration of Rev. Thomas Simms. This was destroyed in 1812, and in 1874 a fine brick edifice was put up at a cost of some $5,000. There are about 200 members in this organization. The Uni- versalists have a church building here, but the society has lost its vigor, and their building is used for public entertainments, as a public

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IHISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

hall. With the founding of De Graff, and the gathering of a community at this point, came the demand for church organizations. The fierce jealousy that manifested itself in its rivalry for urban honors, found its way into the church as well as into business, and many who were members of the Quincy churches could not secure permission to organize churches here. Preaching was had, however, at stated times, the people all joining to hear the different preachers, using the old ware- house as the most available place of worship. Somewhere about 1852, a church building was erected by general subseription, which was to be called the Presbyterian Church of De Graff. Here all united for several years, until the different denominations grew strong enough to provide for themselves. Rev. William M. Galbreath supplied the pulpit for the Presbyterians at first. The society was independently organized about 1860, under the direction of Rev. A. Telford, with some righteen or twenty members, and is still main- taining its services. It has at present some sixty members, with Rev. Francis Linn as " stated supply."

other place of worship. In the meanwhile, they used the Presbyterian building until, in 1844, the society dedicated a fine brick edi- fice which cost some $12.000. The tower is supplied with a fine town clock, which was put in by general subscription. There are now about 250 members, only four of which are of the original class.

The Baptist Church was organized in Feb- ruary, 1859, and in the following year their brick edifice was erected at a cost of $1,800. The society had some difficulty in securing a separate organization on account of the jeal- onsy of the home church in Quincy, and for some time it was only a branch of that church, and had preaching once a month. This church started with some twenty-five members, only nine of whom were males, Tho-first regular Pastor was Rev. A. J. Wiant, who served them for six years. They have now about 100 members. In December of 1847, Rev. Thomas leston organized the Christian Church, with some fifteen members. In just one year their brick church was dedi- cated, and practically clear of debt, though it cost some 81,500-no light load for such a small organization to carry. A bell has since been added at a cost of about $90. The first regular Pastor was Mr. Heston, The present Pastor is Rev. Daniel Leploy

The Methodist society creeted their first church somewhere about 1855. Rovs. Foster and Oldfield were early preachers in the old warehouse, but Rev. William Boggs organ- ized the first class, consisting of some ton There are three representatives of the great benevolent societies in Miami Township. At Quincy is Quincy Lodge, No. 285, 1. 0. 0. 1 .. , instituted in 1851. They own the building in which their hall is situated in partnership with a business firm that occupies the lower part of the building. There are about forty members. The officers are as follows: Levi Ritter, N. G .; E. F. Curtis. V. G .; Price Castle, Rec .- Soc .: E. F. Clay, Per .- Sec., and Jacob Allin- ger, Treas. At De Graff, is De Graff Lodge, No. 519. 1. O. O. F., instituted July 16, 1813. The charter members were-D. W. Harris. persons, among whom were Dennis Warner and wife, Isaac Smith and wife and Mrs. R. S. Gilehist. The first place of worship was a frame building standing on the lot now owned by Jacob Andie .. In the tornado of 1-12, it was blown to atoms. It had just 1 con repaired and refitted inside and out, pro- Vild with now singing books, organ, etc., whenwe all swept away. The only thing savelloit of the wreck was the pulpit bible, which vas & und near by, entirely unharmed. A new lot OOM in street was purchased, and preparations at once put on foot to creet an- [ Charles Gessner, Samuel Thatcher, Milton

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

Steen, A. E. Cory, Jonathan Thatcher, R. J. Smith, Robert Dickson, Adam Martin, George W. Nicewarner, F. H. Goodheart, Marion Me- Alexander, Robert Brunson, D. H. Mckinnon, H. D. Young and Lafayette MeAlexander. The present officers are-Thomas Heston, N. G .; William Pash, V. G .; Mark Hiller, Ree .- Sec .; A. J. Smith, Per .- Sec .; S. H. Thatcher, Treas. The lodge has a fine hall in Thayer's block, and has about forty members. Boggs Lodge, No. 292, F., & A. M., own a fine hall here which they built in connection with Mr. Weller, in 1826, at a cost of some $1,400. It has about seventy members .*

The first schoolhouse made its appearance in the same year with the first minister, 1813. The people who first settled in Miami were gener- ally of slight education, but they desired bet- ter things for their children, and provided school privileges. The first schoolhouse was a round, log affair, with a roof of round logs covered with leaves, and made solid by dirt thrown upon them. This was located about a mile north of Shaw's residence. Here Eleazer Piper, Jonathan Rea and Mr. Truat swung the birch and trained the budding in- telleets of the children of the frontier. These teachers all taught on the good old plan of so much per head, and took payment in produce. Mr. Truat, however, was a man of some means, and consented to teach only for cash, and $8 in cash was therefore paid him. This was quite an undertaking for the settlers, and it is related that Mr. Shaw had to take a couple of hogs to Urbana to defray his share of the expense. About a year later, another school- house was built on the land now owned by Addison Henderson. John Waller taught here, and was the first of the frontier school teachers who could write, and this accom- plishment gained him no little distinction. Since then the schools at Miami have made

rapid progress. Six schoolhouses, besides the special districts, to say nothing of improved methods, represent the advance in this direc- tion. The statistics gleaned from the County Auditor's reports make the following showing: Balance on land, September 1, 1818, $498.99; State tax, 8351 ; local tax, $994.80; total amount. paid teachers, $1,256; balance on hand, Sep- tember 1, 1879, $403.13. Number of school- houses, 6, and value of the same, $2,800. Num- ber of pupils enrolled-boys, 92; girls, 89. Of the special districts, that of De Graff was erect- ed first. As early as 1856, it was arranged to have the town set apart as a school district, and, by local enterprise, better facilities were secured. But, in 1864, the special district was organized and a neat, frame building, now used by the Catholic Church as a place of worship, was erected, at a cost of $600. In 1861, a brick structure of four departments was substituted, at a cost of $8,000, which met the wants of the district until Iste, when it was torn down and the present elegant building put up in its place. This contains six rooms, and is located in spacious grounds on the corner of Boggs and Miami streets. It was erected at a cost of $14,000. The spee- ial district at Quincy was erected in 1865, and a two-story frame was erected to accommodate the scholars. This is now doing service as a public hall, ete. In 1876, a commodious brick building was put up, at a cost of $:,000 for grounds and building. The statistics of these districts are as follows:

Balance on hand, Sept. 1, 1878 ... $ 718 83 7,307 89 QUINCY. DE GRAFF.

State tax.

193 50 456 00

Local fax 2,540 96

3,807 22

Total amount paid teachers dur-

ing year .. 815 00 1,711 75

Balance on hand, Sept. 1, 1879 ... 1,109 77 1,180 68

Number of schoolhouses 1 1

Value of property. 5,000 00 1,500 007 No. scholars enrolled, boys 52, girls 46; boys 72, girls 68

* The new building does not appear in this year's report.

* The writer has failed to receive the further information promised, and is obliged to dismiss the Lodge with this state- ment in regard to it.

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

CHAPTER X .*

M.ARTHUR TOWNSHIP-INTRODUCTION-SETTLEMENT-VILLAGES-CHURCHES-GENEVA COLLEGE.

" There is a welcome in this western land Like the old welcomes, which were said to give The friendly heart where'er they gave the hand ; Within this soil the social virtues live, Like its own forest trees, unprun'd and free." -Thomas.

S STANDING on some jutting headland, let us view the panorama as it slowly passes by, unfolding the etchings the versatile artist, Time, has penciled thereon. Here, coming up out of the misty past, is the Indian in full chase after the bounding deer. He passes, and before his form dies away in the distance we see the first settlers moving forward with the slow-paced oxen, bearing their household treasures into the wildwood. 1 cabin of rude logs rises; the pioneer's ax rings through the woods; the cumbersome plow turns the furrow; the pioneer mill rises. and a new life has taken possession of the wilderness; the hunting-grounds of the red man are no more before us; they have moved westward toward the setting sun. Another scene unfolds be- fore us, and the rude schoolhouse and chapel are seen, wherein gather the children of the pioneer for instruction, even amid the soli- tude of the border; and we hear the song of thanksgiving and the voice of melody rise upon the air, and blend with the song of birds and the rustle of leaves, as the summer zephyrs move the foliage of the trees. The Stage coach, with its load of humanity, rum- bles up to the door of the log tavern, the notes of the driver's horn, making merry colores through the dun old woods, and start- ling the quail and partridge from their coverts

Thai chi per cent Jupe by Dr. J. H. Se Cheverelf.

by the wayside. Houses of more pretentious appearance begin to dot the landscape, now fast assuming the aspect of a civilized and prosperous community. Villages are rising in- to view, and church spires-sure indices of civilization and refinement-point heaven- ward, as if to lift the thoughts of the dwellers of the land to better things. Another picture comes before us as the parallel bands of iron converging into one in the dim distance ex- pand into the railway track, along which thunders the lightning express, freighted with the precious cargo of human lives. The tele- graph brings the news from the far away sca- board, and the days of slow-moving trade are numbered and laid to rest. And now comes the closing scene in this great series. Now the sons of these pioneers are going forth, en masse, to defend the flag of the country, which has given them a government, under whose fos- tering care all these later scenes have been made accomplished facts. We look upon the serried ranks as they move forward, shoulder to shoulder, against the deadly blast of war. The cannon and musketry of traitors in arms thin their ranks, but forward they bear the colors of the Union reflected in their blood. Homeward they turn when victory is secure and the right has triumphed, their columns gaping from the havoc of shot and shell and the disease of camp; the starvation of the prison pon; their colors ragged and torn, but proud and defiant as over. One grand ova- Tion to the living, a sad, wailing requiem for the dead, and the remnant of these brave vet- crans settle back into the busy routine of the private citizen; the war-cloud has passed away,

HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

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and gentle Peace covers all with her wings.

* *

* " Sometimes gleams upon our sight,

Through present wrong, the eternal right; And step by step, since time began,

We see the steady gain of man."

McArthur Township is situated in the north- central portion of Logan County, and is bound- ed on the north by Richland, south by Lake and Harrison, east by Rush Creek and Lake, and west by Washington. The only stream of water within the limits of the township worthy of mention is Cherokee Man's Run, the main branch of which rises near the south- east corner of the township, and flows a west- ward course through the southern portion to the line of the Cincinnati, Sandusky & Cleve- land Railroad, where it turns northward, reach- ing the northern boundary of the township on the Dunn lands. This stream affords water- power for numerous mills. The soil is a clay in the eastern portion, and a gravel loam in the south and west. The productions do not differ from those of the county generally, being mainly wheat, corn and grass. The surface in the eastern part is rolling, and in places broken, especially along the streams. In the west the appearance is that of a level table land, while through nearly the center of this elevated plain, extending in a southwest di- rection, is a narrow strip of low land, denomi- nated prairie. Here the soil is alluvial, and when properly drained, is extremely fertile. The pioneers found a land heavily timbered, with all the varieties natural to this section of country. Small tracts of original timber are still found in different parts of the township. The farm lands in general present an appear- ance well kept and neat, indicating the thrifty husbandmen, while the substantial dwellings, barns, outbuildings and extensive tracts of orcharding still further attest their care and industry. Prior to the collection of the In- dians upon the Lewistown and other reserva- tions, small parties of them were scattered

about the township, and numerous small " elearings " of an acre or two each, left by them, and thickly dotted over with stumps, irere mute witnesses to their want of indus- try. In relation to the legal constitution ofs McArthur Township, first election, etc., the present records show nothing, and the earlier ones having been destroyed, leaves the writer entirely "at sea" in relation to these im- portant items.

Among the first sales of land in the town- ship was that conveyed by Duncan McArthur to John and Samuel Harrod, by " title bond," bearing date, November 9, 1820. This in- strument conveys 450 acres of land, situated on Cherokee Man's Run, for the sum of $932. In the year 1823 a patent was issued by James Monroe, President of the United States, to Joseph Carter, of Richmond, Va., for 1,000 acres of land, adjoining the Solomon's Town block, and embracing "Hull's Encampment," or the " Twin Springs." A portion of this land is now owned by David Wallace. The pio- neer settlers in the township were Thomas Scott and family, who located here in the spring of 1820; John and Samuel Harrod, who came with their families in the fall of the same year, and John Watt, who began settle- ment in the spring of 1821. Of these families we have no data. Peter and Samuel Hover settled near Harrods' in 1823. Robert Ed- minston settled just east of the present site of Huntsville about the same time. Peter Sta- mats, a Pennsylvanian, settled in Mc Arthur in 1814. Of his numerous family but one child now resides in the county. Samuel Lease came to MeArthur Township in the lat- ter part of December, 1823, and remained during the winter. In 1825 he purchased land here, and became a resident. Ile still resides on this property. Mr. Lease says when he came, in 1825, there were a number of fami- lies of squatters living in different portions of the township. None of them, however,

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IHISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

became actual settlers. George Hover and family, consisting of a wife and eight children. settled in the township in 1824; he was a na- tive of New Jersey, but had removed to Ohio " as early as 1810. The land he settled on in Me Arthur consisted of 200 acres where is now Huntsville. But three children now reside in the township-Samuel, Mrs. Mary A. Wis- hart and Mrs. Martha Reed. Hugh B.ckham began the improvement of a farm not far from Huntsville about the same time, Isaac Cooper and wife located in the township in February, 1826. Mrs. Cooper, to whom the writer is indebted for many items of value in the preparation of this history, says: "Every- thing was woods, wild plums, wild grapes and everything. Deer in plenty, and snakes-my sakes! such big ones, as long as a door is high." Mr. Cooper lived near Harrods' until about 1830, when he purchased a tract of land in the vicinity of the present Huntsville ceme- tery, and mar the sulphur spring he erected a tannery, the first in the township. This business he prosecuted until 1835, when he purchased an extensive tract of land near Lewistown, and here, in the house now oceu- pied by J. O. Cherry, he died. In 1822 Ad- rock C'arter came to Ohio and located upon the 1000-acre tract before mentioned as belonging to Joseph Carter. Vincent Mur- phy came at the same time, and located on the same tract. Both had small families. samuel Stewart located in the township in 1834, upon the farm he still occupies, and five years later he erected a small grist mill on this farm. Rev. James Wallace, of the United Presbyterian Church, made a permanent settle- went in the township in 1832. Assuming "Harry of the church of this denomination, he continued its Pastor for many years. Ho died in 151. A son, David, resides on the home firm, who, with a daughter, Mrs. W. W. Temple m. constitute all the survivors of the family now in the township. Davil Wallace,

wife and one child arrived in the township from York County, Penn., in May, 1833. Ile made settlement on 300 acres of land, embracing " Hull's Encampment." All was a dense forest except a small "opening" near the spring, where the block-house stood during the war of 1812. Of this spring there is a tradition that two soldiers were sleeping near it when they were surprised by the Int- dians, killed, sealped, and their hearts ent out and suspended from the bushes near. An- trim's history says: "Captain Arthur Thomas * * * was ordered to Fort Findlay with his company, to guard the public stores at that place, and on their return they oncamped at the Big Spring, near an old Indian town called Solomon's Town, about seven miles north of Bellefontaine. Their horses having strayed away in the night, he and his son went in pursuit of them. When they had got some distance from the encampment they were discovered by the Indians, who attacked them with an overpowering force, and they were killed and scalped."

Joseph Wallace, with family, consisting. of a wife and three children, reached Me. Arthur in April, 1833; he located upon a large tract of land just west of Huntsville, and there passed the remainder of his days. A portion of this property is now occupied by Wallace Templeton. John Shelby, who subsequently became prominent in the affairs of Logan County, and of the State, made his first set- tlement in the county during the summer of 1809, in what is now Union Township. Upon the removal of the Indians from the Lewis- town reservation, he bought some Is0 acres of land in the southwest corner of MeArthur Township. This he improved, and here he died. His widow now lives near Huntsville. Henry Hover bought land near. Daniel Workman lived on the farm now owned by Anderson Neer. John t'aschoalt occupied the present Miller farm, and in the vicinity

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

lived the families of Black, Grabill and Wil- liams. John Coulter came to the county, from Newark, Ohio, in 1825, locating in Bellefont- aine, where he remained until 1835; he then purchased a farm and tannery of Isaac Cooper, near Huntsville, and upon this property he passed his life, dying December 26, 1859. Mr. Coulter was a Justice of the Peace in this township for twenty years. A son of this gentleman is now Recorder of Logan County, and to him the writer desires to make acknowl- edgements for numerous favors. Kemp G. Carter came from Washington, D. C., to Mc- Arthur in 1835, and, the next year, located in Cherokee; here he still resides; he has wit- nessed the rise and fall of this now decaying hamlet. Abraham Elder, Sr., wife and eight children, came from Perry County, Ohio, to McArthur in 1835, locating upon a large tract of land just south of Huntsville. lle became a prominent man in the township, and was Associate Judge of the county for several years. But two children now reside in the township-Dr. Elder and Mrs. John Coul- ter. Among other settlers who are entitled to mention, but of whom the writer has no data, are James Steen, William Watson, John Russell, William Bodkin, Adam Yearn, Jona- than Woodard, William Harland, Dr. Samuel A. Morton, Alexander Thompson, James Storer, Solomon Richards, William Langhead, Thomas Patterson, J. and S. Ilays, and possi- bly others, whose names are not now remem- bered.

The anti-slavery movement was warmly espoused by many of the citizens of this town- ship and here, for many years, was a station on that somewhat celebrated line of travel, the " Underground Railroad." Its particular location is not important to this work. It is sufficient to know that here the fleeing bond- man was always sure of food, clothing if necessary, and a safe transit to the next sta- tion. It is related that two, now prominent,

citizens of a neighboring township, one day found an aged colored man at work in a field, and, thinking to have a little fun at his ex- pense, told him they come to convey him back to the south. Ile did not stop to argue the matter, but started on a run for the house, where he procured a gun, this he rested on the fence, the muzzle towards the jokers and commanded a halt. Failing to discover a great amount of fun in this portion of the per- formance, they "stood not on the order of their going, but went at once," fully believ- ing, that in this instance at least, "discretion was the better part of valor."

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History of Logan County and Ohio, Part 55

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; O.L. Baskin & Co Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin Number of Pages: 798

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; O.L. Baskin & Co
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin
Number of Pages: 798