History of Logan County and Ohio, Part 60

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 60

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

running obliquely up the hill, through the Wonders and Knight places, opposite Benja- min Knight's orchard. After Thomas Dickin- son settled on the Knight place, he secured the alteration of the road to its present loca- tion.

The Solomon's Town road was one of the pioneer thoroughfares of the township and county. It started in the Sandusky road just south of the crossing of Mad River, and, lead- ing up the river on the left bank, continued northward, bearing west by way of Harper and Solomon's Town to Round Head's Town, as it was then spoken. In 1830, a guide board at the starting point indicated twelve miles to Solomon's Town.

The road from Bellefontaine to Marion, though located at an early date, was less known and traveled fifty years ago than those above mentioned. It passed through the township on the line of the Jerusalem pike. The Mill Creek road in 1830 was but an ob- scure and winding way cut out wide enough for wagons to pass through the thick forest. It was mostly used by hanters and persons from the settlement who went out each spring and entered on unoccupied land for the pur- pose of making sugar.

The route usually traveled left the San- dusky road near the corner of T. E. Pennock's farın, and crossed the river near the mouth of the tail-race. It probably kept south of the present road pretty much all the way as it run south of Kirkpatrick's house.

In 1830, the Trustees granted a township road from the Sandusky road, southeast cor- ner of Isaac Zane's farm, westward, passing on or near the south line of Lot Garwood's land, and intersecting the Bellefontaine road between McKee's Creek and the township line. Subsequently it was altered to continue westward north of Krouskop's (McBeth's) farm to the township line.

In 1832, a grant was given for a township

road from the above road near Lot Garwood's southwest corner, south to George Henry's southeast corner, thence on the nearest and best route to the county road near George McColloch's. A number of other township roads have been constructed at a later date, but there is nothing to be found on record to indicate the time or attending circumstances.

There has been but one toll road running through the township, namely, the Bellefon- taine and Zanesfield turnpike, running from Bellefontaine through Zanesfield to near Goshen Church, on the Middleburg road. It was built by a company in 18 -. There were two gates-one near Bellefontaine, which was afterwards moved to a point inside of Jeffer- son Township, and one near the brick church cast of Mad River. The toll charged for a car- riage and one horse was two cents per mile. As the number of free pikes in the county increased, it created a good deal of dissatis- faction. Men who had been taxed heavily to build free pikes at home disliked to pay toll on a road which they were so frequently required to travel over. In accordance with the petition of a majority of the land-holders along the line, the Commissioners purchased the road in 18"-, and the only toll-gates ever erected in the county were removed. With the completion of two miles of pike in the Mar- mon Valley, which has already been granted by the Commissioners, there will be three pikes running directly across the township- one from North to South, and two from East to West. Work is also rapidly progressing on the Mad River Valley road, a little over two miles in length, leading from Dickinson's Mills to the Applegrove schoolhouse, on the Jeru- salem pike. There is also one in course of construction from Goshen meeting-house southward, leading to Mingo, in Champaign County.

Some time between the years 1832 and 1845, a special act passed the Legislature

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

providing for the improvement of the road leading from Bellefontaine to Marysville, by way of Zanesfield, Eist Liberty and Newton, by applying the road tax on all the property within two miles of the line on either side to grading, bridging and such other work as the Commissioners having the work in charge should deem most profitable. The act prob- ably remained in force until it was set aside by the adoption of the new Constitution, in 1851, and under its provisions a great im- provement was made in the road over the hill west of Zanesfield, much of which, however, was thrown away, as a change was subsequent- ly made in the road leading up the hill. A great improvement was made in the condi- tion of the road leading to East Liberty. Little is known of the construction of bridges in the early history of roads in the township. In the year 1830 but one was found in its limits- that across Mad River on the Sandusky road. It was a simple structure, consisting of sills rest- ing on abutments covered with split puncheons secured with wooden pins. At the crossing of Mad River, east of Zanesfickl, a very good ford was constructed by hauling large quan- tities of gravel in so as to make a solid road- way, and the same plan was adopted in other places, though in many places the crossing was difficult, especially when the water was high. At the present time the township is well supplied with good, substantial bridges, the best being the iron bridge across Mad River, on the Rushsylvania pike.

The first stage-line through the county passed through Zaneshell on the Springfield, I'rbana and Sandusky road. It is not certain at what time it was established, but it was most probably in 1825. It continued about two years, and then the line was changed to run by way of Bellefontaine and West Lib- erty. It was a tri-weekly line. After the change, a mail route was established from B .Hefontaine to Marysville, by way of Zanes-

field and Garwood's Mills, the mail being carried on horseback.

Some time from 1831 to 1832, a back line was established from Bellefontaine to Columbus, by way of Zanesfield and Middleburg, but it was of short duration. Some time previous to 1860, the mail-carrier commenced carrying passengers in a light wagon or buggy, except during the muddy season.

At the commencement of the Rebellion, great impatience was manifested on account of the want of better mail facilities. The East left Bellefontaine three times a week, in the morning, before the arrival of the mail at that point. Hence, mail arriving on Mon- day or Tuesday at that point would be de- layed until Wednesday before reaching Zanes- fieldl. To obviate the inconvenience an inde- pendent daily mail line was organized and kept up by the patrons of the Zanesfield post- office during the continuance of the war. Af- ter the completion of the railroad through Marysville, the farmers' mail route was dis- continued and a new route established, run- ning from East Liberty each morning, by way of West Middleburg and Zanesfield, to Belle- fontaine, and returning in the afternoon, thus giving the three places named mail facilities nearly equal to the most favored railroad towns. A very comfortable hack is run for the accom- modation of passengers.

The village of Zanesfield was laid out in the year 1819 by Alexander Long and Ebe- nezer Zane, on lands sold to them by Lucas Sullivant, being part of James Calderwood's Survey, No. 3,13%. The dividing line between them was near the centre of the Bellefontaine road, as at present located. From the best information to be derived, the Sandusky road ran eighty-four fret west of its present loca- tion, and Zane had soll Lanson Curtis a lot bounded on the south by his south line, and on the cast by the Sandusky road. An ar- rangement was entered into between Long

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

and Zane to lay out town lots on their respective lands, and the very remarkable plat was agreed upon which can only be un- derstood by consulting the map, from which it will be seen that of the first six lots only one fronts on a street.

Then after locating lot No. 7 on Zane's land, northeast corner of Columbus and San- dusky streets, coming back on to Long's part, Nos. S to 13 were located on the east side. The southeast corner of Sandusky and Co- lumbus streets was left vacant, probably for the reason that it was occupied by Isaac Zane, then near the close of his life; 14 and 15 were located on West street, marked on the map Liberty street; then 16 to 25 on San- dusky street, running back 160 feet, com- mencing on Zane's land, northwest corner of Sandusky and Locust streets; lots numbered 26 to 28 run back to Curtis' east line, for by some intrigue with the Commissioners, Long had secured the removal of the road to its present location. The residue of the lots, numbering in all SI, fronted on Sandusky street, and ran back west 160 feet. Instead of deflecting to the left at the commence- ment of the East Liberty road, it continued its course far enough to intercept the line of the road between C. II. Folsom's and T. E. Pennock's land. A quarrel had taken place between Long and Curtis, and by this means the former had designed to cut the latter off so that he could only reach Sandusky street by way of Locust street, which was only twenty-four feet wide. Zane, who was a man remarkable for his unsullied purity, was an unsuspecting party to this little scheme of spite-work. Before the day of sale, however, he became incensed, whether for this or some other cause is not known, and pulled up all the stakes on his part and refused to offer his lots for sale. Hence lot No. ", and all after 25, are blank on the map. Being thus far successful, Long's next move was to secure

from Zane the lot intervening between the street and Curtis' lot. For this he offered him $100. Zane's reply was, "Mebby not." Seeing Curtis, Zane asked him if he wished to buy the lot. Curtis told him he did, and asked the price. He replied, " Mebby $10." The terms were gladly accepted, and Long's little scheme ended in grief. This circum- stance related alone, however, does Long in- justice. Ile was a brave sollier, a good citi- zen and kind neighbor. Influenced by jealousy and anger, he was capable of meanness that he would probably be ashamed of in his better mo- ments. The surveyed plat was filed in the Re- corder's office without any specifications. The plat was copied on the record, and in 1830 Al- exander Long filed specifications in accordance with the actual measurement of the plat, stating that he supposed it to have been an omission when the plat was filed.

It would seem remarkable that with so fine a scope of land lying between the prairie and hill the village should have been crowded into the bend, of the branch so as to require the then leading road of the county to make an irregular crook of an eighth of a mile out of its line to reach it, and then as far back to leave it on reasonably solid ground. The only apparent solution is found in the fine springs abounding along the bank near the edge of the prairie, in the vicinity of which the first houses were built. The business centre having thus been established in that locality, there has never been a sufficient demand for business houses to warrant building up in an- other quarter. And as if to make the change still more impracticable, McCollochs, when they projected their addition, in 1844, instead of locating their main street through the center of their plat, located an alley there and laid the street entirel- outside of all their lots. Thus it will be seen that whatever of beauty and ad- vantage the village possesses ithas inspite of, and not on account of, its civil engineers.

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

It is true that Tenery's Addition, laid out in 1852 by Joseph L. Tenery, exhibits a fair regard to taste and convenience in the loca- tion of its streets and alleys; the only incon- venience is that it is so far from the business part of the town for a village of such small dimensions; but, for quiet, pleasant resi- dences, it is seldom surpassed.

It is impossible to give the order in which the first houses were built; but, as near as we can learn, Ebenezer Zane built a cabin where John McCormick lives, as early as 1805. Joseph Dickinson lived in a cabin where Oren Out- land lives, as early as the fall of 1811. Lanson Curtis built, near where Dr. Coram lives, pre- vious to 1820. Alexander Long, on the S. B. Smith property, probably two years earlier. Joseph L. Tenery bought lot No. 13 soon after the village was laid out, and built a log- house on it opposite the rear of Brown's store; and near the same time Horton Brown bought lot No. 15, and built the house occupied by J. G. Hamilton. He afterwards bought lot No. 14, and traded or sold the two to Long, getting in exchange the property occupied by Ira Brown, on which one of the block- houses stood, the walls of which he pulled down and converted into a dwelling. Benja- min Smith came in 1822, and bought lots 1 to 6, with the land lying between them and the Spring Branch, on which he erected a tannery. On lot No. 1 he built a good one- story frame dwelling, but in what year we are unable to say-perhaps as early as 1825. Near the same time, Dr. James Crew built the two-story frame where C. II. Folsom Les. It is uncertain by whom lot No. 24 was improved. Samuel Lipineut lived there in 1$20, and B najab Williams deeded it to Benjamin Smith in 1821. Jacob Meyer built the brick house occupied by S. G. Baldwin, probably in 182%, Jonathan Thomas built the onesstory part of Mrs. S. J. Folson's house in 1-20. In 1830, John A. Robinson

built on lot No. 20, William Easton on lot No. S, and Daniel Antrim built on the north side of Locust street, opposite to Dr. Out- land's kitchen. Daniel Cowgill built about the same time on the corner of Sandusky street and the East Liberty road, and David J. Hyatt, shortly after, where J. G. Marquis lives. Between 1832 and 1838, Lanson Curtis built the Dr. Coram house; Benjamin Smith, the house occupied by Oren Outland on lot No. 1; Dr. J. W. Marmon and his brother Robert built the brick house southeast corner of Sandusky and Columbus streets; L. P. Burton, the brick on the opposite side owned by J. M. Reams; and Robert Marmon bought and finished up the frame commenced some years previous on lot No. 18, and built the brick on the north half of lot No. 16, now owned by Mrs. Marquis, Lanson Curtis also built the Methodist Episcopal Church now owned by the Zanesfield Baptist Church.

The first erected in MeColloch's AAddition was on lot No. 13, by Absalom Brown, the ser- ond by D. B. Holland, on lot No. 24. The first erected on Tenery's Addition on lot No. 4, by M. M. Dickinson. Joshua Scott built on No. 7, JJedediah Cleveland on No. 9 and Ed- ward Bishop on 14. Zanesfield has never en- gaged largely in manufacturing.

E. D. Sawyer built windmills here pretty largely for the times, in 1844-18, But, as a general thing, the only articles produced here have been for home consumption. The mer- cantile business has always been pretty well represented.

The first merchant in Zanesfield was Lan- son Curtis, He came from New Hampshire soon after the close of the war, and bringing with him a load of japanned tinware. set up trade on a small scale. He met with many discouragements and losses, which would have disheartened a less determined spirit. San- dusky was then the most accessible point of trade, and in the winter, when the ground was

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

covered with snow, was a favorable time for transportation. Hiring a man with a sled and two horses, to take a load to Sandusky for him, they were making their way through the wilderness; in the midst of a snow storm, their sled broke down. With only an ax and auger, which they were fortunate enough to have with them, and with such material as they could cut from the forest, they proceeded to repair the sled; after several hours of tedious delay, they were able to resume their travel. Such were some of the hard- ships that men had to encounter in the early time, in laying the foundation of a fortune. By strict economy, unflagging energy and close dealing, he was enabled to build up an extensive business. Ile was very prompt, and acquired an extensive influence, being once or twice elected to the Legislature. But ow- ing to his close, hard dealing, was never really popular. Ile was probably the first Postmas- ter in the place, receiving his appointment about the year 1825. He continued in busi- ness until about the year 18- and acquired considerable wealth. After closing business here, he removed to Colombus, where he en- tirely lost his intellectual faculties.

The second individual to engage in the mercantile business in the place was Zane McColloch. It is uncertain when he com- menced, but it is probable it was somewhere from 1825 to 1828. Ile occupied, as a store- room, a hewed log house, already spoken of as the residence of Isaac Zane. In 1830, and for some years after, he held the office of Postmaster. He was subsequently a partner in the firm of Burton, Heylin & McColloch, who built and occupied the store-room on the northwest corner of Sandusky and Colum- bus streets. This was about 1832. In 1847 he sold goods in the same room in copartner- ship with his brother, Sanmel. About 1831 or 1838, J. W. and R. M. Marmon commenced selling goods in the room on the southeast

corner of Sandusky and Columbus streets. After a year or two they were succeeded by William Foos, who sold goods there in 1840. Succeeded in 1844 by Samuel Taylor, after- wards Taylor & Kenton; then James Kenton. Frequent changes were made after this. Cleveland, McBeth & Co .: Cleveland & Smith; Smith & Means; B. & S. B. Smith; Means & Marmon; Brown Bros .; Brown & Keys, up to 1864. Since then, Brown & Sands, Asa Brown, O. Brown & Co. and Omar Brown have oc- cupied the room.

In 1853, Charles Folsom built the store- room north of the drug store now used by Brown Sullivan, which was occupied at first by Marmon & Folsom, then by Baldwin & Potts; since that, S. D. Elliott, Marmon & Elliott, Hays & Smith, S. B. Smith, Ebrete & Brother, S. M. West and J. A. Antrim have sold dry goods, notions, groceries, clothing and millinery in turn there. James Kenton fitted up the room opposite about the year 185-, and sold goods there, succeeded by Folsom & Kenton.

In 1852, Davis & Crew sold goods in the room on the southwest corner of Sandusky Street and the Bellefontaine road. Numer- ous other parties have engaged in selling goods in the place at different times, but the above ineludes the names of the principal merchants of the place, and pretty nearly in the order in which they have been in busi- ness.

We cannot speak with certainty of taverns prior to the year 1820. At that time, and probably for several years prior to that. Job Garwood kept tavern in a one-story wooden building on Lot No. 24. In the year 1832 he sold out to Jacob Gross, and bought Ebenezer Zane's property, where he lived until 1841. Gross remained in the tavern one year, and sold to Conrad Marshall, who, assisted by his son-in-law, Jeremiah Fisher, kept the honse until 1840, when he rented to John Sloan and

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

his son-in-law, William S. Vaughn, who ran the house for two years. Previous to this, however, Marshall had built a two-story addi- tion at the south end, and added a second story to the original buikling -- adding ma- terially to the comfort and convenience of its accommodations. It was here, in the summer of 1839, that Mr. Marshall had the honor of entertaining a distinguished guest, in the person of Hon. Henry Clay, of Kentucky, who. while traveling through Ohio in his own private conveyance, rested over night and partook of his hospitalities.

When Sloan and Vaughn left the house, Marshall and Fisher returned to it, and con- tinued to ke p it as a tavern for about five years. In April, 1848, Jacob Wonders rented it, and remained there for one year, succeeded by William Keys, and possibly others for a short time, when the use of the house as a hotel was discontinued.

After Zane McColloch closed out his store in the old Isaac Zane House, John M. Young bought the property and fitted it up for a tavern, which he kept for a short time. About the same time, probably 1833, Robert M. Marmon bought lot No. 18 and enclosed the two-story frame erected on it a number of years before. After finishing it, it was used for a store room for a short time, when it was converted into a tavern first kept by Abraham MeNeil and then by Jonathan Hopkins, who had charge of the house in 1840 and for three or four years after. He was succeeded by Daniel Mason, I. G. Williams, John Clinger- man, William Keys, Wilson S. Sloan, Thomas Wade, James Cole, Horatio Clingerman and James G. Hamilton, who occupied the house up to the night of the 30th of Novem- ber, 18;2, when it was entirely destroyed by fire. The two-story building on southwest corner of Sandusky street and the Bellefon- taine road, built by Edward Kenton, and for a number of years owned by Amos Thompson,

was by him kept as a tavern for a number of years. More recently - Davis, R. B. Porter, T. F. Pope and John Horn have eared for the traveling public.

The first tannery was established, as already hinted, by Benjamin Smith in 1822. He was a son of Christopher Smith, one of the earliest settlers of Zane Township. He married Cyn- thanctta, a daughter of Levi Garwood, one of the first settlers near Garwood's Mills, now East Liberty, and immediately settled in Zanes- field, erecting a tannery immediately east of lots No. 4 and 5 in the bend of the Spring Branch, which he continued to carry on for about twenty years. After this he turned his attention more toward farming and the lum- ber business, and afterwards engaged in the mercantile business, in which he continued until failing health compelled him to retire. Ile had three sons-Samuel Bradford, John Crawford and Benjamin Franklin, the latter of whom died from wounds received during the war of the Rebellion, and six daughters, of whom Licetta, married David Michener, living in Champaign Co., Ill .; Eliza Ann; Michener; Mary H., married Robert B. Porter, living in Paulding County, Ohio; Cynthanetta, married P. A. Campbell, living in the State of Texas, and Eudora, married Charles L. Hath- away, of West Mansfeld, in this county. His aged widow also resides in West Mansfield, in the enjoyment of good health, and seems to dol'ght in conversing about the events of long-gone-by years, in regard to which she is blessed with a retentive memory. After Mr. Smith retired from the tannery business, the yard was carried on by George W. Downs, and by Marmon & Downs for a while, but was soon suffered to go down. John Monroe, who learned the trade with Mr. Smith, was the original proprietor of the establishment now owned and carried on by Mr. John McCor- mick.

The different secret societies have been

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

pretty well represented in Zanesfield. Pass- ing by the Eclampus Vitus, whose history was as brief as its initiatory ceremony was unique. the first in order was the Sons of Temperance, organized in the spring of 1848, with Dr. J, W. Johnson first W. P. After a prosperous history of two years, it began to decline, and finally surrendered its charter. Many of the most worthy and influential citizens of the vicinity were enrolled as members. Its meet- ings were held in the attic of the build- ing now owned by Joseph James. The next in order was Anchor Lodge, No. 28, I. O. Good Templars, organized in the fall of 1834, with S. W. Stafford as first W. C. T. Like the former organization, it had a season of prosperity, in which it seemed to be the means of infusing a very wholesome moral influence through the community, but, like it, soon be- gan to decline, and, like the edifice in which its meetings were held, was numbered with the things that are past. The next in order is Wapatomica Lodge, No. 424, I. O. O. F., instituted June 25, 1869, with the following charter members: George Folsom, Charles Folsom, C. Il. Folsom, I. J. Baldwin, M. Long, James S. Robb, J. C. Smith, John Reese, Thomas Piper, M. Taylor, J. E. Marmon, A. G. Ileath, John D. Inskeep and J. P. James.

The following-named members have at- tained to N. G .: George Folsom, I. J. Bald- win, J. Reese, J. S. Robb, Charles Folsom, MI. Long, N. S. Crew, C. L. Hathaway, John McCormick, J. C. Smith, C. H. Folsom, Wil- liam Long, Omar Brown, A. G. Heath, C. J. Folsom, J. G. Marquis, T. F. Pope, T. S. Brown, James MI. Reyner, Ira Brown, Pres. Shaw, William Y. Joslin, Ezra Brown-the present presiding officer. The Lodge is in a flourishing condition. It owns the building in which their hall is located, and an outfit.

There is no Lodge of A., F. & A. Masons in the place, but the brotherhood has been well represented. Joseph L. Tenery, and perhaps

others, were members of Ilarmony Lodge, No. 8, long before there was a Lodge in the county. S. G. Baldwin, Asa Marmon, S. J. Crew and Ephraim Means were among the early members of Bellefontaine Lodge, No. 209, in Zanesfield. The Lodge is now largely represented, as is also Lafayette Chapter, No. 60.

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History of Logan County and Ohio, Part 60

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