History of Logan County and Ohio, Part 62

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 62

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built within the last year, 1, cost, $300; num- ber in township, 11; total value of school property, $3,500; number of teachers employ- ed during the year, males, 4, females, 12; average wages of teachers per month, males, $36, females, $23: average number of weeks schools were in session, 30; number of differ- ent pupils enrolled during the year, boys-193, girls, 163, total 356; average monthly enroll- ment-boys, 152. girls, 118, total, 270; average day attendance-boys, 104, girls St, total, 191; number of different pupils enrolled between 16 and 21 years of age-boys, 12, girls, 23, total 65; number of pupils in each brafich of study, alphabet, 51; reading, 284; spelling, 299; writing, 253; arithmetic, 2.10; geography, 120; English grammar, 89; oral lessons, 192; composition, 30; drawing, 11; map drawing, 13: United States history, 11.

The following sketch of the Zanesfield special district is furnished through the kind- ness of Dr. . I. J. Coram:

" While the common schools of America arc her pride and boast, it is yet the aim of her best minds how to make them most efficient, and to raise the standard taught therein. It was to further these purposes that petitions were presented to the Township Board of Education, who met in Zanesfield, Ohio, Oc- tober 17, 1853, praying that the sub-districts, Nos. 2 and 12, might be united, and known hereafter as District No. 2, and that a large and commodious brick building be erected. to be known as the Central or Township School- house. The district would thus draw double the usual school funds, and so be enabled to employ a higher grade of talent as teachers. "It was doubtless the intention, too, that. such scholars in the township as aspired after a higher standard of education than could be obtained at the smaller sub-districts might be accommodated here at the central district.

" At any rate, the prayer of the petitioners was granted April 2, 1854. At the regular

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

spring meeting, April 17, 185-1, the Township Board of Education appointed Ephraim Means, Asa Brown and Thomas Pennock as the build- ing committee, to whom was given the dis- cretionary power to decide as to the kind, size, cost, etc., of the House to be built. They decided to build a two-room brick build- ing of large size, and the contraet was let to Whitson B. Sands. The house was completed in the fall, and Joseph Robb and Maria J. Inghram taught the first school in the new building. Here the school continued as a central district until a short time after the village was incorporated, when, by a vote of the people, it was changed to an independent village district.

" The first Board of Directors was elected April 12, 1869, consisting of Charles Folsom, for three years; Samuel L. Wonders, for two years, and Dr. J. S. Robb, for one year. The present building was becoming each year less able to accommodate the number of schol- ars attending the school; so it was decided to build a larger and a more commodious

one, in a more suitable part of the village. "In the summer of 18:5 the large four-room brick now occupied for school purposes was erected. It was put up under the superin- tendence of Ira Brown, Charles Folsom and Samuel L. Wonders, as directors. Though deficient in external beauty, it is pleasantly located; is well lighted and furnished with modern improvements. This, with the gen- erally advanced grade of teachers employed, has left little to be desired in the way of opportunities offered for obtaining a common school education.

" James M. Ebrite, Z. E. Rutan, and Mrs. S. J. Clyde were the teachers employed to teach the first term.

" Last year, the board tried the experiment of employing all lady teachers, which proved entirely satisfactory. The Superintendent having declined the position this term, a gentleman was employed in her place. The wages paid last year was $50, $35, and $30 per month; the present year, $45, $37.50, and $32.50 per month."

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

CHAPTER XII .*

RICHLAND TOWNSHIP-GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS-SETTLEMENT-VILLAGES-CHURCHES- CASUALTIES.

" Here late the savage, hid in ambush, lay, ( roamed th' uncultured valleys for his prey ; lere frowned the forest with terrific shade ; No cultured fields exposed the opening glade. llow changed the scene ! see nature, clothed in smiles, With joy repays the laborer for his toils."-Meigs.

S STANDING as we do down the stream of time, far removed from its source, we must retrace its meanderings with scarce anything to guide save the few moldering relies of the past which lie along the shore, and even these grow fainter and still more faint and un- certain as we near its fountain, if, indeed, they are not wholly concealed in the debris of ages. Written records grow less and less explicit, and finally fail altogether the nearer we ap- proach the beginning of the community whose life it is our purpose to reseno from the gloom of a fast-receding past. The old pioneers are fast sinking to rest after the toils and pri- vations of the border, whither they came buoyed up with hope and nerved with vigor, to build for themselves and their loved ones homes amid the beautiful scenery, while yet the whoop of the Indian and the bowl of the wolf resounded on every sido. Here and there a white-haired veteran, bowed with the weight of years and the unremitting toil of pioneer life, remains to tell us of those days " lang syne," and from their lips the writer has received the data from which to weave the fabric of this history. In some instances memory may have been at fault, trifling errors in date may be found, yet should this Is the caso, it is hoped these may be found of minor i uportatee.

That portion of Logan County, now known as Richland Township, lies in the extreme north of the county, adjoining Hardin County, by which it is bounded on the north; Me.Ar- thur Township lies south, Rush Creek, cast; and Washington and Stokes, on the west. The surface features are those of a nearly level plain, the only exception being along the water courses, and even there, the monot- ony is broken only in a slight degree. The territory is traversed by the north and middle branches of the Miami River, while the west and southwest portion, to the extent of sey- oral thousand acres, is submerged by the stagnant waters of the Lewistown Reservoir. The north branch flows across the northwest corner of the township, discharging its waters into the extreme northern portion of the res- ervoir. The middle branch passes westward across the entire southern portion of the town- ship, reaching the reservoir on lands of Jacob Fry. In the eastern portion of the township, the soil is elay, slightly mixed with gravel, and producing little else but wheat, while the al- luvial soil of the western portion, may be util- ized in the production of all cereals. The main products of the township are wheat, corn and grass, and the average is well up in the sisterhood of townships, composing Logan County. In a state of nature, the eastern part of Richland was covered with a heavy growth of trees, composed mainly of different varie- ties of the oak, while farther west, maple, hickory, walnut, and other common varieties, were found to predominate. In this portion were several small tracts, embracing an area of a few neres cach, called prairies, Upon these

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

the only vegetation was a rank growth of wild grass, interspersed with stunted shrubs, and about these localities was found the deadly rattlesnake in great profusion. For many years after the beginning of the settlement in Richland, malarial diseases prevailed univer- sally, and doctors muitiplied accordingly. The lands, at present, embraced within the limits of Richland, were attached to McAr- thur Township until the year 1845. At the December session of the Board of County Commissioners of this year, it was ordered that the lands lying north of the south line of the Solomon's Town survey, in the Town- ship of MeArthur, be, and the same are, hereby erected into a separate township, to be known as Richland, and that an elec- tion to perfect this organization, be held at the schoolhouse in the village of Rich- land, on the 20th day of December, 1845. The records of this election are still pre- served in the office of the Clerk of the town- ship, and they are the first found in the coun- ty. Following is a copy: " Richland, Logan Co., Ohio. Agreeably to the order of the County Commissioners, the legal voters of the newly constituted Township of Richland met at the schoolhouse in Richland village on De- eember 20, 1845, and organized by the selec- tion of Eben Bain, Alvin Clark and S. Mead, Judges, and L. B. Wysons and Allen Dunn, Clerks of said election." The persons who were elected to fill the different official sta- tions were: James Thompson, Alvin Clark and Samuel A. Morton, Trustees; A. S. Chap- man, Clerk; Thomas Scott, Treasurer; James S. Sims, Assessor; Robert Lowry, Constable, and five Supervisors of roads and highways. William Lease was the first Justice of the Peace elected in the township, and it is said he served twenty-one years in that capacity. The officers for 1880 are: A. C. McClure, W. D. Spencer and S. M. Hover, Trustees; E. E. Nafus, Clerk; T. N. Harrod, Treasurer; D.

N. Cutting, Assessor; George Earick and William Bickham, Constables; II. M. Cline and John Bickham, Justices of the Peace, and seven Supervisors. The lands in Rich- land Township were surveyed by the Govern- ment into tracts embracing 1,000 acres each, and in those early times, when it only required a small amount of money to pay for a large tract of land, many of these 1,000-acre farms were sold entire to one individual, who in turn sold in smaller lots to the settlers. Among these extensive land proprietors were Duncan McArthur, James Taylor and Walter Dunn.

During the summer of the year 1810, James Hill and family, consisting of a wife and six children, and Samuel Tidd, a brother- in-law, with his wife, left the shore of Lake Erie, in Ashtabula County, for that far away " land of promise," Zanestown (now Zanes- field), of the superior advantages of which the most wonderful stories were told. The mode of transit, a team of horses; the route along blazed lines, through dense woods, in many places almost impassable. At last, after many wearisome days of travel, they reached the end of their journey. They remained at Zanesfield seven years, removing to the southwest portion of what is now Richland Township during the early summer of 1817. Mr. Hill erected his cabin upon the farm now owned by James Sims. Samuel Tidd settled just south, in what is now MeArthur Town- ship. None of either family are now living n the vicinity except Mrs. Nancy Colvin, a daughter of Mr. Hill, who now lives in IJardin County, and to whom the writer is in- debted for many facts of early history. Soon after Mr. Hill's arrival Thomas Rutledge and Thomas Burton, who each had a numerous family, located in the immediate vicinity. These three families are the pioneer settlers in Richland Township. William Lease set- tled near in 1823, and spent the remaining

HISTORY OF LOGAN. COUNTY.

years of his life upon the farm he first im- proved. Lorenzo Dowling first occupied the farm now owned by William Scott. William Thompson lived on the present William Wal- lace form. Martin Hill made the first im- provements on the James McClure farm. Joseph Wilmuth settled on the lands forming the site of the present hamlet of Northwood prior to 1830. Henry Hendricks, agent for James Taylor, occupied the farm now owned by William Reed. John L. Hemphill was proprietor of the lands upon which Rich- land village was laid out. James Boyer be- came the owner of the 1,000-acre tract embracing the Indian village of Solomon's Town. Jacob Powers lived on the S. P. Johnston farm. Lewis Wysons was the orig- inal occupant of the farm now owned by Dr. T. L. Wright. James Gray also lived near Richland, and was among the early settlers. James Harrod lived on the John Key's farm until 1852, when he removed to Hardin County, where he still resides. Rev. Thomas Clarke, William Holt, Samuel Jenkins, Lemuel Liles and William Brooks came at the same time, and settled between Belle Contre and Northwood. Jacob Sessler occupied a farm on the Miami River; Robert Scott located immediately west of Belle Cen- tre; William Wallace was also one of the settlers of this period. Daniel Colvin was proprietor of a portion of the lands now em- braced in the village of Belle Centre: Robert Mitchell lived on the farm now owned by Milton L. Anderson. Alexander King, a native of Pennsylvania, located permanently in Richland, in 1829; he still occupies the old homesten l. William Johnston became a resident of the township about the same time. Robert Scott lived near Northwood. J. S. Johnston came to Richland in the summer of 1533, and has been prominently connected with the mercantile and educational interests of the township the greater portion of the

time since. Robert Boyd is among the later arrivals; he owned the Isaac Patterson prop- erty. Gersham Anderson located near North- wood in March, 1837; a son, Milton L., and a daughter, Susan, who came with the parents, now reside near Belle Centra. The father died in 1843, after which Milton engaged in school teaching for several years, in Logan and Ross counties. Cornelius Jameson set- tled in the township in the fall of 1832: he now lives in the village of Belle Centr .. The seittlement of this township differs from many others in this part of the State in this, that the first settlers were largely from the Eastern States, Their characteristic enterprise is plainly manifest in the improvements and general thrift seen in every part of the town- ship.

During the early years of the settlement the inhabitants were compelled to make ex- tensive journeys to get their grain ground. To go twenty or thirty miles through un- broken forests, was no small undertaking, and as each grist was ground in the order of its reception at the mill, the trip to and from the mill often consumed days of valuable time. Frequently the "stump mortar " would be brought into use. A cavity burnt into the top of a stump, and a spring pole to the end of which the pestle was attached, formed the mechanism of this primitive " flouring estab- lishment," and he who produced the motive power for this rude appliance slowly obeyed the scripture injunction: "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread:" others pre- pared the corn by cutting it from the cob with a plane. "Hulled corn" made by soak- ing the grain in a weak solution of lye, to re- move the lall, and afterward boiling it, was a common article of food eaten with butter and maple sugar, it was amongst the luxuries of life. The writer remembers one night, so i'my years ago that he does not care to be exact as to date, being obliged to seek lodging

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

in a little moss-covered log cabin on the the banks of the La Belle Rirere, after a weary jaunt amongst the hills of Washington County, a huge dish of "hulled corn" garnished the evening board, and whether it was this or the keen appetite, it is difficult to state; vet, the recollection of that supper still lingers like a delightful dream about memory's path- way. The pioneer grist-mill in Richland Township was built by Joseph Wilmuth about 1830. It was a small affair, built of logs, and stood on the banks of the Miami River, near Northwood. After a few years, Gersham Anderson purchased this property, and soon replaced the old log building with a substantial frame one. This was furnished with two run of stone, and was well adapted to the wants of the com- munity. The building is still standing, though its wheel is silent and all going to decay. At this time a large steam grist- mill at Belle Centre, and a portable saw-mill adjacent, furnish ample facilities for the ac- commodation of the inhabitants. Early in the settlement Samuel Mitchell put in operation a tannery, about one mile west of Belle Centre, on the farm now owned by William Scott. This was in active " blast " for several years; now closed. The first thoroughfare in Richland Township was made along " Hull's Trace," running from Cherokee to Richland village, and thence northwestwardly. Alevel, graveled turnpike now passes over nearly the same route, forming one of the many travers- ing different parts of the township. The Cin- cinnati, Sandusky & Cleveland Railroad passes through the township.

In July, 1832, John Hemphill, then an exten- sive landowner, conceived the idea of a vil- lage on the line then traversed by the gay " turnouts " of the Springfield and Sandusky Stage Company, and accordingly the services of James W. Marmon, County Surveyor, were called into requisition, and in due time the

plat of the town of Richland appeared. Lots were offered for sale, and soon a number of log buildings were erected. From the largest of these was a sign bearing the device: "E. Bane-At Home." This was the pioneer house of entertainment. A man named Wil- liams put a stock of goods into another, and thus the mercantile interest was established. Al- bert Chapman was appointed Postmaster, and Richland postoffice came into existence, and now the success of the embryo village was apparently assured. In time a church organ- ization was effected, and a small frame meet- ing-house erected. Next, a schoolhouse arose amid the stumps, where late towered the giant forest trees. The settlers increased; frame dwellings began to appear, and Rich- land was on the high tide to a great future Messrs. Johnston & Mitchell had opened an extensive stock of general merchandise. The project of building the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad now began to be 'agitated, and at last the survey was completed and the route established. It was thought Richland did not manifest sufficient interest in the en- terprise, and finally inducements were offered for the location of a village, some two miles to the northward. J. S. Johnston became the champion of the new village, and worked heartily for its establishment. The main issue seemed to be, which should secure the loca- tion of the water tank, this being considered a valuable matter in those early days of rail- roads. The battle waxed warm, and anvils were fired, long and loud, whenever either side gained a point. At last Belle Centre (as the new village was called) secured the coveted prize, and the glory of Richland village, of late so full of promise, departed forever. The postoffice was removed to Belle Centre; the hotel elosed, and the church went to decay. It is now a "flag station," and only a small number of scattering buildings mark the site of this once flourishing hamlet, while Belle

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IHISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

Centre, the mere favored rival, has become a respectable village. J. S. Johnston removed his stock of goods to this place in 1817, and opened a store in a building, the corners of which rested on four stumps. A man named Ilorton opened a boarding- house here soon after, and the subsequent year George Hartin built the brick hotel now under the manage- ment of M. MeIntire. In 1846 the site of Belle Centre was covered by a sugar orchard. It was created a town corporate in 186%, the first election being held on April 1st of that vear. Following are the officers elected: J. H. Brown, Mayor; T. S. Patrick, Recorder; George Earick, Treasurer; John Morton, F. M. Bergert, B. F. Mckinnon, David Herron, and John Dennis, Council. The roster for 1880 is: George Young, Mayor; F. M. Bergert, Clerk; P. O. Ellis, Treasurer; B. W. McKin- non, R. M. Hlosack, T. N. Harrod, W. L. Sickles, Jacob Earick and J. J. Wright, Council.

Prior to the incorporation of the village, a small number of individuals, members of that noble brotherhood whom the greatest men of the world have delighted to honor-the Ma- sonic Order-held an informal meeting, the result of which was the formation of Belle Centre Lodge, No. 312, F. & A. M. The charter of this society is dated October 18, A. L. 5864, and bears the names of the fol- lowing constituent members: J. A. Rodgers, J. W. Creswell, A. C. Gossard, William Ram- sey, John Patterson, John Korns, Henry Hin- kle, Harvey Howell, Joseph Paulucci, John Lunger, Jacob Barick, John Roberts, R. II. Trumbull, D. N. Cutting, John L. Clark, R. B. Simpson, W. S. Wysong, HI. A. Ramsey and A. C. Ramsey. The lodge convened in the hall over Ramsey's store until the fall of 1816, when it removed to its present elegant rooms in the second story of J. D. Campbell's building. The regular communications are held on Wednesday evening of each month

on or before the full moon. The society has steadily increased its membership and its use- fulness, now numbering fifty-four members, among whom the utmost harmony prevails. Following are the succession of Masters: J. A. Rodgers, John Lunger, John Kerns, T. C. Laughlin, D. N. Cutting, C. W. Hinkle, and George R. Archer, who at present presides. Following this we find the sister society, Odd Fellowship, taking root in the vicinity. Belle Centre Lodge, No. 558. I. O. O. F., was or- ganized during the summer of 18:3. Its charter, which bears date September 12 of that year, contains the names of the following charter members: J. C. Porter, O. llowell, P. C. Ewart, Thomas N. Harrod, F. M. Lans- down, George Liles and James B. Mustain. J. C. Porter was the first presiding officer and E. E. Nafus is the present (1880). The mem- bership has increased to forty. The regular meetings are held in Earick's block on Sat- urday evening of each week. Financially, the society is "above the tide."

A large society of the Patrons of Ilus- bandry formerly existed in Belle Centre, but is not now in active operation. The Soldiers' Memorial Association of Richland Township was organized on May 30, 1879, with I. M. Cline. President; E. E. Nafus, Secretary; and A. F. McConnell, Treasurer. Its object: " The perpetuation of the memory of the dead heroes of the war." Through the efforts of this society and its friends, the beautifully solemn memorial service of strewing flowers upon the graves of the sainted soldier dead, is performed on each re- curing thirtieth day of May.

A weekly paper, the Paragrapher, has been published for some time past in Belle Centre, by D. W. Thompson. It was a thirty-two column quarto, patent inside, and neutral in politics. Not receiving a sufficient patronage its publication was recently sus- pended. Following is Belle Centre in 1880 :

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

Two dry goods, two grocery, two drug, two millinery, one jewelry, one hardware, and two tinware stores; six blacksmith, two car- riage, and three shoe shops; one bakery, one cabinet maker, two wagon makers, hotel, two liveries, one steam-grist, and one steam saw- mill; sash and door manufactory, tile works, an extensive grain warehouse, four churches, and one school. Northwood, a little hamlet situated on the line between Richland and MeArthur, will be found in the history of the latter township.

The history of religious organizations in Richland Township dates from the year 1819. Mrs. Nancy Colvin states that during the summer of this year a minister of the Metho- dist Episcopal denominatlon, named Roberts, held several meetings at her father's (James Hill) house, and bere a small class was formed in the fall following. This was composed of James Hill, his wife and three children, Naney, John and Polly, John and Polly Ritchie, a negro named Tom, and several Indians, with unpronounceable names. This was the foundation of Methodism in the township. Subsequently Rev. William Brooks came to live in the vicinity and the place of meeting was changed to his house. Here William and Samuel Brooks, Samuel Liles, and Daniel Colvin, with their wives, were added to the membership. Meetings continued at the house of Rev. Brooks until his removal from the township in 1841, when they were continu- ed at Daniel Colvin's and at the schoolhouse, until 1850. At this time a small, brick meeting- house was erected in the village Belle Centre. This building was occupied until increased membership and attendance rendered a larger structure necessary. The present commodi- ous brick edifice of this society was completed in 1812. It is in size forty by sixty feet, with a tower, and cost originally $3,600, but re- peated damages by storms has swelled the amount fully $2,000 more. The present mem-

bership is sixty. A Sabbath School was formed by M. L. Anderson, many years since. This has now an attendance of seventy the entire year-E. E. Nafus, Superintendent. Rev. J. S. Blair is the present Pastor of this church. B. W. McKinnon, W. S. Sickles, C. II. Shields and M. A. Smith, Jr., Class Leaders, and M. L. Anderson, Steward. The seed sown in the Hill neighborhood caught root and eventually resulted in the formation of a second class in that portion of the town- ship. This has become quite a flourishing so- ciety, and meets for worship in McGraw Chapel, a neat frame building in the vicinity, where formerly dwelt James Ilill.

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History of Logan County and Ohio, Part 62

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