History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 15

Author: Chester E. Bryan
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1207

USA > Ohio > Madison County > History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions > Part 15

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

On the commissioners records bearing the following date, December 7, 1841, is found the following change of line between Fairfield and Union townships, viz: "At a meeting of the county commissioners of Madison county. a petition was presented praying for an alteration in the line between Fairfield and Union townships; wherefore, it is ordered that said line be established as follows: Beginning where the lower line of John Evans' survey, No. 4,124, crosses Deer creek, thence with said Evans' line to his southeast corner (so as to include Thomas Chenoweth), thence with the east line of David Bradley's sur- vey, No. 3,973, to the Jefferson road."

SURFACE, SOIL, ETC.

The surface of Fairfield township is similar to that of the other townships in the eastern part of the county. It is very level, with slight undulations, especially along the creeks, as it has no large streams within its territory. In its original state, as the first settlers found it, there were large tracts of prairie scattered here and there, which was covered with a heavy sedge, and this constituted quite a sustenance and helped to support the stock of the early settlers. The soil is principally deep, rich, and composed mainly of loam and clay, with a limestone gravel as subsoil, and, being very fiat and level, and of a nature to hold water, was originally very wet, much of it, in wet seasons, being covered with water. In later years it has been drained and tiled, so that it constitutes excellent farms, equally adapted for grass and grain. The timber portion of the town- ship was never what could be called heavily timbered, consisting principally of white and burr oak and hickory. Like a great portion of Madison county, this township has · never held great attractions in the way of heavy or valuable timber; hence, we would not expect to find an extensive business carried on here in the line of saw-mills or deal- ing in lumber, as is the case in other counties. One great attraction to the first settlers of this township and county was the prevalence of vast numbers of deer and other wild animals, deer were often seen in the early times in large herds, and it is said that prob-

Digitized by Google

115

MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.

ably no section of the state contained in an early day such vast numbers of deer and held out such attractions to the hunter as did this county, and Fairfield township was among the foremost in this respect. In accordance with this, we find that many of the early settlers were "squatters," sportsmen who located temporarily for the purpose of hunting and killing deer and other game. These settlers located along the streams and creeks, for these places were most frequented by the different species of game. They would erect a rude log cabin, which was only their temporary habitation, and for a time give their attention to hunting. Finally, as game became scarce, they moved to other and fresher hunting grounds in the West, their places being filled here with the perman- ent settler, who located to make a home, and oftentimes the cabins of these early "squat- ters" made temporary lodging places for the permanent ploneer settlers.

Not a hundred years ago this part of the county was occupied by savages, in their war paint and wigwams. Next, following in their trail, came the hunters and trappers, with Just a degree more of civilization and comfort. Then the pioneer settler appeared, with his rude pole-and-log cabins, which were later supplanted by substantial and com- fortable hewed-log houses. And finally, here and there, scattered over the now thickly populated country, we see attractive frame and brick houses. What wonderful progress and changes in the short period of a hundred years. And not only is this comfort and progress exhibited in the dwellings and habitations of our people, but even a greater advance has been made in the arts and sciences; for example, the invention of machinery, by which to expedite and carry on the work of agriculture with ease; and the wonderful application of machinery to spinning, weaving and the manufacture of clothing and wearing apparel. Think of the difference in getting clothes now and in the time of our forefathers. Clothes in the early days had to be worked through the process from the raw wool or flax to a piece of linsey-woolsey cloth and then made into suits. Now it is merely a matter of knowing the size or taking the measurements, and a short time the suit of clothes is ready for wear. The log cabin of the pioneer, with its clapboard roof, greased-paper windows and latch-string door, have been replaced with modern dwellings, with all the modern conveniences, such as electric light, steam heat, running water, etc. The old wooden mold-board plow has been replaced by the improved plows of today. The sickle and cradle, those implements which were used with such a great expenditure of toil and energy, have been supplanted by the horse-power reaper and self- binder, the acme of genius. In pioneer times it took several days to go to market and dispose of the products of the farm; now, with the aid of the steam road, electric line and automobile, combined with our pike roads, the trip can be made in a few hours.

The pioneer sold his corn for six and one-half to twelve cents per bushel; wheat, at twenty-five to forty cents per bushel, and often hauled it many miles to market over almost impassable roads to even get those prices. Now. a short distance from his door, and that distance over pike roads, is the railroad, with its elevator, where he can sell his grain, and it can be shipped to distant markets in any part of the country and the best price received. And so with all farm products.

Fairfield township. as was mentioned before, has no large streams within its bound- aries. The township is well watered, for stock purposes, owing to the fiatness of the country and the nature of the soil. There is very little water for mill or manufacturing purposes and. as this is strictly an agricultural township, there is no great need for such. Deer creek is the largest stream within the boundary of Fairfield township. This passes through the southeastern part of the township, entering it from Oak Run and running in a southern and southeastern course about half a mile. then it turns south and con- tinues about one mile and enters Pleasant township. The next largest stream, Oppossum run, was nown in an early day as Plum run. This streamlet flows into Pickaway county. Its present name was given it by John Phebis and Isaac McHenry, two of the early

Digitized by Google

116

MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.

settlers who came up the creek from Yankeetown, is Fayette county, seeking a location. 'As they were traveling up the stream, they were suddenly startled by a large oppossum, with a large brood of young ones clinging to her back; these they killed, and on their return journey they came upon another, which they also killed, and from this circum- stance they gave it the name of oppossum run.

A little southwest of the last-mentioned stream is Lubbergut creek. It takes its rise in the southern portion of the township and runs in a southeastern course, entering Pleasant township. It is related that the name came about as follows: A large, fleshy man by the name of Mantle, who weighed four hundred und eighty pounds, and who lived near the creek, was accustomed to almost daily trips across the foot log. Two neighbors thought they would have a little fun at the expense of the ponderous and weighty Mr. Mantle, so they sawed the foot log from the under side, nearly through, and the next time Mr. Mantle attempted to go across on the log, down it went, with Mr. Mantle on top. He received quite a ducking in the creek, since which incident the creek has ever been known by the euphonious name of Lubbergut run or creek. West of this is a small stream or creek called Tortle run, which completes the list of streams in Fairfield township.

EARLY BETTLERS. ·

Enoch Thomas was among the first to make permanent settlement in this township. He came from "High Knob," Virginia, and settled on Oppossum run in 1807. He was a man of excellent Christian character, a great worker in the United Brethern church, and was the leading active man in organizing the church, which has since been known as Thomas chapel. His house was ever open to their ministers and his hospitality was never exhausted. He lived on the place where he first settled until his death, September 31, 1851, aged seventy-nine years. He married Jemima Phebis, who died on June 17, 1822, aged forty-five years. He married for his second wife Mrs. Foster, nee Dorcas Clark. She died on October 23, 1842, aged sixty-one years. At a very early date Mr. Thomas erected a brick house, which, it is said, was the first of its kind built in the county.

John Phebis, a native of Kentucky, was an early settler at Yankeetown, Fayette county, Ohio, whence he came to Madison county and settled in 1807. Mr. Phebis was a great hunter and devoted himself principally to that occupation; he was a lively, jovial man, a very sociable neighbor and a good citizen. But as this county became settled and the game scarce, he desired better and more extensive hunting-grounds, and finally removed to the Ozark mountains in Missouri. He subsequently became a settler in Indi- ana, where he died, and some of his descendants still reside there.

David Dennison settled in 1807 on Oppossum run. He died on October 1. 1823. Jonathan Benjamin, who settled on land in this township. was a native of New Jersey. Isaac and Daniel Long settled in this locality in 1808; the latter was a preacher in the New Light church. William Ware came from Kentucky, about 1810 or 1812, and settled on the tract of land now occupied by the village of Big Plain. He served as sheriff of the county and was quite a leading, prominent man of the day. James Blair, who was known to every one as "Big Jim," came from Kentucky and settled here about 1813. He died on September 20, 1816, and his remains were interred in the Fitzgerald cemetery. About 1815 Robert Thomas. a native of Virginia, settled on a tract of land just east of Big Plain, but which was then known as California. Thomas Dennison settled in this township in 1815. Charles Henderson, a native of Virginia, came to this county with a surveying party as a chain carrier, and remained a permanent settler here. Richard Newland settled here about 1818. Joseph Jackson came from New Jersey to Cincinnati in 1818. In 1819, he settled near London, and, in 1820, removed to Fairfield township,

Digitized by Google

117

MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.

where he resided until his death, in January, 1861, aged eighty-three years. He was a successful hunter, knew just where to look for the game, and yet he never let hunting interfere with his other business, although it was quite profitable to him. He fully experienced the hardships of pioneer life. He worked for twenty-five cents per day, sold corn for ten to twenty cents per bushel, bacon for one dollar and twenty-five cents per hundred pounds, and chopped and split rails for twenty-five cents per hundred.

William Cartmill was a pioneer from Kentucky and. in the spring of 1813, came to Franklin county, Ohio, and in 1824-25 located in this county. John F. Chenoweth was born in Mason county, Kentucky, September 15, 1793. In 1799 he settled with his par- ents in Ross county, Ohio, and, in 1800, they settled on the Big Darby, Franklin county. He married Margaret Furgus on March 21, 1811, and lived on his father's farm till 1820; he then purchased land in Madison county, where he resided until his death. Edward and Lewis Godfrey settled here about 1825. The former died on June 8, 1833, aged forty-seven years; the latter died on June 3, 1838, aged fifty-two years. James Byers, a native of Pennsylvania, settled in Ross county in 1806. In 1826 he settled in the north part of Fairfield township, Madison county. He was an excellent man and ever ready to assist in any charitable work and to do anything for the benefit of his neighbor.

George Hume and bis wife, Ann (Scott) Hume, settled here in 1826. Mr. Hume died on March 20, 1856. A. Q. Bennett settled here about the same year as did Mr. Hume. Judge Edward O. Fitzgerald and William B. Fitzgerald settled in this town- ship in 1828 and 1829. Judge Fitzgerald was well known in the county and is spoken of everywhere for his integrity and honor. He was identified with this county in its growth and progress for more than half a century and was one of her most honored and respected citizens. Jeremiah Johnson, who settled in this township in 1831, was a native of New Jersey ; in 1855-56 he removed to Warren county, Illinois. Wesley Lilly settled north of Lilly chapel in 1830. Mr. Lilly was closely identified with the early growth and progress of Fairfield township.

John Shepherd was born in Virginia and, accompanied by his wife Judy, came to Ohio soon after the War of 1812, settling in Ross county. About 1831 he came to Madi- son county and settled near California, now Big Plain, and here resided until his death, on August 18, 1850. aged seventy-five years. His wife died about 1809, aged sixty-eight years. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was a prosperous farmer, a worthy neighbor and a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Daniel C. Freeman was born in Belmont county, Ohio, July 28, 1802, his ancestors being from Ireland. In 1833, he became a resident of Fairfield township and was thoroughly identified with her growth and interests. At the organization of the township, in 1835, he became the first clerk. He was a resident of this township for over a half a century.

George Noland, a native of Virginia, settled in this township in 1833. His wife died on October 2, 1862. aged sixty-two years; in 1868, he removed to Missouri where he died on November 4, 1878, aged seventy-four years. J. C. Strain, who settled here in 1834, was a leading and honored citizen of the township, where he resided for over half a century. James D. Truitt, a native of Maryland, became a resident of Madison county in 1811, and of Fairfield township in 1836, settling in the northern part.

John Creath became a settler of this county, with his parents, near Mt. Sterling, in 1811. In 1838, he settled in Fairfield township, where he resided until his death, January 15, 1881. He was an honored and worthy citizen, respected by his neighbors. Valentine Recob settled here in 1846. William D. Pringle settled in this township in 1848, and he and his worthy family have been fully identified with her business interests, improve- ments and progress since that time, their valued and important lives being reflected in the growth of the township. Daniel Thompson settled on Oppossum run quite early, but the exact date is unknown. He built one of the first saw-mills in Fairfield township.

Digitized by Google

CHAPTER VIII. JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.

Jefferson township lies in the east central part of Madison county, being one of the boundary townships. It is bounded on the north by Caanan township; on the west by . Deer Creek and Monroe townships, and on the south by Fairfield township. On the east it is washed for several miles by the waters of Big Darby creek, but when near the southeastern corner, Franklin county stretches west of the creek, forming a part of the eastern as well as about one mile of the southern boundary.

Jefferson township was one of the original subdivisions and embraced a much larger area than it does at the present time. It was erected on April 30, 1810, and under that date is found the following commissioners' record : "Ordered, that all that tract of land comprehended in the following boundary be and the same is hereby created into a separate township, to be known as Jefferson township, and is bounded as follows, viz: Beginning at the lower corner of Calvin's survey, or on the Franklin county line north of Carey's; thence on a straight line west to the Champaign county line; thence south along the said line until it intersects the Deer Creek township line; thence with the said township line east to Franklin county ; thence along said line to the place of beginning." This erection was subsequently declared void, and a second one made on June 11, 1811, on which date the commissioners' records show the following: "Ordered that all the tract of land comprehended within the following boundaries be and is hereby erected into a separate township, by the name of Jefferson, and bounded as follows, viz: Beginning at the south corner of Darby township; thence with the south line of Darby township westerly to a point running south will strike the east boundary of Mark's survey, on Little Darby creek : thence southward to where the state road, leading to Franklinton. crosses the Glade Run branch of Deer creek; thence easterly so as to include all the inhabitants of Darby creek in said township, continuing to Franklin county line; thence with said line to place. of beginning." The commissioners continued to organize different town- ships at a later date, taking a part from Jefferson at various times, giving it different shapes, until its present area and formation was reached. It is very irregular in shape, stretching for about five and a half miles from north to south, and about five and one- fourth miles from east to west.

Jefferson township is, for the most part. rather level and was originally a non- productive region, covered with stagnant water, producing much fever and ague, which retarded the early settlement. It has sufficient elevations and depressions to afford excellent facilities for underdraining. which, of late years, has received no small amount of attention. at present there being thousands of rods of tile buried beneath the surface. Through the medium of the underdraining. the citizens of Jefferson township have rendered it a fine and productive farming country. It has been freed from the early diseases and is a very healthful and productive township and a desirable location. The northern portion of the township is level, but as it nears the central part it becomes more rolling. and finally empties the water from the flats into the Little Darby. The southern portion slopes toward the south and east, emptying its waste waters into the Big Darby through the Little Darby, which flows through the central and southeastern part of the township.

That part of the county from which Jefferson township was formed was composed of

Digitized by Google

119

MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.

oak openings and prairie land. The soil Is of a deep clay loam, capable of the highest fertility, and produces fine crops of wheat, corn, oats and hay. Wool was a staple product of the township in the earlier settlements and is not altogether abandoned. Cattle, horses, sheep and hogs are raised in abundance. Special attention is given to raising cattle. The timber of the township, of any value, consisted mainly of oak, hickory and elm, although there were other varieties existing, such as sycamore and the timbers of lesser value found along streams. The more valuable timbers, such as walnut. poplar, etc., were lacking. The township is watered or rather drained by the Big Darby on the eastern boundary, and Little Darby through the center, and their small tribu- taries, the largest being Price's run. Along the last-named stream are numerous springs of excellent water, some of which possess mineral substance. There are also many pic- turesque spots along its banks. Little Darby, the principal stream traversing the town- ship, enters the territory about half a mile north of the Urbana pike and, with its irregular course to the southeast, makes a total distance within her limits of about ten miles.' It passes out of the township southeast of the village of West Jefferson and one mile and a half south of the National road.

SETTLEMENT.

The honor of being the first white settler within the present limits of Jefferson township must be accorded to Michael Johnson, wife and eight children. Johnson emi- grated from Virginia to this section of the Northwest territory in 1796-97: About the same time, William Lapin located in this township, and subsequently married Margaret. daughter of Michael Johnson, which family had settled about' four miles northwest of the site of West Jefferson. Another pioneer of this township was Silas Springer, who first located near Plain City, but afterwards removed to this township. The next to locate here was Reason Francis. also a native of the Old Dominion.' Mr. Francis emi- grated to the neighborhood in 1800 and settled between the Darbys. He was quite a hunter and loved the chase; possessed many peculiar characteristics, and was a shrewd. sharp business man. Another "early settler was Tobias Bright, who, it is claimed, killed an Indian in 1810, at the old camping-ground on Spring Fork, near its junction with Little Darby creek. He was tried and acquitted. One of the Lapins also shot an'Indian near the same place a few years later, but these events were common in pioneer days. The Indians were, as a rule, inveterately detested, especially by those who had lost friends or relatives during the Indian wars.

About the beginning of the nineteenth century, Nehemiah Gates came into the town- ship. and remained until after the War of 1812. He then returned to his native state of Virginia, married à Miss Johnson, and again came to Madison county. He was married four times, his last wife being a sister to his first. Mr. Gates was a native of the state of New York, and, after his first settlement on Little Darby, he assisted in erecting a mill on that stream. He was an industrious, 'hardworking man. and was much respected by the pioneers. His name is found among the first juries of Madison county.

Philip Sidener came from Bourbon county, Kentucky, in 1802, and settled on the Scioto river, four miles below Franklinton. He built and operated a distillery at this place, but was very much annoyed by the Indians, who were continually begging whiskey of him. and if he would not comply with their wish they would either buy or steal it. After a brief residence in this place. unusual sickness induced him to sell his farm and "strike out" for the Darbys. He built his cabin on the east bank of the Little Darby. about sixty rods south of the National road, and was a close neighbor to Reason Francis and Tobias Bright. A short time after Philip Sidener settled here. Tobias Bright and another neighbor called one evening at the camp of two Indians on Spring fork. After spending the early part of the evening. they started home. and. when a few paces away. Bright turned and shot one of the Indians dead. This cold-blooded act caused great

Digitized by Google

120

MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.

indignation among the Indians and spread general consternation over the settlement. A general uprising was expected and such was the feeling of unrest that it led to Mr. Sidener's removal to Kentucky.

The settlers who remained built a stockade about fifteen feet high, inclosing about an acre of land, including Sidener's cabin. This was in 1811 and some of the posts could be seen as late as 1890. The excitement soon subsided, and Mr. Sidener returned to the place of his former settlement, where he built another cabin.

Such was the life of the earlier settlers and it is interesting to note a few other inci- dents and facts that relate to these early settlers. There were no roads at this time save an Indian trail from the Muskingum and Scioto to Mad rivers, passing just north of the present National road. There were no schools and religious services were held only at intervals, this generally occurring at the home of some pioneer. There were no black- smiths and wagonmakers, but every man was his own mechanic. There were no stores nearer than Franklinton. Quite a number of the early settlers engaged in making whiskey, as this was the only thing they could transport to Chillicothe and profitably exchange for other goods. It is interesting to note that the greatest bulk they took in exchange was salt, which was an actual necessity. The clothing was of buckskin, fax or linsey-woolsey ; the wants of the people were few ; game was plentiful, and there was not much to stimulate the people to exertion, as there was little market for any surplus they might produce.

Bone and muscle were at a premium, as is the case in all countries where mental culture is neglected. And, although the pioneers of this section were educated through the rough education of experience, still they lacked the opportunities of school education. The standard of the pioneer in those times was the physical power of a man. This led to many personal encounters for supremacy of this title. The title of "best man" in a community was contested just as bitterly by our pioneers as the title "belts" of today. Musters were held at Philip Sidener's house four or five times a year, and it is related by these sturdy forefathers that it was no uncommon thing to see twenty or thirty men, with their coats off, either fighting or ready to see fair play between the combatants.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 15

Author: Chester E. Bryan Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1207

Author: Chester E. Bryan
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1207