History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 16

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

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There was a strong feeling of antagonism existing between the Darbyites, as they were then called from the location, and those living on Deer creek. They scarcely ever met without having a rough-and-tumble time to prove their superiority. John, nicknamed "Chunky." was the acknowledged leader among the Darbyites. He was very peaceful except in times of combat. A Mr. Graham was the "bully" among the Deer Creekers. But these men never met in personal encounter.

At that date, about half of the township was prairie. or barrens, thought to be of little value, and, in consequence, the settlements were all made along the streams The first ground plowed in Jefferson township, according to the early settlers, was that lying between the National road and the railroad. just east of Little Darby. This land was placed under cultivation by Mr. Sidener.

The Indians were peaceable, lazy and mostly honest, rarely stealing anything from the whites. The squaws would raise a little corn but the men would spend the time in hunting and fishing. The younger ones used bows and arrows to kill game, as they had not become familiar with fire arms. There was but little money in circulation, and what the pioneers had was gold and silver, paper money not coming into use this far west until a later date. Small change was scarce, and to remedy this a silver dollar was cut into pieces, which passed for their proportionate value. Sometimes a shrewd operator would cut a dollar into nine pieces, instead of eight, and still pass them for the fractional parts, "nine-pence," or one-eightb of a dollar.

William Johnson, according to tradition, settled in Jefferson township about the year 1803. "Uncle Billy," as he was familiarly known, was a native of Virginia, but

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was married in Pennsylvania. He came to the Little Darby with his wife and family, settling about one and a half miles southeast of the present town of West Jefferson. He was through life a farmer, and remained in Madison county until 1842, when he moved to Franklin county and died the following year. He was a man of small stature, but possessed a strong constitution.

Rev. Lewis Foster, who settled In Jefferson township in 1806, brought his wife and seven children with him and located on land given him by his father, Reverend Foster. The latter had embraced the faith of the Methodist church, and commenced preaching while in Pennsylvania. Soon after coming to Ohio, he was able to organize a society at his residence. He remained in this township until 1835 and then removed to Illinois. Today Foster Chapel stands as a monument to his Christian walk and zealous work in its behalf.

Prior to the War of 1812. Nathaniel, Henry and Robert Frakes took up their settle- ment on Little Darby, in this township. They entered the Indian War, in which Nathaniel and Robert were killed, a short time after their settlement in .this county. Henry died a short time after the war. Michael Dickey and a second Robert Frakes also settled at an early date. The latter was a native of England and was much heralded by the settlers in this locality, as he was a cooper by trade, and probably the first one to meet the wants of the few settlers then in Jefferson township. He also carried on farming on a small scale, as his cooper business did not furnish him steady employment. He died in 1830.

Moses Nickens was the first colored settler in this township. He came to Madison county in the year 1810, having served under General Washington in the Continental army. He remained a resident quite a number of years.

Isaac Ruperts came from Virginia about the year 1810 and settled near what was then known as the Gates mill. During the period of the War of 1812, dates the settle- ment of David Harriman and family. He and his wife soon afterward died and the children moved from this county. Jacob Sidener, a son of John T. Sidener, emigrated to this township after the War of 1812. Moses Pippet was also an early settler. Samuel Jones came about the year 1818 with his wife and nine children. The Ayle family were early settlers, among whom was John Ayle, a native of Martinsville, Virginia, and who reached Jefferson township about 1828. He ever after remained in Jefferson township until his death, August 17. 1861. James Burnham was among the early settlers in this township, but the date of his settlement cannot be ascertained. He was born in Wind- ham county, Connecticut, December 12, 1791, and came to Ohio in 1817, with a large train of emigrants, over fifty of whom were Burnhams, and who settled in this and other counties in the state. Mr. Burnham kept a hotel on a stretch of the Columbus and Urbana stage route for a number of years. Mr. Burnham was appointed general of a brigade of cavalry which was organized for protection against the Indians. For many years the parades of this company were marked days in the calendar. In early days Mr. Burnham was elected county commissioner, and was re-elected to this responsible post for a period of fifteen or eighteen years. He also served as justice of the peace for a term of over thirty years. In all of these positions, and wherever known; his name was a synonym for integrity, good judgment and fidelity to every trust. Mr. Burnham died on January 6, 1857. This good old pioneer left a name which can hardly be equalled by any settler of the present day.

The family of Thomas Timmons marks a great place in the early settlements. Mr. Timmons was a native of Pennsylvania and came to this county with the Foster family. He was an industrious pioneer and a man of rugged constitution. He was much interested in the establishment of Alder chapel, and liberally assisted to that end. He was well estimated in the minds of his friends.

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EARLY ROADS.

When the white man first came to this part of the state and began to penetrate the wilds of this territory, they found no roads but a few Indian trails. The most prominent one, as was previously mentioned, was the one from the Muskingum and Scioto rivers to the Mad river. It passed rather westerly through the township, entering just north of the National pike. However. the first road cut out for a thoroughfare was the old state road. It entered the township a little south of the National pike, passing west- ward, bearing a little to the north. and finally crossing the line of the National pike, and continuing in almost the same direction through the township. It was a thoroughfare from east to west, and great stage loads of passengers were hourly seen passing along the line. This, however, was not long open for travel until a road was opened from Amity to Georgesville, being almost due north and south and at right angles to the state road.

The next in order was the great National pike, which was surveyed almost on the fortieth parallel, very nearly due east and west. It awakened the interest of the people. and many who had as yet thought little of settling in Madison county were now induced to come from the east and make their home along such a great road. It was the greatest inducement which could have been offered for settlement in this county. It added new facilities, increased travel and made it possible for the early settlers to transport their products to foreign markets. A short time after the building of the National pike, the old state road was abandoned. After this, roads became more numerous and the records of the county commissioners are filled with petitions for the opening up of new roads.

Mr. Gilmore, according to the' early settlers, was the first man to keep a store in Jefferson township. He was a one-legged man and it was quite difficult for him to get around. He soon concluded to take in a partner and, accordingly. a Mr. Dalby became associated in the business. Mr. Dalby had but one arm, but it seems that the business was managed quite well. Dalby would do the selling and get the goods, while Gilmore would tie them up, and thus they followed their business. Mr. Atkinson kept the first tavern on the state road. The building was of hewed log's and formed a comfortable inn for that day, but with the building of the National road this tavern was closed. J. W. Simpkin's opened a tavern on the National pike. " This was the second tavern to be started on this pike, but the name of the proprietor of the first cannot be learned.

WEST JEFFERSON ...

West Jefferson was first laid out and called New Hampton. When the first settlers located in this part of the county, their closest town or trading point was at Franklinton (now Columbus), a distance of fifteen to twenty miles, for some of the pioneers, and over mud roads. It was decided to lay out a place in the township, where some one would keep in store such necessaries as were likely to be handled by a pioneer merchant. In consequence, on July 5, 1822, Samuel Jones and Samuel Sexton acknowledged the original plat of New Hampton and the signing of the deed, before Justice A. Burnham, and it was recorded July 13, of the same year. There were three streets east and west, viz., Main, North and South streets. each sixty feet wide, and two alleys east and west, viz., Jones and Sexton. The streets north and south were five in number; the first three. Friend, Center and Pearl, were each sixty feet in width, and the latter two. Union and Prairie, were forty-nine and one-half in width. There were ninety-three lots in the first and only plat of New Hampton, mostly four by ten poles in size. The town, at the height of its prosperity, consisted of a.store or two, two or three taverns, a postoffice. about seven families and a Baptist church. Soon after this hamlet was opened up, a Mr. Gilmore started a store, referred to in the preceding paragraph. It is generally believed that Benjamin Pike kept the postoffice and tavern in New Hampton as early as 1825.

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Another tavern was kept in New Hampton by a widow lady, whose name is given as Tacy Widener. Soon after the building of the National road, in 1836-37, all business houses and dwellings were moved to the great road, and the pioneer village was abandoned.

West Jefferson was first called Jefferson and, in reality, still bears this name, as the records show. but the postoffice was called West Jefferson and common usage has given the town this name also. It is very probable that steps will be taken in the near future to change this name by law to West Jefferson.

The town was laid out on September 13, 1830, by Rev. Isaac Jones, who owned the land. The first plat called for sixty-four lots and was surveyed in the fall of the same year by James Millikan. Unlike most towns, only a few years elapsed until, on April 24, 1834, the first meeting was held for the incorporation of the village. This meeting was held at the postoffice and motions were passed to have special laws and town government, as the citizens deemed advisable. At this meeting John W. Simpkins was chosen presi- dent; David Wilson, recorder; David Mortimore, Ferrin H. Olmsteadt, James. Roberts, Wilson Graham. Abraham Hare and Joseph Powers were chosen common council; Joseph Powers was chosen marshal and Ezekiel Arnett was appointed the first street supervisor.

The first ordinance the council passed was to charge circus shows, etc., the sum of ten dollars license for every twenty-four hours' exhibition. "At the same meeting they passed an ordinance to charge a grocery-keeper the sum of thirty-five dollars license a year. In May, 1834, the council passed an ordinance that the president should have for his services and stationery annually, twelve dollars; recorder, ten dollars; marshal, five dollars, and treasurer, five dollars. At the second meeting of the council all' members for non-attendance. Subsequently, James Roberts was also fined one dollar for non- attendance, but this sum was refunded to both in August, 1834. The first calaboose was were present save Olmsteadt, who, by motion of Abraham Hare, was fined one dollar built in 1835, at a cost of about sixty dollars. .

.. The new town ' soon grew to be of considerable importance, in consequence of the opening of the National road, and ere a great while it was not an uncommon occurrence to see daily. the five hotels thronged with travelers and the street lined with stages and horses. Among the early merchants were Mr. Dalby, who built the Mantel house, keeping tavern and store in the same building; Thomas Mortimore, J. W. Simpkins, W. J. Black, J. Hancock, W. Graham and Nathan C. Davis, who was associated with Calvin Horr. Abraham Hare was a hatter by trade and opened up the first business of this kind in the town. J. W. ("Squire") Simpkins kept the first postoffice, which was designated West Jefferson. having moved his office from New. Hampton. The town seemed to grow rapidly and large business firms located here. At one time it was the leading business point in the county.

In 1846, with his father. Doctor . Bliss established a large wholesale and retail dry- goods trade in Jefferson, but. at the height of their mercantile trade, Doctor Bliss died, and the business finally became extinct. The population of the village at this time was six or seven hundred. stage coaches did a thriving business and the freight; to and from the village. was hauled in wagons drawn by four and six horses. There were two hat- teries, which made hats and caps from the fur of wild animals caught in the woods. There were two slaughter houses, run by Jeannette Stutson and Crabb & Parks. These did a flourishing local business and killed all the hogs raised in the immediate neighbor- hood. These two firms later built two grist-mills after the completion of the Pennsyl- vania railroad. in 1850, and shipped flour and feed to distant parts. The first mill was equipped with four sets of burrs and they did an extensive local business, utilizing all the wheat grown in this section. There were also two tanneries, owned by E. S. Han-

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cock and Balser Mantel. They did a large local business and furnished the shoe makers with their leather for boots and shoes. At that time the shoemaker "whipped the cat"-going to a farm house, where he took the measurements for shoes and boots for the entire family and remained until he had them all fitted out. There was also a carding-mill in Jefferson, which was run by Charles C. Jones. The farmers brought in their wool and it was carded into rolls some two feet long by an inch in diameter. This mill was patronized by the entire east side of the township. Later other establishments were erected and carried on, but when the Little Miami railroad was completed through West Jefferson, it demoralized the travel on the National road and badly affected the busines of the village. Goods could now be shipped in and sold cheaper than they could be manufactured at home and the local industries began to disappear. For a time the village was at a standstill, but, with the coming of new settlers and the advanced changes in conditions, which began to be taken advantage of in this little village, new life began to spring up. The railroad has been a great advantage to the town and this has been increased by the building of the Ohio Electric line from Columbus to Spring- field. This was completed in 1905 and is the main line of this road. In 1913-14 the Pennsylvania railroad raised its tracks through the town and now all the roads and streets go under the tracks. This is a great advantage, as it alleviates the possibility of accidents and also takes the tracks off the streets.

West Jefferson at present is a flourishing town of one thousand seventy population. Work has already begun on paving the main street, which will extend almost a mile in length and cost forty-two thousand dollars. A new high school building was erected in 1911, at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars, and the children of this town are accommodated with the best possible facilities for acquiring a preparatory education. The building is modern and up-to-date in every respect and is an evidence of the interest and desire of the citizens of the town to furnish their children with the proper facilities for education. The town hall and opera house was erected in 1883. at a cost of twenty- five thousand dollars. It is a modern and very beautiful building and affords oppor- tunities for public meetings and shows, having a seating capacity of six hundred. The city library, postoffice and the offices of the different town officials are all located in this building. The village is supplied with natural gas for lighting purposes, which is piped in from Columbus. Plans are under way to secure electric lighting for the city and residences, as this has already been furnished to the canning factory and elevator. This will be furnished to the city by the Ohio Electric Company. The Commercial Men's Club was organized June 15, 1915, with fifty-two members. Dr. L. E. Evans was chosen president ; Howard Johnson, secretary, and R. C. Millikin, treasurer. W. J. Burns is the oldest man in the town, with Edward Powell a close second. Mr. Powell was born on July 2, 1828, in Ireland, but came to this country and, after remaining a year or two in Cincinnati, settled in Jefferson on July 4, 1855. He was married in 1858 and has remained in this village since that time, keeping house in the same residence the greater part of that time. L. C. Eglesperger is the oldest resident in the town. He has been a resident for seventy-six years, having been born here in 1839.

The present town officials are: Dr. A. F. Green, mayor ; Willard Culp, clerk ; William Redmond, treasurer; Oscar Sprague, marshal; Albert Clark, night watchman; Dr. Lester Olney, P. W. Damson, E. J. Buckley, Forrest Brown, George Baber and George Hann. council. There are four churches and four lodges, which will be referred to specifically in another chapter.

The business and professional directory of the town is as follow : Attorney, E. W. Johnson ; agent Pennsylvania railroad, William Redmond; agent Ohio Electric Company, Mary Stickley ; bakery, Frank Wise, Harvey Johnson; barbers. Horn Fairman, Wood- ward, Neighborgall and McNeill; blacksmiths, Oscar Sprague, Mitchell & Miller, John-

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son ; confectionery, M. W. Stutson; contractor, Frank Moorehead; clothing, M. Keener & Sons; druggist, Z. R. Taylor; dry-goods, Jacob Martin, Harry Sorin, Embrey store, T. C. Gregg, proprietor; dry cleaning, West Jefferson Cleaning Company, Valentine Albrand, proprietor ; dentist, H. F. Jackson; elevator, Meyer & Silver, John Murray; factory, Darby Canning Company; furniture and undertaking, W. H. Pence, Jonah E. Barr; garage, Harvey Pence; grist-mill, Jenkins Brothers; groceries, Frank Orders, Baker Brothers, Burrell's grocery; hardware, William Haislett, George Gillivan, Samuel A. Fetter, E. J. Buckley ; hotel, Star, John Kubitschack; jeweler, M. Bord; livery barn, William Baber; meat market, Frank Ingel, Groves; physicians, Lester W. Olney, L. E. Evans, A. F. Green; pool room, Jesse Byerly; postmaster, John Bidwell; restaurant, . Frank Wise, Lon Reason ; saloon, W. H. Wise, William Bengal ; shoe shops, John Burns, Jessup; tailor, H. Pugatch; veterinary, Wade Smith.

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CHAPTER IX. MONROE TOWNSHIP.

Monroe township is one of the smallest in the county, and, in shape, is nearly that of an obtuse triangle. It lies in the north central part of the county and is one of the three townships that does not extend to the edge of the county. It is bounded on the north by Pike township and a fraction of a mile of Darby; on the east by Canaan and Jefferson townships; on the south and west by Deer Creek and Somerford townships. The following record is taken from the commissioners' report of March 16, 1819: "At a meeting of the commissioners, present, Burton Blizzard, Ira Finch and Patrick McLene, on petition being presented, ordered that the following bounds comprise a new township, to be known and designated by the name of Monroe: Beginning on the present line between Deer Creek and Pike townships, at the upper corner of Wallace's survey, running eastwardly, so as to cross Little Darby at the mouth of Barron run, to the original line between Pike and Darby townships; thence with the original line until it intersects Jefferson township line at Mark's survey; then to Henry Camp's lower corner; thence northwesterly with the new road leading to Urbana, including the same as far as to where said road crosses the London road; thence in a straight line to the place of beginning." In constituting Phelps township (now Canaan), in June of the same year. and subsequently, in enlarging Pike township by taking a portion off of Monroe township, its boundary lines were changed from the above description to its present lines and limits.

The principal streams and the only sources of drainage in this township are the Little Darby and Spring fork. The former courses through the entire township, in the central eastern portion, passing in a southeastern direction into Jefferson township; Spring fork enters Monroe township from its northwest corner, and meanders in a south- easterly course, nearly through the township, and empties into the Little Darby about one mile north of the south line of the township. The surface of this township is very level, except along these two creeks, where the land is somewhat broken and hilly. Especially along the Little Darby, on both sides for a little distance from the creek, the surface is quite broken, and in some places rather hilly. East of the stream. and between the Little Darby and Spring fork, the surface is very level after passing westward over a little undulating portion along Spring fork, then all westwardly is very level. In the western and central portions of the township, also in the southeastern part, are large farms. consisting of prairies and oak openings, which are most beautiful lands and peculiarly adapted to grazing purposes. The soil of these portions is generally a black loam, from one to three feet thick. It has in late years been ditched. tiled and drained. and since this work has been completed it produces all kinds of grain in abundance, and will vie in richness and productiveness with any lands in the county. Along the creeks, where the surface is undulating, the soil is generally a clay, but very strong and pro- ductive, and it can truly be said that Monroe ranks among the best townships of the county for stock and grain raising. The principal products are wheat. corn. potatoes and hay. The timber is similar to that of other townships in this part of the county. On the oak openings, burr oak, hickory and elm are the principal varieties, the former predominating. On the streams are some walnut, and the uneven and hilly portions, where the clay soil predominates, white, black and red oak, hickory. ash and some beech

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abound. But In this township the timber did not play an important part in the natural resources of the settlers and has been of minor importance, except to get it off the land in order to produce good pasturage and tillage.

FIRST SETTLERS.

It seems certain that the first family to settle within the limits of Monroe township were the Bradleys, who came to this county from Virginia. There were five brothers and sisters in this family that settled here, Jonah, David, James, Susan and Nancy. They settled in this township about 1804-05.

Jonah Bradley settled on Spring creek and married Susan Powers, who also was a native of Virginia. To this union the following children were born: Alfred. who mar- ried Jemima Morrow, and settled in this township; she died and he later married a Miss Lee; subsequently he moved to Mercer county, where he resided several years, and where his second wife died, after which he returned to this county, where he remained a resident until his death, which occurred by accidental drowning while on a trip to Mercer county; he was the father of six children, four of whom grew to maturity, David, John M., Elizabeth and Jemima. David and John (brothers of Alfred) married in this county and remained here until their deaths. Jonah was the fourth son. There were five daughters, Elizabeth, Mahala, Mary, Sarah and Susan. Mr. Bradley followed farming and milling through life. A few years after locating here, he erected a grist- mill on Spring fork, run by water power, which was one of the first mills in this vicinity. Prior to his building this mill, the settlers had to take their grists to Chillicothe, which was also the closest place to buy goods. This mill was one of the great improvements of that day, and was a great convenience to the people of this new settlement. Mr. Bradley was a carpenter by trade, built his mill with his own hands, and to a great extent made his own wagons and implements for the use of the farm, thus bringing his skill and trade into good use in that early day, when such articles were then so difficult to obtain. Mr. Bradley died in April, 1865, aged eighty years.

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History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 16

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

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