USA > Ohio > Madison County > History of Madison County, Ohio : its people, industries and institution with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families > Part 68
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139
FEARS OF TROUBLE GROUNDLESS.
There have been many doubts expressed as to the advisability of placing on their honor, men who have been committed to state prisons. It is argued that men are sent to prison to be punished and that placing them on a farm, under no restraint what- ever, removes the sting of punishment. Also, it is claimed, that men will not remain on the farm without constant watching.
The record of the state farm at London refutes these arguments. Since prisoners have been on the farm only one has broken his parole and walked away. The men are not guarded-they are sent to the farm to work and are placed on their honor to remain. Their sentences are "indeterminate" under the new law, and if they make good in a year or two on the farm they are in line for an early discharge.
The fact that they are not under guard and that they are in the great ont-of-doors where each has an equal chance to make good, to make his record show, appeals to the man and he works. He works not listlessly. not as a shirker under compulsion, but as a man who is proud of his ability and eager to prove his worth. The very removal of necessity for routine work gives added pleasure to the out-door labor and the men all show their appreciation.
The prison farm is yet in its infancy. The plans are made which will cover years of concentrated endeavor, but the start has been made and it is to be hoped that the project will be carried to completion. It is hinted that within a few years the entire penitentiary. shops, factories and all. will be moved to the new farm site. The probable location. in such an event. would be on the Ohio Electric railroad, between London and Summerford.
At present the farm is here and it will be profitable for anyone to go out and see it. Do not expect too much. Go prepared to grasp the entirety of the proposition : go prepared to realize the enormity of the field and the limited basis given the super- intendent and his foreman to work on-then you will be ready to praise the efficiency of Mr. Herron and Mr. Noggle aud the state carpenter. Mr. Whittaker. for the splendid plant they have begun.
EARLY BURIALS.
The following incident was related by Mrs. Alice Eastman, whose father. Mr. Finch, had the personal knowledge of the incident. In the early days there were not nearly so many undertakers as there are at the present time and coffins were quite often not to be had. Very frequently when a person passed away. rough boards were planed off. cut the proper size and nailed together for a casket. Sometimes the lid was fastened on with hinges and nearly always screwed fast when the casket was finally closed. Quite frequently they were covered with white muslin for a child and black
469
MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
paper muslin for an adult, but more often they were without covering. The fine shav- ings from the planing were used as filling in the bottom to lay the body on and for the pillow.
When Jonathan Alder died they took a tree trunk of sufficient length, sawed it lengthwise and scooped or hollowed out the inside with a sort of bent drawing knife to make a hollow large enough for the body to lay in. Then auger holes were bored in the corners and after the body was placed in this rustic casket the top was laid on and fastened down with wooden pins driven into these holes and the body was laid to rest.
OHIO STATE FISH HATCHERY.
The Ohio state fishery, three and one-half miles northwest of London, is a place of great interest. Its present superintendent is George Morcher, who is a native of Seneca county, but has been in his present position nine years, giving most eminent satisfaction, and showing to the state of Ohio that he is fitted by nature and study for the business of fish culture. Mr. Morcher is in love with his work. He is and has always been both a student and a close observer. Book lore alone, has not made him the successful man that he is, but observation, patience, infinite care, have all contributed .. After nine years of thought and labor he has developed the fishery into a place of beauty as well as wonder. Nineteen ponds have been constructed and in them are cropies, black and gray bass and cat fish. From these are hatched yearly as high as five hundred thousand fish, all used by the wardens in stocking the rivers, lakes and ponds of the state. Mr. Morcher is engaged in a great work and enjoys the confi- dence of the officials and people of Ohio.
INCIDENTS FROM THE LIFE OF A PIONEER.
James Porter, one of the pioneer settlers of Madison county, was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, in 1789. In the year 1794 his father removed to Ross county, Ohio. Here the boy grew to manhood during an exciting pioneer period, subject to Indian marauding and raids. He took an active part in the defense of the settlers and soon became a noted scout and woodsman. During the War of 1812 he acted in the capacity of a soldier, scout and dispatch bearer. Owing to his great size-he being six feet six inches tall and weighing from two hundred and seventy-five to three hundred pounds- he was known as "Big Jimmie Porter."
In 1817 Mr. Porter married Elizabeth Kilbourn, of Ross county. They moved to Madison county in 1820 and settled in Union township, in what is now known as the West End. Here he commenced to improve a tract of land consisting of one thousand one hundred acres. which lies mostly south of the present Springfield road. The log cabin in which he went to housekeeping was located on that part of his land which was owned until lately by the heirs of his son. James G. Porter.
In October, 1820, Mr. Porter's wife died. leaving six children in his care. As he could not make satisfactory provision for the care and schooling of his children here, he took them to Ross county and placed them among relatives and friends. After returning to Madison county, he continued to make improvements on his land. He was known as an energetic worker, but he was never too busy but that he could make several trips a year to Ross county to see his children. The distance was fifty miles, but he always took it afoot and covered the distance in one day. He was thought to have known more trails and short cuts through the forests of central Ohio than any man in Madison county.
In 1834, James Porter married . Mary Bradley Tingley, a widow with one child. They went to housekeeping in a house, consisting of two log cabins with an entry between them -- a typical cabin of the day. In preparing additional room for his family,
470
MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
be built a two-story log cabin close by. When the cabin was completed. he went to Ross county after his six children. The trip was made with the usnal conveyance of the day-a wagon and a team of horses. After the family was reunited and installed in their new home, work went on with renewed energy.
In 1841 Mr. Porter began to collect material for a new house. The framing and dimension lumber was sawed from logs taken from his own land and hauled four miles to the nearest saw-mill: the weather-boarding. finishing Inmber and doors were hanled from Dayton, Ohio: the lath and lime for plastering were brought from Springfield, but the brick was burned on the ground close by. The honse was completed and ready for ocenpaney in December. 1842. The event was celebrated at Christmas time by a honse- warming and dinner. to which all his neighbors and friends were invited. This affair lasted for two days. After the honse was occupied by his family. he built a barn which. when completed, was one of the largest in Madison county at that time.
James Porter was always interested in public affairs, and especially education. lle donated the land for the Garrard school honse. This house has long disappeared and has been replaced by a brick building in a different location. being now known as the Oak Rin school. In 1844. at his invitation, there was a rennion at his home of the soldiers of the War of 1812. A few of those who attended were. Colonel Brush. Doctor Toland. Jacob Thompson. George Cornwell and others from Madison and adjoining connties.
In 1850 James Porter was accidentally killed at a house raising. At his death the estate was divided up among his children. By his energy and enterprise he had bronght under cultivation between four hundred and five hundred acres of land. The home place came into the ownership of his danghter, Harriet Porter-Coover. This farm was willed by his granddaughter, Bertha Coover, to Madison comty as an experiment farm for the advancement of agriculture.
James Porter is given as a typical pioneer, whose energy and enterprise. in con- nection with his compatriots. Samuel Prngh. Valentine Wilson. Matthew Bonner. Jacob Thompson, James Rankin. Thomas Jones. Coleman Asbury and others, through them- selves and their descendants. have built np Madison county from a wilderness and have made it one of the leading counties of Ohio.
DAVID WATSON JR
BIOGRAPHICAL
THE WATSON FAMILY.
Of the early families in Madison county, Ohio, none from their earliest settlement have contributed more to the general progress of this county, than this sturdy family, whose descendants may yet be found occupying conspicuous places in the social and business life of the county today. The Watson family in Madison county dates from David Watson, Sr., who came to this county when it was but a wilderness and when Indians still lived about in great mmmbers.
David Watson was the son of Walter and Rachael Watson, who were born in Mary- land. Mrs. Walter Watson was a strong. consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Walter Watson, the father, was noted for his great physical strength. David Watson was born in Calvert county. Maryland. He was a man of keen intellect and in early manhood was noted for his great physical prowess. He left home when four- teen years of age, with a Captain Brandon on a sailing vessel. While on the vessel he discovered a negro slave as a stowaway, whom he secretly fed, and when the vessel reached Beverly, Massachusetts, the negro gained his freedom. David Watson attended school a short time while in Massachusetts, living in Captain Brandon's home. the cap- tain having sailed for England. Ou March 23. 1798, the captain having returned, David Watson embarked on the vessel and sailed for Newfoundland and experienced many exciting- adventures among the ice floes. He returned home with a great catch of fish and immediately prepared for a second voyage. This voyage took them to the coast of what was then called British America.
After this the captain, who had been offered a berth as first mate on a British East Indian merchantman, declined to accept, but gave David his choice of going as a cabin- boy, which he accepted. On this voyage David encountered many experiences, and suffered somewhat at the hands of the captain, who had a very violent temper; he also took part in a fight with a school of whales which attacked the ship, and on this voyage was intro- duced to Neptune. "the old man of the sea." During this voyage he incurred the cap- tain's displeasure and suffered severely, at one time being flogged with the cat-o'-nine- tails, a punishment inflicted in early seafaring days. They touched various ports and were on their homeward voyage when captured and taken prisoners by a French sloop- of-war. This, was done because France at this time was demanding the return of funds loaned to this country during the Revolutionary War. this incident occurring under the presidency of John Adams. They were taken to Cayenne, South America, the cargo confiscated and the crew thrown in jail.
They remained in jail abont ten weeks and at this time, a Captain Adams, of Balti- more, hearing of their imprisonment, came to the jail and inquired if there was not a little American boy in jail. David at once replied, "Yes." He took David aboard his ship and sailed for Lisbon. Portugal, where they soon arrived and while there witnessed
472
MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
the horrors of an earthquake, which almost destroyed Lisbon. Here they disposed of the cargo and sailed for Hamburg. While at the latter place David had the pleasure of seeing the King and Queen of Denmark.
From Hamburg, they set sail for London and, while at this place, saw many crim- inals hung from the gibbet. From England the ship sailed to Bordeaux, France. After leaving Bordeaux, the ship was seized by a British man-o'-war and the cargo confiscated. They at length set sail for New York and in time arrived there, after a voyage from home lasting six years.
After arriving. David started for his home by way of Philadelphia. While in Phila- delphia he shipped on a packet and in four or five days reached Alexandria, Virginia. He visited Washington and eventually reached home, his parents during his absence having moved one hundred miles away from their former home and were now living in Frederick county. Virginia.
In the fall of 1803. David while attending a religious revival, became possessed with great religious fervor. AAbout this time attention was being given to the great unknown West. to which settlers were flocking each day from beyond the Alleghanies. David proposed to his father that they move to Ohio and his father consented to David going. promising to come with the family if the new country was as good as represented. A Mr. Helphenstine was going to Ohio about this time and David, joining him, reached Chillicothe in October. 1805. remaining here until the following January.
Here they met Colonel Langam, who was starting for the back-country of Ohio to lay warrants and divide land. David and his companion joined him as assistants. They reached their destination, where David assisted in surveying land, of which seventeen hun- dred acres later became the homestead of David, his property, which he bought with services, also trading his horse and watch for a part of it. The party, including David. returned to Chillicothe. In 1806 David started back to Virginia and, finding many will- ing to join him, mustered a company of thirty-nine persons, who accompanied him back to Ohio. Of these persons, David Watson was the only one alive in 1870. On this trip. Jonathan Minshall. the founder of the Minshall family in this state, accompanied him. David Watson's father built a log cabin, as did also Jonathan Minshall, these being the first structures of the kind in this part of the country.
About this time the colony felt the need of spiritual guidance and, after consulting with his father and Mr. Minshall, it was decided that Mr. Minshall should bring the Rev. Mr. Lakin. from Chillicothe, who came and delivered the first Methodist sermon preached in this part of the country. Thereafter meetings were held in the elder Watson's home until 1822. During this year David's mother died suddenly, her funeral sermon being preached by Rev. Joh Strange. About 1818. Bishop Asbury visited these parts and David Watson met him at a camp-meeting held where Mechanicsburg now stands. On July 28, 1807. David Watson went to Franklinton to secure a marriage license, and he was married July 29, 1807, taking Mary Helphenstine as his partner through life. She was born on March 5, 1793, her family having been neighbors of the Watsons in the East. They commenced housekeeping in a cabin belonging to a Mr. Smith, which stood where Samuel Watson, the son of David, later lived.
Later David and his wife moved into their own cabin, which he had erected, and after encountering many vicissitudes and obstacles of early indebtedness, soon had a start which was substantial for those days. London having been designated as the county seat, cabins were springing up in the new town and David, having a surplus of farm products, was one of the first to bring foodstuffs for sale into the new town of London. This was about 1810.
In 1812 the early settlers, as a consequence of the war of 1812, were called upon
473
MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
to build a blockhouse near where Marysville now stands, David assisting in this. David had joined a military company that was formed and camped in Franklinton. Becoming ill, he and others were discharged and returned home. From 1818 to 1824 David Watson was hired to distribute the laws in a district embracing fifteen counties in this section of Ohio. In 1822 David's father died. his mother having died earlier in the same year.
Among the Indians living here David was very popular, and was greatly admired by them for his physical prowess, often wrestling with them. He hired one of these Indians, for the sum of one dollar and a half. to blaze a trail for him to Clifton on the Miami to a grist-mill. the grain having previously been taken to Chillicothe. This was the first path to be opened to the Miami and was minch used thereafter. David Watson prospered and might be said to have been one of the most popular men of his day in the county. During his latter years he was a man of great religious fervor and helped to mold the religious sentiment in this part of Ohio. He furthered all good causes, and to him the county owes a debt of reverence for his prominent part in the substantial foundation he helped to lay for the present attainments of Madison county. His wife died on January 10, 1855. To their union were born the following children : Sussanah, born on September 29, 180S: James. December 20, 1810: Eliza- beth, June 15, 1815: Mary E., September 16, 1817; Samuel II .. September 7, 1821; Isabelle, September 10, 1824: Stephen. June 4. 1827; David, Jr .. June 24. 1830; Cath- erine P., April 26, 1833; Josephine, March 19, 1836; Louisa, December 27. 1840.
David Watson. Jr., the ninth child of David and Mary Watson, was born in the old homestead erected by his father and, like most boys of his time, was reared to the pursuit of agriculture. He grew to manhood in this county and here spent prac- tically all his life. He was married to Elizabeth Jones, who was born in Madison county, the daughter of John C. and Sarah A. (Taylor) Jones. The Jones family came to this county from Tennessee in 1821, Zacheus Jones, the father of Joli C. Jones, removing to this county in that year; his father, Solomon, came to the United States from England.
David Watson, Jr., and his wife established themselves in the old Watson home- stead erected by his father, which was situated four miles southwest of London, on the Xenia pike. This was the original land which was bought by David Watson. Sr.
David Watson, Jr., was a quiet man, of a retiring disposition, but when the call for volunteers came during the Civil War he volunteered and was selected as captain of his company, serving with credit. He was known and loved for his boundless charity, and his name was synonymous with everything that meant Christian charity and benevolence towards all men. No one was ever turned away from his door hungry and his bounty was extended to all who were in need. He lived an unostentations life, preferring that his many kindly deeds be received as quietly as they were per- formed. He had no ambitions to shine as a spectacular citizen, and preferred to do the little good of each day unheralded and unsung. Ile was truly a good man, who will ever be remembered as one of the kindliest and most benevolent men who have ever lived in this county.
To David Watson, Jr., and his wife were born the following children : Robert, Mary and Louise. Of these Mary became the wife of Lee Williams and lives in Lon- don ; Robert, now deceased, was a brilliant law student in Harvard University until removed by death in his twenty-fourth year. Louise is the wife of Rea Chenoweth and lives in London.
David Watson, Jr., died on June 11. 1886, and his wife died on April 25. 1905. Their remains are interred in Paint township cemetery.
474
MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
WYATT MINSHALL.
For many years no name was better known in the business and financial circles of Madison county than that of Minshall, James Q. and Wyatt Minshall, father and son, having been in their day two of the most prominent figures in the business life of London, the county seat, and thus exerting a wide influence thronghont the whole connty. The Minshall family was established in this county in 1807, several years before the creation of the county as a political entity, and in all the years since has done well its part in advancing the best interests of the commonwealth.
James Q. Minshall, for many years president of the Madison National Bank, of London, father of the immediate subject of this memorial sketch, was born in Paint township, this county, on March 17. 1815, son of Jonathan and Eleanor Minshall, pioneers of this region, who emigrated from Virginia to Ross county, this state, in 1806; one year later moving from Ross county to the section now comprised in Paint township, Madison county. where they established their home and where they spent the rest of their lives. becoming widely recognized as among the strongest factors in the early development of that section of the county. James Quinn Minshall, son of this pioneer pair, began life for himself at the age of twenty-one, at which time he left the parental roof to take a position with one Anderson, who kept a stage station and tavern near by and subse- quently a hotel at Lafayette, this county. During three years of such service. James Q. Minshall accumulated the sum of three hundred dollars, which he used to good advant- age in setting himself up as a farmer and dealer in live stock. He prospered from the very start of this venture, his energetic and progressive methods bringing him rapidly to the front, until he presently was recognized as one of the most substantial men in this part of the state. He gradually increased his original land holdings until he was the owner of thirty-five hundred acres of choice land in Range. Paint and Union town- ships, this county, and was a large stockholder in the Madison National Bank, of Lon- don, of which for a long time prior to and until his death, he was the president.
Shortly after engaging in business for himself, and with firm faith in his future. James Q. Minshall was united in marriage to Hannah Watson, daughter of Samuel Watson, a well-known pioneer of this county, and to this imion five children were born. uamely: Wyatt. the immediate subject of this memorial review, Clarestine. Leon. Sarah and Addie. The mother of these children died in June. 1866, and in April, 1867, Mr. Minshall married, secondly, Lydia Powell, to which union there was no issue. James Q. Minshall died at his home in London, this county, on August 28, 1875, and there was general mourning throughout the county when the news became known. From a penni- less boy, he had attained a position of power in influence in the community, a position he never abused. Tireless in doing good and nobly generous in his private charities. bis warm heart and sympathetic nature rendering him incapable of turning a deaf ear to the cry of want. he made for himself a name which long will endure throughout this county.
Wyatt Minshall, son of James Q. and Hannah ( Watson) Minshall. was born on the the home farm near Midway, in this county, in 1839, and was reared there, receiving his education in the schools of that neighborhood. On October 21. 1863. he enlisted in Company K. Ninety-fifth Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was taken prisoner by the enemy shortly after entering the service. After some time spent in a Confederate prison, pen he was paroled and returned home. where he was married to Elizabeth Fisher. When his furlough expired, Wyatt Minshall rejoined his regiment, with which he remained until the close of the war, during which time be saw some very brisk action. Upon the cessation of hostilities between the states, Mr. Minshall returned to Madison county and entered upon a business career that proved remarkably successful. For
475
MADISON COUNTY, OHIO.
more than thirty years he was connected with the Madison National Bank, of which his father so long was president, and during this time was active in all movements designed to advance the best interests of London and Madison county. A notable characteristic of Mr. Minshall was the systematic and exact methods employed by him in the transaction of his extensive business affairs. Mr. Minshall was an earnest and active member of the Methodist church at London and at the time of his death had been for years a member of the official board of that church. His death occurred at his home in London on Monday, December 29, 1902, and was the occasion for wide mourning throughout the county. for he, even as his father had been, had been a good citizen. tried and true, faithful in all his relations with his fellow men.
To the union of Wyatt and Elizabeth (Fisher ) Minshall there was born but one child, a daughter, Minnie, now the widow of the late Charles Cheseldine, for many years a prominent merchant of the city of London and president of the Madison National Bank. who is living with her two sons, Raymond and Kenneth, in their pleasant home in London.
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.