History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 49

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490

USA > Ohio > Washington County > Marietta > History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 49

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).

John and Hugh came to this country in

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY.

1820, settling in Watertown (now Paimer ). John was married December 6, 1821, to Agnes Fleming who died July 7, 1838. Their fam- ily numbered three sons and three daughters. Andrew F., John, Robert, Jane, Nancy and Martha. John died December 13, 1862. The others settled near the old homestead, except- ing Martha the wife of C. A. Brown. Mr. Breckenridge was elected County Commis- sioner in 1849, serving a term of three years. He was married again, in 1852, to Mrs. Mar- garet Breckenridge, who died February 5, 1871.

Hugh married Martha Harvey, January 23, 1824. Their five daughters were: Ann, who died April 14, 1862; Nancy; Elizabeth, who died June 7, 1846; Jane; and Isabell. Mr. Breckenridge was killed April 8. 1838, at a barn raising on the farm of Nathan Bell of Barlow, his brother John receiving severe in- juries at the same time. Mrs. Breckenridge. who survived her husband over 30 years, died March II, 1869.

Edward. William, Elizabeth and Nancy in company with 15 others came to the county in 1830. Edward married Jane Fleming in 1832 and settled in Watertown township. Their family of nine children were: Andrew, John. William, Edward, James F., Agnes, Jane C., Mary and Elizabeth. Elizabeth died July 12, 1848, and John, July 25 1857. James as a member of the 148th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., died at Baltimore, Maryland, while in the ser- vice of his country, September 10, 1864. Mrs. Breckenridge died December 19, 1865, and Mr. Breckenridge, January 20, 1892.

William settled in Barlow and married Margaret Harvey in the spring of 1831. She died February 12, 1846, leaving an only son Harvey, who is a resident of Marseilles, Illi- nois. Mr. Breckenridge was married again in 1847 to Ellen Reed, of Wheeling, West Vir- ginia. Their three children are: Andrew W., Oliver, and Maggie E. Mr. Brecken- ridge died September 20, 1893, and his wife, May 7, 1894.

Elizabeth married David Reed in 1838.

Their family consisted of Hugh, David, Nan- cy, and Isabell.

Nancy married David Greenlees in 1833. Mr. Greenlees came from Scotland to this county in 1832 and settled near Watertown village on the farm where he lived 59 years. He died October 4, 1891, and his wife, July 7, 1890. Their family of two sons and three | daughters, Sarah, Andrew, Thomas, Jane, and Agnes, are all residents of Washington County.

THE HARVEST HOME PICNIC,

Which is held in August, has for the last twenty years been one of the pleasant social events in Watertown. The first picnic. of which we have any record in the county pa- pers, was held Saturday, August 19, 1882, in Curry's Grove. The speakers were Rev. G. W. Wesselius, J. M. Murdock, George B. Quinn, Gen. Rufus R. Dawes, Gen. A. J. Warner and Judge F. J. Cutter. Music was furnished by the Watertown Band and a glee club. Messrs. Roscoe Wolcott, James Dun- bar, and Eli Gingham are named among the promoters, but no official record is given. The reporter for the Marietta Register choses his account by saying,-"The day ended pleasant- ly and the picnic was inaugurated as an insti- tution to stand and to hold annual reunions." From this sentence we suppose that the meet- ing of 1882 was the first. At the last meet- ing held ( August 9, 1902), it was estimated that 8,000 people were in attendance. . 1. W. Ramsey was elected president, and J. A. Palm- er, secretary and treasurer.

WESLEY TOWNSHIP.

Wesley township was established on peti- tion of Joseph Palmer and others, in 1810. and originally embraced the territory of town- ship three, range ten, and township seven, range eleven, then belonging to Wooster, also the south halt of township eight, range eleven, belonging to Roxbury. Afterwards sections one, two, three, four, five, six of township

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seven and sections one, two, three of township eight were added. At present it is nine miles long from north to south, and four miles wide, containing in all 30 sections, embracing an area of almost 20,000 acres.

Wesley claims as one of its earliest set- tlers Hon. Thomas Ewing, whose lowly cabin stood just west of Plymouth. Other carly settlers were Woodruff, Rardins, Brecken- ridge, Mullen, Coaley, Cable, Ames, Arnold and Smith.

The first school house was built a mile north of Plymouth about 1820. The first teacher was Miss Hewitt. Bartlett's Acade- my was organized in 1856, the Board of Trustees being Joseph Penrose, president, Jo- seph K. Bucy, Isaac Emmons, James King, Jefferson M. Heston was first principal.

The Methodist Episcopal Society erected the first church building in the township about a mile north of Plymouth in 1825. It was

a log meeting house and was used until the church at Pleasanton was built in 1855. A Friends' Church was organized in 1837 and a building erected in Plymouth. The Friends' Church ( Southland) was a branch from the first society and erected a church four miles west of Plymouth in 1850. A United Breth- ren Church was erected in 1870, less than a mile south of Patten's Mills; another branch has a church in the northwest part of the township, erected in 1870.

Plymouth, on the State road in the center of the township, was founded by Harvey Smith in 1835. Mr. Smith was the first store keeper. Pleasanton was established at an earlier date, the post office being named Bart- lett in honor of Amos Bartlett, the first post- master. The first mill was erected on Wolf Creek by George and John Martin in 1816 near the present site of Patten's Mills.

CHAPTER XIII.

TOWN AND COUNTY SOCIETIES.

HISTORICAL SOCIETIES-AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES- FRATERNAL AND SECRET ORGANIZA- TIONS-CIVIC AND INDUSTRIAL SOCIETIES.

HISTORICAL SOCIETIES.

Marietta's historic position as the pioneer From 1870 to the present time meetings have been regularly held on the 7th of April of each year. In the year 1838, the semi-cen- appropriately celebrated and the centennial cel- ebrations in 1888, of the landing of the pio- neers on April 7th and of the instituting the Northwest Territory on July 15th, were events of national importance. city of the Ohio and of the old Northwest was recognized at an early date as unique. In less than a year after the settlement at the . tennial of the landing of the pioneers had been mouth of the Muskingum was made, the di- rectors and agents of the Ohio Company "Re- solved, That the seventh day of April be for- ever considered as a day of publie festival in the territory of the Ohio Company, as their settlements in this country commenced on that day." The day has very generally been re- membered and, especially in later years, com- memorative exercises have been held.

Washington County's first historical soci- ety was organized in 1842 as the Marietta Historical Association, but the times were un- favorable and the society amounted to little. In the latter part of 1869, however, a call was issued to the descendants of the 48 pioneers who came to Marietta in 1788 to meet and form a pioneer association. The organiza- tion of the Washington County Pioneer Asso- ciation was completed February 22, 1870, and the following officers were elected: Presi- dent, William R. Putnam; vice-president, E. S. McIntosh ; treasurer, Samuel Shipman ; re- cording secretary, John M. Woodbridge; cor- responding secretary, A. P. Nye; executive committee, Augustus Stone, Sumner Oakes,

George W. Barker, Henry Fearing and Will- iam Pitt Putnam.

The Women's Centennial Association, of the city of Marietta, Washington County, Ohio, was organized August 19, 1886. Its object: "To commemorate in any way it may deem advisable, the settlement of Mari- etta, and the establishment of Civil Govern- ment. in the Northwest Territory." The membership at present counts :27 ladies. Meetings are held Monday afternoons, from October until May, on which occasions a lit- erary or musical program is presented. \ fine "Relic Room" has been established, possess- ing many interesting and historical articles.

The New Century Historical Society was organized December 31, 1888, with 10 charter members. The object is to commemorate the settlement of Marietta and several monuments have been erected at different places about the city for this purpose. The present member- ship is about 60. The society meets in Library

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Hall, No. 306 Front street. In January, 1891. a granite stone was put up near the foot of Washington street bearing this inscription: "S. W. Corner Campus Martius, 'The Stock- ade,' occupied by the first Governor of the N. W. Territory and by the Pioneers of Ohio during the Indian War 1791-5." Another was placed on April 7, 1892, in the yard of the west side school, reading "Site of Fort Harmar, built 1785. Headquarters, 1786-8, of Gen. Josiah Harmar, of Pa., Gen. in chief U. S. A." On July 15, 1892, a granite monu- ment was erected in Muskingum Park. bear- ing a bronze plate inscribed "Near this spot. July 15th, 1788, Gen. Arthur St. Clair, of the Revolutionary Army and President of Con- gress. 1787, was inaugurated first governor of the Territory of the United States North- west of the Ohio River. On this ground stood Centennial Hall of the celebration, July 15th to 20th, 1888."

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.

Washington County Agricultural and Me- chanical Association .- At a meeting of a number of citizens of Washington County- and of Wood County, Virginia-held Febru- ary 22, 1819, at McFarland's hotel in Mari- etta, was taken the first action looking toward the organization of the first agricultural so- ciety which had an existence in this immed- iate region. Capt. Jonathan Devol was chosen chairman and A. T. Nve, clerk. .1 committee was chosen to form a constitution for a society and prepare an address to the people. Its members were Ephraim Cutler, Joseph Barker and Alexander Henderson.

At a meeting held at the old Court House in Marietta. June 24. 1846, with Hon. Joseph Barker in the chair, and Darwin E. Gardner acting as secretary, this organization was or- ganized under an act of the Legislature entit- led "an act for the encouragement of agricul- ture" passed February 27. 1846, as the Wash- ington County Agricultural Society. At this meeting a constitution and by-laws were adopted, which continued in force as amended

from time to time, until the adoption of its present constitution and by-laws. The pres- ent constitution was adopted by the Board of Directors Angust 5. 1875. and by the Asso- ciation at its annual meeting held September 9, 1875. The present by-laws were adopted by the Board August 5. 1875.

At a meeting of the Board held August 7, 1858, the name was changed to the Washing- ton County Agricultural and Mechanical In- stitute. At a meeting of the Board, held June 29. 1867, the name was changed to the Wash- ington County Agricultural and Mechanical Association, its present name.

FRATERNAL AND SECRET ORGANIZATIONS.

Freemasonry, the history of which dates back to the misty past, was working in the provinces when the Revolution with the mother country broke out and Maj .- Gen. Jo- seph Warren, M. D .. in command of the co- lonial forces, who was "Grand Master of Ma- sons in Boston." was killed in the battle of Bunker Hill. This aroused the Masons who were particularly active in volunteering and July 24. 1775. "St. John's Regimental Lodge" was chartered by the "Provincial Grand Lodge" of New York. The next to be formed for army work was among the troops from Roxbury. Masachusetts. They applied to John Rowe. Grand Master of Massachusetts, who issued a charter to .American Union Lodge. No. I F. G .I. M. as follows:

John Rowe Grand Master, to Jel Clark, Greet- ing . By virtue of authority vested in me. I hereby reposing special trust and confidence m your knowledge and skill of the ancient craft do appoint and constitute you Master of the American Union Lodge, now created in Roxbury, or wherever your body shall remove on the continent of America, provided it is where no grand lodge is appointed. You are to promote in your Lodge the utmost harmony and brotherly love and to keep up to the constitution, for the reputation of the craft. In your makings you are to be very cautions of the moral character of such persons and also of visitors who desire to become members of your lodge. You are to transmit to the grand lodge a fair account of the choice of your officers. Any matters coming be- fore your lodge that can not be adjusted you are to lay the same before the grand lodge for decision. . 1s often as the grand lodge meets, you are to attend with

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

your two wardens and will be notified of the time and place. In order to support the grand lodge, your lodge is to pay into the hands of the grand secretary the sum of twelve shillings each quarterly night, all of which you will pay due regard to. This communica- tion to remain in full force and virtuc until recalled by me or my successor in office. Given under my hand and under the hands of the grand wardens ( the seal of the grand lodge first affixed) this the fifteenth day of Feb., A. M., 5776, of Salvation 1776. By order of John Rowe. Grand Master : Richard Dudley, D. G. M. ; Will- iam Burbeck, S. G. W .; William Hoskins, Grand Sec- retary.

The seal of this lodge, suggested by Ben- jamin Franklin, was made of 13 links around the square and compass and connected at the top by clasped hands. American Union moved with the Colonial Army, meeting in New York, August 13, 1776, and in the bat- tle of Long Island two weeks later its master was taken prisoner and several of its members killed. When it convened on its third anni- versary, in Connecticut, Samuel H. Parsons was elected master and June 24, 1779. at the Robinson House on the Hudson it was visited by General Washington, and again at Morris- town, New Jersey, December following. Cap- tain Heart was chosen master in 1780 and af- ter the lodge ceased work in the army he held the charter, still having it with him when he was given charge of the garrison at Fort Har- mar in 1790 and on June 28th at the Campus Martius, with this charter as authority the lodge was reorganized, being the first Masonic lodge in the Northwest Territory: Present. Jonathan Heart, W. M .: W. Benj. Tupper, S. W .: Rufus Putnam, J. W .; Thomas Stanley, William Burnham, Griffin Greene. William Mills, Robert Oliver, William Stacy. August 2, 1790, it was visited by Major Dougherty, who after erecting Fort Harmar had built Fort Washington at Cincinnati and was now on his way east. Master Heart was killed at St. Clair's defeat, November 4, 1791.

The Massachusetts Grand Lodge was in- formed of all proceedings and a letter from Moses M. Ilayes. G. M., December 6, 1791. confirmed the warrant as follows: "The brethren of the Grand Lodge, duly impressed with affectionate and benevolent expressions in your address, commend the same, and are

pleased with your laudable undertaking. Your warrant is without doubt a perfect and a good one and in full operation until a grand lodge is founded in your territory when it will be- come your duty to surrender it and be re- chartered." On the night of March 24, 1801, the house used for a lodge burned, and this charter was probably destroyed by fire. with all jewels, etc. The members again applied to Massachusetts for authority to work and were granted a duplicate charter by which all rights were re-affirmed, by the Grand Lodge of Mas- sachusetts ; No Daniel Story, W. M .; Ebenezer Sproat, S. W .; Ichabod Nye, J. W .; of said 1 American Union Lodge. This was signed by Isaiah Thomas, G. M .; Simeon West, D. G. M. For some years 1802-10, meetings were held in the little Ohio Company office.

After a Masonic grand lodge had been formed in Ohio, that body asked the Marietta lodge to secure a new charter, but some of the brethren contended that American Union still had the right to work under the Massachusetts charter. The Grand Lodge of Ohio thought differently and threatened to proclaim the Mar- iettians as clandestine Masons. The matter was compromised by Amercan Union retain- ing its name and number but accepting a re- charter from Ohio, January 5, 1816. Lack of space forbids our giving its long list of past masters, many of whom have been promi- nent men. George T. Hovey, who was first elected master in 1862, and with four years ommission served until 1882, was longest in the chair and conferred the degrees on over 150 candidates. This lodge celebrated its centen- nial June 24, 1876, when 5,000 visitors came to Marietta. Seats were placed on the col- lege grounds for 3,000 and tables in the park to set 1,000 at a time. Charles Woodward, Grand Master of Ohio, was present, Richard Vaux. Grand Master of Pennsylvania, deliv- ered the oration and many other prominent Masons were present.

The present membership is 134. The lodge owns the hall at the northeast corner of Front and Butler streets, meeting each Mon- day that occurs on or before the full moon.

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Washington Lodge was also chartered by the Massachusetts Grand Lodge to work in the patriot army, one by North Carolina, and six by the Pennsylvania Grand Lodge, but Amer- ican Union No. 1 is the only one still in ex- istence that was chartered in the Colonial Army.

American Union Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M .. was organized in Marietta June 6, 1792, and has had practically the same experience as that given for the blue lodge heretofire enum- erated. Its charter was buried in the same fire and it was re-chartered by the Grand Chapter, January, 1804. Its present charter is dated October 24, 1816. Its first officers were: James T. Willard. H. P. ; David Trow- bridge, K .; William Skinner, S .; Levi Bar- ber. Augustus and Sardine Stone, Anaximan- der Warner, Oliver Dodge, Peter Howe, and Samuel Hoiet. The membership is about 165. It meets the second Friday of each month at Nos. 133 and 135 Putnam street.

Harmar Lodge, No. 390, F. & A. M., held its first meeting June 8, 1867, and was char- tered October 16th, following, with 13 mem- bers. The first officers were Elijah Locker, W. M .; A. S. Curtis, S. W .; S. H. Tidd. J. W .: T. J. Pattin, treasurer; W. H. Smith secretary .

Marietta Commandery, No. 50, K. T., was chartered September 24, 1891. Its present membership is about 125. Meetings are held on the first Friday of each month at Nos. 133 and 135 Putnam street.

Marietta Council, No. 73, R. & S. M., was chartered September 26, 1893. with C. R. Stevens first T. I. M. It meets on the fourth Friday of each month, at Nos. 133 and 135 Putnamı street.

Eastern Star Chapter, No. 59, was organ- ized in 1896, with about 20 charter members. and now numbers 120. Meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the Masonic rooms.

Marietta Lodge, No, 67. I. O. O. F., was instituted August 20, 1846, by John Brough. later Governor of Ohio, with J. P. Beach first N. G .: W. N. Marsh, V. G. ; W. F. Curtis,

secretary ; Owen Franks, treasurer. More than 500 have been initiated into the lodge. The present membership is about 80. Reg- ular meetings are held every Monday night.

Harmar Lodge, No. 115, I. O. O. F., was instituted August 5, 1848. the petitioners hav- ing been William Mansfield. William II. Wid- ger, William C. Olney, L. E. W. Warner and Joseph Humbold. Ten were initiated the first night and some 400 since. The pres- ent membership is 125. About 1862 Harmar Lodge purchased from the Sons of Malta the building now used by No. 2 Fire Department which served as a lodge home until the present fine three-story brick Odd Fellows' Hall was put up in 1894, which with lot cost about $5,- 500. It is located at the corner of Maple street and Gilman avenue. The first floor is used as a store. The lodge meets every Tues- day evening.

Elkeye Encampment, No. 99. I. O. O. F., was organized June II, 1867, with 14 charter members; P. Emrich was C. P. ; J. Miller, S. W .: J. G. Fields, S. It meets in Gutten- burg Hall the first and third Fridays of each month.

J. E. McCoy Rebekah Assembly, No. 230, I. O. O. F., was organized about 1885. It meets at No. 115. Odd Fellows' Hall on the second and fourth Fridays of each month.

Augusta Rebekah Lodge, No. 272, I. O. O. F., was instituted July 13, 1889, with 15 members. It meets on the second and fourth Fridays of each month at Guttenburg Ilall.

Manhattan Tribe, No. 35, I. O. R. M., was established Jannary 27, 1868, and chartered July following. Henry Bohl was the first sachem. The Tribe meets every Tuesday at the Red Men's Hall in the Hagan Block.

Raynald Lodge, No. 82, K. of P., was organized May 27. 1875, with 18 charter members: J. C. Folger. first C. C.

Pioneer City Lodge, No. 13. K. of P. Cool- ored), was organized May 10, 1898, with 30 charter members. Meetings are held every Monday evening.

Muskingum Council, No. jo, Jr. O. U. A. M .- The Junior Order, a patriotic organiza-

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

tion, was started about the time of the Civil War. The Muskingum Council was estab- lished in June, 1889, with 18 charter men- bers. Henry Posey was the first councilor. It meets every Monday night.

Mound Tent, Not. 322, K. O. T. M., was formed at Marietta, in May, 1896, with 12 charter members, and at present numbers about 200. It meets every Thursday even- ing.

The Ladies of the Maccabees was organ- ized in 1892 at Port Huron. Michigan. On January 1, 1900. the membership was 56,- 267. The Hive at Marietta was organized in March, 1897, with 25 charter members. It meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.

Marietta Camp, No. 4138, 31. 11. of A .. was organized August 21, 1896, with 15 charter members. The object of the order is fraternal insurance. The Camp meets the first and third Fridays of each month.

American Insurance Union was organized at Columbus in 1804. On January 1, 1900, it had 6,080 members. The Marietta Union was organized November 17, '99. It meets the last Friday of the month.

The Elks Lodge, No. 477. B. P. O. E., was organized April 27. 1899, and in one year had erected the fine building now standing facing the Park. The Home with lot, fully equipped electric light plant and other fixtures, invoices about $30,000, and is a lasting credit to its enterprising builders. Regular meetings are held at the Home every Monday evening. The general objects of the order are charity. justice, brotherly love and fidelity.

The Pathfinders is a modern, fraternal in- surance order, organized at Akron, Ohio, in 1898, and on December 31, 1899, reported 5 .- 923 members. The lodge at Marietta was or- ganized September 13, 1899. with 44 mem- bers. It meets the second and fourth Mon- days of each month.

Marietta Council, K. of C., No. 478 .- The Knights of Columbus, a beneficiary society composed of Catholics, was organized at New

Haven, Connecticut, in 1882, having a mem- bership, January 1, 1900, of 20.336. Mari- etta Council was organized January 28, 1900, and has a good membership. It meets the first and third Wednesdays of each monthi.

The American Order of United Workmen, which was organized back in the "seventies," and has 16 members, meets at the call of the master workman.

The Royal Arcanum was organized at Boston, Massachusetts, in 1877. On Jan- nary I. 1900, it had 193,868 members. Mar- ietta Council, No. 1544, was instituted Decem- ber II, 1893. It meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at No. 67 Odd Fellows' Hall.

Buell Post, No. 178. G. A. R., was organ- ized at Marietta in December, 1881, with 25 charter members. It meets the first and third Thursdays of each month.

C. B. Gates Post No. 468, G. A. R., was organized in 1884, with 20 charter members It meets alternate Saturdays at Fairview Heights.

Buell Women's Relief Corps, No. 70, was organized in 1885. Its object is to aid the G. A. R. and to assist such old soldiers as need help, their widows and orphans. It meets at Buell Post Hall the first and third Tuesdays of each month.

C. B. Gates Women's Relief Corps, No. 186, was first organized in 1884, being named after Charles Beman Gates, a young lad killed while in the service of Com. Huggins. Mrs. S. H. Putnam was the first president and served until 1890. The Corps was reorgan- | ized in April, 1892, and has been quite pros- perous and done much relief work. It meets the first and third Fridays of each month.

Dawes Camp. No. 509, Sons of Veterans, was organized August 23, 1899, with 29 char- ter members. Its object is to perpetuate the honor and memory of what their fathers fought for. It meets every Monday evening.

CIVIC AND INDUSTRIAL SOCIETIES.

Marietta Council, No. 32, United Commer- cial Travelers, was organized in 1893.

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

Knights of Labor, Local Assembly, No. 265, was organized in 1886. It meets every Monday.

Trades und Labor Council was organized in 1890. It meets the second and fourth Fri- days of each month.

Brotherhood of Radroad Trainmen. Lodge No. 504, was organized November 4, 1894. It meets the first and third Sundays of each month.

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History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 49

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1490

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490