USA > Ohio > Morgan County > History of Morgan County, Ohio, with portraits and biographical sketches of some of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 40
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SCHOOLS.
For some years the village had no schoolhouse, but rented a room in some convenient locality wherein the teacher held sway over a small flock of boys and girls. The first term of school is said to have been taught by Mrs. Robert Robinson. Dr. Samuel A. Barker, the first male teacher, taught his first term in McConnels- ville in 1819. Other early teachers were a man named Lord and John Doland, a lawyer. The first school directors, Rev. John Hunt, Dr. P. B. Johnson and Francis A. Barker, were appointed by the county in 1825, and since that time commendable interest has been taken in educational matters. The town had no schoolhouse until after 1833. A brick building was erected on the southwest corner of the present schoolhouse lot, which served as a high school building until the present commodious structure was erected. Soon after two one-story brick buildings, with two rooms in each, were erected, one on West Liberty Street, near Vine, and the other on Water Street, between Penn and Parade Streets. Not long afterward a small frame building on Liberty Street, east of Main, was obtained for use as a schoolroom. These buildings were oc- cupied by the primary school for some years.
The present school building is one of the best in Southeastern Ohio, and speaks in eloquent terms of the interest
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which the citizens mainifest in educa- tional matters. It was built in 1867-8, and cost. including the additional grounds purchased for the lot, about $30,000. The schools are now excel- lently managed.
Prior to the establishment of the high school, select schools for tuition in the higher branches were occasionally taught. In 1842 some of the citizens organized, with a constitution and by- laws, "The McConnelsville Academy," intended for the cultivation of the youth. For this purpose they rented the frame building on Water Street, between East and Penn, which had been built for a Universalist church, and employed as a teacher Mr. J. D. Sears, of Bucyrus, Ohio, at a salary of $400 per year, for which he was to devote his time and attention to the school. The number of scholars was about thirty and the projectors fondly hoped that the academy would become a permanent institution of a high order. One year ended his career. The retirement of the professor, how- ever, was the finale of the academy. From 1846 until about 1850 select schools of this class were taught, some of them especially for young ladies. The teachers during that time were Mr. and Mrs. Giles, Mr. Luddon, Miss Gillet and Miss Bassett.
TEMPERANCE WORK.
For many years a healthy temper- ance sentiment has prevailed among the better class of citizens in McCon- nelsville.
As elsewhere stated the use of whisky as a beverage in the pioneer days was almost universal, and was consid- ered an article of necessity, especially to those who were in any way exposed to
the vicissitudes of the weather or en- engaged in any laborious enjoyment; and a neighbor who failed to offer his friends a drink when calling at his house was thought to be a mean and stingy fellow, and was as much despised as if he had failed to observe other more necessary acts of hospitality. Mr. II. P. Dearborn says that in his boyhood he knew of only one pro- nounced temperance man and he was not a temperance man from principle. About 1830 the temperance movement had made some little progress, and here and there the nucleus of future societies had been formed. In 1832 a society was in existence in Windsor Township, of which Nathan Dearborn was presi- dent. Phineas C. Keyes was one of the prominent men in the movement. In 1834 the township was canvassed for signatures to the pledge. Frequently the solicitors were met with abusive language and even threats of violence were made. Among the pioneers in the cause in McConnelsville was the late Luther D. Barker, who was one of the prominent temperance orators at the first temperance convention held in McConnelsville on the Fourth of July, 1834. Edwin Corwin was also a pioneer in the temperance cause.
In 1839 a society was organized in Windsor with total abstinence as their platform. H. P. Dearborn was presi- dent. Joseph Mc Veigh, vice-president, and P. J. Patterson, secretary. This society had an existence of over thirty years, and did a great work.
A "Washingtonian Society" was formed in Meigsville, but did not live long, the township being exceptionally free from inebriety.
In 1846 the society of the "Sons of Temperance " came into existence. It
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prospered for awhile, and was succeeded by the "Temple of Honor," and the " Good Templars."
1874 witnessed the "Woman's Cru- sade," which for the time seemed des- tined to annihilate the traffic, but failed to accomplish its purpose for want of sufficient prohibitory legislation.
Each effort, however, has placed the cause further in advance, and to-day the prohibitionists are a powerful ele- ment in Morgan County politics, and will undoubtedly soon hold the balance of power. At this time (1886) there is only one place outside the county seat where ardent spirits are sold as a 1 beverage.
An interesting item connected with the temperance history of the town is furnished in the celebrated "McCon- nelsville Ordinance." This ordinance became quite noted ; was adopted m many cities and villages in Ohio and elsewhere ; went to the Supreme Court in the case of Bnrekholter rs. The State, and was declared constitutional. Some of its features were afterward incorporated in the Scott law.
The first ordinance for the purpose of restraining the liquor traffic was passed while Hon. F. W. Wood was mayor, in April, 1869. This proved unsatisfactory, and September 10, 1869, a committee consisting of Mayor Wat- kins, Recorder Murry and Councihnan Stanbery was appointed to draft a new ordinance. This was done, and the ordinance, as introduced, was passed the same evening, all the council Messrs. Baine, Hammond, Wheeler, Stanbery, Dondna and Murry voting in favor.
July 15, 1871, the ordinance was re- pealed. March 14, 1874, under Mayor Hanna it was reenacted by vote of
Councilmen Dawson, Mortley. Mc- Murray, Porter and Stanbery. The ordinance continned in force until a change in the statutes of Ohio took away from incorporated villages thie power of prohibiting ale, beer and por- ter houses.
Its main feature was the power given to such corporations to " restrain and prohibit " such places.
CHURCHES.
First Presbyterian Church of MeCon- nelsville .- This church was organized March 31, 1824, by Rev. William IInnt, assisted by Ruling Elder Samuel Stan- bery. The original members were Robert Robinson, Elizabeth Robinson, Rhoda Porter, Samuel McCune, Sarah McCune, Nancy Pinkerton, Nancy Young, Hannah Ferrell, Jonathen Por- ter, Clarissa Ferrel, Jane Young, Mar- garet Price. The ruling elders were Richard Cheadle, George Iloward and Robert Stewart.
The first pastor, Rev. William Hunt, was succeeded in 1831 by Rev. William Aiken, who remained until 1857, when Rev. W. M. Grimes came. He left in 1863, at which time Rev. John Kelly was called. He remained until 1869, when he was succeeded by Rev. Henry Cooper. He severed his connection with the society in 1872. Rev. Gibson occupied the pulpit from 1874 to 1875. Rev. W. M. Grimes returned in 1876 and preached two years; Rev. W. Pat- terson from 1882 to 1883; Rev. W. M. Grimes, 1883, present pastor.
In 1832 the society erected the pres- ent house of worship at a cost of $5,000. It has since been remodeled and several times repaired. The present number of members is 100; Sabbath school scholars, 70.
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The present church officers are : Ruling elders, Jefferson Buchanan, J. C. Vincent, Alexander Risk and C. II. Laughridge : trustees, Joseph William- son and M. M. Iloff; Sabbath school superintendent, (. H. Laughridge ; Sabbath school secretary JJ. A. Adair.
First Baptist Church .- This society is one of the oldest religions organiza- tions in the county, and undoubtedly the first in MeConnelsville. From an address delivered by Rev. J. Chambers at the semi-centennial anniversary, held December 22, 1878, we glean the follow- ing: " The early records of the church being so imperfect, they cannot be relied on as entirely acurate, some being writ- ten upon scraps of paper without dates." Mr. Robert Pinkerton, whose recollection of all historical matters pertaining to the village is still vivid, states that the society was organized about 1825, and that Elder George Russell was the first minister. The only entry alluding to the organization of the church is, that on Saturday pre- ceding the Lord's day in December, 1828, at a church meeting, it was de- cided that it be called the Baptist Church of McConnelsville, and Rev. Benoni Allen, of the Baptist Church of Zanesville, was called to take the pas- toral charge, and was duly installed the next day. There is nothing recorded to show who the members were at that time, but as near as can be ascertained the following were among the num- ber : George Russell and wife, John Col linson and wife, Mr. and Mrs. L. D. Barker, F. A. Barker and a Mr. and Mrs. Kay.
At a meeting held in 1831 it was de- cided to build a meeting-house, and L. D. Barker, John Collison and Francis A. Barker were appointed a building
committee. A building 36x50 feet was erected in 1832 at an expense of about $1,000, and dedicated in November of that year. It was destroyed by fire in October of 1853. The present structure was built in 1872, and cost about $11,- 000. It is of brick, 45x75 feet. The succession of pastors has been Revs. Benoni Allen, George Russell, W. R. McGowan, William Sedwick, B. Y. Siegfried, Mr. Cram, R. H. Sedwick, II. Billings, H. Ward, J. Chambers, A. Snyder, W. N. Wyeth, F. J. Cather, J. C. Fernald, C. M. Rupe, W. H. Stenger and G. W. Nead, present pas- tor. The present membership is 140. The Sabbath school has 75 pupils.
Methodist Episcopal Church .- This society is now in the sixty-seventh year of its existence, but owing to the loss of the early church records but little of its history can be given. One of the prominent members of the church in the olden times was John Williams, or " Pap Williams," as he was familiarly known among the pioneers, and services were for a long time held at his house ; then the old courthouse was utilized until the erection of the first church edifice in 1836. The present structure was built in 1860, at a cost of $5,000. According to the recollection of Robt. A. Pinkerton the following were among the original members : John Williams and wife, Philip Kaller, John Hughes, Samuel Farra, Sr., Stephen Gates and Israel Redman.
Among the early ministers were Revs. Rukel, Waddell, Hamilton, Jas. D. Finley, McMahan, McElroy, Miner, Tipton and Little. Since the erection of the present church Revs. Cruse, Ber- ket, McCready, Veil, Hollister, Edgell, Chapman, Brown, Piggett, Gledhill, and J. H. Merchant, the present pastor.
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The present membership is 140, with a Sabbath School attendance of 117.
Methodist Protestant Church .- The McConnelsville Methodist Protestant Church was organized in 1844 by Caleb Fouts. John Huntsman was the first regular pastor. The original members were Worley Shugert, William Pettit. Ilugh Clancy, Caleb Fouts, William Wilson, Jane Wilson, Daniel Chandler, Jr., and wife, Daniel Chandler, Sr., and wife, William Kahler and wife, Noah Leasure and wife, and James Harvey. The first trustees were Worley Shugert, Caleb Fouts and William Pettit. The church edifice was built in 1845 at a cost of $350. It is now the dwelling of Dr. True. The present church edifice was built in 1837, and is a brick building, 40x50 feet. The Methodist Protestant society purchased it from the Congre- gationalists at a cost of $2,200. The pastors of this church have been Revs. Jefferson Sears, John Wilkin, G. D. Smith, Will T. Robbins, J. II. Hamilton, G. W. Hissey, F. A. Brown, J. D. Mur- phy, W. J. Holland, and W. H. Dye, present pastor. The church now has 125 members, and the Sabbath school 75 pupils.
First Universalist Church .- The First Umversalist Church was organized by Rev. J. W. McMaster in 1849. Follow- ing are the original members : Jonathan Pyle, John Harris, George Dawson, Hiel Dunsmoor, S. E. Fouts, James Dickey, J. F. Sonanstine, John Collins, Joseph Noyes, Betsey Dodge, Sarah Dunsmoor, Julia Sonnanstine, Elizabeth Beck, Susan Bemis, Maria Dawson, Lucy Dunsmoor, Mary Hedges, Mary Ewing Caroline Shepard, Mrs. Westgate and others.
In 1852 the society built a church, 40x60 feet at a cost of $3,500. The
succession of pastors have been J. W. Mc Master, J. W. Henly, M. L. Hewett, John F. Gates, J. P. McLean, W. B. Woodbury and S. P. Carlton. The present membership is about 50, with a Sabbath school attendance of about 20. Prior to the organization of the church a society was formed and serv- ices held in the old court house by Rev. T. C. Eaton, Revs. Bacon, Flanders and others. The first officers of the church were: Trustees, HI. Dunsmoor, J. F. Sonnanstine and S. E. Fouts ; clerk and treasurer, Hattie E. Shepard ; stewards, H. Dunsmoor and George Dawson.
ODD FELLOWS.
Lodge .- Valley Lodge, No. 36, I. O. O. F. was instituted March 29, 1845, with the following charter members: Cantius C. Covey, II. II. Curtis, Peter Bricker, James A. Adair and J. B. Ingram. None of these are now mem- bers of the order except Peter Bricker. The first officers were C. C. Covey, N. G .; II. H. Curtis. V. G .; J. A. Adair, secretary, and M. Wylie, treasurer. Among the most prominent members of the lodge have been S. E. Fouts. Andrew Scott, A. G. Westgate, D. II. Mortley, R. A. Pinkerton, O. HI. P. Scott, James M. Gaylord, Melvin Clarke, Worley Adams, Seth Shepard, J. C. Stone, Samuel Thompson and others. The lodge continued to increase in numbers and interest until new lodges began to be formed from its member- ship. Five or six lodges, the offspring of the Valley Lodge, have been insti- tuted at various dates in the County of Morgan. At present the total member- ship in the county may be estimated at about 600, and of this mmuber Valley Lodge has 180 contributing members. The lodge has so prospered financially
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that it has been able to purchase real estate which is now worth at least ยท $4,000, besides expending for the relief of brethren, their widows and orphans. a sum amounting in the aggregate to at least $10,000. There is now a bal- ance of several hundred dollars in the treasury.
Encampment. - Angerona Encamp- ment. No. 35, I. O. O. F., was instituted October 23, 1849, with the following charter members : James M. Gaylord, J. C. Stone, James A. Adair, K. J. All- mond, H. S. Whissen and Humphrey Pyle. Among the prominent earley members of the encampment were D. (. Pinkerton, E. Triplett, D. H. Mort- ley, Andrew Kahler, I. Kennison, J. C. Stone, Worley Adams, J. B. Goudy and others, several of whom were among its first officers. The encampment has steadily prospered, both socially and financially, up to the present time. It has become joint owner with Valley Lodge in the property above men- tioned, and while affording relief to its members and dispensing money to the amount of several thousand dollars, has kept clear of debt, and now has a cash surplus of several hundred dollars in its treasury.
J. B. Goudy was born in West Vir- ginia, December 7, 1825, and came to Morgan County in 1846; was made a member of Virginius Lodge. I. O. O. F., Wheeling, W. Va., in 1849; joined Valley Lodge, No. 36, in 1850, and filled all the offices of this lodge; rep- resented this district in the Grand Lodge of Ohio from 1868 to 1872; was conductor in the Grand Lodge two years; represented the sixty-eighth district in the Grand Encampment 1873-4. Is now a farmer of Meigsville Township.
J. B. Sheridan, son of Thomas and Edith Sheridan, was born in Morgan County, May 24, 1852. At the age of sixteen, by the death of his father, he was obliged to close his school days, and with two elder brothers engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes at Malta. At the age of twenty-one he engaged in the boot and shoe business at McConnelsville, where his home has been ever since. Mr. Sheridan was married in 1872 to Eva D. Walker, daughter of A. W. Walker, of Malta. She died in September, 1878, leaving three children, one daughter and two sons, who are still living. Mr. Sheri- dan is one of the most prominent Odd Fellows of Ohio, and has attained in that order distinctions which are rarely conferred on men so young. He en- tered Valley Lodge, No. 36, in the win- ter of 1873, and served in a subordinate office during the same term. At the end of the term he was elected record- ing secretary, and has since held all the chairs successively. In 1875 he became a member of Angerona En- campment, No. 35, and in 1878 a past patriarch. He served as district dep- uty grand master under Grand Masters Hedges and Cappeller; was elected representative to the Grand Encamp- ment of Ohio in 1879, and served two terms. In 1880 he was elected repre- sentative to the Grand Lodge of Ohio, in which office he served two terms. In 1883 he was elected grand patriarch of Ohio, being probably the youngest man that ever held the office in the State. In this honorable position he was immensely popular, and he achieved unqualified success. In 1884 he was elected grand representative to the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the United States from the Grand Encamp-
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ment of Ohio. At the session of the Sovereign Grand Lodge in 1885 a new military degree was adopted and named the "Patriarchs Militant." Ex- Governor J. C. Underwood, of Ken- tucky, was elected lieutenant-general of all the "Cantons" in the United States. In the appointment of his staff officers the general paid Mr. Sheridan a high compliment by appointing him assistant adjutant-general, with the rank of Major.
MASONIC.
Corinthian Lodge, No. 111 .- This lodge was instituted October 24, 1843. The following were the charter members, to wit: Samuel A. Barker, Francis A. Barker, Charles Baldwin, Henry McMurray, David Holbrook and Russell H. Dearing.
The first officers of the lodge were Samuel A. Barker, W. M .; Francis A. Barker, S. W .; Charles E. Baldwin, J. W .; John Scott, Treas .; Russell II. Dearing, Secy .; William Bishop, S. D .; David Holbrook, J. D .; Henry Mc- Murray, Tyler. The above, with the following-named leading members: Sill, McConnel, Edwards, Simpson, Camp- bell, Davis, Linn, Sigler, Evans, Shivel, McDonald, Pedicord, Wilkin, Reeves, Milhons, Harter, and many others, continued faithfully the work of the Lodge, under whom it prospered for a number of years, when under the pressure of hard times and con- tinuous drafts on the treasury for varions charities the finances be- came quite reduced, but through the energy and benevolence of the members it has again revived, and now, at the close of the last fiscal year, the lodge is in a healthy financial condition, clear of debt, with a handsome balance in the
treasury and abont fifty contributing members.
McConnelsville Chapter, No. 37. R. 1. M., -- Was instituted September 29, 1848. Charter members : Jesse M. Stone, Jacob Goodlive, Joseph Sigler, D. B. Linn, Lowry Cochran, John S. Love, Henry C. Grimmel, Allen Daniels, David Simpson, Jacob Nichols and Milton Seaman .-
The first officers of the chapter were John S. Love, H. P .; II. C. Grimmel, K .; M. Seaman, S .; Allen Daniels, C. H .; L. Cochran, P. S .; Joseph Sigler, R. A. C .; J. Goodwin, M. of 1st Veil ; D. B. Linn, M. 2d V .; J. M. Stone, M. 3d V. D. B. Linn acted as secretary and Jacob Goodlive as treasurer, and these, with others of the more prominent members of the various lodges of which the chapter is composed, continue their work of benevolence and charity until at the present time the chapter is in a sound financial condition and prosper- ing, with fifty-four contributing mem- bers.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Gen. Robert McConnel, -- The founder of the town of McConnelsville and in his lifetime one of the foremost citizens of the county of Mor- gan, was a native of Pennsylvania, born near Chamberburg, August 23, 1776. He was an Ohio pioneer, coming to the vicinity of Chillicothe among the earliest colonists of that portion of the State, whence he removed to Muskingum County and settled on a farm about five miles from Zanesville. His sound sense, ability aud good judgment brought him into prominence among the sturdy pioneers of the Muskingum Valley, and from 1808 to 1815, inclusive, he served continuously as a State senator from the
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district in which Muskingum County was included. In 1816-17 and again in 1819-20 he represented Muskingum County in the lower branch of the general assembly.
He entered the tract of land on which the town of McConnelsville now stands, and on the establishment of the county seat on this tract donated for public purposes, lots for the county buildings and for churches and school buildings. He also held a considerable body of land situated in Morgan Township, near the village. He induced Jacob Kahler, the first settler of McConnelsville, to make the first improvement in the vil- lage, and was always zealously inter- ested in promoting the prosperity of the town and county. In 1827 he moved from Muskingum County to Mc- Connelsville, where he passed the re- mainder of his days. For a time he engaged in the mercantile business in a store on the public square, but chiefly occupied himself in looking after his extensive real estate interests. He served as one of the associate judges of Morgan County from 1830 to 1840, and was a brigadier-general and for several years a major-general of militia. He constructed a mill-dam and erected the first mill at McConnelsville, and for his services in building locks and a dam in connection with the river improvement, was granted a valuable water privilege by the State.
General McConnel was a democrat in politics and a Presbyterian in his religious faith. He was a man of hon- est purposes, liberal views aud upright character, aud was widely honored and esteemed. He died August 3, 1841. He was married in Muskingum County September 12, 1811, to Mary Adams, a native of Fauquier County, Va.,
whose father, George Adams, was a pioneer of Muskingum County, and owned an extensive tract of land there. The children of Robert and Mary McConnel were Lucy, Rebecca, Anna, Elizabeth, Evalina, Martha (who died at the age of two years), Mary, Sarah, Caroline and James A. But three members of this family are now living -Mary, Sarah and Caroline. Mrs. Robert McConnel, died September 13, 1838.
JAMES A. M'CONNEL.
James A. McConnel, only son of General Robert McConnel, was born in Muskingum County, May 12, 1822, and died November 19, 1871. After the decease of his father he succeeded to the management of the estate and was one of the foremost business men of the county. He built the mill now standing at McConnelsville, and in ad- dition to this business was largely inter- ested in farming, mercantile business, and in other ways was identified with the prosperity of the county. He was an active, public-spirited citizen, and was always ready to lend his aid to any enterprise that was calculated to promote the welfare of the community. He took but little part in politics, but was zealously devoted to local interests. Mr. McConnel died a bachelor.
GENERAL ALEXANDER M'CONNEL.
Alexander McConnel, brother of General Robert McConnel, was born in Pennsylvania, March 15, 1791. He came to McConnelsville in 1817, and from that time until his death was one of the most prominent and respected citizens of the county. In the early years of the town he operated a tan- nery. He afterward engaged in farm- ing, and died October 24, 1853, on the
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Sherwood farm south of the town. He married Polly Adams and reared a large family, none of whom now re- main in the county. He served as brigadier and major-general of militia, and was an active democratic politi- tician. Few men enjoyed more of the "esteem and confidence of the commu- nity, whether in a public or private capacity. His political life began early in the history of the county, and in 1820-21 he was a representative to the legislature. In 1822 he was one of the associate judges of the county, and from 1824 to 1827, inclusive, he served three terms in the legislature. In 1828-9 he was again a member of the same body ; in 1829-30, 1830-31 and 1841-42 he represented this district in the State Senate. As a presidential elector in 1832 he cast the vote of the State for President Andrew Jackson. He was a member of the first State board of public works in 1836-8, and in 1849-50 again served as associate judge. As is elsewhere stated, his course in the legislature placed General Harrison on the road toward the White House. His public life was characterized by hon- esty rather than brilliancy, and the many offices which he filled sufficiently attest his popularity.
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