USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > History of Muskingum County, Ohio ; with illustrations and biographical sketches of prominent men and pioneers, 1794 > Part 102
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The present number of members is ninety.
The preachers are II. M. Rader and J. R. Hoover.
Good Hope Lutheran Church .- This church was organized by Rev. Wm. Gilbreath, in 1868. with the following membership: Levi Stotts and Amanda, his wife; Charles Sturtz and Rachel, his wife; John Sturtz and Louisa, his
wife ; Elizabeth and Sarah Wisecarver, and Elizabeth Wine. Levi Stotts was Leader. The Stewards were Levi Stotts, Charles Sturtz, and W. W. Adams.
Rev. Thomas Drake was pastor from 1870 to 1874. Samuel Shreeves became pastor in 1877. and is the present incumbent.
In 1871, a frame building was purchased in Adamsville, fitted up for the church, and dedi- cated November 5th. 1871. The congregation have worshiped here since that time.
The Sunday School was organized soon after the church, and has about one hundred scholars. Levi Stolts is Superintendent.
Beulah Baptist Church .- In March, 1872, Rev. E. W. Daniels held a series of meetings in Sa- lem Chapel, and organized a Baptist Church, with the following membership: Isaac Darner and Ann, his wife, Samuel Bowman and Han- nah, his wife. Delphini Winn and Catharine, his wife, R. J. Winn, J. A. Winn. H. N. Winn. Hattie A. Winn, Nancy M. Winn, William P. Winn, Robert Scott, John Whitcraft and Samantha, his wife, J. W. Bratton, Elizabeth A. Bratton, Lizzie Hunter, J. R. Bratton, Mary A. Bowman, Emma Hardy. Emmeline Williams, Mary Huff, Lucy Williams. Jared Williams, and Austin Lehew. In the fall of that year. the congre- gation assembled in Milligan's school house : and in 1873, they bought one and a half acres of land of B. A. Morrison, off the northeast quarter of section twenty-two, on which a frame building, 32x42. was erected, and dedicated January 11th, 1874, by Rev. T. Powell.
The first Deacons were, Isaac Darner and R. J. Winn ; Trustees-Delphini Winn, Isaac Dar- ner and Samuel S. Bowman.
The present Deacons are, Isaac Darner and H. P. Bowman. The present membership num- bers seventy. The present Trustees are H. P. Bowman, Thomas Mower, and Jared Williams.
The first pastor was Rev. W. J. Dunn. who was followed by Rev. S. G Barber. August Jor- dan. J. C. Skinner. C. C. Erwin and E. W. Daniels, the present incumbent.
PHYSICIANS.
The first physician in Salem was Dr. Jacob S. Reasoner. He began the practice of his profes- sion in 1832, and continued in that place until 1853. Dr. Henry Decker came to Salem in 1839, and continues in the service. Dr. Jared Cone began the practice of medicine here in 1845. and remained ten years. Dr. James Crawford came in 1835, and remained seven years. Dr's. Loy and Blake were here in 1841-2. Dr. John Mills studied with Dr. Decker, and practiced from 1843 to 1850. Dr. P. A. Baker came in 1857, and practiced until A. D. 1879. Dr. Sidle practiced during 1860. Dr. Thomas Gaumer came in 1879, and continues to "hold the fort."
STORES.
The first store was owned by Thomas Fen, of Union township, and kept by Gibson Collins, in
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TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
Adamsville, in 1833 or '34. The store building stood where Geyer's store is now located. He was succeeded by Werts & Deggett.
Jared Cone came to Adamsville in 1835, and built on lot two, of Adams' plat, and opened a store. This was the first general store in the township. He was followed, in 1838, by Roe & Armstrong, who opened in the Collins building, on lot nine, and, in 1839, moved to lot four, of Wheeler's addition, and quit the business in 1842.
Ruff & Leslie began in the Collins building in 1839, and closed out in 1843. Denison Ross and Isaac Stiers commenced business in 1844. and kept the store a short time. James Darling- ton put in an appearance, just sufficient to make it necessary to mention him. Jacob Stenger be- gan in 1852. H. S. Roff and John Mills em- barked on the commercial sea in 1853, and were followed, by various parties, in the same build- ing, until 1863, when A. Jordan and Wm. Sed- wick opened store. They dissolved a year later, and Mr. Jordan sold out in 1875. He was suc- ceeded by Zimmer & Hurdle, VanKirk & Baker, and Wesley Stiers. C. A. Geyer began in 1877, on lot nine ; A. C. Tomlinson, on lot two, Adams' plat, and A. Jordan, on lot four, Wheeler's ad- dition, in 1878. These three are still in business.
TAVERNS.
The first tavern in Salem township was kept by Denison Ross. who built a hotel on lot four, of Wheeler's addition to Adamsville, in 1838. He subsequently sold it to John Bratton, and it has passed through the hands of John Zimmerman, Jacob Stenger, David Richardson, Samuel Van Kirk, G. W. Shoemaker, and perhaps several others. R. H. Lowe keeps the only hotel in the place at this time.
MILLS.
Peter Livingood built the first mill, in Salem (then in Highland township), about 1814 or '15. It was a huge, rough, substantial structure (very like its owner), and was located on the southwest quarter of section eighteen, below the forks of Salt creek. This, being the only gristmill in the township, was a great convenience to the settlers, and Peter did not fail to appreciate the import- ance of his services. About 1830, Mr. Livin- good sold this mill to a Mr. Bratton, who ran it for several years ; but, at present, a single de- cayed post marks the spot where once flourished "Peter Livingood's mill.'
In 1832, Joseph Bowers erected a sawmill, on Salt creek, on the southeast quarter of section sixteen, and, in 1849, sold this property to Jacob Kieffer, who moved the sawmill to the east bank of the creek, and, in 1869, built a frame grist- mill, twenty-five by thirty, adjoining, and put in a small pair of corn buhrs. In 1870, he added a pair of French buhrs, for grinding wheat. The mill is still in good condition, but, owing to the inconstant supply of water, cannot be run more than four months in the year.
Charles Sturtz built a sawmill on a branch of
Symmes run, in section four, in 1836. This mill sawed most of the lumber used in building the houses in Adamsville. It has been mustered out of service.
Samuel Harris and Isaac Stiers built a steam sawmill, on lot twenty-one, of the school land, about 1850, and, in 1852, sold it to Mr. Shrigley, who put in two run of buhrs. In 1854, Mr. G. W. Shoemaker became proprietor, and, in 1855, Mr. John Skinner associated with him. In 1856, this mill was destroyed by fire, and has never been rebuilt.
In 1862, Charles Beck built a steam grist and saw mill, near Adamsville, containing two run of buhrs, and, in 1873, sold them to John D. Hanks, who repaired them and is the present proprietor. This is the only mill of the kind in Salem town- ship.
THE FIRST SCHOOL-HOUSE IN SALEM.
The first school-house in Salem, was built on the northwest corner of lot thirty-seven, of the school land, in 1817, and the first school began in December, of that year. The teacher was Abraham Smith. Amy Wade taught, in 1820, and Mr. Colvin in 1822.
There are now three schools in the township, and three good, substantial, frame school-houses.
THE MUSKINGUM NORMAL SCHOOL.
This institution owes its inception and, meas- urably, it existence, to the ambition of Prof. E. Spencer, to secure for this region a higher de- gree of efficiency in the schools. The energy of the Professor, in this behalf. resulted in the in- auguration of the school. July 19th, 1880, contin- uing six weeks, with the following faculty :
Prof. E. Spencer. Principal of the Public Schools, Adamsville, Ohio : Prof. B. Spencer. Instructor in Latin, Greek. and History, Deni- son University ; and Miss Mand E. Bodine, In- structress in plain and ornamental Penmanship, Medina, Ohio.
Classes were formed in Penmanship, Elocu- tion, Grammar, Geography. Arithmetic, Greek. United States History, and Theory and Practice of Teaching. Ninety-one students were in at- tendance. Nine lectures. on practical topics. were delivered during the session. The terms were an average of five dollars for tuition.
FORMATION OF TOWNSHIP.
This township was originally a part of Iligh- land, when that township was ten miles square. In July, 1819, the County Commissioners set off the township of Salem-five miles square. The name was derived from Salem, Massachusetts. a number of the early settlers being from that re- gion. The northeast quarter of the township is "School Land." and surveyed into one hundred acre lots, numbered from one to forty. beginning at the southeast corner of said quarter of the town- ship, numbering north and south alternately. and ending at the northwest corner.
In compliance with the order of the County Commissioners. the first election was held at the
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TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
house of Jesse Williams, but the records have not been preserved, and we have to depend upon tra- dition, which informs us that Rev. William Spen- cer was Justice of the Peace while Salem was in- cluded in Highland. In 1819, when Salem was organized, Joseph Stiers was elected Justice for the new township, and served until 1837. The elections were sometimes held at the house of Thomas Collins, who lived near the center of the township.
In 1846, the polls were moved to Adamsville, and the elections have been held there ever since.
The officers of the township, in 1880, were as follows :
Justices of the Peace-Edward Spencer and F. P. Winn.
Constable-George Kerns.
Clerk-J. W. Elsea.
Assessor-George W. Shoemaker.
Treasurer-J. V. Zimmers.
Trustees-Hugh King, J. H. Bainter, and Ri- ley Gaumer.
Board of Education-J. C. Taylor, Mitchell Handel, and F. P. Winn.
Supervisors-Edward Brock, Phillip Spragg, Flavius Francis, N. M. Honnold, G. P. Werts, Martin Bowers, J. C. Taylor, and Jacob Crane.
The first distillery was built by Phillip Baker. on the northwest quarter of section nineteen, in 1819. George Stoner had a "still-house" on sec- tion four, in 1822, and his whisky was in such demand that it was consumed as fast as he could make it. Mr. Sutherland Stiers, an old citizen. relates that, when a boy, he carried whisky from "Stoner's still" so hot that he was obliged to change hands frequently to prevent the handle of the jug from burning him. This was "hot whisky" then, and did not cease to burn when it was called cool.
POSTMASTER.
Jonathan Starkey, who resided about a mile east of the present town of Adamsville, was ap- pointed Postmaster by President John Q. Adams. in 1827, and in 1829, was removed by President Andrew Jackson, and Henry Bainter, of Monroe township, appointed. This change caused great dissatisfaction, and in 1835, Jared Cone was ap- pointed at Adamsville. Cone was followed by 1l. T. Roff, in 1853, and he was succeeded by L. D. Stoner, in 1862, and he was followed by Geo. W. Dilley and Adam Moser. J. W. Garrett was appointed in 1869, and continues in office. The office has remained in Adamsville since 1835. and is supplied from Zanesville tri-weekly. by hack.
ADAMSVILLE.
'Mordecai Adams entered the northwest quar- ter of section seven, and in 1832, having procured the services of William Beaver, a surveyor, laid out the town, which he called Adamsville, in the northeast corner of said section.
In 1835, A. H. Wheeler laid out an addition, situate on the southwest quarter of section four,
but adjacent to the original plat. Subsequently, Jared Cone laid out several additions.
In 1832, several houses were erected upon the town site, but as Dr. Jacob Reasoner was the first to occupy, his was termed the first house, as he was the first resident in Adamsville. This house stood on lot ten, and the postoffice is now a part of that building.
Adamsville was incorporated in 1864. The first Mayor was David Richardson, and the first mem- bers of the Council were G. W. Shoemaker, J. W. Stiers, and A. P. Baker.
The present officers are as follows :
Mayor-George W. Shoemaker.
Council-August Jordan, John Prince, T. M. Gaumer, Hugh King, Martin Bowers, and A. J. Hurdle.
ADAMSVILLE DIRECTORY.
Churches-Baptist, Rev. Richard Harrison, pastor ; Methodist, Rev's. H. M. Rader, and J.R. Hoover, pastors; Evangelical Lutheran, Rev. John Weber, pastor.
Educational-Normal School. Prof. E. Spen- cer, Principal.
Physicians-Drs. Henry Decker and Thomas Gaumer.
Postoffice -- John W. Garrett, Postmaster.
Stores-C. A. Geyer, A. & J. Hurdle, A. Jor- dan, and A. C. Tomlinson.
Druggist-J. W. Garrett.
Hotel-Robert H. Lowe.
Barbers-J. W. Garrett and Henry Ross.
Blacksmiths-J. A. Snoots and Oliver Tritipo.
Butcher -- Robert A. Lowe.
Carpenter-W. S. Shirer.
Dressmaker -- Laura Sedwick.
Furniture and Undertaker -- H. C. Shirer.
Gristmill -- John D. Hanks.
Harness and Saddles-Asa Nims and David Gerber.
Millinery-Molly Ross.
Painter-William Baker.
Plasterer-Christian Aler.
Shoemakers-John Rechel and John Prince. Tailor-Jonas Rerick.
Tinner-J. W. Fitz.
Wagons-George Shuler and Geo. V. Kerns.
MILITARY RECORD OF SALEM TOWNSHIP, 1861-5-
Armstrong, William : One Hundred and Six- tieth O. N. G.
Aler, Christian F. : One Hundred and Six- tieth O. N. G.
Aler, Christopher T. : One Hundred and Six- tieth O. N. G.
Aler, Frederick : One Thindred and Twenty - second O. V. I. : (wounded in "the Wilderness" June. 1864 : died at White House Landing, Va). Adams, Martin : Tenth O. V. C.
AAtkinson, Lou : Tenth (). V. C.
Ault, Andrew ; Ninety -seventh (). V. I.
Armstrong, Alexander : One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Brown, Joseph ; One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
62
466
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
Baker, Lewis : One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Bogen, William ; One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Bowman. A. : One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Bowden. John ; One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Bowden, Timothy ; One Hundred and Six. tieth O. N. G.
Bowden. William : One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Bowden, Edward ; One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Brock, Edward ; One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Baughman, Joseph ; Ninety-seventh O. V. I. Bowden, Daniel ; Ninety-seventh O. V. I.
Bartholomew, Alvin ; Ninety-seventh O. V. I. Bowman, George; Seventy-eighth O. V. I. Baughman, Smithfield ; Sixteenth U. S. I. Baughman, Ezra ; Fifteenth U. S. I.
Crane, Jacob ; One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Collins, G. A. ; Sixty-second O. V. 1.
Crane, John ; Seventy-eighth O. V. I.
Davis, Benjamin ; One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Dailey, Samnel : One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Decker, Theodore; Ninety-seventh O. V. I. Drummond William ; Seventy-eighth O. V. I. Decker, T. A. : First O. V. C.
Dickinson, William ; Fifteenth U. S. I.
Dailey, Joseph : Fifteenth U. S. I.
Elsea, John ; Second O. V. I.
Forrest, James ; Ninety-seventh O. V. I.
Ford, Harry ; One Hundred and Ninety-first U. S. I.
Gladden, Henry ; Fifteenth U. S. I.
Gaumer, Henry : One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Geyer, James W. : One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Gear, Samnel H. ; One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Gilsin, George; One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Hardy, Washington ; One Hundred and Six- tieth O. N. G.
Honnold, George E. ; One Hundred and Six- tieth O. N. G.
Honnold, George P. ; One Hundred and Six- tieth O. N. G.
Hardy, Leven ; Ninety-seventh O. V. I.
Hardy, Samuel ; Signal Service.
Henry, Asa ; Fifteenth U. S. I.
Hunter, James ; One Hundred and Fifty-ninth O. N. G.
Ijams, William W. ; One Hundred and Six- tieth O. N. G.
Jackson, Hiram ; Ninety-seventh O. V. I.
Knicely, Isaac ; One hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Lhain, John ; Ninety-seventh O. V. I.
Lhain, Samuel : Fifteenth U. S. I.
Livingston, William B. : One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Meisner, Carl : One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Miller, Daniel : One Hundred and Sixtieth (). N. G.
Mock, Samuel ; Tenth O. V. C.
McAnna, John S .; Sixteenth U: S. I.
MeKnight, George ; Sixty-second O. V. I.
McDowell, John W .; Sixty-second O. V. I. :
died at Suffolk, Virginia.
McGaw, H. D. : Second O. V. I.
Neuzinger, Jacob ; Second O. V. I.
Orndorff. John ; One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Oliver. John : Seventy-eighth O. V. I.
Peidlinmier, Frederick ; Sixty -second O. V. I. Richardson, Orin ; One Hundred and Sixtieth
O. N. G.
Rorick, O. P. ; Second O. V. 1.
Rorick, Marion ; Third O. V. I .; the first to volunteer from Salem township. .
Rorick, Jesse, First Lieutenant ; Sixty-Second O. V. I.
Roff, J. W. ; Ninety-seventh O. V. I.
Ross, David ; Ninety-seventh O. V. I.
Ross, Jacob H. ; Fourth O. V. I.
Richardson, Levi P. ; Seventy-eighth O. V. I.
Roff, 1I. H. ; Marine service ; killed at Fort Jackson, Mississippi.
Ross, Robert ; Tenth O. V. C.
Rorick, William ; Fifteenth U. S. I.
Rochel, John : Ninth O. V. C.
Seigfried, Simeon, Captain ; One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Shroyer, Solomon, First Lieutenant ; One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Snoots. John, Second Lieutenant ; One Hun- dred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Shirer. H. C. ; One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Sauerz, George : One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Shrigley, George : One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G. Snoots. J. A. : One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Spicer, Washington : One Hundred and Six- tieth O. N. G.
Stotts, Jacob ; One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Stotts, Adam : One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G. ; wounded at Fort Grigg.
Shrum, William B. ; One IInndred and Sixti- eth O. N. G.
Shirer, James M. : One Hundred and Fifty- ninth.O. N. G.
Shirer, W. S. ; One Hundred and Fifty-ninth O. N. G.
Stiner, Joseph ; Sixty-second O V. I.
Shoemaker, Enoch ; Ninth O. V. C.
Stiers, Joseph, Ninth O. V. C.
Snur, F. M. ; Second O. V. I.
Sandel, Michael, Ninety-seventh O. V. I. : wounded at Atlanta.
Shirer, Converse ; Ninety-seventh O. V. I.
467 -
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
Snur. William ; Ninety-seventh O. V. I.
Snur, John ; Ninety-seventh O. V. I.
Sturtz, Dennis ; Seventy-eighth O. V. I.
Stotts, Nathan ; Seventy-eighth O. V. I. Snur, Frank : Seventy-eighth O. V. I.
Sarbaugh, John : regiment unknown.
Stotts, Claudius ; regiment unknown.
Shirer, B. F. : Sixth O. V. C. ; died of starva- tion at Andersonville, January 7, 1865.
Sturtz. C. : One Hundred and Ninety-first U. S. I.
Sandel. Andrew : One Hundred and Ninety- first U. S. I.
Taylor, C. C. : One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Taylor, J. C. ; One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Thomas. George ; One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Tritipo. Oliver M. : One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Titus, Frank ; Second O. V. I.
Trustler, William ; Ninety-seventh O. V. I. ; killed at Mission Ridge.
Taylor, Samuel J. : Seventy-eighth O V. I. Tomlinson, A. C. ; Signal service.
Vernon, Asa ; Second O. V. I.
Vernon. Joseph : Second O. V. I.
Vernon, Ezra : Second O. V. I.
Vernon, Josiah ; Seventy-eighth O. V. I.
Vernon, Cyrus.
Vernon, Nicholas : Fifteenth U. S. I.
Williams, H. Harrison : One Hundred and Six- tieth O. N. G.
Winn. A. M. : One Ilundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Wiles, F. M. ; One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Werts, George P. ; One Hundred and Twen- tv-second O. V. I.
Winn. R. J. ; Second O. V. I.
Winn. Hiram ; Second O. V. I.
.. Watts. George ; Ninety-seventh O. V. I. Wheeler, Newton ; Ninety-seventh O. V. I. Whitcraft. J. R. ; Seventy-eighth O. V. I. Watts. W. W. ; Signal service.
Zimmer, J. V. ; One Hundred and Sixtieth O. N. G.
Zimmer, Jacob : One Hundred and Twenty- second O. V. I.
War of 1812 .- Collins, Thomas. Denison, Gurdon.
Dailey, John. Dailey, William. Stiers, Joseph. Vernon, Joseph. Williams, John. Wine, John.
Mexican War .- Nolan, William. Rorick. Jesse.
BRUSH CREEK TOWNSHIP.
PRE-HISTORIC RECORD-MOUND BUILDERS-FIRST WHITE SETTLERS-FIRST ROAD-BRUSH CREEK ROAD-FIRST BRIDGE-FIRST BLACKSMITH-A HUNTER'S EXTREMITY- CARPENTERS-PHYSI- CIANS-FIRST SAWMILL-DAM ACROSS BRUSH CREEK - GRISTMILLS - TANNERIES - FIRST SCHOOL-" THE CLASS OF 1814"-FORMATION OF THE TOWNSHIP-TOPOGRAPHY-SOIL-THE POTTER'S ART-CANNEL COAL-IRON-SALT -- FIRST JUSTICE OF THE PEACE AND SUCCESSORS -FIRST SALT WELL- LUTHERAN CHURCH-LU- THERANS AND PRESBYTERIANS BUILD A CHURCI1 - CHANGE IN SYNODICAL- CONNECTION - FIRST DISTILLERY-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH- PIONEER STORE-ANTIOCH UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH-ZOAR BAPTIST CHURCH-AMITY SUN- DAY SCHOOL-STOVERTOWN-CHRISTIAN TEM- PERANCE UNION-FIRST BRICK-FIRST POST ROUTE-GEOLOGY.
The history of this township has, in addition to the usual historic data, that revive old time memories, and enable the pioneers yet on the stage of action, to live over the scenes that in- spired their earlier life, become henceforth the most notable in the county, and gained a place in the Archælogical world, that invests it with no ordinary importance. As, whoever is interested in the mound builder's history can not fail to consider the peculiar topography as inviting that peculiar people to its hills, and valleys, especi- ally will they desire to study the remains they left in this township, in connection with those in other parts of the State, and in other parts of the United States, that, though prehistoric, are yet in a sense classic ground. The mound builder chap- ter in this work will be found a compilation from the most distinguished writers on the subject ; and of such importance that it is assigned a special place in this work.
The first settler, in modern parlance, was George Swingle, a native of Saxony, in Ger- many. He was born July 4, 1756, and at the age of sixteen entered the army, in which he served eight years, and during which period his parents died. When his term of service was ended, he sailed for America, and located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in shoemaking, which he seems to have taken up, without learning the art from a master. Here he married Mary Magdalene Dietrich, and con- tinued to reside there until 1810, when, accom- panied by his son, Nicholas. he started for "the northwest country," and halted in the region now known as Brush Creek township, where he concluded to settle. on the farm now occupied by Solomon Swingle. After selecting this place, he left his son to prepare a shelter for them, whilst he returned to Pennsylvania for the re- mainder of the family ; and Nicholas, with the neighbors' help, erected a cabin, into which the family domiciled soon after. The journey thither was through the wilderness, then inhab- ited by savages and wild beasts, and it is an indi-
468
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
cation of the heroism that characterized Mr. Swingle and the pioneers of that day, that they braved these dangers and attained not only the mastery over both, but converted these wild lands into productive fields, and gardens. Those were the days that tried men's souls in the most literal sense, for they had to create all the means of the comfort they enjoyed : and to contend with the ravages of the raccoon and squirrel, who wantonly appropriated their corn, as if it had been planted for them. Mr. Swingle never became discouraged, however ; during his first year he made a barrel of maple sugar, and a barrel of molasses : for coffee they substituted parched corn. and for tea they used sassafras root bark. During the second year, they built a hewed log house. the first in the township, and they abandoned the one built by Nicholas ; they also built a barn and set out an orchard, and planted wheat. George Swingle died on this place, October 28th. 1844, honored and beloved by all who knew him. His wife survived him two years. The only surviving members of his family, are: Samuel, who lives in Harrison township. and Elizabeth Willis, who lives in Clark county. Illinois-the latter in her eighty- second year.
Among the pioneers who came prior to 1820, and soon after Mr. George Swingle, were Thomas Davidson, Balsor Dietrich, David Woodruff, Simmons, Samuel Whitaker, Lewis Whitaker, Archibald Buchanan, Thomas B. McConnell. John McConnell, Joseph Show- ers. James Brown, Joseph Hudson, Lewis Hud- son, John Boyd, John Worstall, John Hopkins, James Hopkins, Christian Baughman, E. Long- shore, David Woodruff, Virginia David, Martin Adams, Adam Leffler. Jacob and Henry Stain- brook. Henry Dozer. Zedekiah Butt, J. Wor- stall, John Brighton, Abner Brelsford, John M. Carlisle. Robert Crook. William Thompson, William McElhany, Michael Wiseman. Peter Shepard, and " Abe. " Stanbrook, Jr.
The first necessity, after securing shelter and provisions. was a road. and the road was sur- veyed by Beckwith, running the entire length of the township, from the Muskingum river to the Morgan county line, dividing the township centrally, from north to south. The date of this survey is not known ; the thorough- fare has since been known as the Brush Creek road, which it derived from the name of the stream which bears that name, and entering the township at its southern boundary, crosses north- ward and nearly centrally, through the town- ship, and empties into the Muskingum river. which is fairly concealed by a brushy under- growth, and hence its name.
The first bridge in this region was built across Brush Creek, by John Worstall, near the present residence of John G. McConnell. This was in an early day.
The first blacksmith to start a fire, in this township, was Thomas Davidson, who came in 1813, and remained until 1844. The sons of Vulcan who came after him, were John G. Mc-
Connell, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Harrop, and Tobias Thomas.
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