USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > History of Muskingum County, Ohio ; with illustrations and biographical sketches of prominent men and pioneers, 1794 > Part 104
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In 1837, James Littleton laid out an addition to the village.
The first tavern was kept by John Laughlin. in an humble log cabin.
The first store-keeper was Robert Allen, whose place of business was a small frame building. Allen & Copeland subsequently erected a large brick building, and thereby greatly increased business.
The first blacksmith was Zedekialı Wilson, who is spoken of as an excellent workman and good citizen.
The first son of Crispin was one, Forgran. who " kept his lapstone bright, and always waxed his thread."
The first school was taught by Elisha Ken- nedy, in a conventional log building, with pun- cheon floor and slab seats and desks ; it has long since disappeared. Of those who attended this school, it is likely that David Porter is the only one living. Mr. Porter is now about three quarters of a century old, and thinks he has'out- lived his school mates.
The second school house was like unto the first, although built as late as 1840. This struc- ture, in time, gave way for the present frame
building, with its improved furnishing. The school now taught, is graded and ably conducted. The term lasts eight months. The pupils num- ber one hundred and twenty-five.
The village of Roseville was incorporated A. D. 1840. The population, at this time, was about three hundred, and, under the new regime, a Mayor and Council must preside over her desti- nies. Accordingly, Dr. James Little was elected Mayor. The date of this election is supposed to have been shortly after the incorporation ; but no record of the election has been found, and no tra- dition informs us who the members of the Coun- cil were.
SATAN IN THEIR MIDST.
About 1818, " Black Tom" made his appear- ance, and was the subject of remark by the vil- lagers generally, and the children in particular, many of whom had not so much as heard of black people, generally concluding that such a color was the peculiarity of his satanic majesty, and hence "Black Tom" was thought to be a near relative of Satan, and looked upon with dubious eyes, and given a wide berth by the little folks, whose ears were filled with strange legends as to his origin and habits, by " children of larger growth." To the credit of Tom, be it said, he was of quiet disposition, industrious, fond of story telling, although his stories were not new. And it is altogether likely that, had he been suspected of having a soul, some missionary would have made overtures to him with efforts to lead him to the light, which would not have been difficult, for he was credulous in the extreme. And yet Tom did not believe in the existence of a devil, whose home was amidst flames. He "know'd dar was no sich pusson ; nobody kin live in de brimstone smoke-he'd choke to def, sure!" But he be- lieved there were many devils in this country, and that this must be his home.
ANOTHER SENSATION.
In 1821, Miss Maria Brumager. a very worthy young lady, of gentle manners, and noted for good taste, and the habit of carefully considering the proprieties of her sex. whose opinion was highly regarded by every one who knew her well enough to know what her opinion was, particu- larly on matters of costume, and was "the flower of the family" at home, and the charm of the cir- cle in which she moved. and whose familiarity with those whose opinions made the sentiment of the village, was such that it was fair to conclude, whatever their opinions might be. she would be the last one to outrage them : and familiar, too, with the time-honored custom of those simple- hearted people, who, by their own handicraft. prepared their own garments, from the shearing of the sheep and hackleing of the flax. to the fruit of the loom, to which they added new beau- ties by the ingenuity of their devices, often dis- playing artistic talent of a high order. for the age in which they lived, and inspiring admiration in the mind of every male beholder, as well as envy in their own sex, and notwithstanding, were con-
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TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
tent to wear what they themselves had made. and thought it good enough ; and notwithstanding their skill in arranging colors in pieces and stripes almost approached the painter's art, they were not prepared for the daze that o'erpowered them when Miss Brumager walked into church wearing a straw bonnet and calico dress! This was an event in Roseville never to be forgotten ! And, strange to relate, many, deemed well clad hitherto, now thought they had "nothing to wear ["
THE FORMATION OF CLAY TOWNSHIP.
THURSDAY, Dec. 9, A.D. 1841.
Pursuant to adjournment, the Commissioners met. Present-John Goshen, Robert Boggs, and Littleton Moore.
New Township .- A petition was presented by William Wann, signed by a majority of the house- holders residing within the boundaries of the pro- posed new township, at the last June session of this board, and laid over to the present session, which was this day taken up, and the Commis- sioners being satisfied that the necessary notice of such intended application had been given by advertisements, as required by law, proceeded to take the matter into consideration. The peti- tioners set forth that they labor under many dif- ficulties and disadvantages in consequence of the distance, and other difficulties they have to labor under, in going to and from elections, etc., and also praying that a new township may be set off of part of Brush Creek township, and the Com- missioners, believing the prayer of the petitioners necessary for the convenience of the inhabitants and township officers, do hereby order a new township to be set off, according to the following boundaries, to wit : "Sections number one, two, three, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, and fifteen, in township fourteen, range fourteen, be- ing part of Brush Creek township, in Muskin- gum county," which said new township is called Clay township. Also ordered by the Commis- sioners, that an election be held at the house of Adam Rider, Sr., in said township. [See Com- missioners' Journal, of this date-not paged. ]
The record of the first, and many subsequent elections, seem to have been lost. At an early election in Brush Creek township, Dr. James Little was elected Justice of the Peace, and John Boyd, Jacob Dietrich, and - -, were elect- ed Township Trustees ; William Dunn, Consta- ble. Mr. Dunn held this office for seven consec- utive years. If not the first, this was near about the time of the first election. It is said that the entire population living in that part of Brush Creek known as Clay township, did not exceed one hundred.
CHURCHES.
The churches in Uniontown in 1848, according to tradition, were as follows :
One Evangelical Lutheran Church, having about seventy-five members, ministered to by Rev. James Manning.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, having about one hundred members, was ministered to by Rev. James Jamison and Rev. James Gurley.
The Old School Baptist Church, having about twenty members, was ministered to by Elder Thomas Harper.
The New School Baptist Church, having about sixty members, was ministered to by Rev. Wmn. Sigefried.
Uniontown Presbyterian Church .- In Septem- ber, 1848, an application having thirty signers, was presented to the Zanesville Presbytery, ask- ing the organization of the Uniontown Presby- terian Church, which was granted, and the society organized November 18th, of that year, and Samuel Milhouse was ordained Rul- ing Elder, and John Read and John Smocks or- dained deacons ; H. C. MacBride, pastor.
The Methodist Protestant Church had about thirty members, ministered to by Rev. John. Wilson.
The Bible Christian Church had about seven- ty-five members, ministered to by Rev. C. Hand.
SONS OF TEMPERANCE.
A lodge of this denomination of temperance workers was organized in Roseville in 1848, and flourished to such a degree that the sale of in- toxicating liquor was generally considered such a disreputable business that no citizen would en- gage in it. They were determined, also, that no one should keep liquor on sale, as will appear from the following circumstance : In the fall of 1848, one Jack Myer, brought three barrels of whiskey into the village and opened a shop. He named his barrels . Good. Better and Best." The Sons of Temperance took notice of his preparation for business and where he located his merchandise. and in a calm still night. ere the moon came forth, they found their way into the cellar under the saloon, and with augers, elongated for the purpose by the blacksmiths, they tapped each barrel from below and let their contents flow freely. Early the next morning some one applied to the would-be liquor seller for a jug full. He tried a barrel marked "Good," but it was no good : he tried a barrel marked "Bet- ter," with no better success, and finally he tried a barrel marked " Best," and then he thought some one had the best of him. And he wisely concluded to abandon this place, and there was no attempt of the kind made there for the ensu- ing six years. This long cessation of hostilities was the cause of the organization subsiding.
ODD FELLOWSHIP.
Jonathan Lodge, No. 356, I. O. O. F .- This Lodge was instituted August 8th, 1865. The first officers were: N. G .. E. B. Bailey ; V. G., C. F. Watson ; Secretary, J. J. Walpole ; Treas- urer, Andrew Dugan. The membership num- bers about seventy-five, and is in a flourishing condition.
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TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
CLAY TOWNSHIP GEOLOGICALLY.
This is a very limited area, in the southwest corner of the county. J. S. Newberry, Chief Geologist for the State, in his report for 1869, re- marks as follows : "Near Roseville, an old coal working was found to be eighty feet above the Putnam Hill lime stone. This is the proper place for the Nelsonville, or Upper Lexington coal. No opportunity presented itself for meas- urement."
Dr. Hildreth, in the old geological report, found calcario-silicious rock on the high hills in section fourteen. It was found difficult to de- termine the exact stratigraphical position of the Flint Ridge buhr, as it lies on the top of the ridge, more like a blanket than like a rigid stratum. It conforms more or less to the undu- lating surface of the general top of the ridge, and is at some points higher than others. The buhr is porous and often cracked, and water passing through may have carried the soft shale below, and thus lowered the stratum along its border.
E. B. Andrews, Assistant Geologist, in the re- port for 1873, says : "Putnam Hill limestone is found here, and the Upper New Lexington seam of coal is about eighty feet above it. The lower seam had not been found, but it may be there in local developments. It is nowhere a very cer- tain seam. When there is sufficient demand to warrant careful searches, I have little doubt but that valuable iron ore will be found in this vicin- ity. In other townships, good ores are found in similar portions of the coal-measures series. The most useful material as yet taken from the earth in Clay township is potter's clay, from which large quantities of excellent pottery is made."
THE POTTER'S PARADISE.
This village is headquarters for the potter, be- ing situated in a region abounding in potter's clay of the best variety, on which account the township. it is said, was called Clay.
" Stoneware" is the staple here. A car load of some class of stoneware is shipped from here every working day in the year.
COAL.
Coal is abundant and large quantities is shipped.
GRAIN AND WOOL.
Grain, stock and wool are exported in large quantities.
RAILROAD.
The P., C. & St. L. Railway agent sells about a hundred dollars worth of tickets every week.
The Adams Express Company have an office here and do a very satisfactory business.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
FERTILITY OF LANDS-PIONEERS-TOPOGRAPIIY -- SOIL-FORESTS-STREAMS-IRON-COAL -- FOR- MATION OF THE TOWNSHIP-NAMING-MILLS -- DISTILLERY-FRAZEYSBURGH M. E. CHURCH MRS. R. C. MENDENHALL-" THE VISITOR "- JUSTICES OF THE PEACE-PHYSICIANS-THE "EVANS CHURCH"-CARPENTERS-ATTORNEY -SCHOOLS-FRAZEYSBURGH UNION SCHOOL- SURVEYORS-FRAZEYSBURGH - KNOXVILLE - NAME CHANGED BY ORDER OF P. O. DEPARMENT -INCORPORATION -CHARTER - ELECTION- BLACKSMITHS -TAVERNS - POSTOFFICE-FRA- ZEY'S STORE-CANAL-MT. ZION CHRISTIAN CHURCH -DISCIPLE CHURCH - EARLIEST RE- CORDS-RAILROAD AND TELEGRAPH-FINE ART -FRAZEYSBURGH LODGE, NO. 490, F. AND A. M. -- THE PRESS-GLENDALE LODGE, NO. 649, I. O. O. F .- FRAZEYSBURGH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The early settlers of this township were allured thither by the fertility of the lands in the valley of Wakatomika Creek; like those who settled nearest the valley of the Muskingum. It is true that the area of perhaps twenty-five miles, on either side of the latter stream, is in- cluded in the term, "Valley of the Mus- kingum ;" and yet the smaller valleys have af- forded special attractions to the settler. Actu- ated by the motive to make a paradise wherever nature invited them, the settlers, therefore, se- lected sites as near to the streams of importance as seemed good to them. Among the pioneers in this region, Colonel William Blizzard came in 1815, and settled in the southwest portion of sec- tion twelve, where he found an Eden in a log cabin. It is needless to describe this abode, the proba- bility is that there was no departure from the conventional character of it, and being " wind and weather tight, " it fulfilled the purpose, hap- piness being the outgrowth of contentment, and conjugal fidelity, and these were found where- ever nature bade them welcome, as she did in those fertile valleys, and the outspreading branches of her glorious forests. W. T. Bliz- zard now occupies the old homestead. During this year, also, William McClintock came from Washington county, Pennsylvania, and settled on what is now known as the Zanesville road, in the southeast corner of the corporate limits of Frazeysburgh, as known to-day. This house was occupied. in 1880, by I. C. Franks, and has undergone the modernizing of many another log house, by being weather boarded. During this vear, also, came Thomas Wilkins, and built his cabin in the extreme southeast corner of the township ; the land, in 1880, was owned by James McCann. About the close of this year, in the early part of 1816, Joshua Bennett, (son- in-law of Samuel Mendenhall), came from Vir- ginia, and settled on the tract that Mr. Menden- hall had occupied in 1811 ; and in 1816, he found himself on the high road to fortune, having a farm of virgin soil amid an ambrosial atmos- phere, to inspire him to labor. Richard Menden-
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TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
hall, (father of Dr. Mendenhall, of Frazeysburgh), was one of the pioneers who left his impress on his times. and an honored name ; he occupied a small log house within a mile of the town of to- day, to the westward : he died in 1871. About this time. also, Mr. Tushman, a German, a quiet plodding man. whose practical turn enabled him to live in an obscure manner, occupied a tract on the border of the township, in the northeast portion, now occupied by John Riley. Tush- man's first successor was John Lobe. Joseph Chaney was another of that period, and settled about three miles north of Frazeysburgh.
TOPOGRAPHICAL.
Topographically, Jackson township is undu- lating in its surface, and occasionally broken. The soil is termed a rich limestone, and clay on the uplands, and sandy loam in the lowerlands and bottoms. The forests of the ages past are rapidly disappearing, yet a few monarchs of their clans-the sycamore, hickory, black wal- nut, white oak. and poplar, remain to witness the glory of their ancestors. The township is well watered, as a glance at the map, showing numerous tributaries to Wakatomika, the princi- pal stream, will attest. This stream winds a tortuous course from the northwest corner to near the southeast, and up towards the eastern center where it passes out of the township, affording a vast fertilizing influence. as well as drainage, and numerous mill sites.
Iron and coal, of fair quality, are found in va- rious localities ; the latter is consumed at home, while the former is mined and hauled to Frazeys- burgh. and thence shipped by rail to Zanesville.
FORMATION OF TOWNSIIIP.
" A petition to the Commissioners by a num- ber of the inhabitants, of Licking township, praying that the said township be divided agree- able to the following boundaries : Beginning at the county line, at the southwest quarter of the third section, thence east to the township that divides the eighth range, thence with said line north five miles to the county line, then with the county line south to the place of beginning ; or- dered, that the aforesaid described boundaries be set off in a new township, and be called Jackson township and that they hold their elections at the house of Thomas Blizzard, on the last Saturday in July, 1815. June 6th, 1815." -- [ Commissioners' Journal. ]
The name was probably given on account of " the dark horse " of that period-Andrew Jack- son-having many friends in the locality at the time. Jackson, it will be remembered, was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and born on a plantation in Mecklenburgh county, North Carolina, March 15. 1767, and early left an orphan. From obscu- rity he made his way by the innate greatness of his soul, to Congress. as the first Representative of Tennessee, just admitted into the Union (December 5, 1796). and subsequently as Sena- tor-and the hero of a duel-a dashing military
chieftan, during the war of 1812-then as Sena- tor-and elected President of the United States, in 1828, and again in 1832 ; his was an inspiring name, and it is fair to presume that townships as well as children were named after him. He left an illustrions example, worthy of imitation, that coming generations will not cease to emulate, as in the past.
MILLS.
Samuel Mendenhall came into this township, from Virginia, in 1811, and entered one thousand three hundred acres of land. He built liis cabin about one and a quarter miles west of the site of Frazeysburgh of to-day, and, in 1819, he built the first saw and grist mill in the township, lo- cated on Wakatomika creek, half a mile above the site occupied by Eli Gorley's sawmill in 1880. George Stamets (father of E. P. Stamets) lived in this mill, with his family, and was the miller for a number of years. Richard Griffee served as miller in this establishment, also. This mill had all the grinding to do that was done, in this and surrounding townships, for many years, and it was astonishing that two run of buhrs could do so much. The dam was washed away in 1830. At this time, John Norris was the miller.
Clark Hollenback, who laid out the town of Frazeysburgh, built a sawmill in 1820-22, on the same site occupied by Eli Gorley's in 1880, and, about two years later, William McClintock erect- ed a sawmill, on Wakatomika creek, about where the Goff flour mill was in 1880.
About 1825, in the extreme northwest corner of the township, there was a rude saw and grist mill, that passed through many hands, and final- ly disappeared, in 1880. For some years prior to its destruction, a woolen mill was said to have been operated on the premises.
DISTILLERY.
It has been said, by some of the oldest inhab- itants, that "a distillery could be found in nearly every run in the county." However true this may be, the following constitutes the account of these institutions, that has come down through .
"the avenues that remember the still :
In 1832, Samuel Mills built a small distillery, on the Zanesville road, three-quarters of a mile south of Frazeysburgh, and a Mr. Blood oper- ated it for a few months. In 1843, Josiah Camp- bell, Alfred Chapman and Hazel Clarey, operated quite extensively in Frazeysburgh. The report still lingers in the memory of ye pioneer that the whisky from this still had much to do with swelling the Democratic majority for Polk and Dallas, in '44 .. It is certain that it swelled many a head.
CHURCHIES.
Frazeysburgh M. E. Church .- This society was organized at the house of Zachariah Bon- ham, in the year 1815. Some of the members of that class were Zachariah Bonham and wife, Richard Wood and wife, Reuben Oliver and wife, Daniel Wilkins and wife. R. C. Menden- hall and wife. and Mrs. Jane Bennett. The only
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TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
survivor of these pioneer Methodists, in 1880, was Mrs. R. C. Mendenhall. Their first meet- ings were from house to house, but principally at Zachariah Bonham's. R. C. Mendenhall's, and John Wimmer's. The latter then lived on the place occupied, in 1880, by Benjamin Norris. Later, they occupied a school-house, then near the northern boundary line of Frazeysburgh.
In 1840. the organization felt strong enough to erect a church. which was a plain, but substan- tial building. that cost about one thousand dol- lars. This church continued in use until 1878. when the the present neat, frame structure was erected. in the village of Frazeysburg, at a cost of one thousand eight hundred dollars. This is one of the most elegant churches in the county, outside of Zanesville. The early pastors, whose names are remembered. were Rev. Thomas Carr (one of the first to preach to this people), Rev. Shadrach Ruark, Rev. Thomas Ruckle, Rev. Samuel Hamilton. Abner Goff, Curtis God- dard, James Gilruth. Charles Thorn. Zara Cos- ton, John C. Haven. Michael Ellis, T. A. G. Phillips. William Cunningham (cousin of the late Rev. Levi Cunningham. Presiding Elder of the Zanesville District), Rev. Laban, and Henry Fernandes. They preached between the forma- tion of this church and 1830. During these years, R. C. Mendenhall erected a large barn, and was the first to "raise" without whisky, so that this barn marked an epoch in this particular. Religious services were often held there, on Sun- days. In this barn, Rev. Fernandes held a series of meetings, which resulted in much good. During 1839-40, a great revival occurred, under the ministerial guidance of Reverends Lowrey, West, and Milligan, which is remembered as eventful and very interesting to the church. In 1878, another awakening occurred-during the pastorate of Rev. D. S. Porter -- "and many were saved." Mr. Porter was pastor one year, and came to this people just in time for the har- vest. 1
Rev. N. W. Acton. the incumbent in 1880, was first appointed to this charge in 1879. Dur- ing the first year of his pastorate, he established a small, church paper, called the "Visitor." This was enlarged, the following year, and made more secular, though keeping at its high moral tone : and thus he has united the influence of the two great civilizers-the Press and the Pulpit.
In 1880. the Trustees were John A. Evans, S. C. Mendenhall, M.D. ; R. P. Mendenhall, Esq. : William A. Norris, William Hamilton, J. L. Bennett. and Joshua Bennett. The membership this year numbered one hundred and seventy.
The Sunday School connected with this church is well attended and doing a good work.
This charge belongs to the Zanesville District. Ohio Conference.
Frazeysburgh Presbyterian Church .- This or- ganization was consummated in 1876, with thir- ty four members. The following were the Trus- tees : L. B. Goff. James McCann, J. S. Trem- bley. 5. W. Ewing. and John W. Nethers. The
first pastor was S. D. Smith, and during his pas- torate the society built their brick church in Fra- zeysburgh, at a cost of $2,370. The dedication sermon was preached September 8, 1877, by Rev. J. W. Tenny, and the pastor assisted in the ded- icatory service. The second regular pastor was John W. Tenny, followed by Hugh C. McBride, who preached six months. J. W. Fulton was the last pastor, serving six months, ending August, 1880. since when the society has had no pastor. The foregoing data was furnished by J. S. Trem- bley, Postmaster at Frazeysburgh.
Mt. Zion Christian Church .- This church was organized in 1832, with eight members, among whom were George McDonald, Mrs. Ann McDonald, Matthew Emery, Mrs. Eliza- beth Emery, Mrs. Mary Lovitt, and Joseph Chaney. The first meetings were held in George McDonald's house, now occupied by his son, S. McDonald, until 1845, when the society erected their present house of worship, a sub- stantial frame structure, at a cost of about five hundred dollars, and with a seating capacity of four hundred ; located upon the same farm that it was organized upon, about two miles north of Frazeysburgh, on the West Carlisle road.
The first pastor was Rev. Barzillai H. Wiles ; in 1833, Edward Lewis was pastor, followed by Elder - Millison, who only preached occa- sionly. Harvey Ashley officiated in 1838, and was the third regular pastor. In 1840, Rev. William Gilmore came, and served but a short time, when he was succeeded by James Marvin, who served ten years, and, in 1850, was followed by Jacob Hanger, who remained ten years. The seventh regular pastor was Rev. Adolphus Brad- field, who served three years and was succeeded by Andrew Hanger, who remained until 1868, and was followed by Rev. William Overturf, who served until 1870, when Enos Peters, the present incumbent, became their pastor.
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