USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > History of Muskingum County, Ohio ; with illustrations and biographical sketches of prominent men and pioneers, 1794 > Part 53
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In the winter of 1834, petitions were signed here, and forwarded to the Legislature of this State, praying for the amelioration of the con- dition of its colored population ; particularly, that they might be permitted to give testimony in the courts, and allowed to participate in the benefits of the school fund-and to Congress, asking for the immediate abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia. and of the slave trade between the states.
About this time, Jacob Stout, a member of the society, was fined fifty dollars, for employing Mark Turner, a colored man ; and taking ex- ceptions to this decision, the society employed Messrs. Goddard and Convers in his defense.
A state convention was appointed to be held here, April 22d, 1835, and during the month pre- vious, Theodore D. Weld came by invitation to lecture. His meetings created great opposition and excitement, and under date of April 11th, 1835, the records of the society show that a com- mittee was appointed to confer with Richard Stillwell, Esquire, (afterwards Judge. ) then pros- ecuting attorney of this county, in relation to the disturbances of these meetings, with a view to secure means for their prevention. During the convention, bands of riotous persons, en- couraged by more respectable, but more guilty men, crossed the river, disturbed its sessions, defaced the Academy where they were held, in- sulted ladies who had been in attendance, and succeeded in breaking up the convention. They threatened to burn the dwellings of Major Nye, Mr. Howells and Mr. A. A. Guthrie, which for some time had to be guarded by their friends, there being no municipal government here at that time.
The State Anti-Slavery Society assembled here the last of May, 1839. By this time the feel- ing of hostility against the friends of emancipa- tion had measurably subsided. The announce- ment of the contemplated meeting, however, kindled anew the slumbering fires of opposition, and inflammatory documents were issued, among them a hand bill, captioned the "Resurrection of
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
Abolitionists in Putnam." It was filled with the bitterest invectives, and was calculated to excite the worst passions of the human heart. It had its legitimate effect ; evil minded persons began to prowl around the village during the sittings of the convention, and on the night of its adjourn- ment, fired the barn of Mr. Adam France, be- cause he had stabled the horses of delegates, and the succeeding night, burned the barn of Mr. Whipple, for the same reason. One of these rioters, Mike Casey, was arrested and con- victed, but while being taken to the jail, was res- cued on the lower bridge by an armed band of his associates and taken in triumph to Zanesville. The appearance of this party and their report of proceedings, caused the crowd, already gathered, to rush down Third street and through the bridge, threatening to burn the village. At the western entrance of the bridge, however, they encoun- tered the Mayor of Putnam, Mr. Z. M. Chand- ler, with an armed police, and were warned that if they attempted to advance further, it would be at their peril. After parleying awhile, they slowly retreated, with bitter curses on the abolition town. This assualt led, at the instance of Mr. R. N. Dunlap, to the organization of the "Putnam Greys," a military company, which, under the drill of Captain Jesse P. Hatch, a graduate of Captain Partridge's Military School, at Norwich, Vermont, became one of the finest military companies in the State, and was for vears an institution of this place.
The citizens of Putnam who differed from the emancipationists, mainly in the manner and time of accomplishing their ends, united in defending their village, chiefly, of course, on the ground of self preservation, but also on account of their sympathy with the cause of right.
The anti-slavery controversy invaded almost every home, and raised its head in church and synod. Its discussion resulted in the disruption of the Presbyterian Church, in May, 1838. In this, the Synod of Ohio, was necessarily involved, and its members became two hostile bands, not as it is claimed, because of errors in doctrine, but on secular grounds. "Although the same diversity among brethren, as to the mode of stating and explaining particular doctrines of the confession, continued in the two bodies. Some, who had been regarded as extreme "New Measure" men, went with the Old School party. while some who were extreme Calvinists, re- mained in the New School connection.
ST. NICHOLAS ASSOCIATION.
This society was organized in October, 1854. The object is mutual benefit ; in case of sickness, the sum of three dollars per week is paid for the benefit of the suffering, and in case of death, the sum of twenty-five dollars is appropriated to de- fray funeral expenses, and if there be a widow and child, or children, an assessment of one dol- lar per member is made for the benefit of the bereaved.
The first officers were :
President-John Gunther.
Vice President-John Emmert.
Secretary-Peter Weber. Treasurer-John M. Hoffner.
The present officers are : President-V. J. Heilman.
Secretary-F. Huber.
Treasurer -- A. E. Amer.
Trustees-Anthony Saup, Jacob Hiebel and John Emmert.
The place of meeting, is St. Nicholas School Hall.
OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
"A meeting of the old citizens of Muskingum county was held at the office of Sheriff Benja- min F. Leslie, and organized by electing John Peters, President, and L. H. Dugan, Secretary.
"On motion, the President appointed Benja- min F. Leslie, A. C. Ross, and L. H. Dugan, a committee to report a Constitution and By- Laws, for the government of an association of old citizens of Muskingum county, and to call the next meeting of the same.
"JOHN PETERS, President. "L. H. DUGAN, Secretary." Zanesville, August, 1867.
"Pursuant to the published call here cited, a meeting of old citizens of Muskingum county was held at Odd Fellows' Hall, in Zanesville, on Friday, August 30th, 1867. A Constitution and By-Laws were adopted, and the Association adjourned, to meet on Friday, September 13th, 1867, at two o'clock, P. M., at Odd Fellows' Hall, for the election of officers.
"JOHN PETERS, President. "L. H. DUGAN, Secretary."
The object of the Association is defined in the following extract :
"PREAMBLE-Whereas, It is desired to bring together the few early emigrant settlers of the Muskingum Valley, yet among us, within the boundary of Muskingum county, State of Ohio ; also, those born within the limits, prior to the year A.D. 1825 ; and to obtain from them such information relative to the early settlement of Zanesville and Muskingum county as may be deemed interesting ; to meet at stated periods, and hold social converse, renew the friendship of the past, and bring up recollections of persons and scenes long since gone."
The Committee reported the Constitution. which was adopted, and signed by the following persons :
G. M. Crooks, Sr. ; born, 1795 : came into the county, 1798.
I. B. Brookover; born, 1790: came into the county, 1806.
David Gibson Porter : born, 1806, in Zanes- ville.
John Dulty ; born. 1791 ; came into the coun- ty, 1811.
Frederick A. Seborn ; born, 1813; came into the county, 1820.
Elijah H. Church ; born, 1809, in Zanesville. A. C. Ross : born, 1812, in Zanesville.
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
Amasa Van Horne: born, 1795; came into the county, 1815.
. Valentine Best : born, 1816, within the city limits.
Silvers Porter : born. 1817, in Newton town- ship.
Peter P. Morgan : born, 1805 : came into the county, 1817.
Stephen Burwell : born, 1803 : came into the county, 1816.
John Wolf; born. 1789 ; came into the county, 1837.
William I. Green : born. 1804: came into the county, 1814.
Benjamin F. Leslie : born, 1812: came into the county, 1820.
Cecilia C. Beatty ; born, 1820, in Zanesville. John Church ; born, 1816, in Zanesville.
John Greiner : came into the county, 1835.3 Margaret A. Porter.
L. H. Dugan ; came into the county, 1817.
Davis Johns : born. 1807 : came into the coun- ty. 1819.
Christian Grim: born, 1800; came into the county. 1828.
I. H. Sullivan.
I. Belknap : born, 1792 ; came into the county, 1816.
James Granger; born, 1788: came into the county, 1816.
James Hocking : born, 1788; came into the county, 1830.
Elijah Sullivan directed his name to be put down by W. F. Green.
A meeting of the Association was held, at Odd Fellows' Hall, Zanesville, pursuant to no- tice. September 13, 1867. In the absence of the Chairman of the former meeting, L. H. Dugan called the meeting to order.
The following account of the business trans- acted is from one of the leading local papers :
"MUSKINGUM COUNTY PIONEER ASSOCIATION. -A meeting of the members of the Muskingum County Pioneer Association was held, at Odd Fellows Hall, Friday afternoon, commencing at two o'clock, and was organized with A. A. Guth- rie, Esq., Chairman, and L. H. Dugan, Esq., Secretary.
"The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. An election for permanent offi- cers was then had. The following gentlemen were elected officers of the Association, for the vear closing May 1, 1868 :
"President-Rev. Cornelius Springer.
"First Vice-President -- Colonel Elias Ellis.
"Second Vice-President-John Peters, Esq.
"Third Vice-President -- Colonel John Crooks.
"Corresponding Secretary-L. H. Dugan.
"Recording Secretary-F. A. Seaborn.
"The following members constitute the Anti- quarian Committee: Dr. A. H. Brown, John Greiner, B. F. Leslie, Elijah Church, and I. B. Brookover.
"The following members constitute the Pioneer Committee : A. C. Ross, Stephen Burwell, Sil-
vers Porter, Mrs. C. C. Beatty, and A. A. Guth- rie.
"Executive Committee-Amasa Van Horne, the President of the Association, the two Secre- taries of the society, and John Greiner.
"On motion, it was resolved that ladies desir- ing to become members are permitted to become such without paying the membership fee, and, also, all such persons, otherwise qualified, who are unable to pay it ; and it was ordered that the by-laws be amended, to that effect.
"The President took the Chair, and made some very appropriate remarks, which were highly appreciated by the Association.
"On motion, it was ordered, that the following persons should be entitled to honorary member- ship; upon their signing the Constitution : Judge Sherwood, of New York, C. B. Flood, Alva Buckingham, and George W. Cass.
"It was ordered, that the time and place of the next meeting of the society, be published by the President and Secretaries.
"Twenty-four persons signed their names to the Constitution.
"We cannot let this occasion pass, without adding our mite, to create and sustain the Asso- ciation, whose proceedings are narrated above. A very few years, and the last one of the pio- neers of this county will have passed away, and with them, the recollections of the hardships and other incidents connected with the early settle- ment of our beautiful valley. It is, therefore, incumbent upon those who remain to cherish these recollections, to collect them in suitable form for preservation, and to transmit to their successors on the stage, an epitome, at least, of the scenes and transactions of the pioneer era."
The Association issued the accompanying cir- cular :
"MUSKINGUM COUNTY "PIONEER ASSOCIATION, "ZANESVILLE, O., Nov. Ist, 1867.
"The Pioneer Association of Muskingum county, having been lately organized, and in successful operation, in this place, and, suppos- ing you might be able to contribute something in aid of its objects, we take the liberty to ask your co-operation.
"We wish to obtain any and all interesting in- formation connected with the early settlements of the county ; the names and history of the first settlers, whence they emigrated, when and where they first settled, whether now living, or when died, their structures and im- provements ; a history of the first house built in your township, and first clearing; the oldest structure now standing ; the first mill built, or other machinery. Any other information, con- nected with the early settlement of the county, which you might deem interesting, or worthy of preservation, will be gratefully received. Should you be in possession of any relics, or memorials of interesting events, which you might be dis- posed to present to the Association, they would be thankfully accepted.
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
"Send communications to any one of the un- dersigned, composing the Antiquarian Commit- tee.
"A. H. BROWN, "JOHN GREINER, "J. B. BROOKOVER, "E. H. CHURCH,
"B. F. LESLIE."
The following committees were elected :
Pioneer-A. C. Ross, Stephen Burwell, Silvers Porter, Mr. C. C. Beatty and A. A. Guthrie.
Antiquarian-Dr. A. H. Brown, John Greiner, B. F. Leslie, Elijah H. Church and I. B. Brook- over.
Executive-Amasa Van Horne, Rev. Corne- lius Springer, L. H. Dugan, F. A. Seborn, and John Greiner.
At a meeting held November 16, 1867, a com- munication from Isaac Smucker, Secretary of Licking County Pioneer Association, was receiv- ed-the thanks of the Muskingum Association presented to Mr. Smucker, and the article placed in the hands of the Publication Committee, con- sisting of J. Greiner and Dr. A. H. Brown, ap- pointed at this meeting. The President then read an address to the meeting.
This is the last meeting recorded, and we are left to conjecture the career of the Society, hav- ing only tradition to say that many valuable pa- pers were gathered, but that owing to the ill- health of Dr. Brown, they were never prepared for publication, and, it is suspected, were convey- ed to the paper mill, by some one whose greed for pelf was greater than his desire for reminis- cences, however thrilling and instructive.
THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
The objects of this association are now well known ; however, they were stated to be, "the intellectual and moral improvement of the young men of Zanesville, and vicinity, and the promo- tion of evangelical religion ; to seek out the voung men of the city and bring them under moral and religious influences, by introducing them to the members and privileges of the asso- ciation, and securing their attendance at some place of worship, on Sabbath, and aiding such as may need it in securing suitable boarding places and employment ; also, to provide an attractive place of resort for social purposes, a reading room, library, lectures, and other agencies which are not contrary to the teachings of the Bible, and to use all practical means for increasing its membership, activity and usefulness.
This association was formally organized on the rith day of November, 1867; A. A. Guth- rie was elected President. Mr. Guthrie was an active worker, a sage counsellor, and earnest friend of the association, and continued to serve the society in this capacity until physically dis- abled. Ilis successors in the office of President were: Dr. T. A. Rcamy, E. L. Kemp, H. G. O. Cary, (who served five terms), E. R. Sulli- van, J. D. Warner, Rev. R. S. James, T. F. Spangler, J. M. Bronson, L. M. Gray, Samuel W. Clark, and Robert Fulton.
The rooms occupied by the association, at 136 Main street, are pleasant and conveniently lo- cated, and have been kept open, and made at- tractive by supplying the best periodicals and papers of the day ; they also contain a library of 250 volumes. During several years, the average number of readers per month was over 1,000 ; most of these were young men, and lads, who would otherwise have sought their recreation on the streets, or in places of doubtful character.
Daily Prayer Meeting .- During most of these years, a daily prayer meeting has been sustained at the association rooms ; also a Union Prayer Meeting, on Sabbath afternoons, and cottage meetings, in the various parts of the city.
Their Workers at the County Infirmary and Jail .- Meetings have been held at the Infirmary by delegations from the association ; the jail is visited every Sabbath, religious services held, and papers distributed to the inmates. The Sab- bath School at the "McIntire Children's Home," has been admirably conducted by Mr. J. D. War- ner.
In 1874, the association united with friends of the Sabbath School work, in the Sixth Ward, in erecting a neat and attractive building, in which a large and flourishing Sabbath School has been held weekly, to the present time. This part of the city was previously unsupplied with a house for public worship and Sabbath School purposes.
Many objects of charity have been relieved by the association ; homeless wanderers furnished with food or lodging, railroad passes procured, employment secured, and clothing furnished, through the agency of this association, and kin- dred associations in other parts of America.
The officers for 1880 are as follows :
President-Robert Fulton.
Vice President-Samuel Clark.
Corresponding Secretary-D. T. Johnson.
Recording Secretary-E. P. Church.
Treasurer-A. Palmer.
In connection with this association is the Chris- tion Association Sewing Mission. This "labor of love" was inaugurated in March, 1869, by Rev. Mr. Mitchell, of South Street Church, Mrs. Mitchell, Mrs. Van Buren, Miss Flood, Miss Helen Purcell, Mrs. John Bowman, with several members of the association. They met in the rooms of the association, and considered meas- ures for the improvement of the little girls, grow- ing up under the influence of immoral and ignor- ant parents, and it was decided to gather them into a sewing school, under the auspices of the Young Men's Christian Association. Where- upon, a committee of ladies was appointed to visit all parts of the city, seek out, and, as far as possible, secure the attendance of this class of girls.
The school was opened the last Saturday in March, 1869, in the South Street M. E. Chapel, when a class of nine little girls, who had been taught the preceding winter, at the house of Mrs. Van Buren, was united with the newly gathered school.
January 19, 1870, a constitution was adopted,
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
and the following officers elected : Mrs. H. G. O. Cary, President and Treasurer ; Miss Kate Brown, Secretary.
The object of this Mission is " to promote the religious. moral, and temporal welfare of chil- dren ; especially to teach them sewing, and the cutting and preparation of garments, in an eco- nomical manner."
A distinct aim of the school has been to awaken in the children self-respect, and a desire to help themselves. A solid basis for pure and honest lives has been laid in Scripture lessons, and verses memorized at each meeting. . Im- provement in sewing, in cleanliness, and orderly habits. has, in most cases, been very rapid.
The average yearly enrollment has been one hundred and forty : the attendance during the winter months has been from fifty to one hundred and twenty. Many of the pupils, as they have ar- rived at a suitable age, have secured good situa- tions, and a marked improvement has taken place in-the children's homes.
The school has completed eleven years of labor, with much profit, under the superintend- ence of Mrs. Cary, supported by the faithful teachers : Misses-H. Purcell Early, -- Wil- mot. Cora Hubbell, Bessie Guthrie, Carrie Beaumont, E. Thompson, Lucy Hazlett, Mrs. Chas. Abbott,- -Stenger, Ellen Hazlett, Allen and B. F. Hersh.
Officers for 1880:
President and Treasurer-Mrs. H. G. O. Cary. Vice President-Mrs. J. B. Allen.
Secretary-Miss Eva J. Thompson.
The Y. M. C. A., is the churches' mission to young men. It is steadily growing in numbers and increasing in strength. Its purpose is be- coming better defined and better understood. Like other children, it has had to pass through the troubles and difficulties of infancy, and is to-day a great power in the land.
BUILDING ASSOCIATIONS.
MUSKINGUM BUILDING ASSOCIATION .- This Association was incorporated November 21st, 1872. The stock consisted of twenty-five hun- dred shares, at two hundred dollars each. The organization took place December 20th, 1872.
The following Directors were elected at the December meeting :
Thomas Durban, E. S. Garner, Alex. Grant, C. T. De Velling, Peter Black, Thomas Griffith, George D. Gibbons, D. T. Johnson and W. H. McOwen.
The first officers were :
President-Thomas Durban.
Vice President-E. S. Garner.
Treasurer-Alex. Grant.
Secretary-C. C. DeVelling.
Attorney-Judge L. P. Marsh.
"The object of the Association is to raise funds. to be loaned among the members, or others, for buying and building homesteads, or improving the same, and for other purposes."
The members of the association must pay, for every share, twenty-five cents every week, on
Saturday, as dues. The Constitution provides that each share-holder shall be entitled to a loan of two hundred dollars for each share held by him. These loans are made by a public sale of money on the last Saturday of each month, at the office of the association. The persons bidding the highest premium take precedence in receiv- ing the loans, paying, monthly, six per cent. per annum. There are also fines for neglect to pay the weekly dues for more than four weeks.
. The profits to the association arise by reason of the premium, bid for loans, interest on money loaned, fines and fees for transferring stock on the books of the association. The total of these items, after deducting the current expenses, is divided pro rata among all the stock-holders. Whenever the assets of the association are sufficient to pay such share-holder two hundred dollars for each share of stock he may own, this association shall be dissolved.
Officers and Directors for 1881 :
President-Robert Silvey.
Vice President-Thomas Griffith.
Treasurer-Alex. Grant.
Secretary and Attorney-T. F. Spangler.
Directors-Robert Silvey, T. S. Black, Thos. Griffith, Alex. Grant, Robert Fulton, Joseph Shaw. George D. Gibbons, E. P. Bloomer, and Thos. W. Gattrell.
THE MCINTIRE BUILDING ASSOCIATION was incorporated June 22d, 1877. The formal or- ganization was affected July 30th, 1877, and the following Directors elected : Alex. Grant, F. J. L. Blandy, Thomas Griffith, Daniel Applegate, Thomas Lindsay, John W. Conrad, R. B. Brown, Henry L. Korte and Chas. W. Fletcher.
The officers chosen were as follows :
President-F. J. L. Blandy.
Vice President-Chas. W. Fletcher.
Treasurer-Alex. Grant.
Secretary and Attorney-T. F. Spangler.
The stock consists of two thousand shares, at . fifteen dollars each. The minor details of the working, and the object of the Association, are similar to those of the Muskingum Association.
Officers and Directors for 1881.
President-F. J. L. Blandy.
Vice President-Thomas Lindsay.
Treasurer-Alex. Grant.
Secretary and Attorney -- T. F. Spangler.
Directors-F. J. L. Blandy, Thomas Lindsay, R. B. Brown, Alex. Grant, John W. Conrade, H. L. Korte, Daniel Applegate, Thomas Grif- fith and James T. Irvine.
THE UNION BUILDING COMPANY, OF ZANES- VILLE, OHIO .- This was incorporated March 5th, 1880. The shares of stock are twenty-five hundred, at one hundred dollars each. The mode of working and the object, the same as those above enumerated.
The officers are :
President-Thomas Griffith.
Vice President-W. A. Graham.
Treasurer-Alex. Grant.
Secretary and Attorney-T. F. Spangler.
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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
Directors-Alex. Grant, W. A. Graham, Thos. Lindsay, Francis Wedge, Robert Silvey, Thos. Griffith, Fred. Geiger, and T. W. Gattrell.
WOMENS' BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATON.
In March, 1878, a call appeared in the dailies of Zanesville, for a meeting of the ladies of the city, to consider how benevolent work might be carried on among the worthy poor of the city. A meeting was held in the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association, when two plans were offered for consideration ; one known as the Germantown plan, and the other that in use in Columbus. After the usual forms of tem- porary organization had been observed, and the two plans carefully compared, it was decided to follow, in substance, the Columbus plan, ad- justed to suit and meet the demands of the Society, according to the Constitution adopted.
The following officers were then elected :
President -- Mrs. J. F. Ohl.
Vice Presidents -- Mrs. L. B. Taylor and Mrs. T. J. Maginnis.
Secretary -- Mrs. J. R. Peabody. Treasurer -- Miss Lucy Hazlett.
Subsequently, two managers from each ward were appointed. whose duties were defined, to visit the poor of their respective districts, and as far as possible relieve their necessities.
As a beginning of greater things, the Secre- tary gave the society two hundred dollars toward a permanent fund. Smaller sums have been add- ed, until the fund now reaches about $300.
About the first of May, 1878, the society was legally incorporated, and thereby made a respon- sible body.
A room in the market house building was placed at the service of the society, by the City Council, and was furnished by its members. At a meeting, held August 4th, 1878, a committee was appointed for obtaining means for a hospital. About this time, the yellow fever fatality, in the Mississippi Valley, attracted the attention of the society, and it was deemed expedient to turn their attention to wants in that region. Through its efforts, in harmony with municipal enterprise, some rapid and acceptable work was done. Sup- plies, including delicacies acceptable to sick and convalescing, were sent in abundance to Vicks- burg and Holly Springs, Mississippi.
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