USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > History of Muskingum County, Ohio ; with illustrations and biographical sketches of prominent men and pioneers, 1794 > Part 74
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The principal stream in the township is the Licking River, which passes through the south-
332
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
western portion, leaving an area of about one- third of its territory south and west of said river. There are several small streams in the township. which How into the Licking River, viz. : Bart- lett's Run. Devore's Run, and Timber Run. There are also a number of never-failing springs. so that the region is well watered.
Topographically, this section is one of the most pleasing" to the eye, in its varying land- scapes, to be found in the county. The surface being generally undulating, even near the river, where the slopes are known as first and second bottom, and viewed as a whole, it is an inviting field to the agriculturalist. The soil, as in other regions similarly situated, is a sandy loam on the bottom lands, and a clay sub-soil on the uplands, and noted for its productiveness, inasmuch that it has been termed "the farmer's paradise."
The native trees, once dense forests. embraced white, red and black oaks : chestnut, hickory, elm. ash. beech, sugar, maple, black and white walnut.
Mineralogically, this township compares favor- ably with many others of the county. Sand- tone, limestone and iron ore are found in many localities.
Coal, of good quality, is found in several parts. THE FIRST SURVEYORS.
The first surveyors were Charles and John Roberts, who came to this township in 1808. It is probable that they ran most of the lines for the settlers in this township; vet, as there is no record on this subject, we have only the tradition that they were here about the time stated.
The first brick made and burned in this town- ship. was in 1808, by William Trago. His kiln was about two miles west of the city of Zanes- ville. near where Mr. A. M. Hollingsworth re- sides.
The first dam across the Muskingum River, at Zanesville, was built in 1809, and a short distance above the present dam, which was built by the State, in 1838.
George Jackson's Oil Mill, Saw Mill, and Flour Mill. were erected in 1809, on the west side of the river.
James Taylor erected a forwarding and com- mission warehouse,a little way above these mills. on the same side of the river.
About the same time. Richard Fairlamb and Michael Dulty erected a large flouring mill on the west side of the Muskingum river, a short distance below the dam. The mill. was subse- quently purchased by John and Richard Drone. About the same time, also, Matthew Gillespie built a large mill for the manufacture of linseed oil : this was located near where the west end of the railroad bridge now stands. This mill was sub- sequently used by R. N. and Daniel Dunlap, for the manufacture of broom handles and clothes pins.
The first physician was Dr. Isaac Helmick. who located in West Zanesville ; the time, and precise location. have not been found out. That any son of Esculapins should be doomed to the
oblivion of such a mention as is here afforded by the barren record at our command,is suggestive, to say the least.
" In Pastum's ancient fanes I trod, And mused on those strange men of old, Whose dark religion could unfold, So many gods, and yet no God! Did they to human feelings own, And had they human souls, indeed ?"
But they were sculptured, or carved in letters bold, with many a record of their deeds : while now no scroll or tablet, nor humble shaft, is found to speak of the deeds of sacrifice that blessed his fellow, nor memory of his worth.
WEST ZANESVILLE VILLAGE.
Owing to the fact that West Zanesville formed a part of Falls township, mention of the laying out of the village is here repeated. This was done by John Mclntire, A. D., 1809. He sur- veyed and platted certain squares, which were sub-divided into lots, viz. : Beginning at the north end of the bridge. and running north along River street, numbers one to twenty inclusive, fronting on River street. This plat was never recorded.
The Western Addition, or Newtown, was laid out in 1852. A part of this tract was owned by John Lee, to-wit. : That part lying west of Blue avenue.
Terrace number one was laid out on a part of the McIntire land, in 1855, and terrace number two, on another portion of said land. in 1863.
The village was incorporated A. D., 1869, and under this new state of things, Henry Peters was elected Mayor, and Imri Richards, Recorder.
The first distillery was built by James Tharp, in 1809 or 1810, about one mile west of Zanes- ville. James Fulton subsequently started a dis- tillery, on what was known as the Snider Farm, near the county infirmary grounds. This was af- terwards carried on by j. Belknap.
THE PIONEER PREACHER.
Anno Domini. 1810, Rev. James B. Finley, a Methodist minister on the Knox circuit, held his first appointment at Dillon's Falls, in the house of Henry Dick, who kept the tavern, then the only one in the place, and notwithstanding the assembly was rough by nature and habit, a class was organized, consisting of John and Jacob Hooper, J. Denlenhiffer. Mr. -- Cooper and wife, and Samuel Gasaway. the latter a colored man.
A HEWED LOG MEETING HOUSE.
Rev. James B. Findley started a subscription for a hewed løg Meeting House, which was erected soon after. Just before the house was erected, Bishop McKendree, passing by on his western tour, was asked to preach a dedication sermon on the foundation and the logs, which he did from the scripture, "And upon this rock I will build my church." Matt. XVI: 18. The house was built, and, after many years of service,
333
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
was taken down and a frame church was built on the same site.
TEMPERANCE WORK.
Near about 1810, Rev. James B. Finley in- augurated a temperance society at the Furnace, at Dillon's Falls. He improvised a platform by mounting a salt kettle, and made such an earnest plea in behalf of temperance, that every one present took a pledge to keep liquor away from the furnace, and though no record of that event, or report of the conduct of those who took that pledge, is to be found, tradition has it that the pledge was faithfully kept.
TAVERNS.
About the year 1809, John Corbis, of West Zanesville, opened 'a house of entertainment ; his house, a small one, was built of hewed logs, and had a porch in front. The chief commen- dation " in favor of this tavern was good food and plenty of clean floor to sleep on." A year later, one Mr. Dick opened a tavern. the loca- tion of which is not known.
In 1816, John Lee opened a tavern at the Falls, and was very popular. The " landlord," as the tavern keeper was called, had the opportunity of being considered the oracle in state affairs, as he was, by virtue of his position, the associate and confident of the politicians, who, through him, canvassed the country and laid the political wires that often controlled the elections. Lee was a shrewed man and a general favorite.
, FLOURING MILL AT DILLON'S FALLS.
George Jackson erected a flouring mill at the Falls of the Licking, in 1808 or 1810, on the east side of the river, just below Dillon's Fur- nace. It is said, that people came fifty and sixty miles to this mill, and sometimes had to wait several days for their grist.
THE FIRST BURYING GROUND.
The first burying ground was donated by John Dillon, Senior, in 1810. He gave an acre of ground, located not far from the mouth of Tim- ber Run, about one mile west of the city of Zanesville. It is still used as a cemetery, and known as " The Quaker Burying Ground." Among the first, perhaps the first, persons in- terred there, were William Tudor and family. This may, and may not, have been a branch of the Tudors of English renown. It may be that the last of the Tudors has passed away. They are gone, and
" None return from those quiet shores,
Who cross with the boatman, cold and pale ;
Wehear the dip of the golden oars, And catch a gleam of the snowy sail ; And lo! they have passed from our yearning hearts .- They crossed the stream and are gone, for aye."
The first tannery was started near the Falls of the Licking river, by William English, in 1810. It is not known how long Mr. English conducted this husiness, or who, if any one, was his suc- cessor.
The first marriage in the precincts of what is now Falls township, took place in 1814. George Simpson and Rachel Tanner, were the contract- ing parties. We are not informed where the ceremony was solemnized, or who joined them in wedlock according to prescribed form, if any such functionary were present ; certain it is that " marriage is honorable in all, and the bed un- defiled. Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What, therefore, God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."
" There are who say the lover's heart Is in the loved one's merged ; Oh, never by love's own warm art, So cold a plea was urged !
No! hearts that love hath crowned or crossed, Love fondly knits together ;
But not a thought or hue is lost That makes a part of either."
The first bridge was across the Licking river at the Falls, and was built by the Dillons, in the year 1820.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM FALLS TOWNSHIP.
Hon. David Chambers was elected a Member of Congress in 1820, one term. And in 1851. was elected a member of the Ohio Legislature, to which he was returned nine times. He. was a member of the Ohio Constitutional Conven- tion, and the last.
General Edward Ball was elected member of Congress in 1853; re-elected in 1857 ; and in 1867, was elected a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, to which he was re-elected in 1869.
SALT WORKS.
General Samuel Herrick owned and operated a salt well in 1823 : it was situated in the north- east part of the township, on what is now known as the James Miller farm. The brine was repu- ted very good, but the works have long since been abandoned.
The first Sabbath School was organized in 1824, at the house of Henry Cook, who was the first Superintendent. There is a flourishing school at the " Union Reform Church," near the same place, of which Adam Drumm is Superintendent. The average attendance is thirty-six.
MENODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.
In 1828, there arose a dissension in the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, when those who held views essentially different from the Methodist Church withdrew from fellowship, and organized a new church, under the name given at the be- ginning of this article. The first church organ- ized under this banner, in this township, was in 1835. at the house of John Tanner, where Rev. Joseph Thrapp and Rev. Cornelius Springer preached occasionally.
In 1856, this society built a church near the west line of the township. ahout midway be- tween north and south. John Tanner and fam-
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TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
ily, William Drumm and family and Mrs. James Tanner, are leading members.
The National Road, or National Pike, from Washington City, D. C. to St. Louis, Missouri, through this township, was built in 1830. This is the only turnpike road in the township.
FRAZEYBURG ROAD SCHOOL.
The school house on the Frazeyburg road, about one mile north of the line bounding Falls township, on the north, was the school to which pupils living in the northern part of Falls town- ship had to go, in those days. It was a hewed log building, with long windows, rough furniture, planks fastened to the walls for desks, and but little improvement on those first in use in this section of country. The ground on which it was built was donated for the purpose by John Van- denbark, since deceased. The house was erect- ed in 1840. The first teacher was one Gibson. The number of scholars generally in attendance was forty.
Religious services were held in this house soon after it was opened, and occasionally Rev. Jos- eph Thrapp preached there. He was a Method- ist Protestant. It does not appear that any re- ligious society was organized there.
RICH VALE M. E. CHURCH.
This society was organized in 1842. The church was erected soon after, and is situated on the road leading from Zanesville to Dresden, about five miles from the city.
The membership, at the time of organization, embraced Nathan Kelley and family, E. Wilkin- son and family, S. M. Bell and family, Simeon Kelley and family and E. V. Walker.
The trustees are Nathan Kelley, E. Wilkin- son, S. M. Bell. Simeon Kelley and F. N. Wal- ker.
OAKLAND CHURCH.
A handsome frame structure by this name was built on land donated for church purposes by C. C. Goddard, of Zanesville. The site was deeded to William Camp and John Vandenbark, as Trustees. The society was organized in 1844 ; some of the members at that time were, William Camp and family, John Vandenbark and family, D. Edwards and family, J. Pake and family, and Mrs. J. Geyer and family.
The first regular minister was Rev. W. H. Marshall. The first class leaders were John Vandenbark, David Edwards and William Camp.
A Sabbath School was organized soon after the church was built; at that time, there were thirty scholars. The Superintendent was John Vandenbark. The school now has an average attendance of one hundred. William Scales is the present Superintendent.
ANCIENT POTTERY.
On what is known as the John Vandenbark farm, being in lot 4. in Bank Lots, on the eastern border of the township, there was found while
plowing, in 1845, on a ridge, in three places, of about 30x40 feet each, beds of crockery ware. When turned up by a plow, the fragments, gen- erally two or three inches in diameter. gave evi- dence of having been shaped by man, but on ex- posure to the atmosphere, soon crumbled to dust. Oak trees, from two to three feet in diameter, had grown over this ridge, and evidently since the pottery fragments were placed there. An iron vessel, about five inches long and one and a quarter inches deep, was plowed up in one of these places. Potters clay is found near here and may have been worked.
POST OFFICE IN WEST ZANESVILLE.
.
The first and only Post Office established in the village of West Zanesville, was in 1851 ; Joseph S. Parke was the Postmaster.
GLEN MOORE NURSERY.
The nursery business, in any region, is to the cultivation of fruits and flowers, what the breed- ing of fine'stock is to the agriculturist-and more. It may be said that improved breeds of cattle, hogs, and sheep are powerful adjuvants to the physical well-being of mankind, and there is some truth in the assertion, when the form of the animal is considered as more pleasing to the eye. But this is only true in proportion as we are edu- cated to see beauty in certain prescribed forms, whereas, we cannot fail to recognize beauty in every creature in the animal kingdom, when we have been educated to recognize the natural out- lines, as well as other elements of beauty in them. It may be said that the fleece of sheep has been greatly improved by certain arts, and yet this is open to criticism. It may be said that, beyond all controversy, the fine blooded horse is the no- blest specimen of the equine race. Well, accept- ing the advantages, and that they have been brought about by skillful management, with equal truth it may be claimed that the fruits and flow- ers of every region have been improved, in qual- ity and quantity, by the same skillful manage- ment, and have vastly more enriched mankind in their effects on his physical well-being, and are quite as profitable in a financial ·point of view. These considerations, then, justify giving place to the nursery business.
The inception of this nursery business, it may be, was forced by reason of the delicate health of its founder-S. Jacobs Moore. This state of health was engendered by uncongenial pursuits, which the outdoor and pleasing exercise of the horticultural business did much to restore. It is said that, shortly after coming to Zanesville, in 1856, he purchased an acre and a half of ground in "Mt. Auburn Addition to Zanesville," on the west side of the river, and moved himself and family there. Another acre and a half was soon added to the first, and the work of planting fruit and ornamental trees began. In the fall of 1865, his nephew, S. R. Moore, came, and another tract, containing eleven acres, partly covered with forest trees, was purchased, and, by the spring following, this ground was cleared and prepared
335
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO. .
for nursery purposes, and during 1867-68-69, a small stock was growing. Some small fruits were set out. In the spring of 1866, a vineyard of an acre and a half was planted. In 1874, the crop gathered from this vineyard was equal to eight tons to the acre ! This prosperity was arrested, however, by the grape rot, from which the vines in this region have not been entirely exempt any year since it made its appearance. The nursery stock, on the other hand, has been increased steadily. The soil and climate are manifestly favorable to the horticulturist.
S. Jacobs Moore continued to superintend the nursery business until near the time of his death, after which the business was conducted by S. R. Moore, until the fall of 1877, when he took con- trol of Mt. Pleasant nursery. and Mrs. S. H. Moore took charge of Glen Moore nursery. In the spring of 1879, S. R. Moore relinquished Mt. Pleasant nursery, and joined Mrs. S. H. Moore in conducting Glen Moore nursery. In addition to fruit trees and flowers, shade and other orna- mental trees have a conspicuous place in this in- dustry. To such efforts as this, the county and surrounding region owes much for the opportu- nity of beautifying homes and cemeteries, and has derived a healthy stimulus in fruit culture.
ISRAELITISH BURIAL GROUND.
This was regularly laid out and set apart for the purpose in 1871, and has since been decorated in a becoming manner, and well kept. It is sit- uated on the north side of the National pike, about two miles west of the city of Zanesville. It is under the control of the following Board of Trustees : Jacob Shonfield, Michael Shonfield, Wolf Dryfus, Henry Baer, and Rudolph Meyer.
THE VILLAGE OF WEST ZANESVILLE ANNEXED TO THE CITY OF ZANESVILLE.
The question of annexation to the city of Zanes- ville was brought before the people in 1870, and resulted in the election of several officers favorable to the consolidation, to wit : Mayor, C. W. Buck- master ; Recorder, James Patrick, whose influ- ence brought about a test, by a vote of the people, in October, of that year, when a majority of the votes cast were in favor of annexation.
The act of the city of Zanesville, concerning this matter, will be found in the recital concern- ing Zanesville.
GRANGES.
The first Grange (Pataskala), was organized in 1871. The members were: William Town- send, S. M. Bell, J. P. McEwen, and three of the Vanderbarks, whose given names are not re- membered. J. P. McEwen was the first Master. At the time of the organization, the meetings were held in the southeastern part of the town- ship, but were subsequently moved across the township, near the northeastern part. S. M. Bell was then the Master.
Pleasant Valley Grange was organized in the southwest part of the township, in 1872. George Townsend, Oscar Tanner, H. L. Gray, Samuel
Johnson, and George Kime were members, and James Tanner, Master. This Grange has ceased to exist.
Rich Valley Grange, No. 925 .- This is an or- ganization of the Patrons of Husbandry, which was consummated May 28th, 1874, in the vicinity of John M. Lane's, in Muskingum township. The first members were : John M. Lane, John Welsh, Lewis Lane, William Lane, Boggs Mc- Dowell, William Latham, Wesley Gorsuch, John Riley, and D. McGee. John M. Lane was the first Master.
The Patrons are not keeping up their organi- zations at this time.
POTTERY.
Thomas Williams erected his pottery near the National pike, about five miles west of the city. in 1874, and still conducts the business. Another was erected about the same time, near the Falls of Licking. The capacity of these potteries, like about all others in this county, is 80,000 gallons of ware per annum.
LIME BURNING.
This simple industry is, nevertheless, an im- « portant one, and has been carried on in this town- ship, by numerous persons, under varying circum- stances and degrees of success. In 1874. D. Hat- tan and Philip Mourin, (the latter having discov- ered limestone of the Newtonville strata, accord- ing to the State Geological Report), erected a lime kiln a little below the Falls of the Licking, on the east side, and continued to burn lime un- til the stone gave out, which was in. the fall of 1880, when the business, of necessity, ceased. It is worthy of note, that Mr. Mourin devised this kiln as a continuous burner, with a capacity of one hundred bushels of lime per day. They sold all of their lime in Zanesville.
IRON ORE.
Iron ore was discovered by Philip Mourin, in the same locality, immediately above the lime- stone. The ore was of superior quality, about six inches thick. A large quantity was hauled to the iron furnace, at Zanesville, and manufac- tured there. The supply gave out in the fall of I880.
MAGNESIAN LIMESTONE.
Immediately below the limestone, near Dillon's Falls, is this formation, ranging from four to ten feet in thickness, When quarried, it is soft and easily sawed into any desired shape, and, after exposure for a short time to the atmosphere, it becomes quite hard, and suitable for building pur- poses. The facility of quarrying and cutting into desired shapes, makes this a very desirable stone for ornamental work in buildings.
THE FIRST RAILROAD.
The first railroad passing through this town- ship was the Central Ohio, from Columbus to Wheeling, now called the Baltimore and Ohio. There is a station at Dillon's Falls.
336
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO. .
FALLS TOWNSHIP, GEOLOGICALLY.
A section was obtained on Henry Flesher's place, showing Putnam Hill limestone, one foot six inches thick ; sandstone fifteen feet thick ; sid- erite ore, five inches thick ; also. six inches thick. The sandstone is unusually coarse for Waverly. Some loose fragments of conglomerate were seen on the surface of the ground near the horizon of Maxville limestone, but no conglomerate was found in place.
The following geological section was taken on Joe's Run, about half a mile north of the Central Ohio railroad bridge, across the Licking river :
Feet. Inches.
1. Putnam Hill limestone .... 1 6
2. Clay and shale 20 0
3. Ore, limestone, sometimes siderite. 0
5
4. Flint ... 0
8
5. Mostly sandy shale 30 0
6. Siderite ore 0
5
7. Flint and limestone, fossiliferous 1
3
8. Siderite ore 0
6
9. Dark shale.
On the land of Mr. Kline, the following geo- logical section was taken :
Feet. Inches.
1. Simonite ore 0
3
2. Shale
1
0
3. Siderite ore 0
6
4. Limestone, fossiliferous,
5. Sandy bituminous shale 10
(
6. Coal 0
3
7. Clay 0
6
8. Coal. 0
3
9. Clay 0
2
10. Coal 0
3
11. ('lay 1
12. Sandy bituminous shale, with coal plants 1
0
MUSKINGUM TOWNSHIP.
THE BOUNDARY-PIONEERS-REVENGE UPON THE
INDIANS-THE FIRST ORCHARDS-THE THEATRE OF THEIR ACTIONS-THE SOIL-THE FORESTS- TOWNSHIP ORGANIZED - FIRST CHURCH-SAB- BATH SCHOOL IN EARLY TIMES-FIRST MILL- FIRST TANNERY-BAPTIST CHURCH-PRESBYTE- RIAN CHURCHI-THE FIRST SCHOOL - PUNCH- EONS - DISTINGUISHED MEN-BLACKSMITHS- FIRST DISTILLERY-SALT WORKS-FIRST HO- TEL-FIRST BRICK HOUSE-ST. MARY'S CATH- OLIC CHURCH-AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS- HOUSHOLD IMPLEMENTS-MILLING-IMPROVED STOCK-MILITARY RECORD-ROLL OF HONOR- RAILROAD.
This is the second township north of the city of Zanesville, west of the Muskingum river, being bounded on the east by that stream, north by Cass township, west by Licking township, and south by Falls township.
The first to explore its wilds, and make a home
there, were: David Devore, James Beach, and James Black, in 1797. The former built his cabin on the east side of the township, near the river, but subsequently abandoned this site and located on the south half of section six, township two, range eight, near a small stream that has since been known as "Devore's run." James Black settled on the farm now owned by John Stitt. The only homestead chosen by James Black, accord- ing to tradition, was under his hat ! These were followed, in 1798, by John Bland, (whose son, Silas, was born while they were yet in camp, the same year), Elijah Stradley, and Ebenezer Ryan. The former settled on a part of section thirteen ; Mr. Stradley, on lot thirty-six, ( as now surveyed ). and Ryan continued to roam. David Devore built the first hewed log house in the township. in 1798. The reaper, Death, came into the young settlement and took Timothy Prior, in 1799, the record of whose coming was, doubtless, buried with him, as it is not known. Jesse Dowell and James Devore passed over the river about the year 1800. They were buried on the Gardner farm, which spot became the first cemetery of the township. William Bland joined his brother John, in 1803. In 1808, Levi Cooper, George Welsh, Samuel McCann, and Joseph Spencer were add- ed to the community. McCann settled on sec- tion seven. Cooper on section thirteen, Welsh on the south half of section twenty-two, and Spencer on section five.
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