USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > History of Muskingum County, Ohio ; with illustrations and biographical sketches of prominent men and pioneers, 1794 > Part 87
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105
site on which he built his cabin home, when sur- veyed. was found to be on section thirty-two, town twelve, range thirteen, as now known in Wayne township. His former occupation was that of a weaver, and, in after years, he served his neighbors in that capacity-for they wore home-made clothing.
In the fall of 1803, when the forests were clad in their changeful beauty, Abraham Mercer came, from Virginia, and settled the question as to where his Paradise should be, by locating on section six, in the northeast part of the town- ship, where his descendants reside to this day. His near neighbor, on the same section, was Ca- leb Dunn, from Sussex county, New Jersey, who settled here in 1804. Following him, came Lewis Karns, settling on land adjoining Dunn on the west.
In 1805, Nicholas Border, from Virginia. settled on the south half of section one, town twelve, range thirteen. He had a large family, and was quite an acquisition to the new settlement.
About this time, Lemuel Josephs found his way into this region, and settled on section ten. His son, Nathaniel, subsequently, occupied the old homestead many years.
The western part of this township was settled by Germans, among whom were Bowman, Glossman, Corbin, Brookover, Pringle. Deffen- baugh, Swope, Heim, Toll. Christ, Delenbeck, Hoosan. Hemmer, Huffman, Lehman, Alter, Amburst, Soller, Albraith, and Haas. The. characteristics of these people are national, and. as they are not given to historic records, are content to repeat the lives of their ancestors, in simplicity and industry ; and whoever would at- tempt anything like personal reminiscences con- cerning them, must needs sojourn among them. as did Diederick Knickerbocker, of old, amongst the New Yorkers-and, perhaps, reap a similar reward in fame and ducats. This we have not done, but sought the prominent facts in their un- eventful past, with what tradition has saved from oblivion.
The next event of public interest occurred March 6th, 1826, when "a petition was pre- sented, signed by a number of citizens of Zanes- ville and Salt Creek townships, setting forth that they labor under many difficulties and disadvan- tages in consequence of the distance they have to go to elections, and praying that a township may be struck off from part of Zanesville and Salt Creek townships ; and the Commissioners, believing the same necessary for the convenience of the inhabitants and township officers, do hereby order a new township, to be struck off, accord- ing to the following boundaries :
"Beginning at the northeast corner of section six, township twelve, range thirteen, on what is known as the "Military or Base line :" thence west to a point where said Military line intersects the corporation of the city of Zanesville : thence south to the southwest corner of section seven. township twelve, range thirteen ; thence west to the Muskingum river ; thence down said river. with the meanderings thereof, to the southwest
394
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO ..
corner of section thirty-two, township twelve, range thirteen ; thence east to the southeast corner of said section thirty-two ; thence north to the northeast corner of section twenty-nine, township twelve, range thirteen ; thence west to the northwest corner of said section twenty-nine ; thence north to the place of beginning," and, ac- cording to the language used in the Commis- sioners' journal, "which shall constitute a new township, to be called Wayne township."
"Also, ordered that an election be held at the house of Joseph Dixon, on Monday, the third day of April. 1826, to elect a sufficient number of officers for said township according to law, of which three notices were issued, and given to George W. Gibbons, for publication.
Topographically .- Few townships in this part of Ohio have a more pleasing variety in appear- ance, or a more varied and excellent adaptation to agriculture, horticulture, and vegetable garden- ing. The surface is undulating, with a clay soil on the uplands, and the extensive bottom lands in the vicinity of streams, composed of rich sandy loam, invite the market gardener to them as a paradise for producing most appetizing vegeta- bles, which many have extensively engaged in.
Wheat, corn, oats, rye, buckwheat, clover and timothy are grown with success in many parts of the township, and seldom fail for lack of moisture, as the region is well watered.
The largest stream, traversing a considerable part of the township, is Salt Creek. which courses in a southeasterly direction and empties into the Muskingum river. This creek has several trib- utaries that rise in the central portion of the township, flowing eastwardly into it. "Indian Run" is the largest and most southerly. There are numerous smaller streams in the western part that empty into the Muskingum river. "Flat Run" rises in the north, courses through sections three, four and eight, and runs south- ward, and through section fifteen into the river.
Coal of good bituminous quality, is found in layers ranging from three to six feet thick, in several localities. In the northwestern portion of the township, a variety of coal known in this region as "White ash," about three feet in the layer, is found, and is regarded by many as very superior coal.
Some iron ore is found also, but no effort to ascertain its quality or quantity.
The first road surveyed through this township was from Zanesville to McConnelsville, along the river, prior to the organization of Wayne township ..
In pursuing the historic narrative, we have found the chronological order of events to serve the reader best, and hence, to begin at the begin- ning, the migration from Marietta to this region in quest of salt, reveals the singular fact that. notwithstanding this region was visited by that party in 1796. the first white man settled in this township in 1802, probably on account of fear of the Indians, which was dispelled soon after the establishment of the Trading Post at Zanes- ville had been felt as a civilizing power.
SALT WORKS.
The earliest account of salt making is intro- duced in this wise: The early settlers in the vicinity of Marietta suffered great inconvenience from want of salt, and it was not until they were informed by a man who had been a prisoner among the Indians in the Muskingum Valley, being released, came back some time in August, 1795, informed the white people that salt was to be found in the valley, whereupon a party started out to explore for the salt water, and after being absent about a week, returned with about a gallon of salt, made by themselves, in a camp kettle. Accordingly, in 1796, a company was formed, composed of fifty shareholders, who paid one dollar and fifty cents each, which sum enabled them to send to Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, for twenty-four kettles for making salt. They were brought by water to Duncan's Falls, and from there were conveyed on pack horses seven miles up Salt Creek to the springs they had found. They dug a well near the edge of the creek, down to the rock which formed the bed of the stream, and having cut a hollow sycamore tree, placed it in the well and embedded it on the rock bottom. The salt water soon came in copiously. when they obtained it by the old method of a sweep. The kettles being set up, twelve in a row, the work of boiling and making salt began. The kettles were housed by building a cabin over them. The company divided into classes of five men each, and kept the fires up day and night. Those who were not at the well kettles were engaged in cutting and hauling wood. They succeeded in making about one hundred pounds of dark colored salt of inferior quality, which, owing to their need, was considered very acceptable. The cost of producing this salt, estimating the outlay of money and time, was more than antici- pated, so that after continued experiments during four years, the salt was found to cost three dol- lars per bushel, and the company dissolved.
The next effort was made in 1820, by Moses Ayers, who erected salt works near Duncan's Falls. He was measureably successful. although the works were abandoned after a few years.
In 1825, Martin Chandler erected salt works at the mouth of Salt Creek. but of this venture we have no data.
FAIRVIEW M. E. CHURCH.
The first society of this denomination, in this township, was formed at the house of Lemuel Joseph. about the year 1807. The members were Lemuel Joseph, Celia Joseph, Andrew Mer- cer, Mary Mercer, Margaret Watts, John Mercer and Elizabeth Mercer.
The first class leader was Lemuel Joseph.
The first preacher was Rev. James Watts, in 1807.
The society continued to meet at the house of Lemuel Joseph until about 1822, when a hewed log house. 36×30, was built : they worshiped in this house until 1846, when it burned down ; the society then built a brick church,48x38, at a cost
395
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
of about $1,000. They continue to occupy that church, and have now seventy-five members.
There are two classes, led by Christy Joseph and Jacob Clapper.
The first Sabbath School was organized at the school house (now known as District No. 2) about the year 1828, and had fifteen scholars in regular attendance.
The first Superintendent was Lemuel Joseph. The present number of scholars is about thirty.
The present Superintendent is C. Brook over. The school is now conducted in Fair- view M. E. Church.
The foregoing records point to Lemuel Joseph as the leader and patron, and it accords with the wishes of those who hold his memory in grateful remembrance to state, albeit briefly, the promin- ent events in his life. He was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, in 1769, and in the course of human events yielded to the Goddess of Love, Miss Celia Smith, whom he married in Monon- gahela county, Virginia, and moved to this sec- tion in 1806. settling on a part of Section 10. T. 12, R. 13. He lived a life of industry and Christian purity as a pioneer in the church he espoused, and died June 5th, 1830, aged sixty- one years. His son, Nathan, who was born here in 1807. is no doubt the oldest citizen of the township, and notwithstanding his ease of cir- cumstances, manifests the inherited trait of in- dustry, by working on his farm, and has, like his father, attained an enviable influence in the church and community. He has served the church as Circuit Steward for twenty years con- secutively, and as a class leader thirty-five years, and as Superintendent of Sunday School a great many years.
There are others, of those days, who shared the trials of early settlement, we have no doubt, who might, with propriety, find a place in this record. but our gleaner, Colonel A. M. Huston, has not been able to acertain their names, and the incidents connected with them, to justify the effort at this time.
THE FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE.
The first school house was erected on Brook- over's farm (section 9). This was not far from 1812: and like most buildings of that epoch, was built of round logs, with puncheon floor, clap-board roof, with a large fire-place in one end ; the lower part of the chimney, including the fire place, was built of stone, and the upper part of logs and sticks laid in clay, and daubed in the inside with the same material. The boys of the school cut the wood, and generally man- aged to cut and haul it on Saturdays, when they made the occasion one of frolic.
The furniture of school houses in those days was in keeping with the building, the benches and writing-desks being small trees split, hewed, and legs according to the height demanded ; the desks were generally attached to the wall, holes being bored in the logs, pegs driven in, and pun- cheons placed on them, affording a substantial desk for their purposes. The windows were
made by leaving out, or cutting out, a log, and pasting greased paper over the space thus left. The first teacher is supposed to have been William Harrick ; the next was John Ramey. About 1820, a school was taught by Thomas Thornburgh, in a house similar to that described above, located on the Scott farm. Since that date school houses and teachers have multiplied and kept pace with the advances of the age. There are three first-class new frame school houses, one in District number one, one in Dis- trict number three, and one in District number eight. The others serve the purpose well, but are not quite so modern. The township is divided into eight common school Districts, and the schools are controlled by a board of mana- gers, termed a Board of Education, and a Board of Directors in each District, organized under the State laws. The schools are kept during nine months of the year.
CEMETERIES.
The first ground set apart for such use was given by Lemuel Joseph, and contained about half an acre, situated on the farm afterwards owned by Nathan Joseph (section ten) ; it was a family and neighborhood cemetery. Abraham Bell was the first person buried there, as appears from the year date on his tombstone, which is 1812.
A cemetery was located on the farm now' owned by John Miller, in lot ten on the river tier, for family and neighborhood use. This place was donated, for the purpose, by Moses Ayers, about 1820. A burial ground, containing about two acres, near the village of Duncan's Falls, was set apart and donated by James Tay- lor, in 1825, and has recently been used more than the others.
There is also a burying ground on the farm of the late William Pringle.
The first Justice of the Peace, in what is now Wayne township, was Mathias Spangler, who is known to have served in that capacity in 1812; but we have found no record of his election or appointment. His son. Mathias Washington Spangler, was a Justice of the Peace in 1835, and many years after. The Spanglers settled on lands afterwards owned by the Deflinbaughs, in seetion eight.
The first Township Clerk, by the same author- ity (tradition ), was G. W. Gibbons.
The first physician at Duncan's Falls was Dr. Mason, who lives there still.
The first post route was along the river road, from Zanesville to MeConnelsville, started between 1820 and 1825. The postoffice was lo- cated at Byers & Wolf's store, near the mouth of Salt Creek.
The first mail carrier was James Larrison, who carried the mail through the township before a postoffice was established in the township. The first stage route was over the same route. in 1835, and was owned by a Mr. Hildebrand.
The first postmaster was Mr. Byers, of Byers & Wolf. at the mouth of Salt Creek.
396
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
MILLS.
The first grist mill was erected on "Flat Run," in 1820. by Samuel Frazie.
The first saw mill was erected in 1834. at the mouth of Salt Creek. by Martin Chandler.
In 1838. Dugan and Bowen built a grist mill at Duncan's Falls. This mill is four stories high. and runs eight pair of buhrs. The entire structure. when finished. cost about seventy-five thousand dollars. It is now owned by John Miller, and does a good business.
THE FIRST STORE.
Between 1820 and 1825. Messrs. . Byers and Wolf had a store. near the mouth of Salt Creek, and as usual, in pioneer times, kept a little of everything.
BRICK KILNS.
I. S. Parkinson began to manufacture brick about the year 1825. He was followed soon after by General Herrick and Andrew Carns.
THE FARM IMPLEMENTS IN YE OLDEN TIME.
The attempt will not be made to show the state of mechanics in manufacturing implements for husbandry then, for the nomadic character of the pioneer was such, that when he settled for life, it was altogether likely he would be remote from the places where best instruments could be had. It is well, however, to say, that those were the days of wooden mould-boards for plows, and tree tops for harrows, and forked sticks for hay forks. These were improvised as occasion and opportunity enabled them, and according to the ingenuity and handicraft of the worker.
The " patent plow," with cast iron mould board. share and coulter, was not introduced to the farmer, in this region, until about 1825 ; this was known as the Woods patent. and it was some years later that harrow teeth and fork prongs were made of iron. The blacksmith was counted a skilled workman who could make these, and they were regarded as a luxury. many continuing to use the primitive imple- ments.
DUNCAN -- HIS HOME, HABITS, DEATH, CAVE, GUN, AND DUNCAN'S FALLS.
The following recital appeared in the " Times," of Zanesville, over the nom, " His- tory," and being found to accord with the glean- ings of the writer of these pages, is given with this reminder : that before the Trading Post was inaugurated, in 1794, this adventurous spirit had found his way into the Moose-kingdom, and among the red men, whom he knew only roamed where animals, valuable for food and furs, espe- cially the latter, were to be found. His bravery was worthy a nobler fate :
talls of the Muskingum river, nine miles below Zanesville, before that locality was inhabited by any white people. The Indians had one or two villages near by, and for a time Duncan carried on a little trade or barter with them, and was friendly. This continued for, perhaps, four years, when he discovered his traps had been meddled with, and some of his game stolen. This so en- raged him that he resolved to watch and see, if possible, who the guilty party was, when he dis- covered an Indian taking game from his traps. Whereupon he shot the thief. He continued to watch for some months, and made it a point to shoot all Indians who meddled with his rights. He found it necessary to keep himself concealed from them. They were enraged, and sought an opportunity to capture him. On some occasions, when they shot him with their arrows, they did not seem to injure him. They began to conclude he was greater than ordinary human beings.
"Duncan's place of abode was unknown to them, and when, sometimes, they saw him on one side of the river, and again on the other side, they watched to see how he crossed, and could find neither skiff or boat. This was a great mystery, and baffled them for a long time. Finally, they discovered he crossed the river on the falls with a stout long pole, and his manner of crossing was to skip from rock to rock with the aid of the pole, or lay it down from one rock to another, where the water was deep, and walk over ; then move the pole, and so get across. This he did generally in the night season. On the fatal night. two parties of the bravest Indian warriors lying in ambush watching for him, saw him, equipped with his gun and pole, leap lightly from rock to rock till he approached the main channel. Here- he placed his pole, one end on each side of the channel, and had passed half way over, when a volley from the Indians struck him. and he fell dead in the middle of the river. Next day his body was found about one-half mile below, on a gravelly ripple. This point was given the name of "Dead Man's Ripple." from the fact that the dead body of Duncan was found on it, and the falls of the river at that place were called . Duncan's Falls,' because it was there that Duncan fell.
"After the death of Duncan his habitation was discovered to be a cave, or dug-out, where he re- tired for rest and concealment from the Indians. This was situated about one-half mile below the falls of the river, on the west side, and is now on an island between the Falls and the canal. Some years after the country in that locality was inhabited by the white people, a gun was found, plowed up near where Duncan's cave was. This was afterwards brought to Mr. Brelsford, a gun- smith now residing in the Ninth Ward of Zanes- ville, who cut the barrel off to make it shorter, and took from it a load of powder that had per- haps been put there by Mr. Duncan. The stock of the gun was worthless, but the barrel being good, Mr. Brelsford cleaned it up and put it on a new stock. The gun is now owned by Col. Z.
" About the year 1790, there came from Virginia a man by the name of Duncan, whose occupation was to hunt wild game, either with a gun or traps. He was a man who desired to be secluded and alone, and to be permitted to carry out this plan he came to the vicinity of the | M. Chandler, of the Ninth Ward, who, no doubt,
397
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
prizes it very highly. on account of its having been the property of Mr. Duncan. as well as for its antiquity."
DUNCAN'S FALLS.
This place. for a time, had a legendary and more than ordinary interest imparted to it by the tragic fate of the man whose name its bears- Duncan, the intrepid hunter. When the twilight shades gathered o'er the cabin home, the grand- sire hoary was wont to tell of his mysterious character and sad end. All that is probably au- thentic concerning him, however, has been given in another place, by a gleaner. That the same intuitions prompted the hunter to locate here that actuated the red men of the forest, is doubtless true. And when the game had disappeared, the white men who succeeded Duncan found that natural advantages invited them to enter- prise. The pioneer of these was James Taylor, who opened a store at this point, not far from 1825. He was an energetic man, and moved first in every practical advance.
THE FIRST BLACKSMITHS.
Alanson Holderidge erected his shop and forge " at the Falls," in 1828, and was followed soon after by Justice Depew, who lit the fire on his forge at the mouth of Salt creek.
This is all we know of these forgers, Whose only record is they were forgers ; And to make a record for these forgers, Might be to slander honest forgers, Who, though they indeed were forgers, Would scorn us as base forgers, And, so we will say they were forgers, And that they were honest forgers !
The first tavern in the township was probably kept by Jacob Hall, in a small cabin near the present village, in 1830.
James Taylor established a ferry at the Falls in 1830 ; and the year following, the county built a free bridge. In 1832, or 1833, Mr. Taylor built a dam at the Falls, for the purpose of en- ticing millers there. Iu 1835, the State, real- izing the importance of a dam at this point, caused the present superior structure to be built. And in 1838. Dugan and Bowen built a very fine four-story flour mill at the Falls, utilizing the water power made by the dam. The mill was supplied with eight pairs of buhrs, and when completed, cost about seventy-five thousand dollars.
The town of Duncan's Falls was laid out by James Taylor, in 1841. The population is about two hundred souls. There are now two general stores and one drug store in the town.
Dr. Mason is the veteran physician, and was the first to settle at the Falls. .
IMPROVED BREEDS OF STOCK.
Hogs .- The first improved breed of hogs was the "Berkshire," introduced by James Taylor. in 1833.
The Chester White was introduced in 1840, by Mr. J. Gibbons.
Sheep .- The first fine wooled sheep were in- troduced by James Taylor, in 1835.
The Horse .- The first fine blooded horse was known as "Surprise," introduced by James Tay- lor, in 1827. Mr. Taylor was so enthused with the value of this horse, that he offered to buy all colts got by "Surprise," at the proper age, at twenty dollars each, or require the owner of the dam to pay him that sum for the service of the horse. The horse was very popular with the farmers. He, however, accumulated about one hundred "Surprise" colts.
The "Wagoner," a breed of dun colored horses, was introduced by Mr. Stinson.
The "Canadian Lion." a dark chestnut sorrel, was introduced in 1836, by James McGuire.
The Parkinson school house (now District No. I), was built by voluntary subscription, in 1834. At the meeting held for this purpose, John S. Parkinson, Thomas Morris, George W. Gibbons, were elected School Directors, and instructed to collect and use the money subscribed in building a school house. John S. Parkinson gave one acre of land for the use of the school, and they soon had a neat brick building erected thereon ; this was the first brick school house in the township. This was taken down and a larger one built, in 1862, and in 1875 this was found too small, and a new one was built, a frame, well finished and furnished, and is probably the best kept school in the township.
Religious meetings were held in the Parkinson school house, when the building was finished, and Gilbert Blue, a local preacher of the M. E. Church, living in Zanesville, with Samuel Cox. also a local preacher, held meetings every two weeks. Mr. Blue being a carpenter, made a pulpit, and the first Sunday after the comple- tion of the house, preached to a large audience. Mr. Cox preached in turn, and much interest was awakened-sometimes pastors of the various churches, from Zanesville, filled the pulpit. In 1840, a large congregation, composed of families of different denominations, was in attendance. It was practically a union effort, though not so called. The Parkinsons, Morrises. Corbins. Harpers, Gibbons, Deffenbaughs, Downerds, McMillins, McGinness, and Willeys, were among the attendants. Rev's. Courtney and Shepherdson held protracted meetings here in 1840 and 1841, resulting in many converts. Rev. Lensebaugh (Lutheran), held meetings during several weeks in 1860, and reported eighty con- verts. Rev. Hall (of the M. E. Church), held meetings in 1872, with very good results. After the Hammond meetings. in Zanesville, in 1877, meetings were held here, aided by the city pas- tors, with good results.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.