USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > History of Muskingum County, Ohio ; with illustrations and biographical sketches of prominent men and pioneers, 1794 > Part 90
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"4th. Said Board shall not suffer any denomin- ation holding a protracted or series of meetings, to be interrupted by other denominations, though said denomination should protract said protracted
series of meetings, beyond their proportionate time.
"5th. That said house be built upon such a site, or lot, as a committee appointed for that purpose may select, said committee to be appointed by the subscribers.
"6th and last. That said contemplated house be not inferior in size or finish to the house of the M. E. Church of Irville."
March Ist, 1854-"We, the Masonic fraternity. agree to pay the amount annexed below, if said church is put under contract between this and the first day of November, 1854. Irville Lodge. No. 184, F. and A. M., B. N. Claypool, Secre- tary, $275.'
The above document received the names of seventy-two persons, whose joint subscriptions, including the $275.00 from the Masons. amounted to $946.50.
The committee appointed to select a site for the church consisted of John Montgomery, William Lynn, and A. Buckingham. The ground chosen was a lot donated for that purpose, by Captain Thomas Nash, the gentleman who laid out Nash- port.
The Building Committee comprised James Moore, N. F. Clayoool and A. W. Shipley.
The church was built by David Johnson, and is a substantial frame structure, 45x36 feet ; it seats about two hundred, and cost $1,000.00, and is entirely free from debt. The dedicatory ser- mon, was preached by the presiding elder. Rev. Joseph M. Tremble. Some of the early mem- bers were Alexander Buckingham and wife. Mrs. Jane Van Voorhis, Jesse O. Swisher, Cas- sie Drone, Mrs. William Lynn, Daniel Lynn. Raymond Bunn and wife, Mrs. Susan Moore and Peter Wier and wife.
The following are the names of the regular pastors, since the church was built, except those officiating in 1860. 1865, 1868 and 1869 : Levi Cun- ningham, A. Wilson and F. Harper, in 1854 : Rev. Mr. Fink and Thomas Ross, 1855-56 ; A. M. Alexander, Jonathan Stump, John Kemper. David Sherrard. 1857 ; J. C. Gregg, 11. Gort- ner, 1858-59 ; R. D. Anderson, John E. Sowers, 1861 : B. F. McElfresh. David Mann, 1862: Rev. Gardner and B. F. McElfresh, 1863 ; Bar- ton Lowe. 1864; W. C. Halliday, G. E. Trow- bridge, 1866; H. Gortner, 1867-68: John W. Baker, 1870: Nathaniel Westerman, 1871-72 : E. B. Finney, 1873-74-75 : J. Q. Larkin. 1876- 77-78; U. Holcomb. 1879 to October. 1880. when the present incumbent. R. A. Lemaster. began his pastorate. The church belongs to the Zanesville District of the Ohio Conference.
NASHPORT M. E. SUNDAY SCHOOL.
This Sunday School is under the control of and auxiliary to the church. Its formation took place about 1855, when Mr. R. C. Dean was Su- perintendent. In 1880. the average attendance was thirty, with U. W. Sherrard Superintendent. assisted by six teachers and officers.
TEMPERANCE.
Nashport Division of Sons of Temperance,
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TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
No. 24, was instituted November 24th, 1870, with thirty-four charter members, and continued to work until 1878, when it was deemed expedi- ent to disband. In former times, a similar or- ganization, and one of Good Templars, existed in Irville, but no chronicler has noted the work- ers, and their labors ceased for want of interest in the cause.
ODD FELLOWSHIP.
Durban Lodge, No. 487, I. O. O. F., the only . Lodge of Odd Fellows in Licking township, was instituted July 24th, 1871, with the following named charter members : D. M. Thompson, S. J. Perry, M. H. Bennett, H. Cooper, G. W. Perry, George Varner, D. Eicher.
The first officers were, N. G., D. M. Thomp- son ; V. G., S. J. Perry ; Secretary, M. H. Ben- nett ; Treasurer, H. Cooper.
A public installation of officers, January Ist, 1873, was an occasion of unusual interest. The members, in full regalia, marched through the streets of Nashport, headed by the Frazeysburg brass band, to the Methodist Episcopal Church, where the installation ceremonies were performed in the presence of a large concourse of people. January 12th, 1876, a public installation was had in the Lodge room.
The officers at the last election in 1880 were as follows: N. G., N. Yocum ; V. G., W. T. Weakly ; Secretary, George B. Baker; Treas- urer, S. George. The meetings are held every Saturday evening. The membership in 1880 was thirty-four.
There is a Catholic cemetery on the Victor farm, north of Nashport.
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP
THE SETTLEMENT-SOME MAKE THEIR MARK- WIIEN THE PALEFACES BEGAN TO APPEAR AT HOME-THE "MISSING LINK" IN THE CHAIN OF HISTORY-PIONEERS-POVERTY RUN-ORGANI- ZATION OF THE TOWNSHIP-ELECTION -- A PART OF FALLS TOWNSHIP ADDED TO HOPEWELL-A PART OF HOPEWELL ADDED TO LICKING TOWN -- SHIP-BOUNDARIES OF HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP- SAWMILL IN GRATIOT-RICHEY AND HIOOD BUILD HOUSES IN MT. STERLING-PIONEER MECHANICS -FIRST STORE-DISTILLERY-THE WORDS OF THE POET-DR. DUZENBERRY AS A SCHOOL TEACHER-THE FIRST RESIDENT PHYSICIAN- SCHOOLS-SCHOOL DISTRICTS - MILLS-FIRST SAWMILL-ORCHARDS -- POTTERIES-EARTHEN- WARE COFFINS - MILLSTONES -TANNERIES- TAVERNS-POSTOFFICE ; THE OFFICE ALTER- NATELY IN MUSKINGUM AND LICKING COUNTIES -ROADS ; OLD STATE ; MAYSVILLE PIKE ; COOP- ER MILL ROAD ; NATIONAL ROAD-"THE POLICY OF THE NATION ; RECIPROCITY AT HOME AND ABROAD"-TIMBER RUN BAPTIST CHURCH-AG- RICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS -- IMPROVED STOCK -IIORICON LODGE, NO. 192, I. O. O. F .- MT. STERLING BAND-GRAVEYARDS-TOWNSHIP OF- FICERS.
The settlement of this township is a fair illus- tration of the settlement of new territory gener-
ally. Men venture into unknown regions, simply hoping to find an Eldorado. Sometimes the winds of fate that take them thither carry good material for peopling a new world, and they make their mark as pioneers ; and, sometimes, other material, such as only make their mark when their name is required to confirm an act expressed in an instrument of writing. In this case, those of the first class have been content to be what their surroundings demanded, and ab- sorbed the second class by virtue of their power to lead ; and confined their records to the abso- lute requirements, ignoring illustrative details. So that, for anything more, we are forced to be content with tradition, which teaches us that "the red men of the forest" roamed over this country, and had a camp a short distance up what we call Kent's Run. They were a small band-a dozen families or so-and left for the Great West when the palefaces began to appear at home among them, which was in 1803 or '4, although some lingered, as if loth to quit their favorite hunting grounds, as late as 1808 or '9. The white men who first made their acquaintance were also given to the chase, and doubtless fol- lowed in the path of the Indian, whose instinct led him into other and better hunting grounds ; and thus these pale-faced hunters became the avant couriers of the civilization that followed. This is "the missing link," in the chain of our history, that connects the aboriginal inhabitant with those we call first settlers.
Samuel Bonnifield relates that he came to Zanesville in 1805, and settled on " Poverty run," January Ist, 1806, and that, at that time. a man named Hinton lived on that place ; John Carr and Joseph Jennings lived near : his uncle, James Wil- son, came soon after; and that his father died about two years later. That. "on our way here, we stopped but a day or two in Zanesville, and also a couple of days at William's place, which is more on the National road. Four members of a family named Faid, living up the run, died in 1806. My brother Arnold was born here, in 1806. We came here in a four-horse wagon, and the trip occupied weeks, all of which time, with the exception of two nights. we camped out. A man named Hensle, and his family, were in our party, as was also William Wilson, an "uncle, and a captain in the War of '12, who went up to Mackinaw. Hensle settled on the Flint Ridge road." In 1806, William Hamilton and his son-in-law, Rev. Robert Manley, with their families, removed to Hopewell township, from Maryland. They made a settlement in the township, taking a farm about a half mile east of where Asbury Chapel now stands. There had been squatters here before. but no regular settlement. Manley improved the farm on which Asbury Chapel now stands ; his was the first im- provement in the township. He lived on this farm until his death, which occurred December 2Ist, 1810.
The Rev. C. Springer. speaking of Hamilton and Manley, said :
"They were the two first families that settled
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here. They were both men of dignified and im- pressive characters, yet mild and conciliating. They were surrounded with such a religious at- mosphere that you could not come in contact with it without feeling a desire to be better. The first thing these eminent men did in their new location, was to erect the altars of religion, and to offer unto God, in their cabins, their daily and weekly sacrifices. The influence of their example was such that the early settlers around them, as soon as they erected their cabins, with scarcely an exception, embraced religion and formed the church. I think it doubtful if ever two men settled in the west, have sent down upon posterity such an influence for good."
Major William Bonnifield left Shenandoah County, Virginia, in 1806, accompanied by his wife and five children ; located in Falls town- ship-but on New Year's day, 1807, they set- tled on Poverty Run, on the farm now occupied by Samuel Bonnifield. Several other families set- tled in the neighborhood, among them, William Coffman, at whose camp was born the first white child in the township, William Coffman, Jr., born in June, 1807. These were followed by Charles Franklin, John Colvin, E. B. Morgan, Curtis Willey, Sr., and John Clabagh. Curtis Willey, Jr., thinks his father came to Hopewell township, in 1808, from Green County, Pennsyl- vania ; he was a farmer, and lived on John Col- vin's place for four years. He then moved to the place now owned by him, and built a log cabin. which is still standing. When he moved here, there had not been a tree cut. Soon after build- ing his cabin, and clearing a field, he planted an orchard : having purchased the trees from John Colvin. They are all gone now.
John Colvin immigrated from Green County, Pennsylvania, in 1806, and settled on the place now owned by his son James. He lived here a few years, sold out, and returned to Pennsyl- vania, but came back and re-purchased the place. James Burley moved from Green County, Pennsylvania, to Zanesville; in 1806, and kept tavern in West Zanesville.
James Boyle was one of the early settlers. He was born in this county in 1805, or 1806. He was a surveyor many years, and left here for Cincinnati. When last heard from he was sur- veying in Texas.
In 1810, three brothers named Richey, came here. They kept batchelor's hall, and were call- ed "Babes in the Wood." They lived on Por- ter's land.
ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWNSHIP.
February 3, 1812, a petition was presented to the County Commissioners, from a number of the inhabitants of Madison and Falls townships, praying to have a new township (by the name of Hopewell) struck off the townships aforesaid. And to this petition a remonstrance was present- ed. The Commissioners, however, decided to grant the petition, and ordered an election for the officers of the new township, to he held at the house of John Colvin. The first election was
held the following year, at the house of James Rollins, near where Colvin now lives. No print- ed tickets were used, for none were to be had : and at that election Thomas Higginbotham and Simon Simons were elected Justices of the Peace ; and, notwithstanding the election was not held at the place appointed, the officers chosen were permitted to serve in their several capacities.
September 1, 1817, all that part of Falls town- ship which was in the first township of the ninth range of military lands, was annexed to Hope- well township ; and, on the 22d of February, 1819, so much of Hopewell as lies east of Lick- ing Creek, was taken from that township, and annexed to Licking township, so that the bounda- ries of Hopewell township were not completed until this time.
Henry Winegardner and wife, came from Lou- don County, Virginia, in 1814 ; his cabin was small- built of seventeen trees. They removed to Mt. Sterling, in 1830, and kept tavern there several years. Conrad Emeny, and James Smith, settled here about the same time. Adam Smith had a saw mill, in Gratiot, about that time. George Dent came to Muskingum County with his father and mother, in 1808. His mother was Rebecca Hamilton. They came from Monon- gahela County, Pennsylvania. Dent emigrated to Putnam County, Illinois, and was a volunteer in the .. Black Hawk War," in 1832, and was after- wards County Assessor, of Putnam County, one year. In 1847, he was Clerk of the Circuit Court, Judge one term, and a member of the House of Representatives, one term. He after- wards moved to Minonk, Illinois, and at the time of his death, 1879, he was Police Magistrate of that city.
John H. Dillon entered a large part of the land around here, and had large quantities of wood cut for the furnace, at Dillon's Falls : and a great deal of wood was suffered to rot.
Fred Beams owned a large tract of land, right around Mt. Sterling. He came here in 1813, ac- cording to John Burley.
The Richey, and Hood houses, in Mt. Sterl- ing, were built in 1830.
The "American House," in Mt. Sterling, a brick structure, was built in 1841.
. Joseph Richey was once Sheriff of Muskin- gum County-a public functionary most of his life-Postmaster at different times, Township Treasurer, and Justice of the Peace, and in "'ye olden time, a Colonel of militia : he came here in 1836.
PIONEER MECHANICS, STORES, ETC.
As long ago as 1812, the shop of Peter Crum- rine, the blacksmith, was a familiar place to every one in the township, who needed smithing done, and this son of Vulcan. according to tra- dition, was a well muscled representative of his class. He worked at his forge late and early. and the ring of his anvil was music that always betokened prosperity and good cheer, for when his bellows roared, we always knew that some- body had an iron in the fire: that their work
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TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
gave him work, and brought each a reward that cheered them. His shop was located near where Peter Starkey now lives.
Thomas Dean, a fellow craftsman had a shop in "Normantown," in 1828.
The first carpenter was probably William Heath. He was a son-in-law of William Hamil- ton, and came here in 1814.
The first store was that started by Francis Tresize. He had a small stock of goods just east of the bridge over Kent's Run, on the Thornsville road, about 1827. A year or so later, he opened up near Asbury Chapel, and when the National Road was built he removed to where Hopewell now is, and kept a store there several years. The next store was kept by Samuel Dolman, at Mt. Sterling, in 1833.
Shinn's Distillery .- A man named Shinn had a distillery about half a mile from Colvin's, on Kent's Run, in 1812. Nathaniel Richley had a distillery on the Burley place, in 1815, and con- ducted that business about three years ; and Samuel Richley was engaged in the business on the Porter place about the same time.
It may be a question with the reader, as it has often been with the historian, what benefit is derived from the mention of first things. In re- ply we have said very little, so far as the present influence goes, unless we heed the words of the poet :
"Trust no future, howe'er pleasant! Let the dead past bury its dead ! Act, act in the living present ! Heart within, and God o'er-head !
And see to it that we have a business worthy of our best endeavor, and then, making the most of it, we will be able to avoid being classed with those whose record may too often be comprised in the brief sentence, he lived at such a time, and died at such a time !
Dr. Duzenberry came here about 1812, and taught school, and did some practice in his pro- fession.
Dr. E. B. Bain was the first resident physician. He located a little north of Hopewell, in 1828. He subsequently moved to Gratiot, and then to Mt. Sterling.
Dr. Knight came about 1839 or 1840, and re- mained until 1856, when he started for some Eldorado out west.
SCHOOLS AND EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.
Perhaps no township in the county had a nobler colony to settle within its borders that is the first pride of Hopewell. The earlier pioneers are described as men of education, and soon after establishing their homes, gave attention to schools. The school house in the beginning, however, was, as everything else, utilized where and when most needed, and until 1812 there were none regularly attended, as the opening of farm homes-when there were children in the family-made it necessary that even little hands should take a part.
The township was divided into school districts as early as 1835, and a common interest in edu- cation was manifested, and good and convenient school houses were built ; and in 1840, the town- ship contained eleven districts, with a comforta- ble house in nearly every one. The township was again divided in 1848, and the number re- duced to nine ; and again divided in 1852, under the new school law, and the number of school districts reduced to eight. District No. Six having a stone school house, was denied a new building. In 1873, the ninth district was taken off No. One, and a new district and school house built. Henry Dick, Esq., has kindly furnished the following information :
A school in District No. I was taught in an old house, near the present house, in 1814. The hewed log house was built in 1815. The first teacher was Abraham Frey. who taught one year.
The new school house was built in 1854.
The school in District No. 2 was in an old house until about 1843, when a new one was built.
The school in No. 3 was in an old house until 1853, when a new house was erected.
In No. 4 the old Baptist Church was used until 1852, when a new house was built.
In No. 5 there was an old house; but a new one was built in 1853.
No. 6 (the Asbury District). had, first, a log school house a little north of Asbury Chapel, built in 1824-5. This gave way to a stone house in 1844, and that was torn down and a frame building erected in 1872. The teachers, "in an early day," were generally mindful of the proverb, "The rod and reproof give wisdom," often saying to themselves. "I will visit their trans- gression with the rod." John Pryor was a teacher here in an early day, and he was a good whipper ; so was James O. Perry. John Duvall, the first teacher, made his mark on many a back.
The luckless scholar failing to know The mysteries contained in the lesson, Was sure to hear the teacher say, "oho ! I'll have to give you a thrashin' !"
No. 7 (Bushy Knob) was rebuilt about 1852.
No. 8 (Mt. Sterling School) was held in the old church, and was subsequently in a log house built for the purpose ; and, in 1852, a new build- ing was erected, to which additions were made in 1876.
.Mt. Sterling Academy, under the care of Prof. Robert Morrison, has attained an enviable reputation, so much so that pupils resort to it from a very unusual distance for those attending such schools.
The school house in Hopewell was built about the year 1852, previous to which time the school , had been held in the Union church.
No. 9 was taken from No. I about 1873, and a new school house built.
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TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
MILLS.
The importance of a mill in the settlement, no matter how pressing, was frequently ignored by the pioneer, who regarded other advantages, such as hunting, fishing, good grazing, an ex- tended range, and, if it could be had, water priv- ileges, by which was understood a good site for a dam. whereby the power of water could be utilized in propelling machinery, particularly of a mill. With these objects in view, it was a common thing for a pioneer to locate, without regard to nearness to a mill, and therefore going to mill was an event of notable interest in the family, not unattended with danger, and which always awakened fear in the mother of the house- hold when her lord was delayed, which was sometimes the case. And, on the other hand, it was a time of joyous expectation on the part of the "little folks," who invariably received presents from papa on his return, the mill being situated near "the store." And then, "mill flour" was so much more desirable than home-made.
According to tradition, the old settlers from this region had to go to Zanesville to mill. " It was a little tub mill where we got the grain ground, and had to sift it ourselves as the mill had no bolting attachment. We traveled down Timber Run from Spencer's and James Tanner's, and forded the river at Buckingham's warehouse. Sometimes, when the river was up, we had to make our flour or meal at home, by pounding. The grain was carried to the mill on horseback, generally, three sacks for a grist; two sacks on one horse and one on another. The horses were seldom shod in those days, and sometimes one would slip while crossing the stream, spoiling the grain, and sometimes creating a panic for bread at home."
The mill at Dillon's Falls was extensively patronized. It was a common sight to see a number of people on horseback on their way to this mill ; and at times they regarded themselves fortunate to get there, so bad was the road, and so treacherous the streams they had to ford. It was usually a two days trip to Zanesville for either flour or salt.
THE FIRST SAWMILL.
The first sawmill in this township was up Kent's Run, from Colvin's, and owned by one Reese. About the same time, 1814, there was a small gristmill up Kent's Run ; this was running in 1820. There was another small gristmill on Poverty Run, near Bonnifield's place ; who owned or run these inills is not known, the mem- ory of " the oldest inhabitant " can only testify that there were such mills. " Adam Smith had a mill on the Licking county line, about the same time; and there was Jacob Martin's mill, on Kent's Run, a lumber and grist mill."
ORCHARDS.
If there is any one branch of the industry in- cluded in a farmer's life, that brings him more
into harmony with nature and God, it is fruit growing.
" And the Lord God planted a garden to the Eastward in Eden; "
" Almighty, thine this universal frame, Thus wondrous fair ; thyself how wondrous then !
Unspeakable, who sitt'st above these heavens,
To us invisible, or dimly seen
In these thy lowest works; yet these declare
Thy goodness beyond thought, and power divine."
Anno Domini, 1814, John Colvin planted a nursery, and soon after set out an orchard. From his nursery he furnished trees to his neigh- bors. His first orchard consisted of apple and peach trees ; he obtained his seed from Pennsyl- vania. One apple tree of the first planting was alive in 1879.
Henry Winegardner set out an orchard in 1817 ; his trees were brought from Perry county, and consisted mostly of apple and cherry. His peach seed was obtained in Fairfield county, and planted in 1818; one of those trees lived until 1876, and bore fruit two years previous.
POTTERIES.
This is a paradise for potters ; from time immem- orial, they have plied their vocation with success, in this township. And yet, while this is true, most of the establishments have had but a brief existence. This may be accounted for, perhaps, on the hypothesis, that the clay was abundant, the art easily acquired, and the wares cheap, on which account the potter often sought other ave- nues to wealth, and sometimes returned when these failed. The earliest pottery of which we have any trace, was inaugurated by one Burley, not far from Mt. Sterling. A little more definite tradition comes to us concerning a pottery a little further up the run than the present one. It was built in 1822, by a man named Castele ; he sold his establishment, in 1825, to John Burley, and it has been in the family ever since. This old shop burned down in 1828, and in 1831, was re- built by Burley, just east of the present establish- ment, which was erected in 1875.
EARTHENWARE COFFINS.
This is a new enterprise, invented by Allen & Son, at Mt. Sterling. They have applied for a patent. These burial cases are burned in " nests " of four or five ; they admit of being col- ored with almost any desired pigment, and are but little heavier than wood. They admit, also. of being hermetically sealed, and, unless broken, will endure longer than metallic cases.
MILLSTONES.
Millstones were first made in this township, in 1825, by Samuel Drumm ; he continued in this business until 1840. The stones were made of a regular buhr stone, found in the northwestern part of the township. Mr. Drumm made stones for all of the mills in this part of the State, and shipped many to various parts of the United
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TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
States, delivering them at Nashport, and thence by the canal and its connections. These stones were known as the " Flint Ridge Buhr," and re- garded superior in quality. Some of the stones are now in Zanesville.
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