USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > History of Muskingum County, Ohio ; with illustrations and biographical sketches of prominent men and pioneers, 1794 > Part 93
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
The present number of members is one hun- dred and thirty-four.
Leaders-Joseph Kelly, Samuel Mock and William Jennings.
Stewards-James C. Wilson, Jesse Hender- shot, and J. F. Jennings.
Preacher in charge-Rev. William Peregoy.
NORWICH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This church was organized October 27th, 1828, by Rev. James Arbuthnot, under authority granted by the Presbytery of Lancaster, Ohio. This organization was mainly composed of mem- bers from the Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church. Its first pastor was Rev. James Arbuthnot, whose pastorate continued about two years. The orig- inal Elders elected, were Robert Miller, John Jamison, John Wycoff, and William McLanghlin.
The first Trustees were : Robert Miller, John McCurdy, John Wycoff, Peter Galliger, John Crawford, and Benjamin Wortman,
In August, 1831, a call was extended to Rev. Samuel Wilson, and he was installed pastor, April 5th, 1832. Mr. Wilson continned his pastorate until April 28th, 1868, a period of thirty- six years, when he resigned on account of ill health.
May 17th, 1870, Rev. N. C. Helfrich was called, and installed November 3d, 1870. The pastoral relation between Rev. Mr. Helfrich and his church, was dissolved in October, 1874.
Rev. Faris Brown became stated supply, Sep- tember roth, 1875, and November 21st, 1876, was installed as pastor, which relation he still continues.
This congregation first worshiped in a small frame house, and in the year 1839, a brick meet- ing house, 45x65, was built at the west end of the
town of Norwich, which stood until 1852, when it was replaced by the present frame structure.
The following is a list of Elders, with date of installation :
1828. Robert Miller, John Jamison, John
Wycoff, William McLaughlin. +
1841. Jacob Glessner, John Miller.
1854. Prestly Hastings, Ezra Lyle, James Day. 1861. Robert Dain, Robert Buchanan, Geo. Miller.
872. Alfred Taylor, A. M. Glessner.
The following is a list of Deacons, with date of installation :
1854. Robert Dain, Andrew Geyer, Leslie Armstrong, Joseph Sellers, James Hastings.
1861. Prestly McCloud, James Gibson.
1872. C. F. Glessner, Jesse Wortman, Ben- jamin Wortman.
The present number of members is one hun- dred and eighty-five, the child having outgrown the parent church.
During the fifty-two years of its history, this church has had four pastors and fourteen ruling Elders.
NORWICH UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This church was organized June 8th, 1862, by a committee appointed by the Presbytery, con- sisting of Rev. G. W. Goudy and Elders Joseph Harper and Samuel Lee.
The original members were, Samuel Hadden and wife, and John, their son, Joseph White and Jane, his daughter, John Henderson and wife, with their sons, Clark and John A., and Julia, their daughter, William Walker and wife, Mrs. Ray, and Richard, her son, James Hastings and wife, John M. Lorimer and wife, Mary and Jane McWhorter, Robert Young and wife, with his son, William, and daughters Eliza, Mary Ann and Nancy, William Wilson and wife, and daughter, Mary, Dr. McCandless and wife, Matthew Cherry and wife, S. P. Moore, Mary Ann Moore, Elizabeth Moore, Robert Moore and wife, and John J. White and wife.
The ruling Elders were Samuel Hadden, John Henderson and William Walker.
The first pastor was Rev. J. R. Boyd, who was succeeded by Dr. David Paul. Rev. S. M. Hutcheson served a short time, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. W. S. Harper. In June, 1878, Rev. E. A. Huston was installed as pastor, and still officiates.
In 1863, a church was erected on lot HI, in the town of Norwich : a frame, 40x50, at a cost of $1,800. Maximum number of members in 1879. was one hundred and nine.
Present officials-Ruling Elders, Joseph White, William Thompson, Dr. R. M. Bainter, David Young, J. R. Starrett, Samuel Hadden and William Walker.
Deacons-John Lorimer, Joseph White and Jolin Cherry.
Trustees-J. G. Starrett. J. A. Henderson, Findley Richie, R. G. Young and John Nixon.
422
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
SCHOOLS.
The first school in Union township was taught by Nicholas Reasoner. He was no pedantic pedagogue. who.
" With words of learned length and thundering sound, Amazed the gazing rustics ranged around,"
But a man suited to the time and occasion, who understood the needs of the hour, and strove to fill a place that, without him, would have been vacant. in the history of civilization.
The old school-house, a primitive affair, stood on the southeast quarter of section ten, near the old Wheeling road.
Rev. James Robinson was the next school- teacher, and after him, came Robert Ardary, fol- lowed by the Lorimers.
These rude cabins and primitive teachers have long since passed away, but they have left an impress upon the community not easily effaced.
In the year 1820, a Presbyterian Church was erected on the southeast quarter of section ten, on the land of John Reasoner, near the old Wheeling road. This church was a frame build- ing, forty feet square, and two stories high. One of these stories was designed for, and used as an academy, where the youth of the community might receive more than a common school edu- cation. This was the pioneer academy of east- ern Muskingum. Who the teachers were, or how long it continued in operation, is not now known.
We next find an academy in operation in the town of New Concord. under the superintend- ence of Rev. A. M. Black. This school was successfully conducted until it finally ultimated in Muskingum College.
MUSKINGUM COLLEGE.
This institution occupies a beautiful location just north of the village of New Concord, and overlooks that town. The original act of incor- poration is dated March 13th, 1837.
The first Board of Directors was composed of Robert Wallace. Samuel Wilson, Benjamin Wad- dle. Daniel McLane, Andrew Lorimer, John Jamison. John McKinney, John Hull, and Wil- liam Findley. The ground for the building was deeded to this Board and their successors in of- fice, by William and Janet Findley. May roth, 1838.
The first building wrs erected during the sum- mer of 1838. It was of brick, forty feet square, two stories high, and cost $2,479. This building was nearly destroyed by fire in 1850, and was immediately rebuilt -- the college classes reciting elsewhere, in the interim.
In 1874, a new front was erected, forty by sev- enty, making the entire building seventy by ninety-large enough to accommodate one hun- dred and fifty students-this last addition costing ten thousand dollars.
The following is a list of those who have served
as President of the college, and the term of their service :
Rev. B. Waddle, from 1837 to 1838. Rev. S. Wilson, from 1838 to 1846.
Rev. D. A. Wallace, D.D. LL.D., from 1846 to 1848. Rev. John Milligan, from 1848 to 1849.
Rev. Samuel G. Irvine, D.D., from 1849 to 1851. Rev. Samuel McArthur, from 1851 to 1855. Rev. Benjamin Waddle, from 1855 to 1859.
Rev. J. P. Lytle, D.D., pro tempore. Rev. H. P. Mcclurkin, D.D., pro tempore. Rev. S. B. Shryock, from 1861 to 1864. Rev. David Paul, D.D., from 1864 to 1879. Rev. F. M. Spencer, from 1879 to -
Seventeen students are reported to have been in attendance the first year. During the present vear, one hundred and forty-eight have received instruction, with an average attendance of about one hundred. Besides the usual college curricu- lum, this institution includes Hebrew, and pays special attention to music-both vocal and in- strumental. The Scientific Course now requires four years of study, and the Classical, six years.
One hundred and eighty-six students have re- ceived diplomas, one hundred and thirty-three of these graduating in the Classical Department.
Until 1876, the college was under the fostering care of the several denominations represented in the community. At that time, the entire man- agement of the college was transferred to a Board of Trustees, nominated by the Presby- teries of Muskingum and Mansfield, of the Uni- ted Presbyterian Church. Since then, twelve . thousand dollars of an endowment fund has been raised, and it is confidently expected that it will soon, by additional.endowments, be placed upon a firm financial basis.
The following persons constitute the present Faculty and Board of Trustees of the college :
Rev. F. M. Spencer, President, and Professor of Hebrew, and Mental, Moral and Political Philosphy.
Rev. J. A. Gray, A.M., Professor of Mathe- matics.
T. H. Paden, A.M., Professor of Latin and Greek Languages.
Rev. R. I. Miller, Professor of Natural Sci- ences.
H. McCreary, M.D., Adjunct Professor of Natural Sciences.
Mary Miller, A.M., Teacher of French and German.
Prof. S. T. Wallace, Principal of the Depart- ment of Music.
Emma M. Mcclurkin, B.S., Assistant Teacher of Music.
Board of Trustees .- Rev. D. H. French, President, Mansfield, Ohio ; H. McClearv, Sec- retary, New Concord, Ohio ; S. Harper, Treas- urer, New Concord, Ohio; W. H. Cockins, Zanesville, Ohio ; W. Dickson, De Kalb, Ohio ; Rev. T. P. Dysart, Utica, Ohio ; John Finney, Mansfield, Ohio; Rev. John Comin, D.D., Rix- ville, Ohio ; Rev. J. P. Lytle, D.D., Sago, Ohio ;
423
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
R. B. Maxwell, Mansfield, Ohio ; James McKin- ney, New Concord, Ohio ; Rev. J. W. Martin, North Salem, Ohio ; Alex. Speer, New Concord, Ohio; Rev. James White, Mt. Perry, Ohio ; Robert Wilkin, Londonderry, Ohio; Rev. W. Wishart, D.D., Ontario, Ohio; Rev. David Paul, D.D., New Concord, Ohio : Colonel R. G. Brown, Lexington, Ohio.
Executive Committee-F. M. Spencer, Presi- dent ex-officio ; H. McCleary, M.D., Secre- tary ; S. Harper, Rev. John Comin, D.D., Rev. J. P. Lytle, D.D., Alex. Speer.
The following is a list of the graduates of Mus- kingum College for 1880:
Artemas M. Bogle, A.B., Mt. Perry, Ohio; John K. Henry, A.B., Lancaster, Ohio; Me- lancthon T. Huston, A.B., Mt. Perry, Ohio ; Hugh T. Jackson, A.B., New Concord, Ohio ; James A. Lawrence, A.B., Cambridge, Ohio ; William C. Paden, A.B., New Concord, Ohio ; Lou. M. Hadden, B.S., Norwich, Ohio ; George W. Jennings, B.S., Norwich, Ohio; Frank L. St. Clair, B.S., Cumberland, Ohio ; Miss Flora J. Anderson, B.S., Milnersville, Ohio ; Miss Anna K. Comin, B.S., Rixville, Ohio ; Miss Mary M. Paden, B.S., New Concord, Ohio; Miss Mary J. Shepherd, B.S., Freeland, Ohio.
Muskingum College has been fortunate in its location, The people of New Concord, and vi- cinity, are stanch, earnest friends of education, while the morals and intelligence of the com- munity are above the average.
NEW CONCORD GRADED SCHOOL.
This building was erected during 1878-79. It is a neat and tasty structure ; material, brick, size, 40x70 feet. Two stories high, and contain- ing four rooms, with a seating capacity for two hundred pupils ; cost $8,000 ; attendance last term, one hundred and twenty. Principal, J. K. Watson. Wages paid, fifty dollars per month for the Principal, and thirty, and twenty-five dol- lars, respectively, to the assistants.
Norwich graded school is located near the Methodist Episcopal Church. The building is frame, two stories high, twenty-four by forty- eight feet ; built in 1874. James M. Starrett, Principal. Wages, two dollars per day.
The first Sunday School was organized in 1827, at Norwich, by A. S. Rau. It was a "Union" school.
Captain Samuel McCune held the first school exhibition in Union township.
SOCIETY OF INQUIRY.
Norwich Society of Inquiry was organized in January, 1878, and, as its title indicates, is one of research into the hidden mysteries of science. art, and historic lore.
President-G. II. Miller.
Recording Secretary-J. L. Geyer, M. D.
Corresponding Secretary-George L. Foley. Treasurer-R. Y. Young.
The officers of this society are gentlemen of intelligence and energy, and the character of its
members is a sufficient guaranty of its future suc- cess. Its motto should be : "Ad astra per as- perum"-to the stars through difficulties.
POSTOFFICES.
The first postoffice in the township was estab- lished at the house of Colonel John Reynolds, on the Wheeling road. He was succeeded by John McDonald (familiarly known as "Fox McDon- ald").
When the stage route was transferred to the National road. Mr. McDonald moved to Nor- wich, and kept the first office in that town. He lived, at the time, on lot nineteen, where the store of C. C. Taylor now stands, in which the pres- ent postoffice is kept.
Mr. McDonald was succeeded by Lewis Vir- den, he, by Horatio Chandler. Then came Hezekiah Maxfield, and John Tudor, followed by L. D. Stone. 1861, and Dr. J. L. Geyer, in 1876.
Charles C. Taylor, the present incumbent, was appointed April 23, 1880.
This office is in "class four."
A postoffice was established at New Concord. in 1829. with Joseph Mckinney as postmaster. He held the office sixteen years, and was suc- ceeded in 1845. by William McClain, who was succeeded by Noble Kelly. Ichabod Drummon followed him, in 1860, and held the office until May, 1864. when Joseph McKinney. the present incumbent was appointed.
New Concord office, is a "money order office." and does a yearly postoffice order business of $20,000. It ranges in "class four." Compen- sation. $400.
Sundale postoffice was established at the rail- road depot, near Norwich, in April. 1880. J. P. Kelly, postmaster.
PHYSICIANS.
Dr. Baldridge was the first resident physician in the township. He dates back to 1818.
After him came Dr's. Hull. Holsten, Berry. Matthew McConnell, James D. Cunningham, James Bell, and George W. Pringle. These practiced in New Concord. Bell left in 1869. and Pringle died in 1876.
When Norwich was laid out in 1827. Samuel and James Lorimer, brothers, built in the town, and practiced there. Samuel died in 1833, and James in 1834. Dillon and Strahl were also early prac- tioners.
Dr. A. B. McCandless came in 1857, and left in 1865. Dr. L. H. Gratigny came in 1860, and left the same year. Dr. Henry MeCreary came in 1866, and is still practicing at New Concord.
Dr. Joseph Moorehead, and John Law, were practicing in Norwich, in 1867, but Moorehead left in 1867, and Law in 1868. Dr's. Mitchell and Shillito, also practiced in Norwich.
Dr. Joseph L. Geyer commenced in 1869, and Dr. R. M. Bainter, in 1877. Both are still resi- dents of Norwich, and enjoy a lucrative practice. New Concord boasts an able corps of physicians.
424
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
Dr. - Henry McCreary came in 1869, Dr. Isaac W. Chisholm, in 1874, S. T. Storer, M. D., in 1878, and Dr. W. W. Pringle, in 1879.
Allopathy is the only school of medicine rep- resented in Union township.
MILITARY.
Joseph McCune served as a Captain in the war of 1812, and distinguished himself as an aid to General Harrison. He died at Otsego, Monroe township, in 1838.
Isaiah Carr was also a soldier of 1812. He still resides on the old homestead, on the north- east quarter of section five, in the enjoyment of the proper uses of his mental faculties.
Samuel Cummins, another veteran of 1812, re- sides on the National road, one mile west of the town of New Concord, and at the age of eighty- nine, still lingers on the shores of time, waiting for "taps."
UNION TOWNSHIP VOLUNTEERS, 1861-5.
Company A, Fifteenth Regiment O. V. I .- Captain, James C. Cummins : First Lieutenant, C. Reasoner ; Second Lieutenant, S. T. Storer. Sergeants-T. Newton Hanson, A.S. Hadden, Jas. S.Boyd, Jos. Mckinney, Oliver S. Langon.
Corporals-James Dumer, William S. Scott, Hugh M.Cox, John B. Galbraith, Charles W. Bailey, Carson E. Madden, James Galiher, Wlliam H. Ogg.
Privates-Wm. Alexander, James W. Ander- son, Levi Boyer, Benjamin B. Briggs, Joseph S. Brown, Robert B. Brown, John Brown, James T. Case, Jacob Campbell, Wilson Cavey, Thomas B." Cherry, Matthew Cherry, John G. Decker, William Dodds, Samuel Evans, William Ferguson, Samuel B. Few, John D. Fleming, Lewis Forsyth, Peter G. Gardner, George A. Gardner, Hugh Gormley, John S. Gregory, Samuel R. Guthrie, William Guthrie, Jesse Hackett, James D. Hadden, Robert Hammond, Johnson Hammond, Adam Hammond, Emmet Hart, John Hartong, William H. Hatfield, Wm. L. Henderson, James W. Howell, Lloyd H. Jones, Jacob Krissinger, Benona Ledman, Jas. Little, John Masters, John Mercer, John Mitchell, Francis Mount, John W. McCrea, John S. Mc- Kinney, James M. Mckinney, Charles E. Mc- Kinney, John A. Mckinney, W. T. McKinney, John A. Nelson, Samuel L. Patterson, John D. Patterson, J. M. Patterson, James Paxton, Wm. I. Permar, Thomas Ramsey, Samuel Rankin, Charles L. Reeder, William Rice, William E. Richey, Samuel Robb, Frank Schreiber, N. A. Smith, William R. Stewart, Thomas W. Skin- ner, R. W. Thompson, Jas. C. Thompson, Sam- uel M. Thompson, W. B. White, Isaac B. White, Harvey White, Josiah Whitaker, E. O. Wilhelm, Samuel Williams, James Wilson, John W. Wil- son, David Wilson, William Lee Wolf, Joseph Wood, Isaac Wiley. G. Wiley, Convers Wiley.
The following is a list of Union Township Volunteers who served in the Seventy-eighth O. V. I. :
Joseph L. Geyer, M.D., Steward; Gabriel H. Holland, James T. Caldwell, Jr., John B. Dougherty. Hiram Moorhead, Charles S. Wi- ley, John A. Henderson, Thomas Reasoner, Henry Taylor, Henry S. Chambers, H. A. Mc- Donald, First Lieutenant : Alexander U. P. Hagar, Second Lieutenant ; Samuel H. Van- kirk, (promoted to Captain) : Benjamin F. Tu- dor, William Gages, Philip Gibbons, William Hadden, Samuel Taylor, Albert G. Gault, Wil- liam P. Gault, Robert Hancon, (killed) ; Sam- uel Hurrel, (died in prison) ; Levi Hammond. Clinton Jenkins, Jesse M. Moorhead, Joseph Moorhead, Joseph E. McKinney, Joseph Reib- ardine, John Stoner, (discharged for disability), Solomon Urban, Joseph Vankirk, Wesley West, Alfred Wymer, (promoted to Second-Lieuten- ant), Lewis H. Wall. David Cherry, John A. Mckinney, Oliver P. Yaw, David R. Yaw.
AGRICULTURE.
Union township is essentially an agricultural district, but has no organized agricultural soci- ety. The surface is comparatively smooth and easy of cultivation. The soil is productive, and the farmers in good circumstances.
Wheat and corn were formerly regarded as the staple articles of production, but of late these have given way to wool and stock.
Fine wool is now the principal article of ex- port. Several fine flocks of sheep are to be found ; among them are Hadden's, Perkins', and Wortman's.
The rearing of thoroughbred short-horned cattle, has also received considerable attention. Mr. James Perkins having on his farm quite a number of " pedigreed and registered " animals.
The township is drained on the east by Crooked Creek, on the south by White Eyes Creek, and on the west by Self's Run. Springs are numer- ous, there being no less than one hundred and twenty-five springs in the township, and water for stock abundant. The streams, however, are small, not affording any available water power.
TIMBER.
The prevailing kinds of timber are: White oak, black oak, red oak, rock oak, walnut, but- ternut, poplar, hickory, maple, elm, gum, beech, buckeye, sycamore, cherry, sassafras, iron wood, dog wood, and mulberry.
MINERALS.
No minerals of consequence have been dis- covered, and even coal has been but slightly de- veloped.
1
A.SPEER & SONS
FFEL
PEERS MILL
Store of A. SPEER & SON, New Concord, Ohio.
IN 1837, on the site of the present merchandise store of H. H. Wilkins, Mr. Speer, a native of Guernsey county, opened out as a dealer in boots, shoes, clothing, and a general line of merchandise. New Concord then boasted but a small population; but the little country store around the corner pros- pered, and its proprietor gradually accumulated a share of this world's goods. In 1855 he bought a third enterprise, the old Finley & Patterson grist
mill, of which he became sole owner in 1860. He is still in active business, and justly ranks among the most progressive business men of the place. Since 1859, with the exception of time spent in the United States service, as private and ranking officer, S. Speer, son of the above pioneer, has been associated with the house, in which he became a partner in 1870.
H.H.WILKIN
Store and Dwelling of H. H. WILKIN, New Concord, Ohio.
THE above-named gentleman ranks among the leading merchants of New Concord. In 1875 he located at the intersection of Main and Liberty streets, having purchased a half interest with the late Henry C. McDonald. Together they con- tinued in a general merchandise business until 1878, when Mr. Wilkin purchased the entire stock. From this time until the destructive con- flagration of August, 1881, quite an extensive
business was transacted. The building formerly occupying the present site was a substantial frame, uninsured, and the fire proved a trying ordeal for the young aspirant for commercial honors. Imme- diately afterward, Mr. Wilkins completed on the site of the ruins the present establishment. Here, in his new and commodious quarters, he solicits the continued patronage of his old custom- ers, and kindly welcomes the new.
425
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
BLUE ROCK TOWNSHIP.
REMARKABLY TRADITIONAL-PAUCITY OF DATES . -THE "OLD FEDERAL TRAIL"-PIONEERS- FIRST THINGS - TRADITIONS - PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-FIRST GROCERY STORE-PHYSICIANS -. SMALL CHANGE - FIRST ORCHARD - SALT WELLS-TOWNSHIP FORMED-ELECTION -- OATH OF OFFICE ADMINISTERED WHILE THE RIVER FLOWED BETWEEN THE PARTIES-TOPOGRAPHY -TIMBER-WATER-COAL -FIRECLAY -SALT -GEOLOGY-SCHOOLS-SUGAR GROVE M. E. CHURCH-SAWMILLS-FIRST STEAM GRISTMILL -FRIENDS-BLUE ROCK BAPTIST CHURCH- MILITARY RECORD-BLUE ROCK RIFLEMEN- BLUE ROCK IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION- ROSTERS-IMPROVED STOCK-WOOL GROWING -FRUIT-AGRICULTURAL RETROSPECT-AGRI- CULTURAL SOCIETY-BETHLEHEM M. E. CHURCH -RADICAL METHODIST CHURCH-TEMPERANCE LECTURER-REPRESENTATIVE MEN-JUSTICES OF THE PEACE-ROCKVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH- SONS OF TEMPERANCE-RURAL DALE-KIEFER -OIL DEVELOPMENT-TELEGRAPII-PATRONS OF IIUSBANDRY-I. O. O. F .-- GAYSPORT-OLD) SETTLERS YET LIVING.
There are some remarkable peculiarities con- nected with the settlement of this township : not the least of which is the traditionary record, ob- tained from reliable persons, but who fail to fix dates to events that seem almost to suggest them. Thus we find it necessary to speak of first per- sons, places, and things, without regard to time, since we have nothing positive on this subject, where the dates do not appear. Then, it is re- markable that so inany prominent men should find their way into an unknown region, when the nucleus of settlements, that had been made, still invited any who might be seeking fortune and fame. But, it is more than likely, that the keen eye of Daniel Convers, who carried the first mail by canoe, on the Muskingum River, in 1798, from Marietta to Zanesville, observed the beauteous landscape, as he paddled by Blue Rock, and communicated his views to those he met with. Although "the oldest inhabitant" does not date back of 1805. which indicates that the wave of settlement moved slowly that way.
The following traditions are deemed suffi- ciently reliable to introduce them in evidence :
The first mail carried through Blue Rock was by canoc, on the Muskingum River, by Daniel Converse, in 1798, the route extended from Zanesville and back.
The first local mail was carried on horseback, from Zanesville to McConnellsville, by Timothy Gates.
The first mail coach, between the same points, was driven by Zadok Burdick ; and to dispose of the subject of mails we will add, that there are three postoffices in Blue Rock township. at this time ; one at Gaysport, named Blue Rock : one at Kiefer, in the northeast quarter of the town- ship, and one at Rural Dale.
The first frame house was built by Caleb Hall, [ that had a stone building erected on land owned
near. Rural Dale.
The first stone house was built by Joseph Mc- Lees, in section twelve, and is now occupied by Thomas McLees.
The first brick house was built by Caleb Butler, on section twenty-eight. The second, by John Trimble, on section twenty-seven ; both are now occupied by their descendants.
The first orchards were set out by Levi Reeves, the Silveys, Dutros, Findleys, and New- kirks.
The first surveyed road was from Finney's mill, on Salt Creek, to the present site of Rural Dale.
The first bridge was built across the mouth of Dry Ripple Run, near the "Old Federal Trail," which ran from Wheeling to Limestone (now Maysville, Kentucky), entered Blue Rock township in the northeast corner. on the property of James White, and passsed through the south- ern portion of the township, crossing the Mus- kingum River at the Big Blue Rock, on the property now owned by W. E. Bozeman.
David Dutro and Dr. Baker settled on sec- tions five and eight, on the east Bank of the Muskingum River. in 1805. Samuel Dutro (son of David) occupies the old homestead. Sarah Dutro, born December 8, 1805. was prob- ably the first child born in the township. Sam- uel Dutro (son of David) is the oldest living inhabitant born in the township.
The first marriage was that of Stephen Reeves to Mary Briggs, April 7th, 1803 ; the ceremony was performed by L. Allwine, Esq.
The first tavern was kept by Lawrence All- wine, just above Gaysport, in 1810. The second was by John Larrison, in Gaysport, and the third by Dr. Sears.
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.