History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 20

Author: Aaron R. Van Cleaf
Publication date: 1906
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 923

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EARLY SETTLERS.

The township was settled mainly by Vir- ginians, the first settlement being made about 1799. The pioneer settler, it is thought, was James Wilson, who lived for a brief time on the farm later owned by Elias Ater. Among the other early settlers were: Benjamin Evans, John Hoskins, Holmes Tarbill, John Tim-

mons, Peter Mouser, Josiah Reeves, Zadoc Lewis, Levi Hayes, Jesse Britton, John Thomas, William Porter, Hezekiah Brown,' John Bennett, John English, Jonathan Taylor and John Hale, all of whom came here before 1815, in about the order named.

Others of the early settlers who came here subsequent to 1815 were the following: John Dunlap. Isaac Gray, Josiah Lewis, Barzillai C. Adkins, John M. Collins, Isaac Brown, Philip Michael, Jacob Gooley, James Cochran, Isaac Vincent, Reuben Lloyd, Moses Kouns, Joseph McClintock, Jacob and Samuel Hos- selton, William Penniwell, Abraham Tan- quary, Abram Kirkpatrick, Frederick Funk, James Kirkpatrick, John Streevey and Reuben Simpson. It is possible that some of the above may have settled here at an earlier date than mentioned.

CHURCHES

The Methodists, who were the first to hold religious services in Perry township, have es- tablished six churches in all, of which three are still active.

The Cedar Grove M. E. Church was estab- lished at a very early date. A log meeting house was built in 1814, previous to which date the class meetings were held in the homes of the settlers. The original class was composed of these members: William Bailey and wife, John Bennett and wife, John and Peter Cook and their wives, George Graham and wife, Isaac Jones and wife, William Loveland and

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wife and Jonathan Motter and wife. A frame church, built near the site of the log one, was dedicated in 1849. The church belonged to the New Holland Circuit. The membership in 1879 was 79. Services have since been dis- continued.

A Methodist Episcopal Church was founded on Hay Run about 1835, but the or- ganization no longer exists. A church costing nearly $700 was built in 1852 to replace the log meeting house previously used. The church membership in 1879 was 45. The church was included in the New Holland Cir- cuit.

Locust Grove M. E. Church .- This class was organized in 1841 at the home of Noble Porter, who became its leader and most en- thusiastic worker. The church building was erected in 1842 on land donated by him. In 1879 there were 73 members in regular con- nection and 90 on probation. Since then the church has ceased to be a regular charge. From its formation it was attached to the New Holland Circuit. The Cedar Grove, Hay Run and Locust Grove churches all had Sun- day-schools.

New Holland M. E. Church .- Although all early records of this church have been lost, it is known that it was organized before 1825, as a class of about 12 members, with Samuel Hosselton as class leader. Prior to 1825 ser- vices were held by Rev. Francis A. Wilson at the houses of George Bohrer and others, and then in a little log building in the village. About 1827 a small frame church edifice was constructed; this was replaced on the same site by the present church, which was built in 1867, at a cost of $2,500. Six years ago a parsonage was built at a cost of over $3,000. The min- isters of the New Holland church for the per- iod prior to 1866 were the same that had charge of the church at Williamsport. In that year New Holland Circuit was set off as a separate circuit. From 1866 to 1906 the ministers of the New Holland church have been: Revs. J. Y. Rusk, W. W. Martin, N. L. Jones, A. C. Kelley, George W. Burns, John W. Wake- field, F. S. Davis, A. B. Sniff, J. B. Bradley, Ralph Watson, J. L. Durrant, F. M. Evans,

L. W. Miller, George Aten, H. E. Wright and T. L. Haas, the present incumbent. The pres- ent combined membership of this church and the Atlanta M. E. Church is 355. The New Holland church has a flourishing Sunday- school, with an average attendance of 81, of which Seymour Thomas is superintendent.

Dublin Hill M. E. Church .- A class of Protestant Methodists was formed at this point in 1858, but after a few years the church was discontinued. Sixteen years later, Rev. John L. Reeder, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, founded a class, which has flourished to the present time. In 1878, the present brick church edifice located in the northeastern part of the township, was built at a cost of $1,600, being dedicated on January 15, 1879, by Rev. I. F. King, of Columbus. The church has a membership of 35. The Sunday-school, which was formed at the establishment of the church. has a membership of 50. Elmer Shaeffer is superintendent. The present pastor of this charge is Rev. W. B. Rose, of New Holland.

The Atlanta M. E. Church is the most re- cently organized church of this denomination in Perry township. It is a charge of the New Holland Circuit. A frame church building was erected in 1896 at a cost of $3.500. Jesse Riggin is superintendent of the Sunday- school, which has an average attendance of 75.

The New Holland Disciples' Church was organized in the spring of 1857, the charter members being 22 in number. Evangelists of this denomination had preached here for some three years previous. After the organization, services were held in the home of T. Hess for a time and then in a church built about 50 years ago, which continued to serve until a new brick church was built in 1901, which is valued at $5,000. The church is large and flourishing, having a membership of 150. The Sunday- school, of which Mrs. Sadie Crabb is superin- tendent, has an average attendance of 90.

Following are the church officers: Elders -J. B. Parker and G. H. Matson; deacons- J. C. Vlerebome, O. Lauderman, - Thomp- son, E. Anderson and Frank Gooley. The present pastor is Rev. W. W. Harris. Other

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pastors who have served this church are the following : Revs. Samuel Matthews, John C. Ervin, George Van Pelt, E. B. Lewis, J. P. Ewin, Wesley Hatcher and H. L. Veach.

New Holland Presbyterian Church .- This church, which passed out of existence some time ago, was founded in 1863. Four years later the old Methodist Episcopal Church build- ing was purchased, removed to another site, donated by John Boggs, and refitted. Rev. Samuel Cruthers was the first pastor; he was followed by Rev. S. S. Miller and he by Rev. W. H. Guthrie. The last named remained some four years and left a membership of 30. After his departure only occasional preaching was had and interest finally died out.

SCHOOLS.

Not much is know in regard to who taught the first school in the township or where the school was located. As early as 1818, Andrew Bascom taught a term of school at or near the Locust Grove M. E. Church, in the little log building standing on the land later owned by Joseph Porter. This school was quite well at- tended. Soon after this William Clark taught a school term in the same building. A school in New Holland village was taught by Rev. Francis A. Wilson as early as 1828. The township outside of New Holland Special School District now has eight schools. All the schoolhouses are brick structures roofed with slate and are in very good condition. District No. 3, with school located at Atlanta, and Dis- trict No. 8 have new buildings erected in 1904. The school at Atlanta is in charge of Prof. Otis Ganes, and has a high school department, in addition to the grammar and primary depart- ments. The enumeration of pupils in .the eight districts of the township is 280. At the election held in the fall of 1904, the 'first elec- tion after the adoption of the new code, the following were elected members of the town- ship Board of Education: George A. Brown, Charles .Grimes' and G. L. Jennings-four years; W. C. Crawford and E. A. Riggin- two years. W. H. Skinner is clerk.

The New Holland Special School District

was organized at the time the village was in- corporated. It is said that the first school subsequent to 1835 was held in the building occupying the site of the present Methodist Episcopal Church. About 1848 a school build- ing was constructed on the Ferguson property south of town. In 1854-55 a school building was erected to take the place of the one on the Ferguson property, at a cost of $1,500. This building remained in use until the present school was built. This school accommodates about 200 pupils, and has eight rooms and li- brary and office. This school has three depart- ments-primary, grammar and high school. the high school department has recently been changed from second grade to first grade. Prof. J. G. Bricker is superintendent of the New Holland school and Miss Carrie Beach, principal. These with four other teachers com- prise the teaching force. The High School has an enthusiastic alumni association. The Board of Education of the special district, elected in the fall of 1904, is as follows: T. M. With- gott, George H. Matson and Scott Taylor- four years; J. T. Timmons and J. J. Dones- two years. Scott Taylor is clerk.

SOCIETIES.

New Holland Lodge, No. 392, F. & A. M., was formed in 1867, the charter being issued in June of that year. The first officers were: M. V. Rawlins, W. M .; J. H. Yoeman, S. W .; Abram Vlerebome, J. W .; B. Timmons, treas- urer, .W. J. Cochran, secretary; A. S. Hollo- way, S. D .; J. D. Orahood, J. D. ; and J. G. W. Donohoe, tyler. The lodge is very flourishing and in a fine financial condition. A stock com- pany, consisting principally of Masons, owns the $12,000 building in which the lodge has its rooms. There is also a chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star here.

New Holland also has a Knights of Pythias lodge, John A. Logan, No. 518, organized many years ago, and a camp of Modern Wood- men of America, which was instituted in April, 1899. An Odd Fellows lodge flourished here for a time, as well as various temperance so- cieties. Both New Holland and Atlanta have organizations of the W. C. T. U.

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W. C. Ferguson Post. No. 254. G. A. R., was organized at New Holland in 1883, W. H. Kennedy being the first commander. George J. Rodgers is the present commander of the post, which has a membership of about 48.

PHYSICIANS.

Four physicians are now located at New Holland, namely. John B. May (who has been located here about 32 years), A. F. Kaler, E. O. Ervin, and Charles Davis. Dr. A. L. Teeters is the only dentist. The first physician to locate permanently in New Holland or Perry township, was Dr. James F. Wilson, who prac- ticed here some 30 years. Among other phy- sicians who practiced here were: Aaron Har- riman. Henry Timmons, Henry R. Davis and John W. May.

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK

Of New Holland, which was established April 4. 1904, enjoys the confidence and patronage of the people of the vicinity to a remarkable degree. Its organization followed closely the failure of the old bank of New Holland and this, in the opinion of some of the citizens, made the outlook doubtful. However, the financial standing and high character of its promoters and officers overcame this handicap, and in two years time the deposits reached the large sum of $150,000 and the loans, $130,000.

The promoters of this institution were such well-known citizens as A. L. Hyde, I. N. Beatty. D. R. Porter, Samuel Hoskins, C. G. Campbell. A. T. Vincent. George Kirk, M. S. Bartholomew, W. J. Grimes and Scott Taylor. The following officers were elected: A. L. Hyde, president : I. N. Beatty, vice-president ; and Seymour Thomas, cashier. The board of directors includes A. L. Hyde, I. N. Beatty, A. T. Vincent, John McCafferty and George Kirk.

The building occupied was built by the de- funct Bank of New Holland and was used by that enterprise but two weeks. It was later purchased by the First National Bank and is a very appropriate home for so important an in-

stitution. It is of handsome design and the in- terior, in point of arrangement and finishing, is all that could be desired. The fixtures are of hard wood and the vault and safe are the most modern and approved fire and burglar-proof pattern.

NEW HOLLAND.

The plat of this village was acknowledged before Alexander Rowen, justice of the peace, on September 2, 1818. The description, re- corded in Book B of the Pickaway County records, shows that the name was then Flem- ingsburgh. It is not known when the name was changed to the one the village now bears. The village was incorporated March 9. 1835. Early in the following year the village officers were: Rev. Francis A. Wilson. mayor; D. Blue. Jacob Hosselton, Reuben Lloyd and Alexander Cochran, trustees. The village offi- cers for 1906 are as follows: Mayor. George Williamson : clerk, F. M. Davis ; marshal, John Morris: treasurer, Chan. Vlerebome; Council -M. S. Bartholomew, N. E. Tutwiler. John Shaw, William Mitchell, J. P. Van Vickle and L. W. Swearingen ; solicitor, Charles H. May. The village has considerable cement pavement and is well lighted by 25 gasoline lights of a new design that give a fine illumination. In the summer the principal streets are sprinkled. The population, as given in the census of 1900, is 692.

Charles Green was one of the first, if not the first, merchant at New Holland. He sold groceries and whiskey and entertained travel- ers. George Bohrer, 'who built the first brick block. was also a pioneer merchant.

New Holland is a shipping point for large quantities of grain. C. E. Groce, of Circle- ville: has two elevators here. John Brodie has a grist mill. which is well patronized. Here is also located a branch factory of the Pressing & Orr Company. This is an extensive estab- lishment and when in operation in the canning season employes a large force of hands. Of late tomatoes have been the only product canned. J. M. Sinift conducts a broom fac- tory at New Holland and George Lemlev man- ufactures cement blocks.

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Other business houses of the town are as follows : Dry goods, boots and shoes, L. A. Meeker; dry goods, boots and shoes and milli- nery. J. J. Dones: clothing and furnishing goods, Forrest & Adkins; jewelry. John Zim- merman ; general stores-James Holihan, T. C. Gooley and Gooley Brothers; grocery and meat market, Henson & Jones; meat market, Griffith & Doyle; shoe shop, George W. Tut- wiler : furniture. William Daley (also under- taker) ; bakery, F. M. Sims; drugs. wall-pa- per, paints and school supplies, H. M. Agner; hardware, Farmers' Supplies Hardware Com- pany; livery, Charles McCrea and Samuel H. Stoker; lumber and coal, J. E. Ferrel; black- smiths, William Briggs, Funk Brothers and Robert Maddux; Central Hotel, James Col- lopy, proprietor.

Percy May owns and conducts the New Holland Leader and a job printing office. He is also postmaster at New Holland. N. R. Ferguson is thought to have been the first post- master. Three rural routes, comprising a total length of 80 miles, now run from New Hol- land. Both the Citizens' and the Bell tele- phone companies have connections here, the former having an exchange.

W. A. Welch, justice of the peace, and Charles H. May, who also has an office in Cir- cleville, are the town's only attorneys.

ATLANTA

Is a small town of a little less than 150 popu- lation, located on the C. & M. V. R. R. about midway between New Holland and Woodlyn. It is not incorporated. L. T. White is the local agent of the C. & M. V. R. R. Company. A grain elevator. owned by C. G. Campbell. is located here, also a small mill owned by Mar- tin Turner. C. G. Campbell also conducts a grocery and coal business and ships stock. P. F. Campbell sells buggies, wagons and general farming implements. Crawford & Macy con- duct a general store: Michael Funk, a black- smith shop and livery stable; and Mrs. L. A. Moore. a tile factory. Both the Citizens' and the Bell telephones are found here. There are two Odd Fellow bodies,-Atlanta Lodge, No. 819, and Perry Encampment, No. 286.

MILLS IN THE TOWNSHIP.

In days gone by quite a number of mills were built along Deer Creek in this township, but all have fallen into disuse, except the Crownover mill, which is now run by J. D. Pollock. The mill was first built as early as 1812 by a man named Baker and has been rebuilt several times. The other mills have comprised grist-mills, sawmills, carding mills and woolen mills.

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CHAPTER XIII

PICKAWAY TOWNSHIP

No section of the county or, indeed, of the whole State is invested with such extraordinary interest as is this township. Here were situ- ated the Indian towns, for the destruction of which Lord Dunmore's campaign was organ- ized. On its soil the army made its encamp- ment and by a treaty brought to a close what threatened to be a long and bloody war. At the time the army of Lord Dunmore came into this country, in 1774, there were a number of important villages on the Pickaway Plains and the vicinity, the most important of which were Cornstalk's Town and Grenadier Squawtown, The former, named after the famous Shawnee chief, Cornstalk, was located just north of where the iron bridge crosses Scippo Creek on the Chillicothe turnpike; the latter, named for the sister of Cornstalk, the Grenadier Squaw, was located just south of the bridge. Camp Charlotte was situated on Scippo Creek in the southwest quarter of section 12, while the en- campment of General Lewis was on the south- east quarter of section 30 on Congo Creek.

On the farm later settled by the Boggs family, now known as "Elmwood Farm," is located the large elm, under which the cele- brated Mingo chief, Logan, is said to have delivered the speech made famous by Thomas Jefferson, in his "Notes on Virginia." This speech was not made in council, for Logan re- fused to attend the meeting at Camp Charlotte where the talk was held, and Lord Dunmore sent a trader by the name of John Gibson to inquire the cause of h .: absence. When Gibson arrived at the Indian town, Logan came to him

and by Logan's request they went into an ad- joining wood and sat down. Here, after shed- ding an abundance of tears, the Chief told his pathetic story. Gibson repeated it to the offi- cers, who caused it to be published in the V'ir- ginia Gazette of that year.

The version of the speech, as given by Thomas Jefferson, is as follows: "I appeal to any white man to say, if ever he entered Logan's cabin hungry and I gave him not meat; if ever he came cold or naked and I gave him not clothing. During the course of the last long and bloody war, Logan remained in his tent an advocate for peace. Nay, such was my love for the whites, that those of my own country pointed at me as they passed by and said, 'Logan is the friend of white men.'

I had even thought to live with you but for the injuries of one man. Colonel Cresap, the last spring, in cold blood, and unprovoked, cut off all the relatives of Logan; not sparing even my women and children. There runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of any human creature. This called on me for revenge. I have, sought it. I have killed many. I have. fully glutted my revenge. For my country I rejoice at the beams of peace. Yet, do not harbor the thought that mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt fear. He will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for Logan? Not one."

Logan's last years were truly melancholy. "He wandered about from tribe to tribe a soli- tary and lonely. man. Dejected and broken- hearted by the loss of his friends and the decay

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of his tribe, he resorted to the stimulus of strong drink to drown his sorrow. He was at last murdered in Michigan near Detroit."

Views of the Logan Elm, which is still standing, are shown elsewhere in this work. It is entitled to consideration, not only for the

Plains

Darby

High Lands

old Chillicothe

IVER

Scippo

Camp Charlotte

LOIOS

Pickaway

Squaws T.

Congu

cre

MAP OF ANCIENT SHAWNEE TOWNS ON THE PICKAWAY PLAINS

EXPLANATIONS .- A. Ancient works on which Circleville now stands. B. Logan's cabin at Old Chillicothe, now Westfall, four miles below Circleville: from this place a trail led through Grenadier Squaw.own, and from thence up the Congo Valley, and crossed to the opposite side of the creek, about one and one-half miles from its mouth.

C. Black mountain, a short distance west of the old Barr mansion. D. Council house a short distance northeast of the residence of William Renick, Jr. The two parallel lines at this point represent the gauntlet through which prisoners were forced to run, and O the stake at which they were burned, which last is on a commanding elevation. E. The camp of Colonel Lewis, just south of the residence of George Wolf. The Logan Eim is about a mile north of the site of the camp of Lewis on Congo creek.

F. The point where Lord Dunmore met with and stopped the army of Lewis when on their way to attack the Indians. It is opposite the mansion of Maj. John Boggs.

G The residence of Judge Gills, near which is shown the posi- tion of Camp Charlotte

From Howe's "Historical Collections of Ohio."

historic interest attached to it, but also for its gigantic size.

The Indians lingered about this region for some time after the arrival of the whites. They had camps in the township, but no villages, after the first settlers located here. In their intercourse with their pale-faced brethren they were uniformly friendly and no trouble or an- noyance was caused by their presence.

Pickaway township is also famous because

of the Pickaway Plains, which make up the greater part of the township. In Howe's "Historical Collections of Ohio," is quoted the following description of the Pickaway Plains : "They are divided into two parts, the greater or upper plains, and the lesser or lower one. The soil was very black when first cultivated; the result of vegetable decomposition through a long succession of ages. These plains are based on water-worn gravel and pebbles. The upper plain is at least 150 feet above the bed of the river, which passes about a mile west of them. Their form is elliptical, with the longest diameter from northeast to southwest, being about seven miles by three and a half or four miles. They were destitute of trees when first visited by the whites. The fertility was such as to produce one hundred bushels of corn, or fifty of wheat to the acre, for many years, but they are now less productive."

When the first settlers came here, they found the plains covered with a rank growth of grass, which grew to such a height that it could be tied over a horse's back. The land was ready for cultivation, no clearing being necessary. To this circumstance is attributed the early settlement and development of the township. On account of the almost unex- ampled fertility of the virgin soil of the Pick- away Plains, this section became known as the "Garden Spot of Ohio." While the product- iveness of the soil is not so great now as in the early days of the settlement, crops are raised which amply repay the efforts of the husband- man.

The surface of the township is chiefly roll- ing, with the exception of the portion com- prising the Pickaway Plains, where it is almost perfectly level. The principal stream is Scippo Creek, which enters the township in section 12, flows a tortuous course through the northern part and reaches the Scioto River two miles north of the southern line of the township. Congo Creek, also an important stream, flows through the southern part and unites with Scippo Creek a mile above its mouth. The Kinnickinnick, in the eastern part of the town- ship, is the only other stream worthy of men- tion.

Pickaway township, which is the largest

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Carastalks TR anis Grenadier

Creck

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township in the county in point of area, em- braces all of- township 10, range 21 ( Worth- ington's survey ), containing 36 square miles, and fractional township 3. range 22, lying be- tween the western line of range 21 and the Scioto River, containing about 11 square miles. The total area of the township, therefore, is about 47 square miles. The population of the township, according to the census of 1900, is 1,231. The township was organized before Pickaway County was erected. The first jus- tice of the peace is said to have been David Shelby. Another early magistrate was Jon- athan Ellis. The present townships officers are as follows: Trustees-William F. Stout, Burr H. Rader and Isaac E. Morris; clerk. Edward Wilkins; treasurer, Marvin H. Dresbach; as- sessor, Adam Kuntz; justice of the peace, George Wilson; constable, Barney Ankrom.

EARLY SETTLERS.

The first settlements in Pickaway township were made toward the close of the 18th cen- tury, in 1796 or 1797. The first cabins were erected on Zanes' "Trace," which led through the plains from the crossing of the Hockhock- ing River (now Lancaster) to Chillicothe. While it cannot be stated with absolute cer- tainty who was the first settler, it seems to be generally agreed that Caleb Evans is entitled to the honor. He was born in Pennsylvania thence removed to Kentucky where he resided until 1796 or 1797, when he came to Ohio and settled on Scippo Creek on. the Pickaway Plains. The first white child born in the town- ship, and probably the first in Pickaway Coun- ty, was Mary Evans, daughter of Caleb Evans and his wife Elizabeth, the date of her birth being June 8, 1798.

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 20

Author: Aaron R. Van Cleaf Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Number of Pages: 923

Author: Aaron R. Van Cleaf
Publication date: 1906
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 923