USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio, from 1808 to 1908, Vol. I > Part 32
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
The inmates of eleemosynary institutions are of two classes-those who are deficient in some way from their birth and those who become afflicted in mind, body or estate later in life, and all are entitled to the sympathy and aid of their more fortunate brothers.
We know not what a day may bring forth in our own lives, and if we take a retrospect of the past what is presented! We see a man walk forth in the morning of life, his step elastic. But he soon passes the meridian, and anon we see him in the evening time of life with his eyes lacking their old- time luster and filmed over with the dimness of age. In this retrospective view we see those who a few years before had been strong, now tottering with the weakness of a child, and men who had been considered oracles of wisdom sink into second childishness, and those who had been rich brought down to poverty, wealthy possessions, worldly power all gone, yet in the face of all this have we profited by their experience, or have we fostered. perhaps, the folly we have derided, or practiced the pride we have condemned, or have we dis- discovered a preventive for the weakness and senility of age? We know not what the future may have in store even for those who are the most prosperous today. Therefore, let us favor the enactment of laws still more humane. and remember and heed what the psalmist saith :
"Blessed be the man that provideth for the sick and needy ; the Lord shall deliver him in the time of his trouble."
It is creditable to the human heart and conscience of the people of Ohio that retreats-called infirmaries-are maintained in every county in the state : places where the poor and needy can go for shelter and for food. Many of the unfortunates have doubtless made shipwrecks of themselves, but the fact that a man has been the cause of his own ruin has no bearing on the case, for many lives have their heart histories unknown and unguessed by those who are more fortunate.
RICHLAND COUNTY CHILDREN'S HOME.
During the past thirty years great and humane progress has been made throughout the United States in the care of the poor, dependent children. In 1878 in Ohio our statistics show 2,604 children in public care during the year. Of these 526 were cared for in the six county homes then in operation and the others were in county infirmaries. By 1898 the number of homes had in- creased to forty-six in number. In Ohio, as well as in other states, the impor- tance of caring for dependent children is very generally recognized and pro- vided for, ample provision being made by the state for their care and education.
At their meeting held September 10, 1880, the county commissioners of Richland county ordered that a vote should be taken at the annual October election of that year for or against the erection of a children's home in Rich- land county. The vote at the election resulted in 1,590 majority in favor of the proposition. In the April following the commissioners appointed a board of trustees for the home, composed of the following persons: Hiram R. Smith,
311
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
Levi Irwin and Banard Sens. The board met, qualified and organized and on the 14th of August, 1882, appointed Mrs. Alice Wright, of Shelby, matron of the home, but it was not until May 19. 1883, that the commissioners turned the home over to the trustees. May 31, 1883, the first inmates were received at the home-seventeen boys and eight girls from the county infirmary.
The matron, Mrs. Alice Wright, resigned on the first of November, 1883, and Mr. M. M. Gates was then appointed superintendent and his wife was ap- pointed matron.
In March, 1884, Henry D. Keith succeeded Hiram R. Smith as trustee.
The resignation of Mr. and Mrs. Gates was accepted in 1886, and Mr. and Mrs. John H. Mowers succeeded them as superintendent and matron, which positions they held until August 6, 1887, and the trustees appointed Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Palmer to succeed them.
January 9, 1887, M. D. Ward succeeded Henry Keith as trustee. In 18SS, John J. Douglass succeeded Banard Sens as trustee. Rev. H. L. Wiles succeeded Levi Irwin as trustee, and on March 4, 1890, J. P. Seward succeeded M. D. Ward as trustee.
September 1, 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Mathias Mowry succeeded Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Palmer as superintendent and matron. June 6, 1893, Mr. McElroy was made the fourth member of the board of trustees, the number of trustees having been increased from three to four. In February, 1894, David Bricker suc- ceeded Mr. Douglass as trustee. February 1, 1898, Joseph W. Palmer was appointed trustee to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. McElroy.
September 1, 1897, Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Uhlich succeeded Mr. and Mrs. Mowry as superintendent and matron, which positions they have very cred- itably and satisfactorily filled and continue to hold.
In April, 1901, I. S. Donnell succeeded J. P. Seward as trustee.
October, 1902, Rev. Baltzly was appointed trustee to fill the unexpired term of the Rev. H. L. Wiles, deceased.
March 1, 1907, the Rev. J. J. Dimon succeeded the Rev. Balizly as trustee.
The "Home" is situate upon a forty-acre tract of land at the southeastern part of the city. The building is of brick. three stories in height, and is suffi- ciently large to accommodate eighty inmates, besides the officers and teachers. The greatest number of inmates, however, there at one time was seventy-six. The average number between forty and fifty.
On the evening of December 19, 1904, a small party of ladies and gentle- men passed the evening at the home taking a Christmas treat to the children. Among that party was the late Senator William Lawrence, then the editor of the Mansfield Daily Shield newspaper. The day following Editor Lawrence gave the following write-up in his paper of the Home, its management and its inmates, which was so well and truthfully written that we reproduce it here:
THE CHILDREN'S HOME.
"There is at least one institution in Richland county of which all the citizens, without regard to political and religious prejudices or predilections, should be proud. It is the children's home, an institution maintained by the taxpayers for the purpose of giving the advantages of a home to those little
312
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
children of the community who, by no fault of their own, have been deprived of the kindly care and training that is the birthright of every child brought into the world.
"Several members of the Shield force, in company with Captain Wilson, of Bellville, had the pleasure of visiting the Richland County Children's Home on Tuesday evening. They met the children and heard them sing and recite the little speeches they have prepared for Christmas. They inspected the dormi- tories, the playrooms, the schoolroom, the dining-rooms and the kitchen, and to say they found everything in order is but putting the case mildly. Cleanli- ness, which is next to godliness, was apparent in every department, and the same scrupulous neatness that exists in every well regulated private household reigned throughout this large building. The clean, bright faces of the children, their neat clothing and their unconcealed love and respect for their matron further emphasized the fact that the physical and moral welfare of these help- less waifs was being looked after with as much solicitude and love as in many of our best Christian homes.
"It is indeed a treat to spend an hour or two in this institution, and every resident of the county should enjoy the pleasure at least once. No one who has not inspected such an institution can truly realize the peculiar talents and temperaments required to manage it successfully. No one who has not had experience in such management can fully appreciate the endless care and the great amount of labor involved in keeping the institution always in perfect condition and order. We do not believe there is another like institution in Ohio that is so capably and, withal, so economically managed as is the Richland county home, and this creditable standing is largely due to the superintendent and matron, Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Uhlich, who seem peculiarly well fitted and adapted for the positions.
"In this glad Christmas season, the benevolent citizens of Mansfield should not forget the orphaned children in the big house on the hill. They are looking for Santa Claus with as eager eyes as your own darling boys and girls, and their little hearts can be made glad so easily and with so little expense.
"Let the citizens of Mansfield remind Santa Claus that he will grievously offend if he should neglect to drop down via the big chimneys of the home on the hill 'the night before Christmas' and leave every child there an assortment of toys. Let not one be forgotten-not even the sweet faced. blue-eyed babe in its cradle."
MONROE TOWNSHIP.
Monroe township is six miles square and was organized February 11, 1817. The surface is broken, but the land is generally fertile, productive of crops upon uplands and valleys. The township has abundant water supply. both of running streams and flowing springs. The Clearfork of the Mohican flows across the southeast corner; the Blackfork across the northeast part ; the Rockyfork through the northern part, and Switzer's run diagonally through the southwest part of the township. Of the gushing springs, Schrack's, on the northeast quarter of section 34, and the Sheehy spring on the southeast quarter of section 22. have the greatest outputs. A few of those of less flow are:
SCENE ON ROCKYFORD
318
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
Switzer's, on the southeast quarter of section 34; Douglass', at Green Gables, and the Kinment's, on the southwest quarter of section 22.
The first settler was David Hill, who built the first cabin in the township. The site of this cabin is on the southwest quarter of section 9, where Silas Rummel now lives.
The following is a partial list of the carly settlers: David Hill, section 9; Frederick Bonenberg, section 10; John G. Peterson, section 1; John Lam- bright, section 2; Mordecai Williams, section 35; Abraham Baughman, section 25; Adam Wolfe, section 19; Frederick Switzer, section 13; Robert and William Stewart, William Ray, William McLaughlin, Thomas Rigdon, Wil- liam Ferguson and Thomas McBride, on section 8; Jeremiah Smart, section 4; Thomas Pope and Daniel Balliett, section 9; Andrew Richey, Michael Huff- man and Ebenezer Smith, section 6; John Iler, Melzer Coulter, section 19; David and Charles Schrack, section 34; David Ellis, section 17; Frederick Cromer and David Crawford, section 26; Christian Good, section 3; John Douglass, section 28; Solomon Gladden, section 23; William McDanel, sec- tion 26.
Adam Wolfe settled in Monroe township in 1816. He had been a soldier in the war of the American Revolution. He died April 24, 1845, aged eighty- five years. Adam Wolfe was the grandfather of Judge N. M. Wolfe, of Mans- field.
Joseph Reed came to Richland county, Ohio, in 1829, and settled on the northwest quarter of section 23, in Monroe township, where he resided until his death, October 3, 1874. He was the father of J. M. Reed, of this city, and the grandfather of Verner Z. Reed, of Colorado.
Solomon Gladden came in 1816, but did not settle permanently until 1817. He had served in the war of 1812, was a justice of the peace and a member of the legislature. 'Squire Gladden was the grandfather of the Hon. W. S. Kerr, Mansfield's ex-congressman.
Samuel Douglass came to Richland county in 1829 and settled in Monroe township in 1831. He was the grandfather of the Hon. A. A. Douglass and Judge S. M. Douglass, of Mansfield. The Douglass farm contains over two hundred acres, and has been in the possession of the family over seventy years.
Abraham Baughman had been the first settler in the vicinity of Green- town, but during the war of 1812 removed to Monroe township and entered the southwest quarter of section 25, where he located and resided until his death, in January, 1821. Abraham Baughman and wife and three of their sons- Abraham, Jacob and George-are buried at Perrysville.
Among the carly school teachers were Captain James Cunningham John Clark, John Tucker, William Wigton and Joseph Wolfe.
The first election in the township was held in 1817, and resulted in the election of J. G. Peterson, William MeLaughlin and David Ellis as trustees and Andrew Richey as lister. Ten votes were cast.
The first grist mill was erected in 1820 by Peter Zerby. This was the Octorora mills, and was situate near where the Pennsylvania railroad crosses the Rockyfork.
316
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
Another grist mill was erected on the Rockyfork, between Zerby mill and Lucas in 1830, by Reinhart Oldfield. This mill is still being operated. The LaRue mill, west of Lucas, was also built in 1830. Is not now running. Another early grist mill was that of Charles Schrack's, on Switzer's run, known some years since as the Rose Mills. A number of saw mills were erected on the Rockyfork and on Switzer's run. A woolen factory was built in about 1846 on the Rockyfork, a mile and a half below Lucas, and was operated for several years.
In 1819 the following names appear on the tax duplicate of Monroe town- ship: James and George Archer, Abraham Baughman, Stephen Brady, Jacob Baughman. George Baughman, Frederick Boneberger, James Church, Fred- erick Cramer, John Douglass, David Ellis, William Furgeson, Benjamin For- bey, Benjamin Gatton, Christian Good, Solomon Gladden, Henry Huffman, Rebecca Hensel, James Irwin, John Iler, Peter Kenney, Lawrence King, John Lambright, William McLaughlin, Amerine Marshall, Thomas and Alexander McBride, Jr., Jacob Oler, John G. Peterson, William Bay, Andrew Richey, Jacob Switzer, Frederick Switzer, William Slater, Thomas Summerman, Samuel Stewart, David Shrack, Ebenezer Smith, M. Shinnebarger, Jeremiah Smart, Jacob and Mordecai Williams, William Wilson, Adam Wininger, Samuel White, Adam and Robert Wolfe and Peter Zerby.
One of the first religious societies organized in Monroe was of the Swedeborgian faith, under the teachings of "Johnny Appleseed," and of its members were John Tucker, David Crawford, Joseph Applegate, et al., men who led blameless lives and had the respect of the community in which they lived.
The Lutheran is the prevailing religious denomination in Monroe. The Baptist, the Reformed and the United Presbyterian denominations each had a church and an organization. All are now numbered with the things that were but are not. There are now seven churches in Monroe -- five Lutheran, one Congregational and one Disciple.
St. John's Lutheran church is situate at the north side of the Darling valley, about half way between Newville and Perrysville. The congregation was organized in 1838. "Saint John's" is used as a synecdochical term, mean- ing the church, the locality or both. In the '50s the late Rev. W. A. G. Emerson preached at St. John's. He was one of the most talented ministers of his day, with a perfect command of the English language, never hesitating for a term to felicitously express his thoughts. He threw such persuasive power and convincing force into his sermons that he swayed his audience at his will. He dwelt more upon the love of the Father than upon the terrors of the law, and his word pictures were beautifully drawn. Mrs. J. M. Condon, of Sherman avenue, Mansfield, is a niece of the Rev. Mr. Emerson.
Mohawk Hill, near the center of the township, is an elevation of natural as well as historical interest. Its northwest side, being too steep and rocky for cultivation, is still covered with its native forest. The road winds around to lessen the grade, and at the top of the hill there is a rolling surface of table- land, with a dip to the east overlooking the Rockyfork valley. The hill takes
317
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
its name from the fact that Mohawk Indians were buried there during the occupancy of Helltown, which was evacuated in 1783.
Pipe's Cliffs, near Green Gables in Pleasant valley, is also a place of both geological and historical interest. Historically, it is named for Captain Pipe, a chief of the Monsey branch of the Delaware tribe. Round Head, an Indian warrior (who married Captain Pipe's sister), with his wife and child and other Indians, were fleeing in 1781 from the punishment which justly awaited them in the Muskingum valley, had encamped upon the summit of these cliffs, and seeing a squad of pursuing soldiers coming up the valley, the Indians opened fire upon them. The soldiers returned the fire, aiming at the part of the cliff from which the smoke came through the thick foliage of the densely forest- covered hill, and Onalaska-Round Head's wife-who was standing near to the edge of one of the rocks with her child in her arms, was struck by a bullet, fell to the base of the cliff, where their bodies were buried. Two Indian warriors were also wounded or killed by the soldiers. Sentimentality must be far-spun out to censure the troops for returning the fire of their ambushed foes.
The late Rev. Richard Gailey founded "Monroe Seminary," in the south- western part of Monroe township, in May, 1851, and after successfully con- ducting the same for about ten years, removed to Lexington, where he con- tinued in the same pursuit until his death, in 1875. Captain I. N. Thompson and wife now own and occupy the Gailey residence of the Monroe academy days.
Of the three attempts at town building in Monroe township, only one- Lucas-succeeded. Octororo was started with fine prospects, but was outrivalled by Lucas, and many people of Monroe today scarcely know it ever existed. Six Corners-commonly called "Pinhook" -- still contains a few buildings. Pinhook is situate at the intersection of the Newville-Mifflin and the Lucas- Perrysville roads, with the section line road running east and west through the center of the township. Pinhook was at the height of its prosperity in 1852, and at that time contained several business buildings, a number of dwellings, a schoolhouse and a Masonic hall. William B. Miller was the postmaster and merchant at the place.
Michael Hogan was born in Ireland. Received a classical education. Also graduated in medicine and surgery. Then took a military course. Came to America and located in New York. Was given a commission as major in the regular army, where he served five years. Came to Ohio in 1818, and engaged in the mercantile business at Newville. In 1827 he bought the northwest quarter of section 35 in Monroe township, upon which he removed and resided until his death, January 17, 1875. Buried in the Catholic cemetery, Mans- field. Major Hogan was one the best classical scholars in Ohio. He could read the history of several countries of Europe in the language of each. The old homestead is still in the possession of the family.
James Stout, a New Jerseyman by birth and a Hollander by descent. entered the west half of the southwest quarter of section 22, upon which he located in 1829, and upon which lived until his death, August 30, 1864. There were but few settlers in that part of the township at that time. There were heavy forests, and wild cats, deer and wild turkeys were numerous, and bears
318
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
were frequently seen. Mr. Stout was fond of hunting, and his wife could shoot squirrels and other small game equally well with her husband. The Stouts were industrious people and good neighbors. Hiram Stout, the survivor of the family lives at the old home. He is eighty-four years old and a bachelor.
Michael Swigart who was a drum-major in the war of 1812, settled in Monroe township in 1832. One of his sons, Leonard Swigart, was a commis- sioner of Richland county, 1860-66. "Aunt Betsey" Chew, of Monroe town- ship, and Jesse L. Swigart, of Lucas, are children of the late Michael Swigart.
John Swigart, the father of Luther M. Swigart, of Mansfield, was a Monroe township pioneer. He also served in the war of 1812. He settled in Monroe in 1821.
William Darling, another soldier of the war of 1812, settled in Monroe in 1817. He acquired by purchase 1,185 acres of land in one body, and also owned a number of other farms not connected with that tract. This land lies along the Clearfork, below Newville, and is very fertile. This valley is often called the Darling settlement or the Darling valley. The following is a copy of an appendix to William Darling's will :
"Having been one of the pioneers of this part of Ohio, the maker of this will, having emigrated from Hardy county, Virginia. in the year 1806, in company with his father and family, to Muskingum county, Ohio, and endured all the hardships, trials and privations incident to the settling and improving of a new country, I do give and bequeath my love, respect and good will to all my old associates, and hope that, by the intelligence, energy and untiring industry of growing posterity, the prosperity of my beloved country may continue to increase as surely and rapidly as though we pioneers were still here to look after our country's welfare ; for, next to my love for my God and my family, is my love for my country-these blessed United States. May prosperity and peace be the lot of our happy, happy land."
In one of the charming little valleys of Monroe township are two phenomena more pronounced and peculiar than exist in any other part of Richland county. These phenomena are a pillar of cloud by day and a cloud of light by night in the same locality.
Upon the eastern side of the valley, traversed by a stream that empties into the Clearfork of the Mohican in the vicinity of Saint John's, is a primi- tive forest, over a section of which a cloud of misty vapor hovers over the tree tops, as it has in the years gone by, for ages untold.
This phenomenon has never been explained, but many speculative the- ories have been advanced in attempted explanation of the mystery. Some have opined that there is a mineral deposit in the earth in that locality, although unable to give philosophical or pedantic reasons for such conclusions.
Others suppose there is a subterranean hot spring from which steam issues through some invisible crevice, forming a vapor mist that hangs over the trees like a cloud.
This pillar of cloud causes day dreamers to muse, not upon the cause of the phenomenon, but upon the pictures presented in the form-like shapes one can see, or fancy they see in the cloud. From the other side of the valley, looking over the broad meadows at the wooded slope, with its low-hanging cloud, the
319
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
scene is picturesque and fascinatingly poetical, reminding old soldiers in some respects of the mists that hang over Lookout mountain at certain times.
The other phenomenon is a jack-o'-lantern that moves over the meadows of the valleys, always going toward the locality where the cloud is seen by day. Many fruitless chases boys have had over the bottom lands after this will-o'- the-wisp in vain, for it always distanced them, or hid away, to reappear further off towards the woodland. These lights were understood to be jack-o' lanterns, but often gave occasion for the pastime of an amusing chase.
Such lights are sometimes called ignis fatuus, and are susceptible of a scientific explanation, when all the facts are collected and compared. Illusions, more or less ludicrous, are occasionally mixed up with what really does occur.
It has been pretty well ascertained that jack-o'-lantern lights, which con- sist of a glow without a flame, are due to phosphorescence.
Phosphorus exists in all animal organisms and when the organism 1s decomposed the phosphorus makes its presence visible. If decaying animal substance yields more phosphorus than decaying vegetables. the latter are an abundant source of inflammable gases ; hence, the fact that swamp meadows are the places in which the flickering nocturnal lights are often to be seen. produced by the combustion of the gases generated from decomposed grasses and leaves. Particular conditions of the weather hasten decomposition and the lights are more abundant at such times.
Electricity may also produce such, or similar lights, but perhaps cannot be explained as easily in that connection, as can chemical combustion and ignition. Electricity is now so much better understood than it was formerly that many resultants in the years ago, looked upon with superstitious awe. can now be scientifically explained. The old-time phenomenon of Saint Helen's-sometimes called Saint Elmo's-fire, now excites but little attention or remarks. This fire was the lights that are sometimes seen on the points of soldiers' bayonets when upon the march ; from church spires and other pointed objects. Such lights are seen when there is a peculiar electrical condition in the air.
St. John's Lutheran church is in the southeast corner of Monroe township. half-way between Newville and Perrysville. In the vocabulary of that part of the country, "St John's" is used as a synecdochical term. meaning either the church, the locality or both. While the church society was organized in 1838. a church building was not erected until 1842, services in the interim being held at the home of Mathias Stouffer and at other private houses. A new churen edifice-a handsome and commodious brick building, costing about $5,000- was erected in 1870. The congregation is a large, wealthy and prosperous one.
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.