USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio, from 1808 to 1908, Vol. I > Part 35
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 people of Perry have always been abreast of the times in their religious matters, and the Christian, Methodist, Lutheran, Evangelical, United Brethren and perhaps other denominations have congregations and places of worship. In about 1840 quite a religious revival was had in the western part of the township. One man, being "ahnost persuaded," prayed that a sign might be given him, and one night while in bed he heard a noise and, arising to ascertain the cause, discovered that the family Bible had fallen from a shelf to the floor. He picked it up and opened at the passage: "He brought me up also out of a horrible pit." He sent messengers out to his neighbors, with "speed, Malise, speed," messages that a sign had been given him, with the request that they gather at his house. "Instant the time: speed, Malise, speed," and his neighbors came that same hour of the night . and held services of prayer and praise until noon the next day, and many were "converted."
Darlington, the only town in the township, was formerly called Hagers- town, after Christopher Hager, the first settler on the land where the village stands.
.
340
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
The Lost Run region, in the southwest part of Perry township, is one of the most picturesque and attractive of the many interesting localities in Richland county.
Lost Run is a north tributary of the Kokosing, and cuts diagonally across the southwest corner of the township, from the northwest to the southeast. a distance of about two miles. Its waters were of sufficient volume in the olden time to furnish water power to operate the Hosack mill. A "feeder" comes into the run from the Follin spring, on the northeast quarter of section 27. The Lost Run distillery has been operated a number of years and is situate a short distance north of the county line.
Lost Run got its name in this way: A man on a prospecting tour to locate lands became lost in the wilderness and, coming to this stream, fol- lowed it down to a settlement in Knox county. The locality inspires a desire for rural domesticity. It is a region where the milkmaids can sing their evening songs in the quiet valley with refrains answering in echoes from the surrounding hills.
Of Perry township people, past and present, the names of the following families are prominent : Hosack, Bigbee, Sagar, Bisel, Mann, Ewers, Toben, Painter, Follin, Culp, McFerren, McDonald, Hardman, Poorman, Baughman, Walters, Eckert, Craven, Olin, Coursen, Kochheiser, Daily, Ruhl, Lantz, Baker, Steel, Hiskey, and others. Jacob Algire settled in Perry township in 1827. David Buckingham came in 1823. Bickley Craven was born in Perry township. Jackson and Samuel Eby came from Pennsylvania in 1831 and built a sawmill in 1836 and a grist mill in 1837, on the Clearfork, called "The Perry Mills," and operated the same for thirty-seven years. Jacob Erow came from Green county in 1857 and served in the Union army during the war of the rebellion. John Garver came from Pennsylvania with his parents in 1834. John Hanawalt was born in Baltimore in 1803. He came to Ohio at an early day and purchased the Herring mills, which he operated for many years. Jonathan Huntsman came in 1816. The Huntsman fam- ily is one of the most numerous in the township, and are well-to-do people. The Lantz family came in 1833. Samuel Lantz married Leah Brubaker. Alexander McKinley settled in Perry in 1864. His wife's maiden name was Jerush Runyan. The Olins came from Vermont. Gideon Olin, father of Nathaniel Olin, was a major in the war of the rebellion, was a judge of the court and a member of congress. Nathaniel Olin was the grandfather of Olin M. Farber, of Mansfield. The Painter family came in 1813 and located in the southeast part of the township. In 1827 Robert Parker came from Baltimore in a one-horse wagon and located in Perry township. Thomas Phillips settled in Perry in 1814. Mr. Phillips was, in his day, one of the most prominent men in the township. His son William was a member of the Sixty-fourth O. V. I., and was killed at the battle of Stone river, Decem- ber 31, 1862. The Ruhl family have been prominent and prosperous for several generations. John Steel was born in Perry township in 1818 and Steel run in the eastern part of the township was named for him.
At Painters, west of Bangorville, a government meteorological station is maintained. The leading "institutions" of Perry township are farm homes.
34]
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
country schools and churches. The people are industrious and prosperous and, being removed from the marts of trade and commerce, are but little affected over strikes, trusts or political agitations. "Home," to the people of Perry township, is a dear word, as it should be to all, for it is the place where the tired toiler finds rest at eventide. It is the place where love is not only fraternal but divine, and where joy permeates the very air and prayer trembles into its most solemn and earnest importunities and where sorrow drops its bitterest tear.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP'
Washington township was organized March 4, 1816. It is six miles square and contains thirty-six sections. The surface is broken, but is gen- erally fertile, and a number of rich little valleys lie between its rugged hills. Richland county is noted for its springs of cool, pure water and Washington township has its full share of them.
Considerable land in the central part of Washington township was not entered during the earlier period of the settlement of the county, because that locality was hilly and the land rough. But when the Germans came they settled there, not, perhaps, from choice as much as from necessity, for the better lands had previously been taken. Predictions were made at the time that the Germans could not make a living out of that rough region. But they cut and grubbed and digged and cleared, and succeeded in changing a rough wilderness into remunerative farms, and by dint of application, indus- try, perseverance and economy-traits for which the Germans are noted- success was achieved and the people of that settlement are as prosperous today as are those of other localities. As a class, the Germans are industrious and frugal and make good citizens.
The question has been asked why so many Germans leave their much- beloved Fatherland and seek homes in America. They began to emigrate to this country early in the eighteenth century, and for the reason that their fields of grain had been trampled under foot by the armies of Europe. In many cases their stock and grain had been taken and their homes burned. Added to these misfortunes, the severely cold winter of 1708 froze their wine and destroyed their vineyards. William Penn had visited them in their affliction and told them of his fertile lands in America. Then the hegira to the new world began. Thousands settled in Pennsylvania, whose descend- ants became known as the "Pennsylvania Dutch." For many years later the contending armies of Europe rendered German industries insecure and the local controversies made a military enrollment necessary that interfered with business plans and pursuits of young men who were able for military service.
The only town in the township is Washington, situate about six miles from Mansfield on the Newville road. Town and township were named for the "Father of His Country." A good start to begin with. The Clearfork of the Mohican courses across the southwest corner of the township and into this empties Toby's run. In the north part of the township the Bentley run in former years furnished water power for a number of mills, and of these Wickert's is still in operation. Slater's run rises in the glades upon
342
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
the old-time Vasbinder and Sickinger farms, and runs in a southeast direction until it empties into the Clearfork at Newville, a distance of eight miles. The land of the valley through which this run courses is very productive. This stream of water is now commonly called 'Possum run. It formerly furnished water-power to run the Clever, the Losh and the Snyder sawmills and the Watts grist mills and the Graber woolen factory.
One of the highest elevations in Ohio is the "Settlement" hill, near the center of Washington township, five miles south of Mansfield, on the old State road. The elevation is nine hundred and thirty-two feet above Lake Erie and three hundred and seventy feet higher than Mansfield. Further south is the Sheckler hill, which has an altitude almost as high as the Settle- ment hill.
Washington township was noted in the past for its temperance and anti- slavery societies and Black Cane company. The latter was organized to suppress horse-stealing. From the number of horses stolen in the county from about 1820 to several years later, it was thought that members of the Blackfork gang resided in this township. This Black Cane company was composed of some of the most prominent settlers of different neighborhoods, and each carried a black cane as an insignia of membership. By the efforts of this company the neighborhood was rid of thievish depredations until about 1833, when the services of this company were again employed to drive out horse-thieves and counterfeiters.
The first temperance society had its headquarters in Washington. To counteract this society an anti-temperance organization was formed and out- numbered the other in membership, but not in duration of years.
The first road in the township was the State road from Mansfield to Bellville. The first public house was kept by Thomas Laughlin, on the State road near the center of the township. Some years later Sickinger's tavern was opened, a half-mile north of the center. Although Sickinger's was a stage-tavern, its principal patronage came from the freight traffic of those days. The products of central Ohio were hauled by teams along this State road to the lake. Dozens of teams at a time would stop at Sickinger's over night. The popularity of this hotel was largely due to Mrs. Sickinger's repu- tation as a cook.
Some of the best fighters at pioneer musters were Washington township men. A muster was considered a tame affair unless there were several fights at fisticuffs, and it was usually Washington against the field.
Crist Burns, the herculean pioncer, married a Miss Pearce, of this town- ship, and resided a number of years within its limits. He was called a giant -not so much on account of his height and weight as his great strength. He was known to carry three men and their loads. He outran and whipped every man against whom he was ever matched. His acrobatic feats were as wonderful as were his exhibitions of strength. At one time a pole was placed upon the heads of two men and Burns jumped over the same with apparent ease. At another time he jumped over a covered wagon, to the surprise of all who witnessed the feat, and his gymnasium training had been in clearing the forest. tilling the soil, and in carrying the hod.
343
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
The Pearce family, prominent people in the township, came in 1814, and among other early settlers were the following persons: William and John Stewart, Solomon Culver, James Sirplis, William Ayers, Solomon Lee, Daniel Mitchel, William Riddle, Daniel Cook, Joseph and Garvin Mitchel, Andrew Thompson, John and Wesley Barnes, Isaac Slater, Alexander McClain, Robert Crosky, Thomas Shanks, Andrew Pollock, Noah Watson, Martin and Jacob Ridenour, Calvin Culver, Thomas Smith, Melzer Coulter and Jedediah Smith.
Jedediah Smith was the reputed lover of Kate Seymour, who, with her father and mother, was killed by the Indians in 1812. Smith had entered land in the northeast part of the township, and then returned to Pennsylvania to make final arrangements for his removal here, and was to be married upon his return. During his absence his beautiful Kate was murdered, as above stated. Mr. Smith was so affected by this appalling event that he did not return to Ohio until 1816, and remained single for a number of years.
John Stewart was the first justice of the peace of the township, which office he filled for a number of years. He was auditor of the county for eight years and county surveyor for eighteen years. Mr. Watson was one of the first constables, and during his term of office served two summons and two warrants, but received no pay. The first school was taught by John Barnett, who received $2 per scholar for a three-months' school. In 1818 Sally Braden taught a summer school, the first taught by a woman in the township.
The religious sentiment of the township was always at the front. The first church organization was of the Methodist Episcopal, at Washington, in about 1823. They maintained their organization for many years. During the anti-slavery excitement, prior to the Civil War, this congregation divided, and the out-going party organized as Wesleyan Methodists and built a church at the north end of the village. Both of these are now gone. The Congre- gationalists built a church in the center of the town, which is now the only place of worship there. Two churches were organized and two church build- ings erected in the southeast part of the township, and were occupied in the '50s by the Albrights and United Brethren. Ebenezer church is at the crossing of the Mansfield-Newville and Bellville-Lucas roads. Cesarea church, a mile northwest of Washington, is one of the oldest organizations of the Disciple church in Richland county. St. Peter's church, five miles south of Mansfield on the old State road, is of the German Reform denomination. It is commonly known as the "Settlement" church, because it is in the German settlement. St. Peter's was a branch of St. John's, of Mansfield, until 1866, when it was given full church functions and privileges. The first church building was a log structure and was dedicated on Whitsunday, 1848. The date chosen for the dedication showed that the Germans were in touch with church traditions.
The late ex-Governor John P. Altgeld passed his boyhood years in Wash- ington township, and worked on his father's farm, situated amid its rugged hills. By close application to his studies, qualified himself for teaching. and. after teaching a country school for several terms, he went west and became
344
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
a lawyer, then a judge of the court of the city of Chicago, then the governor of the great state of Illinois.
Among the prominent residents of Washington township today mention should be made of 'Squire John Gerhart, who served two terms as county commissioner; John and W. B. Knox, Martin Touby, wealthy farmers. Samuel Spayde is always ready to furnish martial music for soldiers' re- unions. There are the Kochheisers, the Kiners, the Ritters, the Lawrences, the Culvers, the Straubs, Kennedy, Kinney, McKee, Hammett, Lutz, Hessel- ton, Swigart, Clever, McFarland, Balliet, Charles Pollock, Harter, Fulton, and Maglott, each of whom deserve more mention than space will admit of here. Dr. Maglott, of this city, was a Washington township boy.
James McVey Pearce was born, reared and has always lived in the Pearce settlement, as he does today. He was named for a pioneer preacher of the Disciple church. You must not estimate the value of his lands nor the amount of his bank deposits by the clothes he wears. If you visit his home you will be hospitably treated, for he is a liberal entertainer, a good citizen and a loyal friend.
R. C. McFarland came from Washington township, as also did the Sewell brothers, and William now represents our country at a foreign port.
While the fact is known by our older citizens that a Black Cane company, with headquarters in Washington township, existed in the long ago, the his- tory and purposes of the company have never been given in newspaper print. As early as 1820-21 the southern part of the county was troubled with a company of horse-thieves and counterfeiters, whose operations extended into other counties. The band was quite numerous, and for several years its members had things their own way. It was almost impossible to convict them, as they would swear each other clear. After losing a number of horses and much other property, a number of the most prominent citizens banded themselves together for self protection and called their organization the Black Cane company. Each member carried a black cane, made out of black haw wood, the bark being peeled off and the canes burned black, after which they were oiled and polished to give them a glossy appearance.
The object of the Black Cane company was to protect the property of the settlers, with special reference to horse-thieves. A number of horses had been stolen from the southern part of the county, and so completely were the traces of the thieves covered up that the settlers came to the conclusion that an organized band of horse-thieves was operating in their midst. It appears that these thieves had a line of communication from the Mohican valley to Lake Erie, so that horses stolen in the southern part of Richland or the northern part of Knox county would be passed along and be disposed of far away from the place of their theft. So stealthily was their work per- formed and so thorough was their mode of operation that but little, if any, evidence could be obtained against any member of the gang, and then, too, they could furnish plenty of witnesses to prove an alibi for an accused member.
While the Black Cane company had its headquarters in Richland county and had its purpose to rid the country of the gang of horse-stealers and counterfeiters, and a considerable part of the workings of the thieves had been
ONE OF THE BIG SPRINGS
NATIONAL ROAD FREIGHT WAGON
347
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
done in the southern part of the county, our own people had neither lot nor part in their nefarious operations. A conviction or two was had of citizens of Hanover township, Ashland county, and the gang seemed most numerous along the upper waters of the Walhonding, with a membership extending down to Guernsey county, to Perry's den, east of Cambridge, in Guernsey county, situated in a deep ravine on either side of which were high projecting rocks and deep, dark recesses, where persons suspected of crime could go into comparatively safe hiding. Perry himself was finally captured, convicted, and given a five-years' term in the penitentiary. Perry's conviction had much to do in terminating the operations of the gang, as he had been one of its leaders for a number of years.
The early settlers of Richland county were men of different mold from those down along the rugged banks of the Walhonding, and instead of stealing horses they built churches and schoolhouses and organized temperance socie- ties. It is true that pioneers drank whisky at log-rollings and corn-huskings, and occasionally indulged in fighting at county musters, and they may have "chawed" dog-leg tobacco, yet they were honest, upright men and founded a civilization-the civilization of which we boast today.
March 29, 1827, the temperance society referred to was organized with Thomas Smith as president and Samuel Ritchie secretary. The following platform was adopted as a basis of organization, to-wit:
Whereas, The use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage is injurious to the health of the consumer and ruinous to the morals of the community ;
Resolved, That we form ourselves into a society to be known by the name of Washington and Monroe Temperance Society, and that we adopt the fol- lowing pledge for our guide for one year: "We, whose names are hereunto attached, do pledge ourselves to dispense with the common use of ardent spirits in our families and at our gatherings and frolics, and, so far as our influence extends, use all laudable means to discourage the use of it in others."
At first the matter of getting along without whisky in the harvest season and at log-rollings, raisings and corn-huskings was earnestly discussed, but as the foregoing pledge was adopted for only one year the members agreed to stand by it for that length of time and see how it would work. At the next meeting, held one year after the organization of the society, progress was reported, and by a unanimous vote it was decided that the pledge should stand ad infinitum.
This temperance society had an organized existence for more than thirty years, meeting monthly upon the first evening of each month. During its existence the names of over six hundred persons were enrolled as members upon the society's books. The organization was kept up as long as there was anything to fight, and then it disbanded, as did also the Black Cane company after its mission was accomplished.
Chestnut Chapel schoolhouse is in Washington township, two miles north of Bellville, on the State road. It is situated in a chestnut hill country, and the house has been used for Sunday school and religious purposes, hence the name-Chestnut Chapel. The location is at the top of the first hill of the succession of elevations that rise from the Clearfork at Bellville and terminate
348
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
at the Settlement church on the summit of the divide. This Chestnut Chapel region lias never been very prominent in the history of the country, for the residents there are a steady-going, industrious people, who pursue the even tenor of life's way, never aiming at great renown and never doing aught that would cause a blush of shame to mantle their honest cheeks. The men are stalwart sons of toil, and the ladies are not only handsome, but possess sterling qualities as well.
Life, it is claimed, is what we make it. In youth all are apt to look for- ward to a future of perpetual sunshine, little thinking of those dark and troublesome days, the shadows of which sooner or later, in some degree, over- take all; but these people have cared more for their homes and their homelife than for the world, with its riches and fame and disappointments.
"What is the end of fame? 'Tis but to fill A certain portion of uncertain paper."
A writer once said :
"The world's most royal heritage is his Who most enjoys, most loves, and most forgives."
Home, to these people, is a dear word, as it should be to us all, for it is the place where the tired toiler finds rest at eventide. It is the place where love is not only fraternal, but divine, and where joy permeates the very air and prayer trembles into its most solemn and earnest importunity, and where sorrow drops its bitterest tear.
The stately city mansion, carpeted from basement to attic, with its appoint- ments and furnishings of the richest and most costly, may not be as happy a home as that of a log cabin in the country, even though there be no carpet on its floor, no paintings of the "old masters" hanging upon its rough walls, no piano, but voices sweet and dear, singing melodies but little short of angels' songs. Where there is contentment and happiness there is home and love.
"The noblest mind the best contentment has."
In old days the Teutonic nobles used to draw their swords, as they re- peated the words of the creed, while their glittering blades flashed in the air, to show that they were willing to fight for the faith of their fathers; and the Chestnut Chapel people are content with the old farms and the old homes and the associations of their childhood.
During the ninety years this part of Washington township has been set- tled the lands have been productive and the harvests multiplied and the fruits of the earth annually gathered, and the people have been blessed with what- soever was needful for them. The early residents have long since taken their "departure hence in peace," but many of their descendants occupy the home- steads of other days.
The Chestnut Chapel school is fully up to the standard in educational lines, as is evidenced by the intelligence and learning of the people of the district. Chestnut Chapel hill is not without scenic beauty. From the brow of the summit, at the bend of the road, south of Bowers', a good view is
349
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
obtained of Gold valley to Bellville and to Durbin hill beyond. The land- scape picture there presented is not grand nor majestic, but enhancing and sublime.
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP
Franklin township was created June 4, 1816, and was at that time six miles square. Upon the creation of Ashland county, two tiers of sections from the east part of Franklin went toward creating the township of Weller, which was named in honor of the Hon. John B. Weller, a former Ohio boy who was then governor of California. By this elimination Franklin town- ship was reduced to its present size-six miles in length from north to south, and four miles in width from east to west.
But meager data can be obtained of the early settlement of Franklin township. There is a record that Peter Pittenger, George Wolford, and the Rev. John Clingan organized a Methodist society of twelve members in Franklin township in 1815. This would indicate that a settlement had been made there at an earlier date. The Methodist society, however, may have been composed partly of members from other townships.
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.