History of Richland County, Ohio : (including the original boundaries) ; its past and present, containing a condensed comprehensive history of Ohio, including an outline history of the Northwest, a complete history of Richland county miscellaneous matter, map of the county, biographies and histories of the most prominent families, &c., &c., Part 59

Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co.
Number of Pages: 968

USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio : (including the original boundaries) ; its past and present, containing a condensed comprehensive history of Ohio, including an outline history of the Northwest, a complete history of Richland county miscellaneous matter, map of the county, biographies and histories of the most prominent families, &c., &c. > Part 59

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).

The site of this schoolhouse is a little east of the present Lutheran Church, and is marked by a large sycamore tree, which stretches its gaunt, white arms protectingly over the spot ; and, also, by a large white-oak stump, which has been a stump more than fifty years, and looks as if it were good for a century more, if undisturbed. William Graydon was one of the early teachers here, and it was during his time that the schoolhouse was burnt. Another log schoolhouse was built further east, toward Old Salem, which was also burnt; and a third one built north of the present site of Shiloh. This was abandoned after a time, and a fourth

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

one built at Salem, which was occupied until after the railroad came through ; and one was built in the town of Shiloh.

Several attempts have been made to start and build up towns in this township. but every attempt failed until after the railroad came through, and Shiloh was established. Almost as far back as the oldest inhabitant can remem- ber. a man by the name of Powers attempted to start a town on the southwest quarter of Section 1, which he called Salem. A town was actually laid out and platted, but the plat was never recorded, and no town came into existence. The lots were vacated after a time, and belong to the farms that corner at old Salem Church. Powers brought a small stock of goods there and attempted the mercantile business, but it was a failure. The only houses built were the Methodist Church, a Lutheran Church, a log building occupied by Powers for storeroom and dwelling, and the log house before men- tioned, as being occupied as a schoolhouse.

The second attempt at building a town was in the southern part of the township, on the line between Sections 33 and 34. This was laid out in 1832, by John Snyder, Abraham Fox and Michael Conrod, and called London. Snyder owned the land. Forty-seven lots were laid out. Peter Keller, Mrs. Conrod and Abraham Fox were the first residents, the latter building a dwelling and storeroom, partly brick and partly frame, on the principal corner, in which he opened a small store. John Fireoved afterward kept store in the same house. Keller started a blacksmith-shop. The place struggled for existence several years, and gathered a cluster of farmhouses at the cross roads there. At present no business is done, but half a dozen well-to-do farmers who own the land around, occupy its houses.

The third attempt at town building was on Section 13, in 1837. The cabin of John Long, the first settler, was located here, upon what afterward became an important public highway.

The road was much traveled by teams trans- porting grain from Knox County and other portions of the interior, to the lake, then the great and only outlet for the rapidly increasing products of Ohio. Taverns along this road were frequent, and a necessity, and Mr. Long's cabin became, without any effort on his part, a stopping-place for the early teams. Mr. Long did not wish to keep a hotel ; he had started a tannery, and this in addition to his farm was all he could attend to. He sold out his hotel to a man by the name of Rumer, and built another house for himself near his tan-yard. After a time, Rumer sold out to Mr. John Plank, who secured sufficient ground, and, in 1837, laid out a town which he first called Plymouth, but which he afterward changed to Richland ; however, the town was always better known as Planktown. In time, the old cabin was pulled down, a larger house built, and Planktown became a noted stopping-place for the great number of teams that daily traveled over the road. Mr. David Long says, as many as two hundred teams loaded with wheat from the rich valleys of the tributaries of the Mus- kingum were known to pass Planktown in one day, during the season immediately following harvest. Rumer had also kept a grocery in connection with his hotel, which was the first store in the place. After Planktown was laid out, it grew quite rapidly for a town in those days, and became in time a place of perhaps two hundred people, with two stores carrying assorted stocks, and two hotels. J. Saviers kept one of the stores at an early day.

The frontier towns of those days-as of to- day-were cursed with a class of men known and recognized as roughs-thieves, gamblers, murderers and every species of criminals known to the law. These, escaping from jus- tice, took up their residence on the frontier, where they felt more secure.

Planktown was more than usually infested with this kind of vermin, which continued to

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

409

feed upon its vitals until it sickened and died.

The name of one of its citizens, in 1850, was Return J. M. Ward, who proved to be a des- perate villain-a murderer-and was hung in Toledo June 12, 1857, for the murder of his wife. After his arrest there, he confessed to the killing of a peddler and of Noah Hall, in Planktown. These murders, together with the railroad, which ran within a mile of the place, killed it. A full account of Ward's crimes will be found in another chapter. Planktown went down more rapidly than it grew up, many of its citizens deserting it and going to Shiloh.

At present, no business is carried on in the place ; only seven families are living there, mostly farmers. Many of the houses have been moved away and some torn down. A wind- storm destroyed the old tavern-stand, in which the peddler was murdered.

In 1850, when the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad came through Cass, a village was laid ont on Aaron Pet- tit's farm, half a mile north of the present town of Shiloh, on the railroad, and called Salem Station. The would-be town of Salem was a mile away, and was henceforth called Old Salem, while the station was frequently called New Salem, to distinguish it from the other. A station-house, a house built by Jesse Maring and a little shanty, in which whisky and cigars were sold, were all the buildings that were erected at this Salem Station. After the station had been established and a small town laid out, it was discovered that it was situated in a low, swampy place, between two country roads, and it was decided to move it south half a mile, to higher ground. This was done, accordingly, there being nothing to move but the station-house and the aforesaid whisky- shop.

Here, in September, 1852, the permanent town was laid out by Charles R. Squires, who had purchased four acres of ground from the

Pettits for that purpose. As early as 1823, Thomas Pettit came from Mifflin Township, and entered 1,200 acres of land in this vicinity, upon part of which his numerons descendants are still living.

Thomas Boorman, still living in the town, built the first dwelling. It stood on the site of the present brick block, lately erected, called Bren- neman's Block, near the depot. It was a one and a half story frame, about 27x40. About the same time, a Mr. Pease built a storeroom on the opposite side of the railroad from the Boorman dwelling, and opposite the present American House. It is still standing, being used as a storeroom and dwelling by Joseph Page & Son, who keep groceries and dry goods.

Shiloh has grown rapidly, and is not through yet. It is now the only town in the township, and is surrounded by an excellent farming country. The business of the place is in a healthy condition, and steadily increasing. Many additions have been made since the first four acres were laid off into lots. John and Alexander Pettit made an addition March 30, 1859 ; Catherine Wishart February 6, 1864. In 1868, Charles Wakefield, Jacob Korber, Samuel Weirick, Thomas B. Pettit and Alexander Pettit made additions to the town. Beside these, additions have been made from time to time to the number of sixteen, the last one being made in May, 1879, by John Davis.

The town went by the name of Salem for several years, but, on account of there being two or three other Salems in the State, which made trouble with mail matters and freight, it was decided to change it. The citizens met for the purpose in 1862, about the time Grant was fighting his battle of Pittsburg Landing, or Shiloh, and, in the enthusiasm of the moment, the town was named Shiloh.

Abner Tanner was one of the first settlers ; he came in 1853, and started a shoe-shop and grocery on the corner east of the railroad, where the American House now stands. He

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

afterward erected this house. Charles R. Squires bought out Pease, kept the store, and was the first railroad agent. In 1854, he sold his store to Humphry & Wright. The grocers now in the place are Korber Bros .. Cunning- ham & Carmichael, J. C. Ward, E. C. Gregg and P. S. Gilmore. There is a drug and hard- ware store kept by Turner & Prame; a notion store by S. Hench ; saddlery, by Israel Shutt ; a boot and shoe, and hardware store, by Silas Ferrill ; two millinery shops, by Mrs. Grieas and Mrs. Black. The doctors are J. E. Roseborough, J. Q. Clowes and Dr. Fran- cis. John E. Smith keeps the warehouse, and deals largely in grain and seeds. Wakefield owns an extensive egg-house, with a refrigerator, and engages largely in the business of egg-packing for the Eastern markets. Mr. Shupe keeps the Ex- change Bank, and deals largely in but- ter. lumber, shingles, etc. The business of the railroad office, which is, and has been for many years, in charge of Jessie Maring, is about $50,000 a year. W. H. Gilmore engages largely in cider-making ; his presses, running by steam, are capable of producing 100 barrels per day. The American House is kept by C. E. Parsons, who is also Mayor of the town. W. A. Ferre keeps a bakery. The only grist-mill in the township was built here in 1872 ; a saw-mill was added in 1878. Taylor & Crawford built the mill, which, in 1874, was sold to Opdyke & Smith. In a few months, Opdyke bought out Smith.

and, in 1877, he, in turn, sold out to the first owners, who are now running it. They make a specialty of custom-work, and are doing a safe business.

The Brenneman Block, a solid and beautiful structure, was commenced in 1873 and finished in the same year. It was erected on the site of the first dwelling-house. It is 48x75, three stories, all twelve feet in height, and a base- ment. The third floor is occupied by the Odd Fellows, and for a public hall ; the second floor by the Shiloh Review and public offices. On the lower floor are two fine store- rooms, one of which is occupied by John Brenneman with dry goods and clothing. GRENEMAN BLOCK 1873 The basement is oc- cupied as a restau- GILMORE SLTECH rant and for Shupe's butter depot. The building cost $16,- 000, and was de- signed by S. S. Hunt- er, the work being under the supervision of Korber Brothers.

JOHN BRENEMAN

THE BRENNEMAN BLOCK.

In 1865, an inde- pendent district was created in Shiloh, and a brick schoolhouse erected in the east part of town. It was large and comfortable, but the town grew so fast that in 1878 it was found necessary to build an addition. This was done at a cost of $7,000, the addition being much larger than the original building. It will now accommodate several hundred pupils. Mr. Kinsel taught the first school in the brick.

The school is at present in a flourishing condition, with 275 pupils, under the charge of five teachers and the superintendency of A. A. Douglas. The Board of Education are

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

J. C. Fenner, C. L. Opdyke and James Guth- rie.

Three churches are at present located within the town limits.

The Methodist Episcopal, a history of which has already been given, as it was first located at Old Salem, is a fine new brick edifice. Its Sun- day school was organized at Old Salem in 1828. James Long was the first Superintendent. Both Sunday school and church are in a flourishing condition.

The United Brethren in Christ was first or- ganized in Planktown in 1843. A church called the Union Church had been erected by the peo- ple of Planktown in 1840, which was used by all denominations. In this, the Brethren first organized. Afterward, in 1849, they built a church at Old Salem, across the road east of the Methodist Church. It was a frame church and cost about $1,100. In 1860, it was moved to Shiloh, with additional cost of moving and repairs, of $700. Michael Long, a missionary sent out by the Sandusky Conference, was in- fluential in organizing this church. The names of some of the first members are N. S. Guthrie and wife, Robert Guthrie and wife, Peter Broche and wife, Mr. Shupe, wife and two daughters, and Artemisse Wolf. The Pastors have been, Michael Long, Jacob Berger, William Mathers, Solomon Lindsey, John Goodwin, Enoch Bell, Alexander Biddle, C. L. Barlow, A. H. Leonard, V. Pond (Mr. Pond's wife also preached occa- sionally), William Newell and George Bender. The present minister is Rev. Mr. Spangler, and the membership about sixty.

A Sunday school was organized about the time the church building was moved to Shiloh. N. S. Guthrie was first Superintendent. At pres- ent, the membership is about twenty.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church was or- ganized in Planktown in 1842, in a school- house, by the Rev. P. P. Lane. Samuel Weir- ich and Samuel Hendrickson were elected Elders, and Alexander McBride and Emanuel

Bigler, Deacons. Some time after, a frame church building was erected, about 30x40 feet, which they occupied until 1853. P. P. Lane preached until 1844, when he was succeeded by Erastus Eastman, who served until 1848. Joshua Crouse was the next minister, and re- mained until the church was removed to Shiloh. In 1853, a new church building was erected in Shiloh at a cost of $2,188. The corner-stone was laid on the 9th of August of that year, and April 16, 1854, the building was dedicated by Prof. F. W. Conrad, of Wittenberg College, assisted by Rev. D. Specher and Rev. S. Fen- ner. The building is a neat, white frame struct- ure, 38x56, and is called Mount Hope. In the summer of 1878, it was remodeled at a cost of $1,600. The present minister is G. W. Miller, with a membership of about one hundred and fifty.

A union Sunday school for the Methodists and Lutherans was organized about the time the church was occupied. J. Fenner is present Superintendent, with a membership of about one hundred and twenty.

The Shiloh Review was started in 1872, under the name of Shiloh Times, by Barkdull & Rob- erts. Like most other papers before they become firmly established, it has had a checkered exist- ence, when it had an existence at all, show- ing that starting a newspaper is very pre- carious, uncertain and difficult. It was issued from the Shelby press about a year, when Roberts left it and the issue was suspended for a few weeks. Some of the citizens of Shiloh, wishing the paper continued, formed a stock company, purchased a press, and with Bark- dull as manager, published the paper another year, when they sold out to George T. Mattison, who bought it mostly on time, giving a mort- gage on press and type. Mattison failed to make it pay, left in about a year, and the con- cern went back into the hands of the mortga- gees. Two of the stockholders, J. C. Fenner and John P. Black, published the paper

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

about two months, when it was again sold to George W. Allen. This gentleman consolidated with Doctor Clowes, of the Rome Clear Grit, and for eighteen months more, the paper was published under the name of Clear Grit. It was not yet a success, however, and passed into the hands of Foulks & Secrist, who con- ducted it six months. At the end of that time, the press was taken possession of by Mr. Chew, who held a mortgage on it, and the paper was again suspended for a few issues, until purchased by S. S. Bloom, of Shelby, who again changed the name to Shiloh Times, and pub- lished it in Shelby, bringing it over to Shiloh for delivery. In February, 1875, Mr. Bloom sold out to Mr. Gilmore. The latter brought the concern again to Shiloh, and in connection with Messrs. Clowes Brothers, started it anew in that place, soon changing the name to Shiloh

Review. In eighteen months, Gilmore pur- chased the interest of Clowes Brothers, and published the paper alone until April, 1878. when he sold a half-interest to John C. Higgins. After running under the firm name of Gilmore & Higgins for eight months, Gilmore again came into possession of the entire establish- ment, and continued its publication alone until February 27, 1879, when the concern was pur- chased by John C. Higgins, the present editor. After all its ups and downs, it appears at last to have reached a permanent and solid founda- tion, and is now a financial success.

In 1874, Shiloh considered itself far enough advanced to have a Mayor and Council. The first Mayor was William Crawford. He was followed by Alfred Free, William Gilmore and E. C. Parsons. There are at present from 800 to 1,000 people in Shiloh.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

CHAPTER XLIV.

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

ORGANIZATION AND TOPOGRAPHY-AGRICULTURE, ETC .- INDIAN OCCUPATION-ROADS-FIRST SETTLERS AND SET- TLEMENTS-FIRST HOTELS-DISTILLERY-THE LEAD MINE-BEAR HUNTING-" SHINING " FOR DEER-A SNAKE STORY-FIRST ELECTIONS-MILLS-SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP was erected, June 4, 1816, out of the southeast corner of Blooming Grove Township, and was, at that time. six miles square, including a portion of what is now Weller Township. Thus it remained until Ashland County was formed. This formation left the eastern townships of Richland in a fragmen- tary shape, and necessitated a change in town- ship lines. In this change, Franklin lost its two eastern tiers of sections, July 5, 1849, leav- ing it in its present shape, six miles long, from north to south, and four miles wide. Its sur- face is generally flat, or gently rolling, and in an early day, a large part of it was considered swamp land, and all was covered with a dense forest of vigorous growth. Oak and beech were more abundant on the higher lands, and maple and walnut on the wavy slopes in the west and central parts. The elm, ash and syc- amore skirted the winding Black Fork, which passes across the northeastern portion, and the second bottom lands were noted for their beau- tiful sugar-tree groves. Wild plum-trees and black-haw bushes were found in various parts.

Two clear, sparkling tributaries of the Black Fork, Friend's Creek and Brubaker Creek, run parallel with each other, from west to east, across the township, near its center. Between these creeks, and north of Friend's Creek, lie some of the higher lands, until the vicinity of the Black Fork is reached, when swamps again make their appearance. The southern part of the township is also quite swampy, even vet,

though much drainage has rendered the land tillable. Agriculturally considered, it is one of the finest townships of land in the county. The soil is strong and produces a vigorous growth of whatever the farmer is disposed to sow or plant. Fine sugar camps still exist, and much maple sugar is made. The day is rapidly approaching, however, when the farm- ers will see the necessity of great care and much nursing of their timber land. Even now, hedge, board and post and rail fences are tak- ing the place of the time-honored rail or worm fence. The day is not far distant, when this latter fence will be as much of a rarity as are now the log cabins of the pioneer. So gradual is this change, that it escapes the notice of those who daily pass through the country, and yet, comparatively, the change is rapid, and the farmer will soon find himself the antocrat of his little domain, as well as the aristocrat of the country. This is essentially an agricultural township, there being no towns within its lim- its, and no railroad touches it, except at the southeast corner, where the Atlantic & Great Western passes across a small portion.

The people are largely descendants of that sturdy race of pioneers who came from West- ern Pennsylvania and Virginia. They were men and women of rare courage and strength, and, religiously, were Lutherans or German Re- formed. Their children follow in their foot- steps, and make it their highest aim in life to become worthy citizens.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Prior to white occupation, the Indians used this territory, extensively, for hunting and mak- ing sugar, but no permanent camp was located within its limits, so far as known. Every year, however, they were in the habit of making temporary camps, along the beautiful val- leys of Friend's and Brubaker Creeks, and many specimens of their handiwork have been found in various places, though these are not nearly so numerous as in some other portions of the county. On the bank of Brubaker's Creek, a short distance west of John Kendall's barn, several fine specimens of Indian work- manship have been found, from time to time, indicating the location of an Indian encamp- ment, and, perhaps, of a small burying-ground, though the place has never received careful ex- amination.

The Black Fork, in an carly day, was con- sidered navigable, for some boats, as far as Ganges, though it was hard work to get boats of any size above the vicinity of the Charles mill. The earliest settlers of Franklin proba- bly came up this stream, a few, however, com- ing in by way of Beall's trail, and large num- bers, a little later, by the old State road, the first road in the township, and was cut through, in a zigzag course, from Mans- field to Brubaker Creek, and thence north- westerly, taking a diagonal course across the township to Ganges. This road has been straightened considerably, but its general course remains the same. This is the road upon which large quantities of grain and other produce was wagoned to the lake, in those days the only outlet to the Eastern market ; and it was along this road that the first settlers gen- crally located, and where they were not en- tirely isolated from the rest of the world. The daily passage of immense freight wagons, which occurred in the fall of the year, served as a diversion for the monotony of life in the woods.

No exact date can be given for the first set- tlement of this township, though it must have

occurred as early as 1814, as a printed record -which is confirmed by the oldest settlers- says that Peter Pittenger and George Wolford, together with the Rev. John Clingen, organ- ized a Methodist society, with twelve mem- bers, in 1815. This would indicate quite a number of settlers here at that early date, and it is fair to presume that some of them came as early as 1814, or even a year earlier, though it must also be remembered that settlers came from long distances to religious meetings, and that this carly Methodist society might have been made up of settlers partly from other townships.

It is pretty safe to place Henry and Peter Pittenger. who settled on Section 21, and George Wolford, among the earliest settlers. Among these carly settlers, also, were Samuel Harvey, Mr. Arbuckle, Samuel Gosage and the Armstrongs, all of whom settled on Section 16, which had been reserved by the State for school purposes, and all came before 1820. These were rather wild, harum-scarum fellows, who cared more for hunting wild animals and bees, fishing and trapping, than for tilling the soil. They erected their cabins upon this sec- tion because it was not open to settlers nor for sale, and they knew they would not be dis- turbed. They made no clearings or improve- ments. for they did not intend to become farm- ers. The State held this land sixteen years, when it was sold to the highest bidder, bring- ing about $11 per acre. It is worth now about $100 per acre. When it was sold, these hunters were compelled to vacate, and prob- ably followed the Indian and bear further West.

Among the earliest settlers in the southern and western part, were Mr. Groocross, Section 29 ; Samuel Linn, Section 28 ; Jacob Keiser, John and Jacob Stoner, Robert Hall, Samuel Donnan and Israel Long, the latter settling on Section 34. Further north and cast, were Cal- vin Morchead and his four sons, James, John, David and Calvin; Jacob Cline, Section 17;

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Joseph Floro, Section 16, and Mr. Inks, Section 17. The latter erected a "tavern " on the old State road, at a point on Friend's Creek, where several roads now cross. The place is now owned by Johnson Boggs, whose father was also among the earliest settlers. Inks only kept the hotel a short time, when he died. A Mr. Gates married the widow, and continued the business many years. Israel Long also erected a log tavern on this road, for the ac- commodation of the teamsters and travelers. This building stood on Section 34. near the German Reformed and Lutheran brick church, directly in front of the present residence of Hezekiah Kohler. These two "taverns" were noted resorts in early days. public gatherings and militia musters being held in the vicinity of each.

Some of the later settlers were John Kendall, who came from England, in 1825, locating where he now resides, on Section 20; the Tay- lors, Crums, Ralstons, Powells and others.

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Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848- Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co. Number of Pages: 968

Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co.
Number of Pages: 968