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 61
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422
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.
turned and leveled their guns at him, as if they would shoot him. He was somewhat fright- ened, but continued his work without exhibit- ing any outward signs of fear, and, finding he was not visibly frightened, they continued their journey.
The first and only grist-mill erected in Jack- son Township was by James Kerr in 1830, on Richland Run, in the northern part of the township, on Section 1. The first miller was Mr. Urie ; the second, William Kerr, son of James Kerr. William is yet living on the old place. The third miller was a Mr. Sellers. In 1853, this old mill was taken down, and some of the timbers used in the erection of Mr. Kerr's barn. The old mill-race is yet to be seen. A few saw-mills have been erected from time to time in the township, but this territory is not well supplied with water-power, and few mills were ever in operation. Most of the settlers went to the Spring mill, or to Gamble's mill at Shelby.
The first birth in the township occurred in the family of Robert Henry ; the first death has been mentioned as being the child of one of the Currans, and the second was that of Joseph Rockwell, in the spring of 1818. The first marriage was that of Giles Swan to Jane Rockwell, in September, 1817. The Swans, Taylors and Rockwells were influential in all the early affairs of the township. When it was organized, all the residents met at the house of Mrs. Rockwell, which stood on the farm now owned by M. M. Barber. There were fourteen persons present, and after the petition was duly signed, they appointed Henry Taylor to present the same to the Commissioners at Mansfield. The Commissioners granted the petition and named the township Sharon, after some town in Connecticut. The subsequent elections in Jackson were held at Taylor's Cor- ners. Mr. Henry Taylor's house was a noted place for public meetings, elections, militia musters, etc., in those early days. Mr. Taylor
then kept a tavern, in addition to his black- smithing and other business. A town hall is now located at this place for the transaction of the public business of the township. . This is a small frame building and answers the pur- pose of all public meetings and gatherings of the people to discuss their local affairs. Gen- cral spelling schools and sometimes religious meetings are held here.
No villages have been laid out in this town- ship, the people generally going to Shelby or Mansfield to trade.
Schools were first organized about 1820, and the first schoolhouse was erected on what is now known as the Cutler farm, one and a half miles east of Shelby, near the cross roads, then not far from the residence of Giles Swan, who was very likely a prime mover in the matter, being a well-educated man himself. The first teacher was Miss Amelia Graves. A little later, a log schoolhouse was erected in the southern part of the township, John Upp being the first teacher here. At the present day, neat white schoolhouses are placed here and there at convenient distances, and the children who attend them, instead of following a blazed path miles through the woods, barefooted and thinly clad, to the log schoolhouses, now trav- erse cleared, cultivated fields and well-kept highways.
Only two churches have an organized exist- ence within the limits of the township, the people, many of them, attending church in Shelby.
Quite a number of the first settlers in the northern part of the township were Lutherans, and did not at first attempt to organize a church of their own, being too few in number and too poor to employ a minister; they therefore united with the Presbyterian Church of Shelby, with the understanding that they should be allowed to withdraw whenever they felt able to organize a church of their own. Most of these withdrew about or before 1830, and effected an
-
Josh Ritter
-
425
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.
organization, employing the Rev. Francis J. Ruth as Pastor part of the time. This gentle- man yet lives in Galion and is yet preaching, though now quite advanced in years. The early meetings were held in private houses and the schoolhouse, but, in 1832, a log church was erected in the northern part of the township, (Section 10), which was called the "Loudon Church," from the fact of its proximity to the village of London, in Cass Township. The original members of this organization were Leonard May and wife, John and Anthony Hershiser and their wives, a Mr. Gump and wife, and Mrs. Samuel Mowery. They worshiped in the old log church until 1842 or 1843, when they erected their present frame building. The church is now fairly attended though not strong. Rev. Summers of Shelby is the present minis- ter. A Sunday school has been generally sus- tained since the church was established.
Mount Bethel Church is located on Section 23. This is more generally known by the name of " Sheriff's Church " from the fact that it oc- cupies land which was donated to the church by a Mr. Sheriff. In an early day, two religious organizations had an existence in this part of the township, a German Reformed and a Luth-
eran. In 1833, they agreed to unite and erect a church which should be equally free to both denominations. The church was a log one, and was erected by united and voluntary labor.
Rev. Mr. Shuh was first preacher for the Ger- man Reformed society, and Rev. Francis J. Ruth for the Lutherans. Before the church was erected, the German Reformed society held their meetings at the house of Daniel Stahl, where the society was first organized by Mr. Shuh. Among the first worshipers in the church were William Stine, Daniel Stahl, Adam Myers, Ja- cob Shadle, John Hippart, Daniel Livensparger, Jacob Freighner, John Stock, John Hall and Daniel Huffman.
After a time, the German Reformed organiza- tion disbanded, and the Lutherans only now occupy the church. In 1878, they erected a new frame church, costing about $1,000. It is 32x38 feet in size. Mr. Ruth still preaches to these people. The church is not strong, having a membership of ten or twelve. The Sunday school, however, is in a flourishing condition, with forty or fifty pupils enrolled. Its organi- zation dates back to the time of the establish- ment of the church.
426
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.
.
CHAPTER XLVI.
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
DESCRIPTION-STREAMS-SOIL-TIMBER-ORGANIZATION-EARLY OFFICERS-REDUCTION TO ITS PRESENT LIMITS- LIST OF VOTERS-FIRST SETTLEMENT-INDIANS' FINAL FAREWELL-PIONEER LIST OF 1869-BELLEVILLE -NEWSPAPERS - BANGOR-EARLY SCHOOLS-RELIGION-CHURCHES-SOCIETIES -FIRST ORCHARDS-DIS- TILLERY-BIRTH-MARRIAGE-MILLS-TORNADO-STORIES-THE BUSHONG MURDER-THE HERMITESS- SOLDIERS OF 1812.
J TEFFERSON is one of the original sur- veyed townships, containing thirty-six sec- tions, and is one of the most important in the county, in its historical, as well as in its other, characteristics. Its surface is rough and di- versified, to an extent that is only excelled by one other township in the county - Worthing- ton. The Clear Fork, Honey Creek, and a branch of the Owl Creek flow through it, from west to east, and their numerous tributaries, which gather the water from a thousand springs, make the township a succession of ridges and depressions. The Clear Fork is the largest stream, and its valley is from one hundred to two hundred rods wide, and the stream occupies the southern part of the flat. In ages past, it flowed along the northern part of the valley, and gradually cut away the hills toward the south, and now this bank of the stream is perpendicular, fifty feet high, and in places cliffs hang over the stream, which, in midsummer, afford a retreat as pleasant as that
" Beneath the shade of Vecta's cliffy isle."
The Honey Creek gathers the water from the central part of the township, and the tributary of the Owl Creek and one of the Clear Fork, from the southern part. The second tier of sections, from the southern line, forms the sum- mit of the watersheds of the Owl Creek and Clear Fork. Almost the entire surface of the
township is susceptible of cultivation. The soil of the chestnut ridges, which comprise no small part of the township, is clayey, stony and thin, but with the use of fertilizers, in con- nection with proper cultivation, it yields abund- antly the ordinary cereals. The soil of the Clear Fork and other valleys is loamy, pre-emi- nently fertile and exuberantly productive. Had the pioneers developed the true power of the soil, stories would have returned to the East, approaching the emigrant's dream of Kansas in point of greatness. The "New Purchase " would have abounded in chickens that lay two goose eggs, each, per day ; choice pigs, full of forks, squealing to be eaten ; pure fat, rolling in the plow furrows, and the corn- stalks bearing Continental dollars at every "jint." The numerous springs, gushing from the hills, supply an abundance of water, and ren- der a large acreage of the township valuable for stock-raising.
Originally the territory was covered with a dense growth of oak, walnut, ash, elm, chestnut, hickory, linn, gum, sassafras, sycamore, hard and soft maple, and a good variety of the smaller growths. A large per cent of the land is yet covered with forest, although Jefferson is one of the most thickly settled townships in the county.
The first election district, named Jefferson, was organized August 9, 1814, and was twelve
427
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.
miles wide and eighteen miles long, embracing six Congressional townships, namely : Jeffer- son, Perry, Congress, North Blooming Grove, Troy and Washington. So rapidly this terri- tory was settled, that a new election district seemed proper, and. September 5, 1814, the ter- ritory in question was divided. and the north half received the name of Troy. This left to Jefferson three townships, the present Jeffer- son, Perry and Congress ; and while it retained this boundary, one election was held. Michael Shuey, Benjamin Potts and John Leedy were chosen Trustees, and William Spears, Clerk. The township was heavily in debt, so they re- garded it, and the Trustees agreed to serve for nothing; and by common consent William Spears was allowed $1 for services as Clerk. On September 3. 1816, this election district was again divided, and the Jefferson Township of to-day was then organized. The Township Trustees made a final settlement with the Trust- ees of Perry Township October 12. 1816, and the indebtedness of the old district was $54.94, which was equally divided-Jefferson assuming one-half. The Trustees of this turned over to Perry one-half of a bond of $17 which they held against William Spears and John 'Zent, given for a stray horse the former purchased. The first election, after the township was re- duced to six miles square, was held in April, 1818, and the following persons were elected to office : Justice of the Peace, Michael Shuey ; Trustees, Samuel Devo, Barson Sweet and Enoch Ogle ; Clerk, Timothy Evarts ; Consta- bles, William Casper and Benjamin Thrailkill. The names of the voters at this election. and the place of their nativity and location in the township, are as follows :
Charles Strong, from Maryland, southeast quarter of Section 29; George Strong, from Maryland, southeast quarter of Section 33; John Strong, from Maryland, southwest quarter of Section 27; Isaac Armstrong, from Mary- land, northwest quarter of Section 24; Fred
Wise, from Pennsylvania, northeast quarter of Section 34; Martin Crow, from Pennsylvania, northwest quarter of Section 26 ; Casper Fitting, northwest quarter of Section 33; Thomas Gris- wold. northwest quarter of Section 30; William Casper, from Kentucky, northeast quarter of Section 27 ; Benjamin Hennis, northeast quarter of Section 19; John Robinson, from Pennsyl- vania, southwest quarter of Section 11; John Gatton, from Maryland, northeast quarter of Section 13; Jacob Culver, from Pennsylvania, northeast quarter of Section 10; Barson Sweet, from Vermont, northwest quarter of Section 16 ; Abram Vaughn. from Maryland. southwest quarter of Section 15; James Doughty, from New York, southwest quarter of Section 9; Abineal Dodge, from New York. northeast quar- ter of Section 16; Michael Shuey, from Penn- sylvania, southeast quarter of Section 6 ; Adam Shafer, from Pennsylvania, southwest quarter of Section 6; Christian Aungst. from Virginia, northeast quarter of Section 8; Benjamin Potts, from Vermont, southwest quarter of Section 7; Chancy D. Wright, wheelwright. in Bellville ; John Weaver, from Virginia, northeast quarter of Section 18 ; B. F. Thrailkill, from Maryland, northeast quarter of Section 28; Caleb Selby, southeast quarter of Section 19; Gideon Corn- wall. from Virginia, northwest quarter of Section 15; Amos Hartly, from Maryland, northwest quarter of Section 31 ; Peter Boham, southwest quarter of Section 20; John McDowel, north- east quarter of Section 21; William Mahagan, from Maryland, southwest quarter of Section 31; Peter Strine ; Samuel Devo, northeast quar- ter of Section 31 ; Thomas Durbin, from Vir- ginia, southeast quarter of Section 9; Scott Durbin, from Virginia, southeast quarter of Section 9; William Price, northeast quarter of Section 16; John Fordney ; Philip Merring, from New York, southwest quarter of Seetion 4; Phineas Merring (wheelwright), from New Jersey. southwest quarter of Section 4 ; Timothy Evarts, from Vermont. southeast quarter of
428
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.
Section 22; Geo. Aungst, from Virginia, south- east quarter of Section 15 ; John Fowler, south- west quarter of Section 14; John Boham, northeast quarter of Section 20; Robert Bell, Sr., and Robert Bell, Jr., from New Jersey, northeast quarter of Section 9 ; Zephaniah Bell, northwest quarter of Section 4; John Study, from Pennsylvania, southwest quarter of Section 25; John Watson, southeast quarter of Section 7; Joseph Hix, from Pennsylvania, northeast quarter of Section 25; Henry Swank, from Pennsylvania, northwest quarter of Section 34 ; James Selby, southeast quarter of Section 19; Jacob Stout, from Pennsylvania, northwest quar- ter of Section 7; Jonathan Oldfield, came to township in 1808, from New York, northeast quarter of Section 22; William Oldfield, came in 1810, from New York, southeast quarter of Section 16; Samuel Oldfield, came in 1810, from New York, northeast quarter of Section 16; John Weirick, came in 1809, from Mary- land, northwest quarter of Section 17; Peter Weirick, came in 1809, from Maryland, south- west quarter of Section 8; John Zent, Sr., came in 1810, from Pennsylvania, northwest quarter of Section 9; John Zent, Jr., came in 1810, from Pennsylvania, southwest quarter of Sec- tion 7; Duncan Spear, came in 1810, from Ver- mont, southwest quarter of Section 15; William Spear, came in 1810, shoemaker in Bellville ; Abraham Smith, in 1810, from Vermont, north- west quarter of Section 22; John Leedy, came in 1811, from Pennsylvania, northwest quarter of Section 35.
The male adults residing in the present limits of the township previous to the war of 1812, were James McCluer, Samuel McCluer and the above eleven whose names have dates of settlement. Jefferson being on the frontier, with good soil and water, and on the principal thoroughfare through the county, held a large share of the heavy wave of immigration which came imme- diately after the war of 1812; and for many years it had a larger population than any other
township in the county. In 1826, there were but forty acres of public land, which was en- tered by George Nicewanger, whose patent bears the date of 1835.
The first road in the township established by State aid, is the State road running from Mount Vernon to Mansfield, along the central section line. It was opened to the boundary line as early as 1810, and through the township in 1812.
The survey of the "new purchase " was completed' and the land offered in market in January, 1808 ; and soon after, James McCluer, a Virginian, and Jonathan Oldfield and Thomas McCluer, two young men in his employ, came from Pickaway County and opened a road from Fredericktown, in Knox County, to the present site of Bellville, which he chose as a location, and while he picked his way to Can- ton to enter it, the northeast quarter of Section 9, the two young men commenced the improve- ment. The entry was made in March, 1808. They remained a part of the year, clearing a parcel of ground and erecting a cabin, and then returned to Pickaway County again. The next year, Mr. McCluer moved his family. This was the first cabin built in the southern part of the county with its present limits, and the sec- ond built in the county. It stood on what is now a part of D. Zent's garden lot, a few feet northwest of the scale-house connected with Alexander & Zent's grain elevator, in Bellville. The block-house stood south of the railroad station, a few feet from the railroad, and was erected soon after the Greentown massacre in 1812. The settlers along the Clear Fork gath- ered there for defense against hostile Indians, but underwent no attack. The Indians had camps in various parts of the township, and as- sociated freely with the first settlers in a busi- ness way ; and in 1818, they bid final farewell to their hunting-grounds and generous white friends who treated them as human, amidst many tears and thanks.
429
The election list above, and the following pioneers residing in the township in 1869, who were in the county prior to 1820, will give a good knowledge in reference to the first settlers of the township :
NAME.
Age in 1869.
Came to County.
Native State.
Elizabeth Lee.
69
1815
Maryland.
Susan Culver*
78
1815
Pennsylvania.
Lyda Zolomon
57
1815
Pennsylvania.
Hiram E. Gibson
57
1818 Maryland.
Catharine Garber*
61
1811
Pennsylvania.
Abraham Long
64
1814
Pennsylvania.
Cyrus Dayt ...
50
1819
Richard Oldfield*
68
1810
New York.
James A. McCluer ..
64
1809
Virginia.
Jessie Mahagan ..
55
1815
Maryland.
Margaret Durbin
77
1812
Virginia.
: Abraham Stealts*
79
1814
Maryland.
John Lett
69
1815
Maryland.
John Robinson*
66
1814
Pennsylvania.
James B. Miller*
69
1811
Pennsylvania.
Alexander Robinson
63
1814
Pennsylvania.
William Bobinson
61
1814
Pennsylvania.
Nancy Robinson*
58
1814
Pennsylvania.
Nicholas Flaharty*
83
1817
Maryland.
James Cleland*
59
1819
Pennsylvania.
Eleanor J. Flaharty*
80
1817
Maryland.
Josephus Flaharty
59
1817
Maryland.
Sarah Flemming
58
1818
Ohio.
Frederick Fitting ...
61
1813
Ohio.
Rachael Swadener*
75
1817
Virginia.
Matilda Coursent
52
1819
John T. Dean.
54
1819
New York.
Benjamin Ridenonrt
51
1818
William Weaver*
71
1815
Virginia.
Mary Weavert
52
1818
Isaac Armstrong*
85
1817
Maryland.
Mary Armstrong*
65
1817
Maryland.
Josiah W. Armstrongt
50
1817
Joshna Armstrong.
54
1817
Maryland.
Hezekiah Armstrongt
52
1817
John Eckey*
56
1816
Ohio.
Samuel Shafert
52
1818
Renben Evarts.
59
1816
N. Carolina.
Henry Swank*
80
1817
John Weirick*
67
1812
Mary Hardesty+
52
1817
Nancy Sargent.
54
1815
Ohio.
Sharah Chronister*
56
1815
Ohio.
Joseph Johnston *
81
1819
Maryland.
Abi Johnston*
71
1816
Virginia.
Philip Lash*
86
1819
Pennsylvania.
Elizabeth Lash*
63
1819
Ohio
Liza Lefever
63
1812
Delaware.
William Colley*
55
1818
Ohio.
Mary Ilolland*
66
1818
Ohio.
Sarah Hamilton*
60
1818
Ohio.
Lydia Ilines*
72
1814
Maryland.
Elizabeth Ball.
75
1814
Maryland.
Margaret Masters+
51
1818
Isaac Gatton.
69
1818
Maryland.
Rachel Gatton*
73
1814
Maryland.
Sarah Gattont
50
1819
Eliza Hendricksont
53
1816
Samuel Leedy*
77
1814
Pennsylvania.
Lewis K. Leedy
62
1811
Pennsylvania.
Delilah Leedy*
53
1818
Maryland.
Charine Lett*
74
1812 Pennsylvania.
Lot No. 5, in an early day. Joseph Carter brought the first dry goods to the place from Uniontown. now Ashland, and ocenpied a small room in Ogle's tavern. Joseph Hildreth
* Now dead (1879).
* Now dead (1879).
+ Born in the county.
+ Born in the county.
NAME.
Age in 1869.
Came to County.
Native State.
Almina Oldfield.
64
1815
N. Hampshire.
Christian Aungst*
65
1816
Virginia.
Samuel Aungst.
64
1815
Virginia.
Albert Farquhar
65
1819
Maryland.
James Holton*
68
1812
Pennsylvania.
Eve Garber.
63
1813
Pennsylvania.
George Beal*
55
1819
Pennsylvania.
Susan Bell*
60
1816
Maryland.
Daniel Mull+
52
1817
George Ridenonr*
62
1818
Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania. Ohio.
Bellville is the only town in Jefferson Town- ship, and is located on the northeast quarter of Section 9 and adjoining sections. The first building within the present incorporated limits was the first in the township, erected in 1808. About 1814, Robert Bell, Sr .. came from Bel- mont County. Ohio, and purchased the quarter- section of James McCluer, and, in 1855, he laid out the first plat of the town, which consisted of forty-eight lots, embracing the land between Main and Huron streets, bounded on the north by Ogle street, and on the south by the first alley north of Durbin street. Enoch Ogle pur- chased Lot No. 1, east of the Clifton House, and thereon erected a building and opened a tavern -the first in the township. These two-the block-house and a dwelling-house at the foot of Snake Hill (Bellville Cemetery)-were the only buildings in the village for several years. Richard Crawford set up a blacksmith-shop on
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.
430
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.
succeeded him, and he by Wm. Thrift, who built a honse on the lot where the Globe House now stands, to accommodate his business. January 22. 1824, a post office was established, and Isaac Hoy was appointed Postmaster: and the mail matter was carried from and to Mount Vernon and Mansfield, by John Bell and Samuel Miller, until 1826, when a line of stages was put on the road that continued to the day of railroads. Previous to the year 1824. the citizens of Jef- ferson Township received their mail at Mans- field, and each letter cost the receiver 25 cents, paid on lifting it. Dr. A. I. Beach succeeded Mr. Hoy, and under him the spelling of Bell- ville was changed to Belleville, using the word belle instead of the proper name of its founder -Bell. The latter form was in use till 1872, when, after some discussion in the local paper, the Department, by an order, fixed it as Bellville -the original name. About the time that the post office was received, John Moody, one of the best men that Bellville ever contained, opened a store, and the nsnal trades and avocations common to a village were well represented. In 1835. there were three stores in the place, each of which served the purpose of a dry- goods, grocery, provision, hardware and hat store, saying nothing of clothing, notions, drugs and medicines. From this time, Bellville was one of the most enterprising towns in Cen- tral Ohio, until Mansfield received a railroad and the patronage of a large constituency- drawn thither to pay taxes. Even this exer- cised no material check to the Clear Fork village, and, up to the time the railroad was built to it and for years after, it ranked as one of the fore- most trading-points in the county. An act in- corporating the village was passed by the Leg- islature. March 25, 1841, and April 1, following, the first municipal election was held, which re- sulted in choosing the following persons to office : Mayor, James C. Lee ; Clerk, John M. Smith ; Trustees or Council, Benjamin Jackson, James Walsh, Samuel Cutting, T. V. Park, Otis How-
ard ; A. I. Beach acted as Treasurer. The first schoolhouse was erected on ground which Dr. B. Ridenour's residence now occupies, at the southwest corner of the public square. The present school building was erected in 1867, on ground purchased of Elias Smith in May, 1856, at a cost of $325. The lot contains four acres. The building is 70x40, has four schoolrooms on the first floor and two in the second; 200 perch of stone, and 150,000 brick. were used in its construction. Levi II. Strong was the con- tractor, and received $4.300 for the work. The first school commenced in it November 30, 1857. It was taught by A. Gerhart. The town hall was built in 1877-78, and cost about $6,000. In the winter of 1877, the Town Council agi- tated the question of building a jail. A plan of combining a town hall, jail and township house was finally conceived, and a petition was sent to the Legislature for this authority, sub- ject to the vote of the township. A bill passed the General Assembly, and at an election, at which the rural and town population contended fiercely, the affirmative carried. The band stand was erected in July and August, and dedicated September 11, 1879. The population of the village, in 1870, was over seven hundred, and in 1879, over eleven hundred.
In 1843-44, when it became certain that Rich- land County would be divided, the leading citi- zens of Bellville petitioned largely for the erec- tion of a county out of the southern part of Richland and the northern part of Knox, making Bellville the county seat ; it is needless to say without success. The first fair in the county was held in Bellville in 1850. The next year, it was held in Mansfield, agreeable to an understanding between interested parties in bothi places; and the succeeding one was to have been held in Bellville, but it remained in Mansfield. In 1860, another agricultural society was organized, and three very successful fairs were held, but it went down under the pressure of the rebellion.
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