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 74

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 74

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).

A Young Men's Christian Association was organized December 30, 1867, the first meetings being held in the Baptist Church. Its first officers were : R. Brinkerhoff, President ; L. J. Bonar and E. J. Davis, Vice President ; Mr. Allison, Recording Secretary ; Mr. Hilliar, Cor- responding Secretary, and J. H. Reed, Treas- urer. During the first year of its existence, nearly $800 were collected and expended in books, periodicals, furnishing room, etc. It continued many years with much interest, but is no longer in existence. Its books are pre- served in the public library.

The Mansfield Cemetery Association was formed in 1865, and added to the old cemetery, southeast of the eity (about a mile from the public square), thirty-eight acres. The Board of Managers are J. H. Cook, P. Bigelow, Abner Wright, N. S. Reed and E. McCoy. The grounds have been laid out in lots, walks and drives ; it is well kept, and one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the State ; the grounds, for the most part, being high and dry ; the soil generally sandy. Improvements are continu- ally made, and the location and lay of the ground is unsurpassed for the purposes of

a cemetery. William Hyde is Superintend- ent.

A building and loan association was formed in 1867, which has been well managed, has grown and prospered, and to-day is one of the permanent institutions of the city. Reed Car- penter is President ; S. A. Jennings, Secretary, and John Wood, Treasurer.

June 8, 1871, ground was broken for the Mansfield, Coldwater & Lake Michigan Rail- road; the work was pushed so rapidly that the last rail was laid December 16, 1872, and the next day a party of railway officials passed over the road on the first train over the entire route.

Having briefly glanced at the history of Mansfield, during her most prosperous years, it only remains to speak briefly of the col- lapse and consequent depression. The city might be compared to a huge balloon, taking in gas for its aerial flight. It grew large rapidly, a thing of beauty, but, alas ! not a joy forever. It became too highly inflated. Its collapse may be compared, in suddenness, to that of a punctured balloon in mid air, and al- most as fatal in its consequences. If the peo- ple were not killed outright, their feelings may be compared to those of the man who, after be- ing kicked down four pair of stairs, said he felt " shuck up like." Whatever headway the city had made during these years, seemed to have been suddenly lost. The breaking of the First National Bank was the first elap of thun- der, that seemed to come from a clear sky, but, in reality, came from the blackest cloud that ever hung over Mansfield. Following this in quick succession, came crash after crash, and the terrible financial storm swept over the city, leaving it in ruins. in more ways than one. This storm came from the east, and like other eastern storms, was very hard and long-con- tinned, and during its continuance, nearly all the smaller craft, and many of the larger, went under. A few of the larger ships-whose

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

masters always keep one eye on the financial barometer, their sails trimmed, and plenty sea- room-weathered the storm in safety.

It is not pretended that Mansfield has been followed closely, in her journey from her birth in the forest to her present proud position among the cities of the State. It was a long, weary journey, and full of quagmires and winding ways, that would be wearisome to fol- low ; but it is hoped enough has been given to stamp the picture of her growth and development on the mind of the reader. For five years she floundered among the ruins of financial disaster and hard times, but in 1878, began again to see daylight, and travel the solid, open, macadamized road to prosperity. Resumption and good times have given her a new lease of life, and during the year 1879, she has been again taking immense strides in growth and prosperity, and it may be safe to say that hun- dreds of new dwellings and business houses, many of them elegant and costly, have been erected. The old frame build- ings, on the east side of Main, between the park and Third street, have been torn down, during the last summer, and an elegant brick and stone block erected by Messrs. Swigart, Jenner & Scattergood ; and Main street now, for the first time, presents an unbroken front of brick and stone, on both sides, from Fourth street to the North American.

The new directory, for 1880, just issued, gives a good idea of the present condition of the busi- ness of the city. The directory for 1867 contained 1,715 names ; that of 1876, about 2,700, and that of 1880, 3,500. There are forty-one at-

L.M.SWIGART BLOCK.1879 .:

SWIGART BLOCK, MAIN STREET.

torneys at law ; ten barber-shops ; nine drug stores (of which that of P. Bigelow is the old- est, and it is safe to place this gentleman among the oldest, if not the oldest man in con- tinuous business in the city, without failure) ; nine dry-goods houses, six bakers ; three banks, of which the Farmers' is the oldest ; five bill- iard rooms ; eleven blacksmith-shops ; sixteen advertised boarding-houses ; one boiler works ; one book-bindery ; three book- stores, all retail-the wholesale house of J. H. Reed & Bro. having failed and gone out of existence ; one wholesale boot and shoe house, that of H. M. Weaver & Co., John G. Spencer having gone into the retail business ; six retail boot and shoe stores ; fourteen boot and shoe manufactories ; one box- maker ; one brass foundry ; two breweries; two brickyards ; one broom-shop ; one butter and egg packer; nine cabinet and furniture stores ; two candy factories ; ten carpenters and builders ; five carpet weavers ; nine carriage and wagon works ; ten cigar manufactories and tobacconists ; nine clothiers and merchant tailors, none ex- clusively wholesale; six coal dealers ; four coopers ; one cracker bakery, which receives notice in another chapter ; two crockery stores, one retail and one (Harroun & Hammond) wholesale and retail. This firm came into existence in 1873, purchas- ing the stock of Markward & Harroun. The business had been established by Sturges, Wood & Witter, in connection with their dry- goods business. Harroun & Hammond trans- ferred the stock to Hedges Block, corner of East Diamond street and the Public Square, in 1873, where they yet remain. They employ

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

two traveling salesmen, and sell about $100,000 per annum. There are five dentists ; two engine- manufacturing establishments, which receive notice in another chapter ; four express agen- cies ; three founders and machinists ; two mar- ble works ; two wholesale grocers, and one wholesale dealer in liquors and tobacco. This business has found a profitable level. Tracy & Avery employ three traveling salesmen, and do a large and safe business. Bissman, Sealts & Miller opened a wholesale grocery in Janu- ary, 1878, making, at that time, four regular wholesale groceries in the city. E. Sturges, Sr., dying in September, 1878, that firm closed up its business affairs and went out of business ; shortly afterward, Mr. Hedges dying, Remy, Hedges & Walters also closed up their busi- ness. This left but two wholesale groceries. Col. Hiram Miller dying in 1878, the business was continued by Bissman & Sealts. Mr. Frederick Walters, of the old firm of Remy, Hedges & Walters, continued the liquor busi- ness, which had been established by the old firm. There are twenty-five retail groceries; four hardware stores, all retail ; six harness-shops ; two hat and cap stores, one of which. F. Lahm & Co., wholesale, in addition to their retail bus- iness ; eight hotels, which are elsewhere men- tioned ; six insurance agents ; one iron-roof factory ; two leather stores ; six livery stables; eight meat markets ; two mills, which are men- tioned in another chapter ; one wholesale, and

four retail millinery stores ; five newspapers, elsewhere mentioned ; one normal college, also mentioned in the chapter on schools; two wholesale notion stores, that of J. R. Brown & Sons, and Reed, Ink & Lewis-the former do- ing business in Hedges' new block, on the east side of the square, carrying a large stock, and running two wagons with their goods. Reed, Ink & Lewis are on the "Sturges Corner," and have lately added a retail store in the same block.

There are three photograph galleries ; nine- teen physicians ; two planing-mills-McVay & Allison and the Mansfield Lumber and Building Company ; ten restaurants ; thirty-six saloons ; one shirt factory, which is kept by J. H. Knisely, in the Krause Block. This busi- ness was established in 1876, by its present owner and proprietor, and has become firmly and permanently established. There are also two soap, and two suspender factories, else- where noticed ; six stove stores ; five tailor- shops ; one tanyard; one toy store ; one trunk factory ; six jewelry stores ; one woolen- mill, elsewhere noticed ; one wire-works, and a host of lesser industries, employing from one to twenty hands each. The directory also gives the names of ninety-one streets.

Much valuable and interesting history, mostly relating to the citizens of Mansfield and vicin- ity, will be found elsewhere, in the biographical department.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

CHAPTER LII.

MIFFLIN

TOWNSHIP.

LOCATION, ORGANIZATION AND BOUNDARY-PHYSICAL FEATURES-CRAWFORD'S MARCH-HOME OF THE RED MEN INDIAN RELICS, ETC. - SETTLERS AND SETTLEMENTS - DANIEL HOOVER AND HIS BEAR STORIES -JAMES MCDERMOTT-ROBERT BENTLEY-SURVEYED-SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES -BRIDGES ON THE BLACK FORK- MILLS-VILLAGES-POPULATION.

S YEPTEMBER 5, 1814, Vermillion Township, being then eighteen miles long from north to south, and twelve miles wide, was cut in two parts by a line drawn through the center north and south. The western half received the name of Mifflin, and was six by eighteen miles in extent. Two years later (1816), this. territory was again divided, and the portion six miles square, lying directly east of Madison, was called Mifflin. It is very probable the name came from Pennsylvania with the settlers -from Mifflin Township, Allegheny County. When Ashland County was created in 1846, the township was again divided, the east line following the general course of the Black Fork, crossing and recrossing it; but as the history includes all of Richland County as originally created, so in this sketch of Mifflin, it will be treated as if the latter division had not taken place, the divisions, both in Ashland and Richland, being still called Mifflin. It is bounded on the north by Weller and Milton, on the east by Vermillion, south by Monroe and west by Madison.

The surface is broken and hilly, especially along the Black Fork, where there are deep, dark ravines and high, rocky bluffs which are for the most part still heavily timbered. For beauty and picturesqueness, the scenery can hardly be excelled in the State. Beyond these hills, the township is gently rolling, and is cov- ered with fine farms and farmhouses. The farmers are generally well and comfortably set-

tled, prosperous and healthy. Occasionally, along the Black Fork, a level bottom pushes back the hills, and some of the finest farms in Richland County are here situated. It is well watered. The Black Fork runs across it from northwest to southeast, and the Rocky Fork passes across the southwest corner. Emptying into these are various smaller streams flowing from every part of the township. In addition to these, numerous springs, many of which are large, beautiful and valuable, burst from the ground at various points ; some of them near Petersburg, forming a very pretty lake about a half mile in diameter. and forty feet in depth at its deepest point. It is the focus of many pleasure excursions. furnishing good fishing, boating and beautiful scenery. It is on the farm of Mr. John P. Culler.

In 1782, Col. William Crawford's command passed through this township, marching across from the site of the Indian village of Green- town to the Rocky Fork of the Mohican, up which they traveled to Mansfield. This was twenty-seven years before a permanent settle- ment was made, and, so far as history informs us, these were the first white men to press the soil of Mifflin. Long before this, however, there is abundant proof that this was the favorite hunting-ground of the red men. Any one who understands the Indian character, his fondness for roaming and hunting, and his love of nature, can readily understand what a para- dise this must have been for him. These open

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

woods of grand old oaks, sugar, hickory, beech and all varieties of hard wood ; these towering hills, quiet valleys and dark ravines ; these sparkling streams, springs of pure water, and little lakes ; the great variety of game and fish, altogether made this region a perfect Indian home.

From the time of the first settlement to the present, the farmers have plowed up great num- bers of Indian relics-flint arrow-points, stone axes, stone wedges and many other varieties of stone implements. Hundreds of these are now in possession of the people, but too often they are passed by and plowed under again without a thought of their value. On the farm of Ben- jamin Staman (the same upon which Martin Ruffnor, who was killed by the Indians, built his cabin) is an old Indian burying-ground. It is about one-fourth of a mile west of Staman's Mill. A number of graves were found and, be- ing quite shallow, were readily exposed. The most striking peculiarity about them is the fact that the bodies were buried in a sort of stone coffin. After digging the grave, it appears the bottom was covered with small bowlders. the body placed upon them and a sort of wall of the same materials placed around it. Over it were placed flat stones. thus forming a stone coffin, upon which the dirt was thrown. Many of these skeletons were in a good state of pres- ervation when discovered. It is also stated that near the cemetery have been found many trinkets, used as ornaments for the nose and ears. Mr. Staman has a small collection of relics, gathered from different parts of his farm ; among others, a musket barrel, partly rusted away, which was found about eighteen inches under- ground, near the bank of the Black Fork. One of Johnny Appleseed's nurseries was located on this same farm, about half a mile from Petersburg.

On the bottom northwest of Petersburg (Mif- flin), is a large mound, evidently an artificial structure. It is composed of drift-rounded bowlders, gravel and light loam.

In the year 1809, the red men of Black Fork heard "the first low wash of waves," coming up that stream from the direction of the Muskingum, and the "human sea," destined soon to overwhelm and destroy them. In that year, James Copus, from Greene County, Penn., became the first actual settler in the township. He was afterward murdered by the Indians, to- gether with Martin Ruffner and the Zimmer family, all these names being familiar in the history of this State. As this tragedy receives particular attention in a separate chapter, no detailed account of it will be given in the his- tory of the township.

In the same year, several white men came up as far as Greentown, where about one hun- dred Indians were living in comfortable cabins. under an old chief named Armstrong. Among them were Samuel Lewis, Henry McCart, Mr. Shaeffer and Andrew Craig. The latter was in this vicinity before James Copus, but so far as is known, did not settle within the limits of Mifflin. These men and others were hunting homes in the wilderness, and may have squatted for a short time, and some permanently, in the township about the same time with Mr. Copus. The next year (1810), Archibald Gardner, Samuel Hill, David Hill and some others came. It is not certainly known whether they came in the fall of 1809, or the spring of 1810, more likely the latter. It is a question whether Samuel Hill or Archibald Gardner was the first settler in Mifflin on the Richland County side of the line, but the preponderance of evidence seems to be in favor of the former. Samuel Hill settled on the north- east quarter of Section 33, now occupied by Solomon Balliett. If he settled there when he first came-and there is no evidence he did not -he was the first, or among the first settlers in Mifflin in Richland County. Where Archibald Gardner was during the year 1810 has not been ascertained, but in the following year, he traveled up the Black Fork, and built his cabin three-fourths of a mile north of the present

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

village of Windsor, on the northwest quarter of Section 5. He was the first settler in this part of the township. It has been before stated that Gardner built his cabin on the site of the vil- lage, but Dr. William Bushnell, who is good authority on matters of that kind, places it as stated above. Frederick Zimmer, Sr., Fred- erick Zimmer, Jr., Phillip Zimmer and John Lambright also came in 1810, settling in the neighborhood of Mr. Copus. Following these in 1812, were Martin Ruffner, Michael Ruffner and Richard Hughes, who settled in the same neighborhood, on the east side of Black Fork. The same year, Samuel Lewis and Christian Hoover settled on Section S, and John Peter- son who came from Coshocton County, Ohio, settled on the east side of Black Fork. He was originally from New Jersey. The larger part of these early pioneers were from Western Pennsylvania. As the Indians now became hostile on account of the breaking-out of the war between the United States and Great Brit- ain, the tide of immigration was checked, and few if any, further settlements were made between the years 1812 and 1815. At the latter date, however, the tide rolled westward again with such volume and power that it swept over the State. The well-remembered Robert Bently came in that year and settled on Section 9 ; Francis Andrews, on Section 3; Leonard Cron- inger, Section 2; William Gardner, Section 27: William Mathews, Section 16; Hugh Hale, Section 7; Robert Andrews, Section 5; David Ritt. Section 6; also about this time, James McDermott, Samuel Simpson, David Newell, John Bell and Thomas Wilson. In 1816, George Rummell, John Vantilburg and John Pettet settled on Section 8; and no doubt many others whose names cannot now be ascertained. The hardy pioneers, after fight- ing their way to and through the wilderness, subduing its ragged and rugged places, mold- ing them into beautiful liomes ; found them- selves, when ready to live, at the end of life.

Few are now living. Mrs. Sarah Vail, who was 4 little Sally Copus when her father was mur- dered by the Indians, is yet among the living. Mr. Daniel Hoover died last winter, a little over eighty-four years old, after a life full of history, much of which had faded from his memory. He was born in Rockingham County, Va., in 1796. His children are Joseph, John, Mary, Harry, Aaron, Christian, Alfred, Elizabeth and Daniel. He often told of meeting a bear one day, when he was hunting his pigs, which he thought was almost as large as a cow. Being unarmed, he did not seek a close acquaintance. At another time, when passing through the woods, he came suddenly upon a bear, which his dog attacked. Mr. Hoover, fearing his dog would get worsted in the fight, seized a club and went to his assist- ance. He succeeded in grasping one of the hind legs of bruin, and, being a powerful man. placed it across his knee and broke it. The struggle was long and desperate, but Mr. Iloo- ver and his dog triumphed in the end. At another time, being out coon-hunting. his dogs treed something he supposed was a coon ; but on climbing the tree, Mr. Hoover found himself face to face with a huge black bear, which came toward him with savage growls. He concluded that was not the coon he was hunting, and came down much more rapidly than he went up. Hundreds of similar stories linger in the mem- ory of the old settlers, and are handed down to their children. They show the condition of the country in early times.

Another pioneer who was prominent in the township and county, and much respected by the early pioneers, was James McDermott, who was born in Cumberland County, Penn., in August, 1758 or 1759. He came to Mifflin in 1815, where he continued to reside until his death, June 25, 1859.

His father, Archibald McDermott, was born in Lancaster, Penn. His grandfather, Daniel MeDermott, came from the Highlands of Seot- land. He was a private soldier in the war of

Henry Swank

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

the Revolution, serving the first two years at Fort Du Quesne (Pittsburgh) ; then marching over the Allegheny Mountains, joining the army of Gen. Washington at Valley Forge, where he suffered through that terrible winter. He was in the battle of Princeton, and all other opera- tions of the army at that period. He was a member of the Methodist Church from 1816. When he died his children numbered eleven, his grandchildren seventy-nine, and great-grand- children one hundred and thirteen:

Another gentleman, who honored Mifflin with his presence in 1815, was Robert Bentley, whose reputation extended beyond the boundaries of townships, counties, and even States. With his family, he camped about a week upon the south- west quarter of Section 10. while he was build- ing his cabin. He brought with him two yoke of oxen, two horses ahead of them, two cows. two calves, and a fine mare. upon which Mrs. Bentley rode with her child Mary, who subse- quently became the wife of Dr. William Bush- nell. The only road in the township was the State road from Wooster through Mansfield to Bucyrus-a mere trail sufficient for the passage of a wagon.

Mr. Bentley was appointed Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1821, and served seven years. In 1828, he was elected to the State Senate, and was re-elected in 1830, serving in that capacity four years. In 1839. he removed to Mansfield, where he resided at the time of his death in 1862. He was for some time connected with the military service, was a Major General of militia, and a promi- nent military man in his day.

This township was surveyed by James Hedges, Deputy United States Surveyor, in 1807. The first schoolhouse was built on Section 16, by Andrew Newman, Christian Hoover and Robert Bentley. It was near the present site of Koogle's Schoolhouse. The first teacher was Margaret Halston, who taught during the summer. She lived in the Weller settlement. Previous to this,

however, schools were kept in the log huts of the settlers, and meetings of all kinds were held in houses, barns, sheds and out of doors, as seems to have been the practice everywhere in the new settle ments before schoolhouses or public build- ings of any kind had an existence.

The first church in the township, so far as can be ascertained, was built on the southeast quarter of Section 17, in 1825. It was of logs, and never acquired the dignity and respecta- bility attaching to doors and windows. James Rowland, of Mansfield, was the first minister. After its abandonment, the congregation came to Mansfield. About the same time, a log church was erected near Petersburg by the German Reformed people. This was used by people of all denominations for many years, and when it was abandoned, another log church was erected near the same place. It was on the northeast quarter of Section 14, and was erected through the influence of the Messrs. Cullers, who were its principal supporters. The first Pastor was George Lighter, followed by Mr. Huffman. The date of its erection was about 1840. When better churches were erected in Petersburg, this church was aban- doned. But two churches now remain in the township. outside the villages of Windsor and Petersburg, having an organized existence. One of these is the German Reformed. erected in 1851, on the southwest quarter of Section 30. It cost about $500. For many years pre- vious to its erection, services were held in the log schoolhouse, and afterward in a stone schoolhouse, on the northwest quarter of Sec- tion 32. These two schoolhouses have gone down with the lapse of time, a neat frame now serves the purpose. as is the case over other parts of the township. The principal founders of this church were the Ballietts. who are quite numerous and influential in that neighborhood. The first ministers in this organization were Samuel and George Lighter and Solomon Ritz. After several years. the attendance failed, and

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

the Lutherans organized at the same place with about twenty-five members. The Rev. A. L. Wiles, D. D., now of Wooster, was their first minister. The principal members were Henry Balliet and wife, Rachel Bell, Jacob Bru- baker and wife, and Betsy Ross. Mr. Wiles was followed by James Emerson, P. F. Dorn- blazer and A. Brown. The present minister (November, 1879), is Cyrus Ernsberger, and present membership, about seventy.

At the time of the organization of the Luth- eran Church, their Sunday school first came into existence, and has continued in a healthy condition until the present time. J. P. Gates was the first Superintendent. S. S. Balliett is the present Superintendent. The membership is about sixty. The first teachers in the old log schoolhouse, where the church originated, were Joseph Dix, Alanson Reeves and Rebecca McDermott. The latter, now Mrs. Gates, is still living in that neighborhood. She is about seventy years old, but enjoys excellent health, and her memory is clear and strong. She says when her father, James MeDermott, came to the country, he was stopped on the east side of Black Fork, with one or two others, by the swol- len condition of the stream. Two of their young men, being strong swimmers, plunged in and reached the opposite shore in safety, car- rying lines with them. by which they drew axes across, and, having discovered where two large trees grew on the opposite bank, on a line drawn at right angles with the stream, they felled these trees toward each other ; a bridge was thus formed, upon which, piece by piece, all their earthly possessions were conveyed to the opposite bank. This was the first bridge across Black Fork. In the following year. Mr. McDermott built the first bridge across that stream for the general public. It was made of logs and slabs. Now that beautiful stream is spanned in many places by elegant iron bridges, and substantial wooden covered bridges. In early times, small flatboats were known to

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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