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 76

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 76

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).

Wild turkeys were also very plenty, and were trapped as well as shot. A pen for this purpose was made in different shapes, according to the fancy of the builder. It was generally made in the woods, of small logs, about eight or ten feet square, and covered over with bark or brush. The logs were far enough apart to admit light to the pen, but not allow the escape of a turkey. In two or more places under the sides of the pen, the earth was removed suf-

ficiently to allow the turkey to creep under into the pen. Considerable corn was scattered about these places of ingress, and the turkey in picking up the corn kept his head down until inside the pen. It was then caught, for it did not have sense enough to creep out the way it came. It always looks up, instead of down, for a place of exit.

William Chew, the father of the boy who was treed by the bear, came to Monroe in 1821, and settled on Rocky Fork. He was the father of seventeen children, many of whom are now citizens of the township. The Mr. Applegate mentioned settled on Rocky Fork in 1822, and cleared a farm, which is now one of the finest in the township.

In 1819, the following names appear on the tax duplicate of Monroe Township, which affords positive evidence regarding its early settlements. It is presumed the list comprises nearly all the heads of the families in the township at that date.

"James and George Archer, Abraham Baugh- man, Stephen Brady, Jacob Baughman, George Baughman, Frederick Boneberger, James Church, Frederick Cramer, John Douglas, David Ellis, William Furgeson, Benjamin Forbey. Benjamin Gatton, Christian Good, Solomon Gladden, Henry Huffman, Rebecca Hensel. James Irwin, John Iler, Peter Kinney. Lawrence King, John Lambright, William McLaughlin, Amerine Marshall, Thomas and Alexander McBride, Alexander McBride, Jr., Jacob Oler, John G. Peterson, William Ray, Andrew Richey, Jacob Sweitzer, Frederick Sweitzer, William Slater, Thomas Summerman, Samuel Stewart David Shrack, Ebenezer Smith, M. Shinnebarger. Jeremiah Smart, Jacob and Mordecai Williams, William Wilson, Adams Wininger, Samuel White, Adam and Robert Wolfe, and Peter Zerby."

The total number of horses in the township was seventy-eight, total number of cattle one hundred and fourteen ; the total tax on these

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

animals was $34.20, or less than 18 cents per head.

In the. spring of 1817, the first election was held, and John G. Peterson, William McLangh- lin and David Ellis were elected Trustees ; David Crawford, Treasurer.

. At the election held the succeeding fall, Thomas Pope and Andrew Richey were elected Justices of the Peace. The clerks of this elec- tion were Solomon Gladden and David Ellis. The election was held in a cabin on the farm afterward owned by Daniel Beasor, and which is yet in possession of a member of that family. Solomon Gladden was the third Justice of the Peace, and held the office fifteen years. At this first election, the candidates found much difficulty in getting together enough voters to hold a legal election, ten being the required number. Up to 12 o'clock only nine had voted, and matters began to look serious ; the candi- dates were alarmed ; the fate of two Justices of the Peace was held in dreadful suspense. Nothing was impossible to a politician, however, even at that early day, and, after a solemn coun- cil, it was suggested by a brilliant wire-puller that the woods be searched for another sove- reign. Frederick Sweitzer was the man who was dispatched on this mission, and soon re-appeared with Mordecai Williams, who cast the tenth vote and thus saved the country. It is very evident that they had not then learned the art of stuffing ballot-boxes, else they would not have taken the trouble to send for another voter.

The religious sentiment of the township is better developed than in most other townships of the county ; one of the earliest churches in Riehland County having been established here- Mount Zion. That friend of humanity. Johnny Appleseed, was probably instrumental in or- ganizing one of the first. if not the first relig- ious society. While scattering apple-seeds, he also scattered religious tracts, and these, like his seeds, took root in the soil of this township

and grew. Mr. Jolm Tucker, one of the oldest of Monroe's pioneers, concluded that Johnny's tracts contained as much religion as any man needed, and succeeded in organizing a society, of which David Crawford, Joseph Applegate, Henry Wyrick, John Eyler, George Shambangh, their wives, and some of their children, were members. This society did not flourish, how- ever, and after a time, ceased to exist.

The Mount Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church was the first established in the township, and among the first in the county, having been or- ganized by a man named Ridenour soon after the war of 1812. Ridenour was the first preacher, and held meetings in private houses, barns, and in the open air. It is believed the first organi- zation was effected, and first meetings, held in the house of Michael Shinnebarger. Some of the first members were Michael Shinnebarger and wife, Michael Culler, Jacob Koogle, Adam Wininger and wife, Gerhart Sheets, a carpenter, John Ernsberger, Henry Smith, the Messrs. Keifers, Mrs. Bonenberg, John Swigart and wife. The Cullers, of which there are many families now living, both in Mifflin and Monroe, were influential in this church, as well as in the organization and building up of other Lutheran churches in this part of the county. They have been ready, it appears, with their money and influence to assist in this work. Adam Win- inger, above mentioned, was the first blacksmith in the township, and located his shop on the Rocky Fork. a short distance east of Lucas. After Ridenour's time. Michael Schuh arrived, took charge of this organization, and assisted materially in strengthening it. It was during his pastorate that the first church in the town- ship was erected near the spot where Mount Zion Church now stands. It was a log church, and was erected in 1818, on a fine elevation overlooking the valley of the Black Fork. This elevation probably suggested the name of Mount Zion. This organization has always been a live, active and numerous one. The old church

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

was occupied until 1832, when a frame was erected. This building was about 30x50 feet, and was erected near the old log building. Mr. Castetter and George Culler did the carpenter work, and the members generally furnished the material. This building served the purpose until 1866, when the present fine frame building was erected at a cost of about $5,000. In January. 1880, they finished the steeple and placed in it a good bell.

The ministers in this church, after Mr. Schuh, were : Rev. Mr. Mohler. who preached in both English and German ; J. F. Ruth, who came from Frederick County, Md .; George Leiter, from Mansfield ; Rev. Hanich, William Emerson, Jesse Helsel, J. F. Ruth (a second term), Harmon L. Wiles, Isaiah J. Delo, G. H. Slaybaugh and John A. Hall. The present membership is about two hundred, and the contributions to charitable purposes very lib- eral.

The Sunday school has always been a strong one, and now numbers about one hundred members. It was organized in 1844 by William B. Miller. though spasmodic efforts had been made before that for a Sunday school. The school has always been well sustained. and is an influential institution. From Mount Zion Church have sprung five other churches, within a radius of a few miles, viz .: The Pleasant Val- ley Church, of Monroe ; the Petersburg Church ; the Emanuel Church, of Madison Township, near Goudy's Mill ; the St. John's and Lucas Churches, both of Monroe.

The St. John's Evangelical Lutheran is located near the southeast corner of the town- ship. It was organized in 1838, by the Rev. George Leiter, at the residence of M. Stouffer, near the present location of the church. The first meetings were held in private houses and other places until a church could be built. The original members were as follows, the list being copied from the first record-book, now in possession of the Pastor, Rev. C. S. Ernsber-

ger : John Smith, Mathias Stouffer, George Rummel, Samuel Hess, John Graber and wife, Elizabeth Stouffer, Mary Rummel, Nancy Smith. Peter Rummel, Samuel and Elizabeth Dome, Catharine Crouse, Mary Shellenberger, Louisa Zoda. Margaret Parr. and John and Ellen Rummel. The ministers, after Rev. Leiter, were Revs. Shaffer. Hoffman. Eastman, Smith, Emerson, Ruth, Wiles, Domblazer, Ear- hart and Ernsberger.

The first church building was a frame. erected in 1842. at an expense of about $200; this was occupied until 1870. when the present comfortable and substantial brick was erected, at a cost of about $4,600. The Pastor of this church serves three other Lutheran churches, the four churches employing the minister at about $800 per annum ; dividing the expenses among them.' The present membership is 120. A Sunday school was organized in 1843. and is healthy and well sustained, with a member- ship of about sixty. L. Ernsberger is present Superintendent.

The Pleasant Valley English Lutheran Church was organized in 1863, and a church erected about the same time on Section 28, near the residence of John J. Douglas. Charles Schrack donated the ground for this church, with the understanding that it should be free to all denominations when not occupied by the Lutherans. The principal original members were John J. Douglas, Aurelius Tucker, Lem- uel Craig. George Swigart. John Swigart, Ben- jamin and Adam Berry, Joseph Hastings and others. The church is a neat, substantial brick. and cost about $3,000. It was erected during the war, when political matters divided the people of that, as well as other townships, and under the excitement and feeling engendered by that struggle. the regular Pastors of the other Lutheran churches in the township did not occupy its pulpit. but the feeling has now subsided, and the " brethren dwell together in unity.'

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

D. I. Foust was the first minister ; D. A. Coon was also one of the early ministers, after which came T. F. Dornblazer, and other regular ministers of the Lutheran Church in the cir- cuit. Rev. C. S. Ernsberger preaches for them at the present time. The membership is about one hundred and twenty-five.

Many years before this church was erected, a Sunday school was organized in the Hastings Schoolhouse, called the Hopewell Sunday School. It was well sustained, and when the new church was erected. moved into it. H. J. MeDanel is present Superintendent, with a membership of about seventy.

The United Presbyterian Church of Monroe is a comfortable brick edifice, located on Section 30. It originated a few miles south of its present loca- tion in Worthington Township. On the records in Mansfield appears a deed, dated November 24. 1827, from William Robinson, "to Frances Johnson, John Douglas and Robert Kenton, as Trustees of the Worthington Associate Reformed Church and their successors in office." It con- veys two acres of ground in the northeast quar- ter of Section 18, for the purposes of this church. The organization of this church occurred some years before this, and the first church was built of logs. The original members were John Douglas, Frances Johnson, Adam Johnson, John Rob- inson, Robert and William Stewart, Robert Kenton, Peter Alexander, David Filloon and others.

Rev. James Johnson, of Mansfield, was one of its earliest ministers, preaching there once a month ; afterward, Rev. William Loughridge and the Rev. George Wilson. officiated ; and later, Rev. Richard Gailey. In 1858. it became the United Presbyterian by the union of the Associate and Associate Reformed, and the new church was erected in Monroe, which location was considered more central. Rev. D. H. French followed Mr. Gailey in 1867. Mr. Gai- ley was the first preacher in the new church, and opened a select school in the same building,

at which young men were prepared for college. He afterward built a small frame building near the church to which he transferred his school, and which came to be called the Monroe Semi- nary. Mr. Gailey afterward transferred his school to Lexington, where he died, but his daughter still continued the school. The old seminary in Monroe is occupied as a dwelling by James McCulloch, a brother of the venerable Judge McCulloch, of Mansfield.

Rev. G. M. Reed preaches in this church every three weeks. The membership is about forty-eight. For the last eight years, no Sun- day school has been connected with the church.

The Rocky Fork and Black Fork furnished the settlers of Monroe with that which is so necessary everywhere, but which was of great importance in a new country, and especially before steam power was understood-water- power for milling purposes. A thing most essential to the well-being and prosperity of every community is a mill-one that will saw the lumber for dwellings, and manufacture corn and wheat into meal and flour. To-day mills can be located at any point where water can be procured from a spring or well, but in those days, before steam was used, mills were located on the banks of a stream, flowing with sufficient volume and force to turn the machinery. These streams were of incalcula- ble benefit to the earliest settlers, not only to furnish water power but means of transporta- tion to and from civilization. The Black Fork was navigable for small row-boats and scows up through Monroe into Mifflin Township, and the hunters, trappers and farmers of those days would load their canoes with furs, pelts and produce of different kinds and travel down the stream to the nearest trading-place, and return with such materials as they needed, and for which they had exchanged their cargoes. The rapid advance of civilization, the building of mills and cutting of roads soon put an end to this, and for many years the streams have

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

been so obstructed by mill-dams that any kind of navigation is impossible.

The earliest settlers in Monroe went to Fred- ericktown and Mount Vernon for their grind- ing, and afterward to Herring's mill at New- ville, in Worthington Township. Peter Zuby has the honor of erecting the first mill in Monroe, about a mile east of the present vil- lage of Lucas, on Rocky Fork, in 1820. It was a "little choppin' mill," as the old settlers express it, by which it is meant to convey the idea that it was a small affair and did not do fine work. It is fair to presume that a little improvement has been made in milling since that time. Mr. Zuby erected both a saw and grist mill, both of which are yet in opera- tion, and are now known as the Doran Mills. Mills were erected from time to time, until they numbered twelve or fifteen, including saw-mills. The second saw-mill was built by a Mr. Ailer, half a mile from, and a little south of west of, Lucas, about 1822. This mill is still in operation, being now owned by Mr. Williams. The second grist- mill was built on the Rocky Fork, half a mile east of the present village of Lucas, in 1830, by Reinhart Oldfield. Later, it was owned by Abraham Marks, and is now owned and opera- ted by Silas Rummel. A splendid saw-mill, one of the best in the township, is also at- tached to the mill. One of the earliest saw- mills was erected by the McBrides, within the present corporation of the village of Lucas, about 1820. It is still running, having been repaired and rebuilt several times. One of the early saw and grist mills was that of Charles Schrack, on that pretty little tributary of the Clear Fork called Switzer's Run, in the southern part of the township. It is a water mill. The third mill in the township was built in 1830, by Mr. LaRue, on Rocky Fork, about one mile west of Lucas. It is now owned and operated by Mr. Mathews. In 1835, John Swigart built a saw-mill on Thomp- son's Run, below and near the Hastings Post

Office. Jacob Culler also built a saw-mill in 1832, on the Rocky Fork, below the old Zuby mill, and still further down the stream is a saw- mill built by the Beasores about 1855, now known as the Mower's Mill. About 1846, John Culler built a woolen-mill one and a half miles east of Lucas, near Jacob Culler's saw- mill. It has never done a large business, but is yet, occasionally, in operation.

Monroe can boast of only one village at present-Lucas-though an attempt was made many years ago to start a town at what is known as the Six Corners, near the center of the township, where a number of roads cross. Mr. William Wigton owned the land where a village was blocked out, which was first called Mechanicsburg, and afterward Pinhook. Mr. Wigton came to the township in 1826, and was Justice of the Peace sixteen years. Chris- tian Welty bought an acre of ground of Mr. Wigton, laid out the town, the plat of which was, however, never placed on record. Mr. Welty built the first house, and worked as car- penter in the neighborhood. Soon after. James Greer built a two-story blacksmitli- shop, and the town grew until it contained five or six dwellings, a grocery, a few shops. a post office, called Six Corners; and a hotel, kept for some time by William B. Miller. At present, no business is done there. and only about three occupied dwellings and the blacksmith-shop, remain of the town. The post office has disappeared. Soon after it was started, an eccentric character by the name of Nicholas Swarenger, came along and gave it the name of "Pinhook," which name the place will probably retain as long as time shall last.

Lucas was laid out in 1836, by John Tucker, before mentioned, who acted as agent for his brother David, the proprietor of the town. It is pleasantly situated, about seven miles southeast of Mansfield, on the Pennsylvania Central Railroad, and on the Rocky Fork of the Mohican. It is on the west half of the

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southeast quarter of Section S. The first lots were sold at auction, and the first house, built by James King, is yet standing near the lower end of the village, on the east side of Main street, a few doors below the Monroe House- Lot No. 2. The first store in the place was opened by Mr. King in this building. Gen. Brooks encamped on this spot on his way to the seat of war in 1812, cleared off a little patch of ground here and cut the first road. The place was named in honor of Gov. Lucas, of Ohio. The frame hotel called the Monroe House is probably the second house in the village, and has been used for hotel purposes ever since it was built, having been several times repaired and enlarged. It stands at the intersection of the two roads that cross in the village, and has never yet had a competitor in the business. A majority of the first settlers in Monroe located their lands along the Rocky Fork, near the site of Lucas, and two of the earliest schoolhouses were built in this neigh- borhood, not far apart, one called the McBride, and the other the Williams Schoolhouse. These served the purpose until the village was incor- corporated, when a two-story frame schoolhouse was erected by the corporation. In 1877, this was moved up on Main street and is occupied by Mr. Swigart as a wagon-shop, and a fine brick was erected for school purposes. This building is three stories in height and cost about $6,000. The two lower stories are used for the schools, and the upper occupied by the Odd Fellows. Three teachers are employed, Marian Douglas, son of J. J. Douglas, being Principal. The buiding was erected by John Charles. Lu- cas can only boast of one church at present. The first church organized in the place was a Baptist, about 1830, by Rev. James Johnson. The first organization occurred in a schoolhouse, and for several years meetings were held in this house ; but they succeeded, in 1838, in erecting a frame church. The original mem- bers of this society were Alexander Lakin,

James Hewlit, Cornelius Bartelow, Thomas Moffitt, Peter Sweitzer, and others. After a time, the older members moving away, the organization was broken up and the church sold.

Rev. S. B. Leiter also organized a German Reformed Church here at an early day ; they worshiped in the Baptist Church, and, after- ward, when that church was sold, joined with the Lutherans in building the old frame church that stood on the hill where the new brick now stands. This was called a union church, was built in 1846, and occupied by both denomina- tions. The German Reformed organization did not last, however, and the church finally came into possession of the Lutherans, who, in 1872, built the only church now in the village. It is a substantial brick, and is not yet entirely fin- ished. This church was organized about 1850, and originated, as before mentioned, from the Mount Zion Church. The original members were David Balliet, Samuel Henry, Samuel Barr, David Henry, David Leiter, John Crome and others. The first Pastor was Rev. W. A. G. Emerson, followed by Revs. Jesse Helsell, F. J. Ruth, H, L. Wiles, and others before named in connection with the other Luth- eran churches in the township. Rev. C. S. Ernsberger is present Pastor. The member- ship is about one hundred and thirty. As is the case with the other Lutheran churches in this vicinity, a large and healthy Sunday school is maintained. It is a union school, the children of all religious denominations attending ; the present enrollment of pupils being 164. Jacob Leiter is Superintendent.

Lucas is about half a mile long, but without much width, being built principally on either side of a single street. It contains three black- smith-shops, one hotel, one wagon-shop, four doc- tors-Bowles, Mecklen, Conway and Skeggs ; and three stores, kept by I. C. Charles, Myers & Son, and W.W. Lemon. Charles keeps groceries and notions in the brick block on the corner, at the intersection of the two streets. Myers &

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

547

Son carry a stock of dry goods, groceries and general merchandise, keeping what is called a "country store," a general assortment of of everything country people want; W. W. Lemon carries a large stock of the same class of goods. These stores are well sustained, and business does not appear to be overdone.

In 1850, the population of the township was 1,719, all white; ten years later, it numbered

1,765. In 1870. it is found to have decreased in numbers for some reason, the census show- ing a population of 1,572. Probably the war of the rebellion had something to do with this decrease. Considering the extent of available territory in this country, and the cheap lands of the West, any great changes in the popula- tion cannot be expected.

CHAPTER LIV.

PERRY TOWNSHIP.

DESCRIPTION-STREAMS-ORGANIZATION-EARLY OFFICERS-SUBSEQUENT TERRITORIAL CHANGES-EARLY SETTLERS -MILLS-VILLAGES-CHURCHES-LOST RUN.

PERRY is one of the original surveyed or | large part of the township was covered with forest, principally beechwood, while the ground was covered with a dense growth of nettles. and the decayed accumulation of many years formed a surface soil, which could be easily plowed with a boot-heel, and which disguised the true nature of the soil to the inexperienced. This variety of land was very inviting to the pioneers who knew nothing of the nature of beech soil, and many were in this manner caused to pass over the most valuable tracts and enter inferior land. The soil is generally argillaceous or clayey. and all the ordinary erops are successfully grown, where care is ex- ereised in maintaining its fertility, in connection with proper cultivation, and its entire surface is available for cultivation. There is more cleared land in this township than in Jefferson, although it was settled later.

Congressional townships, and contains (in both counties) thirty-six sections. Its surface is less diversified than that of either of the other two townships bordering on Knox County. and more so than its western neighbor, Congress. which at one time belonged to Richland County. This township may be regarded as the table land and end of the broken country that char- acterizes Eastern Ohio, and furnishes some of the head-waters of the Clear Fork of the Mohican River, and the Owl Creek, which makes it the dividing ridge between these two streams ; and it also forms a part of the dividing ridge between the Muskingum and Scioto Rivers. The Owl Creek cuts diagonally across the southwest corner of the township, and has several tributaries from it. The Clear Fork flows almost east, through the second tier of sections from the north, after the union of the branches into which it is divided. The de- clivity toward the Owl Creek is rapid, and very broken, while toward the Clear Fork it is com- paratively gentle, with a surface more smooth. The most fertile soil in the township is along the streams in the northern part. Originally a

In the organization of the county, Perry Township was embraced in the election district known as Jefferson, the boundaries of which contained six Congressional townships. By an act, September 5, 1814, it was reduced to three of the original townships, and the citizens of Perry participated with Jefferson in one election.

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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