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 82

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 82

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).

As to Mr. Roe's politics, he says he threw up his hiat, when a boy of fourteen, at the election of Andrew Jackson as President. In 1836, when Van Buren and Harrison ran, he was entitled to vote, but, owing to the former casting a vote to prevent the circulation of antislavery documents, he could not support him. and believing Harrison to be incompetent, he did not vote at all. In 1840, being better posted, as he thought, he concluded to support Tyler, but afterward discovered that he was a slave- holder. Slavery, in his mind, became of more importance than all other matters of legisla- tion ; 200.000 slaveholders in the South ruled the nation, and he, for' one, would not partici- pate in such wickedness. In 1852, he voted for John P. Hale, the candidate of the " Liberty party ;" in 1856, for John C. Fremont : in 1860 and 1864, for A. Lincoln; in 1868 and 1872, for U. S. Grant ; after which he became dissatis- fied with the Republican party, for the reasons, among others. that Jeff Davis and the other arch traitors were not hung, that treason might be " made odious," and as a warning to other evil-doers ; and because the right of suffrage was extended to rebel colonels and other higher officers, by which they have gained control of Congress, and are making laws for the nation they tried to destroy. He, therefore, withdrew from the party, and joined the new Reform party headed by James P. Walker for President in 1876. It is opposed to all secret societies.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Mr. Roe is a farmer and stock-raiser ; has been a member of the United Presbyterian Church ever since its organization in 1858, and before that was a member of the Associate Presbyterian. It will be seen from the fore- going, that he is a man of strong convictions of duty, and is presented as a type of the men who formed the substratum of the population of Springfield Township. .

The first Sabbath school was started in 1820, by Robert Finney. It was held for several years in the private dwelling of John Chambers. Some of its first members were John and Susan Chambers, John and James Finney, Mathew Curran and James Larimer. Of these, John and James Finney and Susan Chambers are still living. They were Presbyterians and Asso- ciates. Their first meetings and publie gather- ings of all kinds were held at private houses, but, in 1822, a log church was built, one mile north of Ontario, at what is called the Five Corners, by the Presbyterians. Jesse Edger- ton was the active spirit in founding this church. He came from Harrison County, Ohio, and had five sons-John, Jessie, Levi, Thomas and Isaac. The first man who preached in this church was Rev. Mr. Lee, father of an honored citizen of Mansfield, John A. Lee. About the same time, the Methodists built a log church. three-fourths of a mile south of Millsborongh, which was called Taylor's Meeting House. .

In 1837, the Bigelow Chapel was built, two and a quarter miles north of Ontario, on the farm of Mr. David Jaques. This gentleman is now living, at the age of seventy-eight. He furnished the land and money for the Bigelow Chapel. It was a frame buikling, and was estab- lished mainly through the influence of Bigelow. who was a missionary among the Wyandot Indians. It was Methodist. Across the road from the Bigelow Chapel was built, in 1844, a Baptist church. It was established principally through the influence of John Palmer and Ely- flet Flint. These early churches were used for

many years, but they have long since rotted down, or been removed, their congregations dead and scattered, and many of the members now worship at the church in Ontario. Some of the early preachers in these churches were : Revs. Ruark. John Quigley, and Adam Poe, a nephew of the famous Adam Poe of history ; not to men- tion Johnny Appleseed, who visited the township frequently, scattering his seeds and peculiar religious opinions at the same time. Outside of the village of Ontario, but two churches re- main, within the limits of the township, having at present an organized existence. Of these, the first was organized in 1848. The church was erected the year before, on the southwest quarter of Section 1. It is used by the Lu- theran and German Reformed people.

The Lutherans were first organized by Rev. J. W. Huffman. D. D .: the German Reformed by Rev. J. W. Thompson. The principal origi- nal members were John Wise, Joseph Welch, Samuel Starehman, Louis Hill and Joseph Kennel of the Lutheran ; and John Leppo and family, James Leppo and George Shafer and family, of the German Reformed. Before the erection of the church, meetings were held at the private residences of Christopher Flory and John Leppo, Sr. The cost of building the church was small, as the members furnished most of the material and did a large portion of the work. The membership is light at present, not exceeding twelve or fifteen. The Pastors who have occupied the pulpit at differ- ent times were Revs. S. Fenner. - Brown, Isaac Culler, - Sincebaugh, - Hersheiser. Francis Ruth, - Westervelt and J. H. Williard. The Sunday school is in a flourishing condition at present. It was organized when the church was erected, and called the " Spring Mills Union Sunday School." A. Barr was the first Super- intendent : Joseph Cairns is now Superintend- ent. with a membership of sixty-five.

The second church mentioned is called the Springfield Methodist Church. erected in

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

1858, at a cost of about $500, on the southeast quarter of Section 26. The organization dates back to 1851-52, and was established through the influence of Rev. A. R. Brown, in a school- house, a few rods south of the present location of the church. The principal original members were John Scott and wife, Thomas Scott. Sr., William Plancy and family, Robert Patterson and wife, and J. Bartholomew and wife. Fol- lowing the Rev. A. R. Brown were N. T. Brown, George Hiskey, William Simpson and others. A union Sunday school is now in working condition. with a membership of about sixty.

The first school in the township was taught by John C. Gilkison, on the southeast quarter of Section 1. His pupils were Jacob Coffinberry, George Coffinberry, A. B. Coffinberry, John Bartley, Susan Bartley. Nancy Condon, Joseph Curren, Elizabeth Curren, John, James and Jane C. Welch. For several years. there were no schoolhouses. schools being kept in private houses and barns. It is believed, the first school- house was on the Rallston farm, two miles north of Ontario, It was a primitive affair, made of logs, with a puncheon floor, a fireplace of ample proportions, and logs hewn flat on one side for seats. Hundreds of such buildings dotted the country in those days.

The first saw-mill was built in 1817, by Con- don & Welch, on the northwest quarter of Sec- tion 1, and the first grist-mill by Ex-Governor Mordecai Bartley, on the same section, where Spring Mill now is. 'This mill has been burned down. and destroyed or removed, and rebuilt several times. About the same time, the Purdy mill, before mentioned, was built, and also one on the head-waters of Clear Fork. Near this last was also built a saw-mill and several stills for the manufacture of spirits. These mills gave to the place the name of Millsborough. It is picturesquely situated among the hills, and started with fair promise for a future town. It has the honor attached to age, being the first

town in the township. It was laid out on part of the northeast and northwest quarters of Sec- tion 28, by John S. Marshall, Deputy County Surveyor, October 29, 1831. The mills were built in 1818, by John Garretson, who came from New York. Before the establishment of these mills, settlers went as far as Mount Ver- non, in Knox County, to do their milling. Uncle Jesse Edgerton, as he was called, occa- sionally hitched four horses to his large Penn- sylvania wagon-" schooner"-and taking his own and his neighbors' grists, hauled them to Mount Vernon. In addition to his mills, Gar- retson also built a house in which he kept hotel for some time. This stand was afterward kept by John Martin. The place at one time- about 1830-35-boasted of two dry-goods stores. kept by John Evans and John Williams. The early settlers in this part of the township were James Woods, John Garretson. Samuel and David Mitchell. Joseph and Lewis Day, John Milligan and Samuel Estel. Estel was a veteran of the war of 1812, and established a tanyard in 1818 on Section 23. John Stewart did most of the surveying in this township. The railroads assisted in the death of Millsbor- ough. It has been dead many years : even the sound of the mills has ceased.

The next attempt to build a town in the town- ship was in the woods, on the trail leading from Mansfield to Bucyrus, about eight miles from the former. It was called Newcastle ; however, Onta- rio and Newcastle were both laid out in the same month. December. 1834, and on the same section, 21. Newcastle was laid out by Frederick Cassell and Adam Webber. the name of the former sug- gesting the name of the place. It was surveyed by John Stewart. Adam Webber kept tavern there for some time, but the place never grew up to their expectations. No business is done. and the place has fallen into decay. Its pres- ent population is about forty. Even the Atlan- tie & Great Western Railroad, which ran its first passenger cars through it in 1864. failed to

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

bring it renewed life. A church was built there in 1838, by the Lutherans. Its founders and first members were Frederick Cassell, John Stough, John Sheffler, Adam Webber and Will- iam T. Daniels. This church, partaking of the general character of the place, has fallen into decay. It has not been occupied for many years. The whole village seems to have gone to sleep, its people living quietly, dreaming away their lives, apparently unconscious of the great moving world around them.

Hiram Cook came to this township in 1820, from a place called Ontario, in Orange County, N. Y. He bought a farm a few miles south of the present village of Ontario, where he lived several years, and having purchased the land on which Ontario now stands, laid out that place in a dense woods. It was on the trail leading from Mansfield to Bucyrus, by way of Galion. This trail was then only wide enough for the passage of horses and footmen. It is on the southwest quarter of Section 21. He had it surveyed by John Stewart, and induced George Hoover to build the first cabin beside the trail. Hoover started a blacksmith-shop, and also kept a few groceries for sale in his cabin. When the timber was cleared away a little, Cook built two frame houses-one south of the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad, to be used as a dwelling, the other on the north side of the railroad, on the trail, for a hotel. He kept this hotel some years himself, until it burned down, when it was rebuilt and occupied by other par- ties at different times, for the same purpose. As the town grew, the church organizations in the country began to abandon their decayed churches and build others in town. The first erected was the Methodist Episcopal, in 1839. This organization originated at the Bigelow Chapel, and afterward worshiped at the Taylor meeting-house, both before mentioned in this chapter. The present minister is James H. Johnson, and the membership about eighty. The Sunday school is in a flourishing condition.

with a membership of about one hundred. Christopher Au is Superintendent.

In 1850, the United Presbyterians erected a frame church, which has cost, with repairs, about $3,000. This organization was originally the Associate, of which the Finneys, and other old residents in the township, were the founders. They were too few in numbers to build a church. and for thirty years worshiped in private houses, barns, and wherever they could find shelter. The original members of the first organization at Ontario were Samuel G. Craig, wife and daughter, John Finney, Dr. Samuel G. Miller and wife, James C. Robinson and wife, and Mrs. Joseph Roe. The first minister was J. L. McLain, who occupied the pulpit three or four years, after which came Revs. D. W. Collins. J. M. Hutchison and William Wishart. The pres- ent membership is 118.

The Sunday school was organized in 1858, with David Barrett as Superintendent. It has been maintained in a healthy condition, and now has a membership of about one hundred and thirty. Erskine Chambers is Superin- tendent.

In the following year, 1851, the Presbyterians erected a church at Ontario. This organiza- tion originated at the Five Corners. before men- tioned, and afterward removed to Pleasant Hill, removing thence to Ontario. It was organized there about 1853; some of the early mem- bers being Hugh MeConnell, William Kerr, - John S. Marshall, David Hackedorn, William Wiley and J. W. Horner. The first minister here was Rev. Luke Dorland. who served about two years. Following him were Revs. Marquis, - Atkinson and J. M. Blaney. At present. they have no Sunday school and no regular Pastor. The church has been somewhat neglected of late, the members having died and moved away. The present membership is only about twenty- five.

Ontario has grown to be a place of ahout two hundred inhabitants. John Evans and A.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Atwood kept the first store, in 1838. The two stores there at present carry a general stock. and are kept by Christopher Au and Eli Ringer. In 1859, a large brick building was erected for high-school purposes, and was kept up until 1874, receiving students from a dis- tance. It is now occupied by the Masonic Fraternity. A new brick schoolhouse on the east side of the town is now used to educate the future sovereigns. There is an undertaking establishment kept by Cline & Wolf, and a blacksmith and wagon shop. The township does not lack railroad facilities, all those (fonr) centering in Mansfield passing through it. Like all other parts of Ohio, it has increased greatly in wealth and population. In 1850, the popu-

lation was 2,100. From some cause it decreased, and, in 1860. was only 1,756, but between 1860 and 1870, it recovered again, showing at the latter date a population of 2,046, of which eighty-four were foreign and twenty-six colored. The census of 1880 will very soon determine whether any progress has been made in this direction during the last decade.

Good substantial honses, brick and frame, and well-cleared farms have taken the place of the cabins and the woods; and the early set- tlers, like their cabins, are rapidly sinking into mother earth, and will soon have passed away, as their former acquaintances, the wolf, bear, deer and Indian, have long since done.

CHAPTER LIX.

TROY TOWNSHIP.

ORIGINAL BOUNDARIES -EARLY ENTRIES - EARLY SETTLERS - INDIANS - POLITICAL RECORDS - LEXINGTON - CHURCHES -SCHOOLS-LEXINGTON SEMINARY -CEMETERY - DIVISION OF THE TOWNSIHIP -VILLAGE OF STEAM CORNERS.

PREVIOUS to 1814, this territory was in- cluded in Jefferson Township, but, Sep- tember 5, was erected into a separate township, and named Troy. Its area at this time was six miles wide (north and south) by eighteen in length (east and west). It then also included all of Washington and North Bloomfield Town- ships. In March, 1816, it was divided, Wash- ington being erected, leaving the dimensions six by twelve miles in extent. March 4, 1823, the township was further reduced by striking off North Bloomfield on the west, leaving Troy six miles square. In 1848, Morrow was created, taking thirteen sections from the southwestern portion of this township, leaving it irregular in form, the northwest corner being known by the citizens as "Pan Handle."

The first whites who remained permanently came to Troy in the winter of 1811-12. Will-

iam Gass entered the first piece of land in Troy in the fall of 1811, being the west half of Sec- tion 12. He also entered the southwest quarter of Section 11 in the name of Francis Mitchell. The Government lands then sold at $2 per acre. Mr. Watson went to the land office at Canton and paid $160, which secured the land for a term of five years. During the following winter, Amariah Watson, of Knox County, entered the north half of Section 24. with several other pieces in that vicinity.

In the spring of 1812, Amariah Watson and Elisha Robins brought their families to their new home and occupied their rude log cabins. Soon thereafter, William Gass, with his two eldest sons and a hired man, arrived on the scene, driving a three-horse team and bringing tools, provisions and other necessaries. In a week, a humble cabin was erected and ready for

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

593

the family. He then returned to Knox County for his family, and located them in their new home on the 23d of April. During the succeed- ing summer, Calvin Culver, Wesley Spratt and Francis Mitchell each erected a small cabin, and brought his family. These were probably the only families in Troy previous to the spring of 1814. A brief sketch of these hardy pioneers may be of interest to the survivors. Amariah Watson was formerly of Luzerne County, Penn .; he had owned and sold a farm near Frederick- town. Knox County, before coming to Troy. The family consisted of two sons and one daugh- ter at the time of their arrival, and subsequently one daughter and three sons were added to the circle. Mr. Watson was a millwright by voca- tion, energetic, industrious and possessed of con- siderable ingenuity. He was the original pro- prietor of the town site of Lexington ; was active and prominent in building up the ma- terial interests of the village. Having lost his wife, he removed some years afterward to Illinois, where he died. His brothers, Noah and Samuel, were partners with him in his building enterprises, and also removed to the West.

Elisha Robins was from the same county, and had married Mr. Watson's sister. Mr. Robins and wife were already elderly people ; both had been previously married and reared families, and the fruit of this union was two sons and two daughters. The children removed to Illinois, and the parents, after surviving some years, died in Troy.

William Gass was a native of Franklin County, Penn .; he emigrated from Western Vir- ginia to the Northwest Territory in 1800; set- tled in Fairfield County, and thence removed to Knox County in 1806, and finally to Richland County in 1812. His family consisted of his wife and four sons-Benjamin, James R., John and William-and a bound girl named Charlotte Hedrick. In the spring of 1817, Mrs. Gass died. and the following year Mr. Gass was married to Mrs. Rebecca Merideth.

In the spring of 1814, quite a tide of immi- gration set in to the shores of Troy. Among these was a sturdy, pious man, who became prominent in the community, Noah Cook, afterward known as "Uncle Noah," on account of his numerous progeny. He settled in the woods, on the farm now occupied by his only surviving son. Mr. Cook was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was zealous for the success of morality and godliness in the new settlement. He organized the first prayer- meeting in the township, and secured its success under peculiar circumstances : At the ap- pointed hour and place, "Uncle Noah " was present, but no other soul of the settlement. He hesitated only a few minutes, then wor- shiped alone, by singing, prayer, and reading a sermon. Some curious passers-by peeped in the window, and went their way. The follow- ing appointment, a few days after, witnessed a large company gathered for worship. From this humble beginning, the religious interests of the settlement advanced, until it has become noted for morality and good order.

Mr. Cook reared a family of thirteen chil- dren, of whom Jabez Cook, of Mansfield, was the third son. and Thomas Cook, of Lexington, is now the only surviving member.

Calvin Culver was from Luzerne County, Penn. His family consisted of three chil- dren-Sterling. Caleb and Julia. They re- moved to Washington Township in early times.

Wesley Spratt was from Knox County. His wife was a sister of Mr. Watson. They were young people, and the location proving sickly for them. after a sojourn of four years. they returned to Knox County.

William and Daniel Cook came from Wash- ington County, Penn., in 1815. William settled one mile west of Lexington, on the farm after- ward owned by Mr. Chambers. Daniel settled two and a half miles west of Mansfield. They put in their crops. and in the fall returned to bring their families. A large wagon, drawn by

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

five horses, brought their families and that of Jabez Cook. William removed to Lexington in 1817, where he was much annoyed by wild beasts, and in consequence devoted his leisure to hunting. In 1831, Mr. Cook removed to a farm three miles southwest of Mansfield, and in 1855 moved to the city.

Samuel McCluer, who died but a few months since, and was one of the earliest pioneers, was born in Rockbridge County, Va. He removed to Ohio in 1808, and located near Cir- cleville ; afterward moved to Bellville, and finally to Troy about 1815. Here he lived until his death. He was a valuable member of society, an earnest and active Christian, a mem- ber of the Congregational Church, and an active worker in the Sunday school.

Ezekial Boggs. another prominent settler of Troy, was born in Ohio County, Va., in 1795, near Wheeling. He participated in a battle with the Indians in Belmont County, known as the battle of "Captina." About one mile below the mouth of Captina Creek was a small fort, where a party of three or four scouts were sent to reconnoiter. They were, however, surprised, attacked, and two of them slain, one taken prisoner, and the other escaped. This roused the revenge of those in the fort, and in consequence a party of twelve or fourteen sol- diers were sent up the creek, marching in single file, and as they neared the enemy, the savages fired at them from the hilltops. They took warning, treed, and began skirmishing ; three or four whites, and eight or ten of the enemy, were slain. Mr. Boggs joined the army in 1812, under Gen. Hull and Col. Lewis Cass. The army marched from St. Clairsville to Cin- cinnati, and were joined by a body of soldiers bound for Detroit. He went with the army to the vicinity of Detroit, and was in the disgrace- ful surrender which occurred there. After the parole, Mr. Boggs returned home, and soon thereafter was married to Miss Jane Neal. They moved to Troy about 1833, and located in

Lexington, where they remained until their deaths occurred. In their early pioneer life, Mrs. Boggs supplied the family with the neces- saries of life by digging gentian root.

Among the later settlers are various names . more or less familiar. Alexander Abernathy, an aged and retired physician, was born in 1810, in Pennsylvania; graduated in 1831; practiced in Perry County, Penn .; removed to Ohio in 1836, and finally located at Lexing- ton in 1837. He married Miss Catherine Fulton in 1843, who bore him four children. Mr. A. was a member of the Legislature in 1845 and also a subsequent term ; he was a stanch Democrat.

A. J. and Henry Winterstien came to Ohio in 1821, and located near Lexington. They are prominent members of the Presbyterian Church and active, successful farmers. Thomas Cook, youngest son of " Uncle Noah," has been identified with the interests of Troy from his early childhood, first in the capacity of pupil in the public school, afterward, for many years, as the village schoolmaster, then as a farmer. and in various other pursuits. James McCluer; Moses Sowers, Mr. Beverstock and others. are among the later but active and enterprising settlers in this vicinity.

When the first settlers came to Troy, the In- clians had undisputed possession of this region. A number of lodges or camps were located along the Clear Fork. They were of the Wyandot and Mohawk tribes. Six or eight camps were in sight of Noah Cook's residence ; while on the southeast quarter of Section 13 were about the same number. On the banks of Isaac's Run there was an Indian village. They were quite peaceable and friendly ; they seldom or never offered the settlers any vio- lence ; they did not cultivate the soil here-it was merely a hunting-ground headquarters ; they at times vacated here and repaired to Greentown, their permanent home. This en- campment was on their trail from Sandusky,

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

southward. Their chief articles of commerce were venison, cranberries and wooden wares. They were finally removed from here about 1826.

The early political history of Troy is derived from its public documents, several of which are preserved. The first meeting of the citizens of Troy Township, after its organization, took place on the 4th day of October, 1814, when the following officers were elected : Amarialı Watson, Clerk; C. Culver, Constable ; John Young, Jacob Mitchell and Solomon Culver, Township Trustees. The second election was held April 3. 1815, when the following officers were elected : Daniel Mitchell, Clerk ; Solomon Culver. John Young and Jacob Mitchell. Trustees ; John Vandorn, Constable ; Ichabod Clark and Andrew Perkins, Fence Viewers ; Samuel Watson, Appraiser; Jacob Cook, Lister ; Amariah Watson and Samuel McCluer, Overseers of the Poor ; Aaron Young, William Gass, Alexander Mann and, Amariah Watson: Supervisors. The following bond, on account of its brevity, is worthy of notice :

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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