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 83

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 83

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We, or either of us, do hold ourselves hound, in the sun of $400, for the good and faithful performance of the office of Township Trustees of Troy. Given under our hand at New Lexington, this third day of April, 1815.

WESLEY SPRATT, Treasurer.

AMARIAH WATSON, Security.

Attest, DANIEL MCMICHAEL.

From this humble beginning, Troy has se- cured a very respectable place in the body politic. Her citizens numbered in 1820 a mere handful, but a tide of emigration soon set in from the older communities, and in 1850, the popula- tion of Troy was 1.543. Of this number, 777 were males, and 766 were females. Then en- sued a period of comparative rest, for, at the next census in 1860, the population was 1.547 persons. From that period to the present, there has been considerable decrease, amounting to several hundred. A marked feature of the pop- ulation was, that only two colored persons and

but forty foreign born were enrolled in the the township.

Lexington is beautifully situated upon the northern slope of a gentle hill. The Clear Fork flows along its eastern border. It is a neat and ordinary village of some five or six hundred souls. The town site is located on the north- west quarter of Section 24, owned originally by Amariah Watson. The town was laid out in 1812, and named in honor of the Revolutionary Lexington of Massachusetts. Mr. Watson built the first house, a log cabin. a few rods above the site of the mill on the creek bank, in the spring of 1812. He soon vacated this humble dwelling for a more commodious frame house, which he built in the immediate vicinity of the Inglehart property, near the railroad. This house was provided with port-holes for defense in case of Indian invasion. The second house was a frame tavern, built by Mr. Jacob Cook, and is still standing and occupied as a hotel. A tannery was soon after erected by Mr. Cole- man, near the spot now occupied by the depot. A shoe store was kept in connection with the tannery, where boots and shoes were made to order and exchanged for hides. The building has long since been demolished ; but the vats may still be seen. About this time, a very impor- tant event took place ; the log schoolhouse was built. It was built of unhewed logs. and cov- ered with boards or shakes ; the seats were of the ancient make-a slab with pegs for legs con- stituted the seats-counters ranged along the walls were the desks whereon to write and cipher. In those days, the schoolmaster was king ; when his ire was stirred. he grasped his ten-foot rod and planting himself in the arena, swayed his trusty weapon with such skill that the boys began to climb-science hill.

The grist and saw mills were erected in 1812, and contributed largely to the prosperity of the new settlement. The grist-mill run one buhr for wheat, and one for corn, and began running to its full capacity in 1814. A dry-goods store

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

was established the same year by William Dar- nell and J. F. Adams, which gave a new im- petus to trade and settlement. In a few years, Lexington had attracted a population of several hundred souls. While the newly born city was growing in material wealth, her religious wel- fare was also sought after. Rev. Henry George, a Baptist minister of Scotch blood, was the first itinerant who traveled in this region. He was a stonemason by trade, and possessed of con- siderable talent. There was no stated preach- ing until 1816, when Rev. George Van Eman, a Presbyterian minister, labored at Lexing- ton a portion of his time. In 1817-18, Rev. George and Rev. Summerville occupied the field, alternating every two weeks. Services were held at dwellings, the schoolhouse, in barns and other such structures for several years. From these humble beginnings, the religious and educational interests of Lexington have developed to a degree that would do honor to a city of greater magnitude. Five different denomi- nations have houses of worship, and maintain services at stated times. It is difficult to ascer- tain which denomination was the first to occupy the field. The Old School Presbyterians held services in the schoolhouse and elsewhere very early, yet the United Presbyterians, Methodists and Universalists held services in an early day. The first meeting-house, however, was doubtless built by the Presbyterians as early as 1831 or 1832. It was a small frame, and built upon the lot now used and owned by the United Brethren. The lot was donated by Amariah Watson ; the neighbors united to clear it off, and " Uncle Noah" Cook contracted with a Mr. Bell, who furnished the materials, built the house, and received as compensation from Mr. Cook seventy acres of new land. The Presby- terian society was organized by a committee of Presbytery March 29, 1832. The first Pastor was Rev. Adam Torrence, and some of the orig- inal members were Noah Cook, Ezekiel Boggs, William Kelso, John Herron, Mary Mitchell,

William McMillan and Hester Cleland. By order of the session, the house was sold in May, 1836, to the United Brethren for $422. It was replaced by a brick building the following year. Revs. Brown, Rowland, Robinson, Shearer and Smith succeeded as supplies or Pastors till 1844, when Rev. Evan Evans became the Pastor. During this year, slavery and other causes rent the church, and Rev. Evans with a number of his flock seceded and organized as a new-school congregation. In 1848, Rev. Luke Doreland became Pastor. The brick house having proven defective, it was replaced by a substantial frame which is still in use and in good repair. Some of the later Pastors were Revs. James Anderson, Mr. Hillman, J. O. Proctor, T. B. Atkins, Mr. Mc- Millan and A. Duncan. The present incum- bent, Rev. G. G. Copland, was installed in the summer of 1879. This denomination is at pres- ent much the strongest, both numerically and financially, of any in the village.

The Congregational Church was formerly a New School Presbyterian, organized as such in 1844, by Rev. J. B. Walker. The records dur- ing the interval from the secession to the final organization are very meager. The Pastors of the church during this period were Rev. E. Evans, Rev. Shedd, Rev. Bushnell and others. Some of the original members were Mr. Chap- man, L. Barnum, William Kelso, John Rusk, William Lyon and Mr. Brown. In March, 1862, Rev. Kelso organized this body into a Congregational society. Thomas Brown, Carter Cook, Samuel Douglas, Samuel McCluer, Will- iam Kelso, John Barnum and Phineas Barnum were some of the original members. The first meeting-house was built in 1846, at a cost of $835, not including painting. In 1873, the church was repaired and remodeled at a cost of $1,600, making a very comfortable and attract- ive edifice. The first Pastor under the new organization was Rev. Samuel Kelso. From 1864 to 1872, Rev. George Fry, who died quite recently, served the society as Pastor. He was

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

succeeded by Rev. J. M. Bowers and Rev. J. G. Aikman. In January, 1876, Rev. L. R. Royce became Pastor, and still serves in that capacity. The membership of the church in 1879, was eighty-two, and the contributions for the current year $812.22.

The United Presbyterians were among the earliest in this field. Soon after the organization of the township, they held services in dwell- ings, schoolhouses and other rude buildings. The first sermon was preached in the shed of a still-house, by Rev. John Graham, at Troy, a mile and a half northwest of Lexington. The first house of worship-a log cabin-was erected at Troy, which served them for many years. In 1851, preparations were made to build a frame house ; the lumber was secured and stored in the log house, but, before the foundation was complete, the log house caught fire and was consumed with all its contents. The frame was subsequently erected and long used as a sanc- tuary ; part of it is still in use as a barn. This house was frequently used by other denomina- tions also for divine services. The church va- cated this point and bought the seminary build- ing in Lexington, in 1867, of Rev. Gailey, who continued his school in the lower story, while the upper story was finished and furnished for a church, and is still used as a place of wor- ship. Rev. James Johnson was the first Pastor and served until 1844, when Rev. Samuel Fin- ley succeeded to the office. Some of the mem- bers at the time of organization were Isaac Miller, John MeClung, James Larimer, N. Cook, John Gass and William Nelson. In 1849, Rev. R. Gailey began his ministrations as Pastor, and continued in this relation until his death, which occurred in April, 1875. Until lately, Rev. T. P. Dysart has been Pastor of the church. The present membership is forty-five, and the annual contributions about $500.

The United Brethren organized quite early, and bought the house sold by the Presbyterians in 1836. It was torn down, enlarged, remodeled

and furnished, affording a neat and pleasant house. Their early ministers were Rev. Jacob George, John Dorcas, George Hiskey, John Fry and others. The later ones were Samuel Long, Rev. Creighton, Rev. Kesey and Rev. Barlow. The numerical strength of this church varied much at different periods, now advancing, then receding. It has exceeded one hundred in the past, but is now quite small.

The Universalists were also pioneers in this vicinity. They built a church in an early day on the lot now occupied by Mrs. Spaulding's residence, and it has been only a few years since it disappeared. This denomination was at one time quite strong, and threatened the extinction of the other denominations, but a long, protracted debate or controversy took place between one of their prominent ministers, Rev. Biddlecome, and a Methodist minister, Rev. Powers, lasting more than a week, which seemed to check their progress, and they soon began to abate their ardor, so that in a few years no services were maintained. At the present, they have neither house, society, nor name.

The Methodist Episcopal Church is not the least, although last, to receive attention. It was organized in the early history of the village and well sustained for many years. It was at one period the leading church, having a large and influential membership, and some very able and talented ministers ; some of whom have risen to the highest position in the church. The names of Russell Bigelow, Adam Poe, Harris, Leonard Gurley, John Powers and many younger men are familiar among Metho- dists and many others in this section. The house of worship is a plain, modest frame, about thirty-six feet wide by fifty feet long. It has been built some forty years and, excepting some repairs, remains in its original form. This society has been gradually declining in num- bers and influence for several years, so that a mere handful compose its membership at

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

present. An appointment was long maintained at Fairview, a point about two and a half miles northwest of the village, where there was a neat frame chapel. This house was destroyed by fire a few years since, and the place abandoned. A neat, frame schoolhouse now stands upon the same foundation.

After the log schoolhouse, previously men- tioned, had served its purpose, it was replaced with a substantial brick building, about the year 1831. It was an octagon in form, and one story high. Several of the teachers who served in the old log house have since become eminent in the nation. Mr. Delano, who has since been a member of the national cabinet, taught in this primitive seat of learning ; also Mr. Ken- non, who has since been honored with the offices of Judge and Congressman from Belmont County, Ohio. The first term of school in the new brick house was taught by Thomas Cook, who continued in the same position for a num- ber of terms. Mr. Colby, subsequently a prom- inent citizen of Mansfield and of bank notoriety, served also in the brick house, as teacher one or more terms. In 1851, the brick house was abandoned, as it was no longer considered safe, and a commodious frame, two stories high, and containing four schoolrooms, was erected. These were all filled with pupils at different periods, but for a few years past there has been a great decrease in the enrollment. The schools now contain about one hundred and twenty-five pupils in the several departments. Mr. Wilson, Mr. Andrews, and others, have held the position of Principal in later years. Mr. Bechtel is the present teacher. The school has never attained any higher grade than a village or district school.

The Lexington Seminary was a continuation of Monroe Seminary, situated in Monroe Town- ship. and was opened in 1851 by Rev. R. Gailey. The recitations were, for a time, conducted in a church, yet the school drew to itself a large share of patronage. Mansfield and Wooster

sent many pupils to the school. In 1860, the school was removed to Lexington. A substan- tial brick building was erected by a stock com- pany, and devoted to school purposes. Some trouble arose in 1866, between the seminary and the public. The Trustees offered the 'house for sale at 50 per cent of the nominal value. Rev. Gailey purchased the house and furnished it, also making some improvements. Rev. Gailey sold the house the following year to the United Presbyterian Church. They paid off all claims against the property and furnished it comfort- ably. They occupy the upper room for a house of worship, and gave the lower room to Miss Gailey, the last Principal, for a schoolroom. The school was a private enterprise in no sense denominational. The enrollment in the fall of 1865, was 80 : in 1866, 109; in 1867, 126. The school declined in members for several years, so that only 94 were enrolled in 1878. Rev Gailey, after spending twenty-four years in the interests of the school, died in 1875, and was succeeded by his daughter, Miss Jane Gailey, who continued the school until the close of the spring term of 1880, when she was married to the Rev. Mr. Dysart. This event closed the Lexington Seminary.

There are several other features of the town which add much to its success and complete- ness. A fine new bridge spans the river at the approach on the east of the village. It is of iron, built by a Toledo company, costing in the aggregate about $2,000. The town has one first-class dry-goods store, two groceries, one hotel, butcher-shop, hardware store, one drug store, etc.

The cemetery lies northeast of the village, on the opposite side of the river on a gentle eleva- tion. It is laid out properly, fenced with a good' board fence, well cared for and affords a desir- able resting-place. It originally embraced one acre ; now nine. As early as 1816, Mrs. Searles and Mrs. Gass were laid to rest here, and pre- viously a few red men had chosen a bed in this

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

quiet retreat. Many white marble slabs and monuments now dot it over, ever reminding the survivors that "man born of woman is of few days." The cemetery is bounded on two sides by a swamp, on the third by the river, but on the south is approached by a gently sloping ridge from the town. The surrounding country is undulating, and affords a beautiful scene as viewed from this " city of the dead."

Steam Corners is a small village, situated in the southwestern part of Troy Township, and consists of sixteen dwellings, besides a saw-mill, store, schoolhouse and several shops. It has never been incorporated, but is merely a four corners-the crossing of two section lines. It occupies the adjacent corners of Sections 17, 18, 19 and 20, which are owned respectively by Mrs. Bender, Frederick Stull, Lewis Miller and David Stull. The most prominent feature of the Corners is the steam saw-mill, located a few rods south of the cross-roads. It was erected about 1849, by Hall, Allen & Devise, who ran a sash saw for a number of years, but the mill is now supplied with a modern circular saw. There is connected with it a planing-mill on a small scale. This mill is the chief enterprise in the community, and is now owned by Fred- erick Stull. The town has derived its name from it.

A dry-goods store was established at the Corners in 1864, by William Baughman, who operated it about a year. From 1866 to 1874, thestore was owned by C. W. Rowalt, who carried on an extensive trade. It subsequently passed into various hands. The firm of Staater & Halderman carried on the business for a term of four years. Shanck & Maxwell are the present owners and are doing a good business.

The post office is an important element of the Corners. It was established about fifteen years ago, and, until 1878, the post route was from

Galion to the Corners, but since has been extended to Fredericktown. They have a tri- weekly mail from Galion to Fredericktown and vice versa. Two blacksmith-shops are located here, the one owned by Jack Corwin, the other by William Treisch.

The village also affords a shoe-shop and several wood or carpenter shops.

The schoolhouse is a neat, substantial brick edifice on the west side of the town. There is but one room, hence but one department, although there are some sixty-five or seventy pupils in attendance.

Most of the early settlers, who cleared up the land and rescued it from the wilderness, are gone to their long rest. Among the survivors is William Moore, living about a mile south of the Corners. He is about seventy-five years old, and, perhaps, the oldest surviving pioneer of that vicinity. He is a native of Ireland, emigrated in his youth, and, after sojourning a time in Pennsylvania, he removed to Ohio, and located at Steam Corners previous to 1830. His family consisted of five sons and two daughters.

George Norwood, an early pioneer. aged eighty, lives near by. His family consisted of three sons and three daughters. He was a native of Germany, whence he removed in early life.

David Thompson who has been dead some six years, was a prominent man of those early times. He was a native American, and reared a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters.

The country about the Corners is less hilly than other portions of the township, yet it is gently undulating. The soil is rich and pro- ductive, and the farm buildings generally indi- cate a goodly degree of prosperity.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

CHAPTER LX.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

ORGANIZATION-SPRINGS AND WATER COURSES-FIRST ELECTION-EARLY SETTLERS AND THEIR ADVENTURES- FIRST ROAD- FIRST PUBLIC HOUSE-EARLY SCHOOLHOUSES AND TEACHERS -THE " BLACK CANE COM- PANY"-THE FIRST TEMPERANCE ORGANIZATION-FIRST BRICK HOUSE-THE CHURCHES-MILLS-WASH- INGTON VILLAGE.

W ASHINGTON TOWNSHIP was organ- ized March 4, 1816, ont of the east third of Troy, being the eleventh township organized in the county. It lies directly south of and joins Madison, and contains thirty-six square miles. The surface is somewhat broken, but the ascents and descents are gentle, and the soil generally very fertile. It abounds in many valuable springs of pure cold water, and is otherwise well watered by small running brooks, supplied from these springs. The Clear Fork of the Mohican crosses the southwest corner, along the valley through which the Baltimore & Ohio Railway passes. Possum Run rises in the center of the township, and passes out of it at the southeast corner. A tributary of the Rocky Fork passes ont near the northeast corner of the township, running north into Rocky Fork. Near this stream, and near the residence of Mr. Bentley, is one of the finest springs in the township. a large volume of the clearest water bursting from the bank and falling into a reservoir in Mr. Bentley's yard. This spring, with the as- sistance of the brook, some years ago furnished the power for Bentley's mill. The township was named after George Washington. Its or- ganization was consummated at the house of Solomon Lee. at the center of the township. Immediately after the organization had been completed, the election was held at the same place. Forty votes were cast. The election resulted in the choice of John Stewart for Just-

ice of the Peace, and Solomon Culver, Sr., Will- iam Riddle and Daniel Dimmick for Trustees.

The names of the early settlers, as far as can be ascertained, are as follows : William Stew- art, Section 10; John Stewart, Section 10, April. 1815 ; Solomon Culver, Section 3; James Sirpliss, Section 11, April, 1815; William Ay- ers, Section 4 ; Solomon Lee, Section 10. set- tled here before 1816; Mrs. Cunningham, Sec- tion 1; Daniel McMitchell, Section 30 ; Will- iam Riddle, Section 30; Daniel Cook, Section 6; Gavin and Joseph Mitchell. Section 6 ; Vandorn, Section 31 ; Andrew Thompson, Sec- tion 27; John Lindsley, Section 28; John J. and Wesley Barnes, Section 14; Isaac Slater, Section 36 ; Alexander McClain. Section 25; Robert Crosky, Section 3; Thomas Shanks, Section 2; Noah Watson. Section 7, February, 1812; Jedediah Smith, Section 1, 1816 ; Cal- vin Culver settled here before 1816; Andrew Pollock, Section 13, 1817; Martin Ridenonr, 1818 ; Jacob Ridenour, Section 25, 1818; Thos. Smith, April, 1816, and Melzer Coulter, 1826.

Among the pioneers living in Jannary, 1880, were John S. Smith, Solomon Culver, Mrs. Mar- garet Stewart (at the age of ninety-three), William Stewart, Thomas Pollock, Mrs. Eleanor Smith and Stephen Shaw.

These were the persons who penetrated the heavily wooded hills and valleys of Washing- ton, and laid the foundation of its present pros- perity and wealth.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

It will be seen that one of the earliest, if not the earliest, family in the township, was the Wat- son family. Noah Watson was one of the claim- ants at the ax presentation in Mansfield, Febru- ary 10, 1858. The following letter was written by Mr. Watson on that occasion :

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, RICHLAND CO., January 8, 1858. To Jabez Cook, Umpire : I, Noah Watson, certify that I helped to build the first two cabins in the vicinity of Lexington, and also did a job of clearing on Amariah Watson's first field, commencing about the 8th of March, 1812. I also entered the southeast quarter of Section 7, Range 18, Township 20, in which I now live, and commenced clearing in 1813.

Mr. Watson was elected one of the first Con- stables in the township. At the close of his term, he concluded to make an estimate of the amount of business transacted and the peeu- niary emoluments arising therefrom. After a careful examination of the docket and other records, he found he had served two summons and two warrants, for which he had received no fees. He was not, therefore, under the neces- sity of employing an accountant to get his bus- iness in shape for final settlement.

He volunteered, in 1813, in Capt. Ichabod Nye's company, and started for the relief of Harrison at Fort Meigs. The siege was raised before their arrival, and their services were not needed.

John Stewart also became prominent in the township and county, being the first Justice of the Peace, and continuing in that office six con- seeutive years. In 1820 or 1821, he was appointed Auditor of the county by the Legisla- ture, and, in the fall of 1822. was elected to the same office by the people. serving eight consecu- tive'years. In the fall of 1816, after the organiza- tion of the township, he was appointed County Surveyor by the Court, and held this office about eighteen years. In all. he served as a Justice of the Peace twenty-two years.

Although Jedediah Smith did not settle per- manently in the township until 1816, he was

here as early as 1812, when he came to enter land. He was a great hunter, and many deer, wild turkeys. bears and other animals fell before his unerring rifle. He remembers, on his first visit, talking to Chief Armstrong of the Green- town Indians. The chief told him he believed Wayne was a spirit. " For," said he, " I had three shots at him with a dead rest, and could not bring him down ; I could have killed a buck at twice the distance." He directed Mr. Smith to the Zimmer cabin for a night's lodging. This family then consisted of father, mother and a son and daughter, and the romance of this visit is that Mr. Smith fell in love with the beautiful daughter, Kate. and they were engaged to be married. when the Zimmer family was mur- dered-all except the son. Phillip, who hap- pened to be absent. Mr. Smith had entered the land he afterward occupied, and returned to his home in Washington County, Penn., where he was when the tragedy occurred. He remained single until the family came out here four or five years later.

Calvin Culver was also a great hunter, as was nearly all the early pioneers. On one occasion. he was pursued by wolves in the evening. and ran for the two cabins, then standing on the site of Lexington. He was unable to reach them, however, and was compelled to climb a tree, where he remained until morning.

Some weeks after Mr. James Sirpliss settled in the township, he, in company with one of his brothers, happening in the woods one day. half a mile from their cabin. came suddenly upon a black bear. Jowler, the dog. immedi- ately gave chase. and the bear. being pushed. ascended a large poplar-tree. Being unarmed. the brother returned to the cabin for his rifle. while James and Jowler remained to watch. Before the brother returned with the gun. bruin, as if comprehending the situation, com- menced descending. James and the dog imme- diately prepared to give him battle. Upon alighting, the bear elevated himself upon his

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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