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 84

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 84

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).

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

hind legs, and received the dog with a blow that injured, for the time being, his fighting qualities. Mr. Sirpliss, having an ax, was about making an attack, when the bear bounded away and escaped, just before the ar- rival of the brother with his gun.

The first road through the township was the "State road" from Mount Vernon to Bellville and Mansfield. This was for a long time but a mere trail, and the only stopping-place on this trail, between Mansfield and Mount Vernon, was at McCluer's, near the site of Bellville. This was one of the first settlements in the county ; and this trail was established some time before the township was settled. Soon after the first settlement, a second road was cut from the vicinity of Lexington toward Bellville.

The first public-house in the township was opened at a very early day, by Thomas Laugh- lin, on the State road, about six miles south of Mansfield. near the center of the township, and near the present Oberlin place. The majority of the carliest settlers entered the township by this road. and settled in the vicinity of and to the east of it, near where Washington Village was afterward laid out.

The township does not appear to have con- tained any permanent Indian encampment, but was not excelled as a hunting-ground.

The first schoolhouse was built on the State road, near the "tavern," about the center of the township, on Section 16. It was one of those well-remembered, primitive schoolhouses, de- scribed in another chapter, which have disap- peared from this country with the Indian and deer. and will yet be occasionally found with the Indian and deer, in the Far West. The first teacher was John Barnett, who came from Guernsey County. He taught six months, and received as wages $2 per scholar, for a term of three months. Sally Braden also taught school about 1818. She probably taught the summer school in the same building, following Barnett. One evening, while the school was engaged in

prayer, just before the time for dismissal. a large yellow rattlesnake raised its head through a crack in the puncheon floor, and took a survey of the scene. No one dared to move, however. until the prayer ended, when the boys dispatched his snakeship.

As early as 1820-21, this township was troubled with a company of horse-thieves, coun- terfeiters. etc. Their operations extended into the adjoining townships and counties. Several of the gang were well-known residents of this township, others lived in the direction of Per- rysville, and others near Fredericktown and Mount Vernon. Two men, named Gardner and Black, and two sons of the former were sus- pected. This band was quite numerous, and, for a time, had things their own way. It seemed impossible to convict them, although generally known. After losing several horses and much other property, and the insecurity continually increasing, the settlers finally organized, for the purpose of self-defense, what they called the " Black Cane Company." The company was composed of the most prominent settlers of the different neighborhoods molested by these ruf- fians. Each member carried a black cane, made out of the wood of a crab-apple or black- haw ; the bark being peeled off, and the canes burned black, after which they were oiled to give them a glossy appearance. A few of the names composing this company were Capt. Thomas Coulter, William Irwin, A. Rice, Isaac Martin, Thomas Martin, David Coulter, C. H. Rice, David Ayres, Charles Tannehill, Lewis Oliver, T. W. Coulter, John Capel. Solomon Gladden, Melzer Tannehill, Jonathan Coulter. James Irwin, Nathan Stearns, Harry Hill, David Hill, Reuben Hill, John Latty, Levi Taylor. John Coulter, and some others, whose names are not recollected.

By vigorous exertions, this company suc- ceeded in clearing the neighborhood of the villains ; and peace and security reigned until about 1833, when their services were again

A. Fraise Richard

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

called into requisition, as the country was once more alarmed by the cry of horse-thieves and counterfeiters. This gang was also composed of some of the actual settlers (whose descend- ants are living there to-day), and others at a distance. They began by stealing a horse of Mr. Taylor, on Honey Creek ; next a Rocking- ham colt, a valuable animal, from AAlexander. Rice ; and then robbing Mr. Ilart's store on Honey Creek, three miles south of Hayesville. This alarmed the country, and the Black Cane Company were soon marshaling their forces. It seemed to be the only way of ridding the coun- try of this band. who could easily elude, or suc- cessfully resist, the officers of the law.

In retaliation for their pursuit, the villains burned the barns of Jonathan Coulter and William Irvin, and, about the same time, cut loose from its moorings a large flat-boat, loaded with three or four hundred barrels of pork, flour and whisky, and allowed it to drift at random down the Black Fork. The boat and cargo were, however, saved. During the year the gang operated, almost every house in the neighborhood was plundered of something. By the vigilance and exertions of the Black Cane Company and the citizens generally, this gang of rascals was finally driven from the township and country. Some of them were sent to the Penitentiary.

The first temperance society in Richland County, and indeed in this part of the country, was organized in this township. It was en- tirely indigenous to the soil of this township, none of its members having had any previous knowledge of such an organization. They early witnessed the baleful effects of strong drink, and saw with a good deal of concern that its use among the settlers was increasing. A great number of distilleries were erected all over the township. Nearly all the corn mar- keted was at these distilleries, and whisky was consequently plenty and cheap. It was found by the barrel in almost every cabin, and was in

daily use. A few of these early settlers saw that this must be stopped ; that if they would escape the blight of intemperance, some organized effort must be made. A meeting was therefore called on the 29th of March, 1827, at the house of Samnel Smith, in Monroe Township, near the east line of Washington. and organized by calling Thomas Smith to the chair and appoint- ing Samuel Richey Secretary. Thomas and Samuel Smith and Alexander McBride were appointed a committee to present a basis of action, and soon presented the following :

Whereas, The common use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage is injurious to the health of the consumer, and ruinous to the morals of the community,

Resolved, That we form ourselves into a society to be known by the name of the Washington and Monroe Temperance Society, and that we adopt the following pledge for our guide :

We, whose names are hereunto attached, do pledge ourselves to dispense with the common use of ardent spirits in our families, and at our gatherings and frol- ics and, as far as our influence extends, use all land- able means to discourage the use of it in others.

To this were attached the names of the Smiths, including Samuel. Vernon T .. Thomas. Sr., and Jedediah ; Henry Mosar, Lambright Larnee. Joseph Coe, Robert McDermott. Levi Tarr, David Newlon, John and Lancelot Con- well. Joseph Reed, Alexander McBride. Henry Hull. George, David and John McFarland, An- drew Schosser, James, Richard and Robert Sirpliss, Elias Hyser, and Wesley. Benjamin. John J. and John K. Barnes.

At first, the matter of getting along without whisky at log-rollings, raisings. etc .. was earn- estly discussed, but it was finally determined to adopt the above pledge for one year, at the end of which time they were to meet and re- port progress.

To counteract this. an anti-temperance society was organized, but it did not last long ; they, however, outnumbered the other in names. ten to one. This temperance society had an organ- ized existence for more than thirty years. meet- ing once a year, on the first night in every

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

January, and selecting officers and executive committees. There was nothing secret about it, as in the more fashionable temperance socie- ties of later days, but it was kept up for this extraordinary length of time by citizens who were public-spirited enough to work for the public good. It kept up its organization as long as there was anything to fight. There is not at present, and has not been for many years, a place in the township where whisky can be purchased. Their book finally contained the names of about six hundred members. It is impossible to calculate the amount of good accomplished by this first temperance society, not only during the period of its organized existence, but since that time, as the seed then sown is still exerting a powerful influence for good. No names are more worthy to live in history than those of its projectors.

The first brick house was erected by Jede- diah Smith. Amos Day was the builder, and while working with brick and mortar, he was working upon the affections of the eldest daughter, Martha Smith, whom he married.

The religions sentiment of the township is well developed, seven churches belonging to dif- ferent denominations having been erected within its limits, six of which now have an organ- ized and healthy existence. The first church orgaization, so far as known, was that of the Methodist Episcopal, about 1823 or 1824 ; their first meeting for organization being at the house of John Conwell. The first members of this society were Wesley Barnes and wife, Da- vid Newlon and wife, John Conwell and wife, James Sirpliss, Henry Hull, Henry Moser and wife, Richard Sirpliss. Jacob Reed, George, Robert and John McFarland and their wives. Benjamin and John J. Barnes and their wives, and Mary Pollock. Their first meetings for several years were held at the cabins of Conwell and the Messrs. Barnes, but, in 1828, they erected a log church on the site of Washing- ton Village, about 25x35 feet. Their first min-

isters were Abner Gough, Shadrick Rewark, Zepheniah Bell, Joseph Reed, John Powers and Andrew Poe. The present Pastor is Rev. Mr. Lewis. The log church was used until about 1850, when the present frame was erected, cost- ing about $1,000. The present membership is about twenty-five or thirty. They generally have a Sunday school during the summer.

During the slavery agitation, between 1830 and 1840, this church was divided, political matters being carried into the pulpit. The oc- casion of the division was the sermon by Elder Powers, in which he took strong ground in favor of slavery. A strong abolition sentiment had taken root among the members, and had been for some time growing and increasing. Gradu- ally a feeling grew up among the church mem- bers which culminated in the before-mentioned sermon and a division of the church. Four- teen members withdrew and organized what that called the Wesleyan Methodist Church. The McFarlands were influential in this movement. They were strong Antislavery men, as were also the Smiths and many others of the pioneers in that vicinity. They were prominently con- nected with the " underground railway," and as- sisted hundreds of slaves in making their way to Canada. This settlement is the one referred to in the history of Springfield Township. as a safe place to which to bring fugitive slaves.

The members who thus withdrew and or- ganized this church were George, Robert and David McFarland, Henry and Joseph Moser. William Scott. John Boden and the wives of all these gentlemen. For several years, they wor- shiped in the old Methodist Episcopal Church. and then erected a church of their own. It was a frame, and cost about $1,000. This church was kept up about twenty years, during which they had regular preaching, and during which time, also, the cause of their troubles had dis- appeared in the smoke, din and blood of a great conflict. Their church building was finally sold, and is now used in Washington Village

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

for a town hall. The church has not had an or- ganized existence for many years.

About 1869, the former members of the Wes- leyan Methodist, or those that were left, and some other citizens organized a Congregational Church, the original members of which were John, George and Andrew McFarland, Ezra Davis, James Ritchie, William Boden, Charles Stone, Sr., and the wives of these gentlemen ; Joseph Flemming, Ezra and Thomas Smith and Mary and Ida Boden. Their meetings, for a year, were held in the other churches ; they then erected a frame church, yet standing, at a cost of $4,000, of which amount $2,200 were paid by George and Andrew MeFarland. This church was dedicated by Rev. Dr. Fairfield, of the Congregational Church of Mansfield. Their ministers have been the Revs. Fry, Moon, Webster, Achman and Royce. The present membership is about thirty-five. The organiza- tion of the Sunday school was coeval with that of the church, the first Superintendent being R. B. Smith. Joseph Flemming is present Super- intendent, with a membership of about one hun- dred. It is a union school, and is in a very prosperous condition, being continued during the entire year.

Two churches have been organized, and two church buildings erected in the southeast part of the township. In an early day, the few Albrights and United Brethren in that part of the township formed two separate organizations, and had preaching occasionally in the log school- house. This continued for some years, when the two organizations united their financial re- sources and erected a brick church, which cost about $1,300, and which was to be used equally by the two organizations, and was, also, to be free to other denominations. as the citizens gen- erally assisted in the erection of the building. Thus matters continued until about 1860, when they separated-the Albrights building another church further south. on Section 36. The ok church is now occupied by the United Brethren,

and is called Mount Tabler after a very enthus- iastic minister of that name, who held a never- to-be-forgotten revival in the church. during which many members were added. A few of the first members in this organization were Ephraim Bull, William Norris, John Smith and Jacob Magglott. The church is not at present in a flourishing condition, having only about fifteen members. There is no Sunday school connected with it.

The Albrights, in 1860, erected a frame church, which cost about $1.800. The first members of this organization were John Coates, Henry, Samuel and George Secrist, and the Clever family. John Stull was founder and first Pastor. Their first organization was at Stull's house, now known as the Taylor place. They call their church Ebenezer ; it is a live, active organization. A large union Sun- day-school is connected with it.

A mile or more west of Washington Village stands the Church of Christ. better known as Campbellite or Disciple. It was organized about the year 1835, by John Reed. William Moody and William B. Hammett were the first Elders. The members of the first organization were Jacob Deems, William B. Hammett, Rich- ard Braden and John Boyd. and their wives : Betsey Braden and Samuel Braden.

Their first meetings were held at the houses of William B. Hammett and Richard Braden. and their organization effected in the old log schoolhouse of the district. Their first church was a small frame, and was built by the joint labor of the people of the neighborhood. The present building was erected in 1874. and cost about $2,600. Mr. Hammett. yet living, but aged and infirm, has been very active in this organization and in the erection of the churches. He contributed liberally of his means, working as a farmer, and preaching. almost without compensation, sixteen or eighteen years.

John Reed was the first Pastor. and a few of those who followed him were William Gass.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Wm. Moody and Win. B. Hammett. The present ministers are Wm. Neal and M. F. Gallagher.

The Sunday-school was organized about 1864 ; is large and active for a country school, having about fifty pupils. James Black is pres- ent Superintendent.

In addition to the foregoing churches is the German Reformed, located on Section 22, near the center of the township, on the State road. This building was erected about 1847, of logs, and is still standing, though it has been weatherboarded over. This organization was effected about two years before the church was

The first saw-mill was erected about 1816. " and it is a question whether it was the one erected by Solomon Culver, three miles south of Mansfield on the State road, or the one erected erected. They worshiped during these two ; by Robert Crosky. John Stewart also erected

years in an old log church. built in an early day, by the Dunkards. about a half mile south of the present German Reformed Church. This Dunkard Church has long sinee disap- peared. and the organization disbanded.

Quite a settlement of Germans are found in this section of the township ; the larger part of the original stock being from Western Pennsyl- vania, which, however, had the effect to bring in a number of European Germans, who are excellent and thrifty farmers. Those who organized this church were Martin Toby, Peter Strader, Peter Shire. Conrad Englehart. John Strader. Christian Mull. J. W. Strader and the Kohisers.

The early preachers were Revs. Handchy, Tressel. Weiscotten. Lenshaw and Krause ; the latter continuing the ministerial relation about nine years. The present Pastor is Henry Walcer. and the present membership about sixty. A Sunday-school is maintained during the summer, with a membership of about fifty. At present, preparations are being made to erect a new church.

The numerous and beautiful springs and run- ning streams furnished water-power for a num- ber of mills. In an early day, when the town- ship was heavily wooded. and lumber was taken from the vicinity for building purposes. quite a number of saw-mills were erected in different

parts of the township. Latterly, stationary saw- mills do not pay; but little lumber is now made from timber grown within the limits of the township, and this little is made by porta- ble saw-mills. using steam power. The old water saw-mills have therefore disappeared for- ever. The houses of to-day are generally built of briek. or else of pine lumber, purchased at the yard or lumber depots.

one of the early saw-mills. which was destroyed , by fire. No stationary saw-mill. at present. exists in the township. The first grist-mill was erected in 1818, and it is also a question whether Mr. Phelps built the first one in the southwest corner. Section 31, or George Mar- shall on the southeast corner ; both are claim- ants for this honor. The second grist-mill was built in 1823, by John Stewart, and the third by Robert Bentley. The latter was erected very near the township line, and is mentioned in the history of Madison Township. All the early mills, except the Stewart mill. have dis- appeared. and only their ruins mark the spot where the early pioneers waited hours, and sometimes even days, for their grinding. The Stewart mill has been rebuilt and improved, but vet occupies the spot where it was first erected. and is doing good service, being now known as the " Wickert mill." It is in the northern part of the township. About twelve or fifteen years since, a small grist-mill was erected by John Strasbach (who vet owns it), on Section 31. in the southwest corner of the township, on Clear Run. A saw-mill had been in operation here for many years before.

There is no town of consequence in this township. Washington Village was laid out where the road crosses, by John Conwell. Wes- ley Barnes and James Sirpliss. These gentle-

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HISTORY OF RICHILAND COUNTY.

men own the land divided by these roads. A round log schoolhouse was the first building erected in the place. It stood on the site of the present Congregational Church.

David Coulter was the first teacher in this house, and his pupils were the Smiths, the Barneses, Conwells, Sirplisses, Armstrongs and Pollocks. Mark Finnieum started the first store, soon after the town was laid out; and Emilus Day the first blacksmith-shop. Rev. |in proportions or importance.

James F. McGraw, who, in addition to his min- isterial labors, obtained something of a literary reputation, kept store here after Finnicum. There is no business at present in the village, except what is transacted at the blacksmith- shop of Elias Hiser. Thirteen families yet re- side in the town. It is hardly likely, judging from present appearances, that it will ever equal its namesake of the District of Columbia, either

CHAPTER LXI.

WELLER TOWNSHIP.

ORGANIZATION -TOPOGRAPHY - IMPROVEMENTS-EARLY SETTLERS-INCIDENTS AND REMINISCENCES OF PIONEER LIFE-THE ENGLISHMAN'S "CASTLE"-SOLDIERS IN THE LATE WAR-THE COUNTY INFIRMARY -SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES-THE RAILROAD-OLIVESBURG-SUPERSTITIONS.

W ELLER TOWNSHIP was organized in the year 1846, from the original town- ships of Milton and Franklin, after Ashland County had been organized. That part of Milton Township lying east of the Black Fork remain- ing in Ashland County, and retained its original name as possessing the largest amount of terri- tory. Two miles was then taken from the east side of Franklin and added to what was left of Milton, and erected into a new township and called Weller, and was subsequently divided into six school districts.

The township contains within its limits a very fine body of land, embracing every variety of soil, and well adapted for the production of | grass or grain, as well as every variety of fruit and vegetables. The Black Fork is the princi- pal stream of water and traverses the township from west to east, entering at the northwest cor- ner, near Urick's mill, and continuing an east- ward course to Linn's mill, then turns south to the bridge, on the Wells farm, in the southeast corner of the township. The Whetstone, com- ing in from the north, and the Brubaker Run from the south, are important branches. The

land on these streams is extremely fertile, pro- ducing fine erops of corn and other cereals.

The " Big Hill," as it is called, forms a prom- inent feature in this department. It rises about one hundred and fifty feet high, and is four miles in circumferance, more or less abrupt on its several sides, to a uniform altitude, and then drops to a level surface on the top, forming a table-land of great beauty and value for agri- cultural and horticultural purposes. There are about one hundred and fifty springs emitting pure, soft water which flows from its sides ; the geological formation being sandstone. A num- ber of valuable quarries are in operation on different sides. There are also heavy deposits of potter's or fire clay. Specimens on the farm of John Ward were sent to Akron, Ohio, and to Lansing, Mich., for testing purposes, and pro- nounced at both factories to be first-class ma- terial for stoneware. Some indications of coal have been found cropping out at several points, but not sufficient to justify a heavy venture.

About ten years ago, Thomas Clingan, living on the north side of the hill, employed men to bore for coal. They went down about one

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hundred and ten feet. and then abandoned the enterprise,

The wooded portions of the hill are covered with a dense growth of chestnut, hickory and oak timber. There are men living on the hill now who can remember when the tall chestnut trees-now 100 feet high-were no thicker than a man's thumb. When the abo- rigines held possession, they burned the forests over annually to prevent the undergrowth from obstructing the distant view of game. Heavy timber would not be affected by the fire, but the land was no doubt impover- ished by consuming the decaying vegetable matter.

In early times, there was a saline spring about half a mile west of Windsor Station, which spread out over a low, flat bottom-ground, forming an extended marsh, which the early settlers called "The Deer Lick." This was a place of great resort, both of the Indians and also of the early hunters. to kill deer. It was once owned by Jacob Gardiner, a son of Archi- bakl Gardiner. the first settler in those parts. Gardiner was one of the best riffemen in the country. He made a small pen of poles, at a convenient angle. covered it with bark and brush. in which he would secrete himself and await the approach of the deer, which resorted here generally by moonlight, in the autumn of the year, to lick at the saline fountain. Many were the splendid specimens that were dragged out of that marsh.

On the east side of the hill there is a pic- turesque-looking cavern, that was called "The Snake Den," under whose massive rocks the rattlesnakes took refuge and propagated their fearfully hated race. John Dickson once in- provised a party of snake-hunters and made a raid on the den, killing seventy-five and wound- ing others.

In the first stages of its settlement, progress was necessarily very slow. Things did not go by steam in those days. The early settler

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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