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 87

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 87

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).

Toward the southern extremity of this ledge of rocks, is " Horseshoe Bend." In this bend,

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

during the wet season, a stream of water issues from the perpendicular side of a rock, falling about thirty feet. In every direction about these falls, the scenery is beautiful, and the traveler is continually stumbling upon wonder- ful things.

Near these beautiful falls, one of the first pioneer meetings in Richland County was held. Dr. S. Riddle, of Ashland, owner of the falls, in a communication regarding this event, writes :

"The first pioneer meeting in Richland County was held at Hemlock Falls the first Sat- urday of September, 1856. The principal actors were Rev. James McGaw and Gen. Brinkerhoff, of Mansfield, Ohio ; Dr. S. Riddle, of Ashland ; Dr. J. P. Henderson, Noah Watt (long since dead), William B. Carpenter, Peter Brubaker, Peter Keller, John Uhler and A. Darling, of Worthington Township, and Solomon Gladden and John Coulter, of Monroe. William B. Car- penter was the President on that occasion, and Dr. J. P. Henderson was Marshal of the day. Speeches were made by MeGaw and Brinker- hoff, also John Coulter referred to his early ex- perience in pioneer life and the encounters he had with bears and other wild beasts of the for- est. A large concourse of people were present ; there was music suitable to the occasion, and a splendid picnic-dinner spread out on the beauti- ful green above the Falls. The underbrush had been cleared away by some little boys, who took great delight in so doing. Among that number was G. W. Watts (now dead) and Jonathan Her- ring-who now lives on North Main street. Mans- field, Ohio, and runs the steam-dye works-who were at that time little boys about ten years old. The day was beautiful, and everything went off pleasantly, good order prevailing till the close of the meeting. A short time previous to this meeting, the place had received the name of Hemlock Falls by Gen. Brinkerhoff, who pre- ferred giving it that name instead of an Indian name, as some had suggested. At the second meeting, one year from that time, a large gath-

ering of the people took place, and a general picnic was held, without any special reference to the pioneers. Speech by Hon. John Sherman. Adjourned to meet again in one year from that time. Third meeting, held a Sunday-school picnic. A very well-behaved and orderly crowd of people was there; had appropriate music. The speakers on that occasion were Rev. Richard Gailey (now dead) and Dr. Riddle. Yearly pic- nics were held there for some years afterward by other parties, but have dwindled down to a mere nothing. The Falls are still owned by Dr. Riddle, who intends to revive again the spirit of the meetings of former days."

Slanting Rock is an enormous fragmentary rock, 80 feet long by 40 wide and 30 in thick- ness, which some convulsion of nature seems to have precipitated some considerable distance from the main cliff. This rock stands upon one of its ends, the other pointing upward at an angle of forty-five degrees. The ascent of this rock is somewhat perilous, the upper surface slanting about like the roof of an ordinary dwelling. Contiguous to this is another rock of larger dimensions, the upper surface of which is covered with moss and shrubs, which is also detached from the main ledge.

The Eagle's Nest is a bold projecting rock. about seventy-five feet in perpendicular alti- tude, and is situated one-fourth of a mile north of Hemlock Falls, on the same side of Clear Fork. It received its name from the circum- stance of an eagle having a nest under the the shelving rock near its summit.

A short distance south of Eagle's Nest is the Pioneer Threshing Floor, which rises perpen- dicularly three hundred feet above the waters of the creek. Its upper surface is about forty feet square, and somewhat bowl-shaped. The name is derived from the circumstance of its being used during pioncer times for a thrashing floor, for which purpose it is admirably adapted. It is surrounded on two sides by trees of considerable growth. Its position is

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marked by a bend in the creek at nearly right angles, where the creek is seen stretching away toward the west. On either side, so far as the eye can penetrate, the creek is walled in by high precipitous bluff's.

Indian Hill forms the eastern extremity of the ledge of rocks upon which Hemlock Falls, Eagle's Nest, etc., are situated. This eminence affords a fine view of the Valley of Clear Fork and Slater's Run. On the top of this hill are seen several depressions, extending in a line about twenty-five feet across the hill, which would seem to indicate an Indian burial ground.

Prospect Hill is situated about one-half mile west of. Hemlock Falls, on the south bank of the Clear Fork. It is probably the highest point of land in Worthington Township. The view from its summit is very beautiful. The Clear Fork valley, and thousands of aeres of field and meadow and neat farmhouses ; cattle, sheep, peace, plenty and beauty everywhere. Near its summit are several bowl-shaped cav- ities, the largest of which is, perhaps, twenty feet in diameter. evidently formed by the sink- ing down of the earth among the cavities of the rocks beneath. They lie at the edge of a cleared field, and when the ploughed earth, on different occasions, has rolled into one of these depressions, and been washed down by rain, it finds its way out about five hundred feet below, at the base of the hill. through the outlet of a strong spring of water. From this circum- stanee. it is supposed that there is a subter- ranean passage from these depressions to the base of the hill.

A short distance below the cavities is a mag- nificent rocky tower, one hundred and fifty feet high, overlooking the valley.

A perforation of twenty or thirty feet always existed in this hill, but it was not until within the last twenty years or more that this was found to be the entrance to a cave, which has received the name of Fountain Cavern. This cavern is quite roomy, being perhaps three hun-

dred feet in circumference, and with several distinct rooms and narrow, winding ways. Near its entrance is a rock called the Giant's Plow- share, from a resemblance to that farming im- plement. A short distance from this is another large rock resembling a pulpit, and near this a rock called the Indian's Arrowpoint, from its resemblance to that article. It stands on the large end, pointing to the north at an angle of seventy-five degrees. It is six feet broad at the base, and tapers to a point like an arrow- head.

Watts Hill is on the north side of the creek, immediately opposite Prospect Hill, and derives its name from Mr. Noah Watts, on whose farm it is located. The location of this gentleman's residence at the foot of this hill is one of the most beautiful that can be imagined.

The eastern ascent of the hill is gradual, but the south is more abrupt, being in places al- most perpendicular. All over the hill are seat- tered eurious-shaped rocks, cliffs, arches, towers and various strange things nature has provided to astonish the beholder.

Near Watts Hill is a solitary rock called Dropping Rock. It is about one hundred feet in circumference, and ten or fifteen feet in alti- tude. It stands entirely alone, no other rocks being near, and its surface is covered withi moss and shrubs. From its outside walls the water is continually dropping, even in dry weather -- hence the name.

It will be seen from the foregoing, that this must have been a delightful hunting-ground for the Indian, and equally delightful to the first white residents ; but how much more beautiful is it to-day, when there are no Indians, rattle- snakes or wolves lurking beneath its rocks and in its caverns.

The township is rich in Indian relics. Dr. J. P. Henderson, of Newville, having quite a cab- inet of curious things gathered in this vicinity. The plow even yet unearths some curious im- plements. Not long since, a curiously wrought

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

629

copper pipe was plowed up in the old Indian burying-ground at Helltown, which is now in possession of Dr. Henderson.

The first white settler came into the town- ship, so far as known, in 1809, and was, there- fore, among the first in Richland County. The names of its first settlers are mentioned in a statement printed some years ago, from which the following extract is produced : "The first settlement of this township was made in the year 1809, by Samuel Lewis, James Cunning- ham, Andrew Craig and Henry McCart." This is. in part, erroneous, Samuel Lewis being the only one of those mentioned who settled within the present limits of Worthington. The men, however, settled very near to each other, and very near the line between Monroe, Worthing- ton and Green, and it has been with some dif- fieulty that their exact places of residence have been ascertained. They have been claimed as residents of Greentown, and of Green Town- ship, but the fact is they settled very near where Monroe and Worthington joins Green. James Cunningham moved about consider- ably; in fact. many of these early settlers were somewhat restless, and it is therefore hard to locate them. Andrew Craig was among this number, and can hardly be called a settler at all. Of the former (Cunningham), it has been ascertained that he first settled on the north- east quarter of Section 6. in Monroe Township, so that his first residence was far from Worth- ington. His next move, so far as known, was to Mansfield, and his third move, made in 1810, was back to Monroe Township, where he settled on Section 36, near Greentown, and in the McCart and Lewis neighborhood, so that he was not one of the earliest residents of Worth- ington at all, though very near its northern line. He afterward moved to the northeast quarter of Section 24, in Monroe. Sometime during the war of 1812, he moved his family to Lieking County, Ohio, and returning again after the war settled permanently in Worthing-

ton, on Section 17. It will be seen that he was an early settler in Worthington, but not among the earliest.

Samuel Lewis was probably the first perman- ent white settler within the present limits of Worthington, settling on the northwest quarter of Section 1, in the spring of 1809. He after- ward, in 1812, erected a block-house on his farm for the protection of the settlers. This was known as Lewis' block-house, and is men- tioned in another chapter. Henry Nail, Sr., came in 1810, settling_on Section 1, and William Slater, Peter Zimmerman and James Wilson in 1811 ; Herring, Brodie, Pierce, Davis and some others, perhaps, a little later. James Pierce came before 1815, and settled on Section 2. William and Jonathan Darling came in soon after Lewis, and settled on Section 1. Joseph Friend and Peter Zimmerman came about 1811, the former. settling on Section 3, and the latter on the northeast quarter of Section 16. Zim- merman erected a powder-mill, the first in the country, on Clear Fork, and established a good trade in the powder business. In 1813, William and Thomas Simmons came, settling on Section 20, and entering the land upon which stands the village of Independence. In 1823, Moses Andrews, wife and family, consisting of Thomas B., William, John E., Moses, Jr., Catharine and Ann Eliza, came, settling on Section 32. When Mr. Andrews came, the following settlers were already here, in addition to those mentioned, viz., Frederick Eck, Section 32 ; Zeheniah Wade, Section 27 ; John Halferty, Section 34; Robert Kinton, Section 26; John Pipe; Stephen Bishop, Section 28 ; Frederick Herring (one of the earliest settlers), Section 3; Thomas Watt, Section 31; David Filloon, Section 23 ; Nicho- las Fleeharty, Section 24; James Fleeharty, Section 13 ; Amasy Fleeharty (father of James and Nicholas, and a soldier of the Revolution), Section 24; Daniel Carpenter (father of George and W. B. Carpenter, of Mansfield), Section 2 ; Andrew Ramsey, Section 17, (1815); Robert

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Phipps, Section 17; Jacob Myers, Section 18 ; William'Robison, Section 18; Samuel Boyle, Sec- tion 32. Mr. Boyle's cabin is yet standing, and is, probably, the oldest house in the township. John Duncan and William Hanlan settled on Section 30, and Robert McConkey on Section 13. Probably other settlers arrived before 1823, whose names cannot at present be recalled.

David Filloon erected the first blacksmith- shop in the township, on Section 19, the land being now owned by T. B. Andrews.

These settlers were mostly from the Ligonier Valley, in Western Pennsylvania. Most of them came into the township along the old Wyandot trail, following up the Mohican, the Black Fork and Clear Fork, settling first where the latter leaves the township, in the northeast corner. Of those who came later, a portion followed the military road, cut by a sec- tion of Gen. Harrison's army in 1812, which is yet a highway, and runs diagonally across the township from northeast to southwest, on the high ground south of the Clear Fork. This was, probably, the first road in the township. It is here in order, to relate a few incidents con- nected with the struggles of these early settlers, in their first efforts at transforming the rugged wilderness into the present cultivated gardens. Space can only be given for a few that will illustrate life in that time.

Henry Nail relates, that, when a boy, he was sent to Shrimplin's Mill, with two pack-horses, upon which the grist was loaded. He started home late in the afternoon ; the path was nar- row and winding, so that he was compelled to drive one horse before the other, he riding the rear one. The twilight of the dense forest was fast deepening into darkness, and he made all possible haste to reach the more open country, fearing he might be intercepted by a gang of wolves. Unfortunately, the forward horse passed too near the projecting point of an up- turned root, and a large rent was made in the bag of meal, and its contents scattered upon

the ground. Here was trouble. He had no means of fastening the parts of the torn bag together, and, if left over night, it was certain to be devonred by hogs or other animals, besides, there was a large family at home need- ing it for immediate use. Something must, however, be done immediately. The prolonged, undulating howl of wolves echoed through the forest, and an occasional child-like cry, from a swamp not far away, fairly made his hair stand on end. The thought of a panther in the vicinity was not pleasant. His ingenuity being quickened, he drew several strands of hair from his horse's tail, gathered up as much of the meal as he could, and succeeded in closing the rent in the bag with the horse-hair. "I had not proceeded far on my way," said he, " when I heard the wolves quarreling over the remnant of the meal remaining on the ground, and with all my haste, by the time I reached the nearest clearing, there seemed to be a hundred of them within a few rods of me. The furious barking of several dogs belonging to a cabin near by, fortunately checked the pursuit, so that I reached home in safety."

On another occasion several young men re- siding on the Clear Fork started off to visit a pigeon roost, situated in a swamp near the pres- ent site of Danville in Knox County. Arriving at the swamp, and not knowing the exact local- ity of the roost, they separated, and, surround- ing it, were to proceed inwardly until the roost was discovered, or they should meet in the cen- ter. They had only advanced a short distance when one of the party, Alexander McKee, aroused a bear that had taken lodgings in the swamp. The animal immediately rushed upon McKee, seizing him by the leg just as he reached the branch of a tree he was trying to ascend. He held on with a death-grip, and shouted for assist- ance. His companions coming up, the bear let go his hold, and, rising on his hind feet, faced his new assailants, ready for fight. A rifle ball through the head sent him dancing a jig, and

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

another through the heart settled him. McKee's limb was badly lacerated, and he remained a cripple for life.

Two young men, Henry and John Nail, sons of one of the earliest settlers, went out one day to hunt their horses, which were allowed to roam in the woods in summer. They carried their rifles, and were accompanied by two trusty dogs. When several miles from home, the dogs treed a young bear, which one the boys shot and wounded. It fell to the ground and set up a piteous cry. Both had fired, and their guns were therefore empty, when the mother of the cub appeared and rushed upon the slayers of her young with savage growls. The boys had neither time to re-load or climb a tree, but fortunately the dogs came to the rescue and at- tacked the bear fiercely, upon which she unex- pectedly beat a retreat. They carried the cub home, and had roast bear meat for dinner.

One of the earliest settlers of Worthington, Frederick Herring, erected a mill on the Clear Fork, near the present site of Newville, which was probably the second mill erected in the county, Beam's being first. The mill was re- sorted to from great distances by the early set- tlers. It was in operation nearly fifty years. Clear Fork furnished excellent water-power, and many mills have been erected from time to time on its banks. Another of the Herrings, David, erected a large three-story frame mill. about 40x60 feet, in 1841, two miles below In- dependence, on Clear Fork. Some years ago, this was converted into a woolen-mill. and is now owned and operated by Alexander & Zent, of Bellville. Its machinery is first class, and it is capable of doing a large business.

About a mile above Independence is a grist- mill now owned by J. & E. Plank, erected about 1820, by Jacob Myers. It has changed hands several times and been rebuilt, but is now in first-class condition and doing good work. About 1850, Jacob Armentrout erected a grist and saw mill one mile northeast of Inde-

pendence. It is now owned and operated by D. J. Rummel. These are all water-mills, and have saw-mills connected with them. In addi- tion to these, saw-mills have been erected in various parts of the township on the swift little streams and near running springs.

The first brick house was erected by William Darling, about 1828. The first voting place was at the house of Robert Phipps, on Sec- tion 17.

The religious sentiment of this township is well developed ; the larger portion of its peo- ple being connected with some church. It is found here as elsewhere, that, long before the people were able to erect churches, they had preaching at private houses and the old log schoolhouses that began to spring up here and there in the woods, as the settlements grew. Among the earliest ministers were the Rev. James Johnson, of Mansfield : William Hughes, George Leiter, Shadrick Rhuark, George Hiskey and others. One of the earliest church build- ings was the old Union, or United Presbyterian, located on Section 8; erected, and the society organized, through the efforts of Rev. James Johnson, who was its first Pastor. The first and most influential members were the Laf- fertys, Halfertys, Ramseys, John Robinson, William Wilson, Peter Alexander and others. The first building was a hewed log, and in after years (about 1831), a frame addition was built. This building and organization have long since disappeared, and nothing remains to mark the spot but the graveyard in the vicinity.

In an early day, the Rev. William Hughes established the church now known as the Clear Fork or Bunker Hill Presbyterian Church. lo- cated on Section 23. Rev. Hughes preached many years to the people of this neighborhood before the building was erected. The first building was a hewed-log. and the second, the present frame, was erected about 1850. To this church belonged, in an early day, the Mof- fats, Prichards, Hazletts, McClellands and

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others. Some of its early ministers were Luke Dorland, Frank Eddy and W. W. Anderson. Rev. Mr. Ferris is the present minister, and the membership is about forty. A Sunday school is conducted at this church during the summer, and has been for many years.

One of the early churches is the English Lu- theran, erected about 1832, on Section 6. The first church was a small frame. costing about $400 ; the second one, which is also frame, was erected in 1876, at a cost of $1,000. It is sometimes known as the " Harsh Church," and among its first members were the Harshes, Ber- rys, Crouses, William Harter, Daniel Teeter and others. Rev. Seidel and George Leiter were the first ministers. The membership is at present about fifty. An active Sunday school is also connected with it, the membership aver- aging fifty pupils.

A little later, about 1834, the Methodist Episcopal Church of Newville was organized. The early and influential members of this church were James Morrison, Daniel Carpenter, Peter Keller, David Shellenberger. George Fickle, James Hazlett, and the wives of these gentlemen. The early meetings of this organ- ization were held at the houses of James Mor- rison and George Fickle. Shadriek Rhuark was the first minister. Charles Reed and John Mitchell were also early ministers. Rev. Lion is present minister, and the membership about forty. An active Sunday school is connected with the church, the average attendance being about fifty.

The United Brethren Church, located on Section 4, was organized about the same time. or, perhaps, a little before the Methodist of Newville. The first church was log, erected about 1840. It was afterward weatherboarded over, and thus used until the present brick was erected. The early members were the Suave- leys. the Snyders, the Easterlys, Henry Muck and wife, Peter Leyman and others. The early meetings of this organization were held at the

residence of Lawrence Easterly. George Hiskey was among the early ministers. The present membership is about fifty, and a live Sunday school is in operation.

In an early day, the German Reformed soci- ety erected a log church on Section 22, which was used by them many years. The Baymil- lers, Cramers and others were influential in this church. It is now extinct, the church decayed and the society disbanded. A Baptist society was organized and a church erected in Inde- pendence, in 1852. The Rev. George Wilson was the founder, and called himself an " Inde- pendent Baptist." The Halfords, Samuel Phipps, John Wise, Samuel Wilson, David Teeter and others were the first members of this church. The early ministers besides Wil- son, were Benjamin Tulloss and Revs. Jenkins and Dye. No regular services are at present held in the church.

The Methodist Protestant Church of Inde- pendence was erected in 1857, at a cost of $800, though the society was organized four years before. The early meetings were held in the old log schoolhouse, located on the farm of .Thomas B. Andrews, near town.

The early members of this church were Thomas B. Andrews and wife, David and Jane Spear, William and Letitia Huston, Catharine Myers, Jane and William Lamley and Richard Gatton. Rev. N. T. Brown, of Fredericktown, was the first Pastor.

The present minister is W. S. Carns, and the present membership about forty. A large and active Sunday school is connected with this church.

The Albrights are numerous and strong in this part of the county, having three separate and active organizations and churches near In- dependence. This church prefers to be known as the Evangelical.

The first of these churches is the Zion, or Four Corners Church, located on Section 18, on the Kanaga property. This building was erected

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

about 1860, at a cost of $1,000. The principal original members were Michael, Jacob. John and David Secrist and their wives, Uriah Laf- ferty. Elizabeth Kanaga and Jonathan Plank. The first ministers were John Seibert and Rev. Bomgardner.

At present, the church is weak. Rev. Mr. Mesey has, at this time, charge of these three churches.

The Salem Church was organized about 1850, and the building erected in 1862, at a cost of $1.000. Its early members were Samuel, Elias and Henry Moore, Jacob Shaffer and Jonathan Freeheffer and wife. The present membership is about forty, and this, also, is about the aver- age attendance of pupils at the Sunday school.

The Mount Sinai Evangelical Church is lo- cated in Independence. This is an offshoot from the other two, and was organized and a building erected in 1875. The building and parsonage cost about $3,500. Its principal or- ganizers were Franklin Oberlin, Joseph Clever, James Near, Mary Clever, Sarah Thompson, Robert McEwin, Jonathan and George Free- heffer, and a majority of the members of their families. Bishop Stubbs preached at the dedi- cation of the church in December, 1875, and Joseph Rosenberger was their first Pastor. The present membership is about seventy- five.

A Sunday school was organized in 1876, A. Hitchman being first Superintendent. It now numbers about forty-five members.

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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