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 93

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 93

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.

could be converted into whisky, which could be freighted to the lake, and found a ready market. Maple sugar was also an import- ant item of trade, and was made in large quantities, bringing from 4 to 6 cents per pound.

The name Uniontown continued to hang to the place two or three years, when it was changed to Ashland by the Legislature.

The first school in Ashland was taught by Therrygood Smith, and was situated on the lot west of the one afterward occupied by Hugh Davis. This cabin burned down in 1824, taking fire from its lath and clay chim- ney. The first house erected for school pur- poses was in 1825, on the lot afterward owned by Sarah Jones. Chandler Foote taught here. The third school was taught in1826, in a cabin

In 1822, Mr. Graham petitioned the Post- master General for a post office at Uniontown. The petition was forwarded to Hon. John Sloan, then Representative to Congress from the Richland and Wayne County District. The Postmaster General declined granting a post office with the name Uniontown, as there were ' owned by Cullen Spaulding, by Mr. Fleming.

ASHLAND COLLEGE, OHIO,

already two Uniontown post offices in the State. Mr. Sloan then made choice of the name of Ashland, there being no post office of that name in Ohio. Mr. Graham became the first Postmaster, and the first contract for ear- rying the mail was let to a Mr. Bell, who was to make the trip once a week between Wooster and New Haven, Huron County, via Ashland. The mail was carried on horseback about a year, when the Post Office Department discov- ered it would not pay expenses and withdrew the contract. Mr. Graham then hired the mail carried to Mansfield three years at his own ex- pense and at a loss.

In progress, the Ashland schools have kept pace with the growth of the town. At present it is divided into three districts. with excellent buildings in each.

The question of establishing a first-class in- stitution of learning somewhere within the limits of Pennsylvania, Ohio or Indiana, had been freely discussed for many years by the more enterprising members of the Brethren Church, and attempts had been made in cach of these States, and in one of them a large sum of money had already been guaranteed for this purpose ; but for various reasons all these efforts failed, though the importance and benefit of

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

such an institution became more and more ap- parent and acknowledged by the church at large. Under these circumstances, repeated offers were made to Elder S. Z. Sharp, then Professor in Maryville College, Tennessee, to take charge of the enterprise and bring it to a successful issue, which, after mature reflection, he accepted, and, in the summer of 1877, made a tour through Ohio in quest of a suitable loca- tion. Of the many places proposed, Ashland was selected; and in June, 1877, a meeting was called of all the business men in Ashland ; the aims of the founders and the character of the proposed college presented to the crowded assembly in the town hall. Among the prom- inent features of the institution were men- tioned " freedom from vain show and extrava- gance in dress," assuming that " high intellectual and moral attainments" were the true objects to be placed before the student. The citizens of Ashland at once seconded the proposition to establish such an institution at this place, and raised $10,000 toward the erection of buildings, while agents were at work elsewhere collecting funds.

A corporation was formed, and, on February 22, 1878, a charter obtained by which the insti- tution was placed under the care of the church of the Brethren, and legally on an equality with the best in the State. In the following summer, the main building was erected, 100 feet deep. 100 wide, and four stories high, with ten recitation-rooms, professors' rooms, literary halls, offices, and chapel for the accommodation of 500 students.

During the summer of 1879, another build- ing, 110 feet long and four stories high, was erected as dormitory and boarding hall. The buildings and grounds are valned at $60.000.

On the 17th of September, 1879, the college was formally opened ; fifty-nine students regis- tering their names the first day; seventy-five during the first week, and closed December 24 with 112 enrolled.

The charter provides for four departments : First, classical. with the degree of A. B .: second, philosophical, with the degree of Ph. B .; third, normal ; fourth, commercial. Students com- pleting either of the last two, will receive suit- able certificates of graduation. A department has also been added to prepare those wishing to take a scientific and classical course.

Each course is based on the most natural and philosophie plan by which all the powers of the mind are developed simultaneously and sym- metrically, and the time of the student divided among language, mathematics, science and phil- osophy, while opportunities are offered to study some of the fine arts.

The classical course requires four years to complete, and the studies are arranged as fol- lows :

Freshmen Year-First term, Virgil, Anabasis, geometry, sacred history ; second term. Virgil. Anabasis. higher algebra, sacred history ; third term, Cicero's De Senectute et Amicitia, Mem- orabilia, higher algebra completed, botany.

Sophomore Year-First term, Livy. Memora- bilia, trigonometry and surveying, chemistry, lectures on Roman history ; second term, Horace's Odes and Epodes, Homer's Iliad. trig- onometry and navigation, lectures and Greek history ; third term, Horace's Satires, political economy, general geometry, zoology.

Junior Year-First term. Tacitus, March's English grammar and Milton, mental phil- osophy (elective), German. Greek or mathemat- ics ; second term, Demosthenes' Corona. men- tal philosophy, Gonat's Physics (elective). ancient or modern languages ; third term, En- glish literature, moral philosophy, physics (elective), ancient or modern languages, mathe- matics or science.

Senior Year-First term, philosophy, art of discourse, church history, geology and mineral- ogy, French ; second term, history of philosophy, rhetoric, Eusebius, astronomy, New Testament history (elective), modern languages ; third

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

term, history of philosophy, evidences of Chris- tianity, natural theology, Greek Testament, Butler's Analogy.

Composition throughout the course.

Philosophieal Course-This is designed for those who wish to prepare themselves for some special department in science. The study of Greek and a part of Latin omitted, and an additional number of scientific studies added. Prominence is given to modern languages.

Normal Department-This course is fully as complete as found in other commercial colleges, with a shorter course for farmers, teachers, mechanics, etc.

The preparatory department is similar to those in other first-class colleges.

Among the distinguishing features found in the first cireular issued are :

1. It is thoroughly Christian, but not sec- tarian.

2. Combines the most liberal course of study with the least expense.

3. It ineulcates the spirit of plainness and economy in dress ; aiming to adorn the mind and character more than the body.

4. Its location is unrivaled in advantages.

The government is mild and firm ; the stu- dents are taught as much as possible to govern themselves. Tuition, $30 per year in advance. Boarding from $1 to $2 per week. The Faculty, at present, consists of Elder S. J. Sharp, A. M., President and Professor of Mental and Moral Seience ; L. Huber, A. M., Professor of Greek and Modern Languages ; J. E. Stubbs, A. M., Professor of Greek Language and Literature ; David Bailey, A. M., Professor of Mathematics ; Jacob Keino, Ph. B., Professor of Natural Sciences ; F. P. Foster, Superintendent of the Commercial Department; J. E. Ewing, In- structor in Music.

At present (February, 1880), 140 students are enrolled.

There are eleven churches in Ashland, viz., Methodist, Presbyterian, English Lutheran,

German Lutheran, German Reformed, Disciple, Baptist, United Brethren, Albright, St. Ed- ward's Catholic and Dunkard.

As has been mentioned, the Presbyterians were organized in Hopewell Church, which was transferred to Ashland in 1837 ; a building of stone having been erected here in 1836. This building stood until 1879, when it was taken away, and the present beautiful brick erected at a cost of $20,000.

The Methodist Church was organized about 1828, and a stone church erected which was afterward purchased by the county and used as a court house until the present buildings were erected on its site. The present brick church, on the corner of Third and Church streets, was . commeneed in 1848, and completed in 1858 ; and cost $4,000 or $5,000. Present member- ship about four hundred.

The English Lutheran was organized about 1835 by Rev. F. J. Ruth, now an aged citizen of Galion, Ohio. The present brick edifice is located on Third street, and cost about $3,000. Present membership, 250. The society con- templates erecting a new church building during the year 1880.

The Baptist Church was organized in 1860, by eleven persons. Its membership is now about thirty. First Pastor was Rev. I. N. Car- man. They creeted a frame building soon after organization that cost about $1,500.

Disciple Church organized by John Rigdon in 1824. Their frame church building on Orange street was erected in 1842, and cost about $1,500.

German Lutheran organized in 1872, about which time they also erected a brick church on Main street, at a cost of $4,000. Present mem- bership about one hundred.

The German Reformed was organized, and the building erected about the same time (1872). The building is frame, and cost about $2,500. Membership about sixty.

The United Brethren Church was organized about 1872, by Rev. Mr. Moody, and a frame

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

building erected on East Walnut street at a cost of $3,000. Present membership about one hundred.

The Albrights have erected a fine brick church on Third Street, at a cost of $6,000. Present membership about one hundred.

St. Edward's Catholic Church on Cottage street was organized about 1872. The build- ing is brick, and not yet finished.

The Tunkards, or Brethren, as they prefer to be called, organized in 1879, and at present, hold services in the chapel of the college. The membership is about one hundred. S. Z. Sharp, J. A. Worst and S. H. Bashar are the leaders.

Ashland has grown into a town of nearly, or quite, four thousand people, the Atlantic & Great Western Railway contributing not a little to its development.

There are two large flouring-mills ; four large dry-goods stores ; four clothing, three hard- ware, four agricultural implement, three stove and tin, ten grocery and three drug stores ; three restaurants, two hotels, two banks, one insurance company, three tanneries, two plan- ing-mills and the usual number of people in other business in the same proportion.

The Ashland Mutual Insurance Company was organized in 1851. It is permanent and re- liable, its assets aggregating about $600,000. William Osborn is President ; L. Jeff Sprengle, Secretary, and J. D. Stubbs, General Agent.

The First National (and only national) Bank was organized first in January, 1852, and re- organized and made a national bank in Jan- uary, 1864.

The Farmers' Bank was organized July 1, 1874. It is a private institution.

The Ashland Herald was started in 1836. by John C. Gilkison, of Mansfield, who continued its publication about one year, when he sold the press and material to Joshua H. Ruth, now of the Loudonville Democrat. The Herald was Whig in politics, but Ruth changed both

its politics and name, calling it the Ohio Globe. It supported Van Buren for the Pres- ideney. In less than a year, Ruth was suc- seeded by Judge Samuel McCluer, now a leading lawyer of Akron, who changed the name to the Western Phonix. The politics were again changed to Whig, but the paper only lived about a year.

From 1838 to 1846, Ashland was without a paper : but in the latter year two were started- one the Ashland Democrat, edited and published by Jonathan Maffett (now of Upper Sandusky, Ohio) and William Hunter. The other was the Ashland Standard. The first represented the hard money Democrats, and the last the soft. The Standard was published the last two years by W. T. Jackson. These papers continued about four years, when both concerns sold out to Horace S. Knapp, and in their place ap- peared the Ohio Union. In 1850, a Whig paper was established called the Ashlander, by W. B. MeCarty, now an attorney at Bowling Green. Ohio. It was continned two years. July 14, 1853, the Ashland Times was started by L. Jeff Sprengle (who is authority for this account of the papers) and Judge William Osborn. It was Whig in politics, and continued four years, when Judge Osborn, who had been editor-in-chief. sold his interest to Mr. Sprengle, and was suc- ceeded as editor by Josiah Loche. of the In- dianapolis Journal, who continued as editor two years, when he returned to Indianapolis and resumed his place upon the Journal. Mr. Sprengle continued the publication of the Times in the interest of the Republican party until June 1, 1876, when he disposed of his interest to his son-in-law, J. E. Stubbs. who afterward sold a half-interest to his brother, John C. Stubbs. These gentlemen have conducted it until the present time, it being under the editorial and business management of G. W. Stubbs and B. G. Grosscup.

At the Times office, is also published a re- ligious paper called the Gospel Preacher, in the

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

interest of the Brethren, or Tunkards, which has a cireulation of 4,000. Its editors and man- agers are Prof. S. Z. Sharp, S. H. Bashor and John Worst.

In the same office and for the same society, is also published a Sabbath-school paper, called the Young Disciple, which is edited by Prof. S. Z. Sharp, President of the Ashland College, and James Quintor. Its circulation is nearly 10,- 000.

The jobbing department of the Times office is complete in every respect, and the establish- ment generally is one of the largest and most complete in this part of the State.

The Ohio Union, above mentioned, continued in charge of Mr. Knapp until 1853, when he sold to John Sheridan, by whom it was con-

tinued until November, 1855, its name having, in the mean time, being changed to the Ash- land Union. At that date, it was purchased by Collins W. Bushnell. In January, 1857, H. S. Knapp repurchased, and continued the publi- cation of the paper until May 30, 1860, when he disposed of it to J. J. Jacobs. Mr. Jacobs sold, in 1865, to McCord, Nelson & Landis, and in the same year it was transferred to J. M. Landis & Bro. In 1868, the establishment was pur- chased by George W. Hill, who conducted it until August, 1872, when he sold to Nelson & Gates, who changed the name to the Ashland Press. January 1, 1879, W. H. Gates retired from the firm, and Nelson continued until July 17, when the establishment was purchased by Alberson & Heltman, the present proprietors.

CHAPTER LXXII.

ORANGE TOWNSHIP .*

FORMATION-INDIAN TRAIL - INDIANS AND INDIAN RELICS- ANCIENT RELICS-FIRST SETTLERS - FIRST ROAD - MILLS - ORANGE VILLAGE-CHURCHES.

P RIOR to 1816, Montgomery Township, in what is now Ashland County, was twelve miles long from north to south, and six miles wide. June 3, 1816, this territory was divided and the north half called Orange. It was at that time the northeast township of "Old Rich- land," but became a part of Ashland County in 1846. It was surveyed by Maxfield Ludlow in 1806, when it was yet a wilderness and no white man's cabin within its boundaries. An Indian trail passed through the southwestern part of the township, passing up Jerome Fork, crossing into Clear Creek Township, to Ver- million Lake. This trail was much used by the Wyandots and Ottawas in their passage to and from the eastern part of the State. About the year 1816, this trail was surveyed by Rev. James Haney, of Savannah, a practical sur-

veyor, to Rowsburg, and from there to Wooster. It was opened as a road and used as a common highway by the early settlers of Orange and Clear Creek Townships.

The evidences of Indian occupation in many parts of Orange Township were numerous. The aborigines, it seems, were accustomed to assem- ble annually in the spring, in large numbers, upon the lands subsequently owned by Isaac Mason, Jacob Young, Jacob Heifner and Peter Biddinger, to make sugar and hunt, which cus- tom they kept up until as late as 1815 or 1816. Mr. Biddinger, being a gunsmith, was often visited by them for repairs to injured or broken flint-locks.

The soil and timber of Orange do not differ materially from others around it, already de- scribed. The land is generally level, or with gentle ascents and descents ; the township is

* Now in Ashland County, formerly in Richland.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

generally well watered by Jerome Fork of the Mohican and its tributaries, this stream having its rise here.

A few interesting relics of a former age have been found in the township. A few human skeletons were once unearthed on the bank of the creek, while a party of workmen were im- proving the before-mentioned trail, one of which appeared to be more than seven feet in height. It may be imagined that this was an Indian chief, who once headed his file of dusky war- riors along the dark paths and ravines and beautiful streams of the country. If he wielded authority in proportion to his physical dimen- sions, he must have more than rivaled Pipe, Logan or Tecumseh. Col. John Murray, who discovered the remains, had no difficulty in passing the lower jaw over his face. The cra- nium and other bones showed that the skeleton belonged to a man of unusual size and power.

About one-fourth of a mile southwest of the village of Orange is to be found an ancient mound. It was examined by Dr. Deming and others, who found well-preserved human bones, remnants of pottery, etc.

The first settlers were as follows: John Bishop, February, 1814, Section 21; Vachel Metcalf, 1814 ; James Campbell ; James Clark, 1818, Section 2; Robert Culbertson, 1825 ; Phillip Biddinger, 1823; Christian Fast, Sr., 1815, Section 18; Jacob Fast, 1817, Section 21; Nicholas Fast, 1815 ; Phillip Fluke, 1816 ; Jacob Hiffner, Jr., 1817, Section 14; James Medowell, November, 1823, Section 26; Ed- ward Murray, 1820; Patrick Murray, 1815; John Stull, 1820 ; William Patterson, 1818, Section 7 ; Christopher Rickett, 1822; Daniel Summers, 1818, Section 10; Solomon Urie, 1814, Section 34; Jacob Young, 1814 ; Amos Norris, 1814.

It will be observed from this list that five families (these settlers nearly all brought their families) settled in the township in 1814 ; they were, as was usually the case, mostly from

Western Pennsylvania, and many of them came as early as 1813 to select their lands.

The reminiscences of these early settlers are intensely interesting to the present generation, but, however interesting, they cannot all be preserved in print. A few of the best are re- tained, which convey a truthful picture of pio- neer life.

Among the earliest settlers in this township was Christian Fast, Sr., whose captivity among the Indians in this part of the State, is given in the chapter entitled "First White Men in the County." It is only necessary to refer to it here, as it is fully given there. It is a narra- tive of thrilling interest, and shows in a strik- ing manner the privations of frontier days in the West. Mr. Fast returned in 1815 and set tled in this township, where he lived many years.

Vachel Metcalf and Amos Norris were the first to move into the township with their families. They came early in the spring of 1814; Jacob Young and Jacob Crouse, how- ever, came the same spring, and the former built his cabin on the Ashland and Orange road, a few rods from where the bridge crosses the Jerome Fork of the Mohican.

Another of these pioneers, Solomon Urie, re- lates many interesting adventures. His brother, Thomas, was killed in Eastern Ohio, by the Indians, while he and Solomon were out hunt- ing. The latter barely escaped, on this oc- casion, by leaping from a high bluff. The Indians dared not follow. Solomon and his son, Samuel, served with credit in the war of 1812. He was with Williamson in his campaign against the Moravian villages in 1782, and wit- nessed the massacre and burning of the villages. Williamson was his brother-in-law, and on this account he was induced to accompany the ex- pedition. Hle always disapproved the barbar- ous act, and often stated to his sons, that Williamson yielded a reluctant consent to the perpetration of that dreadful tragedy, being un- able to control the violence of his soldiers, who

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

were border volunteers and had suffered much from Indian raids and depredations. In the winter of 1815, he erected a blacksmith-shop on his land, being the first one in Orange Town- ship, he being a blacksmith and gunsmith by trade. The first winter after his arrival, he killed forty deer, eight large black bears, a great number of coons and other game.

An Ashland paper of April 9, 1862, has this item : "Jacob Young, an old citizen of this township, died on the 3d instant, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-nine years and three months. He was born in Hardy County, Va. January 1, 1773; emigrated to Ohio in 1804, and to this county in 1814. He lived with his companion, who still survives him, sixty-eight years. He was the father of twelve children ; and when he died, had one hundred and seventeen grandchildren ; one hundred and seventy-six great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren."

No road had been surveyed in the township at the date of its first settlement. John Bishop carried the chain for the surveyors when they established the first road which led from Sheet's saw-mill, on the east line of Montgomery Township, via Jacob Young's and Leidigh's mill to Savannah, though no mills or towns were then in existence. Mr. Bishop was made Con- stable at the first election held in the town- ship.

On the site of this Leidigh mill, two miles west of the present village of Orange, was erect- the first mill in the township, in 1815, by Mar- tin Mason. The stones were "hard-heads," and would grind sixty bushels per day. The mill commenced operations in March, 1816. That the settlers in Orange and adjacent townships appreciated the advantages of the mill. may be understood when it is stated that prior to its erection, the nearest mill was that of Stibbs, one mile east of Wooster. In 1814-15, no corn could be obtained nearer than Wooster and along Apple and Short Creeks-price, $1.25 per

bushel. Wheat could not be obtained nearer than Massillon, at $2 per bushel.

Previous to the erection of this mill, corn was prepared for use on hominy blocks, and nearly every cabin had one. Mr. Mason constructed a hand-mill before this first water-mill was built. He had a couple of hard-heads made into mill-stones. This hand-mill (a good one of its kind) would, by the aid of six persons, pro- duce half a bushel of meal in two hours.

What was called "sick wheat" was often produced in the early attempts at cultivation. The berry would be as plump and attractive in appearance as the best quality ever grown, and the flour as white as the best specimens now produced. When made into bread, it would be palatable, except that it would have a sweet taste ; but when eaten by man or beast, it pro- duced a distressing sickness, and only remained upon the stomach a few moments. This was, how- ever, the only disease that attacked the wheat, neither weevil, rust nor smut being then known.

Milling was sometimes done at Beam's, on Black Fork, and down on the White Woman ; the trip to the latter being made in canoes, and occupying about two weeks. For a long time Beam's mill ground only corn.

Orange, the only town in the township, was laid out April 22, 1828, by Amos Norris and J. C. Chilcoat. It is located in the midst of a fine farming region, but long ago arrived at maturity-a village of one or two hundred people. The post office is Nankin.

The religious sentiment is well developed, a number of churches having been organized in the town and township. One of the earliest is the German Reformed, organized about 1832. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Orange is prob- ably the oldest, having been organized some years before 1830, at which date the church building was erected. The Evangelical Lu- theran was organized in 1861; the North Orange Methodist Episcopal about 1848 ; the Canaan Church was erected in. 1850 ; the Ger-

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

675

man Reformed and Methodist Episcopal about 1840 ; the Old School Presbyterian of Orange in 1834, by Russell Bigelow, the famous mis-

sionary ; the United Brethren Church building was erected in 1850, and the St. Jacob's Ger- man Reformed in 1853.

CHAPTER LXXIII.

VERMILLION TOWNSHIP .*

FORMATION-SURVEY-INDIAN TRAILS-TIMBER-EARLY SETTLERS-INDIANS-GEN. BEALL AND THE BATTLE OF COWPENS -FIRST ROADS - MILLS AND DISTILLERIES -FIRST JUSTICES OF THE PEACE-EDUCATION - CHURCHES-INFIRMARY-HAYESVILLE-WHISKY AS A MOTOR.

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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