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 95

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 95

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).

* Now in Morrow County, formerly in Richland.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

the history of the village are J. C. Johnston and Solomon Harding. The former was born in Beaver County, Penn., in 1818, and came to Ohio in 1821, locating near Perrysville with his father. He came to Blooming Grove in 1836. He married Miss Logan in 1838, and built the first dwelling in the village, and has been en- gaged in business there ever since. He joined the Baptist Church in 1842, and has been an active member through a period of nearly forty years. Solomon Harding, the proprietor of the town site, came to Bloomfield about 1834. He laid out the town, and sold some of the lots, and removed to Galion in 1864, where he died in 1872. His family consisted of seven sons and two daughters. One son resided here till 1859.

The town site of the village of Blooming Grove was laid out in 1835. It was surveyed by John Steward and acknowledged before David Kilgore, who was then Justice of the Peace. This occurred March 5. The location is a very pleasant one. The town stands upon a little eminence, the ground descending to the east and west. As already stated, the first building was a small, humble dwelling, erected by Mr. Johnston. He also built a blacksmith- shop about the same time. The house stood on Lot No. 8. The post office was established in 1845, with U. G. Baker as Postmaster. The route has often been changed, and at present they have a tri-weekly mail from Galion to Fredericktown and return. The village em- braces about one hundred souls. The village school is a common district school of a single department. There are three churches in the village-Baptist, Methodist and Adventist. The Baptist Church was organized October 23, 1843, by Rev. Frederick Freeman. There were fifty-three members at the time of organization, while at present only thirty are enrolled. The meeting-house was erected in 1840. It is a frame house, forty-four feet long and thirty feet wide, costing about $400. This building was

replaced, in 1870, with a substantial brick, forty-five feet long and thirty-four feet wide. Its cost was near $2,500. The ministers have been Dr. Newton, Revs. Freeman, Neff, Pearson, Mothland, Morrison and Hall. A good Sunday school of thirty or forty members is sustained. The annual contributions are about $300.

The Advent Church is a neat, frame build- ing in the southern portion of the town. A series of meetings were held during the winter of 1878-79, which resulted in a permanent or- ganization, consisting of twenty-seven members. An effort was soon made to build a church, and resulted in the erection of a commodious chapel, forty-six feet long and twenty-eight feet wide. It is nicely painted, furnished and in- closed by a good board fence. The building cost about $1,600. The society was organized March 16, 1879, by Rev. A. O. Berrill.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organ- ized in early days, and has varied in numer- ical and moral strength. The church edifice stands just opposite the Advent, and is a brick structure. The village affords two stores, three blacksmith-shops, one physician-Dr. McFar- land-and a few artisans. A beautiful ceme- tery lies just west of the village. It was laid out in 1840. The first grave was made in 1823. In 1836, only three graves had been made, but at present, about four hundred and thirty bodies rest in the quiet retreat.

The village of West Point is located on the adjacent corners of Sections 31 and 32, in Bloomfield Township, and Sections 5 and 6, in Congress Township. It embraces an area of eight acres, two acres from each section. It was laid out by Mathew Boben in 1848, who sold goods a few years in the village, but was soon thereafter elected Recorder of Morrow County, and removed to Mount Gilead. Many pieces of land were entered, and various settle- ments made before the town was laid out. The Government patents of various parcels of land joining the town, are in the possession of the

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

present owner-Mr. Rule. These several par- cels were entered August 6, 1836, by Isaac Barns, James Sharrock and Samuel Fryman. These patents are signed by Andrew Jackson, President, and Elijah Haywood, Commissioner of the General Land Office. Most of the early pioneers of this region have gone to their rest. Samuel Fryman, who entered the northwest part of the town site, was from Belmont County, Ohio. After making some improvements, he sold to Mr. Rule and went to Missouri. Jacob Heney, who died a few years ago at the age of ninety years, came to Bloomfield in early days, from Pennsylvania. He entered the southeast quarter of Section 23, and lived. on the spot up to his death. Henry Bortner entered the northwest quarter of Section 34. He was born in York County, Penn, in 1784. He came to Ohio in 1837, and reared a family of thirteen children, of whom cleven still survive. John Warner settled on the northeast quarter of Section 33, which he entered about 1834. He also was from York County, Penn. He was born in 1807, and died on his home- stead in 1874. A large family remain to honor

his memory. Mr. Kennon located on the southeast quarter of Section 29. He was a native of the Isle of Man. He was of Scotch descent, and a man of more than ordinary merit. He was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church and possessed considerable talent. His family consisted of five sons and two daughters, and all were highly respected and appreciated by their neighbors. The father died some twenty years ago; soon the mother followed, and, in consequence, the family was soon scattered. Several other families who are connected with the carly history of this region, have long since passed away, but have

left a numerous progeny to prolong their mem- ory and their name. The village of West Point is so located that the south half lies in Congress Township, and the north half in Bloomfield Township. In the north quarter of the village lives Isaac Rule, one of the most prominent, yet not earliest, of the settlers. He came to the county with his father in 1828, and located near Woodbury. In 1851, he bought out Mr. Roben, who was selling goods in West Point, and moved to the village. Through his industry and business tact, he has secured about six hundred acres of the best land in this region. He is now about fifty-five years of age. His wife is also an early settler of the county. The village contains one store, several shops and offices. The schoolhouse is a neat brick of one room and a single department. A neat frame church belonging to the Baptist denomination graces the southern quarter of the town. This society was organized before 1840. Some of the original members were Daniel Eastman and Mr. Cash. The present enrollment of members reaches about sixty. Among the Pastors were Rev. T. W. Dye, who died but recently, and had served the congre- gation some seven years, and Rev. Mothland, of Galion, who has been the late minister. The original meeting-house was a log building and stood about a mile and a half south of the vil- lage. About 1856, the present building was erected. It is about forty feet long by thirty- six feet wide. Dr. Frank Rule, a young man of brief experience, but of good parts, prac- tices the healing art. This section of country presents the evidences of real prosperity. It is inhabited largely by industrious, energetic and hardy people, who came from Pennsyl- vania, Maryland and other Middle States.

JABEZ COOK.

Jabez Cook.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

NOTE .- All the histories of families and persons in this part of the work have been obtained directly from the families or individuals interested, or from persons possessing the necessary information. In no case whatever has second-hand information been accepted. Being thus written, the families or persons themselves are responsible for all facts and dates contalned in them.

CITY OF MANSFIELD.

ACKERMAN, HENRY, barber; he was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, in the town of Neidermodau, Ger- many, July 11, 1845, and came to this country in 1865 ; he learned his trade in the Fatherland, and, after com- ing to this country, he worked for a short time in Crest- line, Ohio ; he removed to Mansfield in 1866 and com- menced business in this city, at which he has continued to date. He was married in Mansfield, July 12, 1867, to Christina Hartman ; they have six children-four sons and two daughters.

ANDERSON, J. C., Surgeon ; he was born in Butler Co., Ohio ; removed to Richland Co. in 1850; he was educated at Ganges and Cleveland ; commenced the study of medicine at Ganges in 1863; graduated at the Cleveland Homœopathic Hospital College in 1872; received a commission as Surgeon of the 12th O. V. I. (1878); he is now engaged in the practice of medi- cine in Mansfield. He was married to Anna M. Wherry, of Shelby; they have one child, 3 years old-Reed Wherry.

AUNGST, JOHN E., farmer; P. O. Mansfield; he was born iu Jefferson Township Sept. 3, 1854; he came . to Mansfield in 1863, where he has since resided. He was married in this city, in 1876, to Miss Lillie Bell ; one daughter, Allie, by this marriage, resides with her parents in this city.

AUGUSTINE, CHARLES, leather merchant ; he was born at Sugar Creek Falls, Olio, Oct. 27, 1831, and came to Mansfield in 1850, where he was employed for a time as clerk in the dry-goods house of Amos Townsend, now Member of Congress from the Cleveland District. May 25, 1858, he was married to Miss Louisa Ritter, daughter of the late Joseph Ritter, to whom have been born six children. In the year 1865, Mr. Augustine joined the Masonic Order, since which time he has been an active Mason and has held a number of subordinate offices. He is a member of the leather firm of Ritter & Sons, in which business he is now engaged, and is considered one of the representative business men of Mansfield.

BAKER, GEORGE, stonemason, and grocery and provision merchant; he was born in l'russia June 9, 1816; learned the trade of stonemason; came to Mansfield Aug. 29, 1848. Married in the old country, Feb. 10, 1842, to Mary Nips, with whom he has raised six children-Peter, born in Germany Sept. 18, 1842;

Lizzie, born in Germany Feb. 6, 1847 ; Bena, born in Mansfield Aug. 2, 1849; George, born in Mansfield Feb. 8, 1856: William, July 3, 1858; Emma Louisa, March 12, 1861. Mr. Baker has resided in Mansfield thirty-two years, and is one of the representative Ger- man citizens ; has been a member of the German Secret Relief Society since Nov. 16, 1850.

BARTLEY, MORDECAI, deceased, thirteenth Govern- or elected by the people of Ohio, was born in Fayette Co., Penn., Dec. 16, 1783. In 1804, he married Miss Welles, and five years afterward removed to Jefferson Co., Ohio, where, upon the bank of that river, near the mouth of Cross Creek, he purchased a farm and engaged in the business of agriculture. Here his peaceful labors were interrupted by the declaration of the war of 1812, when, in a few weeks, he enlisted a company of volunteers, who elected him their Captain, and took the field under Gen. Harrison. At the close of the war, he removed to the almost unbroken wilderness of Richland Co., when Mansfield was the principal settlement; west of that place he secured a sufficiently large space to satisfy him, and there, with his ax, he opened a clearing in the forest, and erected his home. Upon this farm, he worked diligently and successfully several years, and then, removing to Mansfield with the savings of his long years of farm labor, he entered into mercantile business. He early developed a character that won the confidence of those that knew him best, for, in 1817, he was elected to the State Senate, and appointed by the State Legisla- ture to the then important position of Register of the Land Office. This gave him charge of the Virginia mili- itary district school lands. In 1823, he was elected to Congress, and served four terms, when he declined re-election. In Congress, he was the first to propose the conversion of the land grants of Ohio into a permanent fund for the support of the common school, and secure l an appropriation for the harbors of Cleveland, San- dusky City, Huron and Vermillion. In 1844, having retired from Congress, and engaged in mercautile and agricultural business, he was elected Governor of Ohio on the Whig ticket. Both parties have testified to the ability of his administration. In 1846, the war with Mexico was strongly opposed by the antislavery people of Ohio, they regarding its proclamation in the interest of slavery extension, and, in response to the call for troops, they were not in favor of Ohio filling her quota,

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

but Gov Bartley mentioned that Ohio, in common with every other State, was constitutionally bound to respect the requisitions of the National Government. He there- fore adopted the proper measures, and the necessary number of volunteers were enlisted, and transferred to the authorities under his personal supervision. The messages he wrote during his administration were papers of ability, and plainly made apparent his thor- ough knowledge of the rather complex system of United State Government. He declined a second nomination, though strongly urged to accept, and, returning to his home, at Mansfield, he passed the evening of his life in the retirement of his family, dividing his attention. between the practice of his profession as a lawyer, and in the management of his farm near that city. He died Oct. 10, 1870.

BAUGHMAN, ELIZABETH C., MRS., daughter of James and Hannah Cunningham, was born near Black Hand, Licking Co., Ohio, March 8, 1805; her mother dying when she was only 6 months old, she was raised øby her grandfather, Michael Statler, a farmer near Black Hand. After her father's second marriage, he removed to this (Richland) county, where he figured prominently in the early history of this section of Ohio. In 1819, the subject of this sketch joined her father's fam- ily in this county, they residing at that time in the Clear Fork Valley, below Newville, near what is now known as St. John's Church. The change from her grandfather Statler's-a wealthy farmer in a more civilized county- to the hardships and privations of pioneer life here was not a pleasant transition, and was made only because of her father's request. Her grandfather, she says, was one of the kindest and best of men, but she, then in her 16th year, with a deep sense of filial duty, left a home of wealth, comfort and ease. for a cabin in the rude wilderness, where property and life were alike insecure from the savages and wild beasts of the forest. The journey from Black Hand to St. John's was made in a sled, in the month of January, 1819, in two days, stopping over night near Mount Vernon.

Sept. 27, 1825, she was married to Jacob Baugh- man, who had succeeded to his father's farm, now known as the Dome farm, near Walnut Hall School- house, in Monroe Township, this county. Soon after- ward, her husband sold the Dome farm and bought eighty acres of land, situated between the Lowrey (now Welty), and the Stoul farms, where he erected a cabin and they commenced housekeeping. He afterward sold and bought a number of farms, living at different inter- vals, in Monroe, Worthington and Jefferson Townships, but returned to Monroe, where he died, March 20, 1855, aged 63 years ; he was buried at Perrysville. Mrs. Baughman then removed to Bellville, where she resided until 1869, when she removed to Mansfield, where she has since resided. She is the mother of five children-Mary C. (wife of Abraham Lash), Han- nah L. (wife of David Herring), deceased ; Margaret C., deceased (wife of Freeman Carlile) ; Abraham J. Baughman and Sade E. Baughman; the two latter, remaining single, have always lived with their mother. Mrs. Baughman possesses an organization of wonder- ful tenacity, and is of that wiry physical consti- tion, well-knit and close-fibered, that accompanies a character of great ambition, high spirit and wonderful

endurance. While mild and persuasive, yet she always possessed that degree of positive energy that would not give up or back down, no matter what obstacles were in her way. She worked hard, suffered much, and accomplished much. But she has seen the shad- ows of life's adversities succeeded by the sunshine of prosperity, and has lived to realize the full frnition of the glorious promise, " Your children shall rise up and call you blessed."

She is of a hopeful disposition and her great strength has consisted in being able to look at the bright side of things. Her mirthfulness gives her power of sarcasm and considerable pungency of speech. She is no fox in character, but frank and outspoken, and would never toady to any one. Although not schoo'ed in physiognomy, she could always read faces almost uner- ringly. She has the mental temperament of the intel- lectual organization. Is patient, systematic and industrious, and, believing that application will accom- plish almost anything, she never had patience with the idle and fickle. Without trying, she always made friends wherever she went, and the tones of her voice would alone win her way anywhere. She united with the Disciple Church in June, 1838, of which organiza- tion she has ever since been a worthy and consistent member. Her sympathies are warm, and in sickness she is tender and attentive. In the home circle, as a mother, her children say she is without a peer. Mrs. Baughman is five feet and one inch in height, weighs 105 pounds, erect in poise and symmetrical in build.

March 8, 1880, upon the occasion of her attaining her 75th year, a pioneer birthday party was given her at the family residence, No. 100 South Main st., Mans- field, which was the first pioneer social party ever held in Richland Co .; about fifty guests were present, one of whom, Mrs. Solomon Gladden, was a cotemporaneous pioneer with Mrs Baughman, and was present at her wedding fifty-five years ago ; the exercises commenced at 6 o'clock, with music; the ballad, " We Meet To- day," composed and set to music by Prof. Pontius, was sung by Miss Kate Eichelberger, Prof. Pontius at the organ ; after which a pioneer sketch, written by a pioneer's daughter, Mrs. Dr. Patterson, daughter of Solomon Gladden (who performed the marriage cere- mony for Mr. and Mrs. Baughman), was read by Mrs. Richard, wife of Prof. J. Fraise Richard, of the Nor- mal College, on account of the unavoidable absence of Mrs. Patterson ; music was furnished by Prof. Will H. Pontius, Miss Kate Eichelberger and Mrs. W. L. Gas- ton ; other fine selections were rendered by the trio ; later in the evening, Miss Mary Cox sang and played. Gen. Brinkerhoff being the patron saint of the pio- neers of Richland Co., was first called upon for an ad- dress "appropriate to the occasion." He responded in a neat little speech complimentary to the pioneers and "their times," as follows :

"The occasion which has called us together this eve- ning, is one of more than usual interest; birthday celebrations are always pleasant occasions, and we are happy to meet and greet our friends at their recur- rence, but yet some birthdays are more interesting than others, and this is one of them. The lady in whose honor we meet to-night, and whom we are glad to find upon her 75th birthday cheerful and happy,

CITY OF MANSFIELD.

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not in the winter of life, but in the golden autumn time, is one of the living witnesses of the childhood of our city. Seventy-five years, when we look forward, seems a long time, but looking backward it is not so long, and I have no doubt the incidents recalled by Mrs. Patterson, when Elizabeth Cunningham was a girl, seem to Mrs. Baughman but recent memories. In fact, with us all, it is our early recollections that last the longest. In our sleep we do not locate our dreams amid recent surroundings ; but we go back to the homes of our childhood. Mrs. Baughman's father, Capt. James Cunningham, was among the first settlers of Mansfield, and, in the year 1809, when Mansfield first had a habitation and a name, he lived in its first cabin on the Sturges corner. Mrs. Baughman at that time was with her grandfather in Licking Co., but ten years later she removed to Richland Co. where she has since been a resident. Since then, Mansfield has be- come a populous city, and a massive block of brick and stone occupies the site of the little log cabin on Sturges' corner; and instead of the drum of the pheasant and the hoot of the owl in the leafy wood- lands, we have for music the whistle of the locomotive and the clangor of machinery in the huge and smoky factories. We have churches and schools, busy mills, and all the pride, pomp and panoply of wealth and position and fame; and yet, I doubt very much if we have the wisdom, or patriotism, or sincerity, or happi- ness of those among whom Mrs. Baughman passed the early years of life. Thirty years ago, when I came to Mansfield, very many of the early pioneers were still living, and they seemed to me men of larger mold and broader sympathies than those of this later gener- ation. It was this fact that led me to seek to preserve some record of their lives, and I very soon commenced to gather some of their history, and, after twenty-five years of waiting, a man who has a genius for writing history has come to complete the work, and we hope very soon to put into print an enduring record of the giants of those early days, who founded the civilization of Richland Co. Mr. Graham is with us to-night and I doubt not he will bear out my estimate of the worth of our early pioneers. Mrs. Baughman's father was one of them, and Mrs. Patterson's father was another. I do not remember to have met Capt. Cunningham, but I knew Solomon Gladden very well, and he was a typi- cal pioneer, massive in body and massive in mind. Reuben Evarts, who is here to-night and whom I pre- sent to you as a sample of the early pioneers, knew all of these men in their prime, and I hope he will tell us something about them. However, years have come and years have gone, and as the great globe swung in its mighty orbit around the sun, these mighty men of valor passed out into the infinite, and of those who knew them and were among them, of them about the only one who remains in Mansfield now is Mrs. Baugh- man, whose birthday we celebrate to-night. She is happy in having lived to see the result of their labors, and we are happy in seeking to contribute to the enjoy- ment of this hour."

After supper, the presents on the occasion were form- ally presented by Hon. M. May in a brief, but appro- priated speech. Among the numerous presents we mention specially a beautiful China tea-set from Elder

G. M. Kemp, Gen. R. Brinkerhoff, Hon. M. May, S. E. Jenner, H. W. Albach, Capt. A. C. Cummins and J. Fraise Richard ; Elder Kemp, Mrs Baughman's Pastor, fol- lowed, responding to Mr. May, accepting the presents in her behalf, in a speech brief, appropriate and touching in its pathos ; Reuben Evarts, a real and well- preserved representative pioneer, being called on, made some pleasing allusions to pioneer life and character, and presented an appropriate preamble and resolutions, which were adopted.

BAUGHMAN FAMILY, TIIE. The ancestor of the Baughman family came from Germany, and located in Pennsylvania. The only knowledge the writer has of his family is of two sons-George and Abraham; and one daughter, married to Joseph Charles. George emigrated to Ohio in 1805, and settled in Mifflin Town- ship, Franklin Co., where he spent the remainder of his life ; he died at a ripe old age, and is buried at Gahanna; he was the father of the late Hon. Jesse Baughman, the founder of Gahanna. and one of the originators of the Franklin County Pioneer Association. Abraham was born on the Atlantic Ocean when his parents were en route for America. He married Mary Catharine Deeds, and removed from Cumberland to Washington Co., Penn., and afterward to Richland Co., Ohio, settling in Monroe Township in 1811; they had five sons and three daughters-Adam, John, Abraham, Jacob and George, and Catharine, Elizabeth and Lovace ; Catharine married a Mr. Black, of Tusca- rawas Co .; Elizabeth married a Mr. Stewart, and re- moved to Tennessee, and Lovace married a Mr. Gay- man, of Pittsburgh ; Adam married a Miss Huffman, and removed to Plain Township, Franklin Co., Ohio, and he and his wife are both interred on the Baugh- man farm there, where they lived and where they died ; John married Elizabeth Wyandt, and settled in Wayne Co., Ohio, and the township in which he lived was named for him; Abraham married Susan Wyandt, and settled in Monroe Township, Richland Co., Ohio, where he died in 1848; his children were Margaret, wife of John Wolfe; David, married to Rebecca Wolfe ; John, married to Catharine Castator; Aaron, married to Catherine Schrack; Peter, married to Eliza Wyandt ; George, married to Minerva Merrell; Elizabeth, wife of Simon McDanel; William, married to Rachel Slater ; Abraham, married to Eliza Wrigton ; Su- sanna; Simon, married to Susan Mercer. Jacob Baughman married Elizabeth Cunningham; his life was principally passed in Monroe Township, Richland Co., where he died March 20, 1855, aged 63 years. They had five children-Mary C., married to Abraham Lash ; Hannah L., married to David Herring; Margaret A., married to Freeman Carlile ; Abraham J. and Sarah E .; the two latter remain single and live with their mother; they are printers, and publish the Mansfield Call ; they have also published the Cleveland Temple Visitor, Mans- field (Ohio) Liberal, Canal Fulton Herald and Medina Democrat. George Baughman never married, and died in 1850.

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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