History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 61

Author: R. Sutton & Co.
Publication date: 1883
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 427

USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 61

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).

to care for them in their old age, they persuaded Mr. Lilienkamp to move on to their place and care for them the rest of their days, which he did, giving them every comfort he could, and supplying their every want to their entire satisfaction. Previous to Mr. Barber's death he made a clear deed to Mr. L. of all his lands and personal property, to compensate him for his labor and kindness to himself and his wife. Mr. Barber died June, 1864; his wife died in 1861. .

JAMES MORROW.

The name Morrow is a modification of the Scotch name of Murray. The great-grandfather of James Morrow emigrated to America from Londonderry about 1730. John Morrow, the father of James, was born near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, about the time of the Revolutionary war. He was a brother of Jeremiah Morrow, who was the first Repre- sentative in Congress from Ohio; and also was Governor of Ohio from 1822 to 1826. Governor Morrow came to the territory of Ohio in 1795. He was a member of the first convention that framed the Constitution of the State. John Morrow, a younger brother of the Governor, came to Ohio at the beginning of the present century, and located in Butler County. Here he married Mary Robinson about 1805. James was the second son of this marriage. He was born in Butler County in 1810. In 1818 his father entered three-quarter sections of land in what is now Shelby County. This land he gave to his children. In 1838 James married Miss Mary Clark, and the same year moved to his present home in section 34, Orange Township. They have raised a family of six chil- dren, viz., Mary A., Margaret J., Rebecca, Sarah, Robert C., and Elijah J. Mrs. Morrow died in 1860, since which time Mr. M. has lived with his children.

EDWARD JACKSON

came from Virginia to Shelby County in the fall of 1809, and settled on the bank of the Miami River, within the present limits of Orange Town- ship, in section 14. His. home was here during the war of 1812. He built a block-house on his place for the protection of his family and neighbors against the invasion of hostile Indians. He left his family here while he joined Harrison's army in his march through northwestern Ohio. It was during this time, while he was absent, his horses and cattle were stolen by the Indians. Mr. Jackson lived to return to his home and clear his land, and was the first man to build a brick house in the township, which still stands as a monument to his memory.

GREEN TOWNSHIP.

Green Township occupies the southeastern corner of Shelby County, and contains twenty-five sections, or is five miles square. It is bounded on the north by Perry Township, on the east by Champaign County, on the south by Miami County, and on the west by Orange Township.

Organization.

March 7, 1820. Ordered that all of that part of Orange Township that is east of the west tier of sections in the 2d township of both 12 and 13 ranges, be erected into a new township by the name of Green Township, and that the qualified electors of said township meet at the house of John R. Medaris, on the first Monday in April next, to elect township officers. The above order is taken from the journal of the County Commission- ers. In 1825 the township was described as below by the Board of Com- missioners, and the metes and bounds established as set forth.

Early Settlements.

The first family who attempted to establish a home in the dense forest of Green Township were Henry Sturm and family, who came from Clark County, Ohio, some time during the year 1814, and made a settlement on the S. W. quarter of section 1. They had a family of twelve chil- dren, viz., Matthias, Margaret, Nicholas, Henry, Peter, William, Jacob, Frederick, Ephraim, Elizabeth, George, and John, all of whom are now deceased except George, who resides in Perry Township, Shelby County, and John, who owns and is residing on the old home farm where the family first settled. The next settlement was made by Samuel Robinson, a son-in-law of Henry Sturm's, who came from Cham- paign County, Ohio, with wife and two or three small children in March, 1815, and settled on the N. W. quarter of section 19, where he made improvements and lived many years. The farm is now owned by George Ginn. In the year 1817 John R. and Abraham Medaris found their way to Green and made improvements on section 19. The two brothers pur- chased or entered the south part of the section. Abraham Medaris set- tled on the S. W. quarter and John Medaris on the S. E. quarter of the section. It was at the house of John R. Medaris that the first election in Green Township was held, in April, 1820.

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RES. OF S. T. DORSEY, GREEN TWP. SHELBY CO. OHIO.

RES. OF D. BRELSFORD, GREEN TWP. SHELBY Co. O.

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RES. & STEAM SAW MILL OF J. P. HAGEMAN , MANUF. & DEALER IN ALL KINDS OF HARDWOOD LUMBER , P. O., PLATTSVILLE, GREEN TP. SHELBY CO.O., ESTABLISHED IN 1854.

RAFTING

HOUSE

HOME NURSERY-

-W. BRANSON & SONS

NURSERY , FARM & RES. OF W. BRANSON & SONS , NEAR PLATTSVILLE , SHELBY CO. OHIO.

( FOR DESCRIPTION SEE HISTORICAL SKETCH, SHELBY CO. HISTORY)

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199

HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

John Ellsworth came from Clarke County, Ohio, in February, 1817, with wife and family, and settled on the N. W. quarter of section 18. Thaddeus Tuttle settled on a part of section 13 in 1818. Peter Prince- house came to the township about 1817 or '18. William Richardson was an early settler in the township.

Joseph Park made the first improvements on a part of the S. W. quar- ter of section 19, on which he resided several years and then moved out of the neighborhood. Edward Conroy, with wife and family, arrived in the township some time during the year 1818, and built his house on the N. E. quarter of section 10, where he lived many years. The farm is now owned by his son, Edward Conroy. Ezekiel Sargeant came from Clarke County, Ohio, to Shelby, in 1816, and located on a part of the S. W. quarter of section 6, Green Township. In 1816 William Bothel, a native of Pennsylvania, made a settlement on a part of the S. E. quarter of section 6. John Dorsey, a single man, came to Green Township some time between the years 1815-17, entered and made improvements on the N. W. quarter of section 4. Hle received his patent for the land, signed by President Adams, in 1818. A part of the land is now owned by his son, Isaac C. Dorsey. In 1818 David Larue came from Champaign County and settled on a part of the S. E. quarter of section 10. Robert C. Cunningham settled the S. E. quarter of section 7 in September, 1819. Samuel Redenbo moved from Orange Township, this county, in 1819 or '20, and settled on the farm now owned by Mrs. Quinlish in section 25. In 1824 Silas Dorsey settled on a part of the S. W. quarter of section 4. Jacob Kizer was an early settler in the township. George W. Frazier and Daniel Apples were among the early settlers in the township, but the exact date of their coming has not been ascertained. Also, John Botkin can be numbered among the pioneers of the township.

Others came in later and settled in Green, viz., Peter V. and David S. Sherwood in 1831 ; Samuel Bird and William Niswanger in 1832; John Platt and William B. Williams in 1833; Elias Barbee in 1834; Timothy Conover and John Dickinsheets in 1835; Herman R. Hunt in 1836; Matthias Gray in 1837; Paul F. Verdier and Samuel Woodward in 1839; Mahlon Moon in 1840; Dr. John C. Leedom in 1842; and many others whose names are not mentioned were among those who endured the hardships of a pioneer life, and assisted in clearing up and improving the township for the present generation to enjoy the benefits of their hard labor.

Streams and Drainage.

The northeastern part of Green Township is drained by the Tawawa, or more commonly known as Mosquito Creek, and its branches, which takes its source at a small lake in Champaign County, flows in a north- westerly direction, entering Green Township a short distance southeast of New Palestine, on section 1, crossing sections 1, 7, 8, 14, and 20, and from thence it flows into Perry Township.

The central part of the township is drained by Leatherwood Creek and its branches, which enters the township from the south on section 10, flowing in a northwesterly direction across the township, and con- nects with Mosquito Creek in Perry Township, a short distance from the Green Township line. The township is also drained by a number of large ditches, which have been cut through the level or flat portion of the township.

Surface.

The surface of the township is level, except along or near the streams, where it is slightly broken or undulating.

Physicians.

In about 1820 or 1821 Dr. Pratt came into Green Township, and re- mained about one year. The next was Dr. Little, who remained several years. Dr. Leedom has been a practising physician in the vicinity of New Palestine since 1842, and at this time has a large and extensive practice. Dr. Hunt, a homoeopathic, is located a short distance south of New Palestine, and has a good practice. Drs. Shaw and Beamer are located in Plattsville, Green Township, and both are good men in the profession.

Justices of the Peace.

The first justices of the peace in Green were Henry Sturm and Chas. Johnston, elected in April, 1820. The present justices were Esq. Simes and Bowersock until December, 1881, when Mr. Bowersock resigned, which leaves only one in the township at this writing.

Township Clerk.

Charles Dorsey was the first clerk of the township, and Mr. Needles is the present one.

First Road

in Green Township is the one known as the Urbana and Sidney road, which passes through New Palestine.

The First Brick House

was erected by John Medaris in about 1824, near where Plattsville is now located. It was a small structure and remained standing as a land mark many years.

Elections.

The first election was held at the house of John Medaris in April, 1820.

Mills.

The first mill was erected by John Medaris. It was a corn cracker, located near where Plattsville now stands, on which he ground corn for the early settlers of the township, or any others that would come to his mill. In 1826 or 1827 William Ellsworth erected a water power saw mill on Leatherwood Creek near Plattsville, which was the first saw-mill in Green Township. Abraham Medaris also erected a saw-mill, a few years later, a short distance below where Ellsworth mill stood on Leatherwood Creek. Samuel Robinson built a saw-mill on the same stream, near where Henry Robinson now lives, several years after the Medaris mill was erected. In 1854 the Hageman Brothers erected a steam saw-mill one mile south of P'lattsville, which is now owned and operated by J. P. Hageman. In 1865 John Sargeant and John Neal built a steam saw-mill on the John Sturm farm near New Palestine. In 1879 Gabriel Harbaugh came into the township with a portable steam saw-mill, which he located at the four corners, on the southwest corner of section 11, where it is now standing, and is operated by Harbaugh and McClain, who are doing an extensive business in the manufacture and sale of all kinds of hard wood lumber, also poplar and linn lumber. In the fall of 1881 they supplied their mill with new machinery, and a new forty-horse power engine, which gives them the power or capacity to cut from 8000 to 10,000 feet of lumber in ten hours.

Officers.

Justices of the Peace: Henry Sturin, April, 1820. Charles John- ston, April, 1820. Philip Jackson, April 4, 1835. Thompson Vaughn, Dec. 8, 1836. Elias Barbee, Dec. 31, 1836. Elias Barbee, Dec. 6, 1839. Thompson Vaughn, Dec. 6, 1839. N. Sherieff, April 15, 1842. Thompson Vaughn, Jan. 1842. N. Sherieff, April 25, 1845. Thompson Vaughn, Nov. 15, 1845; resigned Aug. 7, 1846. N. Sherieff, April 22, 1848. Samuel Lewis, Sept. 22, 1849. Ira F. Hunt, May 1, 1851. John Hume, Sept. 18, 1852. Alexander E. Carey, April 14, 1854. Wm. Beezley, Sept. 17, 1855. Samuel Lewis, Feb. 29, 1860. A. L. Smith, Feb. 21, 1863. David Bowersock, April 14, 1865. L. G. Simes, April 11, 1866. David Bowersock, April 27, 1868. L. G. Simes, April 12, 1869. David Bowersock, April 11, 1871. L. G. Simes. April 5, 1872. David Bowersock, April 10, 1874. G. L. Simes, April 21, 1875. Samuel Lewis, April 17, 1877. G. L. Simes, April 8, 1878. David Bowersock, April 14, 1880. L. G. Simes, April 13, 1881.

Trustees: 1830, John Dorsey, Thaddeus Tuttle, Ezekiel Sargeant. 1831, the same. 1832, same. 1833, Sergeant, Dorsey, and John Botkin. 1834, same. 1835, same. 1836, Dorsey, Botkin, and Elias Barbee. 1837, Dorsey, Barbee, and Ira Hunt. 1838, Dorsey, R. C. Cunningham, and Thompson Vaughn. 1839, Hunt, Vaughn, and W. F. Stevans. 1840, Vaughn, Hunt, and John Dorsey. 1841, same. 1842, Dorsey, Hunt, and W. R. Persinger., 1843, Dorsey, Jonathan Townley, and W. R. Persinger. 1844. same. 1845, Dorsey, Henry Woolley, and P. V. Sher- wood. 1846, same. 1847, Dorsey, Sherwood, and G. R. Looken. 1848, Dorsey, Sherwood, and James Ralfe. 1849, Dorsey, J. C. Simes, and J. C. Applegate. 1850, Dorsey, Wm. Beezley, and W. C. Ayers. 1851, Beezley, G. W. Tunks, and Silas Dorsey. 1852, Dorsey, R. A. Denman, and R. C. Cunningham. 1853, W. R. Persinger, T. S. McGinnis, and C. Arbogast. 1854, T. C. Woolley, G. W. Tunks, and Samuel Neiswanger. 1>55, Wm. Beezley, H. H. Hunt, and Samuel Bird. 1856, same. 1857, Bird, Hunt, and Samuel Woodward. 1858, Bird, Woodward, and G. W. Tunks. 1859, Woodward, Bird, and G. W. Conroy. 1860, Conroy, R. L. Atkinson, Jeremiah Apple. 1861, same. 1862, same. 1863, Apple, G. W. Frazier, C. B. Leedom. 1864, Frazier, J. B. Howe, T. S. McGin- nis. 1865, Frazier, Howe, and S. R. Woodward. 1866, same. 1867, Frazier, Woodward, and R. S. Atkinson. 1868, Woodward, Lewis Arbogast, Samuel Bird. 1869, Woodward, R. S. Atkinson, and J. T. Princehouse. 1870, Princehouse, Cornelius Arbogast, and Samuel Bird. 1871, Princehouse, J. C. C. Laughlin, and I. C. Dorsey. 1872, Dorsey, Laughlin, and S. R. Woodward. 1873, Woodward, Laughlin, and Sam- uel Bird. 1874, Woodward, Bird, and J. F. Applegate. 1875, G. W. Bothel, I. C. Dorsey, and Andrew Redenbo. 1876, same. 1877, Re- denbo, Dorsey, S. R. Woodward. 1878, Dorsey, Woodward, Samuel Bird. 1879, Dorsey, Woodward, and G. W. Bothel. 1880, Bothel, Dorsey, and Samuel Bird. 1881, Bothel, Bird, and S. J. Voorhees. 1882, Oliver Hancock, G. W. Bothel, and Peter Princehouse.

Clerks: 1830 to 1833, Silas Dorsey. 1833 to 1837, Isaac Botkin. 1837, Joseph Knott. 1838, Silas Dorsey. 1839, J. C. Ferris. 1840 to 1844, Silas Dorsey. 1844 to 1849, Samuel Lewis. 1850 and 1851, Charles Dorsey. 1852, Samuel Lewis. 1853, M. Pepper. 1854 to 1862,

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO

Charles Dorsey. 1863 to 1865, L. G. Simes. 1866, J. S. Laughlin. 1867, L. G. Simes. 1868 to 1874, G. W. Proctor. 1875 to 1880, John Duer. 1881 and 1882, Emanuel Needles.

Treasurers: 1830 to 1839, Thaddeus Tuttle. 1840, Wm. Niswanger. 1841 to 1843, John Botkin. 1844, Ira Hunt. 1845 to 1849, J. B. Howe. 1850 to 1855, John Hume. 1856 to 1862, John Wodmancy. 1863, G. W. Frazier. 1864 to 1866, Paul F. Verdier. 1867, S. T. Dorsey. 1868, H. R. Hunt. 1869 to 1874, David Bowersock. 1875 and 1876, Nathan F. Ralfe. 1877 and 1878, Fred. H. Sleeter. 1879, D. N. Prince. 1880 to 1882 inclusive, George W. Proctor.

Schools.

The first school in Green Township was taught by Charles Dorsey about 1818 or 1819, in a log cabin that stood on the Larue farm in the southeast quarter of section 10. The term of school consisted of seven days, and Mr. Dorsey received fifty cents per day, or three dollars and fifty cents as a compensation for his services as teacher. The money with which he was paid belonged to the public funds of the township, but how or by what means the township came in possession of it cannot now be ascertained.

The first house for school purposes in the township was erected about 1820, near where the graveyard is now located at Plattsville. It was a round log structure, eighteen by twenty feet, with puncheon seats, and greased paper was used for windows instead of glass. Miss Lucy Wil- son taught the first term of school in this house. Patrick Armstrong, Patrick Good, and Isaac Botkin were also among the early teachers in that part of the township. In 1821 there was a log cabin house erected for school purposes, near where the Sturm graveyard is now located, a short distance from the Champaign County line. It was built of round logs, with a fireplace at one end about seven feet in length, with a stick chimney extending a little above the top of the house. The floor was laid with puncheon, the flat side being turned up and dressed down smooth and level. The seats were made by splitting a small log in half, dressing the flat side smooth, and then putting legs or pins in the other side to elevate the seat the proper height. The windows were made by cutting out a log, and pasting greased paper over the space or opening made by taking out the log. Dr. Pratt taught the first term of school in this house during the winter of 1821-22, and received ten dol- lars per month for his services as teacher and board with the scholars, which was paid by each person sending scholars paying a certain amount per scholar for the term. This house was used for school purposes for a number of years.

The teachers in the township were all paid by subscription until June 18, 1853, when the township was divided into six school districts, and a tax levied on the township for school purposes. The first brick house erected for school purposes in the township was built in 1853 in now District No. 4. The first frame house was in District No. 5, built in 1854. A few years later District No. 6 was also supplied with a good brick house. The remaining districts were all supplied with good frame houses, which were used for school purposes for many years, or until 1875, when the township was redistricted, and one more district added, known as No. 7.

The districts were then supplied with good comfortable brick houses at a cost of about $1400 each, or $10,000 was the cost of erecting the seven houses in the township. The average wages of the teachers at this time is about $2.00 per day for winter terms, and $1.60 per day for the summer terms.

In 1867 the board of education appointed Austin Heath as school examiner for Green Township; his duty being to visit the different schools at least three times during each term of school, and be present at the beginning and close of each term, to hold an examination, and grade the scholars according to their qualifications or advancement.

Mr. Heath was allowed two dollars per day as a compensation for the time he was employed at the school. He filled the position three years, or until 1870, when he resigned, and was succeeded by Mr. George Proctor, who acted as township examiner of the schools about one year, or until 1871, when the project was abandoned, and the schools of the township have since been without an examiner.

The Spring Creek Christian Church

was organized March 15, 1851, by J. T. Hunt and James Skillen in a log school-house on Cephas 'T. Sanders's farm with sixty-one members, viz , Cephas Sanders, Nancy Sanders, Cephas T. Sanders, Rachel Sanders, David Sherwood, Cloe Sherwood, Martha Sanders, John Luseney, Martha Luseney, David Wiles, Catharine Wiles, William Williams, Rachel Williams, Jackson Cramer, Mary Cramer, John Henman, Al- mira Henman, David Hall, Matilda Hall, Catharine Sanders, and a num- ber of others whose names have not been ascertained. Cephas Sanders and C. T. Sanders were elected to fill the office of deacons in the church, and Elder J. T. Hunt was chosen as their pastor. The society has been prosperous, and the number enrolled on the church books from the date of its organization up to this time is five hundred and eighty-seven . members. The following names are the elders who have been their

regular pastors since the society was organized: Elder J. T. Hunt, twelve years; Elijah Baird, one year; A. Watkins, six years; C. T. Emmons, four years; E. M. Rapp, two years; Joel Thomas, two years; and A. Long, who is their present pastor. The number of ministers that have occupied the pulpit, sixty-four; number of deaths, fifty-four; number dismissed from the church by letter, forty-three; present num- ber on roll, one hundred and twenty-five; number of original members now living is only fourteen. They held their meetings in the log school house until 1852, when they erected a frame church building, thirty-six by thirty feet, near the line between Shelby and Miami counties, on the southeast corner of section 28, Green Township, which was commenced in 1852, but not completed until some time in 1853, when it was dedicated by the Rev. Griffin. This served the society for a place to meet until 1868, when they erected their present church edifice, which is a frame building fifty by forty feet, and was erected at a cost of about $2500. It was dedicated in November, 1868, by the Rev. James Linn, and is located near where the old church building stood.

Salem M. E. Church.

This society was organized about 1825 by Rev. Simes or Rev. West- lake; it is not known now which of the two ministers conducted the meeting. Silas Dorsey and wife, David Larue and wife, Mrs. Jemima Conroy, and some others whose names cannot be ascertained, connected themselves with the organization, Revs. Smith and Davidson were among their early pastors who preached for them. The society erected a hewed log church building on section 4, Green Township, which served them for church purposes for a number of years, or until about 1840, when they ceased to be an organization, by a part of the members with- drawing from the church, and forming another church society known as the Methodist Protestant Church organization. Of the remaining mem- bers some removed from the neighborhood, and connected with other church societies, while a portion of the members remained firm in the belief of the principles of the M. E. Church, and died in that belief.

Their church building remained standing as a monument, although it had not been used for church purposes for many years, to mark the place where they had once met and worshipped, until a few years since, when it was torn down, and nothing now remains to mark the spot.

Charity Chapel Methodist Protestant Church

was organized about 1840 with twelve or fifteen members, with Silas Dorsey the leader of the organization. But little can now be learned regarding the society, as it has long since gone out of existence, and an- other church organization has taken its place. They met and held their meetings in Silas Dorsey's house for several years, when they erected a frame building on section 4, Green Township; the main part of the cost of the building being paid by Mr. Silas Dorsey. In this church building the society met and worshipped for a number of years, or until 1864 or 1865, when they had become weak in numbers, and as it might be said that it was almost impossible for them to exist longer as an organization, some of their members connected themselves with the Christian Church society, which was organized in the neighborhood about that time, while others of the members remained firm in their be- lief of the principles of the Methodist Protestant Church until death called them away, and not one of its members is now living in Green Township to tell the history of their society.

Charity Chapel Christian Church.

This society was organized in the Methodist Protestant Church build- ing in 1864 or 1865 by Elder Asbery Watkins, with William Benham and wife, Thomas Stith and wife, Matthias Gray and wife, and a few other members. William Benham and Thomas Stith were appointed as deacons of the church. Their membership soon increased to thirty in numbers. They held their meetings in the M. P. Church for several years, or until they erected their present frame church, fifty by thirty- six feet, at a cost of about $1200, which was dedicated December 27, 1878, by Elder E. M. Rapp. Their building is located on the Rolfe Pike, near the centre of section 4, Green Township. The society has been very prosperous, and their present membership numbers about two hundred, with William Benham and John Moore, deacons, Oliver Han- cock, clerk, and William Benham, James Moore, and Thomas Moore, trustees.

Pastors: Elder Ashery Watkins was their minister about four years; Elder Richard Brandon, two years; and Elder E. M. Rapp has been their pastor since 1871, and is at this date, December 21, 1881, holding the position of minister for the organization.

NEW PALESTINE

is located near the centre of section 1, about a half mile from the Champaign County line, and a short distance north of Tawawa Creek. Owing to the fact that there is another town in the State bearing the same name the post-office is called Tawawa. The town was laid out on the 27th day of September, 1832, by Ephraim Davidson, who owned the

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

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History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 61

Author: R. Sutton & Co. Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Number of Pages: 427

Author: R. Sutton & Co.
Publication date: 1883
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 427