History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 62

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 62

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land on which the village was located. The southwest corner of the town plat, being the corner of lot number 1, is the place of beginning. This corner is witnessed by a box elder bearing north 34° west 21 links; also a black haw bush south 24? east 55 links.

The lines are all run at right angles, precisely east and west and north and south; the lots are all four rods wide and eight rods long; the streets are ninety-two links, or about sixty feet wide, and the alleys are twenty-three links, or about fifteen feet wide. ,

I do hereby certify the above to be a true plat of the town of New Palestine as surveyed by me September 27, 1832. N. F. BRODERICK, Surveyor.

It is also stipulated that the proprietor of the aforementioned town of New Palestine-Ephraim Davidson-is to give for the use of streets around the said town plat on the north and east of said plat sixty feet of ground, extending the whole length of said plat each way, and on the south and west thirty feet extending the whole length.

Entered for record October 1, and recorded October 3, 1832. JAMES WELLS, Recorder.

The first settler in the village was George Swiger and family. The first store was kept by John Stephen in a log house on lot now owned by Jacob Princehouse. The first hotel was kept by Joseph Knot, near where the present hotel is now located.

The present post-master is Joshua Develvis. The village now contains about twenty-five dwelling houses, with a population of about one hun- dred inhabitants, one general store, one grocery store and post-office, one hotel with grocery annexed, one church of the Christian denomina- tion, one physician, three blacksmith shops, with only one occupied, and one repair shop. The town is located in a good farming community, and is surrounded by well-to-do and enterprising farmers.

The M. E. Society at New Palestine.

In about 1820 there was an M. E. Society organized in the vicinity where New Palestine is now located, by Rev. Finley, with Philip Locker and wife, William Bathel and wife, Jacob Kizer and wife, Ezekiel Sargeant and wife, and several others whose names cannot be ascertained, as members of the organization. They had no regular place of meeting, but met and worshipped at the homes of its different members, some- times at the house of one member and sometimes at another. The same ministers that were on the Plattsville circuit preached for the So- ciety. They remained as an organization until about the time the Christian Church organized their society in New Palestine, when it gave way to that church society, and a part of the members of the M. E. Church connected themselves with the Christian Church, and have since been active members and earnest workers for the cause of Christianity, and by their help the Christian Church is now a strong organization in New Palestine.

New Palestine Christian Church.

This society was organized in September, 1837, at the residence of Daniel Neal, in Champaign County, by Elders Jeremiah Fusion and John T. Robertson, with seventeen members, viz., Ira Hunt, Anna Hunt, Justus T. Hlunt and wife, David Bever and wife, Daniel Neal and wife, Joseph Basey and wife, David Greeley and wife, Ira F. Hunt and wife, Eleanor Woolley, Mary A. Flemmon, and Daniel Currier.

Ira Hunt and Justus T. IIunt were chosen the deacons of the church. Justus T. Hunt acted as clerk of the society three years, or until 1840, when he was succeeded by James Rolfe, who filled the position several years. Their first regular pastor was Elder John Robertson, who re- mained with them two years, or until 1839, when he was succeeded by Elder Jacob G. Reader, who preached for them two years, or until 1841, when Elder Samuel Fusion took charge of the society as pastor and remained until 1842, when Justus T. Hunt was called to the pastorate and remained with them three years, or until 1845, when Elder Thomas Wells became their minister one year, and in 1846 Elder Justus T. Hunt again became their pastor and remained as such until 1851, when he was succeeded by Elder Mark D. Briney, who remained one year. Elder Mark Kurby was minister one year, Elder Samuel Penrod for a short time, when Justus T. Hunt returned and preached for them two years, and was followed by Elder E. M. Rapp five years. For several years the society was without a regular minister, and only had preaching occasionally by Justus T. Hunt, or when some minister of their denom- ination would happen to be in the neighborhood and favor them with a sermon. Elder C. T. Emmons is their present pastor, and has been with them two years.

The society hield their meetings at the residence of Daniel Neal one year, or until May, 1838, when they erected seats in a vacant house that stood on the farm then owned by Ira Hunt, but now owned by Heman R. Hunt, in Green Township, Shelby County, which they used for church purposes for several years, or until they erected a frame church building 26 X 40 feet, at a cost of about $600, in New Palestine, which was dedi-

cated in June, 1851, by Elder Samuel Fusion, assisted by Elder Justus T. Hunt. In this building they met and worshipped for many years, or until 1881, when they erected their present frame church edifice, 36 X 54 feet, in New Palestine, near where the old church building stood, at a cost of about $1500, including the bell, which was purchased at a cost of about $125. The dedicatorial sermon of this church building was delivered January 1st, 1882, by Elder A. L. Mckinney, of Troy, Ohio, assisted by Elders Emmons, Rapp, Hunt, and Fuller. After the erection of their church building in New Palestine, James Rolfe, Hemnan R. Hunt, and John Barbee, were elected trustees of the church, and served as such many years.

Present officers of the church are, Robert N. Shaw, clerk ; Samuel Shidaker, deacon; Nathan Rolfe, W. F. Bothel, Samuel Shidaker, trustees. Elder Justus T. Hunt is at this date, December 20, 1881, the only one of the original members of the organization now living. He is residing in Careysville, Champaign County, Ohio, at the age of seventy-three years, hale and hearty, and is living a retired life after many years of faithful and earnest work as a minister of the gospel, honored, esteemed, and respected by all that know of him, possessing the entire confidence of the people whom he has been among for the past forty-eight or fifty years.

PLATTSVILLE.

Plattsville is a small village near the central part of Green Township, on the southeast quarter of section 19, where are located two stores, one general and one grocery store; two churches-M. E. and Universalist- post-office; two physicians; blacksmith shop; wagon shop; I. O. O. F. hall ; township house, where the votes of the township are polled and other township business transacted. The census of 1880 gave the popu- lation of the village as one hundred, which has increased some in num- bers since that date.

In about 1817 John R. Medaris settled on the quarter section on which the village is located, who caused the survey of lots to be made by Jonathan Counts September 21, 1844. The town is situated in the southeast quarter of section 19, township 2, range 13 east, of the Great Miami River survey. Lots are all two by eight rods except fractional lots, which are more or less. Leatherwood Street, located on the county road, bears north 30° west, and is ninety-one links wide. All other streets, lanes, and alleys, are either parallel or at right angles to Leather- wood Street. Church Street is seventy-five links wide; Green and West Streets are each fifty links wide. All alleys are one rod wide. Lines are run and returned at their true bearings, the magnetic variation being 312 east of north.

Surveyed Sept. 21, 1844, by Jonathan Counts, Sur. S. Co., for John R. Medaris, proprietor.

We, the undersigned proprietors of the town of Plattaville, do hereby give, grant, and donate all the streets, lanes, and alleys designated on the plat of the town of Plattsville as public highways for the good and benefit of said town.

Witness our hands and seals this 25th day of Sept. 1844.

JOHN R. MEDARIS. [SEAL.]

ber

SARAH X MEDARIS mark. [SEAL. ]

Attest : THOMPSON VAUGHN. ANN VAUGHN.

Acknowledged before Thompson Vaughn, J. P., Sept. 25, 1844, and recorded Sept. 26, 1844.

The first addition to the town was surveyed May 17, 1849, for J. R. Medaris, and consisted of lots 27 to 42 inclusive. This was recorded July 4, 1849.

Soon after the survey was made lots were purchased and buildings erected, and the village has since gradually progressed. The first busi- ness establishment was an ashery and a general store, owned and con- ducted by Thomas Farshee, who remained in the business several years. The next was a general store, conducted by Robinson and Peppers, who continued in business six years. Thomas Buchanan, and some others whose names are not mentioned, have been engaged in business in the village of Plattsville. At this date, December, 1881, Perry L. Frazier and Samuel Vohres are engaged in the mercantile business.

Plattsville M. E. Church,

formerly known as the Antioch M. E. Church Society, was organized about 1819 or 1820, with Thaddeus Tuttle and wife, John R. Medaris and wife, Samuel Robinson and wife, Abraham Medaris and wife, William Ellsworth and wife, and some others whose names cannot be ascertained, members of the organization. Among their first minis- ters were the Revs. Arthur Elliott, William White, Daniel D. Davidson, James Smith, William Raper, James B. Finley, George Gatch, William Sutton, William Morrow, George Walker, David Whitmer, P. G. Good. Revs. Kemper, Wolfe, Clark, Lowery, and others of later date, whose names are not mentioned. The society met and worshipped in the

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

private residences of its members, sometimes at the house at Thaddeus Tuttle's, and other times at another member's house, until 1828 or 1829, when they erected a hewed log church building, twenty-four by twenty feet, on a part of the ground now occupied by the cemetery near Platts- ville. The land was donated to the society by Thaddeus Tuttle for church purposes and a burying ground, in which many of the early meinbers of the church are now sleeping. The log church served them for church purposes for many years, or until 1849, when they purchased a lot in Plattsville of Jolin R. Medaris, on which they erected their present church building, which is a frame structure, forty-five by forty feet, and was built at a cost of about $1000.

It was not until 1850 that the building was completed and dedicated. The name was then changed from the Antioch M. E. Church to the Plattsville M. E. Church Society, and now bears that name. The society has been very prosperous, and since its organization has enrolled its members by the hundreds, but many of them have been taken away by death, others have removed from the neighborhood, and are now members of other church organizations. The membership at this date, December 5, 1881, is about ninety in number, with Rev. Markwith their pastor; Horace Brelsford and Amos Botkin class-leaders; J. P. Hage- man and Amos Botkin stewards; Silas Johnston, Samuel Bird, J. P. Hageman, Henry Robinson, and Amos Botkin are the present trustees.

Plattsville Universalist Church

is located in Plattsville, and was erected in 1877 at a cost of $1500. It is a frame structure, fifty by thirty-eight feet, and was dedicated July 29, 1877, by T. S. Guthrie, assisted by their pastor, J. D. Lawer. The society was organized September 30, 1877, by J. D. Lawer with thirty-six mem- bers. The organization has been very prosperous, and at this time numbers one hundred members. The Rev. J. D. Lawer is their present pastor, and has been the minister for the society since its organization, and preached in the village of Plattsville for one year prior to the organi- zation of the church. The officers of the church are as follows: Moder- ator. Lewis Arbogast; Treasurer, F. H. Sleeter; Clerk, P. L. Frazier; Trustees are R. L. Atkinson, J. I. C. Applegate, and Allen Arbogast.

Plattsville Lodge No. 643, I. O. O. F.,

located in Plattsville, was instituted by Nathan Jones, Grand Master of Ohio, on the 12th day of July, 1876, with the following charter members, viz., L. P. Redenbo, B. F. Johnson, P. R. Hunt, G. W. Frazier, W. H. Bulle, J. T. Princehouse, W. L. Woolley, D. Bowersock, JJas. Williams, and Samuel Griffis. In 1879 the order built a frame building two stories high, and finished the upper story. The dedicatory services were con- ducted by A. C. Duvel, of Urbana, in July, 1879, since which time the order occupy said building. They at present have a membership of thirty-eight, with the following officers: J. F. Applegate, N. G .; A. Hand, V. G .; J. Knoop, Sec .; B. F. Johnson, Per. Sec .; and J. Wil- liams, Treasurer.

BIOGRAPHIES.

JOSEPH JOHNSTON, Farmer; Green Township, P. O. Sidney, Ohio.

It is with pleasure that we present the following sketch of the life of the above-named, who is one of Shelby County's pioneers, and one among the leading farmers of Green Township. He is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, where he was born, near Dayton, on the 18th day of De- cember, 1818. He was brought to Shelby County in the spring of 1821 by his parents, William and Sarah Johnston, who located in Orange Township about two and a half miles south of Sidney, remained two years, then in 1823 they removed and settled on the farm now owned by their son William Johnston, near Sidney, where the subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days. On the 27th day of March, 1845, he was united in marriage with Miss Hannah, danghter of Thomas and Jane Doren. Miss Doren was born in Butler County, Ohio, March 15, 1826, and came to this county in 1832, and located in Perry Township. Mr. and Mrs. Johns- ton moved on the farm in section 20, Green Township, shortly after their marriage, where they have since resided. They had a family of ten children : Jane, William T., Ellen (deceased), Caroline, Olive, Edgar, Anna, Kate (deceased), Grant, and Nettie. When Mr. Johnston moved on the farm there were only a few acres cleared. He has now one among the best improved farms in Green Township, which is principally. the result of his own labor. He has made farming and stock growing his avocation through life.

JOHN BEEZLEY, Retired Farmer; P. O. Plattsville, Ohio.

The subject of this sketch was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, on the 22d day of October, 1797. He is a son of William and Eliz- abeth Beezley, who moved from Hamilton to Clermont County, Ohio, remained until 1812, when they removed to Clarke County, where the subject of this sketch grew to manhood. In October, 1816, he married Miss Elizabeth Ellsworth, of Clarke County, daughter of John and Mary Ellsworth, who were among the pioneers of Green Township, this

county. Mr. and Mrs. Beezley settled in Clarke County, remained until the spring of 1826, when they came to this county and settled in Green Township, where he has since resided and made farming his vocation. They reared a family of nine children, five of whom are yet living-Wil- liam, Paul, Silence, Jane, and Rachel. William and Paul are now in Iowa; Silence and Jane are living in Missouri, and Rachel is living in Illinois. All are married and have families. William Beezley served three years in the war of 1861, as captain of a company in an Illinois regiment. Paul Beezley served four years during the late war, as a pri- vate in the 20th O. V. I., and was honorably discharged at the close of the war.

THOMAS MINNIEAR, Retired Farmer ; P. O. Plattsville, Ohio.

Mr. Minniear was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, Feb. 27, 1804. On the 11th day of April, 1811, he was brought to Shelby County by his parents, William and Elizabeth Minniear, who settled in Orange Town- ship, where young Minniear grew to manhood. On the 26th day of Au- gust, 1830, he married Miss Lydia, daughter of Edward and Margaret John. They settled in Orange Township, this county, remained a short time, then moved on a farm in Loramie Township, this county. They lived in Loramie Township until 1855 or 6, when they purchased and moved on the farm in Green Township, section 20, where they are now living. They reared a family of five children, viz .: William, Denitia, Margaret E., Mary C., and Thomas C. Margaret is deceased; the other four are married and are now living in Green Township.

JOHN WOODMANCY, Retired Farmer ; P. O. Plattsville, Ohio.

Mr. Woodmancy is a native of New Jersey, where he was born on the 16th day of February, 1804. When at the age of fourteen years he went on a ship on the Atlantic as a hand, remained as such until 1821, when he was appointed captain of the schooner Industry, and held the position of captain of different vessels until 1842, when he retired from the coast- . ing trade and turned his attention to farming, which he made his avoca- tion until 1878, when he retired from business, and is now living a retired life, honored and esteemed by all that know him.

On the 20th day of June, 1832, he married Miss Harriet Platt, of Ocean County, New Jersey, horn May 9, 1811. They settled in Ocean County, New Jersey, remained until 1843, when he, with wife and family, emi- grated to Ohio, purchased and moved on the farm in Green Township, Shelby County, where they are now living. They reared a family of six children, viz .: Lorenzo D., Reuben, John N., Louisa E., Martha E., and Lydia M.

Reuben served in the three months' service in the war of 1861, and after the expiration of his time he re-enlisted in Company F of the 20th O. V. I. for three years or during the war. He was commissioned first lieutenant of his company, and served as such until wounded, July 22, 1864, at the battle of Atlanta, and on account of which he was honorably discharged from the service.

John N. enlisted in Company F, 20th O. V. I., in the fall of 1861, and served as a private until the close of the war.

SAMUEL ROBINSON, deceased,

a native of Pennsylvania, was born in Bucks County, March 3d, 1780. He came to Ohio when a young man, with his mother, his father being dead, and located in Clarke County, near Springfield, remained a few years, then moved to Champaign County, where he married Miss Eliza- beth, daughter of Henry Sturm, then of Shelby County, born March 11, 1793. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson settled in Champaign County, remained until March, 1815, when he entered and moved his family on the land in Green Township, Shelby County, now owned by George Ginn, in section 19, where they passed the remainder of their days. Mrs. Robinson died Nov. 4, 1875, aged 82 years. Mr. Robinson died March 31, 1876, aged 96 years. They reared a family of eight children, viz .: Henry, Rebecca. Eliza, John, Mary, Rossiter, Elizabeth, and Lydia, all of whom are yet living except Eliza, who died in August, 1881. All married and had families. Mrs. Robinson is said to have been the second settler in what is now Green Township, the first being Henry Sturm, the father-in- law of Mr. Robinson. His first improvement on his land was the erection of a log cabin, 14 by 16, one story high, which served them as a dwelling about ten years. Then, about 1825-6, he erected a hewed-log residence. He made clearing land and farming his avocation through life. Shortly after Mr. Robinson settled on his land, one day while walking around in the woods he saw a black bear sitting in the forks of a large tree. In order to kill the bear he returned to his house to get the gun, but unfor- tunately there were no bullets run; so, while Mrs. R. made the bullets, he went back to the tree to watch the bear. In a short time Mrs. R. came with the bullets. He loaded his gun and fired. The bear fell backwards; but instead of coming to the ground, it fell in the hollow of the tree, out of sight, and presently a young cub ran up the forks where the old bear sat, and looked down at Mr. R. He thought he had killed the old bear sure. He then cut the tree down, and found the old bear and all of her cubs were dead. But on examination he found his bullet

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EVERGREEN SHADE .. FARM RES. & OFFICE OF DR. J.C.LEEDOM, NEW PALESTINE, SHELBY CO. OHIO

THE JOHN DORSEY FARM, SETTLED IN 1817. RES. OF I. C. DORSEY, GREEN TWP. SHELBY CO. OHIO

RES. OF P. F. VERDIER, GREEN TWP. SHELBY CO. OHIO.

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

had not touched the bear, but they were all killed by the falling of the tree.

In about 1830 a severe storm passed over the settlement. blew the roof off' of Mr. R.'s house, and did other damage in the neighborhood. In 1834 another storm came along. and moved the upper part of Mr. R.'s house, down as low as the tops of the doors and windows. about six feet out of its place, but, fortunately, no one was seriously injured.

HENRY ROBINSON, Farmer and Gardener; P. O. Plattsville, Ohio.

The eldest son of Samuel Robinson, deceased, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, February 19, 1814, and was brought to this county by his parents March, 1815, settled in Green Township as aforesaid, where young Robinson grew to manhood. On the 7th day of September, 1837, he married Miss Aun Neal, of Champaign County, Ohio, born Nov. 29, 1817. 'They settled in Green Township, where they have since resided. They reared a family of eight children, two sons and six daughters, all of whoin are yet living. Mr. Robinson is the oldest settler now living in Green Township, and has been a member of the M. E. Church at Plattsville since 1829.

FREDERICK H. SLEETER, Farmer; P. O. Plattsville, Ohio.

Mr. Sleeter was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, on the 23d day of October, 1836. He is a carpenter by trade, and followed that business as his vocation twenty years. He then turned his attention to farming, and has since that time conducted farming and stock-raising successfully. September 25, 1858, he married Miss Mary, daughter of David and Mary Buchanan, of Orange Township, Shelby County. Mr. and Mrs. Sleeter settled in Green Township, on the farm in section 31, where they now reside. They have a family of three children, all daughters. He filled the office of treasurer of Green Township two years.

SAMUEL M. MARTIN, Blacksmith and Farmer; P. O. Plattsville, Ohio.

A native of Shelby County, and son of John and Margaret Martin, was born in Orange Township Sept. 4, 1842. When at the age of twenty- one years he began working at the blacksmith trade, which he has since made his principal vocation. On the 23d day of August, 1866, he mar- ried Miss Jennie, daughter of John Rogers, of Orange Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Martin settled in Orange Township, remained until March, 1869, when he purchased and moved on the farm in Green Township where they now reside. They have a family of four children, three sons and one daughter. Since Mr. Martin's settlement on his farm he has been conducting the business of farming in connection with his business of blacksmithing and repairing farm implements, wagons, bug- gies, etc. etc.

JOHN DICKINSHEETS, Farmer; P. O. Plattsville, Ohio.

Mr. Dickinsheets was born near Dayton, Ohio, in Montgomery County, September 30, 1819, and came to Shelby County in 1836 with his parents, Henry and Mary Dickensheets, who settled in Green Township, where they passed the remainder of their days. Mrs. Dickinsheets died in Feb- ruary, 1861. Mr. Dickinsheets died in September, 1869. They reared a family of five children, viz., Jolin, Margaret, Rachel, Thomas, and Nancy. All are yet living except Thomas, who was killed during the late war. John Dickensheets, subject of this sketch, married Miss Martha Bird March 9, 1845. They settled on the farm where he is now living in Green Township. By this union he had five children, two of whom are yet living, one son and one daughter. . His companion died. He then married Mrs. Sarah A. Williams, nee Lewis, May 4, 1854, by whom he had ten children, seven of whom are now living.

JOHN DUER, Farmer; P. O. Fletcher, Miami County, Ohio.

Mr. Duer was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, December 1, 1<45, and was brought to Miami County by his parents, Joshua A. and Sarah Duer, in the spring of 1845. He was educated in the high school of Piqua. In December, 1845, he began teaching school, and after teaching several terms he turned his attention to farming, which he has since made his vocation. June 18, 1868, he married Miss Mary E. Worthing- ton, of Miami County, Ohio. Their first settlement was on his father's farm, where they remained until in March, 1872, when they moved on the farm in Green Township, Shelby County, where they are now living. They have two children, sons. Mr. Duer filled the office of clerk for Green Township for six years.

JONATHAN P. HAGEMAN, Lumberman ; P. O. Plattsville, Ohio.

Mr. Hageman was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, on the 5th day of July, 1830. In 1850 he moved to Shelby County, and located in Green Township, making his home with his brothers William and Simon for several years. On the 17th day of February, 1859, he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Robinson, of Green Town- ship. Miss Robinson was born in Green Township, Shelby County, Sep- tember 4, 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Hageman settled near Hageman sawmill,

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History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 62

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

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