USA > Ohio > Union County > History of Union County, Ohio; its people, industries and institutions > Part 46
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UNION COUNTY, OHIO.
YORK CENTER.
York Center was platted June 24, 1841, but it appears that it never materialized to any considerable extent. There were at one time a dozen or fifteen buildings there. A few years before the beginning of the Civil war the site of the village was void of any buildings, save one or two farm buildings. Charles Corey built a cabin there and brought in a stock of goods which he offered for sale. A few years later Ed Cranston bought him out. A few came in and settled. and in 1883 there was two merchants, Dexter White and George Hornbeck. A postoffice was established early in the history of the township at Jonathan Miller's. The postmasters here have been as follows: John Thomas, appointed May 30, 1844; Henry Tobey, June 10, 1850; H. T. Knox. April 29. 1854; H. R. Tobey. February 20, 1860; H. T. Knox, June 12, 1860; C. L. Corey, February 26, 1862; Edwin Cranston, December 2, 1864; J. J. Watts, May 1, 1867; J. F. Win- ters, February 21, 1868; William H. Storms, October 21, 1868: Isaac Welshimer, February 11, 1875; H. C. Moffitt, July 19, 1875; Pelatrah Allyn, April 30, 1877; N. L. Moffitt, April 14, 1880; George W. Hornbeck, February 7, 1881 ; D. G. White, December 30, 1885; J. F. Copelin, October II, 1886; F. E. Milligan, May 14, 1887; B. F. Newell. February 28, 1888; George W. Hornbeck, May 23, 1888; Thomas Hornbeck, April 18, 1891; L. W. Stiggers, May 8, 1893; Robert W. Kimble, June 3, 1897; Thomas Hornbeck, February 16, 1900; D. S. Davis, March 2, 1903: Maty L. Cody, April 12. 1904; F. M. Hornbeck, March 2, 1905; discontinued May 31. 1905.
MILLS OF YORK TOWNSHIP.
The pioneer mill of this township was the grist mill built by Thomas R. Price on Boke's creek just north of York Center. In order to have the advantages of such an industry, Aaron Shirk and Harrison Storms volunteered to assist in the building of the same. It was within a log structure, stylish by having its logs hewed. Price sold it to Joseph Cahill. It was not finished until about 1840, and after a few years was transferred to H. T. Knox, who added steam power and a saw-mill, using water power whenever the stream was sufficient. This mill run until the early eighties.
Thomas Price constructed a corn-cracker on Boke's creek south of Somerville, near the cemetery. In a few years a great freshet swept it away.
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Adam Winters had a saw-mill. operated by water power, west of Som- erville, and attached a pair of small burrs, which were useful for some time. An extensive drain tile factory, midway between York Center and Somerville, was placed in operation about 1879 by John Tremble.
The history of schools, churches and lodges will be found in the gen- eral chapters touching on such topics.
CHAPTER XXIX.
CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP AND RICHWOOD.
This township has formed a part of numerous sub-divisions of Union county. In 1825, soon after the first settlement was effected here, it be- came a part of the new township of Leesburg. In 1829, at the formation of Jackson township, most of its territory was embraced in that, and so it remained until the organization of Claibourne in 1834.
The county commissioners' records show the following concerning the township for which this chapter is especially written: "This day Cyprian Lee presented a petition for dividing the township of Jackson into two townships, the southern part to be called Claibourne, and the northern part to retain the name of Jackson; whereupon the commissioners order that said township of Claibourne be laid off from said township of Jackson, be- ginning at the fourth mile-tree southwardly from the northeasterly corner of said Jackson township; thence parallel with the north line thereof."
March 5, 1833-"This day it was ordered by the commissioners that Levi Phelps proceed to lay off the township of Claibourne, beginning at the fourth mile-tree southwardly from the northeast corner of the township of Jackson; thence running westwardly, parallel with the north line of Jackson township to the division line between the township of Liberty; to be done as soon as convenient."
For some unknown reason the new township was not laid off as di- rected. The next entry in the commissioners' journal reads as follows : "March 5, 1834-This is the day it was ordered by the commissioners- on the application of various individuals-that a new township be called Claibourne, to commence on the east boundary of the county of Union at the first mile-tree south of the Indian boundary line; thence west parallel with the boundary of said county to the east boundary of York, to be laid off; to be run by Levi Phelps, prior to the next June session."
The first election for state and county officers was held October 14. 1834. The following nineteen men voted: Absalom Carney, Nathaniel Wilson, George Clark, John T. Evans, John Carney. William Price, Na- thaniel Wilson, J. P. Brookins, Philip Plummer, William Phillips, George
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Clark, John Calloway, John Dakin, William Sirpless, Adam Burge, Larkin Toguet. John Dilsaver, Eleazer Rose, Hiram Andrews and William Jackson.
Politically, this township was at first strongly Democratic, but at the above named election it was Whig and so remained until the ushering in of the Republican party, since which date it has been largely of the same political complexion.
The first land surveys were effected in this township in 1809.
LOCATION, STREAMS AND SOIL.
This is situated in the northeastern portion of Union county. It is bounded on the north by Jackson township, on the east by Marion and Delaware counties, on the south by Leesburg and Taylor townships and on the west by York township. It is one of the largest townships in the coun- ty and ranks second in population, Richwood, the second largest town, being situated within this township. It tooks its name from the Buller-Claibourne survey. This was the largest survey in Union county and at its date con- tained nearly all the settlers then within the limits. Fulton creek is the principal watercourse. It is related that this stream took its name from the Mr. Fulton, an employee of the surveying party, then surveying the lands in that part of this county. While attempting to cross the creek on a log one cold winter day he slipped and fell into the water. The stream was high and it was with difficulty that he was rescued by his surveyor com- rades. The soil is argillaceous; the surface generally level and in places slightly rolling. A heavy growth of timber covered the township originally, as will be observed by the following paragraph :
"Daniel Swartz, residing just north of Richwood, on going to mill at Millville, thirteen miles distant, directed Mrs. Swartz to watch the cattle and not permit them to stray far from home. After a while, not seeing them, she climbed on an old log that had fallen partly to the ground. not far from the cabin door, and on looking around discovered the cows only a few rods away, almost at her feet, in the thick brush that had obscured her view from below. This shows the level country and the dense underbrush growth then growing there."
AN INDIAN INCIDENT.
The Indian occupancy of the soil now embraced within the limits of Claibourne township as a hunting ground was for a long time undisturbed
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by the presence of white men after the settlement of pioneers in other parts of the state. It lies adjoining the Greenville Treaty line, the territory north of which had been reserved by treaty for the exclusive use of the red men. Within the township were some favorite hunting grounds. The site of Richwood elevated slightly above the surrounding country was rich not only with an abundant growth of plants and forest trees, but in game as well. That the Indians often tented on these grounds has been handed down by tradition and is established by the many relics that have been found in the vicinity. Knives, fragments of Indian saddles, broaches, tomahawks and all the accoutrements of camp life have been brought to light in the prep- aration of the soil for agriculture. In a gravel pit situated just north of Richwood numerous skeletons have been exposed.
After the earliest pioneers had taken possession of the country the forest was ranged by hunters from both races for many years. The in- dians would not tolerate the presence of white men north of the Greenville line, but frequently hunted south of the line. The best state of feelings did not exist between the Indians and the settlers, though amicable relations were usually maintained. Whether the red or white men were the first aggressors is not now known, but if either committed a wrong, however slight, retaliation would surely ensue. The Indians, either in a spirit of re- taliation or from an innate proneness to evil, would occasionally shoot the settlers' hogs as they were feeding in the woods and commit other depreda- tions. In bee-hunting it was a custom sacred among the pioneers, engaged in this pursuit, to mark a bee-tree when found by one of them with the finder's initials. It at once became his property, to be relieved of its honey at the hunter's leisure and for another to abstract the honey was regarded as detestable a crime as to steal a horse. The Indians were not affected by any such scruples and when one of them discovered the home of a swarm of bees he rifled it of its treasure whether or not a prior badge of ownership had been stamped upon the tree. Such proceedings naturally incensed the settlers. The principal game was deer, but the practice of the Indians while hunting on the white man's hunting ground were such as to drive the game from the vicinity. They would crouch low in the tall grass and imitating the bleeting of a fawn, attracted the doe to the spot where they were concealed. They would then kill and skin it, leaving the young to perish. The stench arising from the decaying carcasses would drive the deer to other grounds. An old hunter counted in one Indian camp between Fulton and Boke's creek the hides of sixty deer that had been killed in this way. Yet a friendly relation was maintained. The Indians would call at the
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cabins of the settlers and eat with them. They would engage with them at foot races and various games and often hunt in their company.
The tradition prevails that Henry Swartz and Ned Williams, two of the first settlers of Claibourne, killed two Indians on Peacock run in the southern part of the township. The fact was never established, but the missing Indians were never heard of again. And circumstances pointed strongly to their removal from this world by these two backwoodsmen. Mr. Swartz possessed an irascible temper, which would often vent itself on the heads of the savages. On one occasion he beat one of them with the ram- rod of his gun. He would steal into their camps while they were off hunt- ing and there play annoying tricks. The Indians sought Swartz and want- ed a reconciliation. He gave them no satisfaction. They then set up sticks with bullets on the ends of arrows around their camp to indicate war. Soon after two Indians who had gone hunting did not return. Their comrades searched diligently for them, but without any result. Suspecting foul play, they carefully examined brush heaps and thickets and wandered excitedly along the banks of the creeks, peering intently into their depths, but no trace of the lost men was found. They had traced them to Peacock run, but there found no further indication of their presence. Captain Henry Swartz and Ned Williams had been clearing land and burning brush in this vicin- ity and the Indians suspected them. They visited the Swartz cabin; he was apparently unconcerned but watchful. They wished to be friendly, they said; wanted to shoot at a mark with him, to borrow his gun, but he refused every request. One day an old Indian hunter came to him and proposed a hunt, to which Captain Swartz at length agreed. The Indian desired Swartz to lead, but the latter declined. They hunted for a long time, watching each other more closely than for game. Finally the Indian brave proposed that they divide. "You take this side and I this." "No," replied Swartz, "you take this and I that." He chose the side toward home. They separated and when Swartz supposed he had left the Indian out of sight. he turned and hastened rapidly home. The Indian soon followed and in great rage exclaimed, "You lie, you no hunt!" But as a charge remained in the rifle of Captain Swartz, the Indian made no further demonstration and they parted speedily. Mr. Swartz was afterwards very cautious and vigilant when he believed the Indians were near him. They soon afterwards with- drew permanently from the region.
Captain Swartz, when asked about this affair later, would never com- mit himself one way nor the other. He neither denied or admitted that he
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killed or knew of the death of the Indians. But "Neddy" Williams, when he was made somewhat indifferent to consequences by a few drinks of liquor, loved to boast that he knew where there were two good rifles in the hollow sycamore tree, and said they were put in by climbing a slender tree by the side of the sycamore and dropping them in an opening in the tree made by the breaking off of the upper part of the trunk. There was a well- beaten patlı along Peacock run by the side of which stood an old sycamore from which had fallen a large limb, sinking deep into the ground. This was near the place where Swartz had been with Williams clearing and around the limb a large fire had been made. After a fall of snow, Mr. Zach Stephens, a brother-in-law of Henry Swartz, while hunting for some lost cattle, stepped into the hole made by the limb. He fell, and upon with- drawing his foot found the lower jaw bone of a human being clinging to the heel of his boot. Suspecting the manner in which it had been placed there, he took it with him to Swartz's cabin and, holding it before the proprietor of the domicile, said: "Henry, do you know anything about this?" Swartz grew pale but made no response. It was currently believed that he and Williams had killed the Indians and buried their remains. The above was published in the annals of "Ohio Indian Occupancy," many years ago.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
It is an undisputed question that the first settler in Claibourne town- ship was Cyprian Lee. He was the heir to one-third of the Buller-Clai- bourne survey of 4,267, and for his portion took the southern third of the tract. This settlement is in question, but all concede that it was effected between the years 1820 and 1825. Mr. Lee was from Delaware. He first came to these parts of Ohio in 1820 to see his land; he was unmarried at that date. He returned to Delaware, married and brought his young bride out to this county. By trade he was a shoemaker, and he followed this some in this township. His was the first cabin built west of the Scioto river in this region. It stood several miles south of Richwood, on the south bank of Fulton creek. When his cabin was finished it was proposed by the men who helped to raise it. that the settlement should be styled "Leesburg." This came about by reason of John L. Swartz, a jolly German, who said, "Boys, ketch Lee." Lee eluded their grasp for some time, but finally sub- mitted with good grace to the ordinance of christening. The ceremony was performed by Mr. Swartz, who took a flask of whisky, and pouring the con- tents on the uncovered head of Lee, exclaimed with all the solemnity he
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could assume, "Vell, ve calls it Leesburg." The new township later re- ceived the same name. Mr. Lee was only there a few years when he was elected county treasurer. He then moved to Marysville, where he became a prominent factor in the building up of the county seat.
The next settlers were Edward Williams, Robert Cotrell and Henry Swartz. Each purchased a farm from Mr. Lee and settled near him. Of this number "Ned" Lee, as he was always called, was the first to arrive in 1822. He was a hard-working farmer and was a good hunter. He was addicted to too frequent use of the product of the still. He died suddenly while on his way with a load of wheat to Portland on Lake Erie.
The third settler was Robert Cotrell, who came in 1823. He was a native of Virginia, but had emigrated to Ohio, living two or more years in Delaware county. He died in the place he had settled in Claibourne town- ship. He was fond of telling big yarns, and when first he came in told many stories of the large amount of stock and other property he held in this and other parts of the country. He related all this to a stranger, who turned out to be the county assessor. This official taxed him much higher than he would have done otherwise. This taught him a lesson which he never forgot. He was, however, an upright and industrious citizen.
Henry Swartz was born in Pennsylvania and emigrated with his father, John L. Swartz, to Highland county, Ohio, and later lived in Delaware county. He bought his land in Claibourne from Cyprian Lee, just north of the Sidle Methodist Protestant church, and erected his cabin northeast of Fulton creek. He was a tall, strong and wiry man; had been in the War of 1812 and understood the Indian character to perfection and had no use for a red man. He was a great hunter, killing from sixty to eighty deers each year for a number of years after effecting his settlement in this county. He also felled some seventy bee-trees. He finally sold his first farm and settled north of Richwood, where he resided many years. For a short time he was engaged in business at Richwood. Later, he removed to Defiance. Ohio, where he died.
Probably the next settlement in Claibourne township was made by the four Clark brothers, James, George. Henry and John. The first three became the owners of one thousand six hundred and seventy-three acres in the north part of the Buller-Claibourne tract, just east of Richwood. They settled there in 1826. They were from Amherst county, Virginia, and in 1822 emigrated to Miami county, Ohio, and from there removed to Dela- ware county, then on to Union county. George came in first. Ile was a
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single man and died on his place here aged eighty years. Henry, his broth- er, a married man, resided here a few years, then sold and moved to Illi- nois. James sold out and returned to Delaware county, where he subse- quently died. John Clark came from the east to Ohio in 1816 and to Union county in 1828. He died in Delaware county in 1850, aged seven- ty-seven years.
Mrs. Sarah Touguet, a sister of the Clarks, and a widow, came with her eight children to Claibourne township in 1826 and made the cabin of her bachelor brother, George Clark, her home.
David Field, a colored man, received one hundred acres of land from Cyprian Lee for two years' labor and settled on it about 1826. He was born a slave, given his freedom and brought to Delaware county when a boy by John Mark. He was a strong, muscular man and would not stand for any insult. For a time has was very industrious, but through sickness his farm became involved and finally he lost it. He never regained property and died in an adjoining county as a pauper.
Nathaniel Wilson came from Ross county, Ohio, about 1830 and set- tled on the Lee farm. He was Scotch-Irish and affiliated with the Presby- terians.
"Buffalo Smith," John Smith, was a large, rough character, rough in exterior but possessed of a kind heart. He took a squatter's claim on one hundred acres in the Lee settlement. Later he moved to another county.
The Henry Swartz place, three miles to the south of Richwood, was purchased by Henry Shisler, a German who came to the township from Lick- ing county, Ohio, about 1832.
Basil Bridge, in 1834. bought a farm of one hundred and fourteen acres just southwest of Richwood, from one of the Clark brothers, and settled there with his large family of sons and daughters. He was then in a dense wilderness. He was a native of Canada, but in 1812 moved to New York State, and there enlisted in the American army though then but sixteen years of age. He married in 1814 and in 1815 moved to Ohio, settling in Athens county. Later he went to Delaware county, and on to Claibourne township. Union county, in 1834.
In the fall of 1832 Zarah Lindsley removed to this township from Dela- ware county. At that time fifty acres of land sold for one horse and the labor of splitting one thousand rails. He later settled in Richwood.
A German named Thomas Andrews came in from Licking county, Ohio, about 1830, settling a mile or so south of Richwood.
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UNION COUNTY, OHIO.
John Dilsaver settled on a farm in 1835, which he still owned in the eighties, two miles south of Richwood. He came in December, having been married the July preceding to Jane Bridge. John Dilsaver working out for others at first and later moved on his own land. He was reared on the fron- tier and in his youth wore deerskin breeches and jacket, the customary gar- ments for hunters and backwoodsmen. He saved his earnings and paid in full for his land and became a highly respected citizen of this township.
Another settler of 1835 was Adam Imbody, who located three miles south of Richwood, north of Fulton creek. He was a German who had emigrated from New York state. Later he moved to Marion county, where he died.
It will be observed that most of the settlers so far mentioned were on the Buller-Claibourne survey, as none other had yet been placed in market. Betwen 1835 and 1840 the settlements became more scattered, finally dot- ting the entire township. The Grahams made the most important settle- ments. Samuel Graham, son of John and Jane Graham, was born in Jef- ferson county in 1800. The family removed to Carroll county and then to White Eyes township, Coshocton county. He was married in 1821 and followed farming there until 1836. In June of that year he purchased one hundred acres just north of Richwood from Henry Swartz and in the fol- lowing September moved his family there. He resided there until his death in 1864. He had occasion to visit Marion. The railroad was then being constructed and he received permission to travel on the construction train. On his return trip the weather was severe and the car upon which he was riding was an open one. He was walking back and forth from one car to another in order to keep warm. A sudden jerk of the cars threw him beneath the wheels and he was instantly crushed. He had been an upright citizen and had been a member of the Methodist church for thirty-eight years. He was the father of twelve children.
In 1837 John and Jane Graham, parents of Samuel, settled on a farm of one hundred aeres in the woods about one mile west of Richwood. He was born in Pennsylvania of Scotch-Irish descent. He died about 1848.
Another settler from Coshocton county was Samuel Livingston, who located in 1839 on a small farm a fourth of a mile southwest of Richwood. where he attained a ripe old age. He was both a farmer and blacksmith. Mr. Livingston furnished five sons for the Union army during the Civil War and all returned uninjured.
Peter Grace came from Licking county, Ohio, in March, 1837, with
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his wife and several children, settling a half mile west of Richwood. At one time he was a minister in the New Light church, later became a Metho- dist Protestant and still later in life a member of the Disciple church.
John Cahill was one of the early settlers in the western part of this township. He there accumulated a large fortune and was looked upon as a leading spirit in the northern part of Union county.
William Hamilton, another sturdy pioneer of this township, resided here more than thirty years. He was born near Morgantown, West Vir- ginia. in 1789, when that state was still a part of the Old Dominion. In 1807 he emigrated with his father, William Hamilton, Sr., to Muskingum county, Ohio, arriving there the day he was eighteen years of age. Here he aided in clearing up a farm from out the great timbered section. By 1837 he had acquired a large property and then sold out and expected to push on farther west. He finally decided to settle in this township and purchased one thousand acres of the Cadwallader Wallace survey, northwest of Rich- wood, paying three thousand six hundred dollars for it. He reached Clai- bourne township April 30, 1838. The survey was afterwards found to contain nearly fourteen hundred acres. He settled there and there died. When he took this land there was no kind of improvements upon it. He set about clearing up his land and making a splendid farm home for himself and family. Though uncultured, he was thoroughly honest and full of genuine public spirit. He had a fashion of scathingly denouncing a person who was caught at any mean, low, contemptible trick. He belonged to the Methodist Protestant church and was a local preacher for nearly forty years. He was a Whig in politics and later a stalwart Republican. He was coun- ty commissioner both in Muskingum and Union counties. This county owes it to him that the infirmary farm was purchased at so early a date and the necessary buildings erected thereon. He died in 1867. He had been twice married and left a large family.
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