USA > Ohio > Fayette County > Pioneer record and reminiscences of the early settlers and settlement of Fayette County, Ohio > Part 4
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chased a farm in Green Township of Gen. James Worthing- ton, in the woods; he then erected a cabin and commenced clearing his land. When his family moved in the cabin it was destitute of fire-place, windows, doors, or chink; but he went to work and soon had it comfortable. He then built his barn and other out-bouses, and sheds for his stock, and by April he had several aeres cleared and planted. On this farm he still lives, and has two children, Maria A. and Henry Clay Johnson. He has three children -- James T., Thomas E., and Henry C. Maria has seven children-Thon as W., George W., Henry C., Elmer C., Markus S., Ozee E., and Amanda M .; merebants and farmers. Thomas Johnson has held sev- eral township offices; also circuit steward of the M. E. Church for nineteen years. William Henry Johnson emigrated to Indiana ; John D. Johnson died in Green Township in 1841; he was a farmer; Anna married William Perry, by whom she had thirteenchildren: one is in the township, his name is Isaac ---- a farmer-he is married, and has six heirs living. Sarah Johnsou married and moved to lowe; she is the mother of twelve children; George Johnson moved to Iowa, where he died, and left ore child --- a daughter; Sophia Johnson mar- ried Martin Rowe, by whom she had eight children; Ozec emigrated to Illinois and died ; father of seven children ; Isaac M. Johnson, farmer, father of four children ; James Jouason, former and trader, emigrated to Illinois and died --- Lad four children; Eliza Jane married John Mitchinn, and Lad eleves children; Caleb HT. Johnson, farmer, six years in California, in the 100 days' service, was at the battle of Cyn- thiana, and taken prisoner; father of one child; Mary II. Johnson married : E. P. Johnson resides in Leesburgh, and is a merchant, notary pubhe, clerk, and superintendent of a sunday-school.
PIONEERS.
John Gresser, farmer, in the war of 1812, died 93 years old. Robert Iron, farmer, in the war of IS12. John King in the war of 1812, first preacher, and founded the first class. Geo. Krieedler, farmer, was in the war of 1812, member of the M. E. Charch for40 years, and is still living at the age of85. Thos.
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Moon, age 76, farmer and miller. Samuel Viniger ; John Draper, farmer , James Larkins, John Nelson, Isaiah Rowe ; Thomas Moon, Sr., first mill; Elisha Harber, Esq , justice for several terins, farmer, moved, moved to Indiana ; George Bin- iger, Sr., farmer ; William Simmons, William Pope ; Philip Olinger killed a bearin Mr. Johnson's field, also a best of wild- cats; he was a hunter ; John Stinson, farmer ; Philip Barger, Sr., farmer, justice, &c. ; John Boots, farmer ; Levi Rogers, farmer and coal burner : Joel Rogers, Sr., former ; Job Mc- Coy, farmer ; Robert McCoy, Josse MeCoy, and Isaac McCoy, all farmers.
EARLY SETTLERS.
David Morris, Zadoch Morris, Job Smith : Enos Reder county commissioner ; John Evans. Malon Haives, John Beauyer, Daniel Pary, justice : Jacob Anders, Zachariah Cecil, Henry Patton, James Patton, Branson Davis, William Moore, William Tracy, Anthony Coler, Wayne Stafford, mil- ler ; all the others are farmers, stock raisers, &c. Robert Tate.
SETTLERS.
James Smith, Jonathan Morris, Ira Sexton, Isaac Pary, Wm. Mckay, Jordan Pary, William Jobuson, Robert Mackey, Isaac Bargers, Franklin Woods; W. Safford, justice of the peace ; Churchill Wilson, Oliver Wilson, Benaner An- ders, Addison Pary, George Oflager, Alfred Wilson, Wmu. Par- nell, Mary Zimmerman, G. W. Palont, Currel Pallont, Chas. Pallont, John Curren, John Simpson, John Reed, all farmers, &c .; Dr. Clinton Brown, Albert Moon, A. L. Snyder, shoe- maker ; Ashford Dowtan ; Reese Dowtau, blackenth; Robert Jones, John Jones; G. W. Smith, merchant; E. Lanum, far- mer ; Robert Pallont and E. T. Worthington, farmers. Eliza- beth Jobnsou, R. M. Wallin, Harvey Draper, James De- poy, Frederick Hire, J. 6. Mark, Stephon Safford, all far- mers ; Lewis Mark, farmer and tile factory , William Coffee.
ANCIENT RELICS.
Ga the farm of T. G. Johnson, in three different places, twenty seven feet under ground, was found wood and other
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mitter, and in gravel-beds in other parts of the county ; and in Green Township were found human bones, such as skulls, thigh bones, arm bones, and other bones connected with the human body. First mill, Thos. Moon, Sen., on Rattlesnake : frst school-house erected 1819, and was built of round logs, with mud chimney, puncheon floor, paper windows, made by pasting paper over cracks and then greasing them, and seats were made of logs split into two pieces ; first school teacher, Ebenezer Christy.
BY THOMAS MOON.
THOMAS MOON's, Sr., record : Emigrated to Okio from Vir- ginia in 1810, with his fitilly, consisting of John, Jacob, Christine, Jane, David, Witham, James, Margaret, Thomas Moon, Jr., and settled on Rattlesnake creek; in religion, he was a Quaker or Friend, a society unusually hospitable, and opposed to war on conscientious principles. This accounts for Mr. Moon not being a soldier in the revolutionary war and the war of 1812. His purchase of land was in Green Township, Fayette County, Ohio, called the dividing ridge. On the land he parchased is a fine mill-site, on which he created the first four and saw-mill and distillery in the county. These places soon became a place of resort for customers, patronized by persons from a distance. His flour gave general satis- faction, and the distillery and saw-will well paid the propri- etor. This may truly be called the pioneer mill of Fayette County, Ohio. The mill still stands, and is the property of Thomas Moon, Jr., who, although advanced in age, still car- ries on the milling. There is, if saved by a tight dam, auf- Golent water to grind the entire year. Mr. Moon's purchase Was 500 acres; his purchase in Highland County was 500 acres, He purchased it of Richard Moore, of Kentucky, in 1808; the land was in the woods; the cabin was built with a puncheon floor, clapboard roof, and fire-place made of split timber, and a stick chimney. He cleared, in one week, four acres, and in the fall cleared out six avres, and sowed in wheat. When Mr. Moon settled on Rattlesnake, wolves and game were in abundance; the squirrels came in droves, and zo numerons were they that he had to feed them outside of the febres.
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During his life be held the office of trustee and other im- portant township ofces. He departed this life 1828, aged 71 years and 21 days. His wife died July 13, 1818, aged 50 years. She died with the billions fever. Her father was iu the revolutionary war. She was a good woman, and belonged to the M. E. Church. John D. Moou was a good school teacher; he served under General Jackson at New Orleans. Jacob Moon settled on Rattlesnake: he was a farmer, and in the war of 1812 he was out and in the general call. He emi- grated to Illinois, and there he died. Christine lived with her father until death came upon her. Jane married and moved to Indiana, where che and her husband lived and farmed; both recentiy died. David Doon lives in Highland . is S5 years old ; was in the war of 1812. William Moon was in the war of 1812; a good farmer ; he is dead. James was scalded when a child, which so disabled him that he seldom left the house; he is dead. Margaret married, and is now living in Indiana. Captain Thomas Moon is now living ou the old homestead, running his mills and farming; ho served five years as captam of malitia; he married, and raised eight children by his first wife, and by his second wife he had ten children, eight living and two dead; bis son's name is Albert A. Moon ; he also held several township offices, such as treas- urer, school director, &c .; postmaster and steward of the M. E. Church ; also class icader ; he has now retired from these officer, and he and his wife live alone on the farm; he is now in the 7th year of his age, his mind unimpaired, and his vig- orous health, notwithstanding his hard work during his pro- tracted life, proves a sound and iron organization. His wife's name is Francis Irwin ; her father served in the Indian war of 1791; he died in Highland County, aged 75; justice and surveyor, good scholar, and a man of note.
N. B .-- Since this record has been written, Captain Moon has dicd, aged 76.
ROBERT ANDELSON ouLigrated to Fayette in 1807. He was in the war of 1812: be married the daughter of James Howe : by occupation, a farmer His sons, Issue, Matthew, and John, are large farteers and stock men-men of industry and io- fneuce.
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JOSEPH MARKS, son of Peter Marks, emigrated to Fayette County in 1808. He is a man of wealth and influence.
PIONEERS OF THE WEST.
Where now, I ask, is that bold daring band ; The honored fathers of our Western land - They who first crossed Ohio's silvery wave And did unnumbered foils and dangers brave ? Though some of them did bin the world farewell, Some still survive, their matchless deeds to iol.
Though fleeting years have passed forever by Sinna first they find beneath. this Western shy, Yet they remember well those early days. And view our country now with great amaze. The country then was an unbroken wild ; The Western wilderness it then was shared.
The Ohio then sent forth a wild-like roar; And dark dense forest waved upon the shore. Along her strand the Indians then did dwell, And oft was heard the wild and savage well. The mighty oak-proud Dionarch of the wood --- Upon these hills in stately grandeur stood.
Along these vales did bloody panthers prowl, And oft was heard the wolf's fierce, frightful Lowl. But all these savage beasty have passed away, And the wild Indians, too; now where are they ? They've disappeared; most of these tribes have gone, Like night's dark shade upon the dewey dawn.
Can wo forget that brave and hardy bond, Who made their homes first in the Western land ? Their names should be enrolled on history's page, To be perused by each succeeding are. They are the fathers of the mighty West ; Their arduous labors Heaven above bas blessed.
Before them fell the forest of the plain. And peace and plenty followed in the train. in vain would I attempt to bring to view The dangers which theso pioneers passed through. The wintry winds in wildness round them blew, And o'er them often rolls the drifted snow.
Upon the cold, damp earth, their blankets spread, There they repoend-this was their only bed. They often crossed great rivers, deep and wide; 'Their frail canoes they paddled d'er the tide. Through pelting storms and the descending snow, Though thinly clad, they still would onward go.
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How many long and cheorless nights they passed, Unsheltered from the cold and chilly blast. For many years those hardships they endured, And they to arduous toil became inured. What lasting gratitude to them we owe; 'Tis from their toils our richest blessings flow.
Illustrious men, though shimbering in the dust, You still are honored by the good and just. Posterity will shed a conscious tear, And, pointing, say, there sleeps a pioneer.
Green Township abounded in wild turkey up to 1830, says my informant. Turkeys have been killed weighing twenty pounds, their meat very wholesome and preferred by the early settlers to version or bears' meat.
Awwwwww Coren emigrated from Frauve ju froi to New Orleans, thence to Chillicothe, thence to Fayette in 1833; he married the daughter of Robert Worthington, and lived ou his farm until 1835. Robert Worthington, JJr., son of Robert, Sr., and Margaret, his wife, was born April 21st, 1770. Anna Worthington, daughter of Matthew Whiteing, and Elibabeth, his wife, was born January 2d, 1773. Robert Worthington, Sr., emigrated to the Scioto Valley in 1799, with his wife, Anna. They had three children, Elizabeth, Ephriam, and John, the two boys of whom were in the war of 1812. Robert Worthington was a farmer, a man of enterprise and intlusure; he was the first Justice of the Peace in Scioto Township, Ross County, and first militia captain; he was a sou of Robert Worthington, Sr., and brother to Governor Thomas Worthington. He had his family increased to twelve heirs; they are now scattered through Ohio, Indiana, and all the Western States, farmers by occupation.
RY T. G. JOHNSON.
PRESENT SETTLERS .- Phoebe Tuder, Thomas Moore, Henry Pavy, P. Corner, William Moore, A. Johnson, J. Pavy, Edwin MeCey, John Barger, Danici Pavy, Robert M.Coy, Evos Reeder, Samuel Pavy, D. Morris. Zadoch Mors ?. Evan Smith, Elisha Sexton, J. Morris, Joeb Smith, John Evenx, M. Hains, A. Coler, B F. Tuder, Edward Worthing- tm 1. W. Patton, Henry Pattoa, Breason Davis, William
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Connor, Jonah Merchant, G. W. Smith, M. Zimmerman, Widow Wilson, William Darvill, C. Cecil, John Fishback, Joseph Wallace, Elias Timmons, Hugh Swift, B. Andere, Sam. Viniger, E. Johnson, T., Johnson, G. Kneedler, C. Kneedler, T. Moon, and E. Johnson.
J. H. JONES, now merchant of Buena Vista, moved from Ross County to Fayette. He has held several important of- fices, and is a valuable man; his industry in improving, &c., and the moral infinence which he exerts in the community will be long remembered.
BUENA VISTA BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
J. H. Jones and W. Smith, Any anode: Knoodlar & Worth- ington, grocers; W. HI. Stafford and Thomas Moon, millers ; Jas. Bussle, butcher ; HI. L. Snider, postmaster ; John Adams, carpenter; A. Dowder and M. R. Dowder, blacksmiths; A. I .. Snider, boots and shoes: C. Brown, doctor; R. S. Jones, justice ; J. S. Nelson, harness maker; John Curren. hotel ; W. E. Borden, school teacher.
PRESENT CITIZENS.
R. M. Patton, J. HI. C. Jones, J. L. Reed, John M. Simp- son, Lydia Rowe, C. Brown, N. Smith, Jas. Smith, R. S. Jones, G. M. Smyth, J. Huldy.
RECORD OF GEORGE KNEEDLER.
He emigrated to Fayette County in 1810, and settled iu Creen Township, near the waters of Rattlesnake, in the woods. He served in the war of 1812; he had, by his first wife, twelve children, and by his second wife, one son, called Cra- ton, who is married and lives with him. Mr. K. is now 89 years old, and enjoys good health for a man of his years. His father was a soldier in the revolutionary war under General Washington.
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CONCORD TOWNSHIP.
BY LEVI ROWE.
RECORD OF JESSE ROWE .- He emigrated from Virginia to Ross County. Ohic, in 1803, with his family, consisting of nine children, four boys and five girls : John, Jesse. Jr., Wil- liam, and James, Elizabeth, Mary, Jane, Susan, and Sarah. Jesse Rowe, Sr., served as a private in the revolution: he lived in Ross County three years and emigrated to now Way- que County in 1807, and located on Line Wabash, now Green Township; his children accompanied bim. Soon after the organization of the county in 1810, he was elected first jus- tice ; he served four terms ; he also served as trustee and in other township offices; he was a class leader and exhorter in the M. E. Church to the close of his life. The first class meeting and church organization was held at his cabin. He gave to the M. E. Church a liberal legacy in his will :he in- terest to be paid annually for its benefit He is truly called the father of Methodism in Fayette County. He died in 1845, at a ripe old age, respected and regretted by relatives and friend:
Jous RowE, bis oldest son, settled on the land which his father gave him on the Little Wabash. Hle was the father of eleven children, eight sons and three daughters; sons all Ev- ing in the county but one. He held several important offres in the township. He was in the war of 1812 and did his duty; he died in 1853. Jesse Rowe, Jr., settled ir Groen Township, living there five years, and moved to Concord Township. He bell the office of trustee and other trusts, and when war was declared he volunteered-bis services, after Gen- eral Hall's surrender, under General Beatal Harrison, in de- fense of his country. He was the father of two soos, Levi and Sanford; Elizabeth A. and Mary C. William Rowe emi- grated to Ross County, and died in bournulle, a hotel keeper. Jandes Rowe moved to the South at an early day ; he was a
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preacher. He moved to Huntsville, Alabama, and married, and went into a select high school; he continued in the school until the death of his wife. At the division of the church he took the side of the South, and preached up to the time of the rebellion ; he then came to the North, where he remained until the close of the war; he then returned to Georgia, took sick and died. He had two sons, Andrew and Henry B. Rowe. Andrew was educated; be married and moved to the State of Illinois; after the close of the war he moved to Ala- bama, where he still lives. Henry B. Rowe enlisted in the regular army, and was killed. Elizabeth married and raised a large family, and died aged 84. Mary died aged 35; she raised a large family. Jane married, and died at 65. Sarah manica, she still lives, ayou To. Levi howe is living on his farmi, in Concord Township, near Stanton, He still owns the farm given him by his father, on Sugar ereck. He married Eliza A. Davis, by whom he has Oliver W., Wesley II., Mal- ler E., and Rosa K. Rowe. Levi Rowe has held the office of assessor for ten years ; township clerk, seven years; and school board director. He is a large farmer and stock dealer. Jesse Rowe's record : children, 9; grandebildren, 56; great-grand- children, 250: great-great-grandchildren, 107; great great- great-grandchildren, 1.
Names of early pioneers handed in by Levi Rowe, Esq ..
Peter Mark, a farmer ; he was in the war of 1812; George Fear, farmer, was in the war of 1812; Lenard Bush, Sr., Cor. neflus Acher, Peter Brown, Powell Newal, A. and C. New- man, Boryman Allen, were all tillers of the soil and good citizens. William Thompson, first justice of the peace. Hli West, James Evans, J. Mark, James Wright, from Ireland, farmers ; Jacob and Josiah Wright were his sons. Jacch bad five sons, all dead but one, who lives in the county. He was the father of eight girls, who married the following men : John McGahin, John W. Pumphrey. A. W. Wright, William Me Lean, Manly Fox, John Rowe, George Kreidier, and Wil- liam Martin; they all raised large families. A. W. Wright is a prominent farmer in the towaship, much respected ; he bas served in the office of justice, and in several other im- portant township trusts; a man of note and influence. Wil-
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liam McLean, a neat and excellent farmer; a good man; he has now retired, and lives near Washington. George Kreidier lives on his farm, in Green Township, a good neighbor. William moved to the West and died. J. W. Pumphrey; dead ; John Rowe was a farmer, but is now dead. John Mc- Graffan emigrated to the West and died. Among the first pioneers to the township was Adam Taylor; he settled on Sugar creek; be erected the first flour and saw-mill in the township on Sugar creek, also the first distillery; it was a public place of resort. The site is now the property of Eli Kowe : a large bed of gravel is near the mill site. Daniel Carmaine, farmer, raised a large family, and did his share to- wards improving the wilderness. James Maddox settled on Bague sich, and immed a large, promising family , he was the father of T. H. Maddox, first blacksmith in the township. T. H. Maddes was, in his day, a class-leader in the M. E. Church, and was a licensed preachor by the United Brethern ; he was a christian, and a man of true picty; he emigrated to the West. Jonathan Maik settled on Rattlesnake creek ; he was a farmer ; ho raised a large and respectable family. L. C. Cofman, James Holmes. Elias Pardy, and Aaron Purley all moved West, and were working men. Anderson Iron. farmer and surveyor, emigrated to the West O. H. Wright, mill- wright and first carpenter, and farmer : Caleb Johnson emi- grated to California, made his pile, returned and married ; he was in the one hundred days' service; he now is one of the acting trustees of the township. Joch. McCoy, farmer. and one of the trustees ; Milton Sever, a life-long treasurer, a far- mer, and a very popular man in his township. J. N. Howe, private in company C, 51th regiment ; was a prisoner in the famous Auderson prison, and suffered untold privations-hun- ger, and almost death; he is the popular clerk of the township, and a merchant in Stanton. Eli Craig is now treasurer and postmaster of the township, merchant and farmer; bas held several important township offices to entire approval. Bev. Sami'l Alleu, assessor of the township ten years, & farmer. M. P. Shields, acting constable, a farmer and trader. Robert Worth- iugion, a large farmer and cattle dealer and shipper. Rev. D. $ Craig, wholesale and retail merchant; several years post-
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master in Stanton. Peter Brown, a great land speculator, moved from Chillicothe and settied on the farm of Latham ; here he realized a great fortune; he died in 1858: his house was the home of the M. E. preachers; he was very benevo- lent and liberal in his donations to colleges, churches, and institutions having for their object the welfare of our race ; his death was uplooked for and very sudden. Having gone out in the evening to feed his cattle, and not returning, search was made for him and he was found next morning in his field. frozen stiff; supposed he died from a rush of blood tu heart or houd, as he was corpulent. Isaiah Brown married and moved to the West. Hearing of the death of his father, he moved back to settle up his large estate ; he is a large stock Males and pike contractor ; he is a resident of Concert fawn. ship. Matthew W. Mark, a farmer, stock grazer, and pike contractor ; a man of business, energetic and full of enter. prise; a meful citizen in society. Fielding Teagans was a former, and served in the revolution. Edward Teagans, a Tirge farmer and great borse dealer, kept fine bloods raised a large family. John Brinkley, John Adams, Thomas Adams. Begona Clifton, and Jesse Williams were all good farmers and chizens. George Johnson was a farmer ; he served as a jus- tice several terms, belonged to the school board; and is at present a justice of the township. Isaac Sollars, a farmer and trustee ; prach of a gentleman. David Presinger, a large farmer; has served as trustee, and is called the richest man in the 'owyship. Wells Jones, a farmer, was in the war of 1812. Peter Me Very, a farmer, has served as trustec. Win. Me Very. a farmer. Francis Waddle, farmer and large grazer. William Waddic, farmer and prazer on a wholesale scale. Martin Rowe, farmer, and class-leader in the M. F .. Church, John Boureniter and Eli Corner, good citizens and neat farmers. Thomas Corner, a good farmer and school director. C. Bone- cutter, a good citizen. Clement Pavy, farmer and stock raiser. Gideon Fuer, railroad man. John Fuer, farmer and stock dealer. J. C. Beatty, a neat farmer. J. M. Beatty, a neat farmer and stock raiser, and one of the present justices ; a man of note and influence in the township. William Long, bog ralar. S. W. Amkey, merchant ; Mr. Stukey was a cap-
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tain in the 90th regiment O. V. Dr. Matthews, a popular, skillful. and successful physician. T. H. Mark, school teacher, clerk of the township, and a neat farmer. M. M. Owens, Esq., justice, a good farmer and citizen. Andrew Rowe, far- mer and stock raiser. John Rowe, a farmer and noted hun- ter; he takes care of his aged mother (good). H. A. Mc- Carty. boot and shoemaker. Rev. T. H. Hide, pastor M. F. Church, Stanton. John Rester, wood-worker. John Mitch- iner, carpenter. Peter Duff, justice and wagon- maker. Col. Wm. Craig. farmer and merchant. T. J. Craig, peddler in uotions. Daniel Blair, farmer. M. Hinkle, merchant and farmer, retired. Peter Snyder, a justice and carpenter. J. Jones, farther. J. P. Cox, Esq., stock man. David Rowe, farmer and bog packer. Amos Goldsberry, farmer and stock trader ; a good neighbor and citizen.
The first meeting-house was built in Stanton. First school house on the bank of Sugar creek. The first school teacher was Win. Sweet; second teacher, J. D. Moon.
There was an Indian grave found on Eli Lyon's farm. Skeletons and bones have becu exhumed. James B. Rowe was the first noted hunter. There are no earth-works in the town- ship.
The number of school-houses in the township, seven ; num- her of meeting-houses, two; they belong to the M. E. Church.
Nathaniel A. Jones moved to the West, and then moved back, not being pleased with it. He is by occupation a far- mer and stock dealer.
John Murphy emigrated from Ireland, and is a railroad en- gineer.
A Methodist Sunday School in Stanton is largely attended. It has excellent and efficient teachers. Rev. S. Allen and Res. I. Morris organized the Pleasant Valley Sunday School and Church.
Oldest person living in the townsbip is Mrs. Wood Munce, aged 84 Her husband was ia the wars of 1776 and 1819.
John Rosebrook was in the war of 1812 ; his widow, Nancy Rosebrook:, is still living, in advanced age, in Stanton, in rather indigent circumstances
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BY PETER VANPELT, SK.
VANPELT FAMILY .- Tunis Vanpelt emigrated from Ten- nessee with his father, a resident of New York, and from Tennessee to Ohio, in 1804, and served in the revolutionary war. He died in Adams County, prior to the war of 1812 His children were Peter, Charles, and Eli. Peter emigrated to Ross County in 1817, and in 1828 he moved to Fayette, Concord Township. His family record : Charles, Andy B., Eli, Russell, William W., Sanford, Simon, Peter, Jr., Oliver. Perry Vanpelt was killed in the last war, 54th regiment. Simon was in the last war, 73d regiment. Peter Vanpelt and wife are still living.
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