USA > Ohio > Fayette County > Pioneer record and reminiscences of the early settlers and settlement of Fayette County, Ohio > Part 8
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9
93
spun ; he made an odd appearance among the broadcloth par- sous there assembled. There was preaching every night; one of the aristocratie preachers suggested that Brother Dickey had not preached yet; a smile passed around the company at the idea ; be consented, and preached to a large audience, and preached a sermon that surprised all present, and all were highly pleased and gratified. Many of his hearers were in tears. It is related of him that while in attendance at this session, be placed his straw hat on the window-sill of the . church window, it being raised ; the wind blew it out into the yard, and a cow ate it up, so he was hatless; the people of the city made him a present of a fur hat, and also a fine suit of black broadcloth, so well were they pleased with the bank- wouds picacher. Rev. W. Diekey emigrated to Fayene prior to its organization, ond became the pastor of the first Presby- terian Church in now Washington. His members built Lim a cabin ; be also organized a small church in now Blooming- burg, November 22d, 1817, where he preached part of his time. About this time he purchased 16 acres of land of Mr. Walker, of Chillicothe, near Washington. As the day of payment drew near, he found he could not make his payment. He wrote to Mr. W. to take it back. The return mail brought Mr. Diekey a deed, to his great surprise. Mr. Dickey, prior to his death, sold it for $2,000, which enabled him to purchase 100 acres near Bloomingburg, where he spent the latter part of his days, leaving it to his children. But to return. the church at Bloomingburg desired his entire time; he there- fore moved to Bloomingburg, and preached for this church 40 years. He spent his latest breath in commending to his hear- ers the blessed Master whom he had served. In regard to his labors as a minister, I need not pen them here. Their history is written in the characters and in the hearts of the entire community. He baptised the people, and received them to the communion ; he married their children. and buried their parents ; he has sat at every fireside, and prayed in every family. Rev. Wm. Dickey served God in the ministry for 55 years. He lived to bury all his father's family, and at last he comes to his grave at a full, ripe ago, like a shock of corn, fully ripe.
.
4
-
94
For God was there, and round his bed Divine illuminations shed : His rod and staff sweet comfort gavo, And power miraculous to save, For many years on Zion's walls, He sounded forth the gospel calls.
The author was well acquainted with Rev. Wm. Dickey, and must say that pen fails to give a true and just tribute to the memory of this honest and pious pioncer preacher. His place can never be filled.
95
MADISON TOWNSHIP.
Madison Township is one of the original townships of Fayette County, 1815. The soil is rich and productive; the streams passing through it are the north fork of Paint and its head branches. Among its first settlers was Gen. Beatal Har- rison ; (given in by William Harrison, his son, and taken from MISS.)
Gen. Beatal Harrison was born in the State of Virginia. In the year 1780. His father, Captain Benjamin Harrison, served as a Continental officer in the revolutionary war of 1776, under General George. Washington. The Harrison family are descended from the brave Major Benjamin Har- rison, one of the heroic veterans who feared not to place his name upon the seroll of fame, the immortal Declaration of Independence. He was the honored father of General Wil- liam Henry Harrison, late President of the United States. General Beatal Harrison emigrated to the Northwest terri- tory in 1798, and settled in now Belmont County, where he resided until 1811. He was among the first pioneers to that locality. He emigrated to Ross County, and in the fall of 1812 was commissioned by James Madison, who knew his bravery and qualifications, Second Lieutenant in the 19th Regiment of Iufentry of the United States, dated July 2, 1812, and served with ability and distinction in said office un- til March 17th, 1814, when he was commissioned by President Madison Captain of the Second Company of Riflemen, United Simies Regalar Army. He served in this office until peace was declared in 1815. After the close of the war he married and emigrated to Fayette County in the wilderness, and lo- cated a large tract of military land in now Madison Township, on the waters of Paint creek, and erected the first cabin in that section of the country, which yet stands in good preser- vation. By industry, he had, in a short time, a large portion of his laud unproved and in good condition, and one of the
1
96
best stock farms in the county, it being well watered by the heads of Paint creek. General Harrison, during his life, was a large stock dealer. For many years he drove cattle and hogs to Baltimore and other Eastern markets. General Har- rison was elected by the Legislature in 1817 as Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Fayette County. In this honorable and important office be served seven years. He was also elected several terms by his district as a Repre- sentative to the Chio Legislature. He made an efficient mem- ber of that body, and exerted a great influence among its members. He was a powerful writer and a good thinker. His loss as a bepovolent and useful citizen is irreparable. General Harrisou died in 1857 full of years and houors, leiving a rame worthy of the imitation of the rising generation Hon. William HI. Harrison, named after the lamented William H. Harrison, late President of the United States, and son of Gen- eral Beats! Harrison, the subject of this brief record, is the proprietor of the second homestead, and occupies the house in which the General died in 1857. a year long to be romeu- bered by the General's family and friends. William HI. Har- rison has been unfortunate in his family ; out of nine children he has but two. He has recently lost his excellent lady, Mrs. Harrison, and is a lone widower. General Harrison was clected and commissioned Brigadier General in 1838, aud served until the repeal of the militia law by the Legislature. The following are the names of General Harrison's children : Benjamin Scott, William HI. David N., Joseph, and Mary M. All are living but John, who was in Company D, 114th Regi- ment O. V., and died in the last war. Scott was a captain in the last war. David was lieutenant of the militia. Benja- min served one term as commissioner for Madison County. The following are the names of the first pioneers of Madison Towechip:
BY WILLIAM H. HARRISON.
Leonard Jefferson, occupation, farmer and first tauber, a useful citizen, &c. Isaac Moore was a farmer and a man of influence in society. David McCarfatty, a working, indus- trious tiller of the soil, and very social. Edward Clarridge,
97
a large farmer ; was a man of sound, good sense, and prover- bial for his honesty of fixed principles : he was elected and served several terms as justice of the peace. James Nutt was a good farmer and neighbor. John Gilmore, first miller, was very popular, well known and respected. Isaiah and Samuel Pancost were millers and millwrights by occupation, and were also farmers. Shirer Pancost, farmer and an excellent man. Andrew Gregory, farmer. John Mouser, farmer and grazer. A. Gregory, first merchant. Josiah Gregory, John Blizard, Joseph, William, and John Fariner, farmers by name and oc- cupation. John Solars, J. C. Cook, John Oldham, coopers ; Hlichard Cosser, Jons Baldwin, William Morgan, large land- holders and stock merchants. Robert Abanather, farmer and Gret taves: keeper. Isaac Thomas, Bujamin Leach, Soha Leach, and John Level farmers. John Mesmore was the first. wood-corder and also farmer. Otho Williams was one of the most respected men in the township; he was a man of tact and note; a Representative of the country, and proved a good one. Nathah Parker, Jesse Barton, Henry Core, Ephraim Moore, Daviel Baker. William Sawyer, first settlera, are yet living on good farms and in good houses -- the fruits of indus- try. Alexander Grim and William MeCafferty are large land men and stock-merchants. Albert Ogden, a large far- mer aud stock dealer. C. D. Level, a wholesale farmer ; a mau of note, and great wealth and influence. Benjamin Level, large land-holder, owas over 500 acres of land on the watere of Deer Creek, and an honcat man of good character and re- port. Jamies Stout a practical fariner, and an honest, peac- able citizen. James Abernatha, a large lard holder and stock trader; a man of business, enterprising, capable to transact any important business, and looked upon by his neighbors as a good judge of men and things ; makes a just magistrate for h's township ; a father of a good family. R. S. Waters, a neat farmer, a man of sound common sense, firma in his opinions, and an honest man. James Graham. James Jones is a large stock merchant ; gives an honest living compensation to his smaller stock raisers for their cattle, bogs, sheep, and trade in general; he is a tuau of notoriety and influence, and very useful in the township ; he has a farin of 1, 100 acres. b. P.
98
Loofborrow, a neat, frugal farmer, and a quiet and benevolent citizen. L. Il. Loofborrow, a large, independent, and enter- prising farmer, and a man of great energy of character. Daniel Wood, a large land speculator, and has stacks of money. Joseph Ott, a neat farmer. Ellis Vanpelt, a good farmer. Imnac Jones, Joseph Adams, first steam-mill. Henry Fulton, George Emerson, merchants, Madison Mills, Madison Township.
BY GILBERT TERRELL.
Gilbert Terrell was born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, in the year 1808. His father, Johnson Terrell, emigrated to Ohio in 1812, and settled in Clinton. His grandfather, Ben- jamiu Terrell, was one of the early settlers of Virginia, and was a soldier in the revolutionary war under General George Washington.
Main Paint creek beads in Madison County, runs into Fay- ette, and joins the line between Jefferson and Paint Town- ships to the Union Township line, crossing Union Township by Washington, to the northwestern corner of Wayne Town- ship, theuse forming the line between Union and Wayne 'Townships to the corner near Flake's ford, from thenes to William Sturgeon's mill, theuce from the lines between Wayne and Perry Townships to the Highland County line.
Sugar creek beade in Madison County, and runs through Jasper Township, Fayette County, passing through Jefferson- ville, thence in a southeastern direction to the east corner of . Jasper Township, forming the line between Jasper and Union Townships to Jasper mills, thence forming the line between Union and Concord Townships to the north corner of Perry and Union Townships to Main Paint, at the corner of Wayne Township.
Rattlesnake creek heads in Madison County, and runs in a southernly direction through Jefferson and Jasper Townships, crossing the east corner of Clinton County, thence crossing Concord, in Fayette County, to the Perry Township line, thence forming the line between Green and Verry Townships to Highland County, near Morroe.
1
99
North Fork Paint creek heads in Paint Township, running through Madison and Marion Townships to the Ross County line, on the land of J. Bryan.
East Fork Paint creek heads in Madison County, Ohio, crossing Paint Township near Bloomingburg, in Fayette County, and empties into Main Paint on the farm of Jerome, one mile cast of Washington.
Campton creek heads in Paint and Madison Townships, crosses Madison, thence through Marion Township, and runs into Ross County, near the farm of Jacob Bush.
The following are the names of smaller creeks :
Tille Rattlesnake heads in Green County, and crosses the southwest corner of Fayette County, on the farm of William Palmer, thence crossing to the Clinton County line, and emp- ties into Main Rattlesnake on the farm of C. A. Trimble, in Fayette County.
Grassy Lick heads in Green County, and runs through Jas- per Township, crossing the Clinton County line, and empties into Little Rattlesnake, in Clinton County.
Lee's creek heads in Clinton County, and runs through Concord and Green Townships, in Fayette County, to the line of Highland County, Dear Loesburg.
ANCIENT WORKS.
On the farm of Mrs. Mary Jones, one-half mile from Jef- fersonville, there have been a number of large skeletons taken from a mound ; some have the appearance of a much larger race of people than the present generation ; also, there are bones of a similar kind. On Abraham Bush's and Wm. C. F. Fent's land beads, axes, and flint arrows have been found in any quantity, &c., &c.
BY W. B. D.ARRISON.
INDIAN CAMPS, GRAVES, TRAILS, AND TRACES .-- On the head waters of Deer creek, arrows, axes, scalping knives, kec-
1
100
ties, and beads have been found by the carly and present set- tlers. Indian paths and trails up Deer creek, northeast side Madison Township, to the Languane trail, to the fall of Lit- tle Miami. Indian graves on William Harrison's farm, ou the west side of North Fork Paint, have been exhumed by gravel diggers.
NOTED HUNTERS OF MADISON TOWNSHIP.
General Beatal Harrison was a noted hunter, and killed many deer and other game ; he was fond of the chase of deer and foxes. Edmond Blearage killed panthers, bears, wolves, and deer ; he was a fearless mau.
What will built in the township was by John Gilmore, on Deer creek ; first carpenter, James Furdam; first blacksmith, Otho Williams; first school teacher, C. Turford ; first preach- er, William Dickey.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
Justices-Milo Rockwell, F. L. Smith, and John Mesmore. Trustees -- C. D. Level, Harvey Marry, and J. M. Noble. Clerk -. J. T. Bush. Treasurer-Henry Felton. Land Ap- praiser --- W. H. Harrison. Assessor -- James Stout. Con- stable ?--- Zebulon Ford and R. Mesmore. Pike Superintend- ent, J. H. Loofboriow.
N. B .--- General Beatal Harrison was by profession a sur- veyor.
RY J. L. MYERS.
Colonel Samuel Myers was born June 11th, 1776, rear Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father, Jacob Myers, emi- grated to New Virginia, as it was called then, and settled in the County of Botetourt, where he received his education, and was employed as a clerk at Mr. Preston's iron works. He married Elizabeth Smith, and moved to the State of Ohio io the fall of 1807, three years before the county was organized, and settied on Deer creek, near the present site of Yankee- torp. Ilis first employment was to turn up the virgin soil -- -
101
not with the five steel plough, but one known as the plough with the wooden mole-board. He got up and enrolled the first militia company that paraded in Madison Township; he likewise taught the first school that was taught in the above township, in the winter of 1808, and subsequent winter of 1809. He also served as the first township clerk of Madison Township. He served in the State Legislature from Fayette County, then in session in Chillicothe. He and his company were ordered out in what was called the general call, and went as far as Upper Sandusky, where he was promoted to the office of Major of Militia, and on his return home was elected Colonel of the regiment, then in Fayette County. He like- wise represented the County of Fayette the winter of 1810 tu the Giate Legislature. He also served as a justice of the peace for thirty years. He was a farmer and cattle dealer by occupation. In religion, a Methodist. He died in the year 1850, and was buried with Masonie honors. Colonel Samuel Myers' family consisted of six sons and two daughters, as fol- lows : Polly, Jacob, James H., John Ja., Samuel, Isaac, Au- gustine, and Adaline. John L. Myers, third son of Colonel Samuel Myers, was born August 7th, 1803, in Botetourt County, Virginia. Was brought by my parents to now Fay- ette County, Ohio, in the year 1807. What education I re- ceived was in a pioneer school house. At mature age I mar- ried Catharine Vance, daughter of Major General William Vance, cousin to Governor Joseph Vance, of Ohio. He rep- sented Ross County several times in the State Legislature ; and in the Senate from the County of Belmont. He was one of the first pioneers in the above County, and drove the first wagon up Wheeling hill, on the Ohio side, that ever was driven up. He was a farmer ard raiser of fine stock, and was a stockholder in the Scioto Importing Company of Durham Cattle. My family consists of five daughters and two sons. Lucy C. married J. W. Gallaspie. son of Judge Joseph Gal- laspie. Mary A. married Major James Cook, who served three years in the defense of his country in the war of the rebellion. John J. married Mary McCafferty ; he served in the war of the rebellion as Lieutenant in the 60th Regiment O. V. I., and two years in Sth Regimeut of Cavalry ; and at
[Sig. 7.]
102
the rendezvous in Chillicothe, at the time of the Morgan raid, was elected Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment; a farmer and tiller of the soil. Martha J. married M. W. Jones, son of Major Matthew Jones, who served his country in the war of 1812, and an early pioncer to Paint Township ; his occupation a farmer and stock dealer. Margaret C. married Peter Jless. sor of Fuller Hess, a good farmer of Marion Township; Pe- ter's occupation, a trader, mule dealer, and farmer. Scott Myers, now in the State of lowa, is a cattle dealer and grazer by occupation. Adaline. youngest child, is yet at home; she was educated at the Bloomingburg Academy.
PIONEER NAMES.
Poter, Michael, Adam, and Henry Coon all emigrated from Virginia in 1801; farmers, and all in the war of 1912. Jaenb Dickison, his sou, was in the war of 1812, Jonathan Dickison. John Page, first justice; Albert Ogdou, farmer ; Stephen Barton, Samuel Harvey, school teacher; John Vandolab, far . mer; John Herrod, justice ; Samuel Herrod, both in the war of 1812; Sanford Carder. tavern-keeper, was in the war of 1776.
BY T. HILL.
Jerusba Pancoast, wife of John Messmore, emigrated to this township in the spring of 1810, with her father, Isaiah Pancoast, and settled on the west bank of Deer creek. They emigrated from Fayette County, Pennsylvania. My father erected a very large log house, which served as kitchea, din- ing-roora, parlor, and bed-room. The Indians camped on the opposite side of the creek from us. The squays came to our house frequently, and would bring venison to trade for mea !. The Indian hunters would kill deer and float them down the creek, near to their camp, and the squats would go down to the creek, drag the deer out, and dress them. The first sea- son they lived under wagon covers, stretched on poles. uutil they cleared and planted seven avres in coru, living princi- pally op wild meat and corn-meal. Wolves were very plenty at the time, and all who had sheep were obliged to pen them
1
108
up every night. We were obliged to go to Chillicothe to do our trading. There was not a family living between Waterloo and Washington. When the Indians moved their camp they Jeft a small pig behind, and it came to my father's house, and we put the pig in a pen, and when it grew to a good sized hog, one of the old Indians came back to our house and father showed him his pig, and told him to take it aud do what he pleased with it. So the Indian killed and dressed it, cut it in two in the middle, left one-half hanging, took the other half on his shoulder, and carried it to his camp. We had no school-houses except log, with puncheons for floor. Our first teacher was Colonel Samuel Myers, who gained a great repu- tation.
George Filson emigrated from Virginia to Ross County, Ohio, in 1810. His daughter, An, wife of T. Hill, is now a resident of Madison Township. She received her education mostly in Chillicothe, Ohio. She went to school with the Bon. A. G. Thurmon, besides several other distinguished per- sons of Ross County. Theodore Hill, her husband, has served in several civil offices, acting as clerk of Marion Town- ship for sixteen years, and six years as justice of the peace. George Filsou was in the war of 1812. He died in Vermi !- lion County, Indiana, aged 75.
Poswell Hill father of T. Hill, emigrated from New Mil- ford, Connecticut, to Ross County, Ohio, in the spring of 1832. A school teacher by profession. He died in Bond County, Illinois, in the fall of 1844, aged 56. Isaac Hill, grandfather of T. Hill, was in the revolutionary war. IIe bad the measles while he was out in the service, and lost one of his eyes. He died in New Britain, Connecticut, aged 98.
William B. Minshall's father emigrated to Madison County, Ohio, from Frederick County, Virginia, in 1807. My father, Jonathan Minshall, served as a private in the war of 1812. My wife's father emigrated to Kentucky from the State of New York about the year 1820, and from Kentucky he moved to the State of Ohio about the year 1850. He was a descend- ant of General Hult. Jonathan Minshall was a local preacher of the Methodist Church, and served several terms as justice
104
of the peace. He assisted in raising the first Methodist Church in London, paying 821 more than his share of the ex- penses in the erection thereof. There were twenty-one ap- pointments on the circuit, and each appointment contributed one dollar to cancel the debt. Our breadstuffs were princi- pally obtained by going to Chillicothe on horseback, a dis- tance of nearly fifty miles, carrying about two bushels to a horse, the most of the way being an Indian trail. Jonathan Minshall also assisted old Indian John, or Captain John, as he was called. to mark or blaze nearly all the roads in Madison County. He was the father of eighteen children ; three boys and six girls by his first wife, and seven boys and two girls by the socond wife, his descendants amounting to one hundred and fifty-two. The names of his children are Jesse is, Ha- che! I., Hannah, Mary. Walter W., James Q., Lydia. Ellen, Permeha, Edward II .. Isaac, Joseph I., William B., Jora- than W., Asbrina M., Enoch E., Nancy E., and one dicd in infancy.
William C. Crabb's father emigrated from Virginia, Grceo County, to Ross County, Ohio, in 180.1. My father. Reuben Crabb, served in the war of 1812. My grandfather served in the revolutionary war. My wife's father emigrated to Ross County with my father in 1804. My present wife's father was a recruiting officer in the war of 1812. Reuben Crabb died in Pickaway County at the age of 55. His father died in Highland County at an advanced age. The descendants of my father are ninety-four. The names of his children are as follows : Martin B., Jemima ML., William C., Sarah, Margaret, Ausmond, James, Reuben, Heury, and Mary ; three of them are dead, one is living in Indiana, and the rest are in this county. My grandfather, Clevinger, settled near Hillsborough, in Highland County, at a very early day. He was a great hunter; and the last hunt be took be got to benumbed with the cold by crossing a small stream, that he had to lay out all night, and was found the next day by following his hunting dog; both of his feet were so frozen that they came off near the instap.
Joseph Oldham was born in Jefferson County, Virginia.
1
105
Ilis father emigrated to Ross County in 1903. He was in the war cf 1812. Both of his grandfathers were in the war of the revolution, and they both held a Colonel's commission at the time of their death.
William C. Knowles emigrated from Ross County in 1830. When he first came to Fayette be was but fourteen years old, and lived with his father until he was of age. At the age of 33 he married Miss A. H. Morgan. In 1860 he married Miss Martha M. Crabb, and has one child. Occupation. farmer, and a class leader in the Methodist Church. Wm. Knowles emigrated to Ohio from Delaware; was in the war of 1812, and belonged to Colonel Clark's regiment. He was the father of nine children ; their names are Nelly, Rebecca, Nanry. Elizabeth, Perry, William C .. Denard P., Sarah, and Mario. William C. Knowles, Jr., is a son of Denard P. Ile is living in Madison Township; he married Elizabeth Crabb; they have two children. He served three years as private in the 73d Illinois Regiment, under Colonel Jaques. The descend. ants of William Knowles are 9 children, 35 grand children, 175 great-grand children, and 5 great-great-grand children. making a total of 251. He died in 1845, aged 68. His wife died in 1807. aged 89.
MADISON MILLS BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Grogory and postoffice, kept by George Emerson ; saloon, Peter Dempacy ; bleksmith, Alexander Clark ; fouring mill, J. & HT. Adams; carpenters and millwrights, F. L. Smith ; boot and shoe maker, Theodore Will .; one township house, one church, ove school house.
SETTLERS AT THE PRESENT TIME.
isaac Cook, Sr., L. T. Cook, James Cook, Isaac Couk, Jr., Milo Rockwell, Harvey Marcy, Joseph Ott, Abner Dixon. J. A. Dixon, II. C. Smith, Wm. Knowles, Sr., Wmu. Flowles, Jr., Win. Crabb, Wm. Miller, Henry Fulton, Isare Shuffle- barger, Thomas Vance, 3 L. Harrison, Benjamin Rodgers, Win. Davis, Asa Mison, James Noble, Isaac Jones, Albert
106
Ogden, Philip Taylor, Joseph Smith, Thomas Smith, Straw- der Clawson, Wm. Clawson, Andrew Hixon. Caleb Tillot, Win. McArthur, J. W. Cox, Solomon Chaffin, and Joshua Mahan.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.