The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 49

Author: W. H. Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1880
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1051

USA > Ohio > Miami County > The History of Miami County, Ohio > Part 49

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It appears that among other Apostolic usages, the deacons were always ordained, in the early history of the church. Sister Sarah Statler, the oldest member now living (1873), was baptized into church fellowship in 1817. Many other prominent members might be mentioned with profit and interest, could their true chronology be obtained.

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The same necessity of meeting from house to house, prevailed until the year 1818, when it was resolved to build a church. Measures were taken, therefore, immediately, and a committee appointed to select a suitable location, to ascertain the price of the same, and report to the church. In April of the following year, the deacons reported that they had procured the lots of land which the church requested them to purchase, and the terms, $50 ; one-half to be paid in six weeks from date, the balance in one year from contract, the deed to be given in June. In 1822, the house was completed, and on the 25th of May, was for the first time opened for service, and a glorious service it was.

The church was duly recognized by Elder Gutridge, who was the only minis- ter present. On the following day (Sabbath), the church met and set apart Bro. Corbly Martin, to the work of the Gospel ministry, by ordination. So, now, with their new house and new preacher, the people had reasons to be encouraged and to hope for days of prosperity.

A strange subject for Baptist people presented itself about this time, and caused considerable discussion. Some members were in favor of introducing into the service the practice of " feet washing." but, the majority being opposed, it was deferred from meeting to meeting, until it died out. A slight disagreement arose in 1824, in regard to the Philadelphia Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, which resulted in the exclusion of all the members except two, who were pro-mission ; this left the church a pure and unadulterated anti-con-mission.

About this time, Bro. Joshua Deweese was licensed to exercise his gifts of preaching in a public manner. In 1833, Bro. Enos French was granted the same privilege. In 1833, meetings were begun in Troy, held on the second Saturday of each month. In March, a church was established there, which was fully recog- nized May 10, 1834. In February, 1834, Lewis was licensed to preach. In April, 1834, the "Staunton Branch at New Carlisle" was organized, recognized in Febru- ary. In September, Bro. Enos French was ordained by laying on of hands. . The Staunton Church, growing weak, was removed to Casstown and the name changed to Casstown Baptist Church. This was accomplished by granting letters of dimission to all the members of Staunton Church except one, who was left to hold the church property and deed the same into the hands of the church at Casstown ; but we have not heard whatever became of that one, whether he united with the Casstown Church on experience, or deeded away his right and title to all churches.

Some few other changes were made, and, at the present, the church in Cass- town, the outgrowth of the old church in Staunton, has a neat little house, worth about $1,800, and a membership of eighty-four.

We have given this church in full, because it was the first and the largest and the only one of which we could obtain any facts for its history. We aim not to be partial, neither are we sectarian. We have copied very nearly the minutes in the above history.

Among first things in this township, we may mention that Peter Felix was the first Indian trader, the first man who could sell a needle for a dollar, the first who could make an Indian believe the needle-maker had died and that he had the last ones, the first man who owned the house in which the first court was held in this county. The Dutch Station was the first place of settlement, Staunton was the first town in the county and the first seat of justice, Jane Gerard Deweese was the first white female child, and J. Knoop was the first male child born in Staun- ton Township, dating back to 1800. William McCampbell was the first Justice, elected in 1809. The first school teacher was Isaac Gerard. The first ministers were James Frazer and John Stapleton. Peter Landre was one of the first coop- ers. William Dye and Amariah Smalley were the first blacksmiths. Lewis Deweese was one of the first tanners. Felix was the first and Abram Dye the second tavern- keeper. Joseph Skinner was the first to erect a corn-cracker.

From a consideration of all these initial points, in which Staunton Township claims precedence over all others in the county, we see no reason why she should

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be any the less proud of her record, even if some of her sisters have outgrown her. They have yet to acknowledge their allegiance to her and reverence her as their alma mater.

LOST CREEK TOWNSHIP.

INTRODUCTION.

In the pioneer history of Lost Creek Township, nothing beyond the ordinary routine of incidents connected with the early settlement will be found. Here, as to other places, came the hardy pioneer, armed with his trusty ax and a heart to be subdued by no difficulties, and, on the banks of the beautiful stream which has given its romantic name to the township, he erected his log cabin and cleared a patch of land. The men of those days have, with few exceptions, joined "the innumerable caravan," and those who remain, notably Gen. Webb and Alexander McDowell, Sr., find the infirmities of years bearing heavily upon them.

" Alas! how few are left to tell How they lived long ago ; The grass is growing o'er their graves, On bill, in valley low. The plowshare strikes a musket old, That tells. with silent tongue, The story of the good old days, When the pioneer was young."

ORIGIN OF NAME.

The origin of the name " Lost Creek" is involved in much obscurity, but, as usual in such cases, tradition is called upon to tell its story. This case is no excep- tion. It is said that, away back, before the white settler planted his foot in this region, a Shawanoes Indian, having found himself lost after a long and unsuccess- ful chase, reached the banks of the stream in his wanderings. It was a creek which he now saw for the first time, and he eagerly followed it, with the hope that it would lead him out of his unpleasant dilemma. But in vain. The glittering water drew him on and on, until the warrior concluded that, like himself, the stream was "lost," too. From that day, so says tradition, the stream bore the naine of Lost Creek, and the naming of the township through which it flows was, of course, a natural sequence.

There is, in the topography of Lost Creek Township, much that would encour- age early settlement. The land is gently rolling, the soil rich and fruitful, and the country well watered. Natural springs, whose supply of cool water is exhaustless, abound everywhere, and of these the early settler was not slow to take advantage. Lost Creek Township is to-day one of the best grain-producing townships in the State, her soil yields readily and in abundance, and to her rich acreage she justly points with pride.

TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.

On December 10, 1818, the Commissioners of Miami County, assembled at Troy, ordered that the thirteenth township should be known by the name of " Lost Creek," and, on the 25th of January of the succeeding year, they proceeded to fix substantially its boundaries. At the latter meeting (January 25), Brown and Staunton Townships were laid out and bounded. But, before this, the settler had erected his cabin in Lost Creek Township. As early as 1802 to 1804, Willis Northcutt and John Rogers had settled here, and, later, Gen. John Webb, Alex- ander McDowell, Sr., and a number of others. Gen. Webb says, in his manuscript autobiography, from which we shall quote at length further on, that, as early as 1808, he taught school a short distance from where the village of Casstown now stands.

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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.

FIRST RECORDS. .

The first records of the Township Clerk's office, which are still well preserved, show that at the first election held under the permanent establishment of bounda- ries, John Lenon, George W. Green and James Buckles were elected Township Trustees, and J. K. McFarland, Clerk. Of these parties, but one, James Buckles is living at this date. The election was held at the house of George Puterhaugh, a short distance east of the Lost Creek Baptist Church, and on the old Puterbaugh farm, now owned by Harrison Youtsey. The poll-books of that election, could they be unearthed, would show a meager poll, for the inhabitants of Lost Creek Township were "few and far between " at that time, and it would be safe to say that there was no " log-rolling " at that election. The pioneers went to the farmhouse, deposited their ballots, and, after discussing local affairs, which meant the common good, not politics, mind you, they returned to their work.

In the spring of 1820, Jonathan Yates, J. K. McFarland, Jonas Sutton and John Webb were drawn as grand, and Levi Westfall, Willis Hance and James Frazee, Sr., as petit jurors. The Township Clerk of that date denominates the last mentioned gentlemen as "petty jurors."

EARLY ENTERPRISES.

Prior to the formal organization of the township, as has already been said, a number of settlements had been made. Beside dwelling houses at that day, principally log-cabins, George Green had erected a grist-mill, with which a distil- lery was connected, and James Frazee had also put up a still. In 1814, John K. McFarland put up a carding and fulling mill near the site of Casstown ; but, as the new venture did not yield the desired profits, we believe it was abandoned a few years later. During this time, the several accomplishments were not entirely neglected, for, as already mentioned, Gen. Webb had taught the young idea, and John E. Cory had conducted a singing-school. Mr. Cory opened the school in his own house, in 1814, and probably numbered among his scholars, nearly all the young folks in the community.

THE WAR OF 1812.

During these times, the early settlers of Lost Creek Township were not wholly without fear. The outbreak of the second war with Great Britain was calculated to seriously interfere with their repose. The Indians were not far dis- tant, and more than once, the pioneer and his little family cowered, as it were, in the shadows of the tomahawk. Almost within the boundaries of the township, David Gerard and Henry Dilbone and wife fell before the merciless hatchet of the Shawanoes. Alexander McDowell, Sr., with Gen. Webb and others whose names have, unfortunately, been lost to your historian, entered the army and guarded the frontier posts. In 1811, Gen. Hull's troops, en route to Detroit, passed through this section of the county. A halt was made at Rogers' block- house, that occupied the site of George G. McDowell's dwelling, and the pioneer women relieved the wants of the troops, many of whom were shoeless and in & suffering condition. It is supposed .that anterior to this event, Gen. Wayne marched through a portion of Lost Creek Township on his way to punish the confederated tribes at the rapids of the Maumee. After the war of 1812, our pioneers enjoyed the blessings of peace, and settlements rapidly increased. As houses sprang up everywhere, the distances between neighbors became lessened, acquaintance was extended, and society received the long-needed impetus.

FIRST CHURCHES.

The year 1821 saw the erection of the first regular meeting-house in Lost Creek Township. This structure was built of hewn logs, near where the present brick church of the Lost Creek Baptists now stands. Its dimensions were 30x36

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feet. On the minutes of that early congregation is found the following queer con- tract pertaining to the old church :

" Agreed to employ. Brother Abia B. Martin to lay two floors in the meeting- house, to plough and groove both floors, to plain one side of the upper floor, and to make two doors and casings, for which the church agree to pay Brother Martin $20 in work at Mr. Fordyce's, if said Martin should want it there; if not, to be paid in corn, wheat or young cattle."

In 1837, a secession from Lost Creek Baptist Church resulted in the erection of another log-house of worship, known as Providence Meeting-House, on the Casstown and Addison turnpike. This latter landmark, like its predecessor, has disappeared before the ravages of time, and, overgrown with weeds, is the site around which " the rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep."

Afterward, the log church of the Lost Creek Christian Congregation, was erected on the Barnett Rapp farm, and then followed the houses of worship that dot and beautify the township at the present day.

FIRST JUSTICES.

Gen. Webb was the first Justice of the Peace within the boundaries of Lost Creek Township. The certification of his bond, by the Township Clerk, bears date of December 11, 1819, and he served uninterruptedly, we believe, until 1849. Among the other early Justices were John Lenon, Abraham Buckles, James Fordyce and Thomas Shidler. The last-named gentleman represented. Miami County in the Ohio Legislature. He died only a few years ago. John Wilson also served as Justice.

THE " CHOLERA YEAR."

In 1832, the cholera devasted the happiest homes in the township. Its blows fell everywhere without mercy, and in more instances than one, husband and wife, or parents and children were buried in the same grave. There are several incidents connected with this terrible visitation that approach the domain of the thrilling. One night a merry party of neighbors gathered at the house of Mr. John Martin. Reports from districts then ravaged by the pestilence, at once became the theme for conversation ; but, by the merriest of the assembled party, they were lightly treated, and a dance was proposed. A violin was soon found, and before long its merry strains awakened the echoes of the night. Louder and louder grew the sounds of pleasure. The hand at the bow knew how to use it, and the motto seemed to be, " no sleep till morn." At last some one suggested a " cholera tune," which was played ; but at the close of it, so say the few living participants, fright- ful noises were heard among the horses in the barn, and almost every cheek became blanched. The soberest said it was a death token, and the assembly, silently and soberly dispersed. Not long afterward, a few hours at the farthest, the cholera did come. It entered that very house, and smote its people with death , and many of the participants in that merry gathering fell victims to the dread plague. The hand that drew the bow that night has not lifted another since, although its possessor still lives, an aged and venerated citizen of the township. In 1836, the dread scourge again visited this section of the county, but did not rage with the violence that characterized its former visit. At that time the nearest physicians resided in Troy, and more than once they were hurried out on Lost Creek, to attend a cholera patient.

CASSTOWN.

The only incorporated village within the limits of the township is Casstown, which is situated in the southeast corner thereof. It is now a village of 375 souls, a beautiful and thrifty place. It was laid out in 1832, by Rankin Westfall and Luke Daney, from land purchased of James Frazee. At the time of the survey only three cabins occupied the site of the town, which was called Trimmensburgh, in honor of - - Trimmens, a man who helped to lay it out. Afterward the.

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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.

name was changed to Casstown, in honor of Lewis Cass, United States Senator and General, and an unsuccessful candidate for the Presidency. Mr. Daniel Knoop put up the first brick house in the town, a small affair, only fourteen feet square, and Joseph Green and Joseph Campbell opened the first stock of goods. Knoop also brought on a lot of goods, and continued in the business at the original stand until a few years since. He is now dead but his widow still resides in Casstown.

Casstown is noted for civility and good morals. Not a drop of liquor is sold within the corporation. It contains three churches, and one hall devoted to the I. O. O. F., which order is in a flourishing condition. Small as it was during the late civil war, it sent out an entire company of soldiers, who did good service around Washington, for which they received the personal thanks of President Lin- coln. Several miles north of Casstown, and in the township, is a small collection of houses which bears the name of Sodom, or Pencetown ; but it has no post office and is hardly called a village.

EDUCATIONAL.

In education, Lost Creek Township has a good record. Forty years ago the total number of school children enrolled in the township was 647; the school buildings were mostly log structures, and poor affairs at the best ; but now a sub- stantial brick building graces every district, and the school furniture is of the latest pattern and cannot be excelled. In Special District No. 1, which includes the village of Casstown, a large and handsome brick building has been erected within the past few years. In this a thorough graded school is kept nine months of the year, and the result is that it ranks among the best schools in the county.

More than forty years ago, when Thomas Long was Superintendent and Visitor of the common-schools of Lost Creek Township, the system of school visitation was strictly adhered to. Mr. Long was a careful, methodical and painstaking man, and the entries in his journal exhibit the condition of our country schools at that day. Of a visit to the school in District No. 1, January 22, 1839, he says : "The order in the school is not good, too much confusion, but little government exer- cised by the teacher, very little exercise of moral influence, and but very little time is spent to convince the scholars of the propriety of such measures as would be conducive to their good." He found in the schools at that day not enough sys- tem in writing, the philosophy of arithmetic illy taught, and, finally, noisy schools. The Board of Education of Lost Creek Township, profiting by Mr. Long's experi- ence, have brought the schools to a high grade, and all to-day are in a flourishing condition.

RELIGIOUS.

The Lost Creek Baptist Church .- The oldest religious body in Lost Creek Township is the Lost Creek Baptist Church. The nucleus were members of the old Staunton Church, now torn down, and an organization was effected at the house of Jonathan Cavault, in 1816. Samuel Deweese was the first minister. and Rachel Webb was the first accession. David Archer had the honor of being the first Moderator, and John Wilson, afterward Judge. and a member of the Legislature, Clerk. The history of the building of the church structure has already been given. The Pastors of the church, since its organization to the present time, have been Samuel Deweese, Moses Frazee, Robert Stapleton, Willis Hance, Thomas A. War- ner, William Fuson, Thomas J. Price, N. Martin, John Blodgett, David Scott, David E. Thomas, James Harvey, W. R. Thomas, W. A. Welsher, I. M. Chapman, W. S. Hamlin, and N. B. H. Gardner. At present the membership does not exceed forty souls.

The Christian Church .- This church was organized by Elders Samuel Kyle and William Dye in May, 1821, with about twelve members. For the first nine years no extensive records of its proceedings were kept. The first regular Pastor was Elder Joseph Kirby, and Thomas Long served as Clerk for forty-two consecutive years. While this congregation has made no noise in the world, it has pursued the

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even tenor of its way, doing much good. The Pastors of the church, since its organ- ization to the present time, number some of the best and purest men to be found in the ministry. They are Samuel Kyle, William Dye. Joseph Kirby, Adam Thomas, M. D. Briney, Daniel Long. Josiah Knight, D. W. Fowler, John McMillen, H. Y. Rush, C. A. Morse, Thomas Wells, Thomas A. Brandon, C. T. Emmons, E. M. Rapp and Joel Thomas.

CASSTOWN BAPTIST CHURCH.

The Casstown Baptist Church was organized between 1850 and 1852, by mem- bers from the Staunton Baptist Church and the Salem Congregation at Troy. The first-named church had become reduced in numbers, and, being too near Troy, it was decided to establish a new one, and thus the present flourishing congregation at Casstown became a Christian body. The first meetings of the Casstown Baptists were held in the old Universalist Church (now Odd Fellows' Hall) in that village until their own new church was dedicated, May 25, 1856. Since that time the church has kept steadily forward, and is in a prosperous condition at the present day. Among the able men who have sustained a pastoral relation with the Cass- town Baptist Church, we record the well-known names of Willis Hance, Sr., Rob- ert Stapleton, Samuel Deweese, William Sutton, Moses Frazee, L. C. Carr, E. D. Thomas, Daniel Bryant, David E. Thomas, John Blodgett, J. G. Tunison, J. W. Weatherby, J. W. Miller, W. S. Hamlin, and A. B. Nixon, the present Pastor. Many of the above Pastors rest from their labors.

Casstown Lutheran Church .- The Casstown Lutheran Church was established between 1835 and 1840. The congregation not possessing a house of worship of their own, meetings were held in the Methodist Episcopal Church until a Lutheran Church was erected. This was a substantial stone structure, which gave way, in 1867, to a handsome brick edifice, in which the congregation still worship. Among the pastors of the Casstown Lutheran Church, since its formation, have been Revs. Link, Anghe, Harris, Weills, Welsh, Hershiser, Lilly and Helnig.

Casstoron M. E. Church .- This religious body was formed a few years prior to the establishment of the Lutheran Church. A house, now used as a planing-mill, was the first place of worship, but a beautiful brick church replaced it a few years ago. The congregation is in a flourishing condition. Its pastors are selected annu- ally by the General Conference.

GEN. JOIIN WEBB'S NARRATIVE.

We believe that we can no better illustrate the life, trials, triumphs and expe- riences of a pioneer than by giving the history of one written by his own hand ; and such a document we introduce at this point. It is from the pen of Gen. Webb, and we preface it by saying that what the old gentleman says of other places is peculiarly applicable to the early settlement of Lost Creek Township :

"I was born of Baptist parents, at May's Lick, Mason County, State of Ken- tucky, May 17, 1793. My parents were church members before I was born. In the month of November, 1797, my father removed to Ohio, six years before the State was admitted into the Union, and wintered near Waynesville. - In March fol- lowing, he settled in the dense wilderness between the two Miami Rivers, near where the city of Dayton now stands. There was no mark of an ax (excepting those of Indian tomahawks) there until my father and brothers cut logs to build a cabin, into which he put his family. At that time, the cabin was hardly up and covered, and it was without floor, chimney or door. Our nearest neighbors were Indians, bears, wolves, foxes, wildcats, turkeys, deer and raccoons. Spring opened early, vegetation grew rapidly, the ground was loaded with hickory-nuts, walnuts, etc., and the woods swarmed with different kinds of singing birds. I was not nine years old, and, not realizing our lonely situation, I thought it a paradise. About forty or fifty rods east of our house stood a little prairie, in which we made our first garden, but we were soon compelled to inclose it with a high 'staked and ridered' fence, to keep the deer from destroying the fruits of our first planting. .

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The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 49

Author: W. H. Beers & Co. Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1051

Author: W. H. Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1880
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1051