The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 50

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

USA > Ohio > Miami County > The History of Miami County, Ohio > Part 50

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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTT.

We had to watch our cornfields, to prevent the squirrels and raccoons from pull- ing up the corn in the spring and from eating the ears in the fall. The wild pig- eons were very plentiful and destructive, picking up the wheat almost as soon as sown.

"My father sowed the first wheat and clover seed, and planted the first apple and peach trees and built the first cabin in that region. After eight years of life there, father exchanged farms with my brother-in law, Timothy Green, and moved three miles west, near the present site of Beavertown.

"There being no school near us then, my mother taught my youngest sister and myself at home. Our main books were the spelling book, Testament and Bible. I was eight years old before I saw a schoolhouse, and never went to school in any house but a log-cabin. In 1811, father sold his farm of 240 acres for $2,000, intending to purchase land in this (Miami) county for his sons. One day he mounted a young, hard-mouthed horse, intending to select a location, and started off. But the horse, becoming frightened, ran a quarter of a mile, threw my father against a stump, broke his arm in two places, and crushed his shoulder and skull, of course killing him instantly. This occurred on Thursday, November 28, 1811.

"On the day following father's funeral, our family assigned to mother all the money and property that he left, and shortly afterward I purchased the land I now occupy, two miles north of Casstown, from John Rogers, for $320. At that time Rogers owned an entire section. There were two cabins on my piece, a lot of land inclosed ; and I gave Rogers in payment an order on my mother, for I was but eighteen years old, and engaged in "keeping" school. Two years before this I taught the first school ever held in this region.

"In the following spring, mother and I, with my brothers Elisha and Joseph, moved to this neighborhood. Joseph, having no house on his land, moved into one of my houses. He had purchased a quarter-section of land, where John Mitchell now lives [i. e. the present Hyatt farm-ED.], and subsequently built a cabin there. He afterward exchanged it for a quarter-section then owned by Richard Palmer, my brother-in-law, and now owned by George Hammon and Joel Burton, adjoining the village of Casstown.

" In the latter part of the winter of 1813, I volunteered as a soldier, expecting to go to Detroit. But the surrender of Hull's army there, left our whole northern and northwestern frontier exposed to Indian depredations. The general Govern- ment, therefore, caused a line of block-houses to be built along the frontier of Ohio and Indiana, and called out a large portion of the frontier militia to be stationed in them. So we were marched to Greenville, Darke County, under Captain Charles Hilliard, where we remained six months. . John Sconer and Gosberry Elliott, two of our soldiers, were killed by the Indians, also Philip Taylor, an Indian trader, Mr. Bush, a settler, and two little girls, daughters of a Mr. Wilson. In August of the same year (1814) the savages killed David Gerard within a mile of our house, and the same evening Henry Dilbone and wife further up on Spring Creek.

" In the month of March, 1815, our two houses were consumed by fire, and we removed to Roger's until I built another cabin. I was teaching school in one of my own cabins at the time of this calamity. During this year, Priscilla Knight and I were married, and lived happily together for more than half a cen- tury. At our first company muster, after our return from Greenville, I drilled the company at the request of our captain. I was twenty years old at that time (1813). Having been appointed Orderly Sergeant, I was shortly afterward elected Captain. My company's membership extended as far north as there were inhabit- ants at that time. As there were a few settlers scattered along the Miami as far as where Sidney now stands, our place of company drill was on the ground where Elder D. E. Thomas' house now stands (i. e., near the D. & M. R. R. depot adjoining Piqua). I afterward acted as Major at regimental musters, and shortly after was elected Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel successively. A short time subsequent, I was elected Brigadier General, receiving every vote in the county but one, and, by

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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.

the resignation of Gen. Young, I became acting Major General of the Tenth Divi- sion of Ohio Militia. The division embraced the counties of Montgomery, Darke, Shelby and Miami, and consisted of ten regiments of infantry, riflemen, cavalry and artillery.

"In 1819, I was unanimously elected Justice of the Peace of Lost Creek Town- ship, in which office my whole term of service extended over thirty years. Dur- ing that time, I married more than one hundred couples. I was a trustee of the original survey of the township, and, assisting in the survey, wrote all the leases. I also assisted in the survey of a number of county roads, and administered on many estates. In 1838, I resigned my military commission, and, many years after the war of 1812, I received two warrants for eighty acres of Government land each, and I now receive a yearly pension for services rendered the nation.

" In 1861, at the outbreak of the rebellion, the young men asked me to drill a company of Home Guards, which I consented to do. A company was speedily recruited, and made rapid improvements in the tactics. The patriotic ladies raised funds for the purchase of a beautiful flag, which was presented to the company at Casstown. On that day, the company was drawn up in a hollow square, the ladies and speakers facing inward. George C. Clyde presented the standard in the name of the ladies, and D. E. Thomas accepted it in behalf of the company, in a neat speech. The whole affair was a grand success."

In speaking of the " financial frauds " of the old days, Gen. Webb says : " In 1819, I was appointed administrator with the widow on the estate of - Her bad management and the confused condition of the estate came near ruining me.

The first difficulty I encountered was to clear it of a judgment for $18,000, in favor of John H. Piatt, of Cincinnati. There were other judgments and other claims, and the result was that the estate proved to be insolvent, with but 40 cents on the dollar. The widow bought and kept it at its appraisement, for which she gave no security, and paid nothing, and I had to foot the bill ! At various times I bailed - and others, and was left to pay the amounts. Many years after, I bailed - -; he availed himself of the bankrupt act, and, as usual, left me to pay his debts. I took stock in the 'Troy Manufacturing Company'; it failed. I took stock in the ' Addison, Troy & Covington Turnpike Co.'; it 'fizzled.' Then I invested in two toll-bridge companies at Troy ; one of the bridges fell before it was finished, and the other was washed away shortly after completion. I was generally called a ' good fellow,' and consequently was often imposed upon.

" These difficulties, poor health and a large family, often seriously afflicted, have affected my progress. From the foregoing it would seem that I have been a poor economist and financier. This is true, yet my family have been comforta- bly and respectably raised."

Gen. Webb concludes his memoir by saying that, on the 9th of August, 1827, he was received into the Lost Creek Baptist Church, and baptized by Elder. Willis Hance. He was for many years Clerk of the Mad River Association, and prepared its minutes for publication. On one occasion, Mr. Webb went to Colum- bus on horseback to attend to some business pertaining to the church charter be- fore the Legislature.

LOST CREEK IN THE WAR.

During the war of the rebellion, no rural township replied more liberally to the calls of the President than Lost Creek. Her citizens were among the first to enlist in 1861, and from that eventful period until the termination of the strug- gle, she had more than two hundred soldiers at the front. They took part in some of the most sanguinary battles without, so far as we are able to learn, having a single one of their number killed outright. Of her war record, Lost Creek Town- ship is justly proud, and should her citizens ever be called upon again to take up arms in defense of principle, we doubt not that they will obey with the enthusiasm that characterizes them in everything they undertake.

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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.

A LIST OF THE OLD SETTLERS.

We here append a list, as complete as can be obtained at this late day, of the old settlers of the township : John Webb *, Elisha Webb, Asa Rogers, John Shid- ler, Alexander McDowell*, Abram Cromer, James Buckles*, Timothy Green, James Frazee, George Green, Willis Northcutt, - Rogers, John W. Martin, Willis Hance, Benjamin Hance, J. K. McFarland, George Puterbaugh, Giles John- ston, Allen Ralston, William Babb, Daniel Knoop, John Wilson, William Burton *, Thomas Shidler, Henry Whitmore, William Wallace, Richard Palmer, William C. Knight, William Saunders, John Lenon, David Archer, Jonathan Yates, Reuben Westfall, John Darst, Thomas Stretch, Joseph Webb, Joseph Layton, James For- dyce, Jonas Sutton, Daniel H. Knoop*, Thomas Long, Barnett Rapp, Samuel McDowell*, John Shanks, Levi Martin, Jacob Youtsey, Jonathan Cavault, Josiah Martin*, Peter Clyde, - Trimmens, Andrew Egnew.

Of all the foregoing, only those whose names are marked with an asterisk (*) are living at the present time. The rest have passed down the " corridors of time," and rest from the arduous labors which they performed so well. Truly, it can be said of them, when looking upon the fair land which they helped to improve, " Their works do follow them."

"O, many a time it hath been told, The story of these men of old ; For this. fair poetry hath wreathed Her sweetest, purest flower ; For this, proud el quence hath breathed Ilis strain of loftiest power. . Devotion, too, hath lingered round Each spot of consecrated ground, And hill and valley blest ; There where our pioneer fathers strayed, There, where they loved, and wept, and prayed, There, where their ashes rest."

RECAPITULATION.

-Sprague.

Lost Creek Township is now in a healthy condition. The roads that bisect it are well piked, and in admirable condition for travel. The farming land is well drained, and much of it clovered in alternate seasons. Plenty of good water is afforded for stock, and all the farms are highly improved. A great deal of corn is annually raised in Lost Creek, which finds a ready market at Troy, and the acreage of wheat and other cereals is large and constantly increasing. Of her citizens, we have said much in the foregoing pages. They are intelligent, indus- trious and energetic, worthy successors to the men who cleared the unbroken for- ests, and brought order and light out of " chaos and confusion." We predict that the future of Lost Creek Township is one to be envied, for her exhaustless resources are certain to place her in the first rank of such organizations. She might well claim our State motto as her own-Imperio imperium.

ELIZABETH TOWNSHIP.

Prior to the first election, held in July, 1807, this township was bounded as follows : On the south by Montgomery County, on the east by Champaign County, on the north by Canada, on the west by. the Great Miami River ; that portion of the county east of the Miami was known by the name of Randolph Township. At the first meeting of the County Commissioners, the county was divided into five townships ; the fourth was called Elizabeth. From the official records we extract the following : " The fourth township to be known and called by the name of Eliza- beth ; and bounded : Beginning at the northeast corner of Bethel Township ; thence west with the line of said township to the Great Miami River ; thence up said river to the middle of the eleventh range ; thence east, with the line through said

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range, to the county line ; thence south with said line to the beginning ;" this being the present boundary of the township.

The seeker of a home was struck by the healthy condition of this locality. Beautiful springs were noticed on all sides ; numerous streams traversed through the soil, assuring its fertility ; the white oak, which predominated in the forests, promised to be of value in the building of cabins ; and the many maple trees yielded an abundance of sugar and molasses. These extraordinary inducements were not overlooked ; and it is not surprising that settlements were made in the younger days of the nineteenth century.

No actual settlements were made previous to 1800, though the forests were inhabited by the hunter and trapper during the period of 1790 to 1799. In 1799, Michael Carver emigrated from Pennsylvania to this State and settled on what is now known as Staunton. One year later, Carver, with Benjamin and Christopher Knoop removed some five miles east of Staunton. Carver purchased a half-section of land from John Cleves Symmes, paying $2.50 an acre for the same. This property is now in the possession of Henry Carver, who inherited it from his father. At this period, scarcely any trace of civilization was apparent, the locality for a distance of several miles consisting of one continued forest. A rude hut was constructed as a shelter from the elements, and an inclosure provided for the horses. Then the work of clearing the forests began in earnest. During the years of 1800 to 1812, occasional travelers, upon reaching this township, were not long in ascertaining its many advantages, and very naturally sought permanent. homes within its boundaries. Among these, who were mainly from Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Virginia, were John and Jacob Mann, Michael Shidecker, George Williams, Christopher Prillamen, Obadiah Winters, John Flinn, John Gearheart, Ralph French, Thomas and James Cecil. These men settled in different sections, and in the face of many difficulties. The thriving and prowling son of the forest was as yet in his element, and the midnight howl of the wolf disturbed the rest of the weary settler. The cutting down of trees and the clearing of the forests pro- gressed slowly, requiring much labor.

· Sociability was a prominent feature of the pioneer; ever ready and willing to assist his neighbor-a request being responded to with readiness. Williams Mitchell, upon concluding to erect a cabin, invited his neighbors to assist him. A force of men began hewing the necessary timber in the morning ; and at the close of day the cabin was erected. Need we add that doors and windows were not included ? The opening was covered by a quilt or blanket ; the open space between the logs was covered with paper, serving instead of glass windows. Log-rolling constituted the chief employment in the early spring. It was customary to divide those participating into two companies, each commanded by a captain ; each party strove to perform the most labor ; consequently, every man worked with a will. Whisky was furnished at intervals, which placed the men in a splendid working condition. At noon, and in the evening, meals were provided for them, consisting chiefly of chicken pot-pie and noodle soup. In an interview with Leonard Bous- man, the writer was informed that he (Bousman) had attended some twenty of these log-rollings in one season.

An article indispensable in every household was whisky, obtained, in the earliest times, at the Knoop distillery, in Staunton. In later years, a number of distilleries in the township supplied the demand. Every family had a quantity of the liquor in the house. Should a neighbor call, he was sure to be greeted with a tin cup filled with whisky. Was a laborer engaged to perform a few days' work, he expected plenty of whisky in addition to his wages, and was never disappointed.

Marriages then, as now, were a source of much social enjoyment. The entire neighborhood was invited to attend the ceremonies, and the invitation was inva- riably accepted. Usually the youths and maidens mounted on horses and formed a procession. Much amusement was indulged in during the trip to the residence of the bride, sometimes many miles distant. A bottle of whisky was placed on

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the road, at a considerable length in advance of the company. Two of the young men would then dismount and run for the bottle. The winner of this novel race was entitled to the flask and its contents. The enormous amount of labor per- formed from year to year required the hearty co-operation of every member of the family, consequently, there was no time for idleness, and the youngsters had few opportunities of engaging in amusements. Occasionally, they were granted a short respite, and the ball and bat were brought into service. Instead of the base ball of to-day, they were content to play " corner ball." In the fall of the year, gath- ering beech-nuts and hickory-nuts was considered fine sport. The spinning wheel furnished the sole amusement for the maidens.

Elizabeth was well represented in the Indian war of 1812. Several compa- nies of volunteers were organized, of which John Williams and Jacob Mann were Captains, while John Shidecker, William Mitchell, William Shearer, Philip Sailor and others deserve honorable mention as privates. Abram Statler was compelled to go to Fort Wayne during the campaign. Here he endured many privations, fortunately returning home in safety, though much broken down in health. His father was originally detailed to perform this duty, but this the brave and noble son would not allow, under any circumstances, and went in his stead. Such heroic conduct and filial devotion is commendable. While Capt. Williams' company was stationed at Fort Loramie, a little incident occurred which was related to the writer by one of the oldest settlers. One night, one of the soldiers had a dream. Of the nature of this dream history will ever be silent, the dreamer sleeping the sleep that knows no wakening, his lips having long been hushed in silence. Per- haps, in his imagination, he saw some horrible illusion, for suddenly a piercing shriek was heard. In an instant all sprang to their feet and grasped their weap- ons in alarm. Capt. Williams was thrown into a state of great fear, and, heedless of the degradation which might follow, he ran from the camp and sought refuge behind a log. A soldier, thinking he was an Indian, raised his gun and fired, for- tunately missing his man. Before another shot was fired, the Captain came to his senses and the mistake was discovered.

For many years after the first settlement had been made, the township was inhabited by the untutored sons of the forest. Generally. these Indians were inclined to be peaceable, though the pioneer was much disturbed by their numer- ous visits to his cabin, begging for bread and whisky, which were never refused them. The Pottawatomies, who have a close connection with the Shawnoes, were camped at various parts of the township. Mr. Henry Carver informs us that the land at present owned by him was a favorite camping-ground, at that time being in possession of his father, Michael Carver, who was often the victim of their depredations. On one occasion, Michael, with two horses attached to a sleigh, was hauling logs. An Indian came toward him, showing strong symptoms of an over-indulgence in fire-water, undoubtedly procured from the whites. His drunken performances frightened the horses. "This so angered Carver that he extracted & stake from the sleigh, and, striking the savage with it, felled him to the ground. When the latter became conscious, he walked away without making any demon- stration, nor was Carver molested in the future. With the tribe just mentioned, was a white woman (her name we could not ascertain), who had been stolen from her home in Pennsylvania, when but a child, and taken by the band to Ohio. Eventually, she became reconciled with her lot, married a grim warrior and became the mother of a large family. It is said that, in later years, she paid a visit to her old home, remaining for a short time only, and soon rejoining her wild associates. The savages were considered peaceful and harmless, and no danger was appre- hended. Immediately after the killing of Dilbone and the Gerards, however, the entire country prepared for action. The women and children were taken to the house of John M. Dye, while the male portion of the community scoured the country in search of the murderers, but without success. For some time after the deed was committed, an Indian was held in mortal dread and looked upon with

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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.

suspicion. No further disturbance occurring, all recollections of the bloody affair passed into oblivion. It may have been twenty years after the first settlement before the last of the Pottawatomies disappeared. . Many of the present inhabit- ants have distinct recollections of seeing these representatives of the red race, the above facts having been ascertained through interviews with Henry Carver, William Mitchell, Leonard Bousman, Andrew Sayers, Mrs. Dye, Mrs. Statler, Mrs. French and others, whose names do not occur to us at this writing. They all admit that the presence of an Indian inspired them with uncontrollable fear.

Wild beasts, common to American forests, abounded in this locality previous to the year 1820. The howl of the wolf was heard nightly ; encounters with bears and panthers occurred frequently ; human life was in danger, and the lives of domestic animals were in continual jeopardy. Mr. Leonard Bousman furnished us with the following: "The first sheep were brought to the county by the Knoops. As the flock increased in numbers, five of the sheep were sold to a man named Jackson, and placed in a pen attached to his cabin. They were soon dis- covered by wolves, who, on a certain night, made an attack. The continued howl- ing of the wolves frightened the sheep, and they made a desperate attempt to escape from the inclosure ; finally, they succeeded, and ran in the direction of a stream near by, closely pursued by their enemies the wolves. Upon reaching the stream, the foremost sheep plunged headlong into the water and was drowned. The remaining four, true to their instinct, followed the leader and shared the same fate, literally jumping from the frying-pan into the fire. Woolen clothing was not worn by Jackson's family in the following winter. At another time, Bousman's father was burning logs and rubbish in a field which he was clearing. His sons were assist- ing him. After the evening meal had been served, the male members of the family again repaired to the field ; it being essential that the land be prepared for the plow as quickly as possible, all hands labored diligently. Presently, the howl of the wolf could plainly be heard piercing the calm night air, followed by a suc- cession of fierce cries apparently from every direction. Ere long, Bousman and his sons saw the beasts approaching. The fire, which had been the agent in attracting them, for a long time, kept them at bay ; but ere long, one more daring than the others, sprang toward Bousman, who promptly struck him with an ax, his sons flying to his assistance, they soon dispatched the beast. At this instant, strange as it may appear, the remaining wolves turned and fled. But for this fortunate circumstance, it might have gone hard with the Bousmans. Hogs were also frequently attacked by the wolves, until they were provided with means of defense. It became customary to allow several hogs to live to an old age ; as they grew older, their teeth increased in size, making them a splendid weapon of self- defense, and a protection also for the rest. An old, ferocious hog, with long teeth, was considered a match for any wolf. Gray squirrels proved another source of continual annoyance. Immediately after the corn was planted, it was ferreted out by thousands of these little pests, often making it necessary to plant a second time. An inroad was also made upon the growing corn as soon as in milk, and they would work upon it until gathered, sometimes destroying half the corn in a field. The nuisance becoming unbearable, it. was decided to adopt a plan, by which the many little animals could be destroyed. Accordingly, a certain day was set apart by the inhabitants of a district, for a general slaughter. To encourage hunters, some of the farmers would raise a subscription in corn, to be paid the hunter who would bring in the most scalps. Isaac Mendenhall and Allen Ram- . say were considered among the best hunters in this section. The year of 1828 witnessed a general migration of the squirrel to the East. After this time, whole- sale squirrel killing was abandoned.

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The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 50

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