The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 111

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1254

USA > Ohio > Union County > The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record; > Part 111

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

then and there was a very valuable and rare article, so much so that it was often pilfered; but whenever any was missing and complaint made to him, Mr. Sager would reply very seriously that he strongly suspected that the rats had eaten it. He was a County Commissioner for many years, and quite a prom- inent citizen. In religious belief and affiliation, he was a Presbyterian. He had married Lavinia Haynes, and remained a life-long resident of Jerome Town- ship.

Frederick Sager owned a large farm, comprising the land in Survey 3,686, on the east banks of Darby Creek, now the property of T. T. Kil- bury and Perry Douglass. His first cabin stood near the present residence of Mr. Kilbury. Mr. Sager had the honor of erecting the first mill in the terri- tory now comprising Union County. He was a generous man, but, like many. of the pioneers, rough in manners. He married Hannah Harrison, raised a large family and ultimately removed with it to Kalamazoo County, Mich., where he spent the remainder of his life.

Patrick Conner was the first settler on Sugar Run, coming from Pennsyl- vania about 1804-05. He owned and occupied a small farm in the lower part of Survey 5,132. He was of Irish descent and a very intelligent man. Like most men of his nationality, he was fond of whisky, and he usually gratified this propensity. He was once a candidate for Justice of the Peace, probably before 1820, and his intemperate habits were urged against his election. Pat- rick heard of it and at the polls promised if elected that he would thenceforth refrain from the use of liquor. His popularity won for him the election and he kept his promise and made an excellent officer. He followed shoe-making in connection with farming, and afterward removed to Amity, where he died in 1840. His wife, who was Polly Lee, died in 1856, at the home of her grandson, David McClung. Their two children were Jane, who married Reuben Cook, and Margaret who married Joseph McClung.

Joseph McClung came to Sugar Run from Pennsylvania very early, set- tling on the farm his son David now owns. He was in the war of 1812.

John Kent settled in Survey 5,126, on Sugar Run, in 1806. When he first came, he cleared ten acres on the Mitchell place through mistake, and for his trouble Judge Mitchell permitted him to use the field till he thought he was repaid for the work. He was a well-to-do farmer, always had an abun- dance of provisions and seed grain on hand, and would invariably help those of his neighbors who needed assistance, whether or not they had money to re- pay the loans he would make. He was a strong member of the Christian or New Light Church, and occasionally had services at his house. His wife's name was Margaret; they had six children-Daniel, who was born February 25, 1791, married Dillie Shover and resided in Jerome; James, who removed to Delaware County; William, who died in Illinois; Moses, Sallie and Alex- ander. The last also removed to Illinois and died there.

Henry Shover was a Revolutionary soldier, who emigrated from Virginia at an early date, purchased and settled upon a farm in the northern part of Survey 3,686, above Darby Creek. He was of German descent, and his relig- ious preferences were Lutheran, though he was not a member of any church. He helped to move the Sager family from Virginia, and thus became acquainted with the Darby country, where he soon after settled. He possessed some means, and in his demeanor was quiet and honest. He had three sons and three daughters. The latter became the wives of Christian Sager, George Cary and Samuel Mason. The sons were Adam, Frederick and Simon. Adam removed to Mechanicsburg and there operated a mill. Frederick died a farm- er of Franklin County.

Simon Shover was one of the most eccentric and reckless characters that

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lived in Union County. It is said that he served in the Indian wars and was once captured by the savages and only escaped death by jumping on a log, flapping his arms and crowing like a rooster. This novel antic pleased his cap- tors and made him a favorite. He enlisted early in the war of 1812, was taken prisoner at Gen. Winchester's defeat and paroled. Returning home, he found that most of his acquaintances were in service, and becoming discon- tented he disregarded his parole, went to the front and re-enlisted. For sev- eral years his whereabouts were unknown to his friends, but at the close of the war he returned. He served under Gen. Harrison in the Northwest, and was one of the body of fifty men who made a sortie from a garrison to spike some cannon, in which only nineteen men returned. Simon was a good scholar and an excellent scribe, but too fond of the cup that cheers and inebriates, and when under the potent spell of alcohol his daring recklessness was at its height. On a favorite black horse, he would plunge into Darby and swim across when high waters made the stream utterly unsafe, but from frequent practice the horse had learned to swim like a duck and always carried its rider safely over. He could give the genuine Indian war whoop, and once rode horseback into court and astonished the dignified Judge, the bar and spectators by utter- ing this savage war-cry at the top of his voice. He was constantly playing all sort of queer tricks, regardless of consequences, but his humor and popularity usually kept him out of trouble. He never married, and ended his days in one of the charitable institutions of Union County.

One of the few Revolutionary officers who settled in Union County was Col. James Curry. He was born near Belfast, Ireland, in 1752, came to America with his father when ten years of age, and located in Augusta County, Va. After a most honorable service as an officer of the army throughout the Revolutionary war, he removed in the year 1797 to Ohio, settling first in Ross County. In 1811, he came with his family to the territory now known as Union County, where he located a large body of land and on which he erected the cabin in which he died. He was a member of the Legislature when the county was organized, and was for many years after one of the Judges of its courts. For a detailed history of the life of this eminent man the reader is referred to the biographical sketches following. The following are brief notices of his children:

James A. Curry was born in Virginia March 30, 1787, and remained with his father's family until his marriage to Phobe Winget, daughter of Stephen Winget, of Madison County, in March, 1817. In politics, he was a Democrat. He devoted himself to agricultural life and died on his farm March 1, 1874, aged eighty-seven years. A full sketch of him appears elsewhere.

Harriet C. Curry was born June 7, 1791. She married James Buck and they resided in the northeast portion of the Curry Survey. Mrs. Buck died Au- gust 10, 1845. Their four children were Caroline, Perry, Mrs. Maria Fleck and Mrs. Martha Shaffer. Only the first now survives. James Buck came from Highland County about 1812. He was a well-informed farmer and served Jerome Township for some years as Justice of the Peace. He was a

Democrat, a Presbyterian and died at about the age of fifty, of consumption.

Stephenson Curry was born December 3, 1801, and was a life-long farmer of Jerome Township. He married Sarah D. Robinson, daughter of James Robinson, of Darby, and had eight children. He took little part in public affairs, preferring the quiet of books and domestic life. His death occurred April 2, 1861. A full sketch of him appears elsewhere in this work.

Otway Curry was born March 26, 1804, and married Miss Mary, daugh- ter of Andrew Noteman; he resided for a time on the Jones farm on Big Darby, in Jerome, then removed to Marysville. A full sketch of him appears elsewhere in this volume.

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Louisa Curry was born July 24, 1807, married Nelson Cone and is still living in this township; nine children have been born to them, of whom six survive-James, Stephenson B., Daniel R., Albert H., Thomas N. and Louisa.

Robert Burns Curry, the youngest of this family, was born June 3, 1811. He remained a farmer of Jerome until 1854, when he emigrated with his fam- ily to Iowa. Subsequently he removed to Missouri and is now living in Nor- ton County, Kan. He married Sarah Beard, and their children are James D., William G., Jane, Ann, Harriet, Sarah, Albert and Ella.

Samnel Mccullough was a son of Samuel Mccullough, Sr., who died in Darby Township in 1800. He lived with his mother, who married John Tay- lor, in Madison County, till he arrived at the age of maturity. He then pur- chased a small farm in the southwestern part of Jerome, where his son, John T., now resides, and there engaged in farming. He was industrious and con- stantly extended the limits of his property. He took pride in making his home pleasant and attractive, and died in a large and handsome residence. which he had erected a few years ago.

George Hensel, of German descent, came with his parents when a boy from near Parkersburg, Penn., to Fairfield County. In 1818, he moved to Delaware County and the same year bought a large quantity of land in Je- rome Township and Delaware County. In 1819, he removed to Jerome, near Frankfort, and with his sons cleared up much land in this vicinity. By trade, he was a brick layer and stone mason. He died in 1847. He was twice mar- ried; by his first marriage he had three children, by his second, six.

Survey 5,132, of 600 acres, on Sugar Run, in the south-central portion of the township, was purchased at an early date by Judge David Mitchell, of Darby Township, divided into three portions, upon each of which one of his sons located. George Mitchell came first, probably as early as 1814. He married Margaret Boles and had three children-David, James F. and Mar- tha E., who married Dixon Robinson. Mr. Mitchell died of pneumonia, soon after his settlement in Jerome.

David Mitchell, Jr., his brother, settled.on the adjoining tract about 1816. Years afterward, he removed to Darby Plains and engaged extensively in stock- raising. He then removed to Columbus and operated in the cattle market till his fortune deserted him. He moved to St. Louis, Mo., but afterward returned to Ohio and spent the remainder of his life with one of his children at Hill- iard. His children were David A. (deceased), Joseph H., of California; Zenus M., in the West; Belinda (Cushman), of California; Hasson Shaw, of St. Louis; Dixon A., of California; Samantha. Maria L. (Welch) and Delmore.

The third son of Judge Mitchell, who occupied land in this survey, was Jesse Mitchell. He was the first white child born in what is now Union Coun - ty. The date of his birth was November 4, 1799, a few weeks after his par- ents had settled in Darby Township. Jesse remained with his parents until his marriage, in December, 1823, to Elizabeth Robinson. daughter of Rev. James Robinson, then of Union Township. He at once settled with his young wife on his farm on Sugar Run. The farm was at this time still in its native wildness, except three acres, which had been cleared years before by John Kent under a mistake as to its location. In 1823, there were no neigh bors eastward nearer than five or six miles. Mr. Mitchell remained on the farm an industrious, energetic farmer until his death, May 13, 1881. In his

lifetime he amassed considerable property. He had nine children-Maria, who married A. H. McCampbell; Martha E., who died unmarried; Lucinda, wife of Rev. Levi Hall, a Methodist Episcopal minister, now of Minneapolis; James, on the home place; Amanda, widow of Thomas J. Haynes, of Plain City; David, who died young; George W., who died in service at the St.

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Louis hospital; Electa, died in infancy; and Hester, widow of Z. H. McCul- lough, at Central College, Franklin County. Mrs. Mitchell still survives and resides with her daughter Amanda in Plain City.

On what is now the J. W. Mitchell place, in Survey 5,133, on Sugar Run, William Bethard settled probably as early as 1820. He afterward removed with his family. His son Josiah, soon after his marriage, settled in Franklin County.

Samuel Colter sojourned for a few years on Sugar Run, his arrival dating about the year 1825.

Moses Green owned a small place on Sugar Run, taking possession about 1820. He died in this township.

William Long was a very early settler on Survey 5.126. He removed with a large family to Indiana and died there.

John Stickle, whose mother had married William Bethard, settled on Sugar Run, where he farmed. He was a Presbyterian.

Philip Hawn settled on Survey 3,750, of 100 acres, in the western part of the township in 1819, and remained there till his death. His wife, Mrs. Mary Hawn, claimed to have been the first white female child born at Cincin- nati, where her birth occurred March 5, 1791. Her father was Jacob Linsi- come, who came down the Ohio from Pennsylvania in the fall of 1790 and stayed during the ensuing winter with his family within what are now the limits of Cincinnati. Soon after the birth of Mary, he purchased land in Tur- key Bottom and removed his family there. He died of small-pox within three years after, and his widow subsequently became the wife of Samuel Edwards. After a short time they moved to a place on the stream called Sycamore, and in 1821 to the Pickaway plains, settling three miles from Circleville. Here Mary married Philip Hawn, and having exchanged her share of her father's land in Hamilton County for the 100 acres in Jerome, removed to it with her husband in 1819. She survived her husband some years and died at the residence of her son Joseph Hawn near Unionville Center. June 21, 1861.

There were a few squatters here in early times and many renters, who usually remained only a short time. A complete record of them would be impossible, even if desirable. James Stillwill was a renter for a time on the Sager farm. He taught one term of school. Isaac Mason also lived on the Sager place. He was the first potter in Jerome, and followed his trade here. George Casey was another early settler, who owned no realty.

Simeon Hager and Abner Chapman were pioneers. They married sisters -Polly and Relief Baldwin. Mr. Chapman first settled on the John Gray farm about a mile northwest of Plain City, and afterward removed to Darby Township, where he died. Mr. Hager was a renter and lived on the Chap- man place; then Mr. Noteman's farm and elsewhere, and finally bought a little place just across the line in Madison, where he died.

Samuel P. Morrison, about 1820, came from York County, Penn. He rented at various places in Jerome, then bought a small place about three miles south of Marysville, where he died of "milk sickness." His five chil- dren were Ann, wife of Zachariah Noteman; Nancy, wife of Samuel Snod- grass; William, now of Hancock County, Ill .; John and Alexander.

Aaron Tossey was a reckless but sharp and jolly man, a chum of Simon Shover. Thomas Marshall, Thomas Gray and Martin DeWitt were early renters. Moses Harrison was a Virginian. He rented land from Frederick

Sager; then removed with his family to Indiana. Alexander Brown, an old bachelor from Kentucky, lived in various localities in Jerome and died here. William Cummings was a renter on the Curry farm. Jeptha Peasley moved about much. He was an intelligent and well-liked citizen and taught school

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repeatedly. He ultimately removed to parts unknown. Henry and William Wilson, two brothers, came about 1830 and settled in the northwest part of the township.

Simeon Rickard, a native of Virginia, in 1828 emigrated to Darby Town- ship, and a year later to southwestern Jerome, on the farm his son George M. Richard, now owns. He was a soldier in the war of 1812; married Mary S. Sanbower in 1813, and died in Jerome January 5, 1844.

Landen Bishop emigrated from Virginia to Franklin County, Ohio, in 1824, and three years later came to Jerome Township. He was twice mar- ried and had six children by his first, and seven children by his second mar- riage. He was a farmer and stock-raiser and died February 22, 1860.

All the above settlers located in Jerome Township prior to 1830. There are many other prominent families who settled in Jerome Township at an early day, among whom are Nelson Cone, the Beards, McCampbells, Liggetts, Gills, Flecks, Biggers, Roneys, Dodges, McKitricks, Woodburn's, Foxes, Hills, Ketches and Dorths.

MILLING.

Various expedients and devices were employed by the first pioneers to pro- cure meal. At first they were driven to the necessity of grinding their corn by hand with a pestle and mortar, after the Indian fashion; but at best this method would produce nothing finer than hominy. Tiring of this, the settlers would occasionally make long journeys to distant mills and bring home a precious sack of meal. Frederick Sagar, soon after his advent here, determined to erect a mill. The site selected was a few rods above the bridge on the Plain City & California pike, nearly opposite the residence of Perry Douglas. He built the dam with the assistance of his neighbors and erected the neces- sary buildings. Dr. Converse says of it: "The great question was how and where he could procure the buhrs necessary to the enterprise. To go to Maine, Vermont or New York, would be both tedious and expensive. It is said that 'necessity is the mother of invention,' and, as this country in many places abounded with bowlders, he started out for a mill stone, finding one to suit on the farm now owned by John Taylor. With rude and clumsy tools, he went to work to split the bowlder open. For many days he labored incessant- ly with pick and drill on the unyielding rock, until at last it gave way. To dress the flinty rock into shape, required weeks of labor, but finally it was heralded that Frederick Sager's mill was in running order. For many miles around the white settlers brought their grain to the mill, and even the friendly Indians, who were scattered over the country, came also, on the same errand. A few weeks later, the raising of wheat was introduced, which made it neces- sary for Mr. Sager to attach a flouring bolt in his mill. He procured a proper piece of sea-grass cloth, attached the same to a reel, and, placing it in the flour- chest, was ready to meet the wants of the settlement. For many years the

bolting was all done by hand. A few years later, he attached to his water- power a saw mill, supplying the people with boards for their dwelling houses, which, prior to this period were made of split puncheon, smoothed and fitted with an ax. Still a little later, Mr. Sager put in operation a distillery, or still house as they were then called, for the manufacture of whisky. As peaches were almost a natural production of the country at that day, the farmers took their peach crop to his still and had them made into peach brandy. Subse- quently the grist mill was purchased by Fannery Heaninway, who came to this country in 1830."

This mill, however, was only what was called a "wet weather" mill. Dur- ing a dry season, it could be operated only for a short time each morning, when there was a good head of water on. Every fall the settlers were obliged

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to go to the Mad River mill above Urbana or a mill on Buck Creek in Clark County. Andrew Noteman often took his grain by canoe, which was cut out of a solid log, to Dwyer's mill, about twelve miles below on Big Darby. More- over, the dam of Sager's mill was made of timber and was continually getting out of repair, the water washing under it. As often as this occurred Mr. Sager called for his neighbors to assist in repairing it, a service they were always glad to render gratuitously, because of the milling privileges thereby afforded them.

SCHOOLS.

Abner Chapman was one of the first school teachers on Darby. He taught the first term in the first schoolhouse built in Jerome. It stood on land he was then occupying, on the west bank of Big Darby just above Plain City. Mr. Chapman was a Yankee and taught a number of schools. He also engaged in surveying. Clark Provin was the next teacher in the first schoolhouse. He was not so strict a disciplinarian as his predecessor, but was regarded a good teacher. John Roberts, who lived on the plains, held a term in 1810-12, in a cabin which stood a few rods below the present residence of George M. Rickard. The pupils who attended here were Susanna, Nancy and William Taylor, Rhoda and Sarah Taylor, Jane and Susan McCune, James Noteman. Charles and Peerie Call and perhaps others.

At New California, in 1852, principally through the efforts of Jesse Gill, a frame one-story schoolhouse was erected. The township donated $50 for the privilege of using it for election purposes. The balance of the building fund was secured by private subscription. Select schools have been held in this building almost every year since, embracing, besides the common branches, the higher mathematics, languages, etc. These schools have been well at- tended and their impress is shown in the rank the teachers of Jerome have taken in this county. Among the teachers of this school were Llewellyn Curry (winter of 1852-53), Rev. I. N. Laughead, Olive Gill, Isaac Winters, David Cochran, Samuel Graham, Mr. Johnson, Thomas Evans, R. L. Woodburn, George Rhulen, Mr. McCharahan, James Curry, John Stockton, E. L. Liggett, Calvin Robinson, D. H. Cross and J. W. Baughman. The terms are of three months' duration and do not interfere with the public school terms. Many young men who have gone out into the world from Jerome Township attribute their success in life to the superior educational advantages offered by this school.

One of the best district schools'in the township is the handsome two-story brick located just north of Plain City. £ It is about 30x50, and was built in 1879 at a cost of about $2,000. The enumeration of this district exceeds eighty. The present teachers are Misses Lorena Harper and Rosa Page.

VILLAGES.

The village of Frankfort, located in the extreme eastern part of Jerome Township, was laid out April 1, 1846, by William B. Irwin, County Survey- or, for Henry Beach. The original plat consisted of forty lots. Main street, sixty feet in width, extended north and south and was crossed at right angles by Town street; also sixty feet wide, and three alleys twelve feet in width. The Beach family was the only family then residing on its site. Amos and Kilburn Beach opened the first store. They also operated an extensive ashery for many years. Samuel Stout and George Bowersmith soon after started a general store, which was continued several years. William H. Case was the early inn keeper. John Evans, still a resident of the place, built one of the first houses. The village has grown slowly and now has a population of nearly two hundred. It is quite a trading place for the surrounding country, doing a large mercantile business for a village of its size. There are now

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two general stores in operation, owned by H. B. Seely and Brobeck & Fox. The village also contains two blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, one harness shop and a shoe shop. It supports two churches, the Methodist and the Pres- byterian. With the old log Methodist Church was connected a cemetery, which is now under the care of the Township Trustees. The school building is a sub- stantial two-story brick. Two hotels provide for the wants of the traveler-the Preston House and the Frankfort House. The former is under the proprietor- ship of L. Preston; the latter of S. G. Hyland. Two medical practitioners are located in Frankfort-Drs. T. B. Asbery and John E. Herriott. The former was in practice here formerly, then removed to Columbus. About a year ago he returned to this place. Dr. Herriott, directly after completing his profes- sional course about eight years ago, opened an office here and has practiced continuously since. Former resident physicians of Frankfort have been Drs. Converse, Beverly, Andrews, G. H. Holland and others. The Frankfort Post Office is named Jerome, and Joseph Brobeck has present charge of the mail, which is received tri-weekly by hack from Marysville. Horace Beach was an early Postmaster. Dr. Converse filled the office in 1850. Subsequent incum- bents have been Isaac Wells, George Leasure, Hurd Lewis, S. H. Brake, W. O'Harra, John Latham, and Joseph Brobeck, whose commission dates from 1878.

Centrally located in the township is the village of New California. The date of its origin was Angust 27, 1853, at which time it was platted by Will- iam B. Irwin for Samuel B. Woodburn, the proprietor. Mr. Woodburn and Dr. Albert Chapman started the first store. Reuben Cook erected the first house. Drs. Culver and Milo H. Lawrence were about the first resident physicians. Drs. Joseph S. Howland and Robert Merriman are the present dispensers of medicine. The village, though favorably situated, has not thrived. It now contains one store, owned and operated by Horace M. Dort and Jesse G. Curry, the former of whom is Postmaster. It also has a blacksmith shop, a small ash- ery, a shoe shop, one church and a new school building. Nine or ten families compose the population.

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The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 111

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1254

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1254