The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 133

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 133

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1826. He was born in Pennsylvania, emigrated with his father, Joseph White to Clark County, and here married Jane Hulse. After his arrival in Leesburg, he pursued the even tenor of a farmer's life up to the date of his death, which resulted from typhoid fever.

Joseph White was born near Winchester, Va., and when seven years old moved to Pennsylvania with a Mr. Tucker, and in his domicile grew to ma- turity. He then crossed the Ohio River and lived awhile on Short Creek, and from that place traversed westward to Harmony Township, Clark County, where he passed many years. While here, during the war of 1812, he served a short time at the Zanefield block-house, in Logan County. In 1826, when he moved to Leesburg Township, his children had grown up. Some of them ac- companied him to his new home; others remained in Clark County. His three daughters, who settled in this township were Jane, Elizabeth, the wife of Bradford Wood, and Sarah, wife of Perry Eubanks. Mr. White passed his declining years here and died in the township.

Arad Franklin was born December 9, 1802, in New York. He removed,

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

with his father, in November, 1813, to Hamilton County, Ohio, and eight years later to Clark County. Here Arad married Nancy White, March 6, 1825, and in October, 1826, packed his few household goods in a wagon, and. with his wife and infant child, made his way to the Culwell Williamson land. He purchased fifty-seven acres north of Bokes Creek, paying for it $2.50 per acre. He moved his family into the house of his father-in-law, Joseph White, and returned to Clark County to harvest his corn crop. During the ensuing winter, he built his cabin, and moved into it in February, 1827. Mr. Frank- lin has ever since been a resident of the township, and though he is now eighty years old, is hale and hearty, and still active and busy with his farm duties.

Henry Gandy, a Yankee from New Jersey originally, had settled in Dar- by Plains, and from that place came to Leesburg Township about 1827, and settled about two miles up Bokes Creek from Pharisburg, on the south side of the stream, in Survey 3,692, where he purchased 200 acres of land. He was an old man when he came, and had a family of children who had grown to maturity, and who settled in the same locality. Mr. Gandy had been twice married. By his first marriage he had six children, four daughters and two sons -Abijah and George. By the second marriage he had three sons, Harris, Shepherd and John. He was a farmer by occupation, and died on the farm he settled on in this township. Abijah had married Rebecca Harris before he came to Leesburg: was a prominent and influential citizen, and lived and died here. His farm was just east of that of his father, and just west of the latter was the place of George Gandy, who afterward moved to Illinois. Shepherd occupied the home place after his father's decease, until he emigrated West, and John now occupies it.

Ephraim Carey emigrated from Washington County, Penn., to near Marietta, Ohio, in 1796, and in 1801 near Plain City, in Madison County. In 1826, he came to Leesburg Township, arriving on the 16th day of December. He here spent the balance of his life. He died December 7, 1878. aged near- ly eighty-nine years. He was long a member of the Presbyterian Church.

About 1827, John Wood moved from Clark County to the place his son, Ingham Wood, now occupies, two miles above Pharisburg. He was well ad- vanced in life when he came, and spent the remainder of his life here.

About the same time. Alexander Elliott came from Clark County for the purpose of preparing a home for his family. He had contracted the disease called " milk sickness" before he came, and was just recovering from it. By too great application to the arduous labor that confronted him here in the wil- derness, he suffered a relapse, and died at the residence of Abijah Gandy. His family afterward moved to the place. His son John now occupies it; his son Samuel has emigrated to the West.

In 1826, Joseph Brannon moved, with a large family, to the township from Clark County, and settled on the south side of Bokes Creek, below Phar- isburg. His wife was Jane Hulse, a sister to Henry Hulse. Mr. Brannon re- moved with his family to Illinois.

David Bacon had come from Clark County prior to 1830. He was not a property holder, and first took a lease from Bradford Wood. Leasing was practiced to a large extent in early times. The terms of a lease then were usually different from contracts of this nature made now. No rent was paid by the tenant, nor a share of the farm products given, but the tenant, in con- sideration of the free use of a tract of land for a stipulated period, agreed to clear a given amount of land within that time and build a cabin. Ordinarily, a lease would provide for the erection of a cabin and clearing of twenty acres of timber, for which improvement the tenant was to have possession for ten

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LEESBURG TOWNSHIP.

years. Mr. Bacon died in the township, and none of his family now reside here. His son Constant removed to Delaware County. William Borum, a genuine specimen of the rough frontiersman, tarried here for awhile, coming before 1830.

Alexander Cowgill settled early on the site of Mineral Springs. He came from the Scioto River, in Delaware County. While there, he had served as a scout in the war of 1812. Mr. Cowgill remained here only a short time. He sold his landed estate in Leesburg Township to Samuel Barcus, and crossed . the line into Claibourne Township, where he died. He had one son-George and a family of girls.

The following settlers were here in 1830. They had entered the township within a few years prior to that date. Abraham Elifritz lived for a time on Blues Creek. Thomas Foreman settled on Bokes Creek, about three miles above Pharisburg. He was from Clark County, and after a residence here emi - grated to Champaign County, Ill. Pierce Lamphere lived in the southern part of the township. He was quite an old man when he arrived. William McIntire became a settler on Blues Creek. He was from Clark County, and died not many years after he became a citizen of Leesburg. John Price made the first improvements on a farm on Blues Creek. He did not remain long, but in 1830 removed to Jackson Township. His brother, David Price, also changed his residence to Jackson Township. Ira Phelps was a resident on Blues Creek, but his abode here was transient. John Sovereign was for a time an occupant of land in Leesburg Township. He had formerly resided on Mill Creek, two miles below Marysville. Samuel Simpson was a settler from Clark County. His first wife was a daughter of Joseph Brannon. Mr. Simpson moved West, and died in the summer ot 1882.

In addition to the foregoing settlers, in 1835 the following were also citi- zens of Leesburg Township: Deliverance Brown, Lorenzo D. Beebe, Matthias Collins, Robert P. Curby, Stephen Davis, Samuel Graham, Thomas Graham, Henry Goodrich, John Gamble, Robert Gamble, Jonathan Jones, Samuel Lafferty, Thomas Lee, Hugh McAdaw, John McAllister, John Newhouse, Sam- uel Meek, Robert Maskill, William Mawhater, Alexander McConkey, Robert Pharis, James Sibold, Joseph Bellvile and Stephen Smith. There were, doubt- less, others, whose names have not been obtained. A number of the above had settled in the township several years before 1835.

Deliverance Brown built a cabin and lived with his family on Bokes Creek, about two miles above Pharisburg. He was considered one of the best hunters in the county, and was occupied most of the time in his favorite pur- suit. He annually killed from seventy-five to one hundred deer. He finally sold out, when game could no longer be found, and sought a more congenial environment in the West.

Lorenzo Beebe lived with his father-in-law, Daniel Reed, about a mile north of Pharisburg. They were New England people, and in a few years both families moved West.

Matthias Collins had come from Clark County to Union County, and for a time was a tavern keeper at Marysville. He then settled below Blues Creek, in the southern part of this township. He was an eccentric character, well informed and intelligent, but more theoretical than practical, and pos- sessed of a number of queer ideas. His second wife was a sister of Simon Gates, Jr., and he moved West with him.

Robert P. Curby brought his family from Warren County about 1834, and purchased a farm from Robert Pharis, situated on Bokes Creek, about one and a half miles above Pharisburg. He subsequently returned to Warren County.

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

Stephen Davis hailed from somewhere in the East. He purchased and occupied a farm in the southwestern portion, and there remained with his family until his death. Samuel Graham was from Clark County, and, like many other early settlers, removed with his family to Illinois.

Henry Goodrich owned a farm near Pharisburg, on which he died at a good old age. His family still lives there. John Gamble came with his fam- ily from Clark County, and settled near Blues Creek. He died here, and his sons sold out and moved away. Jonathan Jones lived on the north side of Boke's Creek, about one and a half miles above Pharisburg. He subsequently removed to Porter County, Ind., where his children now live.

- Samuel Lafferty, a native of Virginia, emigrated to Champaign County, and thence to Union County. He purchased and occupied a farm about a mile east from Pharisburg on the Delaware Pike, for awhile, then returned to Champaign County, and there died. Thomas Lee, in 1832, emigrated from Vir- ginia to Clark County, and in 1833 settled on a hundred-acre farm on Blues Creek. He raised a family of twelve children, and died in March, 1864, aged seventy-three years. Hugh McAdaw settled about a mile northwest of Pharis- burg. John McAllister came from Pickaway County, and settled on a farm in the woods in the eastern part of the township, where he died August 7, 1856, aged sixty-four years. His son, John McAllister, now lives there.

Samuel Meek came from Coshocton County. He was an honest, somewhat singular man, quick to resent an insult. He built a mill on Bokes Creek, on leased land, and later removed to Illinois.

Robert Maskill settled in the northwestern portion of the township, where he died. He came from Clark County. William Mawhater, who moved to the township from Coshocton County, purchased and took possession of a little farm in Survey 5,586. He afterward removed from the township. Alexander McConkey owned and occupied a farm in the same survey. He was from Clark County; returned there and then moved West.

John Newhouse, in 1834, settled just north of the site of Magnetic Springs. He was born in Pickaway County in 1806; removed with his father to Delaware County in 1814, then settled in this township. He remained on the farm until 1881, when he removed to Magnetic Springs, and is now a resi- dent of that place.

Robert Pharis purchased Survey 3,693, of 1,000 acres, and immigrated to it from the East prior to 1835. He was a shrewd Yankee, successful in business and prominent in local public affairs. His sons, Samuel, Joel, Mar- tin and two younger children also came West and settled on this survey. Samuel and Joel were well educated men. Robert Pharis died shortly before 1848, and the family moved farther West.

In 1833, Joseph Bellville, from Belmont County, settled on the farm on Blues Creek, which his son Sylvanus now owns. Joseph died here in 1863. He had twelve children, ten of whom are now living, but widely scattered through Ohio, Michigan and Iowa. His wife, Sarah, died in 1882, aged eighty- seven years.

One of the earliest schools was taught in a log schoolhouse, about a half mile south of Pharisburg, by Samuel Pharis. Naomi Carney was another early teacher of this school. There were, doubtless, several small schools in the early Blues Creek settlement, but nothing is known of them.

MAGNETIC SPRINGS.

Magnetic Springs is the title that has been bestowed upon a village of recent but vigorous growth, located in the northern part of Survey 3,696, in a bend on the south side of Boke's Creek. Its existence is due to the discovery

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LEESBURG TOWNSHIP.

there of mineral waters, possessing strong medicinal properties, and its popu- lation consists largely of invalids or persons in broken health, who have come to test and prove the efficacy of nature's remedy, stored in the free, gushing springs of water in this vicinity.

The principal part of the village-all lying west of the pike-was covered with forest trees, until, perhaps, eighteen years ago. J. W. Hoskins then built a cabin here, and cleared off the greater portion of the timber. In 1872, J. E. Newhouse having purchased the site of Magnetic Springs, started a nursery and garden, which supplied the surrounding farmers for many miles with grape vines and other nursery products. The travel to and from his place was considerable, and the mud road, in bad weather, was almost impass- able. He petitioned the Commissioners for a pike, and offered to donate the gravel for two miles of the road, from a fine bed of gravel on the place. The gravel road was built, and the material for four and a half miles of road dug from the pit. Intent on utilizing the cavity thus made in his field, he re- quested the Commissioners that the surface soil be not thrown back into the hollow as the gravel was removed, as he designed converting it into a fish pond. For the purpose of supplying the pond with water, in April, 1879, he sunk a well, sixty-eight feet deep, close by, without reaching rock, and was about to abandon the undertaking as fruitless when the water gushed out from the opening, forming a pretty fountain. The sight was a novel one in this vicinity, and many came to see it, and naturally partook of the stream. Sev- eral who were afflicted with kidney difficulties experienced relief, and it was not long until wonderful stories of the healing powers of the water were circu- lated abroad, and the water was carried off by hundreds of gallons. In the autumn of 1878, M. F. Langstaff had become the partner of Mr. Newhouse in the nursery business, and after the interest in the fountain was aroused they built a bath-house near the fountain for the benefit of those who wished its use. A number of persons desired lots, and for their accommodation, Novem- ber 24 and 25, 1879, fifty in-lots and five blocks were surveyed by F. A Gart- ner for J. E. Newhouse and Duncan and Matilda McLean, the Jatter two hav- ing purchased Mr. Langstaff's interest.

The additions to the village have been as follows: N. D. Degood's Addi- tion, consisting of twenty four in- lots (51-74), comprising about five and one- sixth acres, situated south of the original site, was surveyed by F. A. Gartner, March 31, 1880; N. D. Degood's Second Addition, twenty-five lots (75-99), was surveyed by F. A. Gartner March 3, 1881; H. C. Hoskins' Addition of thirteen lots (100-112), was surveyed May 6, 1881, by J. Van Pearse; James E. McBride's Addition of fourteen lots (113-126), was surveyed July 1, 1881, by J. Van Pearse.

The residence of Mr. Newhouse was the only building in the village west of the pike, in 1879. In 1880, about a dozen houses were erected, and there are now over one hundred. A considerable portion of the population is float- ing. It varies from three hundred to five hundred. John Smith was ap- pointed Postmaster in the spring of 1880, and still retains the office. He started the first grocery. The first dry goods store was opened by A. L. Smith & Sons, of Richwood, in the spring of 1881. There are now two dry goods stores, owned respectively by Buffington Lynn and Hill & Jolliff. The latter firm purchased the stock of Smith & Sons. There are also in the village two groceries, L. Roley and John Smith; one hardware store, Bee & Murphy; one drug store, Dr. H. McFadden; one jeweler store, Ramey & Son; a billiard hall, bakery and restaurant, photograph gallery, meat market, extensive livery establishment, owned by Mickey & Trickey, a shoe, and a blacksmith shop.

For the accommodation of the afflicted who resort to the village, and the

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

traveling public generally, there are three good hotels and quite a number of boarding houses. The Fountain House was built by M. F. Langstaff, in 1880. It was the first building erected in that year. Mr. Langstaff sold it to A. Thompson, and it has subsequently been leased to Mr. Hill, the present host. The erection of the Park House was begun in 1880 and completed in 1881. It is an imposing and spacious three story frame structure, 52x80, the largest building in the village. Morgan Savage and A. W. Robinson, the builders, still own it. The latter is proprietor of the hotel. The Hoskins House was commenced in 1881, and finished the spring following. J. M. Hoskins is pro- prietor. From fifty to three hundred guests are registered constantly at the hotels and stopping at private boarding houses, and they tax to the utmost the capacity of the village for hospitality.

Indications point to the erection of two large hotels during the summer of 1883, one of them by W. M. Murphy & Son, of Cleveland. They have purchased a very desirable site for a building of this kind, and in the autumn of 1882 were engaged in sinking an artesian well to a great depth, with a view to supplying the proposed hotel with water. In November, a depth of 700 feet was reached, and the work still progressing. The water rose to within a foot of the surface, but a flow had not yet been attained.

A frame schoolhouse was built in 1882, the first one in the village, and O. C. Degood was the teacher during the ensuing winter. There are no church edifices yet erected, but a Methodist society has been organized, and efforts will soon be put forth to secure a house of worship. The class is yet small; Rev. Jagger preaches to it. Two physicians, Drs. McFadden and S. S. Skidmore, are resident practitioners. The dwelling houses are far above the average in villages of the same size, for neat and attractive appearance.

A large bath house has lately been constructed, which is supplied with water by a twelve-horse power engine. The park grounds, including the springs, lake, bath house, cottages and two hotels, comprise seven acres, and are owned by Newhouse, McLean & Co.

In all directions from the first well that was sunk, outside of a radius of probably one hundred feet, limestone rock exists from thirteen to thirty feet below the surface, while at the spring, at the depth of seventy-seven feet, no rock was encountered. This deep pocket from which the mineral magnetic water arises, below the depth of thirty feet is filled with a reddish substance resembling hard clay for thirty feet, and below it is a gray-colored substance of similar composition. An analysis of this water, made by Prof. E. S. Wayne, of Gincinnati, shows the following:

Solid contents of one gallon of the water, 41.897 grains, composed of

Chloride of sodium .. 0.789 grains.

Sulphate of potassa. 0.223 grains.

Sulphate of sodium. 0.416 grains.

Sulphate of lime ..

3.271 grains.

Sulphate of magnesia.

2.304 grains.

Bi-carbonate of lime.

19.201 grains.

Bi-carbonate of magnesia

17.614 grains.

Bi-carbonate of iron.

0.153 grains.

Alumina. 0.115 grains.

Silica. 0.242 grains.

Organic matter.

0.569 grains.

Total 44.897 grains.

It also possesses high magnetic properties, and it is said that a knife- blade held in it for a few moments becomes so highly charged that a nail may be lifted by it.

Three other springs are said to possess curative powers, each of them

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LEESBURG TOWNSHIP.

having distinct mineral ingredients. One of them, a sulphur spring, is located about a mile southeast of the village; a spacious avenue has just been opened to it. A park of fourteen acres has been purchased, including a grove. It is proposed to erect here, during the summer of 1883, a large hotel and a number of cottages, and to connect it with the village by a street-car line.

PHARISBURG.

Pharisburg was surveyed by William B. Irvin July 21, 1847, and the plat acknowledged May 25, 1848, by the proprietor, Allen Pharis, administrator of Robert Pharis, deceased. It contained forty-five lots, including ten acres and sixty-two poles. Its location, near the southeast corner of Survey 3,693, and near the center of the township, had previously been known as "Scott's Corners." The residence of Samuel Pharis, a large, two-story, hewed-log house, stood on the site when the plat was made, and Francis Scott soon after built a frame house west of the road, running north and south. Merilla Cameron, a young Kentuckian, sold the first goods here. He brought them before the village was laid out and operated the store only a year or two. Not long after the discontinuance of this store. Mr. J. Reed opened a general stock of goods, and did business for some time. Matilda Chiggage taught the first school. Thomas Barcus was the first Postmaster. Benjamin Welch, Samuel Kirk, S. A. Tunks, Benjamin Welch again and A. B. Stricker have been his successors.

Dr. McClaskey, of Pennsylvania, was the first physician. In the spring of 1856, Dr. M. Thompson entered on a practice which was continued twelve years. Dr. H. McFadden came about 1867. Dr. Henry Vigor soon after practiced for a few years. Dr. R. A. Gray was here only a short time. Dr. S. S. Skidmore, in the spring of 1882, closed in part for practice of about ten years' duration, by removing to Magnetic Springs. He was succeeded at Pharisburg by Dr. G. J. Skidmore. Dr. Samuel Breese settled in the village about 1869, and practiced till his death in March, 1881.

At present there are three stores at Pharisburg, owned respectively by A. B. Stricker, A. G. McAdow and William Hayes. There are two blacksmith shops and nearly two hundred people. A new schoolhouse has just been erected, and a township graded high school, the first ever held, is in operation, with S. W. Van Winkle as teacher.

Pharisburg Lodge, No. 664, I. O. O. F., was instituted June 13, 1877. The first officers were E. A. Bell, N. G .; J. R. Taylor, V. G .; A. B. Stricker, Rec. Sec. ; J. M. Hoskins, Per. Sec .; Heman Hickok, Treas. Besides these, the charter members were J. W. Hall, Lemuel Langstaff, J. S. Mallory, R. H. White and R. Mayfield. The present membership is fifty-nine. The present officers are J. T. Clevinger, N. G .; O. C. Trickey, V. G .; Lee W. Burkopile, Rec. Sec. ; R. H. White, Per. Sec .; R. Mayfield, Treas. Meetings are held every Saturday evening. The lodge owns a half interest in the second story hall in which it meets. Three deaths have occurred in the lodge since its organization. The deceased are David Burkopile, R. P. Clevinger and A. J. Hartman.

The Daughters of Rebekah, Pharisburg Lodge, was instituted May 15, 1879. The first officers were Elizabeth Hoskins, N. G .; Emma Langstaff, V. G .; Maggie Stricker, Rec. Sec .; Emma Taylor, Fin. Sec. ; Elizabeth Green, Treasurer. The other original members were Mattie White, Mary Hickok, Mary Gandy, Mary Rinehart, Mary Clevinger, Lola Hoskins, Anna A. Lang- staff, Rosalinde Mayfield and Bell Green. The membership is now about forty. The regular meetings are held every Wednesday on or before the full moon.

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

Leesburg Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, No. 372, was granted a dispen- sation January 9, 1874, and chartered May 26. 1874. The hall was built by a joint-stock company of its members. This company still owns the lower floor, but the upper story is the joint property of the Grange and the Odd Fellows lodge. The present membership is about forty; Jeremiah Rinehart is Master, and Josephus Brannon, Overseer. Regular meetings are held every Wednes- day afternoon on or before the full moon.

The Methodist Protestant Church at Pharisburg is a large, substantial frame structure, which was dedicated July 4, 1875, by Rev. Alexander Clark, of Pittsburgh, Penn. The church is well finished and surmounted by a bell. Its total cost was about $2,500. The old frame church, in use before the pres- ent one was erected, is still standing. It was built about 1850. The society was organized some time before this latter date, and held its meetings in pri- vate houses for awhile, and then in the schoolhouse north of Boke's Creek. Early and prominent members were Alexander McKonkey, the Laffertys, Abraham Blackburn, Julius A. Bell and Julia his wife, Harvey Skeels, Benja- min W. Welch and his wife Elizabeth, and J. H. Langstaff and his wife Catharine. Revs. O. P. Stephens and Sanford Flood were early ministers. Rev. W. M. Creamer is the present pastor. The membership is not so strong as it has been in past times. A Sabbath school is maintained throughout the year.

A Universalist Church was organized here, and a church built about twenty-five years ago, but the society continued in active operation only a few years. Isaac Zane, Stephen Davis, Amasa Rosencrantz and Abijah Gandy were included in its membership. Revs. Arba Gass and Waite administered to the congregation.

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The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 133

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