The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 134

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 134

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The Pharisburg Universalist Church was organized in August, 1879, at the Methodist Protestant Church. by Rev. Mrs. Letta D. Crosley, who has since been pastor. The society began with only a few members, and has now increased to about forty. Among the early members were George W. Cary and wife, William Foster and wife, John Gandy and wife, Jasper Cary and wife, John Elliott and wife. Lester Webster and wife, George Hill and wife, Othneil Jewett and Andrew Hartman. Services are held once a month in the Methodist Protestant Church.

Hopewell Methodist Episcopal Church was organized about 1830, at the house of Samuel Martin. It began with a very limited membership, consisting chiefly of the Martin family and Culwell Williamson. A hewed-log church, located about one and one-fourth miles northeast of Pharisburg, was built and served as the house of worship till the present frame building was erected. A pro- tracted meeting was conducted by Rev. Longfellow about 1858, which re- sulted in a great increase of members. The church has since been weakened from a variety of causes, and at present there are no regular services.

In Hildreth's Schoolhouse, west of Pharisburg, a Christian, or "New Light," society was organized several years ago. Rev. Shirk held services there for some time, and Rev. Hurd has been preaching for several years. The society is gaining in strength. David Hildreth, Albert Gardner, Emanuel Shinnaman and Daniel Burkopile are members. A Sunday school is con- ducted during the summer.

Blues Creek Christian, or "New Light," Church, located on the Marys- ville & Pharisburg pike, is the home of a small society, which was organ- ized in 1833 or 1834. About that time, a log meeting house was built, abont a half mile south of the present church, on the farm now owned by Ira Phelps. Joseph and Sarah Bellville, Hale Winchester, Jonathan and Polly Brooks, Thomas and Anna Lee, Mr. Spurgeon and wife and Mrs. Hannah Phelps were

Henry Jeux

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early members. Elders Ashley and Barber were pioneer preachers. They were succeeded by Elder John McInturf, who was a powerful preacher and a well- beloved pastor. The old log church subserved its purpose until 1861. The present edifice was then constructed, on a lot donated to the society by Jacob Lee. It was dedicated, in October, 1861, by Elder Daniel Long, an aged and revered minister of the church. At that time, Nicholas Bellville, Robert Lee and Thomas Lee were prominent members. The Christian society formed recently in a schoolhouse just west of Pharisburg drew its membership large- ly from the Blue's Creek congregation. Owing to this, and to deaths and removals, the numerical strength of the church has been weakened. It once numbered eighty, but now scarcely more than one-fourth that number. Elder William Webb, in 1868 and 1869, conducted a revival, which resulted in thirty-six accessions to the church in one year, and many during the next. Elder Lure was the pastor last year. At present there is no settled minister, but Elder Kerris has been supplying the church in this capacity. The Sab- bath school, which has been held for many years, is very successful. It was superintended last year by Eli Hildebrand.

In the extreme southern edge of Leesburg Township, near the southwest corner of Survey 5,870, is a frame meeting house called Ryan's Chapel, the property of a Methodist society that worships here. It received its name from James Ryan, a local minister of Dover Township. A Methodist Church, known as Mount Harmon, formerly existed about three 'miles south of Ryan's Chapel. After the village of Dover attained some importance, many of the members of Mount Harmon, who resided in Dover, wished the place of meeting changed to the village. Those members who resided north of the church were unwilling that the church be removed. A compromise was effected by divid- ing the membership, and each of the two divisions obtained a church centrally and favorably located. The northern portion of the old congregation erected Ryan's Chapel, during the spring and summer of 1868. Lewis White, of Dover, was the contractor. During the winter preceding its erection, a pro- tracted series of meetings were conducted in the schoolhouse, about three- fourths of a mile north of the church. by Rev. Isaiah Henderson. Many con- versions were made, and the interest which was aroused led to the building of the church. George Montgomery, John Montgomery, William, John, Samuel and William H. Bonnett, Thomas Kindal, Louis White and Jesse Carpenter were prominent members. Rev. Waters, of Delaware, dedicated the church. The membership was once strong, and now exceeds thirty. Rev. Jaggers is the pastor in charge, holding services each alternate Sabbath. The congre- gation forms a part of the Dover Circuit. Besides these two charges, Ostrander and Millville churches are included in the circuit. A Sabbath school is regu- larly maintained during the summer and sometimes is continued through the winter.

Union Chapel is a substantial, neat, brick edifice, 28x38 feet in dimen- sions, located in the extreme eastern part of the township, on the Delaware & Bellefontaine pike. It is the joint property of two religious societies, a Christian Union and a Disciple congregation, which worship here separately, and was erected by them in 1872, at a cost of about $1,300. The property is controlled by five Trustees, two of whom are chosen by each congregation, and the fifth, who holds the deeds of the property, is selected by the four so chosen, and is to be a member of neither church. The land for the building was donated to the two societies by John McAllister. The church was ded- icated by Rev. John Clise, a Christian Union minister, then of Columbus, Ohio.

The Christian Union society, known as the Beech Grove congregation,

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

had its origin in 1863. A number of the members of the Methodist Episcopal and of the Methodist Protestant Churches, who were dissatisfied with the polit- ical character of the public services held there, ceased to attend; but soon realizing the need of religious exercises, they formed a class, independent of any denomination, and met in the Beech Grove Schoolhouse for prayer meet- ings. This class consisted originally of about sixteen members and, as near- ly as can be ascertained, included the names of Richard Hoskins and wife, Abram Hall and wife, Arad Franklin and wife, Benjamin Long and wife, Sarah Hickok, John Manuel, Richard Peters and wife, Jane and Nancy Franklin and Jacob Hoskins and wife. After a little while, the services of Rev. Samuel Hull, an Independent Baptist minister, were procured; he preached to the society for six months. When the sect known as the Christian Union Church was organized, this independent society joined it. Rev. Roscellus Gates was the first Christian Union minister in charge. He entered upon his pastoral duties in 1864, and remained with the congregation two years. The services were held in the schoolhouse until the erection of Union Chapel. Among the ministers who have served this society are Revs. Jacob Hoskins, Durant, of Westerville, Lacey, Levi Ely, Hannawalt, Racey and Baker. The circuit to which it be- longs comprises four charges besides this one -- Millville, Scioto Valley, Liberty and New Salem. Of these, the first three are in Delaware County; the last one is in Franklin County. The membership of Beech Grove numbers about thirty. Until the Sabbath school was organized at Mineral Springs, a year or two ago, one was regularly maintained in this church.

The Disciple congregation that meets here was formed by the union of two similar societies, both of which were in Delaware County. One was known as the Money Church, in Thompson Township, the other worshiped in a schoolhouse in Scioto Township. After they united, services were held in a Delaware County Schoolhouse, until Union Chapel was erected. At that time there were very few members besides John McAllister from this township, but a number have afterward entered the township and joined the society. The membership at present is not very strong. Rev. Call was pastor when the church was built. Rev. Moss is the minister now in charge.

CEMETERIES.

The first burial-place in Leesburg Township, was on Joseph Brannon's farm, half a mile east of Pharisburg. Quite a number of early settlers were buried here, among them Alexander Elliott. The place is no longer used as a public graveyard. Before it was set apart for this purpose, the Decker graveyard, in Delaware County, was used.

Connected with the Hopewell Church is a burying-ground, where the re- mains of many early residents of the northern portion of the township repose. It is still a public cemetery.

The McAllister graveyard, at Union Chapel, is not so large. It has been in use for thirty or more years.

Close by an old log Presbyterian Church, which was located in the south- western part of the township, was a cemetery, which has also ceased to be used for this purpose. Another, south of Blues Creek, on the farm of William Scott, was known as Scott's Graveyard.

MILLS.

Nathan Meek, between the years 1832 and 1833, constructed a mill. known as a "corn cracker," on Boke's Creek, about a mile below Pharisburg, which had a capacity of from twelve to forty bushels of corn per day. The mill-stones, about twenty inches in diameter, are still in use in the steam mill

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at Pharisburg. An upright saw was attached to the mill, and, as civilization grew apace with the development of the settlements and the need of lumber was felt in the community, this mill supplied the primitive farmers with this commodity. It stood on the farm of Samuel Martin, and was sold by Mr. Meek to him. George Barcus afterward became the possessor, and from him Arad Franklin leased and operated it for three years. Mr. Witsbaugh next purchased it, but its period of usefulness had about expired, and little work was done after it came under his control.

After disposing of the above mill, Mr. Meek built another, on the farm of John Woods, about one and three-fourths miles above Pharisburg. He sold it to John Warner, and in a few years it, too, was abandoned.

Ingham Woods and John Elliott afterward built a saw mill, a little far- ther up Bokes Creek, on the same farm. A long race was dug, but by a mis- take of the millwright a fall of only three feet was obtained where nine had been expected. This was insufficient to give any value to the mill, and, after a considerable expense, the mill project was abandoned.

In earliest times, the Scioto and Darby Creek mills, and one on Buck Creek, in Champaign County, were patronized by the denizens of Leesburg.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

H. D. ANDREWS, farmer, P. O. Marysville, was born in Franklin County, Ohio, August 29, 1842. His parents were Edward and Harriet (Lampson) Andrews, natives of Ohio, of En- glish descent, and both now deceased. Our subjeet is a farmer by occupation, and owns about fifty-eight acres of land, seven miles north of Marysville. During the late war, he enlisted, on August 1, 1861, in Company F, Thirty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served four years, participating in some hotly contested engagements, among them being the battle of Stone River, Atlanta, Chickamauga, Kenesaw Mountain, Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Lookout Mount- ain, Mission Ridge, Resaca and many others of more or less importance. He was discharged July 1, 1865. He was married February 25, 1864, to Louise, daughter of David and Hannah (Hand) Lockwood, by whom he has two children-Don M., born April 21, 1866, and Clara E., born October 1, 1870. Mr. Andrews is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and in politics he is a Republican. His grandfather came to Ohio before Columbus was a town. Mrs. Andrews' mother was born in Columbia County, N. Y., in September, 1807, and emigrated to Ohio at the age of ten years, settling on Darby Plains. She was married November 7, 1825, and lived in Union County fifty-seven years.

BEE & MURPHY, dealers in hardware, tinware, stoves, nails and fixtures, Magnetic Springs. The firm doing business under the above title engaged in their present enterprise in September, 1882. They are live, energetic business men, and keep constantly on hand a full stock of such goods as are usually found in a first-class store of the above description. W. H. Bee, the senior partner, was born at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, January 30, 1838, and is a son of George B. and Catherine (Wise) Bee, the former a native of England, and the latter of Richland County, Ohio. Their family consists of three sons and three daughters, one of the latter being the wife of Charles E. Ragon, of Columbus, Ohio. W. H. graduated at Upper Sandusky, 1877, and for two years taught school. He is a plasterer and stone and brick mason, at which trade he worked eleven months after coming to Magnetic Springs. Ile is a man of good business qualifications, and stands high in the esteem of the people at the Springs.

J. W. BEEM, farmer, P. O. Magnetic Springs, was born in Union County, Ohio, May 1, 1837. He is a son of Michael Beem, who was born in Maryland, and emigrated to Ohio in 1813, set- tling in Licking County. He died in 1879. Our subject was married September 19, 1861, to Hannah, daughter of John and Jane (Bridge) Dilsaver, and a native of Union County, born January 11, 1842 By this union two children were born, viz .: Hattie B., born June 28, 1862, and wife of Rev. W. J. Elliott, and Francis M., born October 7, 1870. Our subject owns a nice farm north west of Magnetic Springs, on which he built a handsome residence in 1879. He has been a farmer most of his life, but for ten terms taught sehool. He is a Republican, a member of the M. P. Church, and at present a Township Trustee. His grandparents were Michael Beem, a Revolutionary soldier, and Ruth (Rose) Beem.

ROBERT BLACK, deceased, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, March 17, 1826, and died in Union County July 11, 1868. Ile was a son of William and Martha Jane (Mark) Black, who were both Americans, of Irish ancestry. He was a life-long farmer, and at the time of his death owned 136 acres of land near Magnetic Springs, on which his family now reside, having lived there seventeen consecutive years. He was married November 13, 1849, to Mary Fresh- water, who was born April 12, 1829. Her father, George Fresh water, married Mary Hunter,

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

who died after having borne him ten children, of whom Mrs. Black was the youngest. He was married the second time, having two children by his second wife. Our subject was the father of nine children, viz .: Benjamin F., born February 5, 1851; Eliza Jane, born November 10, 1852; Archibald, born September 5, 1854; Lucy, wife of John W. Worline, born August 24, 1856, and died November 20, 1880; Ameda, born August 20, 1858, died September 12, 1876 ; Reuben, born in 1860; Mary, born September 30, 1864; Eunie, born January 26, 1866, and Rosanna, born March 17, 1868.

JOHN BONNETT, farmer, P. O. Marysville, Ohio, was born in Ohio County, W. Va., No- vember 8, 1808. Ile is a son of Lewis and Jane (McClain) Bonnett. He was raised on the farm, and had but few educational advantages. He adopted the occupation of a farmer, and has spent the whole of his life at that honorable avocation. He was married May 2, 1832, to Ann Maria Davis, daughter of Isaac and Keziah (Askew) Davis, who were of German descent. This union was blessed with an issue of seven children, of whom only three now survive, viz .: Ralph S., Keziah Ryan and William. Mr. Bonnett is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a Republican in politics. He has met with well merited success in his farm oper- ations, and has lived to reach a ripe old age. Three of his sons answered the call of their coun- try to protect its flag when threatened by the traitorous hands of rebellious subjects.

SAMUEL S. BREES, farmer, P. O. Magnetic Springs, was born in Union County, Ohio, November 26, 1852. His parents were Samuel Brees, deceased, a native of Pennsylvania, of Irish descent, and Louisa Brees, a native of Licking County, Ohio, of Scotch descent. Our sub- ject was married April 15, 1872, to Lavina E. McVey, a daughter of Rev. I. N. and Belinda (West) McVey. She was born in Adams County, Ohio, July 22, 1852. By this union four children have been born, viz .: John O., born May 16, 1873; Harrison, born in 1875; Reuben, 1878, and Della, 1880. Mr. Brees received his education in the common schools, and was brought up as a farmer, which occupation he continues to follow.

T. M. BRANNAN, farmer, P. O. Pharisburg, was born in Union County December 15, 1840. He was a son of George W. and Mary (Jordan) Brannan, the former a native of Ohio of Scotch-Irish descent, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania, of Dutch descent. In 1858, our subject went to Piatt County, Ill. At the first call for troops to put down the rebellion, he en- listed at Mahomet, Campaign Co., Ill., but owing to the excess of volunteers, he was sent home after spending two weeks in camp at Urbana. On August 6, 1862, he again enlisted at Urbana, and after nearly three years' service was discharged at Galveston, Tex., July 22, 1865. He par- ticipated in the sieges of Vicksburg and Jackson, skirmishes at Champion Hill and Benton, Miss., battle at Jackson Cross Roads, skirmish at Jackson, La., and siege and assault on Blakely, Ala. At Jackson Cross Roads he was wounded in the head, having his hat band shot off in two places, and received several balls through his clothing; he was also taken prisoner and sent to Cahawba, Ala., where he remained a few days, when he was sent to Vicksburg for exchange, having been a prisoner but fifteen days. In the assault on Blakely, he had the honor of com- manding his company (Company G, Seventy-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry), and was slightly wounded in the foot. He was promoted to First Sergeant for gallantry in the engagement, and was afterward commissioned Second Lieutenant by the Governor of Illinois for meritorious con - duct. On September 30, 1868, he married Amelia, daughter of A. E. and Diantha (Davis) Rosen- crans. She was born February 15, 1851, and by her Mr. Brannan has had three children, one deceased. Mr. Brannan is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, of the Grand Army of the Republic, and, as is his wife, of the Methodist Protestant Church. He has acted as Township Trustee and School Director in his township.

G. W. CARY, farmer, P. O. Pharisburg, was born in Madison County, Ohio, October 27, 1821. He is a son of Ephriam and Matilda (Grundy) Cary, the former a native of Pennsylva- nia and the latter of Ohio, both of German descent. Our subject was married October 7, 1847, to Mary E. Franklin, who was born February 23, 1827. She is a daughter of Herod and Nancy (White) Franklin, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Pennsylvania. Our subject has the following children : Mary M., Ruth, A. F., Hannah and Ann. Mr. Cary was one of nine children, four now living, the others being Stephen, Ruth and Tamson. His grand- parents were Luther and Rhoda Cary and Henry H. and Tamson Gandy, the latter having a second wife, Sarah. Mr. Cary's father was born in 1790, and died in July, 1854. His mother was born in 1801, and died July, 1854. He owns eighty acres of land, and has resided in the county fifty-six years.

He is a Republican, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ROWLEY CLARK, farmer, P. O. Scott's Corner and Rich wood, was born in Licking County, Ohio, January 27, 1827. His parents were Rowley and Roxanna (Patch) Clark, the latter a native of Vermont. They were among the early settlers of Licking County, where the former died in 1867, aged about seventy-nine years. Our subject was raised and educated in Licking County, where he was married about 1847 to Martha Hutchinson, a native of Knox County, by whom he had ten children, three boys and seven girls, the following surviving, viz .: Jane, Dan- iel, Ann Eliza, Estella, Alice and Benjamin. Mr. Clark was a member of the Seventy-seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company A, Capt. Rogers, and served from August, 1864, until July, 1865, participating in several important battles and minor skirmishes. He has been a resident of Union County for the past nine years.

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LEESBURG TOWNSHIP.

J. P. CLEVENGER, farmer, P. O. Pharisburg, was born in Greene County, Ohio, March 19, 1825. He is a son of Titus and Mary (Bowcock) Clevenger, the former a native of New York. and the latter of Highland County, Ohio. Our subject was married December 8, 1857, to Har- riet, daughter of James T. and Elizabeth (Blackstone) Wells. Mrs. Clevenger's paternal grand- father was captured by the Indians and held as a captive two and a half years. Her father was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Clevenger's father was also in the last war with England. L. B. Clevenger, a brother of our subject, was a Captain of cavalry for a time, during the rebellion. He was born April 27, 1827, and died April 5, 1882. He was twice elected Sheriff at Kingston, Caldwell Co., Mo., and served in that capacity four years. His father died in 1862, aged seventy years and three months. Mr. Clevenger owns a farm of seventy acres of well improved land one mile northeast of Pharisburg, on which he resides.

JESSE CARPENTER, deceased, was born in the State of Virginia June 24, 1810, and died in Union County, Ohio, December 11, 1875. He was married June 18, 1868, to Mrs. Annis (West) Faland, daughter of David and Asenath (Olmstead) West, and widow of William E. Fa- land. She was born in the State of New York, February 5, 1829, and emigrated to Ohio with her parents when five years of age. By her marriage to Mr. Faland she has three children- Ida M., Frank and Dora. By her second marriage she had six children, of whom four survive, viz .: James B., David T., Mary E. and William. Mrs. Carpenter owns 136 acres of land on which she resides. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Carpenter was a thorough, practical farmer, and a good citizen, highly respected by the people of his county.

ADEXANDER CRIST, farmer and boot and shoe maker, Pharisburg, was born in Hocking County, Ohio, June 18, 1838. He is a son of Henry and Marion (Hollister) Crist, natives of New York, who emigrated to Ohio in 1833 or 1834. Our subject was married December 6, 1866, to Elma Armstrong, a daughter of John and Emily (Henry) Armstrong. She was born March 29, 1839, and by her Mr. Crist has had five children, four boys and one girl. Mr. Crist en- listed in the late war on September 1, 1861, and was discharged by reason of disability Septem- ber 16, 1862. His leg was amputated below the knee by Dr. Haven, on June 26, 1882, and he receives a pension from the Government on that account. He is a member of Marysville Lodge, No. 87, I. O. O. F.

J. W. CURRY, farmer, P. O. Pharisburg, was born in Jerome Township, Union County, Ohio, March 13, 1847. He is a son of Stephenson and Sarah D. (Robinson) Curry, both na- tives of Ohio. Our subject received the schooling usually afforded farm boys, and early at- tached himself to the work of a farmer, which he followed through his minority. On December 19, 1872, he married Jennie Cook, a daughter of John A. and Barbara (Tanner) Cook, the for- mer a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Ohio. Mr. Curry is a Democrat in politics, and by occupation a farmer. For five years he was a resident of Richwood, but has since taken up his abode in Leesburg Township.

JOHN DUNNEN, farmer, P. O. Claibourne, was born in Richland County, Ohio, November 25, 1836. His father, Samuel Dunnen, was born in Scotland and in 1828 emigrated to Ohio, where he died in 1852, aged seventy-five years. His wife, Margaret (Linn) Dunnen, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, and was a daughter of Col. John Linn, of the Revolutionary war. Our subject was raised and educated in his native county. He has spent his life farming, with the exception of seven years, during which he operated a saw mill. He was married to Eliza Walters, a daughter of George and Catharine (Warner) Walters, and a native of Union County, born November 13, 1850. Mr. Dunnen has four children, viz., Willie S. born August 30, 1869; Wilner L., born November 28, 1870; Fay A., born February 4, 1872, died May 24, 1879, and George W., born March 19, 1874. Mr. Dunnen is a Democrat, and has acted as a School Direc- tor. He owns thirty acres of land near Claibourne P. O., on which he resides.

JACOB DAYMUDE, deceased, was born in Virginia January 16, 1809, and died September 11, 1882. At the age of twenty years, he came to Ohio, and settled in Perry County. On July 2, 1840, he married Mary A. Spicer, a daughter of Absalom and Mahala (Moore) Spicer. They had the following children : John H., born March 21, 1841; James William, born April 6, 1843 ; Ephraim, born January 20, 1846 ; Benjamin F., born September 11, 1848 ; George W., born June 27, 1851 ; Lucy, born January 22, 1854, wife of G. W. Scott, and mother of three children-Mary Alice, Ira G. and Jacob, deceased ; Ardilla, born November 15, 1856, died April 26, 1857, William F., born July 22, 1864, and Jacob born March 15, 1858. Benjamin F. was raised in Franklin County, and educated in the Perry County High Schools. He taught school eight years in Franklin County, and then turned his attention to farming. He was married September 14, 1876, to Sarah J., daughter of William and Sarah (Artz) Warner. She was born August 21, 1855. They have one child, Curtis W., born April 30, 1878. Benj. F. Daymude is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church.

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The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 134

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