The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 155

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 155

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Isaac D. Stewart, from Muskingum County, settled in the southern part of the township on Fulton Creek. He afterward moved to Iowa and died there.

William H. Sherman settled in the northeastern part of the township. He was from the eastern part of the State. Not liking Claibourne Township, he soon returned to his former place of residence. In answer to an inquiry as to the cause of his return, he said that the country was so wet that he could not find a dry spot large enough to set a hen, and had to use the stump of a tree for this purpose.

William and John Wynegar, two brothers, in 1837, came from Highland County and settled on adjoining farms in the wilderness, about three miles west of Richwood, south of the Summersville road. In 1852, John moved to Winnebago County, Ill .; and in 1882, to Kansas, where he now lives. Will- iam removed to Starke County, Ind., in 1864, and died there.

Tobias Robinson, about 1838, became a resident of the western portion of the township, where he remained until his death. He was from Pickaway County.

In 1837, John Warner, from Coshocton County, settled with his wife and one child in the southwestern portion of the township, near Claibourne Village. He subsequently emigrated to Iowa.

Martin Walters and Abram Tavlor, brothers-in-law to Mr. Warner, in 1833 removed to the same part of Claibourne from Coshocton County. Mr. Taylor died there, leaving a family which is now scattered, and Mr. Walters

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CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP.

moved West. In 1838, there were no settlements nearer than two or three miles to this group of pioneers.

The first road in the township was probably the one passing north and south through Richwood. About 1825, Cyprian Lee and Henry Swartz took the contract to cut this road from the southern to the northern line of the township. They only cleared away the under brush and small trees, leaving many obstacles in the shape of large timber. The road was made fifteen feet wide.

MILLING.

One of the serious problems that arose for solution in the pioneer times in Claibourne as well as every other newly settled locality, was how to reduce the corn and wheat to a degree of fineness sufficient for domestic purposes. The family of Henry Swartz for several weeks ground all the meal they used in a hand coffee mill. John Swartz, a settler on the Scioto River, was the happy owner of a little hand mill, upon which, by a vigorous exercise of mus- cle, a half bushel of grain might be reduced to a tolerably fine meal in sev- eral hours. It was much resorted to by Robert Cotrell and others of the ear- liest settlers.

Adam Dilsaver constructed a horse mill at his place a short distance south of Richwood, which was extensively used by his neighbors. His customers must furnish their own horse power, and as three or four horses were neces- sary to operate the cumbersome machinery, several would sometimes arrange to be there at one time in order to help each other; this, however, was rarely necessary. The capacity of the mill was so slight that it was usually in mo- tion, and it was not uncommon for a farmer to start to mill at 2 o'clock in the morning in order to be first there, and consequently the first to have his wants attended to. Occasionally the mill would run all night.

Richard Irwin, whose farm was about one and a half miles east of Richwood, also had a horse mill. These mills were so almost interminably slow that they were used only during dry weather when there was no water power, or during muddy weather when the distant mills were inaccessible. Some pioneers preferred going forty miles to a good mill to using a horse mill, and this distance was sometimes traveled. A large four-horse load was once taken to a mill on Mad River in Champaign County, where the press of business was so great that several weeks elapsed before the hungry settlers in this vicinity obtained their grists. A mill on Owl Creek in Knox County, was occasionally visited, but usually the mills on Darby Creek were available. No water grist mills are known to have been in operation in Claibourne Township.

John Dilsaver operated a small tannery for a few years on his farm south of Richwood. Another was for a long time operated in Richwood by the sons of John Graham.

SCHOOLS.

A log cabin stood near the Sidle Methodist Protestant Church, a little northeast of it, which was built as a schoolhouse, and in which the first school in the township was held. The primitive pedagogue here was Mr. Lamphere, an aged man, who taught in various localities. The pupils were Ellison, James and Wilson Williams, Richard, Samuel and Eliza Cotrell, John A. and Elder Swartz, and perhaps the Wilson children and a few others from a dis- tance. The term lasted only about two months.

Eleazor Rose was one of the earliest teachers in this locality. He dwelt in one apartment of a double log cabin, and in the other enlightened the un- derstanding of the youth in this community. He was reputed an excellent teacher.

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

It would be impossible to make mention of the first teachers in all por- tions of the township. The schools have had a gradual growth from very small beginnings, like all other institutions, and have now attained an effi- ciency equal to that found anywhere else in the county.

SKETCH OF THE RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP.'

Richwood and vicinity, in Claibourne Township, was early noted for the order, morality, and religious character of its citizens. When the writer, in 1836, first became acquainted in the place, it was understood that all the in- habitants were a sober,, church-going people. And this continued to be its reputation for many years.

The first minister of the Gospel who settled in the town was Rev. John Carney, of the Regular Baptist denomination. He was an old man when the writer first saw him, and appeared to be in declining health. His home was a little log cabin situated some rods south of where the Baptist Church now stands. He had no church organization of his own denomination, and was able to preach but occasionally. I think it was in 1838, he seemed to grow more feeble than usual, and it became apparent that his work on earth would soon be done, unless his health should improve. This did not occur. He seemed, however, to desire to use his little remaining strength in giving his dying testimony in favor of the truth. He therefore had word circulated that he wished his neighbors and friends to come to his little cabin on a certain Sun- day and he would preach to them once more. At the time appointed they came. The old gentleman opened the service in the usual manner; and when the time for the sermon came, he introduced his subject by saying, "I will read for my text the first and second verses of the Scriptures." He then read Genesis, i, 1,2, and preached his last formal discourse on earth. Soon after. his health became so feeble he had to remain in the house, and not many weeks after, he quietly fell asleep. His neighbors and friends laid his body carefully and respectfully in the little village graveyard, where his dust still quietly waits the call of the resurrection of the just.

Another generation of the Baptist people in Richwood have very re- cently learned that the little graveyard lot, on a part of which their church stands, contains the unmarked grave of the pioneer minister of this commun- ity. They have inquired out the spot, and declared their purpose to mark and protect the precious trust. This is well. For it is an honor to any con- gregation to be permitted to guard the resting place of the man who first preached the Gospel in the wilderness-the harvest of whose seed-sowing they reap and enjoy.

As a fitting sequel to the above, it is proper now to say, that on March 24, 1878, the Regular Baptists, under the pastoral labors of Rev. W. R. Thomas, formally organized themselves into a church, according to the rules of their denomination, and thus adding one more church to Richwood's already fair supply. The names of the persons who entered into this organization were Thomas Phillips, S. Carter, Joseph Powell, Susan Landon, Elmos Langstaff, Jane Langstaff, William Ferguson, S. A. Ferguson, Anthony Trickey, Mary Trickey, Robert B. Cook, Mary A. Gooding, Clara Crabtree, Kim Crabtree, Amanda Hanby, Louisa Wooley, Elizabeth Blake, Anne Cain, W. H. Rich- ards, Annie H. Richards, Martha Merritt, Zella Merritt, E. M. Lindsay, M. J. Lindsay, Eliabeth Eagans. The regular officers of this church have been: Deacons-W. H. Richards, Elmos Langstaff; Clerks-1st, William Ferguson; 2d, E. M. Devreaux; 3d, E. M. Lindsay; 4th, D. B. Willoughby; Treasurers -Ist, S. S. Carter; 2d, W. H. Richards.

* By Rev. John Graham, of Richwood.

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CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP.

The pastors of this church have been-1st, Rev. R. W. Thomas, two years; 2d, Rev. W. Wilbur, eighteen months; 3d, Rev. J. W. Scott, who commenced his pastorate September 1, 1881, and continued to the present time, December, 1882.

The places of worship that have been occupied by this church have been, first, Westheimer's Hall; second, Marriott's Hall; and third, their new church, which they erected and dedicated on the third Sabbath of September, 1882. This church is a neatly finished frame house, worth about $2,000, and paid for. The number of communicants in this church at the present time is forty-two. In September, 1880, this church organized a Sunday school, which has been regularly kept up, and is now in a prosperous condition.

This is the proper place to state that the colored members of the Regu- lar Missionary Baptist denomination organized themselves into a church in Rich- wood, February 13, 1876, under the pastoral labors of Rev. L. B. Morse. The members who entered into the first organization were George Curry, I. Thornton, Bertie Curry, Lida Thornton, Joseph Williams, Lucinda Will- iams, N. V. Evans, Jordan Harrison, Fanny Harrison, Melvina Parker, Robert Malone, David Brown, Peter Snow. The officers of this church are: Deacons -N. V. Evans, R. Malone, D. Brown; Clerk-Jordan Harrison; Trustees -- N. V. Evans, J. Harrison, J. Malone; Treasurer-Peter Snow. This church has built a good house of worship, worth $1,900, all paid for but about $125. This house was formally dedicated to the worship of God on the second Sun- day in September, 1882. The communicants in the church now number thirty six. They have organized and maintained a Sunday school.

The pastors of the church have been Rev. L. B. Morse, Rev. H. Clay, and Rev. Mr. Golliford, who serves the church at present.

Methodist Episcopal Church-The Methodist Episcopal Church was or- ganized in Richwood, October 17, A. D. 1835. William Phillips was the first Class Leader, and the following-named persons were the members of this class, to wit: William Phillips, Isabella Phillips, Mortimer Bentley, Nancy Bent- ley, Elsie Sirpless. Not long after the organization the following were added to the names above given: Sarah Woods, Margaret Brookins, Hezekiah Bur- dick, Catharine Burdick, Philip Plummer, Ann Maria Plummer, William Barkdull, Priscilla Barkdull, Adam Burge, Louis Burdick, Catharine Bur- dick.

The pastor of the church at the time of its organization was Rev. Warren Frazell. The Presiding Elder was William H. Raper. William Phillips was elected as first Steward of the newly formed church; also first Recording Stew- ard of Richwood Circuit.

The first leaders' meeting of the church was held at Mr. Phillips' shop,, with the pastor and class leader as the only members present. There was no church house of any denomination in Claibourne Township at the time this organization took place. The religious meetings, therefore, were held in such places as could be procured -- sometimes in a shop, a storeroom, the little schoolhouse, or in the home of some of the members. These places were in- convenient, but the best that could be obtained at the time. The pastor next

appointed in charge of the Richwood Circuit was Rev. Richard Doughty. He remained in the work but a short time; and when he left, the Presiding El- der, Rev. Jacob Young, employed Rev. Samuel M. Beatty, a local preacher, to take charge of the circuit. Mr. Beatty continued to serve the circuit until in August, 1836. Next after Mr. Beatty, Rev. Ebenezer T. Webster, a member of the Ohio Annual Conference, was appointed in charge of Richwood Circuit. He arrived with his family on his work sometime in the autumn of 1836. His home was in Richwood, and he and his family, devoted themselves earnestly

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

to the service of the church. The circuit prospered under his ministry. He remained one year in charge of this work.

During the year 1837,the Methodist Episcopal, Church erected in Richwood the first house of worship in Claibourne Township. This house was built of

It was finished in the plainest hewed logs, about, I think, 28x36 feet in size. It was warmed by style. Its seats were rude benches without backs to them.

one stove, placed near the center of the building.

It stood on or near the

spot where the residence of A. J. Blake now stands. It was dedicated dur- ing the Quarterly Meeting services, held by Rev. Samuel Hamilton, August 14, 1837, Mr. Hamilton, having been sent by the Presiding Elder to hold the Quarterly Meeting in his stead. Mr. Hamilton's subject of discourse on Sunday morning was the return of the prodigal son. This effort was a very happy one; many wept, and many others rejoiced aloud-all were deeply im- pressed.

Next after Mr. Webster, Rev. R. S. Kimber was appointed as pastor in Richwood. He did not move his family into the bounds of the work. He re- mained in charge of this work two years. He labored very faithfully, and was fairly successful in promoting the interests of the church. During the latter part of his second year on the circuit, Mr. Kimber had to assist him in his work, Rev. John C. Havens. In August, 1839, Mr. Kimber, Mr. Havens and Rev. Jacob Young, the Presiding Elder, all closed up, for the present, their ministerial labors at Richwood.

In the latter part of August or first of September, 1839, Rev. Jacob A. Brown and Rev. Jesse Prior arrived in Richwood as pastors on the circuit. Mr. Brown settled his family in Richwood, and Mr. Prior his in Delhi. They both remained on the work one year. with Rev. Zacharialı Connell as Presid- ing Elder. They were all faithful and successful in their work.

At the General Conference, in May, 1840, a change was made in the boundaries of the Ohio Annual Conference, to which Richwood Circuit, up to this time, had belonged, and the North Ohio Conference was organized, with Richwood within its limits. At the first session of this conference, which met in Norwalk, Ohio, in the month of August, Rev. George Armstrong was ap- pointed to Richwood, with Rev. W. S. Morrow as his Presiding Elder. Mr. Armstrong moved to Richwood and commenced his labors immediately. Soon after the year began, the Presiding Elder employed Rev. W. S. Rowe to assist Mr. Armstrong in his work. These two men were earnest and faithful. Mr. Rowe remained on the work but a part of the year; and when he left, Rev. T. H. Wilson was employed to fill out the balance of the year. They had fair prosperity in their work.

Next after Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Wilson, R. S. Kimber was re-appointed to Richwood, with George S. Phillips as his co-pastor. They were pleasant gentlemen and faithful to their labors. In the latter part of August, 1842, Jesse Prior and William Boggs took charge of Richwood as pastors. They were cordially received by the people, and indications seemed to promise a year of prosperity. The year had not advanced far, however, till Mr. Prior, the senior pastor, began to preach the peculiar doctrines of Mr. Miller, who said " the world will come to its end in 1843." This new departure did not pro- mote the harmony of the church, and controversy with dissensions abounded. Before this conference year ended, Mr. Prior withdrew from the Methodist Episcopal Church and identified himself with the newly organized sect. called " Second Adventists." Mr. Boggs proved true and faithful to the church, and did what he could to prevent disaster; and his efforts were so far successful that it was deemed best, by the authorities, to return him the second year to the charge. He was a judicious manager, a good preacher, and a devout man.

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CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP.

Joseph Jones was with him on the work during his second year. Mr. Jones was the senior in office. As near as I can now ascertain, the following is a cor- rect list of the pastors who served the Methodist Episcopal Church in Rich- wood from 1844 to 1864, namely, Edward Williams, L. F. Ward, W. M. Spafford, B. Herbert, O. Burgess. A. Rumfield, J. Sterling, P. Plummer, F. W. Vertican, E. Hyatt, J. Frownfelter, S. D. Seymour. W. Knapp, P. Ware- ham, L. Herbert, L. L. Roberts, J. Blanpied, J. Good, J. M. Longfellow, J. Wykes, W. Lawrence, J. S. Deleal, H. M. Shaffer, J. K. Ford.

During the pastorate of Mr. Good and Mr. Longfellow, which lasted from 1856 to 1858, the most extensive revival of religion that this church has ever had in Richwood occurred. Almost 100 persons were converted and added to the church. During their pastorate, also, the old log-meeting house proved entirely insufficient to accommodate the wants of the church. They, therefore, took measures to secure the building of a new house of worship. The result is the present church, which is a substantial brick building, well situated, and well furnished. It is large enough to accommodate the congregation, and is worth about $6,000. The present membership of this church is a little over 200. Its present pastor is Rev. D. Bowers.

The church has kept up a working, successful Sunday school from near the time of its first organization. It is now in prosperous working order. It has twenty-five officers and teachers, and 160 scholars.

The ladies of the church have kept up, for the last nine years, an efficient, earnest, working organization of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. The society is now prospering. The church is doing good work.

Early in the history of Claibourne Township, there was a small society of the Methodist Episcopal Church organized some three miles west of Rich- wood, in what was known as the Wynegar neighborhood. They never built a house of worship. They kept up a feeble existence for some thirty years; but finally disbanded. Its old members are either dead or removed to other parts; and some have united with churches in other places. A church organization without a place of worship, or some convenient place for meet- ing, is like a family without a home-it cannot prosper.

The Methodist Protestant Church was formally organized in Richwood, September, 1836. John B. Lucas was its pastor at the time; and Samuel Graham was its first Class Leader. The names of its first members were- Samuel Graham, Sarah Graham, John P. Brookins, Margaret Brookins, John Woods, Sarah Woods, John P. Graham, Eliza Graham, Jane Houk, Jane B. Coffee. Its first place of worship was the little log schoolhouse which stood in the northeast part of town. Within some two years after its organization, there were important additions to the membership of the church in the persons .. of Rev. William Hamilton, Lydia Hamilton, Samuel Hamilton, Nancy Hamil ton, Benjamin Hamilton. These persons moved into the neighborhood, hav- ing been members of the church in Muskingum County, and joined by letter.

I think it was in the winter of 1839 and 1840 that Rev. John M. Young, assisted by a number of other ministers, held a revival meeting for the Meth- odist Protestant Church in Richwood, which was very successful. In it were converted the following. named persons who afterward became distinguished John W. Hamilton, now Professor of Surgery in the Medical College in Columbus; Joseph M. Hamilton, who has long been a leading minister in his church in the Muskingum Conference; T. B. Graham, who has for many years been a prominent minister in the Ohio Conference, and I. N. Ham- ilton, who is local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a physi- cian. Many others were converted in this meeting who have proved faithful -some of whom have gone to the better land. This revival was probably

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

farther reaching in its results than any other ever held in Richwood by this denomination. It was held in the Methodist Episcopal house of worship. After diligent inquiry, I have failed to obtain a consecutive list of the minis- ters who served this church in the early years-one of whom I remember, but I cannot recall his name. He treated this congregation to a surprise which was rather pleasant. He was preaching in the old schoolhouse one Sunday morning, when very unexpectedly Rev. Ziba Brown, with Miss Jane B. Coffee on his arm, walked into the house. Mr. Brown stepped into the pulpit and sat down behind the minister who was preaching. Miss Coffee sat down in the congregation. When the sermon was ended, the minister said-" There is a case of matrimony to be attended to. The parties will please present them- selves." Whereupon Mr. Brown stepped down to where Miss Coffee sat, took her on his arm, they two presented themselves before the minister, and he. after requiring them to "plight their vows each to the other," pronounced them "husband and wife together." He then dismissed the congregation. All were pleased.

As soon as the possibility for better accommodations than the old school- house afforded could be seen, the members began to plan for a new church. As near as I can now ascertain, they commenced getting materials ready in the winter of 1839 and 1840; and they got the house so it could be occupied by some time in 1842. This house was built of hewed logs; and was in size, about 30x35 feet. When finished, it was the largest public room in the north part of Union County. The first seats in it were plain benches with no backs to them. When the house was about ready for occupancy, a serious question arose as to how it should be warmed. There were no stoves for sale in or near Richwood, and there was then no railroad on which to order one brought. The problem was finally solved, by the members contributing wheat enough, when sold, to pay for a stove; and Mr. Samuel Graham, accompanied by Rev. Will- iam Hamilton, hauled the wheat in a wagon to Granville, in Licking County, and traded it for a stove. They brought this stove back with them in their wagon, and placed it in the church.

As I can find no records that give a consecutive list of the early ministers who served this congregation of Christians, I give from my own memory, and the memory of others, as near a correct list as I am able to produce: Jon- athan Flood, Sr .. was one of the earliest, R. M. Dolby was another who preached in the old schoolhouse. Soon after him were Isaac Hunt. Louis Hicklen, David Moore, Joshua I. Devore, Isaac Edwards, Ziba Brown. O. P. Stevens, John Inskeep, J. H. Webster. Lyman Ensminger and John B. Peat. These had all served the church here previous to the close of 1848. From 1847 to 1850, the brothers, S. H. Flood and J. M. Flood, served the church. Under their labors extensive revivals of religion occurred, and many were added to the church. In 1851, O. P. Stevens again served this people. After him T. D. Howe, D. Kinney, M. V. B. Evans.

About 1858, it became apparent to this congregation that their old log house was not up with the improved condition of the country; they, therefore, set about providing more commodious accommodations for themselves. They got ready for dedication on the 17th day of July, 1859, a very pleasant, sub- stantial, neat, brick house, large enough to meet all their wants. This house cost something over $2,000; and would have been sufficient to the present time, but for the fact it was consumed in a fire that occurred in April, 1875. The present house occupied by this church is built on the foundation of the one that was burned; and is a neat, well finished, well furnished, brick struct- ure, worth some $5,000. This church was constituted a station at the Annual Conference which met in the summer of 1865; and its first Quarterly Confer-

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CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP.

ence, as a station, was held in the church in Richwood, November 4, the same year. The official members who constituted this Quarterly Conference were: T. B. Graham, Pastor; Rev. D. Kinney, Rev. W. Hamilton. Lavmen -J. T. Lenox, John Woods, E. Norris, J. S. Gill, L. Myers, J. A. Cook, G. B. Hamilton, Cyrus Landon. The officers of the conference were J. Law- son, Chairman; W. H. Ferguson, Secretary. This station has been contin- uously kept up till the present time. Its history has been one of fair prosper- ity; and it now has a good reputation in the community. Its present pastor is Rev. E. G. Brumbaugh. Its membership numbers a little more than 200 com- municants. This church has kept up a prosperous Sunday school most of the time since its first organization. This school is now doing well.

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The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 155

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