USA > Ohio > Union County > The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record; > Part 35
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A committee in 1854 was appointed to make a purchase of fair ground and report plan for payment. The committee made a purchase of John Cassil of thirteen acres of land on the Marion road, about three-fourths mile from the public square in Marysville, for which they agreed to pay $50 per acre, one- half Jannary 1, 1855, balance in one year, with interest, and executed a writ- ten contract to that effect.
The plan reported by the committee to procure funds for the purchase was that the ground be purchased by a joint-stock company in which each share should be $10. The deed of conveyance to be made to such stockhold- ers, subject to the use of the Union County Agricultural Society, so long as it should use the same for a fair ground, but to pass absolutely and uncondition- ally with the improvements to the stockholders, when the society shall dis- band or cease to occupy it for its annual fairs. In accordance to the plan re- ported, a warranty deed conveying the thirteen acres of land in Survey No. 3,353 was made by John Cassil, November 26, 1860, to the following named persons, stating the number of shares taken by cach:
John F. Sabine, 1 share; J. C. Miller, 2: James A. Henderson, 1; Richey & Buxton. 1; P. Manchester, ]; R. L. Broome, 1; Solomon Cook, 1; John Bar- bour, 1; Jesse Mearis. 1; J. R. Galloway, 1: Moses Coe, 1; A. S. Chapman & Co., 1; W. H. Robb. 1; Joseph Newlove, 1: John E. Cahill, 1; William M. Robinson, 1; John Cassil, 4; Sammel Woods, 1; 1). D. Welsh, 1; E. Biglow, 1; Luther Winget. 1; Ray G. Morse. 1; Benjamin Gordon, 1; James Smith (Darby Plains), 1; John Reed, 3d. 1; R. D. Reed, 1: A. A. Woodworth, 1: Will-
*The article ou this society was kindly contributed by R. L. Woodburn, Esq., of Marysville.
ยท 329
HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
iam Bigger, 1; Jesse Gill, 1; A. I. Wilkins, 1; John W. Thompson, 1; S. A. Cherry, 1; Thomas W. Miller, 1; John Johnson. 1: John T. Lenox. 1: James Finley, 1: W. W. Woods, 1: C. S. Hamilton, 1: P. B. Cole, 1; William C. Malin, 1; Joshua Marshall, 1; Tabor Randall, 1; N. Raymond, 1; S. R. Reed, 1; F. Hemingway, 1; Hiram Stokes, 1; William Gabriel, 1: George B. Burn- ham, I; J. & E. Burnham, 3: James Riddle, 1}; James Fullington, 3; Charles Fullington, 3; George W. Stamates. 1; J. C. Sidle, 1; James Kinkade, 1; Philip Snider, 1; James W. Robinson, 2; Samuel C. Lee, 1; C. Houston, 1; William T. Brophy, 1; Phelps & McWright, 1; Thomas Turner, 1; J. Sexton & Co., 1; James Martin, 1; William R. Webb, 1; James MI. Welsh, 1.
There were others who subscribed and paid part, but by the conditions of the association the same were forfeited because not paid in full, and part of the amount subscribed was paid toward the improvements, and the sum of $650 and interest paid for the said land: the total amount of land owned by the society is forty-seven acres and ninety-nine poles. The amount of purchase money paid, $6,092.50.
The fair grounds are well improved, a good half mile track, good sub- stantial buildings in the main. The amount of money spent for improving the grounds since its organization is about $8, 000. The value of grounds. $15,000. The number of entries the first year were less than 100. In the year 1882. were 1.920.
The receipts the first year were less than $100. The receipts for the year 1882 were $5,212.15. The attendance the first year was estimated about 250. In 1882, the attendance on the third day of the fair was estimated about 12.000. The membership the first year was about fifty. In 1882, it was 2,200.
The first money paid to any officer of the society was to John John- son. Secretary. $5 for his services from the organization of the society until the year 1852. C. S. Hamilton did all the printing for the society for the year 1851 for two years' membership. being the first compensation for printing. The first building was erected by Thomas Snodgrass, for the ac- commodation of the ticket master and board of directors, 20 feet long and 12 feet wide, at the cost of $22 for the entire building. The first imported horse brought to the county was by Charles Fullington. in the year 1851, known as " Louis Napoleon," weighing 1,650 pounds. In 1850, James Fullington brought from Kentucky the first thoroughbred cattle to the county. In 1853, Charles and James Fullington imported to the county some very fine thorough- bred cattle, and the same year and by the same parties were imported to the county the first fine-wool sheep. W. M. Winget brought to the county the first thoroughbred "Jersey" in the year 1880. Our county is specially noted for raising French and Norman horses, and the money realized from their sales has been of great financial benefit to our farmers. Onr county might be regarded better adapted to grass than any other product. Great improvement has been made in the last few years in the raising of wheat, by the means of fertilizing, which has proved to be of great profit. and quite a number of our farmers are using the same with great success.
The admission fee to the fair is $1 for a man and his wife and all the minors of his family during the fair. with the privilege of taking a wagon inside the grounds and of exhibiting articles; for each footman, 25 cents: for wagon or buggy, 25 cents; and each person in same, 25 cents; children, 10 cents; and horsemen 40 cents. Persons from any part of the State are allowed to compete for premiums of stock, farm implements and fine arts by paying
330
HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
$2. Any person who is a resident of the county and twenty-one years old may become a member of the society by paying $1 to the Treasurer annually, which entitles him to a family ticket for the year. The family ticket system has proved a great success, making the price so reasonable that it brings it within the reach of every citizen, giving him an opportunity of every advantage to be derived from the fair. The object of our managers has been to award in pre- mium to the exhibitors the proceeds of the fair each year, after deducting the necessary amount for improvements and expenses.
All games of chance and intoxicating drinks are prohibited. No officer of the society receives any pay except the Secretary. The society is in good financial condition.
The Agricultural Society has been of great benefit to the county, inspir- ing a zeal of enterprise among the people that is commendable. One re- markable feature of our society has been the unanimity with which the officers and managers have worked together from its organization, with but one object in view, its success.
The following are the names of the officers from its organization to the present:
1847-President, Eliphas Burnham; Vice President, A. A. Woodworth; Treasurer and Secretary, John Johnson.
1848-President, Eliphas Burnham; Vice President, A. A. Woodworth; Treasurer and Secretary, John Johnson.
1849-President, Eliphas Burnham ; Vice President, J. W. Robinson; Treasurer, Cyprian Lee; Secretary, John Johnson.
1850-President, Eliphas Burnham: Vice President, J. R. Galloway; Treasurer, Cyprian Lee; Secretary, John Johnson.
1851-President, Joshua Judy; Vice President, Eliphas Burnham; Treas- urer, Cyprian Lee; Secretary, John Johnson.
1852-President, Joshua Judy; Vice President, Eliphas Burnham; Treas- urer, Joshua Marshall; Secretary, John Johnson.
1853-President, Joshua Judy; Vice President, Eliphas Burnham; Treas- urer, Joshua Marshall; Secretary, John Johnson.
1854-President, Eliphas Burnham; Vice President, John Cassil; Treas- urer, Joshua Marshall; Secretary, John Johnson.
1855-President, Eliphas Burnham; Vice President, John Cassil: Treas- urer, Joshna Marshall; Secretary, John Johnson.
1856-President, A. A. Woodworth; Vice President, J. R. Galloway; Treasurer, John Barbour; Secretary, James W. Robinson.
1857-President, Eliphas Burnham; Vice President, James A. Henderson; Treasurer, John Barbour; Secretary, James W. Robinson.
1858-President, Eliphas Burnham; Vice President, James A. Hender- son; Treasurer, E. L. Reynolds; Secretary, M. C. Lawrence.
1859-President, Eliphas Burnham; Vice President, James W. Robinson; Treasurer, E. L. Reynolds; Secretary, C. S. Hamilton.
1860-President, Eliphas Burnham; Vice President, James W. Robinson; Treasurer, E. L. Reynolds; Secretary, C. S. Hamilton.
1861-President, James W. Robinson; Vice President, Eliphas Burnham; Treasurer, E. L. Reynolds; Secretary, C. S. Hamilton.
1862-President, James W. Robinson; Vice President, R. D. Reed; Treas - urer, E. L. Reynolds; Secretary, C. S. Hamilton.
1863 --- President, R. D. Reed; Vice President, W. M. Robinson; Treas- . urer, E. L. Reynolds; Secretary, C. S. Hamilton.
1864-President, R. D. Reed; Vice President, Levi Longbrake; Treas- urer, S. S. Jewell; Secretary, S. C. Lee.
331
HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
1865 -- President, R. D. Reed; Vice President, James W. Robinson; Treas- urer, S. S. Jewell; Secretary, S. C. Lee.
1866-President, R. D. Reed; Vice President, James W. Robinson; Treas- urer, S. S. Jewell; Secretary, S. C. Lee.
1867-President, James W. Robinson; Vice President, Thomas W. Mil- ler; Treasurer,, W. H. Robb; Secretary, James A. Henderson.
1868- President, James W. Robinson; Vice President. H. C. Hamilton; Treasurer, W. H. Robb; Secretary, L. Piper.
1869-President, Philip Snider; Vice President, James A. Henderson; Treasurer, W. H. Robb; Secretary, L. Piper.
1870-President, Philip Snider; Vice President, James A. Henderson; Treasurer, W H. Robb; Secretary, L. Piper.
1871-President, Philip Snider; Vice President, George Sinclair; Treas- urer, James A. Henderson; Secretary, L. Piper.
1872-President. George Sinclair; Vice President, Joshua S. Gill; Treas- urer, James A. Henderson; Secretary, L. Piper.
1873-President, George Sinclair; Vice President, George Wilber; Treas- urer, James A. Henderson; Secretary, R. L. Woodburn.
1874-President, George Sinclair; Vice President, George Wilber; Treas urer, Philip Snider; Secretary, R. L. Woodburn.
1875-President, George Wilber; Vice President, William R. Webb; Treasurer, Philip Snider; Secretary, R. L. Woodburn.
1876-President, W. R. Webb; Vice President, Darius Buxton; Treasurer, Philip Snider; Secretary, R. L. Woodburn.
1877-President, W. R. Webb; Vice President, Darius Buxton; Treas- urer, Philip Snider; Secretary, R. L. Woodburn.
1878-President, Darius Buxton; Vice President, Nathan Howard; Treas- urer, Philip Snider; Secretary, R. L. Woodburn.
1879-President, Darius Buxton; Vice President, Nathan Howard; Treas- urer, Luther Liggett; Secretary, A. H. Beightler.
1880-President, Darius Buxton; Vice President, Luther Liggett; Treas- urer, Philip Snider; Secretary, A. H. Beightler.
1881 -- President, Darius Buxton; Vice President, T. P. Shields; Treasurer, Philip Snider; Secretary. A. H. Beighitler.
1882-President, Darius Buxton; Vice President, T. P Shields; Treas- urer, W. H. Robb; Secretary, A. H. Beightler.
1883-President, Darius Buxton; Vice President, T. P. Shields; Treas- urer, W. H. Robb; Secretary, A. H. Beightler.
The following are the names of all the persons who have served as mem- bers of the Board of Directors: Joseph Brannon, John Reed, 3d, W. M. Rob- inson, Joshua Marshall, B. F. Kelsey, J. R. Galloway, Solomon Cook, Thomas Turner, R. L. Judy, James M. Welsh, A. A. Woodworth, P. Manchester, Jr., William T. Brophy, J. C. Sidle, John Sterling, P. W. Alden, Joshua, Judy, Jesse Gill, James Fullington, D. D. Welsh, John. Johnson, Charles, Fullington, Isaac Mechney, T. W. Miller, James B. Richey, Levi Longbrake, George Stuart, I. W. Smith, Thomas Robinson, D. G. Cross, Philip Coe, James A. Henderson; David Watson, John Mitchell, Jr., George Stephens, F. Fen- ner. J. R. Richey, W. C. Wood, Peleg Cranston, Thomas Turner, W. H. H. Miller, Moses Coe, C. S. Hamilton, W. H. H. Titus, Dyer Reed, George P. Cross, J. M. Roney, John Sidle, Nathan Howard, Lee Smith, Philip Snider, George Sinclair, K. L. Wood, H. C. Hamilton, J. M. Danforth, R. T. McAl- ister, William R. Webb, George Wilber, Israel Slack, D. R. White, W. P. Anderson, Edward Powers, D. H. Henderson. Charles W. Smith, Philip Roush, L. M. Fairbanks, Luther Turner, Hylas Sabine, Uriah Cahill, Jehu
332
HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
Gray, T. P. Shields, Jerry Reinhart, George Keckley, Isaac Willet, W. F. H. Pennington.
THE UNION COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY."
A history of Union County, Ohio, would be very imperfect if it did not include some account of its County Bible Society, auxiliary to the American Bible Society. There can be no doubt that this society has had much to do in influencing and determining the moral and religious tone of this community, out of which has come not only a large proportion of the existing churches of the county, but much of its prosperity, and the spirit of improvement and progress which characterizes the people of the county at the present time. When in 183 ), the Union County Bible Society was first organized, it was evi- dence of the fact that there were those among the pioneer settlers who ap- nreciated the teachings of the Bible and the importance of having these teach- ings disseminated and observed. At that period, the county was but very sparsely settled in any part of it; a large part of its territory was but little changed from an unbroken wilderness, and the entire population, according to the census, was but 3,192. It was not strange, under these circumstances, that the operations of its infant Bible Society were very limited for the first ten years of its existence. and its records for this period not having been pre- served, it can only be contemplated as having its place as a planted seed in the county. the fruits of which were to appear in after time. But in July, 1841. the population having increased to something over 8,000 (by the census of 1840 it was S,443). it was re-organized. and in adopting a new constitution the following preamble is found upon its records:
"WHEREAS, a Bible Society auxiliary to the American Bible Society has been in existence in Union County with a constitution which has been mis- laid or lost, therefore resolved that the following Constitution be adopted in lieu thereof, as the constitution of the Union County Bible Society."
In the constitution then adopted, Article 1 designates its name.
Article 2 declares that " The whole object of the society shall be to pro- mote the circulation of the Bible without note or comment."
Article 3 provides "That any person may become a member who shall pay annually to its funds any specific sum, and shall be allowed to purchase Bi- bles and Testaments at cost price " from the Depository.
Article 4 provides that "The funds of the society shall be devoted to the supply of the destitute in its own sphere, or paid over to the parent society."
Article 5 provides that " The officers shail consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Depositary," to be elected annually or hold their offices until their successors shall be elected.
Articles 6 and 7 provide that these officers shall constitute a Board of Managers to carry out the designs of the society.
Article S provides for the alteration of the constitution.
It is worthy of notice that the first organization of this society in 1830 was but fifteen years after the formation of the American Bible Society, which took place in 1815; so that this County Auxiliary Society, with all its disadvan- tages, was early in the field in tis endeavors to help forward the beneficent de- signs of the parent society, and it is pertinent and fitting to say that whatever good has resulted from the operations of this county society. it may all be re- viewed as so much testimony in commendation of the benevolence and wisdom of the originators and founders of the American Bible Society. There can be no doubt that this county society has been an incentive and a help in the or- ganization of most of the churches now found in the county. There were but few churches in the county at the date of its first organization-not half a
*Prepared by William Lec, of Marysville, secretary of the society, especially for this work.
333
HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
dozen, it is believed-and at the period of its re-organization in 1841, only a comparatively small number of the churches now found in the county had been organized.
The increased circulation of the Bible through the instrumentality of the county society, called attention to its teachings and to the commission and warrant furnished by the New Testament to gather the people into church as- sociations; and formal church organizations have followed as a natural result. Without entering into statistical details of the operations of the society, it will suffice for the present purpose to state that, from its re organization in 1841, it has maintained a depository at which there has usually been an ample supply of Bibles and Testaments to meet the wants of the county and carry out the objects of the society. Thousands of volumes have gone out from the depository, and, besides paying the parent society for these books, a very con- siderable sum of money has been contributed to that society to aid it in its work of circulating the sacred Scriptures among the destitute in the wide field which it occupies. The work of the county society has been prosecuted by various methods. It has sometimes had local visitors in the different school districts, and at other times employed canvassing agents to go over the entire county to seek out the destitute families and supply them, and at the same time solicit from the friends of the Bible their pecuniary contributions to pay for gratuitous distributions to the needy among us, and to enlarge the contri- butions of this society to the parent society. In addition to the methods thus mentioned, there have been organized, in all the fourteen townships of the county, branch societies, and there have been periods when most of these branch societies have done good work for the Bible cause. As the work of this society has been inaugurated and carried forward chiefly by the personal agency of those who have been its official representatives and managers, their names are a part of its history. It has already been stated that no record has been preserved of what was done for ten years after its first organization, but it has been ascertained from the records of the parent society that the Union County Bible Society was first organized as an auxiliary in August, 1830, and that E. Strong was both President and Corresponding Secretary at that time.
After the re-organization in 1841, the names of the officers of the society are as follows:
Presidents-S. G. Strong, one year, to 1842; Cyprian Lee, from 1842 to 1853, inclusive, twelve years; Otway Curry, elected in 1854, and held the of- fice at the time of his decease in 1855; Rev. James Smith, from 1856 to 1875, inclusive, nineteen years; Rev. W. G. March, elected in 1875 and 1876, two years; Rev. W. A. James, in 1877, one year; Rev. P. P. Pope. 1878-79, two years; Rev. A. Harmount, 1880-82, two years -- present incumbent.
Secretaries-Joseph H. Gill, for 1841, one year; George W. Cherry, four years, beginning 1842; Heman Ferris, 1845-46, two years; John Johnson, from 1847, seven years; C. S. Hamilton, 1854-57, three years; S. W. Dolbear, 1858-61, three years; William Lee, 1862 to 1882, inclusive, excepting one year in 1873-74, when Franklin Wood held the office. Mr. Lee is the pres- ent Secretary of the Society.
Treasurers -- William Snodgrass, 1841, one year; William H. Frank, 1842- 44, inclusive, three years; Rowland Lee, 1854-56, two years; William H. Skinner, 1847-53, six years; Cyrus A. Phelps, 1854-57, inclusive, four years; Charles Rathbun, 1858-62, four years; A. J. Whitney, 1863-75, twelve years; E. S. Pyne, 1875-78, three years; L. Piper, 1878-82, present incumbent.
Depositaries-Cyprian Lee, 1841, one year; Rodney Picket, 1842-53, eleven years; Cyrus A. Phelps, 1853, one year; William M. Smith, 1854-61, seven years; William H. Phelps, 1862-63, two years; D. Buxton, 1864, one year;
334
HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
Thomas Brown, 1865-69, four years; Philip Snider. 1870-74, four years; Al- vin Thompson, 1875, one year; F. T. Arthur, 1876, one year; F. O. Pierson, 1877, one year: Miss Ella Robb, 1878-80, two years; G. R. Greenawalt, 1880-82, present incumbent.
UNION COUNTY PIONEER ASSOCIATION.
Pursuant to a published call, signed by W. M. Robinson, H. Sabine and others, a number of the pioneers of Union County met at the court house in Marysville on the 4th of December, 1875, and organized an association. Will- iam M. Robinson was chosen Chairman and H. Sabine, Secretary. A consti- tution was adopted, and the following persons were enrolled as members of the society:
NAME.
AGE.
WHERE BORN.
COUNTY.
Eliphas Burnham.
76
Connecticut.
57 years.
George Snodgrass
70
Union County, Ohio.
John F. Sabine.
73 Vermont.
63 years.
William Porter.
73 Pennsylvania.
58 years.
Tobias Beightler.
70 Pennsylvania.
49 years.
Abraham Amrine.
57
Belmont County, Ohio.
54 years.
Samuel Reed.
78 Pennsylvania.
75 years.
Ray G. Morse.
67 Rhode Island.
57 years.
Josiah Westlake.
76 Belmont County, Ohio.
40 years.
Josiah Reed. ..
69
Union County, Ohio.
William M. Robinson.
67 Union County, Ohio.
Hiram Kent.
68 Franklin County, Ohio.
Edward Powers
54
Madison County, Ohio.
George Reed.
66
Union County, Ohio.
Robert Graham.
67
New York.
57 years.
Samnel Gamble.
46
Clark County, Ohio.
A. A. Woodworth
70
Connecticut.
40 years.
George Mitchell.
52
Union County, Ohio. Vermont.
50 years.
Joseph Dodds.
84
Pennsylvania.
52 years.
William Phillips.
67
Pennsylvania.
42 years.
Thomas Snodgrass
68
Union County, Ohio.
Robert Snodgrass
75
Union County, Ohio.
A. P. Robinson
63 Union County, Ohio.
R. L. Partridge.
40 years.
Hylas Sabine ..
46
Union County, Ohio.
The following officers were chosen for the ensuing year: William M. Robinson, President; H. Sabine, Secretary; J. F. Sabine, Treasurer; Vice Presidents as follows, one from each township: William Porter, Union; Hi- ram Kent, Darby: Jesse Mitchell, Jerome: Silas Bell. Mill Creek; Samuel Gamble, Dover: Joseph Dodds, Paris; Abraham Holycross. Allen; Stephen Shirk, Liberty; George W. Carey, Leesburg: Samuel Scott, Taylor; William Phillips, Claibourne; Jolm Chapman, Jackson; Gorham Bird, Washington; Jonathan G. Miller, York. After some other business the society adjourned to hold its first regular meeting on the first Saturday in the following June.
The second meeting was held as appointed, and about 100 pioneers were present. Judge P. B. Cole delivered the principal address, and was followed by William Porter. of Union Township, William Phillips, of Claibourne, and A. A. Woodworth, of Union.
The third meeting was held at the court house in Marysville, January 6. 1877, at which time William M. Robinson was re-elected President, and H. Sa- bine, Secretary. Several new members were added, making a total of sixty- five. The following Vice Presidents were elected:
RESIDENCE
Taber Randall.
69
33.
HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
William Porter, Union Township; Hiram Kent, Darby; Nelson Cone, Je- rome; Joseph Conklin, Mill Creek; Samuel Gamble, Dover; Joseph Dodds, Paris; James Wilber, Allen; Stephen Shirk, Liberty; G. W. Cary, Leesburg; A. G. Brooks, York; Samuel Scott, Taylor: William Phillips, Claibourne; M. Chapman, Jackson; Gorham Bird, Washington. Short addresses were made by A. A. Woodworth, Eliphas Burnham and Nelson Cone. Mr. Burnham re- membered some of the commands given by an old-time Madison County Militia
Captain, among others these: "Advance backward three paces!" "Elevate your pieces well downward!" The latter command was given upon entering a sham fight. Mr. Burnham assisted in building the first jail in Union Coun - ty, a log structure. At this meeting the death of Adam Shirk, a native of Virginia, was announced. He had lived in Union County since about 1826.
The next meeting was held at the same place June 20, 1878, and was but slimly attended. The meeting for August 16, 1879, was held at the court house, and but few were present, owing to bad weather. The pioneers met again in September following, and there is no record of further proceed- ings until July 4, 1881, when another meeting was held at Marysville. Reso- lutions were read and adopted in respect to the memory of Eliphas Burnham, Jesse Mitchell and A. G. Brooks, deceased pioneers. Feeling tribute was paid to them and their cotemporary workers in the wilderness, and the fol- lowing poem was read as appropriate to the occasion:
THE FARMER'S EULOGY.
"On a green, mossy knoll, by the banks of the brook, That so long and so often has watered his flock, The old farmer rests in his long and last sleep, While the waters a low, whispering lullaby keep. Chorus: He has plowed his last furrow, has reaped his last grain; No morn shall awake him to labor again.
"Yon tree, that with fragrance is filling the air, So rich with its blossoms, so thrifty and fair, By his own hands was planted, and well did he say It would live when its planter had moldered away. Chorus, etc.
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