The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 43

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 43

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persons, and even more. Women engaged in the contest as enthusiastically as the men.

Thomas Corwin, the most powerful orator of his day, was elected Governor of the State that year, and contributed no small share in getting up the excite- ment of that memorable campaign, and the victory which followed. The country at that time was full of brilliant orators, but Corwin was more than the peer of them all. He visited all or nearly all the counties in the State, and his meetings were made the occasion of a general rally, not only for the county, but for all the surrounding counties. He could carry his crowd to any point of enthusiasm de- sired, and could come as near saying what he desired to say, as any man living. He often made his audience laugh and weep in the same eloquent strain. No man since his day has been able to draw as many hearty cheers from an audience as he did

The campaign received its force largely from the remarkable Whig State Convention held in the city of Columbus on the 22d day of February of that year. It was a mass convention, and every county in the State was represented by hun- dreds of delegates. The city, small then, was fairly overwhelmed with delegates. It was out of the question to obtain lodging apartments at hotels and boarding houses, and many private houses were thrown open and people laid down to rest at night wherever they could find a vacant spot. V. W. Smith, who was one of the Ohio State Journal staff of writers, gave a brilliant description of that grand outpouring, which no pen has ever equaled since. It would be interesting to reproduce it here, were it relevant to the design of this work.

The contest of that year was known also as "The Song Campaign." Nearly every Whig could sing, and about every tenth one turned poet, which mul- tiplied songs by the thousand, taking in every phase of principle in issue between the two parties. These had their effect in producing the results which followed.

It may not be inappropriate with the design of this work to give a short para- graph upon the origin of this song campaign, which became general all over the country preceding the Presidential election. The first impulse to it, so far as can be ascertained, was given by Otway Curry, a citizen of Marysville. He was a poet of national fame, and wrote in February, 1840, what soon became known all over the country as the "Log-cabin Song." This was published in slips and circulated at the 22d of February convention, and was sung there with marvelous effect by the young Whigs. Almost every delegate carried one of these songs home with him, and in less than a week it was reverberating from every hillside and through every valley in the State.

As a matter of history so intimately connected with Union County, the song, for better preservation, is worthy a place in this work. Its genius is incomparable; its conceptions pointed and forcible ; its sentiments pointed for the best effect ; its rhythm perfect ; its general appropriateness faultless ; and the tune selected for its conveyance to the understanding of the masses, towering and popular in its lofty intonations. It was an inspiration that literally set the whole nation on fire with enthusiasm, which swept over the country like an irresistible hurricane to accomplish the work of political regeneration.

LOG-CABIN SONG. TUNE-Highland Laddie. Oh, where, tell me where, was your Buckeye Cabin made ? Oh, where, tell me where, was your Buckeye Cabin made? 'Twas built among the merry boys who wield the plow and spade, Where the Log Cabins stand in the bonnie Buckeye shade.

CHO: 'Twas built, etc.

Oh, what, tell me what, is to be your cabin's fate? Oh, what, tell me what is to be your cabin's fate ? We'll wheel it to the Capital, and place it there elate,

As a token and a sign of the bonnie Buckeye State.

CHIO: We'll wheel it, etc.

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

Oh, why, tell me why, does your Buckeye cabin go? Oh, why, tell me why, does your Buckeye cabin go? It goes against the spoilsmen-for well its builders know,

It was HIarrison that fought for the cabins long ago.

CHO: It goes against, etc.

Oh, who fell before him in battle-tell me who? Oh, who fell before him in battle-tell me who? He drove the savage legions, and British Army, too, At the Rapids and the Thames and old Tippecanoe.

CHO: He drove, etc.

By whom, tell me whom, will the battle next be won? By whom, tell me whom, will the battle next be won? The spoilsmen and leg-treasurers will soon begin to run!

And the Log-cabin Candidate will march to Washington!

CHO: The spoilsmen, etc.

Oh, what, tell me what, then will little Martin do? Oh, what, tell me what, then will little Martin do? He'll follow in the footsteps of Price and Swartwout too, While the log cabins ring again with old Tippecanoe! CHO: He'll follow, etc.

Having stated in a preceding part of this sketch that this campaign was known as the "Song Campaign," it is proper to add that it is now referred to as the " Log-cabin Campaign of 1840." It may, therefore be interesting and proper to conclude by showing how the log-cabin came into the campaign as an important factor in the same, and also give a brief history of the part taken by the citizens of Marysville on that memorable occasion. The idea of the log cabin as a polit- ical element in the contest, was first suggested by a scurrilous article, published in a newspaper, in the interest of the party supporting Mr. Van Buren for re-election to the Presidency. The author of said article had visited North Bend, the home of Gen. Harrison, soon after the nomination of the latter as a Presidential candidate, was cordially received and hospitably entertained by him in his humble home. In giving an account of this visit to some newspaper, he spoke disparagingly of Har- rison's abilities, and stated, among other things, that he lived in a log cabin and drank hard cider, affirming that he had no ambition to occupy the position to which he had been nominated, nor abilities to discharge the duties thereof. and concluded by asserting that if the people of the country would furnish him with a sufficient supply of dry crackers and hard cider, he would be contented to live in his log-cabin home during the remainder of the time allotted to him on earth. This article was soon published in all or nearly all of the newspapers opposing the election of Gen. Harrison ; this aroused his friends, and the newspapers in his interest published the article, with bitter editorial comments relating to its tone and spirit. The people were reminded of the days when they dwelt in log cabins, were taught in log schoolhouses and worshiped their Creator in the same rude structures ; hence, the log cabin was soon brought into the campaign as an ele- ment of strength, and as such served its purpose and has become historical.

Early in February of this year, the leading citizens of Marysville, friendly to Gen. Harrison, decided to attend a mass convention to be held at Columbus, on the 22d of said month. It was further decided that the delegation should be a large one, and in all its appointments and paraphernalia should equal if not excel that of any other entering Columbus on that occasion. They went diligently to work to carry out their purpose. A long cabin, composed of Buckeye logs, was to be constructed, of magnificent design and proportions, to be taken along as a central figure in the procession. The material was procured from the forest in the vicin- ity of the town and the building rapidly progressed, under the supervision of Levi Phelps, William W. Steele, A. C. Jennings, James W. Evans, Stephen McLain and Mains Wason. Jackson G. Sprague was the architect and master builder. This is believed to have been the first log cabin constructed for a like purpose in

J. 2. Southard

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

the State, certainly it was one of the best and most capacious, as well as one of the most beautiful in workmanship and design. As it neared completion, the parties in charge of the work concluded it must, when completed, be dedicated with appropriate ceremonies ; whereupon, a committee of the leading citizens of the town waited upon Mr. Curry with an earnest request that he would write a song for the occasion. After deliberating awhile, he consented to make the effort, immediately repaired to his residence and set about the work, and in an exceedingly brief space of time submitted the result of his labors in the song herein given. It was immediately printed on slips, a band of singers organized, and the author with his flute (an instrument on which he excelled) met with the band in the office of the Clerk of the Common Pleas Court, where it was for the first time heard in tuneful notes, as it came from the voices of the band, accompanied by the flute in the hands of the author.

The cabin was, soon after this rehearsal, completed, furnished and duly ded- icated, on which occasion the song for the first time was heard as sung in public, at which time it elicited rounds of applause. The band of singers was composed of the following named persons : Judge Levi Phelps, William W. Steele, Stephen McLain, A. C. Jennings, the author, and doubtless many others whose names are forgotten. After the ceremonies of dedication were over, the structure was placed on a wagon, and on the morning of February 21, the day preceding the conven- tion, it was started toward Columbus, going by the way of Pleasant Valley (now Plain City), Amity and West Jefferson ; four horses were required to haul it, and these were furnished by Benjamin F. Kelsey and Cherster Farnum, each furnish- ing two, and acting as drivers, alternating with each other.

A large delegation followed from Marysville, which gathered in numbers as the procession moved forward through the county. West Jefferson was reached the first night, where the delegation remained till morning, and then started for Columbus on the " National road."

At the latter place, a large delegation from Springfield and Clark County joined the procession. On nearing Columbus, the band of singers already named, including the author of the song, with probably others, took positions in and on the cabin, and moved to and through the city, their voices ringing out on the air, in what might very justly be termed a triumphal song. The cabin was decorated with a coon skin nailed on the outside, while the inside was furnished with a liberal supply of corn bread and hard cider, with gourds wherewith to drink the beverage. The delegation remained in Columbus during the day and the succeed- ing night, and then with their cabin returned home in triumph. An interesting and graphic account of the journey to Columbus on this occasion will be found in another part of this work from the pen of C. W. McLain. Some time during the summer of the same year a large delegation from Marysville and Union County went to Urbana with this cabin to attend a mass convention held there, the same band of singers accompanying it as on the former occasion with William C. Malin added thereto. The delegation entered the town singing their favorite and now deservedly popular song, and were greeted with a storm of cheers, from admiring thousands gathered there. Gen. Harrison was present, viewed the cabin and listened to the song. The cabin and song were the center of attraction, divid- ing the honors of the occasion with "Old Tip," as Gen. Harrison was famil- iarly called at that time. This was the last appearance of this famous structure outside of the limits of Union County. On its return from Urbana, it served its builders until after the election, the result of which is well known, when it retired from the field of politics in a blaze of glory, and in time crumbled in decay, the common lot of all earthly things. Among all the persons herein named, either as builders or singers, including the author of the song, few now remain as dwellers on earth : William C. Malin alone of the singers is at this time a resident of Marys- ville ; A. C. Jennings resides in Springfield, Ohio, and still retains in his posses- sion the identical flute on which Mr. Curry performed the accompaniment on the

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

occasion of the first rehearsal of the song, as before stated herein; James W. Evans, now aged and infirm, resides at or near Lawrence in the State of Kansas, while the architect and master builder, Jackson G. Sprague, is and for many years past, has been a citizen of Bloomington, Ill. All the others have passed to that bright, shining shore, unseen by mortal eye, and dwell, as we trust, in a house not made with hands.

The writer hereof has given a lengthy, and what may be termed a detailed history of the origin of the idea that led to the introduction of the log cabin into the campaign under consideration, and has dwelt at some length in regard to the cabin built in Marysville, for various reasons, among which may be mentioned the following : It serves to perpetuate in enduring form a matter of interest now, and for all time, will continue to be considered as an interesting event in the history of Union County. It serves also to illustrate the vanity of human calculations as instanced in the matter of the scurrilous article referred to. The intention of the writer thereof was to bring Gen. Harrison into contempt and ridicule. He failed of his purpose and produced the opposite result, and reflecting on his work, he may have realized of a truth that :

" The best laid plans of mice and men aft gang aglee;"

and moreover, it was the building of this cabin by the citizens of Marys- ville that gave inspiration to the poetic genius of the author that resulted in the production of the most popular song of that or any other campaign in the history of the politics of our country, the effect of which in rousing the people through- out the entire nation can scarcely be estimated.

A NIGHT OF SUFFERING AND PERIL-EXPERIENCE OF TWO SOLDIERS OF THE WAR OF 1812.

In the latter part of December, 1813, David Mitchell and James Mather, soldiers of the war of 1812, whose homes were in Darby Township, Union County, Ohio, returned from Fort Meigs, having been honorably discharged, came to Delaware in company with other discharged soldiers, at which place, in pursuance of orders, they deposited their arms, and from thence these two started on their homeward journey, on foot, through the wilderness, a portion of the route being uninhabited, without a road, only blazed trees for their guide. They crossed the Scioto River, possibly on a rude bridge, and reached Mill Creek, at a point near where the village of New Dover now stands; here they found the stream too high for fording, whereupon they set to work to devise means to effect a crossing. Procuring axes from a settler, and selecting a narrow place between the banks of the stream, they cut down a very tall tree standing on the bank, which they caused to fall in a manner to serve as a foot-bridge. The labor and exertion necessary to accomplish this caused profuse perspiration, and in crossing they found that only the extreme top of the tree reached to the opposite bank, and therefore was not of sufficient strength to sustain their weight, consequently, they became thoroughly wet to their knees. Mitchell, being in feeble health, and of less native vigor than his comrade, was, soon after reaching the bank, taken with a violent chill, causing sickness and vomiting, and was able to proceed only a short distance, by the help of Mather. They were endeavoring to reach what was then known as the " Mitchell settlement" on Big Darby Creek, where Mitchell's father, Judge David Mitchell, a pioneer settler of Union County, lived, and which was the nearest point where help could be obtained without re-crossing the creek. The distance to the settlement was at least six miles, and the entire route through a trackless wilderness, with not even a blazed tree to guide them. The weather rapidly increased in severity, and snow commenced falling. Mitchell became too weak to proceed farther, and sank exhausted near a large tree. The prospect be- fore them was truly cheerless and disheartening. Mitchell, at this time, urged Mather to leave him to his fate, firmly believing that he would not survive to see the light of another day. The soul of Mather revolted at the thought of leaving his

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

suffering comrade in this his time of need, and sternly and peremptorily declined to do so but instead, went vigorously to work to make the best of the situation. Proenring a quantity of dry leaves for a bed, which he heaped against a tree, he then gathered bark, limbs and brush with which he constructed a rude shelter, to which he carried Mather. After rubbing his feet and legs to get up a re-action through the circulation of the blood, put on a pair of dry socks taken from his (Mather's) own knapsack. This treatment had but little perceptible effect, yet he kept up his exertions throughout the entire night-a night of gloom, of anxious and painful forebodings lest the morning would find his friend in the cold embrace of death. During the night the snow ceased to fall, the sky became clear, and the cold increased in severity. With the dawning of the coming day, Mitchell, though chilled, severely frost-bitten, nearly speech- less and rapidly sinking, was still alive, and by words and signs, again besought Mather to leave him; but he, as before, refused, and kept up his exertions for his relief until it became sufficiently light to enable him to see his way through the forest. He started on a swift run for the settlement, taking, as near as he could, a straight course toward the residence of Judge Mitchell, his only guide being the morning stars and his general knowledge of the country. On nearing the residence of Judge Mitchell, he caught sight of three of David's brothers, mounted ; he hailed them with all the strength of voice he was capable of, and, in a few words, made known to them the perilous situation of their brother. The brothers immediately faced about, procured blankets and other things neces- sary for the emergency, and took the trail made by Mather, which was plainly visible in the snow. Having fleet horses, they reached their brother in as brief a time as was possible, found him unconscious and apparently dying. They at once proceeded to pour whisky into his mouth, which had the effect to revive him in a slight degree. They immediately wrapped him in blankets, lifted him onto a horse in front of one of the brothers, and in that way was conveyed to his father's house, received prompt medical aid, which, with tender care and nursing, preserved his life. He never fully recovered from the effects of that terrible night of suf- fering and was ever after, through life, to some extent a cripple, his feet and legs having been severely frozen. Mather, being possessed of a vigorous constitution and in a comparatively sound condition of health, suffered no permanent injury by reason of the exposure, and lived to a good old age. He received a land war- rant from the United States Government for his services in the war, which was obtained for him by the writer hereof, acting as his attorney ; and in that way the facts detailed herein were obtained, together with what follows, all of which was fully confirmed by Mitchell in a conversation had with him after the death of Ma- ther, who died a few years since at Marysville, prior to the passage of the act of Congress granting pensions to soldiers of the war of 1812. Consequently he did not receive a pension for the services rendered to his country in that war, yet the land warrant came to him opportunely when he was infirm, well stricken in years, and served in some slight degree to smooth the pathway of his declining years to the tomb.

David Mitchell, soon after recovery, married, and commenced business on what was then known as "Darby Plains," in Union County, as a farmer and dairy- man, accumulated a large property, disposed of the same, removed to Columbus, Ohio, where he dealt largely in hogs, and also engaged in packing; but eventually met with reverses, lost heavily, and failed in business, through no fault on his part. With misfortunes and losses, however great, he to the end of life preserved an un- sullied character for integrity and moral worth. When in prosperity and affluence, he neglected to apply for either a land warrant or pension for his services as a soldier, and in the days of his adversity, by reason of difficulties encountered in obtaining proof of his services, by reason of the loss of the rolls of his company, together with the death of his Captain, the late James A. Curry, and all of his com- rades in service, so far as known, he failed to obtain either land or pension from

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

the Government. He died some two years since, at Hilliard, in Franklin County, Ohio, at an advanced age, and was buried in what is known as the "Old Mitchell Graveyard," on Big Darby Creek, in Union County, near the place where he first commenced active life.

The writer has endeavored to give a true history of the suffering endured by two worthy, patriotic soldiers of Union County, who went forth to battle for the protection of our infant settlements, with the only object in view, on his part, that of perpetuating their memory. Mather was an industrious and worthy poor man. and some years after the incident related, Mitchell, while engaged in buying stock for his farm and cows for his dairy, met his old friend Mather, and, after a cordial greeting, inquired concerning his present welfare, and was informed that he had just met with a serious misfortune in the death of the only cow he possessed. Mitchell expressed sympathy for him in his misfortune, gave him words of cheer. and passed on, after learning from Mather that he would pass his residence, which he soon reached. He then proceeded to select from his hierd the best milch cow of the lot, drove it into the yard, and informed the wife of Mather that the cow was pre- sented to the family, as a small token of his gratitude in remembrance of services rendered by Mather to him. After the removal of Mitchell to Columbus, Mather would occasionally visit the city, and in every instance when met by Mitchell would be taken by him to his house, made welcome, and prevailed on to remain for weeks, and on leaving for his home would be liberally provided with money for his journey. These incidents are given, in concluding this narrative, for the reason that they show the brighter and better side of human nature, and also serve, in a slight degree, to illustrate the true character of a very worthy man. From many years' acquaintance with David Mitchell, the writer hereof bears willing tes- timony to his nobility of soul (which this sketch but feebly portrays), as also to his integrity, moral worth and purity of character, through long years of heroic struggle in the battle of life to its close, that will cause his memory to be cher- ished by his numerous friends and relations who survive, while to his children it descends as a precious inheritance, more enduring and to be prized than great riches.

CHAPTER XIII.

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

ROADS.

TU THE early settlers of the county had no roads other than the Indian trails or the bridle paths through the heavy forest, and even when they began the work of road-making it was in a crude manner, not to be compared with the methods at present resorted to. The first highway of any importance constructed in the county was what is still known as the "Post road," laid out in 1812, across the southern portion of the county. The continuation of Main street north from Marysville, now called the "Old Sandusky road," was formerly known as the " Portland road." An old plat, bearing date of June 10, 1829, made at Marys- ville for Josiah Westlake, by Silas G. Strong, shows this road, which crossed the southeast corner of Lot No. 4, north of Mill Creek. Mr. Strong at that time was agent for the sale of " 15,000 acres of good land in Union County."

In the early spring of 1844, an act was passed by the Legislature, authoriz- ing the construction of a free turupike road from Columbus, in the county of Franklin, to Bellefontaine, in the county of Logan, to pass via Marysville, Union County. The Commissioners appointed from Union, to act with those from the other counties in laying out the road, were John Cassil and Norman Chipman.

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

The Commissioners were to form a corporation known as the "Trustees of the Columbus, Marysville & Bellefontaine Free Turnpike Road." The first annual report of said Trustees, dated January 20, 1845, showed that donations and taxes had been received to the amount of $1,371,578, which had been expended in im- plements and labor ; the costs and expenses of laying and establishing the road were $230,125.

February 24, 1853, the Marysville & Essex Plank Road Company was organized, to build a plank road between the two points named, by way of Pharis- burg. The capital . stock was $30,000, in shares of $25 each, and the incorpo- rators were: J. S. Alexander, J. W. Evans, P. Snider, C. S. Hamilton, G. A. Cassil, W. T. Brophy, Joseph Saxton, W. W. Woods, J. Marshall, Samuel Mc- Bratney and J. G. Sprague. Books were open for subscriptions of stock on the 2d of April following, at Marysville, Pharisburg, Richmond and Essex. All the incorporators resided at or near Marysville. Considerable stock was sub- scribed, but no immediate steps were taken toward the construction of the road. May 7, 1853, the company was fully organized at Pharisburg by the election of the following Directors : G. A. Cassil, W. T. Brophy, S. McBratney, C. S. Hamil- ton, of Marysville ; O. Jewet, S. G. Kirk, of Leesburg Township ; Daniel Kinney, of Claibourne Township. Although the project was set on foot in a spirit of ear- nestness, the road was never constructed, nor was a plank road ever laid in the county of Union, though the swampy places were sometimes corduroyed.

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The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 43

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