The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 75

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 75

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Henry Kezartee advertised that he would pay the highest price for oats. Levi Churchill, Jr., had for sale two inlots in Marysville, with a large two-story frame house and a stable. Stephen McLain advertised a "cabinet shop for sale." in this manner: "The subscriber offers for sale a lot of ground in the town of Marysville, situated on Main street, three lots from the public square, with a shop suitable for carrying on the cabinet or chair making business. Said shop is fur- nished with three good turning lathes and a quantity of tools. Two of said lathes are operated upon by horse-power. N. B .- There is but one shop in operation in this place, so that the situation is a good one." Mr. McLain removed, previous to March, 1840, to Urbana, Champaign County, Ohio. W. H. & J. W. Frank owned the other cabinet shop, formerly occupied by Calvin Winget.

The copartnership previously existing between Harvey Criswell and Joshua Antrim, tailors, had been dissolved March 4, 1839. W. W. Woods, proprietor of the "cheap cash store," sold all sorts of merchandise, including pork and B. B. Clark's family medicines. Ward, Snodgrass & Co., at the "new cash store," ad- vertised a general stock under date of February S, 1839. Their establishment was on the northwest corner of the public square, where McCloud's drug store now is; they sold out to J. S. Alexander and the latter to Cassil & Kinkade. Hall & Kinney, and William C. Lawrence, attorneys and counselors at law, occu- pied offices in the court house. Joshua Gore was proprietor of a "new cash store" on Main street, "in Mr. Pollock's new building," and offered to take Man- hattan money at par for all kinds of goods. William and A. S. Tharp had dis- solved partnership. Union Hall, now the American Hotel, was then kept by Chester Farnum, and was a well-known and popular stand. It had been recently refitted, and Mr. Farnum advertised that he kept a good table, a good bar and good stoek, and the bills were moderate. The property was offered for sale March 26, 1839, by its owner, Peter Igon, of Urbana ; Mr. Farnum was still ocen- pying it. P. B. Cole, attorney at law, had his office one door north of W. W. Woods' store.

HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

In the same paper, of date July 17, 1839, David Reed offered a farm of 115 acres, in Allen Township, for sale. April 25, 1839, Hare & Hughes began work- ing at the hat business in Marysville, on the southwest corner of the public square, "directly opposite W. W. Woods' store." Samuel A. Cherry announced (date of advertisement, June 6, 1839) that he had begun the tailoring business in a shop immediately opposite the court house.

In the Union Star, dated December 20, 1839, it is noticed that Dr. M. Wood had an office on the southeast side of the public square, one door north of McIlvain & Harriott's. He died some time during that winter. Dr. J. Curl's office was on Main street, east of the court house, and Dr. Sewall Hosford, a re- form botanical physician, was also a resident of the village. Curl and Hosford had both located in Marysville in the fall of 1839. Hare & Hughes and McIlvain & Harriott, two firms of hatters, dissolved partnership, the former in December, and the latter in November, 1839. Hughes continued at the business. In March, 1842, there was not a hatter in the whole county, and the citizens of Marysville were anxious to have one locate in their midst.

J. S. Alexander and L. P. Sturdevant announced in the issue of February 5, 1841, that they had bought the stock of James L. Ward, opposite the brick hotel, and were continuing the business. A. C. Jennings and W. C. Malin were part- ners in the saddle and harness making business, at the old stand of Evans & Jennings, which firm had dissolved. Jackson G. Sprague, at his shop in the old court house, made and kept on hand wheels, reels, chairs, bedsteads, sash, etc. Ile afterward removed to Illinois. Otway Curry, attorney at law, opened an office in the town in 1840. Under date of January 28, 1841, is found the follow- ing :

" Military alarm! All those who have muskets in their possession belonging to the Light Infantry Company in Marysville are required to deposit them with Major James M. Wilkinson forthwith, by order of Major General Bond."

In July, 1859, a census of Marysville, taken by Thomas Snodgrass and Smith Alexander, showed the place to have a population of 981-forty less than in the previous December. In August, 1865, the place contained six dry goods stores, one hardware store, nine or ten groceries, a mill, a woolen factory, and most of the trades and professions. It had gained much in the previous five or six years, and at that time began to improve rapidly.

In August, 1877, when excavations were being made for the foundation of the new city hall, the workmen unearthed an old tan vat. Its existence there was a mystery, until finally George Snodgrass, Sr., remembered that about fifty or fifty- one years before, a man named Kirkwood came to the place and put down two or three vats with the view of entering into the tanning business here. The over- seers of the poor seemed to be afraid the man would become a charge on their hands, and warned him to leave the town ; this so incensed him that he soon afterward became insane, and his death occurred at a little later period. When the old vats were brought to light after the lapse of half a century, the planks in them were as sound as on the day they were sunk. An old well was also discovered at the same time the vats were found, and it became necessary to turn an arch over it in the wall of the city hall foundation. There was also an old cellar, filled up with bricks, chips, eartlı, etc.

THE MARYSVILLE POST OFFICE.

It is not definitely known by the oldest citizens of the town when the office was established, but it must have been very soon after the place was made the county seat, as Silas G. Strong was Postmaster in February, 1824, and had been a short time in office previous to that date. He was doubtless the first incum- bent, and continued in the position until 1839 or later. He was succeeded by William Steele, who held the office but a short time. George W. Cherry, whose name appears January 1, 1841, succeeded Steele, and early in 1847 turned the office over to John Cassil, his successor. January 1, 1851, the name of W. H.

PARIS TOWNSHIP.

Frank appears in the list, and he was succeeded by W. M. Smith on the 1st of November, 1853. The next incumbent was W. P. Anderson, who took the office in 1861. He was succeeded by C. Turner, in or previous to 1864. Early in 1865, David Edwards was appointed, but in March, 1867, he resigned and Alvin Thompson was appointed. Dwight Webb, the present incumbent, succeeded Thompson, February 1, 1880.

The following entries are found in the back part of the Union County tax duplicate for 1837 :

"January 4, 1838 .- Peyton B. Smith moved into my house on part of Inlot No. 51, in Marysville, for which, and the use of Inlot No. 62, in Marysville, the said Smith agrees to pay me $4.37} per month rent, the same to be paid monthly.

A. POLLOCK."

" October 8, 1838 .- Mr. William Thorp :- Please to pay Alexander Pollock $5.07 and take your pay out of the undivided flour of P. B. Smith.

" SAMUEL BRADFORD."

In the winter of 1850-51. a steam saw-mill was erected by Joseph Paxton, in the northeast part of town. In September, 1876, the present iron bridge over Mill Creek, north of town, was built.

Early in January, 1859, A. Ream took charge of the "Union House," 110W known as the Continental. P. S. Ream was the owner. It was afterward known as the St. Clair House, and in the winter of 1876-77 was raised a story higher and a mansard roof put on by its proprietor, William S. Smith. The name was then changed to Continental Hotel. Smith rented the building to Harry Sheridan, in June, 1877, and the latter conducted it until December, 1882, when Mr. Smith again assumed charge.

FIRST CELEBRATION OF THE FOURTH OF JULY IN MARYSVILLE.

An article in the Marysville Tribune of July 10, 1878, contains the follow- ing account of the first celebration of the anniversary of the independence of the United States in this place:

" The first Fourth of July ever celebrated in Marysville was in 1828. The surrounding country at that time was a wilderness indeed, and Marysville was an insignificant point with apparently no future other than an obscure village. There were only seven families residing in it, viz .: Silas G. Strong, George Snodgrass, Stephen McLain, George Winters, Daniel Miller, Newton Hicks and a Widow Kiger-inaking with their families a population of about twenty. It was customary in all Fourth of July celebrations in almost every part of the country to get up a big dinner, and all who could raise enough money to pay considered it a patriotic duty to partake. Uncle George Snodgrass and Aunt Hannah, who were married the February before, got up the dinner for this pioneer celebration. The place where it was served was in the woods on the next lot west of that on which Judge Woods' residence stands, and on the spot where the Judge has his grape arbor. Silas G. Strong owned the lot on which Mr Woods' residence is located. He had a log house erected on it, in which Unele George and Aunt Hannah kept hotel. This was the first hotel ever opened in the village, and Mr. Strong and wife boarded with them. About seventy-five persons sat down to the table, each paying seventy-five cents for the repast. A Mr. Hubbell had a short time previous carted a few goods to this point from Springfield, and the groceries needed for the occasion were purchased of him. The dishes to set the table were obtained in Milford Cen- ter, there not being enough in this village and surrounding country to furnish the table. The cherries, currants and vegetables were purchased of Mr. An- son Howard, who resided south of Woodstock, on the farm now owned by his son, Pearl Howard. The speakers for the occasion were James Biggs and John H. James, the latter still living and a resident of Urbana, Ohio. Toasts were given

HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

(but were not drank in 'old rye,' as was not infrequently the case in that day) and responses were made at the table-a custom that has almost entirely died out. In the intervals between the reading of the toasts, a cannon was fired, or in lieu of a cannon a few rifles answered, and the patriotic crowd would add to the fervor by hearty hurrahs. A few are still living who were guests at that Fourth of July dinner.

" In 1824, there were only four families in the village; and from 1824 to 1828, there were only three families added. This was a strangely slow begin- ning of the nucleus from which has grown our lively little city. But this may be accounted for by the contention that was going on to make Milford the per- manent county seat. The village then and for several years afterward did not cover over an acre or two of ground at farthest, and lots were offered as low as $5 without finding a purchaser. The $5 was as difficult to obtain then as $100 are now. Very little that was produced on the few new farms that were being opened could be sold for ready cash at any price; but the pioneers, never- theless, lived happily, for everything in the way of food and clothing was pro- duced by the family, and such a thing as idleness was unknown. The old citizens still living, who began life in their wilderness homes fifty years ago in this section of country, can very vividly trace the outlines by which a wilder- ness is changed into a cultivated and populous country."

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

The Methodist Episcopal Church .- The organization of this society in Marysville occurred probably in 1827. George Snodgrass, in writing of the early affairs of the place, says: "We were in the bounds of London Circuit at that time. Two preachers were on the circuit, one by the name of Samuel P. Shaw, preacher in charge, the other by the name of John C. Havens. They offered to form a class or church if we could raise seven members, and we set ont to raise that number. George Minturn and lady, Miss Hannah Fox (sister of Mrs. Minturn, who afterward became my wife), Newton Hicks and lady, and myself, made six members. Silas G. Strong, a Presbyterian, gave us his name, making the seven members. We were organized in George Minturn's house, perhaps 18x20, and had preaching there until we could build a church. George Minturn was the Class Leader."

Mr. Shaw's home was about six miles east of London, Madison County, and he was the pioneer Methodist preacher of this vicinity. His circuit ex- tended from near Columbus to about forty miles west, taking in an area so large that it required four weeks to make the tour around the circuit. One appointment was at Amrine's, one and a half miles northwest of Marysville.

Beginning with 1841, the following have been ministers of this church and the Presiding Elders of the district: 1841-Zachariah Connell, P. E., James Parcels, Joseph W. Smith, pastors of Marysville Circuit; 1842 -- Wesley Web- ster, pastor; 1843-William Simmons, P. E., and John W. Young and Thomas Hurd, pastors; 1844-C. B. Warrington and Ebenezer Chase, pastors; 1845 -46-Wesley Webster and T. M. Gossard, pastors; 1847-James L. Grover, P. E., and P. F. Holtzinger and M. Coffman, pastors; 1849-J. W. Clark. P. E., and David Sharp and James Gilruth, pastors; 1850-S. C. Riker, pastor; 1851-H. Brooks, P. E .; Ebenezer Chase and Samuel M. Merrill (now Bishop Merrill), pastors; 1853-Uriah Heath, P. E .; T. D. Martindale and Lovett Taft, pastors; 1854 -- J. S. Adams and D. Mann, pastors; 1854-J. C. Haven, Supernumerary, connected with this circuit; 1855-Zachariah Connell, P. E .; H. Wharton, J. T. Miller, pastors; 1857-J. F. Longman, B. Low, pastors; 1858-W. B. Grantham, R. B. Bennett, pastors; 1859-J. M. Jamieson, P. E .; H. H. Ferris, G. G. West, pastors; this ends the work as a circuit, and Marys-

PARIS TOWNSHIP.

ville has since been a station. In 1860, it was made a part of the Central Ohio Conference, to which it still belongs. 1860-62, Loring C. Webster, pas- tor; 1862-Amos Wilson, pastor one year; 1863 -- Thomas H. Wilson P. E .; Henry E. Pilcher, pastor two years (is now living six miles from Marysville, on the road to Newton); 1864-Leonard B. Gurley. P. E .; 1865-N. B. C. Love, pastor three years; 1867-Alexander Harmount, P. E .; 1868-H. S. Bradley, pastor two years; 1870, James F. Mounts, pastor two years; 1871-Daniel D. Mather, P. E .; 1872-Oliver Kennedy, pastor one year; 1873-S. H. Alder- man, pastor two years; 1875 -- David Rutledge, P. E .; John Francis Davies, pastor three years; 1878-Parker P. Pope, pastor two years; 1879 -- Isaac New- ton, P. E .; now in that position; 1880-83-A. Harmount, pastor.

In 1853, a lot formerly occupied by Felix G. Wingfield with a cooper-shop was purchased for church purposes, and a building fitted up. It was burned September 25, 1863. being at the time used for a hay press by Woods & Dol- bear. It was a frame structure. The present brick church owned by the so- ciety was dedicated in 1856, and stands on East Center street. During 1882, over $2,000 were expended upon it in repairs upon its interior. The site is the one purchased in 1853. A parsonage was built in the summer of 1871, on ground now included in the new court house lots. The property was sold to the county, and the present parsonage was purchased by the trustees of the church in 1880; it was formerly the residence of J. B. Whelpley, and is lo- cated on South East street. The church in December, 1SS2, had a membership of about 240, and the Sunday school had 170 members; Prof. L. B. Demorest, Superintendent. It also has a library of about 500 volumes.

The Presbyterian Church .- The history of this church as here given, from its organization to July, 1876, is from an historical sermon delivered by the pastor, Rev. William G. March, July 9, 1876.

Several families located in Marysville during its earlier years who were members of or friendly to the Presbyterian Church, and they were occasionally visited by missionaries, who preached to them; one of these was Rev. W. J. Frazer, who was sent out by the Synod of Cincinnati as missionary in the Mi- ami Valley. He lived to an advanced age, and died in a recent year in Illinois, Rev. Ebenezer Washburn, in a letter from Worthington, Ohio, dated Septem. ber 23, 1829, to the Secretary of Home Missions, reports as follows concern- ing the work in this section. "The region where I have been preaching is now wholly occupied, i. e., Mr. Allen, one of your missionaries, is employed in Madison and Union Counties. Marion County and the destitute congrega- tions in Delaware and Franklin Counties are occupied by the A. H. M. So- ciety." Mr. March thus describes the organization of the church at Marys- ville:

"After Mr. Allen had prospected this field, he held a meeting on the 9th of September A. D. 1829, in the house of Stephen McLain, in Marysville, for the purpose of examining candidates with reference to the organization of a Pres- byterian Church in this place. Mr. Allen, President at this meeting. Two Elders from the church of Upper Liberty (now Milford Center) were present, Samuel Reed, Ist, and William Gabriel, Sr. Thirteen candidates were present, who were severally examined without regard to their former church connection. Eleven of this number were approved as suitable persons to constitute a church. The articles of faith and covenant were proposed to the candidates and no ob- jections were made to them. In the evening the candidates met in the court house, where Mr. Allen preached from Acts, xx, 28. After the sermon, a pub- lic assent was given to the articles of faith, and one received the ordinance of baptism; and the following constituted the first members of the Presbyterian Church of Marysville: From other churches-Eri Strong, Stephen McLain,

HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

Nancy MeLain, Silas G. Strong, Mana Strong, Mrs. Phebe Adamson, Mrs. Mary Richey; on profession of their faith-James Richey, William Richey, Mrs. Sarah Phelps, Mrs. Catharine January. At this same meeting, Eri Strong and Stephen McLain were elected, ordained and installed Ruling Elders over this infant church." Rev. D. C. Allen continued his labors until April 16, 1861, receiving thirty-four members into the church; he administered the sac- rament of the Lord's Supper for the first time November 15, 1829. Some of the entries in Mr. Allen's journal and reports are as follows:

"September 9, 1829 .- In the afternoon, went to Marysville to organize a church Two Elders from Upper Liberty congregation and myself examined thirteen candidates for church membership and received eleven. Four of these had not made public profession and seven were from other churchos. At ,night, preached a sermon, baptized one adult, organized a church and or- dained two Ruling Elders. The meeting was pretty well attended. May the Lord bless and own this little vine, as of His own right hand's planting. This is the county seat of Union. and it was highly important that a church should have an early existence here, as the village is forming its character. The Methodists had been operating here for some time. Their number is yet small." "September 29 .- Preached in Marysville at night on the subject of tem- perance. Pretty good number out. Among them were some intemperate peo- ple. May the Lord favor the cause of temperance. One intemperate man walked about the house with anger. Several persons here have drawn up reso- lutions in favor of temperance, and annexed their signatures to them. I hope a temperance society will be formed soon. One store has been commenced without any spirits, and one merchant has resolved to purchase no more."

"February 23, 1830 .- At night, attended the meeting of lecture and prayer in Marysville. Pretty good number out considering the wet. Villagers are * poor hands to stand the mud. *

* M -- e attempted to raise a log cabin. During the first day he had but five hands-of course the work moved on slowly. They raised the walls seven or eight feet. The next day a temperance man advised him to leave his bottle behind and he would have plenty of hands, or the cold water men could put up his building directly. Having been assured the thing would be done he (swore) he would go without the bottle. The 'men of strength' came forward, and effected the work in good time and order."

A few days ago a whisky drinker in

May 16, 1830, Dr. Ira Wood, who had become a member of the church, was ordained and installed as Ruling Elder. By a special act of the Ohio Legislature in February. 1831, " The first Presbyterian Church of Marysville, Ohio," was incorporated; by this act, Dr. Ira Wood, James Richey and Silas G. Strong were appointed Trustees to serve until the first Monday in the fol- lowing March, when, and annually thereafter, the corporation was required to elect three Trustees and one Clerk. At the first election the above named persons were chosen Trustees, and Stephen McLain, Clerk. The congrega- tion and session frequently met at Mr. McLain's house for business and relig- ious purposes. Public services were held at first in the old wooden court house, and also, for a time, in the subsequent brick court house. February 16, 1832, a meeting was held at Mr. McLain's house to consider the question of building a house of worship for the society. A subscription was at that time started, headed as follows, and signed by seventeen per- sons, who subscribed a total of $435: "For the purpose of erecting a house of public worship in Inlot No. 43, in the town of Marysville, of such form and size and on such a plan as to intitle the First Presbyterian Congregation in Marysville to a deed for the east half of said lot from Joshua Mathiot, Esq., whose bond, with conditions, the Trustees of said congregation now hold, we,

PARIS TOWNSHIP.

the undersigned, agree and bind ourselves to pay to James Richey, Ira Wood, and Silas G. Strong, as Trustees of said congregation, or their successors in office, the sums set to our names respectively; one-half to be paid on or before the first day of September next ensuing the date hereof, and the residue on the first day of September, 1833." Mr. Strong was empowered to draft a plan for the new building, which was to be of brick, 40x50 feet in dimensions, and he was also authorized to make contracts for its construction and see that they were carried out. The work went on slowly, and the house was not occupied until 1835 or 1836. Mr. Strong invested largely from his own means in the building, and owing to the poverty or mismanagement of the church he was not reimbursed; and the building became his property. It subsequently, by execution or transfer, passed into the hands of a New York or Philadelphia merchant, who was a creditor of Mr. Strong. For a time the building was closed to public worship; the church became separated into Old School and New School, and, in the spring of 1844, the former obtained an eight years' lease of the Smith Academy building, then in the process of erection. This contract was set aside by mutual agreement at the end of six years, and the congregation once more occupied the old building, which had been purchased of its Eastern owner for $950 or $975. The annual Congregational Meeting in March, 1849, was held in the brick church and the custom was adopted of assessing the pews for the purpose of raising money to support the pastor. This practice was continued for several years.

" Upon the walls of many a memory," says Mr. March, "hangs the picture of this old brick church. In vivid outline it stands before the mind's eye, ' grand, gloomy and peculiar.' On a bright Sabbath morning the crowd of wor- shipers flock to this temple gate, but there are two flights of stairs on the out- side to be ascended as a good exercise of breath and muscles, to reach the gates. These entered, and a look to one side will show you the pulpit and preacher at the entrance way; and now the momentum of the ascending exer- cise brings you to another step that lifts you up one or two feet, and then you can find a seat; or, moving forward, you rise higher until at the greatest dis- tance from the preacher you will find yourself perched in the highest seat of the synagogue, where a good view is obtained of the hapless wights that come in later, and before the stare of glittering eyes may stumble over the middle step and dash forward to the same elevation. There never was a church build- ing better adapted to give variety and spice to the dull monotony of seating a congregation. More than once have I seen a titter spread over the placid countenance of some roguish boy or girl, as the eyes regaled themselves at the discomfiture of a gay lady or swaggering youth that swept up the aisle, but suddenly halted and stoutly resisted the tendency to a horizontal posture. But the ludicrous was not always present. Many a time and to many a soul has this old structure been truly the 'house of God and the very gates of Heaven.' 'The Lord is in His holy temple.' Tears of joy, sighs of sorrow, the smiles of heavenly satisfaction, the uplifted heart, the songs of praise and the glad tidings of salvation have filled these holy walls and made their im- press for time and eternity."

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The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 75

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