The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 84

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 84

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

God of the free ! Thy children bless, With joy their labor crown; Let their domain be limitless, And endless their renown. Proclaim the morn of freedom's birth O'er every land and sea, Till her pure spirit frees the earth, Even as the heavens are free.

THIE GOINGS FORTH OF GOD.

God walketh on the earth. The purling rills And mightier streams before Ilim glance away, Rejoicing in His presence. On the plains And spangled fields, and in the mazy vales, The living throngs of earth before Him fall With thankful hymns, receiving from His hand Immortal life and gladness. Clothed upon With burning crowns the mountain-heralds stand, Proclaiming to the blooming wilderness The brightness of His coming, and the power Of Him who ever liveth, all in all !

God walketh on the ocean. Brilliantly The glassy waters mirror back His smiles, The surging billows and the gamboling storms Come crouching to His feet. The hoary deep And the green, gorgeous islands offer up The tribute of their treasures-pearls and shells And crown-like drapery of the dashing foam. And solemnly the tesselated halls, And coral domes of mansions in the depths, And gardens of the golden sanded sea, Blend, with the anthems of the chiming waves, Their alleluias unto Him who rules The invisible armies of eternity.

God journeyeth in the sky. From sun to sun, From star to star, the living lightnings flash, And pealing thunders through all space proclaim The goings forth of Him whose potent arm Perpetuates existence, or destroys. From depths unknown, unsearchable, profound, Forth rush the wandering comnets; girt with flames They blend, in order true, with marshaling ho-ts Of starry worshipers. The unhallowed orbs Of earth-born fire, that cleave the hazy air, Blanched by the flood of uncreated light, Fly with the fleeting winds and misty clouds Back to their homes, and deep in darkness lie.

God journeyeth in the heavens. Refulgent stars, And glittering crowns of prostrate Seraphim Emboss His burning path. Around Ilim fall Dread powers, dominions, hosts and kingly thrones. Angels of God-adoring millions-join With spirits pure, redeemed from distant worlds,

101

PARIS TOWNSHIP.

In choral songs of praise : " Thee we adore, For Thou art mighty. Everlasting spheres Of light and glory in Thy presence wait. Time, space, life, light, dominion, majesty, Truth, wisdom-all are thine, Jehovah ! Thou First, last, supreme, eternal Potentate !"

The following is the famous " Log Cabin Song," written by Mr. Curry in 1840, and sung at the great Columbus Convention, on the 22d of February. in that year : 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 that wield the plow and spade, Where the log cabins stand in the bonnie buckeye shade. 'Twas built, etc.

Oh, what, tell me what, is to be your cabin's fate ? Oh, what, tell me what, is to be yonr cabin's fate ? We'll wheel it to the Capital, and place it there elate, For a token and a sign of the bonnie Buckeye State. We'll wheel, etc.

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 HARRISON that fought for the cabins long ago. It goes, 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 armies, too, At the Rapids and the Thames, and old Tippecanoe. 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 spoilemen and leg-treasurers will soon begin to run, And the log-cabin candidate will march to Washington. The spoilsmen, etc.

O what, tell me what, then, will little Martin do ? O 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 Tippecanoe. He'll follow, etc.

Calvin W. McLain, of Jacksonville, Ill., in a letter, dated January 31, 1883, mentioning the foregoing popular song, and the moving of the campaign log cabin from Marysville to Columbus, says :

"] was then but fifteen years old, and of course cannot give as good a history as one who passed through it at mature age. The first I knew of the song, ' O where, tell me where was your buckeye cabin made,' was a short time before the Columbus Convention of February 22, 1840, in my father's* office in the court house at Marysville; he was then County Auditor I think. Otway Curry had written the song, and he had his flute playing, and my father singing. There may have been others present, I cannot say; at any rate, that was the first rehearsal, and they were all wild over it. I was then the printer's devil for the paper called Our Freedom, and at once secured a copy of the song, went to work printing it, and was the first to put it in type and print it without help. The log cabin was then being built ; I can- not recollect about the dedication speeches, etc. When the start was made for Columbus, it was before daybreak. I had not obtained permission to go, but secreted myself in one corner of the cabin until we were well out of town, and then showed my big bundle of the song ; consent was given me to go. In addition to yourself, I believe one of the Winget boys was along, but think he did not go through. Well I remember the muddy and toilsome drive until we struck the pike near Jefferson; then all was excitement in that cabin, preparing for the first grand entry. There we met the delegation from the west, and the town was full of people to remain overnight. The song was sung as we drove through the streets to the hotel, and there was a rush of people from every direction. On

* Stephen McLain.

102

HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

arriving at the hotel the crowd closed in on us and demanded the song again ; once more was not enough, it had to be repeated, and each verse was followed by such shouts as roused the country round about. This first public rendering of the song I cannot better describe than by telling the experience of a relative of mine from near Urbana. He was a stanch Presbyterian of the Scottish type. He told me afterward that at this time, while we were singing the song, he was approaching the town on his way to Columbus; he heard these shouts at intervals, and, as he rode along, came to the conclusion that his party (he was a strong Whig) was going crazy, and he then and there decided that he would not take any part, or in any manner have any- thing to do with such wild operations. But he approached slowly, and arrived in time to hear the last verse, when he joined with the crowd and yelled as loudly, threw his hat as high, and cut as many antics as any one ; farther than that, he did not stop it nor sober down until he got home again. As for myself, in looking back over forty-three years, I have made music a study in all conditions of society-social, religious, political and nation il-and have engaged with a thousand soldier voices in ' Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom,' during the war, but have never seen anything to excel the effect produced by this song.

". After the song was finished the second time, everybody wanted a copy of it. I was seated in front with the driver, and handed out my bill songs; my hands were cold and numb; I could not handle the money as it rolled in, but by the assistance of all on board, in a short time the songs were all gone, and until late at night I was in demand to teach the tune to the purchasers. At Jefferson we met another log cabin, I think from Springfield, Ohio, but it had been built after ours. I claim that the Marysville cabin was the first built for that campaign. I was in the print- ing office at the time and had access to all the exchanges, and this fact was impressed on my memory. The next day on to Columbus, the Springfield party singing the questions, and the Marysville cabin boys the replies. I cannot describe the scenes at Columbus; suffice it to say that by the time we got there every one of the party was on the roof of the cabin. Crowds swayed from street to street to hear that song again; when the procession was over, the jam around us was so great it was impossible to move, and sing we had to as long as there was any- body on board. We finally wound up by driving in front of the Statesman office; the first verse brought Sam Medary to the window, when we gave him some items for his next issue. Several printing offices published and sold the song. The State Journal office, learning I was the first typo, gave me free all the songs I could seil, and my pockets were well filled when I got home. I cannot now recollect the persons who composed the party, except Mr. Curry and my father. One more incident and I am done: Some years ago, while visiting at Urbana, Ohio, I called at Ab Jennings', then living there, but since moved to Springfield, Ohio. While talking with Mrs. Jennings about Marysville, she excitedly arose and left the room; she soon returned with a flute in her hand, and with a flourish announced, ' that is the identical flute used by Otway Curry in playing while your father sang the log cabin song "' Of course I did reverence it. Yours truly, CALVIN W. MCLAIN."

COL. W. L. CURRY, Auditor of Union County, was born on the old Curry homestead in Jerome Township, June 25, 1839. He is the third son of Stephenson and Sarah D. Curry, and a grandson of Col. James Curry, whose history is given elsewhere in this work. His early life was passed on his father's farm, his education being acquired in the common schools and in the Marysville Academy, and Otterbein University, at Westerville. At the age of eighteen years he engaged in the profession of teaching, which he followed during the winter seasons of four years. On April 24, 1861, in response to the country's first call for volunteers, he enlisted in a company for the first three months' service that was not mustered into service, as the " three years' call " was issued before the company was recruited to the required number. On September 8, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and in October, 1861, was appointed Orderly Sergeant of his company. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and after serving on scouting duty in Kentucky during the winter of 1861, they marched with Gen. Thomas' army to Pittsburgh Landing, in April, 1862, and participated in the siege of Cor- inth. On June IC, 1862, Sergt. Curry was commissioned Second Lieutenant, and on March 3, 1863, was promoted to First Lieutenant of his company. The next engagement in which he took part was at Booneville, Mississippi, followed by Courtland, Alabama, where he was taken prisoner. He was exchanged in February, 1863, returned to his regiment and took command of his com- pany and participated in the campaign of Gen. Rosencrans' army, from Murfreesboro to Tulla- homa and on to Chattanooga. In August, 1863, he was assigned to the command of Company M, and fought at Alpine and Lafayette, Ga., and at Chickamauga. He commanded this company on the famous raid of the rebel cavalry chieftain Gen. Wheeler through Tennessee, in the rear of Rosencrans' army, in October, 1863, and fought at MeMinville, Murfreesboro, Shel- byville, Farmington and Mussel Shoals, Ala. Lieut. Curry and his company re-enlisted as vet- erans at Pulaski, Tenn., January 4, 1864, and after his veteran furlough of thirty days had ex- pired, he joined Sherman's army, early in the spring of 1864, and fought at Moulton, Ala , Peach- tree Creek, Noon-day Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, and iu Kilpatrick's daring raid around the Confederate army in Atlanta, August, 1861. In September, 1864, he was appointed Quarter- master of his regiment, and when Sherman started on his march to the sea, the First Ohio Cav- alry marched with the army of Gen. Thomas to Tennessee to intercept Hood, and from there to

103

PARIS TOWNSHIP.

Louisville, Ky., to mount and equip. On December 14, 1864, Lieut. Curry was promoted to the rank of Captain. A few days after his arrival at Louisville, he was violently thrown from his horse and received injuries from which he has never recovered and on account of which he was discharged at Nashville, Tenn , December 30, 1864. Returning home he engaged in merchan- dising in New California, and in 1869, removed to Plain City, where he was engaged in the same business two years. In 1871, he removed to Richwood, where he was engaged in the drug trade until his election to the office of County Auditor, in October, 1875. He is now serving his third term as Auditor of Union County. He takes an active interest in everything pertaining to mili- tary matters, is considered the best authority on military law and history, and devotes a great deal of time to the interests of his comrades, in matters of pensions, bounties and other interests. He is now serving as commander of Ransom Reed Post, Grand Army of the Republic. He served for five years as Lieutenant Colonel of the Fourteenth Regiment Ohio National Guards. Col. Curry is a Republican in politics and always takes an active interest in the affairs of his party and in all political matters. He was married, December 21, 1865, to Martha J. Robinson, daughter of J. D. Robinson, of Jerome Township. She was born in Jerome Township April 12. 1843. Three children have been given to bless this union, of whom two are living-Ivaloo aud Lucile. Mr. and Mrs. Curry are members of the Presbyterian Church at Marysville.

JAMES CURRY, fourth son of Stephenson and Sarah D. Curry, was born in Jerome Town- ship, Union County, Ohio, January 4, 1842. He followed farming until February 6, 1865, when he enlisted and served one year in Company B, One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Ohio Volun- unteer Infantry, under Gen. Steadman, in Georgia. Resumed farming for one year, and in April, 1867, began his collegiate course at Vermillion Institute, Hayesville, Ohio, where lie de- livered an oration at the tri-ennial re-union of old students, August, 1869. He entered the junior class of the University of Wooster, Ohio, in the spring of 1871, this being the first year of its ex- istence, from which he graduated September 18, 1872, with the degree of A. B., and in 1875, he received the degree of A. M. from the same institution. He was chosen professor of mathematics in Vermillion Institute previous to graduation from the university, aud served in that capacity as teacher of Latin and Greek from April, 1872, to June, 1873. He was married to Miss Mag- gie A. Sloan, of Hayesville, Ohio, September 30, 1873, and went to California to attend the San Francisco Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of San Francisco, March 18, 1874, graduated from the seminary April 29. 1875, and received a call to become pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Carson City, Nev., which he de- clined, to continue in mission work at San Pablo and West Berkeley, Cal. Under his ministra- tions a church was gathered up and organized in each place. He was ordained to the gospel min- istry and installed pastor of the church at San Pablo, August 28, 1876, while a beantitul house of worship was erected at West Berkeley in 1879. He was elected President of the Alumni As- sociation of the San Francisco Theological Seminary at its organization October, 1890, and was twice re-elected, and delivered the first alumni and decennial oration of the seminary in San Francisco, April, 1881. He resigned his pastorate at San Pablo, February 1, 1883, to concen- trate his labors at West Berkeley. At the present time (February, 1883,) he resides in West Berkeley, Cal., is in charge of the Presbyterian Church there, and Moderator of the Presbytery of San Francisco.

N. P. DAVIDSON, physician, Marysville, was born in Perry County, Ohio, October 10, 1849. He is the third son of Nicholas and Sarah (Linn) Davidson. He was reared on a farm in his native place till fifteen years of age, when he left home to do for himself. He spent one summer working by the month in Pickaway County, then went to Clay County, Illinois, where he remained till 1872. He taught school, of winters for four years, working on the farm during the summer. In the fall of 1872 he returned to Ohio, and entered the National Normal School at Lebanon, in which he remained as a student two years. He resumed teaching and followed it in Warren, Fairfield and Hocking Counties, three years. He read medicine under Dr. G. W. Dawson of Gibsonville, Hocking County, finishing his course in 1877. IIe attended the Col- umbus Medical College, graduating February 24, 1882. In 1877-78, he practiced with his precep- tor in medicine, and in 1879 began the practice at Oakland, Fairfield County, where he con- tinued until the fall of 1881. In March, 1882. he established himself in Marysville, when he is practicing his profession with success. On February 23, 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Shepherd, daughter of William and Jenette Shepherd, and a native of Xenia, Ohio. Dr. Davidson and lady are associated with the Presbyterian Church of Marysville. Dr. D. is a member of the Union County Medical Association, and Examining Surgeon for the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Company. He had been a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity for twelve years, having joined Clay City, (Ills.) Lodge in 1871.

LE ROY DECKER, jeweler, Marysville. This enterprising character, with J. B. Cross, es- tablished business in this city in 1874, under the firm name of Decker & Cross. This copart- nership dissolved the following year and Mr. Decker succeeding, became sole proprietor of the concern. He carries a stock comprising choice selections, in diamonds, watches, clocks, silver- ware and a full line of jewelery in valuable and artistic designs. He certainly displays fine and judicious judgment in his purchases, buying almost exclusively from the manufacturers. Therefore he is enabled to present to the publica line of goods, equal to any establishment ofour larger cities.

104

HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

Marysville may well feel proud of this class of enterprise, and the purchaser or visitor will al- ways meet with a pleasant and hearty welcome from its generous and social proprietor. The subject of this sketch whose portrait appears in this volume, emanates from the Buckeye State, and was born in Delaware County. Ohio, in 1845. His father, Frederick Decker, was a native of New Jersey, who, with his family, occupied an early settlement in Bucyrus. Crawford County, Ohio, and was distinguished as a pioneer and mechanic. He was a millwright by occupation, and erected one of the first mills in Bucyrus, Ohio. Subsequently he removed to Delaware County, Ohio. where he erected several mills which stand to-day as monuments to his enterprise and mechanical abilities. For the past twenty-five years he has been engaged in farming, and is at this time, August, 1882, residing on the homestead near Millville, Delaware County. He re- fains the ownership of the Millville Mill, an elifice of his construction located near the home- stead. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary A. Munson, was born in New Jersey, and joined her husband in his success and sorrows until death called her from its scenes. Her demise oc- curred in Delaware County, in 1855. She was a Christian lady, a fond mother and devoted wife. Le Roy Decker was reared on a farm and was taught to toil with his hands. In 1863, he joined the boys in blue in Company D, One Hundred and Forty-fifth O. N. G., and served four months in the field. The regiment was stationed at Arlington Heights performing duty at Forts Craig and Tillinghast. Returning to peaceful pursuits, he was married July 4, 1865, to Miss Maria L. Winget, a native of Delaware County, and a daughter of W. C. Winget, with whom he subsequent- ly became associated in the mercantile trade at Ostrander. This connection dissolved nine years later, during which time Mr. D. learned the jewelry trade with Spencer Lincoln, of Delaware, after which he further pursued his studies in the wholesale house of G. T. Dorlin, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and became a thorough student and master of his profession. Mr. D. is a member of the Blue Lodge and Chapter in the Masonic fraternity of this city, and the Raper Commandery, No. 19, of Urbana, Ohio. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church. His living children are Ella A. and Edith M.

DAVID EDWARDS, book-keeper, Marysville, is the eldest son of Jesse P. and Abrilla (Stephens) Edwards, both natives of Bedford County, Penn., who came to Ohio in 1847, and selected a home in Licking County, where they resided until 1861, when they moved and settled in Jerome Township, Union County, where they yet remain. The subject of this sketch was born in Bedford County, Penn., September 16, 1836. He received his primary education in the schools of Clyde, Sandusky County, completing his education at the Ohio Wesleyan Uni- versity, at Delaware, Ohio, and for two years prior to the Rebellion taught school in Licking County. In the spring of 1861, he further pursued his studies in the Na ional Normal School at Lebanon, and the following year taught school at that place. In the summer of 1862, he came to this city, and in August enlisted as First Sergeant in Company K, Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the first engagement against Vicksburg, under Sherman, and at Arkansas Post, January 11, 1863. The following spring he was discharged at Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis, on account of disability. Returning to peaceful pursuits, he was ap- pointed Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue, under C. S. Hamilton, and discharged the duties of that office two years, at which time he was appointed Postmaster. In this position he served two years, and resigned. Subsequently he became associated as assistant agent of the C., C., C. and I. R. R., and became General Agent and Express Agent, July 1, 1872. This avocation he followed for ten years, and in July, 1881, he engaged as book-keeper for the Butter Tub Factory, in whose employ he is at this time engaged. Mr. Edwards has served on the School Board two terms, and also in the City Council. He ran on the Independent ticket for Clerk, in 1881, and is a citizen well known and highly esteemed. He was married in 1864 to Miss Lucinda, a daughter of Oliver Brooks, a native of Licking Connty, Ohio. This union has been blessed with four children, three of whom are living. viz .: Dwight B., Orra H. and Arthur HI. Mr. Ed- wards is a member of the Masonic order, the G. A. R., and connected with the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Politically, he is a Republican.

JOIN S. FLECK, of the firm of Fleck & Chapman, planing-mill, Marysville, is a son of John and Mary (Abrams) Fleck, both natives of Cumberland County, Penn., who settled in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1833. The following year he moved and entered upon a mercantile pursuit at Carrollton, Ohio. In the spring of 1842, he purchased and settled upon a farm in Je- rome Township, Union County, which at that time was mostly wooded. Here he industriously worked in clearing the land and plying his trade, shoe-making. He was an energetic man, and a citizen widely known and esteemed. He lost his wife by death in 1858. His demise is re- corded in 1872. The subject of this sketch was born in Cumberland County, Penn., January 4, 1827. Ile became a citizen of Marysville in the fall of 1844, and engaged as an apprentice at the carpen- ter's trade with Samuel Restler. Three years after he took contracts for building, and entered largely upon the work of his profession. In 1875, he formed the above copartnership, and the firm erected the mill where they have since carried on a large and successful trade in the man- ufacture of sash, doors and building material. The building covers four lots and has a frontage on Main street of 264 feet. It is fully stocked with lumber, and the house employs from fifteen to twenty men. This firm began business with a capital of $2,500 each, and the sales for year 1881 were $15,000. The estimate for 1882 is $60,000. Mr. Fleck was married in 1849, to Miss

105

PARIS TOWNSHIP.

Anna Rose, a native of Lancaster County, Penn., by whom he has three children, all living, viz .: Mary E., Edwin and Charles H.

GEORGE A. FOX, farmer, P. O. Marysville, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1824. He, with his step-father, William Boerger, and his wife, Elizabeth, emigrated to this country in 1844. Andrew Fox, father of this subject, died before he (George) was born. He sought employment at Columbus, Ohio, where he became engaged and learned the trade of a bricklayer. This avo- cation he diligently pursued until 1853, when he moved to this county, and two years afterward purchased his present estate, consisting of seventy-two and three fourths acres, thirty-three acres of which lie in the limits of the corporation. He also has another farm of 133 acres in Paris Township, most of which is under cultivation. He was united in marriage April 1, 1850, with a daughter of Adam Kuhlman, of this county. Five children born to this union are living, as follows : Emanuel, George W., John L., Nettie M. and Frederick C. Mr. Fleck served in the ranks of the United States Army in 1847, during the war with Mexico, enlisting in Com- pany B, of the Fourth Ohio Infantry, serving until its close, in 1848. He is a Trustee of the Lutheran Church of this city, and a man whose success in life has been marked by energy, economy and unremitting attention to business.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 84

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