USA > Ohio > Logan County > The historical review of Logan County, Ohio > Part 5
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REV. GEORGE MC COLLOCH.
Reverend George Mefilloch, son of Samuel, was one of the earliest Baptist min- isters in this section. He married a daugh- ter of George Henry in 18og, who came from Greenbriar county, Virginia, and foi
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HISTORICAL REVIEW OF LOGAN COUNTY.
many year- preached at Tharp's Run Bap- tist Church: he was a man of great piety, of both. ind left behind him the fragrant incense of a beneficent Christian life: he lived to the advanced age of ninety-six years and his mu- meious descendants are still among our most Honored fellow citizens. His son George is still living, aged ninety years, with a re- mirkably clear mind, and a vigorous man- lund: he is one of the last of the early settlers, and has seen this country develop from a wilderness to the wonderful growth and prosperity of the present day. Tharp's Run in that early day was reached by a broken bridle path and remained for many years one of the Mecens of early Christian pilgrimage. The old church was compelled to give way to the progressive steps of ad- vancing improvement. and was torn down when the T. & O. C. Rv .. built its line from Bellefontaine to Columbus.
George McColloch was in the war of 1812, and was a member of the company of scouts of Cant. William McColloch, raised in and about Zanestown, and for many years he drew a pension from the govern- ment, granted to him for his services in the war of 1812. He died in the year 1886. aged ninety-six years.
NOMII ZANE MC COLLOCH.
Judge Noah Zane MeColloch was the eldest son of William McCulloch and Nancy Zane. He was born April 6th, 1798 in Zanesville, and was the first white child born in Muskingum county : he came to Logan county with his father in 1803. and was thus one of the earliest of the second gener- ation of these pioneers: he was a man of most unquestioned ability, inheriting many of the characteristics of the two fam. ilies and uniting within himself some of the
strong points and the better opportunities
Ile was born and bred in the very midst of the cabins of the pioneers and the tents and tepees of the Indians, and gathered his early education from the rough surround- ings of these early settlements, and yet he was a man of wide and general information and had the polish and refinement of latei day opportunities : he was a perfect store- house of information and could entertain you by the hour, with the lore and legends of the early settlers; he exercised for many years a wide and beneficient influence with the Indian people, and was foremost in the councils of his associates: he occupied many offices in the gift of the people and was everywhere recognized as a man of ster- ling integrity and good judgment : he held several county offices, was Recorder, Audit- or, Clerk of the Court, Probate Judge, and and was one of the Associate Judges of the Common Pleas Court: in every position to which he was called he was recognized as an efficient and most competent officer. He was an ardent anti-slavery advocate, and es- poused the cause of the down-trodden and oppressed: intensely loyal, he was a most earnest and devoted supporter of the union, and his sympathies were on the side of the Government in its last and bitterest strug- gles for national supremacy.
A man of strong convictions and deter- mined purpose he never hesitated in ex- pressing himself in all matters which en- tered into the questions of public good.
Ilis information and recollections of early times and of the pioneers was so ac- curate and extensive that it is to be regret- ted that he did not put into print or some permanent form the knowledge within his keeping.
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HISTORICAL REVIEW OF LOGAN COUNTY.
He died in 1878. having passed his men of the neighborhood, many of whom eightieth year. He was one of the first, as lecame suitors for her hand. I have heard John Enoch, Jr., say that Kitty McPherson was the most beautiful woman he ever saw. She was noted as well for her dress as her beauty, and was said to have been the first woman in Logan county to wear a silk dress. he was one of the last of that marvelous gathering of strong and courageous man- hoed which united within the span of a single life the rough and wholesome ex- perience of the pioneer with the education and refinment of the better civilization which GENERAL. JOHN SHELBY. was to follow.
JAMES M. WORKMAN.
Another of the early settlers of Logan county, was James M. Workinn. He came from Virginia and shortly afterwards married Hannah McColloch, sister of Wil- liam. Solomon and Samuel MeColloch; he first lived near the State Bridge on the Side- singer farm. and afterwards moved to a farm on the Ludlow, known as the Park farm: he was a man of the strictest integrity and of great influence in the community. Ile must have come to Logan county short- ly after the war of 1812. for I do not find him to have taken part in any of the mat- ters connected with the public interest- until about that tune. Simon Kenton, Jr., mar- ried his daughter, and some time in 1832 removed to Indiana.
COLONEL DANIEL WORKMAN
Was also a Virginian and served in the Revolution, and was pensioned by the gov- ernment ; he was an active and influential citizen and was engaged in miny public en- terprises ; he married Kitty McPherson. the daughter of General James McPherson. who was the admitted belle of this entire country, and who has been frequently pro- nounced the most beautiful woman of all this section of Ohio; it is certain that she possessed great charms of person and of manner, for she captivated all the young he was confined in the old log jail until
Was an early settler in Logan county ; he came in iSto and settled first in Monroe township: he afterwards removed to Chero- kee. He was a man of fine presence and many ace mplishments, and was recognized Was a leader in early days ; he was one of the first associate judges in the county and served for ten years in the legislature; he was the commander of the militia of the county, and at general musters, with his stoff officers, presented a fine appearance. and not only commanded his soldiers, but t'racted the attention and admiration of the en-lookers upon the occasion.
General Isaac S. Gardner was the In- spector general on the staff of General Shelby during the days of the militia of Ohio: General John Abel was another member of his staff: General Abel came from Virginia about 1831 and settled in McArthur township: he was the brother- in-law of Andrew Hellman, who had mar- ried General Abel's sister in Virginia, and who, about 1836. moved from Virginia. and settled near the Abels in McArthur township.
Hellman in cold blood murdered his wife in September. 1839. and pretended that robbers had broken in and assaulted them both : General Abel boldly charged Hellman with being the murderer, and upon Hell- man's face being washed the blood stains . were removed and he was at once arrested ;
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HISTORICAL WERTET OF LOGAN SOPATT
Va ffel. cuffieted and cash Voi os
Moi wit'e ut any of the Lofter Mesma of Worin nature.
Her Finder of War Liberty se fole Pochi. Sr. He was born in Kentiney sont Come to Ohio, about 1707: be attled Treble county, where John Frucht. It " Joen in 1802. John Froch St. shortly pip varde removed to Urbana and kend Hotel on logo tip is ont veres of land were as fair and
the sprit opposite the City Hall where the Methodist church now stands. Iremember Seeing this building far away in 10-8 to give was to the new church: it was built of bewe timbers and was without ; lister- ing: the joists were about 136 and so nicely hewed that you could scarcely detect the axe marks.
John Enoch. Sr. was the original pro- prietor of West Liberty, and hid out the town in 1815. and built the first here . TTC 4 ... erected the mill. still standing, which was the largest and most important at that time in all central Ohio and commanded que- ' m os for north as Findlay and Lime, and Varone of horses were always whither near for the completion of the prist, which was ground in the regular order of its reception.
By contract under the County C minis- siemers he cut out and opened a Highway Dem Bellefontaine to Fort Findlay : it was De first road naming directly north from Pellefontaine, not counting the trace cut by General Hull in his march upon Detroit. 3
JOHN PEOCH, JR.
The subject of the article wasone of The os para bod in the most of the move' and bitter as riences of the frontier Fool in all the souls disadvantages of Dette s and yet without opportunity for den afgan eluorion and experiencing the culture of the obder settlements he was in mamer and addies a perfect Chesterfieldl. Stunning His feet two in his stockings I go lan'y Neon athlete and had the per- fast for and carage of a young giant of gie veste levintime with nothing, he had Topok tell desplendid competency and his chile as ever the sun shone down upon. The had spent his life out of doors and his wonderful vitality and erect carriage put with the lock grounds his eighty-six years Me and manhood: if ever there was here and bred a perfect gentleman with the Mail qualifications of manly independence. and the fine and tender sympathies of a Senereps and ingmissive nature, that man was John Enoch: serupulously punctilious im all things pertaining to business he was the ideal and splendid citizen. For many years he grew his crops, fed his cattle, and sent to mirket the finest the country afford- od. I distinctly recall seeing him behind a drove ni nearly four hundred cattle, erect and perfect in his horsemanship and in his ourringe, a drove that brought back from the market forty thousand dollars as the result of his careful urinagement and atten- tion. fle was one of the old time gentle- men, latt of the youth and spirits of the younger generation: he should have lived to be a hundred, but by the fall of his horse he was injured, and his death followed; he
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HISTORICAL REVIEW OF LOGAN COUNTY.
1
was one of the last of that early generation Brought others to join these Landers and which did so much to make the wolderne- makers of a new empire, until at last the blossom as the rose: he was one of these very west itself was pushed by the hands of who had lived midst the hardships of the these hardy and intelligent pioneers and their descendant, across the Mississippi. frontier, had experienced it's life and ex- postre, and had gathered from it all the tender side of human nature, and numbered his friends by the same metsure that he might have counted the ears of corn upon his broad and fertile fields.
A SPLENDID ANCESTRY.
It would be very difficult even now in the midst of the culture and refinement of on the most friendly terms with the whites. later day opportunities to find a hardier or healthier foundation for a face of freemen than the men and women who came to build up a new empire in these broad and fertile valleys of the west. Is it any wonder They traded liberally at the stores and brought their skins and furs, and were re- garded as most desirable customers. that the descendants of such ancestors have always been foremost in all matters of pub- lic interest and national policy.
Their children have been bred in the bone and sinew of a magnificent ancestry, and their achievements of greatest public importance have been worthy of the ances- . try from which they sprang.
Many of the earlier families came al- ready provided with land warrants for the I cation of the Virginia military lands, and the wilderness, which was sighing in the winds of its primeval greatness and glory. bowed its head in acknowledgement of the scepter of these new monarchs of the west.
Cabins sprung up in the forests and these new-comers spread about them at once the airs and the civilization of their earlier homes.
The stories of these early adventurers into the wilderness, sent back to the cast. ests of the great Northwest.
It was of such as these that the early settlement- of Logan county were composed. m it was of such that the Indians found a firm friend in time of peace and the most determined and unconquerable foe in time of war.
It is well worthy of note that after the treaty of Greenville and later after the final treaty of peace in 1812, the Indians were and they mingled together in hunting and 6-hing, in trading and bartering with the very kindest of feelings towards each other.
They were true friends when once they formed an attachment and they seized er- cry opportunity to show their fidelity and friendship.
The days of the Aborigines had pist. and the days of a splendid and thriving civ- Elization was about to be established in this outpost and frontier, and the cabin of the Indian and the arrow of the hunter was to give way before the onward march of a new and more prosperous era.
New forms and new faces were to find in the wilderness the opportunities for ad- venture and development, and the newer and broader culture of the white man was to supplant the older and narrower rule of the Indian. which for centuries had held within its keeping the streams and the for-
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HISTORIC.N. RETIEIN OF LOGAN COUNTY.
CHAPTER IV.
SHOWN. POWEHI-LOGAN COUNTY ESTABLISHED FEST COURT HOUSE- THE MAN QU'IL COM MISSIONER -- PUBLIC ROADSHEEP SEHRLES -- TAXES.
The first election hell in Ie gan costin'y was in Zane township, then a part of Ch un- paign county, in 18Gb.
Zane township then meindl Lote. Har- rison. Bokes, Jefferson. Momoc. Perry andl all that portion lying north to the Miami on the lakes. the Maunice.
At this first election James MePherson. George M. Bennett and Thomis Antrim were judges. Thomas Davis ard Henry Shaw, clerks, and William McColloch was the justice of the peace certifying to the
Thirty-two persons voted at this elec- tion, including Isaac Zane, Job Sharp. Job# Tullis. Sr .. James McPherson. Samuel and Willim McColloch. Henry Shaw. John Tul- lis, Jr .. Daniel Tucker, et al.
The candidates voted for were for mem- lers of Congress, Legislature and county offices, Samuel MeColloch was the- first member of the Legislature from this, then Champaign. county.
BLOCK HOUSES
Following close upon the days of white everpation came the block houses; these were built for the purposes of defense in case of any extraordinary emergency com- ing from Indian uprisings, or from any
cause demanding the protect g of the wo- men and the cnidren of the settlers, and stich non-cm.atouts a- were not able to take part in the public defense. They al-o give an increased and permanent advantage to the defenders and protectors themselves. while at the same time they exercised an 1.fluence iot peace upon the Indians, who Were this gives to understand that any up- rising would probably be without any good results : and then these standing public an- nouncement, that the whites were always ferdy ier ans emergencies that might arise, Were most valuable.
They were frequently called into service in early times, ail in many instances were of especial benefit in insuring life and safety to the white, and in protecting the prop- erty of the settlers.
There were several of these block louises within the limits of the present Lo- gan county : Capt. James Manary, of Ross county, built a block house about three miles northwest of Bellefontaine, in Harrison township. on the farm afterwards owned by John Laney, and now occupied by Henry Horn: Colonel James McPherson built one something near a mile northwest of Man- ary's. Governor Vance, who was then cap- tain of militia, built a block house about one mile east of Logansville: it stood on a bluff just at the edge of a prairie, and was in a commanding position: Isaac Zane built a large and formidable block house at Zanes- town ; the English had formerly had a block house at this point but it had been destroyed and berned by the Americans.
Zanes' block house was the largest and most important in the county, and Colonel McPherson, who was the only Indian agent representing the Americans, was put in com- mand of it. early in 1812, when the threat-
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HISTORIC IN HETHET OF LOGAN COUNTY.
ened hostilriles with the Birsir Acto 01 .if indines of the Loudly son iuthose of to begin the Indians in the yomity MON the plus where Belleville was afterwards the weil. and abet ere an 1 op. half Copying This spring is the red head of Mckees Grad, and it was just south of thi- -ring and pear the creek, that the ladin. ·Flage known as Mckeestown, was lo- Lited. gathered in and around the food b. heri Zane and Mel'herson, in the site rand wiele Protest of the prestar site of Belle western portions of the county, and she guarded by soldiers to prevent si fr- lite an expected uprising against the times The continued good will of the leder . og made it quite evident that thare not the danger to be anticipated from les sofre. and the Indians were dispersed theroyal ffer several villages.
One historian says that an inventent fort was built at Zanestown. but I did not find any confirmation of this, and I zur in- clined to believe that Zanes block house and this fort were one and the sun. THese Block houses remained for several years and until the incoming tide of white immigratiop had so filled the country, and popalved it with white settlers, and the different -et- tlements were strong enough to defend themselves, and the Indians had Become . . friendly and law-biding that they were ne longer required for defense. The block 1:ouses, however, played a most important part in the early settling of the comdry and without their assistance and protection loss of life and property might have occurred.
The heroism of the early settlers was frequently tried in and about the block houses and rude forts constructed for pub- lic defense: and about them were enacted some of the most thrilling and desperate deeds recorded in the early winds of the northwest.
They served their day and generation and became a part of the history of these carly times.
GUNN'S TAVERN
John Giera, a Canadian, was a man of teeny hot malishments for that early day. He was a scholarly man and had studied surveying, and afterwards taught school. He was the agent for some Canadian land wrers and he attempted to locate a town on the land of his employers: he built a two-story log house and opened a tavern and offered energinment to man and least. Gunn's settlement was fully a mile or more from Belleville and southeast of it.
Robert Robitaille, who was also a Can't- Ban, was persuaded by Gunn to move his store frem Zanestown to this new venture. and Gunn's new town was put under way. Bunn's tavern, or settlement. remained for a few years only, and the old burial ground situated near it, is still plainly marked and distinct. although all trace of the head- Twards have disappeared. As late as 1876 I found many of these graves plainly mark- ud. the wenden headboards made of oak and painted, were in a number of instances quite distinct. Among them I recall the names of some of the Moore family; tall James Moore's father was buried there. The rec- ords show that Gunn took out a license to keep a tavern as late as 1805.
The location was chiefly desirable on ac- count of the spring near which it was sit- uated. and which still remains as the foun- tain source of Mckee's creek. although
Some time, about 1796 or 1707. Juha Gitan built å tavern near the large spring . Gunn's tavern and all the evidences of set-
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HISTORICAL REVIEW OF LOGAN COUNTY
thement, save the little quieren, Moc iong Sice disappeared.
Some time about 18ob, the love .i Belleville was located; it was skra bel cessful than Gum's venture; it wewant tavern and made a led for the patronage of nein and beast : Gummy quickly abandoned la. enterprise and all of Giann's town de sport ud. except the graveyard and spring was at Mathers' tavern that the first diedans in Logan county was held in 1818, -som after the organization of the commity: the first voter was James M. Reed, the father of Mrs. General Isane S. Gardner, of whom 1 shall have something more to say later on. Here also in Mathers tavern the Common Pleas court was held for two or three years. A school house was also built near Belleville and the scholars came from far and near to attend it. Belleville did not make very rapid strides, and it was not a day of electric motors and automobiles, and at best it only became a hamlet of a dozen or more houses. It was finally deternimed that the site was not an eligible one, principall; because of the lack of an abundant supply of good wa- ter, and early in 18to the Court of Common Pleas appointed a commission to locate a permament- county seat.
BELLEFONTAINE
Me ceromission reported in favor of and John Gunn afterand counsel room U. location and alimited if- Lag. a. settled upon a pie con bird jest med with present twin of Buildingtions when he opened a stone quiny and built' if she house which was being a land meck and what he lived for many jobs. He was n m of fine attaagnests and loft a imah Hatch respected. tive weurt approved the location upon the 1. weare, an l it was called Bellefontaine, be- curse of the benutiful springs in and about it. One of these springs situated near the Arne of Main and Columbus street, was megy years known as Wheeler Spring. and applied um -t the entire population of lleva tral point of the new village with good mike water: another was on the lot after- BELLEVILLE. ward's recopied by Samuel Walker at the cocker cf Mad river and Chillicothe streets ; mo others of the lots of George Shuffle- speculation and was for a time more spe- tu v recupied by Mr. Frank Blessing and Wellden Dun: still another was the and controlled by Coupling and for higheror Blue Jacket spring, near the rail. posted by them; one Mathers built a la grad, while quite a number of others were
leted within or near the territory to be courriel by the new county sent. Many of these springs still furnish an abundant sup- ply of water, while others have been carried away under ground. to make way for public improvements.
It is a curious fact that while Belleville was abandoned because of lack of water, at " liter day. the city of Bellefontaine, went back to a point near Belleville to find the most abundant supply of pure water. per- laps enjoyed by any city in the state.
Sole mon McColloch was appointed di- stor of the new county seat and under the direction of the court, laid off the town into streets, alleys and lots, and brought the same to sale.
The limits of the new county seat were Founded by four streets each thirty (30) feet in width, and the town was laid off into sixteen original squares, with four Mocks in a square, and four lots in a block.
Thus they were two hundred and fifty- six lots, including the public square and the
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INSTORIONE REVIEW OF LOGIN COUNTY.
cometer: : the hitching it agreed wolle I;se, and at the beginning of the Revolu- given in the original propetles, so fer is tin #x 1776, he enlisted in the company of Captoin Ere, of the Third Virginia Regi- ment, and in General Woodford's Brigade. shall. I can discover, war meter sei queles e- ferred to the director of theven numbered lots were deadled to the dinger mal afterwards served under Colonel Mar- and by him sold, either of pal For parate sale for public improvene it
At the time of the delperson of the post seat. of justice, almost the zonte amodik of land so dedicated was at ile will be woods. The knoll upon vloek tin com: house was to be located was a Fare ham-in and the streets of the new togb que 't ent through the timber.
The streets of the coming soon spore fun- cd after some of the princip Lobes of the state, Main street, running north and truth was called Cincinnati street: the street rin ning east and west was called Columbus street ; then followed Chillicothe Sandusky and Detroit, while the street cast of the court house square was called Mad River.
JOHN TULLIS, SR.
Was the only resident within the limits of the new village, he lived in a cabin on the ground formerly occupied by Blue Jacket, and I am of the opinion that upon the removal of Blue Jacket to Wapakoneta, that Tullis appropriated his cabin and be- came his successor in possession of his home as well as his land. Tullis was a Virginian and came to Ohio in I& 6, and settled on the quarter section of land upon which one- half of the town was situated. He after- wards decided one-half of this to his son John, Jr., who thus became one of the orig. inal proprietors. Tullis was a man of great AN INVENTORY OF JOIN TULLIS' PROPERTY TAKEN BY US. influence with the new settlers, and was a representative of the best class of the pio- Two horses, worth $ 60 00 neers and frontiersmen of that day. He was One cow. worth 8 00
He was in several of the battles of the Revolution: was at the battle of Brandy- wine. mel was one of the soldiers who served under Washington during that ter- rible winter at Valley Forge. After his muster out of service he removed to Ken- mneky, and from Kentucky came to Ohio in 18c6.
I have in my possession the original claim for pension by this old Revolutionary patriot, containing statements of his service. and also the origiird pension certificate. granting to him a pension of eight dollars per month, under the act of March 18th, 1818, and dating his pension from Novem- ler gth. 1819. signed by John C. Calhoun, Secretary of War.
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