USA > Ohio > Champaign County > The history of Champaign and Logan counties : from their first settlement > Part 15
USA > Ohio > Logan County > The history of Champaign and Logan counties : from their first settlement > Part 15
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In person he was well formed, but a fraction less than six feet in hight ; had a powerful frame, yet closely knit together. His habit was full, his carriage erect and dignified ; his features were regular but well-defined, and strongly expressive of a generons and noble nature ; his brow was arched and heavy, his forehead high, broad, and open, his hair dark, and somewhat inclined to stiffness. In his dress he was neat, cleanly, and careful, regarding comfort, but not disregarding elegance ; never, however, violating professional propriety, or losing his dignity in ornament or show; nor did he ever affect singularity or quaintness.
He was accustomed to finish whatever he undertook, arguing, and often observing, that "that which was worth doing, was worth doing well." I have often thought that this idea was car- ried with him into the pulpit; and when preaching on subjects
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LOGAN COUNTIES.
peculiarly interesting to him, made him consume more time than would otherwise have been preferable to him. His custom was to reason from cause to effect, vet he would often institute analogies. His mind was mathematical, and he had a love of exact science. I never new him bewildered in theories ; and so great was the original strength of his mind, that he detected the false or the faulty almost at a glance. He read character well, but never judged hastily or harshly. He had a boundless charity for the faults of others, and never deemed one, however low he or she might have sunken, beyond the hope of redemption. He could well adapt himself to the society he was in, so far as this could be done without compromising his character or principles. This he was never known to do, nor do I believe he could have been tempted to do so. He had due respect for the opinions of others, and in many things would take counsel, but he was self-reli- ant, and seemed through life to think it was his duty to bear the burden of others, rather than to place his own upon their shoulders
REV. JOSEPH THOMAS.
Elder Joseph Thomas, or "White Pilgrim," the subject of this sketch, has frequently preached in Champaign and Logan counties. The writer heard him once or twice at a camp-meeting, at Muddy Run, near West Liberty, about the year '33 or '34. How many people, young and old, in the United States, and in Europe, that have read those beautiful and pathetic lines, written by Elder J. Ellis, and wondered who was the subject of them, and where is "the spot where he lay !" I will say, for the satisfaction of all such, he is buried in a cemetery at Johnsonsburgh, Warren county, New Jersey, where a beautiful Italian marble monument marks the spot where "the White Pilgrim lays." The peculiarity of his white dress, says a writer, undoubtedly added much to the notoriety which everywhere greeted him. Though independent of this, his excellent evangelical gifts rendered his services very acceptable. In regard to his peculiar dress, he says it was typical of the robes of the saints in glory ; that he found but very little inconvenience in its use, an I was contented with his choice. Below will be found this beautiful poem.
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CHAMPAIGN AND
Eines,
COMPOSED WHILE STANDING AT THE WHITE PILGRIM'S GRAVE
By Elder J. Ellis.
came to the spot where the White Pilgrim lay, And pensively stood by his tomb, When in a low whisper I heard something say, " How sweetly I sleep here alone.
The tempest may howl, and loud thunder roll, And gathering storms may arise, Yet calm are my feelings, at rest is my soul, The tears are all wiped from my eyes.
The cause of my Savior compelled me to roam,. I bade my companion- farewell, I left my sweet children, who for me do mourn, Ina far distant region to dwell.
I wandered an exile and stranger below, To publish salvation abroad, The trump of the Gospel endeavored to blow, Inviting poor sinners to God.
But when among strangers, and far from my home. No kindred or relative nigh, I met the contagion, and sank in the tomb, My spirits ascended on high.
Go! tell my companion and children most dear, To weep not for Joseph, tho' gone; The same hand that led me thro' scenes dark and droar. Has kindly conducted me home."
THE FIRST CHURCHES
The King's Creek Baptist Church I. probele the Post Church in- stituted in Chatapaign County, i ring estaal. 224 the same year the county was organized ( 1805 -
.
he never med ine
: alex living ich. prendre here met li
testify Falar da alice 4 .1 U · the foregoing it : : will beseen that Champaign as ! !
King's Creer 2% & Baptist Church commenced their water in the same year and 50th are Holding on their way.
If Benedict's History of the Paisists i correct. King'- Creek must have been the third Baptist Church organized In the State of
13
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CHAMPAIGN AND
Ohio. Benedict gives the first organization at Columbia, five or six miles from Cincinnati, in 1790, and second at Pleasant Run, near Lancaster, in Fairfield County, in 1801. If there was a Bap- tist Church constituted in Ohio, in the four years that intervened between Pleasant Run and King's Creek we do not know it, and until better informed we shall claim King's Creek as the third Baptist Church in Ohio.
In the early history of the Church, the meetings were held in the houses of the members which were scattered over a large area of the County. But "The word of the Lord was precious in those days" and sacrifice could be made to meet with the saints of the Most High. Dangers even could be encountered, for the red men of the soil were then numerous and looked on' their pale faced neighbors as intruders, their hostilities not ceasing till after the butchery and scalping of Arthur Thomas and son in 1813. Thus for eleven years our predecessors wound their way by paths and through difficulties and dangers to meet their Saviour and his dis- ciples. No one then complained of long sermons, none went to sleep and nodded unconscious assent to unheard truths. Their con- versation was of the Heavenly country whither they were going, the trials, the difficulties and encouragements of the way. In these primitive gatherings they were sure to meet the Lord Jesus; fat things full of marrow and wine on lees were vouchsafed them while the Lord added to their number "such as should be saved." This increase made the private house, or rather cabin, too strait for them, and they began to think of some SANCTUARY, some conse- crated spot whither the elect of God might go up and tread on ho- ly ground. Thought begat desire and desire prompted to the ac- tion of building a .
MEETING HOUSE.
The same necessity was also here, and has been everywhere that Abraham found, "A place to bury my dead out of my sight." In all communities where people really serve God there are outsiders who seem to wish them well; so it was here. Mr. John Taylor gave an acre of ground for a burial place and , to erect a meeting house on. The deed is made to Jesse Guttridge and James Temp- lin, deacons of the church. It is in the hand writing of Rev. John Thomas, and bears date March 7th, 1816. This spot of ground,
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LOGAN COUNTIES.
now enlarged, is the silent house and home of most of the then living, moving generation. The Hon. Edward L. Morgan, now in his seventy-eighth year, assisted to open the. first narrow house in this city of the dead. This narrow house is tenanted' by the mortal remains of Sister Ann Turner, one of the constituent mem- bers of the church. During the year 1816 a log-house 26 by 20 was erected for a meeting house. This house had neither chimney or tre-place, and as stoves could not be had, a wooden box was made of thick puncheon. This box was about 12. by 6 feet and partly filled with clay pounded in so as to form a concave for the recep- tion of charcoal. This standing in the center of the house with its glowing bed of charcoal afforded the only warmth for winter days.
That the carbonic acid (gas) generated by the burning charcoal, did not send them all over Jordan before they wanted to go is suf- ficient evidence that this house diu not lack ventilation as many modern ones do. This house became the center for Sunday gather- ings, for all the regions round. It also afforded accommodation. for the day school and singing schools. It was in this house that uncle Ed. (Hon. Edward L. Morgan) reigned-lord of the birch and; ferule, and taught the young idea how to shoot. Here some of our living fathers and mothers in Israel not only received the first. rudiments of an English education, but here they also first learned in the school of Christ ; and. if they should ever sing "There is a spot to me most dear," memory would turn back to the old. log meeting house of 1816.
What if uncle Ed. does tell us that "every cabin contained the hand cards, the spinning wheel and loom, that the entire ward- robe of both male and female were home manufacture, that all went barefoot in the summer, the girls even not indulging in the luxury of shoes and stockings, except when going to meeting or a wedding, and then the shoes and stockings were carried in the hand till arriving near the place of destination-that the appearance of two new calico dresses produced a sensation," yet we premise thiat. under the dress of linsey-woolsey as true maidenly hearts beat as have ever beat beneath the costly fabrics of fashion's reign. They were as lovely and lovable in the eyes of the young men of that day as any maidens can be. That they were as well fitted to make happy homes, and fulfill the duties of wives and mothers none can doubt, who knew the few survivors of that age and time. .
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CHAMPAIGN AND
The volang man's vest of homesyun or byek-kin, covered & noske, brate and manly heart. Here attachments were formed. and consummated at Hymen's alter, which have needed no di- votte law- of courts to loose the bonds. It is indeed doubtful whether jewel lif fingers, bracelet encircled wrists, cramped feet and disfigured form ; broadeloth, polished leather and superficial manhood has added anything to happiness or godliness. It is cer- tain that under the old regime the people were honest, contented and happy, and served God in spirit and in truth.
This house, with its varied associations, stood foy fifteen years- and might have stood much longer had not Providenet removed it One of those blessings, which often come in the form of a calamity". completely cleared the ground. by fire, for the erection of a brick rothen 2% by Myfeet, which was built in 1831 on the same ground To this sanctuary the tribes of the Lord continued to gs up until. Ist when the place began to be too strait for them, when this. house was removed and the present substantial church edifier, 11. by he alte halt and nearly on the same ground. We do not ex- church, WEARE ONE KNOW FALSE
1 :
.oist Episcopal Church
frisch reterad to by Judge Patrick in his history of Urbana, we- builtin the year ist ?.
Mount Tabor Church
1
Iv among the earliest churches in the county. I don't know the preciso date of its establishment, but I know it was there in 1815.
LOGAN COUNTIES
and perhaps long before. See Dr. Cowgill's interesting Sketches in this work : also Mr. Stalers and Mr. T. S. McFarland, who have kiniAy contributel their valuable sketches or this vonzme.
Quaker Church at Darby,
In nahe kanchip. Logan county. The first me the Kul or hi- Wir worship was in the year 1801 or In the hely the angus nomination in the county. The Best way be wie rigid body at Goeder, Jefferson in
Bem-dell, in wirst is called 21 : 15.0 .0 Veer 025
Tarp's Run Baptist Church
IF not the only ving constituent member of Aid- code mile west trong Zaneshold. The Rev. .... loch, his wife, and Jame Blarl were all baptize l note the sune dxy lane 5, 1-72. Mr. Metoden was or kaiDel 2L
Methodist Church
In Zane township, Logan county Built on the bank of Inskeop'> old mill dam, in year 1813.
Universalist Church.
Built about the year 1842, at Woodstock. The ministers that preached there first were Rev. Mr. Jolly, Truman Strong, George Messenger, and the Rev. Mr. Emmett.
Spain's Run Methodist Church
Was established in Champaign County, in 1808. The Arst meeting- Bou- Was built in 1815, one mile. west of North Lewisburg.
1.71
CHAMPAIGN AND
. "
THE FIRST MERCHANT
In Logan County was Robitaille, better known as Robindi. Judge McColloch says his store-room stood near where Bradsmith's resi- d'ence now stands, in Zanesfield. He represents him to be a very polite and affable Canadian Frenchman. I think Billy Henry told me he was buried on the old Gunn farm, on the Ludlow road, one mile south of Bellefontaine. He took out license in 1805. Fabian Eagle-kept a small store at Urbana at the same time.
· JAMES McPHERSON
Took out license to sell goods at the same time with Robindi, ( 1805, ) as the records, now on the Clerk's book, in Urbana, show. I think he sold a short time in Champaign County, just below West Liberty, afterwards in Logan County, where he died in the year 1837.
JOHN GUNN.
I saw on the same book that John Gunn had taken out license the same year ( 1805 ) to keep tavern. He kept tavern at the old farm spoken of above. He was there in 1812, during the war ..
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LOGAN COUNTIES.
WILLIAM HUBBARD.
BY HON. WILLIAM LAWRENCE.
Born at the quiet rural village of West Liberty on the southern border of Logan county, Ohio, on May 17, 1821, William Hubbard inherited nothing but an honest name, a healthy constitution, and a vigorous intellect.
Deprived of a father's care at an early age, he grew up under the guidance of a widowed mother, whose exemplary virtues, strong good sense and patient industry, left their impress on the mind and character of her son. At that early day, the "log School-house" furnished almost the only means of education ; but with this, and that home training which every mother should be competent to afford, William became well versed in all the usual branches of an English education. Early in the year of 1832 he took his first les- sons in the "art preservative of arts," the printing business-in the office of the Logan Gazette, a newspaper then edited and conducted in Bellefontaine, by Hiram B. Strother. Here he served with fidelity, and skill, and industry, for seven years, when, early in 1839, he became the publisher of the paper, and continued as such for a period of six months. During all this time, as, indeed, in the years which followed, he employed his leisure moments in de- veloping his literary taste, and in the profound study of the best writers of prose and poetry. In the summer of 1841 he began his career as a school teacher in a district near his native village, in one of the ever-memorable, universal "people's colleges" of the times, the "log School-house." In this useful, bu' perplexing and ill-paid capacity, he continued most of his time until the fall of 1845. Meantime, in 1841, he had determined to study the profes- sion of law, and for that purpose became the student of Benjamin F. Stanton and William Lawrence, attorneys in Bellefontaine. His studies were somewhat interrupted by his duties as teacher, and by his literary pursuits, yet as he had made it a rule of his life
176
never to do anything imperfectly. he was not admitted to the har until he had become a thoroughly well-read lawyer, in the year 1846.
In the fall of 1845 EL. Around wecame eher of the logan wr- cette, and occupied that per Land a sombra years, but is now the able and accomplished at the Way We, published at Napolet, Henry county This ' . pointind vriter he has a
mojihwinding his duties avameditor, a ware ... Sorcer of Logan county. mp 4518, andagain in A.6 can, : ** saved with skill queonly for four you infection In 1955 coffeeparty to Mr. robbald received the which he belongs as t Hecould bearcely
hope ar success . . "LO po mically :
In de-
. 11 .x ! val repu-
Filed by studying k. I Have valley
of the Mud tiver, with a Marder. all con- tributod to Wake in. .... turn bi- thoughts
mito elo quence and poetry
·ten produc-
Hon: voy h Januars, 5
inneh genius with se Utde Helatwee sought, hut
always shunned notorie !! writing-, ! collected,
would make a good sagol water Bolov will be found a beautiful
poem, written by him at the gid ofSimon Konton, which I se-
lect as a specimen of his poems. sehls other poemsin Cogyshell's
Poets and Poetry of the West.
At the Grave of Shyon Genioa.
Fread lightly, this is hallowed ground ; tread reverently here ! Bencath this sod, in silence sleeps, the brave old Pioneer, Who never quailed in darkest boar, whose heart ne'er felt a four ; Tread lightly, then, and here bestow the tribute of a tear.
Ah ! Can this be the spot where temps the bravest of the brave ? Is this rude slab the only merk of buon Kenton's grave ? These fallen palings, are they il h : ingrate country gave To one who periled life so oft her nies anit hearth- to save ?
LOGAN COUNTIES.
Long, long ago, in manhood's prime, when all was will and rear, They lemind the hero to a stake of savage torment here -- Enblancbed al firm, his soul disdained a supplicating tear- A thousand demons could not dhunt the Western Pioneer.
They dela is hand -. Mazeppa-like, and set him on a -feed, Wild as the waystang of the plains, and mocking bade him speed . They spend the career like the wind, of curb and bit all feel, ···· ·· Held, ver hill and dale, wherever chance might lead
trial hour, his heart was still the -am". .th self-reliance strong, which dung i would net .
f. , me That he might win the piende. 01 a come.
. . ..
I cantrymen who dwell when long ago the fame ? The din the men who glo y in the splendor of his fame! Al Yet they Boot afford to give a stone to bear his uite ! Oh, , everis the u more presunte the hero dust olum.
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CHAMPAIGN AND
ABRAM S. PIATT.
Abram Sanders Piatt is more generally known to the military and political than the poetical world. The two pursuits, so wide apart as they are, seldom center in one individual. Did Mr. Piatt seriously follow either, this would not probably be the fact in this instance. But the happy possessor of broad acres-and beautiful acres they are-in the Macacheek valley, Logan county, Ohio, he dallies with the musés, and worries the politicians more for amuse- ment than aught else. His serious moments are given to the care of an interesting family, and the cultivation of his farm. No one of any refinement could long dwell in the Macacheek valley and not feel more or less of the poetry that seems to live in 'its very atmosphere. So rare a combination of plain, and hill, wood and meadow. adorned by the deep clear glittering stream that gives name to the valley, seldom greets the eyes. There, the hawthorn and hazel gather in clumps upon the sloping hillsides, or upon fields, while, like great hosts, the many tinted forests of burr-oak, maple and hickory close in on every side the view. Nor is the Macacheek without its legends and historical associations. Men yet live, rough old backwoodsmen, with heads whitened by the snows of eighty winters, who will point out the precise spot where a poor Indian woman, seen lurking about thesmoking ruins of the Macacheek towns, only then destroyed by the white invaders, was shot by a rifleman, who mistook her for a warrior. Near the Piatt homestead may be seen the spot where Simon Kenton was forced by his cruel enemies to run the gauntlet, when between lake and river lay a vast unbroken wilderness. It was near this that he and Girty, the renegade, recognized each other, and the hard heart of the murderer was touched at the sight of his old comrade and friend and he saved his life at a time when this bold act endangered his own. The family to which Mr. Piatt belongs is one of the pioneer families of the Mad River Valley, and has prominent associations with the literature and politics of the west. Don Piatt, his brother, is well known as a writer and political -orator.
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LOGAN COUNTIES.
Carrie Piatt, a niece has contributed popular articles in both prose and verse to western Magazines. A. Sanders Piatt's poems have been published chiefly in the Cincinnati Daily Commercial and in the Macacheek Press. Below will be found a specimen of his poenis.
The Dainty Bec.
The dainty bee 'mid waxen cells Of golden beauty ever dwells, And dreams his life away ; His food a million flowers caught, From out the sunlight as they wrought, Through Spring and Summer day.
Slothful bee, the Spring-time's morning Wakes him from his Winter's dream. Reveler 'mid the pleasures gathered, From the wild-bloom and the stream. But the Spring-time's ray of gladness Calls him to the fields again, Calls him with the voice of flowers Flowing 'mid the sunlit rain.
Goes he to the fields of plenty, Searches 'mid the rare perfume, Gathers honey from their beauty, While he sings his wanton tune, Filling 'mid the sweets and fancies That o'erburthen all the air,
Gathering Dainties from the palace, That the queenly group may share.
Drunk with treasures, overburdened, Slow he wings his way along, Gladdens all the scenes with humming O'er his dainty little song. Wanton bee, ah ! busy body, Drinking from each perfumed cup, All day straying in the valley, Gathering sweets to treasure up.
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CHAMPAIGN AND
Lives he in a world of plenty, Floating on its fare pernane, Sipping Maytiva's carly blossoms. Reveling in the bat. if Juwa ? In the snowe, andin the Cover,
Dainty mous, hóc sweet and why, Trendel With the proof sommer, Perfumed from: . mid-Muy:
Thy nome is aa. the palace, Nature . v.t. .
Wan: []
See the sum
Liftin . ill 120 ....
1 - taky ..
Scents thesi. . ..
Guide: [ .. ...
Airs the me :
For fun
Labor whit Dekde op. Ingers,
Labor ; hijo de gea wind blows, Ere the North king Dnuching southwar, Fills thy garden. with his -now+.
LOGAN COUNTY.
Logan County derived its name from General Benfumin Logan. It was struck off from Champaign, March 1, 17, but not oggan- ized until 1518. The Courts were ordered to be helf in the town of Belleville, at the house of Elwin Matthew's, until iveringjurent Seat of Justice should be o-tablished.
The territory comprises within the Hurt . he can't was a favorite ...... 1 en shvi B ... . ? sition (f 150 1 . . .. first .u.
pedition 1.
.. 1.1 the mere te.
1 . . A
Wall. of the Ohio, comot & a considerable force with Which to proceed against the Indian villages on the head water~ ~ Mad River and the Great Miami. I was then aged sixteen, and any vonar to come within the legal requisition; but I offered myself i a vorintecr. Col. Logan went on to his destination, and would have surprised the Indian towns against which he had marched, had not one of his men deserted to the enemy, not long before they reached the town, who gave notice of their approach. As it was, he burned eight
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CHAMPAIGN AND
large towns, and destroyed many fields of corn. He took seventy or eighty prisoners, and killed twenty warriors, and among them the head chief of the nation. The last act caused deep regret, hu- miliation and shame to the commander-in-chief and his troops.
We came in view of the first two towns, one of which stood on the west bank of Mad river, and the other on the northeast of it. They were separated by a prairie, half a mile in extent. The town on the northwest was situated on a high, commanding point of land, that projected a small distance into the prairie, at the foot of which eminence broke out several fine springs. This was the resi- dence of the famous chief of the nation. His flag was flying at the time, from the top of a pole sixty feet high. We had ad- vanced in three lines, the commander with some of the horsemen marching at the head of the centre line, and the footmen in the rear. Col. Robert Patterson commanded the left, and I think Col. Thomas Kennedy the right. When we came in sight of the town the spies of the front guard made a halt, and sent a man back to. inform the commander of the situation of the two towns. He ordered Col. Patterson to attack the towns on the left bank of Mad River. Col. Kennedy was also charged to incline a little to the right of the town on the east side of the prairie. He determined himself to charge, with the centre division, immediately on the upper town. I heard the commander give his orders, and caution the colonels against allowing their men to kill any among the en- emy, that they might suppose to be prisoners. He then ordered them to advance, and as soon as they should discover the enemy to charge upon them. I had my doubts touching the propriety of some of the arrangement. I was willing, however, to view the affair with the diffidence of youth and inexperience. At any rate I was determined to be at hand, to see all that was goin on, and to be as near the head of the line as my colonel would permit. I was extremely solicitous to try myself in battle. The commander of the centre line waved his sword over his head, as a signal for the. troops to advance. Col. Daniel Boone and Major, since Gen. Ken- ton, commanded the advance, and Col. Trotter the rear. As we, approached within half a mile of the town on the left, and about three-fourths from that on the right, we saw the savages retreat- ing in all directions, making for the thickets, swamps, and high prairie grass, to secure them from their enemy. . I was animated with the energy with which the commander conducted the head
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