USA > Ohio > Champaign County > The history of Champaign county, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; history of the Northwest territory etc > Part 28
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121
The places of sepulture over which no structures have been erected are numerous throughout this whole section. Hardly a railroad or turnpike cut- ting is made, or gravel bed opened, that does not disclose a mass of skeletons. The hill-tops are literally sown with the dead. In the case of these gravel- bank burials, every surface indication of the cemetery below has usually been effaced by time. The bodies occur singly, in graves grouped together, or crowded promiscuously in long trenches. They have been found in almost every pos- ture, prostrate, sitting, and even standing. Sometimes parts of the same skele- ton are widely separated from each other, and so mingled with the materials of the drift that they would almost seem to have been deposited by some surface action before the alluvium was laid down upon it. This condition was particu larly observable in a deposit on the farm of S. M. Hodges, on the east side of Buck Creek Valley. In this latter many interesting relics were found. Future explorations will undoubtedly reveal multitudes of similar mounds, rich in strange and curious deposits, and valuable in aiding to decipher the unwritten history of past ages.
NEWSPAPERS.
We are indebted to Mr. Joshua Saxton, the former editor and publisher of the Urbana Citizen and Gazette, for the following paper :
The first paper published in the county was in 1812, by Corwin & Black burn, under the title of Farmer's Watch Tower. Moses B. Corwin was a young lawyer who had come to the county a year or two before, and probably per- formed the duties of editor, while his associate, Blackburn, was a practical printer and performed the duties of type-setter and foreman. It was afterward published by Corwin & Poff, in a log-cabin on the lot where the residence of William H. Colwell now stands, corner of Church and Walnut streets. This paper was followed by the Spirit of Liberty, under the management of Allen
D
262
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
M. Poff, which was succeeded by the Mad River Courant, edited and published by Martin L. Lewis. The management was soon after changed into the firm of Banes & Lewis. In 1824, Daniel S. Bell started the Farmer's Friend, but the title was soon changed to the Ohioan and Mad River Journal. Next fol- lowed the Country Collustrator, by Robert Barr and Wilson Everett, but the paper soon changed hands to Dr. Everett and Evan Banes. The two papers then published were consolidated into the Mad River Courant and County Collustrator, edited and published by Banes & Lewis. A few years afterward, Hays & Raymond started the Urbana Record, which soon after fell into the hands of James H. Bacon, who continued its publication to the fall of 1831, when it was suspended, and no regular paper was published until the spring of 1838. During the interim, John A. Corwin, then a student at law, and Deca- tur Talbott, a practical printer, both of whom were reared in the village, started a small paper called the Rattler. The Rattler was a two-leaved, quarto size ; created some little sensation in the community, and soon died. Next followed The Western Citizen and Urbana Gazette, which was started in April, 1838, by Joshua Saxton. Some years after, the title was changed to Urbana Citizen and Gazette. In 1850, John D. Burnett purchased an interest in the estab- lishment, which continued two years. In 1865, William A. Brand took a half- interest in it, which continued until February 1, 1879, when, on account of ill health, he retired, selling his interest to C. T. Jamieson, of Batavia, Ohio, and in December following Mr. Saxton, after forty-two years' service as editor of the paper he had founded, sold his interest to Mr. Jamieson, who still continues the paper as editor and proprietor.
In February, 1867, the Mackachack Press was started at West Liberty by Donn Piatt. It was moved to Columbus, when, after a lapse of a few months, it was transferred to Urbana, where it died before a year had ended.
In 1844, Judge John Taylor started the first Democratic paper in Cham- paign County, with the title of the Western Dominion. This paper changed hands several times within a few years. Judge Taylor was succeeded by a Mr. Reed, and he by Mr. D. M. Fleming, now of the Piqua Journal. It was then consolidated with the Democratic Expositor, of Springfield, Ohio, and edited by W. F. Mosgrove, of Urbana, and E. G. Dial, of Springfield. In 1850, it fell into the hands of Charles Flood, of Columbus, who changed the name to the Ohio State Democrat. After a brief existence, it passed into the hands of O. B. Happersett and W. A. Sampson, who changed the name to Urbana Free Press. Next, Col. John H. James became owner of the establishment, and the paper was edited by John W. Houx, under the name of the Urbana Union. Soon after this, the Urbana Union Printing Company was formed, and the paper was edited by A. R. Candy. In February, 1872, E. T. Harkrader took the office and changed the name to the Democratic Plaindealer. In 1873, he was succeeded by Flannegan & Runkle, which soon changed to the firm of Ben P. Runkle & Co., under the head of the Urbana Union. Mr. Flannegan was next owner, who kept it a few years under the name of the Urbana Union Democrat. Messrs. Hayward & Gulick succeeded Mr. Flannegan, and in a little time it passed into the hands of I. K. Newcomer, the present owner and publisher, who has changed the title to that of Champaign Democrat.
Some years ago, W. H. Gulick started a small daily paper, called the Daily News, which is still published, we believe, at intervals. Next followed the Daily Democrat, still published by Mr. Newcomer under the title of Urbana Daily Union.
263
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
Several years ago, Messrs. F. W. and M. Gowey started a small paper at North Lewisburg, called the Boomerang, but it was short-lived, and has never been resuscitated. There are two papers published at Mechanicsburg-the Central Ohio News, by Messrs. Church & Baxter, and the Mechanicsburg Herald, by O. C. Wheeler. Some years ago, a paper called the New Era was started at St. Paris. It has changed hands several times, and is now published by Charles R. Musson, who succeeded H. H. Hall.
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY WAR RECORD.
It is not intended in these sketches to explain the causes, nor to give any connected statement of the wars in which the citizens of Champaign County have taken part. These enter into the history of the country, and are the war of 1812, the Mexican war and the Southern rebellion. In 1812, Urbana was a frontier town on the border of an almost unbroken wilderness-without high- ways to any extent, and infested with hostile Indians. Its location naturally made it a base for army operations. Return Jonathan Meigs was Governor of the State, and immediately after the declaration of war in June, designated the place as the rendezvous for troops. Here Gen. Hull brought three regi- ments, under the respective commands of Cols. Duncan McArthur, Lewis Cass and James Findlay, for the purpose of being organized with other forces. These troops encamped on the grounds east of town, occupying the lots between East Water street and East Court street, now known as the Berry, Nelson, Wiley and Kauffman property, and extending north to East Court street. They remained several weeks for the arrival of Col. Miller's regiment of U. S. troops, which had made a brilliant record at the battle of Tippecanoe the previous November. The citizens of the town united with the troops to give Col. Miller and his gallant regiment a worthy reception. Southwest of the lot now occupied by Mr. Frank Chance, was a considerable declivity, which at one time, was called Shryach's Hill, and, afterward, the Baldwin Hill. At the foot of this hill an arch, bearing the inscription, "Tippecanoe Glory," spanned the road. The regiment of Col. Miller was met at the public square by Gen. Hull and his staff officers, accompanied by a body guard, and was escorted to the camp in triumph, between files of citizens and soldiers, the ladies strewing flowers in the way. The reception and triumphal march are considered the finest mil- itary pageant ever displayed in Urbana. The regiment then crossed over to the higher ground, now partly occupied by the residences of Mr. George Weaver and Mr. P. B. Ross, and encamped.
This accession to Gen. Hull's army completed the organization, and the entire force, in a short time, was ordered to Detroit, and opened the army road afterward known as Hull's Trace. The reverses which followed in the North continued to make Urbana an objective point. Gov. Shelby, of Kentucky, for the protection of the exposed frontier settlements, called out and took command in person of some 5,000 mounted men, and encamped on the south border of the town, reaching from the place where the upper factory pond now is, westward through the Weaver and Ward lands to the old mill near the water works, where they remained some days before being ordered to the front.
Gov. Meigs, immediately after the surrender of Detroit, made a requisition for a large Ohio force, under command of Gen. W. Tupper. Urbana was made the place of rendezvous, and the encampment was on the high grounds north of the ravine bordering what is now known as Laurel street.
264
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
During the siege of Fort Meigs, in May, 1813, runners were sent through the surrounding country, urging the male inhabitants to assemble immediately at this point to take measures to relieve the besieged fort. The summons re- sulted in a large mass-meeting, from all points south to the Ohio River, and the greater part, being armed, volunteered to march at once to the relief of the fort. Joseph Vance, Simon Kenton and other citizens of Urbana took an active and prominent part in the movement. The force was officered by acclamation, and immediately moved north under command of Col. McArthur. Four days' forced march were made through the wilderness, when they were met by Col. William Oliver, John McAdams and Captain Johnny, an Indian, who had been sent as spies with the intelligence that the enemy had abandoned the siege. The force then returned to Urbana and were discharged.
The concentration of forces and supplies at this point, necessarily required the establishment of appropriate agencies. Among these, the Quartermaster's Department was managed by William Jordan. Alexander Doke had charge of the armorer's yards and shops. Zephaniah Luce was Issuing Commissioner. Dr. Gould, Physician and Surgeon to the hospital. Jacob Fowler, being at the head of the Quartermaster's Department, was general agent and contractor for Govern- ment supplies. Maj. David Gwynne here made his headquarters as Paymaster, and Josiah G. Talbott, formerly a Lieutenant in the regular army, opened a recruiting station and enlisted a number of soldiers.
Joseph Vance organized a volunteer company of riflemen from the surround- ing country, who elected him Captain ; William Ward, Jr., Lieutenant; and Isaac Myers, Ensign. They were mostly old hunters, and could hit the "bull's eye " at seventy-five yards' distance. It has been asserted that the hunters were so expert with the rifle that, a deer bounding through the grass, and fired at by a number, the hand would cover the space where the bullets struck. This company was denominated Minute-men and Rangers, and, when danger from Indians was apprehended-which occurred several times during the war- they promptly responded to the call and moved to the point of danger. Other companies, from Urbana and the surrounding country, were also organized, which did efficient service. Among these was a company under Capt. John McCord, one of Capt. Barrett and one of Capt. Kizer.
From the first settlement, and until after the close of the war, alarms of threatened Indian raids were frequent. Reports of massacres of whole families, in close proximity, added to the alarm. In the earlier times, the rumor of the approach of hostile savages would send the few settlers to the more strongly built and roomy log-houses, where they would barricade the doors and windows. On one occasion, it is reported that Zephaniah Luce, receiving information that a body of Indians in the neighborhood intended to make an attack on the place during the night, went around among the settlers, urging them to repair to the house of George Fithian, and carry with them all their guns and ammunition, and barricade it as the most secure stronghold in the place. The advice was followed, and the night was one of intense anxiety and excitement. The attack was not made, and in a day or two they returned to their deserted cabins. These alarms suggested the expediency of building a block-house, which the people erected shortly after on lot No. 104. This house was used during the war as one of the artificer's shops for the army. The neighboring frontier tribes of Indians professed friendship, yet many distrusted them, and were suspicious that through the representations and influence of Tecumseh and his brother, the Prophet, they might be induced to join the Pottawatomies and other hostile tribes. At
265
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
the battle of Tippecanoe, fought in November, 1811, though the forces of Gen. Harrison met with heavy losses, the Indians, under Tecumseh, were, after much slaughter, routed. This being late in the fall, no fears were entertained that they could be reorganized before the next summer. To provide against their reassembling and renewing hostilities, precautionary measures were taken by Gov. Meigs by calling a council of Indians, and especially those who professed friendship for the United States, to meet with him at Urbana on a given day. To make the call successful, Col. James McPherson, Zane and Walker were employed to visit the several tribes, over whom they were supposed to be able to exert a favorable influence. The result was that the chiefs of the Shawnees and Wyandots, with leaders of other tribes, accompanied by their braves, made their appearance on the appointed day. A platform stand had been erected at the place where the Indian councils were generally held-in a grove a few rods southwest of the old graveyard, marked on the city plat as inlots Nos. 197, 198, 199, 200, 207, 208, 209 and 210. The stand was about the center of the block inclosed by Church, Locust, Ward and Kenton streets. The time was a little after the declaration of war. The result was considered satisfactory. The Indians avowed their determination to take sides with the United States, and the Governor agreed, on his part, to guarantee protection and support to their families against hostile tribes in league with Great Britain. To carry out the agreement in good faith, a block-house was erected near Zanesfield, in Logan County, for the protection of the women and children, who, at the public ex- pense, were furnished with provisions, etc.
MEXICAN WAR.
The war with Mexico made no great stir among the people of Champaign, though the progress of the victorious troops from Vera Cruz to Mexico was hailed with an enthusiasm similar to that over the country generally. There was a sentiment very widely prevalent that the war was unnecessary, and that the United States, strong in its resources, ought not to have attacked a sister Republic ; but, being in, the patriotism of the county was for the country, right or wrong. The newspapers of the county do not return any names of the volunteer soldiery who were at Buena Vista, the heights of Monterey, or the storming of Chapultepec, but a green memory has kept in remembrance the names of Evan Jenkins, Oliver Jenkins, Frank Jenkins, Thomas Lowe, Isaac N. Pierce, George Hoover, Thomas Connerton, Thomas Wilson, Stephen Hagerbaugh, George Seibert, Finley Dunham, Robert Wallace, John Needler and Johnson K. Putman-all of whom were from Champaign, who volunteered in the Army of the Rio Grande. To these may be added the name of Gatch Ambrose, youngest son of Frederick Ambrose, whose name has appeared in these pages as one of the oldest pioneers. Young Ambrose was engineer on a Mississippi River steamboat, which he left for the war. Passed safely through its dangers; afterward joined the ill-starred expedition of Walker, " the gray-eyed man of destiny," and, with other young men deceived into participation in the Nicaraguan expedition, paid the penalty with his life.
THE CIVIL WAR.
The election of Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency was the signal for the bursting forth of the volcano which had smoldered many months, and which
266
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
the country had hoped would die out without a general conflagration. The country did not believe that the States which claimed the right of peaceable secession from the Union would proceed to extremities. In the supposition that such might be the case, men's minds were confused, and the thoughts of what ought to be done, under the circumstances, had not taken a tangible shape. The air was full of rumors, anxieties and fears, but confusion and dis- cordant counsels everywhere prevailed. The very few, by intuition, saw an impending calamity ; time was required to develop its magnitude and create a common sentiment.
The successive stages in the great drama tended to arouse a commotion over the entire country, and to bring men together to consult as to the common welfare. The secession of South Carolina was the tocsin which brought men together for thought-the shot at Fort Sumter brought them together for action.
Champaign County was equally moved with the rest of the State. Every section held its indignation meeting, but a public meeting, called by the Mayor of Urbana, and held in the court house, took precedence in point of force, character and numbers. William Patrick was Mayor, and, believing that the time had come both for thought and action, called a meeting of the citizens and appointed a committee to present resolutions representing the sentiments of the people of Champaign County in relation to the condition of public affairs.
The meeting was held on the evening of January 17, 1861, and at an early hour was densely packed by men and women, who for hours stood in their places, and taking an active interest in the proceedings. The Mayor was called to pre- side over the meeting, and John Russell was chosen Secretary. The President stated the object of the meeting was to consider the state of the Union, and, by a few appropriate words, with great earnestness reviewed the situation, the value of the union of the States, and the importance of prompt, considerate and effi- cient means to meet the impending crisis. The band, while the applause which followed the Mayor's speech was being made, struck up " Hail Columbia," which added to the enthusiasm, and gave the crowd the appearance of a tumult- uous assembly.
Silence being restored, Rev. I. I. Thompson was called on, and prayed for the peace and safety of the country, and for wisdom to guide in their proceed- ings. Mr. John H. Young nominated Joshua Saxton and Christopher Ryan to sit as Vice Presidents, which was carried, and the two gentlemen-the oppo- site of each other in size, appearance, politics, religion, business and general make-up-cordially shook hands as they ascended the rostrum, and the band again brought forth bursts of applause on playing "The Star Spangled Ban- ner," many of the audience joining with rapturous enthusiasm in the chorus.
The farewell address of Washington was then read by A. M. Pence. After the reading, the committee previously appointed by the Mayor to consider the situation and to present resolutions as to the condition of affairs, composed of Messrs. A. F. Vance, F. M. Wright, John H. Young, Levi Geiger and John D. Burnett, were called and reported resolutions. The committee, perhaps, gives a fair index to the mixed elements composing the meeting, and one may well wonder, not that there were diversities of opinion, but that persons having such diverse views could ever be brought into harmony at all. Vance represented the Bell-Everett wing of politics ; F. M. Wright was a radical of the Chase school ; John H. Young had faith in the Douglas Democracy ; Levi Geiger was considered a conservative and supporter of Lincoln, and John D. Burnett, in
267
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
ceasing to be a Whig, was identified with the Breckenridge section of the Democ- racy. Notwithstanding the discordant elements composing the committee, the times and the situation demanded an abeyance, if not an entire surrender of, previous political affinities, and a new and single plank in a platform on which all might stand, the advocacy of a principle paramount to all partisanship, and, for the time being the disintegration of all political parties.
The committee reported four resolutions, in substance, that the citizens are attached to the Constitution and Union, and that the preservation of the Gen- eral Government and the Union of the States are essential to the tranquillity and safety of the people at home and their security and respect abroad ; that the constitutional rights of every State and citizen must be preserved ; are op- posed to the citizens of any State intermeddling with the domestic relations of another State, and the legal and constitutional obligations of the people of one State to be carried out in spirit and letter to the citizens of other States ; that the power and authority of the General Government must be maintained, and the laws of Congress enforced in every State and Territory, until repealed or adjudged unconstitutional by the proper judicial tribunal, and that attempts by the authorities of any State to nullify the Constitution of the United States or laws of the Federal Government, or to resist the execution of them, are revo- lutionary in their character and tend to the destruction of the country. After some discussion, the three resolutions were adopted by the meeting.
The fourth resolution was divided into sections, and gave rise to an acri- monious debate, protracted to some length, and marked throughout with an im- passioned oratory such as the speakers themselves were rarely capable of and the court-room was a stranger to.
Resolved (1), That we recommend the repeal of all personal-liberty bills.
(2) That the Fugitive Slave law be amended for the preventing of kidnapping, and so as to provide for the equalization of the Commissioners' fees, etc.
(3) That the Constitution be so amended as to prohibit interference with slavery in any of the States where it now exists.
(4) That Congress shall not interfere with the inter-State slave trade.
(5) That there shall be a perpetual prohibition of the African slave trade.
(6) That the line of 36° 30' north latitude shall be run through all the existing territory of the United States ; that north of that line slavery shall be prohibited, and south of that line neither Congress nor the Territorial Legislature shall hereafter pass any law abolishing, prohib- iting or in any manner interfering with African slavery ; and that when any Territory, contain- ing a sufficient population for one member of Congress in any area of 60,000 square miles, shall apply for admission as a State, it shall be admitted with or without slavery, as its constitu- tion may determine.
The fourth resolution, with its various sections, was discussed by a number with great earnestness and eloquence, when Henry T. Niles offered as a substi- tute the following, which he supported with great ability :
Resolved, That we, as citizens of Urbana, are in favor of the Union, the Constitution, and the enforcement of the laws.
No second was made to the amendment, and consequently no action was had on the resolution. The fight of the meeting was mainly on the fourth resolu- tion, the first three meeting little or no opposition.
Joseph C. Brand and John A. Corwin opposed, and Ichabod Corwin, John S. Leedom, A. F. Vance, L. H. Long and R. C. Fulton spoke in favor of the adoption of the fourth resolution. Levi Geiger, A. C. Denel and George B. Way replied adversely to its adoption, making the key-note of their speeches that the Constitution needed enforcement, not amendment, when Levi Geiger moved to lay the resolution on the table, which was carried.
268
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
A communication was then read by the Secretary, which was a copy f a letter from Gen. E. P. Fyffe to Gov. Dennison, pledging the valley to promptly respond to a call for 5,000 men whenever the Governor thought proper to make the call, which called down the applause and a vote of thanks to Gen. Fyffe by the House.
Ichabod Corwin offered the following :
We, the people of the town of Urbana, are unalterably and forever attached to, and in favor the supremacy of the Constitution, and of all laws passed in pursuance of it, and of the union fthese States; and for the maintenance thereof against all attacks from all quarters we pledge to fach our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.
The resolution was passed unanimously, and the multitude, having joined in singing " The Flag of the Union," adjourned.
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.