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 30
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1876 Feb. 25 Mar. 10 Mar. 4 Apr.
7 Apr. 18 Apr. 12 Apr. 22 Apr. 28 Apr. 26
May 12
21
10
12
26
?0
77
77
47
1.89
21
29
22
30
32
19
23
15
25
24
49
107
35
107
43
23
5.54 4.74 3. 57 15.88 2.41 3.27
2.11 49.62
18
1.81
24
19
28
40
35
31
65
57
42
1.99
18
2.32
1.85
1.65
21
18
24
60
36
49
82
43
72
54
3.07 2.63 2.34
2.49 3.211.92 1.61
5.59 37.17
Almond.
Crab Apple.
May
3 Apr. 22
Apr. 22 Apr. 24 Apr. 28
Apr. 27 Apr. 27 12 May
Apr. 28
Apr. 22 Apr. 20 May 2
6 May
May 15 May 12
May 22
May 19 May 20 May 12
Whole
Force
1856
1.021.90 1.09 1.90 3.84
42
112
Apr. 30 May
274
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
RAILROADS.
Cincinnati, Sandusky & Cleveland Railroad .- This road, first called the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad, under which designation it was chartered and built, was the first railroad to enter Champaign County. It was many years in building, and, being the first road proposed through this county, its advent was looked for with great interest by the citizens of the county, many of whom had subscribed liberally to the stock. The northern end of the road was early placed under contract, and work was also begun from Cincinnati to the north during the year 1847 or 1848. The first passenger train arrived at Urbana, from Sandusky City, on Thursday evening, July 30, 1848, and was welcomed by a large and enthusiastic concourse of citizens, who had assembled at the de- pot to witness the long-expected and gratifying event. The completion of the line to Urbana left but fourteen miles of staging between Urbana and Cincin- nati, and this soon gave way to the iron track and cars. The progress of this great thoroughfare has been rapid, and to-day it is one of the great lines among the many in this State.
The Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad .- This is a branch of the great railway system of the country, and was first projected and built as a connecting line between Columbus, Ohio, and Indianapolis, Ind., and was called the Columbus, Piqua & Indiana Railroad. It was completed from Columbus to Urbana some time in 1853, and the work was slowly pushed westward, reaching Piqua in 1854. The first regular through train passed over the line on Mon- day, April 4, 1859, and from that time forward the road has advanced rapidly in importance until it is now one of the greatest of the great east-and-west railroads, with a press of both freight and passenger traffic that has assumed mammoth proportions. The original road received material aid from the citi- zens of Urbana and Champaign County, and the road, in turn, has been of in- calculable benefit both to the city and county.
The New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad .- This name was adopted in April, 1880, for the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad. This road was some years in building, and was finally completed to Urbana in 1865, since which time the road has been twice in the hands of a receiver ; the last occasion it was secured by the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad Com- pany, which now controls it. The road was originally constructed as a broad gauge of six feet in width, and continued as such until the 22d of June, 1880, on which day the entire route of 389 miles was changed, in the short space of four hours and fifteen minutes, to the standard width of four feet and nine inches.
The Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad .- This road runs through the southeast corner of Champaign County, through Union and Goshen Townships and the town of Mechanicsburg in the latter township. The original company was called the Springfield, Mt. Vernon & Mansfield Railroad Company, and the road was built through this county in 1851 and 1852. Its advent at Mechanicsburg was celebrated by a grand free excursion to Springfield, and general rejoicing by the people. The people of Goshen Township voted $25.000 in aid to the road, and later some litigation was had, but seems to have been decided favorably to the road, after an outlay of nearly as much more in the legal test. Some 234 car-loads of stock were shipped from Mechanicsburg in 1879, and 100 car-loads of lumber. The road opens up a fine country, and will, no doubt, continue to prosper and prove a great benefit to the county.
275
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
THE UNITED STATES EXPRESS COMPANY.
This company has indeed become a national institution, and the agency at Urbana has well kept pace with the general advancement of the business throughout the country. The agency at Urbana was established about March, 1848, with the advent of the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad, and was then known as the W. A. Livingstone & Co. Express, until merged into the United States Express. W. W. Helmick, now an old citizen and Justice of the Peace in Urbana, was the first agent, and he relates how strangely the business was conducted in those days. People were singularly honest. They intrusted their money and valuables to the care of the agent without receipt, and the agent, for want of better facilities, frequently carried large sums of money around in his pockets, and no man molested or made him afraid. Mr. Helmick served as agent for about two years, the first year attending to the business as an accom- modation, and latterly receiving, in all, about $50 as compensation. He was succeeded by Lucien Barney, who held the position two or three years, and was, in turn, succeeded by Mr. William Hamilton. The business gradually in- creased and became systemized, as other railroads were completed through Ur- bana. Mr. A. C. Humphreys took the agency in 1859, and conducted it suc- cessfully until about September, 1861, when he retired to go into other business, and was succeeded by the present incumbent, Mr. O. B. Happersett. Since that time, from a limited business, employing only the agent and one occasional assistant, the business has increased until now six men are required to properly attend it, and some nineteen express trains, arriving and departing by day and night, require their almost constant attention.
STATISTICS.
In the removal of papers, etc., incident to the rebuilding of the court house, statistics of agricultural reports cannot be ascertained to any extent. We are able to present a few years only.
1864.
1869.
1874.
1879.
Wheat, bushels.
393145
358445
572434
792546
Rye, bushels.
2381
1861
1135
603
Barley, bushels.
17791
6613
7249
1714
Buckwheat, bushels
2242
1908
720
1224
Corn, bushels
952762
1397423
1491473
1740546
Oats, bushels.
160196
201999
156959
185886
Hay, tons.
12336
10192
5878
8980
Clover, tons.
3450
3029
3785
5360
Flax, bushels.
12976
923
759
7767
Potatoes, bushels
ยท 33537
39868
42436
68957
Butter, pounds.
349199
433826
338299
406672
Cheese, pounds
31168
111041
125350
19920
Sorghum, gallons.
17570
15524
7021
12265
Maple Sugar, pounds.
128662
28746
4355
12373
Maple Sirup, gallons
8086
6237
4561
7752
Tobacco, pounds ..
52417
1700
1385
970
Average of wheat per acre in 1869
19.31 bushels.
Average of wheat per acre in 1874.
16.72 bushels.
Average of wheat per acre in 1879.
21.18 bushels.
Average of wheat per acre for ten years
15
bushels.
Average per acre in corn, 1869.
.38.2
bushels.
Average per acre in corn, 1874.
.35.4 bushels.
* Average per acre in corn, 1879.
39.2 bushels.
Average per acre in ten years
38 bushels.
276
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
HORSES.
CATTLE.
MULES.
SHEEP.
HOGS.
1870
9,190
18,128
352
84,823
154,709
1875
9,610
17,374
269
153,132
158,887
1880
10,448
18,600
208
138,152
175,160
POPULATION.
TOWNSHIPS AND TOWNS.
1850.
1860.
1870.
1880.
Adams Township.
1,123
1,263
1,238
1,445
Concord Township
1,010
1,008
1,035
1,157
Goshen Township
1,943
1,856
1,965
2,597
Mechanicsburg
682
735
940
Harrison Township.
968
1,070
944
974
Springfield.
1,735
1,771
1,831
1,968
Johnson Township
1,573
2,021
2,297
2,445
St. Paris.
550
1,920
Millerstown ..
529
Mad River Township
1,908
2,006
1,803
2,000
Rush Township
1,400
1,522
1,789
2,152
Lewisburg
302
379
733
1,151
Woodstock
1,634
1,901
1,874
2,106
Urbana Township Urbana City
3,429
4,276
6,252
Union Township
1,645
1,681
1,600
1,588
Wayne Township.
1,429
1,570
1,729
1,599
Cable
131
Middletown
126
Totals
17,557
25,919
26,103
31,397
The censuses of the county, as shown by national census statistical reports of the State, are as follows, differing in some respects from the foregoing report. The precincts of several of the townships will add to 1880 : For 1810, 6,303 ; 1820, 8,479 ; 1830, 12,131; 1840, 16,721; 1850, 19,782; 1860, 22,698 ; 1870, 24,188; 1880, 31,397.
PARTY POLITICS.
A detailed history of the political parties of Champaign County would occupy unnecessary space, and is consequently neither contemplated nor desired. As in other matters of current history, we shall endeavor to group this topic into separate periods, sufficiently indicating the political complexion of the com- munity. It does not fall within the scope of our plan to investigate the causes which have given marked and continued differences of political opinions in townships separated only by an arbitrary line, nor to seek to know what man, by the force of his intellect, was able to impress upon the people within his reach the convictions which have remained with them. Three periods may be more particularly noticed, as indicating the changes that have occurred in partisan politics and in the character of party organizations ; these are 1800, 1840 and 1880.
1800 .- In the organization of the Republic, men's minds were naturally divided as to what power should be conferred on the General Government, and
205
300
Salem Township Kennard.
70
1,600
1,827
1,514
Jackson Township.
172
yours Truly David Steinlarger MAD RIVER. TP.
279
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
after the ratification of the Constitution, as to the doubtful line of powers con- ferred on or restricted to the legislative department of the nation. The ques- tion has in a large measure entered into the political principles of the leading parties of the country, from that day to this, and was indicated in the beginning by the names adopted-Federal and anti-Federal. The evil results that followed were not from the differences of opinion, but from the bitterness of controversy.
In the inaugural address of Jefferson, March 4, 1801. was enunciated the policy of the President, which showed that he desired to effect a unity of action between the parties which divided the country. To a great extent this had the desired effect, and for a long time constituted a creed of political faith for great numbers of the people. The political principles then announced have been made the primer of all politicial parties, and make the glittering generalities of platforms in modern days.
In the earlier period, politics was more a question with the individual than with the masses, and, consequently, organization was the work of a subsequent generation. Caucuses were unknown, and would not have been tolerated. As late as 1820, a call was made by Samuel Smith for a nominating caucus of the House of Representatives ; but it received so little favor that the few who attended adjourned sine die. For local or county officers, the field was open for all who chose to present their names. Population was so sparse that every voter could be seen on the day of election ; and fitness for office was considered of more im- portance than opinions on abstract questions of government. In Mad River Township, a certain man was candidate for the office of Assessor on one occasion. The year previous he had filled the same office, and employed twelve days in the work. John Taylor refused to vote for him for the reason of waste of time in his official duties. This was sufficient groundwork for the election of Taylor on the spot, and this spirit largely pervaded the old settlers.
Candidates, or sometimes political friends, announced names for election. Thus we have elsewhere seen that, as late as 1828, Mr. John H. James, Mr. Abram R. Colwell and Mr. Charles Anthony were each before the public for election to the Legislature, presented without the dictation of a caucus or the manipulations of a convention of delegates.
The system commends itself for its simplicity and honesty, and is substan- tially reached, in 1880, by what is called the "primary election " system. Jef- ferson's inaugural of 1801 had its influence in molding the politics of Cham- paign, and the political complexion of the county was what was then distinctly called Republican, and for some time Democratic Republican. The party after- ward divided into two sections, one following the lead of Jackson and Crawford, the other of Adams and Clay. The former were called Jackson men, and Democrats-a title by which the Jacobins of France were known, and which this branch of the party accepted as their distinctive title; the other branch styled themselves Whigs. In the division, the body of the county fol- lowed the Whig standard.
1840 .- Prior to the canvass of 1840, material changes had taken place in the political machinery of the county. Some knowledge of the general politics of the country is necessary to understand these. The election of Andrew Jackson to the Presidency introduced a new element into politics, afterward called the " spoils system," from an expression used by William L. Marcy, " To the victors belong the spoils." The President removed 690 men from Federal offices, and in connection with the removal said that " he was too old a soldier to leave a garrison in the hands of his enemies." A proscriptive policy was
F
280
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
novel in politics, and at once suggested the expediency of combination to secure success. Prior to 1831, nominations for President and Vice President had been made by members of Congress composing the distinctive parties.
The first National Convention ever assembled in the United States, met in Baltimore in September, 1831, and nominated Mr. William Wirt for President
on an Anti-Masonic ticket. The "National Republican," or Whig party, met in the same city in December, and nominated Henry Clay. In May following a ratification meeting was held in Washington City, and a " platform " adopted favoring a protective tariff and internal improvements, and opposing removals from office. Mr. Lemuel Weaver represented Champaign County at the ratifi- cation meeting. The Democratic Convention met in Baltimore in 1832, and nominated Andrew Jackson. From this period dates more thorough party or- ganizations. Martin Van Buren was chosen successor to Andrew Jackson as President, and continued the same general policy.
The year 1837 was one of great financial depression. The banks sus- pended specie payments, which was followed by great commercial distress, pros- tration of business and depreciation of property, all of which was attributed to the policy of the administration. To make matters worse, the prices of wheat, corn, oats, pork and other farm products, were high, selling in 1838 at better figures than those of 1880. The policy is more clearly set forth in questions growing out of the establishment of the U. S. Bank, and which were usually termed " the removal of the deposits," or placing the moneys belonging to the United States in the hands of certain agencies specified by the Secretary of the Treasury instead of the bank ; " the specie circular," or an order requiring payments for public lands to be paid in gold and silver, and a "Sub-Treasury," or agency, to be established by law for the deposit and safe-keeping of the na- tional moneys.
The Presidential campaign began in fact very soon after Van Buren had taken his seat. Pursuing the policy of Jackson, to which was charged the general distress, aroused fears of a continued depression of business ; and the general stagnation of trade gave ample time to discuss the situation. The Whig papers, at an early day, opened the attack and very generally expressed preferences for William Henry Harrison for President, Thomas Corwin for Governor, Thomas Ewing for United States Senator, and Joseph Vance for District State Senator. Conventions composed of delegates were not then in fashion. February 18, 1838, a mass convention of the county was called to Ur- bana to select delegates to attend a convention to be held in Columbus. Of this meeting, A. R. Colwell was Chairman, and Moses B. Corwin, Ira Bean, James R. McBeth and R. R. McNemar, a committee to report resolutions. The com- mittee reviewed the general condition of the country and the causes from a Whig standpoint ; expressed a preference for W. H. Harrison for President ; concurred in a convention at Pittsburg, and recommended 123 delegates for a convention in Columbus. William Patrick, John Owens andE. P. Fyffe were appointed a committee to report names of delegates, all of which was concurred in by the meeting. May 31, 1838, the Columbus Convention was held. Among the delegates from Champaign were William McDonald, William Vance, M. B. Corwin, Absalom Fox, James A. McLain, William Rock, W. L. Con- verse, Joseph Hill, James Grafton, John West, J. R. McBeth, Joseph Wiley, Henry Funk, Decatur Talbott, I. F. Noble, S. H. Robinson, Harvey B. Cor- win, J. C. V. Taylor, James Rock, J. C. Phillips, William Barrett, Thomas Moore, A. S. and C. Hunter, Elijah Breedlove, W. W. Helmick, W. Nichol-
281
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
son, W. W. Crabb, D. C. Whitehall, William Patrick, William McGill, John A. Corwin, William Thomas, Oren F. Mann, Joel Burnsides, E. Burnham, Joseph Irwin and David Parry. All the counties of the State sent to the con- vention at Columbus large delegations, and multitudes went from interest and curiosity. Never before nor since has the city been so crowded. In August, the Central Committee made a call for a new convention of all the Whigs of the county to agree on a list of candidates, and appointed a committee to draft an address to the people of the county. The Democrats also had a mass meeting in Urbana, August 4. Wm. Hunt, Israel Hamilton and Andrew Ebert, the Commit- tee on Resolutions made report in which they declare that the parties now represent the distinguishing features of 1798, 1800 and 1812; that the Whigs represent the monopolies and exclusive privileges ; the Democracy, the cause of equal rights ; that the policy of the Whig party tends to establish an aristocracy by aid of concentrated and incorporated wealth ; that the main point at issue was the establishment of a United States Bank, which was opposed by the Democ- racy because anti-republican and dangerous, and was supported by the Whigs because it gave an aid to political designs; that the body of the people were in favor of Republican principles and the administration of Van Buren, who was abused by the banks and their Whig allies, and that the election which had been carried by the Whigs in several States had been carried by pressure and panic, and the authority thus acquired had been exercised to create alarm and an apprehension of danger.
The Whigs held a mass meeting August 25, Samuel McCord, Chairman, and Joseph C. Brand, Secretary. The resolutions adopted averred that the meas- ures of the administration were at war with the interests of the country-op- posed to the long-settled policy of every administration until Jackson's; that innovations and experiments had been persisted in which were destructive to national prosperity and destroyed confidence in the future, the effect of which had been to derange foreign and domestic commercial relations, depreciate a healthy currency, suspend improvements and individual enterprises, lessen credit abroad and cripple credit at home; that the obstinacy of the administra- tion in seeking to force the adoption of the Sub-Treasury bill indicated a de- termination to follow the policy of Jackson; that the administration looked to the interests of office-holders, and not of the country; and that a change of policy could be had only by a change of men.
In the abstract of the resolutions adopted by the respective mass conven- tions above stated, is shown the key-note to the campaign. Beginning so early to prosecute the Presidential canvass, we might conjecture that the enthusiasm would die out long before the time for a vote for Presidential Electors. But every mass convention seemed to give intensity to the movement. The conven- tions brought out the masses as well as the politicians. Delegations came from every quarter, with banners, transparencies and music, in wagons, on horse- back and on foot. The rural districts came in all sorts of vehicles, bearing strange mottoes and devices. The processions and assembled crowds were vociferous in their demonstrations, and full of humor. The outpouring of the people and their noisy enthusiasm secured the nickname of the "Log Cabin " and "Hard Cider Party." This was accepted as the rallying cry of the masses, and suggested a multitude of devices for delegations, transparencies and clubs. Log cabins were built and placed on wheels, drawn by six horses, with a coonskin stretched and nailed to the outside ; sometimes a live coon perched on the ridge-pole. A barrel of cider usually was found in the " log
282
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
cabin," and the significant motto, " The latch-string always hangs out," gave li- cense to all who desired a cup of cider. The Democrats charged that the bar- rel generally had " buckeye chips " in it to give the cider additional strength. Bands of music preceded and appeared at regular intervals in the procession ; but a marked feature of every club, local meeting, procession, or mass conven- tion, was the songs. These were published in the newspapers and soon learned by all, and were sung to the well-known, popular airs of the day. Every week furnished new ballads. No more efficient means was used to heap ridicule on the administration and its supporters, and to ride the opposition into power. It was then popular, and had the merit of keeping up the enthusiasm ; but the "sober second thought " calls it most execrable doggerel. A vast deal of it was not even funny. No one was ever crazy enough to call the best of it poetry. A few samples may not be amiss :
Oh, what has caused this great commotion-motion-motion The country through ? It is the ball a rolling on For Tippecanoe and Tyler too, For Tippecanoe and Tyler too : And with them we'll beat little Van- Oh, Van ! a used-up man- And with them we'll beat little Van.
One of the most popular of the earlier songs or ballads was entitled the " Log Cabin," written by Otway Curry, a lawyer, politician and scribbler, of Union County, who at one time was suspected of being a favorite of the Muses, but who, so far as we know, has no higher claim to immortality than a popular campaign song of 1840. It was sung to the tune of the " Highland Laddie." We give the first verse. The "poem " may be found in the notes on Rush Township.
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 who wield the plow and spade, Where the log cabin stands in the bonnie Buckeye shade. 'Twas built, etc.
The following had its "run " of popularity : " TIPPECANOE RAISIN'."
Come, all you log-cabin boys, we're going to have a raisin' ; We've got a job on hand that we think will be pleasin'. We'll turn out and build Old Tip a new cabin, And finish it off with chinkin' and daubin'. We want all the log-cabin boys in the nation To be on the ground when we lay the foundation; And we'll make all the office-holders think it amazin', To see how we work at Old Tippecanoe's raisin'. Hurrah ! hurrah ! for Harrison and Tyler, A neat log cabin and a barrel of hard cider.
On the thirtieth day of next October, We'll take some hard cider, but we'll all keep sober ; We'll shoulder our axes and cut down the timber, And have our cabin done by the second of December ; We'll have it well chinked, and we'll have on the cover Of good sound clapboards, and the weight of poles over, And a good wide chimney for the fire to blaze in ; So come on, boys, to Old Tippecanoe's raisin'. Hurrah ! hurrah ! etc.
283
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
Ohio will find the house log timber,
And old Virginia, as you'll remember, Will find the timber for the clapboards and chinkin' ;
'Twill all be first-rate stuff, I'm thinkin'.
And when we want to daub it, it happens very lucky, That we have the best of Clay in old Kentucky ; For there's no other State has such a good Clay in To make the mortar for Old Tippecanoe's raisin'. Hurrah ! hurrah ! etc.
For the hauling of the logs, we'll call on Pennsylvania, For their Conestoga teams will pull as well as any ; And the Yankee States, and York State, and all of the others,
Will come and help us lift, like so many brothers;
The Hoosiers and the Suckers and the Wolverine farmers- They all know the right way to carry up the corners ; And every one's a good-enough carpenter and mason To do a little work at Tippecanoe's raisin'.
Hurrah ! hurrah ! etc.
We'll cut out a window and have a wide door in ; We'll lay a good loft and a first-rate floor in ; We'll fix it all complete for Old Tip to see his friends in,
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