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 44
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Through the southeastern part of the township passes the Cleveland. Colum- bus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad, affording to the farmers excellent means for marketing their products.
The population, as given at the last census (1880), is 1,588.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
To whom is due the honor of being the first settler of this township is not definitely known. We mention the names of Joseph McLain and Stephen Runyan as the first inhabitants of whom there is any authentic record. Mc- Lain was born in Virginia in 1775. Accompanied by Stephen Runyan and their families, he left Virginia in 1801. The party traveled to Wheeling, W.
K
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
Va., by wagon. In descending the precipitous hills, it was necessary to check the velocity of the trip downward. This was done by fastening small trees to the wagon. Their heavy weight served to detain the progress of the convey- ance. Upon arriving at Wheeling, they chartered a flat-boat, on which they floated toward Cincinnati. In the fall of the same year, they entered lands in the military section of this township. The fact that he occupied military lands was not disclosed to him (McLain) until some time after. When he ascertained the true condition of things, he purchased one hundred and seventy-seven acres of land of one Lugham and removed thereon. Squire James A. McLain was born July 9, 1804, and was the first white child born in the township. The Squire well remembers the two horses that were brought from Virginia. These horses performed many years of faithful service, and died at an old age. The Squire's youthful aspirations consisted in riding one of the horses, called Fox. The land was planted with corn, and in the fall a small crop was realized. McLain devoted much of his time in searching for bees and honey. With the money realized from the sale of the honey he paid for his land. He brought with him from his native country several hogs. These hogs increased in num- ber, and erelong the entire neighborhood was supplied with them. They were inferior in quality, and the cognomen of " wind-splitters " was usually applied to them. Corn-dodgers, venison and pork were their principal diet.
Barton Minturn, a native of New Jersey, entered a part of Section 28, at $2.25 per acre, in the spring of 1803. With him came his father, Jacob, the Joneses (Donald, Abram and Jesse), Donald Baker and John Clark. These men were all of the State of New Jersey, but, with Minturn, had removed to Virginia at an early day. They owned no lands in the latter State, and lived in poverty. Becoming dissatisfied with their lot, they concluded to remove to a new country in the West. They came down the Ohio River, and traveled from Cincinnati to this county by wagon. They were pleased with the inviting aspect, and concluded that "it was good to live here." They settled chiefly on prairie lands, which were in a fair state of cultivation. Jacob Minturn, who was the tax collector for a number of years, died in 1818. Barton departed this life in 1868. Two of his children still survive, viz., Jacob, a resident of Urbana, and Edward, born in 1805, who lives on the old homestead.
Jesse C. Phillips, a native of Virginia, came to the county in 1813, and set- tled in Salem Township. In 1835, he purchased fifty acres of land in the northwestern part of this township. By strict economy and industry, he has accumulated a farm of 400 acres. He has represented his county in the Legis- lature, and was a Justice of the Peace for twenty-one consecutive years. He is now eighty-one years of age, and enjoys a life of peace and comfort.
Joseph Diltz, a Virginian, settled in the northern part of the township. His descendants still live on and around the old homestead, and thus perpetuate the name of an upright man and a good citizen.
Samuel Harper left Virginia with his wife and five children in 1802. His Virginia farm was poorly drained, and the land was barren. To avoid living a life of poverty and privation, he concluded to seek a new home in the Buckeye State. The journey was made by a wagon, to which six horses were attached. Six weeks after the commencement of the trip, they arrived at Fairfield County in this State, where they purchased a tract of land. In 1816, Harper sold his property and removed to this township, settling on a tract of land near Pisgah Church, and now owned by J. Jones. The land he purchased of Samuel Cul- ver. Two of his sons, John and H. C., still live in the township. The former is eighty-one years of age.
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
Among the early settlers of Union Township, we take pleasure in recording the name of Benjamin Cheney. This gentleman, a Virginian by birth, came to this township in 1805. Himself and wife traveled the long journey on horseback. He assisted in the erection of the first cabin erected in Urbana. He settled on a part of Section J, which is still in the possession of his heirs. At first he devoted his time to splitting rails, but afterward paid more attention to the raising of cattle. During the war of 1812, he was employed as a spy by Hull. He received his discharge on the day preceding Hull's surrender. While pursuing this vocation, he became thoroughly acquainted with the coun- try. When peace was declared, he began driving cattle to Detroit, where he disposed of them at a profitable margin. It is said that he drove the first herd of cattle from this vicinity to Detroit. Buying and selling proved to be a very lucrative business, and at his death, which occurred in 1834, he had accumu- lated 2,000 acres of land. The circumstances connected with his death were peculiarly distressing. His son Zachariah, aged twenty-two, upon returning from a trip to the lakes, was seized with typhoid fever. Several members of the family were taken ill with the same disease. Zachariah died on July 23 ; his mother followed him on the 14th of August. On the 1st of September, the body of the father was laid beside those of the wife and son. Five children -all boys-were left alone to struggle with the wicked elements of the world. For some time, they were in a truly pitiable condition, but in time the wound was healed, and they grew reconciled to their irreparable loss. Mr. Cheney represented this county in the State Legislature, to the full satisfaction of his constituents. His son Jonathan was also a member of that body. Of the eight children which were the issue of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Cheney, but three survive, viz., Samuel (residing on a part of the old farm), Benjamin (resid- ing north of Samuel) and John (a resident of Indiana).
Jacob Van Meter was born on the South Branch of the Potomac, in the State of Virginia, in 1784. When but a boy, he came to this State and settled in Clark County. Here he lived for several years, when he removed to this town- ship, settling on the farm now occupied by his son Jacob. He died February 22, 1867. He had eight children, five of whom are still living, viz., Joseph (living near the home farm), Jane (who married - Bredney, a resident of Kentucky), Mary (residing in Urbana), Lavina (living in Clark County) and William (who occupies the home farm).
George Wolfe was born, in 1803, in Jefferson County, Va. He left his native land in 1820, and came to Clark County, in this State, where he remained until 1852, excepting a short period, during which he resided in Logan County; then came to this township, where he continued to reside.
Samuel Humes came to this township in 1826, and settled on Section 36. He came from Virginia accompanied by his wife and one child-Elizabeth-who is now living in the State of Illinois. Of the 180 acres which he purchased, 100 were in a state of cultivation. When he arrived, the country was but thinly settled, and log cabins predominated.
John Lafferty came in 1810, and settled on the land now owned by George Wolfe. His descendants are living in various parts of the township. The Val- entines, Bidwells and Cartmills were among the very early settlers. We append the names of a majority of the residents of the township in 1816; Schrock owned a farm near Texas, and lived in a brick house ; John Lafferty owned the farm of George Wolfe, and occupied two cabins, which were erected on spots now used in connection with the pike. West of Texas was the farm
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
owned by David Marsh ; adjoining this farm was a tract of land owned by Will- iam Paul, and containing 670 acres; south of this was the farm of Squire Jones, a prominent man, who was Justice of the Peace for twenty years. West of these lands was a quarter-section owned by James Reed ; adjoining this were the lands of Jesse Egmon, Samuel Hedges, Ward and Allen Minturn. These farms constituted the western line of the township. Immediately north of the Hedge farm lived William Dunlap, whose farm was adjoining to that of Nathan Reese, on the north, and James Hayes, on the south. North of the Reese farm, Joseph Rowell resided. Jacob Reese lived east of the latter. One Smallwood owned land north of Reese, and north of the former lived Martin Reynolds, a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. East of Reynolds was a large tract of land, containing 600 acres, in the possession of Solomon Voss ; east of this was another tract of 400 acres, the property of Neil Gun. North of this land lived Thomas Harfor. John Taylor owned 300 acres at King's Creek. The farm now owned by Wesley Diltz was in the pos- session of Joseph Diltz. Lewis Kinsley occupied the present John Harper farm. North of Harper lived - Robinson. Pollock, Samuel Hayes, Francis Robinson and Isaac and John McAdams were also neighbors of Kinsley. A large tract of land, containing 1,400 acres, immediately east of the McAdams estate, was owned by the heirs of one Ruffian ; this extended to the Lafferty farm. East of Lafferty were the lands owned by Benjamin Cheney ; adjoin- ing him were the Pierce and Cartmill estates. Thomas H. Humes, a land agent, controlled the land west of Cartmill. Andrew Sawyer, John Bridge and Hudson, owned farms on the east of the Paul estate. Abner Barrett lived south of the Taylor lands ; east and south of these were the farms of Hiram M. Curry, Paul Huston, Judge Runyan and Joseph McLain. They were joined on the west by the lands of Barton Minturn and the Jones brothers. That sec- tion of the country known as "Turkey Ridge" was inhabited by James Tem- pleton and family. Adjoining him on the south were the Van Meter lands. Many of these lands are still owned by the descendants of the original settlers. Others have passed into the hands of strangers. They have been improved and are productive. Most of the large tracts have been subdivided into smaller farms, to accede to the demands of a steadily increasing population.
INDIAN TROUBLES.
The pioneer, upon entering the land of his future home, was speedily apprised of the fact that he had many dangers to encounter. Of these, the hostile de- meanor of his red neighbors was the most formidable. When the first settle- ments were made, numberless Indian families were encamped in the different parts of this township. The men devoted their time chiefly to hunting and fishing, while the women raised a small crop of potatoes and vegetables, and begged of the settlers. They were generally inclined to be peaceable. The land now owned by James A. McLain was a favorite rendezvous for the savages. In 1807, a report that the Indians had taken up arms against their white neigh- bors reached the settlement. Everybody, thoroughly alarmed, hurried to the block-house, located on the site of Squire McLain's present residence. This block-house had been erected some time previous as a matter of precaution against any designs on the lives of the settlers. The Indians, however, trav- eled farther northward, and left the people unmolested. After a stay of six weeks, during which time two children were born, the pioneers concluded that all danger was past, and left for their respective homes.
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
Several years ago, over one hundred human bodies were exhumed from the gravel-pit on the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railway, just west of Catawba Station. Prof. Moses, of the Urbana University, pronounced them European skeletons. It is conjectured that, during the eighteenth cen- tury, a number of Frenchmen came from the shores of Lake Erie and entered this land with the view of making it their permanent home, and that the entire party was massacred by the redskins. In this same locality are a number of Indian mounds. Some of them have been opened and skulls taken there- from.
Simultaneously with the immigration of the whites, began the exit of the savages. They turned their steps westward in search of wild and impermeable forests. Their departure was gradual, and not until the year 1825 did the last trace of Indian life disappear.
INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.
For a number of years before to the first actual settlements were made, tilling the soil was the only vocation of the inhabitants. But, as time passed on, and the number of cultivated acres were increased in number, the yield of corn and grain increased also. The process of home "corn-cracking" became irksome ; too much valuable time was also consumed in conveying the wheat and other products to the far-away mills. But not until 1821 was this diffi- culty overcome. In that year, Daniel Roberts erected a flouring-mill in the southern part of the township. The machinery of this mill was propelled by water. Burton Minturn operated a distillery in early times. The distillery was located on the lands of one Glenn. Several years ago a steam saw-mill was erected on the land just south of Mutual. This mill is now being success- fully operated by Runyan & Price. Another saw-mill, located in the extreme southwestern corner of the township, is owned by James L. Crain. John R. Moody is an extensive manufacturer of Darby Plain Cheese.
EARLY CUSTOMS, INCIDENTS, ETC.
For a number of years, corn was the only production of the soil. Later on, an experiment in raising wheat proved successful, and subsequently more atten- tion was given to the production of this article. Cattle, hogs and horses were fed in large numbers; the latter were bought by the agents of Eastern firms and driven to Baltimore. The diet of the pioneer consisted mainly of corn dodgers, venison, etc. Salt was obtained from Cincinnati or Sandusky City. They would take a wagon loaded with produce to these cities, and were fortunate in returning with a barrel of salt. For flour they usually received $5 per barrel.
Great excitement was caused in 1848 by the report that suit would be in- stituted against the property-holders of the tract of land known as the Lee Military Survey. This land was sold to various persons by the Sheriff, in de- fault of a payment of taxes. In the year just mentioned, William S. Sulivan, an attorney of Columbus, purchased of the heirs of Lee their full claim to the land, and at once brought action against the land-holders, holding that their claim to the property was invalid. The court sustained him, and the residents had to purchase their lands a second time.
In 1844, a brutal murder was committed in this township. A swarm of bees were stolen from Felty Jacobs. He accused William Shamlin, a person of
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
questionable habits, of being the thief. This maddened the latter. At a favor- able moment he struck Felty, crushing his skull and killing him almost in- stantly. Shamlin was arrested, and confined in the county jail, but escaped by the assistance of his wife, who had obtained employment in the jail.
While the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad was being constructed, a curious incident occurred. The grade, in portions of this town- ship, is about eighty feet higher than the surrounding country. Just as arrange- ments were being made to lay the iron, the entire amount of gravel used in con- structing the grade, together with the ties, disappeared as if by magic. Inves- tigation disclosed the fact that the whole mass had sunk into the depths of the earth. The spot was filled with numerous eyeless fish. A new grade was made of oak lumber and gravel, which has been perfectly substantial to all ap- pearances.
RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.
With one or two exceptions, the first settlers of this township were members of the Presbyterian denomination. They usually held services at the cabin of James McLain. John Woods was the first minister-came here in 1807. Following him came Archibald Steele and Joseph Stephenson. James Hughes was the first regular minister ; he began his work of love in 1813. A log house of worship was erected on the site of the present building (near Mutual), in the same year. This building was destroyed by fire in 1827, and the present edi- fice erected soon after. The church organization is now in a flourishing con- dition.
The Methodists organized a society shortly after the organization of the Presbyterians. Lafferty's cabin, on the site of the Wolfe estate, was the first preaching place. The house was always crowded during the services, and it frequently became necessary for the women to take off their shoes and stand on the beds. A circuit rider generally put in his appearance once a month and conducted the services. Crume, Miller and Mitchell are mentioned as being among the first of these "traveling preachers." Of Mitchell it is said that he was an uncompromising opponent of collegiate education. Both Miller and Mitchell were extremely vulgar in their language. Quarterly meetings were generally held in a barn on the Minturn farm. In connection with this early organization we cannot forbear publishing the following incident, related to the writer by Mrs. Mary Jones: "Johanna Minturn was an exemplary Christian and a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. One Saturday night, an angelic vision revealed to her that she would die on the noon of the coming Monday. On the day following, she requested her friends to pray for her. Monday was a rainy and cheerless day. She felt indisposed, and a number of friends called on her. Her person became chilled, and she requested to be re- moved to the fire-place. On feeling worse, she was placed in bed; here she died at just 12 o'clock." Services are now held on each alternate Sabbath. Rev. E. C. Smith, present minister.
Pisgah Methodist Episcopal Church, situated three miles southwest of Mutual, on the Pisgah Pike, was organized in 1830 by Rev. Brandriff, and con- sisted mainly of late members of the Mutual Methodist Episcopal Church. The building was erected shortly after the formation of the society. At pres- ent the church is in a weak condition, many of its old pillars having departed to a better world. Services are now held on each alternate Sabbath.
The Buck Creek Presbyterian Church is located on Section 31, in the south- eastern part of the township. The first building was built of logs, and was
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
destroyed by fire. In about 1830, a brick building was erected at a cost of $1,000. Some time later, this building was torn down, and a substantial brick erected ; $3,000 were spent in defraying the cost of this structure. The original log church was built in 1815, on land donated by James Robinson.
Diltz Chapel (Methodist Episcopal) was organized in 1838 by Wesley Diltz, Wesley Yocum, Amos Jackson and Mrs. Sarah Bidwell, at the house of Wes- ley Diltz-now occupied by Wesley Yocum. Rev. George W. Walker was the first officiating clergyman. They at once proceeded to erect a log building, 26x22, in which services were held for upward of twenty years. In about 1850, the present frame structure, 20x26, was erected. Rev. J. T. Bail preached the dedicatory sermon. The church now consists of about seventy members, who dwell in unity together. Services are conducted every Sabbath by Rev. Smith.
SCHOOLS.
The first school of which we have any account was at a period prior to 1810. Our knowledge of this is very limited, however; from tradition, we are satisfied it was taught in a log house that stood in Section 28, on the present site of the house of Edward Minturn, Esq., who is probably the only one now living that received instruction within its apartment. George Minturn was the instructor. About the year 1810 or 1812, a schoolhouse was erected on the Runyan farm, taught by John Owens, and afterward by one - De Long, the pupils receiv- ing instruction in Webster's Speller and Pike's Arithmetic. The latter was a subscription school, as very likely was the former, for at that early period such was the only mode of supply.
The schools on the subscription plan were the only ones conducted for years. At a later day, independent schools sprang up among those of the townships which fortune had most smiled upon. This was some little time prior to 1830.
The first brick schoolhouse was built by John Ward, in the southeast corner of the township. There are now eleven schoolhouses in the township, costing on an average $2,000 each. All are in good condition. Of these, the one at Mutual is the largest. It was built in the year 1878, at a cost of $3,100. It is a brick structure, 30x46 feet, and is two stories in height, having one room on each floor. It was opened with an attendance of seventy-eight scholars, under the instruction of T. J. Keller and Caroline Saxbe. The house is well finished. Each room has a seating capacity of sixty pupils. The building is considered, for its size, the best house in the county. The teachers now hold- ing the reins are John W. Pearce and Miss Crable.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.
The early records of the township having been lost, we give, from tradition, 1805 as the year in which the township was laid out. James McLain was one of the first Trustees, and Jacob Minturn was the first Collector of Taxes. At an early election, held October 8, 1811, the poll-book makes the following exhibit : John Gutridge, Sr., Joseph McLain, Jacob Minturn, Benjamin Cheney and John Owens, Clerks of this election, were severally sworn as the law directs, previous to their entering on the duties of their respective offices.
NUMBER AND NAMES OF ELECTORS.
1. Hiram M. Curry,
2. Wesley Hathaway,
3. Jacob Minturn,
4. John Price,
5. Solomon Scott,
6. John Sayre,
7. John Lafferty,
8. Jonathan Brown,
9. Alexander McCorkle,
1
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
10. John Ross,
30. Gabriael Briant,
50. John Elefrits,
31. David Vance,
51. Henry Vanmeter,
12. Jesse Gutridge,
32. Abijah Ward, 52. William Ray,
13. Joseph McLain,
33. Enoch Sargeant,
53. Ebenezer Cheney,
14. John Gutridge, Sr.,
34. Joseph Cummons,
54. John Clark,
15. Moses Gutridge,
35. David Marsh,
55. Richard Carbus,
17. Paul Huston,
37. Obed Ward,
57. Adam Rhodes,
18. Isaac Titsworth,
38. James Maryfield,
58. Francis Owen,
19. John Kelly,
39. Emmanuel Maryfield,
59. Jeremiah Tucker,
20. Barton Minturn,
40. Alexander Ross,
60. William Cheney,
21. Charles Harrison,
41. James Lowry,
61. James Mitchel,
22. James McLain,
42. Stephen Runyon,
62. David Osburn,
23. Abner Barritt,
43. Allen Minturn,
63. Thomas Pearce, Sr.,
24. Philip Miller,
44. William Valentine,
64. John Runyon,
25. Adam Miller,
45. Daniel Jones,
65. Thomas Sayre,
26. John Owen,
46. Richard Runyon,
66. Daniel Baker,
27. William Kelly,
47. Daniel Neal,
67. Jacob Reese,
28. Benjamin Cheney,
48. John Neal,
49. Justus Jones,
It is by us certified, that the number of electors at this election amounts to sixty-eight.
ATTEST :
BENJAMIN CHENEY, Clerks.
JOHN OWEN,
Goshen and Union Townships were formerly one (Union Township) ; a division was made in 1820.
The following is a list of the principal officers of the township from the year 1848 to 1880 inclusive :
1848-Trustees, Joseph C. Brand, John Lafferty, Jonathan Cheney ; Clerk, S. C. Runyan ; Treasurer, William S. Taylor ; Assessor, Samuel Williams.
1849-Trustees, Joseph C. Brand, John Lafferty, Jonathan Cheney ; Clerk, S. C. Runyan : Treasurer, William S. Taylor ; Assessor, Samuel Williams. 1850-Trustees, Joseph C. Brand, John Lafferty, Jonathan Cheney ; Clerk, D. V. Runyan ; Treasurer, William S. Taylor; Assessor, Samuel Williams. 1851-Trustees, Samuel Williams, John Lafferty, J. C. Phillips ; Clerk, S. C. Runyan ; Treasurer, William S. Taylor ; Assessor, Samuel Williams. 1852-Trustees, John H. Runyan, Samuel Williams, S. B. Bailey ; Clerk, D. Roddebaugh ; Treasurer, W. S. Taylor ; Assessor, Samuel Williams. 1853-Trustees, Jonathan Cheney, Isaac W. Spencer, J. C. Phillips ; Clerk, Benjamin Clark ; Treasurer, W. S. Taylor ; Assessor, Samuel Humes.
1854-Trustees, Jonathan Cheney, J. C. Phillips, James H. Buncutter; Clerk, Benjamin Clark ; Treasurer, Isaac W. Spencer ; Assessor, J. C. Phillips. 1855-Trustees, Jonathan Cheney, James H. Buncutter, R. M. Woods ; Clerk, Benjamin Clark ; Treasurer, Washington Allen ; Assessor, A. Fox. 1856-Trustees, Jonathan Cheney, John H. Runyan, J. C. Phillips; Clerk, Benjamin Clark ; Treasurer, Isaac W. Spencer ; Assessor, A. Fox.
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