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 47
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
not leave if you would, nor you would not if you could. Augustus Eddy was a fine-looking man, and had a clear, strong, musical voice. The intonations seemed to have a magic power over you, as he would urge you to pause and think, and .you would be likely to promise.
" John Strange I had forgotten. He was a slender, tall, man, prepossessing in appearance ; when speaking, he would throw out his strong, shrill voice, till he would arrest attention, then he would hold you in a kind of suspense as though some commotion in nature was in expectation. The sinner would be in a state of alarm; then he would summon all his strength and pierce the wicked as though a well-aimed gun had sent a ball to pierce the heart, and :sometimes sinners would fall as if shot in reality.
" William Raper was perhaps as fine a looking man as ever I looked upon. The attention of the audience would never fail to be attracted by the noble dignity of the preacher, and the inevitable conclusion would be : " That you are a finished gentleman, and a wise counselor," and you would cheerfully take a :seat near the speaker ; his clear logic and profound thought so modestly given, would prepossess you in his favor ; you would begin to desire his companion- ship, and thus he could lead you against your pre-conceived opinions.
" George Marley was the most remarkable for native eccentricity of any in my knowledge. He had good preaching abilities. His audience would alternate between laughing and crying, just at Marley's pleasure, and it was perfectly natural-it may have been unavoidable. He was desired to preach once at each conference.
"George Walker was a large, stout man with a strong voice, and vehement in his manner. His assaults were made as by storm ; his spirit was kill or be killed ; not comprising, nothing daunted or impeding, but onward to victory. His mantle has fallen on but few.
" Leroy Swormstead traveled here when a young man, or rather, a white- headed boy ; he was medium in stature. I only remember that he was quite able. Daniel D. Davidson was a lean, long man, of good size, and very fine voice and good preaching abilities-a faithful Pastor and able divine.
" Michael Marley, was a well-made, hardy man of good size. His appearance indicated a man of thought and fixed principles, and seemed to say : "Treat me and my views respectfully, for they are sustainable by the highest authori- ties." And when put to the test, he never failed to make good his purpose. I think I have never known the man who could go into the depths of theology equal with Michael Marley, and he was a student to the end of his life. He would remind one of a man stationed at divergent roads in the wilderness, all unsafe but one, and a departure would hazard life, and it was his business to set them in the safe way. He was able to reconcile apparent conflicting pas- sages of Scripture, showing their meaning as they stood connected with other passages of Scripture, thus clearly bringing out and presenting truth ; and, when in his strength, he had great ability to force and apply his logical conclusions.
" On hearing Alfred Cookman, I thought he might be equal to Marley in this respect, but I only heard him twice, and in this, he seemed quite able to bring up to those deep thoughts that seemed beneath the surface, and to apply them ; .and I regret that these great men have gone, and that we can hear them no more.
" The difference between them as it strikes me is this : that Cookman would point to the safe road, all strewn with flowers and beautified with evergreens, : and make the impression that all the flowery paths were paths of peace, and
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
then he would go out with that grateful smile and thus win the misguided to. that peaceful way ; while Marley would describe the safety and security of his. way, and then point to the danger of those divergent roads, and send out its. thrilling, warning voice, showing the dreadful results, reaching out through countless ages, so as to alarm the fears of the guilty."
In the preceding pages, we have endeavored to describe the manner in which religion was introduced into the pioneer homes, referring also to the character- istics of some of the most remarkable proclaimers of Gospel liberty. It is now our pleasant task to record briefly, the histories of the different churches now in existence.
Westville M. E. Church .- This church is the offspring of the first religious organization of the township. In 1801, a sermon was preached under a sugar- tree, on the land of Ezekiel Arrowsmith, by Rev. James Davidson. This, the first Scriptural discourse, was listened to by a large concourse of people. Soon after, a society was organized, and meetings were held in the log houses of Chris- tian Stephens, Arthur Elliott and Mr. Brockmyer. The society prospered. favorably, and, in 1820, erected a log house of worship on the land of Ste- phens. In this building they continued holding services until 1826, at which time the increasing membership demanded the erection of a more commodious. structure. A neat one-story brick, 45x60, was built at Westville. The mate- rial for the same was obtained at a nominal figure, and the total cost of the church did not exceed $1,000. Rev. Lewis White was the minister at that time. This building served the purpose for which it was erected until the winter of 1877-78. When it was destroyed by fire. In the spring of 1878, a new building was erected at a cost of $5,000. This building is a neat one and one-half story edifice, and well furnished within. Services are held regularly, and, alto- gether, the society is prospering in intelligence and membership.
Terre Haute M. E. Church .- Diligent research has failed to trace the. origin of this church. We will, however, endeavor to portray with as much accuracy as possible the career of the organization. That portion of the mem- bership connected with the original society, residing in the southern part of the township, proceeded to erect a building on the land owned by William Ross, which was located in their midst. A desire to overcome the obstacles in the." way of attending a church located so far from their homes was the object of this step. The house was built in 1814, and of logs. William Weaver was elected as one of the first Trustees, and has been continued in that office to this day. The society was re-organized in 1835 by Rev. Joshua Boucher, and, immediately: after, the present edifice was erected at Terre Haute. Formerly, this was one of the most prosperous churches in the county. The many churches in the. neighborhood have had their detrimental effects, and the society is now hover- ing between life and death. Rev. John Black is the present minister.
The Baptist Church-Located one-half mile south of Westville, on the. Valley Pike, is recorded as one of the oldest in the township. In 1806, some of the members of the King's Creek Church, in Salem Township, obtained letters of dismissal, and at once proceeded with others to effect an organization: in this township, at the dwelling of Henry Pence. The Mad River Baptist. Association was formed in 1812, and this church connected itself with the same. The primary meeting of this organization was held at the house of Abijah. Ward. In 1819, a log building was erected on the site of the present building .. A few years later the society concluded to put up a brick edifice, which was. occupied for a number of years. The present building was afterward erected ..
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
Recently, a new roof was put on the structure, and it was also remodeled within. Since its organization the following ministers have proclaimed the glad tidings' of eternal life: John Thomas, John Norman, John Gutridge, Moses Frazee, Sr., Samuel Williams (served thirty years), E. D. Thomas, John M. Thompson (present incumbent). At times the church has met with adversities, but is now in a living condition. The building now used is a one and one-half story brick, the dimensions of which are 45x60.
Myrtle- Tree Church .- From a well-written history of this church, compiled by the Clerk, Mr. Amos Norman, we condense the following : The church was organized April 24, 1830, by Elder William Fuson. The first meeting was held on the first Sunday of the same month and year. It was estimated that one thousand people were present on the occasion, every section of the county being represented. It may be of interest to our readers why and under what circumstances the church received its name. A short time before the organiza- tion the wife of Elder Fuson had a dream. She had read the first chapter of Zachariah before retiring for the night, and meditated on the beauty of the myrtle tree. When asleep, she dreamed of the tree in the lovely valley, and. beheld it in all its glory. It was her request that the church should be chris- tened Myrtle-Tree, to which the others acquiesced. Following are the names- of the original members : George Pine, Bryant Moody, John Harnest, James. Pine, William Fuson, Phebe Moody, Ann Harnest, Sarah Pine, Sarah Pine, Sr., Deidamia Fuson, Lucy Comer, Elizabeth Whitmore. These have all since passed to that better land. Eight of the above received their letters of dis- missal from the Symm's Creek Baptist Church, Lawrence County, in this State. The remaining five were formerly members of the Nettle Creek Church. John Harnest was the name of the first baptismal candidate; he was a fellow soldier in the Revolutionary war with the father of Elder Fuson, and the first person buried in the cemetery of the church. September 11, 1830, John Harnest, Jr., was elected Clerk, and John Harnest, Sr., Deacon. A house of worship was erected shortly after the organization of the church on the land purchased of Samuel Kite; a calico dress for Mrs. Kite was the consideration. Elder Fuson continued as minister of the church until September 25, 1841, at which time he resigned on account of old age. Rev. James Randle has been minister since 1870. Amos Norman has officiated as Clerk since 1866. Since the organization a total of 589 names have been enrolled on the registers. A building committee was appointed March 27, 1880, and empowered to arrange for the erection of a new edifice. The old building was torn down, and a new one is now in course of construction.
Harmony Baptist Church, located on the Kirkpatrick Pike, was organized in 1857 by Revs. John Ebbert and David Runkle. The original members were dissolvents of the Myrtle-Tree Church. The first meeting was held at the barn of John Lutz, and subsequently meetings were held in the schoolhouse. In 1858, the organization contracted with Josiah Lutz for the erection of a church. Soon after, the members had the satisfaction of worshiping in a neat one-story building, 32x36. Rev. Beane is the present Pastor. The membership is sixty- two. A Sabbath school was organized in 1875 by Rev. Nixon. Philip Stover was the first Superintendent. The school has a membership of thirty. Charles- M. Bragg, Superintendent.
Westville Universalist Church .- This body was organized April 29, 1877. It was composed of one Pastor, three Deacons, three Trustees, one Treasurer, one Secretary, which were chosen from a number of sixteen, being the sum total of
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
the organization when in its infancy. In this condition, it was admitted into the State Convention held at Belpre, Ohio, in June following. A temple of worship was erected, in the summer of the same year, at a cost of $8,000, paid for largely by Squire Loudenback. The church was dedicated January 13, 1878, by Rev. S. P. Carlton, who has been its Pastor up to this time. The membership has swelled to 106. The church has for its object the promotion of Christianity and the elevation of mankind.
Several churches of the Lutheran denomination are located south of Terre Haute. Their history could not be ascertained.
EARLY INDUSTRIES ..
Our forefathers were not favored with the endless improvements of these modern times. They did not enjoy the advantages offered by the complicated machinery of the present day. And yet, the genius of invention claimed her rights in the American forests in those early days. When the harvest was over, it was necessary that the grain be converted into flour ; that the corn be con- verted into meal. For a time, family corn-crackers were used.
The first mill was erected by John Norman, on Nettle Creek, where B. Wiant's mill now stands. Norman placed a slight obstruction in the channel, where he had a wheel for the water to flow against, and a little primitive gear- ing set in motion a small stone that he picked up on his land. When he got his mill in running order, he would fill the hopper in the morning, then would leave to engage in other labor until noon, when he would again replenish the hopper, and fill the sacks with meal or cracked corn to the same height that they were with corn, he having made a hole in the sack with a bodkin before emptying them. John Pence built a mill on Nettle Creek in 1819. One Steinbarger erected a mill at the time of the construction of Norman's mill. The modus operandi of these milling institutions was similar to the one above described.
Much time was consumed in converting the grain into grist, and yet the building of each mill was hailed with joy, for the country was devoid of good roads, and travel was attended with many impediments ; hence the settlers longed to have a mill near at hand and easy of access.
William Runkle (afterward Judge Runkle) was a tanner. John Wiants was also a tanner, and considered master of his trade. These men were valuable additions to the neighborhood. The hides of the cattle were tanned into shoe-leather, and made up into shoes by the traveling shoemakers of those days.
Hess built a distillery on the Valley Pike some twenty-five years ago. He operated the institution successfully for a number of years, but was finally plunged into financial ruin, and left the country destitute and broken down. The building may yet be seen standing, but is slowly, yet surely, falling a vic- tim to the laws of decay.
The old Wiant Mill, on the Urbana and St. Paris Pike, has been re-built. Steam-power was introduced some twelve years ago, and saw-milling facilities were added. The establishment is now owned by J. C. Vincent, and is largely patronized by the inhabitants of the surrounding country. There are now four flouring-mills and six saw-mills in the township.
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421
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
PIONEER INCIDENTS.
In "ye olden times," the scarcity of trading-points was a matter of great inconvenience to the pioneers. It was customary to haul four-horse wagon- loads of grain to Sandusky or Cincinnati. Here the produce was sold at a nominal figure-wheat at 25 cents per bushel ; corn at 10 cents per bushel ; pork at $1.50 per hundred weight. The drivers of these conveyances did not enjoy lives of comfort and ease, by any means. Their journeys, on the con- trary, were attended with many privations. William Weaver relates, that, while returning from a trip to Sandusky, he was compelled to spend the night in the open air. Upon awakening in the morning, he found himself enveloped in snow. His iron constitution prevented the probability of any serious con- sequences.
Several pear-trees that were planted on the farm of Calvin Cook, sixty- three years ago, are yet in a healthy condition, and bear a bountiful crop each year.
In the year 1830, a number of Virginians came to this township, purchas- ing the farms of the settlers, most of which were in a good state of cultivation. Six dollars per acre was the average price paid for these lands. The settlers removed to Allen and Auglaize Counties, where they entered land at $1.25 per acre. Their children were arriving at maturity, and a desire to own land suf- ficient to provide for all of them was the object of this change.
By reference to the list of township officials, it will be noticed that John Haller served as Justice of the Peace for a number of years. The following incident will illustrate his unfaltering career as a public officer : A son of his engaged in hunting rabbits on the Sabbath Day. This desecration of the Lord's day was considered unlawful by the Squire. The culprit was arrested on the following day, and convicted after a fair and impartial trial. He was fined $5. The young lad was not worth that sum. But the demands of the law must be acceded to, and, to overcome the difficulty, the Squire himself paid the fine.
When the township was organized, a resolution prohibiting persons of color from settling within the township limits was passed by the people, showing the state of feeling then existing.
The writer does not wish to be considered disrespectful, and yet he is dis- posed, by actual observation, to conclude that Mad River can produce more bachelors and old maids than any other township in the county. Whether this is the result of pioneer instruction or not, we are not prepared to say. Recently, several persons, whose ages ranged from fifty to seventy years, left the state of single blessedness, to devote their remaining years to connubial bliss. "It is never too late to mend."
SCHOOLS.
The pioneer was exempt from all the advantages offered by the educational interests of the present day. No beautiful gothic edifices, produced by the com- bined skill of the architect and the contractor, were opened for the reception of the pupils ; no collegiate graduate offered his services as pedagogue. The humble log cabin, with its huge fire-place and greased paper windows, served as a schoolhouse. A person whose intellectual powers were superior only to those of the most ignorant, acted as schoolmaster. The Bible, Webster's speller, and
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
such other publications as could be obtained, constituted the text-books. But, by diligent study and firmness of purpose, many of the pupils of that day rose to a high degree of distinction. These subscription schools were continued until 1826. In that year, the township was laid off into eight school districts, containing 233 families. Competent teachers were engaged, and thus the friends of education had great cause for rejoicing. Among the early teachers, now living, who were employed under the provisions of the Common School Law, we mention Isaac Neff and David Laudenback. The former began teach- ing in 1842, and continued for twenty years; the latter began in 1829, and continued for a number of years. There are now twelve substantial school- houses, eleven of which are brick structures. They are well attended, in charge of reliable and intelligent instructors, and offer enticing inducements to the youth.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.
We are unable to give the date of the of the township organization and the names of officers elected at the first election. From an old record of the town- ship, dated 1813, we have obtained the subsequent information. As one of the first official acts of the Trustees of 1813, we copy the following verbatim, ortho- graphy and all :
August 24, 1813 : Then Ordered by Trustees of M R T Make out a List of Tax on Town- ship in Order to Settle the Different Claims that is or may be before next April Against sd Town- ship Say 50 or 60 Dollars and Make a List for Each Constable as to them most convenient In form as the Law Directs and bind them in bonds as the Law Directs for Collection and paying to treasurer. This by Order as above David Bayles T Clerk. In conformity to the above I have Maid out Assessment for them and handed to the Proper Officers for Collection as the Law Directs by Order of the Trustees A. Bayles T. Clerk.
April, 1813, the Trustees allowed the following claim : "Mad River Town- ship, debtor, to William Darnell, for Warning township officers, 50 cents."
April 17, 1815, the township was laid out in three districts for road purposes, and Christian Stephens, Peter Smith and Nathan Darnall, appointed Super- visors.
When the so-called State road, leading from Urbana to Troy was surveyed, the Trustees acted as follows :
"By the authority vested in us by law, we, William Stephens, John Haller and Archibald McGrew, Jr., Trustees of Mad River Township, do appoint you, William Owens, Supervisor of the State Road, leading from Urbana to Troy, by John Haller. You are to begin at the crossing of Nettle " Cricke," and to work the west end as far as the township line, with the hands here mentioned, April 24, 1816 : John Haller, Samuel Web, Abraham Pence, Sr., Abraham Pence, Jr., Henry Prince, Joseph Prince, Vincin Bastin, James Baggs, Sam- uel McMeullen, Asal Owens, John Idel, Jacob Idel, Martin Idel, Briant Moody Jesse Jones, Joseph Syms, James West, John Taylor, Shadrach D. Northcut, Ithamer Warrin, William Warrin, William Owens.
" William Owens came forward and was sworn into office according to law before me. Abraham Stephens, Township Clerk. May 10, 1817, issued Will- iam Owen's order to work the State road, also his number of hands."
On the first Monday in March, 1817, the Trustees met to select jurors for the Court of Common Pleas. Thomas Kenton, Ezekiel Arrowsmith and John Hamilton, were selected, for the grand jury ; Peter Smith, John Pence and James Thomas to the petit jury. This is the first selection of jurors by the Trustees, of which there is any record.
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
June 20, 1818, the survey of a township road was made by Ithamer H. Warrin. Said road commencing on the north bank of Storms' Creek, at the crossing of the county road near to John Hamilton, intersecting the county road from Boston to Urbana. Viewed on the 20th of June by John Hamilton, Francis Stephenson and Ithamer H. Warrin. May 30, 1818, an order was issued to John Hamilton, Francis Stephenson and Ithamer H. Warrin to view a township road from said Hamilton's down Storm's Creek to intersect the road leading from Urbana, on the west side of Mad River, to Boston.
For the purpose of paying all just claims exhibited against the township, the Trustees on May 30, 1818, levied the following tax : Each horse, mare, mule, etc., 3 years and upward, 182 cents; each head of cattle, 3 years old and upward, 64 cents.
For his services as Supervisor for the year 1819, William Owens received $1.50. William Weaver, Sr., " made no charge" for the same services.
The Overseers of the Poor issued an order to Jane Taylor to depart from the township. Given to a Constable, as follows : " You are hereby commanded, forthwith, to notify Jane Taylor, a poor person, that according to law it being made to appear to us that the said Jane Taylor has no legal settlement in said township, to depart the same, and in so doing, this shall be your warrant. Dated March 8, 1821."
Trustees met at the house of Abraham Stephens in January, 1825, for the purpose of levying a Poor and Township tax, and voted that the Clerk make out a tax for the relief of the poor to the amount of $45 to defray the expense of collecting and the debt of keeping the poor for the year 1824; also, a tax to defray the expense of the township officers for 1824. This is the first record of a division of the township funds into separate Poor and Township funds .*
TOWNSHIP ELECTIONS.
At an election held April, 1814, the following officers were elected : Trust- ees, N. Hill, A. Dowden, William Wauhub; Clerk, C. Standaford; Treasurer, John Haller; Lister, C. Standaford.
1815-Trustees, Ezekiel Arrowsmith, William Stephens, Shadrach D. North- cutt ; Clerk, Isaac Myers; Treasurer, John Haller; Lister (Assessor), Isaac Myers ; Justices of the Peace, John Hamilton, William Stephens. August 26, 1815, Isaac Myers tendered his resignation as Clerk, and Abraham Stephens was appointed to fill the vacancy.
1816-Trustees, William Stephens, John Haller, Archibald McGrew, Jr. ; Clerk, Abraham Stephens; Treasurer, John Haller ; Lister, Abraham Stephens; Justice of the Peace, John Haller.
1817-Trustees, Nathan Darnall, Zachariah Putman, Peter Smith ; Clerk, 'Abraham Stephens; Treasurer, John Haller; Lister, Abraham Stephens ; Justice of the Peace, John Haller.
1818-Trustees, Zachariah Putman, Elijah Bell, John Haller; Clerk, Abraham Stephens; Treasurer, John Haller; Lister, Abraham Stephens ; Justice of the Peace, John Logan.
1819-Trustees, Thos. Kenton, John Hamilton, Asal Owens; Clerk, Abra- ham Stephens; Treasurer, same; Lister, same; Justice of the Peace, John Pence.
1820-Election held at the house of Joseph Sims; number of votes cast, one hundred and eleven. Trustees, Nathan Darnall, William Runkle, Peter
*The township was laid off into four road districts April 5, 1830.
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
Smith ; Clerk, Abraham Stephens; Treasurer, same; Lister, same; Justice. of the Peace, John Taylor.
1821-Total number of votes cast, one hundred. Trustees, William Runkle, Peter Smith, Nathan Darnall ; Clerk, Abraham Stephens; Treasurer, same ; Lister, same; Justice of the Peace, Shadrach D. Northcutt.
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