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 50

Author: Ogden, J. W. (John W.); Beers (W.H.) & Co., pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : W.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 926

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 50

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A striking fact in connection with the timber of Johnson Township, and one of which the inhabitants thereof have reason to feel proud, is that, prior to the opening of the " Centennial," in 1876, search was made throughout the forests of Ohio for the largest of that species of trees emblematic of our State, and the " giant " was found about four and one-half miles north of St. Paris, on the farm of E. H. Furrow, where, from its forest home, the old "buckeye " was felled, as a fit representative of Ohio at the one-hundredth anniversary of our nation's birth. Its height was nearly seventy feet, and at the butt its diameter was three feet eight inches, holding such dimensions for about thirty

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feet. While this was the largest tree of the kind in the State, it was not shipped to Philadelphia, as some portions of it, while being prepared, were found to be unsound.

The township is traversed by numerous pikes, intersected with summer or dirt roads, the most southern of which is the Urbana and Piqua pike, crossing the southern tier of sections from northwest to southeast; New pike, the most western, running north and south on the half-section line of the western tier of sections, crossing the entire township; Quincy pike, next west, running north and south as far as Section 25, where it takes an easterly course through the greater part of Section 19, thence south to St. Paris; Lake pike, passing through the center, north and south, and Millerstown pike, running through the eastern part of the township. The C. C. & I. C. Railroad forms the boundary line between this and Jackson Township. St. Paris, in the south- ern, and Millerstown, in the eastern part, are the towns of the township.

EARLY SETTLERS AND SETTLEMENTS.

Without question, Silas Johnson was the first white man to settle within the present limits of the township so appropriately named. He, with two sons, James and Charles, reached the present site of the Reuben Comer farm in the spring of 1802, and there at once commenced the work of the early pioneer, and soon cleared sufficient space to erect the rude cabin of the day, which was small, and of such timber as could be handled by the three, probably, what was termed a "pole cabin." It stood on the hill in the orchard just across the road (pike) from the house now occupied by Reuben Comer. They cleared as much ground as was possible in that day before wild winter was ushered in, and returned to the family in the blue-grass region, having come from Fayette County, Ky., near Lexington, and, in January, 1803, the entire family left their Southern home for the primeval forest in the then far-off North. The family consisted of nine in all-Silas, his wife Phoebe, and seven children, Walker and James (twins), Charles, Silas, Jr., Rebecca, Elizabeth and Phoebe. It was not long until the old pioneer became dissatisfied with his hillside resi- dence, and erected one of similar dimensions a few hundred feet below and near the present site of the barn on the same farm, this site having been selected partially on account of a fine spring close by. Here they lived for several years, braving the dangers, but determined that the wilderness should blossom as the rose, were equal for all emergencies, and it was not long ere, from their cabin door, could be seen several acres of wav- ing corn. Coming before the land had been surveyed, they knew not that their little farm was to be so expensive, for after the survey was made the portion they occupied was set apart as a reserve, so excellent was the ground and beautiful the site, and a value of $8 per acre was affixed. This price was thought too high by Johnson, so he moved to the section adjoining on the north, now the Adam Bodey farm, long known as the Brubaker farm, where the land was cheaper. Here he built two cabins, standing only about two feet apart, both being the rude log or pole cabin of the earliest settlers ; they were about 18x20 feet in size, each having but one low door and one win- dow without glass; the covering consisting of clapboards with their weighty poles, defying the wind, the old chimney of wood and mud, and the door of split puncheon on its hinges of wood, with its wooden latch, was the primitive " palace " of the township. He cleared and cultivated much ground on this site, and, after years of usefulness and of great service to his fellow-pioneers, he

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left the township, going into Adams Township, where he soon died and was buried on "Indian Creek," on the farm of his son Walker. Although coming from Kentucky, Johnson was not a native of that State, having been a resident of the same for about twenty years. He was born in the year 1758, in the State of Virginia, of Irish parents, Arwaker and Rebecca; was married in Virginia to Phobe Ward. Johnson (Silas) was an old Revolutionary soldier, having served as a spy with one Jamison, watching the movements of the Indians, place of rendezvous being at the mouth of Kanawa Creek, on a point of land between the Ohio River and that creek. He was also a Major in the war of 1812 under the command of James McPherson, who commanded the Third Regiment, First Brigade, Fifth Division, Ohio Militia. Of his four sons, three accompanied him to the front in the latter war. The family were long- lived, nearly all living to the advanced age of eighty years. Rebecca being the last to succumb to the footprints of time, died October 1, 1880, in her eighty- sixth year. Johnson was a Christian man, esteemed by all; was very influen- tial, and through his efforts mainly was the township established. He took an active part in all the affairs of the settlement, and to him all went for counsel and advice. "Peace be to his ashes." Very little can be ascertained of those who came next, however, tradition tells of one Carter with two sons and the same number of sons-in-law, by name Cox and Fleming, who arrived in the year 1804, and merely squatted, as it were, not effecting a permanent settle- ment, but pulling stakes and turning their course westward in the year 1807. One year later came Louis Hanback, from Shenandoah County, Va., and settled in Section 14, northeast quarter, on the present farm of his son, David Han- back, where he entered 160 acres of second-rate land, paying $2.25 per acre. Besides the pioneer Louis, came his wife Barbara and three children. David, residing on the homestead, is the only representative of the immediate family. Three children were born to the parents after their arrival, one during the absence of the father in the war of 1812, during which war the good and brave wife cleared nearly three acres of ground, feeling that it would require the exertions of all hands to meet the payments when they became due. The chil- dren married and settled in the neighborhood, assisting greatly in subduing the wilderness and forming the beautiful fields of the present.

The names of Acory Berry and the three Longs should precede instead of follow that of Hanback, as they all settled prior to 1808, Berry coming from the same county and State, and even from the same section of land as did Han- back; but in the year 1806, having married a daughter of the latter, he en- tered 320 acres of land in Section 6, his wife coming with him. His children -two boys and two girls-were born in the township. All lived for a number of years, and were connected with the early work toward the advancement and progress of this region, but, in the end, nearly all falling victims to that terrible disease, " small-pox," which prevailed for some time among the early settlers. The Longs above referred to are "Big" John, "Little " John, and Philip. The first and last named emigrated from Horseshoe Bend, Rockingham Co., Va., in 1807, and " Little" John from the same place, but came a little later. There were three Longs in the neighborhood, of the same name, hence " Big " John and "Little" John ; and later came the third John, who was designated as " Cucumber" John. "Big" John entered 160 acres in the southwest corner of Section 2, where he built a cabin and cleared considerable land. He had no children by his first wife, and but one by his second-Cath- arine by name. His second wife was a Brubaker. He finally left this State

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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.

and went West, where he died. He was a tall and well-proportioned man, weighing 300 pounds. Philip entered the southeast quarter of Section 2, built a small pole cabin with clapboard roof and weight-poles, having one four-light window, the glass of which was procured at Cincinnati and transported on horseback. He died about the year 1837, and was buried on his own farm, leaving but one child-Rebecca, bearing the name of her mother.

In the year 1808, Philip Comer came West from Shenandoah County, Va., in search of land, and, in the fall, purchased, at the land office in Cincinnati, the same land previously occupied by Silas Johnson, and left by him on account of the high valuation placed upon it by the Government. Soon after Johnson moved from the land, it depreciated to $4 per acre, at which figure it was pur- chased by Philip Comer. It was entered in the fall of 1808, and in the follow- ing spring he put in twelve acres of corn in ground that Johnson had cleared, and, in the fall of 1809, returned to Virginia and sent his son David west to take care of the crop. He remained during the winter, and cleared about five acres, and, in the spring of 1810, the second crop was planted. This same year, Philip again came West, bringing with him his family, consisting of his wife and ten children-five boys and five girls-as follows : David, Martin, Peter, Joseph, Reuben, Catharine, Barbara, Lizzie, Susan and Rebecca, Reuben being the youngest, and the only one of the ten children now living, and occupies the old homestead, situated a half mile west of Millerstown. The writer visited him, and found a hale, hearty and jovial old man. Though nearly eighty years of age, he has the appearance of one twenty years younger, and bids fair to celebrate his one hundredth anniversary. To him we are greatly indebted for much of the early history of the township. The Comers built an addition to the cabin left by the Johnsons.

However, this is not a startling fact, if we but consider the number to be sheltered. " Only twelve." We judge there were no spare rooms. Neverthe- less, we will warrant that all went happy and merry as a marriage bell. The Johnsons had cleared two fields, and some little ground where the orchard now stands, in all, probably, some fifteen or sixteen acres, and, with what David added, quite an extensive farm awaited the arrival of the family. They were four weeks and four days in coming from the East, journeying by means of a five-horse wagon, and making the quickest trip from that State of any who had preceded them. At this time the Indians were quite numerous, and on one occasion, when the Comer shed or stable was being built, an Indian boy was present, and appeared anxiously awaiting the fastening of the last shingle, evi- dently wrestling hard with the thought as to how the pioneer who was perform- ing the work was to get to the ground. He could not await this point, so en- deavored by signs to ask his question, and in doing so he laughed, and, by signs or motions made with his hands, expressed to them his idea, which was to sit and slide, much to the amusement of all present. This farm had been occupied by the Indians, as there was a town of thirteen huts or houses still standing when the Comers arrived, but were unoccupied, and a number had been demol- ished. They were small, and constructed of small elm poles, something after the style of the rail-pen or corn-bin of to-day, with a bark covering or roof. This village was called by the pioneers "Nettletown," as it was on one of the tributaries of Nettle Creek, whose banks were thickly grown with nettles, as heretofore spoken of.

In this neighborhood, one eve, at the approach of twilight, could have been seen Silas Johnson and the two sons, hovering around their little fire, where

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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.

their morsel was in preparation ere they had shelter for the night, when drew near two of the dusky sons of the forest, and began remonstrating with the new- comers about their invading the territory of the Indians, when the brave pio- neer made a leap for his gun, which was several paces away, and, at that instant, the Indian's eye fell upon the weapon, and he too hurried for the same, but, fortunately, Johnson beat him, and grasped the gun, which in a moment was aimed at the savage. It was Johnson's intention to kill him, but, on second thought, changed his mind and gave him a rap with the barrel, knocking him sprawling. Some words passed later, but suffice to say that no further inter- ference followed, and the conference was dropped. When Philip Comer first came, he made his home with old Peter Smith, near Westville, and, on the arrival of the family, all remained several nights with Adam Kite. The Comer boys married, and all settled in the neighborhood. Philip died about the year 1824, and was buried near the spot where the Johnson cabin stood, where also rest the remains of his wife and several children. Reuben Comer married Eliza- beth Dealy, of this township, she being a native of Virginia, and from the union sprang five children, all of whom are now living in this township, save one. With the Comer family, in 1810, came Jacob Maggart and Jacob Judy, from Shenandoah County, Va. The former settled on and entered the southeast quarter of Section 7, and there built his cabin. His children were Moses, Adam, David, Elizabeth and Jane. Jacob died with the small-pox, just before that dis- ease proved so fatal to the Berry family, Acory Berry having contracted it while attending the burial of Maggart. The sons, excepting Adam, remained bachelors until late in life, when they married and left the township, Adam remaining on the home farm. Judy entered 160 acres on what is now known as the Buckrath farm, in Section 1, on which he died in 1843. His wife Cath- arine survived him a number of years. Their children were Joseph, David and Elizabeth. The sons remained on the homestead, the former leaving the town- ship in the course of eight or ten years. David remained until after the death of his mother, when he took his departure.

The State of Virginia again added to the Nettle Creek settlement, when in 1811, arrived Joseph Kizer from the Shenandoah Valley, a native of the State whence he emigrated, born in 1777. He married the daughter of Philip Cowes in 1809, and two years later, with two children, reached the present limits of Johnson Township, settling near Millerstown, where he entered a quarter-section of land, built his cabin and there lived until 1869, when he was . summoned to his final home. He was an esteemed man, and served many years as a Justice of the Peace, was the first Justice of the township, commissioned in the year 1816 by Thomas Worthington, then Governor of Ohio. At this election, it is said that his opponent was Silas Johnson, and that Kizer beat Johnson some two or three votes, which so insulted the dignity of Johnson that he left the township. Kizer was also commissioned a Justice in the years 1818- 27. He reared a large family. Two of his sons, Benjamin and Charles are now residents of the township. Perhaps it will not be amiss to here make mention of a great favorite of Father Kizer, namely, " Old Simon," a horse that had faithfully served him for thirty years, carrying him a number of times across the mountains to the old mother State of Presidents. He died on the homestead at the advanced age of thirty-three years. In 1812, Virginia again sent forth to the colony more of her sons ; this time coming Louis Lyons, with his wife Mary and their children, John and Christian, who entered 160 acres of land on what is known as the Isaac Good farm, where the usual cabin was

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Hours Respectfully Susan Po ME Morran JOHNSON TP

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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.

built and the pioneer's work began. The father lived but a few years after his arrival, and the boys remained on the homestead ; Christian died prior to 1831, John living until some ten or twelve years ago. David Huffman, who proved a valuable man to the settlement, and to whom the inhabitants of St. Paris are indebted for their beautiful town, emigrated from Culpeper County, Va., in the year 1813, and entered a half-section of land, a portion of which was the pres- ent site of St. Paris. A brother, Jeremiah, accompanied him. The children of David Huffman were John, Julia, Samuel, Mary, Jacob and Reuben ; all remained in the township. David Campbell, now residing on Section 7, born in 1802, is one of the early pioneers. His parents, John and Magdalene, came West from Rockingham County, Va., when he was but a small boy, and made a temporary stop on Clear Creek, near Springboro, Warren County, this State, where he followed his trade, that of a miller, for several years, when he re- moved to Nettle Creek and settled in the Norman neighborhood, and for some years was the miller at the John Norman mill. David married Catharine Kesler, who is yet living. They are the parents of eleven children, four boys and seven girls. One Christian Morah with his family settled near Millers- town at a very early day, as early as 1805, was among the first white settlers, but of his life we have been unable to learn anything. In 1808, Samuel Brubaker and family left Shenandoah County, Va., facing the West in search of a home, they reached Lawrence County, Ohio, and there squatted until the year 1815, at which date they settled near Millerstown. Later they occupied the Silas Johnson farm, where stood two cabins built by Johnson. There were about fifteen acres of ground cleared when they moved upon it. Samuel had married Barbara Comer, from which union were five children-Isaac, Jacob, Mary, Daniel and Rebecca. Isaac has occupied the homestead up to the last fifteen years. David and Henry Long were other early settlers, entering and clear- ing land in the neighborhood of Mosquito Lake. Both came from Virginia. At about the same time, and from the same locality, came Frederick Pence, who settled and entered land in Section 15.

We have endeavored with great care to avoid mistakes in our sketch of the early settlers of the township, and the locality of the settlements effected, and if errors have occurred they have been unavoidable.

It is noticeable that the first families settled along Nettle Creek. This undoubtedly was on account of water, for all along that section are fine and almost never-failing springs. Another noticeable fact is that it was a Virginia settlement; most of the settlers coming from the Shenandoah Valley, and were generally the stoutest and hardiest men that settled from any country. The post office, if we are permitted to designate it as such, of the pioneers, was the Indian village, Nettletown, as all their mail matter went to and from that town. The chief products then were corn, wheat, flax and sugar ; meat consisting of game and pork. The salt came from Cincinnati, whither the pioneer went, generally taking maple sugar to exchange for that article. The grist-mill of the times was out of the present limits of Johnson Township, but as the settle- ment was dependent upon it, we will be allowed to speak of it. This was the John Norman mill, on Nettle Creek. Norman had placed a slight obstruction in the channel of the creek, where he had a wheel for the water to flow against, and a little primitive gearing set in motion a small stone that he formed out of a bowlder that had been picked up on his land. When he got his mill to running, he would fill the hopper in the morning, start it to work, and then he would leave to engage in other labors till noon, when the mill would get his

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services again by replenishing the hopper with grain, and filling 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 it.

The earliest merchant of the settlement, of whom we have any knowledge, was one Shrofe, who kept a store at the residence of Silas Johnson when he resided on the Brubaker farm. Doubtless this Shrofe is one of several of that name who a little later entered land in the neighborhood of the Mount Pleasant Church and graveyard, and attempted the laying-out of a town to be called " Eliott." They went so far as to have the ground surveyed and laid out into lots, some of which were sold, but the spokesman having failed, was unable to pay for the ground, hence the town was abandoned. The clothing principally worn was made from linen fiber. The leather used was procured from the tannery of William Runkle, three miles south of where Westville now stands.

Johnson, though not a physician, strictly speaking, generally administered to the ailing of the neighborhood, his "curing dose" being calomel. Philip Comer had a little forge and some few tools, and gave attention where black- smithing was needed.

The war of 1812 affected this as it did other settlements, in checking emi- gration and spreading consternation among those who had settled. The land was sold by the Government in tracts of one hundred and sixty acres and upward, at $80 on entry, and in annual payments until paid for. It was not, generally speaking, the moneyed men who came, butmen of little or no means, and of wonderful nerve, who here, far from civilization and among Indians, had their homes to hew out of the dense forest.

The emigrants, rather than to lose their all, collected together for their own protection. For had they failed in paying the annual installments, the land was forfeited and sold, or placed subject to re-entry. It was this fact that prompted the noble wife of Hanback to grasp the ax during the husband's absence in the war. The Nettle Creek settlement sent her quota. We cannot give the roll, but will recall the names of several that are now fresh in our minds : John- son, Kizer, Comer, Hanback, several of the sons of Johnson, and David, son son of Philip Comer. The earliest religious service of the immediate settle- ment was held in the barn of Philip Comer, Rev. Saul Henkle expounding the word of God. This was about the year 1815. After this date, services were occasionally held at private houses and in the old schoolhouse, of which we will speak later. The reader may not yet have thought of the element of which the colony was composed, and for fear not, we will state that "Dutch " they were, hence the doctrine of Martin Luther, in a religious sense, prevailed, which accounts for the numerous churches of his creed that now dot the township. John Norman, the miller, frequently preached for them. He was of the Baptist persuasion, so there were some lovers of water too. Later came a Methodist, the Rev. Mr. Stuart, and preached for them. Of the early school teachers we can say but little ; prior to the building of the first house, short sessions of school were held at the different houses of the settlers and in cabins vacated by emigrants who had changed their quarters or left the neighborhood. One Jackson was about the first. Before wandering too far from the war of 1812, permit us to relate an incident occurring about that time, on the Comer farm. Simon Kenton, of historic note, whose name was a house- hold word among the pioneers, with others, was watching the movements of the Indians, and, wishing to keep out of sight of some passing by, was climbing

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into the mow or loft of the stable, when a voice from the mow shouted, just as Kenton's head was in sight, "Go back ! 'twill never do for two red heads to be with the hay, as it will surely take fire." The years sped along, and the set- tlement grew, and the necessity for a schoolhouse was apparent ; so, about the year 1817, the first house for that purpose was built in the township. It stood on the Zerkle farm, and in size was about 18x20 feet, constructed of round logs, having the wooden and mud chimney of that day in either end. Two small win- dows, and an opening the width of a log, covered with greased paper, graced one side and furnished light. Split puncheon, supported by wooden legs or pins, without backs, were the seats, and the door of split puncheon, with wooden latch, opened and closed on wooden hinges. The first master was the Jackson before spoken of. This house was also used as a meeting-house. The roads to school in those days were through woods and swamps, and the fear of Indians and of wild beasts, we will warrant, made the children's hair almost stand erect. The schools were at this time, and for years later, maintained by subscription, it, being the only mode of support. The first meeting-house was built jointly by the Lutheran and German Reformed organizations, and was called Salem Lutheran and Reformed Union Church, erected on the present site of Salem Cemetery, in Section 1, in the year 1821. It was a round-log building. The Lutheran portion was organized under the auspices of the joint Synod of Ohio, by means of Rev. Henry Heineke, where he commenced his ministerial labor in 1821. The first Trustees were Jasper Miller, Peter Smith and David Campbell, the former being a member of the Reformed Church. Each denomi- nation held alternate services, having their separate Pastors. The Reformed congregation had no minister until 1824, when Rev. John Pence came and served the congregation until the year 1845. Rev. Heineke served until 1827, when Rev. Christian Espich succeeded him. In 1834, Rev. Philip Pence became the Pastor, who was followed by Rev. George Klapp, under whose pas- torate a new frame church was again jointly built in 1842, located where the schoolhouse now stands. Shortly after this building was erected a new organ- ization was effected, the same Pastors in charge. In 1843 or 1844, a split in the church occurred, in consequence of the Reformed portion introducing new measures in divine service, and the Reformed erected a separate church. In 1845, Rev. Klapp left, and was succeeded by Rev. Hursh, who served until June, 1850, and was succeeded by Rev. Sheffer, Rev. C. G. Richard and Rev. Enoch Smith, under whose ministry, in the year 1864-65, the church ceased its exist- ence in the country to become a church of St. Paris.

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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 50

Author: Ogden, J. W. (John W.); Beers (W.H.) & Co., pub Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : W.H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 926

Author: Ogden, J. W. (John W.); Beers (W.H.) & Co., pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : W.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 926