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 67
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121
BANK OF WOODSTOCK.
This institution was organized April 4, 1877, with a capital stock of $10,- 000, and the following officers and Board of Directors : President, Hon. A. P. Howard ; Vice President, Azro Smith ; Cashier, George Riddle ; Directors, R. C. Moulton, A. P. Howard, S. P. Carlton, Azro Smith, D. A. Martin, D. Hanly and Dor Martin. The officers have remained the same from the com- mencement up to the present date, with the exception of the substitution of E. P. Black as a Director in place of Dor Martin, resigned. Mr. Riddle is a man of superior ability as a cashier, and under his present management the bank is proving a financial success to its stockholders.
WOODSTOCK LODGE, NO. 167, I. O. O. F.
This lodge was instituted October 22, 1850. The charter members were Cyrus Wait, W. D. Sibley, Hiram Smith, T. J. Wilcox, Royal Jennings, George Gregory and W. F. Shaffer. They own and occupy the second story of a fine brick building, the lower rooms of which are occupied by the bank, stores, post office, etc.
EARLY HISTORY OF WHAT IS NOW KNOWN AS THE WOODSTOCK SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The first school, or about the first; was organized in the year 1820, and taught by Asahel Woodworth, in a cabin about one-fourth of a mile south of the present site of the schoolhouse on the land of a Mr. Conner. The school was soon after transferred to the cabin of the Widow Phebe Smith, that stood where D. P. Smith now lives, on Lot No. 24, in Woodstock ; and schools were taught there until 1824, when a log schoolhouse was built-where the old brick schoolhouse was afterward built-Lester Smith teaching the first school. This house was made of rough, unhewed logs; size about 24x32 feet, and covered with clapboards, weighted down with poles, and had on open fire-place with stack chimney. Logs were cut out, and greased paper was used for windows, which was, however, soon replaced by lights of glass.
580
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
The seats were slabs or puncheon, smoothed, and holes bored and legs in- serted, on which the smaller scholars were obliged to sit while in school, with no rest for the back and but little for the feet, as they were generally so high that they could hardly reach the floor. The writing-desks were made by bor- ing holes in the sides of the house, at a slight angle, wooden pins being inserted and a smoothed board laid thereon; and when scholars wished to attend to their writing lessons, they would crowd their next neighbor over a little, raise their feet from the floor, and, by swinging of the feet, twist right about and get in position for writing. In this house, schools were kept up about six months out of a year until, I think, 1832, when it was torn down and a brick house was built on the same site and is yet standing, and now occupied as a dwelling, William Casey being the present owner.
During the time that the old schoolhouse was occupied, schools were taught during winters by male and in summer by female teachers. Among the earliest male teachers were Lester Smith, David Ripley, E. Burnham and Joseph Irwin. Their wages were from $8 to $10 per month, and board around-that is, among the scholars. The teacher would generally send word by the scholars to their parents that they would be at their house for board next week; then the mother would begin to put the house in order, and to impress upon the little ones that they must be on their good behavior during all of next week, as the school-teacher would be there at that time. This school district during its in- fancy was especially fortunate in securing good teachers. As a rule the school- masters in those days were well qualified, and were exemplary members of so- ciety. They governed the school with a firm hand, and no scholar, however large or of either sex, was spared the rod if the offense seemed to require punish- ment, and various were the modes of chastisement resorted to. At one time a young man was guilty of disobeying the rules of the school, and for punishment the teacher threw him on the floor and the young men of the class of spellers were required to stand on his body during the class exercises. Although the teachers were close and severe during school hours, they were especially lively and sociable when out of school, and when the hour of noon came round and both scholar and teacher had partaken of their bountiful supply of dinner which the good mother had carefully put up in the dinner basket, with which every family was supplied and sent to school by the larger scholars, they were always among the first on the play-ground and would spend all the balance of the noon hour in playing ball or running and jumping with the scholars, but when 1 o'clock came they would drop everything, clothe themselves in their official dignity, and then woe unto the offender during the balance of that day. Then there was no false dignity among the scholars or teacher, but all were on equality, and however near the schoolhouse they might reside, the dinner must be taken and eaten at the schoolhouse, and however homely the fare it was eaten with a relish and hospitably shared with any chance caller at such dinner time. Dur- ing these schools each scholar tried to excel and stand at the head of the class. and most of them did become excellent scholars. About 1832 the brick schoolhouse was built, and E. Burnham probably taught the first school therein. After him came Isaac Marsh, who taught two terms or, rather, winters, and Marietta Kimball taught one or two summer terms. Melvin Sprague, Melvin Newton and Dr. Sabin and Dr. Delaney and wife probably one winter each. The village of Woodstock was laid out about this time, which brings us to 1840, in the spring of which year Robert Wilson, an Irishman, opened a select school during the summer and fall which was largely attended by the more advanced
·
-
581
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
scholars. The district having increased to such a degree that it became neces- sary for more than one school, and two teachers were employed, of whom one was Mr. Wilson and the other Elder Amos Stephens. A second house was secured for Mr. Wilson (this was formerly built and used as a blacksmith-shop), and at this time repaired, plastered and used for school during the next two winters.
Mr. Wilson at that time concluding a change of locality would be to his advantage, moved to Mechanicsburg and opened a school at that place.
At the time of Mr. Wilson's removal a Mr. Joseph P. Smith, former Princi- pal of Meadville Academy, in Pennsylvania, whose health had become impaired and who had for some two years been traveling about this part of the country, peddling clocks, tin reflectors and buying feathers, became attached to the place, concluded to abandon his roaming life, settle down and try his hand at teaching again. He bought a few acres of land about one mile west of Woodstock, moved on it and commenced farming and teaching. At the latter he was a complete success, but at the former was a failure.
This school was kept up until the year 1846, when Joseph Smith died and the school was closed. This Mr. Smith was very singular in his actions, and, when absorbed in his duties as teacher or in conversation upon any subject, became entirely oblivious to anything that was passing. Some of the scholars were fond of perpetrating innocent jokes on him, and laugh at the perplexity that was depicted on his countenance when he found it out; but he never lost his equanimity of temper, and only wondered that youngsters could be so bad. One joke, especially, played off on him was this : He had lost a front tooth and, in order to enable him to speak with more ease and distinctness, had fashioned a piece of sole leather to just fit the cavity, and would frequently remove the tooth and then replace it when he wished to explain to the class any subject. One day, while busy with a class in geometry, he removed the leather tooth, laid it down for a moment, when some mischievous scholar picked it up and put in its place one fully double its size. Soon, some point in the theorem seemed to need a clearer explanation. The teacher picked up the tooth to in- sert in its place, but it would not fit. After examining it critically for a mo- ment he said, "Things which are equal to the same thing are equal to one another, but how it happens that my old leather tooth so soon becomes double the size of the cavity it has to fill is past my comprehension," and the missing tooth was immediately handed over to him, and the young man was never again guilty of trying to play off a joke on " Uncle Joe."
The scholars generally became proficient in any science they undertook, and during the winter of 1845-46, this school turned out seventeen teachers from a class of twenty eight, and some of that class are now filling very good situations, among them are Dr. Timothy Davenport, who has been elected a number of times to both branches of the Legislature of Oregon; Warren and Samuel Cranston, who both have, or do now, hold lucrative Govenment situa- tions in Oregon ; also, C. W. Smith, at present a resident of New York City, holding a high position in railroad circles.
But I have digressed from my subject in regard to district schools. From 1842 to 1850, schools were kept up about six months out of each year, and two teachers were required at each school. They were taught by Ira J. Smith, G. W. Kellogg, R. C. Moulton, John Smith, Maria Sibley, Maria Chapman and some not now called to mind. An addition to the old schoolhouse was built in 1843. During this time the citizens in a measure lost the interest
582
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
formerly taken in education and the schools did not show that life they had previously, though good schools were kept up until the year 1860, when new life was infused into them.
In 1860, a substantial two-story building was built in the west end of the town near the railroad. Here school was kept for seventeen years. In 1862, Erastus Martin and Pearl Howard erected a small building near the larger one, which was called the " College," where the higher branches were taught at a certain sum per quarter for several years. This house was turned over to the Township Board in 1867, after which time the Woodstock School was divided into three departments, at which it stands to-day. Among those who taught during the period named, I will mention Albertine Clark, Clark Dix, Josie Lapham, Benjamin Bennett, William Lugenbeal, F. S. Fuson, P. E. Fleck and John Outram. Albertine Clark was a lady of rare endowments and a great success in the schoolroom. She never resorted to corporal punishment, but woe to the luckless knight that aroused her wrath. Her terrible tongue-lash- ings were never forgotten ! Clark Dix was victor in a knockdown argument one day, that nearly finished his earthly pilgrimage. Several large boys tested his muscle in an open fight, but he was too strong for them.
Benjamin Bennett, who is an inhabitant of our town at the present time, was a terror to evil doers. Being a man of powerful frame and a strict disci- plinarian, he quickly reduced order out of chaos. P. E. Fleck is now a suc- cessful lawyer of Columbus. He was a good teacher.
John Outram was Principal of the school for two years, and was a faithful and conscientious teacher. He was greatly beloved by his pupils who mourn his death, which was caused by that great foe of the American people-con- sumption. In 1875, a strong effort was made by a number of the leading citi- zens of Woodstock to establish a township school, with a department for the in- struction of the older and more advanced pupils of the country schools. After a very exciting canvass, this project was defeated owing to the opposition of the large land owners who feared an increase of taxation.
The scheme was not dropped, however, for Joseph Chamberlin, the chief conspirator, succeeded in securing the passage of a bill through the State Legis- lature organizing Woodstock Special School District, a tract extending about a. mile in each direction from the public square.
Immediately upon he passage of the bill a levy was made, an architect em- ployed and soon the present school building, which is the pride of the town was in course of erection. The total cost of grounds, building and fixtures was about $9,000.
The house is easy of access, of fine appearance, and finished inside with all modern appliances of the school. It has four well-ventilated rooms, heated with furnaces, and an extensive basement. The present Principal is J. W. Freeman, who has held that position for five years.
In 1880, the School Board issued a course of study and regulations, which cannot fail to be of material benefit in years to come.
Heretofore older pupils have dropped out of school at the age of eighteen or twenty, after pursuing such studies as they might select. Now the branches to be pursued are named by the School Board, and it is expected to turn out graduates at the age of sixteen or seventeen who will possess greater educational qualifications than many who have attended the same school several years longer in the past. Much time is gained by a systematic arrangement of studies, according to the age of the pupil. For instance, grammar is not introduced
583
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
until the child is old enough to comprehend its numerous rules, and instead of an endless progression in arithmetic as in the past, algebra and geometry are substituted.
One peculiarity of the course of study is the attention paid to composition in its various forms. This is begun early and continually kept in view. For this feature we are indebted to the Rev. S. P. Carleton, an ardent believer in good schools.
Many improvements have been made in school teaching in the last quarter of a century, and let us hope we have not kept far in the rear.
The rod is no longer a necessity in school government. Why? Because teachers have learned that the lessons can be made so interesting and attend- ance on the school such a pleasure, that force need rarely be appealed to in the education of the young. If this is not the case elsewhere, it is so at least with us. Our schools are to-day in a very flourishing condition, conducted by ener- getic teachers and filled by interested scholars. A permanent literary society on a new plan has been organized in the High School, which promises to do- much for the future well-being of its members. The graduating class this year will probably number six. Algebra, geometry, botany, physiology, literature, Latin, astronomy, Constitution, book-keeping and philosophy are taught outside of the common branches. Let us hope that many young people of this neigh- borhood will avail themselves of the great advantages offered by our schools.
WOODSTOCK LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
The following history of the Woodstock Library Association has been kindly furnished us by Dr. L. C. Herrick, who has been the Librarian from the time of its inception, in 1874, up to the present date :
" This institution was organized at the drug store of George Riddle & Co., on the evening of May 19, 1874, the following-named persons participating : Hon. J. F. Gowey, Rev. T. N. Glover, Dr. L. C. Herrick, Messrs. Levi Kidder, George Riddle, N. P. Hewitt, N. W. Chamberlin, Charles Colwell, Samuel Standish, S. D. Fairchild, J. A. McDonald and Miss A. L. McDonald, with Rev. F. N. Glover in the chair. The following plan of organization was agreed : The number of stockholders to be unlimited ; each share to be $5; no one to have any right to the books, except stockholders, unless by vote of the Associa- tion ; the President, Secretary and Librarian to constitute an executive board.
" By-laws and regulations were then adopted, after which the following officers were elected : President, S. D. Fairchild ; Secretary and Treasurer, Rev. T. N. Glover ; Librarian, Dr. L. C. Herrick.
" Half of the capital stock of the association was then called in, to be im- mediately expended for books.
" Dr. Herrick tendered the use of his office as a library, which was accepted. On motion, three others were added to the purchasing committee, whose duties should expire with the first negotiation, viz .: Messrs. Hewitt, Gowey and Mc- Donald. The committee selected and purchased thirteen volumes, and with that small stock commenced operations, the first book being loaned May 29, 1874, according to the Librarian's record. In the month of August, 1874, the associa- tion negotiated with several persons who owned a small collection of books, and thus secured thirty-three volumes, taking the books at a fair valuation on shares in the association. The library was kept supplied with fresh reading matter by means of assessments on the capital stock, made at intervals of three or four months, until the stock was all paid up, since which time it has been
584
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
supported by means of dues on shares of 50 cents, every four months, together with the rents of books to non-shareholders, fines and occasional entertainments. The present number of volumes in the library is four hundred and twenty-three, besides numerous unbound magazines and pamphlets.
" The library also takes ten standard magazines and periodicals, which are put up in reading covers as soon as received, and thus being carefully preserved while they are circulating among the readers, and at the end of each year they are all neatly and substantially bound.
" The library is becoming one of the principal institutions of our town, and the circle of its influence is slowly but surely extending. It has been the aim of the managers to furnish wholesome mental food, and to educate the coming generations into a relish for instructive and useful reading, and lead them to shun the pernicious dime novels and story papers. A good deal has already been accomplished in that direction, and now very little of that kind of litera- ture can be found in this community."
The officers since the commencement of the association have been as fol- lows :
PRESIDENTS.
Elected.
Name.
Time Expired.
May 19, 1874.
"S. D. Fairchild
September 27, 1874.
October 13, 1874
Hon. J. F. Gowey. . February 29, 1876.
March 10, 1876.
Hon. A. P. Howard December 14, 1877.
December 14, 1877
Azro Smith. December 5, 1878.
December 5, 1878
Joe Chamberlin.
December 5, 1879.
December 5, 1879.
George Riddle, Esq.
SECRETARY AND TREASURER.
May 19, 1874.
. Rev. T. N. Glover. .February 13, 1876.
February 13, 1876
.+John M. Outram. .December 15, 1876.
December, 1876.
E. M. Smith.
December 14, 1877.
December 14, 1877
J. W. Freeman.
TREASURER.
December 14, 1877 N. P. Hewitt. .December 5, 1878.
December 5, 1878
George Riddle, Esq. December 5, 1879.
December 5, 1879.
J. F. Wiss.
LIBRARIAN.
May 19, 1874.
.Dr. L. C. Herrick.
* Died at sea, while returning from Europe.
¿ Died.
-
1
..
-
585
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
GOSHEN TOWNSHIP.
BY W. H. BAXTER.
LOCATION, SURFACE, SOIL, TIMBER, ETC.
Goshen Township lies in the southeast corner of Champaign County. It is nearly eight miles long, north and south, and something more than four miles and a half wide, east and west, containing 22,693 acres of land, excluding Mechanicsburg corporation. The whole of the township is included in what is called Virginia Military Lands; Ludlow's line (a line surveyed by a man of that name), from the head-waters of the Miami River to the head of the Scioto River, separating the Virginia Military Lands from the Congress Lands, runs. about one and four-fifths miles to four and one-half miles west of the township line. Virginia then had first ownership of all the land, and it was by that State granted, in various amounts, to individuals, who located it in such places and shapes as best suited them. Farm lines and roads are hence more irregular and inconvenient than those on the regularly laid-out Congress Lands.
The surface of the township is neither flat nor hilly, but sufficiently rolling to insure good drainage. The higher points fall by easy descent to the lower lands, making all suitable and easy of cultivation. The eastern side of the township joins Madison County, and on that portion the surface assumes more of a level cast, being the beginning of the extensive Darby Plains, which ex- tend for many miles into Madison County.
The soil of the township is generally good, and, with little exceptions, is con- sidered quite fertile and easy of cultivation ; the level lands being generally a rich, dark loam, while the higher rolling ground is generally of a strong, choco- late-colored soil. There is very little clay land, and that confined to a few of the higher portions of the township.
The township is well watered by numerous small streams which flow in va- rious directions through its territory, and, where there is no running stream, water. can be had almost anywhere by a well of a moderate depth. Water is princi- pally lime water.
At the time white settlers first appeared, the land was nearly all covered with timber, which they had to clear away to make their cultivatable fields. Abundance of timber is still left, but not such a surplus that owners are anxious to get it out of the way. Walnut, which used to be abundant, has nearly all been cut out. At first it was used for burning, rails, building lumber, and any- thing to get it off ; of late years, it has been more valuable, and has been shipped away, until now, but little is left. Oak, hickory, ash, elm and maple compose the principal timber now, though there are small amounts of other kinds. There is no beech, and never was.
Nearly all the roads in the township-except some unimportant by-roads- are pike roads. These improvements were commenced in 1867, under a State law, authorizing the County Commissioners, upon petition of residents within certain bounds along the proposed improvement, to contract for said piking, issue bonds therefor, and assess costs upon land within said bounds. Fou pikes, however, were built by private subscription. The Urbana, Mechanicsburg and Jefferson, commenced in 1848, and partly built same year between Urbana and Mechanicsburg ; the one beginning at the Jefferson road, about a mile from
586
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
Mechanicsburg, and continuing down the London road to the county line ; the Mechanicsburg and Springfield, and the Mechanicsburg and Liverpool road, all of which had toll-gates ; but now, 1880, are all free, except the last named, which is the only toll road in the township. The road from Mechanicsburg to Catawba, and the one from Mechanicsburg to Lewisburg, were the first ones in the township built under that State law; they were built in 1867.
As far, then, as this township now is concerned, there is good soil which needs no foreign fertilizer. It is not subject to extreme damage by water or droughts ; farming machinery can be used to great advantage; good roads permit travel at all seasons. Nature has done much and produces abundantly to reward the laborer, yet, with all gifts bestowed, she needs to be tickled and coaxed. With- out labor, no reward ; with work, the farmer here can live on the fat of the land. Wheat and corn comprise the principal crops of grain raised, although oats, rye, buckwheat and other stuff raised by the farmer yield well. Farmers also largely attend to raising cattle, sheep and hogs.
This is not especially a fruit-raising people, although all fruits common to this climate grow here. Strawberries do well about every year ; blackberries and raspberries/ do tolerably well, but not equal to territory further south ; peaches are a fair crop about every second year ; apples generally a good round crop every second year, with a small one in the interval.
Below we give a table showing the principal crops raised in this township in 1879, and it may be depended upon as being as reliable as can be got by man, being taken from the enumerator's blanks for the census of 1880, with addi- tion of two farms he related he had not taken :
CORN.
WHEAT.
OATS.
HAY.
ACRES.
BUSHELS.
ACRES.
BUSHELS.
ACRES.
BUSHELS.
ACRES.
TONS.
4,757
159,000
2,140
42,000
182
4,150
2,034
2,400
There are 145 farms in the township, ranging from four acres, the least in size taken, to 817 acres, the largest in the township. Of course there are per- sons who own less than four acres, but they are not included in any of the above statistics.
The wheat crop of 1879 was more than a usual one ; the crop of corn was a short one, also of oats and hay there was a short crop.
The prices for the whole of the crops of 1879, given above, are here given :
By report of Hunter & Son, grain buyers and shippers at Mechanicsburg, corn ranged from 33 cents to 40 cents, averaging about 37 to 38 cents per bushel. Oats, about 30 cents per bushel.
Staley & Baxter, shippers and millers at Mechanicsburg, paid for wheat from 90 cents to $1.32, averaging, for all they bought of the entire crop, a fraction over $1.11. The average price for the entire crop at this point, then, was from $1.10 to $1.15 per bushel.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.