USA > Ohio > Clark County > The history of Clark County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, V. 1 > Part 27
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"The first white man known to have settled here in the present limits of Clark County, were David Lowry and Jonathan Donnel. Mr. Lowry came to Ohio from Pennsylvania in the spring of 1795, and immediately engaged at Cincinnati to serve for three months as assistant in carrying provisions for the western army, under Gen. Anthony Wayne. At the expiration of this service, he joined a surveying party under Israel Ludlow (partner to Mathias Denman in forming the town of Cincinnati). The object of this company was to lay off the Government lands of the Miami country into sections for entry and sale, the land office being located at Fort Washington, or the village of Cincinnati. It was late on Saturday evening, in the forepart of the summer of 1795, that the company came to a place on Mad River, near to what was afterward called the Broad Ford, and not far from the present village of Enon, where they remained till the following Monday. During the intervening time, Mr. Lowry and Jona- than Donnel who was one of the party, wandered about viewing the surround ing country.
They managed to cross to the opposite side of the river, where they became highly pleased with the rich alluvial soil, in which their feet sauk over their shoes as they walked.
The majestic trees, which stood thick upon the ground, furnished a contin- uous shade, and they passed over the broad bottom land to the rising ground where Donnel's Creek breaks through the hills into the bottom lands of Mad River. They wandered along the margin of the hills extending east, where they beheld for the first time the beautiful springs of clear water, from which they afterward drank during so many years of their lives. They became so highly pleased with this delightful scenery in its wild and uncultivated state, that they both determined, if possible, to make it their future home. They resolved to say nothing to their companions of what they had discovered. The whole party set out on Monday morning, and, when their survey was completed, returned to Cincinnati. While at Cincinnati after their surveying excursion, Lowry and Donnel learned that a man by the name of Patten Shorts had pur- chased and entered all that beautiful section of country with which they were so highly delighted, and that Shorts was in want of a surveyor to aid him in fixing the boundaries of his land.
Mr. Lowry urged his friend Donnel to offer his services and take the " golden opportunity," as Mr. Lowry said to possess the favorite land they both so much coveted. Donnels entered upon the work with Shorts, and while thus engaged purchased for himself and Lowry the land they admired, and, in the fall of 1795, Donnel and Lowry established themselves on their lands, Lowry's choice being near the month of Donnel Creek, thus named for him by his friend Donnel. The home of Mr. Donnel was farther east, where a large spring gushes from the hillside, and runs across the rich and broad bottom-land of Mad River.
The new settlers found the woods filled with bear, deer, wild turkeys and other wild game. After the erection of their houses with the aid of no other tools than an ax and an auger, they took up their residence in the great wilder-
* Sketch of Springfield by R. C. Woodward.
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ness of Ohio, being the first known white citizens within the present limits of Clark County. There are doubtless some who will remember the comfort and contentment afforded to the occupants of these primitive houses, such as were erected by Lowry and Donnel; erected within a few days to last for a whole life time; how the door, made of a few split boards, often squeaked with a peculiar coarse noise as the latch-string was pulled, and the door swung open upon its rude wooden hinges.
These houses were quite dry and warm in winter, and their thick logs ren- dered them cool during the heat of summer. The ample fire-place and chimney afforded sufficient ventilation for health, and some of Ohio's brightest sons have gained the foundation of their greatness by study before their ample log fires. After Lowry and Donnel had thus prepared a shelter for themselves and fami- lies, they commenced the work of providing bear and deer meat for food during the winter. In the course of this winter, Lowry killed seventeen bears, and during the course of his life thought he had killed as many as a thousand deer.
The new settlers found themselves in the midst of the Shawnee Indians, of whom Tecumseh was the chief. Their camp fires were often built near the cab- ins of Lowry and Donnel, and they managed to live with them on terms of friendship, and they frequently exchanged with each other such articles as each had to spare. Lowry spent much of his time in hunting with them, and they would often spend several days and nights in the woods together; and when Mr. Lowry would sometimes get lost in the wilderness, they would convey him to his cabin again, and by their many acts of kindness toward him con- vinced him of the sincerity of their kindness and friendship. On one occasion, however, they took offense at him, on account of his superior skill while engaged with them in their favorite sport of wrestling, and loaded a gun with the seem- ing intention of shooting him, but Lowry displayed so much courage at their threats, that their wrath was turned into the most extravagant demonstrations of admiration, while they took him up in their arms and carried him about the camp, exclaiming " Brave man! brave man!"
The records of the Government Land Office show that this territory was surveyed by Israel Ludlow in 1801. Many persons have been unable to recon- cile the apparent discrepancy between the two dates, 1795 and 1801. All such persons are reminded that according to all accounts these surveys were in prog- ress for at least twelve years, and that the date above mentioned was that of the completion of the work.
The lines known as " exterior" (range and township lines) were run first, and it is not unlikely that these lines were being located by the party with which Lowry and Donnel were connected in 1795.
Their Saturday night camp was not far from a prominent and important " corner," i. e., the intersection of a range line with a township line, technically called a " township corner."
Those who are familiar with the practice of surveyors in the field know that such points are selected for camping or halting places, other things being favorable, oftener than non-relative sites. A glance at the map of Clark County will discover such a "corner" near the village of Enon, and not far from where the party is reported to have found themselves on that early summer evening in 1795.
The descendants of David Lowry are among the first and most estimable of the present inhabitants of the county, and reside upon the site of the early experiences of Lowry and Donnel. From them it is learned that their father brought his aged parents with him in the fall of 1795, and that these old people died within a few years afterward, and were buried in the "Minich "} graveyard.
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A search through this yard was rewarded by the discovery of a fallen tombstone bearing this inscription:
DAVID LOWRY .* Died 1800, aged 76 years. LETTICE, wife of DAVID LOWRY, Died 1797, aged 65.
This fairly establishes the facts and dates as already given, and brings us to the next settlement in order of time.
This has been stated by different writers, during the last thirty years, in the following words, and while the paragraph is somewhat hackneyed, it contains about all that can be said in regard to this settlement:
In 1796, two persons, named Kreb and Brown, came into the neighborhood; their camp was beyond the deep cut, near the second crossing of the Dayton Railroad. With them Lowry exchanged works, that is, he hunted and fishel to secure food for them, while they cultivated and raised the first corn crop in the vicinity of Springfield.
The location was on lands now owned by the Sintz family, and is within a few rods of the west end of Bridge No. 20, on the C., C., C. & I. R. R. The only evidence of any of the old establishment now remaining is an apple tree, which is the only one left of a score or so which were planted by the first settlers ou the spot .*
It has even been asserted that these trees were found by Kreb and Brown when they came here, and they therefore built their cabin there. "Johnny Appleseed " has also been charged with planting the trees.
This Kreb and Brown Station is in the extreme northeast corner of Mad River Township, and was therefore the first settlement in that subdivision.
The next in order was the arrival of James Galloway, a blacksmith, at Mad River Township in 1798.
"John Humphreys and Simon Kenton, together with six other families, came to the county from Kentucky in 1799. In summer, a fort was built by them near Mad River bridge, on the National road, west of Springfield. Four- teen cabins were raised and partly finished, and a block-house retreat thus made in case of Indian hostility."
The above is not new, but will answer for a base upon which to rest a few necessary remarks.
ยท The " six other families" were James Demint, Philip Jarbo, William Ward, John Richards, William Moore and one other now unknown.
Humphreys and Demint settled in Springfield, while Kenton and the others abandoned the block-house business and went up the valley and settled in Moore- field Township.
In 1800, John Judy settled in Harmony.
Joseph Coffee came to Pleasant in 1802.
In the year 1804, Abraham Inlow made the first improvement in Green Township.
Pike Township was first settled by Samuel and Andrew Black, in 1806.
In 1807, George Buffenbarger came to Madison.
German Township was "squatted" upon by Storms, Adams and Cowshick, who were afterward bought out by the first regular settlers named Charles Rec- tor and Archibald McKindley. No date of this settlement has been found, it
*This was David Lowry, senior, as distinguished from David Lowry, the pioneer.
*A former writer says the first orchard planted in the county, and probably in the State, was set out near George Sintz's quarry. The trees were carried on horseback from Pittsburgh. Many of thetu are still standing.
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having probably disappeared with the early generation of men who made the " history."
COUNTY BUILDINGS.
Court Houses-Dr. Ludlow in his valuable paper says: "For more than four years after the county was formed in 1818, the court held regular sessions at the tavern of John Hunt, on Main street." It appears that, in March, 1819, the Commissioners began to seriously consider the work of locating and building a conrt house, and, in April, they were met by a proposition from sundry citizens to locate it on the "common," or square, which Demint had reserved for the public use of the lot owners of his "plat."
The parties pledged themselves to pay the sum of $2,215 toward the erec- tion of the court house, provided the above-named site was chosen. The names and amounts were, in part, as follows:
Madox Fisher, $300; John Ambler, $200; Joseph Perrin, $100; Jonah Baldwin, $100; Jacob Lingle, $100; Richard Hunt, $25; Pierson Spining, $100; Samson Mason, $18; Griffith Foos, $25; William MeIntire, $75; Samuel Simonton, $100; Thomas Fisher, $25; Andrew McBeth, $25; William McCart- ney. $100; Charles Cavalier, $25; William A. Needham, $15.
" Whereupon the Commissioners ordered Col. John Daugherty to find the true lines of intersections of what is now Limestone and Columbia streets, in order that the new building might be located there; soon after, the Commission- ers adopted a plan, furnished by Madox Fisher, and, on the 24th of May, 1819, the contract was given to Madox Fisher and John Ambler for the erection of the building (walls and roof), for the sum of $3,972, the work to be done by Janu- ary 1, 1520. Mr. Ludlow says: 'From the peculiar shape of the house, and the manner of building its walls, one would suppose Mr. Fisher expected it to stand for all coming time;' after the walls and roof were completed, no more work was done on the building for two years."
"On the 17th of April, 1821, the Commissioners met to consider the subject of the further prosecution of the work upon the court house," and a contract was made with John Dallis to lay the floors, and make the windows and some other wood work, for the sum of $1,498, but Dallis' jol seems to have "hung fire." for it was in progress for several years, after which the matters rested until 1827, when a change of administration in the Board of Commissioners revived the subject, and one Nathan Adamson was employed to make a drawing of the cupola. or steeple, for which he received $4.50; and Charles Stewart agreed to build the said cupola for $480, which was completed during the following sum- mer. Stewart and James S. Christie engaged to put in the rest of the wood work for the sum of $598; in October, 1527, the plastering was let to Baker W. Peck, and the same accepted as complete in the following month of July.
" When the carpenter work was completed, and before the plastering was done. the Commissioners passed this: "Resolved, That, in view of injury being done to the court house, in its present condiiton, that John Ambler be author- ized to take possession of the same, and that he shall provide a lock and key to the front door, and, in consideration of the services of Mr. Ambler, in his care of the house, he is allowed the privilege of letting the Presbyterian Society, and such other societies as he thinks proper, to have the use of the said court house, as a place of worship. for a period of one year from this date, reserving the right of the Commissioners to plaster said court house."
The Commissioners seem to have concluded that they had " given away " the court house, and themselves too, by the above resolution, for at the next meeting it was "Resolved, That 'in our action with John Ambler, it was not intended to
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exclude the Court of Common Pleas, or the Supreme Court, from their regular sittings in the court house."
In the summer of 1828, the building was completed; in October, the Com- missioners contracted with William Fisher and Nathan Adamson to "hang the new bell in the cupola of the court house, bought for that purpose." And on Saturday, the 25th of October, 1828, this bell sounded its first notes upon the ears of the people of the town, and the first court house of Clark County was completed.
For nearly sixty years it sheltered the " gentlemen of the wig and gown," and many a sinner has left it for a stronger abode at Columbus; in early times it was used for local purposes to a great extent; lectures, conventions, as a place of worship, "magic-lantern" exhibitions, etc., were at home in the "old court house." . It was struck by lightning once, which knocked a hole in the wall, and tore up some of the flooring. The cupola or spire was rather the worse for the half-century of storms that had whistled through it, and the shutters used to squeak and bang, on a rough night, as though the "house was haunted," and for that matter it was haunted, by waifs of the street, and by others who wanted to be out of sight of the passer by; to be sure the doors were sometimes locked, but the windows never.
The building was a high, square, hip-roofed structure, with the cupola thrust up through the center of the roof, the east and south fronts were broken by plenty of windows, and main entrances, which were capped by bold, full, arches, which, with the heavy, wide span of the arches under the entablature gave the building an appearance not unpleasant to the beholder, as the lines of these arches were models of architectural symmetry, not often found in the com- positions of to-day.
The building was sold to Judge J. H. Littler for $50, and taken down in the summer of 1878, the doing of which disproved the ancient tradition that it was extra strong, as the mortar clove from the bricks with unusual ease. The bell was included in the purchase by Judge Littler, but was given by him to the Commissioners, to preserve as a relic-it is now in the yard of the "west county building;" it bears the inscription: "CAST BY JOHN WILLBANK, PHILADA., 1828."
The present court house was begun in 1878, and finished about the 1st of January, 1881; the new jail is situated on the same lot, and only a few feet from the court house. The whole establishment of court house, jail, real estate pur- chased. furniture and improvement of grounds, has cost, in round numbers, $115,000.
The first jail was a log and plank concern, on what is now known as Fisher street. It was on the east side, about half way between Main and Columbia streets; it was built by the citizens of the west end of town, then called "Old Virginia." These people petitioned the Board of Commissioners, and agreed to build a jail six- teen feet square, one story high, " of as many feet up as the Commissioners may direct," for such price as the board "may see fit to pay." This jail was finished in July, 1818, for which the county paid $SO to Walter Smallwood, James Nor- ton, Henry Rogers and Waitsel Cary. They used to keep a black bear chained in the front of this prison, over which (both jail and bear) one Abram D. Mere- ness presided. There was a black man by the name of Johnson confined there once, who pried off the door, dumped it into the creek. and went about his busi- ness. This ancient bastile was sold to William Wilson for $24, after the build- ing of jail No. 2, which was accomplished in November, 1524. This structure was situated on the northeast quarter of the public square, opposite the court house. It was built of oak timber, hewed square, and bolted together; the floor was of the same material, laid close together, and covered with another course
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laid across the first; the ceilings were built in the same manner. only not quite so thick; then over the outside of this were brick walls. inclosing the whole, and giving the building a respectable appearance. The building was two stories high, and the brick work was extended to the south of the jail proper, far enough to inclose sufficient space for one or two county officers. The Recorder was located there for many years.
There are many incidents related by the citizens of to-day, in regard to the old jail, but to its credit it is said that "no prisoner ever got out of it," except as he went through the door.
In 1869, this jail was torn down to make room for the soldiers' monument.
The third jail was on the lot on the corner of High and Spring streets. The original plan was for a court house and jail combined, but the jail part was the only work completed: the building was begun about the year 1850, and dis- continued in 1852, upon the completion of the prison.
This work was built of stone and brick: the labor being largely done "by the day," and superintended by the Board of Commissioners. The records are not quite clear in regard to dates, of the rise and progress of this building. One entry shows that in September, 1851, the work had cost over $8,000, and was yet in progress.
In 1850, the building was pulled down, and large quantities of stone taken therefrom, for use in the building of the present court house and jail; there is yet a great amount of good material remaining on the grounds.
The fourth jail has been mentioned in a previous paragraph, and is of so recent a date that it has no history beyond the ample records in the books of the Auditor, Treasurer and Commissioners.
The " east" building contains the offices of the Treasurer, Recorder. Aud- itor, Commissioners and the Board of Agriculture. This building was erected in 186S.
The "west" building contains the Probate Court room, Probate office, County Surveyor's office and a room for the County School Examiners, and was erected in 1869.
The offices of the Clerk and Sheriff are in the new court house.
The soldiers' monument is composed of a figure representing a soldier, clad in the uniform worn during the period of the late "war of the rebellion:" the dress includes the army overcoat, over which are the equipments; the cape of the overcoat is thrown carelessly back over the shoulder. while the " machine" fit of the trowsers and army shoes are faithfully portrayed. A Government musket, in the position of "rest on arms," is supported by both hands; the head is erect, and the position steady. The artist has grasped the situation, at the instant the soldier raises his head from the butt of his inverted musket, after having listened to the service over the grave of a fallen comrade. This figure rests upon a pedestal of Quincy granite, which weighs over thirty tons; the height of the figure is eight feet five inches; and the whole height of the mon- ument is twenty-one feet and a few inches.
The statue was modeled by J. A. Bailey, and cast by Henry H. Lovie, of Philadelphia, Penn. It is made of genuine antique bronze.
This monument stands on the northeast quarter of the public square, and was furnished by contract with W. D. McKean, of Cincinnati, Ohio.
It was dedicated May 30, 1870. The Chairman of the occasion was Hon. J. K. Mower; Chaplain, Rev. A. Hastings Ross: Orator, Hon. Joseph Cox, of Cin- cinnati. As the speaker pronounced the words " we unveil to-day the granite monument, to the memory of the dead." the covering fell from the figure. and the monument which was to stand forever as a reminder of the deeds of Clark County's brave sons was exposed to the gaze of 3,000 of her patriotic citizens.
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
A vocal quartet, composed of A. O. Huffman, T. W. Bean, Frederick A. Putnam and S. A. Ort, with J. P. Albin as organist, rendered the "Ship of State" and other selections, most effectively, during the ceremonies of the day.
The statue was transported from the depot, and "raised," by William Mc- Intyre & Sons, on the 19th of May, 1870.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
The subjoined lists are not offered as being quite complete, though not far from it. The public records do not always supply the information wanted, as many of them are of such a character as to be of but little use to whoever searches for historical facts. In a few cases the abstracts are missing, and there is no clew to who was elected, unless the fact be stumbled onto by chance.
The assessors of real property are not given, as the list is not near perfect and would be of little interest.
The names of the Infirmary Directors are given under the head of " County Infirmary."
REPRESENTATIVES TO UNITED STATES CONGRESS.
Samson Mason, Samuel Shellabarger, J. Warren Keifer.
STATE SENATORS TO LEGISLATURE.
Alex Waddle, Harvey Vinal, John D. Burnett, Saul S. Henkle, Samson Mason, J. Warren Keifer, Alex Waddle, Thomas J. Pringle.
REPRESENTATIVES TO STATE LEGISLATURE.
James Paige, John Daugherty, James Foley, John A. Alexander, Charles Anthony, Ira Paige, W. V. H. Cushing, Alex Waddle, Stephen M. Wheeler, Isaac Housman, John M. Gallagher, Saison Mason, Sanmel B. Williams, Henry W. Smith, John D. Burnett, Samuel Shellabarger, William Goodfellow, John H. Littler, A. Denny Rogers, John Howell, R. D. Harrison, Henry C. Houston, Perry Stewart, Benjamin Neff, John F. Oglevee, Enoch C. Dial, Nathan M. McConkey .*
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
1818-20-John Black, James Foley, Enoch B. Smith. 1820-25-James Foley, John Black, John Heaton. 1825-26-John Black, John Heaton, John Layton. 1826-27-John Layton, John Black, Pierson Spining. 1827-30- John Black, John Layton, John Whiteley. 1830-31-John Black, Jobn White- lev, William Werden. 1831-33-John Whiteley, William Werden, Elnathan Cory. 1833-34-John Whiteley, Elnathan Cory, Oliver Armstrong. 1834-36 -Elnathan Cory, Oliver Armstrong, William Holloway. 1S36-38-Elnathan Cory, William Holloway, John Whiteley. 1838-40-Elnathan Cory, William Werdon. John Whiteley. 1840-41-John Whiteley, William Werdon, Melyn Baker. 1841-42-Melyn Baker, Adam Shuey, John Whiteley. 1842-47- Melyn Baker, Adam Shuey, Robert Turner. 1847-48-Robert Turner, Melyn Baker, William Whiteley. 1848-49 -- Melyn Baker, John Whiteley, Samuel Black. 1849- 51 -- William Whiteley, Samuel Black, Adam Baker. 1851-52-
Adam Baker, William Whiteley, Ezra D. Baker. 1852-56-William Whiteley, Ezra D. Baker, James F. Whiteman. 1856-57- Ezra Baker, James F. White- man, Samuel W. Sterrett. 1557-58- James F. Whiteman, Samuel W. Sterrett. Daniel O. Heiskell. 1858-61-Samuel W. Sterrett, Daniel O. Heiskell, D. L.
*Reuben Wallace, of Bethel Township, was a member when the county was erected. Joseph Keifer is said to have been a representative also, though the date does not appear.
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