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 38
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58 Curtis, Win. B. *
59 Holloway, Carroll J. *
60 Jackson, Abram W. *
163 Town, Wilber
61 Beck, Wm. H., Co. 164 Rightinver, C. F. Teauister os -X-
62 Hodge, Thos., *
€3 Campion, John W., pd 166 Bryan, C 1st Sorgt. ss ft re-en- 167 Nevins, J. D.
listed. 168 Marshall, John W.
61 ELLSWORTH, WI. W. 169 Berlen, G. E.
Ed Lient. Es ft : 170 Shields, Win.
65 Bruce, Wm. H. * 171 Eggar, Frank J. 66 Hawthorne, Frank, U. S. 172 Printz, Chas. A. 173 Horn, Oliver P.
A. pl Corp. ft
67 Kollefroth, Aug. H. *
68 Carr, Henry C. *
174 Nowottauy, Ed L. 175 Geiser, Johli 176 Mosse, Frank
69 Clark, Geo. H. : S. C., pd Corp. 177 Sterling, H. E.
70 La Rue, George W., U. 178 Moore, Joun W.
71 Enoch, Frank P. *
72 Hill, Chas. S. *
73 Steck, Newton Sgt., ft
A., pd 181 Kerr, Fras L.
74 Rempis, Henry *
75 Stine, Chas. S. *
76 Jolly, Samuel T. *
77 Milot, Monto *
186 Dorsey, Wm. H.
78 Plants, Jerry S *
187 Myers, Frank
79 Troupe, Winfield S. *
80 Clark, Wm. U. *
180 Gardiner, Geo. E.
81 Cotter, James * 190 Harris. Fred G.
82 Danahne, Joho * 191 Snavely, Geo. W.
83 Monahon, Timothy J. # 192 Nutting, Chas. A.
DUQUESNE BLUES.
This is the name of an unattached com- pany of colored infantry now in service as National Guardsmen. . The command was organized in the spring of 1874, and is a model company in many respects. It was intended to insert the entire list of names, but after frequent efforts to get the rolls, without success, this short sketch is neces- sarily substituted for the entire history.
The company has a fine armory on the corner of Center and Main streets, Spring- field. The present officers are
Captain, Henry Harper (now serving on his second term, and the senior Infantry Captain of the Ohio Na- tional Guard.
First Lieutenant, Hubbard P. George.
Second Lieutenant, Robert R. Rudd.
It is much to be regretted that the data for a more extended notice of this compiny cannot be had.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF GEN. GEORGE ROGERS CLARK.
The name of this able and daring officer is so intimately connected with the name and location of this county that a sketch of his career is given as a necessary part of the history thereof. While there are few historic names bet- ter known in the annals of Western frontier life, there is yet a great deal of obscurity to a portion of his labors. The following is quoted from Collins' " Historical Sketches of Kentucky: "
"Gen. George Rogers Clark was born in the county of Albemarle, in the State of Virginia, November 19, 1752. Of his early years and education, but little is known. In his youth, he engaged in the business of land surveying. How long he was thus engaged is not known. He commanded a company in Dunmore's war, and was engaged in the only active operations of the right wing of the invading army against the Indians. At the close of the war, he was ofered a commission in the English service, which, on account of the troubled aspect of affairs between England and the Colonies, ho declined. In the spring of 1775, he came to Kentucky, drawn hither by that love of adventure which
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131 Lee, Wm. R. 185 Carr, John
136 Baldwin, Henry Jr.,
137 Bratsen, Lewis
138 Barton, Charles J.
148 Miller, Amos W.
144 O'Brien, Wm. D. A.
145 Shroeder, F. W .*
151 Nowattony, Vincent
152 Thomas, II. W. C.
153 Rouse, W. J .*
154 Miller, J. H *
157 Voll, Henry
158 Davis. Chas. F.
159 Mc Roberts, Win.
160 Bebrends, simon P.
161 Dodson, Win. E.
162 Oldhamn. Edwin
165 Campion, J. W. [See No. 63j.
182 Bushnell, Fred H.
183 Kerr, George W.
179 Hedges, Mert M. 180 Harris, John E.
132 Reynard, George W.
133 Wagner, William pd Corp.
Corp. ss
148 Gridley, Geo. M. ss
188 Turlington, J. W.
$7 Hansel, Horace *
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
distinguished him through life. During his visit, he was temporarily placed in command of the irregular militia of the settlements. In the following spring (1776), he again visited Kentucky, with the intention of making it his perma- nent home. From this time, his name is closely associated with the progress of the Western settlements in power and civilization. He had been early inn- pressed with the importance of this frontier country to the security of the pres- ent State of Virginia, and his reflections on this subject led him to perceive the importance of a more thoroughly organized system of public defense, and a more regular plan of military operations than the slender resources of the Col- onies had yet been able to offer. With the view of accomplishing this design, he waited on Gov. Patrick Hemy, of Virginia, and stated the object of his jour- ney. * *
Passing over that series of private and solitary adventures in which he embarked after his return to Kentucky, we find him planning an expedition against the British posts of Kaskaskia and Vincennes, and sending spies to learn and report upon the situation.
"In December, 1777, Maj. Clark submitted to the Executive of Virginia a plan for the reduction of these posts. The result was a full approbation of the scheme, and every arrangement was soon made, which resulted in the capture of the entire chains of British outposts. Vincennes was surrendered to Col. Clark on the 25th of February, 1779. The stars and stripes were hoisted, and thir- teen guns fired to celebrate the victory. Soon after this, Louisville was founded, and he made it his headquarters. In 1780, he built Fort Jefferson, on the Mis- sissippi. In June, 1780, 600 Canadians and Indians, under the British Col. Byrd, made a raid from Detroit against the settlements of Kentucky. The expedition was accompanied by two pieces of field artillery, and, on the 22d of June, Ruddell's Station was obliged to capitulate. Martin's Station soon shared the same fate, and the inhabitants, loaded with the spoil of their own dwellings, were driven to Canada as prisoners of war. A prompt retaliation was required, and Col. Clark, being ever ready for a row with the Indians, called on the settlers for volunteers to accompany his little regiment on an errand of punishment. The point of rendezvous was the mouth of the Licking River. Clark, with his regiment proper and some field pieces (variously stated at from one to three guns), came up the river from the falls; when all had as- sembled, the force was about one thousand men. The Indian town was reached before the enemy was aware of his approach. A sharp conflict ensued, in which seventeen savages were slain. and an equal number of whites. The town was burned and the crops destroyed, Clark's forces returned and were disbanded. and the Indians remained quiet for that season .*
"He was commissioned a Brigadier General in 1781. In 1782, he led another expedition, composed of mounted riflemen, against the Indian towns on the Miami and Scioto Rivers. The Indians fied before them; five of their towns were destroyed and their provisions burned. The effect of this was that no for- midable party of Indians ever after invaded Kentucky. This practically closed his career as a public man.
"Gen. Clark was never married. He was long in infirm health, and severely afflicted with a rheumatic affection, which terminated in paralysis and deprived him of the use of one limb. This finally caused his death. in February, 1818. He died and was buried at Locust Grove, near Louisville." Soon after his return to Louisville, he communicated to Hon. George Mason, of Gunston Hall. Virginia, a letter, wherein ho related at length the many experiences of his campaign in the Illinois country. This letter was published in 1869, and
*This was the battle of Piqua, which sve for a more detailed account; also the article, Clark-Shawnee Conten- nial, for varlous remarks and conclusion, regarding the same battle.
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
is now the principal source of information respecting him. From the press notices of the book we clip the following:
COL. GEORGE ROGERS CLARK'S SKETCHES OF HIS CAMPAIGN IN THE IL.LI- nois in 1718-19, with an Introduction by Hos. HENRY PIRTLE, of Louisville, Ky . and an Appendix containing the Public and Private Instructions to Col. Clark and Maj. Bowman's Journal of the Taking of Post St. Vincents.
" A little of the romance which belongs to all French colonial history hangs about Col. Clark's unconscious page, and his sketch affords here and there a glimpse of the life of the habitans in the old seventeenth-century settlements of the French at Kaskaskias, Cahokia and St. Vincents; but for the most part it is a plain and summary account of the military operations, and depends for its chief interest upon the view it affords of the character of as brave and shrewd a soldier and as bad a speller as ever lived. Some of his strokes of orthogra- phy are unrivaled by the studied grotesqueness of Artemus Ward or Mr. Yel lowplush; he declares with perfect good faith that on a certain occasion he was very much "adjutated;" and it is quite indifferent to him whether he write privilidge, happiniss, comoing, attacted, adjutation, sucksess, leathergy, intili- gence, silicit, acoutriments, refutial. and anctious, or the more accepted forms * * of the same words, as like a bona fide bad speller, he is quite apt to do.
" The letter is now printed for the first time. We heartily commend it to all who love to taste history at its sources, or who enjoy character. It is a curious contrast to the polite narrative of Col. Bouquet, but it is quite as inter- esting, and the deeds it records have turned out of vastly greater consequence than those which the brave Swiss performed." -- Atlantic Monthly.
From the Nation : "A very original and striking Revolutionary character is portrayed by himself in 'Col. George Rogers Clark's Sketch of his Campaign in the Illinois in 1778-79.' Clark's military capacity was certainly of a high order, and it is seldom one reads of a commander possessing such boldness, resources and tact. He understood perfectly, for military purposes, the Indian nature, and how to exhibit at the right time courageous defiance and magnanimity. * The operations at Kaskaskias and Vincennes are described in a very graphic but truly modest manner-the march from the former post to take the latter being one of extraordinary hardship and enter- prise. The odd spelling of the French, Spanish and Indian names mentioned by Clark, and his ordinary orthography, too, make his narrative quite amusing. Some persons may guess what 'Messicippa,' ' La prary de rush' ( La Prairie du Rocher), 'Canoweay' (Kanawha), 'adjutated' and 'adgetation' stand for.' * The notes of the editor of this volume add very much to its readableness and historical completeness."
THE SPELLING OF THE NAME CLARK.
It is generally understood that this county was named in honor of Gen. George Rogers Clark, the well-known military leader and Indian fighter, who defeated the Shawnees at old Piqua in 1750. There is no evidence, except traditional, that he was the individual Clark designated to receive this honor, yet, as it has never been disputed, it will be safe to assume that he was the one. This being true, it follows that the name should be spelled as he spelled his name.
If the petition could be found which was drawn up, and signed by many of the people here, in the year 1811, praying the Legislature to set off and erect a new county, it might, and most likely would, throw some light upon this point; but a tedious search fails to discover the document. The next in order is the result of the petition, viz .: the act of the Legislature authorizing the
338
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
erection of a new county, to be called CLARK (see Chase's Statutes of Ohio, Vol. III, Page 2125). Here there is no final "e," neither is it often found in any of the early enactments. In the various official records of the county, the final "e" was not generally used in by far the greater portions of the eariv entries, though even there will be found a more or less promiscuous use of that letter. There seems to have been no real knowledge of how the name was spelled by Gen. Clark. In fact, the practice of some of the officers of the past, in this regard, amounts to little else than gross carelessness, as there are cases where the name is spelled both ways in the same legal notice, and so in other official papers. Therefore, the county records afford no more evidence of the truth of the matter than the opinions and habits of many of our intelligent citizens.
Having exhausted all accessible sources of information at home, especial efforts have been made to obtain from abroad the opinions and knowledge of those who, by kinship or by situation, are prepared to speak with authority upon this subject. To that end, a correspondence was opened with various persons who were presumed to know the facts, and the following letters have resulted therefrom:
LOUISVILLE, Ky., Dec. 22, 1880.
HISTORIAN OF CLARK CO., OHIO, SPRINGFIELD, OHIO :
Sir-Your letter of December 20, addressed to "Officer in charge of Locust Grove Cemetery," has been sent to me by the Postmaster, with request to answer. They could not find or hear about Locust Grove Cemetery.
I assisted my father, the late Judge Lewis Collins, of Maysville, Ky., in writing his " History of Kentucky, " thirty-four years ago.
call a second edition of his * was published six years ago. They each * My own "History of Kentucky," which I contain a life of Gen. George Rogers Clark, which was transferred or copied bodily by Robert Clarke & Co., of Cincinnati, in their publication of "Col. George Rogers Clark's Sketch of his Campaign in Illinois in 1778-79." This life or sketch closed with saying he "was buried at Locust Grove, near Louisville." You seem to infer that Locust Grove is a cemetery. Not so; it is the name of the farm or plantation on which Gen. Clark spent the latter years of his life. The right spelling is Clark without the final e. [See the fac simile of his signature in my history, Vol. I, opposite page 16.]
The Legislature of Kentuuky, on March 10, 1856, and again on March 10, 1869, author- ized and directed the removal of Gen. Clark's remains to the State Cemetery, near Frank- fort, and a monument to be erected. But the Clark family objected, and it was never done. About twelve years ago, his remains, together with those of two brothers and the wife of one of them, and other near relatives, were removed to a lot in Cave Hill Cemetery, near Louisville. Hither I went to-day, to accommodate you, several miles, through a deep snow, and after a tedions search. I found the lot and grave. On the small but handsome marble headstone is engraved,
GEN'L GEORGE ROGERS CLARK, Born O. S. Nov. 9, 1752, Died Feb'y 13, 1818.
Similar headstones, uniform and simple, mark the other graves.
Very respectfully yours, RICHARD IL. COLLINS, LL. D.
By reference to the biographical sketch of Gen. Clark in this volume, it will be seen that Hon. Henry Pirtle, of Louisville, Ky., wrote the introduction to the "Sketches in Illinois" there mentioned. He, too, was addressed, and in due time the following answer was received:
LOUISVILLE, Ky., Jan. 3. 1881.
Dear Sir-Your letter of the 20th ulto., addressed to Hon. Henry Pirtle, was delivered to me as Executor of his estate. My father died in March last having attained his eighty- second year. I have the original manuscript dictated by Gen. George Rogers Clark, and signed by him. * * His name, as signed, is Clark. I have inquired of a number of the Clark family, many of whom live here. if the General ever used the final ? in writing his name, and learned that neither he nor any of the family ever wrote the name otherwise than Clark. You might write to Gen. Mereweather Lewis Clark, or Col.
339
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
M. Lewis Clark, of Louisville, Ky .; or to Dr. Jonathan Clark, of Paducah, Ky. The two first are descendants (son and grandson) of Col. Williams Clark, and the latter a grandson of Jonathan Clark, brothers of Gen. G. R. Clark.
Very truly yours, JAMES S. PIRTLE.
The Clarks mentioned in Mr. Pirtle's letter were written to, and a reply received from Dr. Jonathan Clark ends thus: "Jonathan Clark "-Clark with- out an 'e.""
The final "e" is used by only three out of twenty-five of the various authors who have written concerning the early history of the territory where Gen. Clark's deeds are most conspicuous. The only explanation to offer for disturbing this question (for question indeed it has been, and yet is) is a desire to get at the truth, believing that the history of our county is a proper place to present it.
SIMON KENTON.
Inasmuch as portions of this county were the scenes of many of the events in the life of this sturdy pioneer, it is proper to devote some space to such brief sketches as can be procured relative to him. He was born in Fauquier County, Virginia, on the 15th of May, 1755. Of his early years nothing is known, save that his parents were poor and that he was never taught to read and write. At the age of sixteen, he, with many others of about his age, were suitors for the hand and heart of a young lady of that neighborhood. Kenton and a young farmer named Leitchman were the most favored, until finally Leitchman found an opportunity to challenge Kenton to a trial of their mutual prowess in an old-fashioned fight, in which Kenton was defeated This and the loss of the lady's hand he silently endured for a time, but resolved to wipe out the foul blot upon his hopes and pride as soon as he should attain sufficient strength -- in other words, "whip him when he got big." In due time, the boy came to be a man, and he determined to delay the hour of retribution no longer. So, having sought out his old enemy, the former rivals clinched in combat once again. Now, Leitchman's hair was long, and as they rolled and struggled, Kenton managed to bring his adversary's head near enough to a small tree to enable him to make a quick turn of Leitchman's scalp-lock around the tree. This enabled Kenton to return with interest the debt he owed his enemy, and so effectually did he do it that Leitchman soon ceased to move. Kenton supposed he had killed him, and instantly fled, and directed his steps Westward. From this time forward for a period of years, he knew no home but the forest or camp. As hunter, scout, spy or guide, he participated in most of the events which transpired upon the then broad field of our Western frontier. During his captivity among the Indians, he was eight times exposed to the gantlet, three times tied to the stake, and as often thought himself upon the eve of a terrible death. He was a companion of George Rogers Clark, Daniel Boone, and other noted frontiersmen; also of the celebrated renegade, Simon Girty before Girty joined the Indians. From Howe's " Historical Collections of Ohio," the following is quoted: "About the year 1802, he settled in Urbana, where he remained some years and was elected a Brigadier General of militia. In the war of 1812, he joined the army of Gen. Harrison, and was at the battle of the Moravian towns, where he displayed his usual intropidity. About the year 1820, he moved to the head of Mad River. A few years later, he was granted a pension of $20 a month, which secured his declining years from want." In Dr. Ludlow's "Early Recollections of Springfield" is the following article:
"In the year 1802, Simon Kenton lived within the present limits of our Moorfield Township, in Clark County, and made some improvements on the land now owned by the family of the late Maj. Hunt as a residence, and desig-
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
nated as the Kenton farm. At the time of Kenton's residence there, and at a place about a mile up the run, was the residence of Philip Jarbo, who was a brother-in-law of Kenton, and the two wore steadfast companions and friends. Both came into the Territory and to the Mad River country in the year 1790. The run above mentioned crosses the Urbana road near the present farmhouse of Edward Cassilv, and was named by Kenton as Jarbo's Run. Kenton's cabin stood a little to the west of the Hunt mansion, and near to Jarbo's Run; the old apple-trees yet standing in irregular order about the Hunt mansion were planted by Simon Kenton. He also planted a peach orchard, which bore fruit before he left the place. But Kenton's roving disposition led him to quit the place in 1806, when he moved to the rapids of Buck Creek, now known as the village of Lagonda. Here he built a grist-mill, and undertook to connect a carding-machine with it, but the enterprise almost failed. The mill was a poor affair, while the bolting-machine was propelled by hand-power. Mr. Caleb Tuttle, who is still living (1571), in Springfield Township, says he often went to this mill when a boy, and well remembers its appearance and location, and many a time he has labored at the bolting-machine to complete his father's grist. While Caleb thus labored. his heart grow light at the presence of a fair 'young damsel whose father worked in the mill.' In after years, she became the wife of Mr. Tuttle. There is also another person living in Springfield who often went to this mill when Kenton was the proprietor. The mill was located just on the narrow gorge of the creek where the turnpike bridge now crosses the stream. Kenton left Lagonda and his mill in the early part of the year 1812, to join the army of his country in the war with Great Britain. He was made a Brigadier General of militia, and joined the army under Gen. Harri- son."
As Urbana was then the county seat of Champaign County, which extended over nearly the whole of what is now Clark County, and his first location was only a few miles south of Urbana, it is easy to account for the statement in Howe's Collections that "he settled in Urbana in 1802."
In an appendix to a small pamphlet (1852) by R. C. Woodard, entitled "Sketches of Springfield." we find the following: "My first visit to Springfield and the Mad River country was in October, 1832. I took lodging with Col. Werden, then keeper of the National, for the night. When I entered the two- horse hack in the morning. I found seated therein a very elderly and dignified gentleman, who at the first glance commanded my respect. By his side sat a lady. much younger in appearance than himself. We three formed the load. The lady and myself soon fell into a running conversation, and I found her to be a very agreeable and companionable traveler. Among other facts, she told me that Springfield was so named at her suggestion, on account of the many delightful and valuable springs within and around the plat located for the town. While we chatted, the old gentleman sat in silence, and, as his grave appearance was not of a character to invite conversation, with a young and bash- inl man, I had to be content. for the while, with looking at him, and wondering who he was! At length. however, when we came into the neighborhood of Maj. William Hunt's. I ventured to ask him if he were 'going far north.' He said, . No.' The lady then said they were going to their home near Zanesville. in Logan County. This question happened to break the ice a little, and the gen- tleman became somewhat talkative-in a slow way. He told me he had been to Newport, Ky, to attend a meeting of pioneers appointed fifty years before, bat that the cholera had thwarted the meeting. He pointed out along the verge of the road, nearly opposito the Half-Way House, the path along which the Indians had once escorted him, a prisoner, on the way to Zanesfield, to make him run the gantlet. and gave me sundry snatches of detail as to his early
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
hardships in the backwoods, and adventures with the Indians, so that by the time we came to Urbana, we had all become quite free talkers. All the time, I did not take any hint as to who he was, though I tried hard to study him out, and thought I had been somewhat familiar with his history from my boyhood. When we landed at Urbana, at the house kept by Daniel Harr. Esq., the people collected pretty feely around the hack, all anxious to see and speak to who I Dow became convinced was a man of eminent distinction. On eager inquiry. I soon learned that I had been traveling with him whom I had, till then, known only in history-the celebrated pioneer, SIMON KENTON. and his excellent lady."
The many incidents of his romantic and eventful life are well detailed by his friend and biographer, Col. John McDonald, from whose work we extract the following description of his personal appearance and character:
"Gen. Kenton was of fair complexion, six feet one inch in height. He stood and walked very erect. and, in the prime of life, weighed about one hun- dred and ninety pounds. He never was inclined to be corpulent, although of sufficient fullness to form a graceful person. He had a soft, tremulous voice, very pleasing to the hearer. He had laughing gray eyes, which appeared to fascinate the beholder. He was a pleasant, good-humored and obliging com- panion. When excited, or provoked to anger (which was seldom the case), the fiery glance of his eye would almost curdle the blood of those with whom he came in contact. His rage, when roused, was a tornado. In his dealing, he was perfectly honest; his confidence in man and his credulity were such that the same man might cheat him twenty times: and, if he professed friendship. he might.
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