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 51
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Among others who were present at this council were Jonah Baldwin, John Humphreys. Simon Kenton, Walter Smallwood, John Daugherty and Griffith Foos.
The council had a salutary effect upon the village. It set at rest the start- ling rumors which discouraged immigration. impeded progress, and paralyzed the ambitious efforts of the inhabitants. The town began rapidly to improve. The valuable water-power attracted men of enterprise, who began to utilize it in various branches of industry. There were no streams of water of consequence nearer than Chillicothe, sixty miles distant, so that mills of various kinds began to spring up in favorable localities. .
In the year 1809, Jolm Lingle erected a powder-mill near the mouth of Mill Run. He also built a log magazine for the storage of the powder. a little west of the present city hall, on the north bank of the stream. The machinery of this mill was primitive, but the untiring energy of the proprietor enabled him to supply the demand for that indispensable article in frontier life for some years. The residence of Mr. Lingle was on top of the rocks near his powder mill, but after the loss of a little child by drowning in the mill dam, he moved to a small frame house on Market street, opposite his magazine, where he died in 1818.
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The streams in this vicinity, being fed by thousands of springs which poured into them at frequent intervals, were wont, upon the slightest provocation, to assume dangerous proportions, but no serious difficulties were apprehended from inundation until the spring of 1809. Lagonda Creek had then a current which in depth, width and rapidity was not to be compared to the sluggish waters which now crawl over the bed of that once beautiful stream. In the beginning of the season just mentioned, there had been many heavy and long continued rains, which caused the creek to overflow its banks, inundating all that part of the country northeast of the town, which was then an open prairie, and encroaching dangerously near the settled portion of the town. After giving this evidence of its destructive power, it soon subsided, but many began to fear for the safety of the place from a repetition of the overflow, and some who had settled there with the intention of making it their permanent abode soon took their departure.
The founder of the village was not discouraged at the doubts and fears of the timid, for about this time he made a third addition to the original plat, extending his line of lots to Pleasant street. The precise date of this ad- dition is not known, as it was not recorded during Demint's lifetime and not until 1853, but it is thought to have been about the year 1810.
THE FIRST BRICK HOUSE.
As the rude log cabins gave way to the more substantial frame dwelling, the latter in time was compelled to give place under the advancing steps 80
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CITY OF SPRINGFIELD.
of improvement to the enduring brick structure. It is a mooted question who is entitled to the credit of building the first brick house in the limits of the town. Respectable authority gives it to John Ambler, and equally authen- tic sources say that William Ross, who assisted David Lowry in making pork barrels in Dayton, should have the honor. It is stated that Ross erected a two- story brick house on the southeast corner of Main and Market streets, that it was first occupied by him as a dwelling and store, and then as a tavern which was widely known as "Ross' Tavern." This building was standing as late as 1869, when it was removed to give place to the more modern edifice erected in that year by Ridenour & Coblentz. On the other side of this not vitally important question is the statement that John Ambler made and burnt the brick that went into Ross' house as well as his own, which he built on the north side of Main street, about half way between Factory and Mechanic streets. in 1815, about six months, it is asserted, before the Ross house was erected. Mr. Am- bler's dwelling is standing at this date and is now occupied by Mr. C. A. Davis. Freeman Vicory hauled the bricks for this house. About this time, Maddox Fisher built the two-story brick house adjoining the public square, as marked in Demint's plat, which remained standing until torn down by James D. Stew- art, who erected thereon his present residence. Mr. Fisher intended this building for a store as well as a dwelling, but subsequently used it for the latter alone.
ADDITIONAL CHURCH EDIFICES.
As we have seen, the Methodist Episcopal Church organized the first relig- ious society, so that this pioneer denomination was the first to erect, in 1814. a church edifice for their exclusive use. It was a large frame building and stood on the northwest corner of Market and North streets, and was used as a place of worship for twenty years, when it was converted into a dwelling. At the time this building was erected and for fifteen years thereafter. the lots in that part of the town were not inclosed, but were covered with scrub oak. hazel bushes and phun trees. The foot paths which led to the church followed irreg- ular lines, that were the most convenient for the villagers. The Second Meth- odist Church was not built until 1834.
Open air meetings were held in a grove near the first Methodist Church, at which some of the noted preachers of the day were present. Lorenzo Dow, an an eccentric itinerant, delivered a sermon here. While he was earnestly point- ing out the way of salvation to an interested audience, some graceless boys climbed a tree overlooking the audience. Dow had his attention attracted by . the noise. and. stopping short, he turned to the boys and said:
" Zaccheus he climbed a tree His end to see. If those lads would repent and believe They too should their salvation receive."
VOLUNTEERS FOR HARRISON.
The war spirit strongly animated the loyal people of the country, and when Gov. Meigs issued his call for volunteers to hasten to the relief of Gen. Harrison, who, in the month of December, 1813. with his army, was besieged at Fort Meigs by the British army and a band of Indians under Tecumseh. the response was met by the enlistment of many volunteers. James Shipman unalertook to raise a company of citizen soldiers. He obtained a number of names of volunteers who agreed to meet him at Urbana. When the day for marching came, Mr. Shipman's recruits failed to come to time. Nothing dannted. however, he went to Urbana alone, and. with one Thomas McCartney, whom he met on the way, joined Capt. McCord's cavalry company at Urbana.
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
A number of other volunteers also hastened to the relief of Fort Meigs, going by the way of Troy and Piqua, among whom was Cooper Ludlow, father of John Ludlow.
SMITH'S ACADEMY.
One of the characters of the village, who established at this time a seat of learning which became famous for miles as " Smith's School," was a stout, sturdy Englishman named Samuel Smith. He kept a pay school in a frame building on the north side of Main street. on the west bank of Mill Run. He was a man of stern discipline, who did not " spare the rod" to "spoil the child," and neither the age or sex of his pupils was respected in administering punish. ment. He designated two or three "monitors" over his forty or fifty scholars, to whom he gave the audible instruction, "if they disobey the rules, knock them down, kill 'em or drag 'em to me." To catch a disobedient boy by the hair of the head, and drag him to the middle of the room and lay on the blows thick and fast, was no uncommon mode of punishment. Hfis classical learning allowed him to indulge in the humor of dignifying some of his scholars with such appellations as " Mark Antony." "Pompey," "Julius Cæsar," etc. His assistant was his wife, a tall. angular, sharp featured Yankee woman, who taught the smaller children at their residence near the school. Smith was wont to amuse his scholars by marvelous tales of Yankee land, which he narrated with a serenity that led his younger hearers to believe in their absolute verity. He gave instances of the rough land and hard soil of Vermont, so hard that a farmer there was obliged to use a team of fifty yoke of oxen in breaking up a new piece of land with a plow, and the land so hilly that one-half of the oxen hung by their necks between the hills while plowing. That the climate was so variable that a big ox went into a lake to drink, one mild day in winter, and was frozen fast while drinking by a sudden cold change in the weather, that the ox walked up the mountain carrying with it the whole frozen lake. and the next day, when a thaw came, the ice melted. causing a great flood, with immense destruction of life and property.
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The bottle was a favorite companion, and when warmed by a liberal use of it, Smith's stories grew Munchausen like in their exaggerations. It became a habit of the people to call any story of doubtful veracity one of Smith's lies.
It was a custom in those days for the boys to " lock out " the schoolmaster about the holidays from the schoolhouse, until he paid the usual penalty of a treat with apples. cakes. etc. The larger boys of Smith's school attempted an affair of this kind. but were matched by the master, who mounted the roof, and throwing a handful of brimstone down the chimney into the huge fire of logs burning there. placed a board over the top, to the great discomfiture of the boys. who soon opened the windows and beat a hasty retreat. In later years, Smith gave up his bottle and died at an advanced age, respected as a useful citizen.
SPRINGFIELD AS A COUNTY SEAT.
The village had now grown of sufficient importance, and its relations to the adjacent territory were such as to justify the State Legislature in constructing from the adjoining counties of Champaign. Madison and Green a separate county. By an act of that body passed March 1. 1818, the county of Clark was thus formed, and so named in honor of Gen. Rogers Clark, who defeated the Shawanese and Mingo Indians in the battle at their town on Mad River. called Piqua or New Boston. The particulars attending the organization of the county more properly belongs to the history of the county, to which the reader is referred. It will be sufficient to state here that the accomplishment of this advanced movement was due largely to the efforts of Maddox Fisher, who, as a
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successful lobbyist. visited Chillicothe where the Legislature was in session, and by persevering effort finally succeeded in having the bill passed, which also pro- vided that Springfield should be the county seat. An attempt was made to have the county seat located at New Boston, the reputed birthplace of Tecumseh, but the measure failed through the active opposition of Maddox Fisher. When he returned from Chillicothe with the news of the success of his measure. he was received with shouts of gratification. As a reward for the active efforts of Mad- dox Fisher. he was awarded the position of Postmaster, which at that date was a post of honor more than of profit.
"OLD VIRGINIA " AND " SLEEPY HOLLOW."
The then beautiful rivulet " Mill Run " glided smoothly through the village. following a small valley a few rods west of where the First Presbyterian Church is now located, and dividing the place into two sections. The section west of the Run had two brick houses, one stone house, a few of frame and several cab- ins. There were two taverns in the west section, one in a small one-story brick house kept by James Norton on the lot now occupied by the Teegarden residence. and the other in a two-story frame house building kept by Cooper Ludlow. This part of the village was called " Old Virginia," by those of the east side, because several families from the Old Dominion had settled there. Those living on the west end returned the compliment by calling the east end and particularly that portion around the pablic square " Sleepy Hollow," on account of the lack of enterprise there. It has retained the name until this day. The west bank of the Run was low and muddy. To reach the foot-log which crossed the Run, it was necessary to wade through deep mud and mire. The east bank of the Run was quite steep. The land along the south side of the Run from Center street east to Spring street. and as far south as the railroad passenger depot. was a continuous quagmire. in which cattle often swamped. Limestone street was only extended through the quagmire by throwing in brush, and placing logs upon them in the form of a corduroy bridge, which was then covered with dirt and gravel.
Shortly after this, two Irishmen, Andrew and Frederick Johnson, took the contract from the owners of the swampy land along the south bank of Mill Run. to ditch and drain the same, which soon made this portion of the town passable.
The number of houses in the east end. or "Sleepy Hollow." was greater than in the west end. There was a public house kept by Mr. Ross, another by John Haut, a boarding house by James MeElroy in a weather-boarded log house. ou the northeast corner of Main and Market streets. Maddox Fisher kept a store in a frame house on Fisher's corner. Pearson Spinning's store was in another frame building across Main street, opposite Mr. Fisher's store. There were two or three stores of less importance at this end, besides several mechanics' shops and a printing office. The town had no pavement except one in front of MIr. Fisher's store. It was no unusual sight to see citizens cutting firewood with an ax (wood-saws not being then in use), in front of their shops or dwellings on Main street. Wagons were driven close up to the front doors of houses, and the streets were remarkable for the depth of the mud.
A RELIC OF THE MOUND-BUILDERS.
A few rods east of the intersection of Spring and Washington streets, there was a mound of earth about fifty vards in size across its base and of conical shape. About this period (1515), several white oak trees and clusters of bushes stood upon its side, and a number of large stumps indicated that other trees had grown nearer its apex. During the work upon the Dayton & Sandusky Rail-
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
road in 1847, this mound was entirely removed for the earth it contained. As the delvers in it penetrated its interior, they found it had been the burial place for a former generation of people. It was a huge sepulcher full of human bones. As the bones had by this period of time to a great extent become inter- mingled with the earth, the entire mass was carted to the railroad and forined part of the road bed. While the work was in progress, there was picked up what seemed to have been a section of the lower jaw bone of a wild animal con- taining a stout, crooked tusk or tooth. The bone had been ground away so as to be firmly grasped by a human hand. It had no doubt been used as an instrument of warfare. A few days after it had been taken from the ground, it crumbled into dust by action of the air upon it.
A TEMPERANCE ORGANIZATION.
The good people interested in the welfare of the community began to be alarmed at the condition of society. There was danger that the new county seat would become the center of vice and wickedness for the surrounding country. Rough, lawless men, desperadoes, who haunt the new settlements where the restraints of society and religion are miknown, continued to hang around the publie houses, drinking, swearing and quarreling. Horse-racing was the com- mon amusement, while gambling was open and unrestrained. The influence of this condition of society was found to be degrading. But the customs of those days were such as tended to corrupt instead of improve the morals of the peo- ple. The bottle of whisky was a necessary adjunct to the water pitcher upon the counters of the stores for the free use of all the customers. In the family the decanters stood openly upon the sideboard. The professor of religion. as well as the man of the world, indulged with the same freedom. In the field no work could be performed without whisky freely supplied. The farmer who would fail to furnish it would speedily find himself without harvesters.
To stem the tide of evil which seemed to gather such strength in the com- munity. it was determined to organize a temperance society. In the summer of : 1818, therefore. that active minister, Rev. Saul Henkle, gathered a few of the good men and women of the place together and formed an association. the do- clared object of which was to abandon the use of intoxicating liquors them- selves, and i duce others to do the same. By such influences as these, the rapid progress of iniquity in time was checked, and good order began to reign as the . better class of citizens gained the ascendancy.
WERDEN'S TAVERN.
"I will take mine ease in mine inn." consolingly said the traveler. as he approached Springfield, weary with the day's jolting over the primitive roads before McAdam had suggested a way of making the rough ways smooth. He knew that ease and comfort awaited him at "Billy Werden's" tavern. It was a famous hostelry. William Werden located in Springfield in 1819. He came from Delaware to Ohio. The first tavern he opened was at MeElroy's old stand, on the northeast corner of Main and Market streets: but soon after, he rented the Ross tavern, on the opposite corner, which he fitted up as a first-class public house. It was in this place that Mr. Werden built up a State reputation as a landlord, which made him famous among travelers everywhere. He did much to quell tho rowdyism and bar-room brawling which bad become such a pui- sance at other resorts. As this tavern was the stopping place for a line of stages running from Cincinnati to Columbus, the sign was that of a stage-coach and horses under full speed. suspended on a tall post at the outer edge of the sidewalk. The room used for his office and bar was not more than twenty feet
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THOMAS V. CRABILL SPRINGFIELD TP.
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CITY OF SPRINGFIELD.
square, and his whole house, with all its rooms. was not larger than one now re- quired for a large family. The genial host was the first to meet the tired stranger with an outstretched hand and a generous welcome. To conduct him into the house, have a servant remove his muddy leggings and boots, provide him with clean slippers and a warm fire, were the kindly offices which won the heart of the traveler, while the polite attention of the hostess, a bountiful meal, skillfully prepared under her own direction. a clean bed and a good night's rest, sent him on his way refreshed and satisfied in the morning. Mr. Werden bought the property on the northwest corner of Main and Spring streets in 1820. but he did not occupy it until 1829. and then built his large hotel, known as the Werden House. He continued in business here until he had, gained a competency, when he retired from active business. During the last term of Jackson's administration, his zealous support of "Old Hickory" gained him the office of Postmaster, which he held for four years.
THE FIRST CENSUS.
The first enumeration taken here under the laws of the United States was in 1820. It showed that Springfield contained 510 inhabitants, of whom 285 were males and 225 were females. There were eight general stores, a flouring- mill, woolen and carding mill. a cotton mill, several schools, a printing office. and a post office, at which the mails were received in elegant four-horse coaches; an adequate supply of lawyers and physicians was also to be found. The court house then in process of erection was the only public building worthy of notice.
John Bacon and Charles Anthony, Esq., two of the prominent citizens of Springfield, who were always thoroughly identified with the business interests of the city and its later growth. with Ira Paige, a prominent merchant, whose name was connected with its mercantile progress, were married about the same time, in the early spring of 1820. They were young men of vigor, ability and industry, and jointly entered into a career of prominence.
The first-named of these young men, John Bacon, came to Springfield in 1818. For many years. he was successfully engaged in the manufacture and sale of harness and saddles, investing his surplus means in real estate and dis- counting notes, which paid him a good return. Mr. Bacon accumulated consid- erable means. which. with the increased value of his real estate, made him quite wealthy. Retiring from his regular trade, he became a prominent Railroad and Bank Director. At one time. ho held the office of Member of the State Board of Control, connected with the State Bank system that preceded the establish- ment of the National Banks. He was for several years a Director in the Little Miami Railroad Company, and served in 1860 as a member of the State Board of Equalization. At the time of his death. which occurred in 1870, he was the President of the Mad River National Bank.
(A sketch of Gen. Anthony appears in the history of the Clark County bar, where it properly belongs. )
BIBLE SOCIETIES.
The interest taken in the advancement of the morals of the community is shown in the organization of those valuable auxiliaries to church work. such as Bible and missionary societies. The temporary organization of the Clark County Bible Society was effected at the Methodist Church. on the 6th day of August. 1822. by the election of Rov. Archibald Steele as Chairman. Rev. Saul Henkle Secretary, and Isaac T. Zeller as Assistant Secretary. The Board of Managers for the town was composed of the following citizens: Pearson Spin- ning. Maddox Fisher, John Ambler. John Bacon and Robert Rennick. Board
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
of Managers for the county: Rev. Joseph Morris. Griffith Foos, Moses Henkle. Robert Humphrey, John Humphrey, Thomas Patten, Jool Van Meter, John Lay- ton. Rev. Malyne Baker, John Forgy, Joseph Keifer, Thomas Fisher, Jeremiah Sims. Christian Frantz, Jacob Ebersole, John R. Demon. Andrew Hodge and Thomas Curl. The regular organization was effected on Monday, September 2. 1822. George M. Jewett was chosen Chairman pro tem., with Rev. Saul Henkle as Secretary. The constitution adopted shows the following names among the first signers: Rev. John S. Galloway, Rev. M. M. Henkle, Rev. Saul Henkle. Archibald McConkey. W. M. Spencer and James S. Christie. An elec- tion for officers resulted as follows: President. Rev. Archibald Steele: George W. Jewett and Morris Henkle, Sr .. Vice Presidents: Pearson Spinning, Treas- urer: Rev. Saul Henkle. Corresponding Secretary; and Isaac T. Zeller, Record- ing Secretary. The following gentlemen were elected Directors: John Ambler, Joel Van Meter. Jeremiah Sims, Robert Humphrey, Griffith Foos, Archibald McConkey. Thomas Patten. Joseph Keifer, Maddox Fisher, Daniel Mckinnon, Daniel Moore and Andrew Hodge. Under an organization like this, composed of citizens of means and high standing. the society prospered. and was an instrument of great good. This society was recognized as an auxiliary by the parent society in November, 1542. On September 5, 1872. an entertaining meeting of this society was held, in commemoration of its fiftieth anniversary. On this occa- sion it was stated. in a paper read by Rev. S. Cochran. that $6,796 had been presented as a donation to the parent society, in New York, and $6,572 worth of Bibles and Testaments had been received from that society in fifty years.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
In the early history of Springfield, as in its later years, there was a mani- fest tardiness in the erection of public buildings. Although the place was designated as the seat of justice in 1818, yet, for four years following, the court held its regular sessions at the tavern of John Hunt, on Main street. The delay in the erection of the court house and the jail was no doubt owing in part to the generous rivalry which existed between "Old Virginia" and "Sleepy Hollow." the west and east ends of the town. each of which made strong efforts for the selection of their respective localities. Although the Commissioners of the county met on the 2d day of March. 1819. and commenced the consideration of the erection of a court house on the public square. yet it was not until the summer of 1828. that the building was completed. A brick jail was also built in the public square, and fully completed December 6, 1824. A tempo- rary jail was erected on the east side of Fisher street. about half way between Main and Columbia streets, which was simply a log house, and not very secure. A detailed narration of the building of the court house and jail appears in the history of the county.
After "grim-visaged war had smoothed his wrinkled front," the military spirit was kept alive by the organization of companies under efficient command ers, who bad obtained their knowledge of the art of war in the struggle of 1812. These companies met at stated periods and drilled in the manual of arms until they became remarkably proficient. In 1825. the first. and perhaps the best- drilled and neatest equipped company. as compared with others which followed, was organized under Capt. B. W. Peck. Capt. Charles Anthony. First Lieuten- ant. This company was followed by others, which were the " Clark County Guards." Capt. Shipman: "Osceola Plaids," "Springfield Cadets," and one or two cavalry companies, commanded by Capts. John Cook and Putnam.
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