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. 2 > Part 12
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Edward Rice.
January, 1843. 60
William Pool. . February, 1854. .87
Henry Oxtoby. Sr. .. .. October, 1838 .68
Elizabeth Oxtoby, .April. 1836.
Harriet Oxtoby. March. 1848 48
Diana Winchester. . . July, 1857 ..
Daniel Barratt .. .February. 1849 .50
Robert Thorpe. April, 1849 .. .76
Elizabeth Thorpe .... October. 1852 79
Matthew W. Hume. . April, 1864.
Sarah Hume. .. July, 1864. 71
Edward H. Bishop. . December, 1869. .72
James Lee .. May, 1865 .73
John Anderson January, 1837. .77
Boswell Kimball .. .. .. August, 1853 63
Mary G. Craig.
October. 1823.
Francis Westerman. . September, 1838. .71
Amos Laybourn December, 1873. .86
October, 18:6 9:
Nellie Ward. .
1878.
.96
Jacob Smith .. January. 1869. 80
Joseph Whittredge February. 1855
Joseph Hanunh. . October. 1843. 78
Samuel H. Nelson. . March, 1850. . 50
Lewis Skillings. December, 1859. .80
Anna Skillings June, 1806 .. .78
Spalden Winchester. September, 1857. .61
Temperance Turner .. August. 1880.
Christop'r Laybouru .. January, 1842 97
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HARMONY TOWNSHIP.
ise of future growth and prosperity, rivaling, it is said, the neighboring villages ยท of Springfield and South Charleston.
But fate ruled that Lisbon should blossom but to decay, and, in the years that have intervened, one by one of its families have gone elsewhere, until the once promising village is but a remnant of its former self.
About the year 1820, a rude log schoolhouse, like the pattern of its day, was built on Lot No. 14, and here the youth of Lisbon were taught the common branches of education by such reputable teachers as Joseph Morris, John Whit- tredge, Peleg Whittredge, Lucy Munson, Catherine Beunett, Kiser Brooks and Simon Steers. In 1829, a brick schoolhouse was built on Lot 29, and for thirty- five years it served as a starting-point in the lives of many who have become worthy men and women, and who have run well in the race of life. In 1860. this house was destroyed by fire, and was succeeded by the present tasty and commodious one, also of brick. This one was partially destroyed by fire in 1872, but was rebuilt the next year.
Isaac Chamberlin kept a hotel here in an early day, for a succession of years. This was in a frame which stood on Lot No. 9. This was before 1840. Jonathan Merideth occupied a frame two-story house on Lot No. S, and carried on merchandising as early as 1825. John Buckland was also one of the early my rcheats. The McArthur Free Pike, from Lisbon via Plattsburg and Vienna to Catawba, was built in 1868 by John McKinney.
BRIGHTON.
This village was laid out by David Ripley and Marvin Gager in 1835. It is located in the northeastern part of Harmony Township, about twelve and a half miles east of Springfield, and on the National road. The first house was built on the northeast corner, by John Buckland, and was by him occupied as a hotel for some years. In the same year, Joseph Robinson built a steam saw- mill just east of the village. This was the first steam mill built in the town- ship. Gager and Aplin built a frame house on the southeast corner, and opened a store of general merchandise.
A frame schoolhouse was erected in 1835 or 1836, in which Thomas H. Rathburn taught school. David Ripley in 1836 built the two-story brick build- ing on the northwest corner, and for several years thereafter carried on a hotel. Thomas Rathburn also occupied it in later years for the same purpose. A post office called "Brighton Center" was established, and Joseph Robinson was appointed Postmaster, in 1836. The office was discontinued about two years later. A carding-mill was built by George Snodgrass in 1837; the power for this machinery was a tread-wheel and a blind horse. The mill went down about 1842. Simeon Eaton built a frame house on the present schoolhouse lot and conducted a grocery business for years. Marvin Gager was a blacksmith. He built a shop and worked at his trade; in 1842, Gager and Aplin attached a dis tillery to the steam mill before mentioned, and it was operated with some suc- cess.
The first residents of Brighton were of sturdy New England stock, and were intelligent and enterprising. Besides those above named, Marens L. Durke, Washington Wilson, the Rathburns and Harvey Clark were prominent in social and business circles.
During the years from 1536 to 1848, the village enjoyed a fair share of prosperity. Her hotels were crowded with wagon men, trundling the products of the West to the markets of the seaboard, or hauling the supplies of Western merchants from the marts of the Atlantic coast. Her merchants bartered. measured, weighed, counted and calculated from morning till night, nor dreamed
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
that the evil day approached. It came at length in the building of railroads, and Brighton succumbed, and from then till now has barely held its own.
Brighton is without a house of worship. The Christian denomination have an organization, and worship in the village schoolhouse, Rev. Williams preach- ing once a month. A small society of the Methodist Episcopal denomination worship statedly at the same place. Rev. Andrew Runyon labors for and with these people.
VIENNA.
John H. Dynes founded and laid out this village in the year 1833. It is situated ten miles from Springfield, on the National Road, and nearly half a mile west of the point where this great national thoroughfare crosses the historic Ludlow line. At the time of the laying-out of Vienna, the National road was surveyed, but was not completed till 1837.
The first house erected was a log cabin, by one Taylor, situated in the west part of the village: the second was hewed log, and was built by Richard Wat- kins, of Champaign County, on the lot now owned by Jacob Smith. Emanuel Mayne built a two-story frame on the southeast corner. This was afterward removed, and the present hotel built in its place. This frame house afterward, and the Lowed log mendoned, were destroyed by fire November 24, 1873. The dwellings of W. T. Harris, James McCafferty and James E. Johnson were destroyed at the same time. Caleb Barrett was the first merchant. He began business in 1834, and continued in business about twenty-three years. Emanuel Mayne erected the hotel building on the southeast corner, and kept it as a pub- lic house for a time. Mayne sold this property to Daniel Brown in 1836. Brown occupied it with a hotel and store. Mayne then built a frame house on the lot of M. H. Dynes, and carried on merchandising. He was succeeded by D. B. Farrington, who carried on both a hotel and store. He was followed by David Davis, who was an occupant of the premises December, 1839, when it was burned. In 1839 or 1840, Mayne built the present building on the northwest corner, and managed it for some time as a hotel. In after years, David Davis, Andrew Ryan, William Johnson and others kept public entertainment in this corner.
The Odd Fellows' building, on the north side of West Main street, was erected about 1850, and remodeled by that order about the year 1870, and the upper story has been occupied by them for many years. The brick storeroom on Lot No. 7 was built by W. S. Funston in 1849. It was demolished by an accidental explosion of powder on the Sth day of August, 1871, it being then occupied by James Bennett. It was rebuilt the same year. In this accident, George Hinkle, David Johnson, Henry Campbell, A. II. Clark, Armsted Taven- ner, Henry Baldwin, Nancy Ann Smith, Valentine Nicely and Absalom Gordon were seriously injured.
D. W. Hinkle built a tannery in the northwestern part of the village in 1837, and carried on the tannery business till 1852. About the year ISIS, William Golden and Garner MeIntire built a brick shop on the north side of East Main street for a tannery. The business was not permanent, and for many years the property has been used for a dwelling.
The post office of Vienna Cross Roads was established in the fall of 1S38. Caleb Barrett was appointed Postmaster, and continued in office till the spring of 1858, when he resigned. and Garner MeIntire was appointed to succeed him. In the spring of 1861. MeIntire was succeeded by Richard W. Ruse. In the fall of 1862, Ruse resigned, and William S. Funston, the present incumbent, was commissioned.
For nearly twenty years after the establishing of a post office in Vienna, the
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HARMONY TOWNSHIP.
. Great Western mail was carried on the National road daily, by four-horse stage coaches. Afterward, the mail between Jefferson and Springfield was sup- plied by a one-horse coach. It is now supplied from Plattsburg by a mail mes- senger three times each week.
In the month of August, 1850, the village of Vienna was scourged with the cholera, and the following-named persous fell victims to its ravages:
Mary Ann Barret, John Pemberton, Dr. Cyrus Dulan, John Coverdell, William Barnes, two children of James Kelley, Charles Warren, John Chilson, Mary A. Tottan, a child of David Stansbury, and a son of Jacob Williams.
HARMONY VILLAGE.
Harmony Village is situated on the National road, near the west line of Harmony Township, and six miles east of Springfield. It was laid out in the year 1832, by Laybourn Newlove. Henry Martin, an Irishman, built a store, and was the first merchant. Joseph Newlove and Robert Black were early hotel-keepers of the village. Harvey Ryan built a tannery about the year 1835: he was succeeded, some years later, in the tannery business, by B. & F. Schoen- berger, and these were succeeded by John H. Larimer, who carries on business at this time. William Herbert in 1839, and A. McCartney afterward, carried on blacksmithing. In 1851, John Walker made an addition to the village on the north side of the National road. This is still known as Walker's Addition. The first schoolhouse was built in 1535, and the first school was taught by John Newlove. Drs. Joseph Orr and J. S. R. Hazzard were early physicians of Har- mony. During the time when the National road was the great thoroughfare between the East and the West, the village of Harmony enjoyed its brightest and best days, and seemed to promise for the future. Railroads came, the teamster and drover found their occupations gone, and the tide of travel and traffic took a new channel. Of the old settlers in and about the village when it was first laid out, mention is made of James Donnel, Peter Baird, William Baird, Jeremiah Yeazle, Amos Laybourn, Edward Newlove, Laybourn Newlove, Abel Laybourn, Joel Laybourn, Wales Aldridge, Abram Aldridge, Robert Rogers, George Benson Joseph Snodgrass, Anthony Byrd, Henry Oxtoby, Sr., Isaac Jacobs, Johu Ra, Thomas Price.
The cholera scourged the village in June, 1952, and Baltzer Schoenberger, Charlotte, his wife, and Henry Cushman, fell victims. Others were attacked, but recovered. The village contains two schools-one for whites and one for colored children. The first, taught by Henry Kauffman, has a daily attendance of thir- ty-five; the last, taught by Sarah Miller, has a daily attendance of eighteen.
NOTE 1 .- The original plat of Harmony Village contains twenty-four lots ; numbers 1 to 12 front north on the National Road, and count from east to west, Lots 13 to 24 are numbered from west to east, and lie immediately south of the first-named tier. The two tiers are separated by High street which runs parallel with the National road, and which is three poles wide. South alley is twenty feet wide, running parallel with High street and on the south front of Lots 13 to 24. Center street runs at right angles with the National road and High street, between Lots 6 and G, and 18 aud 19, and is three poles wide. East alley raus nearly north and south, and bounds the plat on the east. East alley is two poles wide. West alley runs parallel with Center street, bounding the plat on the west, and is twenty feet broad. Lots are ten poles long, north and south, and four poles wide, east and west. Fractional Lots 1 and 2 lying on the east of Lots 1 and 24 contain 29.4 and 10. 75 perches respectively.
NOTE 2 .-- Walker's Addition to the village of Harmony was platted by John Walker January 22, 1551, and consists of ten lots on the north side of the National road, nearly opposite the original plat. They front south on the National road, and except Nos. 1 and 2. are of uniforin size, 66x165 feet.
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648
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
PLATTSBURG.
Plattsburg is on the Columbus & Springfield Railroad, and near the center of Harmony Towihip. His sine miles west of London, and eleven miles east, of Springfield. The village was laid out on the 30th day of September, 1852, by William Osborn and Amaziah Judy; John B. Fish, surveyor. It comprises thirty lots; lots numbered from 1 to 16 were laid out by Mr. Osborn, and Lots 17 to 30 by Mr. Judy.
Bolivar Judy built the first house on Lot No. 17. Amaziah Judy, Bolivar Judy and Andrew Nichelson built the station house at the railroad in 1853. The brick hotel on Lot No. 1 was erected by William Osborn, who carried on the hotel business several years in the same.
" The People's House" was erected as a house of worship in 1846. The Universalists and the Christians joined their efforts in this enterprise, and for many years worshiped harmoniously and at will therein. The present brick schoolhouse, east of Lots 23 and 24, was built prior to the laying-out of the vil- lage, and about the year 1848, the site being donated by William Osborn. Be- fore this, the site had been occupied by a smaller brick schoolhouse, erected as early as 1825, and which was also used as a place of worship by the Christians. Tre Will Caplists, and cthers. Here Elders Dunlap, Harvey, Mead, Walling- ford. and many more of precious memory, preached the Word and pointed out the better way. Of the old-time teachers who wielded the birch in this house, and who have passed to man's common destiny, mention is made of Dr. Cum- mins, Simon Steers, Lemuel Brooks and Ruth Housholder.
THE LISBON BAPTIST CHURCH.
Before the year 1811, Elder John Mason, a zealous and devout Baptist, preached to a few members who had organized themselves together, and who met at the house of Benjamin Foos, in the neighborhood of Little Beaver Creek.
Of these early Christians, mention is made of Benjamin Foos, Sarah Foos, Daniel Wren, Elizabeth Wren, James Bishop and Trustrim Hull. In about the year 1811, a log house of worship was built on the bank of Little Beaver Creek. and this unpretentious structure served year after year as a place where the Word was proclaimed and God honored. In 1820, the society had increased to sixty-six. In 1824, Thomas J. Price united by letter; in 1825, he was licensed to preach, and in May of the next year, he was ordained, Elders Joseph Morris and William Jones assisting in the solemn services. Early in the year 1833, a movement was made to build a new house, and in August of that year, Enoch King, J. H. Ryan and John Heaton were made a committee to carry on the work in the name of the society. They were to raise funds, contract for labor and material, and supervise the work generally. The specifications provided that "the house must be of brick, 30x40 feet, eight feet to foot of rafter, eight sixteen- light windows, and one chimney four feet in the back." The site was procured of Moore Goodfellow. and was nearly a mile south of the old log house spoken of. The cash ontlay of this house was $419.50. John Heaton was authorized to buy 150 slabs for seats, and the house was seated accordingly. In January, 1865. the church voted to hold meetings at the village of Lisbon, and the village schoolhouse was secured for that purpose. The society determined to build a new house as early as 1866, in order to better meet the wants of the time, and Lisbon was selected as the site. Accordingly, steps were taken to that end: brick was burned. and in July, 1866, the following-named members were made a Building Committee: Deacon B. B. Browning. Joshua Browning and George Watson: Sisters M. E. Watson and H. A. Watson, Finance Committee: George Watson, Treasurer. The membership at this date was forty-five. In June,
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HARMONY TOWNSHIP.
1867, a new Building Committee was made, consisting of Sisters Elizabeth Price, Catherine Bennett and H. A. Browning and M. E. Watson, with Deacons B. B. Browning and John Titus. The brethren of the committee being infirm, the work for the most part was under the supervision of the ladies of the committee. The membership at this time was forty.
The work was prosecuted with womanly diligence, and the Lisbon Baptist Church was completed in November, 1867, at a cost of $4,746.62. It was dedicated, clear of debt, December 1, 1867, D. Shepardson, D. D., preaching the dedicatory sermon. In June. 1575. this house was wrecked by a storm, which struck the west end, taking off two-thirds of the roof and the gable. The cost of repairs at this time was $300. The membership at this time was fifty-one.
Since the year 1820, the Pastors of the society have been Joseph Morris, T. J. Price. Charles Platts, Benjamin Carts, J. L. Moore, N. Martin, D. D. Walden, J. W. Heastand, N. M. Longfellow, T. Williams, T. J. Sheppard, J. W. Weatherby, John Kyle, and A. L. Jordan, the present Pastor.
During the sixty years past, the following-named brethren have filled the places of Deacons:
Trustrim Hull, Benjamin Wallingford, Thomas Chenoweth, Benjamin White, Lot Bowen, B. B. Browning, Elisha Barrett, Asa McMahan, John Titus, Thomas Croshaw, Joshua Browning, W. C. Browning, Harlan Titus, Cloud Titus, George Watson and Joshua Wragg.
During the same years, the Clerks have been Daniel Jones, John Heaton, James Price, Enoch King, John S. Browning, N. P. Tuttle, E. S. Barrett, H. H. Young, Joshua Browning, Benjamin Titus, W. C. Browning, J. M. Harrison, Albert H. Price and W. B. Chenoweth. The number of members November, 18SO, was ninety-three.
FLETCHER CHAPEL (METHODIST EPISCOPAL).
As early as 1S14, Robert Miller and Robert Dobbins, itinerant ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, held occasional religious services at the houses of Henry Oxtoby and John Craig, in the neighborhood of the present site of Fletcher Chapel. Craig's Schoolhouse, on the farm of William Kirkham, was also one of the early preaching places. One of the results of these labors was the organization of a small class. About the year 1522, Henry Oxtoby, Joseph Newlove, John Stickney, Lewis Skillings, John Whiteley, and a few others, feeling the need of a suitable place to hold their meetings, combined their efforts and erected a small brick house, 20x30 feet in size. It was called the "Brick Chapel," and was at that day considered in advance of the times as to elegance. Much of the lumber was sawed on the ground, by means of a pit- saw-a primitive method of making lunber, little understood even in those days. Spaulding Winchester had charge of this department. The house stood near, but not on, the present site of Fletcher Chapel, and the grounds were donated by Judah Chamberlin. The floor was of cement, and the house was heated by a stove. The building served the society till the year 1849, when the present building was erected. In this first building, Robert Miller, Jonathan Flood, B. Westlick, Charles Swayne, Pearl Ingalls, and others of the early min- isters, preached the Gospel, and in this house and its successor. Lewis Skillings filled the office of Class-leader forty years. A great revival of religion, under the labors of Pearl Ingalls, took place in the "Brick Chapel" in 184S, and forty-two were added to the church. This gave strength and impetus to the society, and " Fletcher Chapel " was built the next year, at a cash outlay of $500, the greater part of the whole cost being given in labor and material. Of those who assisted in building this chapel, the names of Henry Oxtoby, Jr., Henry
650
IHISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
. Stickney, Lewis Skillings, John Cosier, William Whiteley, Amos Laybourn and William Hudson are mentioned prominently.
The Building Committee were Henry Oxtoby, Jr., John Newlove and John Cosier. The building was to be completed in the spring of the year, and the dedication occurred in May, Rev. Pearl Ingalls preaching the dedicatory sermon. E. H. Field, W. N. Williams, W. B. Jackson, Edward Birdsell, John Vance, Michael Marley, E. Owen, Jesse M. Robinson, and other members of the Cin- cinnati Conference, have preached to the people of Fletcher Chapel during the third quarter of the nineteenth century.
PLATTSBURG CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The earliest preaching by the ministry of this denomination in Harmony Township was about the year 1825, by Elders James Dunlap and ---- Johnson, and these meetings were generally had at a small brick schoolhouse situated on the same site now occupied by the present schoolhouse at Plattsburg; preaching was often held at the houses of Enoch King and John Judy, Sr. Of the early meui- bership there is no record, but mention is made of John Judy and wife, William Henry and wife, Hamilton Henry and wife, Jolin Henry and wife, James Donald and wife, John Osborn and wife, -Clymer and wife, and perhaps other men- bers of those families named, as comprising the society. In 1816, the society, aided by a number of Universalists, built the "People's House" in Plattsburg. and from that date forward, a more vigorous life took place in the affairs of the church. Under the efficient labors of Elders Marsh and Griffin, a somewhat noted revival occurred soon after occupying this new house, and numbers were added to the membership.
Following the year 1868, the church has maintained a good Sabbath school, the good effect of which have been felt on the community. Andrew Nichelson and John Judy, both deceased, filled the offices of Deacons for thirty years pre- vious to their respective deaths.
HARMONY METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.
This society, which worships at the village of Harmony, was originally organized by Rev. Saul Henkle, in the year 1828, under what is known as the Conventional Articles. For nearly twenty years, the society met and worshpied at the house of Amos Laybourn. In 1846, through the instrumentality of Rev. Pelan, a house of worship was erected at the village of Harmony. This build- ing served the society until 1578. when it was succeeded by the present one. The membership at the time of the erection of the first building were, so far as known, Joseph Newlove (Leader). Ann Newlove, Ann B. Newlove, Amos Lav- bourn, Nancy Laybourn, Christopher Laybourn, Margaret Laybourn, Isabel Maskell, Robert Maskell, Margaret Allen and Mary Allen. In this first church, the Gospel was preached by the following named ministers: Reuben Rose, Will- iam H. Fowler, R. M. Dalbey, A. H. Trumbo, T. H. Wilson, L. D. Hickman, C. Caddy, J. B. Langstaff, D. Kinney, D. B. Dorsey, J. M. Littler, J. M. Flood, T. B. Graham, J. W. Spring and C. S. Evans.
The present building was built at a cash outlay of $2,560. It is of brick, and is 32x46 feet in dimensions. The Building Committee were: Edward New- love, Chairman: Henry Kauffman, Secretary; David Laybourn, Treasurer; Joseph Laybourn and Dr. J. S. R. Hazzard.
The building expense was borne principally by members of the society. but many who held no membership contributed with cheerful liberality. The house ' was built during the pastoral term of Rev R. Rose, and, when completed. was. formally dedicated by C. S. Evans.
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Respectfully RB MeCollum
SOUTH CHARLESTON
651-652 .
HARMONY TOWNSHIP. 653
S. K. Spahr is at present the Pastor; the Trustees are Edward Newlove. David Laybourn and Henry Kauffman; Superintendent of Sabbath school, Henry Kauthan; Assistant Superintendent, David Laybourn; Secretary, Alex- ander McCartney; Treasurer, Daniel Fatzinger; Librarian, F. W. Oates. Members at present, eighty.
VIENNA CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
This society originated from the labors of Elder Griffin, who, many years ago, preached occasionally, and sometimes regularly, at the Methodist Episcopal house of worship at Vienna. Early in 1858, steps were taken resulting in the building of their present church edifice. It was dedicated by Elder Me Whinney in 1859. It is a substantial frame, and the contract for building was taken and the work done by William Simpson. Cost, about $1,200. William Foreman. Darius Simpkins and William Simpson were instrumental in this work. The society maintains a Sabbath school and regular preaching. Rev. --- Miller and his wife preached in this section of country as early as 1536, to a small. unorganized congregation. The preaching of Mrs. Miller was of peculiar power, and attracted large audiences. Elder Griffin died in 1863. while on a trip to Tennessee to see his son, who was sick in the army of the United States.
VIENNA'S METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This society was cradled at the house of Richard Watkins as early as the year 1835. His house was not only a preaching place, but a welcome retreat for the early ministry, and continued to be the principal place of worship till the year 1842, when the society, having attained strength and numbers, took preparatory steps to build a house of worship. The result was the erection of the house which the society now occupies. It is a brick structure, 30x40 feet, well built, costing $1,200, which expense was generously shared by the outside public. Emanuel Mayne was instrumental in this enterprise, and contributed liberally. Martin Truman and family, Emanuel Mayne and family, Mrs. Nicely, William Ronemus. Anna Busbey, Daniel Hendrix and family, Cyrus Gray and family, Simeon Hurd and family, Jackson Gray and family, Thomas White and family, George Dynes and family, have constituted the principal membership.
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