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 21
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The last census. taken the present season. gives Mad River a population of 1,812, against 1.493 in 1$50; a gain of only 319 in thirty years. But it must be borne in mind that. during this period. a vast army has been steadily march- ing Westward, and that Mad River was not exempted from the draft to supply this vast and ever-increasing army with new recruits, and, in addition to this, the Soldiers' Monument in the Enon Cemetery bears the names of about thirty Mad River Township boys who were swallowed up in the maelstrom of the great
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Jams Analy IMtanes
MAD RIVER TP.
721- 722
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MAD RIVER TOWNSHIP.
rebellion. The first settler within the limits of the territory now comprised in Mad River Township was James Galloway, on what is now the Francis Johnson farm, Section 5, Range S. Mr. Galloway came in an early day; the exact date is not fully determined, but not later than 1798. He came from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, and, on account of the insecurity of land titles at that time in Kentucky. owing to military claims, he removed with his wife to Ohio, as above stated, taking a tract of 400 acres, partly upland and partly rich bottom, along the Muddy Run. Mr. Galloway was a blacksmith, and he brought with him an anvil and a few tools, and, as he was the only blacksmith for many miles around, he had a good run of custom. His principal customers for a few years were Indians, who were then on friendly terms with the whites. There is a story about the anvil which he brought with him that we will relate, not vouching for its truth, however, and it is this: that he made a "lizard," a kind of sled, from the fork of a tree, and placed the anvil on it and drove in pins to hold it in posi- tion, and fastened the lizard or sled to his horse's tail, and thus hauled his an- vil from Cincinnati to Muddy Run. The anvil is in possession of T. J. Barton, Springfield, Ohio, a relative of Mr. Galloway, and is in a good state of preser- vation, and will probably weigh 175 pounds. A day-book used by him is in possession of Francis Johnston, a relative of Mr. Galloway, having charges as etly as 1791. Some of the entries on this book would appear singular if mnade at the present day, but, to illustrate the customs of those days, a few are as fol- lows:
" March 2, 1799 .- Adam M. Farson, to one ring and stepel made of his iron 1s. 103d.
" March 7. 1800 .- Robert McKinney, to one ax steeled of his steel 5s. 7d. "April 26, 1800 .-- David Lowry, to share laid of my iron, colter laid, 19s. 3d."
And many other similar charges, showing that a very small amount of iron, that to-day would not be regarded or accounted of any value, was then carefully and economically used and strictly accounted for. The English currency, pound, shilling and penny, occurs in this book down to and during a part of the year 1805, during a part of which he used the English and United States currency interchangeably. After 1505, the United States currency prevails. Mr. Gallo- way was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The next settlers after Mr. Gallo- way were Joseph and Robert Layton, in 1801. They came from Pennsylvania, and Joseph settled on a part of Section 32, now known as the Rubsam farm. Robert Layton settled on a part of the same section, on what is known as the William Layton farm. Joeph Layton was elected one of the first Trustees of the township; was afterward elected Justice of the Peace, and became one of the first Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Clark County. In 1801, Abel Crawford came from Kentucky and settled on Section 27, Range 9, on what is now the property of Henry Snyder. On this farm there is an excellent spring of cold water, and a delightful grove, and, being convenient to the railroad, it is in the summer season a favorite resort for picnics and Sunday-school excursions, and as a pleasure resort is known as the " Cold Springs." The same year, James Woods, from Pennsylvania, settled on the Joseph Layton tract already described; also, in 1801, William Parmer, from New York, settled on what is now the south part of the Henry Snyder home place, Section 26, Range 9. near the Stilwell Springs. The same year, Christian Miller came from Kentucky and settled on what is now known as the J. H. Barringer land, Section 18, Range 8. Shrofe, from Kentucky, and Christian Shrofe, his son, settled about the same time on the Bunyan place, Section 22, Range 8; also Myers and Spencer, sous- in-law of Shrofe. Samuel Davis came from New Jersey in 1803, and settled in the west part of the township. About 1805, Moses Miller, from old Springfield.
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
Hamilton County, settled on the land now belonging to the heirs of Melyn Mil- ler, Section 36, Range S. A part of the farm is still occupied by the widow of Melyn Miller; also Uriah Blue, on the Hake. now the L. J. M. Baker, farm, See- tion 25, Range 8. About the same time and from same place came Reuben Winget, and settled on what is now the Reuben Shellabarger farm, Section 6, Range S. The same year, Melyn and Jonathan Baker came from Butler County. the former entering Section 31, Range 9, and settled on the north part of the section, on what is known as the Daniel Baker tract. Mr. Baker came from New Jersey to the present site of Cincinnati in 1790, and bought 200 acres of land on Walnut Hills. He afterward sold out and removed to Butler County, and thence to Clark. In those days, the log cabins of the older settlers were thrown open to receive the families of those who came among them to settle, for such time as was necessary, with the assistance of the neighbors, to erect a similar structure for themselves. Melyn Baker, on several occasions. entertained new arrivals until they could erect and occupy their own cabins. About the year 1807, Richard Hudjul and family and Henson Reeder and family wore wel- comed to the hospitalities of his primitive abode during the time they were build- ing their own equally humble residences.
Recder came from Hamilton County, and, after trying several locations on this side of the river, he removed to Bethel Township and settled on the John Crain farm. About 1806. Dewitt settled near where the Enon Station is now located; removed after a short time, and joined the Shakers. About the same time, Daniel Mead came from Massachusetts and settled also near the present site of the Enon railroad station.
A painful incident in connection with his family is remembered. Mr. Mead had a son about ten years old. Just across the river lived one James Templeton. Mr. Mead one day had occasion to send his son to borrow an anger of Mr. Templeton. In this connection, it is hardly nec- essary to mention that such a thing as a bridge across Mad River did not exist, so the boy went to the bank of the river, and, being within speaking distance, called over for the auger. Mr. Templeton took an auger and, aiming to land it across the river to one side of the boy. he threw it, and as it neared the oppo- site bank. the boy, seeing the auger, and perhaps mistaking the exact line on which it was coming, was seized with a sudden impulse to get out of the way, but, as the vent proved, he came directly in the way, and the anger, coming point foremost. struck him in the head, piercing the skull. Medical aid was summoned. but death soon terminated the unfortunate boy's career.
In 1505, Jacob Reeder came from Hamilton County, and settled on a tract of land adjoining what is still known as the Elder Reeder farm. At the same time came Stephen Reeder, father of Elder Geo. Reeder. and settled on a traet of about 200 acres, which included what is now known as the Elder Reeder farm. Section 13, Range 9. At the same time came Rule Petersen, from Hamilton County; also, Jolin Brocaw, from Hamilton County, and also settled on the tract years ago known as the Reed farmu. Section 14. Range 9, now owned by Frederick Kob- lentz. In 1805, John Ambler came from New Jersey and settled on the Part- ington place, Section 24, Range 9; he afterward moved to Springfield and en- gaged in the sale of the first goods that were sold in that little village. At the same time. Thomas Collier, from Ireland, settled on what is now known as the Preston Love farm. Section 23, Range S. About the same time, Benjamin Symington, from Delaware, settled on what is now known as the Cyrus Drake farm, Section 29. Range S. In 1509, Elias Vickers, a Christian minister, camo to the township. In the same year. John Tenney, from England. settled on what is now the Cofield place, on Sinddy Run. Section 11. Range S. John Rue. a native of Maryland, came about 1512; his wife. Sarah, was from Pennsylvania. and, previous to their coming to Mad River, had lived in Greene County, Ohio.
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MAD RIVER TOWNSHIP. 725
The first preacher was Thomas Kyle: after him. Reuben Dooly, William Kinkaid. David Purviance, Francis Montfort and Barton W. Stone: some of these were . noted mon in their day, having been able ministers in the Old-School Presby- terian Church, and claiming the right of private interpretation of the Scriptures. independently of the acknowledged standard of the church. They rejected the authority of her courts, and claimed to acknowledge no authority but the Bible alone in matters of conscience and religious duty. Barton W. Stone, above named, was a leading spirit in the controversy that ensued. He was once called to the Knob Prairie Church to explain some disputed theological questions that were agitating the church and threatening its stability. The Knob Prairie Church just referred to was the first church erected in Mad River Township. It was built in 1806. by the Christian denomination, on a tract of land donated. by Judge Layton for a church and burying-ground, situated on a rocky bluff' overlooking the prairie, on the old road, now vacated, leading from Yellow Springs across what was known as the Broad Ford on Mad River. to New Carlisle. This church was built of hewed logs; was about 24x32 feet: the floor was laid with puncheon, and the door was also made of the same matarial. Puncheon was made by splitting a log into flat pieces, two or three inches in thickness, straight- ening their edges and facing their flat sides as in hewing. As the use of punch- con went out with the introduction of saw-mills, so also the term, which was only of local origin, became nearly obsolete. The windows consisted of holes cut out through the logs, and, as glass was not then considered an absolute ne- cessity, nor was it even a procurable commodity. greased paper was pasted over the opening to admit the light into this primitive temple, where the carly pio- neers assembled to worship God, in a building erected for the purpose of pro- tecting them from cold and storm, and not for style and vain show. This build- ing was also furnished with puncheon seats, as it was considered a great step iu advance for the worshipers to have a place to sit down during divine service. This period was many years behind the age of backs and cushions, which would doubtless have been regarded as a manifestation of wicked pride and luxurious ease incompatible with the rough and hardy customs made necessary by the ex- igences of those times. The building was covered with clapboards, and was, when completed. an object of pride, and considered an achievement worthy of the time and the occasion for which it was erected. The surrounding grove was once a great camp-meeting ground; the people came for thirty or forty miles, with tents, remaining several days to attend the meetings. This old log structure served its day, and was replaced by a more commodious frame struct- ure. with plastered walls and ceiling, panel doors, and regular glass windows. This building has long since been torn away, the society having built a com- modious brick building in the village of Enon. The next church was erected by the Old-School Presbyterians, about a mile south of Muddy Run. near the Greene County line, in 1816, and was known as the Muddy Run Church. It was built of logs, had plank floor, shingle roof and glass windows; was about 24x30 feet. A brick building now occupies the site of this primitive structure. The congregation was in a flourishing condition until shattered by political animosi- ties, growing out of the question of slavery and kindred topics. As among the early settlers of New England. after providing for immediate necessities, the next object of prime importance was to secure the education of the rising gener- ation; so the Western pioneer, armed with his trusty rifle, provided with a cabin anıl a small clearing for raising a few seanty provisions for maintaining his family, next turns his attention to the work of providing educational facilities for his children. If the school children of Springfield, who have been accus- tomed to the commodious school buildings with which the city abounds, were some bright morning to be summoned together to attend school in a building
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
such as was the first schoolhouse in Mad River Township, they would not be able to express their astonishment at its extreme simplicity; even the attend- ants at our Enon school would be amazed at the contrast of this buildng with their own. The first schoolhouse was built in 1806, about thirty yards east of the Daniel Baker residence, on the old Dayton & Springfield road. It was a log building with puncheon floor, puncheon seats without backs; glass was too expen- sive for lighting schoolhouses; as a substitute, greased paper was used for win- dow lights. The entrance was closed with a puncheon door, hung on wooden hinges, with a wooden latch, with a string attached for opening on the outside. The warming apparatus for this building was an open fire-place, with cat-and- clay chimney, as a stove for warming a schoolhouse was not thought of in those days. Perhaps it would have been better for the health of thousands of school children who have been confined in close, illy ventilated buildings, with incom- petent teachers or janitors, ignorant or reckless of the requirements of the human lungs, if the idea of a stove or heating furnace had not suggested itself to the inventive genius of our advanced civilization. After the first schoolhouse was finished, the first teacher to occupy it was Samuel Gillalan, from Lexington, Ky., and, although a recommendation at this late day will be no special benefit to him, he is said to have been a good teacher. The qualifications of a school-teacher in those days required, in addition to the knowledge of a few of the primary branches, also the ability and the disposition to com- pel his pupils to walk in the pathway of knowledge. Compulsory educa- tion in those days was a definite, tangible, unmistakable reality, as many a young pioneer could testify with tears in his eyes and large red stripes on his back. The school term was in the winter season, and lasted three months. The expenses were paid by subscription, as we had then no public school fund pro- vided by taxation, as now. The second school-teacher was Robert Layton. The next schoolhouse was erected near the site of the Rocky Point Schoolhouse, at what is known as the head of the cliffs. The third schoolhouse was built at or near what is known as the Center Schoolhouse, so named because near a central point of the township, and was for many years the place for holding elections and for the transaction of township business generally.
As early as 1809, when gunpowder was not only a necessity, but very diffi- cult to obtain, Thomas Barton supplied the wants of the people in that line by manufacturing on a small scale. by hand. He was then settled on Section 34, Range 8, which has long been known as the Barton farm, on the line between Greene and Clark Counties, which farm has lately passed into the hands of Jon- athan Cox.
The first clock sold was by Ezra Reed, of the firm of Reed & Watson, of Cincinnati, to Melyn Baker in 1809: the price paid was $20.
The first Sabbah school was organized by Jacob Morgan. David Garrison and Charles Moore in a paper-mill, built by Samuel Symington, at what was after- ward known as the Partington Woolen Factory, already referred to, on the North Fork of Muddy Run.
The prairie in those early times was covered with a heavy growth of tall grass, and in the night season the deer would come down from the timber, in which they took shelter in day-time, in quest of water and to mow the tall grass, and also to eat a certain kind of moss that abounded along the border of the big pond, as it was then called. But since then, the spade of the Hibernian in the construction of two railways along the border, as also a num- ber of ditches, has deprived it of much of its original character. This pond was a resort for deer at night, and it also abounded with fish. The deer and fish at- tracted thither the hunter with his rifle, and the fisherman with his hooks and nets. In taking the deer on dark nights, the hunter would carry ligthed torches,
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MAD RIVER TOWNSHIP.
and by this means could approach very near the deer, its eyes being blinded by the glare of the torch and, reflecting back the light thus thrown, formed a splen- did target for the hunter's rifle, and many a deer was thus deluded to its death by the glare of the hunter's torch in the darkness in those early days along the borders of this pond, when hunting and fishing were as really a visible means of support as is farming or any other legitimate calling at the present day. About 1812, William Donnels built the first tavern in the township, about a mile and a half west of where the village of Enon has since been located, on the old Day- ton & Springfield Road. This tavern was built of hickory logs, and hence it bore the appropriate title, and was known far and near, as the "Hickory Tavern."
Travelers through this region in those days were glad to avail themselves of the accommodations furnished by the landlords of those log-cabin hotels, as they were the best the country afforded. The internal arrangements of this tav- ern were in harmony with the external appearance, but a generous hospitality supplemented style, and the traveler, leaving the threshold of this temporary abode realized that, while his entertainment was not princely, it was neverthe- less up to the times and the circumstances of a new settlement not yet initiated into the mysteries of foreign trade and commerce. This hotel, with its proprie- tor, has long since passed away. The next hotel was built in Enon, by Frank- lin Cook, in the year 1838. It was built of stone and rough cast, and has been in constant operation, under various proprietors, ever since, and is still the only hotel in the village. This hotel has at different times been under the manage- ment of, first, Franklin Cook, the first landlord; next, Judge Hunt, - Hag- enbuch, J. H. Barringer, Dr. H. C. Foster, J. R. King, Frederick Drexler, Jacob Dunkle and T. P. Brewer, the present landlord. A central point for the trans- action of business from 1818 to 1838 was at what is now known as Snyder's Sta- tion. About 1818, John and James Leffel erected a grist-mill at this point, and John Leffel died soon after, and James run the mill. Previous to this time, the nearest mills were at Clifton, in Greene County, or at Harshman's, in Mont- gomery County. Great inconvenience was experienced in the early days for the want of grist-mills at convenient points. At one time, the people here were en- tirely destitute of flour or corn-meal, and could not procure it at any price. The occasion of it was an unexpected and sudden cold change that froze up the mills before the people had laid in a supply for winter, and, as there were no flour stores then, and no place to get flour but directly from the mill, the people for several weeks subsisted on hominy and pork. To go to mill in those days was a two-days journey, including the time required to grind a grist. The grists were usually carried on horseback, partly on account of the roads, and for the want of other means of conveyance. Hence, the erection of the Leffel mill in 1818 was of great advantage to the people of this community, and, as the mill got into operation, and a great many people came there with their grists from a distance, it finally grew into a favorable point for general traffic, and here were established the first dry-goods and grocery store in this community. The first store was started by Mr. Mills, father of the late Judge Mills; he was succeeded by Knott & Johnson; Isaac Wilson succeeded them: William Johnston moved to Clifton and was for a time one of our County Commissioners. Afterward, a store was established at Brottensburgh, and about 1837 a post office was estab- lished there, with J. R. Miller, Postmaster; previous to this, the nearest post office was Springfield. Brottensburgh was built on the old Springfield & Dayton road, on what is known as the Roberts, or Stilwell, place; was built mainly of logs, and was peopled principally by persons who were employed in some capac- ity or other in connection with the mill under its various managements, either as coopers, distillers, teamsters, or some other kindred occupation. This Brottens- burgh tract was once the property of the noted and eccentric Lorenzo Dow.
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
The mill referred to was run until about 1831 by Mr. Leffel, and sold to Min- ard. who made some additions to the property, among the additions being a large brick distillery. Mr. Minard ran the mill about three years, and, being unfort- mate, the property fell into the hands of the Sheriff. and was bought by Dan- iel Hertzler. who ran the mill and distillery successfully for about twenty years, amassing a large fortune. The property has changed hands several times since. but for nearly twenty years past has most of the time been lying idle. The vil- lage of Enon. to which reference has already been made. was founded in the year 153S, it being on the direct road from Springfield to Dayton, and nearly a central point between Springfield and Fairfield, and at the intersection of the road leading from Xenia to New Carlisle. Enon was established simultan- eously with the location of the Springfield & Dayton Turnpike, which at this point followed nearly along theline of the old Dayton & Springfield road. The town was first started by Ezra D. Baker and Elnathan Cory. their land join- ing. and being divided by the range line passing through the town from north to south on what is known as Xenia street. Additions were afterward made to the town by David Cross. who succeeded to the Cory tract, and also by David Funderburgh. along South Kansas street, on the east part of town. This Kan- sas street has a local history. as the name suggests. When this street was new and unnamed some of the denizens along the line of this unnamed street were disposed to quarrel with each other. and a street fight was no uncommon affair, and the Kansas war being at its height. some ingenious person, associating the condition of this street with the condition of that gory young embryo State, named it Kansas street. Although both have laid aside their belligerent char- acters, yet the name remains, and will ever be a reminder of the struggles of the squatter sovereigns of Kansas with the border ruffians over twenty years ago. The first church erected in the place was a Methodist Episcopal, corner of Broadway and Pleasant streets; is still occupied by them. and is in a good state of preservation. This society was organized about 1840. in a small log · house which stood in a grove between the village and what was then the resi- dence of Eza D. Baker. now the John Hamaker residence. The grove and the log house have long since disappeared, as have also all who constituted the so- ciety in its first organization. The first regular ministers of this society were Levi P. Miller and Noah Huff. The sermon on the dedication of the church re- ferred to above was preached by Mr. Walker, who, it was said at the time. was educated within the pale of the Catholic Church. with the priestly office in view, but apostatized from the Catholic faith and became a Methodist minister. The first local minister resident of the village was Frederick Snyder. The next church erected in the village was by the Christian denomination. The first resi- dent minister of this denomination was Elder Ladly, who removed to Yellow Springs, where he resided until his death. a few years ago. The first schoolhouse erected was built on North Xenia street, was built of brick, one story, and is still standing; is now occupied as a dwelling. The next schoolhouse was built on South Xenia street; is a two-story brick building, has three rooms-two below, one above, the upper room being occupied by the highest classes, the rooms be- low by the intermediate and primary classes. The school is not entirely under the control of the village, but is sustained by an incorporated district. extending. for school purposes. outside of the corporate limits of the village. The village has usually been favored with good schools of a common grade: but little effort has been made of late years to establish a school of as high a grade as should be sustained by this community. This lack of interest on the part of the citizens in the cause of education has doubtless been very detrimental to the develop- ment of the best interests of the village and its surroundings. The health of this locality is such that no fatal epidemic has ever gained a foothold here. nor
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