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 9
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LAGONDA.
This thrifty village is situated on the Springfield Branch of the C., C., C. & I. R. R., on the southwest corner of Section 24 and the northwest corner of Section 23. It is separated from Edwardsville by the west line of Section 23. The name is of Indian origin.
Lagond was founded by Simon Kenton in the year A. D. 1799 or 1800. Kenton, John Humphreys and six other white families came from Kentucky and made a settlement- north of Springfield. Soon the necessity of a grist-mill presented itself, and the intrepid Kenton at once prepared to build one. In this he was actuated more by a desire to meet the wants of the little colony than to engage in the enterprise through pecuniary motives, for, be it remem- bered, the wilderness had not yet begun its rosenate blooming. The mill was built, and it was the first building of Lagonda. It was located about forty rods east of the place where the Lagonda bridge now is, and on the north side of the creek. It was constructed of logs, and was 18x18 feet in dimensions, puncheon floor, clapboard roof, and this held on by weight-poles instead of pails.
The machinery, which, except the bolting apparatus, was propelled by water-power, was of the simplest kind, and home-made. Customers, when their wheat had been ground to flour, were required to carry it up a ladder to the bolting room, and there bolt it for themselves, turning the bolting-cloth by a winch. One of the early citizens (Caleb Tuttle) who, when a boy, had over- taxed his youthful muscle at this bolting process, averred that his recollections of Simon Konton were in no way pleasant, reminding him of hard work at the winch. There were only a few pounds of iron in all the machinery of this mill, and probably not one pound of nails. Kenton built a rude dwelling near his mill.
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616
HISTORY, OF CLARK COUNTY.
In those days, the Government offered, and sometimes paid, a bonus to parties who erected mills in the settlements, but the records at band fail to. show that the old pioneer ever received anything on this account.
Tiring of the milling business, Kenton, on the 29th of July, 1814, sold the property to William Ward, and. on the 5th day of December of the same year, it was purchased of Ward by William Beesly and Nicholas Prickett. The pur- chasers, being energetic, and possessing some money, set about to improve the property. A saw-mill was built, and a long-felt public want supplied.
This saw-mill was in most respects similar to those of later years. It had, however, connected with it a churn, which was operated by a rod attached to the upper part of the saw-frame. When the saw was in operation, the churning process worked nicely. Mr. Beesly erected a carding and fulling mill, and became somewhat noted for enterprise. He built a dwelling for himself and family, and several houses for the use of the emploses about him.
Peter Kitt, about the year 1812 or 1814, erected a whisky distillery Dear the large spring on the farm now owned by J. T. Warder.
Up to this time, Lagonda and Springfield were " neck and neck " in the race of progress, and the existing rivalry between the two points was spirited. Settlers began to take up claims on the higher lands, and evidences of settle- ment and civilization increased year after year.
On the 5th of January, 1830, the widows of William Beesly and Nicholas Prickett sold their respective dowers in the real estate of their husbands, and on the 29th of June following. Oliver Armstrong purchased, at Sheriff's sale, the unsold interests of the other heirs. On the 1st day of August, 1830, Jere- miah Warder purchased the realty of the entire village, the appurtenances, consisting of eight or ten dwellings, saw-mills, woolen-factory and grist-mill. The price paid was $3,000.
Mr. Warder's business tact gave new impetus to affairs. He erected a large mill on the south side of the creek, built a dam across the stream, thus increasing the water-power required for the several mills. The old mill was transformed into a distillery, and business flourished. The mill built by Mr. Warder served long and well, and was patronized from all points of the com- pass for many miles distant. It was finally taken down, about the year 1867. by Mr. J. T. Warder.
About the year 1828, John Hunt opened up and conducted a store, in a little log house which stood near where the office now stands; afterward, Mul- holland kopt a jewelry store in the same room. Years later, Mrs. George Warder and Cyrus MeLaughlin conducted an extensive business in general merchandise in a storeroom erected for the purpose. The building was destroyed by fire in the year 1854.
John O'Connor sold dry goods in the village from 1868 to 1872.
SCHOOLS.
The first English school of the neighborhood of Lagonda was held one and a fourth miles northeast of the village, in a rude log house which stood east of the Clark Union Pike, on the Crabill farm, and near its south, line. The house, the teacher, the pupils and the forest which covered the land have passed away, and no written record remains from which reliable data can be gathered.
Some years later, the oldl Baptist Church, situated half a mile nearly north of the village, was occupied as a schoolhouse, and. although it was fitted up with slab seats, and slanting boards ranged against the wall for writing desks, it was much more complete in its appointments than was its predecessor. At this time, the school district extended from a milo north of Lagonda on the north, to some distance beyond and south of the Springfield & South Charleston
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SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP.
Pike of the present day; and from the Urbana Pike on the west to the road on the east side of the farm of Edward Merritt. That part of Springfield cast of the "Fountain House" was also included in its limits. Necessity created a second school for this territory. This was held in a small house on the Charles- ton road, south of William Warder's residence. One Board of Directers usu- ally had charge of both schools, and this board was Daniel Berger, Sr., N. Thresher and ---- Lawrence. Of the teachers who held sway in those days, mention may be made of Charles Cadwallader, who taught in the north end of the district, and Michael Haufman, on the south. This was about 1840 and previous. In the year 1845, the old log church before mentioned was aban- doned as a schoolhouse, and a room in the village was fitted up for temporary use, in which Rev. William J. Shuey was employed as teacher. The room was small, and so dilapidated as to be unfit for the purpose, and was accordingly abandoned after a year's use. In 1846, a tax of $300 was levied on the taxable property of the district, and expended in the erection of a brick house 20x25 feet in size, which, though too small from the first, served the purpose for twelve years.
In the year 1858, a levy was made on all the taxable property of Spring- field Township and a part of Moorefield Township for the purpose of building a schoolhouse to meet the demands of the district, and $1,200 was expended in the erection of a brick house 30x45 feet. This building has since been made higher, and a room added on the east side.
The population of the district continued to increase so rapidly that this building, in time, lacked capacity, for a hundred scholars were often in attend- ance at one time.
LAGONDA UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.
On the 14th day of February, 1845, this society organized by electing Adam Shuey. William T. Hough and Daniel Berger Trustees; George Arbogast was elected Clerk. Previous to this date, and for several years, the ministers of this denomination had held fruitful meetings at the old Baptist Church near the village of Lagonda. Of these preachers, Benjamin P. Wheat was most efficient.
Adam Shuey, George Arbogast, William Moore, William T. Hough, Daniel Berger and William C. Miller were of the original membership. In the latter part of the year above mentioned, Newcomer's Chapel was built by this society. The house was built on the site of Newcomer's Cemetery. It was of brick, 32x10 feet, and cost $450. Those who contributed most liberally to the expense ·were Adam Shuey, William T. Hough, Daniel Berger, William Moore, William C. Miller, George Arbogast, John Haws, Adam Baker and W. J. Shuey. The house was dedicated by Rev. William Rhinehart. The membership was at this time about forty. Newcomer's Chapel served the society twenty-five years, and became a thing of the past, and now, in the bivouac of the dead near where stood this temple,
" Each in his narrow bed forever laid, The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep."
Of the early ministers and the dates of their labors with this society, little can be stated with accuracy.
The society in 1870 built their present commodious church on a lot near the center of the village, donated by Mrs. Ana A. Warder. It is a brick building. 37x53 feet in size, and cost $3,500. The principal contributors to the building innd were Warder, Mitchell. & Co., Daniel Berger, J. W. Reed, William H. Berger, Washington Graham, G. Eberle, H. H. Culp, Isaac Zimmerman. G. Zimmerman, R. Mitchell, W. W. Neal, A. Pettigrew, William Karr, P. P. Mast,
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
J. Lehman, J. Seitz, J. Finney, J. Erter, S. Rhoades, Ad Shuey and M. Hein- del. The house was dedicated in October, 1870, by Bishop Glossbrenner.
The society is now under the pastoral care of Rev. R. F. Powell, and on- joye a good chave of prosperity. Membership, 160.
Official list: Clerk, H. C. Laybourn: Leaders, H. C. Laybourn, D. C. Law- rence; Stewards, John M. Laybourn, Stanley Leedale, B. F. Brubaker, Phillip Haerr; Trustees (church), D. C. Lawrence, William H. Berger, J. W. Reed: Trustees (parsonage), Henry C. Laybourn, William B. Alexander, John Wells.
The society maintains an active Sabbath school, having twenty classes, taught by efficient teachers. The Uniform Lessons are in use in the school.
LAGONDA FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
Of the extinct churches of the township, mention should be made of a soci- ety which worshiped in a rude log church on Section 21, on the south side of the Clark Union Pike, leading from Springfield to Mechanicsburg, and on the Zimmerman farm. This was a preaching point of the Free-Will Baptists as early as 1825, and up to about the year 1850. The date of this organization can be stated with no certainty; it may have been only a place of occasional preaching, as no records remain from which its history can be perpetuated. The house was once used as a schoolhouse. The people who worshiped here have gone the way of all the earth, and the aged men of the neighborhood re- member the church-goers of this old sanctuary as among the incidents of long ago.
THE UNION MEETING-HOUSE.
In the year 1831, a number of Free-Will Baptists, who had organized some time previous at the house of James Donnels, in Harmony Township, feel- ing the need of a house of worship, were joined by a number of citizens of various religious beliefs in the enterprise of building an undenominational church, free to all religious denominations. The site selected was in the north- eastern part of Springfield Township, on Section 6, and on the old Columbus road, six miles northeast of Springfield. The deed for the building site bears date of February 25, 1831, but the subscription to the building fund was taken in February, 1827. The deed was executed by Joseph Hannah and David Han- nah to Thomas Thompson, James Donnels and John Bishop, Trustees, and their
official successors. The principal original members of the society were James Donnels and wife, John Bishop and wife, two daughters of James Bishop, Col. James McQuiddy and wife, Nathaniel Beasley and wife, John Prickett and wife. The contributors to the building fund have nearly all passed away, but their names and their donations to this fund are matters of no little interest:
George H. Benson subscribed $10, one-half in cash; John Rea, $JO, one- half in cash; John B. McDonald, $10; James Taylor, in carding and fulling, $6; William Mitchell, 83, one-half in cash: Nathan Reddish, $5; Sampson, Hubbell, in hats, $5; Alfred Thompson, in lime, $1.50; Pierson Spinning, in goods, $5; John Heiskell, in hats, $2; Saul Henkle, $1; Oliver Armstrong, five bushels of corn; John Bishop, twenty bushels of corn; James Bishop, ten bushels of corn; James Foley, twenty-five bushels of corn; Sylvanus Tuttle, $10; Caleb Tuttle, twelve bushels of corn; William Bishop, $15; George Ran- kin, fifteen lights of sash; Isaac Lumbeck, fifteen lights of sash; William Den- ham, twelve lights of sash: James Christie, fifteen lights of sash; Elijah Lott, fifteen lights of sash: Joseph Snodgrass, trade, $3; Amos Huff, $4; John Kin- gore, two barrels of flour: Absalom Foley, fifteen bushels of wheat; George Wolfe, twelve gallons of whisky; Henry Wolfe, four days' hauling; Matthew Inman, $2; James Halsey, $1: Susan Longbrake, half a month's work by one of the boys: David Hannah, twenty gallons of whisky; George Buckland, $2.
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John Thorpe (DECEASED) HARMONY TP.
619-620
MRS. ELIZABETH THORPE (DECEASED) MOTHER
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SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP.
The house was built of brick, and was about 32x40 feet in size. The brick work was done by John Thornton. David Dudley, Elias Hutchins, Golden, Cyrus Dudley, Abram Alden, and other ministers of the Free-Will Baptist denomination, preached here between the years 1833 and 1856. The noted Mormons, Joe Smith and Rigdon, have filled the sacred desk of this incet- ing-house. Between the years 1840 and 1860, the Presbyterians maintained stated services here, and at one time had a society of some strength. The preachers of this persuasion were McLain, Gray, Edwards, Dunlap, Roo and others. The Presbyterians organized the Sabbath-school work here, and from that date (say 1844) it has been maintained with more or less permanence. In this good work, the names of H. H. Tuttle, John Bird and William Bird stand prominent. The various societies which have in all these years been instituted at the Union Meeting-House, have been fated to be short-lived; bat withal, the neighorhood has been favored with the preaching of the Word with something like regularity. No restrictions are placed on the use of the house for religious worship, and the following plan as to the division of time has existed for years: The Regular Baptists have undisputed possession on the first Sabbath and the Saturday before in each month; the Presbyterians have the second Sabbath and the Saturday before; and the Free-Will Baptists have the third Sabbath and the Saturday before.
Connected with this account properly belongs an outline sketch of an organization of the Regular Baptists in the township antedating those above mentioned:
On the 15th of June, 1816, a number of persons met at the house of James Buckles and organized into a society. Subsequently, they adopted tenets of doctrine, and became a society of some strength in after years. The original members were Nathaniel Reeves, Mary A. Reeves, John Buckles, Mary Buckles. Nicholas Prickett, William Hall, Swain Ogden, William Beasley and James Buckles. This organization built a log church a few rods from the site of the Union Meeting-House, and on the opposite of the old Columbus road. Here they continued to worship for a number of years previous to 1840. On the ath of September of that year, a remnant of the society which remained sold and conveyed to Caleb Tuttle the house and church lot on which the house stood for $100. The grantors in this conveyance were Sylvanus Tuttle, Mary Tuttle, Eunice Yeazel, Margaret Tuttle, Rachel Kitt and Ann Collins. This money was paid over to the benefit of the Union Meeting-House, and thereafter Caleb Tuttle has served as a Trustee on the part of the Regular Baptist society in the Union Meeting-House. Notwithstanding the sale of their property, the society continued in existence several years later. In the year 1848, the society dis- banded, as appears from the following entry, copied from the book of records: "July 1, 1848 .-- Whereas, in the providence of God, it appears necessary that we should dissolve, with the expectation of uniting with the church at Little Beaver Creek, in Clark County, Ohio. Abner Whiteley, Clerk."
BETHEL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The society of Bethel was organized about the year 1851. Previous to this date, the ministers of this denomination preached at the house of W. C. Kelley, and the class afterward was led by him. The original members were: W. C. Kelley and Miranda Kelley, his wife: Daniel Crown and his wife; Sophia Knob, Elizabeth Steelman, Ann Markley, Mary Miller and . W. Graham.
Steps were taken early in the year 1851 to build a house of worship, and Levi Rinehart. of Springfield, having donated a suitable site on Section 25, the house was soon under way. It was built by a general subscription fund; was a . frame, 24x36 feet, and was erected at a cost of nearly $300, and, though a cheap
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
structure, it met the wants of the people admirably. The house was contracted and built by Jonathan N. Baker, and formally dedicated by J. W. Weakly in June, 1851. For a number of years following its erection, the society enjoyed reasonable prosperity, having for its Pastors the following-named members of the Cincinnati Conference: Timothy Wones, J. C. Deem, Charles Swayne, Will- iam Fitzgerald, N. McDonald, W. L. Hypes, Jesse Botkin, A. N. Spaln, Jolm S. Pumphrey, M. G. Baker, ------ Beall, Samuel Brown, M. A. Head, A. M. Grif- fith, S. S. Conrey, J. L. Gregg. George Owen, William Mahon, - Barlow, Charles Kalbfus, Jeremiah B. Ellsworth and others.
Its original Board of Trustees was D. Crown, B. F. Mayne, John Inlow, Peter Prince, Jr., and W. C. Kelley.
Richard Kelley served in the position of Leader and Sabbath-school Super- intendent for ten years. The society was for a number of years a part of the Springfield District, Cincinnati Conference. An evil day at length overtook Bethel; many of the membership grew careless and neglected the social and public means of grace: others hung their harps upon the willows, and finally the trumpeter of glad tidings was left to preach to less than half a dozen faith- ful souls. Bethel was abandoned in 1SSO, at a time when, for miles in every direction. no church-going bell called the people to worship the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. A few members attached themselves to other soci- eties, and some drifted out on the tide of the world. Bethel was, and is not.
EMERY CHAPEL (METHODIST EPISCOPAL).
In the year 1835, a house of worship was built in the neighborhood of the present Emery Chapel, and was on a lot donated by Adam Mayne, on the east . side of the Yellow Springs road. This was the first church built by the Meth- odists in this part of the country. Previous to this, the people of this denomi- nation held their worship in part at the residences of the principal members, and in part at a log church called Ebenezer, and which stood in the same neigh- borhood.
This first chapel was christened "Emery Chapel," but it was as frequently called Mayne's Meeting-House. It was a frame, 24x36 feet in its dimensions, and was enlarged some years later by an addition of twenty feet to the north end, making it 24x56 feet. The principal membership of the society in those days were William Albin, Richard Martin, Adam Mayne, Daniel Martin, John Adams, David Marquart and Joel Elwell, together with other members of the family of each. Mayne's Meeting-House was succeeded by the present Emery Chapel in the year 1853. It is built on a lot donated by James P. Leffel, and is nearly three-fourths of a mile north of the original one, and on the east side of the Yellow Springs road, on Section 7, three miles south of Springfield. It is a brick structure, and was built at a cost of $1,400.
The names of Adam Mayne, Anthony Leffel, Orlando Harris, Daniel Leffel, Peter F. Lehman, Henry Leffel, William Runyon, William Kershner and B. F. Mayne are associated with the building and history of the present church of Emery society, and their liberality, coupled with that of others, has left for them a lasting monument in this edifice.
In the half-century that measures the life of this society, many meu and women deserving mention have come and gone; a few remain, who delight to retrospect the departed years, and, from the storehouse of memory. recite the record of the good old times. Of the preachers of the Methodist Episcopal Church who have preached to this people, mention can be made of Clark, Gon- zales, French, Eddy, White, Barrett, MeDowel, Ingalls, Spahr, Seaman, Thur- ber, Conrey, Boucher, Smith. Davidson, Beall, Selman, Hypes, Clark, Grover, McDonald, Wones, Botkin, Baker, Owen, Ellsworth, Gowdy, Fitzgerald, Griffith,
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SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP.
Head, Kalbfus, Pumphrey, Swayne, Gregg, Young, Miller, and a number of others.
Orlando Harris, Richard Martin, Daniel Pennell, William Printz, B. F. Mayne, Henry Albert, Jacob Drake, William Kelley and John B. Sparrow have held the position of Leader. The society maintains a well-organized Sabbath school, the organization of which dates back nearly forty years.
Buried in the cemetery adjoining Emery Chapel are the bodies of Adam Mayne, died in April, 1857, aged seventy-five; Catherine Mayne, died July, 1869, aged eighty-five; Thomas Leffel, died October, 1856, aged sixty; David Martin died September 1874, aged seventy-seven.
SCHOOL NOTES OF SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, BY DISTRICTS, ISSO.
District No 1 is located in the southeastern part of the township. The house is of brick, and stands near the corners of Sections 1, 2, 7 and 8. The district enumerates, white males, 21; females, 11; total, 32. No colored pupils. Lizzie Crossley, teacher; wages per month, $50.
District No. 2 is on the Charleston Pike, near the east line of Section 16, and about three miles east of Springfield. The district enumerates, white males, 22; females, 25; colored males, 1; total, 4S. R. D. Evans, teacher; wages per month, $50.
District No. 3 occupies the northeastern part of the township. The house is on Section 6, and joining the "Union Meeting-House." This district enum- erates, white males, 15; females, 14: colored males, 2; females, 1; total, 42. A. T. Allen, teacher; wages per month, $45.
District No. 4 is in the southern part of the township. The school- house is sometimes called "Congress Hall." It is of brick and on Section. 19, one mile north of the line of Green Township, three miles southeast of Spring- field. This district enumerates, white males, 43; females, 34; colored males, 6; females, 2; total, 85. James T. Tuttle, teacher; wages per month, $60.
District No. 5 is located nearly two miles southeast of the city of Spring- field. The schoolhouse is of brick, and is on the west side of Selma Pike, on Section 27. The district enumerates, white males, 14; females, 45: colored males, 5; females, 12; total, 106. Miss Anna Sergean', teacher; wages per month, $50.
Distriet No. 6 is located north of the National road, and near Benson's Mill. The house is on the left of the pike leading to Benson's Mill, and Sec- tion 17. It is a brick structure and handsomely and substantially built. The district .enumerates, white males, 9; females, 15; colored males, 3; females, 6; total, 33. J. M. Finney, teacher; wages per month, $45.
District No. 7 is in the southwestern part of the township near Emery Chapel. The house is on Section 2, and has two departments. Is known as " Possum." The district enumerates, white males. 64; females, 49; colored males, 1; females, 1; total, 115. Teachers, H. C. Gibbs and Miss Emily Stuart; wages per month, 860 and $45 respectively.
District No. 9 is known as "Rockway." The house is situated on the National road west of Sugar Grove, northeast quarter of Section 22, Town 5, Range 9. It has two departments This district enumerates, white males, 76; females; 66; total, 142. Teachers, Z. Taylor and Miss S. E. Boyd; wages, $60 and $15 respectively. The house was built in 1858.
District No. 13 is situated at Lagonda. The house has three departments, is substantially built of brick and occupies an elevated position north of the village on Section 24. The district enumerates, white males, 131; females, 118; colored males, 2; females, 9; total, 260. Teachers, John W. Pearce, wages $60
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
per month; Maggie Quinn, wages $50 per month; Lottie Quinn, wages $50 per month. The building is heated by a furnace.
District No. 11 is situated at East Springfield near the city limits of Spring- field. The building is north of the Charleston Pike and south of the National road. on Section 22. It is a brick house, having two departments and maintains two schools. The district enumerates, white males, 51: females, 60; colored males, 12; females, 21; total, 144. Teachers, Joseph A. James, wages $60 per month; C. E. Kendricks, wages $60 per month.
District No. 15 is situated north of Fern Cliff Cemetery, and is bounded north by Moorefield Township line, and west by Mad River. The house stands on Section 6, Town 4. Enumerates, white males, 33; females, 29; colored males, 6: females, 16; total, 84. Wesley Cook, teacher; wages, $50 per month.
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