USA > Ohio > Clinton County > The history of Clinton County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; history of the Northwest territory, Volume 1 > Part 33
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The record of the same dato says: "Solomon Stanbury* undertakes the building of the aforesaid jail, at the price of $600. Enters Joseph Doan for security. Allowed $50 in advance. The work to be completed in nine months from the above date, namely, the 22d of September, 1810."
"This uncouth-looking jail-house," says Dr. Jones, "stood on the east end of the lot occupied by the prosent jail building. It was thought to be sufli- cient to hold all criminals, but boforo the close of the war with England, it was burned down. Mr. Spencer, who was confined in this jail for violation of the civil law, fighting and other misdemeanors, while confined in the jail set fire to it, burst out the lock and escaped, and let the building burn down."
The war with England closed in 1815, and, unless the worthy Doctor is erroneous in his statement, there must have been several years in which the county was without a jail, for nothing further concerning the subject is found on the records until January 29, 1819, when the Commissioners held a special moeting and dovised a plan for a temporary jail. On the 5th of February following, the contract for building such a structure was awarded to William Butler, who proceeded with the work. Dr. Jones says of this: "In the con- struction of the now jail-house, he used unhown and round beech logs, from twelve to fifteen inches in diameter, notched in so as to fit tightly, and so ar- ranged that a crow-bar could not enter between them. This house had two high windows, so provided that it was impossible to enter them from the out- sido. The building had two strong doors-one on the inside and one on the outside. The upper and under floors were made of boech logs, fitted tightly. The floor was covered with two-inch oak plank, and the under side of the upper floor with the liko quality of oak plank, well spiked on. This jail was named after the builder-Fort Butler -- and was the strongest and best fitted to retain prisoners and offenders of the law of all the jail-houses that have over been constructed in Clinton County."
During the existence of the first jail, a story is related, showing that Caleb Kirk, a member of the Society of Friends, was confined in it during the war of 1812-15 with England, for not "mustering" with the militia. Ho held firmly to his principles, and was discharged from custody after a few days' con- finement. It has boon said that this occurred after Fort Butler was built, but the record shows conclusively that the jail was not erected until 1819, four years after the war had closed; so, if the story is true, Mr. Kirk must have been con- finod in the first jail, built in 1810-11.
Fort Butler was not long in use. At the session of the County Commission- er's held in December, 1821, it was agreed to advertise for proposals for 150 perch of stone, suitable for the orection of a stone jail, and, on the 5th of the following January (1822), the contract for furnishing them was awarded to Goorge Haworth at 744 conts a porch. June 12, 1822, the contract for building this jail-the third in the county-was lot to Lovi Sheppard for $508. The building was to ." be 20x26 feet, long way north and south, two stories high, walls of lower story throo foot, and upper story two feet, thick; lower story six feet and upper story seven feet and four inches in the clear; the building to be completed by July 1, 1823. Jacob Doan and Samuel Myers furnished 100 perch of stone, in ad-
* This name is also spelled Stanbrough on the records, and oftener than in the manner quoted.
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
dition to the first 150, and the irons of the old jail were sold to John A. Hays, for the sum of $9.623. The new jail was viewed and accepted by the Com- missioners August 1, 1823. To John MeElwain was awarded the contract for making and hanging fivo iron doors in the building, for $109. June 26, 1824, the old log jail was sold to Isaiah Morris, who paid therefor into the treasury of the county $3.811.
The early jails of Clinton County appear to have been short-lived. On March 1, the subject of building a new jail came before the Commissioners and they ordered that an advertisement for bids for the work be published in the Constitutional Republican, a newspaper issued at Wilmington. We learn from the records that Joel Woodruff furnished the timber and executed the wood. work on the new building, while the masonry was laid by Jacob Miller. The work of both contractors was accepted -- Woodruff's in November, 1831, and Miller's in January, 1832. This building was badly damaged by fire in the fall of 1841, and a considerable sum was expended for repairs upon it.
July 17, 1850, the Commissioners bethought them of building a "new jail and jail-house." The old one was torn down and the debris removed from the lot, and in August of that year, the new structure was commenced. Azel Walker was appointed General Superintendent of Construction. The building, which is of brick, and fitted both for jail and residence, was com- pleted in 1852, and cost in the neighborhood of $7,000. It is still in use; therefore this building, the fifth for jail purposes erected in Clinton County, closes the list to the present.
In the manuscript furnished us by Mr. Harlan, and also in the Commis- sioners' records, we find the following account of a "humane measure:" "Feb- ruary 19, 1814, on application of Jonathan Harlan, Sheriff, the Commission- ers-Joseph Doan, Mahlon Haworth and Timothy Bennet-order and direct that one blanket and bed-tick, made of tow linen and filled with straw, bo procured and kept by. the said Sheriff for the prisoner's when confined in jail, and for no other purpose whatever; the proper expense thereof to be paid out of the county treasury." Under date of March 7, 1814, in the record of allowances by the Board of Commissioners, we find the following: "Samuel H. Hale, for tow linen for making bed-tick for jail, $2.33]; Timothy Bennet, for making said bod-tick, 373 conts; Ferguson & Morris, for blanket and post- age, $7.45."
In 1824, the Commissioners formed a plan for a building for public offices, to be erected on the court house lot, 35x18 feet in dimensions, and one story high. Levi Sheppard was given. the contract, and the edifico was completed and accepted by the board August 13, 1825. In December, 1841, the mate- rials composing it were sold at anction, and the building was demolished. John B. Posoy had also built for the county, in 1833, fire-proof offices costing about $500.
A building was erected by the Commissioners in 1881, on Lot 73, in Wil- mington, in which are located the offices of the Probate Judge and the Prose- cuting Attorney, besides a number of other rooms which have been rented as offices to various parties. The contractors on this building were Robert and Charles McMillan and William M. Cleveland, and the contract price for the building was $8, 279.10. The allowance finally made to the contractors at the settlement February 7, 1882, was $9,418.97. The building was occupied in February and March, 1882. It is a fine-looking structure, three stories and a basement in height, with a front of Zanesville pressed brick.
THE CLINTON COUNTY INFIRMARY.
With the exception of a few figures and dates from the Commissioners'
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
record, this sketch is furnished by Dr. A. Jones. We give, following it, an account handed in some time later by Mrs. Harlan.
At the session of the Ohio Legislature for 1834-35, an act was passed enabling each county in the State to erect suitable buildings and make other provision for the relief and care of its aged, infirm and destitute citizens. March 21, 1835, as per record, the Commissioners for Clinton County pur- chased of Alexander Jennings, for the sum of $1,250, 100 acres of land lying a short distance east of Wilmington. April 10, 1835, the contract for build. ing a poor house was awarded to Alexander Jennings and Abel G. Martin, who soon began its construction, and had the building ready for occupancy March 17, 1836. The rooms were shortly filled up, and forty-two paupers were soon registered at the institution. The cost of the original building was about $2,- 000. In 1840-41, additional buildings were erected, and a considerable amount was expended in repairs upon the old one. A department for the insane was fitted up, and that class of persons was kept separate from the other inmates. These improvements required an outlay of some $4,500. A new infirmary was built in 1855, to which a large addition was made in 1869. An extensive barn was erected in 1853-54. Several pieces of land have been obtained since the original purchase, and the farm now (March, 1882), contains 276,35, acres. This figure was given at the Auditor's office. Dr. Jones states the farm con- tains 350 acros, of which 325 are finely improved. See also the accounts of tho different purchases as given in the Harlan account of the institution. The main buildings will accommodate 140 inmates, while there is room for eleven porsons in the department for the incurable insane. The present value of the infirmary farm and the buildings and improvements thereon is estimated at $66,528. There are eighty-three paupers (forty-five males and thirty-eight females), in the institution, the youngost in infancy, and the oldest ninety- three years of age. All the buildings are substantial, well ventilated and con- venient. Among the improvements are a barn $0x80 foret, a row of sheds 220 foot in longth, a large double corn-crib, the necessary granaries, woodhouse, smokehouse and milkhouse. The water supply is derived from a fine spring near the main building, and a small living stream flows diagonally across the farm. The first infirmary Directors were James Harris, James Fife and Isaiah Morris, who appointed James Wilson as first Superintendent, at a salary of $300 per year, and Dr. A. Jones attendant physician, at a salary of $60 for one year. These two men were continued in the positions named for years in succession. The Superintendent in 1882 is J. W. Stephens, who receives an annual salary of $675. The Board of Directors consists of Robert Skimmings, William Mann and Mark Peelle.
CLINTON COUNTY INFIRMARY. *
On the 20th day of March, 1835, the County Commissioners purchased of Alexander Jennings 100 acres of land one mile cast of Wilmington, paying for the same $1,250, upon which a poor house was erected during the same year. The buildings were constructed without any reference to architectural elegance or to any kind of display, but with the view of observing the strictest economy consistent with the requirements necessary for the convenience and comfort of the occupants. James Harris, James Fife and Isaiah Morris were appointed Directors of the poor house March 11, 1836, and they at once pro- ceeded to select a Superintendent. Their choice was James Wilson and Elea- nor, his wife, then living in Wilmington. They entered upon duty at once, and remained in charge four years. Seventeen was the greatest number of in- mates at any one time during their term of office, but the average number was
* From tho Harlan notes.
£
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
much smaller, as they were coming and going continually. The first inmate admitted was Mary Johnson, of Clark Township, born in North Carolina. She had been a resident of Clinton County twenty-six years, and a pauper seven- teen years. She was subject to fits of insanity. Julia Clause was the second inmate admitted. She was from Union Township, and was afterward trans- ferred to the Asylum for the Insane at Columbus.
The second Superintendent was George Washington Morey. He remained in that position until March, 1845, when he was succeeded by Isaac Pigeon. Mrs. Morey died while they were in charge of the infirmary, in August, 1844, and her husband left the position at the close of the year's engagement. Mr. Pigeon had charge of the infirmary from March, 1815, to March, 1855, and was succeeded by Humphrey Riddell, who was Superintendent until Septem- ber, 1855, when he resigned and was succeeded by William E. Ashcraft. Mr. Ashcraft served until March, 1858. A. Taylor Moore succeeded Mr. Ashcraft in 1858, and continued in the position until March, 1861, when he was in turn succeeded by Bonnet B. Arnold, who remained until March, 1866. Will- iam P. Wolf entered upon the duties of Infirmary Superintendent in March, 1866, and continued in the same three years. Josephus Blair succeeded him in March, 1869, and discharged the duties of the office until March, 1872. In 1872, H. F. Armstrong became Infirmary Superintendent, and continued in that position until 1880. J. N. Stephens, the present incumbent, was elected in 1880. He is now (1882) entering upon his third year.
In 1855, the original building was remodeled and extended. In later years, the buildings have been much increased, both in number and capacity, as circumstances have made it necessary. Several changes have also been made in the farm. The first addition to the infirmary farm was made April 10, 1856, and consisted of fifty acres bought of Jesse Hughes, out of survey No. 2690, for which the Commissioners paid him $2,600. The next addition was made December 29, 1859, and was also purchased from Jesse Hughes. It consisted of thirty-six and three-quarters acres in the same survey, for which $1,914.90 was paid. The third addition was made March 28, 1867, from sur- vey No. 1162, and consisted of 111.41 acres. This land was bought of the Sheriff of the county, who sold it under a partition suit styled Francis M. Un- derwood vs. Socrates Harlan, et al. The consideration was $6.266.25. The fourth addition was made June 1, 1872, of fifteen acres, in survey No. 2690, bought of James R. Webb for $1,800. March 6, 1876, a purchase of 1.37 acres was made from James Wallace for $164.40. This was in survey No. 2693. The sixth and last addition that has been made to the farm was pur- chased of Edith Emma Moody, on October 23, 1880, and consisted of fifty-four acros in survov No. 2693. The consideration paid was $4,087.95. The infir- mary farm now consists of 368.52 acres.
INFIRMARY DIRECTORS. -
March, 1836-James Harris, James Fife, Isaiah Morris.
March, 1839 -- Samuel Smith, William Ruble, Warren Sabin.
1843-Daniel C. Hinman, Perry Dakin, Samuel Smith.
1844-Nathan Walker, Perry Dakin, Samuel Smith.
1845 -- Nathan Walker, Samuel Smith, Isaac B. Thomas. 1846-Joseph W. Hackney, Isaac B. Thomas, Nathan Walker.
1847-50-Samuel Nordyke, Joseph W. Hackney, Isaac B. Thomas.
March 5, 1850-John Jones, Joseph W. Hackney, Isaac B. Thomas.
1851-John Jones, Joseph Woods, Joseph W. Hackney.
1852-Joseph R. Moon, John Jones, Joseph Woods.
1853-John Hazard, Joseph R. Moon, Joseph Woods.
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
1854-Eli Mc Millan, Jesse Doan, Joseph R. Moon.
1855 -- John Rannells, J. V. Whinery, Eli McMillan.
March 25, 1856-John M. Wright (instead of John Rannells, deceased), Thomas Custis, Eli McMillan.
October, 1856-Asa Walker, John M. Wright, Thomas Custis.
October, 1857 -- James Gregory, Thomas Curtis, John M. Wright.
October 1858-60-Jonathan Doan, James Gregory, John M. Wright.
1860-63-Thomas Curtis, John M. Wright, Jonathan Doan.
December, 1863-64-David Chance, Jonathan Doan.
1864-66-William M. Mann, David Chance, E. W. Marble.
March, 1866-68; October 13-William M. Mann, E. W. Marble, William Applegate.
1869 (from October, 1868)-Robert Skimming, William Applegate, Will- iam M. Mann.
ming.
October, 1869-70-Samuel H. Hadley, William M. Mann, Robert Skim-
October, 1870-November, 1871-William Bentley, Robert Skimming, Samuel H. Hadley.
November, 1871-November, 1872-Samuel H. Hadley, William Bentley, Jonathan Bailey.
November, 1872-73 -- William Bentley, Jonathan Bailey, Harlan F. Walkor.
November, 1873-Jonathan Bailey, H. F. Walker, S. H. Hadley.
November, 1874-H. F. Walker, S. H. Hadley, Robert Skimming.
December, 1875-76 -- S. H. Hadley, Robert Skimming, William M. Mann. . November, 1876-82-Mark Peelle, Robert Skimming, William M. Mann.
CLINTON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Through the efforts of Eli Gaskill, Representative in the Ohio Legislature from Clinton County, an act was passed February 25, 1833, authorizing and encouraging the establishment of agricultural societies. in the various counties of the State, and those interested in such matters in Clinton County speedily took advantage of the privileges granted them. The act passed at the above date was subsequently amended, and, on the 12th of March, 1839, a new one was passed and the old one repealed. Numerous amendments have since been made. June 14, 1833, a notice was published in the Democrat and Herald, the Wilmington newspaper, that a meeting of interested citizens would be held the last Friday in that month for the purpose of organizing an agricult- ural society. The plans were successfully carried out, and Azel Walker was chosen President, and A. E. Strickle, Recording Secretary of the organization. At a meeting of the Directors held July 28, 1833, it was voted that each mem- ber pay to the Treasurer of the society on or before the first Saturday of the ensuing October, the sum of 50 cents. It was resolved to award premiums on horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, owned by members of the society, also on ar- ticles of all descriptions manufactured by said members. It was voted to have the first exhibition on the last Saturday in October, 1833. The fair was ac- cordingly held, on the premises owned by Richard Peirce in Wilmington, and among numerous curiosities in the possession of Samuel Walker is the follow- ing souvenir of this fair in the form of a premium certificate:
"Clinton County Agricultural Society. -- This is to certify that at the ag- ricultural fair, held in Wilmington, Ohio, on the 26th day of October, 1833, Azel Walker presented the best yearling filly, sired by Bucophalus, for which a promium of $1 was awarded by said society. Azol Walker, President; A. E. Stricklo, Recording Secretary."
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Alexander Livrenica
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
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June 27, 1834, the society met and elected the following officers: Eli Gaskill, President; Isaiah Morris, Vice President; Lawrence Fitzhugh, Treas- urer; C. B. Harlan, Recording Secretary; R. B. Harlan, Corresponding Sec- retary; Samuel Wilson, Thomas How, Jr., Abraham Nordyke, Isaac Strickle, John B. Posey, Aaron Jenkins, Isaac Collett, William Hadley, Jacob Haines, Azel Walker, Directors. The fair in that year was held on the Peirce lot Oc- tober 31. In 1835, Eli Gaskill was President, and L. Wright, Secretary. The fair was held the last Friday in October, as usual. The officers at the date of the fourth fair, held in 1836, were Eli Gaskill, President; Isaiah Morris, Vice President; A. T. Sewell, Treasurer; A. E. Strickle, Secretary; Thomas How, Jr., Jesse Hughes, Jr., Gayer Starbuck, Isaac Strickle, George McManis, Jacob Haines, John B. Posey, James McFadden, Benjamin Nordyke, Cyrus Reed. Directors. In the issue of the Democrat and Herald of October 18, 1837, is a notice of a fair to be held in Wilmington on the 28th of the same month. The year had witnessed the production of excellent crops of fruits and grains, and the amount and quality of stock was exceedingly creditable for that day. Eli Gaskill was President, and A. E. Strickle, Recording Secretary. The judges of horses were Jacob Haines, Curtis Jackson, Benajah Nordyke, James McFadden, Simon Hadley; judges of cattle, John Hadley, George D. Haworth, Cyrus Reed, Eli Gaskill, Abraham Nordyke; judges of sheep. swine, etc., Nathan Linton, Charles Russell, William Hadley, Gayer Starbuck, Thomas How, Jr .; judges of domestic manufactured articles, John B. Posey, Isaac Strickle, William Hibben, C. D. Hughes, Thomas B. Carroll. The fair was held at the house 'of Richard Peirce; admission, 50 cents; dinner extra.
About 1834, George D. Haworth introduced into Clinton County the cel- ebrated breed of cattle known as Short-Horns, and as early, probably, as 1835, exhibitod those ho had at the county fair. This is from the recollection of his daughter, Mrs. Judge Harlan, who adds that premiums were awarded him, the committee mooting at his house, which stood at the northwest corner of South and Locust streets, where Benjamin Farquhar's grocery now is.
Aftor 1837, there is nothing to show that another fair was held until 1849. From the report of the State Board of Agriculture for that year it was learned that the organization of a new society had been perfected the previous year, and its first fair was held at Wilmington on the 17th and 18th of October, 1849. The officers were: Eli Gaskill, President; Josiah* Morris, Vice Presi - dent; Isaac B. Thomas, Treasurer; Grafton B. White, Secretary; Paul H. Van- dervort, William Hibben, Isaac Haslett, Curtis Jackson. Milton McMillan, Managers. This fair was held on the north side of the Washington pike, east of town. The total receipts were $157.59, of which amount the county fur- nished $78.59. Since then there has been no interruption of proceedings, and each year has witnessed a fair. In 1850, it was held October 17 and IS, Eli Gaskill bein: President, Isaiah Morris, Vice President; G. B. White, Sec- retary. In 1851, the court house was used as a building in which to exhibit farm products. The chief officers were Eli Gaskill, President; and Ethelbert C. Hibben, Secretary. Isaac Haslett was President; E. L. Lacy, Vice President; and Joseph Wood, Secretary in 1852. In 1853, the fair was held on new grounds where Leo Weltz now has his nursery, in the western suburb of Wil- mington. Isaac Haslett was President, D. Persenger, Vice President, and Jo- seph Wood, Secretary.
1854-Eli Gaskill, President; Thomas L. Carothers, Treasurer; A. W. Doan, Secretary.
1855-Paul H. Vandervort, President; William Crumly, Treasurer; A. W. Doan, Secretary.
* So printed in the report-should be Isaiah.
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
1856-Thomas D. Austin, President (had been Vice President the pre- vious year); J. G. Starbuck, Vice President; William Crumly, Treasurer; A. W. Doan, Secretary.
1857-A. E. Strickle, President; J. G. Starbuck, Vice President; A. W. Doan, Secretary. The fair in this year was held on the grounds east of Wil- mington, where the college now stands, the Jand having been leased by Isaiah Morris. Fairs were held here nine seasons.
1858-A. E. Strickle, President; Jesse G. Starbuck, Vice President; Will- iam Crumly, Treasurer; A. W. Doan, Secretary.
1859 -A. E. Strickle, President; Samuel Knowlton, Vice President; Will- iam Crumly, Treasurer; A. W. Doan, Secretary.
1860 -- P. H. Vandervort, President; A. W. Doan, Secretary.
1861-J. D. Hines, President; J. M. Haworth, Vice President, and sub- sequently President, Hines not serving; A. W. Doan elected Secretary, but in his absence L. C. Walker was appointed Secretary pro tem., and discharged the duties of the office.
1862-B. W. Fuller, President; L. C. Walker, Secretary.
1863-Cyrus Linton, President; L. C. Walker, Secretary.
1864-Cyrus Linton, President; L. C. Walker, Secretary.
1865-J. D. Hines, President; L. C. Walker, Secretary; William Crumly. Treasurer. Mr. Crumly died in office, and Charles N. Osborn was appointed September 21, 1865, to fill vacancy. Mr. Osborn has been Secretary of the society for a number of years.
1866-Paul Vandervort, President; L. D. Reed, Treasurer; S. M. Babb), Secretary. This year the present fair grounds west of Wilmington were pur- chased, and the materials belonging to the society were' removed from the old grounds.
1867-A. W. Doan, President; L. C. Walker, Secretary.
186S-James S. Hoblet, President; Levi Mills, Secretary.
1869 -- J. S. Hoblet, President; Levi Mills, Secretary.
1870-C. M. Walker, President; Levi Mills, Secretary.
1871-C. M. Walker, President; Levi Mills, Secretary.
1872-C. M. Walker, President; D. T. White, Secretary.
1878-C. Rhonemus, President; D. T. White, Secretary.
1874-75-Same officers as in 1873.
1876-C. Rhonemus, President; W. H. Rannells, Secretary.
1877-C. Rhonemus, President; N. M. Linton, Secretary.
1878 -- Cyrus Linton, President; S. G. Smith, Secretary.
1879-80-E. H. Matthews, President; N. M. Linton, Secretary.
1881-Leo Weltz. President; N. M. Linton, Secretary.
1882 -- David Peebles, President; N. M. Linton, Secretary.
The grounds of the society comprise thirty-one and ninety hundredths acres, having good buildings and race track, and shaded by forest trees. They are situated a short distance west of the corporate limits of Wilmington, ex- tending south from the Wilmington and Goshen pike. The fairs for a number of years were held in September, but in ISS1, the experiment of holding a fair in August was tried, and it is to be repeated in 18S2. The affairs of the society are in a favorable condition.
THE CLINTON COUNTY FARMERS' INSTITUTE.
This Institute was organized on Tuesday, March 8, 1881, principally through the efforts of Leo Weltz, then President of the County Agricultural Society. The object of the society was to "acquire a more thorough knowl- edge of agriculture, scientifically as well as practically." The first meoting
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