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 44
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49
June 16, 1827, the following was published, showing the number of white male inhabitants in Clinton County, over the age of twenty-one years: Union
.
!
للد مسحة مالأتص الصاحب.
421
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
Township, 458; Chester, 324; Greone, 214; Richland, 229; Liberty, 127; Ver- non, 309; Clark, 302; total, 1,963.
The 4th of July, 1827, was duly celebrated at Wilmington. On the 30th of the previous June, a large mooting had been held in the place, at the · court house, for the purpose of making arrangements to act with parties at Chillicothe, where a meeting had already been held, to induce the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company to extend its road west of the Ohio River as far as some suitable point on the Great Miami River. Resolutions were adopted to be forwarded, and a Corresponding Committee was chosen, consisting of John McManis, Eli Gaskill, Isaiah Morris, William Hibben and Benjamin Hinkson. September 22, 1827, Joseph Farquhar advertised that he would have for sale on the 20th of the next month. "thirty-five or forty Merino sheep." December 12, 1827, William Smalley, one of the early settlers in Warren County, offered for sale his farm and plantation of 640 acres, lying on Todd's Fork. near the line between Clinton and Warren Counties. He then had 150 acres cleared, a good brick house and kitchen, a grist-mill, a saw-mill, 150 acres of good bot- tom land, and two orchards on the promises. On the evening of March 4, 1829, the house of Samuel H. Halo, Esq., in Wilmington, was burned, en- tailing a loss of about $2,500. The fire originated in the kitchen, and spread 'from that to the dwelling, consuming both.
"The next paper published," says Mr. Walker, "was the Clintonian." Under this caption a newspaper was started at Wilmington in November, 1829, by W. H. P. Denny. April 4, 1830, he changed the name to the Clintonian . and Farmers' Repository. In 1831, the title was changed again, and the pa- per was called the Clintonian and Farmers' and Mechanics' Journal. In Jan- uary, 1831, Mr. Denny offered his establishment for sale, as he wished to en- gage in other business; and, during that year, the publication of the paper was suspended.
The Constitutional Republican was established in May, 1831, by John Cribfield, and continued six months.
In July, 1832, Samuel Pike and Thomas B. Palmer began the publication of a paper known as the Democrat and Railroad Advocate, which was continued about one year, when the career of the sheet closed.
The Democrat and Herald. - At this time there is no positive evidence who founded this paper. Its publication began in July, 1832. The oldest copy which has been found, bearing date April 19,. 1833, was published by Pike & Camron. May 10, in the same year, Pike & Mckibbin were the pub- lishers, and June 7, following, William A. Camron had become editor and publisher. He continued until January 2, 1835, when it passed into the hands of J. & T. Mckibbin. In 1841, this paper joined those which had gone be- fore; the Harrison campaign had been too much for it, perhaps. The last issue was dated January 8, 1841.
In the issue of this paper for June 7, 1833, there was notice of an order by the Commissioners for a meeting to be held on the last Friday in June, for the purpose of organizing an agricultural society, in accordance with an act passed by the Legislature February 25, 1833. June 14, 1833, a village ordi- nance was published warning persons not to ring the market bell, either in case of fire or on occasions of meetings'of any kind, without first obtaining permission from the market clerk. Under date of June 6, 1833, is an adver- tisement of Doup & Grover, who had associated together in the drug and med- . icine business,* their store being on "Main Cross street, between Mr. Strat- ton's and Antrim's stores, and nearly opposite the market house." Dr. A. Grover, of this firm, was a practicing physician.
*This store had been established in December, 1832, as shown by the files of the paper here named.
-
---
--
1
١٠
F
٠
1
٣
422
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
In the issue of the Democrat and Herald for May 23, 1834, is given an account of a squirrel hunt, which took place on the Friday previous. Forty men took part in this hunt, the two parties being captained by J. B. Posey and Charles Hughes. Upon their return in the evening, the scalps of the slain animals were counted, when it was found that Capt. Posey's company had brought in 1, 119, and Capt. Hughes' 1,100. Supper was eaten by the men at the hotel of E. S. Quinby, and the occasion appears to have been greatly en- joyed. Seven years bofore this (April 20 and 21, 1827), a squirrel hunt had takon place, the rendezvous being the residence of Jonathan Seaman, and, on that occasion, 1,333 squirrels bit the dust. Mon knew the use of the rifle in those days, and the abundance of at least one kind of game is shown by the foregoing figures.
The paper for July 11, 1834, gave an account of the Fourth of July pro- ceedings at Wilmington. Tho ceremonies commencod at the Methodist Church, from which an adjournment was had to the hotel of Richard Peirce, where the company ate a big dinner, drank numerous toasts, and felt patriotism's thrill in every norve. In the same issue were published the Constitution and by- laws of the Wilmington Temperance Society, which had been organized Feb- ruary 3, 1834, and had, on the 29th of the following June, 127 members. The same paper also had a report of a meeting of the Clinton County Colonization Society, organized for the purpose of aiding in sending the negroes from the United States to colonies in Liberia, Africa. At this date, Isaiah Morris was President of the society; Jesse Hughes, Sr., Vice President; Amos T. Sewell, Treasurer; A. E. Strickle, Secretary; John Taaffe, Lewis Wright, James Mc- Elroy, John A. Holly, R. B. Harlan, Isaac Shepherd, C. B. Harlan, Alexander Roberts, John Carman and Dr. J. K. Sparks, Directors. At the meeting mon- tioned (held July 4, 1834), a number of ladies and gentlemen became members, and a series of resolutions was adopted, lauding the objects of the society, and thanking Dr. Sparks, Isaac Shepherd and R. B. Harlan for addresses de- livered before the society that day.
October 3, 1834, an account was given of a slight fire which broke out on Sunday night previous, in the kitchen of D. C. Hinman, Esq., but which was extinguished after causing small damage. Exertions were then being made to organize a fire company in the village, and purchase an engine. November 6, 1835, M. Rombach and R. B. Harlan announced that they had purchased and brought from Kentucky a fine Durham bull, known as "Comet." May 13, 1836, came an account of a death in the jail, and of two runaways of teams, all occurring in Wilmington on Sunday, May 8, 1836. Several persons were injured by the runaways. In this number was the advertisement of the Wil- mington Academy, W. H. Rogers, Principal, and an announcement that the Clinton County Teachers' Institute would hold its first regular meeting in the Christian Church, at Wilmington, on Saturday, May 14, 1836, W. H. Rogers, Secretary. The Institute met and elected Dr. T. Welch, President; Dr. A. Jones, Vice President; W. H. Rogers, Secretary; R. B. Harlan, Treasurer. It was resolved to ask teachers throughout the county to discontinue corporal punishment. April 7, 1837, a notice appeared of a meeting to be held April 20, of the Goshen, Wilmington & Columbus Turnpike Company. This com- pany was incorporated by act of the Legislature March 22, 1837. The Clinton County members were Eli Hale, John Hadley, William Hadley, Natban Lin- ton, Isaiah Morris, David Strattan, Lawrence Fitzhugh and Josephus Reed. The road had been commenced years before, and completed from Cincinnati to Goshen. The work was under contract as far as Wilmington in the spring of 1838, mostly to Wilmington parties, but the pike was not completed to the lat- ter place until 1840. Its cost was about $4,000 per mile. The Clinton
-
-
.
423
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
County Anti-slavery Society had an existence in 1839, and an account was pub- lished in the Democrat and Herald of a meeting held by it on the 22d of No- vember, in that year.
In December, 1832, the first number of a paper called the Farmers' Her- ald was issued by Truesdell & Mckibben; but Mr. Walker, after investiga- tion, could not learn that more than three numbers were ever published.
The Western Whig. - It is not positively known by whom this paper was established, and there is a dispute upon the point. In the Clinton Re- publican of March 15, 1850, it is statod that the Western Whig was commenced in 1838 by Truesdell & Drake, and that R. B. Harlan subsequently took an in- terest and became the editor of the paper, which was continued under that name but one year. The paper was first issued in October, 1838, and Samuel P. Drake, in a letter to Samuel Walker, says his brother, Stephen P. Drake, was the founder and proprietor. Other authority states that Stephen P. Drake and John O. Truesdell first published it, and that Truesdell's name appeared as one of the proprietors, although he probably had no interest in the materials. He was a printer by trade .* Dr. A. Jones, of Wilmington, states that Drake certainly started it, but became embarrassed, and could not pay for the press and materials, and R. B. Harlan, attorney for the creditors, purchased the office in his own name, and for a short time published and edited the paper, dispos- ing of it soon to R. R. Lindsey, who purchased it with capital furnished by Dr. Jones, the latter stating that for a time he assisted Mr. Lindsey, who was his brother-in-law, in editing it. Parker B. Osborn, who came to Wilmington in the fall of 1839, recollects that Mr. Drake was then editing this paper, and thinks he was its founder. John F. McGregor's recollection is that Drake & Truesdell established the paper at the date given (October, 1838), and that Trucsdell's name appeared but a short time as a member of the firm. He thinks that R. B. Harlan, who had probably become responsible for the press, . etc., finally took charge, issued three or four numbers in his own name, and then disposed of the establishment to R. R. Lindsey. Mr. McGregor worked in the cabinet-shop of his father, Eli McGregor, in the fall of 1838; and in his possession at present are his father's old books. Considerable work was done for the printing-office, and for the greater part of the year succeeding the establishment of the paper, charges are found against Drake for materials furnished, among other things being a type-case. Succeeding Drake, the charges are made against Lindsey. Mrs. Harlan is of the opinion that her husband, Robert Barclay Harlan, established this paper himself, and states that he had told her he did do so. It is very evident that he at one time con- ceived the idea of starting a Whig paper in Wilmington, for we have seen a time-worn piece of manuscript in his handwriting which was evidently in- tended as a prospectus to the paper he should found. f He said his paper should be different in politics from others before published, or those then in existence. "In a word," wrote he. "my paper will be Whig." He closes his prospectus thus: "With a full reliance on the liberality of the citizens of Clinton County, among whom I have lived the greater part of my life, I offer my proposals to the public, conscious that patronage will be extended in aid of my undertaking, if approved." Mrs. Harlan has also in her possession a note reading as follows: "For value received, we, or either of us, promise to pay W. Humphrey, or order, twelve months after date, $125. Witness our hands this 8th day of September, 1838." This note is signed by R. B. Har-
* Charles N. Osborn, who came to Wilmington in June, 1838, is positive that the paper was established by Drake alone, and that True-dell was not then in the place, not coming until Lindsey had purchased the paper. Truesdell is said to have been nothing more than a vagabond printer, with no capital whatever; and, upon this point at least, all agree.
+ There is no date upon this manuscript to show when it was written.
1.
------
مستواحشر
indi ng @5
-
424
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
.
lan and Michael H. Johnson, and on the back are the following indorsements: "R. B. Harlan, M. H. Johnson, notes for press." "I assign the within to G. W. King, without recourse. William Humphrey." "Received pay of R. B. Harlan, September 27, 1839. J. W. King, for G. W. King." In a scrap-book filled by Judge Harlan's own hands, is an item cut from a newspaper* to the effect that the Western Whig was started by himself. Aside from Mrs. Harlan and her family, it is the opinion of most people who remember the paper in its infancy, that it was started by Drake & Truesdell; but their opinions are not more positive than are those of Mrs. Harlan and the supporters of the idea that Judge Harlan was the original proprietor. In the absence of conclusive evidence, the points bearing on the case from both directions are here given as found, and the writer's opinion or belief in the matter will have no weight per- haps either way; therefore, it is not expressed. It is known positively that R. R. Lindsey soon became proprietor, and since that time there is no obscurity to puzzle the seeker after historical facts, and the succeeding changes are now given. At some time between September 18 and December 13, 1839, Mr. Lindsey changed the name of the paper to the Clinton Republican. It was a stanch Whig journal, and, in the exciting campaign of 1840, ardently sup- ported "Old Tippecanoe and Tyler too." In 1846, David Fishert succeeded R. R. Lindsey, and continued the publication of the paper until 1850, when William B. Fisher and Franklin Corwin became proprietors. August 6, 1852' Corwin sold his interest to Hon. A. P. Russell, and the firm of Russell & Fisher. managed affairs until February 10, 1860, when Mr. Russell disposed of his in- terest. Mr. Fisher conducted it alone until July 19, 1866, when David L. Way became his partner. November 10, 1870, Fisher sold his share to Frank Browning, the new firm being known as Browning & Way. November 18, 1875, the establishment became the property of Browning Bros., who were also interested in the publishing business at Batavia, Clermont County. In Aug- ust, 1878, Frank Browning died very suddenly, and his brother, C. N. Brown- ing, then holding a clerkship at Washington, D. C., came on at once and took charge of affairs. In settling up matters, he disposed of the office at Batavia, and gave his whole attention to the one at Wilmington, of which he has since been the head. The Clinton Republican is now published by C. N. Browning & Co., Mr. B.'s sister being associated with him. The paper is ably conducted and prosperous.
.
The Democratic Star was a paper established at Wilmington in May, 1844, by J. & T. Mckibbin, and was a campaign sheet, advocating the election . of James K. Polk. It was continued only until the close of that year.
In May, 1847, about a year after he had disposed of the Clinton Repub- lican, R. R. Lindsey began publishing a paper called the People's Press. It was neutral in politics and religion, and was continued but a short time.
The Wilmington Banner was commenced in August, 1848, by John W. Kees, with W. Fuller and J. W. Kees as editors. March 1, 1849, it appears from an old scrap that W. Fuller and W. Tillinghast were editors and proprie- tors. Į The paper was only published about one year. It was in favor of Lewis Cass for President, in 1848.
January 2, 1850, W. T. Tillinghast began the publication of the Empyr- ean, and discontinued it September 13, 1851. Politically, this paper was rad- ically Democratic; but it opposed the extension of slavery, and urged its aboli-
* Clinton Republican of November 14, 1867.
+ David Fisher was elected to Congress from this district, and was a member of that body in 1848, at the time of the death of John Quincy Adams.
# The issue of this paper, dated Thursday, March 22, 1849, has the names of John W. Kees. publisher, and W. Fuller and J. W. Kees, editors. July 18, 1849, William Tillinghast was publisher and editor. It seems the paper changed hands quite often.
-
-
السترة
0
٢
0
0
or
WILLIAM HOBLIT. (DECEASED)
5
427
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
tion in the District of Columbia. Mr. Tillinghast had not long previously pub- lished a paper called the Reveille (or, as we have seen it spelled, Revillee), but we have failed to learn its exact time.
A new paper appeared in Wilmington October 31, 1851, published by J. W. Chaffin, and called the Herald of Freedom. August 5, 1853, J. Gibson and J. B. Dunn became its editors; continuing until February 24, 1854, at which time Gibson sold out, and Dunn continued until January 20, 1855. The following week no paper was issued, but on the 9th of February following, it appeared under the name of the Wilmington Independent, with J. W. Chaffin as publisher. November 16, 1855, its existence ended. It was a Free-Soil paper, having supported John P. Hale for President, and George W. Julian for Vice President, in 1852, under its original name.
In 1852, a paper was published in Wilmington for a short time by John . Torry. It was known as the Democratic Advocate.
Decomber 14, 1855, J. D. Thurston threw down his gauntlet in the pub- lishers' field, and issued a paper which he called the Independent Citizen. The push was a bold one, but he backed water a little by announcing that he would . ; not continue the paper until he could see prospects for its support. It is pos- sible that the first number was the only one issued.
The publication of the Wilmington Watchman was begun January 26, 1856, by Bayham & Brodess. It was Republican in politics, and passed through many hands in its comparatively short career. February 20, 1857, Isaac S. Wright had it in charge. His successors were as follows: June 5, 1857, Tillinghast; October 16, 1857, R. E. & A. W. Doan; March 12, 1858, J. D. Hines and A. W. Doan; May 7, 1858, H. S. Doan & I. S. Whinery; August 27, 1858, H. S. Doan; April 23, 1859, W. H. Foos; January 5, 1860, C. B. Lindsey; October 14, 1860, H. S. Doan; January 2, 1862, W. P. Reid; May 1, 1862, James D. Thurston, which latter gentleman published it until September 24, 1863, when the last number was issued.
The Clinton Democrat-its politics apparent from its name-was pub- lished by B. F. Raleigh, twenty- four numbers being issued, the last under date of April 1, 1864.
Some time in 1864, the Garvin Bros. began the publication of a paper in the interests of Christianity and education, naming it the Franklin College Monthly. Just how long it was continued, we are unable to state; but in Feb- ruary, 1868, the same gentlemen established a monthly pamphlet known as the .Journal of Information. This was the direct forerunner of the Wilmington Journal, which the Messrs. Garvin began to publish, in newspaper form, at . the close of the year 1868. Garvin & Lowery were its proprietors May 5, 1869, and on the 11th of May, 1870, A. H. McVey & Co. had taken charge of it. October 20, 1871, W. H. P. Denny was editor and proprietor. April 12, 1877, John Tudor became proprietor, and James M. Vernon editor. February 15, 1880, Mr. Vernon purchased a half-interest, retaining the editorship. Decem-
. ber 17, 1880, Mr. Tudor disposed of his remaining interest to Mr. Vernon, who continues the publication of the Journal, which is a neat, well-edited, . and prosperous sheet. The office is, perhaps, the best fitted of all country offices in Southern Ohio. Steam power is used.
, The Aid to Progress was commenced in 1868, by A. D. Rhonemus, and continued about three years. Mrs. Mary Jane Adams had charge of it for a few months previous to its final closing up. Politically, it was Republican.
In the fall of 1868, a small Republican campaign sheet called Tanner and Typo was issued for a short time by Melville Hayes.
.The first number of the Wilmington Weekly Gazette was published Octo- ber 6, 1870, by A. E. Routh. May 25, 1871, the paper passed into the hands
-
.
1
H
T
كله
M
428
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
of William C. & James, T. Gould. In October of that year the publishers stated they must either discontinue or get what was due them. Whether they received their dues or not is not statod; but the paper was finally discontinued. It supported Allen G. Thurman for President in 1872.
May 14, 1880, Thomas M. Proctor began at Wilmington the publi- cation of the Clinton County Democrat, which he continued until September 6, 1881, when his wife, Mrs. Mary V. Proctor, became its editress and pub- lishor, which position she continues to fill. The paper is Democratic in pol- itics, has a good appearance, and appears to be receiving a fair share of pat. ronage.
The journals mentioned in the foregoing pages have all been published at Wilmington, and the struggle to maintain a paper in the place was, for many years, attended with ill success, as seen from the many aspiring sheets which sprang into existence only to have their s ns set in a blaze of anything but glory, however worthy they may have been. But at last the day came when a paper could live, and those published in the county at the present time (1882) are excellent specimens of their kind, and creditable to proprietors and patrons. With the exception of the pamphlet which immediately preceded the Wilmington Journal, all the papers which are mentioned were issued in folio form-four pages. The dearth of local news in the publications of the earlier years is remarkable; and from them no possible idea of their abiding- place could be obtained were it not for the few local advertisements they con- tained. The early merchants spent considerable money in advertising that they must have what was owing them, or leave their accounts in the hands of proper officers for collection. Goods were purchased mostly in the far Eastern cities, and announcements of departures for New York, Philadelphia and Bal- timore are frequent in the columns of the old Wilmington papers. When the merchants could not get money, they seemed willing to accept of almost any kind of produce. It was many years after the newspaper made its debut in Wilmington before the idea gained a place that local happenings should be chronicled, and it was but slowly accepted. Could the historian read of the events which transpired here away back in the twenties and thirties, he would have a rich fund from which to draw; but it is impossible, as they were never recorded in print.
At New Vienna, in 1870, Daniel Hill and J. M. Hussey, who had been engaged in mercantile trade at that place, established a well-furnished printing office for publishing the periodicals of the Orthodox Friends. Two years later, Mr. Hussey became sole manager, and continues the publication of three church papers, known as the Christian Worker, the Olive Leaf, and the Bible Lesson Leaf, besides a local paper known as the New Vienna Record. In ad- dition to these, Mr. Hussey prints the Messenger of Peace, and a large amount of tract work for the " Peace Association of Friends," of which Daniel Hill is Secretary. The publishing-house is one of the best equipped in the region outside the large cities. The New Vienna Record is the successor of the New Vienna Register, which, in 1878-79, was published by James D. Mcclintock.
November 6, 1874, S. R. Nickerson, formerly proprietor of a paper at Blanchester, established at Sabina a sheet known as the Sabina Telegram, using the press and material he had brought from Blanchester. April 8, 1876, he sold the Telegram to E. L. Mann, and on the 29th of March, 1877, its suc- cessor, the Sabina News, was established by Ely & Sanders, being a seven- column folio. December 1, 1878, W. H. Sanders became sole proprietor, and in November, 1881, Z. R. Sanders became a member of the firm of Sanders & Son, now Z. R. & W. H. Sanders, who continue the publication of the paper, which has been enlarged to a seven-column quarto. The business of the office
Km:
ஹி ஜ் ஸ்ஸ்ஸ்
429
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
is extensive, and the firm has started offices in adjoining towns. The paper is cut and pasted before being mailed to its patrons.
At Blanchester, March 24, 1870, S. R. Nickerson established the Blanches- ter Herald, which he sold eighteen months later to James S. Turk, who soon changed the name to the Marion Independent. The publication of the paper ceased about October 1, 1872. . The present paper published at Blanchester, called the Blanchester Star, was established in 1875, by W. Nickerson; is Re- publican in politics, has a good circulation, and is now published by Fred A. Goulding.
.
-
لد بالجاحظ :وسط أو ما)
٢
430
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE MILITARY HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
TT is but natural that the inhabitants of the county of Clinton, through all generations, should be possessed of patriotism and military ardor. Num- bers of the pioneers had seen service under the lead of Washington, or had be- come acquainted with Indian warfare both in the East and the West, and the spirit which stirred the blood of the men of yore at sound of trump and drum was transmitted through the flooting years to their sons and grandsons. The mothers of the land stood ready at every emergency to dedicato their husbands, sons and brothers to their country, and nobly havo they always responded to the call. It is impossible, from the means at hand in this county, to give any- . thing like a correct list of Revolutionary and "second war" veterans, whose homes were here, and regarding those who served in the latter war (1812-15)" such information as has been gained will be found in their personal mention elsewhere. The following namos have been given of Revolutionary pensioners who became residents of Clinton County:
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.