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 2, Part 31

Author: Durant, Pliny A. ed; Beers (W.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : W. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1410

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 2 > Part 31

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SIT

حد العة

ραΙΟστέ λιΑΝ ΑργΟΣ

719 .

GREENE TOWNSIIIP.

CHURCHES.

Seventh-Day Adventists .-- This church is but of three or four years' stand- ing, and is small numerically and not rich in purse. John Durham, William Bloom, the family of the late Richard Vandervort, the widow of G. L. Haynie and wife of Jesse Pond comprise the principal membership. They meet on each seventh day for worship and for the study of the Scriptures.

Church of Christ .- This is one of the oldest churches of the county, bav- ing beon organized about 1820. Its influence has been far-reaching. It has numbered among its members nearly every person who has lived any length of time within five miles around it. It has had the labors of nearly all the pio- neer preachers in what is known as the Reformation of the nineteenth century. Walter Scott, A. S. Hayden, Benjamin Wilkins, S. K. Hoshour, James Chal- len, Aylett Rains, J. M. Henry, John Rogers, Samuel Rogers, L. L. Pinkerton, William Pinkerton, J. B. Lucas, D. S. Burnott, Jonas Hartzoll and many others havo labored more or loss for this church through the first fifty years of its oxistonce. Sinco then, it has enjoyed the Inbors of many younger men, whose namos it is not necessary to record. The church has numbered as high as 350 at one time. It seldom fell below 200 members. This is probably about its prosent strength. It has no rogular pastor and has not had one for several years. It has occasional preaching. P. H. Vandervort, John Van- dervort and Thomas Starbuck are its Elders at present. It has for years car- ried on a successful Sunday school. A young man by the name of Utter is its present Superintendent.

BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.

The Odd Fellows have a lodge here, and own a hall over the store of the Rulon Bros.

In the foregoing, the progress and present condition of Greene Township may be .seen. Brevity has been studied, and no effort at rhetoric has been made. The plain, simple facts, plainly set forth has been the only aim of the writor.

GREENE TOWNSHIP IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.

In writing tho history of the township, the subject above named was over- looked till the work was finished; then it was thought advisable to add this postscript, setting forth such facts as may be at hand and of interest touching her action in the war of the rebellion. It is but just to say that she stood in the front of the townships of the county in furnishing her quota of men and money to sustain the flag of her country; she never lost faith in it for a mo- ment. Her people were nearly a unit on all the great questions of that time, and especially in regard to the maintenance of the National integrity. No call was over made, either for mon or money, that she did not respond to at once and with zeal. Following we record the names of soldiers from the township, indicating the officers and the dead as far as known:

Eleventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry .- John Halvey, David Lyon, Robert . Alexander (dead), P. H. Stevens, Wiison Kellis, J. G. Smithson (dead), Joseph Juvenile, John Driskill, Simon Driskill, James A. Harrison, James Kellis, John Roberts (dead), P. A. Arthur, First Lieutenant; Austin Hil- debrant (dead), Elias Roberts, Henry Kenon (dead), John Richards, Samuel Richards, John Henry, Levi Huff (dead), Marion Underwood, J. M. Spears, Joseph Smith (dead), Morgan Lupton, B. F. Clark (dead), Thomas Allison, Thomas Johnson, Asa Higgins, Major.

Twelfth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry-John Conard, Davis Conard (dead), William H. Duncan, Thomas M. Duncan, J. W. Matthews, John M. Patton, John McGroarty (dead), Isaac Hazard, J. T. Bowers, Second Lieuten-

507- 19 Ers

العسل

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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.

ant; William Moore, Corey Johnson, John Dixon, Calvin Townsend, Clay Brown, all dead; D. M. Stivens, John V. Mayers, Thomas Mercer; Isaac Ren- well, Peter Johnson, James Ross, dead; Charles Pidgeon, John B. Abbott, Car. roll Huff (dead), Matthew Ryan (dead).

Thirteenth Ohio Cavalry .- S. H. Rulon, John W. Barrett, H. S. Reese, G. E. Pearson, William Wilson (dead), S. D. Sayers (colored), P. D. Barrett, Joseph Luellen, Michael Clement. William Canney, Nathan Wilson, Green- berry Miller (Lieutenant), John Drake (Captain).

Thirty-ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry-William Burton, G. H. Ellis (dead), Elwood Morman (dead), Edward McKinzie, D. H. Sayers, Silas Paige, Amos Horseman, George Horseman (dead), T. G. Rannalls, Henry Cer tain, R. Bell, James Rix, Alph Maze, James Maze, William Rickman, Joseph Maze, James Rickman, John Rickman, Ed Jones, Joseph Greene (dead), John Harrison (Second Lieutenant), Jamos Drake (Captain).

Fortieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry --- Samuel J. Arnold, John Fleming (doad), Ewing Fleming (dead), Milan Thatcher, H. W. McFadden, Charles McFaddon (dead), George Hodson (doad), William Morris, Marshall Hyatt (dond), Barney Luckey, Alphous Vandervort; P. C. Vandervort, W. V. Vandervort, John R. Dixon, all doad.

Forty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry-Joshua Burley, Asa Adams, Bushrod McDonald, James Lucky, dead; J. W. Gregory, Simeon Cox, .A. T. Johnson, Major Surgoon; Josso Allison, Second Lieutenant; Nathan Fisher, Major Surgeon.

Seventy-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry-Eli Fisher, Thomas Fisher, Joel Johnson, James Bowers, John Van Pelt, D. C. Harrison, Wyatt Crawford, Harrison Pitzer, Jamos Dillon.

Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry-Francis James, dead; J. W. James, George Seaman, Jonah Seaman, Noah Hyatt, Jesse Mckenzie, Reoso Soaman, L. Hondoe.

One Hundred and Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry -- Joshua Hussey, Captain; William Wilson, Captain; George F. Bowers, First Lieutenant; S. L. Pitzor, Second Lieutenant; J. V. Rannalls, Newton Shoemaker, George Law- head, H. O. Luollen, Parker Bond, E. H. Roberts, R. H. Wilson, Richard Morton, Thomas Devers, Mayberry Freed, J. H. Fenner, W. C. Fenner, Daniel Fenner, J. J. Gregory, R. W. Gregory, John Eachus, Squire Eachus (dead), T. C. Rannalls, Griffin Baker, John Boring, J. M. Johnson, Frank Craig (killed), Alphous Bloom, George Brewer, Soneca Dennis, Albert Stackhouse, Jesse A. Stackhouse, Joshua Stackhouse, Martin Clevonger (dead), Harvey Spencer, Samuel Sheolit, Joseph Cotterill, George Lieurance (dead), D. Lieurance, Mr. Sabin (substitute), Mr. Hoover (substitute), William Hendee, George Fisher, J. W. Cline, S. C. Swartz, Isaac Achor, Isaac R. Allison, Jonathan Bolford, David Baker, Robert Burns, Samuel Cline, David Cox, J. R. Wooddell, J. B. Hildebrant, Hezekiah Hildebrant, Isaac Hodson (dead), P. A. Hildebrant, James L. Williams, Henry Looka, William B. Pitzer, James Ryan (dead), J. T. Severs, Henry L. Sovers, Jeff Trenary, William P. Woodruff, William Fish. er, E. P. McDonald, Mr. Walker (substitute), J. N. Woodmansee, A. B. Board, C. S. Drake. J. C. Routh, John W. Nuby, Samuel Mowror, Joel Brewer, John W. Barnes, J. D. Barnes, William Clark, John M. Cline (doad), William Cham- berlain, Jesso Groene, Theodore Hildebrant, Cyrus Hodson (dead), C. S. Hil- dobrant, A. G. Hixon, George Koohler, Patont Mowrer (dead), Michael Quig. ley, Bonjamin Smith, James Severs, S. G. Fronary, George W. West (dead).

As a finale to the war record of the township, we transcribe a poom written during the war by Miss Morley Amberg, daughter of the Mayor of the village:

الــ

721

GREENE TOWNSHIP.

"The rolling deep, whose azure wave Sweeps o'er our darling lost one's grave, Doth many friends now make to weep For those lost in the briny deep.

"Among this number was Willie Moore, That dared t' far from the rocky shore. From Kanawha's Falls he's gone to rest, Till summoned home with all the blest.

"Somo died from sickness, far away, In misty twilight, dim and gray; Or at eventide, so calm and still, They bowed to God's own holy will.

"Upon this list was one brave boy, Gone home to share eternal joy! John Dixon's friends did sadly mourn, When he from their embrace was torn.

"Upon the bloody battle ground Our brave men, pierced with many a wound, Have fallen here to rise no more, Covered with wet and reeking gore.

"In the second battle of Bull Run, Beneath the hot and burning sun, Carey Johnson was killed in fight, While battling for his country's rights.

"And then another from this cause, While struggling for our own free laws, Col. Townsend fell amidst the fray Upon this sad and fatal day.

"While suffering much from bitter pain, Have our poor boys, so often lain, With not a gentle mother's hand To smooth the brow where cold drops stand;

"No sister's winning smile to cheer, Nor father's well-known voice to hear,- They thus have sunk into the grave, The noble and true-hearted brave.

"Carl Huff, and Cyrus Hodson, too, They thus passed home to heaven to view The splendors of that beauteous land, Where all is lovely, rich and grand.

"They there have met the brave George West, In heaven's attire so richly dressed ! How joyous will that meeting be When they, their friends-cach-gladly see!

"Austin Hildebrant lingered long, Then went to join the happy throng. Surely for him hot tears were shed When gathered round his dying bed.

"The noble Burley, from us torn, Left his dear wife and son to mourn, When he his fame and kindred left; Of him have we all been bereft.

"Another, parted from his wife, Whom he had chosen for his life; He, too, rests in the silent grave. Yes, Adams was among the brave!

"In loathsome prisons some have died, How bitterly for them we've sighed I O sad, indeed, is such a death, Where is not e'en felt one pure breath!

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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.

"In gloomy 'Libby Prison' died These two brave boys, each side by side. John Ryan was the hallowed name That died in such a place of shame.

"Another that hoped soon to see Ilis cherished wife and family, To use more-was stricken down, Elijah Hussey, from this, our town.

"Captain John Drake, with his brave men, Whom he had led through marsh and fen, Was shot upon the battle ground And here his last remains were found.

"Matthew Ryan, while fighting well, At battle of Stone River fell; Amidst the booming cannon's roar This brave boy fell to rise no more."

723

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.

BY HON. THOMAS S. JACKSON.

T THIS is one of the southern townships of Clinton County, named in honor of the third President of the United States, was organized in the year 1839 from territory taken from Clark and Marion Townships. The survey was made in the winter season by Peyton West, one of the pioneers of the county, who was elected and served as County Surveyor for several terms, and resided in Clark Township, where he died in the year 186 -. James H. West and John W. Smith were chain carriers and David Wright, marker.

David Wright was one of the early pioneers of the county, and, at the time of the survey, resided in Washington Township. He was a member of the jury that tried the first State case that was before the Court of Common Pleas in the county. James H. West, who was eighteen years old at the time of the survey, is a farmer now residing near Martinsville, Clark Township. John W. Smith died at Marathon, Clermont Co., Ohio, on Thanksgiving Day, in the year 1880, in the seventy-fourth year of his age.

This township contains about twenty-three square miles, or 14, 720 acres. It is bounded on the north principally by Washington Township, on the south by Brown County, on the east by Clark Township, and on the west by Marion Township. The surface is generally level, but is susceptible of drainage at reasonable cost. A small portion of the land along the West Fork and near the Brown County line is somewhat broken, but may be cultivated without difficulty. The principal stream in the township is the West Fork. It enters the township in the northeastern part and runs in a southwesterly direction to a point near the village of Westboro, where it bears south, crossing the Brown County line, and continues about one and one-half miles in the same direction and empties into the East Fork of the Little Miami River. The principal branches of the West Fork are Plum Run, Dry Run, Moon's Branch, Hale's Branch, Lick Branch, Sugartree Branch and Bee Branch.

Along the West Fork, Dry Run and Moon's Branch, there is considerable blue limestone, and large quantities have been hauled to other parts of the county for building purposes and walling wells, and no doubt the time is ap- proaching when those lands along the creeks that contain large quantities of stone that can be quarried with reasonable expense will be utilized with profit to the owner. The most of the township may be regarded as fairly productive, with some portions quite fertile; all the cereals are successfully produced and the soil is regarded as particularly well adapted to the cultivation of the po- tato. On the level portions, which include by far the greater part, the com- pact nature of the soil and the heavy growth of timber, which covered almost every acre of the township, have prevented its rapid settlement and improve- ment. The distinguishing varieties of timber were oak, hickory, white maple and elm, with specimens of almost all other varieties common to this part of Ohio. The white oak timber was extensive and valuable; much of it was large and tall, and was extensively manufactured into planks, boards, shingles and staves, and taken to other parts of the country for use; a large proportion of the white oak was of a tough quality, suitable for the manufacture of plows and wagons, for which purpose great quantities were shipped, as well as the hickory and some ash. The white maple has been extensively used for house building. Much of the timber within the recollection of the writer has been

القوة القشرة حــ

للحصول

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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.

destroyed for the purpose of clearing the land for cultivation. When no profitable use could be made of it, the only expedient was to cut down and burn, or deadon and finally burn on the ground.

The great tornado of May 22, 1860, made havoc with the timber. Much of it was broken down and torn up by the roots, or bont and damaged. This storm did great damage to buildings and orchards; many houses and barns were unroofod. A portion of the brick schoolhouse at Westboro was blown. down while school was in session, but thanks to "Him who tompers the wind to the shorn lamb," no one was seriously injured; also a portion of the M. E. Church at the same place was blown down. Some stock was killed in the neighborhood, but no human lives were lost. This storm was probably the most remarkable occurrence that has been witnessed since the settlement of the township.

EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

The first cabin built in the township was on the farm now owned by John Holaday, by Samuel Jackson, about the year 1812. Ho had omigrated from Tonnossoo in the year 1800, and sottled in the eastern part of what is now Highland County, on Rocky Fork. His principal occupation was hunting, and during one year (1801) he killed two panthers and a large number of deer and boars. His hunting-grounds were the Brush Crook and Sun Fish hills. About the year 1818, he removed to the southwestern part of the township, and there settled on lands now owned by Alfred Daugherty and known as the Lyons farm. He soon after moved to Tonnesseo, and from Tennessee to Cass County, Texas, where he was living at the beginning of the late civil war, since which time the writer has been unable to learn anything from him.

The first settler in the Hale's Branch neighborhood was one Hale, who made the selection of a building site while in company with John Randall, John Brunson and Ephraim Jones. About the year 1812, this party, who were engaged in shipping salt from the salt works near Pittsburgh to Cincinnati, on flat-bottom boats, were returning on foot across the country, as was their cus- tom. They encamped for the night in what was then a beautiful oak forest, near a branch not far from where Wilson Bailey now lives. As related by one of the party, in the morning, when about to break camp, Hale remarked that the place was so attractive that he intended to return and settle there. He did return, built a cabin, cleared a field, but soon left for some other parts, but where is not known to the writer. Jesse Hockett soon after settled on the same branch and became a permanent settler.

Joseph Hockett, who emigrated from Tennessee, built a hewed-log house, which was the first within the township, and cleared a field on lands now . owned by William Scott, near Hixon's Schoolhouse, but soon after bought land in the Hale's Branch neighborhood, to which he removed and there re- mained until his death, about the year 1843. Thomas Comer, John Garner and Mr. Brunson were early settlers in the Bee Branch neighborhood. Tho first settlers in the vicinity of Westboro were John Starr, Richard Starr, Will- iam Starr and John Thornhill.

William Hammer settled in the southern part of the township in the year 1817, on the farm now owned and occupied by John Simcox. In the yoar 1816, William Hammer, while looking at the country, saw and killed a largo black bear near the prosent residence of John Simcox. During the years 1817 and 1818, William Hammer and John Thompson built a saw-mill on the Wost Fork, the first mill that was built within the township. They oporated the mill with some degree of success for a few years, but in the time of a great freshet, the dam, which was made of logs, washed away and was never rebuilt. The foundation logs remain there, to be seen even to this day, as memorials of -

لح كام

ஸ்ரீ வர மாட்ட பெங்கள் அகம்

725

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.

those men who, in their day, wore esteomed for their honesty and integrity, and as a further evidence of their industry and perseverance.

Thomas Sermon, an old Revolutionary soldier, settled in the southern part of the township, on the lands of James Taylor, of Kentucky, who would not sell to any one as long as the old veteran desired to occupy it, and was appar- ently provoked to wrath when a party desired to buy, assigning as a reason why Taylor should sell "that the old fellow was cutting timber where he pleased and doing no good generally," to which Taylor replied in substance with his usual warmth when aroused, that "such a man as the applicant was . not worthy of being a land-owner, and that he would not sell land to a man that sought to dispossess or disturb an old soldior, who had gone, as it wore, with his life in his hand, and suffered to secure the liberty we enjoy." James Clark now owns and occupies the land.

The first settlement made north of where the M. &. C. R. R. now runs was made by Poter Shick, a Baptist minister, about the year 1830.

Among the early settlers in the township who became permanent and prominent citizons, there wore William Garner, Josoph Hinshaw, Granville Haines, in the Westboro neighborhood, with many other younger men, an ac- count of which will be given in the biographical sketches; Thomas Moon, . Nathan Hoggatt, Jesse Hockett and others in the Hale's Branch neighborhood; Joseph D. Moon, Daniel H. Moon, John Holaday, Thomas B. Johnson and John W. Johnson, living on and noar the old road leading from Martinsville to West Woodville.

About the year 1831, William Moon built a saw-mill on the West Fork on the lands now owned by C. C. Miller, which proved to be a success and was a great public benefit, as large quantities of lumber were manufactured, which was much needed for building purposes and the manufacture of wagons, plows, and other implements. This mill continued in operation until about the year 1855. The first steam saw-mill that was built in the township was built by two brothers, Lewis and Thomas Hockott, in the year 1850. It was success- fully operated for a few years by them and then sold to Jacob Rhonemus, who continued to run it for a considerable length of time, but was afterward owned by various parties and continued in operation for quite a number of years. The first flouring-mill was built by John Vandervort, at Westboro, in the year 1858, which has been kept in operation up to the present time. It is now owned by Settles, Lacock & White.

John Hammer, in the year 1838, built and put in operation a carding machine, on the west side of the West Fork, near where the village of West- boro now stands, to which he had a grist-mill attached, and continued to run the same for quite a number of years; but to him it proved to be a financial disaster.

The Westboro Woolen Mills, of Westboro, were built in the year 1868 by S. J. Spees, Tunmous & Adams, at a cost of about $7,000. The building is ninety feet long by thirty feet wide. It covers a commodious cellar, 30x60 feet, under that portion of the building which was originally built for a rail- road depot building. In April, 1874, the establishment was purchased of S. J. Spees by S. Wickersham & Son, who still operate it, employing, when run- uing, eight hands; they do both merchant and custom work, and have aided in supplying the following named towns and their respective neighborhoods with jeans, flannels and blankets; St. Martins, Fayetteville, Cynthiana, Newtonville, Edenton, Goshen, Blanchester, Wilmington, Cuba, Clarksville, Martinsville, New Vienna, Washington C. H. and Lynchburg.

NOTE. - We have been shown by T. S. Jackson the marriage certificates of his grandparents, Jacob Jackson and Ann (Beals) Jackson, who were united in

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726

HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.

Surry County, N. C., by the ceremony prescribed by the Society of Friends, . on the "tenth day of the eighth month" (August 10), 1774. Jacob Jackson 1 was the son of Samuel and Catherine (Plankinhorn) Jackson, of the same county, and his wife was the daughter of Bowater and Sarah Beals, also of the same county. The ceremony occurred at New Garden, at the meeting-house at Tom's Creek. The form of certificate is the same as that given in Chapter V of this volume .- P. A. D.

CHURCH, ORGANIZATION AND BUILDINGS.

The first church organization was that of the Friends, about the year 1825. They first held their meetings in a house built for a schoolhouse on the north side of the West Fork, near whore John Holaday now lives, but after the di- vision in the society, which took place in the year 1828, the Orthodox Friends built a log house on lands obtained of Daniel H. Moon, nearly opposite the mouth of Halo's Branch, at which place they located a burying-ground of about one acre. The society continued to occupy tho houso till the year 1853, when they built the commodious frame house now on the same lot. The society has increased in numbers fully equal to the comparative increase in the population of the county. The society's monthly meetings aro hold alternately here and at Newberry (Martinsvillo). This is known as West Fork Mooting.

About the year 1838, the United Brethren, sometimos known as the Ger. man Methodists, organized a society made up of the citizens of the Plum Run and Westboro neighborhood. Among the leading members were Henry Garrett (a minister), John Barr, James T. Smith and others, who were early settlers in the township.

The Episcopal Methodists, in the year 1854, built the brick church now situated in the village of Westboro, and have ever since maintained a large membership for a village of its size. Among the early active members of the society there were John Adams, John Garoutte, Daniel Bailey, John Girton and other prominent citizens of the neighborhood. The church is in the Clarksville Circuit.

About the year 1868, the Christian society (sometimes termed New Lights to distinguish them from the Christian Church, sometimes known as Disciples or Reformers) built a large house at Westboro, and the organization is still maintained.

The military history of Jefferson Township here given must necessarily be very inadequate, as it would require more space than can here be allowed to give even a synopsis of the many deeds of valor and heroism that were per- formed in the late civil war by her volunteers, in common with other men of the county and State, or to enumerate the sufferings that they endured. We can therefore do but little more than give the names of those we have been 'able to obtain from the sources at our command.

At the time of the commencement of the late civil war, there were living within the township some of the veterans of the war of 1812, among whom were John J. Fisher, John Garoutte, George Chopson and John Stewart, the former having served under Gen. Scott at the battle of Lundy's Lane.

In accounting for the volunteers from Jefferson Township, it is difficult to give an entire list, as quite a number joined companies and regiments that were principally made up by men from other parts of the State, and if any names shall be omitted it will be on account of their names not being on the muster-rolls to which the writer has had access.

The first company that was officored exclusively from this township was Company E, Forty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, viz., Allen S. Bundy, Captain, resigned; Andrew F. Deniston, First Lieutenant, promoted to Cap-

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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 2, Part 31

Author: Durant, Pliny A. ed; Beers (W.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : W. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1410

Author: Durant, Pliny A. ed; Beers (W.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : W. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1410