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 33
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Josiah Borton, in 1812, moved from New Jersey with his family and set tled on Anderson's Fork, near where William Allen Haines now lives. Ho bought a tract of 400 acres, which includes the ground on which Lumberton now stands. Mr. Borton was a model farmer of his day. His cleared land was fenced into fields of ten acres each. The fences were kept in good condition, and not a weed was allowed to grow. He was twice married, and raised a family of twelve children. He died in 1842, and was buried, as were both his wives, on the farm where he settled.
In the same year as above, John Strickle and Susanna, his wife, emigrated from near Winchester, Va., and settled near Chillicothe. Remaining there one year, in 1813 they moved into what is now Liberty Township, to the farm on which Jacob Strickle (brother of the above, and son-in-law of Abram Ellis) had settled in 1805.
John Strickle was a blacksmith-the first one, perhaps, that did work in this township. Mr. Strickle died in 1842. His wife died in 1854. They are both buried in the Miller Burying-Ground.
William Hoblet emigrated from Kentucky in 1806. In 1812, he moved with his family into what is now Liberty Township, upon the farm now owned
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by his son Jesse. Mr. Hoblot was a prominent man of his day; was one of the first Trustees of this township, and was universally respected. He was a tanner, and carried on the business of tanning on his farm for a number of years.
Benjamin Bangham was born in England in 1774; was married to Lucy Moorman December 29, 1797. They raised a family of thirteen children. He emigrated from Virginia (where he had previously gone with his father while young) to Highland County, Ohio, in 1810; raised one crop on rented ground. The next summer, bought nearly two hundred acres of land where his son, Elwood B., now lives. He built a cabin and cleared a small patch of ground, and, on the 13th of March, 1812, he moved with his family upon the same. At that time, there were but few families besides his in that neighborhood. Game of all kinds was plentiful. The first summer, a wild turkey built her nest and raised her brood in a tree-top close by the house. At that time, there was but ono established road in the township. Contro was the nearest meeting-house. Friends' Quarterly Meeting was held at Waynesville. Mr. and Mrs. Bangham, who wero Friends, would tako a child each before and behind them on horse- back, and ride all the way through the woods to Waynesville, a distance of twenty miles. Mr. Bangham was a stone mason. He was drafted in the war of 1812, but procured a substitute. His son Elwood has the honor of killing the last deer that was killed in the township, which was in 1853. He also killed the last wild turkey, in 1861.
In the east end of the township, in the same year (1812), Isaac Jones and Phobe, his wife, moved with their family, in a one-horse wagon, from Greene County, Tenn., and settled on 100 acres of land, which is now owned by Allen Whinery.
Phobe, his wife, was a daughter of John Oren, who had settled two years before near Dover, in Union Township. They had but one child when they moved here. They raised a family of eight children that lived to be grown. Three only of these are now living -- Ruth and John, who live in Indiana, and Hulda Thomas, who lives in Union Township.
The country here, like most of the township, is very level, and, before it was drained, it was for more than half the year covered with water. Wheat did but little good, and what little could be raised was "sick wheat." It took constant vigilance on the part of the farmer and his family to save what little corn could be raised in these swamps from the ravages of the squirrels. They swarmed around every clearing. Dead-falls were set, and the children were hustled out of bed at peep of day to guard the growing corn.
Solomon Stanbaugh* emigrated from Tennessee at an early day and set- tled in what is now Union Township, Clinton Co., Obio. His three sons, James, Nehemiah and Evan, settled in what is now Liberty Township-James, where James Brann now lives; Nehemiah, where Eli A. McKee lives, in the year 1814; and Evan, on the farm now owned by Jesse N. Oren, in the year 1813. Evan built the second brick house in the township, in 1823. Charles Johnson was the principal mason. A part of this house is still standing, in good condition, and is occupied by. Mr. Oren as a residence.
What is known as the Thornburg place, owned now by Jesse H. Kirk, was first settled by Jonathan Hoskins, from Guilford County, N. C., in 1814. Where the widow of Mahlon Kirk now lives, Hezekiah Betts, half-brother of Aaron Betts, first settled in 1814.
John Woolman and Polly, his wife, emigrated from New Jersey about 1810, and first settled on the farm now owned by Isaac Hyatt. He owned sev- eral hundred acres of land; was a surveyor, and dealt largely in real estate.
* Given generally Stanbrough.
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He also made the first improvement on the farm where Franklin Mckay now lives.
Samuel Wilson and Sarah, his wife (parents of Alexander Wilson, of Union Township), moved from Pennsylvania into Liberty Township about 1817. He bought a fract of 300 acres, all in the woods, of John Woolman. The land was afterward owned by Samuel Haines, and now belongs to his son William, and some of his grandchildren. Owing to a defective title, on failing to meet payments, Mr. Wilson lost all he had paid, and moved out of the township in 1821.
John Oglesbee and Sarah, his wife, emigrated from Frederick County, Va., in 1817, in the fall; settled on a farm of fifty acres near where Woodson Oglesbee now lives; remained there two years, and then moved onto Ander. son's Fork, on the farm where his son William now lives. About the same time that Oglesbee settled here, Isaac Constant came, with his family, from Kentucky, and squatted on the creek below, on the land that now belongs to Franklin Oglesbee. Ho afterward took a lease of Joseph Watkins, the origi- nal owner, and remained there until 1828. They then bought land farther up the creek, that which is now owned by Franklin Mckay and Samuel Haines, Isaac's three sons, Isaac, John and William, settling on the same, all in the woods. William Constant served in the war of 1812. Isaac Constant died in 1838, aged eighty-three. He was buried in Mt. Pleasant Burying-Ground.
Isaiah Oglesbee, father of John Oglesbee, emigrated from Frederick County, Va., with his family, in the fall of 1817, and settled on the farm where his grandson, Woodson Oglesbee, now lives.
On the creek, above Port William, Jacob Beal and wife, from Pennsylva. nia, settled where their son John now lives at an early day. About the same time, Isaac Beal, brother of John, settled on the farm now owned by Peter H. Stephens. Among the early settlers of the township were John Copeland and Judith, his wife, who settled where J. M. Stephens now lives. They both died in 1826, within a few hours of each other, and were buried in one coffin, in Port William Cemetery.
Daniel and Solomon Early, brothers, moved into Liberty Township in 1824. Solomon settled where he now resides. Daniel settled on the farm now owned by his son-in-law, John Carlisle. Among those who settled in the woods, though at a later day, are David Hoblet, who settled where William Barlow now lives, in 1827; Ashley Johnson, on the farm now owned by his son Henry, in 1825. Mr. Johnson came from North Carolina. Elizabeth, hin wife, was born in Greene County, Tenn., in 1790. She is still living on the old homestead with her son Henry, and is now ninety-two years of age. Sho is the oldest person living in the township, is entirely blind, and somewhat afflicted, but her mind is still clear, and she remembers events of the long ago well.
Samuel Mitchel and Charles B. Williams were among those who settled at a later date. Mr. Mitchel, from Tennessee, settled where A. M. Sanderson now lives, in 1825; Mr. Williams, in the northeastern part of the township, in 1823, on a farm that now belongs to Col. Carothers, of Wilmington, the lar. gest landbolder in this township.
John King, from Washington County, Tenn., settled on the farm that now belongs to his son, Judge King, in 1819. He was one of the early Justice of the Peace of this township. He served in the war of 1812, and his family, after his death, received two land warrants, of eighty acres each, from the Gov. ernment, on account of his services. He volunteered at Jonesboro, East Ten . nessee, October 12, 1813.
David Shields, maternal grandfather of Judge King, emigrated from Eunt
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Tennessee to Clinton County in 1808. He at first settled with his family in Union Township. At a later date, he moved into Liberty Township, settling near Port William. Mr. Shields was a Revolutionary soldier, and served his country faithfully during her struggle for independence. He was honorably discharged, and drew a pension from the Government during his lifetime. Besides those who have already been mentioned, there is Henry Woolery, from Virginia, who settled in the township at an early day, on the farm now owned by his son Henry. Henry Welch settled on Anderson's Fork, below Miller's Mill. Zachariah Moorman, from Virginia, settled on the land now owned by Joshua Brown. Obed Waln, also from Virginia, came into the township in 1817. He was for four years a Justice of the Peace. James Burden, from New Jersey, was also one of the early settlers.
We have endeavored, as far as possible, to give the names of those who were pionoors of the township -- those who settled in the woods and commenced life in the wilderness. It may be we have been somewhat todious, but we re- gard this as the most important part of our history. The men who cleared away the heavy forests and let in the sunlight of heaven-the strong arms and brave hearts who prepared this country for the abode of civilized man, certain- ly ought to be remembered.
The name of each pioneer, if possible, should be preserved so that suc- coeding generations may know to whom they are most indebted for what they enjoy.
They are ancestors of whom we may well feel proud. They fought to some purpose the battle of life, and "have left behind them footprints on the sands of time." They aided in founding a new State. They came to the wilderness for the purpose of securing homes for themselves and children, re- alizing that it was "men, high-minded men, that constitute a State." The log church and the log schoolhouse were erected soon after the log dwelling.
CHURCHES.
For a number of years, religious services were held at the homes of the settlers. The first house built for a meeting-house was in 1818. It was an Episcopal Methodist, and was denominated "Salem." The first building was of logs, and was replaced by a frame structure some years afterward. This building is still standing, on the farm now owned by William Donaldson, and is used by him for a stable, the meeting having gone down many years ago. The Rov. Mr. Dobbins, Jacob Dolby and Rev. Mr. Smith were among the first ministers. Camp meeting was held here at an early day, and was the first meeting of the kind held in the township.
The Baptist Church was the first religious organization in the township, but they did not build a meeting-house until 1825. In that year. they built a log house on the farm of William Hoblet, who donated a lot for that purpose. . This meeting was well attended, members of that denomination and others coming for many miles. Among the first ministers was Isaac Nichols, a colored man known as " Black Isaac." He had been a slave; was bought by the Bap- tist Church and given his freedom. He was an earnest and eloquent preach- or, and, whenever it was announced that " Black Isaac " would be present, the house was sure to be crowded. The Rev. Freeman Smalley and the Rev. William Sutton were also among the first ministers. Meetings were held here until 1846, when the present frame structure in Port William was built. Wil- liam Hoblot was the leading spirit of this church during his lifetime, and did more, perhaps, than any other one man to promote its interests and extend its influence for good.
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The Methodist Episcopal Church at Lumberton was first organized in 1840. Joshua C. James, Harvey Conklin, John Borton, Japheth L. Pricket and Jere. miah Rakestraw were the first Trustees. For two years, meetings were held in John Woolman's and Thomas Conklin's wagon shops. The Revs. J. J. Hill, Jeremiah B. Elsworth, W. B. Jackson and John W. Keels were among the first pastors. In 1842, a frame structure was built. This was used for religious purposes until 1873, when, during the pastorate of the Rev. Henry Stokes, the present church was built. Joshua C. James and Harvey Conkling were mainly instrumental in organizing the first church and building the first house.
Mr. James was an active, zealous churchman, and, during his residence of twenty four years in this township, he was one of the main pillars of the church, and his house was the "Preachers' Home."
Mt. Pleasant Meeting-House was first built in 1832. It was Protestant Methodist in denomination. Samuel Haynes and William Ireland were the moving spirits. Mr. Haynes gave the ground upon which the church was built. He was one of the first Trustees; was a Deacon for many years, and, during his entire life, was a zealous, earnest worker for the cause of Christian. ity. For many years there was a great religious interest felt. Tho meetings were well attended. We remember very well attending this meeting thirty years ago, when Samuel Haynes, Obed Waln, Andrew Strickle and James An. tram were the leading members. The first house was of logs. The present frame house was built in 1844. After Mr. Haynes' death, which occurred February 17, 1864, the interest in this meeting seemed to die out. Meetings were held rather irregularly, until, within the last few years, they were dis. continued altogether.
About one year ago (1881), the Rev. Henry Smith, a German Reformed min- ister, from Xenia, Ohio, commenced holding meetings at this point once every two weeks. The religious interest, which had lain dormant for years, was ro. vived. During the past winter, protracted meetings were held for a number of weeks, and upward of thirty confessed conversion and joined the church On the 2d of April, 1882, the Rev. Mr. Smith instituted a German Reformed Church at this point, and regular services are now held every two weeks. Bo. sides the churches above named, there were a great many who belonged to other denominations, who attended church outside the township. Among the early settlers there were many Friends who attended meeting at Centre. There were also a number of Presbyterians, who attended church at Xenia, Ohio
CEMETERIES AND GRAVEYARDS.
The history of the burying-grounds of this township as to time of dodica. · tion, with few exceptions, corresponds exactly with the time of the organiza. tion of the churches to which they belong. The meeting-house and the grave. yard are found side by side. In close proximity to the log church, a small lot of ground was set apart as a resting-place for the dead.
Miller's Burying-Ground .- About one-half acre was deeded by Squiro Miller for a graveyard. It is situated on the banks of the creek, a short din. tance below A. C. Hiatt's mill. It is a high, rolling piece of ground, and well adapted to the purpose for which it is used. This is one of the oldest burying. grounds in the township. Mary Scott, widow of William Scott, and Squiro Miller's mother-in-law, who died in October, 1818, was the first ones buried in these grounds. The original lot is now well filled up, and the grounds have been enlarged. The graves are all marked with suitable inscriptions and in. closed with a good fence. Many of the early settlers of the township sloep here, and the manner in which the grounds are kept reflects credit on those having them in charge ..
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Salem Burying-Ground. - This was also one of the early resting-places for the dead. It is now very much neglected, and, so far as we know, no new in- terments are made here. We have not been able to find out much about its early history, but, from the best information we can get, it was established about the same time (1818) as the one already referred to. The ground was given by Aaron Jenkins, and it is near where Salem Meeting-House used to stand. The first person buried here was a child by the name of Chipman.
The Baptist Burying-Ground .- What is known as the Baptist Graveyard is situated on Anderson's Fork, a short distance above Port William. The ground was given by William Hoblet in 1825, and it has been used since that time for a burying-ground. It is only kept in tolerable repair.
Port William Cemetery is situated about one-half mile east of Port Will- iam, near where Concord Meeting-House formerly stood. This was estab- lished as a burying-ground in 1830. The first person buried here was Peter Ogen, who was buried in the year above named. This is the largest cemetery in the township.
Mt. Pleasant Burying-Ground was first used for that purpose in 1832. Samuel Haynes gavo the ground, and a daughter of his was the first one to be buried in the same. These grounds are very much neglected-fences down and graves exposed to all kinds of stock, that run at large and pasture over the same. The bones of Samuel Haynes and his son Allen, with others who were first buried here, were taken up recently and removed to Wilmington Cemetery, where their friends can feel their graves will have the proper care.
In addition to the cemeteries named, there were several private grave- yards on the farms of early settlers. The largest one of this character was on the farm of Josiah Borton. His first wife expressed a desire to be buried in a certain place on the farm. At her death, Mr. Borton complied with her re- quest. This was the commencement of what proved to become something more than a private burying-ground. There are nearly one hundred graves here, not one of them marked with an inscription. No fence separates them from the rest of the farm. In a short time, the plow-share will level the little raised mounds of earth, and no traces will be left to tell of those whose bodies quietly sleep beneath.
SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL TEACHERS.
The first schoolhouse built in the township was in 1812. It was built of round logs, fifteen by sixteen feet, clapboard roof and puncheon floor, with greased paper for windows. The first school was taught the same year. Henry Hester was the first teacher. John, William, Polly and Abram Miller, James, Nelly, Margaret and Samuel Ireland, Isaac and Eli Ellis, David, Ly- dia and Betsy Fairfield, John, Jabez and Massah Lucas, were among the first scholars. This house was used for schools until 1830, when a hewed-log house was put upon the site of the old one, but of larger dimensions. The house is still standing, on land that lately belonged to Samuel Garman, and is now oc- cupied as a residence by his son-in-law, Ed Hendershot. The Rev. Griffield, a Presbyterian minister, of Wilmington, taught the first school in this house. This was used for school purposes until 1858, when the present district at Mt. Pleasant was established. This district was in existence for forty-six years, and during all that time it was known as the Ireland District.
The second school in the township was taught in what was known as Sa- lem Schoolhouse, in 1816, Aaron Jenkins giving a piece of ground for that purpose, and a log house was erected on the same in the year above named. Samuel Hyde was the first teacher. George Welch, Alfred Jenkins, Eli, John and Lucinda Oglesbee, John, David and Allen Falkner, Alfred and Clifford
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Smith (two colored boys), were some of the first scholars. This house was used for schools for a number of years.
The first schoolhouse in the east end of the township was built in 1827, on the land that now belongs to Judge King. Aquila Dorsey, who is still liv. ing, was the first teacher. He is now in his ninety-third year, and is in pos. session of all his faculties. This was the first school Judge King attended. A few years later, Hoblet's Schoolhouse was built. William Hoblet gave the ground. This was situated about one mile south of where Judge King now lives. Mahlon Haworth commenced the first school, was taken sick, and Elihu Oren was employed to complete the term. He afterward taught several terms in this district. Roger B. Morey was also one of the early teachers.
. The first schoolhouse in Port William was built in 1837. It was of brick. Daniel Bailey, father of Barkley Bailey, was the mason. The present house was built by John Stephens and Riz McDorman, in 1854.
There was a schoolhouse at an early day on the farm now owned by El- wood Bangham. Judge. King was one of the carly teachers in this district Thompson Douglass, of Richland Township, taught school in this house moro than forty years ago. In 1833, there was a log schoolhouse built on the hill not far from Andorson's Fork, on the Constant land. The land now belongs to W. F. Mckay. This was known as the Constant District. Jesse Walu was the first teacher. Griswell Haws, John Constant, William Johnson and A. S. Buck taught at a later day. About 1845, the old log house was replaced by a frame one. This continued to be used for schools until 1856, when the dis. trict was re-organized and the house was moved about one mile south, to.a lot given by Mahlon Kirk for school purposes. This new district was known as Liberty School, and acquired quite a reputation, not only on account of the character of the schools taught, but also for the literary society that was kept up during the entire year for many years. The debates were marked features of the "Liberty League, " and drew crowded houses. Joseph Doan, now of - Richmond, Ind., and J. M. Kirk, of Wilmington, were among the first teach. ers. Elihu Oren taught the last school be ever taught, in 1862, in this din trict. This house is still standing, and has been used by Jesse H. Kirk for a tenant house since 1863. In that year, a new district was organized at Gur neyville, and the present schoolhouse there was built. There was a school. house built near where Gurneyville now stands in 1822. Rebecca Stout waLA the first teacher. Edward Wickersham, Joseph Dillon and Ruth Oren were among the early teachers. Elihu Oren also taught here at an early day. Amos Hockett, of Wilmington, taught in this district more than thirty years ago.
Lumberton District was first organized in 1845. In that year, a brick house was built. Abram S. Deacon and William Constant were among the early teachers. There were two or three schools taught in Lumberton before this house was built. Mrs. Dr. Moss taught in the room over where Mr. Mul lan now has his store. Andrew Haughey taught in the bar-room of the hotel, the house in which Dr. Crawford now lives. This schoolhouse was burned down in January, 1856. Alfred McKay was the teacher at the time. In the fall of the same year, the present frame house was built.
We have at this time six township districts and one special district There are of school age 217 males and 204 females, making a total of 421 Of this number, thirteen males and nine females are colored. There was rx pended, during the year ending March 6, 1882, for tuition, $1,884.74; for contingent expenses, $544.85. The following are the names of the members of the Board of Education for this township: No. 1, Port William, special din. trict; No. 2, John Early; No. 3, David Hunnicutt; No. 4, B. F. Wall; No. 5, James Mullen; No. 6, John Hempstead; Clerk, Joseph Noon.
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TOWNS.
We have no large towns in this township-only three small villages and two railroad stations, with a post office at each.
Port William, the principal town, was first started on the west side of Todd's Fork, in 1816, by John Unthank. It was first called West Liberty. Only a few houses were built, however, and it was not until 1829 that the town proper was laid out. A log house, that is still standing, not far from the old factory, was built by Jesse Dillon, son-in-law of Unthank, many years before. Garland Johnson built a log house, the one now occupied by Abram Beal, among the first, in 1829. In the same year, he started the first store in the town, in the house now occupied by Benjamin Cooper. A few years later, he built an addition to his dwelling and moved the store into a room of the same. The first blacksmith shop was where John Page now lives. It was built in 1828. Among the early business mon of the town were Addison Mills, grocer; Anson Massie, saddlor; Marshall Jonkens, merchant; Samuel Johnson, tannor; Jamos M. Hoblet was for a number of years a leading merchant.
In 1825, Steel Taylor built a fulling-mill below and on the opposite side of the creek from where the old woolen factory stands. This factory was built in the spring and summer of 1846, by Lewis Clark, who owned the same. It was owned more recently by Noon & Cropper, who did an extensive business in their line for a number of years. Jonathan Perkins started the first saloon in 1838. The building in which it was kept was where Hugh Johnson's beef shop now stands, and was burned down a few years since.
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