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 34

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 34

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Port William is situated on the C., C. & H. V. R. R., and, since the open- ing of this road, in 1878, it has been a good market for all farm products. Since the opening of the railroad, in January, 1878, there have been shipped from this point 75,000 bushels of wheat and the same amount of corn; also, a great many hogs. The following is the

BUSINESS DIRECTORY OF PORT WILLIAM.

Vanpelt & Ellis, millers; James Hart & Son, dry goods and groceries; O. F. Peddicord, dry goods and groceries; A. N. Gurley, grocer; James Hart, undertaker; A. B. Johnson, grocer; J. T. Arnold, boot and shoe maker; James Cropper, dealer in country produce; A. Beal, blacksmith, livery and feed sta- ble; Jane Hartsook, hotel; H. A. Johnson, livery and feed stable; Benjamin Couper, saddle and harness maker; E. Y. Ewbank, M. D .; James F. Bowers, M. D .; A. Dowden, blacksmith; James Holland, painter; Z. M. Ellis, wagon and cabinet-maker; James Beers, house carpenter; Joseph Noon, dealer in grain, agricultural implements, hardware, paints and live stock; L. C. Dakin, druggist and grocer. Present population, 204.

LUMBERTON.

This village was called Lumberton for a town of that name in New Jer- sey. The first house built is the one in which William M. Waln now lives. It was built for a wagon shop, by Samuel Woolman, about 1820. About the same time, he built a log dwelling on the lot where Dr. Crawford now lives. Later, John Borton built a small frame house on the opposite corner, where I. N. Linkhart now Jives. The first store was started by Joshua C. James, in 1839, in the house now occupied by William Waln. "Tunis Conkling was the first blacksmith. The following is the Lumberton business directory:

Dr. Crawford, M. D .; James Mullain, groceries; William Waln, cooper; Oliver Hansel, blacksmith; Chase Waln, blacksmith; Thomas Conkling, wagon- maker; Thomas Martindale, stone mason.

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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.

GURNEYVILLE.

This small hamlet was named by David McMillan in honor of Joseph John Gurney, a noted member of the Society of Friends. Mr. McMillan sold the lots upon which the few houses now stand. The house in which B. F. James now lives, in one room of which he keeps his store and the post office, was built by Andrew Haughey in 1847. The first store was started in this building in 1848, by John Grant. The following is the business directory of Gurneyville:

B. F. James, Postmaster. and dealer in dry goods and groceries; Asbury Wooley, blacksmith; E. A. McKee, wagon-maker; William Conley, broom. maker.

Mr. McMillan's ambition was to build up a town, have a graded school, etc., but he never lived to realize his anticipations.

M'KAY'S STATION.

A thriving little place by this name has sprung up since the building of the C., C. & H. V. R. R. There is a grocery store and a blacksmith shop. J. H. Kirk ships large quantities of grain and large numbers of live stock each year. It is an excellent market for farmers. Since commencing business, in 1878, Mr. Kirk has shipped, from this point, of wheat, 200,000 bushels; corn, 75,000 bushels. It is named in honor of Alfred McKay, who gave most of the lots to those who would put up good houses on the same.

MOUNT PLEASANT.

Mt. Pleasant is a station on the C., C. & H. V. R. R. It consists of a country store, post office and steam saw-mill. The distinguishing feature of this point is that it is the voting precinct of the west end of the township. By a special act of the Legislature, in 1875, the Trustees of the township were authorized to divide the township into two voting precincts. Previous to this time, the township voted at Port William. The Trustees, under this authority, established a voting precinct at Mt. Pleasant.

PUBLIC ROADS.

The first laid-out road in what is now Liberty Township was the old State road. It was established by the first Legislature that convened in Ohio, in 1802, and was opened out soon after from Chillicothe to Old Town. Its track can plainly be traced in many places, especially in the woods. In the timber on A. S. Ballard's farm, it is marked by an open space sixty feet wide. This road enters the township about the center of its southern lino, and, taking a northwesterly course, passes into Greene County near Lumberton.

The Xenia & Wilmington road was commenced December 18, 1812. The Viewers made their report to the County Commissioners September 23, 1812. John Woolman was the surveyor. The road commenced at Wilmington and entered the old State road at the Greene County line, near Lumberton.

The road from Wilmington to Unthank's Mill was surveyed by John Wool- man. He made his report to the Commissioners in 1815. Thomas Babb and Stephen Mendenhall were the Viewers. They made a favorable report to the Commissioners June 6, 1815. The road was established June 24, 1815, and opened soon after.

The road from Unthank's Mill to Jenkins' Mill (New Burlington) was - opened about 1816. The first free pike built in the township was Road Im- provement No. 2 (Wilmington & Xenia road). It was commenced in 1867, A. C. Hiatt and R. W. Babb, contractors. The Port William & Wilmington

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LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

Free Pike was built in 1870-71, I. Hurley, contractor. The Chester & Lum- berton Free Pike was built in 1874. Alfred Mckay, W. F. Oglesbee and G. E. Stingley were the Commissioners. The Gurneyville & Mt. Pleasant Free Pike was built in 1875-76. Jesse H. Kirk, John Oglesbee and Samuel Haines were the Commissioners.

We have at this time in this township forty-seven miles of roads-twenty- seven miles of dirt roads and twenty miles of free pike. Many of the dirt roads are partly graveled, and they are rapidly being put in better condition.

There was expended in the township, during the year 1881, for the im- provement of roads, besides the two-days' work, $820. The road from Port William to the Prairie road, up the creek, is being made into a free pike, and will soon be completed.

THE CINCINNATI, COLUMBUS & HOCKING VALLEY RAILROAD.

This important improvement, which passes through the entire length of the township, was first conceived in December, 1875, whon a meeting convened in Port William and the plan of building a narrow-gango railroad from Waynesville, connecting there with the Miami Valley Railway, to Jefferson- ville, and ultimately to Columbus, was presented by J. F. Ely, of Washington Court House.

A charter was immediately procured for the Waynesville, Port William & Jeffersonville Railroad. J. F. Ely, Ethan Allen, J. M. Hussey, James Ellis and Dr. Marshall were the incorporators.

A sufficient amount of stock having been raised, an organization was effect- ed in March, 1876. J. F. Ely, Alfred Mckay, John Merchant, Dr. Hussey, J. C. Ellis, Israel Wright and Daniel Early were chosen Directors, with J. F. Ely, President; Alfred Mckay, Vice President; and J. C. Ellis, Secretary. Meetings were held along the line of the road, and stock raised to the amount of $65,000.

The contract for building the road was sold out at Washington Court House, in April, 1877. George Potts & Co. were the contractors. Work was commenced June 1, 1877, at Allentown, in Greene County. Cars were run to Bowersville in September, 1877; arrived at Port William a month later. About this time (October, 1877), the name of the road was changed to Colum- bus, Washington & Cincinnati Railway, and the terminus to Washington Court House. This proved to be almost a fatal mistake. The interest in the

road abated. Those who had been anticipating a through road from Cincin- nati to Columbus saw in this move the blighting of all their hopes.

Viewing this whole matter in the light of the past, we are of the opinion that, if the policy of building one road from Cincinnati via Waynesville, Port William and Jeffersonville to Columbus, had been pursued, we would to- day have the cars running to the points named.

In July, 1878, the cars ran through to the Miami road. In January, . 1878, a new Board of Directors was elected at Washington Court House, as follows: J. F. Ely, President; Alfred McKay, Vice President; Jesse H. Kirk, W. F. McKay, Dr. Hussey and J. M. Merchant. In September, 1879, the road passed into the hands of a receiver, Mr. Gimperling, of Dayton. July 5, 1879, the road was sold, in Xenia, Ohio, to the highest bidder, and bought by the Board of Directors. They continued in possession of the road until March, 1881, when it was sold to E. L. Harper & Co. During the fall and winter of 1881, the road was changed into a standard gauge. The bridges were rebuilt and strengthened, new ties put in, the grade widened, and the road very much improved in every respect. It is now known as the Cincinnati, Columbus & Hocking Valley Railway. Cars are now running from Jeffersonville, where they

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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.

connect with the Springfield Southern (a branch of the I., B. & W.), to the Little Miami, where they connect with trains on that road.

The purpose is to extend east to Columbus and west to Cincinnati. Pass- ing as this road does through a rich part of the country, and one destituto of railroad facilities, it cannot help but become one of the most important thor. onghfaros in the State. The men who have been mainly instrumental in carry. ing forward this great enterprise have conferred a lasting benefit upon the community.

OTHER MATTERS.

In 1827, Shadrach Thornburgh and William Stanley built a pottery-kiln on the land that now belongs to W. F. Mckay. It was not far from the creek, and about one- fourth of a mile north of the railroad.

They burned sugar pots for the settlers. At that time, there was a sugar. camp on almost every farm wost of Port William. The settlers would gather here at night from miles around and engage in debate. "Pursuit or Posses. sion ?" was a favorito question. About this time, there were a number of cop. per stills on Anderson's Fork. John Oglesbee, Robert Stanley, James Babb, Josiah Borton, Samuel Miller, William Ireland and Jacob Peterson each owned one. Whisky was 18 cents per gallon, and in general use. About 1828, Sam. uol Smith, of Wilmington, started a store in a log house on Anderson's Fork, near where W. F. Mckay now lives. Jackson Walker had charge of the store. This was the first store of any importance there was in the township.

Aaron Weller manufactured the first drain tile in the township. They were made on the wheel, by hand, in 1856. Allen Hiatt put in the first tile ditch in the same year. In 1858, Mr. Weller put up his tile factory, and has been making tile ever since. There have been hundreds of miles put in for drains in the township, and yet the demand is as great as ever.

John Stephens is the oldest man living in the township, and was born in the township.

THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.

The history of this township would not be complete without a brief refer. ence to this important road, that once had a track across this township, and which, during the time it was in operation, did a thriving business.

Elihu Oren's house was the principal station in the township, and this was often filled with dusky passengers, fresh from the blue grass regions of Ken tucky, anxious to try the experiment of a climate nearer the North Star, and under a different form of Government. They usually took passage in Abram Allen's "Liberator " (a large curtained carriage made for the purpose), and were driven by the light of the stars toward the " land of promise." At Paint. ersville, there were two or three ready to take them in charge. Joseph Coat. Abel Beven and Dr. Watson knew just what disposition to make of them There was one peculiarity of this road: Its trains seldom ran by daylight, and even at night a head light was not used.

The North Star was the guide, and toward this the passengers were driven, with all possible speed, until they were landed safely in Canada.

Samuel Haines was one of the pioneers in the anti-slavery cause. He cast the only vote that was given in this township for James G. Birney in 1810: but this was the last time he voted alone. The anti-slavery sentiment grow stronger each year. D. S. King, Andrew Strickle, W. M. Waln and others fell into line, until it became a power in the township.

TEMPERANCE.

Since the days of the copper stills, there has been a marked change in the sentiment of our people on this question. Even William Ireland lived to ad. vocate total abstinence by public speeches.

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LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

With one single exception, there has been no place in the township where intoxicating liquors were sold since 1860. A few years ago, there was a saloon started in Lumberton, but it was short-lived. It was impossible for the sa- loon-keeper to live in the moral atmosphere that surrounded him. As a result, our people are industrious, peaceable, prosperous and happy.

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP IN THE WAR.

The anti-slavery sentiment that had been created by the early agitation of that question had much to do in preparing this township for the part she took in the war for the Union. Liberty Township was loyal in the strictest sense of that term. She furnished her full quota of men in answer to every call of the Government. Party linos were in a manner swept away, and Democrats and Republicans, with vory few exceptions, vied with each other in helping to sustain the honor of our flag. She furnished no officers of high rank, but she furnished men who helped to boar the brunt of battle, and many of them gave their lives for their country's cause; and some of them are sleeping in unknown graves beneath the soil they helped redeom with their blood. She sent to the front her bost men, and she is proud to-day of the record they made and the part they bore in that grand struggle for liberty. She roalizes fully that what we now enjoy is due, under God, to what they did and because they died. She can never be so ungrateful as to forget them and theirs, and her highest ambition will ever be to preserve untarnished their flag and our flag, and to see to it that our best efforts will ever be to perpetuate that principle of our Government which recognizes all as equal before the law.

We give the following as a small part of the unwritten history of the war: At the battle of Lookout Mountain, the Fortieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry capt- ured two brass pieces of artillery. There was a dispute at the time be- tween Gen. Whitaker, who commanded the brigade to which the Fortieth be- longed, and another officer, as to whom should belong the honor of capturing the same. Gen. Whitaker pointed to a soldier lying prone upon the ground, stiff and stark, at the very mouth of the cannon, his arms extended. Upon his knapsack was written, "Company G, Fortieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry," saying, " There is my evidence." Then, turning to the commander of the For- tieth Regiment, he said, "Col. Taylor, detail a squad of men to take charge of these pieces." The Colonel ordered the writer to select a squad of men and take charge of the cannon. By the light of the moon, we hauled them down the mountain and turned them over to an ordnance officer in the valley below.

The following is a true copy of the receipt received for the same:

CAMP AT LOOKOUT CREEK, November 25, 1863. Received of J. N. Oren, Sergeant Company B, Fortiethi Ohio Volunteer Infantry, two pieces of artillery captured by the Fortieth Regiment, at the battle of Lookout Mountain. B. F. CROXTON, 1st Lieut., and Ord. Officer 1st Div. 4th Art.

In concluding our work, we desire to extend our thanks to the following- named persons, who have kindly assisted us by furnishing valuable informa- tion, without which we could not have furnished this history: D. S. King, William Waln, Allen Hiatt, Joseph Whinery, Sarah Whinery, Isaac Hiatt, Daniel Oglesbee, William Stanly, of Watseka, Ill .; Absalom Mendenhall, of Richmond, Ind. ; Andrew Strickle, Hulda Thomas, Dr. Jones, Nellie Wilson, Elwood Bangham, John Stephens, Isaac Ellis, Joseph Ellis, Alfred Mckay, Jesse Hoblet, Joseph Noon, Alice Green and Lottie Lundy, and Mr. and Mrs. Jacob S. Peterson.

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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.

MARION TOWNSHIP.

BY J. W. RICE.

THIS township was formed by an act of the County Commissioners, August 5, 1830. It occupies the southwestern corner of the county, and is bounded as follows: On the north by Vernon Township, on the east by Wash. ington and Jefferson Townships, on the south by Brown County and on the west by Warren County.

The surface of the township is in most parts what is called undulating, while in some places it is comparatively level. The soil is variable, comprising in its variety the deep, black vegetable mold, the yellow clay land and the sandy soil, all of which are very productivo. In some parts of the township, a stratum of fine gravel underlios the upper soil at a depth of from six to eighteen inches.

The principal streams are Second Crook, running from the northeastern part of the township to the west side near the center; Lick Creok, running wost through the southern part of the township and out at the west side, near the southern corner, and Whitacre's Run, which flows from east to west, south of the center. Those streams, with their tributarios, form a perfect natural drainage of the land, and also furnish channels by which the water from arti- ficial drainage is carried away. A vast quantity of the land was formerly swampy and too wet for cultivation, but, by the use of the modern system of draining and ditching, these lands have been made the most productive of any in the township.

The first election in the township was held in the woods near the cabin of Tobias Barnett (sometimes called Bernard), on the 4th day of September, 1830, when the following officers were elected: John Mitchell, John Stephens and John Salisbury, Trustees; Hiram Anderson, Clerk, and Edward Crosson, Jr., Treasurer. The farm on which this election was held is on the Twin pike, leading from Blanchester to Wilmington, about one and a half miles northeast of the former place, and is now owned by Charles Penquite.

At the first election for Justice of the Peace, the following were the elect. ors: Jonathan Baldwin, G. Morrison, Hiram Anderson, Recompense Stana. bury, John Salisbury, Nicholas Burns, Thomas Elsey, Jonathan Kirk, William Brown, Irwine Garrison, Benjamin Garrison, James Bryant, William Clark. William Hudson, Salby Hudson, Jeremiah Rowan, John Caddle, Lowis Nob. ber, Reuben Gillis, John Smith, Azel Lyon, Elisha Whitacre, Edward Cros sen, Israel Lidles, Isaac Coons, William Sharrow, John Trump, Benjamin Murphy, James Cochran, David Fisher, Isaac Martin. These old pioner have, without exception, passed away, and we are enjoying the fruits of their labor. Whether we are as grateful to them as we should be is a question for each heart to answer.

The following is a complete list of the Justices of the Peace of the town ship, with the dates of their commissions as such and their terms of service:

John Cooper, from November, 1830, to November 13, 1836; Nathan Hog gett, April 16, 1826, 1839, 1842; Jeremiah Rowan, April 17, 1830 to 1833, David Murphy, 1839 to 1845; John Frazie, July 19, 1847; William H. Bald. win, August 12, 1841; Joseph Blancett, April, 1835, to 1841; Calvin P. Bald win, July 13, 1837, 1860, 1863; Nathan Bales. September 2, 1831; John I Carnahan, September 8, 1854 to 1857; William Crossen, July 1, 1860 to 1863; James Jerrells, April 9, 1869; J. B. Newberry, June 26, 1866; A. N. Williams,

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MARION TOWNSHIP.

June 26, 1866, April 9, 1869, April 3, 1872, April 9, 1875; Henry Brown, July 14, 1853, resigned August 16, 1854; Morris Rilea, April 3, 1872, April 9, 1875, April 6, 1878, April 9, 1881; B. D. Scott, April 6, 1878.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The settlement of this township began long before its organization and. soon after the organization of the county. Squatters may have occupied the land, or some parts of it, previous to the date of the first settlement, but, if such was the case, no record or tradition of them can be found and no traces of them were found by the first-comers to the territory. No signs of the foot of man ever having been in the township were found by the first settler, ex- cept blazed paths or tracks through the forest; of these there were several, probably made by the Government surveyors or by exploring parties.

It is well settled that Jonathan Baldwin was the first to settle within the present limits of the township. He was born at or noar Morgantown, Monon- galia Co., Va., November 30, 1786, and romainod with his father until 1804, when they omigrated to Ohio and settled in Guornsoy County. In two years after settlement, he removed to Warren County, near where the village of Mor- row now stands, and engaged in working by the month, building flat-boats for William Whitacre, with whom he remained until 1811. In that year, he mar- ried Harriet Blancett, of Warren County, and in the same year, he removed to the "Old Sawyer farm," near Springboro, in the same county. In 1812, he enlisted in the army and served during the campaign of that year under Gen. Harrison. He then returned to his home, near Springboro, where he remained until 1814, when he came to Marion Township and settled on a tract of 130 acres on Second Creek, this land being the residue of 400 acres previously purchased of Gen. Lytle by him. This land is now a part of that owned by Jacob Shank. Immediately after his arrival in the township, Mr. Baldwin, with the assistance of his two brothers, Samuel and Benjamin, cut the logs, dressed them and erected the first dwelling in the township. Being men · of great physical strength, they accomplished this work in a very short time, and with no other assistance. At the time of his settlement, Mr. Baldwin's nearest neighbor was four miles from him, with a dense forest all the way be-

tween them. After the building of this cabin, the brothers returned to their home, in Warren County, and left Jonathan to prepare it for occupancy, which he did during the same year. This was in February, 1814, and, by the spring of 1815, he had six acres of land cleared and ready to be planted with corn for that year's use. He died August 28, 1868, in the eighty-second year of his age, having been twice married. His first wife, Margaret, died October 27, 1834, and his second wife, Mary, July 25, 1856. They all, together with his son, Judge. William H. Baldwin, now lie in an old family graveyard on the home place.

Judge William H. Baldwin died November 19, 1862, in the fifty-second year of his age. He was a man of some distinction, and filled many offices of honor and trust. He was Township Clerk, Justice of the Peace, Postmaster, General of the county militia, State Senator from his Senatorial District and Judge of the Second Judicial District of Ohio. At the time of his death, he occupied the position of Chairman of the Universalist State Convention of Ohio. All of these offices he filled with marked ability and with honor to himself and credit to his constituents. A short time before his death, he told the writer of this sketch that if he was financially able he would discontinue the practice of law and enter the ministry. In the last few years of his life, he was obliged to keep his seat in the court-room, not being able to rise, even to address the jury. By his death, the people realized what a blow they had

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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.

received, and his worth was then appreciated if never before. His loss is de. plored and lamented by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

Another early settler was Reuben Gillis, who was born on Elkhorn, eleven miles north of Lexington, now Scott County, near the residence of Jacob Eu- lass, Sr., August 8, 1789. His father brought him to Ohio in May, 1799. Their first residence was a small log cabin on the farm of Calvin Ball, Esq., of Warren County. After living there a short time, they moved into a school. house on the lands of Furgus McLean, father of Judge John McLean. They next lived on the farm of Widow Bunnel, on Clear Creek, adjoining and above the father of Judge George Kesling. From this point, he removed to Clinton County, near where Blanchester now is, and continued to reside there until his death, which occurred in 1877. When he came to the Blanchester neighbor. hood, Jonathan Baldwin, Galvin Morrison, William Liston, Sr., George Cros. sen, Edward Crossen, grandfather of Edward Crossen, the Widow Katy Cros sen, William Clark, -- Stanberry, Elisha Whitacre, Nicholas Burns and William Caudle were already living in Second Creek. Caudle was the father. in-law of the alleged murderer of Peter Peyton, the old colored man.

The first white child born in the township was Benjamin Baldwin, who was born October 15, 1815. He is still living in reasonably good health, and is able yet to do a good day's work at any kind of manual labor. He owns a well-improved farm of good land near the village of Blanchester. He has six brothers, three sisters and three half sisters living, all in good health. They are all children of Jonathan Baldwin, who was twice married, having twelve children by his first wife and three by his last. His eldest two children were born near the village of Springboro, in Warren County, and the others in this township, where twelve of them yet survive. They are all freeholders and all live in sight of the place of their birth-indeed, so near are they together that the ringing of a common dinner bell could be heard by them all. Several of them live on the land purchased by their father from Gen. Lytle, who on. tered it from the Government. It is now within the corporation and a part of the village of Blanchester. At the time of their father's settlement here, their nearest neighbor was Joseph Sever, who lived in Warren County, four miles away. The next neighbor was near Collins' tavern, now called Villars' Chapel, a distance of seven miles, and the next was a family named Leonard, wher the village of Fayetteville now is.

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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 34

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