The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 62

Author: Warner Beers & co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago : Warner Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1076

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John Mahan, a native of Kentucky, married Susannah Tillott, and subsequently removed to Ross County, Ohio, and, in October, 1828, came to Round Head Township, and settled on the southeast quarter of Section 19, where he resided until his death. He died April 30, 1845, aged sixty-eight years. His wife died September 4, 1862, aged sixty-two years. Mr. Mahan, a few years after locating here, saw the inconvenience of going twenty miles or more to Logan County to get grinding, those being the nearest mills to this new settlement, so he at once erected a horse-power mill. The buhrs were made from nigger-head stone; the drive wheels made of blocks of wood, of triangular shape, the base being oval and placed at the circum- ference, with the apex to the center. This wheel was then connected with the horse-power by a belt of hickory bark, and the horse, made to pass around in a circle, attached to the sweep-pole, put the whole machinery in motion, when the grain placed in the hopper passed between the buhrs and was thus ground into meal. Although it was somewhat imperfect, and slow in its operations, compared with our mills of the present day, yet it was a great convenience and saving of much time and labor to the early settlers, and for

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a few years supplied the people, until better mills were erected. Mr. Mahan was twice married. After the death of his first wife, he married Susan Hillman, a native of Pennsylvania. His children, by his first wife, were Mary, Mattie, Nancy, Elizabeth, James, John and Lydia-all now deceased but Charles, Nancy and Lydia. By his second wife he had Samuel, David, Wesley, William, Henry, Sarah J., Eliza Ann, Asa, Edward H., Margaret and Clay; the latter was killed in the army in the war of the rebellion.

Joseph W. Bowdle, a native of Maryland, emigrated to Ross County, Ohio, in 1800, where he married Lucretia Brown, a native of the State of Delaware. In the fall of 1831, he removed with his family to this township, and settled on the northwest quarter of Section 19, where he lived till his death, in November, 1856, and his remains now rest in the Salem Ceme- tery, in Allen County. His wife died several years previous to his death. He was an Associate Judge of Hardin County from 1833 to 1839. Their children were James B., Jesse L., Rebecca C., Nelson R., Priscilla, Isaac N., Thomas W., Milton W., Ann C. and William D. Mr. Bowdle was one of the first Associate Judges of this county. In religion, he was a Methodist, and was an exhorter in that church for many years, even long prior to his settling in Hardin County.

Jesse Bowdle, a brother of the above Joseph Bowdle, married Lillie Bowdle in Ross County, and came here in the fall of 1832, and settled on the east half of the southwest quarter of Section 18, where he died in 1862. Mr. Bowdle was a local preacher in the Methodist Church for more than forty years. His children were David S., Samuel P., Henry S. and Eliza- beth.

Jonathan Carter was born near Rochester, N. Y., in 1800. In 1806, his father, with his family and some of his neighbors, emigrated to the Mad River country, in Ohio, of which they had heard glowing accounts. They made their way though the wilderness to Buffalo, where the family took passage on a small vessel for Maumee Bay, while a quantity of stock was driven through the then unbroken wilderness, along the shore of the lake, to the same destination. After a long and perilous voyage, the vessel en- tered the Maumee Bay, and passed up the river to the rapids, where they took open boats and went up the river; thence up the Auglaize River as far as they could; thence, by land, to the neighborhood of Bellefontaine. But, finally, Mr. Carter concluded the Maumee country would suit him better, so he removed back, and opened out a farm on the west bank of that river, about four miles above the rapids, where they remained until the war of 1812 made it unsafe to stay any longer, when he returned to the Mad River with his family, except two sons who enlisted during the war. Jonathan tried hard to enlist, but was rejected because of his youth. Mr. Carter, however, remained on his farm till after Hull's surrender, and the country was over- run by the British and Indians, who carried off all movable property and burned all buildings in the neighborhood. As a last resort, they dug as many potatoes as each could carry, which, with a few chickens, were all the food the enemy spared them, and made their way south, by "Hull's trail." to the settlements in Logan County, there being no settlement or house nearer. Several families, including women and children, made their escape in this way. After the war was over, Mr. Carter returned to the Maumee, and again erected buildings and made another start in life. But the Indians would not allow him to live in peace. A son and son-in-law were way laid by them, and the latter killed at the first fire; but not until the son had dis-

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patched three of the foe was he hewed down by their tomahawks. The settlers now repaired to Fort Meigs for safety, where they remained for some time. But Mr. Carter and family, with some others, determined to leave the country; and the only safe course was to take an open boat, and drop down the river and bay under cover of the night, and make their way to Cleveland and thence to Bellefontaine the best way they could. Soon after their arrival at the latter place, Mr. Carter was killed by a " weight pole" rolling off of the roof of his cabin, thus suddenly ending his event. ful life. After peace was fully restored, the settlers along the Maumee and Detroit Rivers returned to their former places of abode. A large trade in stock was carried on between Southern Ohio and that country. Jonathan Carter went through with eighteen droves of stock when there was not a house between the neighborhood of Bellefontaine and the Maumee, and his thrilling stories of adventure are marvelous in the extreme. Mr. Carter settled in this county, at Round Head, in 1829, where he built the first cabin, and, in 1832, laid out that town. In 1833, after the organization of Hardin County, he served as the first Treasurer; has filled various offices of trust in his county and township, in all of which he has rendered a faithful stewardship. In the prime of his life, he was a very strong, muscular man, and capable of enduring great physical exertion and hardships, and had many a wrestle with the Indians, among whom he found but few who could throw him. He has passed a life of industry and activity, and in all his transactions has sustained an unblemished character for integrity and uprightness. He was one of the organizers of the first Methodist society in this vicinity, which was one of the first in the county, and in which he has remained a faithful worker for half a century. He is now in his eighty- third year, is in very feeble health, and his life's warfare is evidently nearly ended. He has been twice married. First, to Nancy McArthur, a daughter of Donald McArthur, by whom he had eleven children, four now surviving-Mary J., David (now a practicing physician in Anderson, Ind. ), Margaret and Nancy; the deceased are Eliza, John F., Archibald, Wesley, Maria and two who died in infancy. Mrs. Carter died in 1864. In 1865, he married Mrs. Arminta Jane Shaffer, a native of Logan County, Ohio.

Among the earliest settlers of this portion of Hardin County were Will- iam and Jane Given. He was a native of Maryland and his wife of Vir- ginia. In 1797, William Given emigrated to Ross County, Ohio; was there married, and, in 1829, removed to Round Head Township, Hardin Co., Ohio, where he resided until his death in 1848, his widow surviving him until 1851, when she, too, passed away. Of their children, Alexander still survives, and resides in McDonald Township, in the history of which a biography of him will be found.

William Ford came here from Adams County, Ohio, and settled on the north bank of the Scioto River, just above Round Head, in 1831-32. He married Mrs. Elizabeth Donaldson, of Adams County. He resided here till his death. He died September 9, 1865, aged seventy-three years. His wife died just one year later, September 9, 1866, aged sixty-seven years. Chil- dren --- William, Ellis, Harvey, Milton and Jane.

Jacob Thomson was born in Ross County; married Elizabeth Clark, in Pickaway County, and about 1832-33 settled at Round Head, where, it is said, he erected the first cabin after the town was laid out and platted. He resided here until his death. His children were as follows: Elizabeth, William, Henry, Martha and Lewis.

Henry Stamatz, a native of Logan County, married Ann Logan, and

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settled in Round Head Township, near the Logan County line, in 1832, where he died. He served as the first Coroner of Hardin County. He died on the place where he first located. His children were Lafayette, Napoleon Bonaparte, Duncan, Benjamin A., Mary and two or three daughters whose names we could not obtain.

John T. Scott came here from Champaign County, Ohio, and settled on the north bank, on land adjoining William Irwin on the south. He mar- ried Lucy Henry, of Logan County, Ohio, by whom he had the following children: John, Eliza, Benjamin, Jane, Permelia, Nancy and perhaps a few others.

David Groves, a native of Virginia, born in Frederick County, in 1798, married Sarah Sheets, removed to Maryland, thence to Madison County, Ohio, and, in 1833, came to this township, and settled on the southwest quarter of Section 7, where he entered 160 acres, also eighty acres adjoin- ing, in Section 18. Here he resided about thirty years, when he sold his farm, and finally located on Section 8, where he died February 26, 1880. He was a member of the Methodist Church nearly all his life, and a local preacher in the same for many years. Children-Mary, Sevilla, Henry, Sarah, Ann, Rebecca and Jane; all now deceased except Sarah and Jane.

Richard Rutledge came from Logan County and settled on the northeast quarter of Section 19, in the fall of 1832, and remained a resident here and on the adjoining section until his death. He died January 12, 1875, aged seventy- six years. He was twice married ;. first to Mary Lewis, by whom he had the following children: Lewis, Benjamin W., Thomas J., Harriet, and others who died young. His second wife was Mrs. Sarah Lay, by whom he had one son-Sampson M. Mr. Rutledge served several years as a Justice of the Peace; was a devoted member of the Methodist Church, a kind neighbor and a worthy citizen.

Thomas Livingston came here from Clark County, Ohio, and settled in Round Head in 1834, where he erected his cabin and kept the first cabin ever in the town. He married Nancy Reed. They resided here until about 1840, when they removed to Ross County; thence to Indiana, and are now residents of Winchester, in that State. Of their children, we learn the fol- lowing names: Maria, Johnson, Sophronia, Thomas and Sarah. Mr. Liv- ingston was a licensed preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Uriah McKennan came here from Logan County, Ohio, in 1834, and settled on Section 17, where he died. He was twice married; first to a Miss Inskeep, by whom he had John M., Margaret A., Benjamin W., Levi and Daniel F. His second wife was Jane Sharp, who bore him Nancy and Henry; there were some others, but they died young. Mr. McKennan was a man of character and ability, and a minister of the Gospel for many years.

Alexander Templeton, a native of Pennsylvania, but who became an early settler at Bellefontaine, where he engaged in mercantile trade, and in 1833 removed to Round Head, opened the first store ever in that town. Here he carried on mercantile business several years, then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits until his death, September 10, 1863. He married Mary Ann Wallace, a native of Virginia. She died November 25, 1857. Their children were Ann Maria, Samuel, W. Wallace, Robert R., Sarah Jane, Milton, and David, who died young. Mr. Templeton sus- tained a high character, and was much esteemed and respected. He was a Ruling. Elder in the Presbyterian Church.

Three brothers-William, Robert and Thompson Irwin-natives of

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

Champaign County, Ohio, settled in this township in the spring of 1835. The latter was then quite young, and resided with his brother, Robert, for a time, and then went away, but subsequently married and returned and settled here, where he has since remained a resident. William, with his father, Thomas Irwin, settled on the banks of the Scioto, in Section 31. He married Miss Eliza J. Zimmerman, and has resided, nearly all of his life since, on Section 31, where he now lives. He is the father of the fol- lowing children: Ruth J., Rachel L., Ahasuerus C. and Robert McHatton. Robert married and settled just above William, on the same section, where he has since resided.

Andrew Zimmerman, a native of Maryland, married Ruth Taylor and emigrated to Ross County, Ohio, about the year 1800. In the fall of 1835. he removed to this township, and settled on the northwest quarter of Sec- tion 32, where he died, September 14, 1844, aged seventy years. His wife died, November 24, 1855, aged seventy years. Their children were John, Andrew, Jefferson, Obadiah, Elijah D., George, Elizabeth, Margaret, Delilah, Maria, Lavinia and Eliza Jane.

Michael Zimmerman, brother of the above Andrew, married Barbara Taylor, and settled here, at same date, on the southwest quarter of Section 33, near Round Head, where he died, March 12, 1849, aged seventy-two years. His wife died, September 21, 1852, aged seventy-six years. Their children were Henry, Michael, Samuel, Cynthia, Maria, and some others who died young. Robert Breece, of Welsh descent, came here from Logan County, and settled on Section 32 in the fall of 1835. He married Miss Lydia Henry, of Logan County. He died, July 19, 1849, aged fifty-five years. His wife died, November 9, 1866, aged sixty-three years. Their children were John, George, William, Griffith, Jane, Nancy, Margaret, Mary and Amanda.

John F. Henkle, a native of Virginia, came to Logan County; thence, in March, 1835, came to Round Head Township, and settled on Section 10, where he resided several years; thence removed to Round Head, and re- sided in the town and vicinity many years; but subsequently he removed to Kenton, where he died, November 11, 1872. He was twice married; first to Sarah Vanmeter, by whom he had the following children: Henry R., Ann Maria, Mary E., Seth V. and Ira A. His second wife was Eliza A. Scott, who bore him three children-Scott, John F. and Eva.

Reuben Henkle, when ten years of age, came with his father's family from Bedford County, Va., to Clark County, Ohio, where he subsequently married Elizabeth Yazel, and, in February, 1838, removed to this township and settled on the southeast quarter of Section 20, where he died, October 23, 1856, aged fifty years. His wife still survives, and resides on the old homestead place. Their childern were as follows: Eliza A., Maria, Sarah, Isaac, Amanda, John M., Cyrus W., Ambrose D., Mary and Luther.

William Moore, a native of Pennsylvania, married Sarah Sample, and, in the spring of 1834, removed to Ohio, calling upon his sister, Mrs. George Hoover, in Logan County, where he left his family for a few weeks, while he came to Round Head Township and entered 160 acres of land- the southeast quarter of Section 5-and, in June of the same year, he settled with his family upon said land, where he resided until his death. He died, February 9, 1853, aged sixty-three years; his wife died, September 3, 1851, aged sixty-three years. Mr. Moore was a blacksmith by trade, which business he followed in connection with farming through life. He was the father of the following children: John, James, Jane, Eliza, Asenith, William, Sarah, Huldah, Mary, Letitia and Urzilla.

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Watson Spencer came here from Champaign County, Ohio, in 1835. He married Nellie Rutledge, by whom he had the following children: Mary Ann, Thomas Jefferson, Elizabeth, Louisa, Melissa and John. His wife died, and he subsequently married Nancy Rutledge, by whom he had several children, of whom were Alexander and James.

Lorenzo Dow Lay became one of the early settlers of this township, lo- cating here, it is certain, as early as 1832-33, but resided here but a few years until his decease.

George Blalock was a settler, it is believed, as early as 1830-31; was a blacksmith by trade; a peculiar character, of whom we learned but little.

The above embrace, we think, the principal early settlers between 1822 and 1835, after which the township was settled up quite rapidly.

SCHOOLS.

For several years after the first settlers located in this portion of the county, they were situated so far apart, the whole country being a dense forest, that it was impossible to establish any schools; but just as soon as there were enough settlers in a neighborhood to raise by subscription an amount sufficient to employ a teacher, we find the necessary steps taken to do so. At an early day, several families united their efforts, and erected a little log cabin on Section 21, where Peter C. McActhur was employed as the first teacher. This is believed to have been the first school in Round Head Township. Another school was soon held in the Bowdle and Rut- ledge neighborhood, and then one at Round Head. Finally, the township was divided into school districts, the free school law was established and the schools increased and prospered. The township is now divided into seven sub-school districts, with seven good schoolhouses with eight rooms, employing eight teachers. Average wages paid teachers per month, males, $36, females, $24. Average number of weeks the schools were in session, 30. Enrollment of scholars, boys, 151; girls, 128; total, 279. Total re- ceipts for school purposes, $3,104.08; total expenditures, $2,332.38; bal- ance on hand September 1, 1882, $771. 70; total valuation of school prop- erty, $4,200.

TOWNS AND VILLAGES.

This township possesses but one village-Round Head-which was sur- veyed and laid off into lots, streets and alleys by James W. Marmon, County Surveyor of Logan County, for Jonathan Carter, proprietor, July 16, 1832. The original plat is recorded in Logan County Records, Book D, page 356, and contained thirty-six lots. Jonathan Carter's Northern Addi- tion was made and surveyed October 17, 1839, and the acknowledg- ment made before Richard Rutledge, a Justice of the Peace, April 30, 1841. The town never has had the advantages of a railroad or manufactur- ing interests to enhance its growth, but has been a strictly rural village. A post office was early established here, and a considerable amount of mer- cantile trade has continued to be done down to the present time. The first cabin erected here was by Mr. Carter, when he first settled here, but after the town was laid out, Jacob Thompson is said to have built the first house. Thomas Livingston kept the first tavern. Alexander Templeton opened the first store. Dr. Smith and Dr. Starrett were the first physicians.

This town was named after the township, which is said to have been named in honor of the Indian chief of that name, of whom a further ac- count is given-together with the Indian town at this place-in the general history of the county. Some fine, large apple trees are still standing here,

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which are said to have been planted by Indians. One tree, on Mr. Jacobs' lot, is a very large and thrifty tree, and continues to bear good crops of fine apples. The business interests of Round Head now embrace four general stores, one saw mill, two blacksmith shops and one blacksmith and carriage and wagon shop, one drug store, one milliner ard dress-maker, two hotels, one livery and feed stable and two physicians.

CHURCHES.

Methodist Episcopal Church of Round Head .- The exact date of the or- ganization of the first class here is difficult to fix with certainty, but from certain circumstances and evidences that are obtainable, it was probably between 1830 and 1832, and consisted of the following persons: Donald McArthur and wife, John McArthur and wife, Margaret McArthur, Jonathan Carter and wife, William Given and wife, James D. Lay, Rebecca Campbell and perhaps a few others, with Rebecca Campbell as Class Leader. The class, it is believed, was organized at the house of Donald McArthur, and services were held there, and at the house of Jonathan Carter, for several years. About 1840-42, a house was erected for church purposes, which served them until about 1852-54, when they erected their present frame church, in which services have since been held. The present membership of the church is twenty-seven, with Jeremiah Kelly as Pastor, and Marion Herford as Steward; Class Leader, Martin Wilson; Trustees, Marion Herford, Isaac Gilman, William Jacobs and Hiram Cooney.

Fletcher Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church. - This society was organ- ized, it is believed, in the fall of 1832, at the house of Joseph W. Bowdle, consisting of the following members: Joseph W. Bowdle, Lucretia Bow- dle, James B. Bowdle, Elizabeth Bowdle, Jesse L. Bowdle, Rebecca Bow- dle, Priscilla Bowdle, James Hill, Sarah Hill, John Hill, Martin Hill, Nancy Hill, James Hill, Jr., David Groves, Sarah Groves, Richard Rut- ledge, Mary Rutledge, Harriet Rutledge, and, it is possible, one or two others, with Joseph W. Bowdle as Class Leader. Services were held at Mr. Bowdle's house, until the erection of a log house on the same lot oc- cupied by the present house, which served as a house of worship until it was burned in 1860. Then, in the same year, they erected the present frame bouse, at a cost of about $700, besides voluntary contributions in labor and material. Some of the early ministers, who served as pastors of this church, were Revs. John Stewart, Patrick G. Good, Daniel D. David- son, Ethan Allen and Spafford. Early class leaders: Aaron Oram, Samuel P. Bowdle and Joseph W. Bowdle. The church now has a membership of about seventy, with Jeremiah Kelly as Pastor; F. A. Perry, William Low rey and William B. Bowdle, Class Leaders; William T. Bowdle, Steward, and F. A. Berry, William Ohler, William Hiatt and James B. Bowdle, Trustees.

Pleasant Hill Methodist Episcopal Church. - About 1835, this society was organized at the house of James Hill, by Rev. John Brakefield, consist- ing of the following members: James Hill, Elizabeth Hill, Samuel Rut- ledge, Rosanna Rutledge, James Lay, Viletta Lay, and possibly one or two others, with James Hill as Class Leader. They held services at the house of Mr. Hill, until the erection of a log house for church purposes, in 1848, which was built on the same lot of the present church. This house served them until, in 1856, the present frame house was erected, at a cost of about $800. The church was dedicated in December of that year, by Rev. Hiram Shaffer. The following ministers have served this church as pas-

Paul R Airy

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tors: Revs. Brakefield, Wareham, S. L. Yourtee, Arius Rumfield, John Blanpied, William Godman, Thomas Gard, Hibbard P. Ward, Jacob Holmes and Samuel Boggs. Class Leaders: James Hill. John A. Dunlap, William Romack, John Goslee, Samuel Hill, Alexander Dempster, Jacob Johnson, Samuel Tidd, Thomas Birchfield, Marion Dunlap and J. R. Hill. The present membership is about fifty, with Rev. J. S. Kelly as Pastor; Thomas Birchfield, Marion Dunlap and J. R. Hill, Class Leaders; Arsam- ous Ripley and James Goslee, Stewards, and John Goslee, A. Ripley, Harrison Walters, A. Dempster and J. R. Hill, Trustees.

Methodist Protestant Church .- It is difficult now to ascertain the exact year in which this society was organized, or what minister officiated in its organization; but from the best and most definite information we could gather, a class must have been formed about 1840, embracing the follow- ing persons: John Mahan and wife, Mathew Mahan and wife, Reuben Henkle and wife. Mr. McGinnis and wife, Uriah McKennan and wife, and two or more of John Mahan's children. Services were held in private houses and in the schoolhouse until about 1858-60, when they erected the present frame church, which has served them to the present time as a house of worship.

United Presbyterian Church of Round Head. - This society was organ- ized at the Newburg Church, May 2, 1859, by Rev. Joseph McHatton, with the following members: A. Templeton, C. I. Brooks, John Ghormley, Samuel G. Rogers, Samuel Templeton, Robert Irwin, Sr., Robert Irwin, Jr., Harriet N. Brooks, Jane Irwin, Ann E. Rogers, M. N. Rogers, Agnes Coffelt, Eliza Hindman, Joseph Junkins, Martha Junkins, Ira Morton, Sarah J. Templeton, Robert R. Templeton, Milton Templeton, Minerva J. Ghormley, William Erwin, Eliza J. Erwin, Andrew Reed, Mary Reed and Eliza Irwin; with Alexander Templeton, William Irwin and C. I. Brooks elected Ruling Elders. Services have been held every four weeks, with considerable regularity, in the Methodist Church at Round Head, until about one year ago, since which they have been without a pastor. The fol- lowing ministers have served the church: Revs. John L. Bull, William C. Dun, J. L. Buchanan, the latter eleven years, followed by J. E. Kerr, Will- iam Brooks and Rev. Ferguson. Present membership, about thirty. Pres- ent Elders: William Irwin, Robert Irwin, John J. Irwin and Russell Hutchison.

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The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 62

Author: Warner Beers & co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago : Warner Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1076

Author: Warner Beers & co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago : Warner Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1076