The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 38

Author: Brown, Robert C; W.H. Beers & Co., pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1180

USA > Ohio > Madison County > The history of Madison County, Ohio > Part 38

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PROBATE JUDGES.

The office of Probate Judge was created by the seventhi section of Article IV of the New Constitution, and the first election held to fill said office on the second Tuesday in October, 1851, the official term to be three years. It is a court of record in the fullest sense, and belongs to that class whose records import absolute verity, that are competent to decide on their own jurisdiction, and to exercise it to final judgment without setting forth the facts and evidence on which it is rendered. The Probate Judge has jurisdiction in probate and testamentary matters, the appointment of ad-

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.

ministrators and guardians, the settlement of the accounts of executors, ad- ministrators and guardians, and such jurisdiction in habeas corpus, the issu- ing of marriage licenses, and for the sale of land by executors, administrators and guardians, also such other jurisdiction in any county as may be provided by law. The first to hold this office in Madison County was Nathan Bond, who served from 1852 to February, 1858: B. F. Clark succeeded him, serving from February, 1858, to February, 1864; J. H. Kennedy, Februa- ry, 1864, to February, 1876; Oliver P. Crabb, February, 1876, to Feb- ruary, 1885, on which date his last term expires.

BIOGRAPHIES OF PIONEER OFFICIALS.

The destiny of every county in Ohio has been guided by a certain class of men selected by the people for their ability and peculiar fitness to transact the public business; and we find as a rule, that they were men well worthy of the trust imposed. We have, therefore, selected, without favor, for brief sketches in this chapter, those who first occupied the offices in Madison County. To continue the list farther would be foreign to the object in view, viz., the preservation of the biographies of the men who watched over the public affairs of Madison County during its infancy and guided its official bark in safety throughout its early career. The material at hand was, in most cases, very meager, and while we believe the sketches to be reliable, yet if we claimed freedom from mistakes, that perfection would have been at- tained of which we had not the faintest conception, and which Macaulay once said never could be reached

ELIAS LANGHAM.

The early life of Col. Elias Langham seems to be involved in complete obscurity, and we first hear of him coming to Chillicothe, Ohio, in the spring of 1798. We know, however, that he was a native of Virginia, a Major in the Revolutionary war, and a man of education and ability, whose later years were clouded by the demon of intemperance. He located first in Ross County, and was extensively engaged in land speculation. In 1799-1801, and 1801-03, he was a member of the Territorial Assembly ; and in 1803, at the first election held in Ohio, was one of the four Congressional candi- dates, one of whom was to be chosen to represent the new State at Wash- ington. In 1803-04, 1805-06 and 1807-08, he was a member of the Ohio General Assembly, and was Speaker of the House in 1803-04. Dur- ing his residence in Ross County, he was one of the surveyors appointed to survey the residue lands which subsequently composed the Chillicothe Land District, which included Madison County. Thus he became familar with this region of country and acquired a large amount of land which he disposed of to the early settlers. It is said that considerable trouble was experienced by many of these purchasers in obtaining good titles, some of whom had to pay for their land a second time or lose it ; but in justice to Col. Langham, we must say that it was not dishonesty on his part that caused this, he really believing the lands to be his, but it is laid at the door of his love for strong drink, which made him neglectful and unfitted him for attending to his business. The exact date of Col. Langham's settlement in Madison County is a mere matter of conjecture, but according to the reminiscences of David Watson, he was living in a cabin about one mile

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south of London, in July, 1807. He was then a widower and father of three sons, viz., John, Angus and Elias, none of whom resided in this county any length of time. Col. Langham spent the balance of his days here ; was active in building up London ; died at the residence of Judge Baskerville, about 1830, and was buried on the Baskerville farm.

ISAAC MINER.

One of the most popular men during the pioneer days of Madison County was Judge Isaac Miner, a native of Massachusetts, born in 1778, subsequently removing to New York, whence, in 1806, he came to Franklin County, Ohio. In early life, he learned the trade of a millwright and upon coming to this State erected a mill at Georgesville, but getting into financial trouble, he, with his brother Jeremiah, who had come a year later, removed, in 1808, to leased lands on Deer Creek, in what is now Oak Run Township, Madison County, where they engaged in the stock trade which proved very remunerative, each of the brothers accumulating a fortune. In 1809, Isaac Miner was elected Associate Judge of Franklin County, and held that office until the territory composing Madison was ent off and formed into a new county, when he was elected one of the Associate Judges of Madison, serving through 1810, then resigning the office. In the sessions of 1816- 17, 1817-18, 1818-19 and 1820-21, he represented this district in the Ohio Legislature. He married and became the father of three sons, viz. : Griffin, who removed to the West; John, who studied law, rose to the posi- tion of Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and died in Cincinnati ; and William, who was Sheriff of Franklin County, 1855-56. A few years after the expiration of his last legislative term, Judge Miner and his brother re- turned to Franklin County, and purchased the property known for many years as the " old Miner farm," near Columbus, where the Judge died in the fall of 1831, aged fifty-three years. His brother, Jeremiah, lived a bachelor, dying at the advanced age of seventy-four years at Sandusky, Wyandot County, in the spring of 1854. He was interred in Green Lawn Cemetery, on the "old Miner farm." Both were honest, independent- minded men, successful in getting property, but Jeremiah was very eccentric, while Isaac possessed a well-balanced legal mind and a capacity of winning friends which assisted him very materially in the battle of life.

SAMUEL BASKERVILLE.

Among the worthy pioneers of the Scioto Valley, Judge Samuel Bask- erville stood deservedly high. Born in Virginia, he there grew to manhood, and upon the breaking-out of the Revolutionary war. entered the service of his country. For seven years and nine months he was a Lieutenant in a Virginia regiment, battling against the hereditary foe of liberty. Upon the trium- phant close of that struggle, he settled down to enjoy the fruits of that in- dependence he helped to win. He was twice married, and became the father of the following children : John. William, Mary, Samuel, Martha, James, Richard A., Nancy, and an older son whose name we have been un- able to learn. About 1809, he removed with his family to what is now Paint Township, Madison Co., Ohio , settling on the head-waters of Brad- ford's Fork, and in June, 1813, he received a Virginia military land war- rant for 3333 acres of land, upon which he had previously settled. In 1810,

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Judge Baskerville was elected an Associate Judge of Madison County, and served continuously until November, 1820. All of his children lived to ripe old ages, and were well known throughout this section of country. Politically, Judge Baskerville was a Whig, and possessed that easy, suave, polite and hospitable manner, indicative of the old-fashioned Virginia gen- tleman. His remains were interrol upon his farm, where he had passed his declining years in the enjoyment of that peace, happiness and liberty which he fought seven years to obtain.

JOHN ARBUCKLE.

In 1805, John Arbuekle, a native of Greenbrier County, Va., located upon 400 acres of land, where his son Jacob now resides, in Somerford Town- ship. He was born October 2, 1771, and married Nancy Sturgeon October 3, 1799, who bore him two children-Elizabeth and Sarah. His wife died prior to the war of 1812, and, February 2, 1813, he married Elizabeth Bishop, who became the mother of the following children : William, Mathew, Susan, Charles, Rebecca and Jacob, several of whom are living and among the most respected citizens of Madison County. Upon the erection of this county, Mr. Arbuckle was elected one of the County Commissioners, and served through 1810. From 1811-16, he was one of the Associate Judges ; was County Commissioner in 1820-21, and again Associate Judge from 1821 to 1835, inclusive. In the sessions of 1836-37 and 1837-38, he represented this Senatorial District in the Ohio General Assembly, and in all these official trusts he fully retained the confidence of the people who had chosen him to execute the publie business. Like all valuable citizens, he was constantly called upon to fill the many minor offices of his township, from its organization until his death, September 30, 1845. His widow sur- vived him nearly twenty years, dying, April 8, 1865. Judge Arbuckle was an adherent of the Whig party ; yet, while firm in his opinions, he was not offensive, and won and retained hosts of friends of every creed and political faith.

JONATHAN MINSHALL.

Few men have had the good fortune to win the affectionate regard and honest friendship of the people of Madison County to such an extent as Jonathan Minshall. He was born near Winchester. Frederick Co., Va., November 8, 1782, and in October, 1803, became a member of the M. E. Church. Soon after his conversion, he wis united in marriage to Miss Eleanor Watson, danghter of Walter and Rachel Watson, natives of Mary- land. In the fall of 1806. he removed to Ross Co., Ohio, where his wife re- mained until he could select the site of their future home. He, with his brother-in-law, David Watson, selected land on Walnut Run, in what is now Paint Township, Madison County, upon which they erected a small cabin, which was completed and occupied, January 17, 1807. There was no other house for many miles in any direction, and Jonathan Minshall and wife, with David Watson, comprised the entire settlement in that vicinity. They were not, however, discouraged, but went to work with vigor to make for themselves a home. In June, 1807, Rev. Benjamin Lakin, came and preached in this cabin, and formed a elass, consisting of its three occupants. Mr. Minshall was appointed leader of this pioneer band of Christians, and the influence of this little society, from that day to this, has impressed its

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fundamental character upon that neighborhood. About two years after the formation of the class, Mr. Minshall was licensed as a local preacher, and being the only one in that region of country, he did much, in every way, to sustain the principles of Christianity. Gifted in speech, upright in life, manly in appearance and personal bearing, and firin in purpose, he stood as a bright example in the midst of the gradually increasing settlement.

To Jonathan and Eleanor Minshall, were born the following children : Jessie, Rachel, Permelia, Hannah, Walter, Polly. James Quinn, Harriet, Lydia and Ellen ; the last mentioned and Polly being the only survivors. Ifis wife died, June 6. 1820, and he subsequently married Leah Bradford, who bore him seven children, viz. : Edward, Isaac, William, Enoch, Asber- ina. Wesley, and one died in infancy. Mr. Minshall was not only a useful man in the church, but also in the business affairs of the neighborhood. Ile was honored, both with township and county offices, the trust and duties of which he discharged with fidelity. He was a Justice of the Peace for some years, and County Commissioner from 1811-16, inclusive. Mr. Minshall was a good, plain, practical, common-sense preacher, who was much respected and loved by those who knew him best. At the meridan of life, he was broken down in health, and prostrated in his financial affairs, which embar- rassed him all the remainder of his days. He still preached, when oppor- tunity afforded, until the weight of age and afflictions pressed him down into comparative helplessness, but his declining years were solaced by the affectionate care of his son James Quinn, who was one of the leading busi- ness men of Madison County. Mr. Minshall passed away in peace and tranquillity, September 30, 1868, respected by all and loved by most who knew him.

WILLIAM GIBSON.

Little is known of this gentleman or where he lived prior to his settle- ment in Madison County. He located with his family two miles and a half north of where London stands carly in the present century, upon land now owned by William Morrow Beach, and on the erection of this county was elected County Commissioner, serving in that capacity from 1810 to 1815. lle was Clerk of the board until June, 1812, and must have been a man of fair education, as most of his work in the Commissioners' journal is very cred- itable for those days. It is said that he never owned land in this county, or if so, a very small amount, but was merely a " squatter." After he was deprived of the Commissioner's office, he left the county, and as far as we know, was never heard of again.

PATRICK MCLENE.

There was not in Madison County during his lifetime, a man moro widely known or respected than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He came of Irish ancestry, who had settled in Pennsylvania, subsequently removing to the Territory of Tennessee. but whether Patrick was born in Pennsylvania or the latter State is vet a mooted question. His birth occurred about 1787, and his parents died when he was quite small, leaving him to the care of an aunt who resided in Alabama. There were four brothers in the family, viz., Jeremiah, who was born in Pennsylvania, removed to Ten- nessee with his parents, where he became an intimate friend of Gen. Andrew Jackson, and subsequently was a pioneer of the Northwest Territory. In

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the beginning of the present century he located at Chillicothe, and while there was Sheriff of Ross County, and in 1807-08 represented Franklin County in the Legislature. From 1808 to 1831 he served as Secretary of State, and represented Franklin County in the Twenty-third and Twenty- fourth Sessions of Congress. By education a surveyor, he loved his com- pass ; was one of the Commissioners who located the county seat of Frank- lin County in 1803, and served in the capacity of County Surveyor of Frank- lin County, also City Surveyor of Columbus for many years, dying at Wash- ington, D. C., during the second session of his Congressional career March 19, 1837, aged seventy years ; Isaac, went to Arkansas, where he spent his life; John, settled in Chillicothe, was engaged in the cattle trade for some years with his brother Patrick, removed thence to Little Rock, Ark., where he followed merchandising until his death.

In early life, Patrick learned surveying, but soon after coming to Ohio, he entered into a partnership with his brother John, in the cattle trade, grazing cattle near the present site of London, which he followed in connec- tion with his profession. In 1811, he was appointed Director by the Court of Common Pleas to lay off the town of London, on the site selected by the Commissioners previously authorized by the Legislature to locate the county seat of Madison County. The wide, regular and handsome streets which are the pride of this city to-day are the result of the wisdom and foresight of Patrick MeLene. He did more surveying in Madison County than any man of his time : from 1810 to 1831, he occupied the office of County Sur- veyor, and in 1811 established the boundaries of Madison County, and located the center of the same according to law. He owned a large farm in Oak Run Township, upon which he lived many years. In 1818, he was elected a Justice of the Peace, and was very popular as an official to perform the marriage ceremony during those pioneer days, and through 1819 he served as County Commissioner. On the creation of the Auditor's office, he was appointed by the General Assembly Auditor of Madison County, until the next election, but he was elected continuously again and again, serving in that capacity from 1820 to 1844 inclusive. In 1845, he entered upon his duties as Associate Judge, and held that position something over five years. Mr. McLene was twice married, first to Mary Warner, sister of " Uncle Billy " Warner, of London, who was a weakly woman, and did not live long. IIe then married Rebecca Warner, a half-sister of his first wife, who became the mother of two children, who died in infancy, thus leaving no issue from either marriage. Mr. McLene died December 7, 1863, and his remains now lie in Kirkwood Cemetery. His widow still survives him. Although a Whig in polities, he was no politician, but rather a quiet unob- trusive man who attended strictly to his own business. In all his active bus- iness and official career, he sustained an unblemished character ; as a hus- band, neighbor and citizen, his life was beyond reproach, and in his death Madison County lost ono of its truest friends, and the world an honest man.

ROBERT HUME.

This well-remembered pioneer was a son of William and Annie Hume, he a native of Virginia, and she of Pennsylvania, who were the parents of a large family, but who died when Robert was about fourteen years of age. Our subject was born in Fauquier County, Va., in 1781, and in 1799

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came with two older brothers to the vicinity of Westfall, Pickaway Co., Ohio, where he assisted in raising one crop. Thence he went to Chillicothe, and engaged as clerk in a store, remaining there until 1804, when he re- moved to this county, purchasing land in what is now Paint Township. In 1808, he marred Isabella Stockton Davis, a native of Morgantown, Va., and daughter of John and Isabella Davis, of that State. Of this union were born the following children : Alexander A., Annie (deceased), John D. (deceased), Robert (deceased), William (deceased), James S., Thomas W. (deceased), Charles L. (deceased), Eliza J. (the wife of Elihu Fallis), Evelina (deceased), Edgar (deceased) and Edmund (deceased). Mrs. Hume died in 1829, and he married Mrs. Elizabeth Huston, a daughter of John Arbuckle, who bore him two children-Edward (deceased) and Isabella (the wife of John Stroup).

The official career of Robert Hume spreads over nearly forty years of the county's existence. Ile owned about 600 acres of land, upon which he was living when Madison County was erected, and he was chosen as Clerk, and Recorder of said county, serving in both offices, respectively, from 1810 until June and July, 1815, at which time he resigned, removed to Chillicothe, and thence to Kentucky. In the spring of 1811, he erected a cabin on the site of John Dungan's residence in London, into which he re- moved from the farm the same year. A couple of years passed away, and the cabin was replaced by a substantial two-storied hewed-log house, in which he kept a tavern until his removal to Chillicothe. During his absence from Madison County, a store was operated in London, under the name of Needham & Hume, these gentlemen supplying the capital. In a few years, he again came to Madison County, and in 1823-24 represented this district in the Ohio Legislature. He was County Treasurer from 1826, to June, 1838, and again Recorder from July, 1839, until his death May 9, 1854, his wife having died a few years prior to the latter date. Politically, Mr. Hume was a Whig, and an ardent supporter of his party. In size, he was of the ordinary cast of manhood, but although his life was a busy one, he seldom enjoyed good health, yet lived to the ripe age of seventy-three years. Hle was always regarded as a valuable citizen, and that the people had the utmost confidence in his ability and integrity, was demonstrated by the many official trusts they conferred upon him.

JOHN MOORE.

If a lifetime of business activity terminating in success, from every standpoint, deserves to be remembered in these pages, then are we doubly justified in inserting a brief sketch of John Moore. Of his ancestry, wo know nothing, but his name evidently signifies his Irish origin. He was born near Richmond, Va., in 1780, at a time when the colonies were strug- gling against the tyranny of England, in that bitter contest for indepen- dence. We learn that in early manhood, he was in the habit of making periodical trips to the Northwest Territory, on hunting expeditions and in this way became familiar with the country, now embraced in Madison County. At what particular date he located permanently here is not even known by his only surviving child, but we are convinced it was early in the present century, as he was instrumental in finding the relatives of Jonathan Alder, who was then living with his Indian wife on Big Darby, and went to Virginia with John Moore, where he found his mother and brothers whom

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he had not seen since his early boyhood. Upon the organization of Madison County in 1810, Mr. Moore was elected Sheriff, and served from 1810-13; was County Collector in 1810-11, and Clerk and Recorder, respectively, from June and July, 1815, until his death, June 27, 1839. He married Dorcas Phifer, of London, who became the mother of two children-Eliza and Caroline. The latter died in childhood, the former married Joseph Chrisman, a leading merchant of London, who died leaving no issue. His widow still survives him and resides in Topeka, Kan., although the owner of a large estate in this county. Politically, Mr. Moore was a stanch Dem- ocrat and an ardent admirer of Andrew Jackson. He was one of the pioneer merchants of London, which business he carried on in later years, in the present residence of Stephen Watson, which he erected in 1833. He was also an extensive stock-dealer and one of the largest land-owners of Madison County. As already stated, he died June 27, 1839, his widow surviving him until November 2, 1870, aged seventy years. Both are sleeping side by side in Oak Hill Cemetery, where free from the cares of a life of activity and usefulness devoted to the welfare and prosperity of his adopted county, rest the remains of an honest, successful citizen, a Christian and a patriot.

PHILIP LEWIS.

The history of Madison County would be incomplete without a brief sketch of the career of Philip Lewis, who, during the first thirty years of his residence therein, took a leading place in its affairs. He was born in Penn- sylvania about 1778, his infancy being passed in the midst of the eventful days of the Revolutionary war. His father's name was also Philip, and about 1796 the family removed to the Northwest Territory and settled in Adams County, on the Ohio River. Here our subject attained his man- hood. and in the session of 1804-05, represented Adams County in the Ohio Legislature. In 1805-06, and 1806-07, his father was one of the Legis- lature members from that county, and was succeeded by Philip, Jr., in 1807- 08. Thus, prior to his coming to Madison County, he was one of the rising young men of the Scioto Valley. He was married, in Adams County, July 4, 1805, to Miss Nancy Umble, and in 1809 located temporarily on Deer Creek, in what is now Somerford Township, Madison Co., Ohio. His stay there was brief, for we find upon record that he was appointed Director in the summer of 1810, to lay off the county seat for the newly organized county, and call the same Madison. The plat of this town bears date of having been certified to November 13, 1810, but its exact location is a mat- ter of dispute. It, however, was short lived, being legally displaced by Lon- don, which was laid out by Patrick McLene the following year. To Philip and Nancy Lewis were born the following children : Betsy, who married Dr. Aquilla Toland ; Alithea, became the wife of Samuel N. Kerr ; George W .; Delilah, who married A. W. Tinder ; and Hamilton. Mrs. Lewis died about 1814. and March 8. 1816, he married Abigal Melvin, daughter of John Melvin, of this county. She was born in Tennessee March 25, 1796, and by this union became the mother of seven children, viz., Augustus, Jane, John, Elias L., Minerva (who married Richard Acton), Joseph R. and Mis- souri (who became the wife of Thomas Acton).

Soon after London was laid out, Mr. Lewis erected a log tavern, and was engaged as an inn-keeper for nearly forty years. His official life is one

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of much interest. In 1813, he was appointed Paymaster of the First Regi- ment, Fourth Brigade, Second Division of the Ohio Militia, and we presume it was on account of holding this position that in subsequent years he bore the title of " Colonel." In 1814-15, he served as County Collector; was Sheriff in 1815-16, and County Commissioner in 1817-18. He represented the Madison County District in the Ohio Legislature, in 1824-25, 1825- 26 and 1826-27; and in 1832-33 and 1833-34, he occupied a seat in the Senate. Ile filled many of the minor offices in the township, such as Jus- tice of the Peace, etc., and throughout his official career his ability, honor and integrity, were never questioned. Generous to a fault, he was not a snc- cessful money-getter, but if to be a kind husband, an indulgent father, a warin and faithful friend, an efficient public officer, and an honest man, is worthy of record, then indeed does the life of Philip Lewis deserve a place in the pages of history. He died June 28, 1851, and was interred with Masonic honors, of which order he was a member, in the old Methodist Graveyard, but was subsequently re-interred at Oak Hill Cemetery. His widow survived him until May 8, 1878, when she, too, passed away, and was laid to rest beside the companion of her earlier years.

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The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 38

Author: Brown, Robert C; W.H. Beers & Co., pub Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, W.H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1180

Author: Brown, Robert C; W.H. Beers & Co., pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1180