USA > Ohio > Madison County > The history of Madison County, Ohio > Part 50
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On motion, Messrs. Toland, Findlay and Stutson were appointed a committee to draft a constitution for this society, which was reported and unanimously adopted. On motion, it was resolved that a committee of one for each township in the county be appointed to solicit names for members of this society, whereon John Melvin was appointed the committee for Jef- ferson Township; John Williams, Stokes; Charles Phollis, Pike; Henry Alder, Canaan; John Smith, Darby; David Morris, Monroe; W. B. Davis,
ยท
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
Fairfield; John H. Kennedy, Somerford; James Q. Minshall, Range; James Robinson, Pleasant; R. B. Winchester, Union; John G. Dun, Deer Creek. On motion, it was resolved that 150 copies of the constitution of this so- ciety be printed for distribution through the county. On motion, it was re- solved that John T. Maxey, Richard Cowling and Jonathan Farrar be a committee to wait on the Directors of the late Clark and Madison Agricult. ural Society, and obtain from them the portion of the money in the hands of the Treasurer of the said society that was contributed by and properly be- longs to Madison County.
The first fair of the Madison County Agricultural Society was held in London, on the ground where Jeriah Swetland's residence now stands, Sep- tember 28 and 29, 1853. The officers of the society, under whose auspices this fair was held, were elected June 4, 1853, and were as follows: John H. Findlay, President; James Foster, Vice President; John Rouse, Treas- urer; J. F. Freeman, Secretary; Richard Cowling, Charles Phellis, James Burnham, William Harrold and John F. Chenoweth, Directors. The day prior to the opening of the fair, the sale of the imported thoroughbred stock, brought from Europe a short time before, took place, and gave the new enterprise of the agricultural society an impetus it could have received in no other way. Hundreds of leading stock men attended this sale, and remained for the fair, which proved a grand success. In September, 1854, the society purchased eight acres and eighty perches of land, in Survey 5, - 670, from John T. Maxey, paying for the same $425. It is located in the northeast part of London, and the fairs were held there for fourteen years, with varying success. The last exhibition was held September 18, 19 and 20, 1867, and the following were the officers at that time: J. Swetland, President; Robert Reed, Vice President ; S. W. Durflinger, Secretary; Preston Adair, Treasurer; Directors, David Haskell, William Curtain, Rob- ert G. Dun, Joseph Rea, William H. Summers, Joseph Williams, John Pancake, Henry Tyler, James Converse, Charles Phellis, John Mitchel, L. Mount, Daniel Boyd, Robert Deyo, Adam Young; Committee of Arrange- ments. J. Swetland, L. Mount, Preston Adair, Henry Tyler; Marshals, William Summers, J. C. Bridgeman.
Many causes led to the abandonment of these fairs. In the fall of 1868, a Union Agricultural Society was organized at Mechanicsburg, which had for its promoters some of the leading citizens of the northwestern por- tion of Madison County. These men had previously belonged to the Mad- ison County Society, and their withdrawal from it, together with the. start- ing of a new association so close to the north part of this county, naturally had a dampening effect upon the old organization. A second cause was the absence of a track where horsemen could exhibit their animals. The grounds were small. and races were not a part of the programme at these fairs; hence one of the principal attractions was missing. Efforts were made at different times to purchase additional ground, with the object of construct- ing a good track thereon, but nothing was ever accomplished in that direc- tion. The principal cause, however, why the holding of fairs in London was abandoned, was on account of the rapid growth of the Madison County stock sales, the glory and pride of this portion of Ohio. This county needs no annual fair, for it holds one every month. The Madison County Agri- cultural Society, however, still lives, its organization is intact and its finan- cial condition healthy. Its present officers are: Stephen Watson, Presi- dent; Jeriah Swetland, Vice President; J. C. Bridgeman, Treasurer; and Erwin Phifer, Secretary; Preston Adair, Joseph Williams, Stephen Wat.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
son, James Millikin, John Pancake, Charles Phellis, Jr., R. G. Dun, Phil- ip Durflinger, J. C. Bridgeman, W. H. Summers, Daniel Boyd, Jeriah Swetland, Adam Young, Robert Boyd and Erwin Phifer, Directors.
THE MADISON COUNTY STOCK IMPORTING COMPANY.
The Scioto Valley being settled by many Kentucky and Virginia fam- ilies, cattle-growing became the leading form of agriculture; hence we find, as early as 1832, that there was formed the Scioto Stock Importing Company, and which imported some of the best strains of Short-Horn cattle to be found in the valley at the present day. In the fall of 1852, a meet- ing was held in London by some leading stock men, to consider the project of importing thoroughbred stock from Europe. An organization was effect- ed January 1, 1853, and the association was named the Madison County Stock Importing Company. A constitution for the government of the com- pany was adopted, and the following officers elected: Jesse Watson, Presi- dent; Maj. Richard Cowling, Vice President; Jacob Chrisman, Treasurer; J. T. Lacy, Secretary; James Fullington, Joseph Chrisman, William H. Creighton and Robert Reed, Directors.
The company was organized in shares of $100; about $10,000 was the capital stock. Messrs. Jonathan Farrar and Charles Phellis, of Madison County, and Benjamin Browning, of Clark, were appointed as the Purchase Committee, and sailed for England in the spring of 1853. The stock came in a sailing vessel, and arrived in very fine condition. The whole lot was kept for some time at the Brown farm, east of London, and sold September 27, 1.53, which was the day preceding the opening of the first fair held by the Madison County Agricultural Society. The following is an exact copy of the report of that sale:
BULLS.
Thornberry-F. W. & II. Renick, Pickaway County. 875
Sheffelder-J. W. Robinson, Madison County. 1,800
Mario-Robert Reed, Madison County. . 1,550
Marquis-James Fullington, Union County 3,000
Starlight-Charles Phellis, Madison County. 3,000
Beau Clerc-D. M. Creighton, Madison County.
750
Symmetry-W. A. Dun, Madison County.
1,150
Farmer's Boy-Joseph Rayburn, Madison County
925
Prince Albert-J. F. Chenoweth, Madison County 300
Colonel-W. A. Dun, Madison County. 1,350
Sportsman-James Foster, Madison County.
700
Prince Edward-M. B. Wright, Fayette County
475
Rocket-David Watson, Union County. 425
Splendor-F. A. Yocum, Madison County. 500
Duke of Liverpool-George G. McDonald, Madison County. . .
555
$17,355
COWS.
Victoria-J. Q. Minshall, Madison County.
600
Picotee-Jesse Watson, Madison County. .
1,275
Stapleton Lass-Jessie Watson, Madison County .. 1,350
Princess and Calf-William Watson, Clark County.
Miss Hilton-David Watson, Union County 690
875
Alexandrina-David Watson, Union County
560
Blossom-David Watson, Union County. 650
Yorkshire Dairy Cow-Joseph Negley, Clark County. 425
Monson-Joseph Rayburn, Madison County. 295
$ 6,720
480
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
IIOGS.
No. 1. - Levi Oldham, Fayette County. $ 200
No. 2 .- Michael Sullivant, Franklin County. 80
No. 3 .- J. T. McKey, Franklin County. 75
No. 4 .- J. T. McKey, Franklin County. 35
No. 5 .- J. G. Gest, Greene County. 41
No. 6 .- John Hadley, Clinton County 42
No. 7 .- John Hadley, Clinton County. 26
No. 8 .- Henry Rule, Clinton County 16
No. 9 .- W. A. Dun, Madison County. 20
No. 10 .- Jesse Hegler, Fayette County. 61
No. 11 .- John Hadley, Clinton County.
200
No. 12 .- J. Q. Minshall, Madison County 120
$ 916
SHEEP.
No. 1 .- Richard Cowling, Madison County .. $ 110
No. 2 .- W. H. Creighton, Madison County .. 45
No. 3 .- Chandler Mitchell, Madison County. 45
No. 4 .- Jesse Watson, Madison County 60
No. 5 .- Cyrus Larkin, Fayette County. 56
No. 6 .- Robert Reed, Madison County 45
No. 7 .- T. Mathews, Licking County. 100
No. 8 .- T. Mathews, Licking County 50
No. 9 .- C. Fullington, Union County. 75
No. 10 .- John Hadley, Clinton County. 85
No. 11 .- G. Howard, Champaign County.
40
No. 12 .- D. M. Creighton, Madison County.
75
No. 13 .- E. P. O'Neil. 60
No. 14 .- Richard Cowling, Madison County. 100
No. 15 .- John Hadley, Clinton County.
55
No. 16 .- C. Fullington, Union County. 55
No. 17 .- Levi Lapham, Union County.
35
No. 18 .- D. M. Creighton, Madison County.
115
No. 19 .- C. Fullington, Union County. 55
No. 20 .- C. Fullington, Union County. 105
Sheep
1,266
Hogs
916
Cows
6,720
Bulls 17,355
Total . $26,257
Jacob Chrisman was the Cashier of the company. and, after paying all expenses of importing, keeping, sale, etc., disbursed to the shareholders something over $240 for each $100 originally put in. The selling was done by Benjamin Porter, the first auctioneer of the monthly stock sales, for which he received the insignificant sum of $50. Other companies and individuals of the Scioto Valley besides those mentioned have made impor- tations from Europe of the choicest strains of thoroughbred stock, the de- scendants of which are to be found not only in this valley, but distributed throughout the entire West, as well as other portions of the United States.
Among the breeders and dealers in thoroughbred stock, David Selsor and the Dun brothers deserve special mention. The former possessed the finest herd of Short-Horns in Ohio, and one of the finest on the continent. His animals always won the blue ribbon at the leading fairs of the coun- try, and the fame of David Selsor, the cattle king, has spread wherever the breeding of fine stock was made a specialty. The biggest prices were paid for his animals, and the stock man who was fortunate enough to obtain a descendant of this choice herd was indeed lucky. Mr. Selsor spared no pains nor oxpense to keep his herd in the front rank with the finest in the
481
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
world. Truly, Madison County should honor the memory of this man, who, during a long life of business activity, did so much toward establish- ing and maintaining her reputation as the great stock mart of Ohio. Mr. Selsor died January 12, 1882. and his valuable herd was subsequently sold and scattered all over this land.
Robert G. and John G. Dun held their first annual sale of Short-Horns May 6, 1868, and sold thirty-two animals, nearly all one and two years old. We find that nine bulls and five heifers were bought by Madison County men. The purchasers were Robert Boyd, W. A. Dun, F. M. Chenoweth, Benjamin Linson, Harford Toland. J. A. Pringle, James Rankin, William A. Neil, Jr., Addison Watson, William Cryder, Benjamin Custer, Robert G. Dun, R. B. Cowling and Bell Bros. Of the remaining eighteen, seven went to Clark County, four to Union, two to Champaign, two to Pickaway, one to Delaware and one to Fairfield County. The average price all round was $178.44; the lowest price, $75; and the highest, $365. On the 4th of May, 1869, Robert G. Dun held his second sale, his brother, John G., having previ- ously disposed of his surplus at private sale. Twenty-three animals, mostly one-year-olds, were sold at public auction, nine of which were retained in Mad- ison County. The purchasers were William B. Franklin, William Hall, Jerry Rea, Alfred Pringle, William A. Neil, Jr., George Linson and A. W. Thurman. The remaining fourteen head were distributed as follows: Four to Greene County, one to Licking, one to Hardin, one to Columbiana and one to Franklin County, Ohio; three to Parke County, Ind., and two to Syr- acuse, N. Y. The lowest price paid was $135, and the highest $405, mak- ing an average all round of nearly $221. These sales were followed by others, which attracted a large number of stock men from every portion of Ohio, and quite a respectable attendance from other States. Becoming fa- miliar with the fine stock breeders of this county, they soon began to draw regular installments from the splendid herds of " Old Madison," with which to improve and cross upon other herds, and as a nucleus of future herds in other sections. Thus does Madison occupy a proud position in the galaxy of counties, the first in quality and second to few in numbers.
MADISON COUNTY STOCK SALES.
The production of corn, wheat, cotton and other staple crops may add most to the wealth of a nation in the aggregate, but, as a rule, the stock in- terests of every country, in all times, have brought most wealth to the indi- vidual farmer. Men who devote part of the resources of their farms to the raising of stock are invariably found to be among the wealthiest in every agricultural community, possessing the most comfortable homes, and able to give their families a better education and more of the comforts of life than any other class of agriculturists. This is particularly true of Mad- ison County, and the only drawback to the increase of her population and rapid development of her resources is that many of her citizens own large tracts of land upon which the tenant system prevails, and it is therefore difficult for a man of limited means to acquire landed property. The prev- alence of log cabins in this age of frame and brick structures, and the large number of poor people occupying these cabins, is an invincible argu- ment against the policy of large farms. Freedom and enlightenment go hand in hand with the ownership of land, and wherever its acquirement is made difficult or impossible, it indicates the absence of a sound political economy in that country.
The historical facts connected with the founding of the Madison Coun-
482
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
ty stock sales may be briefly told. The sale of imported stock, September 27, 1853, gave the main impetus to the already growing interest in fine stock, which has contributed so largely to the business success of the coun- ty. Other sales followed in due time, and the project for regular sales in London began to be mooted. In 1855, William G. Jones, proprietor of the Phifer House, called a meeting at his hotel to consider the feasibility of inaugurating monthly stock sales. Besides Mr. Jones, there were present at this meeting William H. Creighton, David Selsor, Jesse Rea, Mathew Rea, John G. Dun, James J. Jones, Peter Slaughter, and other wealthy farmers and stock men. There was no regular association organized, but the originators, having confidence that the project would succeed, got out hand-bills advertising a sale to be held in London March 5, 1856. On that day was inaugurated the institution that has made Madison County famous. These sales are held the first Tuesday in each month, and, from the begin- ning to the present time, have proven a grand success.
Benjamin Porter, a native of Virginia, was the pioneer salesman of this vicinity. He lived at Catawba, Clark Co., Ohio; was a large, portly man, of fine physique and strong common sense. His tact as an auctioneer was only equaled by the extraordinary strength of his lungs, but the love for strong drink conquered " poor Ben " at last. He possessed splendid judgment, and a man whom every one considered an adept in liis business.
In 1856, J. C. Bridgeman began his career as a stock salesman, and, in 1860. formed a partnership with Porter, which lasted until the death of the latter. From that time up to the present, " Jack " Bridgeman has been the leading stock auctioneer of Madison County, and has missed but two sales since 1860. He possesses all the shrewdness of the Yankee, combined with that freedom from ceremony and whole-souled manner characteristic of the Western people. To know " Jack" is to be his friend, for he is al- ways ready and willing to do a favor, and few men will go further than he to perform a kind action. " Jack's" abilities have made him wealthy-a Director of a National Bank, a model of propriety, and a representative citizen. For nearly thirty years he has been engaged in his present busi- ness, and it will not be an exaggeration to say that there is not a better judge of stock in Madison County than this go-ahead, successful auction- eer. None have excelled him in his business in the past, few equal him to- day, is the verdict of all with whom we have spoken as to "Jack's" abilities.
Charles Jones, of Jefferson, has been selling at these sales since their inception, and is considered a good salesman. Giles James, of London, has been engaged in the business for about twelve years, while John Kilgore and William Douglass have been auctioneers at these sales for about six years. Others from adjoining counties take part whenever called upon, and there can be little doubt that to this class of men is due much of the success which has attended the growth and progress of the London sales from the beginning.
It will not be inappropriate to give a list of the men who have fostered and encouraged these sales, the reader bearing in mind, however, that oth- ers. perhaps, whose names do not appear, have done something toward building up this wonderful institution. The present prosperity of the Mad- ison County stock sales is unquestionably due to a certain class of her citi- zens, among whom the following well-known names deserve mention: Will- iam G. Jones, William H. Creighton, David Selsor, Jesse Rea, Robert Boyd, Mathew Rea, John G. Dun, James J. Jones, Peter Slaughter. Peter Buffenburgh, William D. Wilson, J. Q. Minthall. James Wilson, Thomas
483
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
Wilson, Alexander Wilson, Valentine Wilson, Jerry Rea, Robert Rea, John Pancake, Charles Phellis, Charles Phellis, Jr., Tip Guy, James Carter, the Weaver brothers, Chandler Mitchell, Newman Mitchell, Charles Mitchell, Thomas Bales, James A. Dun, Augustus Bonner, Walter Dun, Jr., Wash- ington Withrow, Robert Reed, Eli Gwynne, Baldwin Gwynne, William Franklin, John Thompson, W. Morrow Beach, John MeCoy. John Heath, Thomas Farrar, Marion Chenoweth, John F. Chenoweth, Frank and Joel Hicks, James Abernathy, Elijah Bragg, Otho Luffboro, William Johnson, Elijah O'Day, Manly Bozarth, William A. Neil, John Lucas, the Bidwells, J. B. Morgridge. John Price, William D. Wilson, Jr., James Rankin, Ab- ner Bateman. Adolphus Dunkin, William H. Summers, J. C. Smith, H. W. Smith, John Wilson, John McDonald, Henry, John and Darius Burnham, James Guy, Joseph Williams, Luther Johnson, William Minter, Hiram and Charles Richman, Charles H. Beale, William and John O'Day, George Kious, William and David Heath, William Junk, Linson Bros., Jesse and David Watson, Thomas J. Stutson, Clement Shockley, Smith Bros .. P. R. Asbury, Benjamin and Batteal Harrison, John T. Maxey, Daniel Boyd, Marcus Yates, Levi Counts, Fulton Armstrong, Edward Fitzgerald, Ed- ward Roberts, Richard Johnson, James Converse, James Davis. Robert Deyo, Jolin Stroup. James Robinson, Joseph Rea, W. H. Morgan, J. W. Byers, and doubtless a few others whose names have not been given us.
From all of the adjoining counties. as well as many of those at a dis- tance, come leading stock men to buy and sell. Dealers residing in Cin- cinnati and Chicago ship stock from these cities to the little town of Lon- don, where they know the highest prices in the Union are always paid for good cattle. Not only does Ohio pay tribute to the Madison County stock sales, but also the great States of New York. Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan. Illinois, Missouri, lowa and Kansas. On the 2d of March, 1869. the Ohio Legislature, with Gov. Hayes and other State officers, including many representatives of the press of Ohio, paid London a visit for the pur. pose of seeing how cattle sales were managed, and to examine this county as a location for the State Agricultural and Mechanical College. At the same time, the Agricultural Convention of the Scioto and Miami Valleys met here in annual council. It was one of the most noted days in the his- tory of the county. Some three hundred legislative, agricultural and other invited guests were entertained with a banquet at Toland Hall, and all hon- or was given to " Old Madison," the only county in Ohio or the West sus- taining a stock sale. On this day, Daniel Boyd sold to David Selsor a mam- moth steer, weighing 3,030 pounds, for which the " cattle king " paid $540.
During the first thirteen years and a half that these sales existed, but four were missed, viz .: The fall of Vieksburg, in July, 1863; the State election. in October. 1863; the Fourth of July, 1865; and the cattle plague. in September, 1868. being the causes why no sales were held in those months. The average sales per year for that period amounted to $122,- 550, or more than $10,000 each month, but for the last five years of that time the average was often double that figure. The sales continued to in crease in size and importance, so that for the last thirteen years and a half of the twenty-seven which they have been running, the yearly average has been about $300,000, or $25,000 per month. Not one sale has been missed during this second period of their history, but every month, "rain or shine," they have taken place, " as regular as the clock." The lowest estimate we can make will thus place the aggregate value of the Madison County stock sales, since their inception to the close of 1882, at the enormous figure of
484
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
$5,500,000. Surely this showing entitles Madison County to that proud position which she has so long maintained as the "Queen of Cattledom."
The custom, for such it is, has become rooted and grounded in its es- tablishment. Without organization or officers; in the interests of no ring or clique; with but one other worthy of the name, viz. : the sale held at Paris, Ky., it stands to-day unrivaled in the history of the nation. Good stock cattle have brought better prices at the Madison County stock sales than at
any other market on this continent. We challenge comparison. Madison County pays a higher valuation on her horned stock than any other county in Ohio, and, doubtless, in the United States. During the latter years of David Selsor's life, he annually shipped to New York the premium beef of the metropolis; and it is a well-known fact that this beef, fed upon the blue grass and corn of Madison County, brought the highest prices in that market of epicures. It is said that this republic is the greatest nation in the world, and that Ohio is the greatest State in the Union. The citizens of Madison County claim to possess the leading stock county in the State, so that her position is one of proud superiority.
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487
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
CHAPTER XIV.
MILITARY HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY-WAR OF 1812-MEXICAN WAR-CIVIL WAR-ROLL OF HONOR-SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER IN- FANTRY-TWENTY-SIXTHI REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY- FORTIETHI REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY-NINETY- FIFTHI REGIMENT OIHO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY -ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTEENTH REGIMENT OHIO VOL-
UNTEER INFANTRY-SQUIRREL HUNTERS AND
MILITIA - ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY- FOURTHI REGIMENT OHIO NATIONAL GUARDS-RETURN OF PEACE.
TF a battle has ever been fought within the present limits of Madison County, the fact is unknown to modern chroniclers; hence, its military history will not embrace a picture of armed hosts in deadly conflict upon its soil, but must tell of her sons who went forth at the call of their country when imperiled, first, by an Indian foe; second, by the arrogance of En. gland; third, by the aggressions of the Spanish race in the land of the Az- tecs; and lastly, by the attempt of a slave oligarchy to sever the union of
the States. The events of these wars have passed into history. The youth- ful student in our schools is bewildered with the recital of their gigantic proportions, and the son listens with wonderment at the tale of bloody strife from the lips of the surviving father who served in the later strug gles. The mother relates the anguish and long years of anxiety suffered in those dark days. All are familiar through written records and word of mouth with the causes which led to these wars, their fierce continuance. their glorious termination, and the fruits left for the enjoyment of coming gener- ations.
In 1811, the inhabitants of Madison County began to fear an Indian outbreak. There were no Indians then living in the county, but the events leading to the battle of Tippecanoe and the killing of an Indian named Nicholas Monhem, by Tobias Bright, in 1810, incensed the roving bands of savages, and kept the settlements in a feverish state of anxiety. There was a constant dread that the Indians would begin hostilities, massacre the whites and burn their homes. Several families in the eastern portion of the county left their cabins and erected a stockade or fort on the land of Philip Sidener, on the east bank of the Little Darby, opposite the site of Jeffer- son. After the crushing defeat of the Indians at the battle of Tippecanoe, on the 7th of November, 1811, the fears of the people subsided to some ex- tent, and those in the fort returned to their own cabins. The pioneers in other portions of the county followed the same plan, making some strongly- built cabin a general rendezvous whenever an outbreak was expected. Thus, while peace nominally existed, these hardy pioneers were prepared for war whenever it should come with all its horrors.
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