USA > Ohio > Madison County > The history of Madison County, Ohio > Part 66
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James Boyd came to Canaan Township in 1829, and purchased a farm on the plains, where he lived until his death, in 1831. There were three sons, the oldest a resident of London, this county; James Boyd, Jr., is a res- ident of this township, and the owner of a fine farm near Plain City. His occupation is farming of a mixed character, but devoting special attention to fine cattle and hogs. His life has been identified in the agricultural pur- suits, and his surroundings are indicative of thrift and prosperity. As the lines of railroads extended westward, many of the old stock speculators and drovers retired from business, and new ones stepped to the front. Daniel Boyd. of this township, was the first to engage in this new mode of trans- portation. His early business training was among the cattle herds of Dar- by. Accordingly, in 1855, his first shipments were made to the Eastern markets. Being young and inexperienced, there were many things to be learned that were important and essential to success. In a few years of ex- perience, he abandoned in part the shipment of cattle; but for the last fif- teen or twenty years, his shipments have been confined to hogs, sheep and wool. He has been engaged in this business for twenty-seven successive years, and in this particular is the oldest shipper in the county. During this period, the value of his shipments have been from $150,000 to $300,000 per year. He lives in a finely located suburban residence of Plain City.
PLAIN CITY.
This is the only village in the township, and was laid out by Isaac Bigelow in 1818. Accordingly, we find the following record:
July 8, 1818 .- The plan of Westminster, situated on the south side of Big Darby Creek, in Darby Township, Madison County, on the road leading from Worthington
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
to Urbana. The above road, which is Main street from letter B, runs cast, and is sixty feet wide ; the alleys are thirty links wide, and run from Main street north. The lots on the north side of Main street, measure each, north, twelve poles, and east, four poles and eleven links. The lots on the south side of Main street, measure each, south, ten poles, and west. five poles and one link.
DAVID CHAPMAN, Surveyor.
JUNE 11, 1818.
There were no other official acts until 1823. At this date, we find that the previous survey was resurveyed and additional territory incorporated. as well as the original name changed from Westminster to Pleasant Valley. We also find that, from 1823 to 1851, the original proprietor made six ad- ditions to this village, besides additions subsequently made by the following parties: Barlow's, Sherwood's First and Second, Amonn's First and Second, Marshal's, Hager & Lombard's, Black & Mooney's, and I. E. Bigelow's Ad- ditions. Its name was again changed from Pleasant Valley to that of Plain City.
This town is situated in the northeast portion of the township, and is bounded on the north by Union County. For a time it was superseded by Amity, in Canaan Township. but the advantages of the former were mainly due to location, being situated on the post road, an important west-bound thoroughfare, over which much of the emigrant travel passed. This, in con- nection with natural advantages, rendered it much more desirable as a business location. From 1818 to 1850, her growth and business development were characteristic of doubt and uncertainty as to her future prospects among those of her rivals. But at the latter date, the location of a trunk-line rail- road through her borders removed all uncertainty, and the impetus thus given to her growth, business and manufacturing developments were truly flattering. The first hotel was kept by Clark Provine, in a log building lo- cated on the same lot as the present National Hotel. It was surrounded with underbrush, hazel and plum thickets; but. as the weary traveler neared the spot, he read with delight the invitation in glowing letters over the door, " Traveler's Inn." The principal guests were travelers, emigrants, speculators, hunters and trappers. The first dry goods and grocery store was that of the proprietor of the town, Isaac Bigelow. The first black- smith was James Goldsberry. The first church was a small brick building belonging to the Methodist Episcopal denomination. The first schoolhouse was a log hut on Lot No. 14, and a Miss Suzan Fudger taught the first school. Here is a miniature pen picture of Plain City of the present, over which half a century and more has passed. She stands to-day dressed in beautiful mansions, extensive business blocks, magnificent halls, manufact- uring establishments, banking houses, a large school building, fine church edifices, besides many other structures less imposing, but indicative of thrift and prosperity. If to this be added the productive wealth of the surround- ing country, with an easy access to her markets. and a direct communication by rail to Eastern cities, she has a bright prospective future. The business establishments foot up twenty in the mercantile trade, ten manufacturers, two banking houses, two hotels, one printing office and a weekly newspaper. besides the transient and unsettled traffic common to all commercial towns. Her population in 1880 was about 1,000.
CHURCHES.
The first Christian society was organized by the Methodist Episcopal Church about the year 1812. Its first church building was made of hewn logs, closely notched at the ends, and, from its resemblance to the primi-
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DARBY TOWNSHIP
tive block-house used in frontier life. it was called the Block Church. Its location was about one-half mile south of Plain City, near the present cem- etery. For many years this was a flourishing society, but subsequently it united with a recent organization of the same order, and built the first church in this place in 1840.
Converse Chapel .- This was a Methodist society and organized in 1816. For many years, the only place of worship was the Converse Schoolhouse of that neighborhood. This society subsequently became the most flourish- ing organization in the township. In 1840, it erected the largest church edifice in this part of the county. For about thirty five years, this commo- dious building was used as a place of worship. There are those yet living who, with heartfelt emotions. can point to the once graceful but now dilap- idated edifice and say, " Yonder stands my Christian Alma Mater." About the year 1875, this society was united with that of Plain City.
PLAIN CITY CHURCHES.
The Methodist Episcopal Church numbers about one hundred and sixty, and is in a flourishing and prosperous condition. Its Sabbath school organization is largely attended, and is instructive and attractive. The church edifice, situated on North Chillicothe street, is a recent superstruct- ure, presents a fine appearance, large and commodious, with many of the most approved modern improvements. Its parsonage, standing upon the same lot, is really a mansion in appearance, beautiful and convenient withal.
Presbyterian Church .- This society numbers about one hundred and thirty. The most of its members are residents of Union County, and was organized here in 1850. The condition of this society is that of prosperity. The Sabbath school is interesting and well attended. The church edifico is situated on East Main street, a brick structure, graceful in appearance, and commodious and convenient.
Universalist Church .- This society was organized in 1850. Its mem- bership is about one hundred and twenty. Its condition is prosperous, and has in connection an interesting and well-attended Sabbath school. The church is situated on South Chillicothe street. Having been built for several years, it therefore fails in some of the more modern improvements.
Catholic Church .- The membership of this faith is quite numerous. Like others of a similar belief, they are gathered in for many miles. Those that have been baptized into this faith are members of that society most easy of access. They have no church, but a former private residence has been fitted up for a temporary place in which to hold services. The Cath- olic population is steadily growing, and doubtless in a few years will be sufficiently strong to erect a new edifice.
Baptist Church .- The society here is in its infancy, therefore its mem- bership is rather limited. It has regular pulpit services, but no Sabbath school. Its church edifice is a rented one, belonging to the United Breth- ren, a society once in a flourishing condition.
I. O. O. F., NO. 193.
This order was first organized in 1850. It has a membership of about eighty. Their condition is that of prosperity. They occupy a hall in the third story of the McCune Block.
URANIA, MASONS, NO. 311.
The Masonic Order here was chartered in 1859. It has a membership
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
of from sixty-five to seventy. They occupy a hall in the third story of the McCune Block, and are prosperous and happy.
RECTIFIERS.
This was a secret society, and to Plain City is due the honor of its birthplace. It was organized in 1848. It had for its object the universal elevation of the morals of humanity, as well as refined literary attainments. They also encouraged the acquisition of knowledge relating to Mound-Build- ers. This society only existed for about ten years.
CEMETERIES.
Plain City Cemetery is situated on South Chillicothe street and west bank of Big Darby, about one-half mile from the city. This is the oldest cemetery in the township. It is not known who, or the exact date of the first interment, but at least it was as early as 1810. he land embraced in the old part of this cemetery was donated by Titus Dort in 1812. An additional purchase was subsequently made, and others must soon follow. In this cemetery is located the township vault, built according to the most improved patterns. Many of the monuments are grand in artistic design.
Smith Cemetery .- This cemetery is situated on Darby Plains, about four miles southwest of Plain City. It was thus named from its first having been used as a family burying ground, but many other interments were made, therefore it was subsequently deeded to the Trustees of the township, who have taken it in charge. In 1818, the first interment was that of a child by the name of Andrews, a relative of this family of Smiths. There are some costly monuments, artistic and beautiful in design.
Bigelow Cemetery .- This is strictly a family burying-ground. It is situated on East Main street, on the south bank of Big Darby, just outside the incorporated limits of Plain City. Polly Bigelow, wife of the Rev. Isaac Bigelow, who came to Darby in 1812, was the first person buried in this family cemetery, in the year 1818. The most of this once numerous family lie here, in obedience to the stern decree, "Dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return."
SOLDIERS.
The following are the names of those who enlisted from this township during the war of the rebellion:
Albert W. Allen, George Allen, Benjamin Allen, Frank Allen, William F. Bancroft, Clark L. Barlow, George W. Becels, Patterson Bradley, Ben- jamin Beach, Levi Berkstresser, James Black, Jonathan Bigelow, Emmit Bigelow, Marshall Beach, Marova F. Beach, Samuel Beard, Lawson Bidwell. Titus Case. Silas G. Chapman, Silas W. Chapman, Hiram K. Converse, Al- bert N. Converse, Charles Converse, First Lient. George W. Darety, George W. Flaherty, Wilkinson Guy, Capt. Thomas J. Haynes, Daniel B. Hager. Lysander G. Huff, Richard D. Haynes, Levi E. Hager, Aurelius Hager, Edward Hemenway, William Harrington, Andrew J. James, William N. Kile, Jesse Lombard, Rodney C. McCloud, Leander Merce , Uriah H. McDowell, James L. Mills, George Miller, John Marshall, Gustavus A. McDowell, An- drew C. McDowell, Russel B. O' Hara, John F. Perry. Robert Patterson, John Patterson, Joel Pennington, Alanson Sesler, James Shumway, Reuben M. Surfus, Samuel M. Stamp, Lewellyn Shumway, Harry Scribner, Daniel H. Thomas, Daniel Tracy, Eliphus Tarpenning, William Taylor, Daniel Tay- lor, Warren C. Winget, Frederick J. Wadsworth, John Williams, Joel H. Worthington, Samuel O. Weatherington, Wilson Weatherington, Harvy Winget.
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JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER II.
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
rTHIS was one of the original subdivisions, and embraced a much larger area than it does to-day. It was erected April 30, 1810, and under that date we find the following: "Ordered, that all that tract of land com- prehended in the following boundary be and the same is hereby created into a separate township, to be known as Jefferson Township, and is bound- ed as follows, viz .: Beginning at the lower corner of Calvin Cary's Sur. vey, or on the Franklin County line north of Cary's; thence on a straight line west to the Champaign County line; thence south along the said line until it intersects Deer Creek Township line; thence with said line east to Franklin County: thence along said line to the place of beginning." This erection was subsequently declared void, and a second one made June 11. 1811, on which date the Commissioners " ordered that all that tract of land comprehended within the following boundaries be and is hereby erected into a separate township, by the name of Jefferson, and is bounded as fol- lows, viz .: Beginning at the south corner of Darby Township; thence with the south line of Darby Township westerly to a point running south will strike the east boundary of Mark's Survey, on Little Darby Creek; thence southward to where the State road, leading to Franklinton, crosses the Glade Run Branch of Deer Creek; thence easterly so as to include all the inhabitants of Darby Creek in said township, continuing to Franklin County line; thence with said line to place of beginning." The Commis- sioners continued to organize different townships, taking a part from Jeffer- son at various times, giving it different shapes, until its present area and formation was reached. It is very irregular in shape, stretching for about five and a half miles from north to south, and about five and a fourth from east to west. Its northern boundary is Canaan Township. On the east it is for several miles washed by the waters of Big Darby Creek, but, when near the southeastern corner. Franklin County stretches west of the creek, forming a part of the eastern as well as about one mile of the southern boundary, whilst the remainder of the southern boundary is formed by Fairfield Township, and on the west it is bounded by Deer Creek and Mon- roe Townships.
TOPOGRAPHY. SOIL AND TIMBER.
It is for the most part rather level, yet sufficient elevations and depres- sions to afford excellent facilities for underdraining, which has of late years received no small amount of attention, and now there are several thousand rods of tile buried beneath the surface of what was once a non-productive region, covered with stagnant water. producing much fever and ague. Through the medium of the underdraining, the citizens of Jefferson Town- · ship have rendered it a fine and productive farming country. The north- ern portion of the township is level, but as it nears the central part it be- comes more rolling, and finally empties the water from the flats into Little Darby, which stream has a few very abrupt and picturesque spots along its
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
banks. The southern portion slopes toward the south and east, emptying its waste waters into the last-mentioned stream.
The territory in question was composed of oak openings and prairie. The soil is of a deep clay loam, capable of the highest fertility, and pro- duces fine crops of corn, wheat, oats and grass. Wool is a staple product of the township, together with cattle, horses, sheep and hogs. Special attention is given to the raising of cattle and wool-growing. The timber of the township, of any value, mainly consists of oak, hickory and elm, whilst other varieties exist, as sycamore and such timber as is often found along streams. and of comparative little value, but not much of the more highly valued timber, such as walnut and poplar with its spreading branches, shaded the surface of Jefferson Township. The township is wa- tered by Big Darby on its eastern boundary, and Little Darby through the center, and their small tributaries, the largest being Price's Run.
Along the aforesaid stream are numerous springs of excellent water, some of which possess mineral substances. Little Darby, the principal stream traversing the township, enters the territory about half a mile north of the Urbana pike, and with its irregular course to the southeast makes a total distance within her limits of about ten miles, passing out of the town- ship southeast of the village of Jefferson, and one mile and a half south of the National road.
PIONEERS AND PIONEER LIFE.
The first white persons who settled within the present limits of Jeffer- son Township were Michael Johnson, wife and eight children, who emigrat- ed from Virginia to this section of the Northwest Territory in 1796-97. About the same time, William Lapin located in this township. and subse- quently married Margaret, daughter of Michael Johnson, which family had settled about four miles northwest of the site of Jefferson. Silas Springer, another pioneer of this period, first located near Plain City, but afterward re- moved to this township. Full sketches of all of these families will be found in the general history of the county, to which we refer the reader for further information. The next to locate here was Reason Francis, also a native of the Old Dominion, who came to the neighborhood in 1800, and settled between the Darbys. He was quite a hunter, and loved the chase; possessed many peculiar characteristics, and was a shrewd, sharp business man. Another early settler was Tobias Bright, who, it is claimed, killed an In- dian in 1810, at the old camping-ground on Spring Fork, near its junction with Little Darby. He was tried and acquitted. One of the Lapins also shot an Indian near the same place in subsequent years, but these events were common in pioneer days, as the Indians were, as a rule, inveterately detested, especially by those who lost friends during the Indian wars. Along about the beginning of the present century, Nehemiah Gates came into the township, and remained until after the war of 1812. when he re- turned to Virginia, his native State, and married a Miss Johnson, and again came to Madison County. She bore him nine children, viz., Ezra, Miar, Jacob, Henry, Mary, Eliza, Olive, Rebecca and Harriet. His wife died, and he was subsequently married three times. The second and third left no issue, but his fourth wife was Susan Johnson, a sister of his first wife, who bore him two sons. Mr. Gates was a native of New York, and, after his final settlement on Little Darby, he assisted in erecting a mill on that stream. He was an industrious, hard-working man, and was much respected by the pioneers of his time. We find his name among the first juries of Madison County.
abram Carey
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JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP
Philip Sidener came from Bourbon County, Ky., in 1502. and settled on the Scioto River, Jour miles below Franklinton. He there built and op erated a distillery, but was very much annoyed by the Indians, who were continnally begging whisky of him, and if he would not give it, they would either buy or steal it. He was located on what is now known as the Hoff man farm, but, after a brief residence, unusual sickness induced him to sell his farm and " strike out " for the Darbys. He built his cabin on the east bank of Little Darby, about sixty rods south of the National road, and a neighbor to Reason Francis and Tobias Bright. A short time after Philip Sidener settled here, Tobias Bright and another neighbor one evening called at the camp of two Indians on Spring Fork. After spending the early part of the evening. they started home. and, when a few paces away, Bright turned and shot one of the Indians dead. This cold blooded act caused great indignation among the Indians, and spread general consternation over the settlement. A general nprising was expected. Such were the feelings, that it led to Mr. Sidener's removal to Kentneky.
The settlers who remained built a stockade about fifteen feet high. in- closing about an acre of ground, including Sidener's cabin, in 1811. Some of the remains of the posts are vet to be seen.
The excitement soon subsided, and Mr. Sidener returned to the place of his former settlement, and built a cabin just south of the present resi- dence of John Heath. There were no roads save an Indian trail from the Muskingum and Scioto to Mad River, passing just north of the National road. There were no stores nearer than Franklinton, no schools, and for many years religions services were only held at intervals. There were no blacksmiths and wagon-makers, but every man was his own mechanic.
The clothing was of buckskin, flax or linsey; the wants of the people were few; game was plenty, and there was not much to stimulate the people to exertion, as there was but little market for any surplus they might pro (Ince.
Quite a number of the early settlers engaged in making whisky as the only thing they could transport to Chillicothe aud profitably exchange for other goods. The greatest bulk they took in exchange was salt, an actual necessity. It is claimed that the whisky made then was whisky. and not the poisonous stuff men get crazy on nowadays.
As in all countries where mental culture is neglected, bone and muscle are at a premium. Physical power was the standard of merit in pioneer days. This, of course, led to many personal conflicts. Musters were held at Pbilip Sidener's house about every three months, and it is said that it was no uncommon thing to see twenty to thirty men with their coats off, either fighting or ready to see fair play between combatants. At that time, there was a strong feeling existing between the Darbyites and those living on Deer Creek. They scarcely ever met withont having a rough-and.tum- ble time to prove who were the best men. John, better known as "Chunky" Johnson, was an acknowledged leader among the Darbyites. He was, how ever, not a quarrelsome man, but was always ready to enforce his claim of physical superiority by fighting any one who disputed it. A Mr. Graham was the " bully " among the Deer Creekers, but, fortunately for both, he and Johnson never came into personal collision.
At that date, about half of the township was prairie, or barrens, thought to be of but little value, and in consequence, the settlement was all made along the streams. The first ground plowed in Jefferson Township, of which we have any definite knowledge. was that lying between the Na-
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
1
tional road and the railroad, just east of Little Darby. At least, this was Mr. Sidener's first cultivation. The Indians were in the majority perhaps ten to one. They were peaceable, lazy, and mostly honest, rarely stealing anything from the whites. The squaws would raise a little corn, working with their hoes, but their main reliance was on hunting. The younger ones used their bows and arrows to kill game. Jonathan Alder, living a few miles up the creek then, frequently visited Philip Sidener. There was but little money in circulation, and what they had was gold and silver; small change was scarce, and to remedy this a silver dollar was cut into pieces passing for their value. Sometimes a shrewd operator would cut a dollar into nine pieces, instead of eight, and still pass them for the fractional parts, " nine-pence," or one-eighth of a dollar.
We now reach the fall of 1806, in which year Rev. Lewis Foster came from Pennsylvania and took up the land previously built upon by Jonathan Al- der. On this farm Francis Downing, son-in-law of Lewis Foster, settled, near the present site of Foster Chapel. Francis Downing and wife had one child, and, in February, 1807, another child, Jemima, was born. John Tomlinson, another son-in-law of Rev. Foster, came in the fall of 1806, with two children. They settled in a log cabin which had no floor, and there wintered. The building was entirely surrounded by the primeval forest. It was chinked, but the openings were not plastered. The spring follow- ing, a second hut was erected, and each occupied their respective houses, and life began in earnest. They remained long enough to open out good farms. when Tomlinson's family moved to Northern Ohio, and none of the posterity now remain in the county. Of the Downing family, all moved to Indiana, save Jemima, the widow of the late Israel Brown, and the only one now living in the county. Her four brothers are scattered over the far West. ·
In 1806 came Rev. Lewis Foster, wife and six single children, viz., John, Joshua, Cassandra, Benjamin, Joseph and Rachel, and one married son. Thomas. They settled south of the present site of the chapel, on land given them by their father. Rev. Foster. After clearing up the farm and remaining until about 1835, they all moved to Illinois. Rev. Foster in early life embraced the faith of the Methodist Church, and commenced preaching while in Pennsylvania. Soon after coming to Ohio. his Christian walk and zealous work in behalf of the church soon enabled him to organ- ize a society at his residence.
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