The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 67

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 67

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During his entire residence in Madison County, he served as a local minister. He died in Illinois, aged nearly one hundred years, and fol- lowed preaching until within a few weeks of his death. To-day. Foster Chapel stands as a monument to his Christian walk and zealous work in its behalf.

By tradition, we record the year 1803 as that in which the settlement of William Johnson took place in Jefferson Township. He was more fa- miliarly known as " Uncle Billy " Johnson. His place of nativity was in Virginia, but he was married in Pennsylvania. When coming to the Little Darby, he and wife had two children, and they settled about one and a half miles southeast of the present town of Jefferson. He was through life a farmer, and lived in Madison County until about 1842. when he settled in Franklin County, where he died one year later. and his wife followed him about 1845. Their family consisted of ten children, who were mostly of the early born citizens of the county, viz., Hannah, Sarah (died in Pennsylva- nia), Robert. Mary. William. Patrick, Susan, David. Henry and Catharine.

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Uncle Billy " Johnson was a man of small stature, rather chunky, very stout, and possessing a strong constitution.

Nathaniel. Henry and Robert Frakes were among the settlers prior to the war of 1812. They took up their abode on Little Darby, and soon the cry of the Indian war was heard, and they all three took part in the strug- gle, in which Robert and Nathaniel were killed. Henry soon after died. About the same time, we chronicle the name of Michael Dickey, who settled near the W. O. Browning farm, now owned by Mr. Bradfield. Prior to the war of 1812, we find the settlement of a second Robert Frakes, who was a native of England, but married in Pennsylvania, where two children were given the union, and then they settled in Jefferson Township. When he came to the neighborhood, it was conceded that a valuable man had come, as he was a cooper by trade, and probably the first one to meet the wants of the few settlers then in Jefferson Township. In connection with his trade, he did some clearing and farming, as the former would not furnish him constant employment. He died about 1830, and his wife subsequently. He was small, industrions, energetic, and a man of strong constitution.

We now come to the settlement in Jefferson Township of probably the first colored man, Moses Nickens, who came in the year 1810. He was a soldier in the Continental army under Gen. Washington, and went forth to bear arms in the battles of 1812 from Madison County. As a neighbor, he was obliging and sociable; as a citizen, he was industrious, peaceable and inoffensive; but as a husband he was brutal, and neighbors frequently res- cued his wife from his fury. He remainied a resident quite a number of years, but finally died in Columbus, Ohio.

About the same date as the preceding settler came Isaac Rubert, from Virginia. He, with four children, viz., Benjamin, John, Mary and Phœbe, settled near the old grist-mill on Little Darby, which was in an early day known as the Gates Mill. Benjamin Rubert married Elizabeth, eldest sis- ter of the late David Sidener. The Rubert family were generally all well- . respected citizens, and filled a favorable place in the circles of society and the community at large.

During the period of the war of 1812 dates the settlement of David Harriman and family, on Little Darby, near the grist-mill below Jefferson. He and wife soon after died, and among the children we are able to record the names of David, Enoch, Job and Elizabeth. They subsequently set- tled near Springfield and Xenia, Ohio. John T. Sidener, Sr., brother to the pioneer Philip Sidener, died in Kentucky, and his wife subsequently, when in advanced age, came to Jefferson Township, where she died. One of their sons, viz., Jacob, who was a native of Maryland, was married in Kentucky, to Lucretia Blair (a distant relative of the Blairs of this town- ship). Soon after Jacob was married, he entered the war of 1812 from Ken- tucky; he served until its close, and in a short time thereafter, he, wife and two children came to Jefferson Township, settling about two miles south of the present village of Jefferson. He was a land-owner and farmer through life, and possessed a common characteristic of the pioneer Sideners-reti- cence. He and wife both died in Madison County. Their immediate pos- terity were ten in number, all of whom are now deceased; but six of his (Jacob's) grand-daughters are now residents of Madison County, and are daughters of Margaret (Sidener) Zinn, viz., Mrs. James Peene, Mrs. L. D. Hull, Mrs. Quinn Bradley, Mrs. T. B. Roberts, Mrs. -- Tresensider and Mrs. D. Brown; the two latter reside in London, and the four former in and about Jefferson. While we are writing of the family. even though the

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settlement does not come chronologically in order, we will mention the name of John T. Sidener. Jr. (a brother to Jacob). He was also a native of Maryland, but in 1828 came from Fayette County, Ky., to Madison County, and settled about two miles south of the town of New Hampton, or the pres- ent site of Jefferson. While in Kentucky, he married Margaret Hickey, who was born and raised in Scotland. On coming to Ohio, they had ten children, and settled on land which he (John T.) had previously purchased. It was all in the natural wilds and undeveloped condition, but he soon transformed it into open and productive fields. He, however, only lived until March 30, 1839, when death overtook him. His widow survived him five years. Two of their children are now living, viz., Jeannetta, wife of David Duncan; and Eliza, wife of G. P. Simpkins. Among the early set- tlers of New Hampton were Samuel Sexton, one of the founders of the place. He and family came to Jefferson Township about 1818. He was a teacher, and one of the early Justices: a native of New Jersey, and an excellent cit- izen. About ten years after coming to Ohio. he buried his wife. His sec ond wife was the widow of Moses Pippet, who was also an early settler of the place then known as New Hampton. Subsequently, New Hampton's popu- lation was increased by the coming of Samuel Sexton, Sr., wife and son-in- law, William Jones, eldest son of Samuel Jones. They remained a few years, when both families became dissatisfied and returned to New Jersey, from whence they had migrated.

Samuel Jones emigrated to Ohio about the same time (1818), with his wife and nine children, viz., William (married as given above), Abigail, Mary A., Abraham, Samuel, Jr., Isaac, Sarah A. (died in New Hampton), as did also Thomas, and Susan, who, after burying her mother in 1823, returned to her native State with her father. Of Mary and Abigail we can learn nothing, but Samuel, Jr., Abraham and Isaac remained in Jefferson Town- ship, where, in fact, the former and latter both died. Abraham subse- quently settled near Sandusky, Ohio, where he resided until death.

We find the Ayle family as being early settlers of Jefferson Township, and mention the name of John Ayle, whose father, Valentine Ayle, was a native of Germany, a patriot of the Revolution, and was captured on the ocean. He subsequently settled in Virginia, but finally died at Georges- ville, Ohio. John was a native of Martinsville, Va., and reached Jefferson Township about 1828. He ever after remained in the township until his death, August 17, 1861. He was twice married. By the first union, four children were born, two of whom are living, and one in this county. His second wife was Elizabeth, widow of James Cannedy. Her maiden name was Griffith. She was a native of Pennsylvania, and died in Madison County. She and John Ayle had a family of eight children, three of whom are now living.

Among the earliest settlers of Jefferson Township was James Burn- ham, son of James and Tamma (Holt) Burnham, who, during a life of sixty-six years-forty of which were passed in that township, in the plain, substantial occupation of farming -- was widely known as a public-spirited and leading citizen, always ready to assist in every enterprise designed to promote the public welfare, and always occupying positions of public trust till near the close of life, when failing health forbade. He was born in Windham County, Conn., December 12, 1791, and came to Ohio in 1817, with a large train of emigrants, over fifty of whom were Burnhams, and who settled in Madison, Union and Champaign Counties. James Burnham located in the northwest part of Jefferson Township, where for years he kept

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hotel on a stretch of the Columbus & Urbana Stage Route, then very thinly settled, and whence he removed, about 1832, to a farm adjoining Jeffer- son, then not yet laid out.

In those earliest days of settlement, when Indians still prowled around. military organizations were thought useful as well as ornamental, and a brigade of cavalry was organized from the counties of Madison and Union, and perhaps Champaign. Of this brigade Mr. Burnham was appointed General, and for many years its parades were marked days in the calendar.

In very early days, Mr. Burnham was elected County Commissioner, and was continuously re-elected to this responsible post for a period fifteen or eighteen years. He was also, in very early days, elected Justice of the Peace, and was re-elected to that office till his successive terms amounted to over thirty years, and till, in 1854, he declined a re-election. In all these positions, and wherever known his name was a synonym for integ- rity, good judgment and fidelity to every trust.

In 1823. Mr. Burnham married Mary Ann Jones, whose family was from Pemberton, N. J., and who was a sister of Rev. Isaac Jones, so widely known throughout that region. Mr. Burnham died January 6, 1857, leav- ing his widow, who survived him nine years, and three sons and a daugh- ter. The eldest of these, James S., is editor and publisher of the Index, a weekly newspaper at Minneapolis, Kan. The second, Lester A., occupies the paternal farm, near Jefferson; and the third son, John, is located at San Jose, Cal. The daughter, Emma, survived her father only two years, dying in the bloom of early womanhood. Besides these, two daughters died in childhood, and a third, Mary, in 1848, two years after her marriage to Thornton Ross. The younger brothers of James Burnham located in Jefferson Township-Nathan and Lester H., the former of whom died in November, 1882, and is sketched in another place. The younger, Lester H., died about 1866, and his widow and children removed to Kansas. Es- pecial mention should be made of the unswerving courage and loyalty to conscience of Lester H. Burnham, who, with N. C. Davis and Moses Byers, made up the trio of Abolitionists and underground railroaders of the county for many years, when to be such was to be the object of general scorn and derision, and who assisted loads of fugitives on their weary way to Canada, then the nearest land where a black man could safely shout liberty. These men aided in the organization of the Republican party, and saw the triumph of their principles when slavery perished by the very sword it had drawn against freedom. N. C. Davis is still living, and resides near Mechanics- burg, Ohio. Moses Byers removed to Iowa about the year 1850.

The emigration of the Foster family brought, in its turn, the family of Thomas Timmons, who was born in Pennsylvania. He was a son of Pe- ter and Elizabeth Timmons, both natives of Pennsylvania, where he died, but Elizabeth came to Ohio and died about the time of the late war. Thom - as was raised in his native State, where he married Hannah (Silvers) Peo- ples. They had one child when they bought and settled on the Lewis Foster farm. There he lived until his death, October, 1864. He had, however, buried his wife in 1853, and at his death left his second wife a widow. He was the father of eleven children, five of whom are living now. viz., Rebec- ca, Mary, Thomas F., Laura and Asa T. Thomas Timmons was an indus- trious and frugal pioneer. He was a man of rugged constitution, and, though not wealthy, placed himself in comfortable circumstances. He was much interested in the establishment of what is now known as Alder Chapel, and liberally assisted to that end. He was of a quiet turn, and very atten-

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.

tive to his interests at home. He was well estimated in the minds of the people.

Whilst mention has previously been made of the pioneer, Philip Sid- ener, we deem it nothing more than due a pioneer family such as they to more particularly outline them further, as what has been said in regard to the pioneer was in connection with other events.

Philip, as previously stated, came to Ohio early in the present century, and remained until his death, which occurred about the year 1828. He was a peaceable pioneer and frontier woodsman; had many combats with wild animals, which then roamed the forest of Ohio and frequently came in contact with the Indians, but, as they were generally peaceable, as well as he, they never had any trouble, save once, when he received a wound in the arm, which he carried to his grave. He was a noted pioneer, of rather a discontented nature. His son David was born in Kentucky about 1790, and died at Columbus, Ohio, in May, 1880, at a great age. He matured in Jefferson Township; was not a large man, but was vigorous, energetic, and possessed a strong constitution. He was determined in his undertakings, and possessed the trait of economy, which placed him among the substan- tial farmers of the county. He served from Madison County in the war of 1812, under Gen. Hull, and was taken prisoner at Hull's surrender, taken to Canada, where he endured many privations connected with the military . prisoners of that day. He returned home, and, soon after the close of the war, married Elizabeth Hann, a native of New Jersey, and died in 1833, leaving as her posterity eight children, seven of whom are now liv- ing. David's second wife was Nancy Bond, of whom five children were born, and three are now living. His settlement was on the farm now owned by John Heath, about one mile south of Jefferson. There he lived until the Centennial year, when he located in Columbus, Ohio. At the time of his death, he had lived a widower fourteen years. Ho and family were generally members of the Methodist Church. His political affiliations were given to the interest of the Old-Line Whig and Republican parties.

ROADS.

For months and years after the whites began to penetrate the wilds of the territory in question, there were no roads but a few Indian trails. the most prominent one of which we have previously merely mentioned. It passed rather westerly through the township, entering just north of the National pike. However, the first route cut out for a thoroughfare was the old State road. It entered the territory in question a little south of the National pike, passing westward, bearing a little to the north, crossing the line of the National pike just in front of the residence of James Peene, and continuing in almost the same direction through the township. It was a thoroughfare from east to west, and great stage-loads of passengers were hourly seen going by the few pioneer huts then along the line. This, however, was not long open for travel until a road was opened from Amity to Georgesville, being a line almost due north and south, or at a right an- gle from the State road.

Next in order came the great National pike, which was surveyed almost on the fortieth parallel, through the township, very nearly due east and west. It awakened the interest of the people, and many who had as yet thought little of settling in Madison County were now induced to come from the East and make their homes along such a great road. It added new fa- cilities, increased travel, enlarged business and gave the people new

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thoughts. The great pike resulted in the abandonment of the State road, and now few traces of it are to be seen. After the building of the National pike, the roads became more and more numerous, until now they cross the township at right angles and triangles, and are too numerous to mention. The roads are for the most part pikes, and in every instance are free of toll, which speaks well for the enterprise of the citizens.

EARLY INCIDENTS, CUSTOMS AND REMINISCENCES.

The earliest incident of note we have to place upon record is a bear chase by Reason Francis, which must have taken place as early as 1805. He was one day wending his way homeward on horseback through the dense forest, when he discovered a large bear, which he decided to give chase. The thought was executed by putting his horse under a good speed; but, after a long and continuous chase through the woods, and his horse being almost exhausted, the bear struck on a trail, or path, which led by the pursuer's house, standing then on the east bank of Little Darby. Down the path the chase continued, and, when passing by his house, he succeeded in getting his dog to pursue the animal, which soon resulted in treeing bruin near the creek. The dog was very vicious, and, when the bear ascended the tree, he fastened his teeth so firmly in the bears' ham that the bear carried him up the tree. Upon reaching the first limb, which chanced to be one partly decayed, the bear hoped to rest and free himself from his enemy; but alas! the limb broke, and down came dog and bear, the latter seizing the dog in his squeezers and making him howl terrifically, when Francis, with his tomahawk, came up and buried it in the skull of his victim, releasing his faithful dog. The horse had been so completely exhausted that he soon afterward died from the effects.

About 1825, there was a wolf den near the residence of the late A. R. Haynes. The animal made its usual visits south to the plains, on the Roberts and Heath farms, to catch sheep. A large pit was dug in the ground near his path, covered over with a board arranged on a pivot, and bait suspended in the air. The animal scented it and became the desired victim. Rev. Isaac Jones was called to the scene. A forked stick was procured and placed over the animal's neck. Mr. Jones then had some one hold the stick, keeping the wolf close to the ground, and he descended. chained and gagged the animal. came out and took the wolf to John Mills' grist-mill, where he was kept to fight dogs for a long time. The wolf-trap was thought. lessly left open, and subsequently a neighbor's cow became a victim of the same trap. After several long and continuous searches, she was given up as being strayed off, but was finally found. after a long while, in the wolf- pit, in almost a decomposed condition. Rev. Jones seems to have been much given to hunting. In 1835, when game was becoming scarce. a large crowd assembled for a wolf-hunt, and such other animals as might be with- in their intended circle. Rev. Jones was appointed to climb a tree, and when the game was driven near him, to do the shooting. As he was as- cending the tree, a Mr. Pitcher handed him his gun. and the hammer caught on Pitcher's sleeve, resulting in firing off the gun, and the ball passing through Jones' wrist, crippling him for life. His attendant phy- sician was Jonathan Alder. The accident badly affected the hunt, but still a few wolves and some deer were caught.

LICENSES.

We feel that it will not be out of place to record an act of the Com- missioners at a meeting of June 2, 1812, "ordering that each tavern of

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.

Jefferson Township should pay an annual license of $4." The same was ordered in 1813. An act of the Commissioners of 1847 was that each phy- sician then practicing medicine in Jefferson Township should pay a license for such privilege to the amount of $3 for that year. The only physician we find in the township at that time was David Wilson, of Jefferson, who became subject to the established act.

EARLY INDUSTRIES, TAVERNS AND STAGE ROUTES,

Probably the first man to keep a store within the territory to which we are limited was a Mr. Gilmore, who opened up soon after New Hampton was laid out. He was a one-legged man. and it was quite inconvenient for him to get around. He soon concluded to take in a partner, and in accord- ance a Mr. Dalby became associated, but the latter had two legs and only one arm; but the business was managed quite well, after all. Dalby would get the goods, do the selling, and Gilmore would tie them up, and thus they fol- lowed their business. Dalby became the first merchant in Jefferson, here- after mentioned. It is generally believed that Benjamin Pike kept the post office and tavern in New Hampton as early as 1825, but we think that the first tavern within the limits of the township was kept by a Mr. Atkin- son, on the State road, about one hundred rods north of the residence of John E. Roberts. The building was a hewed log, and formed a comfortable inn for that day, but it ceased to do business when the National pike was completed. Atkinson remained there until his death. Just west of this about a quarter of a mile, on the same road, was another tavern, but the proprietor's name is unknown. Another tavern was kept in New Hampton by a widow lady, whose name is given us as Tacy Widener. We next come to a tavern opened by J. W. Simpkins, on the National pike, where the American Hotel stood, in Jefferson, which was followed up in the village, until, at one time (1844 and 1845). there were five hotels kept in Jefferson. by the following parties, viz .: R. S. Nichols, Nathan -Patterson, Baltzer Mantle, James Hughs and George Chapman. For a number of years there have been two, but the devouring flames destroyed the American in the spring of 1882, and the Mantle House, kept by E. R. Hill, is the only one open for business in the township.

The old stage company, known as Neil. Morse & Co., was established in an early day, when they traveled the State road. They continued busi . ness, and, when the National pike was built, it added new facilities to their enterprise. Thus they enjoyed the great road until the building of the railroad. They usually ran from three to five coaches each way daily through Jefferson, and made business lively.

CHURCHES.

The first society organized within the present limits of Jefferson Town- ship was that of Foster Chapel. which met at the residence of Rev. Lewis Foster in 1808, and organized a small society. We are able to give a few of the names constituting the original class: Lewis Foster and wife; Joshua. John, Benjamin and Joseph, four sons of Rev. Foster, and their wives; Rebecca Tomilson; Cassa Dwyer; Joseph Downing, his brother Frank and their wives: John Hayden, wife and family. Among the first ministers who served the class were Revs. William Simmons, Daniel David- son and Rev. Finley. They worshiped in their respective homes alternately until in March, 1525. when Rev. Foster and wife deeded two acres and forty-three poles to a body of Trustees for the sum of $10, and for the pur-

A. C.Bigelow

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pose of erecting thereon a church building. The Trustees at the time were John Hayden, Frank Downing, John Buck, John Foster and Joseph Powers. The deed was acknowledged before Squire Samuel Sexton, of New Hampton. A comfortable hewed-log church was soon erected, wherein the notes of praise were sounded to the All-Wise, and their hearts rejoiced in the privileges they then enjoyed. Now the ground is ornamented with a comfortable as well as a neat and attractive brick church. The present Trustees are Chauncy Beach, John Millikin, Owen Harbage, Philip Tewax and A. J. Dickerson. The last named is now serving as Class-Leader.

The Methodist Church of Jefferson -The society at Foster Chapel had grown and cast its seed in the vicinity of the village of Jefferson, but not until 1833 was there a class organized here, which consisted of about ton or a dozen members, a part of whose names we are able to record, viz .: Ezekiel Arnett and wife; a Mr. Mortimore and wife, who lived in a log house where the residence of James Peene now stands, and in whose house the society was organized: Mrs. Jarvis Pike and Mrs. Mary Lewis. The officiating minister was Rev. Gavett. They were industrious and zealous in the good work begun. and erelong the class numbered almost double as many as at first. They worshiped in Mortimore's residence mostly until 1836, when they commenced holding their meetings in the schoolhouse in Jefferson, where they were served by Rev. Sutton. They experienced some unpleasantness with the Universalists, who also used the same building, and in 1837. even though the flock was small. and financially not able, they had the will, and also found the way, to erect a substantial frame church, on Lot No. 50, in the village of Jefferson. While in this house, the society still enlarged, and in 1862 a more modern and comfortable brick edifice was erected, at a cost of about $5,000. They have a good bell of 1,378 pounds, a parsonage, and the total value of the property is about $8.000. Their present membership will number about one hundred and seventy-five, and they have an interesting Sabbath school.

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The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 67

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