The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 70

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 70

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Supervisors. We give a few of the first years of this office only: 1812-Cur- tis Ballard and William Pepper; 1813-John Blair and Curtis Ballard; 1814- Robert Scott and William Noteman; 1819-21-Ezra Markle, William McCoy and Angus Ross; 1822-William McCoy, James Brown, Ezra Markle, Charles Atchison and Joseph Adair; and as the country improved, and new roads were built, necessarily the number of Supervisors were increased, until now (1882) there are eleven elected to that office in this township.

Listers .- For many years after the organization of the township, the name or office of Assessor was not known among the offices, but to perform a similar duty they elected " Listers." some of whom were as follows: 1812-William Pep- per; 1813 -- John Shields and John Arbuckle; 1814-David Foster and Thomas Gwynne; 1819 -J. Ewing and Isaac Jones; 1821-22-Asa Wright; 1823-James Brown; 1824- John H. Ilume; 1825-James Brown, and thus continued for sev- eral years, till finally the term Lister ceased and Assesors were elected. In 1858, I. B. Wright was elected to this office, and has been re-elected every year since, a period of twenty five consecutive years. The elections were held in Lawrenceville, or more generally known as " Limerick," till the spring of 1837, since which they have been held at La Fayette, now the only village in the town- ship. In the early days, the Treasurer was required to give bonds for $300; now he is required to give bonds for 87,500, thus exhibiting quite a contrast in the amount of funds and responsibilities of the office.

SCHOOLS.

The early settlers of Deer Creek Township, like the pioneers of most countries, realized fully their lack of education, and as soon as possible en-

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deavored to provide ways and means to educate their children. The country was sparsely settled, and many of the children had long distances to travel over almost impassable mud roads to attend the first school established, which made it quite discouraging to both parent and child. But the undaunted will and perseverance of those unflinching noble men and women, soon overcame all obstacles, and the settlements rapidly increasing in numbers from accessions from other countries and States. they were soon enabled to dot the township over with schoolhouses at reasonable distances apart. Although the first schools were held in rude log structures, with puncheon floors and slab seats, with none of the comforts and conveniences of the schoolhouses of the present day, and though the roughness of these structures was in exact keeping with the unpolished and limited qualifications of the greater portion of the teachers of that day. yet they answered their purpose, being the best they could have under the circumstances ; they served as a beginning-a foundation and step- ping-stone to something better-and but a few years elapsed ere the rapid in- crease of population with attendant improvements and advantages enabled them to have better schoolhouses and better teachers.

To show the rapidity with which the township was populated, and the prog- ress in the establishment of School Districts in a few years, as well as to give a knowledge of the families that then lived in the township, we will give a list of the families in each School District at quite an early day. School District No. 1, in 1826-Amos Howard, Sidney Addison, Amos J. Howard, John Cory, William Scott, Anry Brown, James Brown, Joel Burnsides, Asa Bates, Benja- min Landon, John Negley, Richard Baldwin, John Summers, William Kirkly, Ansel Bates, Elijah Bates, Asa Owens, John Canaber, David Reece, Thomas Gillespie, Samuel Dickison, David Culver and Abner Williard. Total, twenty- three families. District No. 2. in 1827-Thomas Orperd, George Prugh, John Osborn, John Groves, Joseph C. Geer, Henry Groves, John Arbuckle, Erastus Hathaway, Charles Atchison, John Kennedy, John Shields, David Ross, John Ross, Fanny Shields, Blackwell Parish, Benjamin Bowdry, Uriah Han- cock, John Hamond, Henry Prugh, Noah Morris, and Thomas Taylor. Total, twenty-one families. District 3, in 1830-John W. Simpson, Eli W. Gwynne, Elizabeth Owens, William R. Lawrence, John C. Wagoner, Franklin Clark, Zachariah Jones, Jemima Jones, William Blaine, Alexan- der McMurray, Mathias Furrow, William Minter, Hiram Edwards, Will- iam McCoy and Willam T. Davidson. Total, fifteen families. District No. 4, in 1827-Benjamin Pike, Joshua Littler, John Calhoun, Asa Wright, John Clernoe, Samuel Ewing, John Ewing, Charles Ewing, Daniel Wright, John McDonald, Sr., Thomas McDonald, John MeDonald, Jr., Elizabeth Jacob Sidener, John Plimell, Sr., John Plimell, Jr., John McNutt and John Adair. Total, nineteen families. District No. 5. in 1827-Alfred Garrett, Robert M. Adair, Jessie Stout, Elizabeth Adair, Edward K. Adair, John Davidson and William T. Davidson. Total, seven families. District No. 6, in 1827-Timothy. Beach, Robert Scott, John Scott, Gabriel Markle. George Vance, William Soward, Charles Soward, Barnet Warren, Valentine Wilson, Samuel Wilson, Eli Williams, Robert Taylor, JJonathan Markle, Sutton Potee, John Roberts, Ben- jamin Hull, Solomon Porter and Levi Humble. Total, eighteen families. These school districts have since the above dates been changed, and the present dis- triets are not numbered as then; and the township at that time embraced more territory than now, as other townships have since been organized, and Deer Creek Township made smaller. The above enumeration shows that, from the very few families that resided in the above mentioned territory in 1807, in the short space of twenty years, they had increased to 103 families, established into six school districts.

The first schools were often held in private houses before the people were

Wm Wilson

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able to erect buildings expressly for school purposes. One of the first schools we gain an account of was held in a small log building twelve feet square, situated in Lawrenceville, opposite the house of Isaac Jones; this was about 1816. The first teacher was a Yankee by the name of Turtlott. There were but few scholars, and the teacher was paid with money raised by subscription, which amounted to about $8 per month, and the teacher " boarded around." He was very rigid in his discipline, as were most of the "schoolinasters " in that day; and he extended his authority over the children at their homes, or on the road, as well as in the schoolroom, and if any trouble arose among them that came to his knowledge he chastised them severely, and it was considered all right; in fact, rigid discipline was as much expected as that they learn from their books, which were of the most primitive kind. These subscription schools were the only schools to be had for many years, as in that day there was no school tax or public money from any source for the support of schools; hence, in every neighborhood, wherever the settlers became numerous, and able to support a teacher at those very low wages, a school would be held in some private house, if there was no schoolhouse.

The first house erected expressly for school purposes, of which we find an account, in this township, was built on what is now H. W. Smith's farm, about one mile south of La Fayette, near where his barn now stands. It was built of round logs, puncheon floor, clapboard roof and door. The front of the fire- . place was the width of one end of the house, and greased paper, instead of window glass, through which light was admitted to the room. The first teacher who taught here was a Yankee by the name of Clark. Another teacher who taught extensively throughout the township was Mr. John Gillingham. Sub- sequently a school was established on the Curtain farm, one mile or more east of the one mentioned above. This was in an old log cabin, so low that the scholars could not stand up straight, and they had to take out the joists over- head in order to give standing room. But as the years advanced the country became thickly settled, roads were extending in all directions, progress and improvements of all kinds were marching onward, wealth was increasing, and every neighborhood needed and could support a school, good frame and brick houses were erected, and now there are six school districts, with as many good schoolhouses.

District No. 1, at La Fayetee, has a large frame house with two rooms, and supports two teachers ; wages of teachers-females. $35; males, $50 per montlı. Board of Directors, Valentine Wilson, H. Wilson and A. N. Fox. District No. 2 is located on the Upper Glade. The first schoolhouse in this neighborhood was a log house of the most primitive kind, and was built on John McDonald's land, south of the present school building, near where the railroad now passes; this was about 1814 or 1815. This house was succeeded by another log house, located north of the present one, on the north side of the pike. This was again succeeded by the present comfortable frame house, which was erected near the Upper Glade Methodist Episcopal Church, in which for many years the "young ideas have been taught to shoot." The present Board of Directors are, L. B. Wright. James Plimell and Clark Sidener. Dis- trict No. 3, " Coniac Run District," is located on the old Curtain farm. The first building was a hewed-log house. erected on a lot donated and deeded expressly for school purposes, and can never be used for any other purpose. This house remained in use till 1860, when the frame house was built. The enumeration of this district is now about twenty-five scholars. Present Board of Directors, John Lohr, William Bierbaugh and J. B. Garrett. District No. 4: The first schoolhouse erected here was a frame, located on the National road, just west of John Snider's residence; and built about 1843. It is believed that John Amos was the first teacher. In 1856-57, the present frame house was erected.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.

The enumeration of this district is about thirty scholars. They usually have school taught about nine months every year. Teachers are paid from $40 to $50 per month. District No. 5-" Dun District "-is of more recent organiza- tion. The lands in this neighborhood were owned by a few persons, and for a long time the number of school children were limited, and they had no school nearer than La Fayette. In the spring of 1859, they erected the present school building, and the first school was organized June 4, 1859. The first teacher was Rev. John Haight, since which they have had regular school sessions. No. 6-a joint subdistrict, known as the " Beach School District "-was organ- ized in the spring of 1872, from Deer Creek, Somerford and Union Townships, and a neat brick house erected the following summer. Mr. Freeman was the first teacher. First Board of Directors, Dr. W. M. Beach, C. D. Converse and William T. Ariek, who have filled the office to the present time. The school tax levied in this township. in 1881, was $2,700. Average pay of teachers, $30 to $50 per month.

CHURCHES.

As civilization and Christianity go hand in hand in their onward march, and as the venerable old pioneers penetrated the wilds of the western domain, carrying with them the inventive genius of the arts and sciences. producing mills, machinery and the implements of agriculture, so necessary to the thrift and comfort of this new country ; so, in their hearts, brought they the spirit of Christianity, so necessary to the healthy development of their spir- itual natures, and to the foundation of salutary laws, and the cultivation of true morals to make a people great, prosperous and happy. lIence, we find in the early settlement of Deer Creek Township no exception to this general law ; and. as soon as a sufficient number of settlers had located within a neighbor- hood, an effort was made to convene them together for the purpose of worship and hearing the Word of God. And amid all the trials and dangers surround- ing them in this wilderness, filled with Indians and wild beasts ; and amid the miasmas and malarions diseases with which the atmosphere of this country was then filled, how strengthening and supporting to the spiritual nature, when the physical was worn down by toil, dangers and disease, were these social gatherings for worship, and the recognition of a dependence upon the Supreme Ruler of the universe ! They had no fine churches, and no means to build them ; neither would they have been in accord with the surrounding cir- enmstances. But they did the best they could. For several years the more devoted opened their houses to the preaching of the Word of God, and, when- ever a preacher could be obtained, the notice would be given, and the settlers would gather from miles around, and the little log house would resound with songs of praise and words of grace.

It is probable that the first church organized in the present limits of Deer Creek Township was that at the Upper Glade, known as the MeDonald Church, Further below, on the Glade, was a settlement of Methodists, of whom the Mel- vin family were numerous and active, and a class was early established and a church organized. But it was too far distant for the people of the Upper Glade to attend ; so, about 1812, a class was organized at the Upper Glade, with the following members : John McDonald, Jacob Sidener, Samuel and John Ewing, Daniel Wright and John Adair, with their wives. Their meetings were first held at the houses of the settlers ; and one where they convened most often, and whose " latch string" was ever out to the itinerant preacher, was the house of John McDonald ; and from him and others of the MeDonald family has the church received a strong support from that day to the present. After the building of the log schoolhouse on Mr. MeDonakl's land, as spoken of under the article of schools, their meetings were held there ; where they were continued, and where they had preaching as often as possible, till, about 1836,

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the members contributed of their means and erected a frame building, on the site of their present brick house. In this house they worshiped until the build- ing became so dilapidated that it was unsuitable to be longer occupied, when they again resorted to the schoolhouse. Finally the members and people rallied, and contributed freely of their means, and, in the fall and winter of 1873, the present neat and comfortable brick church was erected. When ready for dedication, in March, 1874, it was clear of debt, lacking $40, and George G McDonald came forward with two $20 bills, cleared all indebtedness, and the church was dedicated free from all incumbrance.

During almost three-fourths of a century since the organization of this church by the above mentioned venerable pioneers of about a dozen souls, many precious and stirring revivals have been had, and many a soul made to rejoice in the glad tidings of salvation. The church prospered and increased in membership, till at her greatest prosperity it probably numbered seventy or seventy-five members. Although at the present time the church is greatly decreased in numbers, and a kind of spiritual dearth seems to prevail, yet it is to be hoped that the good and pious examples of these worthy ancestors may not be in vain, and that the good seed by them sown, may yet, by Divine Grace, in due time spring forth and bear fruit in the hearts of their descendants and followers till it shall produce a rich and abundant harvest.

Among the early settlers along Deer Creek, we do not learn of any regu- larly organized and established church till after the laying-out of the town of La Fayette. About 1843, a few Methodists met together, and under the leader- ship of Rev. Silas B. Chase of Mechanicsburg, organized a elass as follows : Reason Lotspeich and wife, James Wright, John Shryack, J: H. Badley, Rachel Badley and Sarah Warner-seven in all-with Reason Lotspeich as leader. Their first meetings were held in the schoolhouse. They were received into the Jefferson Circuit of the Chillicothe District, and from that time they had preaching quite regularly. About 1849, they erected the frame church, which still stands in the village. This house was dedicated in June, 1849, in presence of David Kemper, Presiding Elder. Their first minister was Alanson Flem- ing ; he was sneceeded as follows : In 1850, by John W. Locke and James T. Bail ; 1851, by William Sutton and Thomas L. Loyd ; 1852, by William Sut- ton and John C. Fulton ; 1853-54, by Samnel T. Middleton and William Z. Ross ; 1855-56, by Archibald Fleming and Henry H. Ferris ; 1857, by Will- iam Sutton and Samnel P. Tippet; 1858, by William Sutton and James Finch ; 1859, by John W. Young and James Finch ; 1860, by John W. Young and William P. Grantham ; 1861, by Levi Hall and William P. Grantham ; 1862, by Levi Hall and Jacob S. Adams ; 1863, by F. F. Lewis and Jacob S. Adams. After this date, we find the church has been served by the following ministers in the order in which they are mentioned: Rev. Charles Lewis, Mr. Middleton, Mr. Burns, Mr. Mclaughlin, Mr. Anderson. William Lewis, I. B. Brodrick, S. D. Hntsenpillar, C. A. Naylor, C. W. Bostwick and F. F. Lewis ; the latter is the present minister in service. This church is not large in her membership, and for several years has lacked that vitality and spiritual growth which the Christian cause should have in this part of God's heritage. But it is to be hoped that days of refreshing grace will come and the dormant energies of her people be aroused, so that she may yet stand forth as a tower of spirit- ual strength to wield her powers against evil and spiritual darkness.

Dun Lawn Church .- The last church built, and the only one not men- tioned that now exists in this township, is the "Dun Lawn Church," in the extreme north part of the township on the Urbana, Mechanicsburg & Jeffer- son Pike. This is a neat frame building, erected in 1858. The lot upon which it is located was given or leased by Mrs. Mary A. Thurman for the pur- pose of a church which should be open and free for all denominations in which

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.

to worship. It was deeded in trust to D. W. C. Sawyer, Walter A. Dun and Robert G. Dun. The lease to be perpetual, so long as the church remains in use for the above specified purpose. The church was erected by the following persons : John G. Dun, James Dun, R. G. Dun, D. W. C. Sawyer. W. A. Dun, Mrs. Mary A. Thurman and Mrs. Nathaniel Sawyer. The first minister who preached here was Rev. Finley, of London.

Christian Church .- About 1843, the following persons, under the leadership of Rev. Jesse B. Ferguson, a son-in-law of James Marks, met and organized into a body politic, as a Christian or Disciple Church, viz: T. J. Shryack, Ann Minter, now Mrs. Rogers, Joseph Rafferty and wife, William Rafferty and wife, William Foos and wife, and Nancy Marks, nine persons in all. During that year, many additions were made. and ere its close the church consisted of forty-three members. Meetings were held and preaching dispensed in the schoolhouse till 1849, when a frame house was erected which served them many years. The church was quite prosperous for some time, and reached a membership of probably eighty or more persons. The lot for the church was given for the purpose by William Minter. The first minister was Rev. Jesse B. Ferguson, who was succeeded by James Henry, and he by Rolla Henry, after which there was no regular minister, and soon the vitality of the church was lost. She decreased in membership, the organization was disbanded, and the church building sold about 1877, since which they have had very little preaching, and at present, have no regular organization as a church.

Cemeteries .- In the settling up of Deer Creek Township, as has been the conditions in all new and unimproved countries, we find the first pioneers fol- lowed the streams and located on the higher and drier portions of the country first ; in fact, it was a necessity, as many of the more flat and more level por- tions of the country were so wet and unhealthy in their primitive condition that it was unsafe and inexpedient to locate upon them. Hence we would expect to find the first burial places for the dead in the regions of these first settlements. Many of the first places to receive the dead of the early settlers were private family burying-grounds : some of these we will mention. On the Gywnne estate, we learn, were one or two such burial places, where rest the re- mains of several of the early pioneers ; but now, not a vestige remains to mark the hallowed spot, or to tell the passer-by that there underneath the sod rests all that was mortal of many a noble sire. The confines are now all obliterated, and stock roams at will over their graves and feed upon the green grass that grows above their sleeping forms. Another of these burial places is found further down Deer Creek, near Mr. Headley's, which was known as the David- son Burying-Ground, as it was located on his farm. It is now all in the open woods pasture and is nearly obliterated ; although we are informed that the dead of the Davidson family have been removed to other and a permanent cemetery, yet a few graves remain whose headstones tell the following : Joseph McCray, died May 28, 1848, aged sixty-two years, nine months and five days. Jolmn W. McDonald, died December 3, 1850, aged twenty-six years ; and Mary Jane, wife of John W. McDonald, died March 2, 1852, aged twenty-five years. Further still down the creek on the farm of J. B. Garrett is the Garrett family burying-ground, which principally contains the dead of the ancestors of that family. This is still inclosed and tolerably well preserved; but we are in- ' formed that the family premeditate removing them to a more permanent place.

One of the earliest and still well-preserved burial places is the Upper Glade, or McDonald Cemetery. This was on the farm of John McDonald, and contains the remains of most of the early settlers of the neighborhood. This lot was dedicated by the reception of the body of John McDonald, Sr., who died March, 1811, aged seventy years. Of other early pioneers who are buried here, we mention : Charles Ewing, died May 24, 1848, aged ninety-three years ;

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Barbara, wife of Charles Ewing, died December 4, 1851, aged eighty-five years ; John Plimell, Sr., died August 3, 1849, aged eighty-four years ; John Plimell died May 13, 1877, aged seventy-six years; Samuel Ewing died November 13, 1852, aged sixty-two years, and John McDonald died January 17, 1852, aged seventy-four years. Further up the Glade Run, a little south of the National Road is located the Wright Cemetery. This has always been a family burying place and contains the remains of the ancestors of the Wright family, and a few deceased persons of the immediate neighborhood.

The only cemetery in Deer Creek Township, which is the public property of the township, owned and under the care of its trustees, is the La Fayette Cemetery, located on the National road just west of Deer Creek. The land upon which this is located was formerly owned by Stanley Watson. and the lot first dedicated to this purpose by the reception of the body of Rachel, wife of J. Shryack, who died July 12, 1838. The second person buried here was Sarah, wife of Andrew Anderson, who died December 6, 1838 ; the third was Stanis Miles, died December, 1838. Some other carly settlers who were prominently known, whose remains are here interred, are the following : Effa, wife of Stanley Watson, who died November 12, 1839, aged twenty-eight years; John Moore, died November 10, 1839, aged seventy-seven years ; Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Bell, died October 2, 1843, aged thirty-seven years ; Franklin Clark, died Octo- ber 1. 1844, aged sixty-six years; and Stanley Watson, died October 8, 1847, aged forty-nine years. This tract of land upon which the burying ground is situated, was subsequently purchased by James Wilson, who set apart for burial purposes the lot embracing between one and two acres, which was con- tinued as a receptical of the dead, and to make it more permanent, and that it might have the care and protection that such a place should have, in 1874, Mr. Wilson deeded it to the Trustees of the township, who in 1878 purchased sufficient ground of Mr. Wilson to make it embrace five and three-eighths acres. for which they now have a deed. They have nicely improved and fitted up the same, with good gravel roads and walks, and ornamented it with evergreens and shrubbery, and it is now one among the prettiest of rural cemeteries, and speaks well for the township in which it is located.

TOWNS.

This township possesses but one village and one post office-La Fayette. At the time of the organization of Deer Creek Township, there was no town or village within its limits, and there were but few roads of which the principal one was the old stage route, from Columbus to Springfield, a horrible mud road, in which stage coaches and wagons often mired hub deep, and had to be pried out with rails or some kind of levers, which often delayed them on their journey, and the good nature of the passengers was severely tried. This mud road and stage route passed through the center of the township and through the Gwynne farm. In 1816, Thomas Gwynne commenced laying off lots for a town on the east side of Deer Creek, one and a half miles northwest of where La Fayette is now situated. This town was named Lawrenceville, but was always better known as " Limerick." In about two or three years, the following families had settled there : Isaac Jones, who came from Tennessee; James Chriswell, who was the first blacksmith, a very peculiar and eccentric character; he was succeeded by John Wiseman; Zacariah Jones, a brother of Isaac Jones, and also from Tennessee; Gilman Lincoln; Angus Ross, who, about 1816, erected a frame house and kept the first and only tavern ever in the town; and Jesse Abbey and Henry Cay were early settlers; these were the principal settlers who composed the town. In one room of Isaac Jones' house, Mr. Gwynne placed a small stock of groceries and such other necessary articles as the wants of the people of that day demanded. But the progress of the country was ever

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The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 70

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