The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 77

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 77

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Lot Bozarth, a native of Virginia, was born in 1792, and emigrated to Ohio and became quite an early settler of Stokes Township, on the land where his son Lewis still resides. Here he married Nancy Rea, who was born in Maryland in 1802. Subsequently, they moved to White County, Ind., and resided a few years, then returned to Stokes Township, and here remained till their death. He died April 7, 1872, and his wife March 12, 1878. Mr. Bozarth was a kind neighbor, and a good citizen, and held sev- eral of the offices of his township. The above may truly be called the pio- neers of Stokes Township, all being settlers here prior to 1820. Many oth- ers who settled here later perhaps did as much pioneer work and endured as many trials as some who came earlier, and deserve a record of their lives in the history of the county equally as much as they, and we will now rec- ord some of thein, with their families.

EARLY SETTLERS.

Jessie Pancake was born in Virginia in 1801. He emigrated to Ohio and settled in Ross County in 1812: thence, about 1820 or soon after, lo- cated in this county, in Stokes Township, where he married Martha Cooper. who was born in this county in 1814, of a true pioncer family. Mr. Pan- cake spent his life here, and became one of the honored and well-known cit- izens of this township, and held many of its offices, and was a most worthy citizen. His wife died in 1839, just in the bloom of womanhood. Ho died in 1877. He made farming his business through life, and became owner of 1,200 acres of good land. His son John resides in Stokes Town- ship. and is a large and respected farmer, owning 700 acres of land. Thom-

John Price

717

STOKES TOWNSHIP.

as Cooper. a native of North Carolina, whom we have here placed among the list of early settlers, we believe to have been a pioneer, and perhaps settled here as early as 1810 or 1812, and should have been classed with the pioneers, but, from lack of certainty about the date of his locating, we have placed his record here. We find he located on land now owned by John Pancake and Mr. Slaughter. He was a man possessed of a very limited education, but of a sprightly, active mind and good business tact, but died early in life, yet owned about one thousand acres of land, and doubtless. had he lived. would have become wealthy. He died about 1810.

Peter Slaughter, a native of Virginia, emigrated to Highland County, Ohio, in an early day; about 1820-25, removed to this county and settled in Stokes Township, on Paint Creek, where he resided till his death, in the fall of 1864. He married Elizabeth Cooper, by whom he had eleven chil- dren. Ten grew to maturity, and four now survive -- Mary, Abigail, Ma tilda and Nancy. The last three reside on the old homestead place. Mary resides in Illinois. Mr. Slaughter married for his second wife Anna E. Lynch, by whom he had three children, one now living-Henrietta. Mr. Slaughter commenced life in very limited circumstances, but was possessed of a business tact of mind, full of energy and activity; entered largely the stock business, and became one of the largest stock-dealers of the county, and was well known in others as well as in Madison County. He probably bought and sold one thousand head of cattle yearly. In an early day. he took many large droves of cattle over the mountains to Lancaster, Penn. He was a man who loved hunting, and enjoyed life well. He was soon possessed of an extensive acquaintance and an unlimited credit, which he maintained through life, and died wealthy, owning 3,000 acres of land.

Moses Thomas was a native of North Carolina, and married Catharine Williams, a native of Virginia; were married in the latter State, and emi- grated to Fayette County, Ohio, in 1825, and soon after to Madison County and settled in Stokes Township, where they remained till death. Two of their sons. Benjamin and William, have remained residents of this town- ship, and are among its most prominent and reliable farmers; have held many of the offices of the township, and are highly respected citizens. William Cooper, a native of North Carolina, emigrated to Fayette County. Ohio, when a young single man, and in 1828 married Elizabeth Merriman and settled in Stokes Township. where he has spent his life, and is an up right and honored citizen of the community. His wife died in 1865. Ja- cob Smith was the eldest of six children of Mathias and Margaret Smith, who emigrated to Cincinnati in 1806, and in 1807 removed to Greene Coun- ty and settled on Beaver Creek, where they died. Jacob was born in Mary- land in 1803, and was reared in Greene County, Ohio, and married Amanda Herrod: settled in Stokes Township, this county, in 1836, on the place now owned by Mr. Clemons. Here he opened out in the woods, and has per- formed his full share in the improvement of the country. The west and north part of the village of South Solon is built on his land. He is Low quite aged, having resided in this township fifty-six years, and is an hon- ored and respected citizen. Joel Ervin. born in Ohio in 1811, settled in this township in 1830-35.

TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS.

We can find no records of elections of the township earlier than 1833; therefore. commencing with that date. we give the following list of officers: Trustees-1833, Christian Selsor. Aaron Moon and Ross Rowand: 1835, Ross Rowand, Aaron Moon and Jacob Smith; 1836. Richard King,

718

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.

Jacob Smith and Aaron Moon; 1837-39, Richard King, Aaron Moon and Jesse Pancake; 1840-41, Aaron Moon, Joseph Hunt and Samuel Hornbeck; 1842, Lot Bozarth, Aaron Moon and Samuel Hornbeck; 1844-45, Jesse Pancake, Aaron Moon and Lot Bozarth; 1846, Aaron Moon, Jesse Pancake and James Hornbeck; 1847-53, Aaron Moon, Jonathan Moon and James Hornbeck; 1854-55, Jonathan Moon, James Hornbeck and D. Elder John- son; 1856, D. Elder Johnson, Aaron Moon and Jonathan Moon; 1857-58, Aaron Moon, Jacob Smith and Jonathan Moon; 1859, Aaron Moon, Jona- than Moon and Richard Whiteman; 1860, Jonathan Moon. James Hornbeck and Richard Whiteman; 1861, Samuel Griffith, Richard Whiteman and An- drew Gordon; 1862, Jonathan Moon, James Hornbeck and Samuel Griffith; 1863, Jonathan Moon, Jackson Brock and Samuel Griffith; 1864-67, Giles Gordon. Jonathan Moon and Samuel Griffith; 1868, Jonathan Moon, John L. Moon and John Pancake; 1869-70, Jonathan Moon, Giles Gordon and Jackson Brock ; 1872, Jackson Brock, Samuel L. Griffith and William Thornton; 1872, William Thornton, J. C. Hays and J. M. Lucas; and the present incumbents in the office. 1882, are John M. Lucas, James K. Brock and A. H. Baughn.

Clerks-1833, Samuel Harvey; 1834, Isaac Harrow; 1835-42, James Thomas; 1843-45, Hugh Orr; 1846-54, James Thomas; 1855-57, C. E. Chaney; 1858-59, Hugh Orr; 1860-61, J. Mack Lucas; 1862-63, Owen Garlough; 1864-65, Harrison Hardacre; 1866-70, John D. Moon; 1871- 72, T. S. Cooper. The present Clerk now in office, 1882, is T. S. Cooper. Treasurers-1833-54, Aaron Moon; 1855-60, William Thomas; 1861- 65, Aaron Moon; 1866, J. J. Hudson; 1867-70, John Paulin; 1871-72, J. M. Lucas; and the one now serving, 1882, is L. C. Brock.

Justices of the Peace -1833, Christian Selsor; 1835, Richard King; 1836, Joseph Hunt; 1838, Richard King; 1839, Joseph Hunt; 1844, Ste- phen Maxey; 1846. James Kilgore: 1858, Harrison Curry; 1860, William J. Bonham; 1861. John M. Lucas.

Assessors -- 1843-62, Benjamin Thomas; 1863-71, James Hornbeck; 1872, Benjamin Thomas: 1882, Moses Thomas.

Constables-1833, Samuel Messmore and David Williamson; 1834, Isaac Harrow and Aaron Moon; 1835, Harrison Curry and Samuel Messmore; 1836, Bushrod W. Muson and -; 1837, Hiram Hougham and George W. King; 1838, Harrison Curry and William Chappell; 1839, John Glenn: 1843, Thomas McIntire and Hugh Orr; and present ones in office (1882) are Milton Marsh and George Mahoy.

Supervisors -- 1833. Christian Selsor, John Hudson and James Horn- beck: 1834, James Hornbeck, Christian Selsor and Ross Ramond; 1835, James Moon, Alexander Nelson. William Hudson, Christian Selsor and Ab- ner Eches: 1836, John F. Hudson, Abner Eches, Richard King, Jacob Sel- sor and A. Nelson; 1837, Peter Slaughter, Richard King, Harrison Curry, John F. Hudson and David Carter: 1838, Harrison Curry, Thomas Clemons, Jesse Pancake, David Carter and Richard King; 1839, Abner Eches, Jesse Pancake, Thomas Clemons, Cyrus King, Daniel Daugherty and Thomas Ellis: 1843, James Thomas, Isaac Clemons, Daniel Daugherty, David Stroup and Charles Rakestraw.

Fence Viewers-1833, Joseph Thomas, Sr., and Edward Stubblefield; 1834, Christian Selsor and Raper Ramond; 1835, Robert Rea and Moses Woodard; 1838, George Curry and Isaac Clemons; 1839, William Jones and James Thomas; 1843, Isaac Parker and George Simmerman.

Overseers of the Poor -- 1833, James Hunt, James Moon and John

719

STOKES TOWNSHIP.

Clark; 1834. Aaron Moon, Samuel Harvey and Samuel Hornbeck; 1835, Robert Rea; 1838, George W. King, Jesse Pancake; 1839, James Horn- beck and Harrison Curry; 1840, James Hornbeck and Harrison Curry.

We have only given the names of those who filled the offices, for a few years, and, in fact, the two last offices mentioned only existed a few years later than the above dates. Could we have found the records back to 1810, it would be interesting to know who first occupied those positions.

In 1833, the earliest record that appears to have been preserved, the total expenses in settling with the Trustees, Clerk, Treasurer and Supervis- ors, were $19.57, of which the Supervisors received $8.50, thus exhibiting the fact that the most important offices of the township at that day were not very attractive for the remuneration they brought. In 1833, the Treasurer's was 57 cents; in 1882, it was $19.78, showing quite an increase in the amount of funds passing through the Treasurer's hands from 1833 to 1882.

TOWNS.

This is truly a rural township, possessing but one town, or rather vil- lage, within its territory-South Solon-which was laid out in 1833, by J. K. Hudson and Andrew Douglass. The latter built the first house, and was the first blacksmith in the village. John Nolan opened the first store, and was the pioneer in the mercantile trade. Dr. Simmerman, a root and herb doctor, and possessed of some Indian blood in his veins, was the first phy- sician, and it is said was quite skillful in treating disease under his system. The town grew very slowly for many years, as it liad no railroad or other stimulus to promote its growth or to create business. The entire township was without a railroad until about four years ago, and all grain, stock, and all productions of the farmers, were hauled to some distant town for a mar- ket or for shipment; and as a result of this, when the farmers were at these distant towns, they made their purchases of dry goods and groceries for home consumption; hence there was little inducement for men of means or business ability to locate or invest in South Solon. And thus matters re- mained until, in 1878, the Springfield Southern Railroad was built, and passed through this village, connecting it with Springfield and the coal-fields of Southeastern Ohio. This opened a way for shipping the productions of the country, made, as it were, a home market, and the same year, imme- diately upon its completion, John Hudson erected a warehouse and grain elevator. The farmers now hauled their grain here and sold it, and shipped their stock. This created quite a business. Men were in demand, and this created a demand for houses. They were built, and the town began to grow. Goods and groceries of all kinds were now in demand, and mer- chants found an opening for the profitable investment of capital. From this time the town had a gradual but steady growth. This railroad, which at first was a narrow-gauge, was in 1880 transformed to a standard-gauge, and is doing quite a large and thriving business. By examining the ship- ping books of the agent of the road, we were surprised at the great amount of shipping from that small town. There will probably be from 600 to 800 cars of stock, grain, lumber, etc., shipped from that station during the year 1882. The business of the town now comprises the following: General store, by W. C. Rickards; general store, by William O'Shaughnessy; gro- cery. by A. Simmerman; grocery and post office, by M. Marsh; harness shop, by Miller & Townsley; blacksmith shop, by O. M. Porter; blacksmith shop, by A. Bush; carriage and buggy manufactory, by Joseph Hidwell; boot and shoe shop: saloon, by Riley Harper; saloon, by M. C. Clark; saloon, by Jerry Neville; livery and sale stable, by Stephen Maxey; saw-mill, by

720

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.

William Haines; grain-dealer. J. J. Hudson; brick manufacturer, J. F. Crawford; and physicians. H. H. McClellan. J. S. Smith and O. G. Fields.

SCHOOLS.

There is perhaps nothing in the history of a country, in its growth, progress and advancement, which presents a more striking contrast than the schools of the first settlers and the schools of to-day: or, more properly, the absence of schools in that day, compared with the fine schools and ad- vantages that are now enjoyed for the education of the young. For the pioneers of this country had a mission to perform. The land was covered with the mighty forest trees, which the horny hand of toil must first remove in order that the soil might be made to produce the necessaries to support the physical man. and the support and growth of the intellectual had to. from necessity. be made a secondary matter. But as soon as the circum- stances would permit. we find them endeavoring to provide ways and means for the education of their children, and in this work they had to rely en- tirely upon themselves and their own resources to accomplish it, as then, and for many years after, there was no help by State or otherwise to estab- lish or support schools. . Hence, their only alternative was to band toget !. er as soon as there were enough in a neighborhood to make it feasible, and each subscribe a certain amount, then hire a teacher, and in some house call the children together, where the teacher would meet with them and impart to them such instruction as they were able to receive, or the rude text-books and limited qualifications of the teacher of that day could give; and as soon a they could, they would combine together and cut down and prepare logs. and erect a house for school purposes. These were of the most rude and primitive kind. and are fully explained elsewhere in this work. Thus were carried on the schools of the first settlers of Stokes Town- ship till the school laws of Ohio were enacted, which rendered material aid to the work of education. Now they could levy a tax and appropriate the means to furnish houses, and opportunities for the free education of every child in the community. Of course, the tax was a prescribed amount, and the value of property was then limited, and the amount of schooling limited accordingly; but as property and wealth increased, so did the advantages for schools and of obtaining an education increase, and have continued to do so up to the present time, which now, it would seem. had reached almost to the maximum of attainment.

One of the first public schools in this township was in an old log house on the land now owned by James Crawford. and was situated near where his gate is now located. The first teacher was Mr. Burley. This was about 1830. The next schoolhouse was a cabin erected on the place now owned by John Murray. There was also a log house built for school purposes on Samuel Harrod's land about 1831. The first teacher here was Mr. Sears, who was rigid in discipline to the extreme, and created some difficulty in the neighborhood through his urcalled-for severity to his scholars. This, however, was not much of an exception in that day, as good physical pow- ers and ability to chastise his pupils was almost as great a requirement in that day as were intellectual qualifications. As the township filled up with settlers in different parts of her territory, so these primitive schools were established; and as the wealth and comforts of the people increased, so they increased and improved their schools, until now (1882) this township has ten school districts, with as many good schoolhouses, all either good frame , or brick buildings, comfortably seated and well furnished with the best ap- proved furniture and school paraphernalia.

721

STOKES TOWNSHIP.

District No. 1, situated just south of South Solon, on the Hudson farm, in 1881 enumerated twenty-one scholars. District No. 2, located on B. Thomas' farm, enumerated forty- nine; District No. 3 (Gossard's) enumerated forty-four; District No. 4 (Foster) enumerated twenty-nine; District No. 5 (Pancake) enumerated twenty-nine; District No. 6 (Stroup) enumerated thirty-five; District No. 7 (Gordon) enumerated twenty-one; District No. 8 (Corbitt) enumerated forty-two; District No. 9 (Selsor) enumerated thirty- two; District No. 10 (South Solon) enumerated ninety-three; also through- out the different districts there are enumerated eighteen colored children; total enumeration, 412 school children. Levied for school purposes, April 17, 1882, for tuition, $3,500; for incidentals, $1,335; total, $4,835.

CHURCHES.

There are but two church edifices in Stokes Township, and only one de- nominational. About 1835, a number of persons of the Protestant Meth- odist faith met and organized as a church, and soon after purchased a hewed-log house. located on the place now owned by Alexander Simmerman, which had been built for a dwelling. This they fitted up for church pur- poses, and in which they held services under Rev. Dolby, Rev. Harvey and others for about four or five years, when they disbanded. From this time forward, there was no regularly organized church, but there were services and preaching had quite often in the schoolhouse, by both the Methodist and Christian denominations, till, in 1860, the present frame church at South Solon was erected, and in 1861 was dedicated to service. This is known as the People's Church, and is not a denominational church, but is open and free for all Christian sects in which to hold service. At the pres- ent time, Rev. Ewing, of Springfield, a minister of the Protestant Method- ist Church, and Rev. Yeoman, a Baptist minister, hold services here regu- Jarly.

Grassy Point Christian Church was organized in 1832, by Rev. Joseph Thomas, better known as the "White Pilgrim," with thirty charter mem- bers, some of whom were as follows: Joseph Thomas, Jr., Samuel Horn- beck, Thomas Green, Margaret Green, James Hornbeck, Catharine Mess- more, Samuel Messmore, Sarah Thomas, Maria Hornbeck and Polly Carr, now a resident of Fayette County, Ohio; John Lohr, of London, Ohio; and Sophronia Carr, a daughter of the White Pilgrim, who resides at Yellow Springs, Greene Co., Ohio. Preaching and services were held for several years at the house of Rev. Thomas. Finally, under the preaching of Jo- seph Thomas. Jr., about 1845, a hewed-log house was erected for church purposes, in which services were held for a period of about fifteen years. The church grew in strength, numbers and usefulness, and about 1860 the present frame house was erected, and was dedicated to the service of God in 1861.

Joseph Thomas, who organized the church, was its first minister. He was succeeded by the following: Rev. Enoch Harvey, James McInturf, Joseph Thomas, Jr., Jolin Greene. Benjamin Seaver, Louis Greene, James Hornbeck, Daniel Griffin, Caleb Morse. W. N. Overturf, Jonathan Pugh and W. B. Fuller. Since the organization of this church, there have been enrolled nearly six hundred members. The church is situated in a fine country, and in a neighborhood of church-going people, and they usually have good congregations, and on special occasions, as their yearly meetings, have immense gatherings. At the present time, the church numbers 100 members, with Rev. W. N. Overturf as pastor.

722

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.

CHAPTER VII.

RANGE TOWNSHIP.

TI THIS township occupies a central position in the southern tier of town. ships in the county of Madison. It embraces a scope of beautiful country, which, from the earliest advance of civilization, and its occupancy by the whites, had its fine prairies, with their exuberance of grass, occupied by herds of stock which were driven here from Ross County and herded by men hired for that purpose. This afforded the finest of pasturage, and continued to be occupied in this manner by the extensive stock-dealers of Ross County and other counties, with no cost whatever but to employ men to watch the stock and keep them together upon this broad, unfenced and unbounded expanse of country, till finally the land was so generally taken up by purchasers and actual settlers that those from other counties were de- barred from carrying on their former profitable herding business any longer in this portion of country.

This township was early erected and put into full working order. Upon the records of the county at London we find the following, bearing date December 7, 1812: "At a meeting of the Commissioners of Madison Coun- ty (on petition), ordered that the following bounds compose a new town- ship, which shall be hereafter known and designated by the name of Range Township, viz .: Beginning on the county of Fayette at the crossing of the North Fork of Paint Creek; thence to the eight-mile tree on Langham's road; thence with said road westwardly to the line of Union Township; thence with the said line to the southwest corner of Judge Baskerville's survey; and then from the aforesaid place of beginning, west with Fay- ette County line, to a point one mile east from the crossing of Main Paint; thence northerly to the southwest corner of Judge Baskerville's survey aforesaid. "

The surface of the territory composing this township is remarkably level, there being only small portions of it along the creeks, and occasion- ally a small tract here and there in certain localities, that are undulating, and a few places of small extent that may be called as approaching the or- der of hills. The township is bounded on the north by Paint and Oak Run Townships, east by Pleasant Township, south by Fayette County, and west by Stokes and Paint Townships. ' It was, as the settlers first found it, possessed of large oak openings and prairies, with some portions, especially along the creeks, heavily timbered. The varieties of timber consisted prin- cipally of burr, white and red cak, hickory. walnut, elm and maple, the first two varieties mentioned predominating, and the burr oak growing to a large size, and probably in excess in number of any other variety. In some localities there was an abundance of fine walnut timber, which, in an early day, was cut down and burned on the ground in order to get the land cleared and ready for cultivation. Hundreds and thousands of beautiful logs were piled up at their log-rollings, which, if in possession of the own- ers of the land to-day, would net them a large income. Most of the tim- bered land of this section of country was perfectly clear from any brush or

723

RANGE TOWNSHIP.

undergrowth when the first settlers located here, constituting some of the most beautiful oak groves which the eye ever beheld. This condition was brought about by the effects of the yearly fires, which were set in the grass late in the fall by the Indians, and the entire country burned over for miles in extent in every direction, the object being to give a elear and unobstruct- ed view and opportunity for hunting in the winter season, as game, such as bear, deer, opossum, wild turkeys, etc., were then in great abundance. The contrast between the country then and the timbered portions which re. main to-day is remarkable and striking: then so open and beautiful that a man could ride through anywhere and in any direction, on horseback, at a gallop. in the hunt or chase. with no obstructions to their rapid travel: now it is so thick and close with the undergrowth. since it has ceased to be burned over by these tires. that in some sections it is almost impossible for man or beast to get through at all, at the slowest pace.

The soil of this township is very rich and productive, the flat and more level portions being composed of a vegetable soil. very deep, rich and black; while the rolling and more elevated portions are a strong loam and clay soil, excellent for wheat and grass. While the black, rich loam of the flat land is superior for corn, yet, as it becomes older and more thoroughly drained, will also become better for wheat, and, in fact, for all grains. The leading and most profitable business with the farmers for many years was stock-raising, but of late years. as the land is becoming ditched, tiled and drained, so as to get clear of the abundance of surface water. it is becoming better adapted to the raising of wheat and corn. and the farmers have gone quite extensively into the cultivation of these cereals. This year (1882). they have raised a wonderful crop of wheat; and, though the season has been uncommonly wet, and considerably against the progress of a good corn crop, yet there is a fair prospect of somewhat below an average crop, the prospect in this township being probably fully up to that of most of the townships of Madison County. The township is abundantly watered by numerous creeks and branches, fed by beautiful springs, and, with a clay and disintegrated limestone subsoil. is almost proof against common or or- dinary droughts. The principal streams are the Bradford, the head branches of which rise in Paint and Oak Run Townships, and, uniting on the north boundary line of this township, flows in a southeasterly direction, forming the boundary line between Range and Oak Run Townships for about one and a half miles, then passes into Oak Run Township, then again enters this township, passing through its northeast corner, and onters Pleas- ant Township. In its course it receives a tributary which is formed by two branches, which water all the northern portion of the township, by their various branches penetrating it in numerous directions. In the center of the township, on the Chrisman land, rises Mud Run, and flows southeast into Pleasant Township. The North Fork of Paint is formed by two branches, which rise a little northeast of Midway and form a junction just north of Danville. flowing southeast into Fayette County. In the southern central portion of the township is Thompson's Run, and in the western and southwestern part are Willow Spring Branch and East Fork of Paint, which flow in a southeastern course, form a junction about one-half mile north of the township line, and flow on into Fayette County. The general direction of all these creeks and their branches is east, southeast and south, showing distinctly that the northwest portion of the township has the greatest elevation.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 77

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