The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 78

Author: Brown, Robert C; W.H. Beers & Co., pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1180

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724

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.

PIONEERS.

The position of this township, and the quality of its soil, with its prairies and abundance of pasturage, were conditions which tended to an early settlement. It appears the first actual settler to penetrate the terri- tory of what has since become Range Township was William M. Linton, with his family. He was born in England about 1753, emigrated to Vir- ginia, there married Mary Williams and settled in Hardy County. About 1797, they emigrated to Ohio and settled in Ross County. In 1800-01, they removed to Madison County, settling just south of where Midway is now located, and there resided till his death, in 1835. He devoted his life to the occupation of a farmer. A few years before his death, he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was the father of eight children -Maria. George. Sarah, Susan, Hannah, Nancy, Betsey and Peggy, all low deceased. Maria married Cyrus Ward; had three children, one only now living-W. Curtis Ward, now freight agent at London; George never married, and resided in this township till his death, in 1876, aged eighty- seven years; Sarah married Archibald Stewart; had two children, one now surviving .- Mrs. Rev. James Dunlap, of Springfield, Ohio; Susan married Joseph Pancake, had two children, who are now living-Isaac and Jesse, residents of Illinois; Hannah married Benjamin Walker, by whom she had several children, and all the surviving ones are residents of Iowa; Nancy married William Davis, had six children, and all surviving are residents of Illinois; Betsey married David Dye, had four children, three now sur- vive (David, a resident of Yellow Springs, Ohio; Sarah, now Mrs. Cart- mell, residing in Indiana; and George, a resident of Republic, Kan.): Peggy married Lockhart Biggs, had five children, one now survives; William, a resident of Missouri.

David Dye, a native of New Jersey, it is believed, came to Ohio a sin- gle man, and settled on land just east of William Linton a few years later, and, about 1810, married Betsey Linton. She died about 1835. He mar- ried for his second wife Nancy Wingate, by whom he had two children, both deceased. They remained here till about 1867, when they removed to Yellow Springs, Ohio, where his wife died in 1879, and he in 1880, aged ninety-five years. He was a blacksmith by trade, which, in connection with farming, he followed through life. Peter Moneyhorn settled on land now owned by Mrs. Hicks abont 1806. Of him but little is known, except that he was a very eccentric man, and indulged a great deal in writing poetry or making rhymes and funny expressions, to the great amusement of those who heard him. It is believed that. after a few years' residence here, he moved away. Archibald Stewart settled just sonth of William Linton, probably in 1806-OS. and married Sarah Linton. He was a very energetic, good business man, and became an extensive stock-dealer and large land-owner. He finally moved to Bloomingsburg. Fayette County, where he died.

Joseph Pancake was born in Virginia December 19, 1789; emigrated to Ohio, first to Ross Coun y, thence, in 1806. came to Madison County, Range Township, and was employed by William M. Linton to work on his farm: finally married Susan Linton, and soon after settled on land west of Midway, now owned by Reuben Slaughter. He served in the war of 1812, for which services he subsequently obtained a land warrant. His wife died, and he married Miss Corbitt. She lived only about one year, and he mar- ried for his third wife Mrs. Jane Dungan, née Wilson, a native of Penn- sylvania, the widow of Jessie Dungan, one of the early settlers of Range wnship. With her he lived till his death, September 15, 1853, living, m

S. mitlibreta m. S.

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RANGE TOWNSHIP

at the time of his death, in Midway. His wife died July 30, 1863. He was the father of four children by his first wife, two now living -Isaac and Jesso, residents of Ilinois. By his last wifo he had three children; two now sprvivo -Jane, wife of D. E. Johnson, residing in Hardin Conuty, Ohio; nd James S. Mr. Pancake devoted his life to farming and at the time of his death had lived nearly half a century in Range Township, hav. ing been one of her earliest settlers, and passed through the varied trials, dangers and hardships of those times. And not only was he a pioneer in the seenlar affairs of the township, but was a pioneer in the Methodist Chure i, having been a member of the first class organized in this township, and of which he was one of the class-leaders. He served a long and do- voted life in the church, and died esteemed and respected by a large cir- .cle of friends and acquaintances. James S. Pancake, the youngest child, still residos in Range Township. the place that gave him birth; has devoted his life to farming, and is one of the reliable and respected citizens, one who has followed well the footsteps of his father, as pertains to an honor able and useful life, being an active and devoted worker and member of the Methodist Church.

Jesse Dungan, a native of Pennsylvania, of Scotch descent, married Jane Wilson, a native of Pennsylvania, and, about 1807, emigrated to Ohio and settled in Range Township, on Bradford's Creek, where he resided till his death, in 1824. He was the father of eight children: live now survive -- Wilson, Rebecca (now Widow Rayburn), Esther (now Widow Moore, re. siding in Iowa), John and Martha (who married Joseph Rayburn, and re- sides in Chicago. 1H.). Mr. Dungan spent his life as a farmer, and knew the full force of pioneer life. its trials and privations, as he was one among the earliest in that neighborhood. He was a devoted member of the Christian Church, and, soon after his settling here, he caused preaching to be held at his house, and a society was organized abont 18H, embracing Mr. Dungan, David Kingory, William Hall and others, whose names are not now remembered. Some of the carly ministers who preached here were Rev. Forgus Graham, George Alkire and Rev. Barton Stone, of Kentucky, the founder of the Christian Church. Mr. Dungan was the main pillar in this society, and served as exhorter for several years, and the organization was kept up and services held at his house till his death, after which they ceased, his funeral sermon being the last sermon ever preached there. Thus, though Mr. Dungan's life in this township was not a long one, being cut off by death abont 1524, yet those eighteen years were filled full of ac tivity and usefulness. Joseph Burris, a native of Maryland, settled in Rango Township about 1807. Of his life but little can now be ascertained except that he was the father of seven children- - John. Samuel, Joseph, Robert, Jamos, Betsey and Margaret, most of whom moved West, and none have been in this county for many years.

Lovin Willoughby, one of the earliest settlers, located here probably as early as 1807. William Vincent was a brother-in-law of Lovin Willough by, and settled in the same neighborhood about the same date. Mr. Wil- loughby was born on Sharp's Island, in Chesapeake Bay. He was a son of Job and Mary (Mills) Willoughby. The grandfather, Job Willoughby, was a native of Wales. Levin's parents soon moved into Maryland and settled near Cambridge, where they died. Their children were Levin, Sally. John, Andrew, Amelia and Job Lovin married Elizabeth Levy, and soon after, with his family and some of his brothers and sisters, emigrated to Ohio and settled near Chillicothe, on the Gov. Worthington farm. After a short

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.

residence there, he removed to Madison County and settled in Range Township, in the vicinity of the Shepherds, or where they now reside. This, it is believed, was about 1807, and here he resided till his death. He was a farmer through life, and held many of the offices of his township, an early settler of this county, and a good neighbor and worthy citizen. He was the father of five children, of whom one died in infancy-Martha, married Ben- jamin Badger: Nancy. married Jacob Hull: David, married Elizabeth Kin- ney; and Levin married, it is believed, a Miss Gray.

Burton Blizzard, a native of Virginia, became an early settler of Ross County, where he married Millie Willoughby, and, about 1807-OS, settled in Madison County, Range Township. on land he purchased of William Dunlap at $1 per acre. and here he spent his entire life. From time to time. he purchased more land, till he was in possession of 900 acres of good land. Mr. Blizzard was somewhat of a carpenter, and was often called upon by the new settlers as they located to come and hew puncheons for their cabins. Mr. Blizzard was one of the active, prominent men of that day. He assisted Patrick McLene in much of his surveying. and it is said helped lay out the lots for the town of London. He filled many of the important offices of his township and county. He served as a Justice of the Peace for thirty years, and as County Commissioner from 1816 to 1839 in- clusive. He was largely identified with the establishment, growth and pros- perity of Madison County; a man of more than ordinary ability, firm in char- acter and integrity, he was one of the men for pioneer times, and his life was crowned with prosperity and usefulness. His wife survived him sev- eral years. and died at the advanced age of nearly ninety-four years. Their living children are Levin W., who married Clarinda Counts. Sallie, married William Crawford: Betsey. married John Corson; William, married and settled in Missouri; and Mary, now Mrs. Workman. also a resident of Mis- souri. Those deceased were James, married Mary Carr; Hattie, married Thomas Prosser; and Burton, who married Elizabeth Foster.

Daniel Counts, born in Rockingham County, Va., November 30, 1779; emigrated to Ohio, stopping first in Ross County, where he married Elizabeth Walker. and thence, about ISOS, removed to Range Township, this county, and settled on the place now owned by Mary A. Thompson, where he spent a long life devoted to farming and stock-raising. He started in life poor, having no means, and at first lived in a tent till they could do better. He was very industrious and economical. and was successful from the start, accumulating rapidly, and, at the time of his death owned 2,500 acres of land in Range Township, also a large amount of Western lands, besides moneys and personal property of large amounts. He passed over sixty years in this township. He knew what it was to commence poor and endure the full hardships of pioneer life. and as well he experienced what it was to be wealthy, and able to have all that money could buy: had passed through all these stages and conditions in life. He died January 22. 1873, at the advanced age of ninety-four years. He was a very eccentric man. and many stories are told of his peculiarities. He was the father of thir- teen children, six now living-Mary A., now Widow Thompson: Joseph: Christena. now Widow Williamson, residing in Illinois: Louisa. wife of W. A. Koontz: Daniel A. and Levi. Peter Counts came here from Ross County and herded cattle in 1812. and purchased land and remained as a settler, and engaged largely as a farmer and stock-raiser and became quite wealthy. His widow still survives, and resides near Danville. Septimus Stuthard, a native of Virginia settled on the place now owned by David

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RANGE TOWNSHIP.

Haskell. Subsequently he moved from there, but remained a resident in this vicinity till his death. He married for his second wife Lovey Salmon. There were three children, whose names we get as Solomon, Mary and Lovey; the two daughters are deceased; the son still survives. Mr. Stuth - ard was a good neighbor and worthy citizen. and a member of the Method- ist Church. His last years were spent in Fayette County, where he died in 1857. Caleb Ramey. a brother-in-law of Mr. Stuthard. probably settled here about same date. Thomas Baldwin. a native of Virginia. settled a little east of Danville about 1811-12. He married Mary Cookus, and were residents here for several years, and during this time his wife died. Sub- sequently, he moved away. He was a good neighbor and a substantial cit- izen. He served as a Justice of the Peace for several years. James Whitesides settled where Danville is now located, and was one of the early teachers of this neighborhood. He married for his second wife Widow Ward, raised a large family of children, all of whom have moved into other counties in the northern part of the State. He served as Justice of the Peace in 1814, and several years subsequently.

John McClimans, a native of Pennsylvania, married Mary Croverston. They emigrated to Ross County, Ohio; thence, about 1812, removed to Madison County and settled in Range Township, on the place now owned by Mrs. Isaac McClimans, and there resided through the remainder of their lives. He was a devoted Christian man, and a life-long member of the Presbyterian Church. They had ten children, nine of whom grew to ma- turity -Margaret, married William Johnson; William, married Nancy Pear- son, and settled in this county, where he spent his life as a farmer: George and John never married, but remained residents here through life, engaged as farmers and stock-dealers: Sarah married Isaac Housman; Samuel mar- ried Rachel Pearson, and subsequently removed to Illinois, where he died; Isaac married Mary Parker and settled on the old home place, where he re- mained through life; he was twice married; his second wife was Elizabeth Clearage; David married Eliza Parker and settled near the home place, where he resided till his death. John Housman, a native of Virginia, mar- ried Martha Frost: emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Ross County; thence, about 1813. removed to Madison County and settled in Range Township, on land now owned by Mrs. Hicks. They had nine children, of whom but one now survives-Mrs. Margaret McClimans. Those deceased were Will- iam, Isaac, Jacob, Abraham. Samuel, Francis, Mary, Hannah and Martha. Of these, William married Abigail Britton. and spent his life in this con- ty as a farmer till quite advanced in years, when he removed to London and engaged in the business of keeping hotel till his death. He was twice married. By his first wife he had ten children: two now survive-Joseph and Francis. His second wife was Frances Roberts, by whom he had one child, now deceased. Isaac married Sarah MeClimans and spent his life as a farmer near the old home place of his father. He also engaged largely as a stock-dealer, and accumulated a large property prior to his death; was a leading, prominent man, and represented this county in the Legislature, and was Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for some years. He was the father of eight children; three now survive-Mary, wife of William Baldwin, and resides in Fayette County, Ohio; Martha, wife of Granville Rogers, and resides near Knoxville, Tenn. ; and Margaret, wife of John W. Steel. Jacob never married, but spent his life on the home farm with his sister Frances. who also remained single, and both died at the old homestead. Mary married Thomas Reeves; Hannah never married;

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY

Martha married William Rayburn; he died, and she married for her second husband Philip MeDonald, and remained a resident of this county till her death.

William Johnston, a native of Pennsylvania, married Margaret McCli- mans, a native of the same State: emigrated to Ohio and located in Ross County, near Chillicothe, about 1804-05, where they resided till the fall of 1813; they removed to Madison County and located in Range Township, on Mud Run. on land now owned by John Johnston's heirs, and here, and on land adjoining, which he subsequently purchased, he resided till his death, in the fall of 1861. They had eight children who grew to maturity-John; Nancy, who died unmarried; William, married Philista Hall, and on Wednes- day, September 27, 1882, was celebrated their golden wedding, on which occasion were assembled a large number of the family. children and grand- children, who had a very sociable and enjoyable time: George married Bar- bara Beam and settled in this township, where he still resides; Margaret married William Nelson, and, soon after, settled in De Witt County, Ill., where they still reside; Henry married and settled in the same county in Illi - nois; Hannah married Dr. Joseph Bryant, and resides in the same county; and Joseph, the youngest child. married and settled in the same county. Mr. John- son, who was one of the pioneers of Range Township. at the time of his lo- cating there had but few neighbors, as the county was only sparsely set- tled, and he had to endure his full share of pioneer work and hardships. He was a man of firm character and principles, and of undoubted integrity, possessing the entire confidence of his community. He filled the office of Justice of the Peace for several years, and died esteemed and respected by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. John, the eldest son of the above William Johnston, was born in Ross County March 13. 1806, and was in his seventh year when, with his father, they located in Range Town- ship. and here he grew to manhood, married and settled, and raised a large family of children, and here resided till his death, July 29. 1882. in his seventy-seventh year, having been a resident of the township almost sixty- nine years. He was a man of high moral character, a kind neighbor and most worthy citizen, and was held in high esteem in the community where he had lived so long.

Richard Gosslee was born in Sussex County, Del., May 19, 1781. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Brown February 11, 1803, and in 1804 em- igrated to Ohio and settled in Ross County. In 1816, he settled on his well-known farm, about eight miles south of London, in Range Township, where he remained until 1856. when he removed to London, where he died on the 20th of November, 1572, at the advanced age of ninety-one years and six months. His wife, the companion of his youth, was taken from him by death many years since. Subsequently he was married to Mrs. Martin, of Circleville. Ohio. This lady lived but a few years, and they were years of atliction. In 1847, he was united in marriage with Mrs. McFeely, of Cir- cleville, Ohio. By his first wife he had eight sons and four daughters, of whom tive now survive -- Ketturah. now Widow Warner, residing in Lon- don: Sarah A., now Widow Sloan, residing in Denver, Colo. ; Elizabeth W .. now Widow King, residing at Marion, Ohio; Richard .. a resident of Otisville, Mich. : and John Wesley, a resident of Loda. Ill. Mr. Goss- lee was one of the pillars of the Methodist Church, and the founder of the Concord Church of Range Township. He united with the Methodist Epis - copal Church in 1501. Immediately after his marriage, he commenced to hold family worship, morning and evening, which custom he constantly kept

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RANGE TOWNSHIP.

up till within a few days of his death. Over seventy years of his life were devoted to the service of God, in communion with the church of his choice. Very soon after he settled on his farm in this township. he was the active man in organizing a class at his house, and there preaching was had for many years, till the erection of a church building in 1836-37. He appeared to have but one work and but one subject of thought. and that was the service of God. He was exemplary in life and tranquil in death.

Cornelius Johnson, a native of Maryland, married Sarah Andrews. and, in 1803, with his family, emigrated to Ohio and settled in Ross Coun- ty. About 1817-18. he removed to Madison County and settled on the place now owned by Harvey Suver, in Range Township, but, prior to his death. he returned to Ross County, where he died. He was twice married. and by the two wives was the father of twenty children. all now deceased but three - Andrew. Noah and Strador: the last two reside in Missouri; Andrew mar- ried Mary Dye. a daughter of David Dye. by whom he had eight children; six now survive-Margaret, married Dr. M. F. Garrard, and now resides in London; David: Sarah, married John Fallestine and resides on the place: Eliza, married M. H. Hamilton, resides at Bloomington, Ill .: Myra, resides in Toledo. unmarried; Mary, married L. C. Black, and also resides in To- ledo. Mr. Andrew Johnson has spent his life in Range Township, devot- ing his entire attention to farming. He has been a member of the Moth- odist Church for more than half a century, and an exhorter in the same for more than twenty years, and was one of the organizing members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Midway. Thomas Athey, a native of Lou- doun County, Va., emigrated to Bourbon County. Ky., where he rosi ed several years, and was a minister in the Methodist Church; thence he re moved to Chillicothe, Ohio, and married Diana Abrams, a daughter of Judge Henry Abrams, and. about 1801-02, removed to Fairfield County; then, in the fall of )818, settled in Range Township, Madison County, on the James Foster farm. Finally he became a resident of Union Township, one and a half miles south of London. He was born November 18. 1780, and died October 26, 1861. His wife was born June 8. 1777, and died October 8, 1863. They had eleven children ; two now survive- George W. and William A. Athey, Esq. William King was among the carly settlers, and was one of the first Justices of the Peace of Range Township, serving with Burton Blizzard in 1813. Others who were considered early settlers. and who have been prominently identified and associated with the growth and progress of Range Township. are James Foster, Joseph Gillespie, Benjamin Harrison and Richard Ayers. John Fisher was born near Harper's Ferry, Va., in November, 1776. Ho married Elizabeth Byers in April. 1797. and removed to Ross County, Ohio, in 1809, and, about 1819. settled in Range Township, Madison County, where ho resided till his death. aged about ninety-three years. He was in the war of 1812; was the founder of the Bethel Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. in which he was the first class-leader, the class being organized at his house, which served as the first preaching-place of this society. Mr. Fisher was Leader. Trustee and Steward of the society till near the time of his death. He was an hon- ored citizen. a devoted Christian, and a firm friend of Old Bethel Church to the latest hour of his life.

TOWNS.

As this township became thickly settled, and the people advanced in the various improvements, from which spring, as an outgrowth, all towns and villages, so here have sprung into existence two villages. The first to

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.

come into existence was Midway. At quite an carly day, a road was opened through from the East to the West, passing through this township from east to west, and which subsequently became a general thoroughfare, over which droves of cattle passed from the West to the Eastern markets. Trav- el and traffic kept increasing, and hotels and stores for their accommoda- tion were soon in demand to meet these increasing wants. On this great thoroughfare from the West to the East, in Range Township, was a central point, which was half way between Chicago and Philadelphia. It was also a middle point between several of the important towns of nearer proximity. Hence, from these circumstances of its position, geographically considered, it was given the name of Midway.

The land upon which this town is located was owned by William Mor- ris, Frank Thompson and Lockhart Biggs. The exact date of laying off the first lots cannot be definitely stated; but we find on the records at Lon- don that it was surveyed and laid off in lots, and that he platted the town, which was recorded June 13. 1833. Also, on January 18, 1838, was rec- orded Ward's Addition; again, on October 30, 1868, an addition by J. Q. Minshall; on January 6, 1869, an addition by Cyrus Timmons; on May 8, 1876, an extension by the Council; and on February 15, 1879, an addition by Levi Counts. It appears that there were two small cabins built here be- fore the town was laid out-one on the corner where the hotel now stands, built by William Oliver: and one on the corner where Mr. Shough now lives. But, after the laying-out of the town, the first house was built by Isaac Newman, on the corner where Hewett Bros.' store now stands, and oc- cupied by John Blue as a hotel. He was succeeded by Joseph Wilmuth, and he by W. T. Garrard; thence this house ceased to be used longer for hotel purposes; but two others were erected, probably at nearly the same date, the one by Richard Smith being the property now owned by John Timmons. Smith was succeeded by James Williamson, and he by Mr. Jackson; then Thomas Green, Elihu Watkins, and last by David Small, after which the property went into ownership as a private residence. The other was the present hotel building, erected by L. D. Rowe, and kept by John McElhaney. He was succeeded by the following persons. in the or- der, respectively, as their names appear: Mrs. Elizabeth Watkins, James Blizzard, A. J. Thacker, Isaac Byers, A. Miller, Miss Caroline Morris, Charles Bailey, A. Miller. Carty Ellers, W. C. Wheaton, John Timmons, Benson Hedley. E. C. Duff and Isaac N. Fisher, the present incumbent. Thus this enterprise has been carried on by twenty-four different parties, and in an early day, when this great thoroughfare was doing its greatest busi- ness with the stock-dealers, and its varied travel and traffic, the hotel trade was an extensive business. Here was the great meeting-place of the East- ern stock-buyers and the Western stock sellers, and here they left hundreds of dollars with the landlords of the hotels for their accommodations. But when the railroads passed through the country, and stock ceased to be driven in that slow and tedious way, but was transported by steam with such rapidity from the West to the East. then this road, with her numerous hotels, lost her prestige, her palmy days were gone, and the attention of the people was turned to other channels of business.

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The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 78

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