The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 91

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 91

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).

The following is a record of the officers who have been elected and served in the various offices respectively since 1856, commencing with the office of Township Trustees: 1857, John Foster, Jonathan Harvey and R. C. Amos; 1858-59, Robert C. Amos, Mitchell Lane and Jeremiah Thomas; 1860, Jesse Rea, Jeremialı Thomas and Joseph Bell; 1861-62, Jeremiah Thomas, Matthew Rea and Mitchell Lane; 1863-66, William Bell, B. D. Thomas and Joseph Rea; 1867. Mitchell Lane, A. C. Moorman and Jo- seph Rea; 1868, Mitchell Lane, Cephas Pancake and A. C. Moorman; 1869. J. C. Smith, Cephas Pancake and Joseph Bell ; 1870, Joseph Bell, J. C. Smith and Daniel B. Foster : 1871, J. C. Smith, D. B. Foster and Joseph Bell; 1872, D. B. Foster, J. C. Smith and Joseph Bell; 1873, Jeremiah Rea. Cephas Pancake and Thomas Wheeler; 1874, Elijah Chenoweth, Jeremiah Rea and John Farrar; 1875, D. B. Foster. Andrew S. Bell and Jeremiah Rea: 1876, Andrew S. Bell, John Pancake and Thomas Wheeler; 1877. John Martin, John Pancake and Thomas Rea; 1878, ME. S. Roby, Joseph Bell and A. C. Moorman; 1879, A. C. Moorman, M. S. Roby and Thomas Wheeler; 1880, A. C. Moorman, A. S. Bell and John T. Wal- ters; 1881, C. E. Gregg, M. S. Roby and A. S. Bell, and 1882, M. L. Rea, Joseph Pancake and James Wall.

Treasurers -- 1857. Jeremiah Thomas; 1858, Owen Thomas; 1859, Jere- miah Thomas; 1860-66, W. W. Fellows; 1867, William Bell: 1868, Will- iam Bell; 1869, Henry Farrar: 1870, Robert Rea; 1871-73, Henry Farrar; 1874-77, Jeremiah Rea: 1878, J. C. Smith; 1879, John Pancake; 1880, F. M. Harvey, and 1881-82, John Pancake.

Clerks- - 1857-68, Jeremiah Rea; 1869-70, William Bell; 1871, John Foster was elected. but gave no bond, and William Bell continued to act; 1872-80, William Bell; 1881. Joseph Bell, and 1882, Joseph M. Lewis.

Assessors-1857-58, Henry Farrar; 1859-60. E. Chenoweth; 1861, Joseph Bell; 1862, Henry Farrar; 1863, Robert Rea; 1864, F. M. Cheno- weth; 1865, B. D. Thomas; 1866-71, F. M. Harvey; 1872, John Foster; 1873, F. M. Harvey; 1874, John Pancake; 1875, F. M. Harvey; 1876, Wallace Peddicord: 1877, F. M. Harvey; 1878, F. M. Harvey; 1879, Jo-

840

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.

seph Pancake; 1880, Wallace Peddicord; 1881, Joseph Pancake, and 1882, Joseph Bell.

Justices of the Peace-1857. David Lewis and William Bell; 185S, A. V. Chrisman: 1859, William Douglass; 1860, J. C. Smith; 1861, Rosell M. Thomas: 1866, B. D. Thomas. During the years of 1864-65, there was no Justice in office, and, since 1867, there has been no Justice elected.

Supervisors-1857, M. Rea; 1858, Benjamin Bell and Jeremiah Rea: 1859, Jeremiah Rea and Mitchell Lane; 1860, Owen Thomas and Jeremiah Rea: 1861. J. C. Smith and Robert Rea; 1862. Elijah Chenoweth and Jere- miah Thomas; 1863, William Bell and Jeremiah Rea; 1864, Jeremiah Rea and Benjamin Bell; 1865, William Bell and Jeremiah Rea: 1866, C. E. Gregg and Jeremiah Rea: 1868, C. Pancake and Robert Rea; 1869, Abraham Miller and C. Pancake; 1870, Elijah Chenoweth and Thomas H. Roby; 1871. M. Lane and William Deffenbaugh: 1872, J. C. Smith and Thomas Wheeler; 1873, John Van Skoy and C. E. Gregg; 1874, M. Lane and John Van Skoy; 1875. A. S. Bell and John Fleming: 1876. John Macken and J. C. Smith; 1877. John Van Skoy and J. C. Smith: 1878. William Vandyke and C. E. Gregg; 1879, William H. Laird and Thomas Higgins; 1880, A. J Harvey, William King and John Macken; 1881, A. J. Harvey, T. H. Roby and Thomas Hig gins, and, 1882, Thomas Roby, J. W. Harvey and Thomas Morrissey.

Constables-1857, Mitchell Lane and F. M. Chenoweth; 1858, Thomas Peddicord and Robert Rea; 1859-60, Martin Parker and Mitchell Lane: 1861, Joseph Rea and F. M. Harvey: 1862, there were none sworn into office; 1863-67, Joseph Rea: 1868. Abraham Busiek: 1869. Abraham Bu- sick, but did not give bond and consequently did not serve, and since that date they have elected no Constables. This township thus gives an illus- tration of getting through several years without a Constable or a Justice of the Peace: and, as far as is apparent, suffers very little inconvenience from the want of them. There is no town or village within the township, and no saloons, stores or other places to attract or keep loafers or idlers, and is a farming community. settled up with a class of industrious, law-abiding citizens. whose quiet and peaceable lives may well stand forth as beacon lights among the townships of Madison County.

SURFACE, SOIL AND STREAMS'.

The surface is generally level; the western and southern portions being particularly flat and uniform. while the northern and eastern portions are undulating, and in some localities, along the creeks. is quite hilly. The principal streams are Deer Creek and Oak Run and Bradford's Fork, with their tributaries; the former passes through the northeast portion of the township, in a southeasterly course, entering the township from Union Township by passing through the farm of Joseph Bell and striking in its course the boundary line of Fairfield Township. there takes a south course and for some distance forms the boundary line between Oak Run and Fair- field. then again enters Oak Run Township through the Chenoweth farm and reaching the north line of Jesse Rea's farm. turns east, reaching the Dun tract of land again takes a south course and passes into Pleasant Town- ship. In its course through this township, it receives its first tributary in what is called Nigger Run; then it receives on the Cephas Pancake farm, Glade Run, which enters the northeast corner of the township, passes through four or five farms, and empties into Deer Creek as above mentioned. Next it receives, on the Chenoweth farm, Oak Run, which onters the town ship through the Dock Williams farm and flows southeasterly, receiving in

841

OAK RUN TOWNSHIP.

its course through the Chrisman land Walnut Run, which courses through the Jesse and Robert Rea farms and a part of said Chrisman land, and empties, as stated, into Oak Run. A little below where it empties into Deer Creek, the latter receives on the Jerry Rea land, Turkey Run. In the south part of the township and forming for a considerable distance the boundary line between Oak Run and Range Townships is Bradford's Fork, the main stream having a general southeastern direction, receiving on the D. B. Foster farm its North Fork, and farther down, on the Gwynne land, receives Barron Run. These numerous streams and their tributaries furnish an abundant supply of water to all portions of the township. The west and south portions of the township possess a very deep, rich soil, principally a black loam, and as originally found by the frst settlers, consisted mainly of oak openings and prairies, upon much of which grew a sedge so tall that a man riding through it on horseback could take the grass from either side and tie the tops together over his horses' back. The northern and eastern portions and along the creeks, where the surface is undulating and hilly, possesses principally a loam and clay soil, and, although some small portions of it is a thin soil, yet the most of it is strong and productive, and is excellent for either grass or grain.

PIONEERS.

The first settler that we have been able to gain any account of within the precincts of Oak Run Township was William Jamison, who came to his county from Kentucky and located just south of the month of Glade Run, about 1805. He purchased 200 acres of land, upon which he resided till his death. He became quite a prominent and prosperous farmer of that day. He married Ann Brown, of Brown County, Ohio, by whom he had three sons and three daughters-Ira, the oldest son, became a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in Hancock County, Ohio. The second son died young. William, the youngest son, arriving at manhood, emigrated West and is now a resident of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. The three daughters were named Zelah, who married a man by the name of Ferguson; Cynthia married Levi Poulston, and the third daughter (name forgotten) married a man by the name of Foster; all three of the daughters are now deceased.

John Simpkins, a native of Maryland, came to this county about the same time as the Gwynnes, it is believed as early as 1808; he purchased land in this township on Walnut and Oak Run, which now is owned by Mrs. Eliza Chrisman, and here settled and made some improvement and became a leading active man in the secular affairs of the county; served as Treas- urer of the county in 1816: Collector in 1817; was an Associate Judge and also a Justice of the Peace; the latter office he filled for many years. He finally moved to Missouri, remaining but a short time, when he returned to this county, entered upon the mercantile trade, which he followed through the greater part of the remainder of his life. He had two brothers, James and Thomas; the latter was stabbed and killed on the streets of London; the former subsequently returned to his native State, Maryland.

Two brothers, Elias and Van De Lashmut, natives of Maryland, came to Madison County, it is believed, as early as 1810, and purchased land on Deer Creek, on the boundary line between Fairfield and Oak Run Town- ships. At about the same time came John De Lashmut, a cousin of the above; also two brothers. Otho and Nelson De Lashmut, also cousins of the former; the latter was a brick-maker by trade. Elias was the principal

842

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.

active man among them; was Sheriff of Franklin County in 1807-09, and it appears owned the greater part of the land they purchased, and after a few years entered upon the mercantile trade, and was one of the early merchants of London, where he carried on business for many years. John DeLashmut subsequently moved West, and settled somewhere on Red River.

John Jones came from Franklin County and settled on Oak Run, one mile above its mouth, about 1808; resided here some eight or ten years, and opened out the farm and made considerable improvements, then moved away. Thomas Nash, a native of Kentucky, settled near the month of Oak Run about 1812; after residing there a few years, he removed to Indiana. Will- iam Sly settled on Turkey Run. on Surveys 10, 904 and 12,364, at an early day, and was becoming somewhat prominent as an active, energetic man, but finally moved to Sandusky, where he died. John Linsey, a Virginian. settled on Oak Run, one mile above its mouth, on the land first settled and improved by John Jones, mentioned above, about 1818. He resided here about six or eight years; was quite active and energetic, gained some wealth and moved to near Sandusky, where he purchased land and died there, leaving a large estate.

Montgomery Wilson was one of the early settlers of this township, of whom but little is known, except that he was a blacksmith by trade, and lo- cated temporarily wherever his business or inclination led him.

Joseph Rea was born in Pennsylvania in 1754; he married Elizabeth Conn, who was born January 27, 1762; they were married January 16, 1783. They emigrated to Virginia; thence, in 1810, to Ross County, Ohio; and thence to Madison County, about 1818. and settled on Oak Run, where they died about 1829. They had a family of nine children; all grew to maturity, but are now deceased. Of their children, Mathew was born in Rockbridge County, Va., in 1793: he became a resident of London in 1818, and married Ann Amos, who was born in Maryland November 15, 1802: they were married in London by Patrick McLene, Esq., and, in 1835, set- tled in Oak Run Township, where he became a very successful farmer and stock-raiser, and accumulated a good property. She died in 1857, and he in 1873. They had seven children; three now survive; Robert and Jerry, two of the surviving children, are large land-owners in Oak Run Township, and are among the most respected citizens of the county.

James Foster came from Ross County and settled on the north side of Bradford's Fork, about 1820; a few years later, his brother John came and settled near him; they married two sisters by the name of Bougher. They became prosperous farmers and large land-owners; they were active busi- ness men and filled many offices of the county and township. James served as County Commissioner.

Jonathan Farrar was a native of England but became a settler in Oak Run Township, on land now owned by Mr. Chenoweth, about 1825. Mr. Farrar was an excellent man and quite a judge and admirer of fine stock. He. with Charles Phellis, Esq., and Mr. Browning, were appointed a com- mittee by the Stock Breeders' Association of Madison County to go to En gland and purchase a quantity of fine-blooded stock. John C. Robison, an Englishman by birth, possessed of a good education and a teacher in his younger days, came from Pennsylvania to Madison County, and about 1831 32, located in Oak Run Township and erected a saw and grist mill on Oak Run, since known as the Harvey Mills and the Gregg Mill. He sold the mill to Jonathan Harvey, and thence removed to Kentucky, where he en-

848

OAK RUN TOWNSHIP.

tered upon teaching, and while engaged in this profession was stabbed and killed by one of his scholars.

MILLS.

The number of mills in this township have been few, and most of those only temporary. As to saw-mills, of course the demand for them in any country depends upon the amount and value of its timber, and, as much of this township was a prairie and without timber, it would be self-evident that mills would here have a limited business. The first saw-mill we receive an account of was erected on Deer Creek, near Christian Smith's farm, about 1830-32, by Jolin C. Robison. This was run by water conducted in a race from the river above, and then into the river below the mill. This at, first was only a saw-mill, but soon a set of buhrs was attached for grind- ing. After a short period, Mr. Robison sold out to Mr. Gosloy, and he- to Joseph Chrisman; then it came into the ownership of Jonathan Har- vey, who put in an engine and run it by steam. He died and the mill was purchased by Hannah & Wood, and while in their ownership was burned down. Then it was rebuilt as a water-mill by William Harvey. About 1865, Mr. Gregg purchased the property, and has since continued to run the mill. A saw-mill had been kept up and run in connection with the grist-mill till within a few years, when it had fallen into a very dilapidated condition, and they ceased using it. Mr. Gregg, however, has a portable saw-mill, located on Turkey Run near the schoolhouse. About 1835, Jona than Farrar erected a saw-mill near the mouth of Oak Rur, and subsequent ly erected a grist-mill attached to it; just how long this mill continued in operation we did not definitely ascertain, but suffice it to say it has long since passed out of use. On Deer Creek, about half-way between the Gregg and the Farrar Mills was a saw-mill, erected by a Mr. Deffenbaugh. but which has also long since disappeared.

SCHOOLS.

The educational system of this township compares favorably, we think with those of other townships. And taking into consideration the fact that this township was erected so late as 1856, and many portions of it for many years quite sparsely settled, we think the present good condition of its schools speaks well for the moral standing and enterprise of its citizens. The township is divided in five subdistricts, as follows: District No. 1 has a good new house erected on the London & California pike, on the north- east corner of the Chrisman land. The enumeration of scholars in this district, in October, 1880, was 48; District No. 2. on Turkey Run, was 37; District No. 3, in the Higgins neighborhood, 71; District No. 4, in the Fos- ter neighborhood, 40; District No. 5, on the Jesse Rea farm, 23; total enn- meration, 219. Total receipts of all funds on hand for school purposes, September 1, 1879, $3,920.39; total paid teachers and for expenses, $2,084. - 71; balance on hand. September 1. 1880, $1.835.68.

JB Laude

PART V. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

UNION TOWNSHIP.

PRESTON ADAIR, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. London. His an- cestry can be traced back to Ireland. John Adair, Sr. enlisted in the Brit- ish Army, and when the American colonies threw off the yoke of tyranny, he accompanied Gen. Cornwallis to America. After the war. he settled in Augusta County, Va., where he married Jane Ross. They were the parents of seven children. One son, John Adair, Jr., the father of our subject, was born near Stanton, Va., November 11, 1783. His mother dying young, he was taken to raise by an uncle. In 1808. when twenty-five years of age, he accompanied his father to Ohio, stopping at Chillicothe and remaining there as guests of Gen. McArthur for some days. They then came to Madi son County, where John, Sr., purchased a tract of land, about one mile north of the present site of La Fayette, where he resided till his death. in 1815. John Adair then married, and purchased a tract of land from Gen. MeAr- thur, located on the "Upper Glade," in Deer Creek Township, and consist- ing of eighty acres. He married Jane Ross, a native of Virginia, and the result of this union was the birth of twelve children. Seven of these grew to mature years, and six are now living. Mrs. Adair died in June, 1837, and Mr. Adair married for his second wife, in 1840, Miss B. Plymell. No children were given them. Mr. Adair died January 19, 1859, and his widow resided with our subject until the date of her death, in April. 1876. John Adair, Sr., was an extensive stock-dealer of that time; in political life a Whig, but entertaining a strong dislike for office-holding. He was an ear-

nest Christian, and a pioneer Methodist of that community.

The first

Methodist Episcopal " class meeting " in that vicinity was held in a " squat- ter's cabin," on his land. Preston Adair, his son and our subject, was born on the old homestead June 11, 1829. He was there reared, receiving only a limited education. His mother died, and his older brothers had all left home, so. from the time he wastwelve years of age until thirty, he remained with his father and step-mother, carrying on the farm. He was married, September 20, 1859, to Hannah Street, a native of Knox County, Ohio. daughter of John and Ann (Robison) Street, who came from England to Ross County, Ohio, in 1840. After marriage. Mr. Adair carried on the home farm for three years, and, in April, 1864, removed to his present comfortable residence, on East High street, London. Upon the death of his parents, he purchased the old homestead, and has since added to it, un- til at present it consists of 400 acres of valuable land. Mr. Adair is a thor- ough Republican in political views, and, in the fall of 1880, was elected Infirmary Director for a term of three years. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination since a boy of twelve years, and at present is a Steward and class leader in the church at London. He is also connected with the Masonic Lodge and Council. Five children have been given to Mr. and Mrs. Adair, four living-Nettie; John W., in attendance at

850

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

Wittenberg College. Springfield, Ohio; Bruce, who has been blind for the past two years and is being educated at the Ohio State Blind Asylum, at Columbus; and Byers. Mrs. Adair and the two elder children are also mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Thomas Robison, grandfather of Mrs. Adair, resides at Mount Vernon, Ohio, aged eighty-seven years.

FULTON ARMSTRONG, farmer and stock-dealer, P. O. London, was born in Union Township January 31, 1825. He is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Earl) Armstrong, natives of Ohio, where they spent their lives. His father was an extensive farmer and stock-dealer, and at one time owned 3.500 acres of land in this county. His people were among the very early settlers in this vicinity. Our subject received a limited education in the schools of his native county, and early in life adopted the occupation of farming. He commenced life by farming and stock-dealing in Vermillion County, Ill .. where he spent eighteen years. He owns 1,000 acres of very fine land in the county, in addition to which he rents about 500 acres to increase his facilities for his extensive stock operations. He usually keeps about 200 head of cattle on his place, in addition to his stock cattle, and now has 350 head. He married Mary Rankin, who died in 1868. She was the mother of four children, all now deceased. In 1869, he married Eliza- beth (Truitt) McMillan, widow of George McMillan, deceased. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Armstrong is a Repub- lican in politics, but he has neither desired or accepted any offices.

EDWARD . ARMSTRONG, of Armstrong & Minshall, dealers in fur- niture and queensware. London. was born on the " Old Bradford farm." in Union Township, this county, January 1. 1850. His father was Robert Armstrong, a native of Chillicothe. Ross County. Ohio. He was twice married. His second wife, and the mother of our subject, was Mrs. Maria (Cowling) Cover. a sister of Maj. Cowling, so favorably known throughout Madison County, and a native of England. There were born to this union tive children. four living. Mr. Armstrong was the father of fifteen children by both marriages, and his wife, being also twice married, was the mother of eleven children. The father died in 1865, and the mother in 1873. Our subject was the fourth child of this union, and grew to manhood on the farm. When fifteen years of age, he came to London. and entered the pub- lic schools. In 1869, he entered the drug store of Dr. Caldwell, of Cedar- ville. Greene County. Ohio, as a clerk with him altogether about two years. He then returned to London and engaged in the drug business with Dr. J. T. Houston, the firm doing business for seven years. Mr. Arm- strong then formed a partnership with E. J. Robinson in the same business. and, three years later, in January, 1880, sold his interest to Dr. Platt King. In June. 1882, he formed a partnership with Leon Minshall, in his present business, and, on the 23d day of the month, the firm opened out with an elegant assortment of plain and fancy furniture, queensware, etc. Their trade has exceeded their most sanguine expectations. Mr. Armstrong is a member of Chandler Lodge, No. 138, Masonic, the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, politically, is a strong Republican. He was married, October 12, 1876, to Alice, daughter of H. W. Richman, a prominent citizen of Lon- don. Mrs. Armstrong is also a member of the Presbyterian Church.

JONATHAN ARNETT, surveyor and civil engineer, London, was born in Ross County, Ohio, August 30, 1819. His father, William D. Ar- nett, was a native of Eastern Maryland, and a farmer by occupation. He came to Ohio in 1817, locating in Ross County, where he resided twelve years. He then removed to Jefferson Township of this county, and lived

851

UNION TOWNSHIP.

there till his death. in 1859. He married Margaret Vickers. also a native of Maryland. They had twelve children, six now living. Mrs. Arnett de- parted this life December 30, 1874. Jonathan Arnett was the sixth child of this large family. and grew to manhood on the home farm. His early educational facilities were those of pioneer days, and rather limited. He was engaged in farming until twenty-two years of age. and then attended what was termed the " Ohio Conference High School." at Springfield, Clark County, remaining there two years. He then taught school in this and ad- joining counties for about ten years. During this time. he spent his leisure moments in studying his present profession, and finally engaged in that occupation. From 1554 to 1864. he was engaged in mercantile transactions in this and adjoining counties. He was Acting Chief Engineer of the Dayton & Michigan Railroad for eight years, surveying the line from Springfield to Troy. Ohio, and subsequently to Union City, Ind. He has been a resident of London since 1866. and during this period has devoted the daytime to his labor, and the evenings to the study of his profession. He was Surveyor of Madison County two terms; has been School Examiner of Madison County for sixteen years: of Union School. London, same length of time. and was a member of the London School Board for nine years. Mr. Arnett is a member of Chandler Lodge, No. 135. Masonic, and a Master Mason. Politically, he has always held the views adopted by the Democratic party. but on local questions votes for the man and not for or with the party. He has never been an aspirant for office. Mr. Arnett was married in March, 1847. to Esther M. Fellows, a native of Hanover. N. H. Two children were born to them, one living -- Delia A .. wife of Clinton Morse. County Surveyor. They have one daughter-Edna. Mrs. Arnett was a member of the M. E. Church, and died in that faith, August 25, 1871. Mr. A. was again married, April 22.1874, to Mrs. Permelia Morse. dangh- ter of Dr. Colliver, of Jefferson, Ohio. She is a native of Kentucky and a member of the Baptist Church.

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 91

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